KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a woman after finding her body on Monday.

Just before 10a.m. police and emergency crews&nbsp;responded to 2700 Clay Edwards Drive in North Kansas City, according to a media release.

First responders found a person who was pronounced deceased on the scene near North Kansas City Hospital. The victim was described as Black woman probably in her 60s. She did not appear to have any bodily trauma.

Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a woman after finding her body on Monday.Just before 10a.m. police and emergency crews&nbsp;responded to 2700 Clay Edwards Drive in North Kansas City, according to a media release.First responders found a person who was pronounced deceased on the scene near North Kansas City Hospital. The victim was described as Black woman probably in her 60s. She did not appear to have any bodily trauma.Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

Police: Body of woman found near Kansas City hospital

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;told mourners in New Orleans on Monday that they are not alone as he paid tribute to victims of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-truck-attack-fbi-47fd819355e6d31475529e4f3b1328e5">deadly New Year’s attack</a>&nbsp;and channeled the pain felt by their loved ones.

Biden made the remarks at St. Louis Cathedral in the city's historic French Quarter. not far from the area where an Army veteran drove a truck into revelers last week, killing 14 and injuring 30 more.

Biden praised “so many that ran toward the chaos, trying to help save others," including first responders. He noted the city's enduring strength and resilience amid tragedy, invoking past devastation like Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“The city’s people get back up," Biden said. "That’s the spirit of America as well.”

Biden met privately with grieving families, survivors and first responders before the prayer service. He also stopped at a makeshift memorial where the attack had begun to unfold. It is being investigated as an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group.

Biden has made dozens of visits to sites of violence, natural disaster and other calamities during his four years in office. With two weeks left, Monday's visit to New Orleans could be his last such trip.

In his remarks Monday, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-memorial-wife-daughter-killed-accident-delaware-a00f53d572a90386a55f206f59c7ff3e">alluded to the personal loss in his own life</a>&nbsp;and recounted words of collective grief he’s delivered time and again as president. He acknowledged the searing loss the grieving families will feel at holidays and birthdays to come, along with the small details they will miss about their loved ones.

“We know what it’s like to lose a piece of our soul. The anger. The emptiness,” he said.

He told the grieving families that they will eventually reach a day when the memory of their loved ones will make them smile before it makes them cry.

“It will take time, but I promise you, it will come. I promise you," he said.

Before he met privately with the victims’ families, Biden and first lady Jill Biden made their first stop in the city at a memorial that sprung up on Bourbon Street at the spot where the attack started.

Flowers and messages were left at the bases of the crosses erected on the sidewalk. After Jill Biden placed white flowers at the memorial, she and the president stood in silence and bowed their heads.

At the public prayer service at the cathedral, a rendition of “Amazing Grace” was performed with a New Orleans jazz spin. The Bidens placed a candle at the altar. The president then returned to his seat in front pew, shutting his eyes tight in prayer.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Louisiana that Biden "believes this is also an important part of the job that he believes he needs to do as president.”

It's a grim task that presidents perform, though not every leader has embraced the role with such intimacy as the 82-year-old Biden, who has experienced a lot of personal tragedy in his own life. His first wife and baby daughter died in a car accident in the early 1970s, and his elder son, Beau,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">died of cancer</a>&nbsp;in 2015.

“I've been there. There’s nothing you can really say to somebody that’s just had such a tragic loss," Biden told reporters Sunday in a preview of his visit. "My message is going to be personal if I get to get them alone.”

Biden often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-school-shooting-biden-visits-uvalde-5602203ec1088223e3b6aaed3d219136">takes the opportunity at such bleak occasions</a>&nbsp;to speak behind closed doors with the families, offer up his personal phone number in case people want to talk later on and talk about grief in stark, personal terms.

The Democratic president will continue on to California following his stop in New Orleans. With a snowstorm hitting the Washington region on Monday, Biden's trip began with Air Force One starting its takeoff from inside a large hangar instead of on the tarmac as thick snow covered the ground at Joint Base Andrews and snowplows worked to clear the runway.

In New Orleans on Jan. 1, the driver plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-1685016388d65039ce62e720aab2ba14">Shamsud-Din Jabbar</a>, who steered his speeding truck around a barricade and plowed into the crowd, later was fatally shot in a firefight with police.

Jabbar,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-attack-bourbon-street-5bbf5fdc715c4d0d4c8764dd8da22720">an American citizen from Texas</a>, had posted five videos on his Facebook account in the hours before the attack in which he proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group and previewed the violence that he would soon unleash in the French Quarter.

Biden on Sunday pushed back against conspiracy theories surrounding the attack, and he urged New Orleans residents to ignore them.

“I spent literally 17, 18 hours with the intelligence community from the time this happened to establish exactly what happened, to establish beyond any reasonable doubt that New Orleans was the act of a single man who acted alone,” he said. “All this talk about conspiracies with other people, there’s not evidence of that — zero.”

The youngest victim was 18 years old, and the oldest was 63. Most victims were in their 20s. They came from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey and Great Britain.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, was asked on “Fox News Sunday” what the city was hoping for from Biden's visit.

“How can we not feel for both the families of those who die but also those who’ve been injured in their families?” he asked.

“The best thing that the city, the state, and the federal government can do is do their best to make sure that this does not happen again. And what we can do as a people is to make sure that we don’t live our lives in fear or in terror — but live our lives bravely and with liberty, and then support those families however they need support.”

Jean-Pierre said Monday that Biden was directing additional resources to help New Orleans with major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl, with both events being assigned the highest level of federal support for security measures.

Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill ordered on Monday an investigation into safety and security deficiencies in New Orleans, where an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-63a1b43d615af365cb8ba6f5f0583eca">Army veteran sped around a police blockade</a>&nbsp;and raced down Bourbon Street, killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-killed-crash-terrorist-attack-9f2fbcc3e48d8b391590f60969e80e61">14 New Year's revelers</a>.

“The People of Louisiana deserve answers,” Murrill said in a statement. “We are committed to getting a full and complete picture of what was done or not done, and more importantly, what needs to change so we can prevent this from ever happening again.”

President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-new-orleans-attack-5c92619c079e2f104e42e1d7b8bea424">Biden visited New Orleans Monday</a>&nbsp;to meet with the families of those killed and first responders. He also directed additional resources to help New Orleans with major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. Both have been upgraded and given the special event assessment rating of one, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

“The Biden-Harris administration has determined that these significant events require extensive federal interagency support, and we will use every tool available to fill local capability shortfalls to assure safe and secure events,” she told reporters traveling with Biden to New Orleans.

The attack last week was carried out by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-1685016388d65039ce62e720aab2ba14">Shamsud-Din Jabbar</a>, a former U.S. Army soldier who had proclaimed his support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-crash-islamic-state-lone-wolves-4bb6446c484737fbe9dd1b9c26a899a9">the Islamic State militant group</a>. He was killed in a firefight with police.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-into-crowd-terrorist-attack-barriers-361d9acb509a37a7b7ec1253e32ec3ce">steel columns known as bollards</a>&nbsp;that had previously been installed to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street were in the process of being replaced ahead of the Super Bowl, which New Orleans will host on Feb. 9.

Murrill said she directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to conduct a “full review” of security plans for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl. The probe should “explore all aspects of the planning for and execution of security measures” for Jan. 1. That would include existing security assessments and recommendations; funding sources and the use of state, federal, and local funding for security measures; assets and allocations; operational failures; and state, local and federal coordination.

The New Orleans Chief of Police, District Attorney, Inspector General and City Council members have “pledged complete support and cooperation with this review," Murrill said.

“It’s my hope that our findings will help provide our law enforcement officers and the City of New Orleans with the tools and insight they need to best ensure the safety of the community and our many visitors,” Murrill said.

The additional federal assistance offered by Biden could include explosive detection, K-9 teams, and cyber risk assessments, screening of venues and field intelligence teams, and air security and tactical operations support.

“There’s no higher priority to the president than the safety and security of the American people,” Jean-Pierre said. “We will continue to ensure we do everything possible to get to the bottom of this horrific event, while also ensuring that this community has the resources they need in the wake of this tragedy.”

