SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.

Just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported two-story house fire at 1110 NE Monroe Street in Topeka, according to department spokesperson Rosie Nichols. First crews on the scene found smoke and flames coming from the home and were able to extinguish the fire, keeping it contained to the house where it originated.

&nbsp;Investigators determined&nbsp; the fire started in the attic.&nbsp; There were no injuries. The total estimated loss is approximately $30,000, with $20,000 associated with structural loss and $10,000 associated with content loss. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738927479729.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.Just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported two-story house fire at 1110 NE Monroe Street in Topeka, according to department spokesperson Rosie Nichols. First crews on the scene found smoke and flames coming from the home and were able to extinguish the fire, keeping it contained to the house where it originated.&nbsp;Investigators determined&nbsp; the fire started in the attic.&nbsp; There were no injuries. The total estimated loss is approximately $30,000, with $20,000 associated with structural loss and $10,000 associated with content loss. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

$30,000 damage after fire at Kansas home

DICKINSON COUNTY —A triple murder suspect captured in central Kansas is now being held in a jail in Missouri.

According to online jail record, 50-year-old Armondo Navarro was transferred on Wednesday and booked into the Platte County jail.

On Sunday morning, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch in the area of K-15 Highway and 2900 Avenue, north of Abilene, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff.

A deputy responded to the motorist assist and made contact with a man later identified as Navarro of Kansas City, Missouri.

The vehicle was out of the roadway and Navarro advised he was waiting for a tow truck. The deputy then left the scene but told Navarro he would check on him later.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office was later notified that Navarro was a suspect in a triple homicide that occurred on February 2, in Kansas City. Deputies returned to the area and confirmed the suspect was still with the vehicle.

Additional deputies arrived as well as troopers with the Kansas Highway Patrol. While awaiting the arrival of an armored vehicle from the Junction City Police department, deputies observed Navarro leaving the area on 2900 Road and heading towards K-15 Highway.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and another deputy contacted Navarro at 2900 Avenue and K-15 Highway. A brief foot pursuit ensued and the K-9 was deployed.&nbsp; Navarro surrendered to the K-9 unit and was taken into custody by deputies.

He is being held in the Platte County jail on requested charges of first degree murder, armed criminal action, first degree assault and animal abuse, according to online records.&nbsp;KCPD Captain Jake Becchina identified the homicide victims as 73-year-old Sherri Duncan; 49-year-old Jodie Hopcus and 24-year-old Hailey Hopcus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738861731859.png" alt="Navarro photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Navarro photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —A triple murder suspect captured in central Kansas is now being held in a jail in Missouri.According to online jail record, 50-year-old Armondo Navarro was transferred on Wednesday and booked into the Platte County jail.On Sunday morning, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch in the area of K-15 Highway and 2900 Avenue, north of Abilene, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff.A deputy responded to the motorist assist and made contact with a man later identified as Navarro of Kansas City, Missouri.The vehicle was out of the roadway and Navarro advised he was waiting for a tow truck. The deputy then left the scene but told Navarro he would check on him later.The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office was later notified that Navarro was a suspect in a triple homicide that occurred on February 2, in Kansas City. Deputies returned to the area and confirmed the suspect was still with the vehicle.Additional deputies arrived as well as troopers with the Kansas Highway Patrol. While awaiting the arrival of an armored vehicle from the Junction City Police department, deputies observed Navarro leaving the area on 2900 Road and heading towards K-15 Highway.The Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and another deputy contacted Navarro at 2900 Avenue and K-15 Highway. A brief foot pursuit ensued and the K-9 was deployed.&nbsp; Navarro surrendered to the K-9 unit and was taken into custody by deputies.He is being held in the Platte County jail on requested charges of first degree murder, armed criminal action, first degree assault and animal abuse, according to online records.&nbsp;KCPD Captain Jake Becchina identified the homicide victims as 73-year-old Sherri Duncan; 49-year-old Jodie Hopcus and 24-year-old Hailey Hopcus.

Triple murder suspect captured in Kan. moved to jail in Missouri

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/russell-vought-a-project-2025-architect-is-ready-to-shock-washington-if-trump-wins-second-term/">Russell Vought</a>&nbsp;as White House budget director on Thursday night, putting an official who has planned the zealous expansion of President Donald Trump's power into one of the most influential positions in the federal government.

Vought was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-47. With the Senate chamber full, Democrats repeatedly tried to speak as they cast their “no” votes to give their reasons for voting against Vought, but they were gaveled down by Sen. Ashley Moody, a Florida Republican who was presiding over the chamber. She cited Senate rules that ban debate during votes.

The Thursday night vote came after Democrats had exhausted their only remaining tool to stonewall a nomination — holding the Senate floor throughout the previous night and day with a series of speeches where they warned Vought was Trump's “most dangerous nominee.”

“Confirming the most radical nominee, who has the most extreme agenda, to the most important agency in Washington,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a floor speech. “Triple-header of disaster for hardworking Americans.”

Vought's return to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which he also helmed during Trump's first term, puts him in a role that often goes under the public radar yet holds key power in implementing the president's goals. The OMB acts as a nerve center for the White House, developing its budget, policy priorities and agency rule-making. Vought has already played an influential role in Trump’s effort to remake the federal government as one of the architects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-heritage-foundation-e2b1be71422f4afcfd4a397828f7cab6">Project 2025</a>, a conservative blueprint for Trump's second term.

The budget office is also already shaking up federal spending. It had issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-presidential-power-executive-congress-grants-freeze-60fa3a9fabf6328f9aa3c45ed34e2cc3">a memo to freeze federal spending</a>, sending schools, states and nonprofits into a panic before it was rescinded amid legal challenges.

In the Senate, Republicans have stayed in line to advance Vought's nomination and argued that his mindset will be crucial to slashing federal spending and regulations.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed for his confirmation this week, saying he “will have the chance to address two key economic issues — cutting burdensome government regulations and addressing excessive spending.”

Vought has often advanced a maximalist approach to conservative policy goals. After leaving the first Trump administration, he founded the Center for Renewing America, part of a constellation of Washington think tanks that have popped up to advance and develop Trump's “Make America Great Again” agenda. From that position, Vought often counseled congressional Republicans to wage win-at-all-costs fights to cut federal programs and spending.

Writing in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, Vought described the White House budget director's job “as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind.”

The OMB, he declared, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.”

During Trump's first term, Vought pushed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-president-project-2025-33d3fc2999a74f4aa424f1128dca2d16">reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers</a>&nbsp;as political appointees, which could then enable mass dismissals.

Vought has also been a proponent of the president using “impoundment” to expand the executive branch's control over federal spending.

When Congress passes appropriations to fulfill its Constitutional duties, it determines funding for government programs. But the impoundment legal theory holds that the president can decide not to spend that money on anything he deems unnecessary because Article II of the Constitution gives the president the role of executing the laws that Congress passes.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-hearing-vought-a0aa19815bdb509a4d9ccb895abdf52e">confirmation hearings</a>, Vought stressed that he would follow the law but avoided answering Democrats' questions on whether he would withhold congressionally allotted aid for Ukraine.

Democrats charged that Vought's responses amounted to an acknowledgment that he believes the president is above the law.

In response to questions from Republican lawmakers, Vought did preview potential budget proposals that would target cuts to discretionary social programs.

“The president ran on the issue of fiscal accountability, dealing with our inflation situation,” he said.

