DAMASCUS —On Thursday,&nbsp;U.S. Forces conducted a precision  airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr  Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu  Yusif, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

"This  airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners  in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan,  organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel  from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and  beyond."

This strike was conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians.

“As  stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in  the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current  situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of  detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in  facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and  operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to  Syria," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734705079925.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle patrols the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle patrols the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —On Thursday,&nbsp;U.S. Forces conducted a precision airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu Yusif, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command."This airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond."This strike was conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians.“As stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

U.S. airstrike kills ISIS terror leader

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:30p.m. Dec. 16, a sheriff's deputy stopped a Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation on U.S. Hwy 75 near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The driver of the vehicle, Robert Thomas Johnson, 66, of Topeka, was arrested for 5 offender registry violations and driving while suspended.

As part of his drug conviction sentence, Johnson has been required to register as an offender for 15 years. He was convicted in 2009 for selling meth, according to the Kansas offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734574862116.png" alt="Johnson photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 9:30p.m. Dec. 16, a sheriff's deputy stopped a Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation on U.S. Hwy 75 near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The driver of the vehicle, Robert Thomas Johnson, 66, of Topeka, was arrested for 5 offender registry violations and driving while suspended.As part of his drug conviction sentence, Johnson has been required to register as an offender for 15 years. He was convicted in 2009 for selling meth, according to the Kansas offender registry.

Kan. offender accused of multiple registry violations

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson commuted the prison sentence of a former Kansas City police officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man

<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MOGOV/2024/12/19/file_attachments/3109832/Final%20Announcement%20of%20Parson%20Administration%20Pardons%20and%20Commutations.pdf">Click here to see</a> the full list of pardons and commutations.

Parson announced his decision to free former police detective Eric DeValkenaere from prison in a press release Friday afternoon that included numerous other individuals receiving a commutation or pardon. He did not explain his reasoning, but has long hinted he planned to make the controversial decision before he leaves office next month.&nbsp;

DeValkenaere, who is white, was serving a six-year prison sentence. He was convicted in 2021 of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, DeValkenaere responded to a request over his police radio to check out a driver who had been speeding through city streets. The driver, Lamb, had pulled his pickup truck into a driveway and was backing into a garage.&nbsp;

DeValkenaere, who was not in a police uniform, knocked down a makeshift fence to enter the property. Nine seconds later he shot Lamb, who was sitting in his pickup and had just placed a phone call.&nbsp;

DeValkenaere said he fired when Lamb pointed a gun at his partner. Police reportedly found Lamb in his truck, hanging out the driver’s side window and a handgun on the ground near his left hand.

Prosecutors have contended the gun was planted.

Jackson County Judge J. Dale Youngs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-19/kansas-city-police-officer-eric-devalkenaere-found-guilty-in-fatal-shooting-of-a-black-man" target="_blank">convicted DeValkenaere</a>&nbsp;of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. The officer had no legal right to enter Lamb’s property, he ruled, and the shooting was unconstitutional.

Since then, an appeals court panel has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/appeals-court-upholds-former-kcpd-officer-eric-devalkenaeres-conviction-for-killing-cameron-lamb" target="_blank">upheld the verdict</a>. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to review the case. A federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-09-19/former-kcpd-detective-eric-devalkenaere-violated-cameron-lambs-rights-federal-court-wrongful-death-suit" target="_blank">ruled in a civil case</a>&nbsp;that DeValkenaere violated Lamb’s constitutional rights.

DeValkenaere’s official commutation document, signed by Parson, places him on parole, “subject to the conditions imposed by the Parole Board

Critics of Parson’s decision noted he has routinely refused to intervene in wrongful conviction cases involving Black men.

“While Eric DeValkenaere gets to spend Christmas with his family, the three children of Cameron Lamb will never see their father again,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat. “There is no justice here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698332674249.png" alt="DeValkenaere" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson commuted the prison sentence of a former Kansas City police officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MOGOV/2024/12/19/file_attachments/3109832/Final%20Announcement%20of%20Parson%20Administration%20Pardons%20and%20Commutations.pdf">Click here to see</a> the full list of pardons and commutations.Parson announced his decision to free former police detective Eric DeValkenaere from prison in a press release Friday afternoon that included numerous other individuals receiving a commutation or pardon. He did not explain his reasoning, but has long hinted he planned to make the controversial decision before he leaves office next month.&nbsp;DeValkenaere, who is white, was serving a six-year prison sentence. He was convicted in 2021 of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, DeValkenaere responded to a request over his police radio to check out a driver who had been speeding through city streets. The driver, Lamb, had pulled his pickup truck into a driveway and was backing into a garage.&nbsp;DeValkenaere, who was not in a police uniform, knocked down a makeshift fence to enter the property. Nine seconds later he shot Lamb, who was sitting in his pickup and had just placed a phone call.&nbsp;DeValkenaere said he fired when Lamb pointed a gun at his partner. Police reportedly found Lamb in his truck, hanging out the driver’s side window and a handgun on the ground near his left hand.Prosecutors have contended the gun was planted.Jackson County Judge J. Dale Youngs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-19/kansas-city-police-officer-eric-devalkenaere-found-guilty-in-fatal-shooting-of-a-black-man" target="_blank">convicted DeValkenaere</a>&nbsp;of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. The officer had no legal right to enter Lamb’s property, he ruled, and the shooting was unconstitutional.Since then, an appeals court panel has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/appeals-court-upholds-former-kcpd-officer-eric-devalkenaeres-conviction-for-killing-cameron-lamb" target="_blank">upheld the verdict</a>. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to review the case. A federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-09-19/former-kcpd-detective-eric-devalkenaere-violated-cameron-lambs-rights-federal-court-wrongful-death-suit" target="_blank">ruled in a civil case</a>&nbsp;that DeValkenaere violated Lamb’s constitutional rights.DeValkenaere’s official commutation document, signed by Parson, places him on parole, “subject to the conditions imposed by the Parole BoardCritics of Parson’s decision noted he has routinely refused to intervene in wrongful conviction cases involving Black men.“While Eric DeValkenaere gets to spend Christmas with his family, the three children of Cameron Lamb will never see their father again,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat. “There is no justice here.”

Mo. gov. commutes sentence of KC officer convicted of fatally shooting Black man

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Topeka have identified the driver who died as&nbsp;Rhonda M. Griffin, 57, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols

Just before 10p.m. police&nbsp;&nbsp;responded to a reported injury accident involving 2 vehicles in the 2200 block of SE California, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734625241573.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Topeka have identified the driver who died as&nbsp;Rhonda M. Griffin, 57, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie NicholsJust before 10p.m. police&nbsp;&nbsp;responded to a reported injury accident involving 2 vehicles in the 2200 block of SE California, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Police ID Kansas woman who died in 2-car crash

WASHINGTON —On Friday, the Biden Administration announced student debt cancellation for another 55,000 public service workers, bringing the total number of individuals who have been approved for student debt relief under the Biden Administration to nearly 5 million people through various actions, according to a statement from the White House.

