KANSAS CITY (AP) — The latest evidence that homeownership is becoming increasingly less accessible to many Americans: Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to a nearly 30-year low for the second time in as many years.

<a href="https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=I+will+never+understand+going+to+reddit+and+asking+a+sub+to+answer+the+most+basic+internet+searches" target="_blank">Elevated mortgage rates</a>, a yearslong shortage of homes on the market and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fannie-freddie-conforming-loans-mortgage-financing-6ac6d57887e4cfc48dcbba823f0602b7">record-high home prices</a>&nbsp;continued to stymie prospective home shoppers, especially first-time buyers.

That led existing home sales to fall 0.7% last year to 4.06 million — the weakest showing for home sales since 1995 and edging out the terrible year for sales in 2023, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.

Even in the midst of a sales slump, a dearth of homes on the market and rising mortgage rates gave sellers an edge over buyers, helping drive up the national median home price for all of last year to an all-time high $407,500, an increase of 4.7% from a year earlier.

“How is it possible that home sales can be this low, considering that the U.S. population has increased by more than 70 million over this time period from 1995 to today?” asked Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist. “One can partly answer that question because of the affordability issue. Record-high home prices, mortgage rates having risen, but also lack of inventory.”

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage surged to a 23-year high of nearly 8% in October 2023 and briefly fell to a 2-year low last September, but has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-loan-c0761e8cbd4dba18f682541a18ae0fb2">mostly hovering around 7%,</a>&nbsp;according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.

The buying power of Americans now facing higher costs to borrow money for homes that have soared in value has been significantly stunted. With so few homes up for sale, millions of would-be homebuyers have found themselves on the sidelines.

At the end of December, there were just 1.15 million homes on the market, NAR said. While that was up 16.2% from a year earlier, the inventory remained well below the annual historical average of about 1.98 million, according to data going back to 1999.

The available inventory at the end of last month amounts to a 3.3-month supply, going by the current sales pace. In a more balanced market between buyers and sellers, there is a 4- to 6-month supply.

“This means that the problems in the U.S. housing market continue to worsen in terms of availability of homes for sale and the upward pressure on home prices,” Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James, wrote in a research note.

Many factors have contributed to the housing shortage, including more than a decade of below-average new home construction and homeowners hanging on to their properties longer. And while President Donald Trump made increasing the housing supply one of his election campaign platforms, there are no quick fixes.

“Over the past decade, the U.S. has averaged about 5.2 million home sales annually,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “It is going to take years before we are back at that level, maybe not even until the 2030s. The lack of inventory is the key constraint.”

A sharp drop in the mortgage rate boosted the purchasing power of Americans in 2020 and 2021. While many economists predict that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will ease this year, they generally don’t expect it to fall below 6%, about twice what it was five years ago.

When mortgage rates ease, they can encourage home shoppers. A pullback in rates last fall helped home sales increase on a monthly basis in the last three months of the year.

Home sales in December rose 2.2% from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis to a 4.24 million annual pace, NAR said. That topped the 4.2 million pace forecast by analysts polled by FactSet. Sales rose 9.3% in December versus the same month last year.

The median home sales price rose for the 18th consecutive month in December to $404,000, up 6% from a year earlier.

Limited inventory, especially in the more affordable price range of a given market, helps drive prices higher. That’s one reason many first-time homebuyers, who don’t have any home equity to put toward their down payment, continue to struggle.

They accounted for 31% of all homes sold last month, up from 30% in November and 29% in December 2023. However, the annual share of first-time buyers was 24%. It’s been 40% historically.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;ALEX VEIGAUKANSAS CITY (AP) — The latest evidence that homeownership is becoming increasingly less accessible to many Americans: Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to a nearly 30-year low for the second time in as many years.<a href="https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=I+will+never+understand+going+to+reddit+and+asking+a+sub+to+answer+the+most+basic+internet+searches" target="_blank">Elevated mortgage rates</a>, a yearslong shortage of homes on the market and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fannie-freddie-conforming-loans-mortgage-financing-6ac6d57887e4cfc48dcbba823f0602b7">record-high home prices</a>&nbsp;continued to stymie prospective home shoppers, especially first-time buyers.That led existing home sales to fall 0.7% last year to 4.06 million — the weakest showing for home sales since 1995 and edging out the terrible year for sales in 2023, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.Even in the midst of a sales slump, a dearth of homes on the market and rising mortgage rates gave sellers an edge over buyers, helping drive up the national median home price for all of last year to an all-time high $407,500, an increase of 4.7% from a year earlier.“How is it possible that home sales can be this low, considering that the U.S. population has increased by more than 70 million over this time period from 1995 to today?” asked Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist. “One can partly answer that question because of the affordability issue. Record-high home prices, mortgage rates having risen, but also lack of inventory.”The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage surged to a 23-year high of nearly 8% in October 2023 and briefly fell to a 2-year low last September, but has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-loan-c0761e8cbd4dba18f682541a18ae0fb2">mostly hovering around 7%,</a>&nbsp;according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.The buying power of Americans now facing higher costs to borrow money for homes that have soared in value has been significantly stunted. With so few homes up for sale, millions of would-be homebuyers have found themselves on the sidelines.At the end of December, there were just 1.15 million homes on the market, NAR said. While that was up 16.2% from a year earlier, the inventory remained well below the annual historical average of about 1.98 million, according to data going back to 1999.The available inventory at the end of last month amounts to a 3.3-month supply, going by the current sales pace. In a more balanced market between buyers and sellers, there is a 4- to 6-month supply.“This means that the problems in the U.S. housing market continue to worsen in terms of availability of homes for sale and the upward pressure on home prices,” Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James, wrote in a research note.Many factors have contributed to the housing shortage, including more than a decade of below-average new home construction and homeowners hanging on to their properties longer. And while President Donald Trump made increasing the housing supply one of his election campaign platforms, there are no quick fixes.“Over the past decade, the U.S. has averaged about 5.2 million home sales annually,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “It is going to take years before we are back at that level, maybe not even until the 2030s. The lack of inventory is the key constraint.”A sharp drop in the mortgage rate boosted the purchasing power of Americans in 2020 and 2021. While many economists predict that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will ease this year, they generally don’t expect it to fall below 6%, about twice what it was five years ago.When mortgage rates ease, they can encourage home shoppers. A pullback in rates last fall helped home sales increase on a monthly basis in the last three months of the year.Home sales in December rose 2.2% from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis to a 4.24 million annual pace, NAR said. That topped the 4.2 million pace forecast by analysts polled by FactSet. Sales rose 9.3% in December versus the same month last year.The median home sales price rose for the 18th consecutive month in December to $404,000, up 6% from a year earlier.Limited inventory, especially in the more affordable price range of a given market, helps drive prices higher. That’s one reason many first-time homebuyers, who don’t have any home equity to put toward their down payment, continue to struggle.They accounted for 31% of all homes sold last month, up from 30% in November and 29% in December 2023. However, the annual share of first-time buyers was 24%. It’s been 40% historically.

