(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755651756653.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/QS8Whosuml">pic.twitter.com/QS8Whosuml</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001076955395797252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765968665337.png" alt="Image from Dept. of Justice video" />
 <figcaption>Image from Dept. of Justice video</figcaption>
 </figure>(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… <a href="https://t.co/dNr0oAGl5x">pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998875795151024337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump orders 'blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela

KANSAS CITY – A former elementary school teacher and employee of two Kansas City area school districts has been indicted by a federal grand jury for additional child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a thirteen-count federal superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City last week. Hernandez was previously charged in a seven-count indictment with five counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The superseding indictment includes those charges and six additional counts of production and attempted production of child pornography. The offenses charged in the indictment are alleged to involve twelve minor victims and are alleged to have occurred between August 2022 and August 2025.

<a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a>&nbsp;on Hernendez

The charges contained in this superseding indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755908167779.png" alt="Hernandez photo" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A former elementary school teacher and employee of two Kansas City area school districts has been indicted by a federal grand jury for additional child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a thirteen-count federal superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City last week. Hernandez was previously charged in a seven-count indictment with five counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The superseding indictment includes those charges and six additional counts of production and attempted production of child pornography. The offenses charged in the indictment are alleged to involve twelve minor victims and are alleged to have occurred between August 2022 and August 2025.<a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a>&nbsp;on HernendezThe charges contained in this superseding indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

More charges: Teacher accused of filming child porn in KC area school

A UPS driver was killed Tuesday afternoon after a collision with a train on Woodberry Road south of U.S. 50 in Reno County.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received the call shortly after 3 p.m. reporting a serious accident at the railroad crossing. Deputies arrived to find a UPS delivery truck that had been struck by a train and pushed on the driver’s side.

Authorities said there are no railroad crossing lights at the scene. The driver of the UPS truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

No injuries were reported on the train. Officials have not released details regarding the train’s speed or direction of travel.

Woodberry Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon as investigators worked the scene. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office says the crash remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765933777098.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp; A UPS driver was killed Tuesday afternoon after a collision with a train on Woodberry Road south of U.S. 50 in Reno County.According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received the call shortly after 3 p.m. reporting a serious accident at the railroad crossing. Deputies arrived to find a UPS delivery truck that had been struck by a train and pushed on the driver’s side.Authorities said there are no railroad crossing lights at the scene. The driver of the UPS truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.No injuries were reported on the train. Officials have not released details regarding the train’s speed or direction of travel.Woodberry Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon as investigators worked the scene. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office says the crash remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Kansas delivery driver killed after a train strikes UPS truck

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment in Kansas City.

Just before 1p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 2800 block of Bellview on the west side of Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 On arrival crews reported smoke from a two-story apartment. Crews quickly made an interior attack of the first floor apartment and discovered a kitchen fire in the rear of the structure. 

The fire was quickly put out limiting the damage. A search of the entire structure was conducted and came back all clear.&nbsp; One dog was found and removed and safely placed in the care of a neighbor. 

No injuries were reported at this incident. The occupants were not home at the time.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765896836187.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Department." />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Department.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment in Kansas City.Just before 1p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 2800 block of Bellview on the west side of Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. On arrival crews reported smoke from a two-story apartment. Crews quickly made an interior attack of the first floor apartment and discovered a kitchen fire in the rear of the structure. The fire was quickly put out limiting the damage. A search of the entire structure was conducted and came back all clear.&nbsp; One dog was found and removed and safely placed in the care of a neighbor. No injuries were reported at this incident. The occupants were not home at the time.&nbsp;

Family pet rescued from Kansas City apartment fire

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits.&nbsp;

Johnson was confident that blocking the amendment would not lead centrist GOP lawmakers to oppose the Republican health care bill scheduled to get a vote Wednesday.&nbsp;

“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare, COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created,” Johnson said. “We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve and it just was not to be.”

The enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, sharply increasing the cost of health insurance for the roughly 22 million Americans who purchase plans through the exchange and benefit from the subsidies.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-preps-health-care-bill-vote-new-year" target="_blank">House Republican health care bill</a>&nbsp;wouldn’t extend those tax credits, frustrating GOP lawmakers in that chamber who are most at risk of losing their reelection bids during the November midterm elections.&nbsp;

Johnson said he expects that GOP bill will pass, though he didn’t address its prospects in the Senate, where bipartisanship is needed for nearly all bills to advance under that chamber’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.&nbsp;

“So we have been forced to sign onto two discharge petitions,” he said. “And yet my Democratic colleagues will not join us, but for those that were at the negotiation table.”

Lawler then criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, for not encouraging Democrats to sign onto the bipartisan discharge petitions, noting that would likely get the 218 signatures needed to force a floor vote. He argued that’s because Jeffries “doesn’t actually want to solve the problem, he wants the issue.”

“This place is disgraceful,” Lawler said. “Everybody wants the upper hand.&nbsp; Everybody wants the political advantage. They don’t actually want to do the damn work. This problem could be solved today if everybody who says they care about extending this signs the discharge.”

When the House returns from its two-week holiday break next year, Johnson said, leaders may try to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/youre-hearing-lot-about-budget-reconciliation-congress-what-does-mean" target="_blank">complex reconciliation process</a>&nbsp;they used to enact the “one big, beautiful bill” to address health care.&nbsp;

“What we anticipate going into the first quarter of next year is, possibly in a reconciliation package or in regular order a stand-alone, ideas just like this,” Johnson said after being asked a question about Health Savings Accounts. “We have a long list of things that we know will reduce premiums, increase access and quality of care.”&nbsp;

President Donald Trump said Monday he wants Republicans to use the reconciliation process or to eliminate the Senate’s legislative filibuster to address health care and other policy priorities.&nbsp;

“Republicans should knock out the filibuster and we should approve a lot of things,” Trump said.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he doesn’t intend to change or scrap the filibuster.

Trump also reiterated during the Oval Office event he would like to see Congress send direct payments to Americans to help them buy health insurance or afford health care.&nbsp;

“I want all money going to the people and let the people buy their own health care. It’ll be unbelievable,” Trump said. “They’ll do a great job. They’ll get much better health care at a much lower cost.”