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;told mourners in New Orleans on Monday that they are not alone as he paid tribute to victims of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-truck-attack-fbi-47fd819355e6d31475529e4f3b1328e5">deadly New Year’s attack</a>&nbsp;and channeled the pain felt by their loved ones.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">CLIP: President Biden and <a href="https://twitter.com/firstlady?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FirstLady</a> Dr. Jill Biden pay respects in New Orleans to the 14 people who lost their lives in the Bourbon Street attack. <a href="https://t.co/ydeh2TfsNv">pic.twitter.com/ydeh2TfsNv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876421017838493807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden made the remarks at St. Louis Cathedral in the city's historic French Quarter. not far from the area where an Army veteran drove a truck into revelers last week, killing 14 and injuring 30 more.Biden praised “so many that ran toward the chaos, trying to help save others," including first responders. He noted the city's enduring strength and resilience amid tragedy, invoking past devastation like Hurricane Katrina in 2005.“The city’s people get back up," Biden said. "That’s the spirit of America as well.”Biden met privately with grieving families, survivors and first responders before the prayer service. He also stopped at a makeshift memorial where the attack had begun to unfold. It is being investigated as an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group.Biden has made dozens of visits to sites of violence, natural disaster and other calamities during his four years in office. With two weeks left, Monday's visit to New Orleans could be his last such trip.In his remarks Monday, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-memorial-wife-daughter-killed-accident-delaware-a00f53d572a90386a55f206f59c7ff3e">alluded to the personal loss in his own life</a>&nbsp;and recounted words of collective grief he’s delivered time and again as president. He acknowledged the searing loss the grieving families will feel at holidays and birthdays to come, along with the small details they will miss about their loved ones.“We know what it’s like to lose a piece of our soul. The anger. The emptiness,” he said.He told the grieving families that they will eventually reach a day when the memory of their loved ones will make them smile before it makes them cry.“It will take time, but I promise you, it will come. I promise you," he said.Before he met privately with the victims’ families, Biden and first lady Jill Biden made their first stop in the city at a memorial that sprung up on Bourbon Street at the spot where the attack started.Flowers and messages were left at the bases of the crosses erected on the sidewalk. After Jill Biden placed white flowers at the memorial, she and the president stood in silence and bowed their heads.At the public prayer service at the cathedral, a rendition of “Amazing Grace” was performed with a New Orleans jazz spin. The Bidens placed a candle at the altar. The president then returned to his seat in front pew, shutting his eyes tight in prayer.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Louisiana that Biden "believes this is also an important part of the job that he believes he needs to do as president.”It's a grim task that presidents perform, though not every leader has embraced the role with such intimacy as the 82-year-old Biden, who has experienced a lot of personal tragedy in his own life. His first wife and baby daughter died in a car accident in the early 1970s, and his elder son, Beau,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">died of cancer</a>&nbsp;in 2015.“I've been there. There’s nothing you can really say to somebody that’s just had such a tragic loss," Biden told reporters Sunday in a preview of his visit. "My message is going to be personal if I get to get them alone.”Biden often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-school-shooting-biden-visits-uvalde-5602203ec1088223e3b6aaed3d219136">takes the opportunity at such bleak occasions</a>&nbsp;to speak behind closed doors with the families, offer up his personal phone number in case people want to talk later on and talk about grief in stark, personal terms.The Democratic president will continue on to California following his stop in New Orleans. With a snowstorm hitting the Washington region on Monday, Biden's trip began with Air Force One starting its takeoff from inside a large hangar instead of on the tarmac as thick snow covered the ground at Joint Base Andrews and snowplows worked to clear the runway.In New Orleans on Jan. 1, the driver plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-1685016388d65039ce62e720aab2ba14">Shamsud-Din Jabbar</a>, who steered his speeding truck around a barricade and plowed into the crowd, later was fatally shot in a firefight with police.Jabbar,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-attack-bourbon-street-5bbf5fdc715c4d0d4c8764dd8da22720">an American citizen from Texas</a>, had posted five videos on his Facebook account in the hours before the attack in which he proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group and previewed the violence that he would soon unleash in the French Quarter.Biden on Sunday pushed back against conspiracy theories surrounding the attack, and he urged New Orleans residents to ignore them.“I spent literally 17, 18 hours with the intelligence community from the time this happened to establish exactly what happened, to establish beyond any reasonable doubt that New Orleans was the act of a single man who acted alone,” he said. “All this talk about conspiracies with other people, there’s not evidence of that — zero.”The youngest victim was 18 years old, and the oldest was 63. Most victims were in their 20s. They came from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey and Great Britain.Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, was asked on “Fox News Sunday” what the city was hoping for from Biden's visit.“How can we not feel for both the families of those who die but also those who’ve been injured in their families?” he asked.“The best thing that the city, the state, and the federal government can do is do their best to make sure that this does not happen again. And what we can do as a people is to make sure that we don’t live our lives in fear or in terror — but live our lives bravely and with liberty, and then support those families however they need support.”Jean-Pierre said Monday that Biden was directing additional resources to help New Orleans with major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl, with both events being assigned the highest level of federal support for security measures.___Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.--------------NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill ordered on Monday an investigation into safety and security deficiencies in New Orleans, where an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-63a1b43d615af365cb8ba6f5f0583eca">Army veteran sped around a police blockade</a>&nbsp;and raced down Bourbon Street, killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-killed-crash-terrorist-attack-9f2fbcc3e48d8b391590f60969e80e61">14 New Year's revelers</a>.“The People of Louisiana deserve answers,” Murrill said in a statement. “We are committed to getting a full and complete picture of what was done or not done, and more importantly, what needs to change so we can prevent this from ever happening again.”President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-new-orleans-attack-5c92619c079e2f104e42e1d7b8bea424">Biden visited New Orleans Monday</a>&nbsp;to meet with the families of those killed and first responders. He also directed additional resources to help New Orleans with major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. Both have been upgraded and given the special event assessment rating of one, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.“The Biden-Harris administration has determined that these significant events require extensive federal interagency support, and we will use every tool available to fill local capability shortfalls to assure safe and secure events,” she told reporters traveling with Biden to New Orleans.The attack last week was carried out by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-bourbon-street-1685016388d65039ce62e720aab2ba14">Shamsud-Din Jabbar</a>, a former U.S. Army soldier who had proclaimed his support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-crash-islamic-state-lone-wolves-4bb6446c484737fbe9dd1b9c26a899a9">the Islamic State militant group</a>. He was killed in a firefight with police.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-into-crowd-terrorist-attack-barriers-361d9acb509a37a7b7ec1253e32ec3ce">steel columns known as bollards</a>&nbsp;that had previously been installed to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street were in the process of being replaced ahead of the Super Bowl, which New Orleans will host on Feb. 9.Murrill said she directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to conduct a “full review” of security plans for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl. The probe should “explore all aspects of the planning for and execution of security measures” for Jan. 1. That would include existing security assessments and recommendations; funding sources and the use of state, federal, and local funding for security measures; assets and allocations; operational failures; and state, local and federal coordination.The New Orleans Chief of Police, District Attorney, Inspector General and City Council members have “pledged complete support and cooperation with this review," Murrill said.“It’s my hope that our findings will help provide our law enforcement officers and the City of New Orleans with the tools and insight they need to best ensure the safety of the community and our many visitors,” Murrill said.The additional federal assistance offered by Biden could include explosive detection, K-9 teams, and cyber risk assessments, screening of venues and field intelligence teams, and air security and tactical operations support.“There’s no higher priority to the president than the safety and security of the American people,” Jean-Pierre said. “We will continue to ensure we do everything possible to get to the bottom of this horrific event, while also ensuring that this community has the resources they need in the wake of this tragedy.”

President, first lady pay respect to victims of New Orleans attack

KANSAS CITY —Authorities have identified the Jackson County employee who died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday as 61-year-old Everett Carter, according to Jackson County Executive Frank White.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 International dump truck driven by a 37-year-old Blue Springs man stopped on Ashland Avenue north of 20th Street to let a passenger later identified as Carter out of the vehicle.

The truck began to slide and struck Carter and a parked Honda CRV.

Carter, a resident of Independence, Missouri was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the truck driver to Centerpoint Hospital.

KANSAS CITY —Authorities have identified the Jackson County employee who died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday as 61-year-old Everett Carter, according to Jackson County Executive Frank White.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are heartbroken to share the loss of Everett Carter, a 40-year <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonCountyMO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacksonCountyMO</a> associate &amp; valued Public Works team member. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Snow removal paused after the tragedy and resumed at 7am. Thank you for your patience. <a href="https://t.co/KT9PDne4En">pic.twitter.com/KT9PDne4En</a>&mdash; Frank White (@JCEFrankWhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/JCEFrankWhite/status/1876306078839054687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 International dump truck driven by a 37-year-old Blue Springs man stopped on Ashland Avenue north of 20th Street to let a passenger later identified as Carter out of the vehicle.The truck began to slide and struck Carter and a parked Honda CRV.Carter, a resident of Independence, Missouri was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the truck driver to Centerpoint Hospital.

