BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, described a high school wrestling coach, a paraprofessional, a speech pathologist and a bus driver who all had at least two things in common.

None was required to submit to a criminal history and background check before working in proximity to school-age children, and all were accused or convicted of criminal acts against children they worked near.

“I believe the public would be stunned to know how many people may come in contact with their child in the educational process during a school day who have not been subject to mandatory fingerprint-based criminal history and background checks,” Mattivi said at a Tuesday hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Mattivi urged approval of a bill that would require state and national fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for all employees and volunteers at public and private schools every five years. He characterized the absence of a requirement as a gap in public safety.

The Kansas State Department of Education already requires licensed teachers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks, but the bill would solidify that requirement in state law.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb246/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 246</a>&nbsp;also proposes a new fingerprinted background check requirement for other school employees and contractors, such as janitors, cooks, coaches, therapists, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, volunteers and some administrators.

Those positions, Mattivi said, sometimes have greater and more private access to students than teachers do.

Applicants would have to foot the cost of a background check, or a school district could cover it.

Nicole Maddox, information services director at the KBI, said the $57 fee for fingerprint-based background checks covers processing costs for both the KBI and the FBI.

Sen. Mike Argabright, an Olpe Republican, was concerned with turnaround time. Many school boards only meet once a month, especially in rural areas, he said, and the bill as written could create a potential time crunch for the KBI to quickly run checks so schools can onboard the appropriate staff or volunteers.

The KBI currently promises a turnaround for background checks within 7-10 business days. The current average response time, Maddox said, is 9 hours.

The bill’s requirements would apply to approximately 44,000 teachers and 32,000 non-licensed staff each year, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. If the cost per background check remains at $57, the state education department would receive an additional $4.3 million annually.

The bill is backed by multiple state agencies, and it was introduced last February at the behest of Steven Anderson, the state’s inspector general. It had no opponents.

In a 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/22666/638597681756200000" target="_blank">audit</a>, Anderson recommended almost exactly what the bill proposes, cementing in state law that fingerprint-based criminal background checks be performed in a five year cycle for all school employees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769027077083.png" alt="KBI Director Tony Mattivi appears at a press conference on Oct. 1, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas. He spoke to a legislative committee in January 2026, encouraging lawmakers to advance a bill that requires all school employees to submit to fingerprint-based background checks. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>KBI Director Tony Mattivi appears at a press conference on Oct. 1, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas. He spoke to a legislative committee in January 2026, encouraging lawmakers to advance a bill that requires all school employees to submit to fingerprint-based background checks. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, described a high school wrestling coach, a paraprofessional, a speech pathologist and a bus driver who all had at least two things in common.None was required to submit to a criminal history and background check before working in proximity to school-age children, and all were accused or convicted of criminal acts against children they worked near.“I believe the public would be stunned to know how many people may come in contact with their child in the educational process during a school day who have not been subject to mandatory fingerprint-based criminal history and background checks,” Mattivi said at a Tuesday hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.Mattivi urged approval of a bill that would require state and national fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for all employees and volunteers at public and private schools every five years. He characterized the absence of a requirement as a gap in public safety.The Kansas State Department of Education already requires licensed teachers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks, but the bill would solidify that requirement in state law.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb246/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 246</a>&nbsp;also proposes a new fingerprinted background check requirement for other school employees and contractors, such as janitors, cooks, coaches, therapists, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, volunteers and some administrators.Those positions, Mattivi said, sometimes have greater and more private access to students than teachers do.Applicants would have to foot the cost of a background check, or a school district could cover it.Nicole Maddox, information services director at the KBI, said the $57 fee for fingerprint-based background checks covers processing costs for both the KBI and the FBI.Sen. Mike Argabright, an Olpe Republican, was concerned with turnaround time. Many school boards only meet once a month, especially in rural areas, he said, and the bill as written could create a potential time crunch for the KBI to quickly run checks so schools can onboard the appropriate staff or volunteers.The KBI currently promises a turnaround for background checks within 7-10 business days. The current average response time, Maddox said, is 9 hours.The bill’s requirements would apply to approximately 44,000 teachers and 32,000 non-licensed staff each year, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. If the cost per background check remains at $57, the state education department would receive an additional $4.3 million annually.The bill is backed by multiple state agencies, and it was introduced last February at the behest of Steven Anderson, the state’s inspector general. It had no opponents.In a 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/22666/638597681756200000" target="_blank">audit</a>, Anderson recommended almost exactly what the bill proposes, cementing in state law that fingerprint-based criminal background checks be performed in a five year cycle for all school employees.

KBI director urges mandatory background checks for school employees to fill public safety gaps

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelcie-moseley-morris/">Kelcie Moseley-Morris</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>

Two Missouri women who had abortions 50 years ago testified Tuesday to mental health effects they suffered from the procedure

KANSAS CITY — The first slate of witnesses from the Missouri Attorney General’s office in the fight to uphold statewide abortion regulations offered testimony that professionals and scientific studies have long disputed, including claims about mental health outcomes and abortion medication.&nbsp;

It’s the second week of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/09/missouri-abortion-regulations-trial-access-trap-laws/">10-day bench trial&nbsp;</a>that will be decided by Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang. Missouri’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, along with the ACLU of Missouri, filed the lawsuit over Missouri’s few dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP, laws,</a>&nbsp;claiming they are now unconstitutional under the state’s reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.

Advocates say those laws made abortion almost completely inaccessible in the years leading up to 2022, when a near-total ban was implemented across the state.&nbsp;

The state constitution now prohibits the state from denying, delaying or interfering with abortion access unless it demonstrates “a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

A majority of the testimony on Tuesday focused on mental health, including two women who took the stand to talk about their own abortions more than 50 years ago.&nbsp;

Linda Raymond, who grew up in St. Louis, said she had an abortion when she was 18 after pressure from her mother, who she said was embarrassed and angry that her daughter had gotten pregnant. Raymond testified that her mother beat her when she discovered she was pregnant.

The nurse and doctors at the Planned Parenthood she went to in 1976 didn’t inform her about the risks or potential complications of abortion, she said, or about the alternatives of adoption or parenting.

“If I had those things in front of me, I would have reconsidered,” Raymond said. “I would have pushed back on my mother.”

Since then, Raymond has become an anti-abortion activist, testifying that she has prayed outside of a Planned Parenthood Great Rivers clinic and tries to talk to people going inside.&nbsp;

“I don’t want other women and families to make the choice that I ultimately made,” she said.