The Senate voted last week on two health care bills, one from Republicans and one from Democrats, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">neither received the support needed</a>&nbsp;to move toward a final passage vote.&nbsp;

Republicans’ bill would have provided direct payments to some people enrolled in either bronze or catastrophic ACA marketplace plans with up to $1,500 in payments annually for 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;

Democrats’ legislation would have extended the enhanced ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;

A bipartisan group of senators is trying to find solutions that bridge the political divide, though they are unlikely to achieve consensus on the details before the end of this week.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/699770/cost-leads-americans-top-mind-healthcare-concerns.aspx?utm_source=twitterbutton&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=sharing" target="_blank">poll</a>&nbsp;released Monday by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that cost is the “most urgent” health issue facing the country, followed by access and then obesity.&nbsp;

Just 57% of those polled said they were satisfied with how much they pay for their own health care and only 16% were satisfied with the total cost of healthcare.

Nearly two-thirds of those in the survey said they believe it’s the federal government’s responsibility “to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage,” while 33% said it’s not.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765911736967.png" alt="U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> confirms there will not be a vote on extending ACA subsidies, saying many Republicans &quot;did want to vote on this Obamacare COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created. We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve, and it just was not to be. We… <a href="https://t.co/jaI1C0NFJu">pic.twitter.com/jaI1C0NFJu</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2000963416228352279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Johnson was confident that blocking the amendment would not lead centrist GOP lawmakers to oppose the Republican health care bill scheduled to get a vote Wednesday.&nbsp;“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare, COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created,” Johnson said. “We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve and it just was not to be.”The enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, sharply increasing the cost of health insurance for the roughly 22 million Americans who purchase plans through the exchange and benefit from the subsidies.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-preps-health-care-bill-vote-new-year" target="_blank">House Republican health care bill</a>&nbsp;wouldn’t extend those tax credits, frustrating GOP lawmakers in that chamber who are most at risk of losing their reelection bids during the November midterm elections.&nbsp;Johnson said he expects that GOP bill will pass, though he didn’t address its prospects in the Senate, where bipartisanship is needed for nearly all bills to advance under that chamber’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;<h2>‘Idiotic and shameful’</h2>New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.&nbsp;“So we have been forced to sign onto two discharge petitions,” he said. “And yet my Democratic colleagues will not join us, but for those that were at the negotiation table.”Lawler then criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, for not encouraging Democrats to sign onto the bipartisan discharge petitions, noting that would likely get the 218 signatures needed to force a floor vote. He argued that’s because Jeffries “doesn’t actually want to solve the problem, he wants the issue.”“This place is disgraceful,” Lawler said. “Everybody wants the upper hand.&nbsp; Everybody wants the political advantage. They don’t actually want to do the damn work. This problem could be solved today if everybody who says they care about extending this signs the discharge.”<h2>GOP-only bill in 2026?</h2>When the House returns from its two-week holiday break next year, Johnson said, leaders may try to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/youre-hearing-lot-about-budget-reconciliation-congress-what-does-mean" target="_blank">complex reconciliation process</a>&nbsp;they used to enact the “one big, beautiful bill” to address health care.&nbsp;“What we anticipate going into the first quarter of next year is, possibly in a reconciliation package or in regular order a stand-alone, ideas just like this,” Johnson said after being asked a question about Health Savings Accounts. “We have a long list of things that we know will reduce premiums, increase access and quality of care.”&nbsp;President Donald Trump said Monday he wants Republicans to use the reconciliation process or to eliminate the Senate’s legislative filibuster to address health care and other policy priorities.&nbsp;“Republicans should knock out the filibuster and we should approve a lot of things,” Trump said.&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he doesn’t intend to change or scrap the filibuster.<h2>Direct payments or tax breaks</h2>Trump also reiterated during the Oval Office event he would like to see Congress send direct payments to Americans to help them buy health insurance or afford health care.&nbsp;“I want all money going to the people and let the people buy their own health care. It’ll be unbelievable,” Trump said. “They’ll do a great job. They’ll get much better health care at a much lower cost.”The Senate voted last week on two health care bills, one from Republicans and one from Democrats, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">neither received the support needed</a>&nbsp;to move toward a final passage vote.&nbsp;Republicans’ bill would have provided direct payments to some people enrolled in either bronze or catastrophic ACA marketplace plans with up to $1,500 in payments annually for 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;Democrats’ legislation would have extended the enhanced ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;<h2>Cost most urgent issue, poll finds</h2>A bipartisan group of senators is trying to find solutions that bridge the political divide, though they are unlikely to achieve consensus on the details before the end of this week.A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/699770/cost-leads-americans-top-mind-healthcare-concerns.aspx?utm_source=twitterbutton&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=sharing" target="_blank">poll</a>&nbsp;released Monday by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that cost is the “most urgent” health issue facing the country, followed by access and then obesity.&nbsp;Just 57% of those polled said they were satisfied with how much they pay for their own health care and only 16% were satisfied with the total cost of healthcare.Nearly two-thirds of those in the survey said they believe it’s the federal government’s responsibility “to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage,” while 33% said it’s not.&nbsp;

No US House vote to extend health care subsidies, Speaker Johnson says

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez, a BMW 230I was traveling on the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 670 to southbound 71 Highway at a high rate of speed. 

The BMW failed to negotiate the curve of the ramp and traveled off the roadway to the left, down the grassy embankment and struck a concrete bridge support pillar. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

This is Fatality #63 compared to #89 at this time last year, according to the Gonzalez.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.According to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez, a BMW 230I was traveling on the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 670 to southbound 71 Highway at a high rate of speed. The BMW failed to negotiate the curve of the ramp and traveled off the roadway to the left, down the grassy embankment and struck a concrete bridge support pillar. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was pronounced deceased at the scene. This is Fatality #63 compared to #89 at this time last year, according to the Gonzalez.