Snow removal employee struck, killed by sliding dump truck 

DAMASCUS —U.S. and partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria over the past week in support of the ongoing Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign.

From December 30 to January 6, U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq, targeting known ISIS locations, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp; The operations served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan,  organize, and conduct attacks against civilians in the region, as well  as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and  beyond. 

 During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged Coalition forces  on several occasions, resulting in the employment of Coalition air  strikes, using F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s. The A-10s tasked to support ground forces in the area were successful in eliminating the ISIS fighters within a cave.

One Coalition member was killed and two were wounded from two different  nations. There were no injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to U.S.  equipment.

From January 2 to January 3, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by CENTCOM forces, conducted  a D-ISIS operation near Dayr az-Zawr, Syria, resulting in the capture  of an ISIS attack cell leader. 

"The  U.S. and members of the multinational Combined Joint Task Force –  Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF – OIR) maintain our ongoing commitment  to the fight against ISIS."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736212305306.png" alt="U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —U.S. and partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria over the past week in support of the ongoing Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign.From December 30 to January 6, U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq, targeting known ISIS locations, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp; The operations served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians in the region, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond. During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged Coalition forces on several occasions, resulting in the employment of Coalition air strikes, using F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s. The A-10s tasked to support ground forces in the area were successful in eliminating the ISIS fighters within a cave.One Coalition member was killed and two were wounded from two different nations. There were no injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to U.S. equipment.From January 2 to January 3, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by CENTCOM forces, conducted a D-ISIS operation near Dayr az-Zawr, Syria, resulting in the capture of an ISIS attack cell leader. "The U.S. and members of the multinational Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF – OIR) maintain our ongoing commitment to the fight against ISIS."

U.S. and task force attack in Syria captures ISIS cell leader 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a dangerous situation involving a weapon.

Just after 6:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a disturbance involving gunfire near the intersection of 13th Street North and Estelle, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

An individual made an initial 911 call to report that his friend, a female victim, had reached out to him for help because she was afraid for her safety. While on the phone with her, he heard gunshots in the background. He informed the 911 dispatchers that a male suspect, later identified as 46-year-old William McCoy was walking around the residence and shooting a gun.

Officers were able to identify the location as being in the 1300 block of N. Estelle after hearing additional gunfire coming from the area.

WPD officers quickly established a perimeter as gunshots were periodically heard coming from inside the home. Meanwhile, the victim provided updates to her friend via phone, which were then relayed to 911 dispatchers. These updates included critical information about when the suspect reloaded his firearm, allowing officers to coordinate their actions more effectively.

Eventually, McCoy exited the home with the victim's assistance as she opened the door. Officers issued commands that McCoy followed, leading to his arrest without further incident.

KHP troopers played a crucial role in this operation by helping to establish a perimeter and clearing

McCoy who is prohibited from possessing a firearm and was wearing an ankle monitor, has been booked on multiple requested charges related to this incident.

McCoy has previous convictions for burglary, robbery and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Wichita Chief of Police Joe Sullivan praised the professionalism and restraint everyone involved in the incident demonstrated. He stated, “This situation could have ended in tragedy, but thanks to the exceptional work and collaboration between the Wichita Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol, it was resolved without any injuries. The de-escalation techniques and the restraint shown by the responding officers and troopers reflect their training and commitment to protecting our community. I want to commend everyone involved for their outstanding efforts personally.”

Wichita Police thanked the Sedgwick County 911 Dispatchers for maintaining an open line and relaying critical information and updates to the officers on the scene. Police also appreciated the Kansas Highway Patrol for their partnership in helping us safely resolve this incident. This case highlights the importance of collaboration between agencies and the dedication of law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of our community. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736174138009.png" alt="McCoy has previous convictions for burglary, robbery and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>McCoy has previous convictions for burglary, robbery and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a dangerous situation involving a weapon.Just after 6:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a disturbance involving gunfire near the intersection of 13th Street North and Estelle, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.An individual made an initial 911 call to report that his friend, a female victim, had reached out to him for help because she was afraid for her safety. While on the phone with her, he heard gunshots in the background. He informed the 911 dispatchers that a male suspect, later identified as 46-year-old William McCoy was walking around the residence and shooting a gun.Officers were able to identify the location as being in the 1300 block of N. Estelle after hearing additional gunfire coming from the area.WPD officers quickly established a perimeter as gunshots were periodically heard coming from inside the home. Meanwhile, the victim provided updates to her friend via phone, which were then relayed to 911 dispatchers. These updates included critical information about when the suspect reloaded his firearm, allowing officers to coordinate their actions more effectively.Eventually, McCoy exited the home with the victim's assistance as she opened the door. Officers issued commands that McCoy followed, leading to his arrest without further incident.KHP troopers played a crucial role in this operation by helping to establish a perimeter and clearingMcCoy who is prohibited from possessing a firearm and was wearing an ankle monitor, has been booked on multiple requested charges related to this incident.McCoy has previous convictions for burglary, robbery and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Wichita Chief of Police Joe Sullivan praised the professionalism and restraint everyone involved in the incident demonstrated. He stated, “This situation could have ended in tragedy, but thanks to the exceptional work and collaboration between the Wichita Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol, it was resolved without any injuries. The de-escalation techniques and the restraint shown by the responding officers and troopers reflect their training and commitment to protecting our community. I want to commend everyone involved for their outstanding efforts personally.”Wichita Police thanked the Sedgwick County 911 Dispatchers for maintaining an open line and relaying critical information and updates to the officers on the scene. Police also appreciated the Kansas Highway Patrol for their partnership in helping us safely resolve this incident. This case highlights the importance of collaboration between agencies and the dedication of law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of our community.

 Kan. felon jailed after 911 call reports him firing gun outside home

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1p.m.&nbsp; Monday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a pedestrian identified as Rudolph Martinez, 65, Dodge City, was assisting Brandon Wade Adams, 44,&nbsp;Bonne Terre, Missouri navigate a 2018 Freightliner through a snowdrift covered parking lot at 216 Kansas 156 Highway at the I-70 Junction in Ellsworth. 

The semi backed over Martinez.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. Adams was not injured.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1p.m.&nbsp; Monday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a pedestrian identified as Rudolph Martinez, 65, Dodge City, was assisting Brandon Wade Adams, 44,&nbsp;Bonne Terre, Missouri navigate a 2018 Freightliner through a snowdrift covered parking lot at 216 Kansas 156 Highway at the I-70 Junction in Ellsworth. The semi backed over Martinez.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. Adams was not injured.

Kansas man killed helping semi driver navigate snowdrift 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a convicted felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Deputies were on the look-out last week for a vehicle that had fled from the scene of a burglary in Excelsior Springs, according to a social media report.

They saw the vehicle in downtown Liberty. The driver eventually came to a stop in a nearby neighborhood, where police took him into custody. K9 Argos sniffed the vehicle to determine whether there was probable cause to search it.

Argos kept sniffing the hood of the vehicle, near the windshield. Deputies opened the hood, and sure enough, where the air filter was supposed to be was a black mask, handgun and heroin.

 So far the suspect, identified in court documents as 40-year-old Rowdy Davis of Smithville, has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon. He is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police released no additional details. Davis faces additional charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735580115376.png" alt="Photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a convicted felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735580136258.png" alt="Photos Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were on the look-out last week for a vehicle that had fled from the scene of a burglary in Excelsior Springs, according to a social media report.They saw the vehicle in downtown Liberty. The driver eventually came to a stop in a nearby neighborhood, where police took him into custody. K9 Argos sniffed the vehicle to determine whether there was probable cause to search it.Argos kept sniffing the hood of the vehicle, near the windshield. Deputies opened the hood, and sure enough, where the air filter was supposed to be was a black mask, handgun and heroin. So far the suspect, identified in court documents as 40-year-old Rowdy Davis of Smithville, has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon. He is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police released no additional details. Davis faces additional charges.

Sheriff's K9 finds heroin, handgun and mask in air filter housing

Ice, snow and wind blasted Kansas and Missouri over the weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions brought wind gusts of up to 45 mph and made driving almost impossible. Despite that, State Troopers, police and other emergency crews braved the conditions to help travelers. Below are a few of the images from a stormy weekend.

