WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to that operation, doctors said Tuesday.

The 70-year-old Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer. Austin developed the infection a week later. Senior administration and defense officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.

According to the doctors, the cancer was detected when Austin had a regular screening in early December. The said he “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure” and went home the next day. But on Jan. 1 he reported nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain due to the infection.

They said his prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent.

The announcement of the cancer came after days of questions about why Austin had been hospitalized and why President Joe Biden and other top officials hadn’t been told about his hospitalization for days. Several Republican lawmakers even said Austin should be ousted.

Earlier Tuesday, with the controversy continuing, the White House chief of staff ordered Cabinet members or secretaries to notify his office if they ever can't perform their duties. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, reeling from learning of Austin's surprise illness last week, is mounting a policy review.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-chief-of-staff-jeff-zients-7a5b7ee6af9942ed9ca01d012c046821">Jeff Zients</a>, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24355772-cabinet-heads-memo">a memo to Cabinet secretaries</a>, directed that they send the White House any existing procedures for delegating authority in the event of incapacitation or loss of communication by Friday. While the review is ongoing, he is requiring agencies to notify his office and the office of Cabinet affairs at the White House if an agency experiences or plans to experience a circumstance in which a Cabinet head can't perform his or her duties.

Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;and had turned over power to his deputy. A Pentagon spokesman blamed the lapse on a key staffer being out sick with the flu.

“Agencies should ensure that delegations are issued when a Cabinet Member is traveling to areas with limited or no access to communication, undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia, or otherwise in a circumstance when he or she may be unreachable,” Zients' memo states. It also requires that agencies document when any such transfer of authorities occurs and that the person serving in the acting role promptly establish contact with relevant White House staff.

A copy of the memo was obtained by the Associated Press.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Austin</a>, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.

He also transferred some of his authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1 — though Hicks was not told the reason for three days. The White House was not informed Austin was in the hospital until Jan. 4, and the public and Congress didn't learn of it until a day later.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">The Pentagon</a>&nbsp;has announced its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-white-house-pentagon-lloyd-austin-8e888aaed905e2327501a237139c6f0e">internal review</a>&nbsp;and in a memo issued Monday broadened the circle of leaders who would be informed of any delegation of authorities by the defense secretary to ensure that, in the future, “proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House and, as appropriate, the United States Congress and the American public.”

Going forward, any time authority is transferred a wider swath of officials will also be notified, to include the Pentagon’s general counsel, the chair and vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, service secretaries, the service chiefs of staff, the White House Situation Room, and the senior staff of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767147747.png" alt="Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visits the USS Gerald R. Ford underway in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dec. 20, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley, DOD" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visits the USS Gerald R. Ford underway in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dec. 20, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley, DOD</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to that operation, doctors said Tuesday.The 70-year-old Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer. Austin developed the infection a week later. Senior administration and defense officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.According to the doctors, the cancer was detected when Austin had a regular screening in early December. The said he “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure” and went home the next day. But on Jan. 1 he reported nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain due to the infection.They said his prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent.The announcement of the cancer came after days of questions about why Austin had been hospitalized and why President Joe Biden and other top officials hadn’t been told about his hospitalization for days. Several Republican lawmakers even said Austin should be ousted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704830461952.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704830489585.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier Tuesday, with the controversy continuing, the White House chief of staff ordered Cabinet members or secretaries to notify his office if they ever can't perform their duties. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, reeling from learning of Austin's surprise illness last week, is mounting a policy review.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-chief-of-staff-jeff-zients-7a5b7ee6af9942ed9ca01d012c046821">Jeff Zients</a>, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24355772-cabinet-heads-memo">a memo to Cabinet secretaries</a>, directed that they send the White House any existing procedures for delegating authority in the event of incapacitation or loss of communication by Friday. While the review is ongoing, he is requiring agencies to notify his office and the office of Cabinet affairs at the White House if an agency experiences or plans to experience a circumstance in which a Cabinet head can't perform his or her duties.Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;and had turned over power to his deputy. A Pentagon spokesman blamed the lapse on a key staffer being out sick with the flu.“Agencies should ensure that delegations are issued when a Cabinet Member is traveling to areas with limited or no access to communication, undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia, or otherwise in a circumstance when he or she may be unreachable,” Zients' memo states. It also requires that agencies document when any such transfer of authorities occurs and that the person serving in the acting role promptly establish contact with relevant White House staff.A copy of the memo was obtained by the Associated Press.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Austin</a>, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.He also transferred some of his authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1 — though Hicks was not told the reason for three days. The White House was not informed Austin was in the hospital until Jan. 4, and the public and Congress didn't learn of it until a day later.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">The Pentagon</a>&nbsp;has announced its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-white-house-pentagon-lloyd-austin-8e888aaed905e2327501a237139c6f0e">internal review</a>&nbsp;and in a memo issued Monday broadened the circle of leaders who would be informed of any delegation of authorities by the defense secretary to ensure that, in the future, “proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House and, as appropriate, the United States Congress and the American public.”Going forward, any time authority is transferred a wider swath of officials will also be notified, to include the Pentagon’s general counsel, the chair and vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, service secretaries, the service chiefs of staff, the White House Situation Room, and the senior staff of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense.

Hospital debacle: Defense Secretary treated for prostate cancer

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Wichita, the most populous city in Kansas held a swearing in ceremony for their new mayor on Monday night.

(click below to watch the swearing in ceremony and Wu's comments)

In November voters overwhelmingly elected political newcomer and former television news anchor Lily Wu over incumbent Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple.

Wu a graduate of Wichita State University is the first Asian American elected as mayor of the city.&nbsp; Her top priorities as mayor are public safety and restoring trust in city hall, according to her campaign web site.