KCPD: Driver dies after losing control on exit ramp

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

President Donald Trump’s administration is looking “very strongly” at reclassifying cannabis from the strictest category of controlled substances, Trump said Monday.

In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.

“A lot of people want to see it — the reclassification — because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said. “So we are looking at that very strongly.”

Marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug under the Food and Drug Administration’s classification of controlled substances. The FDA defines drugs on the list, such as heroin and cocaine, as lacking any medicinal value and carrying a high likelihood of abuse.

The designation carries a host of consequences, including a virtual ban on funding research for medicinal or other uses of the drug.

While marijuana use, both medicinal and recreational, is legal in many states, it remains illegal to possess or use in any amount for any reason under federal law.

Advocates have sought for decades to legalize or decriminalize the drug, which many see as less harmful than other Schedule I substances.

The growing split in recent years among many states and federal law has ramped up pressure on federal policymakers to alter the drug’s legal status.

Marijuana businesses in states where it is legal lack access to financial institutions, which cannot lend to businesses considered illegal by federal authorities.

States, meanwhile, have had&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/" target="_blank">difficulty regulating</a>&nbsp;the environmental and health aspects of their industries.

And lawmakers, especially Democrats, have increasingly highlighted the frequent injustice of marijuana prosecutions that disproportionately affect communities of color and poor communities, though the drug is widely used across race and economic status.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="Photo Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent" />
 <figcaption>Photo Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>President Donald Trump’s administration is looking “very strongly” at reclassifying cannabis from the strictest category of controlled substances, Trump said Monday.In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.“A lot of people want to see it — the reclassification — because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said. “So we are looking at that very strongly.”Marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug under the Food and Drug Administration’s classification of controlled substances. The FDA defines drugs on the list, such as heroin and cocaine, as lacking any medicinal value and carrying a high likelihood of abuse.The designation carries a host of consequences, including a virtual ban on funding research for medicinal or other uses of the drug.While marijuana use, both medicinal and recreational, is legal in many states, it remains illegal to possess or use in any amount for any reason under federal law.Advocates have sought for decades to legalize or decriminalize the drug, which many see as less harmful than other Schedule I substances.The growing split in recent years among many states and federal law has ramped up pressure on federal policymakers to alter the drug’s legal status.Marijuana businesses in states where it is legal lack access to financial institutions, which cannot lend to businesses considered illegal by federal authorities.States, meanwhile, have had&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/" target="_blank">difficulty regulating</a>&nbsp;the environmental and health aspects of their industries.And lawmakers, especially Democrats, have increasingly highlighted the frequent injustice of marijuana prosecutions that disproportionately affect communities of color and poor communities, though the drug is widely used across race and economic status.

Trump admin. ‘strongly’ considering loosening federal marijuana regulations

FBI offers $50K reward for information leading to arrest

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Details about the man believed to have fatally shot two Brown University students and injured nine more are coming into focus, with new videos and photos released by public officials in a press conference late Monday afternoon.

The series of five short video clips and photographs captured from neighborhood property cameras include blurred images of the person’s face, partially obscured by what looks like a pandemic-era medical mask, as he walked the streets a few blocks east of the building where the shooting took place, about two hours beforehand on Saturday. Instead of black clothing, as previously described, he wears a two-colored jacket that appears dark gray and green.

As the manhunt continues for the suspect, law enforcement are seeking more tips from the public, with the FBI offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/brown-university-shooting.pdf">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual responsible. The suspect is believed to be about 5-foot-8 with a stocky build, described as “armed and dangerous” according to the&nbsp;FBI poster.

The evidence comes more than 48 hours after the shooting at Brown’s Barus and Holley engineering building, but wasn’t collected until Monday, Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, told Rhode Island Current after the press conference.

Perez remained tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation, including personal connections to the victims or the Ivy League campus.&nbsp;

“It’s a great question and something we are all asking ourselves,” Perez said.

For the first time, Perez publicly confirmed that investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack against the university.

Indeed, the video clips&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687" target="_blank">posted to X</a>&nbsp;show the suspect walking back and forth across the same small section of the East Side neighborhood, pausing multiple times as he appears to take stock of the surroundings. At one point, he changes direction and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687?s=20" target="_blank">clasps his hands together</a>&nbsp;behind his back as he gazes up.

Perez also confirmed the weapon used as a 9 millimeter firearm, with multiple rounds fired.&nbsp;

Investigators had previously detained a person of interest found in a Coventry hotel early Sunday, but released him at around 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">declaring him cleared.</a>&nbsp;But not before his name was publicly circulated via national news reports, prompting a second round of scolding by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

“It’s one of the reasons we use words carefully,” Neronha said, explaining the difference between someone detained for questioning, versus held in custody on suspicion of committing a crime.&nbsp;

And as federal prosecutors descended on the Hampton Inn in Coventry<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">&nbsp;early Sunday</a>, other investigators were working on alternative leads and tips, Neronha said.&nbsp;

“These investigations are like threads that you pull on a garment,” Neronha said. “Some of them you pull, and the garment doesn’t open up. Other ones you pull and the garment comes undone.”

Federal and state investigators were seen combing sidewalks and properties across the East Side Monday afternoon, looking for more evidence of the shooter’s path. The return to the scene of the crime was prompted by additional tips and video and photo evidence, which has increased significantly with footage submitted from business owners and residents that were closed or away for the weekend, Neronha said.

Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office, which is assisting Providence police and other local and state law enforcement, said the federal agency continues to process evidence from the neighborhood while investigators at its Quantico, Virginia, laboratory work to recreate the scene of the crime, documenting the trajectories of the bullets.

“It’s painstaking work and we are asking the public to be patient as we continue to run down every lead,” Docks said, adding that no amount of information was “too small or irrelevant.”

Perez acknowledged the length of the time that has elapsed since the shooting but reiterated the Providence agency’s dedication and professionalism in finding the suspect.&nbsp;

“There’s no one that wants to put this individual in handcuffs [more] than us,” Perez said.&nbsp;

Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the fear and grief that has gripped the capital city, evidenced by local residents, workers and students he had spoken with throughout the weekend and into Monday. Yet the city did not renew the lockdown order that was lifted early Sunday, after the previous person of interest was detained because there have been no new “credible” threats, Smiley said.

