LONDON (AP) — Actor-singer David Soul, a 1970s heartthrob who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky &amp; Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don't Give Up on Us," has died at the age of 80.

His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that “David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family."

“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend," Snell said in a statement. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”

Born David Solberg, Soul was a Chicago native whose acting career dated back to the 1960s, when he joined the avant-garde Firehouse Theater in Minnesota. He continued to appear on stage and screen well into the 20th century, but he was best known for his work in the 1970s.

Soul portrayed detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside dark-haired Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in “Starsky &amp; Hutch, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1979 and grew so popular it spawned a line of children's toys.

He also had success as a singer, starting in 1976 with “Don’t Give Up on Us" and following with such hits as “Going in With My Eyes Open” and “Silver Lady.”

Soul first gained national fame in the 1960s appearing on "The Merv Griffin Show” as “The Covered Man,” a singer disguised in a stocking cap who shouted out lyrics such as “That is why I hide my face, because a man has to be free.”

His other TV credits included early appearances on “Star Trek,” “All in the Family” and “”I Dream of Jeannie," the miniseries “Salem's Lot” and a short-lived version of the film classic “Casablanca,” in which Soul took on Humphrey Bogart's role as nightclub owner Rock Blaine.

Soul's movies included “Magnum Force,” “The Hanoi Hilton” and a cameo with Glaser in the 2004 big-screen remake of “Starsky &amp; Hutch,” starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.

By the 1990s, Soul had moved to Britain, where he performed several stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel case against a journalist who called “The Dead Monkey,” a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen - without having seen it. He also played the titular talk-show host in “Jerry Springer - The Opera" in London's West End.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704472879249.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Actor-singer David Soul, a 1970s heartthrob who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky &amp; Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don't Give Up on Us," has died at the age of 80.His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that “David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family."“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend," Snell said in a statement. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”Born David Solberg, Soul was a Chicago native whose acting career dated back to the 1960s, when he joined the avant-garde Firehouse Theater in Minnesota. He continued to appear on stage and screen well into the 20th century, but he was best known for his work in the 1970s.Soul portrayed detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside dark-haired Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in “Starsky &amp; Hutch, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1979 and grew so popular it spawned a line of children's toys.He also had success as a singer, starting in 1976 with “Don’t Give Up on Us" and following with such hits as “Going in With My Eyes Open” and “Silver Lady.”Soul first gained national fame in the 1960s appearing on "The Merv Griffin Show” as “The Covered Man,” a singer disguised in a stocking cap who shouted out lyrics such as “That is why I hide my face, because a man has to be free.”His other TV credits included early appearances on “Star Trek,” “All in the Family” and “”I Dream of Jeannie," the miniseries “Salem's Lot” and a short-lived version of the film classic “Casablanca,” in which Soul took on Humphrey Bogart's role as nightclub owner Rock Blaine.Soul's movies included “Magnum Force,” “The Hanoi Hilton” and a cameo with Glaser in the 2004 big-screen remake of “Starsky &amp; Hutch,” starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.By the 1990s, Soul had moved to Britain, where he performed several stage roles. In 2001, he won a libel case against a journalist who called “The Dead Monkey,” a play that Soul was in, the worst production he had ever seen - without having seen it. He also played the titular talk-show host in “Jerry Springer - The Opera" in London's West End.

David Soul: Singer, Starsky and Hutch actor dies at 80

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A teen armed with a shotgun and a handgun unleashed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/perry-high-school-shooting-iowa-1defc6260e074362240a31a7f30cf1b9">terror at an Iowa high school</a>&nbsp;on the first day of classes in the new year, authorities said, killing a sixth grader and wounding five others as people hunkered down in classrooms, barricaded offices and fled the barrage of bullets.

The suspect, a 17-year-old student at the school in Perry, died of what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation official said. An administrator, later identified by his alma mater as Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, was among those wounded Thursday as students returned from winter break.

Authorities identified the shooter as Dylan Butler but provided no information about a possible motive. Two friends and their mother who spoke with The Associated Press said Butler was a quiet person who had been bullied for years.

Authorities said Butler had a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Mitch Mortvedt, the state investigation division's assistant director, said during a news conference that authorities also found a “pretty rudimentary” improvised explosive device and rendered it safe.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said federal and state investigators were interviewing Butler’s friends and analyzing Butler’s social media profiles, including posts on TikTok and Reddit.

Shortly before Thursday’s shooting, Butler posted a photo on TikTok inside the bathroom of Perry High School, the official said. The photo was captioned “now we wait” and the song “Stray Bullet” by the German band KMFDM accompanied it. Investigators have also found other photos Butler posted posing with firearms, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Sisters Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, both 17, said alongside their mother, Alita, that Butler was bullied relentlessly since elementary school, but it escalated recently when his younger sister started getting picked on, too.

“He was hurting. He got tired. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment," Yesenia Roeder Hall said. "Was it a smart idea to shoot up the school? No. God, no.”

Calls to Perry Community Schools' Superintendent Clark Wicks, as well as school board members, were unanswered Thursday, and an emailed request for comment was not immediately returned.