One of the laws at issue requires patients to be given a copy of Missouri’s informed consent booklet prior to an abortion — a<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/womenshealth/pregnancyassistance/pdf/Mo.InformedConsentBooklet-Revisedpgs.12-15August2019jkOGCReviewed.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;26-page pamphlet</a>&nbsp;that begins with a statement that human life begins at conception and “abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.”&nbsp;

It also includes information about fetal pain beginning at 16 weeks or earlier, even though the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that a multitude of studies have established that fetuses cannot feel pain until<a href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/gestational-development-capacity-for-pain" target="_blank">&nbsp;closer to viability</a>, around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The law also mandates a 72-hour waiting period between an initial appointment and the procedure, when a doctor or other qualified professional must inform the patient of the “immediate and long-term medical risks to her and possible adverse psychological effects associated with the abortion.”&nbsp;

Attorneys for the state have previously emphasized the need for a “reflection period” for women before they move forward with an abortion. Those who testified for Planned Parenthood last week said it put a huge burden on patients, especially those who had to take time off work, arrange child care or travel long distances to get to the clinic.&nbsp;

Having a wanted abortion isn’t linked to mental health issues, but being denied a wanted abortion is, according to the<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health" target="_blank">&nbsp;American Psychological Institute.</a>&nbsp;Dr. Daniel Grossman, who was called to testify last week by Planned Parenthood’s attorneys, told the court he regularly reviews literature on abortion and mental health and hasn’t seen any evidence of abortion increasing the risk of mental health problems.

But more recent studies, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/research/ongoing/turnaway-study" target="_blank">Turnaway Study,</a>&nbsp;paint a better reality, he said. That study, led by one of Grossman’s colleagues at University of California San Francisco, where he serves as ​​director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, focused on 1,000 women who sought abortions between 2008 and 2010 years, and then followed them for five years after they either received an abortion or were unable to get one, including because of state laws banning or limiting abortion.

This study, Grossman testified, found anxiety rates were higher among women who had just been denied abortions. But after five years, he said, there was no difference in the mental health of the groups who had abortions versus those turned away. Grossman is also a liaison to Planned Parenthood’s National Medical Committee.

According to Missouri public records, post-abortion complication reports from 2018 to 2022 show no patients with a diagnosable psychiatric condition listed as a complication.

Stephanie Jacobson, who was a Missouri resident until about four years ago, had an abortion when she was 16 in 1978, and another when she was 18. Jacobson went on to have five children, but testified Tuesday that the abortions “ravaged” her and left her with depression and anxiety that lingered until she went through an abortion recovery program less than a decade ago.

Now Jacobson is a coach for an abortion recovery hotline, though she said that has exacerbated her mental health issues.&nbsp;

During her testimony, she recounted one “intense” call from a woman who was panicked and screaming after having a medication abortion at home. Jacobson said while she was trying to talk the woman through what she could do with the fetal remains that were sitting on a cloth on the counter, the woman said her cat started eating them.

Attorneys for the plaintiff immediately objected to Jacobson’s testimony as hearsay, and Zhang agreed to strike it from the record. However, the state opted to bring Jacobson back to the stand later in the afternoon to tell the same story again with more detail “on proffer,” which means it won’t be considered as evidence in this trial but could be considered on appeal.

The state also called Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst, who practiced as an OBGYN for more than 30 years but has never performed an abortion and is against abortion in all circumstances except to save the pregnant patient’s life. Her testimony included many of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/19/abortion-safety-missouri-amendment-trial-jackson-county/">same arguments</a>&nbsp;that were already discussed in the first week of the trial, such as the safety of medication abortion.

Wubbenhorst’s testimony will conclude Wednesday morning, and the trial is expected to end on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769022321846.png" alt=" Connie Gerling, with 40 Days for Life, prays outside the Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic on March 3, 2025 as the clinic restarted procedural abortions for the first time in years. A sign beside her reads: "We Care. We can Help" (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Connie Gerling, with 40 Days for Life, prays outside the Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic on March 3, 2025 as the clinic restarted procedural abortions for the first time in years. A sign beside her reads: "We Care. We can Help" (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelcie-moseley-morris/">Kelcie Moseley-Morris</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><h2>Two Missouri women who had abortions 50 years ago testified Tuesday to mental health effects they suffered from the procedure</h2>KANSAS CITY — The first slate of witnesses from the Missouri Attorney General’s office in the fight to uphold statewide abortion regulations offered testimony that professionals and scientific studies have long disputed, including claims about mental health outcomes and abortion medication.&nbsp;It’s the second week of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/09/missouri-abortion-regulations-trial-access-trap-laws/">10-day bench trial&nbsp;</a>that will be decided by Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang. Missouri’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, along with the ACLU of Missouri, filed the lawsuit over Missouri’s few dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP, laws,</a>&nbsp;claiming they are now unconstitutional under the state’s reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.Advocates say those laws made abortion almost completely inaccessible in the years leading up to 2022, when a near-total ban was implemented across the state.&nbsp;The state constitution now prohibits the state from denying, delaying or interfering with abortion access unless it demonstrates “a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”A majority of the testimony on Tuesday focused on mental health, including two women who took the stand to talk about their own abortions more than 50 years ago.&nbsp;Linda Raymond, who grew up in St. Louis, said she had an abortion when she was 18 after pressure from her mother, who she said was embarrassed and angry that her daughter had gotten pregnant. Raymond testified that her mother beat her when she discovered she was pregnant.The nurse and doctors at the Planned Parenthood she went to in 1976 didn’t inform her about the risks or potential complications of abortion, she said, or about the alternatives of adoption or parenting.“If I had those things in front of me, I would have reconsidered,” Raymond said. “I would have pushed back on my mother.”Since then, Raymond has become an anti-abortion activist, testifying that she has prayed outside of a Planned Parenthood Great Rivers clinic and tries to talk to people going inside.&nbsp;“I don’t want other women and families to make the choice that I ultimately made,” she said.One of the laws at issue requires patients to be given a copy of Missouri’s informed consent booklet prior to an abortion — a<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/womenshealth/pregnancyassistance/pdf/Mo.InformedConsentBooklet-Revisedpgs.12-15August2019jkOGCReviewed.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;26-page pamphlet</a>&nbsp;that begins with a statement that human life begins at conception and “abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.”&nbsp;It also includes information about fetal pain beginning at 16 weeks or earlier, even though the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that a multitude of studies have established that fetuses cannot feel pain until<a href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/gestational-development-capacity-for-pain" target="_blank">&nbsp;closer to viability</a>, around 24 weeks of pregnancy.The law also mandates a 72-hour waiting period between an initial appointment and the procedure, when a doctor or other qualified professional must inform the patient of the “immediate and long-term medical risks to her and possible adverse psychological effects associated with the abortion.”&nbsp;Attorneys for the state have previously emphasized the need for a “reflection period” for women before they move forward with an abortion. Those who testified for Planned Parenthood last week said it put a huge burden on patients, especially those who had to take time off work, arrange child care or travel long distances to get to the clinic.&nbsp;Having a wanted abortion isn’t linked to mental health issues, but being denied a wanted abortion is, according to the<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health" target="_blank">&nbsp;American Psychological Institute.</a>&nbsp;Dr. Daniel Grossman, who was called to testify last week by Planned Parenthood’s attorneys, told the court he regularly reviews literature on abortion and mental health and hasn’t seen any evidence of abortion increasing the risk of mental health problems.But more recent studies, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/research/ongoing/turnaway-study" target="_blank">Turnaway Study,</a>&nbsp;paint a better reality, he said. That study, led by one of Grossman’s colleagues at University of California San Francisco, where he serves as ​​director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, focused on 1,000 women who sought abortions between 2008 and 2010 years, and then followed them for five years after they either received an abortion or were unable to get one, including because of state laws banning or limiting abortion.This study, Grossman testified, found anxiety rates were higher among women who had just been denied abortions. But after five years, he said, there was no difference in the mental health of the groups who had abortions versus those turned away. Grossman is also a liaison to Planned Parenthood’s National Medical Committee.According to Missouri public records, post-abortion complication reports from 2018 to 2022 show no patients with a diagnosable psychiatric condition listed as a complication.Stephanie Jacobson, who was a Missouri resident until about four years ago, had an abortion when she was 16 in 1978, and another when she was 18. Jacobson went on to have five children, but testified Tuesday that the abortions “ravaged” her and left her with depression and anxiety that lingered until she went through an abortion recovery program less than a decade ago.Now Jacobson is a coach for an abortion recovery hotline, though she said that has exacerbated her mental health issues.&nbsp;During her testimony, she recounted one “intense” call from a woman who was panicked and screaming after having a medication abortion at home. Jacobson said while she was trying to talk the woman through what she could do with the fetal remains that were sitting on a cloth on the counter, the woman said her cat started eating them.Attorneys for the plaintiff immediately objected to Jacobson’s testimony as hearsay, and Zhang agreed to strike it from the record. However, the state opted to bring Jacobson back to the stand later in the afternoon to tell the same story again with more detail “on proffer,” which means it won’t be considered as evidence in this trial but could be considered on appeal.The state also called Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst, who practiced as an OBGYN for more than 30 years but has never performed an abortion and is against abortion in all circumstances except to save the pregnant patient’s life. Her testimony included many of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/19/abortion-safety-missouri-amendment-trial-jackson-county/">same arguments</a>&nbsp;that were already discussed in the first week of the trial, such as the safety of medication abortion.Wubbenhorst’s testimony will conclude Wednesday morning, and the trial is expected to end on Monday.

