WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee urged the Justice Department on Monday to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump, delivering what it called a “roadmap to justice” in response to the violent 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Capitol insurrection.</a>

(Click below to watch a replay of Monday's hearing)

After one of the most exhaustive and aggressive congressional probes in memory,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-congress-donald-trump-subpoenas-government-and-politics-af491858a41ce4f42416fe3a7131592e">the panel’s seven Democrats and two Republicans</a>&nbsp;are recommending criminal charges against Trump and associates who helped him launch a wide-ranging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Jan-6-hearings-Trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">pressure campaign</a>&nbsp;to try to overturn his 2020 election loss. The panel also released a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23466462-jan6-committee-final">lengthy summary</a>&nbsp;of its final report, with findings that Trump engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to thwart the will of voters.

At a final meeting Monday, the committee alleged violations of four criminal statutes by Trump, in both the run-up to the riot and during the insurrection itself, as it recommended the former president for prosecution to the Justice Department. Among the charges they recommend for prosecution is aiding an insurrection — an effort to hold him directly accountable for his supporters who stormed the Capitol that day.

The committee also voted to refer conservative lawyer John Eastman, who devised dubious legal maneuvers aimed at keeping Trump in power, for prosecution on two of the same statutes as Trump: conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding.

While a criminal referral is mostly symbolic, with the Justice Department ultimately deciding whether to prosecute Trump or others, it is a decisive end to a probe that had an almost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Jan-6-hearings-key-moments-b374e48ab5a1a0a597fd5b6ec69048c2">singular focus</a>&nbsp;from the start.

Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said the criminal justice system can provide accountability after Trump “broke the faith” that people have when they cast ballots in a democracy.

“We have every confidence that the work of this committee will help provide a roadmap to justice,” he said.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the panel’s Republican vice chairwoman, said in opening remarks that every president in American history has defended the orderly transfer of power, “except one.”

The committee also voted 9-0 to approve its final report, which will include findings, interview transcripts and legislative recommendations. The full report is expected to be released on Wednesday.

The report’s 154-page summary, made public as the hearing ended, found that Trump engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the election. While the majority of the report’s main findings are not new, it altogether represents one of the most damning portraits of an American president in recent history, laying out in great detail Trump’s broad effort to overturn his own defeat and what the lawmakers say is his direct responsibility for the insurrection of his supporters.

<a href="https://january6th.house.gov/">The panel</a>, which will dissolve on Jan. 3 with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-house-control-79475a4fc11e4375cd0dded651b9eede">the new Republican-led House</a>, has conducted more than 1,000 interviews, held 10 well-watched public hearings and collected more than a million documents since it launched in July 2021. As it has gathered the massive trove of evidence, the members have become emboldened in declaring that Trump, a Republican, is to blame for the violent attack on the Capitol by his supporters almost two years ago.

After beating their way past police, injuring many of them, the Jan. 6 rioters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">stormed the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and interrupted the certification of Biden’s presidential election win, echoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">Trump's lies</a>&nbsp;about widespread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">election fraud</a>&nbsp;and sending lawmakers and others running for their lives.

The attack came after weeks of Trump’s efforts to overturn his defeat — a campaign that was extensively detailed by the committee in its multiple public hearings, and laid out again by lawmakers on the panel at Monday's meeting. Many of Trump’s former aides testified about his unprecedented pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-politics-elections-united-states-849994345a80ab4a82243967f6d822b5">states</a>, on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-elections-donald-trump-campaigns-presidential-4e7e68e2ff57aadd96d09c873a43a317">federal officials</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-crime-presidential-elections-cdc64a3de7950e6f3291851b3c5d9b1a">Pence</a>&nbsp;to object to Biden's win. The committee has also described in great detail how Trump riled up the crowd at a rally that morning and then did little to stop his supporters for several hours as he watched the violence unfold on television.

The panel aired some new evidence at the meeting, including a recent interview with longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks. Describing a conversation she had with Trump around that time, she said he told her that no one would care about his legacy if he lost the election.

Hicks told the committee that Trump told her, “The only thing that matters is winning."

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the former president slammed members of the committee Sunday as “thugs and scoundrels” as he has continued to falsely dispute his 2020 loss.

While a so-called criminal referral has no real legal standing, it is a forceful statement by the committee and adds to political pressure already on Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Jack Smith</a>, who is conducting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-arizona-donald-trump-0509a736c89010c0247a7b1428352689">an investigation</a>&nbsp;into Jan. 6 and Trump’s actions.

On the recommendation to charge Trump on aiding an insurrection, the committee said in the report's summary that the former president “was directly responsible for summoning what became a violent mob” and refused repeated entreaties from his aides to condemn the rioters or to encourage them to leave.

For obstructing an official proceeding, the committee cites Trump’s relentless badgering of Vice President Mike Pence and others to prevent the certification of the election results on Jan. 6. And his repeated lies about the election and efforts to undo the results open him up to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, the panel said.

The final charge recommended by the panel is conspiracy to make a false statement, citing the scheme by Trump and his allies to put forward slates of fake electors in battleground states won by President Joe Biden.

Among the other charges contemplated, but not approved, by the committee was seditious conspiracy, the same allegation Justice Department prosecutors have used to target a subset of rioters belonging to far-right groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

Thompson said after the hearing that the seditious conspiracy charge is “something that the committee didn’t come to agreement on.”

The panel was formed in the summer of 2021 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-pence-donald-trump-capitol-siege-government-and-politics-4798a8617bacf27bbb576a4b805b85d9">Senate Republicans blocked</a>&nbsp;the formation of what would have been a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the insurrection. When that effort failed, the Democratic-controlled House formed an investigative committee of its own.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California, a Trump ally, decided not to participate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected some of his appointments. That left an opening for two anti-Trump Republicans in the House — Reps.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-wyoming-presidential-4fd397e5ba68de1924f52c79507eff2f">Liz Cheney</a>&nbsp;of Wyoming and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-committee-pelosi-kinzinger-b211da687cfba78f43ffb4042f9bd5db">Adam Kinzinger</a>&nbsp;of Illinois — to join seven Democrats, launching an unusually unified panel in the divided Congress.

While the committee’s mission was to take a comprehensive accounting of the insurrection and educate the public about what happened, they've also aimed their work at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-donald-trump-f70143880cb9be8a0610edcad1ed18e8">audience of one</a>: the attorney general. Lawmakers on the panel have openly pressured Garland to investigate Trump’s actions, and last month he appointed a special counsel, Smith, to oversee two probes related to Trump, including those related to the insurrection and the presence of classified documents at Trump's Florida estate.

The committee also made ethics referrals for five House Republicans — including McCarthy — who ignored congressional subpoenas from the panel.

The panel subpoenaed McCarthy, R-Calif., and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Mo Brooks of Alabama. The panel has investigated McCarthy’s conversations with Trump the day of the attack and meetings the four other lawmakers had with the White House beforehand as Trump and some of his allies worked to overturn his election defeat.

The committee members said there is more work to be done, even as their work is concluding.

“Ours is not a system of justice, where foot soldiers go to jail and the masterminds and ringleaders get a free pass,” said Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

As they cap one of the most exhaustive and aggressive congressional probes in memory,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-congress-donald-trump-subpoenas-government-and-politics-af491858a41ce4f42416fe3a7131592e">the panel’s seven Democrats and two Republicans</a>&nbsp;are recommending criminal charges against Trump and associates who helped him launch a multifaceted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Jan-6-hearings-Trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">pressure campaign</a>&nbsp;to try to overturn his 2020 election loss.

The committee alleged violations of four criminal statutes by Trump, in both the run-up to the riot and during the insurrection itself, as it recommended the former president for prosecution to the Justice Department. The charges recommended by the committee are conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, conspiracy to make a false statement and insurrection.

Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said the criminal justice system can provide accountability, adding, “We have every confidence that the work of this committee will help provide a roadmap to justice.”

Thompson said Trump “broke the faith” that people have when they cast ballots in a democracy. “He lost the 2020 election and knew it," Thompson said. “But he chose to try to stay in office through a multi-part scheme to overturn the results and block the transfer of power."