Police arrived within minutes after an active shooter was reported at 7:37 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Perry High School senior Ava Augustus was awaiting a counselor in a school office when she heard three shots. Unable to flee through a small window, she and others barricaded the door and were ready to throw things if necessary.

“And then we hear ‘He’s down. You can go out,’” Augustus said through tears. ”And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they’re taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg.”

Three gunshot victims were treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, a spokesperson said. Others were taken to a second hospital, a spokesperson for MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center confirmed.

Mortvedt said one person was in critical condition but the injuries didn't appear to be life-threatening, and the others were stable.

In a Facebook post, Marburger's daughter said he was in “surgery all day, and is currently stable.”

Claire Marburger called her father a “gentle giant” who would want more attention on the other victims and their families, and less on himself.

On Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil at a park where hours earlier, students had been brought to reunite with their families after the shooting. Bundled up against freezing temperatures, they listened to clergy from many faiths and heard a message of hope in both English and Spanish.

A post on the high school's Facebook page said it would be closed Friday and counseling services would be available for students, faculty and others in the community.

“This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to its core,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said.

In Washington, President Joe Biden and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland were briefed on the shooting.

Mass shootings across the U.S. have long brought calls for stricter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gun-politics">gun laws</a>&nbsp;from gun safety advocates, and Thursday's did within hours. But the idea has been a non-starter for many Republicans, particularly in rural, GOP-leaning states like Iowa, which will hold its first-in-the-nation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-iowa-caucus-works-2024-democrats-republicans-592ab40b9b9b948c0540f2cf132bab5c">presidential caucuses</a>&nbsp;Jan. 15.

As of July 2021, Iowa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-gun-politics-business-laws-656a5ba4382a64f2d93790f56050ce3c">does not require a permit</a>&nbsp;to purchase a handgun or carry a firearm in public, but it does mandate a background check for anyone buying a handgun without a permit.

Perry has about 8,000 residents and is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, on the edge of the state capital’s metropolitan area. It is home to a large pork-processing plant and low-slung, single-story homes spread among trees now shorn of their leaves by winter. The high school and middle school are connected, sitting on the east edge of town.

The high school is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District. Perry is more diverse than Iowa as a whole. Census figures show 31% of its residents are Hispanic, compared with less than 7% statewide. Those figures also show nearly 19% of the town’s residents were born outside the U.S.

Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway when he heard shots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. Zander was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his father.

Kevin Shelley, who drives a garbage truck, told his boss he had to run. “It was the most scared I’ve been in my entire life,” he said.

He later posted a photo on Facebook of his son being treated at the Methodist Medical Center and said the boy was feeling fine.