US home sales fall to lowest level in nearly 30 years 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;came to Las Vegas on Saturday to crow about his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips, signaling to allies in Congress the importance of the policy but stopping well short of offering details for making the slogan a reality.

Instead, Trump spent most of his 40 minutes speaking to roughly 1,000 supporters in a casino ballroom lauding his November election victory, mocking former President Joe Biden's administration and touting his torrent of executive actions since taking office Monday.

“But I have to be honest with you, I'm really here for a different reason, I'm here to say thank you," Trump told the crowd at Circa Resort &amp; Casino.

The victory lap, Trump's first swing-state rally since taking office, came after he won Nevada's six electoral votes in November, becoming the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to carry the state. It was part of Trump's sweep of all seven of the most competitive states that gave him a healthy electoral majority and a second, non-consecutive term.

Aides said Trump's stop in Nevada was to deliver an "economic-focused message" built around his familiar promise to hospitality industry workers to remove the tax on gratuity income.

“We're going to get it for you — ‘no tax on tips,’” Trump said, standing behind a podium emblazoned with the same slogan he used throughout the 2024 campaign.

After the rally, Trump strode through the Circa casino floor past its purple-hewed velvet tables, to cheers from visitors of “USA, USA.” At a roulette table, a player yelled, “Give me $47 on 47,” for Trump, now the 47th president. “Ohh,” Trump lamented at the losing throw but he signed autographs as supporters hooted.

If light on detail, Trump's comments on tips were a signal to Republicans in Congress that the proposal is a priority for the massive tax package they intend to pass this year. Trump is set to meet House Republicans on Monday as they gather in Florida to chart the strategy ahead.

Speaker Mike Johnson, who is laboring to get the package moving forward, invited Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4, a tradition for new presidents, who don’t deliver a State of the Union address until their second year in office. Johnson said lawmakers working with Trump hope to make the next four years "some of the most consequential in our nation’s history.”

Nevada is a familiar backdrop to talk tips and taxation. As a candidate, Trump first announced the idea of ending gratuity taxes during a rally in June in Las Vegas — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-walz-nevada-trump-las-vegas-ac21118dbb24290e46d32ad9669507d4">proposal later copied</a>&nbsp;by his Democratic opponent,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are 2.24 million restaurant servers across the country, with tips making up a large percentage of their income.

In Las Vegas, the 24-hour economy is fueled by everyone from wait staff and valet parkers to hotel maids and casino dealers, all of whom collect tips. Nevada has the nation’s highest concentration of tipped workers, with about 25.8 waiters and waitresses alone per 1,000 jobs, followed by Hawaii and Florida.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, which represents about 60,000 hospitality workers across Nevada, said Trump’s plans “must not end” with scrapping taxation on tips.

“Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage — that is the reality in too many states across the country — will uplift millions of hospitality workers,” Pappageorge said. He said many employers set hourly pay well below the federal minimum wage and expect gratuities to make up the difference.

Despite the stated focus on taxes, the Nevada rally served mostly as a capstone of sorts to Trump’s first week in office, as he recounted for the crowd the executive orders he’d signed and what they'll do.

“We’ve accomplished more in one week than most administrations have experienced in four years and we’re just getting started,” Trump said, adding that his executive orders “reverse the horrible failures and betrayals that we inherited from a group of people that didn’t know what the hell they were doing.”

Trump cited a sweeping freeze on new money for all U.S. foreign assistance, his notice of a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and his order ceasing diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government, among other things.

“We feel a light over our country," Trump said. ”Everyone does."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737846846313.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;came to Las Vegas on Saturday to crow about his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips, signaling to allies in Congress the importance of the policy but stopping well short of offering details for making the slogan a reality.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OXo-XBvMAUQ?si=mFg7mkE_gLDGmNoX&amp;start=8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Instead, Trump spent most of his 40 minutes speaking to roughly 1,000 supporters in a casino ballroom lauding his November election victory, mocking former President Joe Biden's administration and touting his torrent of executive actions since taking office Monday.“But I have to be honest with you, I'm really here for a different reason, I'm here to say thank you," Trump told the crowd at Circa Resort &amp; Casino.The victory lap, Trump's first swing-state rally since taking office, came after he won Nevada's six electoral votes in November, becoming the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to carry the state. It was part of Trump's sweep of all seven of the most competitive states that gave him a healthy electoral majority and a second, non-consecutive term.Aides said Trump's stop in Nevada was to deliver an "economic-focused message" built around his familiar promise to hospitality industry workers to remove the tax on gratuity income.“We're going to get it for you — ‘no tax on tips,’” Trump said, standing behind a podium emblazoned with the same slogan he used throughout the 2024 campaign.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Chants of ‘USA’ erupt when President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> walks out on the casino floor in Las Vegas 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/zpzk3NUHBr">pic.twitter.com/zpzk3NUHBr</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1883271223842590975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After the rally, Trump strode through the Circa casino floor past its purple-hewed velvet tables, to cheers from visitors of “USA, USA.” At a roulette table, a player yelled, “Give me $47 on 47,” for Trump, now the 47th president. “Ohh,” Trump lamented at the losing throw but he signed autographs as supporters hooted.If light on detail, Trump's comments on tips were a signal to Republicans in Congress that the proposal is a priority for the massive tax package they intend to pass this year. Trump is set to meet House Republicans on Monday as they gather in Florida to chart the strategy ahead.Speaker Mike Johnson, who is laboring to get the package moving forward, invited Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4, a tradition for new presidents, who don’t deliver a State of the Union address until their second year in office. Johnson said lawmakers working with Trump hope to make the next four years "some of the most consequential in our nation’s history.”Nevada is a familiar backdrop to talk tips and taxation. As a candidate, Trump first announced the idea of ending gratuity taxes during a rally in June in Las Vegas — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-walz-nevada-trump-las-vegas-ac21118dbb24290e46d32ad9669507d4">proposal later copied</a>&nbsp;by his Democratic opponent,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are 2.24 million restaurant servers across the country, with tips making up a large percentage of their income.In Las Vegas, the 24-hour economy is fueled by everyone from wait staff and valet parkers to hotel maids and casino dealers, all of whom collect tips. Nevada has the nation’s highest concentration of tipped workers, with about 25.8 waiters and waitresses alone per 1,000 jobs, followed by Hawaii and Florida.Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, which represents about 60,000 hospitality workers across Nevada, said Trump’s plans “must not end” with scrapping taxation on tips.“Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage — that is the reality in too many states across the country — will uplift millions of hospitality workers,” Pappageorge said. He said many employers set hourly pay well below the federal minimum wage and expect gratuities to make up the difference.Despite the stated focus on taxes, the Nevada rally served mostly as a capstone of sorts to Trump’s first week in office, as he recounted for the crowd the executive orders he’d signed and what they'll do.“We’ve accomplished more in one week than most administrations have experienced in four years and we’re just getting started,” Trump said, adding that his executive orders “reverse the horrible failures and betrayals that we inherited from a group of people that didn’t know what the hell they were doing.”Trump cited a sweeping freeze on new money for all U.S. foreign assistance, his notice of a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and his order ceasing diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government, among other things.“We feel a light over our country," Trump said. ”Everyone does."___Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