Ice, snow and wind blasted Kansas and Missouri over the weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions brought wind gusts of up to 45 mph and made driving almost impossible. Despite that, State Troopers, police and other emergency crews braved the conditions to help travelers. Below are a few of the images from a stormy weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736018668931.png" alt="Photo KHP Trooper Tod Heilman" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP Trooper Tod Heilman</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736183374307.png" alt="Snow plow overturned photo Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Snow plow overturned photo Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736031471529.png" alt="Photo KHP Trooper Ben Gardner" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP Trooper Ben Gardner</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736183095212.png" alt="Photo Sedgwick County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sedgwick County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736183150012.png" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736183221742.png" alt="Troopers always doing more than expected -photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Troopers always doing more than expected -photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736079620018.png" alt="Fire truck on responding to a call overturns on icy I-70 in central Kansas-&nbsp; Photo by Brett Neuman courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Fire truck on responding to a call overturns on icy I-70 in central Kansas-&nbsp; Photo by Brett Neuman courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736183330374.png" alt="Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">KHP ASU rescued 5 stranded motorists today from north central KS. <a href="https://t.co/G2WcNXP53D">pic.twitter.com/G2WcNXP53D</a>&mdash; KHP Air Support Unit (@KHPAircraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/KHPAircraft/status/1876392894594212177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736199521034.png" alt="Trucks sliding off the roads on Monday north of Kansas City -photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Trucks sliding off the roads on Monday north of Kansas City -photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>

Photo gallery from weekend ice, snow storm

NEW YORK (AP) — The first U.S. bird flu death has been reported — a person in Louisiana who had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms.

State health officials announced the death on Monday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it was the nation's first due to bird flu.

Health officials have said the person was older than 65, had underlying medical problems and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. They also said a genetic analysis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-louisiana-mutations-cdc-a870a8d4d86d3dd95f4c0d5c7e9edee5">had suggested</a>&nbsp;the bird flu virus had mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness.

Few other details about the person have been disclosed.

Since March, 66 confirmed bird flu infections have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html">reported</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., but previous illnesses have been mild and most have been detected among farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows.

A bird flu death was not unexpected, virus experts said. There have been more than 950 confirmed bird flu infections globally since 2003, and more than 460 of those people died, according to the World Health Organization.

The bird flu virus "is a serious threat and it has historically been a deadly virus," said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health. “This is just a tragic reminder of that.”

Nuzzo noted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-canada-teen-hospitalized-45d7c944883fb17aeb37e96e679cc53e">Canadian teen</a>&nbsp;became severely ill after being infected recently. Researchers are still trying to gauge the dangers of the current version of the virus and determine what causes it to hit some people harder than others, she said.

“Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild,” she added.

In a statement, CDC officials described the Louisiana death as tragic but also said “there are no concerning virologic changes actively spreading in wild birds, poultry or cows that would raise the risk to human health.”

In two of the recent U.S. cases — an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cows-chickens-missouri-57c3effbb8d0431321368d086fe1cba5">adult in Missouri</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-cdc-6798cd1e2f33067d5b7082b7d34a81a9">child in California</a>&nbsp;— health officials have not determined how they caught the virus. The origin of the Louisiana person's infection was not considered a mystery. But it was the first human case in the U.S. linked to exposure to backyard birds, according to the CDC.

Louisiana officials say they are not aware of any other cases in their state, and U.S. officials have said they do not have any evidence that the virus is spreading from person to person.

The H5N1 bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-humans-animals-deaths-ae01d3717783f0cf41e23f3fedb97017">has been spreading widely</a>&nbsp;among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its growing presence in the environment increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said.

Officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725718440042.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The first U.S. bird flu death has been reported — a person in Louisiana who had been hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms.State health officials announced the death on Monday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it was the nation's first due to bird flu.Health officials have said the person was older than 65, had underlying medical problems and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. They also said a genetic analysis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-louisiana-mutations-cdc-a870a8d4d86d3dd95f4c0d5c7e9edee5">had suggested</a>&nbsp;the bird flu virus had mutated inside the patient, which could have led to the more severe illness.Few other details about the person have been disclosed.Since March, 66 confirmed bird flu infections have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html">reported</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., but previous illnesses have been mild and most have been detected among farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows.A bird flu death was not unexpected, virus experts said. There have been more than 950 confirmed bird flu infections globally since 2003, and more than 460 of those people died, according to the World Health Organization.The bird flu virus "is a serious threat and it has historically been a deadly virus," said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health. “This is just a tragic reminder of that.”Nuzzo noted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-canada-teen-hospitalized-45d7c944883fb17aeb37e96e679cc53e">Canadian teen</a>&nbsp;became severely ill after being infected recently. Researchers are still trying to gauge the dangers of the current version of the virus and determine what causes it to hit some people harder than others, she said.“Just because we have seen mild cases does not mean future cases will continue to be mild,” she added.In a statement, CDC officials described the Louisiana death as tragic but also said “there are no concerning virologic changes actively spreading in wild birds, poultry or cows that would raise the risk to human health.”In two of the recent U.S. cases — an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cows-chickens-missouri-57c3effbb8d0431321368d086fe1cba5">adult in Missouri</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-cdc-6798cd1e2f33067d5b7082b7d34a81a9">child in California</a>&nbsp;— health officials have not determined how they caught the virus. The origin of the Louisiana person's infection was not considered a mystery. But it was the first human case in the U.S. linked to exposure to backyard birds, according to the CDC.Louisiana officials say they are not aware of any other cases in their state, and U.S. officials have said they do not have any evidence that the virus is spreading from person to person.The H5N1 bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-humans-animals-deaths-ae01d3717783f0cf41e23f3fedb97017">has been spreading widely</a>&nbsp;among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its growing presence in the environment increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said.Officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.___

U.S. records first human bird flu death

SEWARD COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting in Seward County.

Just after 3p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a home on Denoon Road near Arkalon Road five miles east of Liberal, according to a media release.

First responders found three in the home including 52-year-old John Robert LaPoint, was dead from apparent gunshot wound. Deputies arrested a 25-year-old man without further incident.&nbsp;

Investigators are working to determine a motive. The case will be presented to the Seward County Attorney for charges. Authorities did not release the name of the suspect.

Seward County EMS, Seward County Rural Fire and the Liberal Police Department assisted at the scene.

SEWARD COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting in Seward County.Just after 3p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a home on Denoon Road near Arkalon Road five miles east of Liberal, according to a media release.First responders found three in the home including 52-year-old John Robert LaPoint, was dead from apparent gunshot wound. Deputies arrested a 25-year-old man without further incident.&nbsp;Investigators are working to determine a motive. The case will be presented to the Seward County Attorney for charges. Authorities did not release the name of the suspect.Seward County EMS, Seward County Rural Fire and the Liberal Police Department assisted at the scene.

Sheriff IDs 52-year-old homicide victim at SW Kansas home 

By JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. and HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) —Will TikTok be banned this month?

That’s the pressing question keeping creators and small business owners in anxious limbo as they await a decision that could upend their livelihoods. The fate of the popular app will be decided by the Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on Jan. 10 over a law requiring TikTok to break ties with its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a U.S. ban.

At the heart of the case is whether the law violates the First Amendment with TikTok and its creator allies arguing that it does. The U.S. government, which sees the platform as a national security risk, says it does not.

For creators, the TikTok doomsday scenarios are nothing new since President-elect Donald Trump first tried to ban the platform through executive order during his first term. But despite Trump's recent statements indicating he now wants TikTok to stick around, the prospect of a ban has never been as immediate as it is now with the Supreme Court serving as the final arbiter.

If the government prevails as it did in a lower court, TikTok says it would shut down its U.S. platform by Jan. 19, leaving creators scrambling to redefine their futures.

“A lot of my other creative friends, we're all like freaking out. But I'm staying calm,” said Gillian Johnson, who benefited financially from TikTok’s live feature and rewards program, which helped creators generate higher revenue potential by posting high-quality original content. The 22-year-old filmmaker and recent college graduate uses her TikTok earnings to help fund her equipment for projects such as camera lens and editing software for her short films “Gambit” and “Awaken! My Neighbor.”

Johnson said the idea of TikTok going away is “hard to accept.”

Many creators have taken to TikTok to voice their frustrations, grappling with the possibility that the platform they’ve invested so much in could soon disappear. Online communities risk being disrupted, and the economic fallout could especially be devastating for those who mainly depend on TikTok and have left full-time jobs to build careers and incomes around their content.

