Luke Karg is the only Missouri student to qualify for the high school national bass fishing championship five times, including as an incoming freshman

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"></a>The water on Truman Lake was colder and muddier than normal this April, making for some tough fishing conditions.&nbsp;

Luke Karg, of House Springs, had one last shot before graduating to win the Missouri TBF High School Trail Super Tournament for bass fishing – which he and his then 16-year-old fishing partner, A.J. Massa, had won the year before.

It’s the last tournament of the season for the Missouri student program of The Bass Federation, and it’s also the final opportunity to earn enough points to be named Team of the Year — the top-scoring duo in the state.

“The tournament itself meant a lot to us, with it being our last state tournament together,” Karg said. “It was very tough. There was, at most, two inches of visibility in the water, but a lot of fishing is just adapting to the changes.”

Karg and Massa headed out on the water for two days for eight hours each. At the end of each day, they weighed their top five fish.&nbsp;

“The first day, they caught almost enough bass to win the tournament,” said Gary Foree, Karg’s mentor and family friend, who is a former professional fisherman. “They had almost 19 pounds, which is insane. There hasn’t been a tournament in three years over 17 pounds on Truman Lake.”

They brought in 16 pounds on the second day, which would have brought their total up to nearly 35 pounds. But unfortunately it didn’t count. Their boat malfunctioned, making them miss the weigh in.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was pretty heart-wrenching,” Karg said. “It was one of our best bags as a team on one of the most difficult days.”

Karg and Massa ended up taking second place at Truman Lake with one day’s worth of fish, and they still had enough points to be named Team of the Year, just as they were last year.

Karg has been part of the Team of the Year five years in a row, including as an incoming high-school freshman.&nbsp;

That title also sent the team to the TBF Student Angler Federation High School National Championship, which was held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in June.&nbsp;

Only the top two high-school teams from each state can compete, and Karg is the only person in Missouri to have qualified for that opportunity five years in a row, according to officials for the national championship.

“To be one of the top two teams in Missouri for five consecutive years is pretty freaking amazing,” said Karl Buck, who previously led the federation’s high school program in Missouri and was also Karg’s team leader. “I’m just so proud it’s unbelievable. I mean, I can’t believe that I was involved in his upcoming as a fisherman.”

Karg began competitive fishing when he was 12 and participated in dozens of individual and team tournaments as a teen. Through it all, he struggled with an autoimmune illness that made him miss numerous days from school, he said, but he’s proud he still managed to graduate on time in May and continue fishing.

While it was grueling standing on a boat for hours under the hot sun, Karg said the national championship was exhilarating because some of the world’s top fishermen were watching.&nbsp;

“It’s the biggest tourn of the year, and a lot of people only get to go to it once, if even,” Karg said. “It really could be the biggest tournament of your life.”

Karg has loved to fish ever since he could hold a rod, said his father Rick Karg. Even as early as 5, he said Karg could catch fish when the adults around him were coming up empty.&nbsp;

“There’s a magic,” Rick said. “My scientific brain says, ‘Is there like a vibration from his heartbeat that travels down the line because he’s got his finger touching it, that the fish like?’”&nbsp;

Foree met Karg because of a life-changing promise he made to Karg’s mother, Becky Rumley.

Rumley was the nurse administering Foree’s chemotherapy treatment at St. Claire Hospital, and one day, she told him how much her nine-year-old son loved to fish. At the time, Foree thought he only had a few months to live.

“I ended up telling her that if I survive this, I’ll take him to Lake of the Ozarks and get him a five pounder because I used to be a [fishing] guide on the lake,” he said.

Foree did pull through, and when they went out fishing, Karg didn’t just catch one five-pound bass.&nbsp;

“I caught three five-pound bass and two six pounders, and like a bunch of big fish,” Karg said. “It is probably the best day of fishing in my life. And ever since then, he’s just dedicated a huge part of his life to help teach me and my partner.”

Foree was equally amazed after Karg pulled out nearly 40 pounds of fish that day.&nbsp;

“He just had the best day of fishing anybody could have,” Foree said. “That’s how I got him hooked on fishing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Over the years, Foree taught him about tracking fish through the different seasons and how to read the water and the banks. He also helped him get his first boat.

Now, Foree said, Karg’s instincts are his fishing superpower.&nbsp;

“So many times they won a tournament when the fishing was really tough, and Luke said, ‘Let’s try over here. That bank looks good,’” Foree said. “And they’ll go over, and they’ll catch enough fish on that bank to win the tournament.”

Karg believes his instincts have developed with the dozens of tournaments and countless hours of fishing.&nbsp;

“Over time, it’s become more of an instinct, than having to think about, ‘Oh, I should make a change,’” he said. “It just naturally comes.”

For instance, at both the Truman Lake and national championship, Karg said he was painting his own custom lures while he was on the boat.

At Truman, he made the decision to color a half-inch chartreuse line on his spinner bait, he said, and he ended up catching much bigger fish, but less fish. If his lure had a straight tail, the catch was better as well, he said.

“It’s all about how the bait works in the water,” he said. “The smallest little detail that can just trigger the fish to eat. That’s where a lot of the fun comes into it for me, is all the difficulties and fun little changes you can make. You can go from catching no fish for hours on end to catching your limit in a minute.”

Karl Buck remembers meeting Karg when he was about 12 on a dock at the Peaceful Valley Lake in Owensville, where Karg’s grandparents have a lake house. Buck used to run a student program called the Owensville Anglers, and they were finishing up a tournament that day.

“When we were doing our weigh-in down at the dam, they came down to the boat ramp to inquire,” Buck said. “He’ll probably hate this, but he was the most bashful young man, super quiet and reserved.”&nbsp;

The Owensville Anglers is how Karg got his start with tournament fishing, which Buck says is much different than regular fishing.&nbsp;

In a tournament, Buck said the first rule is “find five.”&nbsp;

“You’re fishing for five fish,” Buck said. “Doesn’t matter what they weigh, they just got to be keepers,” meaning they are big enough to keep.

The fish go in the box where they’re kept alive and healthy, which is a standard conservation practice in the high-school tournaments.&nbsp;

“After you have five, then you’re going to change your game,” he said. “It’s now no longer about just catching fish. You’re looking to upgrade the fish that you already have. Big fish get big for a reason. They’re hard to catch.”