The committee also voted 9-0 to approve its final report, which will include findings, interview transcripts and legislative recommendations. The report is expected to be released in full Wednesday.

After beating their way past police, injuring many of them, the Jan. 6 rioters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">stormed the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and interrupted the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election win, echoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">Trump's lies</a>&nbsp;about widespread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">election fraud</a>&nbsp;and sending lawmakers and others running for their lives.

The attack came after weeks of Trump’s efforts to overturn his defeat — a campaign that was extensively detailed by the committee in its multiple public hearings, and laid out again by lawmakers on the panel on Monday. Many of Trump’s former aides testified about his unprecedented pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-politics-elections-united-states-849994345a80ab4a82243967f6d822b5">states</a>, on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-elections-donald-trump-campaigns-presidential-4e7e68e2ff57aadd96d09c873a43a317">federal officials</a>&nbsp;and on Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-crime-presidential-elections-cdc64a3de7950e6f3291851b3c5d9b1a">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;to find a way to thwart the popular will. The committee has also described in great detail how Trump riled up the crowd at a rally that morning and then did little to stop his supporters for several hours as he watched the violence unfold on television.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democratic member of the panel, said ahead of the hearing that Trump is someone who “in multiple ways tried to pressure state officials to find votes that didn’t exist, this is someone who tried to interfere with a joint session, even inciting a mob to attack the Capitol."

“If that’s not criminal, then I don’t know what it is,” Schiff said.

“We obviously want to complete the story for the American people,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., another member of the committee. “Everybody has come on a journey with us and we want a satisfactory conclusion, such that people feel that Congress has done its job.”

As the committee was getting started, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California, a Trump ally, decided not to participate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected some of his appointments. That left an opening for two anti-Trump Republicans in the House — Reps.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-wyoming-presidential-4fd397e5ba68de1924f52c79507eff2f">Liz Cheney</a>&nbsp;of Wyoming and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-committee-pelosi-kinzinger-b211da687cfba78f43ffb4042f9bd5db">Adam Kinzinger</a>&nbsp;of Illinois — to join seven Democrats, launching an unusually unified panel in the divided Congress.

In court documents earlier this year, the committee suggested criminal charges against Trump could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress.

In a “conspiracy to defraud the United States,” the committee argues that evidence supports an inference that Trump and his allies “entered into an agreement to defraud the United States” when they disseminated misinformation about election fraud and pressured state and federal officials to assist in that effort. Trump still says he won the election to this day.

The panel also asserts that Trump obstructed an official proceeding, the joint session of Congress in which the Electoral College votes are certified. The committee said Trump either attempted or succeeded at obstructing, influencing or impeding the ceremonial process on Jan. 6 and “did so corruptly” by pressuring Pence to try to overturn the results as he presided over the session. Pence declined to do so.

A criminal referral on the charge of insurrection is a clear effort to hold Trump directly accountable for the rioters who stormed the building. The rarely used insurrection statute criminalizes any effort to incite, engage in or assist a rebellion or insurrection “against the authority of the United States.”

The committee may make ethics referrals for five House Republicans — including McCarthy — who ignored congressional subpoenas from the panel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-politics-riots-donald-trump-f91a560d1b44a5425761ff72705b8e6e">wrapping up its investigation</a>&nbsp;of the violent 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">U.S. Capitol insurrection</a>, with lawmakers expected to cap one of the most exhaustive and aggressive congressional probes in memory with an extraordinary recommendation: The Justice Department should consider criminal charges against former President Donald Trump.

At a final meeting on Monday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://january6th.house.gov/">panel’s</a>&nbsp;seven Democrats and two Republicans are poised to recommend criminal charges against Trump and potentially against associates and staff who helped him launch a multifaceted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Jan-6-hearings-Trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">pressure campaign</a>&nbsp;to try to overturn the 2020 election.

“I think the president has violated multiple criminal laws and I think you have to be treated like any other American who breaks the law, and that is you have to be prosecuted,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a member of the panel, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union."

The panel, which will dissolve on Jan. 3 with the new Republican-led House, has conducted more than 1,000 interviews, held 10 well-watched public hearings and collected more than a million documents since it launched in July 2021. As it has gathered the massive trove of evidence, the members have become emboldened in declaring that Trump is to blame for the violent attack on the Capitol by his supporters almost two years ago.

After beating their way past police, injuring many of them, the Jan. 6 rioters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">stormed the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden’s win, echoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">Trump's lies</a>&nbsp;about widespread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">election fraud</a>&nbsp;and sending lawmakers and others running for their lives.

The attack came after weeks of Trump’s efforts to overturn his defeat — a campaign that was extensively detailed by the committee in its multiple public hearings. Many of Trump’s former aides testified about his unprecedented pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-politics-elections-united-states-849994345a80ab4a82243967f6d822b5">states</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-elections-donald-trump-campaigns-presidential-4e7e68e2ff57aadd96d09c873a43a317">federal officials</a>&nbsp;and on Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-crime-presidential-elections-cdc64a3de7950e6f3291851b3c5d9b1a">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;to find a way to thwart the popular will.

“This is someone who in multiple ways tried to pressure state officials to find votes that didn’t exist, this is someone who tried to interfere with a joint session, even inciting a mob to attack the Capitol,” Schiff said. “If that’s not criminal, then I don’t know what it is.”

Members of the committee have said that the referrals for other individuals may also include ethics violations, legal misconduct and campaign finance violations. Lawmakers have suggested in particular that their recommended charges against Trump could include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">conspiracy</a>&nbsp;to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and insurrection.

On insurrection, Schiff said Sunday that “if you look at Donald Trump’s acts and you match them up against the statute, it’s a pretty good match.” He said that the committee will focus on those individuals — presumably Trump — for whom they believe there is the strongest evidence.

While a so-called criminal referral has no real legal standing, it is a forceful statement by the committee and adds to political pressure already on Attorney General Merrick Garland and special counsel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Jack Smith</a>, who is conducting an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-arizona-donald-trump-0509a736c89010c0247a7b1428352689">investigation</a>&nbsp;into Jan. 6 and Trump’s actions.

The committee is also expected at the hearing to preview its massive final report, which will include findings, interview transcripts and legislative recommendations. Lawmaker have said a portion of that report will be released Monday.

The panel was formed in the summer of 2021 after Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-pence-donald-trump-capitol-siege-government-and-politics-4798a8617bacf27bbb576a4b805b85d9">blocked</a>&nbsp;the formation of what would have been a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the insurrection. That opposition spurred the Democratic-controlled House to form a committee of its own. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California, a Trump ally, decided not to participate after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected some of his appointments. That left an opening for two anti-Trump Republicans in the House — Reps.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-donald-trump-wyoming-presidential-4fd397e5ba68de1924f52c79507eff2f">Liz Cheney</a>&nbsp;of Wyoming and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-committee-pelosi-kinzinger-b211da687cfba78f43ffb4042f9bd5db">Adam Kinzinger</a>&nbsp;of Illinois — to join the seven Democrats serving on the committee.

While the committee’s mission was to take a comprehensive accounting of the insurrection and educate the public about what happened, they've also aimed their work at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-merrick-garland-donald-trump-f70143880cb9be8a0610edcad1ed18e8">audience of one</a>: the attorney general. Lawmakers on the panel have openly pressured Garland to investigate Trump’s actions, and last month he appointed a special counsel, Smith, to oversee several probes related to Trump, including those related to the insurrection.

The committee may make ethics referrals for five House Republicans — including McCarthy — who ignored congressional subpoenas from the panel. Those referrals are unlikely to result in punishment since Republicans are set to take over the House majority in January.

🎥Jan. 6 panel urges Trump prosecution with criminal referral

WASHINGTON (AP)— The Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of B-2 stealth 
bombers following an emergency landing and fire earlier this month, and 
none of the strategic aircraft will perform flyovers at this years' 
college bowl games.

A bomber experienced an in-flight malfunction 
on Dec. 10, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Whiteman Air 
Force Base in St. Louis, Mo., where it caught fire. The fire was 
extinguished and there were no injuries.