Vought has also unabashedly advanced “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-christian-evangelicals-conservatives-2024-election-43f25118c133170c77786daf316821c3">Christian nationalism</a>," an idea rising in the GOP that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and the government should now be infused with Christianity.

In a 2021 opinion article, Vought wrote that Christian nationalism is “a commitment to an institutional separation between church and state, but not the separation of Christianity from its influence on government and society.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738891651773.png" alt="Kan. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with Vought December 18- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kan. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with Vought December 18- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/russell-vought-a-project-2025-architect-is-ready-to-shock-washington-if-trump-wins-second-term/">Russell Vought</a>&nbsp;as White House budget director on Thursday night, putting an official who has planned the zealous expansion of President Donald Trump's power into one of the most influential positions in the federal government.Vought was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-47. With the Senate chamber full, Democrats repeatedly tried to speak as they cast their “no” votes to give their reasons for voting against Vought, but they were gaveled down by Sen. Ashley Moody, a Florida Republican who was presiding over the chamber. She cited Senate rules that ban debate during votes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CONFIRMED 🇺🇸 Congratulations to our Director of OMB, <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@russvought</a>! Russ will deliver results for hard working Americans and reduce the waste, fraud, and abuse that&#39;s plagued our federal government - I look forward to the great work he will do with President Trump.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1887674732243206606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Thursday night vote came after Democrats had exhausted their only remaining tool to stonewall a nomination — holding the Senate floor throughout the previous night and day with a series of speeches where they warned Vought was Trump's “most dangerous nominee.”“Confirming the most radical nominee, who has the most extreme agenda, to the most important agency in Washington,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a floor speech. “Triple-header of disaster for hardworking Americans.”Vought's return to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which he also helmed during Trump's first term, puts him in a role that often goes under the public radar yet holds key power in implementing the president's goals. The OMB acts as a nerve center for the White House, developing its budget, policy priorities and agency rule-making. Vought has already played an influential role in Trump’s effort to remake the federal government as one of the architects of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-heritage-foundation-e2b1be71422f4afcfd4a397828f7cab6">Project 2025</a>, a conservative blueprint for Trump's second term.The budget office is also already shaking up federal spending. It had issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-presidential-power-executive-congress-grants-freeze-60fa3a9fabf6328f9aa3c45ed34e2cc3">a memo to freeze federal spending</a>, sending schools, states and nonprofits into a panic before it was rescinded amid legal challenges.In the Senate, Republicans have stayed in line to advance Vought's nomination and argued that his mindset will be crucial to slashing federal spending and regulations.Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed for his confirmation this week, saying he “will have the chance to address two key economic issues — cutting burdensome government regulations and addressing excessive spending.”Vought has often advanced a maximalist approach to conservative policy goals. After leaving the first Trump administration, he founded the Center for Renewing America, part of a constellation of Washington think tanks that have popped up to advance and develop Trump's “Make America Great Again” agenda. From that position, Vought often counseled congressional Republicans to wage win-at-all-costs fights to cut federal programs and spending.Writing in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, Vought described the White House budget director's job “as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind.”The OMB, he declared, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.”During Trump's first term, Vought pushed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-president-project-2025-33d3fc2999a74f4aa424f1128dca2d16">reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers</a>&nbsp;as political appointees, which could then enable mass dismissals.Vought has also been a proponent of the president using “impoundment” to expand the executive branch's control over federal spending.When Congress passes appropriations to fulfill its Constitutional duties, it determines funding for government programs. But the impoundment legal theory holds that the president can decide not to spend that money on anything he deems unnecessary because Article II of the Constitution gives the president the role of executing the laws that Congress passes.During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-hearing-vought-a0aa19815bdb509a4d9ccb895abdf52e">confirmation hearings</a>, Vought stressed that he would follow the law but avoided answering Democrats' questions on whether he would withhold congressionally allotted aid for Ukraine.Democrats charged that Vought's responses amounted to an acknowledgment that he believes the president is above the law.In response to questions from Republican lawmakers, Vought did preview potential budget proposals that would target cuts to discretionary social programs.“The president ran on the issue of fiscal accountability, dealing with our inflation situation,” he said.Vought has also unabashedly advanced “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-christian-evangelicals-conservatives-2024-election-43f25118c133170c77786daf316821c3">Christian nationalism</a>," an idea rising in the GOP that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and the government should now be infused with Christianity.In a 2021 opinion article, Vought wrote that Christian nationalism is “a commitment to an institutional separation between church and state, but not the separation of Christianity from its influence on government and society.”___

Senate confirms Project 2025 architect to lead White House budget office

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Kansas City, Kansas Police Officers respond to approximately 320 calls daily, never knowing exactly what they will encounter, according to a media release from the department.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, a “routine” call for service resulted in the seizure of weapons and illegal drugs, with multiple individuals taken into custody. 

"While the call was anything but routine, it is the routine schedule of trainings which officers are required to take annually that allowed them to close out this potentially dangerous call without incident or injury to anyone involved."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738772008558.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Kansas City, Kansas Police Officers respond to approximately 320 calls daily, never knowing exactly what they will encounter, according to a media release from the department.&nbsp;On Tuesday, a “routine” call for service resulted in the seizure of weapons and illegal drugs, with multiple individuals taken into custody. "While the call was anything but routine, it is the routine schedule of trainings which officers are required to take annually that allowed them to close out this potentially dangerous call without incident or injury to anyone involved."

Kan. officers seize weapons, drugs during 'routine call'

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday that he wants to root out “anti-Christian bias” in the U.S., announcing that he was forming a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the “targeting” of Christians.

Speaking at a pair of events in Washington surrounding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-james-lankford-mark-pryor-religion-2d3d2b1ca91fe7919427df5fe4489f0d">the National Prayer Breakfast</a>, Trump said the task force would be directed to “immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at the DOJ, which was absolutely terrible, the IRS, the FBI — terrible — and other agencies.”

Trump said Bondi would also work to “fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide.”

The president's comments came after he joined the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, a more than 70-year-old Washington tradition that brings together a bipartisan group of lawmakers for fellowship, and told lawmakers there that his relationship with religion had “changed” after a pair of failed assassination attempts last year and urged Americans to “bring God back" into their lives.

An hour after calling for “unity” on Capitol Hill, though, Trump struck a more partisan tone at the second event across town, announcing that, in addition to the task force, he was forming a commission on religious liberty, criticizing the Biden administration for “persecution” of believers for prosecuting anti-abortion advocates.

And Trump took a victory lap over his early administration efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-trump-executive-order-diversity-834a241a60ee92722ef2443b62572540">roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs</a>&nbsp;and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">limit transgender participation in women’s sports</a>.

“I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but we got rid of woke over the last two weeks,” he said. “Woke is gone-zo.”

Trump’s new task force drew criticism from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The group’s president and CEO, Rachel Laser, said “rather than protecting religious beliefs, this task force will misuse religious freedom to justify bigotry, discrimination, and the subversion of our civil rights laws.”

Trump said at the Capitol that he believes people "can’t be happy without religion, without that belief. Let’s bring religion back. Let’s bring God back into our lives.”