Big fish know how to hide, and that’s where casting skills come into play, Foree said. He called Karg’s casting skills “insane.”&nbsp;

“He can skip jigs and lures and put them in places nobody else can,” Foree said. “That’s why he’s so good.”

But he wasn’t always that good, Buck remembers, which is why Karg earned the nickname “Oops” after fishing with Buck and his son one day.

“Luke throws this cast — I believe it was a spinner bait — and it winds up on the roof of this dock, stuck,” Buck said. “So we go up and we get it. A little while later, he makes another cast and it gets stuck on somebody’s dock.”

After each time, Karg would just say, “Oops” and the nickname was born. Buck said when they fished together this past summer, he was blown away at his talent.&nbsp;

Karg and Massa ended up placing 56th out of more than 200 teams in the national championship in Oklahoma.&nbsp;

“We lost three three-pounders that came off the boat,” Karg said after the tournament finished. “That would have gotten us up to nine or 10 pounds. We would have been around 12th place probably.”

Karg said he’s proud of his accomplishment over this high school career, and he couldn’t have done it without his fishing partners Massa and previously Kyle Kannawurf, along with their boat captains.

“No one gives credit enough to our boat captains, which were both of our dads,” he said, “just giving the time to drive all the way out there and standing with us out the boat for eight hours straight a day.”

As boat captain, Rick said he was in “constant amazement” at his son’s skill.

“I’d just sit there and watch and think, ‘How in the world are you doing this?’” Rick said. “You’re like a super sharp shooter.”

Rick said he’s watched Karg fish for seven hours without catching anything, but he’d still have the focus and creativity change his strategy and get a big catch at the last minute. Karg’s humility and attitude are among the most impressive things about him, said Foree and Buck, particularly his ability to bounce back from setbacks.

“He never got rattled,” Foree said. “Oh, he’d get upset if he lost a big fish, but he’d just say, ‘Okay, I learned something from that,’ and go on to the next one. His ability to focus and stay focused in times of turmoil when he loses fish or the weather changes is very, very important in professional bass fishing.”

Karg&nbsp;has his own&nbsp;<a href="https://lukesboatservices.com/about-us" target="_blank">boat detail business</a>, and there are several career paths he’s interested in taking, including a professional fisherman.&nbsp;