"The public servants approved for debt cancellation today include teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officials, and other public service workers who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities and who are finally earning the relief they are entitled to under the law."

"Over the last four years, we have made significant progress for students and borrowers – including securing the largest increase to the maximum Pell Grant award in over a decade; holding institutions accountable for taking advantage of students; and fixing broken student loan programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment."

"From Day One of my Administration, I promised to make sure that higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. Because of our actions, millions of people across the country now have the breathing room to start businesses, save for retirement, and pursue life plans they had to put on hold because of the burden of student loan debt."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721180391047.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —On Friday, the Biden Administration announced student debt cancellation for another 55,000 public service workers, bringing the total number of individuals who have been approved for student debt relief under the Biden Administration to nearly 5 million people through various actions, according to a statement from the White House."The public servants approved for debt cancellation today include teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officials, and other public service workers who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities and who are finally earning the relief they are entitled to under the law.""Over the last four years, we have made significant progress for students and borrowers – including securing the largest increase to the maximum Pell Grant award in over a decade; holding institutions accountable for taking advantage of students; and fixing broken student loan programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment.""From Day One of my Administration, I promised to make sure that higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. Because of our actions, millions of people across the country now have the breathing room to start businesses, save for retirement, and pursue life plans they had to put on hold because of the burden of student loan debt."

Biden cancels student loan debt for more public service workers

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House failed to pass a Republican stopgap spending package Thursday, sharply increasing the odds a partial government shutdown will begin after the current funding bill expires Friday at midnight.&nbsp;

<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024516" target="_blank">The 174-235 House vote</a>&nbsp;came less than three hours after GOP leaders released a second stopgap spending bill this week. The first version, released just two days ago, was widely rejected by President-elect Donald Trump as well as his allies on and off Capitol Hill.

A total of 38 GOP lawmakers and 197 Democrats voted against passage. Only two Democrats voted in support of the measure. One Democrat voted “present.”

House Republicans tried to approve the new measure under a process called suspension of the rules, which required at least two-thirds of lawmakers to support the legislation for passage, including Democrats. Trump endorsed this new version, which included a two-year suspension of the debt limit.

GOP leaders could next try to put the failed bill up for a vote under a rule, which requires a simple majority vote to approve, but that path takes a few more steps and isn’t a guarantee this legislation could pass.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during floor debate the bill was necessary to avoid a shutdown and provide disaster aid to states throughout the country.

“We need to provide the necessary disaster recovery aid for states and communities as our fellow citizens rebuild and restore. The relief efforts are ongoing — it will be months, if not years, before life returns to normal,” Cole said.

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, rebuked GOP lawmakers for walking away from the deal both parties reached on the first stopgap package.

“There were things in it that Democrats liked and Republicans did not, and there were things in it that Republicans liked and Democrats would have preferred to leave out. But that is the nature of government funding bills,” DeLauro said. “They require compromise and the support of Democrats and Republicans.”

The legislation House lawmakers were about to vote on had no input from Democrats, she said.

While Republicans have a narrow majority in the House, Democrats control the Senate and the White House, making bipartisan agreement on legislation essential to it becoming law.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement released Thursday just before the vote that the GOP was “doing the bidding of their billionaire benefactors at the expense of hardworking Americans.”

“Republicans are breaking their word to support a bipartisan agreement that would lower prescription drug costs and make it harder to offshore jobs to China — and instead putting forward a bill that paves the way for tax breaks for billionaires while cutting critical programs working families count on, from Social Security to Head Start,” she wrote. “President Biden supports the bipartisan agreement to keep the government open, help communities recovering from disasters, and lower costs — not this giveaway for billionaires that Republicans are proposing at the 11th hour.”

Trump calls new bill ‘a very good deal’

The stopgap spending package that failed Thursday night would have kept the government funded through mid-March while boosting disaster aid by about $100 billion.

The legislation would have suspended the nation’s debt limit for an additional two years through January 2027 and given Congress until September to finish the much overdue farm bill.

Trump cheered the new version of the stopgap spending bill before the vote after rejecting the first version released just two days ago.

“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal for the American People,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113681499338715649" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on social media. “The newly agreed to American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes.”

“A VERY important piece, VITAL to the America First Agenda, was added as well – The date of the very unnecessary Debt Ceiling will be pushed out two years, to January 30, 2027,” Trump added. “Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish.”

The second stopgap bill came after a dramatic 48 hours that began with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/huge-spending-bill-unveiled-congress-provides-more-100-billion-disaster-aid" target="_blank">the Tuesday night release of a different stopgap spending package&nbsp;</a>before Trump’s ally Elon Musk called on GOP lawmakers to reject the bill their leadership team on Capitol Hill had negotiated over weeks.

Trump then told Republicans to address the debt limit in the package or get rid of it entirely, throwing another complex issue into the mix at the last minute.

The core elements of the stopgap spending package House Republicans released Thursday afternoon were similar to the Tuesday night package, though it dropped dozens of measures, including a provision allowing the nationwide sale of 15% ethanol blended gasoline year round.

The new package, same as the old package, doesn’t include a long-standing provision that prevents members of Congress from receiving a cost of living adjustment. Unless that’s changed, lawmakers would receive a 3.8% raise next year increasing their annual salary from $174,000 to $180,600.

“It removed key provisions to limit the power of pharmaceutical companies, and abandons our bipartisan efforts to ensure American dollars and intellectual property are reinvested in American businesses and workers; instead of fueling the Chinese Communist Party’s technology and capabilities,” DeLauro said during debate.

The new&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/American%20Relief%20Act%202025.pdf" target="_blank">116-page stopgap spending bill</a>&nbsp;was considerably shorter than the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/CR.pdf" target="_blank">1,547-page version</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday.

The spending package would have given Congress until March 14 to complete work on the dozen annual government funding bills that were supposed to become law by the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

It would have given the House and Senate until Sept. 30, 2025, to reach agreement on the five-year farm bill, which lawmakers were supposed to negotiate a new version of more than a year ago.

The legislation would suspend the debt limit through Jan. 30, 2027.

The bill includes tens of billions in emergency spending to help communities throughout the country recover from various natural disasters, including wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/CR2%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary of the bill</a>, released by House Democrats on Tuesday, showed the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Agriculture would receive the bulk of the natural disaster recovery funding. House Republicans didn’t appear to have altered any of the original funding levels for disaster aid in the updated Thursday version.

The USDA would get $33.5 billion in funding, with $21 billion of that designated for disaster assistance and another $10 billion for economic assistance to farmers and producers.

Other agriculture assistance funding would go toward the Agriculture Research Service, Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Emergency Forest Restoration Program and Rural Development Disaster Assistance Fund, among several others.

The Department of Homeland Security would receive $30.8 billion in funding, with $29 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund.