“I am still shaking,” he added, “and tho I dont show it I’m not OK.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704470490447.png" alt="&nbsp;hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil at a park where hours earlier, students had been brought to reunite with their families-photo courtesy KCCI TF" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil at a park where hours earlier, students had been brought to reunite with their families-photo courtesy KCCI TF</figcaption>
 </figure>PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A teen armed with a shotgun and a handgun unleashed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/perry-high-school-shooting-iowa-1defc6260e074362240a31a7f30cf1b9">terror at an Iowa high school</a>&nbsp;on the first day of classes in the new year, authorities said, killing a sixth grader and wounding five others as people hunkered down in classrooms, barricaded offices and fled the barrage of bullets.The suspect, a 17-year-old student at the school in Perry, died of what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation official said. An administrator, later identified by his alma mater as Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, was among those wounded Thursday as students returned from winter break.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704402515704.png" alt="First responders at the high school Thursday -photo courtesy KCCI TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the high school Thursday -photo courtesy KCCI TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities identified the shooter as Dylan Butler but provided no information about a possible motive. Two friends and their mother who spoke with The Associated Press said Butler was a quiet person who had been bullied for years.Authorities said Butler had a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Mitch Mortvedt, the state investigation division's assistant director, said during a news conference that authorities also found a “pretty rudimentary” improvised explosive device and rendered it safe.A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said federal and state investigators were interviewing Butler’s friends and analyzing Butler’s social media profiles, including posts on TikTok and Reddit.Shortly before Thursday’s shooting, Butler posted a photo on TikTok inside the bathroom of Perry High School, the official said. The photo was captioned “now we wait” and the song “Stray Bullet” by the German band KMFDM accompanied it. Investigators have also found other photos Butler posted posing with firearms, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.Sisters Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, both 17, said alongside their mother, Alita, that Butler was bullied relentlessly since elementary school, but it escalated recently when his younger sister started getting picked on, too.“He was hurting. He got tired. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment," Yesenia Roeder Hall said. "Was it a smart idea to shoot up the school? No. God, no.”Calls to Perry Community Schools' Superintendent Clark Wicks, as well as school board members, were unanswered Thursday, and an emailed request for comment was not immediately returned.Police arrived within minutes after an active shooter was reported at 7:37 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.Perry High School senior Ava Augustus was awaiting a counselor in a school office when she heard three shots. Unable to flee through a small window, she and others barricaded the door and were ready to throw things if necessary.“And then we hear ‘He’s down. You can go out,’” Augustus said through tears. ”And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they’re taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg.”Three gunshot victims were treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, a spokesperson said. Others were taken to a second hospital, a spokesperson for MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center confirmed.Mortvedt said one person was in critical condition but the injuries didn't appear to be life-threatening, and the others were stable.In a Facebook post, Marburger's daughter said he was in “surgery all day, and is currently stable.”Claire Marburger called her father a “gentle giant” who would want more attention on the other victims and their families, and less on himself.On Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil at a park where hours earlier, students had been brought to reunite with their families after the shooting. Bundled up against freezing temperatures, they listened to clergy from many faiths and heard a message of hope in both English and Spanish.A post on the high school's Facebook page said it would be closed Friday and counseling services would be available for students, faculty and others in the community.“This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to its core,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said.In Washington, President Joe Biden and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland were briefed on the shooting.Mass shootings across the U.S. have long brought calls for stricter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gun-politics">gun laws</a>&nbsp;from gun safety advocates, and Thursday's did within hours. But the idea has been a non-starter for many Republicans, particularly in rural, GOP-leaning states like Iowa, which will hold its first-in-the-nation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-iowa-caucus-works-2024-democrats-republicans-592ab40b9b9b948c0540f2cf132bab5c">presidential caucuses</a>&nbsp;Jan. 15.As of July 2021, Iowa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-gun-politics-business-laws-656a5ba4382a64f2d93790f56050ce3c">does not require a permit</a>&nbsp;to purchase a handgun or carry a firearm in public, but it does mandate a background check for anyone buying a handgun without a permit.Perry has about 8,000 residents and is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, on the edge of the state capital’s metropolitan area. It is home to a large pork-processing plant and low-slung, single-story homes spread among trees now shorn of their leaves by winter. The high school and middle school are connected, sitting on the east edge of town.The high school is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District. Perry is more diverse than Iowa as a whole. Census figures show 31% of its residents are Hispanic, compared with less than 7% statewide. Those figures also show nearly 19% of the town’s residents were born outside the U.S.Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway when he heard shots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. Zander was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his father.Kevin Shelley, who drives a garbage truck, told his boss he had to run. “It was the most scared I’ve been in my entire life,” he said.He later posted a photo on Facebook of his son being treated at the Methodist Medical Center and said the boy was feeling fine.“I am still shaking,” he added, “and tho I dont show it I’m not OK.”

Candlelight prayer vigil held for victims in Iowa school shooting

Retirement of eight-term representative likely to touch off crowded primary in Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District

Missouri’s second-longest serving member of Congress announced Thursday he will not seek a ninth term.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican who turns 72 this year, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepBlaine/status/1742982023315386817?s=20">in a social media post</a>&nbsp;that he made the decision to leave Congress “after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family.”

With the announcement, Luetkemeyer joins about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-retirements-george-santos-2024-election-ddb62ccdf106c3f43ac789bb111d56f8">two dozen Democrats and 14 Republicans</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. House who have said they will not seek re-election this year.

“As we look to the future, I believe that if we work hard, stay together, and believe in ourselves our best days are indeed still ahead,” Luetkemeyer wrote in his announcement.

Luetkemeyer first won election to the House in 2008 in the old 9th District. When that district was eliminated after the 2010 census, Luetkemeyer won election six times in the 3rd District.

Luetkemeyer’s exit will likely trigger a crowded primary, especially for Republicans who consider the district a safe seat likely to elect whoever wins the GOP nomination in August. After squeaking into office by 2.5% in 2008, Luetkemeyer has never received less than 63% of the vote and has averaged 67% over the past five elections.

The 3rd District runs t<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/RedistrictingMaps/District_3.pdf">hrough all or part of 16 counties</a>, from the Lake of the Ozarks to the Mississippi River. Almost half the population is in eastern and northern St. Charles County, the southern half of Boone County and the western half of Jefferson County.

Potential candidates include incumbent or recent state senators and representatives who live in the district. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, who lives in Jefferson County,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/meaccoleman/status/1743013627542507761?s=20">used social media</a>&nbsp;to say “Of course I’m considering it!!”

Other state lawmakers rumored to be considering the race include state Sens. Mike Bernskoetter of Jefferson City, Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit, Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring and Nick Schroer of Defiance, as well as former state Sen. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis.

For some of the potential candidates, entering the race would alter their political plans for the year. Rowden has announced he is running for secretary of state. Onder is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/11/former-state-sen-bob-onder-officially-joins-race-for-missouri-lieutenant-governor/">running for lieutenant governor</a>&nbsp;and put $500,000 of his own money into his campaign fund.

There is no requirement that a candidate for Congress live in the district. That could provide an opening for Luetkemeyer’s cousin, state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, who currently resides in Parkville and represents a northwest Missouri district in the state Senate.

Former state Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz of Sullivan said he received several calls Thursday asking whether he would run. Schatz lives in Franklin County, which is not in the district, but he said he owns property within the district.

