SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly shooting rampage in Wichita last weekend made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.

Jose A. Acosta, 33, was charged with&nbsp;First-degree murder;&nbsp;Criminal discharge of a firearm; Occupied dwelling with bodily harm;&nbsp;riminal discharge of a firearm; Recklessly at an occupied vehicle;&nbsp;aggravated robbery; Armed with a dangerous weapon; aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer; Use of a deadly weapon; Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Monday, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter&nbsp; provided an update on a series of violent incidents involving Acosta.

At 8:52 PM, Wichita Police officers were dispatched to a reported robbery involving a firearm in the 1400 block of North Otis. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jose Antonio Acosta, pistol whipped one individual and pointed the gun at another, stealing their bicycle.

At 8:56 PM, as Acosta walked away from the robbery, he fired multiple shots into a residence in the 1400 block of North Otis. The homeowner narrowly avoided being shot, but the gunfire struck their dog.

At 9:16 PM, another victim reported an attempted carjacking that occurred near 16th&nbsp;and Broadway. Acosta allegedly struck the vehicle's window with a gun before firing several rounds at the car as the driver fled. Evidence of gunfire, including damage to the vehicle’s back window, was confirmed.

At 9:20 PM, officers investigating the area heard gunshots south of 13th and Broadway. It was determined that Acosta had engaged in a confrontation with an unidentified man at 11th and Broadway, firing multiple rounds. Detectives are actively seeking this individual.

Around the same time, Acosta confronted a woman across the street at a convenience store. Following a verbal altercation, he fired several shots at her. Fortunately, she was not injured.

At 9:26 PM, two WPD officers located Acosta near 11th and Broadway next to the stolen bicycle. After repeated commands to surrender, Acosta attempted to draw his firearm, hindered by an extended magazine. He eventually raised the weapon toward the officers, prompting them to fire. Acosta sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.

During interviews with victims of the Otis robbery, officers searched Prospect Park near 13th and Main. There, they discovered the body of 40-year-old Myron Tucker of Wichita, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Tucker was shot around 8:49 PM, shortly before the robbery.

Acosta was released from the hospital on Sunday and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He faces multiple requested charges, including:

This investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to identify and locate additional individuals involved in these incidents. We extend our gratitude to all agencies and officers who responded to this series of violent events and ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (316) 660-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732580870839.png" alt="Acosta photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Acosta photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly shooting rampage in Wichita last weekend made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.Jose A. Acosta, 33, was charged with&nbsp;First-degree murder;&nbsp;Criminal discharge of a firearm; Occupied dwelling with bodily harm;&nbsp;riminal discharge of a firearm; Recklessly at an occupied vehicle;&nbsp;aggravated robbery; Armed with a dangerous weapon; aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer; Use of a deadly weapon; Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Monday, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter&nbsp; provided an update on a series of violent incidents involving Acosta.Timeline of EventsAt 8:52 PM, Wichita Police officers were dispatched to a reported robbery involving a firearm in the 1400 block of North Otis. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jose Antonio Acosta, pistol whipped one individual and pointed the gun at another, stealing their bicycle.At 8:56 PM, as Acosta walked away from the robbery, he fired multiple shots into a residence in the 1400 block of North Otis. The homeowner narrowly avoided being shot, but the gunfire struck their dog.At 9:16 PM, another victim reported an attempted carjacking that occurred near 16th&nbsp;and Broadway. Acosta allegedly struck the vehicle's window with a gun before firing several rounds at the car as the driver fled. Evidence of gunfire, including damage to the vehicle’s back window, was confirmed.At 9:20 PM, officers investigating the area heard gunshots south of 13th and Broadway. It was determined that Acosta had engaged in a confrontation with an unidentified man at 11th and Broadway, firing multiple rounds. Detectives are actively seeking this individual.Around the same time, Acosta confronted a woman across the street at a convenience store. Following a verbal altercation, he fired several shots at her. Fortunately, she was not injured.At 9:26 PM, two WPD officers located Acosta near 11th and Broadway next to the stolen bicycle. After repeated commands to surrender, Acosta attempted to draw his firearm, hindered by an extended magazine. He eventually raised the weapon toward the officers, prompting them to fire. Acosta sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.Additional IncidentDuring interviews with victims of the Otis robbery, officers searched Prospect Park near 13th and Main. There, they discovered the body of 40-year-old Myron Tucker of Wichita, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Tucker was shot around 8:49 PM, shortly before the robbery.ArrestAcosta was released from the hospital on Sunday and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He faces multiple requested charges, including:<ul>
 <li>First-degree murder.</li><li>Attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.</li><li>Aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.</li><li>Aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm.</li><li>Two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers.</li><li>Felon in possession of a firearm (Due to his prior felony conviction).</li>
 </ul>This investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to identify and locate additional individuals involved in these incidents. We extend our gratitude to all agencies and officers who responded to this series of violent events and ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect.Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (316) 660-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

Kan. murder suspect, wounded by police, appears in court

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A house fire early Friday caused approximately $3,500 in damage.

Just after 7:30a.m., crews responded&nbsp;to a reported house fire at 1535 SW Van Buren in Topeka, according to Battalion Chief Ty Forshee. 

First arriving crews found smoke coming from the attic of a two story home and quickly extinguished the fire. The occupants of the home were alerted to the fire by Topeka Fire Department personnel when they arrived.

Investigators determine the cause of the fire as&nbsp; failure of electrical wiring in the attic. The fire originated in the attic of the home. The loss associated with the fire is approximately $2500 to the structure and $1000 in content loss.

The home did not have working smoke detectors, according to Forshee.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A house fire early Friday caused approximately $3,500 in damage.Just after 7:30a.m., crews responded&nbsp;to a reported house fire at 1535 SW Van Buren in Topeka, according to Battalion Chief Ty Forshee. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the attic of a two story home and quickly extinguished the fire. The occupants of the home were alerted to the fire by Topeka Fire Department personnel when they arrived.Investigators determine the cause of the fire as&nbsp; failure of electrical wiring in the attic. The fire originated in the attic of the home. The loss associated with the fire is approximately $2500 to the structure and $1000 in content loss.The home did not have working smoke detectors, according to Forshee.

Fire crews alerted residents to fire in attic of Kan. home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift was spending Black Friday amid a sea of red to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs as they played the Las Vegas Raiders in a chilly matinee at Arrowhead Stadium.

Swift had the Thanksgiving weekend off from her Eras Tour before it wraps with three shows in Vancouver beginning Dec. 6.

Swift walked down the tunnel into Arrowhead Stadium wearing a black outfit and red jacket as camera flashes created a strobe-like effect. Her arrival at Chiefs games over the past year-plus —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">ever since she started dating Kelce</a>, who had reached out to her with an invitation to a game — has become a red-carpet moment for both local and national media.

Earlier in the day, Target stores across the country began selling an exclusive book devoted to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-taylor-swift-kansas-city-1aca48cb971d6d232186c5d73a2c4244">Eras Tour</a>&nbsp;along with a bonus edition of her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-holiday-gift-guide-2024-c368161ba884e994c7681dfed9108db8">“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology”</a>&nbsp;that it said would only be available in stores on Black Friday.