An additional $1.5 billion would go to the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fire fund “to continue efforts to support families who suffered damages due to the April 2022 wildfire,” according to the summary.&nbsp;

The wildfire was the largest in New Mexico’s history and caused about $5.14 billion in damages,&nbsp;<a href="https://sourcenm.com/2024/12/17/new-report-totals-hermits-peak-calf-canyon-fire-losses-at-5-14b-as-extra-funds-hang-in-balance/" target="_blank">according to a report released</a>&nbsp;this week.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program for disaster recovery would receive $12 billion in additional funding.

Another $8 billion would go to the Transportation Department to “reimburse states and territories for damage from natural disasters to roads and bridges in the National Highway System, including 100 percent of costs associated with rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore,” according to Democrats’ summary.

The Forest Service would get $6.4 billion for ongoing recovery efforts from natural disasters that took place in 2022, 2023 and this year. The National Park Service would receive $2.3 billion as part of the Department of the Interior’s $3 billion total.

The Defense Department would get $3.4 billion to repair damages related to natural disasters. The Army Corps of Engineers would receive $1.5 billion for repairs and to increase resiliency.

The Small Business Administration would receive $2.25 billion for disaster loans.

Shortly before House GOP leaders announced their second stopgap package, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham committed to holding a talking filibuster to delay passage of any stopgap funding measures if that bill doesn’t include substantial disaster aid.

The two, along with North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd, all of whom are Republicans, held a press conference Thursday afternoon to urge GOP leaders in the House to keep the roughly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid in any short-term spending package.

They also rejected calls from some members of their own party to find ways to pay for the new emergency spending, saying that’s not how disaster aid packages have traditionally been handled.

“When you’re in the middle of a crisis, I don’t think anybody’s going to want to hear somebody come to the floor and talk about the fiscal responsibility of giving these people a home again, or giving them an opportunity to open up a business again and employ people,” Tillis said. “So, no I don’t think $10 billion or $20 billion, and ‘I promise we’ll do something more in March’ is an acceptable solution. We know what the need is today. It was negotiated in a package and it needs to be in a package to get my support to get out of here.”&nbsp;

Graham sought to explain the realities of divided government and pointed out that even when Republicans control the House and Senate next year, they’ll still need Democratic support on spending bills.

“We need 60 votes to get it done in the Senate,” Graham said, referring to the chamber’s legislative filibuster, which requires at least 60 lawmakers vote to advance bills toward final passage.

“Mike Johnson is going to have to pick up a handful, at least, of Democrats, because there’s some Republicans who will never vote for anything,” Graham added.

Tillis was unable to answer a question about whether a partial government shutdown beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m. would affect the federal government’s ongoing natural disaster response in his home state.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and numerous federal departments would be required to follow their shutdown guidance if Congress doesn’t fund the government on time.

Those departments and agencies divide up their staffs into excepted employees, whose jobs address the protection of life or property, and non-excepted employees, who don’t.

Neither category of federal employee gets paid until after the shutdown ends.

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley released a written statement Thursday that a shutdown would harm federal workers who “inspect our food, protect our borders, ensure safe travel during the holidays, and provide relief to disaster victims.”