“I just got word today and it is something that has landed on my plate that is something to think about,” Schatz said.

In a text message, Schroer said he would have to talk to family and supporters before deciding on a bid.

“Our nation is absolutely heading in the wrong direction and fast,” Schroer said. “We must ensure a strong and effective conservative runs for this seat with the desire to fight to save our Republic.”

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden of Columbia was also considered a potential candidate. But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/calebrowden/status/1743036267598643461?s=20">social media</a>, he said would not join the race.

“I love Missouri, love the people of Missouri and am excited to continue my run to be Missouri’s next Secretary of State,” Rowden wrote.

None of the other potential candidates contacted by The Independent responded with a comment on their plans.

Blaine Luetkemeyer, a banker who resides in St. Elizabeth, entered politics in 1998 by winning a seat in the Missouri House. He lost the 2004 primary for state treasurer and was appointed tourism director by then-Gov. Matt Blunt in 2005.

He is chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions of the Committee on Financial Services. He likely would have become chairman of the committee in the next Congress if Republicans retain the majority.

Missouri’s senior member of Congress is Sam Graves, a Republican who has represented the 6th District since 2001.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704462906692.png" alt="Blaine Luetkemeyer" />
 <figcaption>Blaine Luetkemeyer</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Retirement of eight-term representative likely to touch off crowded primary in Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District</h2>Missouri’s second-longest serving member of Congress announced Thursday he will not seek a ninth term.U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican who turns 72 this year, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepBlaine/status/1742982023315386817?s=20">in a social media post</a>&nbsp;that he made the decision to leave Congress “after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/Kp2TmrR7jw">pic.twitter.com/Kp2TmrR7jw</a>&mdash; Blaine Luetkemeyer (@RepBlaine) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBlaine/status/1742982023315386817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>With the announcement, Luetkemeyer joins about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-retirements-george-santos-2024-election-ddb62ccdf106c3f43ac789bb111d56f8">two dozen Democrats and 14 Republicans</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. House who have said they will not seek re-election this year.“As we look to the future, I believe that if we work hard, stay together, and believe in ourselves our best days are indeed still ahead,” Luetkemeyer wrote in his announcement.Luetkemeyer first won election to the House in 2008 in the old 9th District. When that district was eliminated after the 2010 census, Luetkemeyer won election six times in the 3rd District.Luetkemeyer’s exit will likely trigger a crowded primary, especially for Republicans who consider the district a safe seat likely to elect whoever wins the GOP nomination in August. After squeaking into office by 2.5% in 2008, Luetkemeyer has never received less than 63% of the vote and has averaged 67% over the past five elections.The 3rd District runs t<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/RedistrictingMaps/District_3.pdf">hrough all or part of 16 counties</a>, from the Lake of the Ozarks to the Mississippi River. Almost half the population is in eastern and northern St. Charles County, the southern half of Boone County and the western half of Jefferson County.Potential candidates include incumbent or recent state senators and representatives who live in the district. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, who lives in Jefferson County,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/meaccoleman/status/1743013627542507761?s=20">used social media</a>&nbsp;to say “Of course I’m considering it!!”Other state lawmakers rumored to be considering the race include state Sens. Mike Bernskoetter of Jefferson City, Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit, Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring and Nick Schroer of Defiance, as well as former state Sen. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis.For some of the potential candidates, entering the race would alter their political plans for the year. Rowden has announced he is running for secretary of state. Onder is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/11/former-state-sen-bob-onder-officially-joins-race-for-missouri-lieutenant-governor/">running for lieutenant governor</a>&nbsp;and put $500,000 of his own money into his campaign fund.There is no requirement that a candidate for Congress live in the district. That could provide an opening for Luetkemeyer’s cousin, state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, who currently resides in Parkville and represents a northwest Missouri district in the state Senate.Former state Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz of Sullivan said he received several calls Thursday asking whether he would run. Schatz lives in Franklin County, which is not in the district, but he said he owns property within the district.“I just got word today and it is something that has landed on my plate that is something to think about,” Schatz said.In a text message, Schroer said he would have to talk to family and supporters before deciding on a bid.“Our nation is absolutely heading in the wrong direction and fast,” Schroer said. “We must ensure a strong and effective conservative runs for this seat with the desire to fight to save our Republic.”Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden of Columbia was also considered a potential candidate. But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/calebrowden/status/1743036267598643461?s=20">social media</a>, he said would not join the race.“I love Missouri, love the people of Missouri and am excited to continue my run to be Missouri’s next Secretary of State,” Rowden wrote.None of the other potential candidates contacted by The Independent responded with a comment on their plans.Blaine Luetkemeyer, a banker who resides in St. Elizabeth, entered politics in 1998 by winning a seat in the Missouri House. He lost the 2004 primary for state treasurer and was appointed tourism director by then-Gov. Matt Blunt in 2005.He is chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions of the Committee on Financial Services. He likely would have become chairman of the committee in the next Congress if Republicans retain the majority.Missouri’s senior member of Congress is Sam Graves, a Republican who has represented the 6th District since 2001.