“It is going to be hard for my city to feel safe going forward,” Smiley said. “This has shaken us. That will be true tomorrow. I suspect that will be true the day after the general convicts someone. This is a process to restore a sense of safety.”

Providence schools opened as usual Monday and will continue with regular schedules Tuesday, with additional security officers on-hand to help reassure students and parents, Smiley said.&nbsp;

Recalling the 200-plus person crowd that gathered in<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">&nbsp;Lippitt Memorial Park</a>&nbsp;on the Providence-Pawtucket line in sub-freezing temperatures Sunday night to honor the victims, Smiley said “This is a tight-knit community that looks out for each other.”

Some neighborhood residents have lamented the lack of emergency notifications from the city during and after the shooting. But Smiley rebuffed criticisms of the city’s alert&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/pvd311/" target="_blank">system</a>, saying it worked as intended for everyone who signed up, with text messages continuing to be sent out through Monday afternoon.

Smiley’s tone grew sharper when asked about the onus placed on the university. President Donald Trump said earlier today that the tragedy was a “school problem” while defending the FBI’s role in the investigation.

“So far, we’ve done a very good job of doing it,” Trump said of the federal investigation. “With the various times this has happened, they’ve done it in pretty much record time. But you really have to ask the school a little bit more about that, because this was a school problem. They had their own guards, they had their own police, they had their own everything. But you’d have to ask that question, really, to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact.”

Smiley’s response: “I do not accept that criticism.”

Unlike prior press conferences, no one representing the university attended Monday afternoon’s event. Smiley said it did not signify their lack of support, instead explaining that because the updates focused on the continued law enforcement efforts to find the suspect, there was no need for the university to have a presence.

However, Smiley said he was unable to directly answer reporters’ questions about why Brown did not activate its sirens when the shooting took place.&nbsp;

Throughout the 30-minute briefing with reporters, public officials repeatedly stressed the need to verify information from official sources, noting the confusion and misinformation that spread in the days since the attack. That included reports of what initially sounded like gunfire reported on Pitman Street in the midst of the university campus Monday morning, but was later confirmed to be a boiler that backfired,&nbsp;<a href="https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-police-respond-to-shots-fired-call-that-turns-out-to-be-backfiring-boiler-dec-15-2025" target="_blank">according to news reports.</a>

There were no additional updates on the eight victims still in treatment at Rhode Island hospital. One person has already been released. The two students killed were also&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">publicly identified Monday.</a>

Officials do not expect to provide additional public updates Monday.