On Tuesday Wu participated in her first City Council meeting. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fwichitaks%2F87ab579afbe1d41d56cb8fec0b04ade50.pdf&amp;embedded=true" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to see the agenda report and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCACZTxlH8w" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for video of the meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704822303495.png" alt="New Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu-photo city of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>New Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu-photo city of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Wichita, the most populous city in Kansas held a swearing in ceremony for their new mayor on Monday night.(click below to watch the swearing in ceremony and Wu's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WF0cKoxjJrM?si=VPwnSv4rZwm3Vt8V&amp;start=3187" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>In November voters overwhelmingly elected political newcomer and former television news anchor Lily Wu over incumbent Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple.Wu a graduate of Wichita State University is the first Asian American elected as mayor of the city.&nbsp; Her top priorities as mayor are public safety and restoring trust in city hall, according to her campaign web site.On Tuesday Wu participated in her first City Council meeting. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fwichitaks%2F87ab579afbe1d41d56cb8fec0b04ade50.pdf&amp;embedded=true" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to see the agenda report and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCACZTxlH8w" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for video of the meeting.

🎥Lily Wu sworn in as new mayor of most populous city in Kansas

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged car theft;

Just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City for an auto theft, where the reporting party told Officers their vehicle was stolen, according to a media release.

Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of N. 11th Street and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high-rate speed before crashing into a privacy fence in a nearby neighborhood. 

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Daniel Ontiveros fled from the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Ontiveros was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in&nbsp;the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Theft of Property, Interference LEO, Possession of Opiate, Driving While Suspended, Reckless Driving and Failing to Yield at Stop Signs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704745346170.png" alt="Ontiveros-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Ontiveros-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged car theft;Just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City for an auto theft, where the reporting party told Officers their vehicle was stolen, according to a media release.Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of N. 11th Street and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high-rate speed before crashing into a privacy fence in a nearby neighborhood. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Daniel Ontiveros fled from the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Ontiveros was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in&nbsp;the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Theft of Property, Interference LEO, Possession of Opiate, Driving While Suspended, Reckless Driving and Failing to Yield at Stop Signs.

SW Kan. man in reported stolen vehicle captured after crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.

The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned whether they had jurisdiction to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump's appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.

During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump's lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.

“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law," said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.

The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.

A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.

Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.

His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.

After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.

“A president has to have immunity,” he said.

Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.

Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.

“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government's theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.

He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”

But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”

“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.

Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon's case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump's lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.

Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith's team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.

Smith's team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president's official job duties.

“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”

When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn't open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.

“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system," he said. "And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”

It's not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free'" pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump's lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith's team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.

The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696279389839.png" alt="Trump file photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump file photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE --&gt; DC Circuit Court of Appeals Oral Argument on Former President Trump&#39;s Immunity Claims <a href="https://t.co/WN1Lrb7C9h">https://t.co/WN1Lrb7C9h</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744728784652402768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned whether they had jurisdiction to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump's appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump's lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law," said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Judge Pan: Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, who was not impeached, would he be subject to a criminal prosecution? John Sauer: If he were impeached and convicted first. Pan: So, your answer is no? Sauer: My answer is qualified yes. <a href="https://t.co/cAiunKxOwl">pic.twitter.com/cAiunKxOwl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744753750298779993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Judge Pan: &quot;If President Trump had been convicted when he was previously impeached on same or related conduct...the government could properly prosecute him for that same or related conduct, yes or no? John Sauer, attorney for former President Donald Trump: &quot;Potentially...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F4H8rhbdJ6">pic.twitter.com/F4H8rhbdJ6</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744753202807898461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.“A president has to have immunity,” he said.Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government's theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon's case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump's lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith's team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.Smith's team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president's official job duties.“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn't open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system," he said. "And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”It's not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free'" pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump's lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith's team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.

🎧 Judges express skepticism of claims that Trump immune from prosecution

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER&nbsp;Salina Post

In a showcase of both public and private entities, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran visited two vital features of Salina's community — defense and aviation.

Moran first visited the U.S. Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing last week, checking in on the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and visiting with service members.

"My work in Washington D.C. involves a lot of things related to defense," Moran said. "We want to make certain that the Guard is recognized for the value that they provide in defending our country, as well as providing services here in Kansas in times of natural disasters."

On another stop Moran visited 1 Vision Aviation, an FAA-certified aviation repair and maintenance company that works with national businesses like Boeing, Beechcraft and Cessna.

While there, he toured 1 Vision's large hangars and chatted with Jim Sponder, 1 Vision president and CEO, among a few other employees.

Tim Rogers, the executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, helped facilitate Moran's visit to Salina and joined him along the stops.&nbsp;

"Jerry has collaborated with the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina community on various projects that have resulted in new developments in our community," Rogers said.

Preparing for the new legislative session

In Washington, D.C., Moran primarily works with defense appropriations, focusing on the U.S. National Guard.

Moran's work in Washington, D.C., focuses on defense appropriations and the U.S. National Guard.&nbsp;

While in Salina, Moran said he aimed to prepare for the new legislative session by personally visiting his state's defense and aviation assets.

He spoke with service members and 1 Vision staff, asking questions on recent celebrations and challenges moving forward.&nbsp;

At the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing, he focused on the unique aspects of Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and the benefits of preserving the range.

"There is a number of those units across the country, and many of them are being eliminated, and we were successful in saving the unit here in Salina," Moran said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what was going on, know the value and continued support for them."

Smoky Hill's range benefits the local, state, national, and international communities by performing critical operations on its large airspace that reaches from Salina to Dodge City.

Moran said with the large air and ground space, service members can run critical training programs with both U.S. Army and Air Force troops.

"It's a huge economic boost to Salina and the surrounding area," Moran said. "It's unique in its size and scope of what can happen on such a large piece of ground."

Salina aviation was another element Moran focused on last week, where he said quality air service was an impactful boon for a community.

Rogers said Moran has collaborated with the Airport Authority on previous projects, and the returning overnight flight schedule is the newest one Moran supports.

"The one area that Jerry has been very influential and very helpful with is the air quality service and supporting the essential air quality service program," Rogers said. "[It's been] very helpful with business recruitment and supporting the growth of Schwan's Food Company and, of course, 1 Vision Aviation."