“But for that, I would have to be away from home around 200 days of the year,” he said. “So the one I’m probably gonna go with is a natural environmentalist studying fresh water fish.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766854627766.png" alt=" Luke Karg and his mentor Gary Foree fish together at Peaceful Valley Lake in Owensville in 2021 (Photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption> Luke Karg and his mentor Gary Foree fish together at Peaceful Valley Lake in Owensville in 2021 (Photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Luke Karg is the only Missouri student to qualify for the high school national bass fishing championship five times, including as an incoming freshman</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"></a>The water on Truman Lake was colder and muddier than normal this April, making for some tough fishing conditions.&nbsp;Luke Karg, of House Springs, had one last shot before graduating to win the Missouri TBF High School Trail Super Tournament for bass fishing – which he and his then 16-year-old fishing partner, A.J. Massa, had won the year before.It’s the last tournament of the season for the Missouri student program of The Bass Federation, and it’s also the final opportunity to earn enough points to be named Team of the Year — the top-scoring duo in the state.“The tournament itself meant a lot to us, with it being our last state tournament together,” Karg said. “It was very tough. There was, at most, two inches of visibility in the water, but a lot of fishing is just adapting to the changes.”Karg and Massa headed out on the water for two days for eight hours each. At the end of each day, they weighed their top five fish.&nbsp;“The first day, they caught almost enough bass to win the tournament,” said Gary Foree, Karg’s mentor and family friend, who is a former professional fisherman. “They had almost 19 pounds, which is insane. There hasn’t been a tournament in three years over 17 pounds on Truman Lake.”They brought in 16 pounds on the second day, which would have brought their total up to nearly 35 pounds. But unfortunately it didn’t count. Their boat malfunctioned, making them miss the weigh in.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It was pretty heart-wrenching,” Karg said. “It was one of our best bags as a team on one of the most difficult days.”But it wasn’t all lost.&nbsp;Karg and Massa ended up taking second place at Truman Lake with one day’s worth of fish, and they still had enough points to be named Team of the Year, just as they were last year.Karg has been part of the Team of the Year five years in a row, including as an incoming high-school freshman.&nbsp;That title also sent the team to the TBF Student Angler Federation High School National Championship, which was held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in June.&nbsp;Only the top two high-school teams from each state can compete, and Karg is the only person in Missouri to have qualified for that opportunity five years in a row, according to officials for the national championship.“To be one of the top two teams in Missouri for five consecutive years is pretty freaking amazing,” said Karl Buck, who previously led the federation’s high school program in Missouri and was also Karg’s team leader. “I’m just so proud it’s unbelievable. I mean, I can’t believe that I was involved in his upcoming as a fisherman.”Karg began competitive fishing when he was 12 and participated in dozens of individual and team tournaments as a teen. Through it all, he struggled with an autoimmune illness that made him miss numerous days from school, he said, but he’s proud he still managed to graduate on time in May and continue fishing.While it was grueling standing on a boat for hours under the hot sun, Karg said the national championship was exhilarating because some of the world’s top fishermen were watching.&nbsp;“It’s the biggest tourn of the year, and a lot of people only get to go to it once, if even,” Karg said. “It really could be the biggest tournament of your life.”<h2>A promise</h2>Karg has loved to fish ever since he could hold a rod, said his father Rick Karg. Even as early as 5, he said Karg could catch fish when the adults around him were coming up empty.&nbsp;“There’s a magic,” Rick said. “My scientific brain says, ‘Is there like a vibration from his heartbeat that travels down the line because he’s got his finger touching it, that the fish like?’”&nbsp;Foree met Karg because of a life-changing promise he made to Karg’s mother, Becky Rumley.Rumley was the nurse administering Foree’s chemotherapy treatment at St. Claire Hospital, and one day, she told him how much her nine-year-old son loved to fish. At the time, Foree thought he only had a few months to live.“I ended up telling her that if I survive this, I’ll take him to Lake of the Ozarks and get him a five pounder because I used to be a [fishing] guide on the lake,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766854595349.png" alt="Luke Karg stands with a paddlefish he caught in Owensville (Photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Luke Karg stands with a paddlefish he caught in Owensville (Photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>Foree did pull through, and when they went out fishing, Karg didn’t just catch one five-pound bass.&nbsp;“I caught three five-pound bass and two six pounders, and like a bunch of big fish,” Karg said. “It is probably the best day of fishing in my life. And ever since then, he’s just dedicated a huge part of his life to help teach me and my partner.”Foree was equally amazed after Karg pulled out nearly 40 pounds of fish that day.&nbsp;“He just had the best day of fishing anybody could have,” Foree said. “That’s how I got him hooked on fishing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the years, Foree taught him about tracking fish through the different seasons and how to read the water and the banks. He also helped him get his first boat.Now, Foree said, Karg’s instincts are his fishing superpower.&nbsp;“So many times they won a tournament when the fishing was really tough, and Luke said, ‘Let’s try over here. That bank looks good,’” Foree said. “And they’ll go over, and they’ll catch enough fish on that bank to win the tournament.”Karg believes his instincts have developed with the dozens of tournaments and countless hours of fishing.&nbsp;“Over time, it’s become more of an instinct, than having to think about, ‘Oh, I should make a change,’” he said. “It just naturally comes.”For instance, at both the Truman Lake and national championship, Karg said he was painting his own custom lures while he was on the boat.At Truman, he made the decision to color a half-inch chartreuse line on his spinner bait, he said, and he ended up catching much bigger fish, but less fish. If his lure had a straight tail, the catch was better as well, he said.“It’s all about how the bait works in the water,” he said. “The smallest little detail that can just trigger the fish to eat. That’s where a lot of the fun comes into it for me, is all the difficulties and fun little changes you can make. You can go from catching no fish for hours on end to catching your limit in a minute.”<h2>‘Find five’</h2>Karl Buck remembers meeting Karg when he was about 12 on a dock at the Peaceful Valley Lake in Owensville, where Karg’s grandparents have a lake house. Buck used to run a student program called the Owensville Anglers, and they were finishing up a tournament that day.“When we were doing our weigh-in down at the dam, they came down to the boat ramp to inquire,” Buck said. “He’ll probably hate this, but he was the most bashful young man, super quiet and reserved.”&nbsp;The Owensville Anglers is how Karg got his start with tournament fishing, which Buck says is much different than regular fishing.&nbsp;In a tournament, Buck said the first rule is “find five.”&nbsp;“You’re fishing for five fish,” Buck said. “Doesn’t matter what they weigh, they just got to be keepers,” meaning they are big enough to keep.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766854558899.png" alt="Luke Karg, left, and A.J. Massa hold up their top three fish at the TBF Student Angler Federation High School National Championship, which was held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in June (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Luke Karg, left, and A.J. Massa hold up their top three fish at the TBF Student Angler Federation High School National Championship, which was held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in June (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>The fish go in the box where they’re kept alive and healthy, which is a standard conservation practice in the high-school tournaments.&nbsp;“After you have five, then you’re going to change your game,” he said. “It’s now no longer about just catching fish. You’re looking to upgrade the fish that you already have. Big fish get big for a reason. They’re hard to catch.”Big fish know how to hide, and that’s where casting skills come into play, Foree said. He called Karg’s casting skills “insane.”&nbsp;“He can skip jigs and lures and put them in places nobody else can,” Foree said. “That’s why he’s so good.”But he wasn’t always that good, Buck remembers, which is why Karg earned the nickname “Oops” after fishing with Buck and his son one day.“Luke throws this cast — I believe it was a spinner bait — and it winds up on the roof of this dock, stuck,” Buck said. “So we go up and we get it. A little while later, he makes another cast and it gets stuck on somebody’s dock.”After each time, Karg would just say, “Oops” and the nickname was born. Buck said when they fished together this past summer, he was blown away at his talent.&nbsp;Karg and Massa ended up placing 56th out of more than 200 teams in the national championship in Oklahoma.&nbsp;“We lost three three-pounders that came off the boat,” Karg said after the tournament finished. “That would have gotten us up to nine or 10 pounds. We would have been around 12th place probably.”Karg said he’s proud of his accomplishment over this high school career, and he couldn’t have done it without his fishing partners Massa and previously Kyle Kannawurf, along with their boat captains.“No one gives credit enough to our boat captains, which were both of our dads,” he said, “just giving the time to drive all the way out there and standing with us out the boat for eight hours straight a day.”As boat captain, Rick said he was in “constant amazement” at his son’s skill.“I’d just sit there and watch and think, ‘How in the world are you doing this?’” Rick said. “You’re like a super sharp shooter.”Rick said he’s watched Karg fish for seven hours without catching anything, but he’d still have the focus and creativity change his strategy and get a big catch at the last minute. Karg’s humility and attitude are among the most impressive things about him, said Foree and Buck, particularly his ability to bounce back from setbacks.“He never got rattled,” Foree said. “Oh, he’d get upset if he lost a big fish, but he’d just say, ‘Okay, I learned something from that,’ and go on to the next one. His ability to focus and stay focused in times of turmoil when he loses fish or the weather changes is very, very important in professional bass fishing.”Karg&nbsp;has his own&nbsp;<a href="https://lukesboatservices.com/about-us" target="_blank">boat detail business</a>, and there are several career paths he’s interested in taking, including a professional fisherman.&nbsp;“But for that, I would have to be away from home around 200 days of the year,” he said. “So the one I’m probably gonna go with is a natural environmentalist studying fresh water fish.”

Missouri teen makes history for tournament bass fishing

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/anne-dinnocenzio">ANNE D’INNOCENZIO</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holiday-sales-visa-inflation-tariffs-e227c2ab26445616931a71cf610bd15b">data released this week</a>&nbsp;by Visa’s Consulting &amp; Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-55a603a497c5885745b87de8fc5f7821">unease over the U.S. economy</a>&nbsp;and higher prices in part due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economy-liberation-day-d3458da225c1fdfade97ed494b23e868">President Donald Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

A weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving

Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christmas last year, sales slid 9%.

Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

In the past it may have seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year. That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept. 27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyber-monday-deals-discounts-4acd3e4b065f62a1c08cd04905b11f87">Cyber Week</a>&nbsp;— the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766832564432.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/anne-dinnocenzio">ANNE D’INNOCENZIO</a>NEW YORK (AP) — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holiday-sales-visa-inflation-tariffs-e227c2ab26445616931a71cf610bd15b">data released this week</a>&nbsp;by Visa’s Consulting &amp; Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.But growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-55a603a497c5885745b87de8fc5f7821">unease over the U.S. economy</a>&nbsp;and higher prices in part due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economy-liberation-day-d3458da225c1fdfade97ed494b23e868">President Donald Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.<h2>A weaker holiday season for traditional gift giving</h2>Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christmas last year, sales slid 9%.Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.“Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.<h2>Thrift stores broaden their appeal</h2>In the past it may have seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year. That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept. 27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.“High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”<h2>Fewer returns, so far</h2>For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.“I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyber-monday-deals-discounts-4acd3e4b065f62a1c08cd04905b11f87">Cyber Week</a>&nbsp;— the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

More thrifting, fewer returns, the early trends that defined shopping this holiday

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City

Just after 9a.m. Friday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 7400 block of Chestnut in Kansas City, Missouri on a reported disturbance, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. While en route the call was upgraded to a shooting.&nbsp;

As officers arrived they located two adult males in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS arrived simultaneously and performed life saving measures. Both victims were pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as a homicide. The preliminary investigation has revealed that there was a dispute over property, just prior to shots being fired and the victims being struck. Detectives have located several witnesses and continue to canvass the area for additional witnesses or surveillance footage. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for any available physical evidence.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766776881531.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas CityJust after 9a.m. Friday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 7400 block of Chestnut in Kansas City, Missouri on a reported disturbance, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. While en route the call was upgraded to a shooting.&nbsp;As officers arrived they located two adult males in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS arrived simultaneously and performed life saving measures. Both victims were pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide. The preliminary investigation has revealed that there was a dispute over property, just prior to shots being fired and the victims being struck. Detectives have located several witnesses and continue to canvass the area for additional witnesses or surveillance footage. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for any available physical evidence.&nbsp;

Police: 2 dead after gun fight over property in Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.

Just after 5:30p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to the area of West 151st&nbsp;Street and South Black Bob Road following reports of a crash involving an SUV and a pedestrian, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.&nbsp;&nbsp;When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive 63-year-old man.. &nbsp;The man was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Officers are in contact with the driver of the SUV, and they are cooperating in the investigation

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or whose vehicle may have captured the incident on a dash cam, to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.Just after 5:30p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to the area of West 151st&nbsp;Street and South Black Bob Road following reports of a crash involving an SUV and a pedestrian, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.&nbsp;&nbsp;When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive 63-year-old man.. &nbsp;The man was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;Officers are in contact with the driver of the SUV, and they are cooperating in the investigationPolice are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or whose vehicle may have captured the incident on a dash cam, to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

Kansas man dies after struck by an SUV

COWLEY COUNTY —A suspect wanted for a shooting in Cowley County is finally in custody.

Earlier this month, police issued an arrest warrant and are asked the public for help to locate shooting suspect 25-year-old Levi Garwood, according to a statement from Winfield Police. The alleged crime occurred on November 22 near Main Street in Winfield. First responders found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital and later to a hospital in Wichita.

Detectives conducted witness interviews and reviewed audio and video evidence before seeking a warrant through the Cowley County District Court. Just after 4:30p.m.&nbsp; December 23, Garwood was booked into the Cowley County jail, according to online jail records. He is being held&nbsp; on a $500,000 bomd on requested charges of attempted second-degree murder.&nbsp; Police have not released details of the arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765985005034.png" alt="Garwood photo Winfield Police" />
 <figcaption>Garwood photo Winfield Police</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —A suspect wanted for a shooting in Cowley County is finally in custody.Earlier this month, police issued an arrest warrant and are asked the public for help to locate shooting suspect 25-year-old Levi Garwood, according to a statement from Winfield Police. The alleged crime occurred on November 22 near Main Street in Winfield. First responders found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital and later to a hospital in Wichita.Detectives conducted witness interviews and reviewed audio and video evidence before seeking a warrant through the Cowley County District Court. Just after 4:30p.m.&nbsp; December 23, Garwood was booked into the Cowley County jail, according to online jail records. He is being held&nbsp; on a $500,000 bomd on requested charges of attempted second-degree murder.&nbsp; Police have not released details of the arrest.

After hiding for a month, Kan. attempted murder suspect is in custody

SALINE COUNTY —Salina Police are asking the public for help to identifiy suspects in connection with three burglaries.

On December 19, business burglaries were reported at The Boy Scouts of America, 644 S. Ohio and All Eyes on You Salon, 905 E. Prescott, both in Salina.

The suspect made forced entry into both buildings. 

The suspect took numerous food items, cash, keys, plastic cups and a Boy Scout medal from the Scout building. Total damage and loss were valued at over $3,000. The suspect took&nbsp; multiple gift cards, cash, an HP laptop, and 24 necklace chains with connectors from All Eyes on You Salon. Total damage and loss were valued at over $4,000.

Also reported that same day was a residential burglary which occurred just a couple of blocks down from the salon in central Salina. 

The suspect entered an attached garage and stole a black Kastking tacklebox, a silver lighter, and a wallet. Total loss was valued at over $100. 

Recovered from the scene was a Boy Scout medal and several food items which had been stolen from the Boy Scouts of America.

If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS.

You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>.

You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, case 2025-33993.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766766697965.png" alt="Image of suspect connected to three burglaries- Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Image of suspect connected to three burglaries- Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Salina Police are asking the public for help to identifiy suspects in connection with three burglaries.On December 19, business burglaries were reported at The Boy Scouts of America, 644 S. Ohio and All Eyes on You Salon, 905 E. Prescott, both in Salina.The suspect made forced entry into both buildings. The suspect took numerous food items, cash, keys, plastic cups and a Boy Scout medal from the Scout building. Total damage and loss were valued at over $3,000. The suspect took&nbsp; multiple gift cards, cash, an HP laptop, and 24 necklace chains with connectors from All Eyes on You Salon. Total damage and loss were valued at over $4,000.Also reported that same day was a residential burglary which occurred just a couple of blocks down from the salon in central Salina. The suspect entered an attached garage and stole a black Kastking tacklebox, a silver lighter, and a wallet. Total loss was valued at over $100. Recovered from the scene was a Boy Scout medal and several food items which had been stolen from the Boy Scouts of America.If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, case 2025-33993.