🎥 Trump leans into pledge to eliminate taxes on tips at Las Vegas rally

BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.

On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. 

Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter.

 During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. 

Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. 

After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736368995462.png" alt="ZENON-REYES" />
 <figcaption>ZENON-REYES</figcaption>
 </figure>BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter. During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

Search continues for teen murder suspect with ties to Kansas

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff.

 Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. 

The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. 

He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. 

The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. 

Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff. Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

Deputy saved stolen vehicle suspect's life after chase, crash

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22THOMAS%20BEAUMONT%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;was sworn in Saturday as the nation's 29th secretary of defense, quickly joining President Trump's Cabinet after a dramatic late-night vote in the Senate installed him as the Pentagon's leader.

Hegseth took the oath from Vice President JD Vance in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, at his side and Republican senators looking on. The ceremony came less than 12 hours after Vance broke a 50-50 tie in the Senate to narrowly seal Hegseth's confirmation.

In brief remarks, Hegseth outlined what he said were his guiding principles: “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”

“We don’t want to fight wars,” he added. "We want to deter them … and we want to end them responsibly. But if we need to fight them, we’re going to bring overwhelming and decisive force to close with and destroy the enemy and bring our boys home.”

Hegseth thanked Vance for his tiebreaking vote and joked that his children were happy their father “won in overtime.”

Below is the emailed message Hegseth sent to members of the military and released Saturday by the Department.

It is the privilege of a lifetime to lead the warriors of the Department of Defense, under the leadership of our Commander in Chief Donald J. Trump. We will put America First, and we will never back down.The President gave us a clear mission: achieve Peace through Strength. We will do this in three ways — by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence. &nbsp;

&nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will revive the warrior ethos and restore trust in our military. We are American warriors. We will defend our country. Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear. The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose.

&nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will rebuild our military by matching threats to capabilities. This means reviving our defense industrial base, reforming our acquisition process, passing a financial audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies. We will remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world.

&nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will reestablish deterrence by defending our homeland — on the ground and in the sky. We will work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by Communist China, as well as supporting the President's priority to end wars responsibly and reorient to key threats. We will stand by our allies — and our enemies are on notice.All of this will be done with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards, and readiness.I have committed my life to warfighters and their families.&nbsp;

Just as my fellow soldiers had my back on the battlefield, know that I will always have your back. We serve together at a dangerous time.&nbsp;Our enemies will neither rest nor relent. And neither will we. We will stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the urgency of this moment. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Like each of you, I love my country and swore an oath to defend the Constitution. We will do that each and every day, as one team. Together we will accomplish the President's mission to deter war, and if necessary, defeat and destroy our enemies. Godspeed!

“It is the honor of a lifetime, sir, to serve under you," Hegseth said, in thanking Trump, who was in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The unusually narrow confirmation for a defense secretary came after questions from members in both parties over Hegseth's qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behavior toward women.

For Hegseth, the challenges ahead are steep, as he takes charge of a sprawling bureaucracy at a time of severe challenges around the globe.

He enters office with far less experience than modern defense secretaries before him, acknowledging during his confirmation hearing that he’ll need to build an experienced team as he settles into the job. “I want smarter and more capable people around me than me, and you will get that at the department,” he said in his testimony.

Hegseth also lacks the broad bipartisan support that most have brought to the role. Every Senate Democrat voted against Hegseth’s confirmation, as did three Republicans deeply skeptical of his qualifications for the job.

Adding to the acrimony, Hegseth refused to meet with any Democrats before confirmation, breaking from tradition.

Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience — having been a combat veteran, veterans advocate and Fox News host — as well as behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the U.S. military.

But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth and round out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;top national security team.

Democrats, the minority in the Senate, had helped confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe in bipartisan votes. But they fiercely opposed Hegseth, with even the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee refusing to support him.

Reacting to the vote, Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer of New York said Republicans have “entrusted the most powerful military in the world to someone with no experience, terrible judgment and serious flaws of character.”

“I hope for the sake of our troops and the good of our country that he can eventually grow into the job,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Three Republicans — Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — also voted against Hegseth, questioning his qualifications for the job.

Hegseth faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman</a>&nbsp;at a Republican conference in California, though he has denied the claims and said the encounter was consensual. He later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sex-assault-payment-trump-6674cc8cfee654c374725948e01ff666">paid $50,000 to the woman</a>.

Hegseth also had promised during his confirmation hearings that he would not drink while on the job, were he to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, his opposition to women in combat became an issue after Trump announced his choice in November. But, in the face of questions from Congress, Hegseth appeared to shifted.

Asked about the issue on the “Megyn Kelly Show” in early December, Hegseth said he cares only that military standards are maintained. Women serve in combat, he said, and, “if we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.”

Hegseth told senators that he supports women in the military but wants to review standards to make sure they are not lowered to accommodate women.

At the swearing-in ceremony, a question directed to Hegseth about why women in the armed services should trust him was answered by Vance.