<h2>FBI offers $50K reward for information leading to arrest</h2>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NEW: We are releasing a new image of the person of interest in the Brown University incident and plan to release additional media shortly. Please share widely and contact the official tip line if you have information or an ID: 401-272-3121 <a href="https://t.co/8a1yEMZhnI">https://t.co/8a1yEMZhnI</a> <a href="https://t.co/YvN2ash224">pic.twitter.com/YvN2ash224</a>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2001003360829497665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Details about the man believed to have fatally shot two Brown University students and injured nine more are coming into focus, with new videos and photos released by public officials in a press conference late Monday afternoon.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">4/4 We are requesting the public&#39;s assistance in identifying a person of interest in Saturday&#39;s incident at Brown University. Please share these images and direct all tips to 401-272-3121 or <a href="https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya">https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya</a> <a href="https://t.co/9kyZXBlj7I">pic.twitter.com/9kyZXBlj7I</a>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000702215904788495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: The FBI and <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProvidenceRIPD</a> are releasing new images of a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University on 12/13/25. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBI</a> is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual.… <a href="https://t.co/OhpnsN9fds">pic.twitter.com/OhpnsN9fds</a>&mdash; FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIBoston/status/2000690371072794682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The series of five short video clips and photographs captured from neighborhood property cameras include blurred images of the person’s face, partially obscured by what looks like a pandemic-era medical mask, as he walked the streets a few blocks east of the building where the shooting took place, about two hours beforehand on Saturday. Instead of black clothing, as previously described, he wears a two-colored jacket that appears dark gray and green.As the manhunt continues for the suspect, law enforcement are seeking more tips from the public, with the FBI offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/brown-university-shooting.pdf">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual responsible. The suspect is believed to be about 5-foot-8 with a stocky build, described as “armed and dangerous” according to the&nbsp;FBI poster.The evidence comes more than 48 hours after the shooting at Brown’s Barus and Holley engineering building, but wasn’t collected until Monday, Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, told Rhode Island Current after the press conference.Perez remained tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation, including personal connections to the victims or the Ivy League campus.&nbsp;“It’s a great question and something we are all asking ourselves,” Perez said.<h2>A targeted attack</h2>For the first time, Perez publicly confirmed that investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack against the university.Indeed, the video clips&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687" target="_blank">posted to X</a>&nbsp;show the suspect walking back and forth across the same small section of the East Side neighborhood, pausing multiple times as he appears to take stock of the surroundings. At one point, he changes direction and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687?s=20" target="_blank">clasps his hands together</a>&nbsp;behind his back as he gazes up.Perez also confirmed the weapon used as a 9 millimeter firearm, with multiple rounds fired.&nbsp;Investigators had previously detained a person of interest found in a Coventry hotel early Sunday, but released him at around 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">declaring him cleared.</a>&nbsp;But not before his name was publicly circulated via national news reports, prompting a second round of scolding by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.“It’s one of the reasons we use words carefully,” Neronha said, explaining the difference between someone detained for questioning, versus held in custody on suspicion of committing a crime.&nbsp;And as federal prosecutors descended on the Hampton Inn in Coventry<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">&nbsp;early Sunday</a>, other investigators were working on alternative leads and tips, Neronha said.&nbsp;“These investigations are like threads that you pull on a garment,” Neronha said. “Some of them you pull, and the garment doesn’t open up. Other ones you pull and the garment comes undone.”Federal and state investigators were seen combing sidewalks and properties across the East Side Monday afternoon, looking for more evidence of the shooter’s path. The return to the scene of the crime was prompted by additional tips and video and photo evidence, which has increased significantly with footage submitted from business owners and residents that were closed or away for the weekend, Neronha said.Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office, which is assisting Providence police and other local and state law enforcement, said the federal agency continues to process evidence from the neighborhood while investigators at its Quantico, Virginia, laboratory work to recreate the scene of the crime, documenting the trajectories of the bullets.“It’s painstaking work and we are asking the public to be patient as we continue to run down every lead,” Docks said, adding that no amount of information was “too small or irrelevant.”Perez acknowledged the length of the time that has elapsed since the shooting but reiterated the Providence agency’s dedication and professionalism in finding the suspect.&nbsp;“There’s no one that wants to put this individual in handcuffs [more] than us,” Perez said.&nbsp;<h2>A city on edge</h2>Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the fear and grief that has gripped the capital city, evidenced by local residents, workers and students he had spoken with throughout the weekend and into Monday. Yet the city did not renew the lockdown order that was lifted early Sunday, after the previous person of interest was detained because there have been no new “credible” threats, Smiley said.“It is going to be hard for my city to feel safe going forward,” Smiley said. “This has shaken us. That will be true tomorrow. I suspect that will be true the day after the general convicts someone. This is a process to restore a sense of safety.”Providence schools opened as usual Monday and will continue with regular schedules Tuesday, with additional security officers on-hand to help reassure students and parents, Smiley said.&nbsp;Recalling the 200-plus person crowd that gathered in<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">&nbsp;Lippitt Memorial Park</a>&nbsp;on the Providence-Pawtucket line in sub-freezing temperatures Sunday night to honor the victims, Smiley said “This is a tight-knit community that looks out for each other.”Some neighborhood residents have lamented the lack of emergency notifications from the city during and after the shooting. But Smiley rebuffed criticisms of the city’s alert&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/pvd311/" target="_blank">system</a>, saying it worked as intended for everyone who signed up, with text messages continuing to be sent out through Monday afternoon.Smiley’s tone grew sharper when asked about the onus placed on the university. President Donald Trump said earlier today that the tragedy was a “school problem” while defending the FBI’s role in the investigation.“So far, we’ve done a very good job of doing it,” Trump said of the federal investigation. “With the various times this has happened, they’ve done it in pretty much record time. But you really have to ask the school a little bit more about that, because this was a school problem. They had their own guards, they had their own police, they had their own everything. But you’d have to ask that question, really, to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact.”Smiley’s response: “I do not accept that criticism.”Unlike prior press conferences, no one representing the university attended Monday afternoon’s event. Smiley said it did not signify their lack of support, instead explaining that because the updates focused on the continued law enforcement efforts to find the suspect, there was no need for the university to have a presence.However, Smiley said he was unable to directly answer reporters’ questions about why Brown did not activate its sirens when the shooting took place.&nbsp;Throughout the 30-minute briefing with reporters, public officials repeatedly stressed the need to verify information from official sources, noting the confusion and misinformation that spread in the days since the attack. That included reports of what initially sounded like gunfire reported on Pitman Street in the midst of the university campus Monday morning, but was later confirmed to be a boiler that backfired,&nbsp;<a href="https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-police-respond-to-shots-fired-call-that-turns-out-to-be-backfiring-boiler-dec-15-2025" target="_blank">according to news reports.</a>There were no additional updates on the eight victims still in treatment at Rhode Island hospital. One person has already been released. The two students killed were also&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">publicly identified Monday.</a>Officials do not expect to provide additional public updates Monday.

Police release new photo in manhunt for Brown University shooter

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent to women to the hospital.

Just after 2a.m. December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg, Kansas, Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle, according to a media release.

 While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street in Pittsburg. Officers responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.   

Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment.  Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. 

Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street.  Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene.  Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed.  Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation.   

After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle.  During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two women.

As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest.  The other individuals were released after being interviewed.   

&nbsp;Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and he is being held without bond on requested charges that include two counts of Aggravated Battery.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765811168250.png" alt="Alvarez photo Crawford Co." />
 <figcaption>Alvarez photo Crawford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent to women to the hospital.Just after 2a.m. December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg, Kansas, Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle, according to a media release. While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street in Pittsburg. Officers responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg. Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment. Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street. Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene. Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed. Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation. After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle. During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two women.As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest. The other individuals were released after being interviewed. &nbsp;Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and he is being held without bond on requested charges that include two counts of Aggravated Battery.&nbsp;

Police: 2 Kansas women injured in shooting during an alley fight 

On Dec. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third.

On Dec. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Dec. 15, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… <a href="https://t.co/IQfCVvUpau">pic.twitter.com/IQfCVvUpau</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2000756230252314901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third.

🎥US military conducts more drug boat strikes killing 8

The Powerball® jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving players nationwide another chance to dream big this holiday season. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $572.1 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Wednesday’s jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize this year, behind the $1.787 billion prize won on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas. This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots.

“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and California, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Wednesday’s drawing will be the 44th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

The only other time the Powerball game generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot won on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won by players in California.

If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.25 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $572.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

<a href="https://www.powerball.com/">Powerball</a>

The Powerball® jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving players nationwide another chance to dream big this holiday season. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $572.1 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.Wednesday’s jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize this year, behind the $1.787 billion prize won on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas. This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots.“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.Two tickets, sold in Arizona and California, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes.Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.Wednesday’s drawing will be the 44th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.The only other time the Powerball game generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot won on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won by players in California.If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.25 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $572.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.25 Billion est. – Dec. 17, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li>
 </ol><a href="https://www.powerball.com/">Powerball</a>

Merry Christmas: Powerball jackpot surges to $1.25 billion

JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman who was reported missing early Sunday morning near a golf course in Lenexa has been found dead, according an online state from Lenexa police.