There also are two new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/holidays">Christmas</a>&nbsp;movies on television that have Swift connections.

<a href="https://play.mylifetime.com/movies/christmas-in-the-spotlight/preview-christmas-in-the-spotlight">“Christmas in the Spotlight,"</a>&nbsp;which premiered Nov. 23 on Lifetime, stars Jessica Lord as a pop star and Laith Wallschleger as a football player who meet and fall in love. The script was written by Eirene Tran Donohue, who said she was inspired to write a script loosely based on her favorite musician after watching Swift and Kelce's relationship blossom.

On Saturday, Hallmark will air&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syuN4M-wa9s">“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,”</a>&nbsp;which centers on a new Chiefs employee (Tyler Hynes) who meets a woman — played by Hunter King — whose family’s dedication to the team goes back decades. The story was written by Sherman Wolfe, a 49ers fan who was asked to pen it after the Chiefs beat San Francisco in the Super Bowl.

“Holiday Touchdown” has several cameos involving Chiefs players along with a small role for Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce. And the team celebrated its pending release Friday by handing out small pennants and pins to fans at the game.

Associated Press writer Alicia Rancilio contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732912821991.jpeg" alt="Singer Taylor Swift, right, and Donna Kelce arrive before the start of an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Singer Taylor Swift, right, and Donna Kelce arrive before the start of an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift was spending Black Friday amid a sea of red to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs as they played the Las Vegas Raiders in a chilly matinee at Arrowhead Stadium.Swift had the Thanksgiving weekend off from her Eras Tour before it wraps with three shows in Vancouver beginning Dec. 6.Swift walked down the tunnel into Arrowhead Stadium wearing a black outfit and red jacket as camera flashes created a strobe-like effect. Her arrival at Chiefs games over the past year-plus —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">ever since she started dating Kelce</a>, who had reached out to her with an invitation to a game — has become a red-carpet moment for both local and national media.Earlier in the day, Target stores across the country began selling an exclusive book devoted to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-taylor-swift-kansas-city-1aca48cb971d6d232186c5d73a2c4244">Eras Tour</a>&nbsp;along with a bonus edition of her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-holiday-gift-guide-2024-c368161ba884e994c7681dfed9108db8">“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology”</a>&nbsp;that it said would only be available in stores on Black Friday.There also are two new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/holidays">Christmas</a>&nbsp;movies on television that have Swift connections.<a href="https://play.mylifetime.com/movies/christmas-in-the-spotlight/preview-christmas-in-the-spotlight">“Christmas in the Spotlight,"</a>&nbsp;which premiered Nov. 23 on Lifetime, stars Jessica Lord as a pop star and Laith Wallschleger as a football player who meet and fall in love. The script was written by Eirene Tran Donohue, who said she was inspired to write a script loosely based on her favorite musician after watching Swift and Kelce's relationship blossom.On Saturday, Hallmark will air&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syuN4M-wa9s">“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,”</a>&nbsp;which centers on a new Chiefs employee (Tyler Hynes) who meets a woman — played by Hunter King — whose family’s dedication to the team goes back decades. The story was written by Sherman Wolfe, a 49ers fan who was asked to pen it after the Chiefs beat San Francisco in the Super Bowl.“Holiday Touchdown” has several cameos involving Chiefs players along with a small role for Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce. And the team celebrated its pending release Friday by handing out small pennants and pins to fans at the game.___Associated Press writer Alicia Rancilio contributed to this report.

Taylor Swift spends Black Friday amid sea of red as Chiefs face the Raiders

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks posted solid gains as Wall Street put the finishing touches on one of its best months of the year.

The S&amp;P rose 0.6% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4%. Both indexes closed out November with their best monthly performances of the year. The Nasdaq added 0.8%. Friday was an abbreviated trading day, with stocks closing at 1 p.m. ET and the bond market an hour later.

Investors were looking to see how much shoppers are willing to spend on gifts for the holidays. Black Friday unofficially kicked off the holiday shopping season, although retailers had been offering early deals for weeks. Macy’s and Best Buy each gained around 2%.

Apple rose 1.1%. The technology giant is hoping recently added artificial intelligence features are enough to entice consumers to treat themselves or their relatives to a new iPhone for the holidays.

The Dow rose 7.5% in November, easily its best month of 2024. The Walt Disney Co. has the biggest percentage gain for the month at 22.1%, but the price-weighted index also got a boost from Goldman Sachs, up 17.5% to $608.57 and Salesforce, up more than 13% to $329.99.

The S&amp;P 500 gained 5.7% this month, driven by Tesla and other stocks that received a boost from Donald Trump’s win in the presidential election. Discover Financial Services leads a list of financials stocks that had a good November, up nearly 23% for the month despite a small loss Friday. Investors believe the credit card company's merger with Capital One has a greater chance of going through under a Trump administration and overall the financial services industry faces less restrictive oversight.

Tesla shares rose 3.7% Friday and posted a monthly increase of more than 38%. The electric vehicle maker is expected to benefit from CEO Elon Musk’s support of Trump.

Musk also gave a boost to Hasbro shares after he triggered takeover speculation when he asked in a post on X how much the toy and game company was worth. Hasbro, which owns the role-playing game Dungeon &amp; Dragons, rose 2%.

Bond yields fell, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury slipping to 4.19%.

Bitcoin, which recently made a run at $100,000 before dropping back, briefly rose back above $98,000 but was recently trading around $97,300.

Global markets mostly fell. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4% after the government reported that inflation in Tokyo, considered an indicator for national trends, was 2.6% in November, up from 1.8% last month mainly due to a surge in fresh food prices.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks posted solid gains as Wall Street put the finishing touches on one of its best months of the year.The S&amp;P rose 0.6% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4%. Both indexes closed out November with their best monthly performances of the year. The Nasdaq added 0.8%. Friday was an abbreviated trading day, with stocks closing at 1 p.m. ET and the bond market an hour later.Investors were looking to see how much shoppers are willing to spend on gifts for the holidays. Black Friday unofficially kicked off the holiday shopping season, although retailers had been offering early deals for weeks. Macy’s and Best Buy each gained around 2%.Apple rose 1.1%. The technology giant is hoping recently added artificial intelligence features are enough to entice consumers to treat themselves or their relatives to a new iPhone for the holidays.The Dow rose 7.5% in November, easily its best month of 2024. The Walt Disney Co. has the biggest percentage gain for the month at 22.1%, but the price-weighted index also got a boost from Goldman Sachs, up 17.5% to $608.57 and Salesforce, up more than 13% to $329.99.The S&amp;P 500 gained 5.7% this month, driven by Tesla and other stocks that received a boost from Donald Trump’s win in the presidential election. Discover Financial Services leads a list of financials stocks that had a good November, up nearly 23% for the month despite a small loss Friday. Investors believe the credit card company's merger with Capital One has a greater chance of going through under a Trump administration and overall the financial services industry faces less restrictive oversight.Tesla shares rose 3.7% Friday and posted a monthly increase of more than 38%. The electric vehicle maker is expected to benefit from CEO Elon Musk’s support of Trump.Musk also gave a boost to Hasbro shares after he triggered takeover speculation when he asked in a post on X how much the toy and game company was worth. Hasbro, which owns the role-playing game Dungeon &amp; Dragons, rose 2%.Bond yields fell, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury slipping to 4.19%.Bitcoin, which recently made a run at $100,000 before dropping back, briefly rose back above $98,000 but was recently trading around $97,300.Global markets mostly fell. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.4% after the government reported that inflation in Tokyo, considered an indicator for national trends, was 2.6% in November, up from 1.8% last month mainly due to a surge in fresh food prices.