For some, the uncertainty has led them to question whether to continue creating content at all, according to Johnson, who says she knows creators who have been thinking about quitting. But Nicla Bartoli, the vice president of sales at The Influencer Marketing Factory, said the creators she has interreacted with have not been too worried since news about a potential TikTok ban has come up repeatedly over the years, and then died down.

“I believe a good chunk think it is not going to happen," said Bartoli, whose agency works to pair influencers and brands.

It's unclear how quickly the Supreme Court will issue a decision. But the court could act swiftly to block the law from going into effect if at least five of the nine justices deem it unconstitutional.

Trump, for his part, has already asked the justices to put a pause on the ban so he could weigh in after he takes office. In a brief — written by his pick for solicitor general — Trump called the First Amendment implications of a TikTok ban “sweeping and troubling" and said he wants a “negotiated resolution” to the issue, something the Biden administration had pursued to no avail.

While waiting for the dust to settle in Washington, some creators are exploring alternatives ways to promote themselves or their business, encouraging users to follow them on other social media platforms or are investing more time producing non-TikTok content.

Johnson says she is already strategizing her next move and exploring alternative opportunities. While she hasn’t found a place quite like TikTok, she’s begun to spend more of her time on other platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, both of whom are expected to benefit financially if TikTok vanishes.

According to a report by Goldman Sachs, the so-called creator economy, which has been fueled in part by TikTok, could be worth $480 billion by 2027.

Because the opportunity to monetize content exists across a range of platforms, a vast amount of creators have already diversified their social media presence. However, many TikTok creators have credited the platform — and its algorithm — with giving them a type of exposure they did not receive on other platforms. Some say it has also boosted and provided opportunities for creators of color and those from other marginalized groups.

Despite fears about the fate of TikTok, industry analysts note creators are generally avoiding making any big changes, like abandoning platform, until something actually happens.

“I’m anxious but also trying to be hopeful in a weird way," said Brandon Hurst, who credits TikTok with rescuing his business from obscurity and propelling it into rapid growth.

A year after joining TikTok, the 30-year-old Hurst, who sells plants, said his sales doubled, outpacing the traction he’d struggled to gain on Instagram. He built his clientele through the live feature on TikTok, which has helped him sell more than 77,000 plants. The business has thrived so much that he says he now employs five people, including his husband and mom.

"For me, this has been my sole way of doing business," Hurst said.

Billion Dollar Boy, a New York-based influencer marketing agency, has advised creators to download all of their TikTok content into a personal portfolio, which is especially important for those who post primarily on the platform, said Edward East, the agency’s founder and group CEO. This can help them quickly build their audiences elsewhere. Plus it can serve as a resume for brands who might want to partner with them for product advertisements, East said.

But until the deadline of Jan. 19 comes around, East said creators should continue to post regularly on TikTok, which has 170 million monthly U.S. users and remains highly effective in reaching audiences.

If the Supreme Court does not delay the ban, as Trump is asking them to do, app stores and internet service providers would be required to stop providing service to TikTok by Jan. 19. That means anyone who doesn't have TikTok on their phone would be unable to download it. TikTok users would continue to have access, but the prohibitions — which will prevent them from updating the app — will eventually make the app "unworkable,” the Justice Department has said.

TikTok said in court documents that it estimates a one-month shutdown would cause the platform to lose approximately a third of its daily users in the U.S. The company argues a shutdown, even if temporary, will cause it irreparable harm, a legal bar used by judges to determine whether to put the brakes on a law facing a challenge. In under three weeks, Americans will know if the Supreme Court agrees.

By JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. and HALELUYA HADERO Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) —Will TikTok be banned this month?That’s the pressing question keeping creators and small business owners in anxious limbo as they await a decision that could upend their livelihoods. The fate of the popular app will be decided by the Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on Jan. 10 over a law requiring TikTok to break ties with its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a U.S. ban.At the heart of the case is whether the law violates the First Amendment with TikTok and its creator allies arguing that it does. The U.S. government, which sees the platform as a national security risk, says it does not.For creators, the TikTok doomsday scenarios are nothing new since President-elect Donald Trump first tried to ban the platform through executive order during his first term. But despite Trump's recent statements indicating he now wants TikTok to stick around, the prospect of a ban has never been as immediate as it is now with the Supreme Court serving as the final arbiter.If the government prevails as it did in a lower court, TikTok says it would shut down its U.S. platform by Jan. 19, leaving creators scrambling to redefine their futures.“A lot of my other creative friends, we're all like freaking out. But I'm staying calm,” said Gillian Johnson, who benefited financially from TikTok’s live feature and rewards program, which helped creators generate higher revenue potential by posting high-quality original content. The 22-year-old filmmaker and recent college graduate uses her TikTok earnings to help fund her equipment for projects such as camera lens and editing software for her short films “Gambit” and “Awaken! My Neighbor.”Johnson said the idea of TikTok going away is “hard to accept.”Many creators have taken to TikTok to voice their frustrations, grappling with the possibility that the platform they’ve invested so much in could soon disappear. Online communities risk being disrupted, and the economic fallout could especially be devastating for those who mainly depend on TikTok and have left full-time jobs to build careers and incomes around their content.For some, the uncertainty has led them to question whether to continue creating content at all, according to Johnson, who says she knows creators who have been thinking about quitting. But Nicla Bartoli, the vice president of sales at The Influencer Marketing Factory, said the creators she has interreacted with have not been too worried since news about a potential TikTok ban has come up repeatedly over the years, and then died down.“I believe a good chunk think it is not going to happen," said Bartoli, whose agency works to pair influencers and brands.It's unclear how quickly the Supreme Court will issue a decision. But the court could act swiftly to block the law from going into effect if at least five of the nine justices deem it unconstitutional.Trump, for his part, has already asked the justices to put a pause on the ban so he could weigh in after he takes office. In a brief — written by his pick for solicitor general — Trump called the First Amendment implications of a TikTok ban “sweeping and troubling" and said he wants a “negotiated resolution” to the issue, something the Biden administration had pursued to no avail.While waiting for the dust to settle in Washington, some creators are exploring alternatives ways to promote themselves or their business, encouraging users to follow them on other social media platforms or are investing more time producing non-TikTok content.Johnson says she is already strategizing her next move and exploring alternative opportunities. While she hasn’t found a place quite like TikTok, she’s begun to spend more of her time on other platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, both of whom are expected to benefit financially if TikTok vanishes.According to a report by Goldman Sachs, the so-called creator economy, which has been fueled in part by TikTok, could be worth $480 billion by 2027.Because the opportunity to monetize content exists across a range of platforms, a vast amount of creators have already diversified their social media presence. However, many TikTok creators have credited the platform — and its algorithm — with giving them a type of exposure they did not receive on other platforms. Some say it has also boosted and provided opportunities for creators of color and those from other marginalized groups.Despite fears about the fate of TikTok, industry analysts note creators are generally avoiding making any big changes, like abandoning platform, until something actually happens.“I’m anxious but also trying to be hopeful in a weird way," said Brandon Hurst, who credits TikTok with rescuing his business from obscurity and propelling it into rapid growth.A year after joining TikTok, the 30-year-old Hurst, who sells plants, said his sales doubled, outpacing the traction he’d struggled to gain on Instagram. He built his clientele through the live feature on TikTok, which has helped him sell more than 77,000 plants. The business has thrived so much that he says he now employs five people, including his husband and mom."For me, this has been my sole way of doing business," Hurst said.Billion Dollar Boy, a New York-based influencer marketing agency, has advised creators to download all of their TikTok content into a personal portfolio, which is especially important for those who post primarily on the platform, said Edward East, the agency’s founder and group CEO. This can help them quickly build their audiences elsewhere. Plus it can serve as a resume for brands who might want to partner with them for product advertisements, East said.But until the deadline of Jan. 19 comes around, East said creators should continue to post regularly on TikTok, which has 170 million monthly U.S. users and remains highly effective in reaching audiences.If the Supreme Court does not delay the ban, as Trump is asking them to do, app stores and internet service providers would be required to stop providing service to TikTok by Jan. 19. That means anyone who doesn't have TikTok on their phone would be unable to download it. TikTok users would continue to have access, but the prohibitions — which will prevent them from updating the app — will eventually make the app "unworkable,” the Justice Department has said.TikTok said in court documents that it estimates a one-month shutdown would cause the platform to lose approximately a third of its daily users in the U.S. The company argues a shutdown, even if temporary, will cause it irreparable harm, a legal bar used by judges to determine whether to put the brakes on a law facing a challenge. In under three weeks, Americans will know if the Supreme Court agrees.