"It's all tied together," Moran said. "If you want a bright future for your region of Kansas, access to commercial air service to connect with the rest of the country and the rest of the world is a huge component."

After visiting with service members, Moran traveled just a few miles north to tour 1 Vision Aviaition's large hangars and chatted with Sponders and other staff while touring their projects.

Rogers said 1 Vision Aviation's work in Salina benefits the overall economy of Salina, employing many residents while remaining a competitive air maintenance hub in the region.

Moran supported 1 Vision in Salina from the start, and through most of Salina's aviation challenges, Rogers said Moran continues to support the community.

"When we have a challenge ahead on a project that involves federal issues, laws and regulations, there's no hesitation to contact Jerry and his staff."

While most of Salina's aviation facets benefit the local community, Moran stressed the value of regional defense and air professional partners internationally.

"Our country faces tremendous military and national security challenges," Moran said. "It's always the time, but today is a perfect time to say thank you to those who serve on our guard and active duty."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764062007.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers stand with 184th Wing service members during Moran's visit to Salina on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers stand with 184th Wing service members during Moran's visit to Salina on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER&nbsp;Salina PostIn a showcase of both public and private entities, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran visited two vital features of Salina's community — defense and aviation.Moran first visited the U.S. Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing last week, checking in on the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and visiting with service members."My work in Washington D.C. involves a lot of things related to defense," Moran said. "We want to make certain that the Guard is recognized for the value that they provide in defending our country, as well as providing services here in Kansas in times of natural disasters."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764394858.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>On another stop Moran visited 1 Vision Aviation, an FAA-certified aviation repair and maintenance company that works with national businesses like Boeing, Beechcraft and Cessna.While there, he toured 1 Vision's large hangars and chatted with Jim Sponder, 1 Vision president and CEO, among a few other employees.Tim Rogers, the executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, helped facilitate Moran's visit to Salina and joined him along the stops.&nbsp;"Jerry has collaborated with the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina community on various projects that have resulted in new developments in our community," Rogers said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764220790.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders and Director of Maintenance Derick Via on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders and Director of Maintenance Derick Via on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Preparing for the new legislative session</h2>In Washington, D.C., Moran primarily works with defense appropriations, focusing on the U.S. National Guard.Moran's work in Washington, D.C., focuses on defense appropriations and the U.S. National Guard.&nbsp;While in Salina, Moran said he aimed to prepare for the new legislative session by personally visiting his state's defense and aviation assets.He spoke with service members and 1 Vision staff, asking questions on recent celebrations and challenges moving forward.&nbsp;At the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing, he focused on the unique aspects of Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and the benefits of preserving the range."There is a number of those units across the country, and many of them are being eliminated, and we were successful in saving the unit here in Salina," Moran said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what was going on, know the value and continued support for them."Smoky Hill's range benefits the local, state, national, and international communities by performing critical operations on its large airspace that reaches from Salina to Dodge City.Moran said with the large air and ground space, service members can run critical training programs with both U.S. Army and Air Force troops."It's a huge economic boost to Salina and the surrounding area," Moran said. "It's unique in its size and scope of what can happen on such a large piece of ground."Salina aviation was another element Moran focused on last week, where he said quality air service was an impactful boon for a community.Rogers said Moran has collaborated with the Airport Authority on previous projects, and the returning overnight flight schedule is the newest one Moran supports."The one area that Jerry has been very influential and very helpful with is the air quality service and supporting the essential air quality service program," Rogers said. "[It's been] very helpful with business recruitment and supporting the growth of Schwan's Food Company and, of course, 1 Vision Aviation.""It's all tied together," Moran said. "If you want a bright future for your region of Kansas, access to commercial air service to connect with the rest of the country and the rest of the world is a huge component."After visiting with service members, Moran traveled just a few miles north to tour 1 Vision Aviaition's large hangars and chatted with Sponders and other staff while touring their projects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764442840.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>Rogers said 1 Vision Aviation's work in Salina benefits the overall economy of Salina, employing many residents while remaining a competitive air maintenance hub in the region.Moran supported 1 Vision in Salina from the start, and through most of Salina's aviation challenges, Rogers said Moran continues to support the community."When we have a challenge ahead on a project that involves federal issues, laws and regulations, there's no hesitation to contact Jerry and his staff."While most of Salina's aviation facets benefit the local community, Moran stressed the value of regional defense and air professional partners internationally."Our country faces tremendous military and national security challenges," Moran said. "It's always the time, but today is a perfect time to say thank you to those who serve on our guard and active duty."

Moran stops in Salina ahead of new legislative session

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen suspects on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.

Just after 11a.m. January 6, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to TJ’s Express, 5305 South Topeka Blvd. in Shawnee County on a report of a burglary that&nbsp; occurred overnight. 

During the investigation Deputies located footprints in the snow going away from the business. Deputies were able to follow the footprints to the suspect's home in the 6800 block of south west Knoll Court. 

At the home deputies located items from this burglary as well as items from a burglary that occurred at the Pauline Food Center, 5812 South Topeka Blvd., on December 2.

Deputies arrested Jayden J. Hanner, 17, and Matthew K. Rodenbaugh, 16, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, theft and felony criminal damage to property.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen suspects on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.Just after 11a.m. January 6, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to TJ’s Express, 5305 South Topeka Blvd. in Shawnee County on a report of a burglary that&nbsp; occurred overnight. During the investigation Deputies located footprints in the snow going away from the business. Deputies were able to follow the footprints to the suspect's home in the 6800 block of south west Knoll Court. At the home deputies located items from this burglary as well as items from a burglary that occurred at the Pauline Food Center, 5812 South Topeka Blvd., on December 2.Deputies arrested Jayden J. Hanner, 17, and Matthew K. Rodenbaugh, 16, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, theft and felony criminal damage to property.

Kan. deputies followed teens' footprints in the snow, make arrest

House GOP leader eager to work on tax, child care and water policy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The House and Senate launched the 2024 legislative session Monday amid anticipated criticism of Gov. Laura Kelly’s attempt at bipartisanship on tax reform and substantial enthusiasm for a nonbinding resolution delving into Middle East foreign policy.