The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and head of the progressive&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCzq4DfNfUEZ0mHMFWC9VpmcieqRkYiruGtEla-2F7yLbIdt1cN_eX2h6PLyiPpXQjMSXnyUfqF0U3d0enyR-2BPWDwV8iAlFE4dFGljN5UAI0pa8UNF-2F8Z-2BEBIO1C-2B7vGrZCa19mfmoaYrsYpZz0Gr5dOLBDE0GMfukZWEBlteBkVITm46vIFgmL-2Bhs3jUQ1pQSIi1vd6-2FINFRTAuNjM-2FyOJ7vWPNmxNouOylXXyfI5uz0Tp735qfCkSrwZgspMDHJajueeDtvIPA1G89W4MhrUKEC5HoX4FesfG6JjbaVYTx2YWahO0sgWc4sIakd-2B-2B0bPcgdwvxa4AiqAzqspP0fXDt046tnI7kPmAGUxjkSqGrWkcnPnICHAZqzqUau-2FbFiAa8Who-2FHA-3D-3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctstanley%40ap.org%7Cb9bcceefb13b463e043608dd46c8c1be%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638744552544248081%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=rpPHmVQQMALnd21uI%2BYa1y1K6FvhunkLempVTOvBbFM%3D&amp;reserved=0">Interfaith Alliance</a>, accused Trump of hypocrisy in claiming to champion religion by creating the task force.

“From allowing immigration raids in churches, to targeting faith-based charities, to suppressing religious diversity, the Trump Administration’s aggressive government overreach is infringing on religious freedom in a way we haven’t seen for generations,” Raushenbush said in a statement.

Kelly Shackelford, head of First Liberty Institute, a conservative Christian legal organization, disagreed, praising the creation of the task force and religious liberty commission.

“All Americans should be free to exercise their faith without government intrusion in school, in the military, in the workplace, and in the public square. We are ready to stand with President Trump to ensure that the religious liberty of every American is safe and secure,” Shackelford said in a statement.

Trump also announced the creation of a White House faith office led by Paula White-Cain, a longtime pastor in the independent charismatic world. An early supporter of Trump’s 2016 presidency bid, she led Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative in 2019, advising faith-based organizations on ways to partner with the federal government.

At Thursday’s prayer breakfast, she praised him as “the greatest champion” any president has been “of religion, of faith and of God.”

In 2023, the National Prayer Breakfast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-james-lankford-mark-pryor-religion-2d3d2b1ca91fe7919427df5fe4489f0d">split into two dueling events</a>, the one on Capitol Hill largely attended by lawmakers and government officials and a larger private event for thousands at a hotel ballroom. The split occurred when lawmakers sought to distance themselves from the private religious group that for decades had overseen the bigger event, due to questions about its organization and how it was funded.

Trump, at both venues, reflected on having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5">a bullet coming within a hair’s breadth of killing him</a>&nbsp;at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, telling lawmakers and attendees, “It changed something in me, I feel."

“I feel even stronger," he continued. "I believed in God, but I feel, I feel much more strongly about it. Something happened.” Speaking later at the prayer breakfast sponsored by a private group at a hotel, he remarked, “it was God that saved me.'

He drew laughs at the Capitol event when he expressed gratitude that the episode “didn’t affect my hair.”

The Republican president, who's a nondenominational Christian, called religious liberty “part of the bedrock of American life” and called for protecting it with “absolute devotion.”

Trump and his administration have already clashed with religious leaders, including him disagreeing with the Rev. Mariann Budde’s sermon the day after his inauguration, when she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-episcopal-bishop-budde-sermon-d393ab9df6278d884ba09fb8e679f563">called for mercy</a>&nbsp;for members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants who are in the country illegally.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholic-bishops-migration-94138954824b68dbd0b29b28504e056e">Vice President JD Vance</a>, who's Catholic, has sparred with top U.S. leaders of his own church over immigration issues. And many clergy members across the country are worried about the removal of churches from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-churches-trump-immigration-crackdown-sanctuary-2746fa5c80aa8e2ce6db878e0d6e1c24">the sensitive-areas list</a>, allowing federal officials to conduct immigration actions at places of worship.

The president made waves at the final prayer breakfast during his first term. That year the gathering came the day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-ut-state-wire-acquittals-politics-93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">the Senate acquitted him</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-international-news-politics-0756fda2b5143891c5da1c6897001cee">his first impeachment trial</a>.

Trump in his remarks then threw not-so-subtle barbs at Democratic then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, who publicly said she prayed for Trump, and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who had cited his faith in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8bb97971d2a2896875ab87fae9e706b2">his decision to vote to convict Trump</a>.

“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,” Trump said then in&nbsp;<a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-68th-annual-national-prayer-breakfast/">his winding speech</a>, in which he also held up two newspapers with banner headlines about his acquittal. “Nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they know that that’s not so.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to attend the prayer breakfast, in February 1953, and every president since has spoken at the gathering.

Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas are the honorary co-chairs of this year's prayer breakfast.

In 2023 and 2024, President Joe Biden, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-religion-d880899c458e2a0064ccb6c8e8810736">spoke at the Capitol Hill event</a>, and his remarks were livestreamed to the other gathering.