“Over 642,000 of them are veterans of our armed services,” Kelley wrote. “Allowing them to go without a paycheck over the holidays is unacceptable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734648697605.png" alt="The new bill is just 116 pages, compared to the previous 1,547 pages." />
 <figcaption>The new bill is just 116 pages, compared to the previous 1,547 pages.</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. House failed to pass a Republican stopgap spending package Thursday, sharply increasing the odds a partial government shutdown will begin after the current funding bill expires Friday at midnight.&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024516" target="_blank">The 174-235 House vote</a>&nbsp;came less than three hours after GOP leaders released a second stopgap spending bill this week. The first version, released just two days ago, was widely rejected by President-elect Donald Trump as well as his allies on and off Capitol Hill.A total of 38 GOP lawmakers and 197 Democrats voted against passage. Only two Democrats voted in support of the measure. One Democrat voted “present.”House Republicans tried to approve the new measure under a process called suspension of the rules, which required at least two-thirds of lawmakers to support the legislation for passage, including Democrats. Trump endorsed this new version, which included a two-year suspension of the debt limit.GOP leaders could next try to put the failed bill up for a vote under a rule, which requires a simple majority vote to approve, but that path takes a few more steps and isn’t a guarantee this legislation could pass.House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during floor debate the bill was necessary to avoid a shutdown and provide disaster aid to states throughout the country.“We need to provide the necessary disaster recovery aid for states and communities as our fellow citizens rebuild and restore. The relief efforts are ongoing — it will be months, if not years, before life returns to normal,” Cole said.<h2>No input from Democrats</h2>Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, rebuked GOP lawmakers for walking away from the deal both parties reached on the first stopgap package.“There were things in it that Democrats liked and Republicans did not, and there were things in it that Republicans liked and Democrats would have preferred to leave out. But that is the nature of government funding bills,” DeLauro said. “They require compromise and the support of Democrats and Republicans.”The legislation House lawmakers were about to vote on had no input from Democrats, she said.While Republicans have a narrow majority in the House, Democrats control the Senate and the White House, making bipartisan agreement on legislation essential to it becoming law.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement released Thursday just before the vote that the GOP was “doing the bidding of their billionaire benefactors at the expense of hardworking Americans.”“Republicans are breaking their word to support a bipartisan agreement that would lower prescription drug costs and make it harder to offshore jobs to China — and instead putting forward a bill that paves the way for tax breaks for billionaires while cutting critical programs working families count on, from Social Security to Head Start,” she wrote. “President Biden supports the bipartisan agreement to keep the government open, help communities recovering from disasters, and lower costs — not this giveaway for billionaires that Republicans are proposing at the 11th hour.”<h2>Trump calls new bill ‘a very good deal’</h2>The stopgap spending package that failed Thursday night would have kept the government funded through mid-March while boosting disaster aid by about $100 billion.The legislation would have suspended the nation’s debt limit for an additional two years through January 2027 and given Congress until September to finish the much overdue farm bill.Trump cheered the new version of the stopgap spending bill before the vote after rejecting the first version released just two days ago.“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal for the American People,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113681499338715649" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on social media. “The newly agreed to American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes.”“A VERY important piece, VITAL to the America First Agenda, was added as well – The date of the very unnecessary Debt Ceiling will be pushed out two years, to January 30, 2027,” Trump added. “Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish.”<h2>Two days of tension</h2>The second stopgap bill came after a dramatic 48 hours that began with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/huge-spending-bill-unveiled-congress-provides-more-100-billion-disaster-aid" target="_blank">the Tuesday night release of a different stopgap spending package&nbsp;</a>before Trump’s ally Elon Musk called on GOP lawmakers to reject the bill their leadership team on Capitol Hill had negotiated over weeks.Trump then told Republicans to address the debt limit in the package or get rid of it entirely, throwing another complex issue into the mix at the last minute.The core elements of the stopgap spending package House Republicans released Thursday afternoon were similar to the Tuesday night package, though it dropped dozens of measures, including a provision allowing the nationwide sale of 15% ethanol blended gasoline year round.The new package, same as the old package, doesn’t include a long-standing provision that prevents members of Congress from receiving a cost of living adjustment. Unless that’s changed, lawmakers would receive a 3.8% raise next year increasing their annual salary from $174,000 to $180,600.“It removed key provisions to limit the power of pharmaceutical companies, and abandons our bipartisan efforts to ensure American dollars and intellectual property are reinvested in American businesses and workers; instead of fueling the Chinese Communist Party’s technology and capabilities,” DeLauro said during debate.The new&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/American%20Relief%20Act%202025.pdf" target="_blank">116-page stopgap spending bill</a>&nbsp;was considerably shorter than the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/CR.pdf" target="_blank">1,547-page version</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday.<h2>Several new deadlines</h2>The spending package would have given Congress until March 14 to complete work on the dozen annual government funding bills that were supposed to become law by the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.It would have given the House and Senate until Sept. 30, 2025, to reach agreement on the five-year farm bill, which lawmakers were supposed to negotiate a new version of more than a year ago.The legislation would suspend the debt limit through Jan. 30, 2027.The bill includes tens of billions in emergency spending to help communities throughout the country recover from various natural disasters, including wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes.A&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/CR2%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary of the bill</a>, released by House Democrats on Tuesday, showed the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Agriculture would receive the bulk of the natural disaster recovery funding. House Republicans didn’t appear to have altered any of the original funding levels for disaster aid in the updated Thursday version.The USDA would get $33.5 billion in funding, with $21 billion of that designated for disaster assistance and another $10 billion for economic assistance to farmers and producers.Other agriculture assistance funding would go toward the Agriculture Research Service, Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Emergency Forest Restoration Program and Rural Development Disaster Assistance Fund, among several others.The Department of Homeland Security would receive $30.8 billion in funding, with $29 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund.An additional $1.5 billion would go to the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon Fire fund “to continue efforts to support families who suffered damages due to the April 2022 wildfire,” according to the summary.&nbsp;The wildfire was the largest in New Mexico’s history and caused about $5.14 billion in damages,&nbsp;<a href="https://sourcenm.com/2024/12/17/new-report-totals-hermits-peak-calf-canyon-fire-losses-at-5-14b-as-extra-funds-hang-in-balance/" target="_blank">according to a report released</a>&nbsp;this week.The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program for disaster recovery would receive $12 billion in additional funding.Another $8 billion would go to the Transportation Department to “reimburse states and territories for damage from natural disasters to roads and bridges in the National Highway System, including 100 percent of costs associated with rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore,” according to Democrats’ summary.The Forest Service would get $6.4 billion for ongoing recovery efforts from natural disasters that took place in 2022, 2023 and this year. The National Park Service would receive $2.3 billion as part of the Department of the Interior’s $3 billion total.The Defense Department would get $3.4 billion to repair damages related to natural disasters. The Army Corps of Engineers would receive $1.5 billion for repairs and to increase resiliency.The Small Business Administration would receive $2.25 billion for disaster loans.<h2>Filibuster threat</h2>Shortly before House GOP leaders announced their second stopgap package, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham committed to holding a talking filibuster to delay passage of any stopgap funding measures if that bill doesn’t include substantial disaster aid.The two, along with North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd, all of whom are Republicans, held a press conference Thursday afternoon to urge GOP leaders in the House to keep the roughly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid in any short-term spending package.They also rejected calls from some members of their own party to find ways to pay for the new emergency spending, saying that’s not how disaster aid packages have traditionally been handled.“When you’re in the middle of a crisis, I don’t think anybody’s going to want to hear somebody come to the floor and talk about the fiscal responsibility of giving these people a home again, or giving them an opportunity to open up a business again and employ people,” Tillis said. “So, no I don’t think $10 billion or $20 billion, and ‘I promise we’ll do something more in March’ is an acceptable solution. We know what the need is today. It was negotiated in a package and it needs to be in a package to get my support to get out of here.”&nbsp;Graham sought to explain the realities of divided government and pointed out that even when Republicans control the House and Senate next year, they’ll still need Democratic support on spending bills.“We need 60 votes to get it done in the Senate,” Graham said, referring to the chamber’s legislative filibuster, which requires at least 60 lawmakers vote to advance bills toward final passage.“Mike Johnson is going to have to pick up a handful, at least, of Democrats, because there’s some Republicans who will never vote for anything,” Graham added.Tillis was unable to answer a question about whether a partial government shutdown beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m. would affect the federal government’s ongoing natural disaster response in his home state.The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and numerous federal departments would be required to follow their shutdown guidance if Congress doesn’t fund the government on time.Those departments and agencies divide up their staffs into excepted employees, whose jobs address the protection of life or property, and non-excepted employees, who don’t.Neither category of federal employee gets paid until after the shutdown ends.American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley released a written statement Thursday that a shutdown would harm federal workers who “inspect our food, protect our borders, ensure safe travel during the holidays, and provide relief to disaster victims.”“Over 642,000 of them are veterans of our armed services,” Kelley wrote. “Allowing them to go without a paycheck over the holidays is unacceptable.”

Trump endorses new spending plan in Congress that suspends debt limit for two years

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an aggravated robbery and auto burglary and have issued a warrant for the suspect who is in custody in Missouri awaiting extradition to Kansas.

Just after 8a.m. Tuesday, a suspect entered a victim's vehicle near 132nd Outlook Street, according to a media release. As the suspect's vehicle, described as a white SUV, was leaving the neighborhood, a passenger identified as 19-year-old Kory M. Atkinson exited the SUV, pointed a gun at a juvenile and took their backpack.&nbsp; The suspect was described as a white man wearing a black mask and grey sweatshirt.

According to online jail records Atkinson is being held in the Jackson County jail and was still awaiting a return to Kansas to face charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734574384274.png" alt="ATKINSON photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>ATKINSON photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an aggravated robbery and auto burglary and have issued a warrant for the suspect who is in custody in Missouri awaiting extradition to Kansas.Just after 8a.m. Tuesday, a suspect entered a victim's vehicle near 132nd Outlook Street, according to a media release. As the suspect's vehicle, described as a white SUV, was leaving the neighborhood, a passenger identified as 19-year-old Kory M. Atkinson exited the SUV, pointed a gun at a juvenile and took their backpack.&nbsp; The suspect was described as a white man wearing a black mask and grey sweatshirt.According to online jail records Atkinson is being held in the Jackson County jail and was still awaiting a return to Kansas to face charges.

Police: Kan. burglary suspect pointed gun, took child's backpack

SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement investigating&nbsp; a suspicious death after finding a deceased man in North Topeka last week, have identified the victim as Dalton K. Thomas, 31, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; Thomas was the victim of a hit-and-run.