Wall Street: Dow and S&P 500 close out best month of 2024

JOHNSON COUNTY — One person was injured in a fire on Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park.

The fire occurred at the at Georgetown Apartments, 72nd and Frontage Road in Merriam, according to a social media report from the Overland Park Fire Department.&nbsp;

EMS transported one person to the hospital with smoke inhalation from the fire.&nbsp; One dog was also missing. The fire was contained to the unit where it started.&nbsp; Residents of 9 units were displaced.&nbsp; Authorities did not release details on the cause of the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732902672848.png" alt="Imaged from video by Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Imaged from video by Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — One person was injured in a fire on Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park.The fire occurred at the at Georgetown Apartments, 72nd and Frontage Road in Merriam, according to a social media report from the Overland Park Fire Department.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732902648201.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EMS transported one person to the hospital with smoke inhalation from the fire.&nbsp; One dog was also missing. The fire was contained to the unit where it started.&nbsp; Residents of 9 units were displaced.&nbsp; Authorities did not release details on the cause of the fire.

1 hospitalized, dog missing after Kan. apartment building fire

TOPEKA —"Slow down, speeding doesn't just endanger you, it endangers everyone else on the road as well," the Kansas Highway Patrol wrote on social media this week.

Master Trooper Ben Elsass recently stopped a motorist going 104 mph in a 40 mph zone.&nbsp; The driver received a ticked with a $813 fine, according to the KHP.

"Remember, no matter where you're headed it's more important to get there safely than on time. Slow down and help us keep everyone on the roads safe."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732846392504.png" alt="Image KHP" />
 <figcaption>Image KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —"Slow down, speeding doesn't just endanger you, it endangers everyone else on the road as well," the Kansas Highway Patrol wrote on social media this week.Master Trooper Ben Elsass recently stopped a motorist going 104 mph in a 40 mph zone.&nbsp; The driver received a ticked with a $813 fine, according to the KHP."Remember, no matter where you're headed it's more important to get there safely than on time. Slow down and help us keep everyone on the roads safe."

KHP: Driver ticketed for 104mph in a 40mph zone

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation proposed construction of a $114.4 million headquarters to replace administrative buildings that subjected employees to fire-safety dangers and security threats from homeless people and drug addicts.

Tony Mattivi, director of the state law enforcement agency, told the Kansas Legislature’s joint budget committee Monday the headquarters located in a former Topeka junior high school was declared functionally obsolete in 1996. That main structure was built in 1929 a decade before the KBI was created.

Consultants concluded the two adjoining buildings making up the headquarters complex couldn’t continue to accommodate a functioning workplace, Mattivi said.

“Our headquarters isn’t safe,” the KBI director said. “I am failing miserably in my obligation to give our employees a safe place to work.”

Mattivi said the stone structure serving as the central administrative building wasn’t equipped with life-safety systems such as smoke-containment and fire-sprinkler systems. The largely wood-framed building lacked internal barriers to prevent spread of flames.

It isn’t compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. There are numerous code issues due to antiquated infrastructure, he said. Portions of the sewer pipe system, for example, were about 100 years old.

Mattivi said the headquarters didn’t have a command post to coordinate law enforcement emergencies. Nor did it have dedicated classroom space, an indoor firing range, an evidence processing room, kennel facilities for K-9s, an incinerator or agent equipment lockers, he said.

The headquarters didn’t meet external security standards because it lacked fencing and didn’t have enough property for a stand-off perimeter, Mattivi said. An alley runs between the two KBI buildings. Some of the agency’s 250 employees must walk through that alley from building to building.

“I don’t mean to be unkind to anyone, but we’re in a horrible neighborhood,” Mattivi said. “Employees walk between two buildings through an alley and are often confronted by homeless people and drug addicts, because that’s what surrounds the KBI building.”

Mattivi said consultants and state officials considered renovation of the existing buildings, relocating to vacant office space and building a new headquarters. The best option is to build a headquarters with 134,000 square feet on seven to nine acres in Topeka, the KBI director said.

Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican on the legislative budget committee, said the KBI should forward to the 2025 Legislature estimates of what it would cost to renovate the existing administrative facility.

“I think if we’re going to look at that we need to look at the whole picture,” Carpenter said.

The Legislature should explore alternatives such as acquiring empty office space for use by the KBI, said Republican Rep. Kyle Hoffman of Coldwater.

Mattivi said the $114.4 million estimate for construction of a new headquarters reflected an updated plan for square footage and construction costs. An earlier proposal placed the preliminary cost at less than $95 million. Neither estimate included the cost of land acquisition.

The KBI started the process of assessing land in the Topeka area for a new headquarters in anticipation of competitive bidding for land and construction, Mattivi said.

Mattivi also urged the Legislature to approve $1.6 million for cybersecurity upgrades at the KBI.

“The information we have is so sensitive that a data breach would be disastrous,” the director said.

The KBI proposed the state allocate $1.2 million for specialized equipment at the KBI’s main laboratory in Topeka. In addition, the agency recommended an appropriation of $500,000 to address shortcomings in a computer system used to track offenders and $239,000 to improve recruitment and retention of KBI staff, especially information technology professionals.

Meanwhile, the KBI has proceeded with development of planning for a $55 million agency laboratory on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The land was donated by PSU and the Legislature approved $40 million for the project. The remaining funding would come from the federal government.