Police need help to ID suspect in central Kan. burglaries

SHAWNEE COUNTY. – On Saturday evening, December 20, at approximately 9 p.m., a Topeka Police Department officer was conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of SW 6th Street and SW Lane when a suspected impaired driver traveling at a high rate of speed rear-ended the patrol vehicle, according to a report released Friday by Topeka Police.

The crash resulted in minor injuries to the officer and an arrestee who were inside the patrol vehicle at the time of the collision. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital, treated for their injuries, and later released.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, one person was killed every 42 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on roadways across the United States. These crashes—and the resulting loss of life—are entirely preventable.

Beginning Friday, December 26, 2025, through Thursday, January 2, 2026, the Topeka Police Department will participate in the statewide “Taking Down DUI” New Year’s safety enforcement campaign. During the enforcement period, TPD officers will focus on identifying impaired drivers and enforcing seat belt laws to help keep Topeka roadways safe throughout the holiday season.

This enforcement initiative is made possible through a Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

If you’re drinking, don’t drive. Responsible driving saves lives:

• Plan a safe ride home before celebrating. If you drink, don’t drive—use a rideshare service, taxi, or call a sober friend.

• If someone has been drinking, take their keys and help arrange a sober ride home.

• If you observe an impaired driver, call 911 to report it to local law enforcement.

SHAWNEE COUNTY. – On Saturday evening, December 20, at approximately 9 p.m., a Topeka Police Department officer was conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of SW 6th Street and SW Lane when a suspected impaired driver traveling at a high rate of speed rear-ended the patrol vehicle, according to a report released Friday by Topeka Police.The crash resulted in minor injuries to the officer and an arrestee who were inside the patrol vehicle at the time of the collision. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital, treated for their injuries, and later released.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, one person was killed every 42 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on roadways across the United States. These crashes—and the resulting loss of life—are entirely preventable.Beginning Friday, December 26, 2025, through Thursday, January 2, 2026, the Topeka Police Department will participate in the statewide “Taking Down DUI” New Year’s safety enforcement campaign. During the enforcement period, TPD officers will focus on identifying impaired drivers and enforcing seat belt laws to help keep Topeka roadways safe throughout the holiday season.This enforcement initiative is made possible through a Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.If you’re drinking, don’t drive. Responsible driving saves lives:• Plan a safe ride home before celebrating. If you drink, don’t drive—use a rideshare service, taxi, or call a sober friend.• If someone has been drinking, take their keys and help arrange a sober ride home.• If you observe an impaired driver, call 911 to report it to local law enforcement.

Kan. officer, suspect injured after impaired driver struck patrol car

NEW YORK (AP) — Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/50f12c2e4dc445949d535aef8f033eab">influential goth band</a>&nbsp;The Cure, has died. He was 65.

The band made the announcement on their official website on Friday.

“It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte, who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas,” the band wrote.

“Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goth-history-book-lol-tolhurst-cure-37451452c321455ea0c3c166a525d071">The Cure story,”</a>&nbsp;the statement continued. “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.”

Bamonte worked with the band in various roles from 1984 to 1989, including as roadie and guitar tech. He officially joined the band in 1990, when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit. It was then that he became a full-time member of the group, playing guitar, six-string bass and keyboard.

Having joined just after the band’s mainstream breakthrough, 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte is featured on a number of The Cure’s albums, including 1992’s “Wish” — which features the career-defining hits ″Friday I’m in Love″ and “High” — as well as the 1996’s “Wild Mood Swings,” 2000’s “Bloodflowers” and 2004’s self-titled release.

Bamonte was fired from The Cure by its singer and leader Robert Smith in 2005. At that point in time, he had performed at over 400 shows across 14 years. Bamonte rejoined the group in recent years, touring with the band in 2022 for another 90 gigs.

In 2019, Bamonte was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/50f12c2e4dc445949d535aef8f033eab">inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a>&nbsp;alongside the rest of The Cure.

His last performance with the band was on Nov. 1, 2024 in London for a special one-off event to launch their latest album and first in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World.” The concert was filmed for “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” a film released in cinemas globally this month. It is also available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD.

The Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cure-song-lost-world-album-review-5c94952a91e7bbde75d580ae8f4e0c27">described “Songs of a Lost World”</a>&nbsp;as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful” — one of the best of the band’s career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766784871549.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/50f12c2e4dc445949d535aef8f033eab">influential goth band</a>&nbsp;The Cure, has died. He was 65.The band made the announcement on their official website on Friday.“It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte, who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas,” the band wrote.“Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goth-history-book-lol-tolhurst-cure-37451452c321455ea0c3c166a525d071">The Cure story,”</a>&nbsp;the statement continued. “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.”Bamonte worked with the band in various roles from 1984 to 1989, including as roadie and guitar tech. He officially joined the band in 1990, when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit. It was then that he became a full-time member of the group, playing guitar, six-string bass and keyboard.Having joined just after the band’s mainstream breakthrough, 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte is featured on a number of The Cure’s albums, including 1992’s “Wish” — which features the career-defining hits ″Friday I’m in Love″ and “High” — as well as the 1996’s “Wild Mood Swings,” 2000’s “Bloodflowers” and 2004’s self-titled release.Bamonte was fired from The Cure by its singer and leader Robert Smith in 2005. At that point in time, he had performed at over 400 shows across 14 years. Bamonte rejoined the group in recent years, touring with the band in 2022 for another 90 gigs.In 2019, Bamonte was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/50f12c2e4dc445949d535aef8f033eab">inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a>&nbsp;alongside the rest of The Cure.His last performance with the band was on Nov. 1, 2024 in London for a special one-off event to launch their latest album and first in 16 years, “Songs of a Lost World.” The concert was filmed for “The Cure: The Show of a Lost World,” a film released in cinemas globally this month. It is also available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD.The Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cure-song-lost-world-album-review-5c94952a91e7bbde75d580ae8f4e0c27">described “Songs of a Lost World”</a>&nbsp;as “lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful” — one of the best of the band’s career.

Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the casue of a house fire inKansas City, Missouri.

Just after 8a.m. December 23, KCFD companies were dispatched to a reported fire in the 5500 block of East 18th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. On arrival, it was reported that a trailer camper and a house had heavy fire showing. Crews knocked down the flames on the exterior of the structure and made their way inside for an aggressive interior attack.

Multiple hose lines were used to extinguish the fires, which was brought under control at 8:24 a.m. Searches throughout the structure were performed and came back all clear. No injuries have been reported from this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766506543851.png" alt="Photos KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photos KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the casue of a house fire inKansas City, Missouri.Just after 8a.m. December 23, KCFD companies were dispatched to a reported fire in the 5500 block of East 18th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. On arrival, it was reported that a trailer camper and a house had heavy fire showing. Crews knocked down the flames on the exterior of the structure and made their way inside for an aggressive interior attack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766506479618.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Multiple hose lines were used to extinguish the fires, which was brought under control at 8:24 a.m. Searches throughout the structure were performed and came back all clear. No injuries have been reported from this incident.

Cause of Kansas City house fire under investigation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — To tax tips or not? That is a question that will confront lawmakers in states across the U.S. as they convene for work next year.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s administration</a>&nbsp;is urging states to follow its lead by enacting a slew of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">new tax breaks</a>&nbsp;for individuals and businesses, including deductions for tips and overtime wages, automobile loans and business equipment.

In some states, the new federal tax breaks will automatically apply to state income taxes unless legislatures opt out. But in many other states, where tax laws are written differently, the new tax breaks won't appear on state tax forms unless legislatures opt in.

In states that don't conform to the federal tax changes, workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-taxes-tips-overtime-restaurants-a8cafab342a569080fabaa27b122b52b">receive tips or overtime</a>&nbsp;— for example — will pay no federal tax on those earnings but could still owe state taxes on them.

States that embrace all of Trump's tax cuts could provide hundreds of millions of dollars of annual savings to certain residents and businesses. But that could financially strain states, which are being hit with higher costs because of new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-bill-medicaid-snap-food-trump-congress-4e1826a670b5eb2b802f08adc1c325a2">Medicaid and SNAP food aid requirements</a>&nbsp;that also are included in the big bill Trump signed.

Most states begin their annual legislative sessions in January. To retroactively change tax breaks for 2025, lawmakers would need to act quickly so tax forms could updated before people begin filing them. States also could apply the changes to their 2026 taxes, a decision requiring less haste.

So far, only a few states have taken votes on whether to adopt the tax breaks.

“States in general are approaching this skeptically," said Carl Davis, research director at the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Trump's treasury presses states to `immediately conform'

A bill Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">signed on July 4</a>&nbsp;contains about $4.5 trillion of federal tax cuts over 10 years.

It creates temporary tax deductions for tips, overtime and loan interest on new vehicles assembled in the U.S. It boosts a tax deduction for older adults. And it temporarily raises cap on state and local tax deductions from $10,000 to $40,000, among other things. The law also provides numerous tax breaks to businesses, including the ability to immediately write off 100% of the cost of equipment and research.

Forty-one states levy individual income taxes on wages and salaries. Forty-four states charge corporate income taxes.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this month called on those states “to immediately conform” to the federal tax cuts and accused some Democratic-led states that haven't done so of engaging in "political obstructionism.” Though Bessent didn't mention it, many Republican-led states also have not decided whether to implement the tax deductions.

“By denying their residents access to these important tax cuts, these governors and legislators are forcing hardworking Americans to shoulder higher state tax burdens, robbing them of the relief they deserve and exacerbating the financial squeeze on low- and middle-income households,” Bessent said.

But some tax analysts contend there's more for states to consider. The tax break on tips, for example, could apply to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/22/2025-18278/occupations-that-customarily-and-regularly-received-tips-definition-of-qualified-tips">nearly 70 occupation fields</a>&nbsp;under a proposed rule from the Internal Revenue Service. But that would still exclude numerous low-wage workers, said Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the nonprofit Tax Foundation.

“Lawmakers need to consider whether these are worth the cost,” Walczak said.

Only a few states offer tax breaks for tips and overtime

Because of the way state tax laws are written, the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-tips-trump-workers-restaurants-182a89e3dc5c1da51fcd3ad1aadc571f">tax breaks for tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime wages would have carried over to just seven states — Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and South Carolina. But Colorado opted out of the state tax break for overtime shortly before the federal law was enacted.

Michigan this fall became first — and, so far, only — state to opt into the tax breaks for tips and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taxes-social-security-overtime-tariffs-989016ef41dc1533b05d1871d69c03ff">overtime wages</a>, effective in 2026. The overtime tax exemption is projected to cost the state nearly $113 million and the tips tax break about $45 million during its current budget year, according to the state treasury department.

Michigan lawmakers offset that by decoupling from five federal corporate tax changes the state's treasury estimated would have reduced Michigan tax revenues by $540 million this budget year.

Republican state Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, said the state could not afford to embrace all the tax cuts while still investing in better roads, public safety and education.

“The best path forward is to have more money in people’s pockets and have less regulation — and this kind of moved in that direction,” she said.

Arizona could be among the next states to act. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has called upon lawmakers to adopt the tax breaks for tips, overtime, seniors and vehicle loans, and follow the federal government by also increasing the state's standard deduction for individual income taxpayers. Republican state House leaders said they stand ready to pass the tax cuts when their session begins Jan. 12.

Several states have rejected corporate tax breaks

In addition to Michigan, lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have passed measures to block some or all of the corporate tax cuts from taking effect in their states.