The standdown is 
significant in that there are fewer than 20 stealth bombers in the 
entire fleet and the aircraft provides, along with the B-52 
Stratofortress, the air leg of the nation's nuclear triad. The B-2 has 
been regularly deployed to the Indo-Pacific and more recently to Europe 
as a show of force. During the standdown the entire fleet will be 
inspected, 509th Bomb Wing spokeswoman Air Force Master Sgt. Beth Del 
Vecchio said.

The B-2 was scheduled to fly over the 2023 Rose 
Parade and Rose Bowl Game but it will be replaced by the B-1 Lancer, the
 509th Bomb Wing said in a statement.

The B-2 stealth bomber took 
its first flight in 1989 and its flying-wing design formed the base of 
its eventual replacement, the B-21 Raider, which was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-china-business-air-force-palmdale-761db1dae42616181a2cc63966f43554">introduced this month</a>. The B-21 is scheduled to make its first flight next year.

In Sept. 2021 another B-2 at Whiteman had to make an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-air-force-933115dce727bbf8ed21ef0884c184b8">emergency landing</a>
 after the hydraulics system failed, resulting in the bomber's landing 
gear collapsing. The bomber's left wing dragged for about a mile before 
the aircraft came to a halt, resulting in at least $10 million in damage
 to the aircraft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631196455746.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— The Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of B-2 stealth 
bombers following an emergency landing and fire earlier this month, and 
none of the strategic aircraft will perform flyovers at this years' 
college bowl games.A bomber experienced an in-flight malfunction 
on Dec. 10, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Whiteman Air 
Force Base in St. Louis, Mo., where it caught fire. The fire was 
extinguished and there were no injuries.The standdown is 
significant in that there are fewer than 20 stealth bombers in the 
entire fleet and the aircraft provides, along with the B-52 
Stratofortress, the air leg of the nation's nuclear triad. The B-2 has 
been regularly deployed to the Indo-Pacific and more recently to Europe 
as a show of force. During the standdown the entire fleet will be 
inspected, 509th Bomb Wing spokeswoman Air Force Master Sgt. Beth Del 
Vecchio said.The B-2 was scheduled to fly over the 2023 Rose 
Parade and Rose Bowl Game but it will be replaced by the B-1 Lancer, the
 509th Bomb Wing said in a statement.The B-2 stealth bomber took 
its first flight in 1989 and its flying-wing design formed the base of 
its eventual replacement, the B-21 Raider, which was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-china-business-air-force-palmdale-761db1dae42616181a2cc63966f43554">introduced this month</a>. The B-21 is scheduled to make its first flight next year.In Sept. 2021 another B-2 at Whiteman had to make an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-air-force-933115dce727bbf8ed21ef0884c184b8">emergency landing</a>
 after the hydraulics system failed, resulting in the bomber's landing 
gear collapsing. The bomber's left wing dragged for about a mile before 
the aircraft came to a halt, resulting in at least $10 million in damage
 to the aircraft.

Air Force grounds entire B-2 fleet after emergency landing

<a href="https://lailluminator.com/briefs/attorneys-general-want-apple-google-to-raise-age-ratings-for-tiktok/">Louisiana Illuminator</a>

Attorneys general from 15 states want Apple and Google to increase 
their age ratings for &nbsp;the social media application TikTok. They have 
sent letters to the companies’ CEOs that say states have the right to 
pursue legal action if age ratings for the app aren’t changed.

The Apple App Store rates TikTok for users “12+,” and the Google Play App store designates the app &nbsp;“T” for teen.

The letters to <a target="_blank" href="https://agjefflandry.com/Files/Article/13101/Documents/AppleLetter.pdf">Apple’s Tim Cook</a> and Google’s <a target="_blank" href="https://agjefflandry.com/Files/Article/13101/Documents/GoogleLetter1.pdf">Sundar Pichai</a>
 came from attorneys general in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 
Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
 Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

“While our investigation into TikTok continues, the evidence 
uncovered so far shows that the platform is not safe for minors,” 
Louisiana AG Jeff Landry said in a statement Friday.

“TikTok may be the most dangerous social media platform for children 
and engages in a race to the bottom to ensure teens become addicted and 
loyal to the brand,” Landry continued. “TikTok abuses our internet 
freedoms to stunt our children socially through 24/7 viral content 
filled with sex, drugs, alcohol and illegal conduct.”

The AGs’ letters call the app stores age ratings deceptive, adding 
that pre-teen children can lie about their age and download TikTok.

<a href="https://lailluminator.com/briefs/attorneys-general-want-apple-google-to-raise-age-ratings-for-tiktok/">Louisiana Illuminator</a>Attorneys general from 15 states want Apple and Google to increase 
their age ratings for &nbsp;the social media application TikTok. They have 
sent letters to the companies’ CEOs that say states have the right to 
pursue legal action if age ratings for the app aren’t changed.The Apple App Store rates TikTok for users “12+,” and the Google Play App store designates the app &nbsp;“T” for teen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671476261704.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>The letters to <a target="_blank" href="https://agjefflandry.com/Files/Article/13101/Documents/AppleLetter.pdf">Apple’s Tim Cook</a> and Google’s <a target="_blank" href="https://agjefflandry.com/Files/Article/13101/Documents/GoogleLetter1.pdf">Sundar Pichai</a>
 came from attorneys general in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 
Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
 Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia.“While our investigation into TikTok continues, the evidence 
uncovered so far shows that the platform is not safe for minors,” 
Louisiana AG Jeff Landry said in a statement Friday.“TikTok may be the most dangerous social media platform for children 
and engages in a race to the bottom to ensure teens become addicted and 
loyal to the brand,” Landry continued. “TikTok abuses our internet 
freedoms to stunt our children socially through 24/7 viral content 
filled with sex, drugs, alcohol and illegal conduct.”The AGs’ letters call the app stores age ratings deceptive, adding 
that pre-teen children can lie about their age and download TikTok.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fighting to keep Louisiana children safe! In a pair of letters, AG Landry and 14 of his colleagues are calling on Apple and Google to correct their application store age ratings of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TikTok?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TikTok</a> – helping parents protect their kids from being force-fed harmful content online. <a href="https://t.co/SL1pmJU34G">pic.twitter.com/SL1pmJU34G</a>&mdash; AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGJeffLandry/status/1603820297597206534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

Attorneys general want Apple, Google to raise age ratings for TikTok

ROELAND PARK&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday released her three-part ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan to save Kansans more than $500 million over the next three years, according to a statement from her office.

The comprehensive plan delivers on major campaign promises, including a push to immediately ‘axe the tax’ on groceries and eliminate the state sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products; create an annual state sales tax holiday for school supplies; and cut taxes on social security for retirees.

“I’m pleased to introduce a plan that axes taxes for Kansas families and retirees in a way that keeps our state’s economy and budget strong,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“By cutting taxes on groceries and diapers, school supplies, and social security, this plan will put money back in Kansans’ pockets and create real savings for those who need it most.”

Last spring, Governor Kelly signed the “Axe the Food Tax” bill to gradually eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on groceries, which is one of the highest in the country, starting January 1, 2023. If passed, the first part of her ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would supersede the gradual reduction and immediately zero-out the tax – as well as the state sales tax on other essentials like diapers and feminine hygiene products, which were not included in the 2022 bill. <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMTkuNjg0ODkwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL0tTT0cvMjAyMi8xMi8xOS9maWxlX2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzLzIzNTkwNDQvRm9vZCwlMjBEaWFwZXJzJTIwU2FsZXMlMjBUYXglMjBHTy5wZGYifQ.z-nkXPKBg040y7qweU_Q6IYetlzLqOGaz6Nb1422II8/s/1303160919/br/150839455829-l" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view a draft of the bill.

The second part of the ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would create a three-day zero percent sales tax holiday on school supplies, personal computers, instructional materials, and art supplies, every August. The holiday would provide relief to families and teachers gearing up for back to school and keep Kansas retailers competitive to surrounding states.&nbsp; <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/KSOG/2022/12/19/file_attachments/2359061/School%20Sales%20Tax%20Holiday%20GO.pdf">Click&nbsp;here</a> to view a draft of the bill.