On December 13, police&nbsp;responded to a reported unresponsive man near N Topeka Blvd. and NW Elm Row Ave. Upon arrival, officers located an Thomas who&nbsp;suffering from life-threatening injuries, and he was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.

Police released no additional details Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734664442753.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement investigating&nbsp; a suspicious death after finding a deceased man in North Topeka last week, have identified the victim as Dalton K. Thomas, 31, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; Thomas was the victim of a hit-and-run.On December 13, police&nbsp;responded to a reported unresponsive man near N Topeka Blvd. and NW Elm Row Ave. Upon arrival, officers located an Thomas who&nbsp;suffering from life-threatening injuries, and he was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.Police released no additional details Thursday.

Police ID Kansas victim of deadly hit-and-run

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 4p.m. December 16, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn S series passenger car for the registered owner’s driver’s license being allegedly suspended on U.S. Hwy 75 near 158th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Throughout the investigation of the traffic stop, a probable cause search was conducted and deputies located methamphetamine, marijuana, an open alcohol container, and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, Jessica Lee Indermuehle, 32, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while a habitual violator.

The passenger, Amie Elizabeth Mcinroy, 38, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp;possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734575015824.png" alt="Mcinroy-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mcinroy-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.Just after 4p.m. December 16, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn S series passenger car for the registered owner’s driver’s license being allegedly suspended on U.S. Hwy 75 near 158th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. Throughout the investigation of the traffic stop, a probable cause search was conducted and deputies located methamphetamine, marijuana, an open alcohol container, and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734574949729.png" alt="Indermuehle-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Indermuehle-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, Jessica Lee Indermuehle, 32, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while a habitual violator.The passenger, Amie Elizabeth Mcinroy, 38, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp;possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and interference with law enforcement.

Two Kan. women caught transporting meth, marijuana

TOPEKA— The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City is asking for help to locate two wanted fugitives known for alleged sleight-of-hand thefts at jewelry stores, according to a statement from the ageney.

Authorities are searching for 53-year-old&nbsp;Vasile Sava&nbsp;and 54-year-old&nbsp;Onita Rostas.&nbsp;Authorities believe Sava and Rostas are married, and may be using a variety of aliases.

In January, Sava and Rostas were the subjects of arrest warrants, issued by United States District Court, District of Kansas, after being charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sava and Rostas, along with other suspects, targeted multiple jewelry businesses, according to a statement from the FBI. The suspects would enter the stores in groups of two or more. One of the suspects would distract or separate the employees while another would remove, conceal, and ultimately make off with items of jewelry that had been on display. The FBI calls this practice a sleight-of-hand distraction theft.

The thieves would then take the stolen jewelry elsewhere in the U.S. to be sold, prosecutors said.

The jewelry stores in Kansas Marks Jewelers in Lawrence; Calhoun's in Topeka, Venable Jewlers in McPherson and G. Thomas in Manhattan.

The pair may be living in or operating across multiple states including California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.

It is unknown if the pair has ties to the Kansas City area.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact any law enforcement agency, or reach out to the FBI directly through&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this tip website</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734634248605.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City is asking for help to locate two wanted fugitives known for alleged sleight-of-hand thefts at jewelry stores, according to a statement from the ageney.Authorities are searching for 53-year-old&nbsp;Vasile Sava&nbsp;and 54-year-old&nbsp;Onita Rostas.&nbsp;Authorities believe Sava and Rostas are married, and may be using a variety of aliases.In January, Sava and Rostas were the subjects of arrest warrants, issued by United States District Court, District of Kansas, after being charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734634218307.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Sava and Rostas, along with other suspects, targeted multiple jewelry businesses, according to a statement from the FBI. The suspects would enter the stores in groups of two or more. One of the suspects would distract or separate the employees while another would remove, conceal, and ultimately make off with items of jewelry that had been on display. The FBI calls this practice a sleight-of-hand distraction theft.The thieves would then take the stolen jewelry elsewhere in the U.S. to be sold, prosecutors said.The jewelry stores in Kansas Marks Jewelers in Lawrence; Calhoun's in Topeka, Venable Jewlers in McPherson and G. Thomas in Manhattan.The pair may be living in or operating across multiple states including California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.It is unknown if the pair has ties to the Kansas City area.Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact any law enforcement agency, or reach out to the FBI directly through&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this tip website</a>

FBI: Couple wanted for jewelry store thefts in Kansas

WASHINGTON — A Louisiana resident has contracted the country’s first severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a human, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.

The unidentified person is believed to have been infected with the virus through sick or dead birds on their property that were not part of a commercial poultry flock, though federal public health officials declined to provide more details on a call with reporters, citing patient confidentiality. The virus is also called bird flu, or H5N1.

“Previously, the majority of cases of H5N1 in the United States presented with mild illness, such as conjunctivitis and mild respiratory symptoms, and fully recovered,” Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, said during the call.

“Over the 20-plus years of global experience with this virus, H5 infection has previously been associated with severe illness in other countries, including illnesses that resulted in death in up to 50% of cases,” Daskalakis said. “The demonstrated potential for this virus to cause severe illness in people continues to highlight the importance of the joint, coordinated U.S. federal response, the One Health response, to address the current animal outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry and limit the potential of transmission of this virus to humans through animal contact.”

Despite the Louisiana case, Daskalakis said on the call, the CDC believes the threat to the general public remains low.

The Louisiana Department of Health wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://ldh.la.gov/news/H5N1-2024" target="_blank">press release&nbsp;</a>posted Friday that the person lives in the southwestern region of the state and was hospitalized, but didn’t provide additional information.

Emma Herrock, communications director for the Louisiana Department of Health, told States Newsroom in an email Wednesday the “patient is experiencing severe respiratory illness related to H5N1 infection and is currently hospitalized in critical condition.”

The patient, she said, “is reported to have underlying medical conditions and is over the age of 65.”

The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html" target="_blank">has confirmed</a>&nbsp;61 human cases of H5N1 throughout nine states this year, but the Louisiana patient is the first severe case of bird flu in someone within the United States.&nbsp;

Daskalakis declined to say during the call why the Louisiana case is considered severe when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-officials-say-no-sign-bird-flu-spreading-among-humans-despite-missouri-case" target="_blank">a Missouri resident who was hospitalized due to bird flu&nbsp;</a>was not classified the same way.

The Missouri patient, who was admitted to a hospital in August, had significant underlying medical conditions, according to public health officials. That person experienced “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC.

The CDC declined to say Wednesday what symptoms the Louisiana patient was experiencing, citing privacy concerns.

Bird flu has affected wild birds and poultry flocks throughout the United States for years, but it wasn’t until March that dairy cattle began becoming infected with the virus.

The dairy outbreak has affected 865 herds through 16 states this year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There have been 315 new cases in dairy cattle during the last month, with the vast majority of those diagnoses in California, while one herd each tested positive in Nevada and Texas.