AP writers Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tennessee, Peter Smith in Pittsburgh, and Zeke Miller and Tiffany Stanley in Washington contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday that he wants to root out “anti-Christian bias” in the U.S., announcing that he was forming a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the “targeting” of Christians.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Delivers Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/B7mzDw5NRJ">https://t.co/B7mzDw5NRJ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1887506288130544083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaking at a pair of events in Washington surrounding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-james-lankford-mark-pryor-religion-2d3d2b1ca91fe7919427df5fe4489f0d">the National Prayer Breakfast</a>, Trump said the task force would be directed to “immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at the DOJ, which was absolutely terrible, the IRS, the FBI — terrible — and other agencies.”Trump said Bondi would also work to “fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide.”The president's comments came after he joined the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, a more than 70-year-old Washington tradition that brings together a bipartisan group of lawmakers for fellowship, and told lawmakers there that his relationship with religion had “changed” after a pair of failed assassination attempts last year and urged Americans to “bring God back" into their lives.An hour after calling for “unity” on Capitol Hill, though, Trump struck a more partisan tone at the second event across town, announcing that, in addition to the task force, he was forming a commission on religious liberty, criticizing the Biden administration for “persecution” of believers for prosecuting anti-abortion advocates.And Trump took a victory lap over his early administration efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-trump-executive-order-diversity-834a241a60ee92722ef2443b62572540">roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs</a>&nbsp;and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">limit transgender participation in women’s sports</a>.“I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but we got rid of woke over the last two weeks,” he said. “Woke is gone-zo.”Trump’s new task force drew criticism from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The group’s president and CEO, Rachel Laser, said “rather than protecting religious beliefs, this task force will misuse religious freedom to justify bigotry, discrimination, and the subversion of our civil rights laws.”Trump said at the Capitol that he believes people "can’t be happy without religion, without that belief. Let’s bring religion back. Let’s bring God back into our lives.”The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and head of the progressive&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCzq4DfNfUEZ0mHMFWC9VpmcieqRkYiruGtEla-2F7yLbIdt1cN_eX2h6PLyiPpXQjMSXnyUfqF0U3d0enyR-2BPWDwV8iAlFE4dFGljN5UAI0pa8UNF-2F8Z-2BEBIO1C-2B7vGrZCa19mfmoaYrsYpZz0Gr5dOLBDE0GMfukZWEBlteBkVITm46vIFgmL-2Bhs3jUQ1pQSIi1vd6-2FINFRTAuNjM-2FyOJ7vWPNmxNouOylXXyfI5uz0Tp735qfCkSrwZgspMDHJajueeDtvIPA1G89W4MhrUKEC5HoX4FesfG6JjbaVYTx2YWahO0sgWc4sIakd-2B-2B0bPcgdwvxa4AiqAzqspP0fXDt046tnI7kPmAGUxjkSqGrWkcnPnICHAZqzqUau-2FbFiAa8Who-2FHA-3D-3D&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ctstanley%40ap.org%7Cb9bcceefb13b463e043608dd46c8c1be%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638744552544248081%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=rpPHmVQQMALnd21uI%2BYa1y1K6FvhunkLempVTOvBbFM%3D&amp;reserved=0">Interfaith Alliance</a>, accused Trump of hypocrisy in claiming to champion religion by creating the task force.“From allowing immigration raids in churches, to targeting faith-based charities, to suppressing religious diversity, the Trump Administration’s aggressive government overreach is infringing on religious freedom in a way we haven’t seen for generations,” Raushenbush said in a statement.Kelly Shackelford, head of First Liberty Institute, a conservative Christian legal organization, disagreed, praising the creation of the task force and religious liberty commission.“All Americans should be free to exercise their faith without government intrusion in school, in the military, in the workplace, and in the public square. We are ready to stand with President Trump to ensure that the religious liberty of every American is safe and secure,” Shackelford said in a statement.Trump also announced the creation of a White House faith office led by Paula White-Cain, a longtime pastor in the independent charismatic world. An early supporter of Trump’s 2016 presidency bid, she led Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative in 2019, advising faith-based organizations on ways to partner with the federal government.At Thursday’s prayer breakfast, she praised him as “the greatest champion” any president has been “of religion, of faith and of God.”In 2023, the National Prayer Breakfast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-james-lankford-mark-pryor-religion-2d3d2b1ca91fe7919427df5fe4489f0d">split into two dueling events</a>, the one on Capitol Hill largely attended by lawmakers and government officials and a larger private event for thousands at a hotel ballroom. The split occurred when lawmakers sought to distance themselves from the private religious group that for decades had overseen the bigger event, due to questions about its organization and how it was funded.Trump, at both venues, reflected on having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5">a bullet coming within a hair’s breadth of killing him</a>&nbsp;at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, telling lawmakers and attendees, “It changed something in me, I feel."“I feel even stronger," he continued. "I believed in God, but I feel, I feel much more strongly about it. Something happened.” Speaking later at the prayer breakfast sponsored by a private group at a hotel, he remarked, “it was God that saved me.'He drew laughs at the Capitol event when he expressed gratitude that the episode “didn’t affect my hair.”The Republican president, who's a nondenominational Christian, called religious liberty “part of the bedrock of American life” and called for protecting it with “absolute devotion.”Trump and his administration have already clashed with religious leaders, including him disagreeing with the Rev. Mariann Budde’s sermon the day after his inauguration, when she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-episcopal-bishop-budde-sermon-d393ab9df6278d884ba09fb8e679f563">called for mercy</a>&nbsp;for members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants who are in the country illegally.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholic-bishops-migration-94138954824b68dbd0b29b28504e056e">Vice President JD Vance</a>, who's Catholic, has sparred with top U.S. leaders of his own church over immigration issues. And many clergy members across the country are worried about the removal of churches from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-churches-trump-immigration-crackdown-sanctuary-2746fa5c80aa8e2ce6db878e0d6e1c24">the sensitive-areas list</a>, allowing federal officials to conduct immigration actions at places of worship.The president made waves at the final prayer breakfast during his first term. That year the gathering came the day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-ut-state-wire-acquittals-politics-93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">the Senate acquitted him</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-international-news-politics-0756fda2b5143891c5da1c6897001cee">his first impeachment trial</a>.Trump in his remarks then threw not-so-subtle barbs at Democratic then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, who publicly said she prayed for Trump, and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who had cited his faith in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8bb97971d2a2896875ab87fae9e706b2">his decision to vote to convict Trump</a>.“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,” Trump said then in&nbsp;<a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-68th-annual-national-prayer-breakfast/">his winding speech</a>, in which he also held up two newspapers with banner headlines about his acquittal. “Nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they know that that’s not so.”Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to attend the prayer breakfast, in February 1953, and every president since has spoken at the gathering.Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas are the honorary co-chairs of this year's prayer breakfast.In 2023 and 2024, President Joe Biden, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-religion-d880899c458e2a0064ccb6c8e8810736">spoke at the Capitol Hill event</a>, and his remarks were livestreamed to the other gathering.___AP writers Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tennessee, Peter Smith in Pittsburgh, and Zeke Miller and Tiffany Stanley in Washington contributed to this report.___

🎥 What President Trump told the National Prayer Breakfast

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — A figure skating tribute will take place in Washington, D.C., in early March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-3aaad661331bc2379ad6b604dec6de0b">to support victims</a>&nbsp;of the midair collision and crash outside Ronald Reagan International Airport.

Organizers on Wednesday announced the “Legacy on Ice” benefit event scheduled for March 2 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, home of the NBA's Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">Twenty-eight members of the figure skating community</a>&nbsp;were among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">67 people killed</a>&nbsp;when an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight and crashed into the Potomac River on Jan. 29.

“This is a platform to be able to let people emote,” Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment chairman and CEO Ted Leonsis said on a video call with reporters. “This has struck so many different people around Washington, D.C., in a very, very emotional way. We really want to make a platform for the entire extended community to come together.”

Figure skating was so prominently connected to the tragedy because many aboard had just been to a development camp after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Monumental, U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation are putting on the tribute.

“We’re just very grateful to (executive producer Michael Burg) and Ted and everyone at Monumental to get this off the ground,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Samuel Auxier said. “It certainly focuses our entire skating community on the recovery process, and this will be a real highlight of getting this moving forward.”

The event is set to be co-hosted by 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano and involve performances by 2024 world champion Ilia Malinin, two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn and some of the most recognizable members of the sport, including Tara Lipinski, Johnny Weir, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton. Members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-figure-skating-club-boston-a2f015f02dab4cc2c22146dc1758de5d">Skating Club of Boston</a>&nbsp;and from those in Northern Virginia and Washington, organizations who were affected, will also take part.

Burg, who has been connected to figure skating in the past along with benefits for victims of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-fires-rain-palisades-eaton-mudflows-85c9d5ecb84d9a37d909fcffaacc68bb">Southern California fires</a>, said, “It just triggered within me, my gosh, what happened in a different way in LA is now happening in the skating world and overall everybody impacted by this plane crash, and we needed to do something.”

Proceeds from the two-hour show will go to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s DCA Together Relief Fund and DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation.

“I feel like it will be cathartic for the first responders to be there to see more about the lives about the people they tried to save and just to interact with their families,” said Amy Mauro, DC Fire and EMS Foundation's executive director.

The event is being paid for by in-kind donations, and much is being done at cost with the aim of making it a fundraiser, as well as a community gathering.

"We all need a lot of support right now," Leonsis said. “I hope we can raise a lot of money. At the end of the day, we not only want to be able to collectively bring all of the voices of all of the people affected, but we need to be able to raise a lot of dollars to help ease some of the pain.”