Right now, Kansans earning less than $75,000 annually do not pay state income tax on social security income. But once they earn a dollar more – including through investments and life insurance policies – the entirety of their social security income is subject to state income tax. The third part of Governor Kelly’s ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would smooth out that cliff so no Kansan making under $100,000 pays full taxes on social security. View the bill draft&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMTkuNjg0ODkwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL0tTT0cvMjAyMi8xMi8xOS9maWxlX2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzLzIzNTkwNjMvU29jaWFsJTIwU2VjdXJpdHklMjBDbGlmZiUyMEdPLnBkZiJ9.ZtBOfFmEiSob6YfBpZBi7j5fBBx1-KghwJXzajqn95Y/s/1303160919/br/150839455829-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

These tax cuts are possible through Governor Kelly’s fiscal responsibility and leadership during her first term as governor.

“I am calling on legislators of both parties to support these bills and provide practical financial relief to families and retirees across our great state,”&nbsp;she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671474703347.png" alt="Governor Kelly during her Axing Your Taxes’ announcement on Monday-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly during her Axing Your Taxes’ announcement on Monday-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ROELAND PARK&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday released her three-part ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan to save Kansans more than $500 million over the next three years, according to a statement from her office.The comprehensive plan delivers on major campaign promises, including a push to immediately ‘axe the tax’ on groceries and eliminate the state sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products; create an annual state sales tax holiday for school supplies; and cut taxes on social security for retirees.“I’m pleased to introduce a plan that axes taxes for Kansas families and retirees in a way that keeps our state’s economy and budget strong,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“By cutting taxes on groceries and diapers, school supplies, and social security, this plan will put money back in Kansans’ pockets and create real savings for those who need it most.”Last spring, Governor Kelly signed the “Axe the Food Tax” bill to gradually eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on groceries, which is one of the highest in the country, starting January 1, 2023. If passed, the first part of her ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would supersede the gradual reduction and immediately zero-out the tax – as well as the state sales tax on other essentials like diapers and feminine hygiene products, which were not included in the 2022 bill. <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMTkuNjg0ODkwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL0tTT0cvMjAyMi8xMi8xOS9maWxlX2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzLzIzNTkwNDQvRm9vZCwlMjBEaWFwZXJzJTIwU2FsZXMlMjBUYXglMjBHTy5wZGYifQ.z-nkXPKBg040y7qweU_Q6IYetlzLqOGaz6Nb1422II8/s/1303160919/br/150839455829-l" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view a draft of the bill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671475675863.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The second part of the ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would create a three-day zero percent sales tax holiday on school supplies, personal computers, instructional materials, and art supplies, every August. The holiday would provide relief to families and teachers gearing up for back to school and keep Kansas retailers competitive to surrounding states.&nbsp; <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/KSOG/2022/12/19/file_attachments/2359061/School%20Sales%20Tax%20Holiday%20GO.pdf">Click&nbsp;here</a> to view a draft of the bill.Right now, Kansans earning less than $75,000 annually do not pay state income tax on social security income. But once they earn a dollar more – including through investments and life insurance policies – the entirety of their social security income is subject to state income tax. The third part of Governor Kelly’s ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan would smooth out that cliff so no Kansan making under $100,000 pays full taxes on social security. View the bill draft&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMTkuNjg0ODkwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL0tTT0cvMjAyMi8xMi8xOS9maWxlX2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzLzIzNTkwNjMvU29jaWFsJTIwU2VjdXJpdHklMjBDbGlmZiUyMEdPLnBkZiJ9.ZtBOfFmEiSob6YfBpZBi7j5fBBx1-KghwJXzajqn95Y/s/1303160919/br/150839455829-l" target="_blank">here</a>.These tax cuts are possible through Governor Kelly’s fiscal responsibility and leadership during her first term as governor.“I am calling on legislators of both parties to support these bills and provide practical financial relief to families and retirees across our great state,”&nbsp;she said.

Gov. unveils plan to immediately ‘axe tax’ on groceries, diapers

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-attorney-general-elect-selects-retired-appellate-judge-to-be-states-solicitor-general/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Attorney General-elect 
Kris Kobach on Monday said he would hire a retired judge from the Kansas
 Court of Appeals to serve as solicitor general responsible for 
representing the state in civil and criminal appellate cases.

Kobach appointed Anthony Powell, who retired from the Court of 
Appeals in June, to the position. In 2013, Powell was selected for the 
Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Sam Brownback. He sought a seat on the 
Kansas Supreme Court in 2014, but wasn’t chosen by Brownback.

Powell previously served for a decade as a Sedgwick County District 
Court judge and four terms as a Republican member of the Kansas House.

“Judge Powell has earned great respect in the Kansas legal 
community,” Kobach said. “As a former judge himself, he knows how to 
effectively defend the rights of Kansans in state and federal courts. He
 will be a formidable litigator for the state of Kansas.”

Upon Kobach’s swearing in as attorney general, Powell would replace 
Brant Laue, who has served as Kansas solicitor general under Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt since 2020. Laue succeeded Toby Crouse, who was 
appointed by President Donald Trump to the U.S. District Court.

Powell said said he would sustain the “skilled professionalism from 
the solicitor’s office that I witnessed firsthand as a judge on the 
Kansas Court of Appeals.”

“I intend to advance sound legal arguments to the court and 
aggressively advocate for the people of Kansas as solicitor general,” 
Powell said.

On the Court of Appeals, he authored nearly 700 opinions. He graduated from law school at Washburn University in Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671463145877.png" alt="Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach selected former Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Anthony Powell to serve as the state’s solicitor general. Powell was appointed to the Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Sam Brownback and served four terms as a Republican in the Kansas House. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach selected former Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Anthony Powell to serve as the state’s solicitor general. Powell was appointed to the Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Sam Brownback and served four terms as a Republican in the Kansas House. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-attorney-general-elect-selects-retired-appellate-judge-to-be-states-solicitor-general/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Attorney General-elect 
Kris Kobach on Monday said he would hire a retired judge from the Kansas
 Court of Appeals to serve as solicitor general responsible for 
representing the state in civil and criminal appellate cases.Kobach appointed Anthony Powell, who retired from the Court of 
Appeals in June, to the position. In 2013, Powell was selected for the 
Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Sam Brownback. He sought a seat on the 
Kansas Supreme Court in 2014, but wasn’t chosen by Brownback.Powell previously served for a decade as a Sedgwick County District 
Court judge and four terms as a Republican member of the Kansas House.“Judge Powell has earned great respect in the Kansas legal 
community,” Kobach said. “As a former judge himself, he knows how to 
effectively defend the rights of Kansans in state and federal courts. He
 will be a formidable litigator for the state of Kansas.”Upon Kobach’s swearing in as attorney general, Powell would replace 
Brant Laue, who has served as Kansas solicitor general under Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt since 2020. Laue succeeded Toby Crouse, who was 
appointed by President Donald Trump to the U.S. District Court.Powell said said he would sustain the “skilled professionalism from 
the solicitor’s office that I witnessed firsthand as a judge on the 
Kansas Court of Appeals.”“I intend to advance sound legal arguments to the court and 
aggressively advocate for the people of Kansas as solicitor general,” 
Powell said.On the Court of Appeals, he authored nearly 700 opinions. He graduated from law school at Washburn University in Topeka.

Kobach selects retired appellate judge to be Kan. solicitor general

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed on a <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20080133">$1.5 million dollar bond</a> in connection with the abduction of a girl from Arkansas is expected in court in Wichita Monday afternoon, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Just after midnight Dec. 14, a detective with the White County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office contacted Wichita Police requesting assistance locating a missing child from their jurisdiction, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

&nbsp; A 14-year-old girl had left her home in Arkansas in early November and not returned.&nbsp; A follow-up investigation by White County detectives revealed she had been <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=466582265583859&amp;set=pcb.461551719420247">seen in a convenience store</a> with a man before leaving in a vehicle with the same man later identified as 35-year-old&nbsp;David E. Roark of Wichita. Police also learned Roark was wanted on two warrants from the state of Kentucky.

Additional information provided by White County suggested that Roark was possibly in the Wichita area. 