Mo. leans on disputed mental health claims in defense of strict abortion laws

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fatima-hussein">FATIMA HUSSEIN</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-irs-tax-season-5e939f5e271086d4ba51f24dc5200651">2026 tax filing season</a>&nbsp;begins, the head of the IRS announced a shake-up Tuesday, saying the personnel and operational changes are intended to improve taxpayer service and modernize the agency.

The timing of the announcement coincides with a critical moment for the agency, as the IRS prepares to process millions of tax returns while simultaneously implementing major tax law changes under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions" target="_blank">tax and spending package</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed into law last summer. There are new tax relief provisions for tips and overtime, and new deductions for qualifying older Americans.

In a letter addressed to the agency’s 74,000 employees and viewed by The Associated Press, Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano announced new priorities and a reorganization of IRS executive leadership.

Notably, Gary Shapley, the whistleblower who testified publicly about investigations into Hunter Biden’s taxes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-irs-tax-policy-biden-shapley-b60455836992c078f1177f6802755b91">served just two days as IRS Commissioner</a>&nbsp;last year, was named deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation division.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-immigration-criminal-investigations-2f0ab7111f121bbcb7d653528a954017">Guy Ficco</a>, the head of Criminal Investigation, is set to retire and will be replaced by Jarod Koopman, who will also serve as chief tax compliance officer alongside Bisignano.

Joseph Ziegler, another Hunter Biden whistleblower, was named chief of internal consulting, the letter said.

Bisignano said in the letter that he is “confident that with this new team in place, the IRS is well-prepared to deliver a successful tax filing season for the American public.”

The June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/" target="_blank">National Taxpayer Advocate</a>&nbsp;report to Congress warned that the 2026 season could be rocky after a series of mass layoffs last year brought on by the Department of Government Efficiency.

“With the IRS workforce reduced by 26% and significant tax law changes on the horizon, there are risks to next year’s filing season,” said Erin M. Collins, who leads the organization assigned to protect taxpayers’ rights.

Bisignano, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-irs-bessent-bisignano-e58cfaf2c88299e728d9783c8f5476fa">named to his job in October</a>, also serves as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

His main priorities for the IRS in 2026 include enhancing customer service, improving tax collections and safeguarding taxpayer privacy.

The IRS expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns this year, which is on par with what it received last year.

The average refund amount last year was $3,167, according to IRS data. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said on several occasions that the effects of Republican tax law will result in bigger refunds in 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690229574211.png" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fatima-hussein">FATIMA HUSSEIN</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-irs-tax-season-5e939f5e271086d4ba51f24dc5200651">2026 tax filing season</a>&nbsp;begins, the head of the IRS announced a shake-up Tuesday, saying the personnel and operational changes are intended to improve taxpayer service and modernize the agency.The timing of the announcement coincides with a critical moment for the agency, as the IRS prepares to process millions of tax returns while simultaneously implementing major tax law changes under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions" target="_blank">tax and spending package</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed into law last summer. There are new tax relief provisions for tips and overtime, and new deductions for qualifying older Americans.In a letter addressed to the agency’s 74,000 employees and viewed by The Associated Press, Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano announced new priorities and a reorganization of IRS executive leadership.Notably, Gary Shapley, the whistleblower who testified publicly about investigations into Hunter Biden’s taxes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-irs-tax-policy-biden-shapley-b60455836992c078f1177f6802755b91">served just two days as IRS Commissioner</a>&nbsp;last year, was named deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation division.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-immigration-criminal-investigations-2f0ab7111f121bbcb7d653528a954017">Guy Ficco</a>, the head of Criminal Investigation, is set to retire and will be replaced by Jarod Koopman, who will also serve as chief tax compliance officer alongside Bisignano.Joseph Ziegler, another Hunter Biden whistleblower, was named chief of internal consulting, the letter said.Bisignano said in the letter that he is “confident that with this new team in place, the IRS is well-prepared to deliver a successful tax filing season for the American public.”The June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/" target="_blank">National Taxpayer Advocate</a>&nbsp;report to Congress warned that the 2026 season could be rocky after a series of mass layoffs last year brought on by the Department of Government Efficiency.“With the IRS workforce reduced by 26% and significant tax law changes on the horizon, there are risks to next year’s filing season,” said Erin M. Collins, who leads the organization assigned to protect taxpayers’ rights.Bisignano, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-irs-bessent-bisignano-e58cfaf2c88299e728d9783c8f5476fa">named to his job in October</a>, also serves as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration.His main priorities for the IRS in 2026 include enhancing customer service, improving tax collections and safeguarding taxpayer privacy.The IRS expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns this year, which is on par with what it received last year.The average refund amount last year was $3,167, according to IRS data. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said on several occasions that the effects of Republican tax law will result in bigger refunds in 2026.

IRS head announces a shake-up on the eve of the 2026 tax season

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two Fort Riley men for alleged barcode swapping at a store in Salina.

On Monday, security from Target on South 9th Street in Salina took two male suspects into custody for allegedly barcode swapping on trading cards.

Salina Police Department were dispatched to the store and arrested 23, year-old&nbsp;Austin Martin and 24-year-old Colby Flowers, both from Fort Riley, according to a statement from Salina Police.

Martin and Flowers allegedly stole two boxes of sports cards, valued at $100 and two packs of pokemon cards, valued $10. The suspects committed the thefts on January 11 and the 17.