While the threat of six inches of snow by Tuesday led the Democratic governor to release early executive branch employees and close state office buildings in Shawnee County, both chambers passed the measure condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hours earlier, GOP lawmakers gave a chilly reception to Kelly’s comprehensive tax reform plan endorsed by Republicans, Democrats and an independent legislator.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said snowfall meant the House would convene Tuesday “proforma,” which meant members didn’t have to be present. He said one House committee, a panel devoted to water policy, would meet Tuesday. A collection of other committees were postponed. The Senate was expected to have a more robust committee schedule despite the storm.

Hawkins said the 2024 Legislature would engage during the next few months in rigorous debate on tax reform, especially a proposal to establish a single, flat individual income tax rate. He said lawmakers also would work to find solutions to the Kansas child care crisis. He didn’t expect the Legislature to dive deeply into private or home school vouchers, abortion restrictions or Medicaid expansion.

“Taxes, taxes, taxes — that’s my top priority in this session and that’s what I’m working towards,” Hawkins said.

“I doubt it,” he said. “We are going to do some ‘life’ issues, but not abortion issues.”

The House and Senate convened at 2 p.m. Monday for what could be a 90-day session in an election year with the entire House and Senate up for grabs.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would advocate on behalf of state funding to K-12 public education, including additional spending on special education programs.

“I want to see some improvement there and continue to protect our public schools,” Sykes said.

Sykes said she anticipated Republicans would soon introduce a bill creating a flat individual income tax rate in Kansas. In 2023, the GOP sought a 5.15% rate for all Kansans, but it was vetoed by the governor. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, vowed to bring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/top-kansas-republicans-push-flat-tax-proposal-pan-medicaid-expansion/">the flat tax back</a>.

“I think it will probably come up fairly quickly, the flat tax and hopefully we are able to sustain a veto on that again,” Sykes said.

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said he would concentrate on advancing the $1 billion, three-year tax reform bill made public by the governor. It contained property, sales and income tax reforms.

“If this were my decision, this is the kind of tax cut I would make for every Kansan,” he said.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, said the opening of the Senate was a departure from the tradition of dealing primarily with ceremonial activities. The Hamas resolution altered that dynamic, he said.

“It’s quite an interesting way to start a session,” Haley said. “Normally, the opening day is an opportunity to rekindle our ties and to start our agenda, but it was the choice of leadership today to begin with a spirited discussion about an issue that is of national concern, but doesn’t really necessarily affect the state.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced their intention to break the Republican supermajority in the House and Senate during the 2024 elections.

“It’s essential we elect Democrats to the Kansas Legislature to return veto power to Gov. Kelly as an important check on Republican power,” said Heather Williams, president of the national group. “The 2024 legislative session will put on sharp display how out of step Republicans are with Kansas families, as Democrats combat GOP attacks on fundamental rights like abortion access.”

Kelly is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature inside the House chamber.

Meanwhile, Kansas Supreme Court Chief&nbsp;Justice&nbsp;Marla Luckert will give the 2024&nbsp;State&nbsp;of the Kansas&nbsp;Judiciary&nbsp;address to the Legislature at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday also in the House chamber.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767680382.png" alt="House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, R-Overland Park, chat during a break in Kansas House activities Monday on the first day of the 2024 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, R-Overland Park, chat during a break in Kansas House activities Monday on the first day of the 2024 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>House GOP leader eager to work on tax, child care and water policy</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The House and Senate launched the 2024 legislative session Monday amid anticipated criticism of Gov. Laura Kelly’s attempt at bipartisanship on tax reform and substantial enthusiasm for a nonbinding resolution delving into Middle East foreign policy.While the threat of six inches of snow by Tuesday led the Democratic governor to release early executive branch employees and close state office buildings in Shawnee County, both chambers passed the measure condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hours earlier, GOP lawmakers gave a chilly reception to Kelly’s comprehensive tax reform plan endorsed by Republicans, Democrats and an independent legislator.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said snowfall meant the House would convene Tuesday “proforma,” which meant members didn’t have to be present. He said one House committee, a panel devoted to water policy, would meet Tuesday. A collection of other committees were postponed. The Senate was expected to have a more robust committee schedule despite the storm.Hawkins said the 2024 Legislature would engage during the next few months in rigorous debate on tax reform, especially a proposal to establish a single, flat individual income tax rate. He said lawmakers also would work to find solutions to the Kansas child care crisis. He didn’t expect the Legislature to dive deeply into private or home school vouchers, abortion restrictions or Medicaid expansion.“Taxes, taxes, taxes — that’s my top priority in this session and that’s what I’m working towards,” Hawkins said.What about abortion rights?“I doubt it,” he said. “We are going to do some ‘life’ issues, but not abortion issues.”The House and Senate convened at 2 p.m. Monday for what could be a 90-day session in an election year with the entire House and Senate up for grabs.Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would advocate on behalf of state funding to K-12 public education, including additional spending on special education programs.“I want to see some improvement there and continue to protect our public schools,” Sykes said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767628344.png" alt=" Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would work for passage of K-12 public education funding and key on a proposed increase in state aid for special education programs. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would work for passage of K-12 public education funding and key on a proposed increase in state aid for special education programs. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sykes said she anticipated Republicans would soon introduce a bill creating a flat individual income tax rate in Kansas. In 2023, the GOP sought a 5.15% rate for all Kansans, but it was vetoed by the governor. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, vowed to bring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/top-kansas-republicans-push-flat-tax-proposal-pan-medicaid-expansion/">the flat tax back</a>.“I think it will probably come up fairly quickly, the flat tax and hopefully we are able to sustain a veto on that again,” Sykes said.Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said he would concentrate on advancing the $1 billion, three-year tax reform bill made public by the governor. It contained property, sales and income tax reforms.“If this were my decision, this is the kind of tax cut I would make for every Kansan,” he said.Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, said the opening of the Senate was a departure from the tradition of dealing primarily with ceremonial activities. The Hamas resolution altered that dynamic, he said.“It’s quite an interesting way to start a session,” Haley said. “Normally, the opening day is an opportunity to rekindle our ties and to start our agenda, but it was the choice of leadership today to begin with a spirited discussion about an issue that is of national concern, but doesn’t really necessarily affect the state.”Meanwhile, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced their intention to break the Republican supermajority in the House and Senate during the 2024 elections.“It’s essential we elect Democrats to the Kansas Legislature to return veto power to Gov. Kelly as an important check on Republican power,” said Heather Williams, president of the national group. “The 2024 legislative session will put on sharp display how out of step Republicans are with Kansas families, as Democrats combat GOP attacks on fundamental rights like abortion access.”Kelly is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature inside the House chamber.Meanwhile, Kansas Supreme Court Chief&nbsp;Justice&nbsp;Marla Luckert will give the 2024&nbsp;State&nbsp;of the Kansas&nbsp;Judiciary&nbsp;address to the Legislature at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday also in the House chamber.