“All people in our armed services should trust him because he looks out for them and he is going to fight for them," Vance said.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22THOMAS%20BEAUMONT%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;was sworn in Saturday as the nation's 29th secretary of defense, quickly joining President Trump's Cabinet after a dramatic late-night vote in the Senate installed him as the Pentagon's leader.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Vice President Vance swears in Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. <a href="https://t.co/IwNTin2Zuj">pic.twitter.com/IwNTin2Zuj</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1883187394700062747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hegseth took the oath from Vice President JD Vance in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, at his side and Republican senators looking on. The ceremony came less than 12 hours after Vance broke a 50-50 tie in the Senate to narrowly seal Hegseth's confirmation.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The honor of a lifetime. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/zEFnTxQ7iX">pic.twitter.com/zEFnTxQ7iX</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1883193626739740999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In brief remarks, Hegseth outlined what he said were his guiding principles: “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”“We don’t want to fight wars,” he added. "We want to deter them … and we want to end them responsibly. But if we need to fight them, we’re going to bring overwhelming and decisive force to close with and destroy the enemy and bring our boys home.”Hegseth thanked Vance for his tiebreaking vote and joked that his children were happy their father “won in overtime.”Below is the emailed message Hegseth sent to members of the military and released Saturday by the Department.It is the privilege of a lifetime to lead the warriors of the Department of Defense, under the leadership of our Commander in Chief Donald J. Trump. We will put America First, and we will never back down.The President gave us a clear mission: achieve Peace through Strength. We will do this in three ways — by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence. &nbsp;&nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will revive the warrior ethos and restore trust in our military. We are American warriors. We will defend our country. Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear. The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose. &nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will rebuild our military by matching threats to capabilities. This means reviving our defense industrial base, reforming our acquisition process, passing a financial audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies. We will remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world.&nbsp;o&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We will reestablish deterrence by defending our homeland — on the ground and in the sky. We will work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by Communist China, as well as supporting the President's priority to end wars responsibly and reorient to key threats. We will stand by our allies — and our enemies are on notice.All of this will be done with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards, and readiness.I have committed my life to warfighters and their families.&nbsp;Just as my fellow soldiers had my back on the battlefield, know that I will always have your back. We serve together at a dangerous time.&nbsp;Our enemies will neither rest nor relent. And neither will we. We will stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the urgency of this moment. &nbsp; &nbsp;Like each of you, I love my country and swore an oath to defend the Constitution. We will do that each and every day, as one team. Together we will accomplish the President's mission to deter war, and if necessary, defeat and destroy our enemies. Godspeed!“It is the honor of a lifetime, sir, to serve under you," Hegseth said, in thanking Trump, who was in Las Vegas on Saturday.The unusually narrow confirmation for a defense secretary came after questions from members in both parties over Hegseth's qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behavior toward women.For Hegseth, the challenges ahead are steep, as he takes charge of a sprawling bureaucracy at a time of severe challenges around the globe.He enters office with far less experience than modern defense secretaries before him, acknowledging during his confirmation hearing that he’ll need to build an experienced team as he settles into the job. “I want smarter and more capable people around me than me, and you will get that at the department,” he said in his testimony.Hegseth also lacks the broad bipartisan support that most have brought to the role. Every Senate Democrat voted against Hegseth’s confirmation, as did three Republicans deeply skeptical of his qualifications for the job.Adding to the acrimony, Hegseth refused to meet with any Democrats before confirmation, breaking from tradition.Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience — having been a combat veteran, veterans advocate and Fox News host — as well as behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the U.S. military.But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth and round out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;top national security team.Democrats, the minority in the Senate, had helped confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe in bipartisan votes. But they fiercely opposed Hegseth, with even the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee refusing to support him.Reacting to the vote, Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer of New York said Republicans have “entrusted the most powerful military in the world to someone with no experience, terrible judgment and serious flaws of character.”“I hope for the sake of our troops and the good of our country that he can eventually grow into the job,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.Three Republicans — Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — also voted against Hegseth, questioning his qualifications for the job.Hegseth faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman</a>&nbsp;at a Republican conference in California, though he has denied the claims and said the encounter was consensual. He later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sex-assault-payment-trump-6674cc8cfee654c374725948e01ff666">paid $50,000 to the woman</a>.Hegseth also had promised during his confirmation hearings that he would not drink while on the job, were he to be confirmed.Meanwhile, his opposition to women in combat became an issue after Trump announced his choice in November. But, in the face of questions from Congress, Hegseth appeared to shifted.Asked about the issue on the “Megyn Kelly Show” in early December, Hegseth said he cares only that military standards are maintained. Women serve in combat, he said, and, “if we have the right standard and women meet that standard, roger. Let’s go.”Hegseth told senators that he supports women in the military but wants to review standards to make sure they are not lowered to accommodate women.At the swearing-in ceremony, a question directed to Hegseth about why women in the armed services should trust him was answered by Vance.“All people in our armed services should trust him because he looks out for them and he is going to fight for them," Vance said.___Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

Read first message to the military from man now in charge of the Pentagon 

KIOWA COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal&nbsp; car crash during a weekend pursuit have identified the victim who died as Jerry Wayne Thompson.

Anderson and the car were being sought as part of a homicide investigation in Anderson County, according to a media release from the KHP.

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, troopers saw the car traveling eastbound on U.S. 54 west of Greensburg. A troopers began to conduct a traffic stop, the car pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. After the trooper made verbal contact with Thompson, he fled and a pursuit ensued.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's office successfully deployed stop sticks on the fleeing vehicle approximately one mile west of Greensburg. The car traveled off the road into the south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled. Thompson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Investigators recovered a loaded firearm from the crash scene.

The KHP Critical Accident Response Team responded to the scene and is investigating.&nbsp; The homicide is under investigation in Anderson County.

KIOWA COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal rollover crash that occurred&nbsp; during a police pursuit just after 9p.m. Saturday in Kowa County.

&nbsp;The patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a vehicle eastbound on U.S. 54 one mile west of Greensburg.

The vehicle traveled into south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled multiple times coming to rest the field facing northeast. The KHP released no additional details early Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Check the Post for more information as it is released.

KIOWA COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal&nbsp; car crash during a weekend pursuit have identified the victim who died as Jerry Wayne Thompson.Anderson and the car were being sought as part of a homicide investigation in Anderson County, according to a media release from the KHP.Just after 9p.m. Saturday, troopers saw the car traveling eastbound on U.S. 54 west of Greensburg. A troopers began to conduct a traffic stop, the car pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. After the trooper made verbal contact with Thompson, he fled and a pursuit ensued.The Kiowa County Sheriff's office successfully deployed stop sticks on the fleeing vehicle approximately one mile west of Greensburg. The car traveled off the road into the south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled. Thompson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Investigators recovered a loaded firearm from the crash scene.The KHP Critical Accident Response Team responded to the scene and is investigating.&nbsp; The homicide is under investigation in Anderson County.---------KIOWA COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal rollover crash that occurred&nbsp; during a police pursuit just after 9p.m. Saturday in Kowa County.&nbsp;The patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a vehicle eastbound on U.S. 54 one mile west of Greensburg.The vehicle traveled into south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled multiple times coming to rest the field facing northeast. The KHP released no additional details early Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Check the Post for more information as it is released.