Martin and Flowers were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charge of Felony Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768920785988.jpeg" alt="Flowers photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Flowers photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two Fort Riley men for alleged barcode swapping at a store in Salina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769015181676.png" alt="Martin-photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, security from Target on South 9th Street in Salina took two male suspects into custody for allegedly barcode swapping on trading cards.Salina Police Department were dispatched to the store and arrested 23, year-old&nbsp;Austin Martin and 24-year-old Colby Flowers, both from Fort Riley, according to a statement from Salina Police.Martin and Flowers allegedly stole two boxes of sports cards, valued at $100 and two packs of pokemon cards, valued $10. The suspects committed the thefts on January 11 and the 17.Martin and Flowers were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charge of Felony Theft.

Police: Two Kansas men accused of barcode swapping

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;

The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. 

EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769009819295.jpeg" alt="-Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>-Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

Kan. man hospitalized after pickup crash into hotel room

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

Just before 4a.m. January 19, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a white 2005 Cadillac SUV near SW 17th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp; It was determined that the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. He also had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located.

Quamell C-C Eteeyan, 30, Topeka was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia and traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768950271191.png" alt="Eteeyan-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Eteeyan-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 4a.m. January 19, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a white 2005 Cadillac SUV near SW 17th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp; It was determined that the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. He also had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located.Quamell C-C Eteeyan, 30, Topeka was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia and traffic violations.

Kan. man without a driver's license was transporting drugs

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Wichita and are expected to release a full report late this week.

Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Woodlawn in Wichita, acccording to an online statement from Wichita police.

Officers "did not hear loud yelling" but&nbsp; heard individuals inside the apartment and knocked on the door. Officers identified themselves as police. A man inside the apartment stated he was going to get his gun. Officers knocked on the door again and a man inside stated again he was going to get his gun and was threatening to shoot the officers.

Officers took a defensive stance and retreated from the apartment doorway. The man stepped out of the apartment and had a firearm in his hand. The man pointed a firearm at the officers. One officer returned fire and struck the man. The officer immediately ran to get his medical kit bag to provide medical aid to the man.&nbsp;

The man was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; No officers were injured. Police took one other individual from the apartment into custody.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office will be in charge of the investigation and a full report is expected by Friday, according to Wichita police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768907728573.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Wichita and are expected to release a full report late this week.Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of North Woodlawn in Wichita, acccording to an online statement from Wichita police.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F870466718917621%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Officers "did not hear loud yelling" but&nbsp; heard individuals inside the apartment and knocked on the door. Officers identified themselves as police. A man inside the apartment stated he was going to get his gun. Officers knocked on the door again and a man inside stated again he was going to get his gun and was threatening to shoot the officers.Officers took a defensive stance and retreated from the apartment doorway. The man stepped out of the apartment and had a firearm in his hand. The man pointed a firearm at the officers. One officer returned fire and struck the man. The officer immediately ran to get his medical kit bag to provide medical aid to the man.&nbsp;The man was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; No officers were injured. Police took one other individual from the apartment into custody.The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office will be in charge of the investigation and a full report is expected by Friday, according to Wichita police.

Investigation of deadly Kansas officer shooting continues

State auditors urged Legislature to find new way of determining at-risk student aid

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas House Welfare Reform Committee debated Tuesday implications of a jarring state audit that estimated 54% to 72% of Kansas students who qualified for the free-lunch program through a national application process were likely ineligible during the 2023-2024 academic year.

If that assessment was accurate, the Legislature’s auditors said, the U.S. Department of Agriculture overpaid Kansas school districts $10 million to $14 million during that year for meals that shouldn’t have been subsidized. The report held implications beyond the cost of school meals, because enrollment in Kansas’ free-lunch program determined how much the state paid school districts to deliver services to at-risk students. Auditors said $38 million to $53 million in extra at-risk funding was apparently distributed to school districts due to enrollment problems with the free-lunch program.

Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican and chairman of the committee, said the audit would be useful to the committee as it sorted out questions about oversight and fraud in state or federal programs.

“One of the discussions we often have is, you know, should there be more oversight on welfare programs or less oversight? If there is fraud or is there not fraud?” he said.

The state auditors issued one recommendation for the Legislature: Consider an alternate method of calculating how much at-risk student aid should be paid annually to K-12 districts. Auditors concluded that figures of the children taking part in the free-lunch program “may no longer be an accurate measure for determining the number of students at risk of academic failure in a district.”

Rep. Charlotte Esau, R-Olathe, said that as a child her family probably would have qualified for a school lunch program, but her father refused to apply. She said she wasn’t an at-risk student, despite being part of a lower-income family. She told House colleagues it made sense to find a new method of calculating state appropriations for students struggling academically.

“I’m seeing your conclusion makes logical sense to me,” Esau told auditors.

Under existing Kansas law, no mechanism exists to claw back from school districts any overpayment of at-risk dollars. In most cases, individual school districts didn’t have access to information that would confirmed which students qualified for the free-lunch program. The state’s ability to evaluate applicants was constrained by accuracy of information gathered by several state agencies and rules enforced by the USDA limiting annual auditing to 3% of a district’s student applications or a maximum of 3,000 students in a district.

Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, warned House colleagues eager to reform the at-risk funding formula for schools by relying on a different metric of poverty and need. She said there was a strong connection between feeding students during the school day and the ability to learn in the classroom.

Simmons said it would be a mistake to assume fraud when state auditors said it was challenging to verify whether students were eligible for free lunches at school.

State auditor Heidi Zimmerman said the report published in July outlined federal overpayments to school districts for the free lunch program. The audit also linked that idea to state overpayments to school districts for at-risk education, she said.

“We cannot claim there was fraud,” Zimmerman said. “We can tell you there are students who are ineligible. Ineligibility is not the same as fraud. Fraud requires a specific intent. You might have just made a mistake. That’s not fraud. So, this report does not claim that we found fraud anywhere.”

“Very much appreciate that clarification,” Simmons said.

Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, D-Kansas City, said the audit didn’t take into account the lower literacy rate among some parents expected to fill out school lunch program applications. She said the Kansas minimum wage of $7.25 per hour — less than half the $15 per hour minimum wage in Missouri — exacerbated financial hardships faced by families desperate for government assistance in providing nutritional meals to their school-age children.

“I can see a whole lot of people struggling,” she said. “The kids are hungry.”

Rep. Brian Bergkamp, R-Wichita, asked Frank Harwood, deputy commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education, to provide the committee with statistics on the quantity of food thrown away in Kansas public school cafeterias. He said the amount was more than most people might realize.

Harwood said USDA reimbursed school districts only for meals served to an eligible student. Under federal law, he said, children automatically qualified for free meals if they were in a household receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid or food distribution programs on an Indian reservation.