Bird flu has affected nearly 124 million poultry throughout 49 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/data-map-commercial.html" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;USDA.

Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, said on the call the nationwide milk testing strategy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-launches-national-testing-milk-dairy-farms-track-bird-flu-outbreak" target="_blank">launched earlier this month</a>&nbsp;has expanded to several states.

The program requires anyone responsible for a dairy farm — such as a bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility — to share unpasteurized or raw milk samples when requested.

California, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington are the 13 states currently enrolled in the program, he said.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency “to further enhance the state’s preparedness &amp; accelerate the ongoing cross-agency response efforts,” the governor’s press office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/12/18/governor-newsom-takes-proactive-action-to-strengthen-robust-state-response-to-bird-flu/" target="_blank">said.&nbsp;</a>

“These states represent a geographically conversant list of states, some of which have been affected by H5N1 in dairy cows, and some of which have never detected the disease,” Deeble said. “Additionally, these first two groups of states represent eight of the top 15 dairy-producing states in the country, accounting for nearly 50% of U.S. dairy production. We anticipate continuing to enroll additional states in the coming weeks.”

The USDA also continues to have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/four-states-begin-voluntary-testing-bird-flu-dairy-farm-milk-tanks" target="_blank">a voluntary bulk milk testing program</a>&nbsp;for any farms planning to ship dairy cattle across state lines to provide an easier pathway to establishing the herd is negative for H5N1, instead of having to test each cow individually.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725718440042.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — A Louisiana resident has contracted the country’s first severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a human, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.The unidentified person is believed to have been infected with the virus through sick or dead birds on their property that were not part of a commercial poultry flock, though federal public health officials declined to provide more details on a call with reporters, citing patient confidentiality. The virus is also called bird flu, or H5N1.“Previously, the majority of cases of H5N1 in the United States presented with mild illness, such as conjunctivitis and mild respiratory symptoms, and fully recovered,” Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, said during the call.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733747978622.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Over the 20-plus years of global experience with this virus, H5 infection has previously been associated with severe illness in other countries, including illnesses that resulted in death in up to 50% of cases,” Daskalakis said. “The demonstrated potential for this virus to cause severe illness in people continues to highlight the importance of the joint, coordinated U.S. federal response, the One Health response, to address the current animal outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry and limit the potential of transmission of this virus to humans through animal contact.”Despite the Louisiana case, Daskalakis said on the call, the CDC believes the threat to the general public remains low.The Louisiana Department of Health wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://ldh.la.gov/news/H5N1-2024" target="_blank">press release&nbsp;</a>posted Friday that the person lives in the southwestern region of the state and was hospitalized, but didn’t provide additional information.Emma Herrock, communications director for the Louisiana Department of Health, told States Newsroom in an email Wednesday the “patient is experiencing severe respiratory illness related to H5N1 infection and is currently hospitalized in critical condition.”The patient, she said, “is reported to have underlying medical conditions and is over the age of 65.”<h2>61 confirmed cases in humans</h2>The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html" target="_blank">has confirmed</a>&nbsp;61 human cases of H5N1 throughout nine states this year, but the Louisiana patient is the first severe case of bird flu in someone within the United States.&nbsp;Daskalakis declined to say during the call why the Louisiana case is considered severe when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-officials-say-no-sign-bird-flu-spreading-among-humans-despite-missouri-case" target="_blank">a Missouri resident who was hospitalized due to bird flu&nbsp;</a>was not classified the same way.The Missouri patient, who was admitted to a hospital in August, had significant underlying medical conditions, according to public health officials. That person experienced “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC.The CDC declined to say Wednesday what symptoms the Louisiana patient was experiencing, citing privacy concerns.Bird flu has affected wild birds and poultry flocks throughout the United States for years, but it wasn’t until March that dairy cattle began becoming infected with the virus.The dairy outbreak has affected 865 herds through 16 states this year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There have been 315 new cases in dairy cattle during the last month, with the vast majority of those diagnoses in California, while one herd each tested positive in Nevada and Texas.Bird flu has affected nearly 124 million poultry throughout 49 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/data-map-commercial.html" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;USDA.<h2>Milk testing</h2>Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, said on the call the nationwide milk testing strategy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-launches-national-testing-milk-dairy-farms-track-bird-flu-outbreak" target="_blank">launched earlier this month</a>&nbsp;has expanded to several states.The program requires anyone responsible for a dairy farm — such as a bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility — to share unpasteurized or raw milk samples when requested.California, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington are the 13 states currently enrolled in the program, he said.In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency “to further enhance the state’s preparedness &amp; accelerate the ongoing cross-agency response efforts,” the governor’s press office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/12/18/governor-newsom-takes-proactive-action-to-strengthen-robust-state-response-to-bird-flu/" target="_blank">said.&nbsp;</a>“These states represent a geographically conversant list of states, some of which have been affected by H5N1 in dairy cows, and some of which have never detected the disease,” Deeble said. “Additionally, these first two groups of states represent eight of the top 15 dairy-producing states in the country, accounting for nearly 50% of U.S. dairy production. We anticipate continuing to enroll additional states in the coming weeks.”The USDA also continues to have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/four-states-begin-voluntary-testing-bird-flu-dairy-farm-milk-tanks" target="_blank">a voluntary bulk milk testing program</a>&nbsp;for any farms planning to ship dairy cattle across state lines to provide an easier pathway to establishing the herd is negative for H5N1, instead of having to test each cow individually.&nbsp;&nbsp;

First severe case of bird flu in a human in the U.S. reported 

RILEY COUNTY —The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has issued a Consent Order in which 51-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ericksonchiropractic.org/">Kenyon L. Erickson, D.C.,</a> license number 01-04711, surrenders his license to practice, and such surrender shall be treated as a revocation, according to a statement from the board.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ksbha.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10320/638701331154458300">Click here to see a copy</a> of this public order&nbsp;

In April Ericson was found guilty and convicted of sexual battery in Riley County District Court. The conviction was based on Erickson's conduct during the course of treatment with a patient.

Erickson is also required to register as a sex offender for 15-years, according to the KBI registered offender web site.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734626072561.png" alt="Kenyon Erickson in his Dec. 2024 photo from the KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Kenyon Erickson in his Dec. 2024 photo from the KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has issued a Consent Order in which 51-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ericksonchiropractic.org/">Kenyon L. Erickson, D.C.,</a> license number 01-04711, surrenders his license to practice, and such surrender shall be treated as a revocation, according to a statement from the board.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksbha.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10320/638701331154458300">Click here to see a copy</a> of this public order&nbsp;In April Ericson was found guilty and convicted of sexual battery in Riley County District Court. The conviction was based on Erickson's conduct during the course of treatment with a patient.Erickson is also required to register as a sex offender for 15-years, according to the KBI registered offender web site.