Mo. eight-term representative opts out of another term in Congress

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a Kansas City-area apartment complex.

Just before 7p.m. Thursday, crews responded to the report of an apartment fire in the 4100 block of NE Davidson Road, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders found smoke showing from a three-story apartment building. Occupants were evacuating on arrival.&nbsp; The fire was placed under control just after 9p.m.&nbsp;

The KCMO Fire Department has requested Bomb and Arson to assist in the investigation. Two units on the third floor were displaced. Red Coss has been ordered for two adults in one unit, and one adult and one child for the second unit.&nbsp;No injuries were reported at this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704452197828.png" alt="Photo KCMO Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCMO Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a Kansas City-area apartment complex.Just before 7p.m. Thursday, crews responded to the report of an apartment fire in the 4100 block of NE Davidson Road, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders found smoke showing from a three-story apartment building. Occupants were evacuating on arrival.&nbsp; The fire was placed under control just after 9p.m.&nbsp;The KCMO Fire Department has requested Bomb and Arson to assist in the investigation. Two units on the third floor were displaced. Red Coss has been ordered for two adults in one unit, and one adult and one child for the second unit.&nbsp;No injuries were reported at this incident.

Bomb, arson assisting with investigation of KC apartment fire

By&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez, Department of Defense&nbsp;&nbsp;

U.S. forces in Iraq Thursday conducted a self-defense strike which killed Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, a leader of the Iran-backed Harakat al-Nujaba terrorist group that is operating both in Iraq and Syria, said the Pentagon press secretary.

<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3631953/pentagon-press-secretary-maj-gen-pat-ryder-holds-a-press-briefing/">Click here to read </a>a transcript of the briefing

Al-Jawari, also known as Abu Taqwa, was actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel. Abu Taqwa, along with another member of Harakat al-Nujaba, were both killed in a strike that took place around noon, Jan. 4, in Iraq, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing today.&nbsp;

"It is important to note that the strike was taken in self-defense, that no civilians were harmed, and that no infrastructure or facilities were struck," Ryder said.&nbsp;

The U.S. currently has a military presence in Iraq as part of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. The CJTF-OIR mission is to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the defeat of ISIS within designated areas of Iraq and Syria. Inside Iraq, the U.S. works in partnership with both the Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Security Forces to carry out that mission.&nbsp;

"U.S. forces are in Iraq at the invitation of the government of Iraq," Ryder said. "They're there for one reason, which is to support the defeat-ISIS mission. We'll continue to work very closely with our Iraqi partners when it comes to the safety and security of our forces. When those forces are threatened, just like we would anywhere else in the world, we will maintain the inherent right of self-defense to protect our forces."

The mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria has been ongoing for nearly a decade, and Ryder said the successes of CJTF-OIR are worth maintaining.&nbsp;

"It was 10 years ago this coming summer that ISIS was approximately 24 kilometers outside of Baghdad, when we kicked off the counter-ISIS mission after they had subsumed large swaths of Syria and Iraq," Ryder said. "No one wants to see a return of ISIS ... our focus is going to continue to remain on the defeat-ISIS mission. But again, we're not going to hesitate to protect our forces if they're threatened."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday condemned the United States' strike in central Baghdad that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-iran-militia-pmf-airstrike-baghdad-e6cd1c3c7ad16c953495e1d625a1154a">killed a high-ranking militia commander</a>&nbsp;as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. He reiterated recent calls for withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

A U.S. defense official confirmed Thursday that U.S. forces carried out the strike, saying that Abu Taqwa was targeted because he was actively involved in attacks on U.S. personnel. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq.

Sudani said Friday that the U.S. had bypassed the Iraqi government, which is “the body authorized to impose the law.” He added that the Popular Mobilization Force “represent an official presence affiliated with the state … and an integral part of our armed forces” and that “attacks targeting our security forces go beyond the spirit and letter of the mandate that created the international coalition,” referring to a U.S.-led coalition that assisted in the fight against the Islamic State militant group and maintains forces in Iraq.