Kansas Legislature opened 2024 session amid tax policy salvo, dash of winter weather

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-0ld John W. Bartrom, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Bartrom is the founder of Jericho Home Improvement in Kansas City, according to his website.

Just after midnight Saturday, officers responded to 62nd and Prospect on a medical call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found Bartrom lying in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Police has not reported an arrest or possible suspects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704631133794.png" alt="photo Sheriff Darly Forte'" />
 <figcaption>photo Sheriff Darly Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-0ld John W. Bartrom, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Bartrom is the founder of Jericho Home Improvement in Kansas City, according to his website.Just after midnight Saturday, officers responded to 62nd and Prospect on a medical call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders found Bartrom lying in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Police has not reported an arrest or possible suspects.

Police ID KC business owner as victim in deadly shooting

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.

Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”

It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.

Late Monday, the company said the leak was continuing and estimated that the lander would start losing solar power in about 40 hours.

The trouble was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.

A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon," the company said. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering, not only during the cruise to the moon but for lunar descent.

Astrobotic released a photo from a lander-mounted camera, which the company said showed a “disturbance” in a section of thermal insulation. That aligns with what is known so far of the problem, the company said.

Astrobotic was aiming to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. A second lander from a Houston company is due to launch next month. NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers.

The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for the space agency, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline.

Before the flight, NASA’s Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that while using private companies to make deliveries to the moon will be cheaper and quicker than going the usual government route, there will be added risk. He stressed that the space agency was willing to accept that risk, noting Monday: “Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”

The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.

The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.

Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.

ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the spacecraft's propulsion system malfunctioned and prevented the solar panel from properly pointing toward the sun.

Landing on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.

Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Houston company's Nova-C lander takes a more direct one-week route to the moon.

Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander. On board the lander: a chip of rock from Mount Everest, toy-size cars from Mexico and ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.

The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Astrobotic chief executive John Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.

One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.

Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for the first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.

“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton said days before the flight.

“We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time,” the company said in a statement.

The problem was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.

Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.

Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander's more direct one-week route could see both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one another.

Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.

Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for this first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed to space Monday, launching a race for private companies to deliver experiments and other items to the moon.

But about seven hours after liftoff, Astrobotic Technology reported the solar panel on the lander wasn’t properly pointed toward the sun to generate and store power and it was investigating the issue.

The Pittsburgh company's lander caught a ride on a brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan. The Vulcan streaked through the Florida predawn sky, putting the spacecraft on a roundabout route to the moon for a landing attempt on Feb. 23.

The company aims to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. But a Houston company also has a lander ready to fly, and could beat it to the lunar surface, taking a more direct path.

NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers. The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for NASA, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract for the Peregrine lander: $108 million.

ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the power trouble. “Yee-haw!” shouted chief executive Tory Bruno. "I am so thrilled, I can’t tell you how much.”

The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.

The hourlong descent to the lunar surface — by far the biggest challenge — will be “exciting, nail-biting, terrifying all at once,” Thornton said.

The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.

“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704729504881.png" alt="-As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.-photo courtesy&nbsp; United Launch Alliance and NASA" />
 <figcaption>-As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.-photo courtesy&nbsp; United Launch Alliance and NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We have liftoff! The first American commercial robotic launch to the Moon will deliver science instruments to study its surface, a critical part of preparing for future <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Artemis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Artemis</a> missions. <a href="https://t.co/KoOZjXvqjD">https://t.co/KoOZjXvqjD</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vo2Dnn6TwA">pic.twitter.com/Vo2Dnn6TwA</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1744258330472726830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.Late Monday, the company said the leak was continuing and estimated that the lander would start losing solar power in about 40 hours.The trouble was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon," the company said. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering, not only during the cruise to the moon but for lunar descent.Astrobotic released a photo from a lander-mounted camera, which the company said showed a “disturbance” in a section of thermal insulation. That aligns with what is known so far of the problem, the company said.Astrobotic was aiming to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. A second lander from a Houston company is due to launch next month. NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers.The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for the space agency, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline.Before the flight, NASA’s Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that while using private companies to make deliveries to the moon will be cheaper and quicker than going the usual government route, there will be added risk. He stressed that the space agency was willing to accept that risk, noting Monday: “Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the spacecraft's propulsion system malfunctioned and prevented the solar panel from properly pointing toward the sun.Landing on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Houston company's Nova-C lander takes a more direct one-week route to the moon.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander. On board the lander: a chip of rock from Mount Everest, toy-size cars from Mexico and ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Astrobotic chief executive John Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for the first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton said days before the flight.___CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.“We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time,” the company said in a statement.The problem was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon," the company said. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering, not only during the cruise to the moon but for lunar descent.Astrobotic was aiming to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. A second lander from a Houston company is due to launch next month. NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers.The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for the space agency, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline.Before the flight, NASA’s Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that while using private companies to make deliveries to the moon will be cheaper and quicker than going the usual government route, there will be added risk. He stressed that the space agency was willing to accept that risk, noting Monday: “Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the spacecraft's propulsion system malfunctioned and prevented the solar panel from properly pointing toward the sun.Landing on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander's more direct one-week route could see both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one another.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Astrobotic chief executive John Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for this first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton said days before the flight.-----------------CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed to space Monday, launching a race for private companies to deliver experiments and other items to the moon.But about seven hours after liftoff, Astrobotic Technology reported the solar panel on the lander wasn’t properly pointed toward the sun to generate and store power and it was investigating the issue.The Pittsburgh company's lander caught a ride on a brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan. The Vulcan streaked through the Florida predawn sky, putting the spacecraft on a roundabout route to the moon for a landing attempt on Feb. 23.The company aims to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. But a Houston company also has a lander ready to fly, and could beat it to the lunar surface, taking a more direct path.NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers. The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for NASA, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract for the Peregrine lander: $108 million.The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the power trouble. “Yee-haw!” shouted chief executive Tory Bruno. "I am so thrilled, I can’t tell you how much.”The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander's more direct one-week route could see both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one another.The hourlong descent to the lunar surface — by far the biggest challenge — will be “exciting, nail-biting, terrifying all at once,” Thornton said.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for this first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” he said.