Ground is expected to be broken on that southeast Kansas laboratory in June 2025 or about six months later than previously anticipated. The laboratory could be occupied by December 2026, Mattivi said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732738766889.png" alt="Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, urged the 2025 Legislature to approve plans for a new $114.4 million headquarters building in Topeka. He said the existing facilities posed fire-safety risks, lacked a suitable perimeter and were otherwise inadequate to complete the agency’s law enforcement mission. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, urged the 2025 Legislature to approve plans for a new $114.4 million headquarters building in Topeka. He said the existing facilities posed fire-safety risks, lacked a suitable perimeter and were otherwise inadequate to complete the agency’s law enforcement mission. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation proposed construction of a $114.4 million headquarters to replace administrative buildings that subjected employees to fire-safety dangers and security threats from homeless people and drug addicts.Tony Mattivi, director of the state law enforcement agency, told the Kansas Legislature’s joint budget committee Monday the headquarters located in a former Topeka junior high school was declared functionally obsolete in 1996. That main structure was built in 1929 a decade before the KBI was created.Consultants concluded the two adjoining buildings making up the headquarters complex couldn’t continue to accommodate a functioning workplace, Mattivi said.“Our headquarters isn’t safe,” the KBI director said. “I am failing miserably in my obligation to give our employees a safe place to work.”Mattivi said the stone structure serving as the central administrative building wasn’t equipped with life-safety systems such as smoke-containment and fire-sprinkler systems. The largely wood-framed building lacked internal barriers to prevent spread of flames.It isn’t compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. There are numerous code issues due to antiquated infrastructure, he said. Portions of the sewer pipe system, for example, were about 100 years old.Mattivi said the headquarters didn’t have a command post to coordinate law enforcement emergencies. Nor did it have dedicated classroom space, an indoor firing range, an evidence processing room, kennel facilities for K-9s, an incinerator or agent equipment lockers, he said.The headquarters didn’t meet external security standards because it lacked fencing and didn’t have enough property for a stand-off perimeter, Mattivi said. An alley runs between the two KBI buildings. Some of the agency’s 250 employees must walk through that alley from building to building.“I don’t mean to be unkind to anyone, but we’re in a horrible neighborhood,” Mattivi said. “Employees walk between two buildings through an alley and are often confronted by homeless people and drug addicts, because that’s what surrounds the KBI building.”Mattivi said consultants and state officials considered renovation of the existing buildings, relocating to vacant office space and building a new headquarters. The best option is to build a headquarters with 134,000 square feet on seven to nine acres in Topeka, the KBI director said.Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican on the legislative budget committee, said the KBI should forward to the 2025 Legislature estimates of what it would cost to renovate the existing administrative facility.“I think if we’re going to look at that we need to look at the whole picture,” Carpenter said.The Legislature should explore alternatives such as acquiring empty office space for use by the KBI, said Republican Rep. Kyle Hoffman of Coldwater.Mattivi said the $114.4 million estimate for construction of a new headquarters reflected an updated plan for square footage and construction costs. An earlier proposal placed the preliminary cost at less than $95 million. Neither estimate included the cost of land acquisition.The KBI started the process of assessing land in the Topeka area for a new headquarters in anticipation of competitive bidding for land and construction, Mattivi said.Mattivi also urged the Legislature to approve $1.6 million for cybersecurity upgrades at the KBI.“The information we have is so sensitive that a data breach would be disastrous,” the director said.The KBI proposed the state allocate $1.2 million for specialized equipment at the KBI’s main laboratory in Topeka. In addition, the agency recommended an appropriation of $500,000 to address shortcomings in a computer system used to track offenders and $239,000 to improve recruitment and retention of KBI staff, especially information technology professionals.Meanwhile, the KBI has proceeded with development of planning for a $55 million agency laboratory on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The land was donated by PSU and the Legislature approved $40 million for the project. The remaining funding would come from the federal government.Ground is expected to be broken on that southeast Kansas laboratory in June 2025 or about six months later than previously anticipated. The laboratory could be occupied by December 2026, Mattivi said.

KBI seeks $114.4 million for new headquarters and exit from ‘horrible’ neighborhood in Topeka

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — At least five Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.

Sen. Chris Murphy and Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jahana Hayes all reported being the subject of such threats. Police who responded said they found no evidence of explosives on the lawmakers' properties.

There was no immediate word whether Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the fifth Democratic House member from the state, and Connecticut’s other Democratic senator received threats.

The bomb threats against Democrats happened a day after a number of President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees reported that they had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-bomb-threats-swatting-0a7f2166087f7c455cbba5b717dae439">received such threats</a>, as well as “swatting attacks," in which perpetrators initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a victim under false pretenses.

Murphy's office said his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat, “which appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford Police and U.S. Capitol Police determined there was no threat.

Hayes said the Wolcott Police Department informed her Thursday morning that it had received “a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home.” State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the House sergeant at arms were notified, Wolcott and state police responded “and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered.”

Courtney's Vernon home received a bomb threat while his wife and children were there, his office said.

Himes said he was told of the threat against his home during a Thanksgiving celebration with his family. The U.S. Capitol Police, and Greenwich and Stamford police departments responded.

Hines extended his family's “utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing other lawmakers who were threatened, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.”

Larson also said Thursday that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb threat against his home.

The FBI declined to give details on the latest episodes except to say it is investigating them in partnership with other agencies.

s working with our state and local partners on these matters. No further details of the investigation will be released at this time.”

The threats follow an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing him in the ear and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c">subsequent assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.

Among those who received threats Wednesday were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations</a>; Matt Gaetz,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaetz-trump-fbi-justice-department-248b46ba0c882dd46d661568e8bd3bd7">Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general</a>; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-feaa4672efac644aa60722d3a3215df1">Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor</a>, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stephen-miller-policy-immigration-9cc6ad3118779b23bff88022ca5e2260">who has been tapped</a>&nbsp;to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732849797175.png" alt="U.S. Senator Chris Murphy courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator Chris Murphy courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — At least five Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.Sen. Chris Murphy and Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jahana Hayes all reported being the subject of such threats. Police who responded said they found no evidence of explosives on the lawmakers' properties.There was no immediate word whether Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the fifth Democratic House member from the state, and Connecticut’s other Democratic senator received threats.The bomb threats against Democrats happened a day after a number of President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees reported that they had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-bomb-threats-swatting-0a7f2166087f7c455cbba5b717dae439">received such threats</a>, as well as “swatting attacks," in which perpetrators initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a victim under false pretenses.Murphy's office said his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat, “which appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford Police and U.S. Capitol Police determined there was no threat.Hayes said the Wolcott Police Department informed her Thursday morning that it had received “a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home.” State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the House sergeant at arms were notified, Wolcott and state police responded “and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered.”Courtney's Vernon home received a bomb threat while his wife and children were there, his office said.Himes said he was told of the threat against his home during a Thanksgiving celebration with his family. The U.S. Capitol Police, and Greenwich and Stamford police departments responded.Hines extended his family's “utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing other lawmakers who were threatened, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.”Larson also said Thursday that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb threat against his home.The FBI declined to give details on the latest episodes except to say it is investigating them in partnership with other agencies.s working with our state and local partners on these matters. No further details of the investigation will be released at this time.”The threats follow an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing him in the ear and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c">subsequent assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.Among those who received threats Wednesday were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations</a>; Matt Gaetz,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaetz-trump-fbi-justice-department-248b46ba0c882dd46d661568e8bd3bd7">Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general</a>; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-feaa4672efac644aa60722d3a3215df1">Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor</a>, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stephen-miller-policy-immigration-9cc6ad3118779b23bff88022ca5e2260">who has been tapped</a>&nbsp;to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.___

Bomb threats: Trump cabinet picks and now Dem lawmakers 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a card skimming ring in Kansas and asking for help to identify two suspects.

Just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday, two individuals, seen on security camera, reportedly placed card skimmers on card readers at three Dollar General stores in Topeka. The stores are located at 2500 SE California Avenue; 10th and Fairlawn and at 29th and Croco, according to Topeka Police.