TikTok creators left in limbo while awaiting decision on potential platform ban

HOLT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Saturday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Peterbilt 379 was parked on the east shoulder of northbound Interstate 29 in Mound City.

The truck became a downhill runaway and struck a 33-year-old pedestrian from Neligh, Nebraska.&nbsp; The truck continued off the east side of the road and the trailer struck a light pole.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

HOLT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Saturday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Peterbilt 379 was parked on the east shoulder of northbound Interstate 29 in Mound City.The truck became a downhill runaway and struck a 33-year-old pedestrian from Neligh, Nebraska.&nbsp; The truck continued off the east side of the road and the trailer struck a light pole.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.The MSHP released no additional details.

Runaway semi strikes and kills man on Missouri highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-joint-session-trump-harris-certification-36d63d51027cce9c0a73a42c408ca6f3">certified</a>&nbsp;President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the winner of the 2024 election in proceedings that unfolded Monday without violence or mayhem, in stark contrast to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">Jan. 6, 2021, violence</a>&nbsp;as his mob of supporters stormed the Capitol.

Lawmakers convened under heavy security and a snowstorm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-joint-session-trump-harris-certification-36d63d51027cce9c0a73a42c408ca6f3">to meet the date required by law to certify</a>&nbsp;the election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">the legacy of Jan. 6</a>&nbsp;leaves an extraordinary fact: The candidate who tried to overturn the previous election won this time and is legitimately returning to power.

Layers of tall black fencing flank the U.S. Capitol complex in a stark reminder of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-plaque-trump-reminders-erased-police-af6fe32d72b36c880aec0639ba92e869">what happened four years ago</a>, when a defeated Trump sent his mob to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-us-capitol-remarks-221518bc174f9bc3dd6e108e653ed08d">“fight like hell”</a>&nbsp;in what became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the most gruesome attack</a>&nbsp;on the seat of American democracy in 200 years. It is the tightest national security level possible.

Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over proceedings as the role of the office, read the tally.

The chamber broke into applause, first Republicans for Trump, then Democrats for Harris.

The whole process happened swiftly and without unrest. One by one, the state results were read aloud by the tellers as senators and representatives sat in seats in the House chamber. Vice President-elect JD Vance joined his former colleagues. Within half an hour the process was done.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-electoral-college-republicans-trump-certification-2c6d9fc07979d2ce4ece23cca74d5c0e">No violence, protests or even procedural objections</a>&nbsp;in Congress this time. Republicans who challenged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;when Trump lost to Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-election-security-republicans-trump-ap-poll-6171a25bd64dbb47505b8c907ddcb037">no qualms</a>&nbsp;this year after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">he defeated</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>.

And Democrats frustrated by Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/?office=P">312-226 Electoral College victory</a>&nbsp;nevertheless accept the choice of the American voters. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-blizzard-da173992b438907b477bcd03afa17897">the winter snow</a>&nbsp;blanketing the grounds didn't interfere with Jan. 6, the day set by law to certify the vote.

Trump said in a Monday post online that Congress was certifying a “GREAT” election victory and called it “A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY.”

The day's return to a U.S. tradition that launches the peaceful transfer of presidential power comes with an asterisk as Trump prepares to take office in two weeks with a revived sense of authority. He denies that he lost four years ago, muses about staying beyond the Constitution's two-term White House limit and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-congress-capitol-riot-crimes-4443c672fc3b1492640684652647cde6">promises to pardon</a>&nbsp;some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/jan-6-prosecutions/">more than 1,250 people</a>&nbsp;who have pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes for the Capitol siege.

What’s unclear is if Jan. 6, 2021, was the anomaly, the year Americans violently attacked their own government, or if this year's expected calm becomes the outlier. The U.S. is struggling to cope with its political and cultural differences at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democracy-voters-turnout-elections-interference-disinformation-ai-b792e49cf037624a5e88dc82cac4c899">democracy worldwide is threatened</a>. Trump calls Jan. 6, 2021, a “day of love.”

“We should not be lulled into complacency,” said Ian Bassin, executive director of the cross-ideological nonprofit Protect Democracy.

He and others have warned that returning to power an emboldened leader who has demonstrated his unwillingness to give up the office “is an unprecedentedly dangerous move for a free country to voluntarily take.”

Biden, speaking Sunday at events at the White House, said, “We’ve got to get back to the basic, normal transfer of power,” the president said. What Trump did last time, Biden said, “was a genuine threat to democracy. I’m hopeful we’re beyond that now.”

Still, American democracy has proven to be resilient, and Congress, the branch of government closest to the people, was coming together to affirm the choice of Americans.

With pomp and tradition, the day unfolded as it has countless times before, with the arrival of ceremonial mahogany boxes filled with the electoral certificates from the states — boxes that staff were frantically grabbing and protecting as Trump’s mob stormed the building last time.

Senators walked across the Capitol — which four years ago had filled with roaming rioters, some defecating and menacingly calling out for leaders, others engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police — to the House to begin certifying the vote.

Harris presided over the counting, as is the requirement for the vice president, and certify her own defeat — much the way Democrat Al Gore did in 2001 and Republican Richard Nixon in 1961.

She stood at the dais where then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;was abruptly rushed to safety last time as the mob closed in and lawmakers fumbled to put on gas masks and flee, and shots rang out as police killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-district-of-columbia-protests-and-demonstrations-b69d5e146a3be85c8610a760a9367abd">Ashli Babbitt</a>, a Trump supporter trying to climb through a broken glass door toward the chamber.

The House chaplain, Margaret Kibben, who delivered a prayer during the mayhem four years ago, gave a simple request as the chamber opened to “shine your light in the darkness.”

There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jan-6-electoral-count-challenges-64b1ceeeacff133731ca4af01425a7c9">new procedural rules</a>&nbsp;in place in the aftermath of what happened four years ago, when Republicans parroting Trump’s lie that the election was fraudulent challenged the results their own states had certified.

Under changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-e4366ca9e350ef87ebbb7638517cbde3">Electoral Count Act</a>, it now requires one-fifth of lawmakers, instead of just one in each chamber, to raise any objections to election results. With security as tight as it is for the Super Bowl or the Olympics, law enforcement is on high alert for intruders. No tourists will be allowed.

But none of that is expected to be necessary.

Republicans, who met with Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-mo-brooks-elections-927d23e741ff7b2ca73afe734ffe278d">behind closed doors</a>&nbsp;at the White House before Jan. 6, 2021, to craft a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-elections-government-and-politics-presidential-42911f613bee85913dcbcbaeed096b2c">complex plan</a>&nbsp;to challenge his election defeat, have accepted his win this time.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who led the House floor challenge in 2021, said people at the time were so astonished by the election’s outcome and there were “lots of claims and allegations.”

This time, he said, “I think the win was so decisive.... It stifled most of that.”

Democrats, who have raised symbolic objections in the past, including during the disputed 2000 election that Gore lost to George W. Bush and ultimately decided by the Supreme Court, have no intention of objecting. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said the Democratic Party is not “infested” with election denialism.

“There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle,” Jeffries said on the first day of the new Congress, to applause from Democrats in the chamber.

“You see, one should love America when you win and when you lose. That's the patriotic thing to do,” Jeffries said.

Last time, far-right militias helped lead the mob to break into the Capitol in a war-zone-like scene. Officers have described being crushed and pepper-sprayed and beaten with Trump flag poles,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-takeaways-ffca17be819364b00fb8cf0a24805a47">“slipping in other people's blood.”</a>

Leaders of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oath-keepers-stewart-rhodes-judge-amit-mehta-d2a498d980bc9fa3186e1072a94c0dad">Oath Keepers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/enrique-tarrio-capitol-riot-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-da60222b3e1e54902db2bbbb219dc3fb">Proud Boys</a>&nbsp;have been convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stewart-rhodes-oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-b3ed4556a3dec577539c4181639f666c">seditious conspiracy</a>&nbsp;and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Many others faced prison, probation, home confinement or other penalties.

Democrats issued statements decrying the day, but many Republicans held firm in their views. Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia posted Monday morning about the “thousands of peaceful grandmothers” at the Capitol that day. He said he was thankful that Trump has promised pardons.