A new Illinois law decoupling from a portion of the corporate tax changes could save the state nearly $250 million, said Democratic state Sen. Elgie Sims, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said that could help ensure continued funding for schools, health care and vital services.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/j-b-pritzker">Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker</a>, an outspoken Democratic opponent of Trump, also cited budget concerns for rejecting the corporate tax cut provision. He said states already stand to lose money because of other provisions in Trump's big bill, such as a requirement to cover more of the costs of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“The decoupling is an effort to try to hold back the onslaught from the federal government to make sure that we can support programs like the one we’re announcing today,” Pritzker told reporters at a December event publicizing a grant to address homelessness in central Illinois.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761180692635.png" alt="File image Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent- White House" />
 <figcaption>File image Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent- White House</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — To tax tips or not? That is a question that will confront lawmakers in states across the U.S. as they convene for work next year.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s administration</a>&nbsp;is urging states to follow its lead by enacting a slew of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">new tax breaks</a>&nbsp;for individuals and businesses, including deductions for tips and overtime wages, automobile loans and business equipment.In some states, the new federal tax breaks will automatically apply to state income taxes unless legislatures opt out. But in many other states, where tax laws are written differently, the new tax breaks won't appear on state tax forms unless legislatures opt in.In states that don't conform to the federal tax changes, workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-taxes-tips-overtime-restaurants-a8cafab342a569080fabaa27b122b52b">receive tips or overtime</a>&nbsp;— for example — will pay no federal tax on those earnings but could still owe state taxes on them.States that embrace all of Trump's tax cuts could provide hundreds of millions of dollars of annual savings to certain residents and businesses. But that could financially strain states, which are being hit with higher costs because of new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-bill-medicaid-snap-food-trump-congress-4e1826a670b5eb2b802f08adc1c325a2">Medicaid and SNAP food aid requirements</a>&nbsp;that also are included in the big bill Trump signed.Most states begin their annual legislative sessions in January. To retroactively change tax breaks for 2025, lawmakers would need to act quickly so tax forms could updated before people begin filing them. States also could apply the changes to their 2026 taxes, a decision requiring less haste.So far, only a few states have taken votes on whether to adopt the tax breaks.“States in general are approaching this skeptically," said Carl Davis, research director at the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.<h2>Trump's treasury presses states to `immediately conform'</h2>A bill Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">signed on July 4</a>&nbsp;contains about $4.5 trillion of federal tax cuts over 10 years.It creates temporary tax deductions for tips, overtime and loan interest on new vehicles assembled in the U.S. It boosts a tax deduction for older adults. And it temporarily raises cap on state and local tax deductions from $10,000 to $40,000, among other things. The law also provides numerous tax breaks to businesses, including the ability to immediately write off 100% of the cost of equipment and research.Forty-one states levy individual income taxes on wages and salaries. Forty-four states charge corporate income taxes.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this month called on those states “to immediately conform” to the federal tax cuts and accused some Democratic-led states that haven't done so of engaging in "political obstructionism.” Though Bessent didn't mention it, many Republican-led states also have not decided whether to implement the tax deductions.“By denying their residents access to these important tax cuts, these governors and legislators are forcing hardworking Americans to shoulder higher state tax burdens, robbing them of the relief they deserve and exacerbating the financial squeeze on low- and middle-income households,” Bessent said.But some tax analysts contend there's more for states to consider. The tax break on tips, for example, could apply to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/22/2025-18278/occupations-that-customarily-and-regularly-received-tips-definition-of-qualified-tips">nearly 70 occupation fields</a>&nbsp;under a proposed rule from the Internal Revenue Service. But that would still exclude numerous low-wage workers, said Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the nonprofit Tax Foundation.“Lawmakers need to consider whether these are worth the cost,” Walczak said.<h2>Only a few states offer tax breaks for tips and overtime</h2>Because of the way state tax laws are written, the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-tips-trump-workers-restaurants-182a89e3dc5c1da51fcd3ad1aadc571f">tax breaks for tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime wages would have carried over to just seven states — Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and South Carolina. But Colorado opted out of the state tax break for overtime shortly before the federal law was enacted.Michigan this fall became first — and, so far, only — state to opt into the tax breaks for tips and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taxes-social-security-overtime-tariffs-989016ef41dc1533b05d1871d69c03ff">overtime wages</a>, effective in 2026. The overtime tax exemption is projected to cost the state nearly $113 million and the tips tax break about $45 million during its current budget year, according to the state treasury department.Michigan lawmakers offset that by decoupling from five federal corporate tax changes the state's treasury estimated would have reduced Michigan tax revenues by $540 million this budget year.Republican state Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, said the state could not afford to embrace all the tax cuts while still investing in better roads, public safety and education.“The best path forward is to have more money in people’s pockets and have less regulation — and this kind of moved in that direction,” she said.Arizona could be among the next states to act. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has called upon lawmakers to adopt the tax breaks for tips, overtime, seniors and vehicle loans, and follow the federal government by also increasing the state's standard deduction for individual income taxpayers. Republican state House leaders said they stand ready to pass the tax cuts when their session begins Jan. 12.<h2>Several states have rejected corporate tax breaks</h2>In addition to Michigan, lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have passed measures to block some or all of the corporate tax cuts from taking effect in their states.A new Illinois law decoupling from a portion of the corporate tax changes could save the state nearly $250 million, said Democratic state Sen. Elgie Sims, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said that could help ensure continued funding for schools, health care and vital services.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/j-b-pritzker">Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker</a>, an outspoken Democratic opponent of Trump, also cited budget concerns for rejecting the corporate tax cut provision. He said states already stand to lose money because of other provisions in Trump's big bill, such as a requirement to cover more of the costs of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.“The decoupling is an effort to try to hold back the onslaught from the federal government to make sure that we can support programs like the one we’re announcing today,” Pritzker told reporters at a December event publicizing a grant to address homelessness in central Illinois.___

US Treasury wants more states to embrace Trump's tax cuts. So far, only a few have done so

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement investigating a suspect on multiple allegations in connection with a burglary.

On November 7, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of criminal damage and burglary to a vehicle in the City of Delia, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the investigation a suspect was identified as Shaun Justin Barber, 41, of Delia.&nbsp; Deputies developed probable cause to search a residence and received a search warrant for 203 East Street in Delia where the suspect was believed to be staying. 