Kan. chiropractor surrenders license after sexual battery conviction

SHAWNEE COUNTY —On person died in an accident&nbsp; Wednesday in Topeka.

Just before 10p.m. police&nbsp;&nbsp;responded to a reported injury accident involving 2 vehicles in the 2200 block of SE California, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

 Both drivers were injured in the accident and taken to local hospitals for treatment. One of those drivers died as a result of their injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police did not release the name of the driver who died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734618293157.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —On person died in an accident&nbsp; Wednesday in Topeka.Just before 10p.m. police&nbsp;&nbsp;responded to a reported injury accident involving 2 vehicles in the 2200 block of SE California, according to Police Lt. John Trimble. Both drivers were injured in the accident and taken to local hospitals for treatment. One of those drivers died as a result of their injuries.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police did not release the name of the driver who died.

Driver dies after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

The Teamsters launched the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history Thursday morning.

 The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters, according to a social media statement from the union.

“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. 

“These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.” 

Workers joined the picket line from DBK4 in New York City; DGT8 in Atlanta; DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in San Francisco; and DIL7 in Skokie, Ill. Amazon Teamsters at other facilities are prepared to join them.

Teamsters local unions are also putting up primary picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide. Amazon warehouse workers and drivers without collective bargaining agreements have the legal right to honor these picket lines by withholding their labor.

“What we’re doing is historic,” said Leah Pensler, a warehouse worker at DCK6 in San Francisco. “We are fighting against a vicious union-busting campaign, and we are going to win.”

Amazon is the second-largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list. Despite being worth more than $2 trillion, the company fails to pay its workers enough to make ends meet.“Amazon is one of the biggest, richest corporations in the world,” said Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7 in Skokie, Ill. “They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages."

"We can’t even afford to pay our bills.” Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have mobilized a movement and joined the Teamsters. They are fighting for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions at work. “I’ve seen the Teamsters win big battles,” said Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York. “We’re ready to do what it takes to win this one.”

The Teamsters launched the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history Thursday morning. The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters, according to a social media statement from the union.“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.” Workers joined the picket line from DBK4 in New York City; DGT8 in Atlanta; DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in San Francisco; and DIL7 in Skokie, Ill. Amazon Teamsters at other facilities are prepared to join them.Teamsters local unions are also putting up primary picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide. Amazon warehouse workers and drivers without collective bargaining agreements have the legal right to honor these picket lines by withholding their labor.“What we’re doing is historic,” said Leah Pensler, a warehouse worker at DCK6 in San Francisco. “We are fighting against a vicious union-busting campaign, and we are going to win.”Amazon is the second-largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list. Despite being worth more than $2 trillion, the company fails to pay its workers enough to make ends meet.“Amazon is one of the biggest, richest corporations in the world,” said Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7 in Skokie, Ill. “They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages.""We can’t even afford to pay our bills.” Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have mobilized a movement and joined the Teamsters. They are fighting for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions at work. “I’ve seen the Teamsters win big battles,” said Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York. “We’re ready to do what it takes to win this one.”

Amazon Workers Strike in the Middle of Christmas Rush

WASHINGTON — Efforts to prevent a partial government shutdown from starting this weekend fell apart Wednesday when numerous Republicans, on and off Capitol Hill, expressed their frustration with the many extraneous provisions added to a short-term funding package.

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/CR.pdf">Click here to read the</a>&nbsp;1,500 page budget bill

Complicating the situation, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1869495076604227726" target="_blank">posted on social media&nbsp;</a>that he and President-elect Donald Trump believe Republicans should leverage the two days left before a shutdown to get Democrats to raise or suspend the debt limit.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/huge-spending-bill-unveiled-congress-provides-more-100-billion-disaster-aid" target="_blank">catch-all, year-end spending legislation released Tuesday</a>&nbsp;would not only fund the government through March 14, but provide an extension of the agriculture and nutrition programs in the farm bill through Sept. 30. The 1,547-page package also holds tens of billions in emergency aid for communities recovering from natural disasters.

But it includes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-rolled-pay-raise-themselves-big-must-do-spending-bill-0" target="_blank">several sections</a>&nbsp;that have angered far-right members of the Republican Party as well as Trump and his allies. They argue the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/win-biofuels-stopgap-spending-bill-allows-year-round-sales-e15-gas-nationwide" target="_blank">extra provisions</a>&nbsp;that don’t relate to essential programs should be scrapped, throwing a wrench in weeks of negotiations between the Republican House and Democratic Senate.

Congress must pass a short-term spending bill before midnight on Friday when the current stopgap spending bill expires, otherwise every single federal department and agency would be required to shut down.

That would mean federal employees categorized as exempt would have to work without pay and employees categorized as non-exempt would be furloughed.

Unlike the 35-day partial government shutdown that took place during Trump’s first administration, this shutdown would affect larger swaths of the federal government.

Congress had approved several of the full-year appropriations bills ahead of the 2018-2019 shutdown insulating the departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Labor and Veterans Affairs.

Lawmakers had also approved the Legislative Branch spending bill, ensuring members of Congress and their staff were paid throughout the shutdown.

This time around, failing to pass some sort of stopgap spending bill ahead of the Friday midnight deadline would mean cutting off U.S. troops from pay, not to mention dozens of other national security agencies like Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It could also wreak havoc on the numerous federal departments and agencies assisting communities with response and recovery efforts stemming from natural disasters, including hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration would all be affected by a funding lapse, as would anyone who receives funding from those programs.

The debt limit was not part of the spending negotiations until Wednesday when Vance insisted it be included in any type of stopgap spending bill.

The current suspension of the debt limit is set to expire Jan. 1, but lawmakers will likely have a few months where the Treasury Department can use accounting maneuvers called extraordinary measures before the country would default.

Vance, however, doesn’t seem inclined to deal with the country’s borrowing authority next year.

“The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025,” Vance wrote in his social media post. “It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.”

Vance wrote that addressing “the debt ceiling is not great but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch.”

“If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration?” Vance wrote. “Let’s have this debate now. And we should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want.”

Elon Musk, a billionaire whom Trump has tasked with trying to make the federal government more efficient through steep spending cuts,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1869461048828522999" target="_blank">wrote on social media</a>&nbsp;that no legislation should move through Congress until Jan. 20, after Trump’s inauguration.

That would create havoc for hundreds of government programs, including the agriculture and nutrition assistance programs within the farm bill.

“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!,” Musk wrote.

While every member of the House who chooses to run for reelection will campaign during the 2026 midterm elections, just one-third of the Senate will be up for reelection since they are elected to six-year terms.&nbsp;

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis posted on social media that any short-term spending bill, sometimes called a continuing resolution or CR, must carry disaster aid to help his home state recover from a devastating hurricane.

“If Congressional leaders intend to leave DC before the holidays without passing disaster recovery, they should be prepared to spend Christmas in the Capitol,” Tillis wrote. “I’ll use every tool available to block a CR that fails Western North Carolina communities in need of long-term certainty.”