The Wichita Police Exploited and Missing Child Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating and located an address in the 1800 block of N. Litchfield in Wichita, where they believed Roark was staying. 

Police observed Roark leaving the home and took him into custody. Officers then found the missing girl in a closet inside the house. Police took both of them for additional interviews, where it was discovered further crimes had occurred in Wichita.

A search warrant for the residence was completed, and David Roark was <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20080133">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on local requested charges of criminal restraint, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, abuse of a child and the two Kentucky warrants. The girl has been reunited with her family, according to Ditch.&nbsp;

Police presented the case to the District Attorney’s Office Friday morning, ahead of his court appearance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671221717558.png" alt="Roark-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Roark-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed on a <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20080133">$1.5 million dollar bond</a> in connection with the abduction of a girl from Arkansas is expected in court in Wichita Monday afternoon, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Just after midnight Dec. 14, a detective with the White County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office contacted Wichita Police requesting assistance locating a missing child from their jurisdiction, according to Officer Chad Ditch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671287383491.png" alt="Security camera image White County, Arkansas sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image White County, Arkansas sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; A 14-year-old girl had left her home in Arkansas in early November and not returned.&nbsp; A follow-up investigation by White County detectives revealed she had been <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=466582265583859&amp;set=pcb.461551719420247">seen in a convenience store</a> with a man before leaving in a vehicle with the same man later identified as 35-year-old&nbsp;David E. Roark of Wichita. Police also learned Roark was wanted on two warrants from the state of Kentucky.Additional information provided by White County suggested that Roark was possibly in the Wichita area. The Wichita Police Exploited and Missing Child Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating and located an address in the 1800 block of N. Litchfield in Wichita, where they believed Roark was staying. Police observed Roark leaving the home and took him into custody. Officers then found the missing girl in a closet inside the house. Police took both of them for additional interviews, where it was discovered further crimes had occurred in Wichita.A search warrant for the residence was completed, and David Roark was <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20080133">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on local requested charges of criminal restraint, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, abuse of a child and the two Kentucky warrants. The girl has been reunited with her family, according to Ditch.&nbsp;Police presented the case to the District Attorney’s Office Friday morning, ahead of his court appearance.

Kan. man accused of kidnapping 14-year-old is due in court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Since the pandemic began, the United States has been using a public health rule designed to limit the spread of disease to expel asylum-seekers on the southern border.

Title 42, as it's called, has been used more than 2.5 million times to expel migrants since March 2020, although that number includes people who repeatedly attempted to cross the border.

But because of a judge's ruling, starting next Wednesday immigration authorities can no longer use Title 42 to quickly expel prospective asylum-seekers. The change comes as surging numbers of people are seeking to enter the country through the southern border, and with Republicans intent on making immigration a key issue when they take control of the House in January.

A look at Title 42 and the potential impact of the ruling:

In March 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-Order-Prohibiting-Introduction-of-Persons_Final_3-20-20_3-p.pdf">issued an order limiting migration</a>&nbsp;across the southern and northern borders, saying it was necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The virus was ravaging the U.S., schools were shutting down and hospitals filling up, and President Donald Trump was trying numerous ways to limit migration, his signature political issue.

The order authorized Customs and Border Protection to immediately remove migrants, including people seeking asylum, to prevent the spread of the virus. The order said areas where migrants were held often weren't designed to quarantine people or allow for social distancing and could put border personnel and others at risk.

“The public health risks of inaction are stark," it said.

The Biden administration continued the policy. While many Democrats pushed President Joe Biden to overturn Trump's anti-immigration measures, some — especially in border states — have advocated to keep Title 42, saying the U.S. is unprepared for an increase in asylum-seekers. When the CDC moved to lift it earlier this year, moderate Democrats, including Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, wanted it to stay.

In 2021, a group representing immigrants who were denied the right to seek asylum sued to end the use of Title 42.

As that case made its way through the courts, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0401-title-42.html">CDC announced last April that</a>&nbsp;the rule was no longer needed because vaccines and treatments were becoming much more widespread.

That sparked Republican-leaning states to file their own lawsuit aimed at keeping Title 42 in place. The states argued that ending the rule would lead to a surge in migrants to their states that would in turn take a toll on their services. That argument found favor with a Trump-appointed judge in Louisiana who ordered keeping the restrictions in place. The judge found Biden’s administration failed to follow administrative procedures requiring public notice and time to gather public comment on the plan to end the restrictions.

But that ruling was effectively blocked by another federal judge in a separate lawsuit in Washington. That judge, appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton, ruled on Nov. 15 that the Biden administration must lift the asylum restrictions by Dec. 21. That ruling, addressing broader questions about Title 42, took precedence over the Texas ruling, cheering immigration advocates. In a key development, the federal government did not appeal to keep the public health restrictions in place.

“The court was correct to find that banning migrants, while allowing the rest of the country to open up, is unlawfully arbitrary, causes grave harm to desperate asylum-seekers, and overrides the United States’ legal commitments to provide a safe haven for those fleeing persecution," said Lee Gelernt, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-public-immigration-covid-5d5f77e27cba4a8063d36d0f384aa893">a group of conservative states</a>&nbsp;is asking the courts to keep Title 42 in place. The appeal argues that the cancellation of Title 42 “will cause an enormous disaster at the border” and the additional migrants will increase the states' costs for law enforcement, education and health care. A decision could come as early as Friday.

Not really. The Biden administration has not used it with children traveling alone, only single adults or families. And the ban has been unevenly enforced by nationality, falling largely on migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — in addition to Mexicans — because Mexico allows them to be returned from the United States. Last month, Mexico began accepting Venezuelans who are expelled from the United States under Title 42, causing a sharp drop in Venezuelans seeking asylum at the U.S. border.

Some other nationalities are less likely to be subject to Title 42 because costs or frayed relations with their home countries, Cuba for example, make it difficult for the U.S. to send them back. People from these countries have become a growing presence at the border, confident they will be released in the United States to pursue their immigration cases. In October, Cubans were the second-largest nationality at the border after Mexicans, followed by Venezuelans and Nicaraguans.

If it goes away, asylum-seekers will be interviewed by asylum officers who will determine if they have a “credible fear” of being persecuted in their home countries. If they're found to face a credible threat, they can stay in the U.S. until a final determination is made.

That can take years. While some are detained while their asylum process plays out, the vast majority are freed into the United States with notices to appear in immigration court or report to immigration authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/22_1213_plcy_update-sw-border-security-preparedness.pdf">a memo this week</a>&nbsp;that the current system is not designed "to handle the current volume of migration nor the increased volume we expect over the coming weeks and months.”

It said it is preparing for a possible surge by cracking down on smuggling networks, speeding removal of those found to have little basis to stay in the U.S., and working with international partners to stem migration. It said it's also seeking more money from Congress.