In addition, he said, a child was eligible for free meals at public schools if determined to be homeless, a runaway or migrant child, in foster care or enrolled in Head Start.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769003997815.png" alt="Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, D-Kansas City, left, and Rep. Dale Helwig, R-Columbus, gather insights Tuesday during a House committee discussion about an audit of student enrollment in the free-lunch program at public schools and implications for how much the state allocates to districts to serve needs of at-risk students. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, D-Kansas City, left, and Rep. Dale Helwig, R-Columbus, gather insights Tuesday during a House committee discussion about an audit of student enrollment in the free-lunch program at public schools and implications for how much the state allocates to districts to serve needs of at-risk students. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State auditors urged Legislature to find new way of determining at-risk student aid</h2>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas House Welfare Reform Committee debated Tuesday implications of a jarring state audit that estimated 54% to 72% of Kansas students who qualified for the free-lunch program through a national application process were likely ineligible during the 2023-2024 academic year.If that assessment was accurate, the Legislature’s auditors said, the U.S. Department of Agriculture overpaid Kansas school districts $10 million to $14 million during that year for meals that shouldn’t have been subsidized. The report held implications beyond the cost of school meals, because enrollment in Kansas’ free-lunch program determined how much the state paid school districts to deliver services to at-risk students. Auditors said $38 million to $53 million in extra at-risk funding was apparently distributed to school districts due to enrollment problems with the free-lunch program.Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican and chairman of the committee, said the audit would be useful to the committee as it sorted out questions about oversight and fraud in state or federal programs.“One of the discussions we often have is, you know, should there be more oversight on welfare programs or less oversight? If there is fraud or is there not fraud?” he said.The state auditors issued one recommendation for the Legislature: Consider an alternate method of calculating how much at-risk student aid should be paid annually to K-12 districts. Auditors concluded that figures of the children taking part in the free-lunch program “may no longer be an accurate measure for determining the number of students at risk of academic failure in a district.”Rep. Charlotte Esau, R-Olathe, said that as a child her family probably would have qualified for a school lunch program, but her father refused to apply. She said she wasn’t an at-risk student, despite being part of a lower-income family. She told House colleagues it made sense to find a new method of calculating state appropriations for students struggling academically.“I’m seeing your conclusion makes logical sense to me,” Esau told auditors.Under existing Kansas law, no mechanism exists to claw back from school districts any overpayment of at-risk dollars. In most cases, individual school districts didn’t have access to information that would confirmed which students qualified for the free-lunch program. The state’s ability to evaluate applicants was constrained by accuracy of information gathered by several state agencies and rules enforced by the USDA limiting annual auditing to 3% of a district’s student applications or a maximum of 3,000 students in a district.Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, warned House colleagues eager to reform the at-risk funding formula for schools by relying on a different metric of poverty and need. She said there was a strong connection between feeding students during the school day and the ability to learn in the classroom.Simmons said it would be a mistake to assume fraud when state auditors said it was challenging to verify whether students were eligible for free lunches at school.State auditor Heidi Zimmerman said the report published in July outlined federal overpayments to school districts for the free lunch program. The audit also linked that idea to state overpayments to school districts for at-risk education, she said.“We cannot claim there was fraud,” Zimmerman said. “We can tell you there are students who are ineligible. Ineligibility is not the same as fraud. Fraud requires a specific intent. You might have just made a mistake. That’s not fraud. So, this report does not claim that we found fraud anywhere.”“Very much appreciate that clarification,” Simmons said.Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, D-Kansas City, said the audit didn’t take into account the lower literacy rate among some parents expected to fill out school lunch program applications. She said the Kansas minimum wage of $7.25 per hour — less than half the $15 per hour minimum wage in Missouri — exacerbated financial hardships faced by families desperate for government assistance in providing nutritional meals to their school-age children.“I can see a whole lot of people struggling,” she said. “The kids are hungry.”Rep. Brian Bergkamp, R-Wichita, asked Frank Harwood, deputy commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education, to provide the committee with statistics on the quantity of food thrown away in Kansas public school cafeterias. He said the amount was more than most people might realize.Harwood said USDA reimbursed school districts only for meals served to an eligible student. Under federal law, he said, children automatically qualified for free meals if they were in a household receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid or food distribution programs on an Indian reservation.In addition, he said, a child was eligible for free meals at public schools if determined to be homeless, a runaway or migrant child, in foster care or enrolled in Head Start.

Kansas House studies free-lunch enrollment audit, implications of at-risk overpayment to schools

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a southwest Kansas man on multiple allegations a

Just after 8:30p.m. January 18, police responded to a reported robbery that occurred in the southwest part of Garden City, according to a media release.

Officers spoke with a woman who reported an altercation with a man known to her, identified as 37-year-old Enrique Rodriguez Hevia. The investigation revealed an argument between the two turned physical, after which Rodriguez Hevia took several of the woman’s possessions and refused to return them until she drove him to his vehicle. 

The woman attempted to drive to the police department, but Rodriguez Hevia got into the vehicle and interfered with her ability to leave by placing the vehicle into different gears and restraining the steering wheel. 

When the victim called out to nearby neighbors for help, Rodriguez Hevia fled the area with her possessions. Rodriguez Hevia later turned himself in at the Finney County Law Enforcement Center, where he was arrested and booked into jail on requested charges of Aggravated Auto Burglary, Robbery, and Domestic Battery.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768950568679.png" alt="Hevia-photo FInney County" />
 <figcaption>Hevia-photo FInney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a southwest Kansas man on multiple allegations aJust after 8:30p.m. January 18, police responded to a reported robbery that occurred in the southwest part of Garden City, according to a media release.Officers spoke with a woman who reported an altercation with a man known to her, identified as 37-year-old Enrique Rodriguez Hevia. The investigation revealed an argument between the two turned physical, after which Rodriguez Hevia took several of the woman’s possessions and refused to return them until she drove him to his vehicle. The woman attempted to drive to the police department, but Rodriguez Hevia got into the vehicle and interfered with her ability to leave by placing the vehicle into different gears and restraining the steering wheel. When the victim called out to nearby neighbors for help, Rodriguez Hevia fled the area with her possessions. Rodriguez Hevia later turned himself in at the Finney County Law Enforcement Center, where he was arrested and booked into jail on requested charges of Aggravated Auto Burglary, Robbery, and Domestic Battery.&nbsp;

SW Kansas robbery, domestic battery suspect turns himself in

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around.

A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered. About half an hour into the flight reporters were told the plane would be turning around.

Trump boarded another aircraft, an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used by the president for domestic trips to smaller airports, and continued on with his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos shortly after midnight.&nbsp;Air Force One touched down in Zurich a little after 12:30 p.m. local time, nearly two hours after he was originally scheduled to arrive.

Rubio says he slept at a table on Air Force One

The U.S. secretary of state joked with reporters as he picked up a coffee toward the end of the flight and said he tried to get some rest at a conference table aboard the aircraft.

Marco Rubio joked that the accommodations were still nicer than the plane he travels on for State Department business.

The two planes currently used as Air Force One have been flying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">nearly four decades</a>. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the program has faced a series of delays. The planes are heavily modified with survivability capabilities for the president for a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology. They also include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to remain in contact with the military and issue orders from anywhere in the world.

Last year, the ruling family of Qatar gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added into the Air Force One fleet, a move that faced great scrutiny. That plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.

Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that a Qatari jet was sounding “much better” right now.