🎥First moon landing mission in decades doomed; fuel leak continues

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide and after asking the public for help have identified the victim with the tattoo as 53-year-old Gildardo H. Carvajal of Gardner, Kan., according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office

An employee at Rocky Hollow Park found his body at about 8:15 a.m. December 22, off a roadway at the park, located at 14812 Old Quarry Road, Excelsior Springs.

Charges have been filed against a suspect in the murder of&nbsp;Carvajal. Investigators need help to locate 48-year-old Elena Delcarmen Flores. She has been charged with 1st-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Clay County Sheriff.

She lives in Gardner, Kansas but investigators believe she may no longer be in the KC metro area. She may also go by Elena Torres, Elena Flores Garcia or Elena Stores. She is 5-foot-5 and 200 pounds. If you know where she is, call&nbsp; 816-407-3723 or <a href="https://twitter.com/KCCrimeStop">@KCCrimeStop</a> at 816-474-TIPS (8477). 2/2

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703285918610.png" alt="Photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide and after asking the public for help have identified the victim with the tattoo as 53-year-old Gildardo H. Carvajal of Gardner, Kan., according to the Clay County Sheriff's OfficeAn employee at Rocky Hollow Park found his body at about 8:15 a.m. December 22, off a roadway at the park, located at 14812 Old Quarry Road, Excelsior Springs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703802024415.png" alt="Flores-photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Flores-photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Charges have been filed against a suspect in the murder of&nbsp;Carvajal. Investigators need help to locate 48-year-old Elena Delcarmen Flores. She has been charged with 1st-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Clay County Sheriff.She lives in Gardner, Kansas but investigators believe she may no longer be in the KC metro area. She may also go by Elena Torres, Elena Flores Garcia or Elena Stores. She is 5-foot-5 and 200 pounds. If you know where she is, call&nbsp; 816-407-3723 or <a href="https://twitter.com/KCCrimeStop">@KCCrimeStop</a> at 816-474-TIPS (8477). 2/2

Search continues for suspect in murder of Kansas man

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.

In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.”

Citing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/migration">the issue of migration</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-climate-dubai-un-c5cb4096202a117b34ca3d2d4a1b9e72">climate crises</a>&nbsp;and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.

But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. He said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.”

“I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs,” he said.

Saying a child is a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract,” he called for a global ban on surrogacy "to prohibit this practice universally.”

Vatican teaching opposes in vitro fertilization, and Francis has previously voiced the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to surrogacy, or what he has called “uterus for rent." At the same time, however, the Vatican’s doctrine office has made clear that same-sex parents who resort to surrogacy can have their children baptized.

While commercial surrogacy contracts are common in the United States, including protections for the mothers, guarantees of independent legal representation and medical coverage, they are banned in parts of Europe, including Spain and Italy.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the threat to babies born to surrogate Ukrainian mothers, exposed the country’s thriving industry. Ukraine is one of the few countries that allow surrogacy for foreigners.

Critics say commercial surrogacy targets women who are poor and from vulnerable communities. Supporters say surrogacy gives women a chance to provide children to childless couples, and that commercial contracts protect both the surrogates and the intended parents.

On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quoted Francis' words in explaining why the Catholic Church teaches that surrogacy “is not morally permissible.”

"Instead, we should pray for, and work towards, a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance of life,” spokesperson Chieko Noguchi said.

In his geopolitical roundup, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-russia-ukraine-war-vatican-imperial-b82bfb9185f0fc8062c43927a2b058b0">singled out Russia by name</a>&nbsp;in noting the “large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine." It marked an unusual break with Francis’ usual tendency to spare Moscow direct and public blame for the invasion when expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Francis was more balanced in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hostages-palestinian-prisoners-deal-cffb5f90396c4f410b6af8cd954df0dd">lament of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza,</a>&nbsp;condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel “and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” At the same time, he said the attack provoked a “strong Israeli military response” that had left thousands dead and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

He called for an immediate cease-fire, including in Lebanon, and the liberation of hostages held in Gaza, and reiterated the Holy See’s position seeking a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.

— Lamented various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, and without naming names blasted military coups and elections in several African countries marked by “corruption, intimidation and violence.”

— Called for a “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan government to resolve what he called a “protracted crisis.” The government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-caribbean-nicaragua-daniel-ortega-a445a59fd605f8089c5e661cb66c2773">crackdown on the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;has resulted in the detention of dozens of priests and bishops. The government has accused the church of aiding popular protests against his administration that he considered an attempted coup.

— Called for the resumption, as early as possible, of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-enriched-uranium-1ec34491e5500afdb6f7ed964790d8fa">Iran nuclear talks</a>&nbsp;“to ensure a safer future for all.” Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had increased the rate at which it is producing near-weapons-grade uranium, reversing a previous slowdown.