KHP investigating fatal rollover crash during police chase

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing charges in connection to a damaged gravesite headstone belonging to an unsolved homicide victim.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">JoSean Lee, 20, faces</a>&nbsp;charges of Harassment in the First Degree, Knowingly Disturbing a Burial Site, and Property Damage in the First Degree, all Class E felonies, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Deliberately destroying a burial site is not only a criminal offense but also inflicts lasting trauma on a family already grieving for their loved one. Regardless of age, if you choose to engage in this type of destructive and disrespectful behavior, you will face serious consequences. My office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent possible,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 5900 block of Bannister Road on a property damage report on January 13. They found the top portion of a headstone belonging to a victim of an unsolved homicide knocked over and damaged.&nbsp;

A detective viewed a video on Instagram showing two men, one identified as Lee, standing by the headstone and yelling at the grave. The defendant is seen pouring an unknown liquid on it. In the video, Lee is seen armed with a rifle. The video also shows Lee trying to light the liquid he poured on the headstone on fire with a lighter.&nbsp;

The funeral home that operates the graveyard advised the headstone will need to be replaced and estimated the cost for replacement and labor to reinstall would be about $7,500-7,800.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737643642843.png" alt="Cemetery is located in the 5900 block of Bannister Road-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Cemetery is located in the 5900 block of Bannister Road-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing charges in connection to a damaged gravesite headstone belonging to an unsolved homicide victim.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">JoSean Lee, 20, faces</a>&nbsp;charges of Harassment in the First Degree, Knowingly Disturbing a Burial Site, and Property Damage in the First Degree, all Class E felonies, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737841892184.png" alt="Lee photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Lee photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>“Deliberately destroying a burial site is not only a criminal offense but also inflicts lasting trauma on a family already grieving for their loved one. Regardless of age, if you choose to engage in this type of destructive and disrespectful behavior, you will face serious consequences. My office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent possible,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 5900 block of Bannister Road on a property damage report on January 13. They found the top portion of a headstone belonging to a victim of an unsolved homicide knocked over and damaged.&nbsp;A detective viewed a video on Instagram showing two men, one identified as Lee, standing by the headstone and yelling at the grave. The defendant is seen pouring an unknown liquid on it. In the video, Lee is seen armed with a rifle. The video also shows Lee trying to light the liquid he poured on the headstone on fire with a lighter.&nbsp;The funeral home that operates the graveyard advised the headstone will need to be replaced and estimated the cost for replacement and labor to reinstall would be about $7,500-7,800.&nbsp;

Man charged for alleged damage to grave of KC homicide victim

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.

Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737659507177.png" alt="Hill photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hill photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

Kansas stolen SUV suspect jailed after police chase

DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are reporting more fake cash circulating in Kansas.

On multiple occasions this week, individuals have attempted to pass fake $100 bills at Abilene businesses, according to a social media report from police.

The bills are not counterfeit but rather movie prop money. Please consider taking time to educate your employees on spotting these types of bills, and do not hesitate to contact the Abilene Police Department if you believe you have received one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737832903693.png" alt="Photo Abilene Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Abilene Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are reporting more fake cash circulating in Kansas.On multiple occasions this week, individuals have attempted to pass fake $100 bills at Abilene businesses, according to a social media report from police.The bills are not counterfeit but rather movie prop money. Please consider taking time to educate your employees on spotting these types of bills, and do not hesitate to contact the Abilene Police Department if you believe you have received one.

Police report more fake movie money in Kansas

WASINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has fired about 17 independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress are suggesting violated federal oversight laws.

The dismissals began Friday night and were effective immediately, according to two people familiar with the actions. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public. Neither confirmed the exact number of firings, but an email sent by one of the fired inspectors general said “roughly 17” inspectors general had been removed.

Congress was not given 30-day notices about the removals –- something that even a top Republican is decrying.

“There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “I’d like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress,” said Grassley, R-Iowa.

The role of the modern-day inspector general dates to post-Watergate Washington, when Congress installed offices inside agencies as an independent check against mismanagement and abuse of power. Though inspectors general are presidential appointees, some serve presidents of both parties. All are expected to be nonpartisan.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., acknowledged that the firings violated statutes but shrugged it off: “Just tell them you need to follow the law next time,” he said.

Democrats and watchdog groups, however, used the dismissals to raise alarm that Trump was making it easier to take advantage of the government.

“Inspectors General are the cops on the beat preventing bad things from happening,” Max Stier, president and CEO of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, said in a statement. “Their work saves the taxpayer tens of billions of dollars every year.”

The White House did not comment Saturday. President Donald Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-las-vegas-taxes-tips-hospitality-workers-92da0193df89d1773b8f7dcc84ea7e3d">in Las Vegas for a speech</a>&nbsp;focused on his campaign promise to end federal taxation on tips.

But the moves were consistent with the president's first week back in the White House, which has featured a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-orders-power-border-tiktok-history-e77458bc0312c60f3f2b0eeb131d0056">series of steps</a>&nbsp;to remake the federal government. Trump has done everything from using executive orders to impose hiring freezes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-education-diversity-equity-inclusion-20cf8a2941f4f35e0b5b0e07c6347ebb">crack down on</a>&nbsp;diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, to suggesting that he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846">shutter</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-to-know-about-fema-disasters-trump-fda31e500f0e5beec585483c6b08e79c">Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>&nbsp;and leave disaster recovery up to individual states affected by major emergencies.

“Yesterday, in the dark of night, President Trump fired at least 12 independent inspector generals at important federal agencies across the administration,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Saturday on the chamber's floor. “This is a chilling purge and it's a preview of the lawless approach Donald Trump and his administration are taking far too often as he's becoming president.”

Schumer said the dismissals are “possibly in violation of federal law” and help demonstrate that the move “is a glaring sign that it's a golden age for abuse in government and even corruption.”

The Washington Post, which first reported the firings, said that many were appointees from Trump’s first term. Among those inspectors general reportedly removed included those for the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense and Education.

Spared in this round of dismissals, however, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-horowitz/">Michael Horowitz</a>, the longtime Justice Department inspector general who has issued reports on assorted politically explosive criminal investigations over the past decade.

In December 2019, for instance, Horowitz released a report faulting the FBI for surveillance warrant applications in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trump-russia-probe">the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign</a>. But the report also found that that investigation had been opened for a legitimate purpose and did not find evidence that partisan bias had guided investigative decisions.

Horowitz's status aside, the move against the watchdogs drew criticism from congressional Democrats.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar. D-Minn., noted that inspectors general are “critical to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the federal government." The mass firings were "alarming,” she said.

Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, a Democrat who is ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, called it a “coup to overthrow legally protected independent inspectors general.”