He said his government is following up on procedures that would end in the coalition’s withdrawal from Iraq.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704418635503.png" alt="Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder answers questions during a briefing Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder answers questions during a briefing Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez, Department of Defense&nbsp;&nbsp;U.S. forces in Iraq Thursday conducted a self-defense strike which killed Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, a leader of the Iran-backed Harakat al-Nujaba terrorist group that is operating both in Iraq and Syria, said the Pentagon press secretary.<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3631953/pentagon-press-secretary-maj-gen-pat-ryder-holds-a-press-briefing/">Click here to read </a>a transcript of the briefingAl-Jawari, also known as Abu Taqwa, was actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel. Abu Taqwa, along with another member of Harakat al-Nujaba, were both killed in a strike that took place around noon, Jan. 4, in Iraq, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing today.&nbsp;"It is important to note that the strike was taken in self-defense, that no civilians were harmed, and that no infrastructure or facilities were struck," Ryder said.&nbsp;The U.S. currently has a military presence in Iraq as part of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. The CJTF-OIR mission is to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the defeat of ISIS within designated areas of Iraq and Syria. Inside Iraq, the U.S. works in partnership with both the Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Security Forces to carry out that mission.&nbsp;"U.S. forces are in Iraq at the invitation of the government of Iraq," Ryder said. "They're there for one reason, which is to support the defeat-ISIS mission. We'll continue to work very closely with our Iraqi partners when it comes to the safety and security of our forces. When those forces are threatened, just like we would anywhere else in the world, we will maintain the inherent right of self-defense to protect our forces."The mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria has been ongoing for nearly a decade, and Ryder said the successes of CJTF-OIR are worth maintaining.&nbsp;"It was 10 years ago this coming summer that ISIS was approximately 24 kilometers outside of Baghdad, when we kicked off the counter-ISIS mission after they had subsumed large swaths of Syria and Iraq," Ryder said. "No one wants to see a return of ISIS ... our focus is going to continue to remain on the defeat-ISIS mission. But again, we're not going to hesitate to protect our forces if they're threatened."&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday condemned the United States' strike in central Baghdad that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-iran-militia-pmf-airstrike-baghdad-e6cd1c3c7ad16c953495e1d625a1154a">killed a high-ranking militia commander</a>&nbsp;as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. He reiterated recent calls for withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.A U.S. defense official confirmed Thursday that U.S. forces carried out the strike, saying that Abu Taqwa was targeted because he was actively involved in attacks on U.S. personnel. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq.Sudani said Friday that the U.S. had bypassed the Iraqi government, which is “the body authorized to impose the law.” He added that the Popular Mobilization Force “represent an official presence affiliated with the state … and an integral part of our armed forces” and that “attacks targeting our security forces go beyond the spirit and letter of the mandate that created the international coalition,” referring to a U.S.-led coalition that assisted in the fight against the Islamic State militant group and maintains forces in Iraq.He said his government is following up on procedures that would end in the coalition’s withdrawal from Iraq.

Pentagon reveals more details on strike that killed terrorist leader

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the first homicide of 2024 in Kansas City.

Just before 10p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a medical call near the intersection of&nbsp;26th and Agnes, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.

First responders found a man, later&nbsp;identified as 70-year-old Vonzell Bryant, in a yard suffering from some type of bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the first homicide of 2024 in Kansas City.Just before 10p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a medical call near the intersection of&nbsp;26th and Agnes, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.First responders found a man, later&nbsp;identified as 70-year-old Vonzell Bryant, in a yard suffering from some type of bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KCPD investigating first homicide of 2024 

JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 1a.m. Dec. 31, a Deputy Sheriff conducted a traffic stop on a white passenger car for a traffic violation in the vicinity of 126th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the stop, the deputy observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. A probable cause search was conducted where methamphetamine, a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia were located. 

Christopher James Clinton, 41, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia. Clinton remains in the Jackson County Jail, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704385994538.png" alt="Clinton-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Clinton-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 1a.m. Dec. 31, a Deputy Sheriff conducted a traffic stop on a white passenger car for a traffic violation in the vicinity of 126th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.During the stop, the deputy observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. A probable cause search was conducted where methamphetamine, a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia were located. Christopher James Clinton, 41, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia. Clinton remains in the Jackson County Jail, according to online records.

Kan. deputy saw drug paraphernalia in car during traffic stop

HARVEY COUNTY—A Kansas woman is going to prison after admitting to child abuse.

On Thursday, Melissa Johnson, 45, of Newton, was sentenced to 31 months in the Department of Corrections by District Judge Michael Llamas, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.

In November, Johnson pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery and Abuse of a Child in the case. The victims of Johnson were children under the age of 8 years.

Along with the prison sentence, Judge Llamas ordered Johnson to serve 24 months post release. Post release requires the Kansas Department of Corrections to supervise Johnson for the 24 months after her release. Johnson is subject to conditions of release set by the Kansas Department of Corrections. If she violates those conditions, she could be sent back to prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704405548821.png" alt="Johnson-photo Harvey Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Harvey Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—A Kansas woman is going to prison after admitting to child abuse.On Thursday, Melissa Johnson, 45, of Newton, was sentenced to 31 months in the Department of Corrections by District Judge Michael Llamas, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.In November, Johnson pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery and Abuse of a Child in the case. The victims of Johnson were children under the age of 8 years.Along with the prison sentence, Judge Llamas ordered Johnson to serve 24 months post release. Post release requires the Kansas Department of Corrections to supervise Johnson for the 24 months after her release. Johnson is subject to conditions of release set by the Kansas Department of Corrections. If she violates those conditions, she could be sent back to prison.