Trump was impeached by the House on the charge of inciting an insurrection that day but was acquitted by the Senate. At the time, GOP leader Mitch McConnell blamed Trump for the siege but said his culpability was for the courts to decide.

Federal prosecutors subsequently issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">four-count indictment</a>&nbsp;of Trump for working to overturn the election, including for conspiracy to defraud the United States, but special counsel Jack Smith was forced to pare back the case once the Supreme Court ruled that a president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity</a>&nbsp;for actions taken in office.

Smith last month withdrew the case after Trump won reelection, adhering to Justice Department guidelines that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

Biden, in one of his outgoing acts, awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-citizens-medals-jan-6-cheney-thompson-f725b7003ea11239b90962a8cf0d5305">Presidential Citizens Medal</a>&nbsp;to Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who had been the chair and vice chair of the congressional committee that conducted an investigation into Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump has said those who worked on the Jan. 6 committee should be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-tariffs-pardons-abortion-prosecutions-riot-72c08269f0a870d20e29033319201e22">locked up</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736188945617.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over proceedings as the role of the office, read the tally." />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over proceedings as the role of the office, read the tally.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-joint-session-trump-harris-certification-36d63d51027cce9c0a73a42c408ca6f3">certified</a>&nbsp;President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the winner of the 2024 election in proceedings that unfolded Monday without violence or mayhem, in stark contrast to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">Jan. 6, 2021, violence</a>&nbsp;as his mob of supporters stormed the Capitol.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> Kamala Harris: &quot;This announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States, each for a term beginning on the 20th day of January 2025.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ePBAZ9i08q">pic.twitter.com/ePBAZ9i08q</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876339014393110595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Lawmakers convened under heavy security and a snowstorm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-joint-session-trump-harris-certification-36d63d51027cce9c0a73a42c408ca6f3">to meet the date required by law to certify</a>&nbsp;the election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">the legacy of Jan. 6</a>&nbsp;leaves an extraordinary fact: The candidate who tried to overturn the previous election won this time and is legitimately returning to power.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736188268010.jpeg" alt="Joint session of Congress Monday afternoon for the certification-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Joint session of Congress Monday afternoon for the certification-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Layers of tall black fencing flank the U.S. Capitol complex in a stark reminder of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-plaque-trump-reminders-erased-police-af6fe32d72b36c880aec0639ba92e869">what happened four years ago</a>, when a defeated Trump sent his mob to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-us-capitol-remarks-221518bc174f9bc3dd6e108e653ed08d">“fight like hell”</a>&nbsp;in what became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the most gruesome attack</a>&nbsp;on the seat of American democracy in 200 years. It is the tightest national security level possible.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736187158508.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall visiting with Senators ahead of the certification joint-session of Congress" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall visiting with Senators ahead of the certification joint-session of Congress</figcaption>
 </figure>Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over proceedings as the role of the office, read the tally.The chamber broke into applause, first Republicans for Trump, then Democrats for Harris.The whole process happened swiftly and without unrest. One by one, the state results were read aloud by the tellers as senators and representatives sat in seats in the House chamber. Vice President-elect JD Vance joined his former colleagues. Within half an hour the process was done.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736189700417.png" alt="Vice President-elect JD Vance joined former Senate colleagues for the certification-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President-elect JD Vance joined former Senate colleagues for the certification-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-electoral-college-republicans-trump-certification-2c6d9fc07979d2ce4ece23cca74d5c0e">No violence, protests or even procedural objections</a>&nbsp;in Congress this time. Republicans who challenged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;when Trump lost to Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-election-security-republicans-trump-ap-poll-6171a25bd64dbb47505b8c907ddcb037">no qualms</a>&nbsp;this year after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">he defeated</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736189947753.png" alt="The The mahogany boxes that hold the electoral votes for each state were opened -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The The mahogany boxes that hold the electoral votes for each state were opened -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>And Democrats frustrated by Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/?office=P">312-226 Electoral College victory</a>&nbsp;nevertheless accept the choice of the American voters. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-blizzard-da173992b438907b477bcd03afa17897">the winter snow</a>&nbsp;blanketing the grounds didn't interfere with Jan. 6, the day set by law to certify the vote.Trump said in a Monday post online that Congress was certifying a “GREAT” election victory and called it “A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY.”The day's return to a U.S. tradition that launches the peaceful transfer of presidential power comes with an asterisk as Trump prepares to take office in two weeks with a revived sense of authority. He denies that he lost four years ago, muses about staying beyond the Constitution's two-term White House limit and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-congress-capitol-riot-crimes-4443c672fc3b1492640684652647cde6">promises to pardon</a>&nbsp;some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/jan-6-prosecutions/">more than 1,250 people</a>&nbsp;who have pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes for the Capitol siege.What’s unclear is if Jan. 6, 2021, was the anomaly, the year Americans violently attacked their own government, or if this year's expected calm becomes the outlier. The U.S. is struggling to cope with its political and cultural differences at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democracy-voters-turnout-elections-interference-disinformation-ai-b792e49cf037624a5e88dc82cac4c899">democracy worldwide is threatened</a>. Trump calls Jan. 6, 2021, a “day of love.”“We should not be lulled into complacency,” said Ian Bassin, executive director of the cross-ideological nonprofit Protect Democracy.He and others have warned that returning to power an emboldened leader who has demonstrated his unwillingness to give up the office “is an unprecedentedly dangerous move for a free country to voluntarily take.”Biden, speaking Sunday at events at the White House, said, “We’ve got to get back to the basic, normal transfer of power,” the president said. What Trump did last time, Biden said, “was a genuine threat to democracy. I’m hopeful we’re beyond that now.”Still, American democracy has proven to be resilient, and Congress, the branch of government closest to the people, was coming together to affirm the choice of Americans.With pomp and tradition, the day unfolded as it has countless times before, with the arrival of ceremonial mahogany boxes filled with the electoral certificates from the states — boxes that staff were frantically grabbing and protecting as Trump’s mob stormed the building last time.Senators walked across the Capitol — which four years ago had filled with roaming rioters, some defecating and menacingly calling out for leaders, others engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police — to the House to begin certifying the vote.Harris presided over the counting, as is the requirement for the vice president, and certify her own defeat — much the way Democrat Al Gore did in 2001 and Republican Richard Nixon in 1961.She stood at the dais where then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;was abruptly rushed to safety last time as the mob closed in and lawmakers fumbled to put on gas masks and flee, and shots rang out as police killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-district-of-columbia-protests-and-demonstrations-b69d5e146a3be85c8610a760a9367abd">Ashli Babbitt</a>, a Trump supporter trying to climb through a broken glass door toward the chamber.The House chaplain, Margaret Kibben, who delivered a prayer during the mayhem four years ago, gave a simple request as the chamber opened to “shine your light in the darkness.”There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jan-6-electoral-count-challenges-64b1ceeeacff133731ca4af01425a7c9">new procedural rules</a>&nbsp;in place in the aftermath of what happened four years ago, when Republicans parroting Trump’s lie that the election was fraudulent challenged the results their own states had certified.Under changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-e4366ca9e350ef87ebbb7638517cbde3">Electoral Count Act</a>, it now requires one-fifth of lawmakers, instead of just one in each chamber, to raise any objections to election results. With security as tight as it is for the Super Bowl or the Olympics, law enforcement is on high alert for intruders. No tourists will be allowed.But none of that is expected to be necessary.Republicans, who met with Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-mo-brooks-elections-927d23e741ff7b2ca73afe734ffe278d">behind closed doors</a>&nbsp;at the White House before Jan. 6, 2021, to craft a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-elections-government-and-politics-presidential-42911f613bee85913dcbcbaeed096b2c">complex plan</a>&nbsp;to challenge his election defeat, have accepted his win this time.Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who led the House floor challenge in 2021, said people at the time were so astonished by the election’s outcome and there were “lots of claims and allegations.”This time, he said, “I think the win was so decisive.... It stifled most of that.”Democrats, who have raised symbolic objections in the past, including during the disputed 2000 election that Gore lost to George W. Bush and ultimately decided by the Supreme Court, have no intention of objecting. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said the Democratic Party is not “infested” with election denialism.“There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle,” Jeffries said on the first day of the new Congress, to applause from Democrats in the chamber.“You see, one should love America when you win and when you lose. That's the patriotic thing to do,” Jeffries said.Last time, far-right militias helped lead the mob to break into the Capitol in a war-zone-like scene. Officers have described being crushed and pepper-sprayed and beaten with Trump flag poles,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-takeaways-ffca17be819364b00fb8cf0a24805a47">“slipping in other people's blood.”</a>Leaders of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oath-keepers-stewart-rhodes-judge-amit-mehta-d2a498d980bc9fa3186e1072a94c0dad">Oath Keepers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/enrique-tarrio-capitol-riot-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-da60222b3e1e54902db2bbbb219dc3fb">Proud Boys</a>&nbsp;have been convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stewart-rhodes-oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-b3ed4556a3dec577539c4181639f666c">seditious conspiracy</a>&nbsp;and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Many others faced prison, probation, home confinement or other penalties.Democrats issued statements decrying the day, but many Republicans held firm in their views. Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia posted Monday morning about the “thousands of peaceful grandmothers” at the Capitol that day. He said he was thankful that Trump has promised pardons.Trump was impeached by the House on the charge of inciting an insurrection that day but was acquitted by the Senate. At the time, GOP leader Mitch McConnell blamed Trump for the siege but said his culpability was for the courts to decide.Federal prosecutors subsequently issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">four-count indictment</a>&nbsp;of Trump for working to overturn the election, including for conspiracy to defraud the United States, but special counsel Jack Smith was forced to pare back the case once the Supreme Court ruled that a president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity</a>&nbsp;for actions taken in office.Smith last month withdrew the case after Trump won reelection, adhering to Justice Department guidelines that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.Biden, in one of his outgoing acts, awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-citizens-medals-jan-6-cheney-thompson-f725b7003ea11239b90962a8cf0d5305">Presidential Citizens Medal</a>&nbsp;to Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who had been the chair and vice chair of the congressional committee that conducted an investigation into Jan. 6, 2021.Trump has said those who worked on the Jan. 6 committee should be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-tariffs-pardons-abortion-prosecutions-riot-72c08269f0a870d20e29033319201e22">locked up</a>.