He also suggested that the move — coming on just the fourth full day of Trump's second term — could potentially free up a series of positions that can subsequently be filled with loyalists who are strongly sympathetic to the Trump administration.

“Replacing independent inspectors general with political hacks will harm every American who relies on social security, veterans benefits, and a fair hearing at IRS on refunds and audits,” Connolly said.

Still, Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-donald-trump-business-impeachments-congress-4440aa5a4c2216feb45ad06fb60e9ae1">aggressively challenged</a>&nbsp;the authority of independent agency watchdog groups in the past.

In 2020, he replaced multiple key inspectors general, including those leading the Defense Department and intelligence community, as well as the inspector general tapped to chair a special oversight board for the $2.2 trillion economic relief package on the coronavirus.

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called Trump’s actions “a purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night.”

“Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct,” Warren posted on X. “President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.”

Weissert reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737831939995.png" alt="President Trump spoke to reporters late Friday before flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke to reporters late Friday before flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has fired about 17 independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress are suggesting violated federal oversight laws.The dismissals began Friday night and were effective immediately, according to two people familiar with the actions. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public. Neither confirmed the exact number of firings, but an email sent by one of the fired inspectors general said “roughly 17” inspectors general had been removed.Congress was not given 30-day notices about the removals –- something that even a top Republican is decrying.“There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “I’d like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress,” said Grassley, R-Iowa.The role of the modern-day inspector general dates to post-Watergate Washington, when Congress installed offices inside agencies as an independent check against mismanagement and abuse of power. Though inspectors general are presidential appointees, some serve presidents of both parties. All are expected to be nonpartisan.Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., acknowledged that the firings violated statutes but shrugged it off: “Just tell them you need to follow the law next time,” he said.Democrats and watchdog groups, however, used the dismissals to raise alarm that Trump was making it easier to take advantage of the government.“Inspectors General are the cops on the beat preventing bad things from happening,” Max Stier, president and CEO of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, said in a statement. “Their work saves the taxpayer tens of billions of dollars every year.”The White House did not comment Saturday. President Donald Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-las-vegas-taxes-tips-hospitality-workers-92da0193df89d1773b8f7dcc84ea7e3d">in Las Vegas for a speech</a>&nbsp;focused on his campaign promise to end federal taxation on tips.But the moves were consistent with the president's first week back in the White House, which has featured a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-orders-power-border-tiktok-history-e77458bc0312c60f3f2b0eeb131d0056">series of steps</a>&nbsp;to remake the federal government. Trump has done everything from using executive orders to impose hiring freezes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-education-diversity-equity-inclusion-20cf8a2941f4f35e0b5b0e07c6347ebb">crack down on</a>&nbsp;diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, to suggesting that he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846">shutter</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-to-know-about-fema-disasters-trump-fda31e500f0e5beec585483c6b08e79c">Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>&nbsp;and leave disaster recovery up to individual states affected by major emergencies.“Yesterday, in the dark of night, President Trump fired at least 12 independent inspector generals at important federal agencies across the administration,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Saturday on the chamber's floor. “This is a chilling purge and it's a preview of the lawless approach Donald Trump and his administration are taking far too often as he's becoming president.”Schumer said the dismissals are “possibly in violation of federal law” and help demonstrate that the move “is a glaring sign that it's a golden age for abuse in government and even corruption.”The Washington Post, which first reported the firings, said that many were appointees from Trump’s first term. Among those inspectors general reportedly removed included those for the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense and Education.Spared in this round of dismissals, however, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-horowitz/">Michael Horowitz</a>, the longtime Justice Department inspector general who has issued reports on assorted politically explosive criminal investigations over the past decade.In December 2019, for instance, Horowitz released a report faulting the FBI for surveillance warrant applications in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trump-russia-probe">the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign</a>. But the report also found that that investigation had been opened for a legitimate purpose and did not find evidence that partisan bias had guided investigative decisions.Horowitz's status aside, the move against the watchdogs drew criticism from congressional Democrats.Sen. Amy Klobuchar. D-Minn., noted that inspectors general are “critical to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the federal government." The mass firings were "alarming,” she said.Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, a Democrat who is ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, called it a “coup to overthrow legally protected independent inspectors general.”He also suggested that the move — coming on just the fourth full day of Trump's second term — could potentially free up a series of positions that can subsequently be filled with loyalists who are strongly sympathetic to the Trump administration.“Replacing independent inspectors general with political hacks will harm every American who relies on social security, veterans benefits, and a fair hearing at IRS on refunds and audits,” Connolly said.Still, Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-donald-trump-business-impeachments-congress-4440aa5a4c2216feb45ad06fb60e9ae1">aggressively challenged</a>&nbsp;the authority of independent agency watchdog groups in the past.In 2020, he replaced multiple key inspectors general, including those leading the Defense Department and intelligence community, as well as the inspector general tapped to chair a special oversight board for the $2.2 trillion economic relief package on the coronavirus.Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called Trump’s actions “a purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night.”“Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct,” Warren posted on X. “President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.”—-Weissert reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

Trump fires independent inspectors general in surprise move

&nbsp;Soldiers from Kansas are being deployed to help secure the U.S. southern border.

 U.S. Northern Command&nbsp; announced elements of the following units have been activated as part of USNORTHCOM’s mission to bolster security at the United States southern border:

These approximately 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps are deploying to the southern border to augment the approximately 2,500 service members already deployed supporting Customs and Border Protection’s southern border mission.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, released the following statement after the announcement that Kansas troops from Fort Riley will be deployed to the southern border:

“My heart is with Kansas families and loved ones as soldiers from Fort Riley are sent to protect and secure our borders. Kansans and Americans across the country extend our deepest gratitude to them for keeping us safe. Under the previous administration, over 2 million known illegal alien gotaways entered our country – something that should have never happened, and compromised our national security.&nbsp;

President Trump is determined to stop the dangerous flow of fentanyl, cartels, and unvetted illegal immigrants coming into the United States and will protect our homeland.&nbsp;

The exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized.&nbsp;Specific units will be announced as soon as more information is made available.&nbsp;These military forces will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplace physical barriers.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737839008559.png" alt="Photo U.S. Northern Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Northern Command</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Soldiers from Kansas are being deployed to help secure the U.S. southern border. U.S. Northern Command&nbsp; announced elements of the following units have been activated as part of USNORTHCOM’s mission to bolster security at the United States southern border:From the U.S. Army:<ul>
 <li>977th Military Police Company, Fort Riley, Kansas</li><li>41st Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Riley, Kansas</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Headquarters, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>Headquarters, 720th Military Police Battalion, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>401st Military Police Company, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>202nd Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas</li><li>Headquarters, 716th Military Police Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky</li><li>23rd Military Police Company, Fort Drum, New York</li><li>549th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia</li><li>530th Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Stewart, Georgia</li><li>569th Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Carson, Colorado</li><li>Headquarters, 759th Military Police Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado</li><li>66th Military Police Company, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington</li>
 </ul>From the U.S. Marine Corps:<ul>
 <li>Detachment from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st&nbsp;Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California</li><li>Detachment from 7th Engineering Support Battalion, 1st&nbsp;Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California</li>
 </ul>These approximately 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps are deploying to the southern border to augment the approximately 2,500 service members already deployed supporting Customs and Border Protection’s southern border mission.&nbsp;On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, released the following statement after the announcement that Kansas troops from Fort Riley will be deployed to the southern border:“My heart is with Kansas families and loved ones as soldiers from Fort Riley are sent to protect and secure our borders. Kansans and Americans across the country extend our deepest gratitude to them for keeping us safe. Under the previous administration, over 2 million known illegal alien gotaways entered our country – something that should have never happened, and compromised our national security.&nbsp;President Trump is determined to stop the dangerous flow of fentanyl, cartels, and unvetted illegal immigrants coming into the United States and will protect our homeland.&nbsp;The exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized.&nbsp;Specific units will be announced as soon as more information is made available.&nbsp;These military forces will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplace physical barriers.&nbsp;

Soldiers from Kansas deployed to help secure the border

Atchison, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a hostage incident Friday night and Saturday morning in Atchison, Kansas.

At around 5:45 p.m., the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.

Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;

Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him. At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital and remains in critical condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.

KBI Agent Investigators and the KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate the incident.

The KBI will be offering victim support services to the rescued hostage.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff and gunfight in Atchison that sent a suspect to the hospital.

Just before 6 p.m. on Friday police responded to 508 North 9th Street in Atchison at what was first reported as a person with a gun and a second call reporting a person breaking into an apartment, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The first police officer arrived on the scene and as he exited his patrol vehicle, shots were fired at him, striking his vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The person who fired those shots immediately went into an apartment at that location.

Additional officers arrived and secured a perimeter. As officers gathered information, it was determined that another person, known to the suspect, was being held hostage inside the residence where the suspect had fled.

Special Response Teams from Atchison Police, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene.

Efforts continued throughout the evening to communicate with the suspect inside the apartment as the female hostage remained inside the residence with the suspect.

At 2:30a.m. the standoff came to an end when officers were able to get the female hostage safely out of the residence. The 36-year-old suspect, who was shot during the confrontation with officers, was taken to Amberwell Hospital and later transported to a Kansas City hospital. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666119705831.png" alt="McCray photo from an earlier arrest in Buchanan County" />
 <figcaption>McCray photo from an earlier arrest in Buchanan County</figcaption>
 </figure>Atchison, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a hostage incident Friday night and Saturday morning in Atchison, Kansas.At around 5:45 p.m., the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him. At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital and remains in critical condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.KBI Agent Investigators and the KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate the incident.The KBI will be offering victim support services to the rescued hostage.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.--------------ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff and gunfight in Atchison that sent a suspect to the hospital.Just before 6 p.m. on Friday police responded to 508 North 9th Street in Atchison at what was first reported as a person with a gun and a second call reporting a person breaking into an apartment, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The first police officer arrived on the scene and as he exited his patrol vehicle, shots were fired at him, striking his vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The person who fired those shots immediately went into an apartment at that location.Additional officers arrived and secured a perimeter. As officers gathered information, it was determined that another person, known to the suspect, was being held hostage inside the residence where the suspect had fled.Special Response Teams from Atchison Police, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene.Efforts continued throughout the evening to communicate with the suspect inside the apartment as the female hostage remained inside the residence with the suspect.At 2:30a.m. the standoff came to an end when officers were able to get the female hostage safely out of the residence. The 36-year-old suspect, who was shot during the confrontation with officers, was taken to Amberwell Hospital and later transported to a Kansas City hospital. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.

Police ID suspect injured in gunfight, standoff with Kansas officers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-border-migrants-immigration-enforcement-a24389b7fd7875ef98b4ab45c14e8418">illegal immigration</a>.

Republicans kept the Senate working Saturday to install the latest member of Trump's national security team on a 59-34 vote. Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was among seven&nbsp; Senators who missed the vote including Wyden and Merkley of Oregon, Warnock of Georgia, Smith of Minnesota, Schatz of Hawaii and King of Maine, according to the online report from the U.S. Senate.

Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;was also confirmed in a dramatic tie-breaking vote Friday night, joining Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;and CIA Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">John Ratcliffe</a>. The Senate will next vote Monday evening on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-election-scott-bessent-trump-e4df1ef61309ee78f2affc2d9eabeff1">Scott Bessent's</a>&nbsp;confirmation as treasury secretary.

Noem, a Trump ally who is in her second term as governor, received 7 votes from Democrats. Republicans, who already held the votes necessary to confirm her, have expressed confidence in her determination to lead border security and immigration enforcement.

On social media, Noem thanked Trump for “the confidence in me to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.”

She added, “I will work to make America SAFE again!”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Friday, “Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one of President Trump and Republicans’ top priorities. And it’s going to require a decisive and committed leader at the Department of Homeland Security."

Democrats are split on how to handle border enforcement and immigration under Trump, with some warming to his hard-line stand.

Still, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, as well as most other Democrats, voted against Noem. He pointed to “bipartisan solutions to fix the mess at our border," adding that Noem “seems headed in the wrong direction.”

The homeland security secretary oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beyond those agencies, the department is also responsible for securing airline transportation, protecting dignitaries, responding to natural disasters and more.

Trump is planning major changes to how the department functions, including involving the military in immigration enforcement and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fema-project-2025-56ff64f264403b8934ecbf1f91928d73">reshaping the Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>. Those plans will immediately put Noem in the spotlight after the new president visited recent disaster sites in North Carolina and California on Friday.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noem-homeland-security-cabinet-trump-border-immigration-36ea11f8432078e08e71dce23c56d68c">her Senate hearing</a>, Noem was repeatedly asked by Democratic senators whether she would administer disaster aid to states even if Trump asked her not to.

Noem avoided saying she would defy the president, but told lawmakers, “I will deliver the programs according to the law and that it will be done with no political bias.”

Six people cycled through as homeland security secretary during Trump's first four years in office.

Noem, who held her state's lone U.S. House seat for eight years before becoming governor in 2019, has risen in the GOP by tacking closely with Trump. At one point, she was even under consideration to be his running mate.