Kansas woman sentenced after admitting to child abuse

NEW YORK (AP) — A new batch of unsealed documents pertaining to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-court-records-587fa5a6bedf93bc958bdc3a933006bc">Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;of teenage girls was released Thursday, adding several hundred pages to the fountain of information detailing how the financier leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24253996-1424-epstein-documents-combined">Click here to read</a> the documents released 1/4/24 (caution Adult content)

The 19 documents, or about 300 pages, were half as many as the over 40&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-virginia-giuffre-3af500d4788ad45301be426628846d71">released Wednesday</a>. The documents so far — with more to come — were sprinkled with names of celebrities and politicians who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">socialized with Epstein</a>&nbsp;or worked with him in the years before he was publicly accused nearly two decades ago of paying underage girls for sex.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-bill-clinton-donald-trump-385ccf8d49d337ae4866022877aa9a90">Most of those names were familiar</a>&nbsp;to anyone who has followed the scandal closely, including the criminal trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ghislaine-maxwell">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>, who was Epstein's former girlfriend, household manager and chief recruiter of young, vulnerable females.

It was during Maxwell's criminal trial two years ago that Epstein's victims, some of whom aspired to be models or artists, described how he dropped the names of his famous and influential friends to suggest that he was the victims' ticket to reaching their dreams. Maxwell, 62, was convicted of sex-trafficking charges and is serving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-sentencing-aeac127f9cc3811d975ce8e10d171260">a 20-year prison sentence</a>.

The roughly 250 documents being unsealed, starting this week, in one of the lawsuits against Maxwell mostly rehash what has long been known about a man who traveled in elite circles until his July 2019 sex-trafficking arrest left him so cornered that he took his own life in jail.

But they have included a few fresh details about a pyramid of abuse that grew over three decades and damaged dozens of teenage girls and young women.

Among the famous people in Epstein's orbit before he was exposed as a sexual predator were former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson and magician David Copperfield, according to the accounts of his victims and other witnesses quoted in newly released documents. None of those men were accused of wrongdoing.

There were also repetitions of well-known stories about Britain’s Prince Andrew. He was sued by one of Epstein's victims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-entertainment-lifestyle-virginia-prince-andrew-60348f70fd605c26c26615ffc5ed5f14">Virginia Giuffre</a>, who said she had sexual encounters with the royal when she was 17. The prince, who denied the allegations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-lawsuit-settlement-8b04c775aa46f761d81c05ef12e3a94f">settled the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in 2022.

The court documents being released now are related to a 2015 lawsuit that Giuffre brought against Maxwell. Thousands of pages of documents in that lawsuit had been made public previously, but some sections had been blacked out because of privacy concerns.

U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska ordered last month that those redactions be lifted, mostly because names in the documents had already been made public through news coverage or through other court proceedings.

The documents released Thursday largely focused on legal squabbles over Giuffre’s lawsuit and her connection to a British tabloid reporter whom Maxwell’s lawyers accused of compelling her to fabricate some of her allegations. They didn’t offer much new insight into individuals in Epstein and Maxwell’s world or the sexual abuse they were alleged to have perpetrated.

Among the more interesting documents released Wednesday was the May 2016 deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who worked as a masseuse in Epstein's household. Sjoberg said she once met Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida, home, but that nothing untoward happened with the late pop icon. Epstein also had homes in Manhattan, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.

She also described an April 2001 trip to New York in which she said Prince Andrew touched her breast while they posed for a photo at Epstein’s Manhattan town house.

Clinton previously said through a spokesperson that although he traveled on Epstein’s jet several times, he never visited his homes, had no knowledge of his crimes, and hadn’t spoken to him since his conviction. Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy,” but that they later had a falling-out.

Sjoberg also testified that she once went to a dinner at one of Epstein’s homes that was also attended by magician David Copperfield.

She said Copperfield did magic tricks before asking if she was aware “that girls were getting paid to find other girls.” One allegation against Epstein and Maxwell was that some girls he paid for sexual acts later recruited other victims. Sjoberg said Copperfield didn’t get more specific about what he meant. A Copperfield publicist didn't respond to an email seeking comment.

The newly released records also include many references to Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who was close to Epstein and who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-arts-and-entertainment-paris-jeffrey-epstein-edfbdb84c6cdd5f736ac7e1c2bac657b">killed himself in a Paris jail</a>&nbsp;in 2022 while awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls. Giuffre was among the women who accused Brunel of sexual abuse.

Separately, Brunel’s estate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24253769-lawsuit-against-estate-of-jean-luc-brunel?responsive=1&amp;title=1">was sued this week</a>&nbsp;by a woman who alleges that he and others sexually assaulted her while she was working as a model in New York. She says that on one occasion, she was driven to a home in Canada and kept there for several days while men abused her. The lawsuit, filed in state court in California, does not mention Epstein or Maxwell.