Republicans, who will control the House come January, are expected to make immigration a major issue. Already there have been calls to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Some Democrats have also voiced concern about what happens when Title 42 goes away. In a letter to Biden this week, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas joined two Texas Republicans — Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Tony Gonzales — in asking Biden to keep Title 42 in place, saying there was a crisis at the southern border and that DHS hadn't presented a plan to maintain control there.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="But because of a judge's ruling, starting Wednesday immigration authorities can no longer use Title 42 to quickly expel prospective asylum-seekers.&nbsp;photo courtesy Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>But because of a judge's ruling, starting Wednesday immigration authorities can no longer use Title 42 to quickly expel prospective asylum-seekers.&nbsp;photo courtesy Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Since the pandemic began, the United States has been using a public health rule designed to limit the spread of disease to expel asylum-seekers on the southern border.Title 42, as it's called, has been used more than 2.5 million times to expel migrants since March 2020, although that number includes people who repeatedly attempted to cross the border.But because of a judge's ruling, starting next Wednesday immigration authorities can no longer use Title 42 to quickly expel prospective asylum-seekers. The change comes as surging numbers of people are seeking to enter the country through the southern border, and with Republicans intent on making immigration a key issue when they take control of the House in January.A look at Title 42 and the potential impact of the ruling:HOW IT STARTEDIn March 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/CDC-Order-Prohibiting-Introduction-of-Persons_Final_3-20-20_3-p.pdf">issued an order limiting migration</a>&nbsp;across the southern and northern borders, saying it was necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The virus was ravaging the U.S., schools were shutting down and hospitals filling up, and President Donald Trump was trying numerous ways to limit migration, his signature political issue.The order authorized Customs and Border Protection to immediately remove migrants, including people seeking asylum, to prevent the spread of the virus. The order said areas where migrants were held often weren't designed to quarantine people or allow for social distancing and could put border personnel and others at risk.“The public health risks of inaction are stark," it said.The Biden administration continued the policy. While many Democrats pushed President Joe Biden to overturn Trump's anti-immigration measures, some — especially in border states — have advocated to keep Title 42, saying the U.S. is unprepared for an increase in asylum-seekers. When the CDC moved to lift it earlier this year, moderate Democrats, including Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, wanted it to stay.THE COURT FIGHTIn 2021, a group representing immigrants who were denied the right to seek asylum sued to end the use of Title 42.As that case made its way through the courts, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0401-title-42.html">CDC announced last April that</a>&nbsp;the rule was no longer needed because vaccines and treatments were becoming much more widespread.That sparked Republican-leaning states to file their own lawsuit aimed at keeping Title 42 in place. The states argued that ending the rule would lead to a surge in migrants to their states that would in turn take a toll on their services. That argument found favor with a Trump-appointed judge in Louisiana who ordered keeping the restrictions in place. The judge found Biden’s administration failed to follow administrative procedures requiring public notice and time to gather public comment on the plan to end the restrictions.But that ruling was effectively blocked by another federal judge in a separate lawsuit in Washington. That judge, appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton, ruled on Nov. 15 that the Biden administration must lift the asylum restrictions by Dec. 21. That ruling, addressing broader questions about Title 42, took precedence over the Texas ruling, cheering immigration advocates. In a key development, the federal government did not appeal to keep the public health restrictions in place.“The court was correct to find that banning migrants, while allowing the rest of the country to open up, is unlawfully arbitrary, causes grave harm to desperate asylum-seekers, and overrides the United States’ legal commitments to provide a safe haven for those fleeing persecution," said Lee Gelernt, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-public-immigration-covid-5d5f77e27cba4a8063d36d0f384aa893">a group of conservative states</a>&nbsp;is asking the courts to keep Title 42 in place. The appeal argues that the cancellation of Title 42 “will cause an enormous disaster at the border” and the additional migrants will increase the states' costs for law enforcement, education and health care. A decision could come as early as Friday.DOES TITLE 42 AFFECT ALL ASYLUM-SEEKERS?Not really. The Biden administration has not used it with children traveling alone, only single adults or families. And the ban has been unevenly enforced by nationality, falling largely on migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — in addition to Mexicans — because Mexico allows them to be returned from the United States. Last month, Mexico began accepting Venezuelans who are expelled from the United States under Title 42, causing a sharp drop in Venezuelans seeking asylum at the U.S. border.Some other nationalities are less likely to be subject to Title 42 because costs or frayed relations with their home countries, Cuba for example, make it difficult for the U.S. to send them back. People from these countries have become a growing presence at the border, confident they will be released in the United States to pursue their immigration cases. In October, Cubans were the second-largest nationality at the border after Mexicans, followed by Venezuelans and Nicaraguans.WHAT HAPPENS IF TITLE 42 ENDS?If it goes away, asylum-seekers will be interviewed by asylum officers who will determine if they have a “credible fear” of being persecuted in their home countries. If they're found to face a credible threat, they can stay in the U.S. until a final determination is made.That can take years. While some are detained while their asylum process plays out, the vast majority are freed into the United States with notices to appear in immigration court or report to immigration authorities.The Department of Homeland Security said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/22_1213_plcy_update-sw-border-security-preparedness.pdf">a memo this week</a>&nbsp;that the current system is not designed "to handle the current volume of migration nor the increased volume we expect over the coming weeks and months.”It said it is preparing for a possible surge by cracking down on smuggling networks, speeding removal of those found to have little basis to stay in the U.S., and working with international partners to stem migration. It said it's also seeking more money from Congress.Republicans, who will control the House come January, are expected to make immigration a major issue. Already there have been calls to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.Some Democrats have also voiced concern about what happens when Title 42 goes away. In a letter to Biden this week, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas joined two Texas Republicans — Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Tony Gonzales — in asking Biden to keep Title 42 in place, saying there was a crisis at the southern border and that DHS hadn't presented a plan to maintain control there.

Immigration expected to surge as asylum rule ends

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that injured an officer at Kansas City International Airport Friday morning have two suspects in custody.

According to online jail records 34-year-old Lacy Perry remains in the Platte County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;disarming a peace officer or correctional officer while performing official duty, tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

Kevin Bloom, 40, remains jailed on requested charges of third-degree assault, resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death to any person.

Just before 5a.m., Kansas City police responded to report of suspicious vehicle in the long-term parking area at the airport, according to Sgt. Jacob Becchinna.

The officer identified a vehicle that matched the vehicle's description and attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation. The driver fled and the officer pursued the vehicle to North Bern Street and Northwest Cookingham near the airport entrance where both vehicles were involved in a crash. The officer suffered minor injuries, according to Becchinna.

Additional officers responded to assist with the man and woman inside the suspect vehicle. Officers took them into custody and they were placed into airport police vehicles.

During the course of placing the subjects inside the police cars a struggle ensued between one of the subjects and one of the backup officers. During the course of that struggle the officer was shot one time and received non-life threatening injuries. The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries.

Names of the injured officers have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671293481985.png" alt="Bloom-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Bloom-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that injured an officer at Kansas City International Airport Friday morning have two suspects in custody.According to online jail records 34-year-old Lacy Perry remains in the Platte County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;disarming a peace officer or correctional officer while performing official duty, tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671293454487.png" alt="Perry-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Perry-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kevin Bloom, 40, remains jailed on requested charges of third-degree assault, resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death to any person.Just before 5a.m., Kansas City police responded to report of suspicious vehicle in the long-term parking area at the airport, according to Sgt. Jacob Becchinna.The officer identified a vehicle that matched the vehicle's description and attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation. The driver fled and the officer pursued the vehicle to North Bern Street and Northwest Cookingham near the airport entrance where both vehicles were involved in a crash. The officer suffered minor injuries, according to Becchinna.Additional officers responded to assist with the man and woman inside the suspect vehicle. Officers took them into custody and they were placed into airport police vehicles.During the course of placing the subjects inside the police cars a struggle ensued between one of the subjects and one of the backup officers. During the course of that struggle the officer was shot one time and received non-life threatening injuries. The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries.Names of the injured officers have not been released.

Police ID suspects in shooting that injured KC Airport police officer 

BARTON COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of an explosion and fire in Hoisington.

Just after 10:30a.m. Saturday, crews respond to a metal shop burning with a motor home inside burning also, according to a social media report from the Barton County Fire District #2

The motor home had exploded causing the fire. Heavy black smoke could be seen from first arriving trucks.

&nbsp;It was later discovered that the property owner was in the building at the time of the explosion. A private vehicle transported the owner to the hospital in Great Bend and the individual was later flown to a Wichita hospital for treatment of burns.

&nbsp;After the fire was knocked down Great Bend fire crews responded to provide mutual aide to give relief to other firefighters.&nbsp; The state fire marshal is investigating.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671449542843.png" alt="Photos courtesy Barton County Fire District 2" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Barton County Fire District 2</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of an explosion and fire in Hoisington.Just after 10:30a.m. Saturday, crews respond to a metal shop burning with a motor home inside burning also, according to a social media report from the Barton County Fire District #2The motor home had exploded causing the fire. Heavy black smoke could be seen from first arriving trucks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671450205112.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;It was later discovered that the property owner was in the building at the time of the explosion. A private vehicle transported the owner to the hospital in Great Bend and the individual was later flown to a Wichita hospital for treatment of burns.&nbsp;After the fire was knocked down Great Bend fire crews responded to provide mutual aide to give relief to other firefighters.&nbsp; The state fire marshal is investigating.