Just before 6a.m. Sunday, Amber J. Foster was last seen in the area of W. 87th Street Parkway and Winchester in Lenexa (17300 block of W. 87th Street Parkway)

She was described as wearing an orange t-shirt, over a long-sleeve white shirt, and blue jeans. Amber’s vehicle was located in a nearby parking garage, and she was last seen on foot walking towards the Canyon Farms Golf Course.&nbsp;

Just after 11:30a.m. Monday her body was found near W. 86th and Haven Street.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765846082934.png" alt="Amber Foster photo Lenexa Police" />
 <figcaption>Amber Foster photo Lenexa Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman who was reported missing early Sunday morning near a golf course in Lenexa has been found dead, according an online state from Lenexa police.Just before 6a.m. Sunday, Amber J. Foster was last seen in the area of W. 87th Street Parkway and Winchester in Lenexa (17300 block of W. 87th Street Parkway)She was described as wearing an orange t-shirt, over a long-sleeve white shirt, and blue jeans. Amber’s vehicle was located in a nearby parking garage, and she was last seen on foot walking towards the Canyon Farms Golf Course.&nbsp;Just after 11:30a.m. Monday her body was found near W. 86th and Haven Street.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Missing Kansas woman found dead near a golf course

WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to 272 months in prison for his part in a drug trafficking ring that transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Rafael Turner, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Beginning on a date unknown and continuing through March 2023, Turner conspired with other people to distribute fentanyl.&nbsp;

“Turner was part of a criminal organization that injected both fentanyl and illegal drug proceeds into our communities,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, St. Louis Field Office. “We’re more committed than ever to using our financial expertise to help disrupt these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”

Forty-five other individuals were prosecuted as part of this overall investigation, which included individuals in Kansas. &nbsp;Across the country, individuals have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Included among them are Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 33, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 27, both of Wichita, who were each convicted of one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was sentenced to 300 months in prison. Knight was sentenced to 150 months in prison.&nbsp;

In February 2023, Weatherspoon and Knight traveled by plane from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase 300,000 fentanyl pills. They packed the pills into two suitcases, checked the luggage under their names, and flew back to Wichita. Pursuant to a federal search warrant, law enforcement officers seized one of the bags before it reached the baggage claim area. They x-rayed and searched the luggage and discovered 15 bags stuffed inside containing 150,000 fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Weatherspoon and Knight, who had by then retrieved the second suitcase from baggage claim. A search of that bag showed it also contained approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills.

“Over the past few years, the federal government has partnered with state and local governments as well as community groups to curtail the fentanyl crisis. The prosecution of this large drug conspiracy was part of that work. However, we are not done in these efforts. While we try to save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, criminals seek to undermine that hard work” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fentanyl dealers have little to no regard for human life and are willing to let children get ahold of this poison in efforts to turn a profit. We are grateful to law enforcement agents whose investigations keep this toxic substance off our streets.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765462730894.png" alt="Turner-photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Turner-photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to 272 months in prison for his part in a drug trafficking ring that transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Rafael Turner, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.Beginning on a date unknown and continuing through March 2023, Turner conspired with other people to distribute fentanyl.&nbsp;“Turner was part of a criminal organization that injected both fentanyl and illegal drug proceeds into our communities,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, St. Louis Field Office. “We’re more committed than ever to using our financial expertise to help disrupt these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”Forty-five other individuals were prosecuted as part of this overall investigation, which included individuals in Kansas. &nbsp;Across the country, individuals have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Included among them are Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 33, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 27, both of Wichita, who were each convicted of one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was sentenced to 300 months in prison. Knight was sentenced to 150 months in prison.&nbsp;In February 2023, Weatherspoon and Knight traveled by plane from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase 300,000 fentanyl pills. They packed the pills into two suitcases, checked the luggage under their names, and flew back to Wichita. Pursuant to a federal search warrant, law enforcement officers seized one of the bags before it reached the baggage claim area. They x-rayed and searched the luggage and discovered 15 bags stuffed inside containing 150,000 fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Weatherspoon and Knight, who had by then retrieved the second suitcase from baggage claim. A search of that bag showed it also contained approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills.“Over the past few years, the federal government has partnered with state and local governments as well as community groups to curtail the fentanyl crisis. The prosecution of this large drug conspiracy was part of that work. However, we are not done in these efforts. While we try to save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, criminals seek to undermine that hard work” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fentanyl dealers have little to no regard for human life and are willing to let children get ahold of this poison in efforts to turn a profit. We are grateful to law enforcement agents whose investigations keep this toxic substance off our streets.”

Man transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765833966030.png" alt="The president was asked if he stood by his social media post in light of the pushback he was getting, including from those in his own party. Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.” “I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”- image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>The president was asked if he stood by his social media post in light of the pushback he was getting, including from those in his own party. Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.” “I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”- image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/pibzXhB2x9">pic.twitter.com/pibzXhB2x9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2000579703942344839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Rob Reiner: &quot;I wasn&#39;t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned...I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/s3Ui8K6Y0a">pic.twitter.com/s3Ui8K6Y0a</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2000670041465827461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump doubles down on criticizing Rob Reiner after his killing

By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa lowered in honor of the two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria.

The two service members were killed Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, by a lone gunman suspected to be affiliated with ISIS. The two individuals were identified in a news release Monday as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.

Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin Reynolds, offer “offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time.”

“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”

Reynolds and Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn confirmed during a Saturday news conference three other soldiers were injured in the attack — one of the injuries was “superficial,” Osborn said, while two others were “significant,” and both were stable but in critical condition receiving treatment at the Jordan air base. One civilian, an interpreter who was not from Iowa, was also killed in the attack.

In a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1181943667403597&amp;set=pcb.1181949564069674" target="_blank">&nbsp;social media post</a>&nbsp;late Saturday, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote that his son, Howard, was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

“My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have,” Bunn wrote. “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.”

The attack, currently under investigation, occurred “as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement,”<a href="https://x.com/SeanParnellASW/status/1999881329593258126?s=20" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to Sean Parnell</a>, the U.S. assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The soldiers’ mission was in support of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the area. Osborn said at the Saturday news conference the Iowa National Guard forces in Syria operate as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, an international union led by the U.S. focused on fighting ISIS in the region.

“Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said. “They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice, and we will continue to stand strong as a team united in the purpose and resolve their mission.”