Last February, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-plane-mechanical-issue-munich-conference-031928b920ff8e8d495d1590d508e1e5">Marco Rubio to Germany</a>&nbsp;had to return to Washington because of a mechanical issue. In October, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had to make an emergency landing in United Kingdom due to a crack in the windshield.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> is on the ground — a few hours late due to the plane change — in Zurich, Switzerland 🇺🇸🇨🇭 He&#39;ll take Marine One for the flight to Davos. <a href="https://t.co/2xqpvxlGCk">pic.twitter.com/2xqpvxlGCk</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2013948850587816378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The President and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland. <a href="https://t.co/pJ3Jc9NNbS">https://t.co/pJ3Jc9NNbS</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2013820148776399351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around.A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered. About half an hour into the flight reporters were told the plane would be turning around.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is wheels down in Switzerland and walks to board Marine One 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/XL0LDAhCSS">pic.twitter.com/XL0LDAhCSS</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2013949312481579384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump boarded another aircraft, an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used by the president for domestic trips to smaller airports, and continued on with his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos shortly after midnight.&nbsp;Air Force One touched down in Zurich a little after 12:30 p.m. local time, nearly two hours after he was originally scheduled to arrive.<h2>Rubio says he slept at a table on Air Force One</h2>The U.S. secretary of state joked with reporters as he picked up a coffee toward the end of the flight and said he tried to get some rest at a conference table aboard the aircraft.Marco Rubio joked that the accommodations were still nicer than the plane he travels on for State Department business.-----------------The two planes currently used as Air Force One have been flying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">nearly four decades</a>. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the program has faced a series of delays. The planes are heavily modified with survivability capabilities for the president for a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology. They also include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to remain in contact with the military and issue orders from anywhere in the world.Last year, the ruling family of Qatar gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added into the Air Force One fleet, a move that faced great scrutiny. That plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that a Qatari jet was sounding “much better” right now.Last February, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-plane-mechanical-issue-munich-conference-031928b920ff8e8d495d1590d508e1e5">Marco Rubio to Germany</a>&nbsp;had to return to Washington because of a mechanical issue. In October, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had to make an emergency landing in United Kingdom due to a crack in the windshield.

Air Force One turns around after 'electrical issue,' delaying Trump's arrival in Davos

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Over the past week, the Kansas City Police Vice Squad, in coordination with the Kansas City, Missouri's Multidisciplinary Public Safety Task Force, conducted an illegal gaming machine operation at three businesses in Kansas City.
&nbsp;
Two stores are now closed. Altogether, the KCPD&nbsp; Vice Squad issued 23 citations, according to a social media report from the KCPD.

Municipal ordinance 50-16 prohibits the operation and maintenance of certain electronic gaming machines that offer a monetary prize to the user.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768877644221.png" alt="Photo from KCPD video" />
 <figcaption>Photo from KCPD video</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Over the past week, the Kansas City Police Vice Squad, in coordination with the Kansas City, Missouri's Multidisciplinary Public Safety Task Force, conducted an illegal gaming machine operation at three businesses in Kansas City.
&nbsp;
Two stores are now closed. Altogether, the KCPD&nbsp; Vice Squad issued 23 citations, according to a social media report from the KCPD.Municipal ordinance 50-16 prohibits the operation and maintenance of certain electronic gaming machines that offer a monetary prize to the user.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details.

Police shut down 2 KC businesses in illegal gaming crackdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. military forces boarded and took control of a seventh oil tanker connected with Venezuela on Tuesday as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">to take control</a>&nbsp;of the South American country's oil.

U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post that U.S. forces apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta “without incident” and that the tanker was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s "established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

The military command did not say whether the U.S. Coast Guard took control of the tanker as has been the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">in prior seizures</a>. Both the Pentagon and Southern Command said they had nothing to add when asked for more details.

The Sagitta is a Liberian-flagged tanker and its registration says it is owned and managed by a company in Hong Kong. The ship last transmitted its location more than two months ago when exiting the Baltic Sea in northern Europe.

The tanker was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under an executive order related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The post from U.S. Southern Command indicated the ship had taken oil from Venezuela. It said the capture of the tanker “demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.”

The military command posted what appeared to be aerial footage of the Sagitta sailing on the ocean, but unlike in prior videos the clip did not show U.S. forces flying toward it in helicopters or landing on the deck of the ship.

Since the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid on Jan. 3, the Trump administration has set out to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products.

Officials in Trump’s Republican administration have made it clear they see seizing the tankers as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">met with executives from oil companies</a>&nbsp;nearly two weeks ago to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. He said at the time that the U.S. expected to sell at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-democrats-9d16138866bebdc2644eb009c6326066">30 million to 50 million barrels</a>&nbsp;of Venezuelan oil.

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. already has taken 50 million barrels of oil out of Venezuela.

“We’ve got millions of barrels of oil left,” he said at the White House. “We’re selling it on the open market. We’re bringing down oil prices incredibly.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">The first tanker was seized</a>&nbsp;off the coast of Venezuela on Dec. 10. Most of the other tankers also have been captured in the waters near Venezuela, with the exception of the Bella 1, which was captured in the North Atlantic.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">The Bella 1 had been cruising</a>&nbsp;across the Atlantic and nearing the Caribbean when on Dec. 15 it abruptly turned and headed north, toward Europe. The ship was ultimately captured on Jan. 7.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. military forces boarded and took control of a seventh oil tanker connected with Venezuela on Tuesday as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">to take control</a>&nbsp;of the South American country's oil.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Through <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpSouthernSpear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpSouthernSpear</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofWar</a> is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DHSgov</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a>. This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended… <a href="https://t.co/UPADtiw681">pic.twitter.com/UPADtiw681</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2013718812424630376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post that U.S. forces apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta “without incident” and that the tanker was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s "established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”The military command did not say whether the U.S. Coast Guard took control of the tanker as has been the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">in prior seizures</a>. Both the Pentagon and Southern Command said they had nothing to add when asked for more details.The Sagitta is a Liberian-flagged tanker and its registration says it is owned and managed by a company in Hong Kong. The ship last transmitted its location more than two months ago when exiting the Baltic Sea in northern Europe.The tanker was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under an executive order related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.The post from U.S. Southern Command indicated the ship had taken oil from Venezuela. It said the capture of the tanker “demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.”The military command posted what appeared to be aerial footage of the Sagitta sailing on the ocean, but unlike in prior videos the clip did not show U.S. forces flying toward it in helicopters or landing on the deck of the ship.Since the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid on Jan. 3, the Trump administration has set out to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products.Officials in Trump’s Republican administration have made it clear they see seizing the tankers as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">met with executives from oil companies</a>&nbsp;nearly two weeks ago to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. He said at the time that the U.S. expected to sell at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-democrats-9d16138866bebdc2644eb009c6326066">30 million to 50 million barrels</a>&nbsp;of Venezuelan oil.Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. already has taken 50 million barrels of oil out of Venezuela.“We’ve got millions of barrels of oil left,” he said at the White House. “We’re selling it on the open market. We’re bringing down oil prices incredibly.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">The first tanker was seized</a>&nbsp;off the coast of Venezuela on Dec. 10. Most of the other tankers also have been captured in the waters near Venezuela, with the exception of the Bella 1, which was captured in the North Atlantic.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">The Bella 1 had been cruising</a>&nbsp;across the Atlantic and nearing the Caribbean when on Dec. 15 it abruptly turned and headed north, toward Europe. The ship was ultimately captured on Jan. 7.