This story has been corrected to update the number of members of the figure skating community killed to 28 from the initial estimate of 14.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738593013304.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — A figure skating tribute will take place in Washington, D.C., in early March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-3aaad661331bc2379ad6b604dec6de0b">to support victims</a>&nbsp;of the midair collision and crash outside Ronald Reagan International Airport.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738771217231.png" alt="Images courtesy U.S. Figure Skating" />
 <figcaption>Images courtesy U.S. Figure Skating</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Honoring those we tragically lost. See below for tributes to our beloved club members. 🖤 ION FSC: <a href="https://t.co/UzVviMzAfJ">https://t.co/UzVviMzAfJ</a> The SC of Boston: <a href="https://t.co/S1rDUZ0QLa">https://t.co/S1rDUZ0QLa</a> SC of Northern Virginia: <a href="https://t.co/6bZ5htFQ0Y">https://t.co/6bZ5htFQ0Y</a> University of Delaware FSC: <a href="https://t.co/XfgjLlwHnP">https://t.co/XfgjLlwHnP</a> Washington… <a href="https://t.co/NtZgm3ImMB">pic.twitter.com/NtZgm3ImMB</a>&mdash; U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1886384339136491684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Organizers on Wednesday announced the “Legacy on Ice” benefit event scheduled for March 2 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, home of the NBA's Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">Twenty-eight members of the figure skating community</a>&nbsp;were among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">67 people killed</a>&nbsp;when an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight and crashed into the Potomac River on Jan. 29.“This is a platform to be able to let people emote,” Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment chairman and CEO Ted Leonsis said on a video call with reporters. “This has struck so many different people around Washington, D.C., in a very, very emotional way. We really want to make a platform for the entire extended community to come together.”Figure skating was so prominently connected to the tragedy because many aboard had just been to a development camp after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Monumental, U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation are putting on the tribute.“We’re just very grateful to (executive producer Michael Burg) and Ted and everyone at Monumental to get this off the ground,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Samuel Auxier said. “It certainly focuses our entire skating community on the recovery process, and this will be a real highlight of getting this moving forward.”The event is set to be co-hosted by 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano and involve performances by 2024 world champion Ilia Malinin, two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn and some of the most recognizable members of the sport, including Tara Lipinski, Johnny Weir, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton. Members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-figure-skating-club-boston-a2f015f02dab4cc2c22146dc1758de5d">Skating Club of Boston</a>&nbsp;and from those in Northern Virginia and Washington, organizations who were affected, will also take part.Burg, who has been connected to figure skating in the past along with benefits for victims of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-fires-rain-palisades-eaton-mudflows-85c9d5ecb84d9a37d909fcffaacc68bb">Southern California fires</a>, said, “It just triggered within me, my gosh, what happened in a different way in LA is now happening in the skating world and overall everybody impacted by this plane crash, and we needed to do something.”Proceeds from the two-hour show will go to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s DCA Together Relief Fund and DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation.“I feel like it will be cathartic for the first responders to be there to see more about the lives about the people they tried to save and just to interact with their families,” said Amy Mauro, DC Fire and EMS Foundation's executive director.The event is being paid for by in-kind donations, and much is being done at cost with the aim of making it a fundraiser, as well as a community gathering."We all need a lot of support right now," Leonsis said. “I hope we can raise a lot of money. At the end of the day, we not only want to be able to collectively bring all of the voices of all of the people affected, but we need to be able to raise a lot of dollars to help ease some of the pain.”___This story has been corrected to update the number of members of the figure skating community killed to 28 from the initial estimate of 14.

Figure skating event will benefit victims of DC plane crash 

The Kansas City Chiefs are going for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. It's a rematch of a championship game from two years ago that Kansas City won in Arizona. Among the first elected officials from Kansas to announce a friendly wager is Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

The Kansas City Chiefs are going for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. It's a rematch of a championship game from two years ago that Kansas City won in Arizona. Among the first elected officials from Kansas to announce a friendly wager is Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">To my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/PAAttorneyGen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PAAttorneyGen</a> Dave Sunday, I propose a gentlemen&#39;s bet on the Big Game. May the best team, the <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chiefs</a>, win. <a href="https://t.co/oIGU0GUlf9">pic.twitter.com/oIGU0GUlf9</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1887524104330240256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Kansas AG announces friendly Super Bowl wager

JACKSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an eastbound train struck a 2002 Toyota Tacoma driven by Adam P. Foster, 51, Rossville, that was&nbsp;stopped facing north on the railroad tracks just north of 94th Road on a Private drive.

Foster was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Forensic Medical.&nbsp; There were no injuries on the train. Foster was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; &nbsp;The patrol had no additional details on why the driver was at that location at the time of the accident.

JACKSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Jackson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an eastbound train struck a 2002 Toyota Tacoma driven by Adam P. Foster, 51, Rossville, that was&nbsp;stopped facing north on the railroad tracks just north of 94th Road on a Private drive.Foster was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Forensic Medical.&nbsp; There were no injuries on the train. Foster was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; &nbsp;The patrol had no additional details on why the driver was at that location at the time of the accident.

KHP investigating a fatal train, pickup crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal workers by offering them financial incentives, the latest twist in a chaotic and distressing saga playing out for millions of government employees.

The ruling came hours before the midnight deadline for them to apply for the deferred resignation program. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston directed the administration to extend that deadline until after a court hearing he scheduled for Monday afternoon. O'Toole did not express an opinion on the legality of the program, which is being challenged by several labor unions, and said he would weigh arguments next week.

At the White House, press secretary Karoline Levitt said more than 40,000 federal workers have applied to leave in return for being paid until Sept. 30.

“We encourage federal workers in this city to accept the very generous offer,” she said at about the same time as the judge's ruling came out. "They don’t want to come into the office. If they want to rip the American people off, then they’re welcome to take this buyout and we’ll find highly qualified people” to replace them.

The deferred resignation program was orchestrated by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who is serving as a top adviser to Trump. It is part of the Republican president's goal of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-orders-power-border-tiktok-history-e77458bc0312c60f3f2b0eeb131d0056">remaking the federal government</a>, weakening what his allies describe as the “deep state” that undermined his first term. Administration officials said they can save taxpayer money by presenting employees with “a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Democrats and unions warn that workers could be stiffed

On Wednesday, the administration ramped up its pressure on employees to leave, sending a reminder that layoffs or furloughs could come next.

“The majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,” said the message from the Office of Personnel Management, which has been a nexus of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-congress-4e0c025629e8a0c758d13dc916ab4f43">Musk's efforts to downsize the government</a>.

The email said anyone who remains will be expected to be “loyal” and “will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward.” Some employees could be reclassified to limit civil service protections as well.

“Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination,” the email said.

Democrats said workers shouldn't accept the deferred resignation program because it wasn't authorized by Congress, raising the risk they won't get paid.

“It’s a scam and not a buyout,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Kelley said he tells workers that “if it was me, I wouldn’t do it.”

An employee at the Department of Education, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the administration appeared desperate to get people to sign the agreement. However, she said there were too many red flags, such as a clause waiving the right to sue if the government failed to honor its side of the deal.

The deal is ‘exactly what it looks like,’ says Trump official

Trump put Musk, the world's richest man, in charge of the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, which is a sweeping initiative to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The original email offering the deferred resignation program was titled “Fork in the road,” echoing a similar message that Musk sent Twitter employees two years ago after he bought the social media platform.

Trump administration officials have organized question-and-answer sessions with employees as the deadline approaches.

Rachel Oglesby, the chief of staff at the Department of Education who previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, said Trump is trying to reduce the federal workforce.

“I know there’s been a lot of questions out there about whether it’s real and whether it’s a trick,” she said, according to a recording obtained by The Associated Press. “And it’s exactly what it looks like. It’s one of the many tools that he’s using to try to achieve the campaign promise to bring reform to the civil service and changes to D.C.”

The issue was also discussed during a meeting with Department of Agriculture employees, according to another recording obtained by the AP. Marlon Taubenheim, a human resources official, acknowledged that “these are very trying times” and “there’s a lot of stress.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers,” he said.

Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, another agency leader, said employees “probably didn’t have the runway of time that you might have liked to make a life-changing decision.”

For those who remain, she said, "we’ll just keep plugging along.”

Assurances from administration officials have not alleviated concerns across a range of agencies. Some federal workers said they did not trust the validity of the offers, doubting that Trump has the authority to disburse money. Others point to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/10bbe40a86774bac9ad1fbd3a936c808">record of stiffing contractors</a>&nbsp;as a New York real estate mogul.

Musk's plans spark demonstrations in Washington

Scattered protests have sprung up outside federal buildings, including on Tuesday at the Office of Personnel Management.

“I’m taking a risk and being bold and trying to get more federal workers to take a risk to speak out," said Dante O’Hara, who said he works for the government. "Because if we don’t, then we’re all going to lose our jobs and they’re going to put all these loyalists or people that will be their shock troops.”

Government jobs have often been considered secure positions, but O’Hara said there’s fear in the workforce. The sense from his colleagues is “I don’t know if I’m going to be here tomorrow because, like, we don’t know what’s going to happen.’”

Dan Smith, a Maryland resident whose father was a research scientist at the Department of Agriculture, said federal workers are “so underappreciated and so taken for granted.”

“It’s one thing to downsize the government. It’s one thing to try to obliterate it," Smith said. "And that’s what’s going on. And that is what is so frightening and disgusting and requires pushback.”

Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indianapolis, said she's worried that too many people will leave, jeopardizing health care services.

Burke, who also serves as a union official, said doubts have also been growing over whether to take the offer.

“Originally, I think people were like, ‘I’m out of here,'" she said. But then they saw a social media post from DOGE, which said employees can "take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits.”

The message backfired because "that kind of thing sounded a little bit too good to be true and people were hesitant,” Burke said.

Either way, she said, Trump has achieved his apparent goal of shaking up the federal workforce.

“Every day, it’s something,” Burke said. “If he signed up to be a disrupter, he’s doing it.”

Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Nathan Ellgren, Gary Fields, Joshua Goodman, Will Weissert and Brian Witte contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal workers by offering them financial incentives, the latest twist in a chaotic and distressing saga playing out for millions of government employees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738115904337.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>The ruling came hours before the midnight deadline for them to apply for the deferred resignation program. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston directed the administration to extend that deadline until after a court hearing he scheduled for Monday afternoon. O'Toole did not express an opinion on the legality of the program, which is being challenged by several labor unions, and said he would weigh arguments next week.At the White House, press secretary Karoline Levitt said more than 40,000 federal workers have applied to leave in return for being paid until Sept. 30.“We encourage federal workers in this city to accept the very generous offer,” she said at about the same time as the judge's ruling came out. "They don’t want to come into the office. If they want to rip the American people off, then they’re welcome to take this buyout and we’ll find highly qualified people” to replace them.The deferred resignation program was orchestrated by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who is serving as a top adviser to Trump. It is part of the Republican president's goal of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-orders-power-border-tiktok-history-e77458bc0312c60f3f2b0eeb131d0056">remaking the federal government</a>, weakening what his allies describe as the “deep state” that undermined his first term. Administration officials said they can save taxpayer money by presenting employees with “a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."<h2>Democrats and unions warn that workers could be stiffed</h2>On Wednesday, the administration ramped up its pressure on employees to leave, sending a reminder that layoffs or furloughs could come next.“The majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,” said the message from the Office of Personnel Management, which has been a nexus of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-congress-4e0c025629e8a0c758d13dc916ab4f43">Musk's efforts to downsize the government</a>.The email said anyone who remains will be expected to be “loyal” and “will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward.” Some employees could be reclassified to limit civil service protections as well.“Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination,” the email said.Democrats said workers shouldn't accept the deferred resignation program because it wasn't authorized by Congress, raising the risk they won't get paid.“It’s a scam and not a buyout,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.Kelley said he tells workers that “if it was me, I wouldn’t do it.”An employee at the Department of Education, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the administration appeared desperate to get people to sign the agreement. However, she said there were too many red flags, such as a clause waiving the right to sue if the government failed to honor its side of the deal.<h2>The deal is ‘exactly what it looks like,’ says Trump official</h2>Trump put Musk, the world's richest man, in charge of the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, which is a sweeping initiative to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The original email offering the deferred resignation program was titled “Fork in the road,” echoing a similar message that Musk sent Twitter employees two years ago after he bought the social media platform.Trump administration officials have organized question-and-answer sessions with employees as the deadline approaches.Rachel Oglesby, the chief of staff at the Department of Education who previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, said Trump is trying to reduce the federal workforce.“I know there’s been a lot of questions out there about whether it’s real and whether it’s a trick,” she said, according to a recording obtained by The Associated Press. “And it’s exactly what it looks like. It’s one of the many tools that he’s using to try to achieve the campaign promise to bring reform to the civil service and changes to D.C.”The issue was also discussed during a meeting with Department of Agriculture employees, according to another recording obtained by the AP. Marlon Taubenheim, a human resources official, acknowledged that “these are very trying times” and “there’s a lot of stress.”“Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers,” he said.Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, another agency leader, said employees “probably didn’t have the runway of time that you might have liked to make a life-changing decision.”For those who remain, she said, "we’ll just keep plugging along.”Assurances from administration officials have not alleviated concerns across a range of agencies. Some federal workers said they did not trust the validity of the offers, doubting that Trump has the authority to disburse money. Others point to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/10bbe40a86774bac9ad1fbd3a936c808">record of stiffing contractors</a>&nbsp;as a New York real estate mogul.<h2>Musk's plans spark demonstrations in Washington</h2>Scattered protests have sprung up outside federal buildings, including on Tuesday at the Office of Personnel Management.“I’m taking a risk and being bold and trying to get more federal workers to take a risk to speak out," said Dante O’Hara, who said he works for the government. "Because if we don’t, then we’re all going to lose our jobs and they’re going to put all these loyalists or people that will be their shock troops.”Government jobs have often been considered secure positions, but O’Hara said there’s fear in the workforce. The sense from his colleagues is “I don’t know if I’m going to be here tomorrow because, like, we don’t know what’s going to happen.’”Dan Smith, a Maryland resident whose father was a research scientist at the Department of Agriculture, said federal workers are “so underappreciated and so taken for granted.”“It’s one thing to downsize the government. It’s one thing to try to obliterate it," Smith said. "And that’s what’s going on. And that is what is so frightening and disgusting and requires pushback.”Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indianapolis, said she's worried that too many people will leave, jeopardizing health care services.Burke, who also serves as a union official, said doubts have also been growing over whether to take the offer.“Originally, I think people were like, ‘I’m out of here,'" she said. But then they saw a social media post from DOGE, which said employees can "take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits.”The message backfired because "that kind of thing sounded a little bit too good to be true and people were hesitant,” Burke said.Either way, she said, Trump has achieved his apparent goal of shaking up the federal workforce.“Every day, it’s something,” Burke said. “If he signed up to be a disrupter, he’s doing it.”___Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Nathan Ellgren, Gary Fields, Joshua Goodman, Will Weissert and Brian Witte contributed to this report.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump incentive plan for federal workers to resign

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

Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 6900 block of Eastwood Trafficway, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

When officers arrived on scene, they located a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. 

While on scene, officers were notified an additional man had arrived to an area hospital by private vehicle and suffering from critical gunshot injuries.