Kan. owner airlifted to hospital after motorhome explodes

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia's Foreign Ministry warned that if the U.S. delivers sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine, those systems and any crews that accompany them would be a “legitimate target” for the Russian military, a blunt threat that was quickly rejected by Washington.

The exchange of statements reflected soaring Russia-U.S. tensions amid the fighting in Ukraine, which is now in its 10th month.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the U.S. had “effectively become a party” to the war by providing Ukraine with weapons and training its troops. She added that if reports about U.S. intentions to provide Kyiv with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">Patriot surface-to-air missile system</a>&nbsp;prove true, it would become “another provocative move by the U.S.” and broaden its involvement in the hostilities, "entailing possible consequences.”

“Any weapons systems supplied to Ukraine, including the Patriot, along with the personnel servicing them, have been and will remain legitimate priority targets for the Russian armed forces,” Zakharova declared.

Asked about the Russian warning, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder responded that the U.S. was "not going to allow comments from Russia to dictate the security assistance that we provide to Ukraine.”

“I find it ironic and very telling that officials from a country that brutally attacked its neighbor — in an illegal and unprovoked invasion, through a campaign that is deliberately targeting and killing innocent civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure — that they would choose to use words like ‘provocative’ to describe defensive systems that are meant to save lives and protect civilians,” Ryder said.

U.S. officials said Tuesday that Washington was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-government-and-politics-ba8468e34e3c7eb78bdc47393c417ecb">poised to approve sending a Patriot missile battery</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders desperate for more robust weapons to shoot down incoming Russian missiles that have crippled much of the country's vital infrastructure. An official announcement is expected soon.

Operating and maintaining a Patriot battery requires&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-politics-government-and-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">as many as 90 troops</a>, and for months the U.S. has been reluctant to provide the complex systems because sending American forces into Ukraine to run them is a nonstarter for President Joe Biden's administration.

Even without the presence of U.S. service members to train Ukrainians on use of the system, concerns remain that deployment of the missiles could provoke Russia or risk that a fired projectile could hit inside Russia and further escalate the conflict.

Russia has repeatedly claimed that its forces struck Western-supplied weapons in Ukraine, but those statements have been impossible to verify.

Ukraine has so far been cautious in reacting to the reports.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, told reporters Thursday in Kyiv that the delivery of such weaponry remains “sensitive not only for Ukraine, but for our partners,” and that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov would make any official announcement on such an agreement.

White House and Pentagon leaders have said consistently that providing Ukraine with additional air defenses is a priority, and Patriot missiles have been under consideration for some time. As the winter closed in and the Russian bombardment of civilian infrastructure escalated, officials said, the idea became a higher priority.

Until now, the U.S. and other NATO allies have provided Ukraine with short- and medium-range air defense systems that can down Russian aircraft and drones but not ballistic and cruise missiles.

Ukraine's electricity provider said Thursday that the country’s energy system had a “significant deficit of electricity,” and that emergency shutdowns had been applied in some areas as temperatures hover around or below freezing.

The state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo warned in a statement on Facebook that damage caused to energy infrastructure by Russian attacks is being compounded by harsh weather, including snow, ice and strong winds.

The southern Ukrainian city of Kherson was left completely without power following Russian shelling, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, who wrote on Telegram. He added that two people were killed in the attacks.

Heavy shelling of the city’s Korabelny district was still underway in the afternoon, and Russian shells hit 100 meters (yards) from the regional administration building, he said.

Amid the infrastructure attacks and power outages across the country, seven civilians were killed and 19 wounded on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a report issued by the Ukrainian president's office.

The head of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk province, Pavlo Kyrylenko, reported that Russian strikes the previous day had killed two civilians and wounded seven.

Kremlin-backed authorities in the region, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in September, announced that Russia had taken control of 80% of the city of Marinka, seen as critical to Ukrainian hopes of retaking the Russian-held regional capital, Donetsk.

The Moscow-installed mayor of Donetsk, Aleksei Kulemzin, said Thursday that the city center had been hit by “the most massive strike” since the area came under the control of Russian-backed separatists in 2014.

Writing on Telegram, Kulemzin said 40 Ukrainian rockets struck Donetsk on Thursday morning, noting that multistory residential buildings were hit and that fires broke out at a hospital and university campus.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces shelled Russia’s western Kursk province, according to regional Gov. Roman Starovoyt. Six shells reportedly struck a farm in the province’s Belovsky district, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy province. There were no casualties, Starovoyt wrote on Telegram.

— The European Union said it approved a new package of sanctions aimed at ramping up pressure on Russia for the war. The package was approved after days of deliberations during a meeting of the 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors.

— Russia continued to build up its military presence in Belarus, a senior Ukrainian military official said. According to Brig. Gen. Oleksiy Hromov, Russian units “are undergoing training and combat coordination” in Belarus, with the Kremlin using Belarusian officers and training grounds to improve the combat capability of existing units, as well as to train newly created units.

Speaking at a press briefing, Hromov said the probability of a Russian offensive from Belarus “remains low,” but he highlighted that the transfer of Russian weapons to Belarus is ongoing, including three hypersonic missile-carrying aircraft, a set of tanks and a long-range radar-detection aircraft.

— Russia's Foreign Ministry said the Vatican has apologized for a statement Pope Francis made in a recent interview in which he singled out two Russian ethnic minorities — the Chechens and the Buryats — as being “the most cruel” participants in the war in Ukraine.