🎥 US forces seize another oil tanker linked to Venezuela 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita expected to learn his fate Tuesday.

Sentencing for 34-year-old Jeremy Wycoff, who in September pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, was delayed for the second time, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The sentencing hearing is now scheduled for January 30.

On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.

Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains jailed on a bond of just over $100,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744832383037.png" alt="Wycoff photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Wycoff photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita expected to learn his fate Tuesday.Sentencing for 34-year-old Jeremy Wycoff, who in September pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, was delayed for the second time, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The sentencing hearing is now scheduled for January 30.On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains jailed on a bond of just over $100,000.

Sentencing delayed for suspect in arson fire near historic Kan. theatre 

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Friday at around

Just after 3 p.m. January 16, a sheriff's deputy was in the area of the 10,000 block of South 81 observed a 2027 KIA sedan traveling 68mph in a 55 mph zone, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.&nbsp; .

The driver fled northbound and pursuit ensued. The vehicle turned east on Water Well Road, with top speeds at approximately 120 mph, according to Soldan.

As the vehicle, which deputies confirmed was stolen from a Salina neighborhood January 12, continued east on Water Well and as it approached the intersection of Holmes Road, the car went airborne, leaving the roadway on the north side of the travel lanes and crashed into an area of trees behind a home in the area of Water Well Road.

Two occupants in the vehicle ran from the crash.

Law enforcement then received a call from a residence on S. Holmes Road about hearing the noise of the crash and spotting a woman run across their yard. Several deputies, along with officers from the Salina Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol arrived to the scene.

As they searched the area, they observed a man identified as 30-year-old Phoenix Leonard of Salina, on top of the roof of a home in the area of S. Holmes. Leonard voiced to officers that he was armed and refused to come down from the roof.

Officers set a perimeter around the home, as they were also actively searching for the other suspect.

Shortly after, a deputy noticed movement in a dog house in the area of the home. Deputies then discovered 23-year-old Katherine Lynn of Salina, as the other occupant of the vehicle who fled, and took her into custody.

With Leonard still on the roof, officers shot pepperballs in an attempt to get him off. Leonard was about to get off the roof and surrender, but noticed officers stopped shooting pepperballs and decided to stay on the roof.

Leonard then walked across the roof and fell through a skylight on an attached garage.&nbsp;

The homeowners gave officers the garage door opener, and officers opened the garage. Highway Patrol then released a K9 towards Leonard and the K9 bit him, as officers took him into custody. The pursuit, search and standoff for the suspects lasted until about 6:30 pm according to Soldan.

Leonard was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for injuries he sustained and was later&nbsp;booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Felony Flee and Elude, Interference w Law Enforcement, Aggravated Burglary, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Trespassing, Driving While Suspended, several Traffic Infractions and Kidnapping.

Lynn was booked on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Trespassing.&nbsp;

Leonard was placed on a Kidnapping requested charge, because Lynn stated she wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Leonard refused, according to Soldan.&nbsp; Leonard and Lynn are well acquainted according to Soldan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768686620220.jpeg" alt="Leonard -photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Leonard -photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle.According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Friday at aroundJust after 3 p.m. January 16, a sheriff's deputy was in the area of the 10,000 block of South 81 observed a 2027 KIA sedan traveling 68mph in a 55 mph zone, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.&nbsp; .<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768686694235.jpeg" alt="Lynn photo Saline COunty" />
 <figcaption>Lynn photo Saline COunty</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver fled northbound and pursuit ensued. The vehicle turned east on Water Well Road, with top speeds at approximately 120 mph, according to Soldan.As the vehicle, which deputies confirmed was stolen from a Salina neighborhood January 12, continued east on Water Well and as it approached the intersection of Holmes Road, the car went airborne, leaving the roadway on the north side of the travel lanes and crashed into an area of trees behind a home in the area of Water Well Road.Two occupants in the vehicle ran from the crash.Law enforcement then received a call from a residence on S. Holmes Road about hearing the noise of the crash and spotting a woman run across their yard. Several deputies, along with officers from the Salina Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol arrived to the scene.As they searched the area, they observed a man identified as 30-year-old Phoenix Leonard of Salina, on top of the roof of a home in the area of S. Holmes. Leonard voiced to officers that he was armed and refused to come down from the roof.Officers set a perimeter around the home, as they were also actively searching for the other suspect.Shortly after, a deputy noticed movement in a dog house in the area of the home. Deputies then discovered 23-year-old Katherine Lynn of Salina, as the other occupant of the vehicle who fled, and took her into custody.With Leonard still on the roof, officers shot pepperballs in an attempt to get him off. Leonard was about to get off the roof and surrender, but noticed officers stopped shooting pepperballs and decided to stay on the roof.Leonard then walked across the roof and fell through a skylight on an attached garage.&nbsp;The homeowners gave officers the garage door opener, and officers opened the garage. Highway Patrol then released a K9 towards Leonard and the K9 bit him, as officers took him into custody. The pursuit, search and standoff for the suspects lasted until about 6:30 pm according to Soldan.Leonard was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for injuries he sustained and was later&nbsp;booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Felony Flee and Elude, Interference w Law Enforcement, Aggravated Burglary, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Trespassing, Driving While Suspended, several Traffic Infractions and Kidnapping.Lynn was booked on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Trespassing.&nbsp;Leonard was placed on a Kidnapping requested charge, because Lynn stated she wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Leonard refused, according to Soldan.&nbsp; Leonard and Lynn are well acquainted according to Soldan.

Suspect who ran from Kan. stolen car chase was hiding in dog house

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usha-vance-attorney-jd-vance-wife-vp-63406da4f6739546391ed7797fc1fef2">second lady Usha Vance</a>, are expecting a son in late July, they announced in a social media post Tuesday.

The couple said they were excited to share the news of their fourth child, who will join their other three young kids: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

Vance, 41, and his wife, 40, said in the post that both mother and baby were doing well.

“During this exciting and hectic time, we are particularly grateful for the military doctors who take excellent care of our family and for the staff members who do so much to ensure that we can serve the country while enjoying a wonderful life with our children,” the post read.

The news of the Republican vice president’s growing family comes as he has spent years passionately advocating for Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-childless-cat-ladies-birth-rates-555c0f78ef8dd4c13c88b9e8d5f0024a">have more children</a>.

Vance repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career in 2021 with a bid for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. As vice president, he has continued on that mission, saying in a 2025 March for Life speech, “I want more babies in the United States of America.”

The vice president has been accompanied on overseas travels by Usha Vance and their children, the kids usually in pajamas as they board Air Force Two for overnight trips.

Throughout history, it’s been exceptionally rare for the occupants of the highest leadership roles in the U.S. to have children while in office. One well-documented exception was President Grover Cleveland, whose wife, Frances Cleveland, gave birth to their second child in 1893 during his second term in office.