There are currently 1,800 Iowa soldiers in the Middle East, Osborn said, deployed in May 2025. Of that group, between 200 and 250 are National Guard members deployed in Syria.

President Donald Trump pledged a strong U.S. response to the ISIS attack<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115713778827349150" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a Truth Social post Saturday</a>&nbsp;mourning the deaths of the three Americans.

“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,” Trump write. “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”

Other Iowa leaders shared their condolences for the fallen soldiers and their families following the news Saturday. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who served with the Iowa National Guard, asked Iowans to join her “in praying for the families of these American heroes.”

“Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said in a statement. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”

The last death of an Iowa National Guard member in service occurred in 2011 in Afghanistan.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths of the Iowa National Guard members was “absolutely shocking news” in a statement Saturday.

“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart said. “May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830118517.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa lowered in honor of the two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria.The two service members were killed Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, by a lone gunman suspected to be affiliated with ISIS. The two individuals were identified in a news release Monday as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830050753.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard=photo Iowa National Guard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard=photo Iowa National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin Reynolds, offer “offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time.”“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”Reynolds and Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn confirmed during a Saturday news conference three other soldiers were injured in the attack — one of the injuries was “superficial,” Osborn said, while two others were “significant,” and both were stable but in critical condition receiving treatment at the Jordan air base. One civilian, an interpreter who was not from Iowa, was also killed in the attack.In a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1181943667403597&amp;set=pcb.1181949564069674" target="_blank">&nbsp;social media post</a>&nbsp;late Saturday, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote that his son, Howard, was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.“My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have,” Bunn wrote. “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.”The attack, currently under investigation, occurred “as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement,”<a href="https://x.com/SeanParnellASW/status/1999881329593258126?s=20" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to Sean Parnell</a>, the U.S. assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The soldiers’ mission was in support of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the area. Osborn said at the Saturday news conference the Iowa National Guard forces in Syria operate as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, an international union led by the U.S. focused on fighting ISIS in the region.“Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said. “They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice, and we will continue to stand strong as a team united in the purpose and resolve their mission.”There are currently 1,800 Iowa soldiers in the Middle East, Osborn said, deployed in May 2025. Of that group, between 200 and 250 are National Guard members deployed in Syria.President Donald Trump pledged a strong U.S. response to the ISIS attack<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115713778827349150" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a Truth Social post Saturday</a>&nbsp;mourning the deaths of the three Americans.“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,” Trump write. “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”Other Iowa leaders shared their condolences for the fallen soldiers and their families following the news Saturday. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who served with the Iowa National Guard, asked Iowans to join her “in praying for the families of these American heroes.”“Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said in a statement. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”The last death of an Iowa National Guard member in service occurred in 2011 in Afghanistan.Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths of the Iowa National Guard members was “absolutely shocking news” in a statement Saturday.“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart said. “May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

US Army names National Guard members killed in attack in Syria

Board of Regents selects Matthew Baker, a Kansas native and K-State graduate

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>

TOPEKA — A 30-year higher education administrator at Northwest Missouri State University will return to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as president of Emporia State University.

Matthew Baker, who grew up in Kansas and earned a psychology degree at Kansas State University, has been vice president of student affairs at NMSU in Maryville, Missouri, for the past 14 years. Baker is expected to begin leadership duties at ESU in March. He holds a master’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri in Columbia.

“It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president,” Baker said. “I will forever be grateful to Northwest for all it has done for me and my family. It is because of the experiences Northwest provided me that I am able to step into this role.”

Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Baker was a “proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation.” The Board of Regents unanimously voted to hire Baker.

Baker replaced Ken Hush, who became ESU president in 2021 and was an unusual appointee due to his lack of a graduate degree. Hush received an undergraduate degree from ESU and had a lengthy career in the private sector, including work with Koch Industries.

Benson, on behalf of the Board of Regents, said Hush “consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success.”

Hush invited controversy by deciding in 2022 to fire about 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty and to eliminate a cluster of academic programs, which exacerbated&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/02/emporia-state-university-continues-enrollment-slide-while-other-kansas-universities-post-gains/">the university’s enrollment decline</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/emporia-state-university-president-defends-cuts-firings-in-bid-to-recast-higher-education-culture/">Hush’s unilateral dismissal of</a>&nbsp;personnel prompted a wave of lawsuits, which have yet to be fully resolved.

During Hush’s time at ESU, the Kansas Legislature earmarked tens of millions of dollars in special funding to stabilize the university. In addition, an attorney employed by ESU led an effort to persuade the Legislature to retroactively undermine faculty tenure statewide.

Hush, who plans to retire this month from ESU, said he would donate $1.4 million, or the equivalent of his four years of salary at ESU, to the university. The money would be used over three years for student recruitment, scholarships and campus operations, officials said.

“This gift is in appreciation for the meaningful impact ESU has had on our community and on me, both as a student and in my role as president,” Hush said.

Baker has worked at the public, four-year Northwest Missouri State for more than 30 years. He began in 1993 as the university’s residence hall director. He was off campus from 1996 to 1998 while completing a master’s degree in higher education administration in Arkansas. He returned to Northwest Missouri State and moved through several administrative jobs before being named dean of students in 2008.

Baker said he would conduct a listening tour to better understand the needs of Emporia State. He said ESU would be marked, under his tenure, by “shared governance, enhance(d) communication.”