At a briefing, Zakharova quoted from what she said was a message from the Vatican that “apologizes to the Russian side” for the pope's comments. Zakharova praised the message, saying that it showed the Vatican’s “ability to conduct dialogue and listen to interlocutors.” A Vatican spokesman would say only that there had been diplomatic contacts on the matter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="-Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin via AP" />
 <figcaption>-Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin via AP</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia's Foreign Ministry warned that if the U.S. delivers sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine, those systems and any crews that accompany them would be a “legitimate target” for the Russian military, a blunt threat that was quickly rejected by Washington.The exchange of statements reflected soaring Russia-U.S. tensions amid the fighting in Ukraine, which is now in its 10th month.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the U.S. had “effectively become a party” to the war by providing Ukraine with weapons and training its troops. She added that if reports about U.S. intentions to provide Kyiv with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">Patriot surface-to-air missile system</a>&nbsp;prove true, it would become “another provocative move by the U.S.” and broaden its involvement in the hostilities, "entailing possible consequences.”“Any weapons systems supplied to Ukraine, including the Patriot, along with the personnel servicing them, have been and will remain legitimate priority targets for the Russian armed forces,” Zakharova declared.Asked about the Russian warning, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder responded that the U.S. was "not going to allow comments from Russia to dictate the security assistance that we provide to Ukraine.”“I find it ironic and very telling that officials from a country that brutally attacked its neighbor — in an illegal and unprovoked invasion, through a campaign that is deliberately targeting and killing innocent civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure — that they would choose to use words like ‘provocative’ to describe defensive systems that are meant to save lives and protect civilians,” Ryder said.U.S. officials said Tuesday that Washington was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-government-and-politics-ba8468e34e3c7eb78bdc47393c417ecb">poised to approve sending a Patriot missile battery</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders desperate for more robust weapons to shoot down incoming Russian missiles that have crippled much of the country's vital infrastructure. An official announcement is expected soon.Operating and maintaining a Patriot battery requires&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-politics-government-and-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">as many as 90 troops</a>, and for months the U.S. has been reluctant to provide the complex systems because sending American forces into Ukraine to run them is a nonstarter for President Joe Biden's administration.Even without the presence of U.S. service members to train Ukrainians on use of the system, concerns remain that deployment of the missiles could provoke Russia or risk that a fired projectile could hit inside Russia and further escalate the conflict.Russia has repeatedly claimed that its forces struck Western-supplied weapons in Ukraine, but those statements have been impossible to verify.Ukraine has so far been cautious in reacting to the reports.Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, told reporters Thursday in Kyiv that the delivery of such weaponry remains “sensitive not only for Ukraine, but for our partners,” and that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov would make any official announcement on such an agreement.White House and Pentagon leaders have said consistently that providing Ukraine with additional air defenses is a priority, and Patriot missiles have been under consideration for some time. As the winter closed in and the Russian bombardment of civilian infrastructure escalated, officials said, the idea became a higher priority.Until now, the U.S. and other NATO allies have provided Ukraine with short- and medium-range air defense systems that can down Russian aircraft and drones but not ballistic and cruise missiles.Ukraine's electricity provider said Thursday that the country’s energy system had a “significant deficit of electricity,” and that emergency shutdowns had been applied in some areas as temperatures hover around or below freezing.The state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo warned in a statement on Facebook that damage caused to energy infrastructure by Russian attacks is being compounded by harsh weather, including snow, ice and strong winds.The southern Ukrainian city of Kherson was left completely without power following Russian shelling, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, who wrote on Telegram. He added that two people were killed in the attacks.Heavy shelling of the city’s Korabelny district was still underway in the afternoon, and Russian shells hit 100 meters (yards) from the regional administration building, he said.Amid the infrastructure attacks and power outages across the country, seven civilians were killed and 19 wounded on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a report issued by the Ukrainian president's office.The head of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk province, Pavlo Kyrylenko, reported that Russian strikes the previous day had killed two civilians and wounded seven.Kremlin-backed authorities in the region, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in September, announced that Russia had taken control of 80% of the city of Marinka, seen as critical to Ukrainian hopes of retaking the Russian-held regional capital, Donetsk.The Moscow-installed mayor of Donetsk, Aleksei Kulemzin, said Thursday that the city center had been hit by “the most massive strike” since the area came under the control of Russian-backed separatists in 2014.Writing on Telegram, Kulemzin said 40 Ukrainian rockets struck Donetsk on Thursday morning, noting that multistory residential buildings were hit and that fires broke out at a hospital and university campus.Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces shelled Russia’s western Kursk province, according to regional Gov. Roman Starovoyt. Six shells reportedly struck a farm in the province’s Belovsky district, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy province. There were no casualties, Starovoyt wrote on Telegram.In other developments Thursday:— The European Union said it approved a new package of sanctions aimed at ramping up pressure on Russia for the war. The package was approved after days of deliberations during a meeting of the 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors.— Russia continued to build up its military presence in Belarus, a senior Ukrainian military official said. According to Brig. Gen. Oleksiy Hromov, Russian units “are undergoing training and combat coordination” in Belarus, with the Kremlin using Belarusian officers and training grounds to improve the combat capability of existing units, as well as to train newly created units.Speaking at a press briefing, Hromov said the probability of a Russian offensive from Belarus “remains low,” but he highlighted that the transfer of Russian weapons to Belarus is ongoing, including three hypersonic missile-carrying aircraft, a set of tanks and a long-range radar-detection aircraft.— Russia's Foreign Ministry said the Vatican has apologized for a statement Pope Francis made in a recent interview in which he singled out two Russian ethnic minorities — the Chechens and the Buryats — as being “the most cruel” participants in the war in Ukraine.At a briefing, Zakharova quoted from what she said was a message from the Vatican that “apologizes to the Russian side” for the pope's comments. Zakharova praised the message, saying that it showed the Vatican’s “ability to conduct dialogue and listen to interlocutors.” A Vatican spokesman would say only that there had been diplomatic contacts on the matter.

Russia: US crews, air defense systems could be targets in Ukraine

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run crash and asking for help to locate a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Angel Manuel Alvarado of Emporia.

Just before 7:30p.m. Thursday the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a car striking a pedestrian at 6th Ave and Constitution Street, according to Captain Lisa Hayes. 

The driver put the pedestrian into the vehicle and then drove to 4th Ave. and Congress Street. The driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot leaving the victim pedestrian in the vehicle.

Emporia Police and Fire responded to the scenes and the victim was transported to Newman Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.

The suspected driver and registered owner of the vehicle Alvarado is described as&nbsp; 4-foot-11 and weights approximately 145 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

After some investigation, police have determined there was a dark colored SUV, possibly a Chevy Suburban, in the immediate area at the time of the collision.

If you have any information about Alvarado’s location or this crash, please contact the Emporia Police Department at 620 343-4225.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671221075834.png" alt="Alvarado-photo Lyon Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Alvarado-photo Lyon Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run crash and asking for help to locate a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Angel Manuel Alvarado of Emporia.Just before 7:30p.m. Thursday the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a car striking a pedestrian at 6th Ave and Constitution Street, according to Captain Lisa Hayes. The driver put the pedestrian into the vehicle and then drove to 4th Ave. and Congress Street. The driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot leaving the victim pedestrian in the vehicle.Emporia Police and Fire responded to the scenes and the victim was transported to Newman Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.The suspected driver and registered owner of the vehicle Alvarado is described as&nbsp; 4-foot-11 and weights approximately 145 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.After some investigation, police have determined there was a dark colored SUV, possibly a Chevy Suburban, in the immediate area at the time of the collision.If you have any information about Alvarado’s location or this crash, please contact the Emporia Police Department at 620 343-4225.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

Suspect in fatal Kansas hit-and-run still at large

KANSAS CITY – A former youth minister in Joplin, Mo., was sentenced in federal court Friday for exchanging pornographic images and videos with a child victim.

Nicholas Lane Stephens, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Stephens to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration.

On March 15, 2022, Stephens pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. Stephens was formerly the youth minister at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Joplin.

The investigation began when a Children’s Division investigator received a hotline call reporting that Stephens, a volunteer at the church, was involved in inappropriate relationships with minor females at the church, including the 17-year-old victim identified in court documents as “Jane Doe.”

Jane Doe told investigators she sent nude images to Stephens via Snapchat in December 2019. Stephens sent Jane Doe several pornographic images of himself, as well as pornographic FaceTime videos. Examiners discovered a dozen images and one video of child pornography of Jane Doe on Stephens’s cell phone. There were also numerous messages between Jane Doe and Stephens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671206989157.png" alt="Stephens-photo St. Clair Co." />
 <figcaption>Stephens-photo St. Clair Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A former youth minister in Joplin, Mo., was sentenced in federal court Friday for exchanging pornographic images and videos with a child victim.Nicholas Lane Stephens, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Stephens to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration.On March 15, 2022, Stephens pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. Stephens was formerly the youth minister at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Joplin.The investigation began when a Children’s Division investigator received a hotline call reporting that Stephens, a volunteer at the church, was involved in inappropriate relationships with minor females at the church, including the 17-year-old victim identified in court documents as “Jane Doe.”Jane Doe told investigators she sent nude images to Stephens via Snapchat in December 2019. Stephens sent Jane Doe several pornographic images of himself, as well as pornographic FaceTime videos. Examiners discovered a dozen images and one video of child pornography of Jane Doe on Stephens’s cell phone. There were also numerous messages between Jane Doe and Stephens.

Youth minister sentenced for exchanging child porn pictures

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City-area man is going to prison for his role in a fatal DUI crash.&nbsp;

Colby Byrd, 27, Wellington, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to DWI -- death of two and 4 years for pleading guilty to DWI -- serious physical injury. The sentences were set to run consecutively for a total of 16 years in prison, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

According to court records, on Feb. 10, 2021, police were dispatched to Little Blue Parkway and Truman Road on a vehicular crash. Officers found a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe had crossed over and struck a Nissan Sentra head-on, killing the driver and a front seat passenger and injuring two backseat passengers. Tests of Byrd's blood showed high levels of alcohol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671383115604.png" alt="Byrd photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Byrd photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City-area man is going to prison for his role in a fatal DUI crash.&nbsp;Colby Byrd, 27, Wellington, Mo., was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to DWI -- death of two and 4 years for pleading guilty to DWI -- serious physical injury. The sentences were set to run consecutively for a total of 16 years in prison, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.According to court records, on Feb. 10, 2021, police were dispatched to Little Blue Parkway and Truman Road on a vehicular crash. Officers found a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe had crossed over and struck a Nissan Sentra head-on, killing the driver and a front seat passenger and injuring two backseat passengers. Tests of Byrd's blood showed high levels of alcohol.