Francis also said that the “manufacturing” of nuclear weapons was just as immoral as the possession and use of them. Francis has already changed church teaching to include the possession of nuclear weapons as inadmissible, but on Monday he included the production of such weapons as part of his overall criticism of the weapons industry.

“Perhaps we need to realize more clearly that civilian victims are not ‘collateral damage’ (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives,” he said. “They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="Pope image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.”Citing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/migration">the issue of migration</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-climate-dubai-un-c5cb4096202a117b34ca3d2d4a1b9e72">climate crises</a>&nbsp;and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. He said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.”“I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs,” he said.Saying a child is a gift and “never the basis of a commercial contract,” he called for a global ban on surrogacy "to prohibit this practice universally.”Vatican teaching opposes in vitro fertilization, and Francis has previously voiced the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to surrogacy, or what he has called “uterus for rent." At the same time, however, the Vatican’s doctrine office has made clear that same-sex parents who resort to surrogacy can have their children baptized.While commercial surrogacy contracts are common in the United States, including protections for the mothers, guarantees of independent legal representation and medical coverage, they are banned in parts of Europe, including Spain and Italy.Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the threat to babies born to surrogate Ukrainian mothers, exposed the country’s thriving industry. Ukraine is one of the few countries that allow surrogacy for foreigners.Critics say commercial surrogacy targets women who are poor and from vulnerable communities. Supporters say surrogacy gives women a chance to provide children to childless couples, and that commercial contracts protect both the surrogates and the intended parents.On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quoted Francis' words in explaining why the Catholic Church teaches that surrogacy “is not morally permissible.”"Instead, we should pray for, and work towards, a world that upholds the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance of life,” spokesperson Chieko Noguchi said.In his geopolitical roundup, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-russia-ukraine-war-vatican-imperial-b82bfb9185f0fc8062c43927a2b058b0">singled out Russia by name</a>&nbsp;in noting the “large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine." It marked an unusual break with Francis’ usual tendency to spare Moscow direct and public blame for the invasion when expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.Francis was more balanced in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hostages-palestinian-prisoners-deal-cffb5f90396c4f410b6af8cd954df0dd">lament of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza,</a>&nbsp;condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel “and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” At the same time, he said the attack provoked a “strong Israeli military response” that had left thousands dead and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.He called for an immediate cease-fire, including in Lebanon, and the liberation of hostages held in Gaza, and reiterated the Holy See’s position seeking a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem.In other comments, Francis:— Lamented various humanitarian and refugee crises in Africa, and without naming names blasted military coups and elections in several African countries marked by “corruption, intimidation and violence.”— Called for a “respectful diplomatic dialogue” with the Nicaraguan government to resolve what he called a “protracted crisis.” The government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-caribbean-nicaragua-daniel-ortega-a445a59fd605f8089c5e661cb66c2773">crackdown on the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;has resulted in the detention of dozens of priests and bishops. The government has accused the church of aiding popular protests against his administration that he considered an attempted coup.— Called for the resumption, as early as possible, of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-enriched-uranium-1ec34491e5500afdb6f7ed964790d8fa">Iran nuclear talks</a>&nbsp;“to ensure a safer future for all.” Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had increased the rate at which it is producing near-weapons-grade uranium, reversing a previous slowdown.Francis also said that the “manufacturing” of nuclear weapons was just as immoral as the possession and use of them. Francis has already changed church teaching to include the possession of nuclear weapons as inadmissible, but on Monday he included the production of such weapons as part of his overall criticism of the weapons industry.“Perhaps we need to realize more clearly that civilian victims are not ‘collateral damage’ (of war) but men and women, with names and surnames, who lost their lives,” he said. “They are children who are orphaned and deprived of their future.”

Pope calls for a ban on surrogacy, calling It 'despicable'

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for an alleged violent altercation.

Just after 7:30a.m. Sunday, Salina police responded to a call from out of state about a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 Block of Derby Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

The out of state caller reported that while she was on an earlier call to the residence, 29-year-old Jecsi Kent and the victim began arguing and it escalated.

During that argument, the victim was stabbed in the right leg with a barbecue fork, according to Feldman. Officers made contact with Kent, and she was arrested on requested charges of aggravated battery, domestic battery, and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704721993829.png" alt="Kent photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Kent photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for an alleged violent altercation.Just after 7:30a.m. Sunday, Salina police responded to a call from out of state about a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 Block of Derby Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.The out of state caller reported that while she was on an earlier call to the residence, 29-year-old Jecsi Kent and the victim began arguing and it escalated.During that argument, the victim was stabbed in the right leg with a barbecue fork, according to Feldman. Officers made contact with Kent, and she was arrested on requested charges of aggravated battery, domestic battery, and criminal damage to property..

Police: Kan. woman stabbed man in the leg with a barbecue fork

NEW YORK (AP) — For nearly two decades, journalists, police detectives, FBI agents, lawyers and amateur sleuths have pried into the depraved world of Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet even after the release of thousands of pages of court records in recent days, some questions about the millionaire pedophile remain unanswered. The documents have gotten a lot of attention, but they shed little new light on the financier’s habitual sexual abuse of underage girls.

<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/">Click here </a>to read the documents released 1/8/24 (caution adult content)

More than anything, the public is still fascinated with the possibility that some of the rich and powerful men in Epstein's social circle were also involved in the abuse.

Here's a look at what we know — and what we don't — about Epstein and his crimes:

Epstein first began getting media attention in 2002 after news organizations, including The Associated Press, covered a trip to Africa by former President Bill Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. The five-day tour of Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa was intended to draw attention to the fight against AIDS.