If you know these people or have any information about these incidents, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732735692511.png" alt="Security camera image Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a card skimming ring in Kansas and asking for help to identify two suspects.Just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday, two individuals, seen on security camera, reportedly placed card skimmers on card readers at three Dollar General stores in Topeka. The stores are located at 2500 SE California Avenue; 10th and Fairlawn and at 29th and Croco, according to Topeka Police.

If you know these people or have any information about these incidents, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.

Police work to ID Kansas card skimming suspects

WASHINGTON —Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for what we have and giving back to our communities, Vice President Kamala Harris wrote Thursday on her social media page.

"Our family was grateful to be back at DC Central Kitchen to volunteer for the holiday."

In addition, Harris wrote, "We are forever grateful for the sacrifice our service members and their families make to keep our nation safe and to&nbsp;defend our nation’s highest ideals. Doug and I were honored to spend time speaking with them this Thanksgiving."

The DC Central Kitchen is a nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation, according to the organization's web sire. "The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732844718082.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for what we have and giving back to our communities, Vice President Kamala Harris wrote Thursday on her social media page.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732844918528.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Our family was grateful to be back at DC Central Kitchen to volunteer for the holiday."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732844876596.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, Harris wrote, "We are forever grateful for the sacrifice our service members and their families make to keep our nation safe and to&nbsp;defend our nation’s highest ideals. Doug and I were honored to spend time speaking with them this Thanksgiving."The DC Central Kitchen is a nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation, according to the organization's web sire. "The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed."

Kamala Harris volunteered at community kitchen on Thanksgiving

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly shooting.

Last week, Judge Tyler Roush sentenced&nbsp;26-year-old Damion Hazelton&nbsp;to serve 15 years in prison for the death of 49-year-old Chris Baker of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 2:30p.m. June 23, 2023, police in Wichita received a series of 911 calls about a vehicle collision and a shooting in the 7000 Block of East Lincoln in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Officer Aaron Moses.

First responders located a red GMC Yukon that struck a building and a victim later identified as Baker&nbsp; inside the SUV with a gunshot wound.. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Baker would be pronounced deceased on the scene.

Investigators at the scene learned from witnesses that someone involved in the crash had fled into one of the nearby buildings, according to Moses. A small group of the Wichita Police SWAT team responded to the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Investigators worked through the evening hours and were able to determine that Hazelton was the shooter. Police located and arrested him without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hazelton has previous convictions for falsely reporting a crime and Giving false alarm or false information regarding violent criminal activity or threat to persons life, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687694361794.png" alt="-Hazelton has previous convictions for falsely reporting a crime and Giving false alarm - false information regarding violent criminal activity or threat to persons life, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>-Hazelton has previous convictions for falsely reporting a crime and Giving false alarm - false information regarding violent criminal activity or threat to persons life, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly shooting.Last week, Judge Tyler Roush sentenced&nbsp;26-year-old Damion Hazelton&nbsp;to serve 15 years in prison for the death of 49-year-old Chris Baker of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687565978422.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 2:30p.m. June 23, 2023, police in Wichita received a series of 911 calls about a vehicle collision and a shooting in the 7000 Block of East Lincoln in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Officer Aaron Moses.First responders located a red GMC Yukon that struck a building and a victim later identified as Baker&nbsp; inside the SUV with a gunshot wound.. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Baker would be pronounced deceased on the scene.Investigators at the scene learned from witnesses that someone involved in the crash had fled into one of the nearby buildings, according to Moses. A small group of the Wichita Police SWAT team responded to the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Investigators worked through the evening hours and were able to determine that Hazelton was the shooter. Police located and arrested him without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hazelton has previous convictions for falsely reporting a crime and Giving false alarm or false information regarding violent criminal activity or threat to persons life, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon sentenced for murder of man who crashed SUV

ELLIS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for attempting to follow through on a social media threat against a victim at their residence.

Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, police received a report of a criminal threat in the city of Ellis, according to a media release.

The reporting person stated that they had observed posts on a Facebook page that specifically named two Ellis community members and was concerning in nature.

Police were able to verify the existence of the post and began investigating the credibility of the threat. Police contacted one of the community members named in the Facebook post at their residence.

While the officer was on scene gathering information and advising the community member about the post, Nathan Harwick, 43, of Ellis, showed up at the community member’s residence armed with what the officer on scene perceived to be a long metal pipe.

Fearing for the safety of the community member and their family who were present in the house, the officer on scene drew his service weapon and began giving commands for Harwick to drop the object he was displaying in his hands. Harwick was compliant and was subsequently arrested without further incident.

The officer on-scene later contacted the other community member who was named in the Facebook post and verified that they were unharmed.&nbsp;

Harwick was transported to the Ellis County Jail, where he was booked on requested charges of aggravated assault x2, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and criminal threat. No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732833299050.png" alt="Harwick photo Ellis County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Harwick photo Ellis County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for attempting to follow through on a social media threat against a victim at their residence.Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, police received a report of a criminal threat in the city of Ellis, according to a media release.The reporting person stated that they had observed posts on a Facebook page that specifically named two Ellis community members and was concerning in nature.Police were able to verify the existence of the post and began investigating the credibility of the threat. Police contacted one of the community members named in the Facebook post at their residence.While the officer was on scene gathering information and advising the community member about the post, Nathan Harwick, 43, of Ellis, showed up at the community member’s residence armed with what the officer on scene perceived to be a long metal pipe.Fearing for the safety of the community member and their family who were present in the house, the officer on scene drew his service weapon and began giving commands for Harwick to drop the object he was displaying in his hands. Harwick was compliant and was subsequently arrested without further incident.The officer on-scene later contacted the other community member who was named in the Facebook post and verified that they were unharmed.&nbsp;Harwick was transported to the Ellis County Jail, where he was booked on requested charges of aggravated assault x2, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and criminal threat. No injuries were reported.

Police: Kansas man jailed for alleged social media threat

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">social media ban for children</a>&nbsp;under 16 passed the Australian Senate Thursday and will soon become a world-first law.

The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.

The Senate passed the bill 34 votes to 19. The House of Representatives on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-young-children-bf0ca2aedaf61b71fe335421240e94c4">overwhelmingly approved</a>&nbsp;the legislation by 102 votes to 13.

The House has yet to endorse opposition amendments made in the Senate. But that is a formality since the government has already agreed they will pass.

The platforms will have one year to work out how they could implement the ban before penalties are enforced.

Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the legislation had been “rushed.”

The amendments bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses, nor could they demand digital identification through a government system.

The House is scheduled to pass the amendments on Friday. Critics of the legislation fear that banning young children from social media will impact the privacy of users who must establish they are older than 16.

While the major parties support the ban, many child welfare and mental health advocates are concerned about unintended consequences.

Sen. David Shoebridge, from the minority Greens party, said mental health experts agreed that the ban could dangerously isolate many children who used social media to find support.

“This policy will hurt vulnerable young people the most, especially in regional communities and especially the LGBTQI community, by cutting them off,” Shoebridge told the Senate.

Opposition Sen. Maria Kovacic said the bill was not radical but necessary. “The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms,” Kovacic told the Senate.

“This is a responsibility these companies should have been fulfilling long ago, but for too long they have shirked these responsibilities in favor of profit,” she added.