The White House reposted Tuesday’s announcement, saying President Donald Trump’s administration is “the most pro-family administration in history.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced in December that she is expecting a baby girl in May.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768960159653.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usha-vance-attorney-jd-vance-wife-vp-63406da4f6739546391ed7797fc1fef2">second lady Usha Vance</a>&nbsp;photo from the Vice President's social media page" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usha-vance-attorney-jd-vance-wife-vp-63406da4f6739546391ed7797fc1fef2">second lady Usha Vance</a>&nbsp;photo from the Vice President's social media page</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usha-vance-attorney-jd-vance-wife-vp-63406da4f6739546391ed7797fc1fef2">second lady Usha Vance</a>, are expecting a son in late July, they announced in a social media post Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’re very happy to share some exciting news. Our family is growing! <a href="https://t.co/0RohEBYXM7">pic.twitter.com/0RohEBYXM7</a>&mdash; Second Lady Usha Vance (@SLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLOTUS/status/2013712959608946721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The couple said they were excited to share the news of their fourth child, who will join their other three young kids: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.Vance, 41, and his wife, 40, said in the post that both mother and baby were doing well.“During this exciting and hectic time, we are particularly grateful for the military doctors who take excellent care of our family and for the staff members who do so much to ensure that we can serve the country while enjoying a wonderful life with our children,” the post read.The news of the Republican vice president’s growing family comes as he has spent years passionately advocating for Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-childless-cat-ladies-birth-rates-555c0f78ef8dd4c13c88b9e8d5f0024a">have more children</a>.Vance repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career in 2021 with a bid for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. As vice president, he has continued on that mission, saying in a 2025 March for Life speech, “I want more babies in the United States of America.”The vice president has been accompanied on overseas travels by Usha Vance and their children, the kids usually in pajamas as they board Air Force Two for overnight trips.Throughout history, it’s been exceptionally rare for the occupants of the highest leadership roles in the U.S. to have children while in office. One well-documented exception was President Grover Cleveland, whose wife, Frances Cleveland, gave birth to their second child in 1893 during his second term in office.The White House reposted Tuesday’s announcement, saying President Donald Trump’s administration is “the most pro-family administration in history.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced in December that she is expecting a baby girl in May.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife make a special announcement

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A judge ordered that actor Timothy Busfield be released from jail pending trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-83c82a8c5dbfabd4880f3c8af02fb523">child sex abuse charges</a>, at a detention hearing Tuesday.

The order from state district court Judge David Murphy is linked to accusations that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor while working as a director on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”

Busfield will be supervised upon release by a pretrial services office in Albuquerque, and can leave the state to return home, the judge said.

Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor who is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-3a467ec0e0a8be87d1142724fbbb8e1d">ordered to be held without bond</a>&nbsp;last week at his first court appearance. Busfield called the allegations lies in a video shared before he turned himself in.

The judge acknowledged evidence that Busfield is accused of crimes that are inherently dangerous and involve children, but said prosecutors didn't prove that there are no conditions of release that would protect the public's safety.

“There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct, there are no similar allegations involving children in his past," Murphy said. "Rather this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest.”

At the hearing, Busfield was handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail uniform in a New Mexico state district court, while wife and actor Melissa Gilbert watched from the court gallery.

Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield’s release.

Gilbert, who played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-celebrity-9ba7c27a8ae04a3993864eea8508f2f3">Laura Ingalls in the 1970s to ’80s</a>&nbsp;TV series “Little House on the Prairie,” was on the list of potential witness submitted ahead of the hearing.

Albuquerque police issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-82d413e86b62a151564e75b0ba535551">warrant</a>&nbsp;for Busfield's arrest earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. A criminal complaint alleges the acts occurred on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”

According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8. The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.

On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children say Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys in a court filing argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an “unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.”

According to the criminal complaint, one of the boys disclosed during a therapy session that he was inappropriately touched by the show's director. Those records were obtained by police during the investigation.

Arguing Tuesday for Busfield's continued detention, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch called evidence of abuse against Busfield strong and specific.

“The boys' allegation are supported by medical findings and by their therapist," Brandenburg-Koch said. "Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated.”

She also described a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behavior by Busfield over the past three decades. Prosecutors also say witnesses have expressed fear regarding retaliation and professional harm.

“GPS is not going to tell this court if he is around children or talking to witnesses,” Brandenburg-Koch said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768347111074.png" alt="Busfield photo Albuquerque Metro Detention Facility" />
 <figcaption>Busfield photo Albuquerque Metro Detention Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A judge ordered that actor Timothy Busfield be released from jail pending trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-83c82a8c5dbfabd4880f3c8af02fb523">child sex abuse charges</a>, at a detention hearing Tuesday.The order from state district court Judge David Murphy is linked to accusations that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor while working as a director on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”Busfield will be supervised upon release by a pretrial services office in Albuquerque, and can leave the state to return home, the judge said.Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor who is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-3a467ec0e0a8be87d1142724fbbb8e1d">ordered to be held without bond</a>&nbsp;last week at his first court appearance. Busfield called the allegations lies in a video shared before he turned himself in.The judge acknowledged evidence that Busfield is accused of crimes that are inherently dangerous and involve children, but said prosecutors didn't prove that there are no conditions of release that would protect the public's safety.“There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct, there are no similar allegations involving children in his past," Murphy said. "Rather this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest.”At the hearing, Busfield was handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail uniform in a New Mexico state district court, while wife and actor Melissa Gilbert watched from the court gallery.Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield’s release.Gilbert, who played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-celebrity-9ba7c27a8ae04a3993864eea8508f2f3">Laura Ingalls in the 1970s to ’80s</a>&nbsp;TV series “Little House on the Prairie,” was on the list of potential witness submitted ahead of the hearing.Albuquerque police issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-82d413e86b62a151564e75b0ba535551">warrant</a>&nbsp;for Busfield's arrest earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. A criminal complaint alleges the acts occurred on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8. The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children say Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys in a court filing argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an “unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.”According to the criminal complaint, one of the boys disclosed during a therapy session that he was inappropriately touched by the show's director. Those records were obtained by police during the investigation.Arguing Tuesday for Busfield's continued detention, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch called evidence of abuse against Busfield strong and specific.“The boys' allegation are supported by medical findings and by their therapist," Brandenburg-Koch said. "Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated.”She also described a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behavior by Busfield over the past three decades. Prosecutors also say witnesses have expressed fear regarding retaliation and professional harm.“GPS is not going to tell this court if he is around children or talking to witnesses,” Brandenburg-Koch said.Busfield’s attorneys have argued that the allegations emerged only after the boys lost their role in the TV show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive. The filings detailed what the attorneys said was a history of fraud by both the boys' father and mother. They cited an investigation by Warner Bros. into the allegations that found the allegations unfounded.Busfield also submitted letters vouching for his character, and his attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph test.Legal experts say New Mexico is among a few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over whether one can be used. There are strict requirements for admission.___Morgan reported from Santa Fe, New Mexico.