After the visit, New York magazine ran a profile of the man who provided the private jet for the trip: Jeffrey Epstein. The story portrayed him as an “international moneyman of mystery,” who cultivated relationships with Nobel Prize-winning scientists and diplomats but puzzled Wall Street insiders who couldn't figure out how a college dropout got so rich.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE —&nbsp; A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell&nbsp; shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE —&nbsp; A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell&nbsp; shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — For nearly two decades, journalists, police detectives, FBI agents, lawyers and amateur sleuths have pried into the depraved world of Jeffrey Epstein.Yet even after the release of thousands of pages of court records in recent days, some questions about the millionaire pedophile remain unanswered. The documents have gotten a lot of attention, but they shed little new light on the financier’s habitual sexual abuse of underage girls.<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355835/giuffre-v-maxwell/">Click here </a>to read the documents released 1/8/24 (caution adult content)More than anything, the public is still fascinated with the possibility that some of the rich and powerful men in Epstein's social circle were also involved in the abuse.Here's a look at what we know — and what we don't — about Epstein and his crimes:JETSETTER TO CONVICTEpstein first began getting media attention in 2002 after news organizations, including The Associated Press, covered a trip to Africa by former President Bill Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. The five-day tour of Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa was intended to draw attention to the fight against AIDS.After the visit, New York magazine ran a profile of the man who provided the private jet for the trip: Jeffrey Epstein. The story portrayed him as an “international moneyman of mystery,” who cultivated relationships with Nobel Prize-winning scientists and diplomats but puzzled Wall Street insiders who couldn't figure out how a college dropout got so rich.“Terrific guy,” Epstein's neighbor in both Florida and New York, Donald Trump, said in the story. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”Those celebrity contacts made it big news when Epstein was arrested in 2006 over allegations that he had hired multiple teenage girls to give him sexualized massages at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.Two years later, prosecutors allowed Epstein to plead guilty to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program, then quietly started rebuilding his network of influential friends, with the help of his socialite former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.After a series of Miami Herald stories about the plea bargain that deprived Epstein's victims of justice, federal prosecutors in New York revived the investigation and charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking.When Epstein killed himself in jail, prosecutors charged Maxwell with facilitating his illicit sexual encounters and participating in some of the abuse. She was convicted and is serving a 20-year prison term.WAS ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED?In 2009, one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre, filed a lawsuit saying he had flown her around the world for sexual encounters with billionaires, politicians, royals and heads of state.She initially kept the names of those men secret, but in later legal filings started providing names: Britain's Prince Andrew, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the French modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel, the billionaire Glenn Dubin and the law professor Alan Dershowitz, who had represented Epstein.Some details of Giuffre's allegations have changed over time. She initially said she was 15 when Epstein began to abuse her, but she later acknowledged that she met him the summer she turned 17.In 2022, she withdrew her allegations against Dershowitz, saying she “may have made a mistake” in identifying him as one of her abusers. She said she “was very young at the time” and “it was a very stressful and traumatic environment.”In one newspaper interview, for which Giuffre was paid $160,000, she described dancing with Prince Andrew at a club but said there was no sexual contact. Later, she said they had three sexual encounters. She said the newspaper had refused to print those allegations.In another interview, she described riding in a helicopter with Bill Clinton and flirting with Donald Trump, but she later said in a deposition that those things hadn't happened and were mistakes by the reporter.Giuffre's allegations have been investigated by the FBI. No charges have been brought based on her claims, but because of the attention generated by them Brunel was investigated in France and charged with raping other underage girls. He killed himself while awaiting trial.Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor in 2020, Geoffrey Berman, sought to speak with Prince Andrew about matters related to Epstein, but the royal declined to be interviewed. Berman blasted Andrew at the time for falsely portraying himself to the public as eager to cooperate when he was actually dodging questions.Andrew has repeatedly denied having sex with Giuffre and said he couldn’t recall ever meeting her, though a photograph appears to show them together, and a member of Epstein's household staff also testified about seeing the two at Epstein's home in New York.Many of the documents unsealed in recent days involve efforts by Maxwell's lawyers to discredit Giuffre, and Giuffre's lawyers' efforts to gather evidence backing up her accounts.The records released in the case have contained scant evidence of wrongdoing by famous figures, but testimony from multiple witnesses confirmed Giuffre's accounts of Epstein's sexual misconduct.DEATH BEHIND BARSAny chance that Epstein himself might have been able to answer questions about his famous friends died with him at a federal detention center in Manhattan in August 2019.The death, a month after he was arrested, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-a1ef16a612bd4130a18479c01bd72586">fueled conspiracy theories</a>. But multiple investigations, including an autopsy and FBI probe, have concluded Epstein died by suicide.Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-department-of-justice-investigation-50c229b7953096f0301bfa1e7f0b7703">Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in a June report</a>&nbsp;that Epstein was able to take his own life because of “negligence, misconduct and outright job performance failures” within the jail.The Metropolitan Correctional Center&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-7f6797153ee7fa391731af9cf7c93603">was shut down in 2021</a>&nbsp;amid concerns about squalid conditions, COVID-19, crumbling infrastructure and lingering questions about Epstein's death.Overworked officers assigned to guard Epstein had failed to recognize he had amassed a surplus of bed linens. After a first suspected suicide attempt, jail officials left him alone and never assigned him a new cellmate.On the night Epstein died, officers sat at desks just 15 feet (4.6 meters) from his cell, shopping online and snoozing instead of making required rounds every 30 minutes, prosecutors said.The day before Epstein killed himself, a federal court unsealed about 2,000 pages of records in Giuffre's lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell — the same case involved in the records released in recent days.That, combined with a lack of significant interpersonal connections and “the idea of potentially spending his life in prison were likely factors contributing to Mr. Epstein’s suicide,” prison officials wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">documents obtained by The Associated Press</a>.Whether Epstein would have ever been keen to answer questions to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding his life is a different story. In a 2016 deposition in Giuffre’s lawsuit, he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.WHAT’S NEXTThe document dump isn’t over yet. So far, 191 of the approximately 250 files that U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska authorized for release have been made public. Lawyers involved in the case are posting them to the docket on a rolling basis, as per the judge’s instructions.Another batch is expected Monday, though there is little indication they will yield more than what has already been seen in the nearly 3,000 pages of deposition transcripts, legal memos, emails and other records made public since Wednesday.Versions of many of those records had already been made public in past years, though with some sections blacked out for privacy reasons or to protect the identities of Epstein's victims.