Online safety campaigner Sonya Ryan, whose 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered by a 50-year-old pedophile who pretended to be a teenager online, described the Senate vote as a “monumental moment in protecting our children from horrendous harms online.”

“It’s too late for my daughter, Carly, and the many other children who have suffered terribly and those who have lost their lives in Australia, but let us stand together on their behalf and embrace this together,” she told the AP in an email.

Wayne Holdsworth, whose teenage son Mac took his own life after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, had advocated for the age restriction and took pride in its passage.

“I have always been a proud Australian, but for me subsequent to today’s Senate decision, I am bursting with pride,” Holdsworth told the AP in an email.

Christopher Stone, executive director of Suicide Prevention Australia, the governing body for the suicide prevention sector, said the legislation failed to consider positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection.

“The government is running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation. Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste,” Stone said in a statement.

The platforms had complained that the law would be unworkable and had urged the Senate to delay the vote until at least June 2025 when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies will report on how young children could be excluded.

“Naturally, we respect the laws decided by the Australian Parliament," Facebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms said in a statement. “However, we are concerned about the process which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people.”

Critics argue the government is attempting to convince parents it is protecting their children ahead of a general election due by May. The government hopes that voters will reward it for responding to parents’ concerns about their children’s addiction to social media. Some argue the legislation could cause more harm than it prevents.

Criticisms include that the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, is ineffective, poses privacy risks for all users, and undermines the authority of parents to make decisions for their children.

Opponents also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of the positive aspects of social media, drive them to the dark web, discourage children too young for social media to report harm, and reduce incentives for platforms to improve online safety.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660141848593.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">social media ban for children</a>&nbsp;under 16 passed the Australian Senate Thursday and will soon become a world-first law.The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.The Senate passed the bill 34 votes to 19. The House of Representatives on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-young-children-bf0ca2aedaf61b71fe335421240e94c4">overwhelmingly approved</a>&nbsp;the legislation by 102 votes to 13.The House has yet to endorse opposition amendments made in the Senate. But that is a formality since the government has already agreed they will pass.The platforms will have one year to work out how they could implement the ban before penalties are enforced.Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the legislation had been “rushed.”The amendments bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses, nor could they demand digital identification through a government system.The House is scheduled to pass the amendments on Friday. Critics of the legislation fear that banning young children from social media will impact the privacy of users who must establish they are older than 16.While the major parties support the ban, many child welfare and mental health advocates are concerned about unintended consequences.Sen. David Shoebridge, from the minority Greens party, said mental health experts agreed that the ban could dangerously isolate many children who used social media to find support.“This policy will hurt vulnerable young people the most, especially in regional communities and especially the LGBTQI community, by cutting them off,” Shoebridge told the Senate.Opposition Sen. Maria Kovacic said the bill was not radical but necessary. “The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms,” Kovacic told the Senate.“This is a responsibility these companies should have been fulfilling long ago, but for too long they have shirked these responsibilities in favor of profit,” she added.Online safety campaigner Sonya Ryan, whose 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered by a 50-year-old pedophile who pretended to be a teenager online, described the Senate vote as a “monumental moment in protecting our children from horrendous harms online.”“It’s too late for my daughter, Carly, and the many other children who have suffered terribly and those who have lost their lives in Australia, but let us stand together on their behalf and embrace this together,” she told the AP in an email.Wayne Holdsworth, whose teenage son Mac took his own life after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, had advocated for the age restriction and took pride in its passage.“I have always been a proud Australian, but for me subsequent to today’s Senate decision, I am bursting with pride,” Holdsworth told the AP in an email.Christopher Stone, executive director of Suicide Prevention Australia, the governing body for the suicide prevention sector, said the legislation failed to consider positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection.“The government is running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation. Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste,” Stone said in a statement.The platforms had complained that the law would be unworkable and had urged the Senate to delay the vote until at least June 2025 when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies will report on how young children could be excluded.“Naturally, we respect the laws decided by the Australian Parliament," Facebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms said in a statement. “However, we are concerned about the process which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people.”Critics argue the government is attempting to convince parents it is protecting their children ahead of a general election due by May. The government hopes that voters will reward it for responding to parents’ concerns about their children’s addiction to social media. Some argue the legislation could cause more harm than it prevents.Criticisms include that the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, is ineffective, poses privacy risks for all users, and undermines the authority of parents to make decisions for their children.Opponents also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of the positive aspects of social media, drive them to the dark web, discourage children too young for social media to report harm, and reduce incentives for platforms to improve online safety.____

World first: Australia bans minors from social media 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas teen injured in a motorcycle accident has died.

Just before 3p.m. November 21,&nbsp;Topeka Police Department Officers responded to a motorcycle, SUV accident at the intersection of SW Huntoon and SW Glendale in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as a 17-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the SUV also sustained injuries in the accident and was also transported to a local hospital.

On Wednesday night, police reported the driver of the motorcycle had died. Police did not release his name. The accident remains under investigation.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas teen injured in a motorcycle accident has died.Just before 3p.m. November 21,&nbsp;Topeka Police Department Officers responded to a motorcycle, SUV accident at the intersection of SW Huntoon and SW Glendale in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as a 17-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the SUV also sustained injuries in the accident and was also transported to a local hospital.On Wednesday night, police reported the driver of the motorcycle had died. Police did not release his name. The accident remains under investigation.

Kansas teen injured in motorcycle crash has died

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a rare diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration.

The Chinese government also announced Thursday that the U.S. had returned four people to China, including at least three Chinese citizens who it said had been held for “political purposes,” and a person who had been sought by Beijing for crimes and had been living in the United States. It did not identify the four.

The three Americans released by Beijing are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-detained-americans-congress-294b10f51d76c89af8c49f76b967ae00">Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung</a>, all of whom had been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained by China.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e5db75c146b843a987328a38f459a295">Swidan</a>&nbsp;had been facing a death sentence on drug charges while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-hostages-wrongfully-detained-joe-biden-0fb40f42130f59dadb783e8a9823d3e1">Li</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-charged-spying-china-prison-2de86767bbc828ec4362af23fb271afd">Leung</a>&nbsp;were imprisoned on espionage charges.

A plane carrying the three men from China landed late Wednesday night at a military base in San Antonio, Texas.

The release comes just two months after China freed David Lin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-american-detainee-released-pastor-ad3a2104bac2490f0d7eb773faaeafda">a Christian pastor from California</a>&nbsp;who had spent nearly 20 years behind bars after being convicted of contract fraud.

U.S.-China relations have been roiled for years over major disagreements between the world’s two largest economies on trade, human rights, the production of fentanyl precursors, security issues that include espionage and hacking, China’s aggressiveness toward Taiwan and its smaller neighbors in the South China Sea, and Beijing’s support for Russia’s military-industrial sector.

The release of Americans deemed wrongfully detained in China has been a top agenda item in each conversation between the U.S. and China, and Wednesday’s development suggests a willingness by Beijing to engage with the outgoing Democratic administration before Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January.

Trump took significant actions against China on trade and diplomacy during his first term. He has pledged to continue those policies in his second term, leading to unease among many who fear that an all-out trade war will greatly affect the international economy and could spur potential Chinese military action against Taiwan.