🎥Harris certifies Trump’s Presidential election victory

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double-fatal shooting in Kansas City have identified the victims as 37-year-old Samuel J. Hughes and 34-year-old Jeffery J. Hughes, according to KCPD Sergeant&nbsp; Phil DiMartino.

Just after 7:30p.m. Thursday patrol officers were dispatched to the 8700 block of Blue Ridge in Kansas City on a reported shooting.

The call indicated two individuals were possibly shot in a parking lot. Upon arrival the officers located two men suffering from gunshot wounds. 

Emergency medical personnel responded and pronounced both victims deceased. This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an interaction in the parking lot that led to the victims being shot. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735915570511.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double-fatal shooting in Kansas City have identified the victims as 37-year-old Samuel J. Hughes and 34-year-old Jeffery J. Hughes, according to KCPD Sergeant&nbsp; Phil DiMartino.Just after 7:30p.m. Thursday patrol officers were dispatched to the 8700 block of Blue Ridge in Kansas City on a reported shooting.The call indicated two individuals were possibly shot in a parking lot. Upon arrival the officers located two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel responded and pronounced both victims deceased. This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an interaction in the parking lot that led to the victims being shot.

Homicide: Police ID victims found dead in KC parking lot

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-canada-resign-freeland-trump-f346160f062846bbbaac73dbdd597941">face of rising discontent</a>&nbsp;over his leadership, and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister signaled growing turmoil within his government.

Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he cannot "be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” He planned to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.

“I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well being of democracy is something that I hold dear," he said.

An official familiar with the matter said Parliament, which had been due to resume Jan. 27, will be suspended until March 24. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter publicly.

All three main opposition parties have said they plan to topple the Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes, so a spring election to pick a permanent replacement was almost assured.

“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election,” Trudeau said. “I am excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead.”

Trudeau came to power in 2015 after 10 years of Conservative Party rule, and had initially been hailed for returning the country to its liberal past. But the 53-year-old scion of one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers became deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing, and surging immigration.

The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada internationally. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs in the U.S. — even though far fewer of each crosses into the U.S. from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump has also threatened.

Canada is a major exporter of oil and natural gas to the U.S., which also relies on its northern neighbor for steel, aluminum and autos.

Trudeau has kept publicly mum in recent weeks, despite intensifying pressure for him to step down.

“His long silence following this political drama speaks volumes about the weakness of his current position,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.

Canada’s former finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her resignation from Trudeau’s Cabinet on Dec. 16., criticizing some of Trudeau’s economic priorities in the face of Trump’s threats. The move, which came shortly after the housing minister quit, stunned the country and raised questions about how much longer the increasingly unpopular Trudeau could stay in his job.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736179553325.png" alt="Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his resignation Monday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his resignation Monday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-canada-resign-freeland-trump-f346160f062846bbbaac73dbdd597941">face of rising discontent</a>&nbsp;over his leadership, and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister signaled growing turmoil within his government.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a>: &quot;I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nation-wide competitive process.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/gYJ8m4bRk2">pic.twitter.com/gYJ8m4bRk2</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876300343144743297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1733023283407.png" alt="President-elect Trump and Trudeau during dinner at&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago in late November" />
 <figcaption>President-elect Trump and Trudeau during dinner at&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago in late November</figcaption>
 </figure>Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he cannot "be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” He planned to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.“I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well being of democracy is something that I hold dear," he said.An official familiar with the matter said Parliament, which had been due to resume Jan. 27, will be suspended until March 24. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter publicly.All three main opposition parties have said they plan to topple the Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes, so a spring election to pick a permanent replacement was almost assured.“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election,” Trudeau said. “I am excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead.”Trudeau came to power in 2015 after 10 years of Conservative Party rule, and had initially been hailed for returning the country to its liberal past. But the 53-year-old scion of one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers became deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing, and surging immigration.The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada internationally. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs in the U.S. — even though far fewer of each crosses into the U.S. from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump has also threatened.Canada is a major exporter of oil and natural gas to the U.S., which also relies on its northern neighbor for steel, aluminum and autos.Trudeau has kept publicly mum in recent weeks, despite intensifying pressure for him to step down.“His long silence following this political drama speaks volumes about the weakness of his current position,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.Canada’s former finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her resignation from Trudeau’s Cabinet on Dec. 16., criticizing some of Trudeau’s economic priorities in the face of Trump’s threats. The move, which came shortly after the housing minister quit, stunned the country and raised questions about how much longer the increasingly unpopular Trudeau could stay in his job.Freeland and Trudeau had disagreed about two recently announced policies: a temporary sales tax holiday on goods ranging from children’s clothes to beer, and plans to send every citizen a check for $250 Canadian ($174). Freeland, who was also deputy prime minister, said Canada could not afford “costly political gimmicks” in the face of the tariffs threat.“Our country is facing a grave challenge,” Freeland wrote in her resignation letter. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.”Trudeau had been planning to run for a fourth term in next year’s election, even in the face of rising discontent among Liberal Party members. The party recently suffered upsets in special elections in two districts in Toronto and Montreal that it has held for years. No Canadian prime minister in more than a century has won four straight terms.And based on the latest polls, Trudeau’s chances for success looked slim. In the latest poll by Nanos, the Liberals trail the Conservatives 47% to 21%.Over nearly a decade in power, Trudeau embraced an array of causes favored by his liberal base. He spoke in favor of immigration at a time other countries were trying to tighten their borders. He championed diversity and gender equality, appointing a Cabinet that was equal parts men and women. He legalized cannabis.His efforts to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection were criticized by both the right and left. He levied a tax on carbon emissions and rescued a stalled pipeline expansion project to get more of Alberta’s oil to international markets.Fewer people died from COVID-19 in Canada than elsewhere and his government provided massive financial support. But animosity grew among those opposed to vaccine mandates. Flags with Trudeau’s name and expletives became a common sight in rural parts.A combination of scandal and unpopular policies damaged his prospects over time.Trudeau’s father swept to power in 1968, and led Canada for almost 16 years, becoming a storied name in the country’s history, most notably by opening its doors wide to immigrants. Pierre Trudeau was often compared to John F. Kennedy and remains one of the few Canadian politicians who are recognized in America.Tall and trim, with movie-star looks, Justin Trudeau channeled the star power — if not quite the political heft — of his father.He became the second-youngest prime minister in Canada’s history, and rivals said his age was a liability when he first sought office. But he won a sweeping mandate in a come-from-behind victory in 2015.Trudeau is a former teacher, nightclub bouncer and snowboard instructor who has three children with his now estranged wife, a former model and TV host.