Her political stock took a momentary dip, however, when she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-book-dog-killing-081bd1d6e73fba046ea7fb534da1c79e">released a book</a>&nbsp;last year containing an account of her killing her hunting dog, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-book-north-korea-90e61965e9ac486e52cec5b35da41f47">a false claim</a>&nbsp;that she once met with North Korean leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-iran-diplomacy-military-cooperation-russia-f82461908cb59a15a634747e9ab48f6c">Kim Jong Un</a>.

Noem will be tasked with delivering on Trump's favorite issue, border security. The president's goals of deporting millions of people who entered the country illegally could put Noem, with her experience governing a rural state and growing up on a farm,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-dhs-immigration-crackdown-trump-south-dakota-52bf133437d20f4dd6f5284bb751e264">in a difficult position</a>. In South Dakota, many migrants, some in the country without permanent legal status, power the labor-heavy jobs that produce food and housing.

She has so far pledged to faithfully execute the president's orders and copied his talk of an “invasion” at the U.S. border with Mexico.

Noem joined other Republican governors who sent National Guard troops to Texas to assist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arrests-immigration-greg-abbott-civil-rights-violations-bcbfef0901b375c9301ade01a59eb1c9">Operation Lone Star</a>, which sought to discourage migrants. Her decision was especially criticized because she accepted a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-south-dakota-philanthropy-immigration-government-and-politics-ea0586be65e874578ca27ffcc690dba1">cover some of the deployment cost</a>.

Noem said she opted to send National Guard troops “because of this invasion," adding that “it is a war zone down there.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737817653128.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall with Noem January 11-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall with Noem January 11-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-border-migrants-immigration-enforcement-a24389b7fd7875ef98b4ab45c14e8418">illegal immigration</a>.Republicans kept the Senate working Saturday to install the latest member of Trump's national security team on a 59-34 vote. Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was among seven&nbsp; Senators who missed the vote including Wyden and Merkley of Oregon, Warnock of Georgia, Smith of Minnesota, Schatz of Hawaii and King of Maine, according to the online report from the U.S. Senate.Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;was also confirmed in a dramatic tie-breaking vote Friday night, joining Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;and CIA Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">John Ratcliffe</a>. The Senate will next vote Monday evening on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-election-scott-bessent-trump-e4df1ef61309ee78f2affc2d9eabeff1">Scott Bessent's</a>&nbsp;confirmation as treasury secretary.Noem, a Trump ally who is in her second term as governor, received 7 votes from Democrats. Republicans, who already held the votes necessary to confirm her, have expressed confidence in her determination to lead border security and immigration enforcement.On social media, Noem thanked Trump for “the confidence in me to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.”She added, “I will work to make America SAFE again!”Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Friday, “Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one of President Trump and Republicans’ top priorities. And it’s going to require a decisive and committed leader at the Department of Homeland Security."Democrats are split on how to handle border enforcement and immigration under Trump, with some warming to his hard-line stand.Still, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, as well as most other Democrats, voted against Noem. He pointed to “bipartisan solutions to fix the mess at our border," adding that Noem “seems headed in the wrong direction.”The homeland security secretary oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beyond those agencies, the department is also responsible for securing airline transportation, protecting dignitaries, responding to natural disasters and more.Trump is planning major changes to how the department functions, including involving the military in immigration enforcement and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fema-project-2025-56ff64f264403b8934ecbf1f91928d73">reshaping the Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>. Those plans will immediately put Noem in the spotlight after the new president visited recent disaster sites in North Carolina and California on Friday.During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noem-homeland-security-cabinet-trump-border-immigration-36ea11f8432078e08e71dce23c56d68c">her Senate hearing</a>, Noem was repeatedly asked by Democratic senators whether she would administer disaster aid to states even if Trump asked her not to.Noem avoided saying she would defy the president, but told lawmakers, “I will deliver the programs according to the law and that it will be done with no political bias.”Six people cycled through as homeland security secretary during Trump's first four years in office.Noem, who held her state's lone U.S. House seat for eight years before becoming governor in 2019, has risen in the GOP by tacking closely with Trump. At one point, she was even under consideration to be his running mate.Her political stock took a momentary dip, however, when she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-book-dog-killing-081bd1d6e73fba046ea7fb534da1c79e">released a book</a>&nbsp;last year containing an account of her killing her hunting dog, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-book-north-korea-90e61965e9ac486e52cec5b35da41f47">a false claim</a>&nbsp;that she once met with North Korean leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-iran-diplomacy-military-cooperation-russia-f82461908cb59a15a634747e9ab48f6c">Kim Jong Un</a>.Noem will be tasked with delivering on Trump's favorite issue, border security. The president's goals of deporting millions of people who entered the country illegally could put Noem, with her experience governing a rural state and growing up on a farm,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-dhs-immigration-crackdown-trump-south-dakota-52bf133437d20f4dd6f5284bb751e264">in a difficult position</a>. In South Dakota, many migrants, some in the country without permanent legal status, power the labor-heavy jobs that produce food and housing.She has so far pledged to faithfully execute the president's orders and copied his talk of an “invasion” at the U.S. border with Mexico.Noem joined other Republican governors who sent National Guard troops to Texas to assist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arrests-immigration-greg-abbott-civil-rights-violations-bcbfef0901b375c9301ade01a59eb1c9">Operation Lone Star</a>, which sought to discourage migrants. Her decision was especially criticized because she accepted a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-south-dakota-philanthropy-immigration-government-and-politics-ea0586be65e874578ca27ffcc690dba1">cover some of the deployment cost</a>.Noem said she opted to send National Guard troops “because of this invasion," adding that “it is a war zone down there.”___

Moran missed vote as Senate confirms Noem for homeland security secretary

NEW YORK (AP) — Automaker Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat that can become damaged and prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying properly.

Damaged wiring can also cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers 80,255&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V024-8197.PDF">2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles</a>.

To remedy the situation, dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, for free. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owners will be notified by letters mailed in March.

The recall follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hyundai-kia-electric-vehicle-recalls-loss-drive-power-383e78a62418ea355f00823d01350654">one in November</a>, when Hyundai and Kia recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a transistor in a charging control unit that could be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. That in turn could cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737830750397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Automaker Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat that can become damaged and prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying properly.Damaged wiring can also cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The recall covers 80,255&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V024-8197.PDF">2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles</a>.To remedy the situation, dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, for free. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owners will be notified by letters mailed in March.The recall follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hyundai-kia-electric-vehicle-recalls-loss-drive-power-383e78a62418ea355f00823d01350654">one in November</a>, when Hyundai and Kia recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a transistor in a charging control unit that could be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. That in turn could cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.