He said he would rely on data to chart ESU future, because benchmarks on student retention or recruitment would reveal “where our opportunities are, where our successes are, what we celebrate.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765821587566.png" alt=" The Kansas Board of Regents selected Matthew Baker, an administrator at Northwest Missouri State University, to be the 19th president of Emporia State University. Baker earned a bachelor's degree at Kansas State Universities, and graduate degrees in Missouri and Arkansas. This September 2023 image is of ESU's Memorial Union. (Photo by Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Board of Regents selected Matthew Baker, an administrator at Northwest Missouri State University, to be the 19th president of Emporia State University. Baker earned a bachelor's degree at Kansas State Universities, and graduate degrees in Missouri and Arkansas. This September 2023 image is of ESU's Memorial Union. (Photo by Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Board of Regents selects Matthew Baker, a Kansas native and K-State graduate</h2>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>TOPEKA — A 30-year higher education administrator at Northwest Missouri State University will return to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as president of Emporia State University.Matthew Baker, who grew up in Kansas and earned a psychology degree at Kansas State University, has been vice president of student affairs at NMSU in Maryville, Missouri, for the past 14 years. Baker is expected to begin leadership duties at ESU in March. He holds a master’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri in Columbia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765821533818.png" alt="Matthew Baker photo Emporia State University" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Baker photo Emporia State University</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president,” Baker said. “I will forever be grateful to Northwest for all it has done for me and my family. It is because of the experiences Northwest provided me that I am able to step into this role.”Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Baker was a “proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation.” The Board of Regents unanimously voted to hire Baker.Baker replaced Ken Hush, who became ESU president in 2021 and was an unusual appointee due to his lack of a graduate degree. Hush received an undergraduate degree from ESU and had a lengthy career in the private sector, including work with Koch Industries.Benson, on behalf of the Board of Regents, said Hush “consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success.”Hush invited controversy by deciding in 2022 to fire about 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty and to eliminate a cluster of academic programs, which exacerbated&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/02/emporia-state-university-continues-enrollment-slide-while-other-kansas-universities-post-gains/">the university’s enrollment decline</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/emporia-state-university-president-defends-cuts-firings-in-bid-to-recast-higher-education-culture/">Hush’s unilateral dismissal of</a>&nbsp;personnel prompted a wave of lawsuits, which have yet to be fully resolved.During Hush’s time at ESU, the Kansas Legislature earmarked tens of millions of dollars in special funding to stabilize the university. In addition, an attorney employed by ESU led an effort to persuade the Legislature to retroactively undermine faculty tenure statewide.Hush, who plans to retire this month from ESU, said he would donate $1.4 million, or the equivalent of his four years of salary at ESU, to the university. The money would be used over three years for student recruitment, scholarships and campus operations, officials said.“This gift is in appreciation for the meaningful impact ESU has had on our community and on me, both as a student and in my role as president,” Hush said.Baker has worked at the public, four-year Northwest Missouri State for more than 30 years. He began in 1993 as the university’s residence hall director. He was off campus from 1996 to 1998 while completing a master’s degree in higher education administration in Arkansas. He returned to Northwest Missouri State and moved through several administrative jobs before being named dean of students in 2008.Baker said he would conduct a listening tour to better understand the needs of Emporia State. He said ESU would be marked, under his tenure, by “shared governance, enhance(d) communication.”He said he would rely on data to chart ESU future, because benchmarks on student retention or recruitment would reveal “where our opportunities are, where our successes are, what we celebrate.”

Emporia State turns to Mo. higher education administrator to lead university

Country music star Trace Adkins will open the 2026 Kansas State Fair with a special Grandstand concert on Friday, Sept. 11, marking both the opening day of the fair and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Kansas State Fair Executive Director Bryan Schulz announced the concert on Monday morning, noting the significance of the date and Adkins’ long-standing support for veterans and first responders.

“Opening day of the Kansas State Fair is September 11, and with this being the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we wanted an artist who truly represents patriotism and respect for our military and first responders,” Schulz said. “Trace Adkins was the perfect fit.”

The concert is part of Adkins’ 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating three decades since the release of his debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud. His career includes more than 40 charted singles, 14 studio albums, and multiple No. 1 hits, including “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light in the House.”

Adkins will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand, reflecting a new naming sponsorship for the Grandstand in 2026.

Ticket pricing ranges from reserved Grandstand seating at $45 to $55, Party Pit tickets at $85, VIP Deck standing tickets at $110—which include two drinks and appetizers—and reserved VIP tables priced at $835 for six people, which include food, drinks, and early Grandstand entry.

Schulz encouraged fans to purchase tickets directly through the official Kansas State Fair website to avoid third-party resale issues.

In addition to the Adkins concert, Schulz said 2026 will be a milestone year for the Kansas State Fair, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 35th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the 140th anniversary of 4-H. Fair officials are also hopeful that the Bison Arena will be available for part of the 2026 fair run.

More information and ticket details are available at kansasstatefair.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725972052496.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Fair Midway-Photo by Pat James" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Fair Midway-Photo by Pat James</figcaption>
 </figure>Country music star Trace Adkins will open the 2026 Kansas State Fair with a special Grandstand concert on Friday, Sept. 11, marking both the opening day of the fair and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765815199931.png" alt="Trace Adkins - Kansas State Fair" />
 <figcaption>Trace Adkins - Kansas State Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State Fair Executive Director Bryan Schulz announced the concert on Monday morning, noting the significance of the date and Adkins’ long-standing support for veterans and first responders.“Opening day of the Kansas State Fair is September 11, and with this being the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we wanted an artist who truly represents patriotism and respect for our military and first responders,” Schulz said. “Trace Adkins was the perfect fit.”The concert is part of Adkins’ 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating three decades since the release of his debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud. His career includes more than 40 charted singles, 14 studio albums, and multiple No. 1 hits, including “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light in the House.”Adkins will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand, reflecting a new naming sponsorship for the Grandstand in 2026.Ticket pricing ranges from reserved Grandstand seating at $45 to $55, Party Pit tickets at $85, VIP Deck standing tickets at $110—which include two drinks and appetizers—and reserved VIP tables priced at $835 for six people, which include food, drinks, and early Grandstand entry.Ticket sales will roll out in phases:<ol>
 <li>Kansas State Fair email subscribers receive presale access on Thursday</li><li>Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday</li>
 </ol>Schulz encouraged fans to purchase tickets directly through the official Kansas State Fair website to avoid third-party resale issues.In addition to the Adkins concert, Schulz said 2026 will be a milestone year for the Kansas State Fair, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 35th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the 140th anniversary of 4-H. Fair officials are also hopeful that the Bison Arena will be available for part of the 2026 fair run.More information and ticket details are available at kansasstatefair.org.