Still, the two countries have maintained a dialogue that has included a partial restoration of military-to-military contacts. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met this month to discuss potential improvements.

In a separate but related move, the State Department on Wednesday lowered its travel warning to China to “level two,” advising U.S. citizens to “exercise increased caution” from the norm when traveling to the mainland. The alert had previously been at “level three,” telling Americans they should “reconsider travel” to China in part because of the “risk of wrongful detention” of Americans.

The new alert removes that wording but retains a warning that the Chinese government “arbitrarily enforces local laws, including exit bans on U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, without fair and transparent process under the law.”

The Biden administration had raised the cases of the detained Americans with China in multiple meetings over the past several years, including this month when Biden spoke to Xi on during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/peru-apec-biden-xi-lima-china-fc2ac014b2f7314bfa1a53351b0bc3a7">Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit</a>&nbsp;in Peru.

Politico was first to report the men’s release, which it said was part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. The White House did not immediately confirm that any Chinese citizens in American custody had been returned home.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced in Beijing on Thursday that “three Chinese citizens have returned to the motherland safe and sound."

“China always firmly opposes U.S. suppression and persecution of Chinese nationals out of political purposes, and we will continue taking necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals,” she said.

She added that a fourth person, “a fugitive who escaped to the U.S. many years ago, has also been repatriated to China.”

The fourth person's nationality was not identified. Mao said “this shows that there will be no safe haven forever for criminals. The Chinese government will continue our efforts to repatriate the fugitives and recover criminals and illegal possessions until every fugitive is held accountable.”

Senators from both U.S. political parties praised the release of the Americans. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he was “overjoyed” — Swidan's mother lives in Texas — and credited senior Biden administration officials with having “worked tirelessly to secure this achievement.”

Li, a Chinese immigrant who started an export business in the U.S. and lived in New York, was detained in September 2016 after flying into Shanghai. He was placed under surveillance, interrogated without a lawyer and accused of providing state secrets to the FBI. A U.N. working group called his 10-year prison sentence arbitrary and his family has said the charges were politically motivated.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said he had worked for years to try to secure Li's release, welcomed the news.

“Even when it felt like there was no hope, we never stopped believing that one day Mr. Li would return home,” Schumer said in a statement.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-charged-spying-china-prison-2de86767bbc828ec4362af23fb271afd">Leung was sentenced last year</a>&nbsp;to life in prison on spying charges. He was detained in 2021, by the local bureau of China’s counterintelligence agency in the southeastern city of Suzhou after China had closed its borders and imposed tight domestic travel restrictions and social controls to fight the spread of COVID-19.

After Leung's sentencing,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-travel-advisory-8ee10ab5ed3b269ad3cdf4dfe715a22a">the U.S. recommended</a>&nbsp;— though without citing specific cases — that Americans reconsider traveling to China because of arbitrary law enforcement and exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.

Swidan had been jailed for the last 12 years on a drug charge and, along with Li and Leung, was considered by the State Department to be wrongfully detained.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732718331980.png" alt="Kai Li courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kai Li courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Three American citizens imprisoned for years by China have been released and are returning to the United States, the White House said Wednesday, announcing a rare diplomatic agreement with Beijing in the final months of the Biden administration.The Chinese government also announced Thursday that the U.S. had returned four people to China, including at least three Chinese citizens who it said had been held for “political purposes,” and a person who had been sought by Beijing for crimes and had been living in the United States. It did not identify the four.The three Americans released by Beijing are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-detained-americans-congress-294b10f51d76c89af8c49f76b967ae00">Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung</a>, all of whom had been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained by China.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e5db75c146b843a987328a38f459a295">Swidan</a>&nbsp;had been facing a death sentence on drug charges while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-hostages-wrongfully-detained-joe-biden-0fb40f42130f59dadb783e8a9823d3e1">Li</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-charged-spying-china-prison-2de86767bbc828ec4362af23fb271afd">Leung</a>&nbsp;were imprisoned on espionage charges.A plane carrying the three men from China landed late Wednesday night at a military base in San Antonio, Texas.The release comes just two months after China freed David Lin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-american-detainee-released-pastor-ad3a2104bac2490f0d7eb773faaeafda">a Christian pastor from California</a>&nbsp;who had spent nearly 20 years behind bars after being convicted of contract fraud.U.S.-China relations have been roiled for years over major disagreements between the world’s two largest economies on trade, human rights, the production of fentanyl precursors, security issues that include espionage and hacking, China’s aggressiveness toward Taiwan and its smaller neighbors in the South China Sea, and Beijing’s support for Russia’s military-industrial sector.The release of Americans deemed wrongfully detained in China has been a top agenda item in each conversation between the U.S. and China, and Wednesday’s development suggests a willingness by Beijing to engage with the outgoing Democratic administration before Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January.Trump took significant actions against China on trade and diplomacy during his first term. He has pledged to continue those policies in his second term, leading to unease among many who fear that an all-out trade war will greatly affect the international economy and could spur potential Chinese military action against Taiwan.Still, the two countries have maintained a dialogue that has included a partial restoration of military-to-military contacts. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met this month to discuss potential improvements.In a separate but related move, the State Department on Wednesday lowered its travel warning to China to “level two,” advising U.S. citizens to “exercise increased caution” from the norm when traveling to the mainland. The alert had previously been at “level three,” telling Americans they should “reconsider travel” to China in part because of the “risk of wrongful detention” of Americans.The new alert removes that wording but retains a warning that the Chinese government “arbitrarily enforces local laws, including exit bans on U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, without fair and transparent process under the law.”The Biden administration had raised the cases of the detained Americans with China in multiple meetings over the past several years, including this month when Biden spoke to Xi on during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/peru-apec-biden-xi-lima-china-fc2ac014b2f7314bfa1a53351b0bc3a7">Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit</a>&nbsp;in Peru.Politico was first to report the men’s release, which it said was part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. The White House did not immediately confirm that any Chinese citizens in American custody had been returned home.However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced in Beijing on Thursday that “three Chinese citizens have returned to the motherland safe and sound."“China always firmly opposes U.S. suppression and persecution of Chinese nationals out of political purposes, and we will continue taking necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals,” she said.She added that a fourth person, “a fugitive who escaped to the U.S. many years ago, has also been repatriated to China.”The fourth person's nationality was not identified. Mao said “this shows that there will be no safe haven forever for criminals. The Chinese government will continue our efforts to repatriate the fugitives and recover criminals and illegal possessions until every fugitive is held accountable.”Senators from both U.S. political parties praised the release of the Americans. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he was “overjoyed” — Swidan's mother lives in Texas — and credited senior Biden administration officials with having “worked tirelessly to secure this achievement.”Li, a Chinese immigrant who started an export business in the U.S. and lived in New York, was detained in September 2016 after flying into Shanghai. He was placed under surveillance, interrogated without a lawyer and accused of providing state secrets to the FBI. A U.N. working group called his 10-year prison sentence arbitrary and his family has said the charges were politically motivated.Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said he had worked for years to try to secure Li's release, welcomed the news.“Even when it felt like there was no hope, we never stopped believing that one day Mr. Li would return home,” Schumer said in a statement.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-charged-spying-china-prison-2de86767bbc828ec4362af23fb271afd">Leung was sentenced last year</a>&nbsp;to life in prison on spying charges. He was detained in 2021, by the local bureau of China’s counterintelligence agency in the southeastern city of Suzhou after China had closed its borders and imposed tight domestic travel restrictions and social controls to fight the spread of COVID-19.After Leung's sentencing,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-travel-advisory-8ee10ab5ed3b269ad3cdf4dfe715a22a">the U.S. recommended</a>&nbsp;— though without citing specific cases — that Americans reconsider traveling to China because of arbitrary law enforcement and exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.Swidan had been jailed for the last 12 years on a drug charge and, along with Li and Leung, was considered by the State Department to be wrongfully detained.