Deputies seized illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia from the residence.&nbsp; The suspect was not present and a warrant was issued for his arrest.&nbsp; On December 22, 2025, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office located Barber and arrested him on the outstanding Jackson County warrant.&nbsp; 

Barber was transferred to Jackson County where he was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766368778207.png" alt="Barber-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Barber-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement investigating a suspect on multiple allegations in connection with a burglary.On November 7, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of criminal damage and burglary to a vehicle in the City of Delia, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the investigation a suspect was identified as Shaun Justin Barber, 41, of Delia.&nbsp; Deputies developed probable cause to search a residence and received a search warrant for 203 East Street in Delia where the suspect was believed to be staying. Deputies seized illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia from the residence.&nbsp; The suspect was not present and a warrant was issued for his arrest.&nbsp; On December 22, 2025, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office located Barber and arrested him on the outstanding Jackson County warrant.&nbsp; Barber was transferred to Jackson County where he was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies capture Kan. suspect wanted for November burglary 

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/charleyduffin/">Charley Duffin</a>

When Jan. 1 rolls around, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour, putting the state ahead of many others.

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced that the minimum wage is set to increase by $1.25 beginning in 2026. The minimum wage rate will be in effect for all non-exempt employers.

Missouri’s HB 567, signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe into law on July 10, repealed statewide earned paid sick time while simultaneously modifying the state’s minimum wage law.

It eliminated the automatic inflation adjustments that were set to begin in 2027 and kept the $15 per hour rate for public employers. However, it is also removing voter-approved worker protections for businesses as of Aug. 28.

Lily Roberts is the managing director of economic policy at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan economic policy institute. She said conversations about adjusting the minimum wage reflect rising prices that have increased in recent years.

“Everybody can tell you about inflation, and everybody can tell you about the cost of rent or groceries or childcare being really expensive, but the flip side of that is wages,” Roberts said. “There are many folks who are worse off and less able to keep up with those raising prices because a major pillar of how we make wage policy hasn’t been changed since 2009.”

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and it hasn’t been adjusted since 2009, which Roberts said is the longest it’s gone unchanged since the introduction of minimum wage in 1938.

“$7.25 is so unbelievably low that many people don’t even believe that it’s still that low,” Roberts said.

In Missouri, employers who are involved in retail or service businesses and have an annual gross income less than $500,000 are exempt from having to pay the state minimum wage rate. Instead, those employers can pay their workers any wage at their discretion, according to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Roberts said Missouri is unique in the fact that it raised its minimum wage to reflect inflation numbers, but when the state implements a $15 an hour minimum wage, it is no longer required to factor in inflation.

Between 2015 and 2019, Missouri’s minimum wage rose just under a dollar, from $7.65 to $8.60. Since 2019, the increase has been at least $0.75 annually every year except for 2023. The $1.25 jump will be the second straight year that the minimum wage has increased by more than a dollar.

Missouri is one of 34 U.S. states, territories and districts that has a higher minimum wage than the federal requirement.

Roberts said Missouri is in line with nearby states, such as South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. All of those states, plus Missouri, have consistently been working on increasing their respective minimum wages.

“Some of them are doing it gradually over time to get to ($15 an hour) and others are passing individual laws,” Roberts said. “These longer-term predictable changes are really the trend right now, where you give businesses and employees a sense of how their wages will grow over time, and it means that it’s easier to predict and easier for employers to budget for.”

She said business owners are often fighting for higher wages, contrary to popular belief, because they need to be able to compete.

“The higher your wages that you pay, in general, the lower your turnover is,” Roberts said. “So businesses that pay really small dollars tend to have a lot of turnover. It actually gets really counterproductive and expensive very quickly because the business owner has to spend all of their time hiring, training and trying to retain folks.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-minimum-wage-set-to-increase-over-a-dollar-in-2026/article_3d33d784-f2f7-4fb3-a7a7-34fe23712ad8.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741714465522.jpeg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/charleyduffin/">Charley Duffin</a>When Jan. 1 rolls around, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour, putting the state ahead of many others.The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced that the minimum wage is set to increase by $1.25 beginning in 2026. The minimum wage rate will be in effect for all non-exempt employers.Missouri’s HB 567, signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe into law on July 10, repealed statewide earned paid sick time while simultaneously modifying the state’s minimum wage law.It eliminated the automatic inflation adjustments that were set to begin in 2027 and kept the $15 per hour rate for public employers. However, it is also removing voter-approved worker protections for businesses as of Aug. 28.Lily Roberts is the managing director of economic policy at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan economic policy institute. She said conversations about adjusting the minimum wage reflect rising prices that have increased in recent years.“Everybody can tell you about inflation, and everybody can tell you about the cost of rent or groceries or childcare being really expensive, but the flip side of that is wages,” Roberts said. “There are many folks who are worse off and less able to keep up with those raising prices because a major pillar of how we make wage policy hasn’t been changed since 2009.”The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and it hasn’t been adjusted since 2009, which Roberts said is the longest it’s gone unchanged since the introduction of minimum wage in 1938.“$7.25 is so unbelievably low that many people don’t even believe that it’s still that low,” Roberts said.In Missouri, employers who are involved in retail or service businesses and have an annual gross income less than $500,000 are exempt from having to pay the state minimum wage rate. Instead, those employers can pay their workers any wage at their discretion, according to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.Roberts said Missouri is unique in the fact that it raised its minimum wage to reflect inflation numbers, but when the state implements a $15 an hour minimum wage, it is no longer required to factor in inflation.Between 2015 and 2019, Missouri’s minimum wage rose just under a dollar, from $7.65 to $8.60. Since 2019, the increase has been at least $0.75 annually every year except for 2023. The $1.25 jump will be the second straight year that the minimum wage has increased by more than a dollar.Missouri is one of 34 U.S. states, territories and districts that has a higher minimum wage than the federal requirement.Roberts said Missouri is in line with nearby states, such as South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. All of those states, plus Missouri, have consistently been working on increasing their respective minimum wages.“Some of them are doing it gradually over time to get to ($15 an hour) and others are passing individual laws,” Roberts said. “These longer-term predictable changes are really the trend right now, where you give businesses and employees a sense of how their wages will grow over time, and it means that it’s easier to predict and easier for employers to budget for.”She said business owners are often fighting for higher wages, contrary to popular belief, because they need to be able to compete.“The higher your wages that you pay, in general, the lower your turnover is,” Roberts said. “So businesses that pay really small dollars tend to have a lot of turnover. It actually gets really counterproductive and expensive very quickly because the business owner has to spend all of their time hiring, training and trying to retain folks.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-minimum-wage-set-to-increase-over-a-dollar-in-2026/article_3d33d784-f2f7-4fb3-a7a7-34fe23712ad8.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>.&nbsp;