Detectives were notified just before 1a.m. that the adult male victim who had arrived at the hospital by private vehicle had died, according to&nbsp; Gonzalez.

Preliminary investigation indicates a verbal argument ensued between several individuals and that argument escalated to gunfire. Detectives have made progress in identifying a person of interest.Homicide detectives have assumed responsibility of the case.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 6900 block of Eastwood Trafficway, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.When officers arrived on scene, they located a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. While on scene, officers were notified an additional man had arrived to an area hospital by private vehicle and suffering from critical gunshot injuries.Detectives were notified just before 1a.m. that the adult male victim who had arrived at the hospital by private vehicle had died, according to&nbsp; Gonzalez.Preliminary investigation indicates a verbal argument ensued between several individuals and that argument escalated to gunfire. Detectives have made progress in identifying a person of interest.Homicide detectives have assumed responsibility of the case.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

KCPD: Man dead, another critically injured after gun fight

WASHINGTON (AP) —Two Elon Musk allies have “read only” access to Treasury Department payment systems, but no one else will get access for now, including Musk himself, under a court order signed Thursday.

It comes in a lawsuit filed by federal workers unions trying to stop the billionaire’s Department of Government Efficiency from following through on what they call a massive privacy invasion.

Two Musk allies, Marko Elez and Tom Krause, have been made “special government employees” and already have access to the system, government attorneys have said.

The temporary order blocks further access by DOGE as U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly considers the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738862484363.png" alt="Elon at the Inauguration -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Elon at the Inauguration -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Two Elon Musk allies have “read only” access to Treasury Department payment systems, but no one else will get access for now, including Musk himself, under a court order signed Thursday.It comes in a lawsuit filed by federal workers unions trying to stop the billionaire’s Department of Government Efficiency from following through on what they call a massive privacy invasion.Two Musk allies, Marko Elez and Tom Krause, have been made “special government employees” and already have access to the system, government attorneys have said.The temporary order blocks further access by DOGE as U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly considers the case.

Judge temporarily limits DOGE access to U.S. Treasury

KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury convicted a Kansas City man of two felonies in connection with a shooting that injured two people in Westport last year, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

The jury convicted 28-year-old Deion D. Crum with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action. He faces a minimum 20-year sentence based on his prior convictions.

On February 11, 2024, Kansas City police were dispatched to a shooting at the intersection of Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard, according to court records.

First responders found a victim suffering a gunshot wound. Ten minutes later, another gunshot wound victim from the scene and Crum arrived at local hospitals for treatment for their gunshot injuries.

Based on video obtained from the scene, a man wearing the same clothing and shoes as Crum punched one of the victims before there is an exchange of gunfire between them. Crum is also seen on video shooting at both victims and was the primary aggressor in the physical altercation preceding the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737991898083.png" alt="Crum photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Crum photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury convicted a Kansas City man of two felonies in connection with a shooting that injured two people in Westport last year, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.The jury convicted 28-year-old Deion D. Crum with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action. He faces a minimum 20-year sentence based on his prior convictions.On February 11, 2024, Kansas City police were dispatched to a shooting at the intersection of Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard, according to court records.First responders found a victim suffering a gunshot wound. Ten minutes later, another gunshot wound victim from the scene and Crum arrived at local hospitals for treatment for their gunshot injuries.Based on video obtained from the scene, a man wearing the same clothing and shoes as Crum punched one of the victims before there is an exchange of gunfire between them. Crum is also seen on video shooting at both victims and was the primary aggressor in the physical altercation preceding the shooting.

Security video shows man punching victim before KC Westport shooting

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jesse-bedayn">JESSE BEDAYN</a> Associated Press

It has been just over a week since a commercial jetliner from Wichita and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-50b3e82d8ec3713cc4ae1ac3a327104c">Army helicopter</a>&nbsp;collided in midair near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">killing 67</a>&nbsp;people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001</a>.

Even as salvage crews continue to haul the wreckage out of the Potomac River, investigators are seeking answers about what happened.

From the minutes before the crash to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">ensuing days of questions,</a>&nbsp;here is a look at the timeline of events:

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

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

At 8:46, the controller radios the Black Hawk crew to say a passenger jet, referred to as CRJ, is at 1,200 feet (365 meters) and circling to Runway 33.

At 8:47, as the two aircraft near each other, the controller again radios: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” Then, again: “PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.”

A crewmember on the helicopter replies that the aircraft “is in sight” and requests “visual separation” with the incoming plane -- allowing it to fly closer than otherwise may have been allowed if the pilots didn’t see the plane. Controllers approve the request.

About 20 seconds later a commotion is heard on the audio. A flash appears in the sky, and both aircraft fall into the river. Moments later someone says over the radio, “Tower, did you see that?”

In the ensuing hours, helicopters and inflatable boats light up the Potomac in search of survivors.

In the morning President Donald Trump tells reporters there are no survivors and says it is unclear what led to the collision.

The names of those on both flights begin to emerge online, appearing in Facebook eulogies or statements from grieving families.

By midday the bodies of all three soldiers in the helicopter have been recovered.

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

In the evening the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders are recovered and sent to labs for evaluation.

It is raining as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">police boats comb the Potomac</a>&nbsp;for victims and investigators search for clues as to what happened.

Officials announce that the Black Hawk’s black box has recovered and the flight data is being reviewed, along with the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control.

Over 300 responders are on the scene throughout the day, including dive teams. By the afternoon the remains of 41 people have been pulled recovered.

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

The rain clears. A Coast Guard cutter outfitted with a crane waits nearby as recovery team members slip into the chilly water to continue the search.

At a news conference, investigators say they are trying to work out a discrepancy in the altitude data between the helicopter and the airliner.

Investigators say they hope the helicopter’s black box can help reconcile difference. The box was waterlogged, delaying retrieval of its data.

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

Officials say the number of victims whose remains have been recovered has risen to 55 and they are confident the rest will be found.

As the search continues, salvage crews prepare to lift wreckage from the Potomac.

Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers says divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols and will stop moving debris if a body is found.

The “dignified recovery” of remains takes precedence over all else, he says.

Salvage crews recover an engine and large pieces of fuselage of the airliner and work to retrieve a wing.

Portions of the helicopter and plane that were pulled from the water are loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to a hangar for investigation.

Families of the victims gather on the banks of the Potomac.

Early on in the day, crews working in choppy conditions raise a number of large pieces of the jetliner including the right wing, the center fuselage and parts of the forward cabin, cockpit, tail cone and rudder.

Investigators announce that they are examining new data that could shed light on the altitude discrepancy.