What the U.S. gave to China for release of 3 imprisoned Americans 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Thanksgiving Eve is the busiest travel day of the year on U.S. roads. 

"It’s also of the most dangerous - for both man and beast, Kansas City, Kansas police reported on their social media page.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, northbound 635 at Interstate 70 was closed for several hours after a semi carrying 95 hogs, crashed and overturned.

The driver was not injured. Four of the hogs died in the crash.

KCKPD officers responded to assist Kansas Highway Patrol with traffic while Kansas City Kansas&nbsp; Animal Services&nbsp;officers and Director, Ashley Scott, coordinated and oversaw the safe transfer of the surviving hogs to a local holding facility.

"It may not be a typical example, but it definitely shows how important it is that KCK Animal Services works together with law enforcement to protect both residents and animals in the community."

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Thanksgiving Eve is the busiest travel day of the year on U.S. roads. "It’s also of the most dangerous - for both man and beast, Kansas City, Kansas police reported on their social media page.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732797378189.png" alt="Photo Kansas City, Kansas police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City, Kansas police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, northbound 635 at Interstate 70 was closed for several hours after a semi carrying 95 hogs, crashed and overturned.The driver was not injured. Four of the hogs died in the crash.KCKPD officers responded to assist Kansas Highway Patrol with traffic while Kansas City Kansas&nbsp; Animal Services&nbsp;officers and Director, Ashley Scott, coordinated and oversaw the safe transfer of the surviving hogs to a local holding facility. "It may not be a typical example, but it definitely shows how important it is that KCK Animal Services works together with law enforcement to protect both residents and animals in the community."

Semi  hauling pigs overturns on Kansas highway

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump declared a win on stopping illegal immigration through Mexico on Wednesday after talking with that country’s leader. But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Mexico was already doing its part and had no interest in closing its borders.

The two spoke just days after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-trade-policy-economy-0fb9740a4b42c734c75b64ba09c901d5">threatened to impose</a>&nbsp;sweeping new tariffs on Canada and Mexico as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.

Trump said Sheinbaum “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico." Sheinbaum indicated separately on social media that she told Trump that Mexico is already “taking care of” migrant caravans, calling it an “excellent conversation.”

“We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples,” Sheinbaum added.

While the state of the proposed tariffs remained unclear, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that this was “effectively closing our Southern Border.” He called it a “very productive conversation.”

The exchange between the two leaders appeared to confirm for Trump the value of threatening to disrupt trade with import taxes. His initial social media post moved financial markets and gave him a response he was quick to describe as a win. Even if the proposed tariffs fail to materialize, Trump can tell supporters that the mere possibility of them is an effective policy tool and continue to rely on tariff threats.

Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the leaders “discussed Mexico’s strategy on migration issues, and I told him the caravans are not reaching the northern (U.S.) border, because Mexico is taking care of them.”

“We also talked about reinforcing cooperation on security issues, within the framework of our sovereignty, and the campaign we are carrying out to prevent fentanyl consumption," she said.

Illegal migration across the Mexico border is down in part because the Biden administration secured some stepped-up cooperation from Mexico — the sort Trump seems to be celebrating.

Arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters">dropped 40%</a>&nbsp;from an all-time high in December. U.S. officials mostly credit Mexican vigilance around rail yards and highway checkpoints.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726426633999.png" alt="File photo (AP/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>File photo (AP/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump declared a win on stopping illegal immigration through Mexico on Wednesday after talking with that country’s leader. But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Mexico was already doing its part and had no interest in closing its borders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732760652454.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The two spoke just days after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-trade-policy-economy-0fb9740a4b42c734c75b64ba09c901d5">threatened to impose</a>&nbsp;sweeping new tariffs on Canada and Mexico as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.Trump said Sheinbaum “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico." Sheinbaum indicated separately on social media that she told Trump that Mexico is already “taking care of” migrant caravans, calling it an “excellent conversation.”“We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples,” Sheinbaum added.While the state of the proposed tariffs remained unclear, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account that this was “effectively closing our Southern Border.” He called it a “very productive conversation.”The exchange between the two leaders appeared to confirm for Trump the value of threatening to disrupt trade with import taxes. His initial social media post moved financial markets and gave him a response he was quick to describe as a win. Even if the proposed tariffs fail to materialize, Trump can tell supporters that the mere possibility of them is an effective policy tool and continue to rely on tariff threats.Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the leaders “discussed Mexico’s strategy on migration issues, and I told him the caravans are not reaching the northern (U.S.) border, because Mexico is taking care of them.”“We also talked about reinforcing cooperation on security issues, within the framework of our sovereignty, and the campaign we are carrying out to prevent fentanyl consumption," she said.Illegal migration across the Mexico border is down in part because the Biden administration secured some stepped-up cooperation from Mexico — the sort Trump seems to be celebrating.Arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters">dropped 40%</a>&nbsp;from an all-time high in December. U.S. officials mostly credit Mexican vigilance around rail yards and highway checkpoints.Driven by mounting pressure from the U.S. to block migrants going north, in the past few years Mexican authorities have turned to rounding them up across the country and sending them to southern Mexico, in a strategy seen by experts as an attempt to wear migrants out until they give up.Neither side clarified the status of the tariffs. But their implementation could fuel higher prices and slow economic growth, potentially blowing up the trade agreement among the U.S., Canada and Mexico that was finalized in 2020 during Trump's previous time in the White House.Trump on Monday said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders upon taking office on Jan. 20. He also proposed an additional 10% tariff on China tied to its exporting of materials used in the production of fentanyl.In announcing his plans, he railed against the flow of fentanyl and migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally, even though southern border apprehensions have been hovering near four-year lows.On Wednesday, Trump also posted that he plans a large scale ad campaign to explain “how bad Fentanyl is for people to use,” predicting it would educate people on “how really bad the horror of this Drug is.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-overdose-deaths-us-cdc-12e961d78cc0458e84a07e0b3f7d1bbc">dangerously powerful opioid</a>&nbsp;was developed to treat intense pain from ailments like cancer but has increasingly been mixed with other drugs in the illicit drug supply.Through September, the United States has imported $378.9 billion in goods from Mexico, $322.2 billion from China and $309.3 billion from Canada.