West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said during a brief interview she wants to see disaster aid remain in a stopgap spending bill.

“I went down and saw the Asheville disaster,” she said “I think we need to get the disaster aid to those affected areas, some of which are in West Virginia, believe it or not.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a written statement Wednesday evening saying that “Republicans need to stop playing politics with this bipartisan agreement or they will hurt hardworking Americans and create instability across the country.”

“President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance ordered Republicans to shut down the government and they are threatening to do just that—while undermining communities recovering from disasters, farmers and ranchers, and community health centers,” she wrote. “Triggering a damaging government shutdown would hurt families who are gathering to meet with their loved ones and endanger the basic services Americans from veterans to Social Security recipients rely on. A deal is a deal. Republicans should keep their word.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734474980545.png" alt="The 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree -photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol" />
 <figcaption>The 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree -photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — Efforts to prevent a partial government shutdown from starting this weekend fell apart Wednesday when numerous Republicans, on and off Capitol Hill, expressed their frustration with the many extraneous provisions added to a short-term funding package.<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/CR.pdf">Click here to read the</a>&nbsp;1,500 page budget billComplicating the situation, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1869495076604227726" target="_blank">posted on social media&nbsp;</a>that he and President-elect Donald Trump believe Republicans should leverage the two days left before a shutdown to get Democrats to raise or suspend the debt limit.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/huge-spending-bill-unveiled-congress-provides-more-100-billion-disaster-aid" target="_blank">catch-all, year-end spending legislation released Tuesday</a>&nbsp;would not only fund the government through March 14, but provide an extension of the agriculture and nutrition programs in the farm bill through Sept. 30. The 1,547-page package also holds tens of billions in emergency aid for communities recovering from natural disasters.But it includes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-rolled-pay-raise-themselves-big-must-do-spending-bill-0" target="_blank">several sections</a>&nbsp;that have angered far-right members of the Republican Party as well as Trump and his allies. They argue the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/win-biofuels-stopgap-spending-bill-allows-year-round-sales-e15-gas-nationwide" target="_blank">extra provisions</a>&nbsp;that don’t relate to essential programs should be scrapped, throwing a wrench in weeks of negotiations between the Republican House and Democratic Senate.<h2>How a shutdown works</h2>Congress must pass a short-term spending bill before midnight on Friday when the current stopgap spending bill expires, otherwise every single federal department and agency would be required to shut down.That would mean federal employees categorized as exempt would have to work without pay and employees categorized as non-exempt would be furloughed.Unlike the 35-day partial government shutdown that took place during Trump’s first administration, this shutdown would affect larger swaths of the federal government.Congress had approved several of the full-year appropriations bills ahead of the 2018-2019 shutdown insulating the departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Labor and Veterans Affairs.Lawmakers had also approved the Legislative Branch spending bill, ensuring members of Congress and their staff were paid throughout the shutdown.This time around, failing to pass some sort of stopgap spending bill ahead of the Friday midnight deadline would mean cutting off U.S. troops from pay, not to mention dozens of other national security agencies like Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.It could also wreak havoc on the numerous federal departments and agencies assisting communities with response and recovery efforts stemming from natural disasters, including hurricanes Helene and Milton.The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration would all be affected by a funding lapse, as would anyone who receives funding from those programs.<h2>Debt limit</h2>The debt limit was not part of the spending negotiations until Wednesday when Vance insisted it be included in any type of stopgap spending bill.The current suspension of the debt limit is set to expire Jan. 1, but lawmakers will likely have a few months where the Treasury Department can use accounting maneuvers called extraordinary measures before the country would default.Vance, however, doesn’t seem inclined to deal with the country’s borrowing authority next year.“The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025,” Vance wrote in his social media post. “It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.”Vance wrote that addressing “the debt ceiling is not great but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch.”“If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration?” Vance wrote. “Let’s have this debate now. And we should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want.”Elon Musk, a billionaire whom Trump has tasked with trying to make the federal government more efficient through steep spending cuts,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1869461048828522999" target="_blank">wrote on social media</a>&nbsp;that no legislation should move through Congress until Jan. 20, after Trump’s inauguration.That would create havoc for hundreds of government programs, including the agriculture and nutrition assistance programs within the farm bill.“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!,” Musk wrote.While every member of the House who chooses to run for reelection will campaign during the 2026 midterm elections, just one-third of the Senate will be up for reelection since they are elected to six-year terms.&nbsp;North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis posted on social media that any short-term spending bill, sometimes called a continuing resolution or CR, must carry disaster aid to help his home state recover from a devastating hurricane.“If Congressional leaders intend to leave DC before the holidays without passing disaster recovery, they should be prepared to spend Christmas in the Capitol,” Tillis wrote. “I’ll use every tool available to block a CR that fails Western North Carolina communities in need of long-term certainty.”West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said during a brief interview she wants to see disaster aid remain in a stopgap spending bill.“I went down and saw the Asheville disaster,” she said “I think we need to get the disaster aid to those affected areas, some of which are in West Virginia, believe it or not.”<h2>White House reaction</h2>White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a written statement Wednesday evening saying that “Republicans need to stop playing politics with this bipartisan agreement or they will hurt hardworking Americans and create instability across the country.”“President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance ordered Republicans to shut down the government and they are threatening to do just that—while undermining communities recovering from disasters, farmers and ranchers, and community health centers,” she wrote. “Triggering a damaging government shutdown would hurt families who are gathering to meet with their loved ones and endanger the basic services Americans from veterans to Social Security recipients rely on. A deal is a deal. Republicans should keep their word.”

Chances for government shutdown escalate after Trump and GOP reject stopgap spending bill

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking for help to identify suspects involved in an incident where a 15-year-old store employee was battered. This occurred at a retailer in the 8800 block of Marshall Drive in Lenexa, according to a social media&nbsp; report from Lenexa Police.

The suspects were observed acting suspiciously inside the store before one of them unexpectedly punched the employee in the back of the head unprovoked.

If you recognize either individual or have any information, please contact our detective at 913-825-8097 or send us a DM.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking for help to identify suspects involved in an incident where a 15-year-old store employee was battered. This occurred at a retailer in the 8800 block of Marshall Drive in Lenexa, according to a social media&nbsp; report from Lenexa Police.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Can You Help Us Identify These Individuals? We’re seeking information about two individuals involved in an incident where a 15-year-old store employee was battered. This occurred at a retailer in the 8800 block of Marshall Drive. The suspects were observed acting suspiciously… <a href="https://t.co/J5NwS2nDhJ">pic.twitter.com/J5NwS2nDhJ</a>&mdash; Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/LenexaPolice/status/1869470353346490817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The suspects were observed acting suspiciously inside the store before one of them unexpectedly punched the employee in the back of the head unprovoked.If you recognize either individual or have any information, please contact our detective at 913-825-8097 or send us a DM.