Authorities say the remains of all 67 victims of the collision have been recovered and all but one have been identified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738424073729.png" alt="The FAA is now restricting helicopter traffic around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport airport.-image U.S. DOT" />
 <figcaption>The FAA is now restricting helicopter traffic around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport airport.-image U.S. DOT</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jesse-bedayn">JESSE BEDAYN</a> Associated PressIt has been just over a week since a commercial jetliner from Wichita and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-50b3e82d8ec3713cc4ae1ac3a327104c">Army helicopter</a>&nbsp;collided in midair near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">killing 67</a>&nbsp;people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001</a>.Even as salvage crews continue to haul the wreckage out of the Potomac River, investigators are seeking answers about what happened.From the minutes before the crash to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">ensuing days of questions,</a>&nbsp;here is a look at the timeline of events:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738207177867.png" alt="Image of the moment of impact from Kennedy Center web camera" />
 <figcaption>Image of the moment of impact from Kennedy Center web camera</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Jan. 29</h2>At around 8:15 p.m. American Airlines Flight 5342,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-helicopter-recovery-7f492db9e867af2e184d621f56cbc4f6">with 64 people</a>&nbsp;on board, begins its initial descent into Reagan National.At 8:43, from the airport’s tower, a controller asks the plane’s pilots to switch from landing on Runway 1 to Runway 33. Nearby an Army Black Hawk helicopter, referred to as PAT25 by air traffic control, is flying south over the River. The skies are clear.At 8:46, the controller radios the Black Hawk crew to say a passenger jet, referred to as CRJ, is at 1,200 feet (365 meters) and circling to Runway 33.At 8:47, as the two aircraft near each other, the controller again radios: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” Then, again: “PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.”A crewmember on the helicopter replies that the aircraft “is in sight” and requests “visual separation” with the incoming plane -- allowing it to fly closer than otherwise may have been allowed if the pilots didn’t see the plane. Controllers approve the request.About 20 seconds later a commotion is heard on the audio. A flash appears in the sky, and both aircraft fall into the river. Moments later someone says over the radio, “Tower, did you see that?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738291455804.png" alt="Boats work the scene in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>Boats work the scene in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the ensuing hours, helicopters and inflatable boats light up the Potomac in search of survivors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738235840631.png" alt="Departure signs display an "Emergency Alert" in the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington, Va. A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. (AP Photo/Jeannie Ohm)" />
 <figcaption>Departure signs display an "Emergency Alert" in the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington, Va. A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. (AP Photo/Jeannie Ohm)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Jan. 30</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738258064893.png" alt="President Trump answers questions about the air disaster-image White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions about the air disaster-image White House</figcaption>
 </figure>In the morning President Donald Trump tells reporters there are no survivors and says it is unclear what led to the collision.The names of those on both flights begin to emerge online, appearing in Facebook eulogies or statements from grieving families.By midday the bodies of all three soldiers in the helicopter have been recovered.About 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downriver from the crash site, Dean Naujoks, who patrols the Potomac for the Waterkeeper Alliance, finds pages from the flight manual, a piece of the plane’s cabin wall and dozens of sugar packets stamped with the American Airlines logo. He turns the items over to the FBI.In the evening the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders are recovered and sent to labs for evaluation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738343817242.png" alt="In this image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, wreckage is seen in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Taylor Bacon, U.S. Coast Guard via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, wreckage is seen in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Taylor Bacon, U.S. Coast Guard via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Jan. 31</h2>It is raining as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">police boats comb the Potomac</a>&nbsp;for victims and investigators search for clues as to what happened.Officials announce that the Black Hawk’s black box has recovered and the flight data is being reviewed, along with the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control.Over 300 responders are on the scene throughout the day, including dive teams. By the afternoon the remains of 41 people have been pulled recovered.The Army releases the names of two of the dead soldiers: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, the crew chief; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738701975774.png" alt="Image U.S. Coast Guard" />
 <figcaption>Image U.S. Coast Guard</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Feb. 1</h2>The rain clears. A Coast Guard cutter outfitted with a crane waits nearby as recovery team members slip into the chilly water to continue the search.At a news conference, investigators say they are trying to work out a discrepancy in the altitude data between the helicopter and the airliner.Investigators say they hope the helicopter’s black box can help reconcile difference. The box was waterlogged, delaying retrieval of its data.The Army identifies the third soldier who died in the helicopter: Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach. She is described by friends as “brilliant and fearless.”<h2>Feb. 2</h2>Officials say the number of victims whose remains have been recovered has risen to 55 and they are confident the rest will be found.As the search continues, salvage crews prepare to lift wreckage from the Potomac.Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers says divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols and will stop moving debris if a body is found.The “dignified recovery” of remains takes precedence over all else, he says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738703092495.png" alt="The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), began wreckage removal operations on Monday, at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, working with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USCGMidAtlantic?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USNavy?__cft__[0]=AZVaKqPNSiwSuKRH01L03JB8k_89iOrQZOlRWtfzOBsAJCt3z8QQvEYQa8XpseNu6lXA2LDrRWcHbQW3Fa1vXPGXU-T_5Dh2wbhpnKG7qo382L0qE0fMgmG5jv5Z_FFWJHRL1dX62558wBmmNSH_sOYY5t0GOUldAsRj2QW9WelwbsHdhaP3oE4VMMl2yUaEBbw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">U.S. Navy</a>&nbsp;Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), began wreckage removal operations on Monday, at the site of the Potomac River Aviation Incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Phoso U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Feb. 3</h2>Salvage crews recover an engine and large pieces of fuselage of the airliner and work to retrieve a wing.Portions of the helicopter and plane that were pulled from the water are loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to a hangar for investigation.Families of the victims gather on the banks of the Potomac.<h2>Feb. 4</h2>Early on in the day, crews working in choppy conditions raise a number of large pieces of the jetliner including the right wing, the center fuselage and parts of the forward cabin, cockpit, tail cone and rudder.Investigators announce that they are examining new data that could shed light on the altitude discrepancy.Authorities say the remains of all 67 victims of the collision have been recovered and all but one have been identified.

Timeline of last week’s air disaster in Washington

WASHINGTON — Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran had a special request Monday night for a former Senate colleague and new Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Moran who has always supported sending Kansas wheat and other grains to countries in need&nbsp; wrote on social media, " I urge Secretary Rubio to distribute the $340 million in American-grown food currently stalled in U.S. ports to reach those in need.

Time is running out before this life-saving aid perishes."

Moran was the co-founder of the Senate Hunger Caucus. "The caucus&nbsp;raises awareness about issues surrounding hunger, including the importance of international food aid programs and agriculture research and development initiatives to end hunger and promote stability in the world," according to a statement on the senator's web site.

WASHINGTON — Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran had a special request Monday night for a former Senate colleague and new Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Moran who has always supported sending Kansas wheat and other grains to countries in need&nbsp; wrote on social media, " I urge Secretary Rubio to distribute the $340 million in American-grown food currently stalled in U.S. ports to reach those in need.

Time is running out before this life-saving aid perishes."Moran was the co-founder of the Senate Hunger Caucus. "The caucus&nbsp;raises awareness about issues surrounding hunger, including the importance of international food aid programs and agriculture research and development initiatives to end hunger and promote stability in the world," according to a statement on the senator's web site.

Kan. U.S. Senator asks Sec. of State to take action on food distribution

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement continue their search for a suspect in a Kansas bank robbery.

Just after 9:30a.m. on Jan. 31, a suspect described as a man approximately 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, a neon mask and sunglasses entered the U.S. Bank, 10959 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from the FBI. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money.

He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

&nbsp;Approximately ten minutes before the robbery, police in Kansas City, Kansas received an anonymous call reporting a man with a gun at an elementary school just east of the bank.&nbsp; The schools were briefly placed on lockdown.&nbsp; Officers determined there was no threat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738808549262.png" alt="Security camera image FBI" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement continue their search for a suspect in a Kansas bank robbery.Just after 9:30a.m. on Jan. 31, a suspect described as a man approximately 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, a neon mask and sunglasses entered the U.S. Bank, 10959 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from the FBI. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money.He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.&nbsp;Approximately ten minutes before the robbery, police in Kansas City, Kansas received an anonymous call reporting a man with a gun at an elementary school just east of the bank.&nbsp; The schools were briefly placed on lockdown.&nbsp; Officers determined there was no threat.---------