More documents were expected to be released on Friday and Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE — Audrey Strauss, acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. Social media is abuzz with news that a judge is about to release a list of “clients,” or “associates” or maybe “co-conspirators,” of Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE — Audrey Strauss, acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York. Social media is abuzz with news that a judge is about to release a list of “clients,” or “associates” or maybe “co-conspirators,” of Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. While some previously sealed court records are indeed being made public, the great majority of the people whose names appear in those documents are not accused of any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A new batch of unsealed documents pertaining to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-court-records-587fa5a6bedf93bc958bdc3a933006bc">Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;of teenage girls was released Thursday, adding several hundred pages to the fountain of information detailing how the financier leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24253996-1424-epstein-documents-combined">Click here to read</a> the documents released 1/4/24 (caution Adult content)The 19 documents, or about 300 pages, were half as many as the over 40&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-virginia-giuffre-3af500d4788ad45301be426628846d71">released Wednesday</a>. The documents so far — with more to come — were sprinkled with names of celebrities and politicians who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">socialized with Epstein</a>&nbsp;or worked with him in the years before he was publicly accused nearly two decades ago of paying underage girls for sex.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-bill-clinton-donald-trump-385ccf8d49d337ae4866022877aa9a90">Most of those names were familiar</a>&nbsp;to anyone who has followed the scandal closely, including the criminal trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ghislaine-maxwell">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>, who was Epstein's former girlfriend, household manager and chief recruiter of young, vulnerable females.It was during Maxwell's criminal trial two years ago that Epstein's victims, some of whom aspired to be models or artists, described how he dropped the names of his famous and influential friends to suggest that he was the victims' ticket to reaching their dreams. Maxwell, 62, was convicted of sex-trafficking charges and is serving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-sentencing-aeac127f9cc3811d975ce8e10d171260">a 20-year prison sentence</a>.The roughly 250 documents being unsealed, starting this week, in one of the lawsuits against Maxwell mostly rehash what has long been known about a man who traveled in elite circles until his July 2019 sex-trafficking arrest left him so cornered that he took his own life in jail.But they have included a few fresh details about a pyramid of abuse that grew over three decades and damaged dozens of teenage girls and young women.Among the famous people in Epstein's orbit before he was exposed as a sexual predator were former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson and magician David Copperfield, according to the accounts of his victims and other witnesses quoted in newly released documents. None of those men were accused of wrongdoing.There were also repetitions of well-known stories about Britain’s Prince Andrew. He was sued by one of Epstein's victims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-entertainment-lifestyle-virginia-prince-andrew-60348f70fd605c26c26615ffc5ed5f14">Virginia Giuffre</a>, who said she had sexual encounters with the royal when she was 17. The prince, who denied the allegations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-lawsuit-settlement-8b04c775aa46f761d81c05ef12e3a94f">settled the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in 2022.The court documents being released now are related to a 2015 lawsuit that Giuffre brought against Maxwell. Thousands of pages of documents in that lawsuit had been made public previously, but some sections had been blacked out because of privacy concerns.U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska ordered last month that those redactions be lifted, mostly because names in the documents had already been made public through news coverage or through other court proceedings.The documents released Thursday largely focused on legal squabbles over Giuffre’s lawsuit and her connection to a British tabloid reporter whom Maxwell’s lawyers accused of compelling her to fabricate some of her allegations. They didn’t offer much new insight into individuals in Epstein and Maxwell’s world or the sexual abuse they were alleged to have perpetrated.Among the more interesting documents released Wednesday was the May 2016 deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who worked as a masseuse in Epstein's household. Sjoberg said she once met Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida, home, but that nothing untoward happened with the late pop icon. Epstein also had homes in Manhattan, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.She also described an April 2001 trip to New York in which she said Prince Andrew touched her breast while they posed for a photo at Epstein’s Manhattan town house.Clinton previously said through a spokesperson that although he traveled on Epstein’s jet several times, he never visited his homes, had no knowledge of his crimes, and hadn’t spoken to him since his conviction. Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy,” but that they later had a falling-out.Sjoberg also testified that she once went to a dinner at one of Epstein’s homes that was also attended by magician David Copperfield.She said Copperfield did magic tricks before asking if she was aware “that girls were getting paid to find other girls.” One allegation against Epstein and Maxwell was that some girls he paid for sexual acts later recruited other victims. Sjoberg said Copperfield didn’t get more specific about what he meant. A Copperfield publicist didn't respond to an email seeking comment.The newly released records also include many references to Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who was close to Epstein and who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-arts-and-entertainment-paris-jeffrey-epstein-edfbdb84c6cdd5f736ac7e1c2bac657b">killed himself in a Paris jail</a>&nbsp;in 2022 while awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls. Giuffre was among the women who accused Brunel of sexual abuse.Separately, Brunel’s estate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24253769-lawsuit-against-estate-of-jean-luc-brunel?responsive=1&amp;title=1">was sued this week</a>&nbsp;by a woman who alleges that he and others sexually assaulted her while she was working as a model in New York. She says that on one occasion, she was driven to a home in Canada and kept there for several days while men abused her. The lawsuit, filed in state court in California, does not mention Epstein or Maxwell.More documents were expected to be released on Friday and Monday.___

Read 2nd batch of Epstein documents released Thursday

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A decade-old cold case centered on a Navy veteran who disappeared without a trace in rural Missouri is hot again after an amateur sleuth and YouTube creator's help led police to unidentified human remains.

Donnie Erwin, a 59-year-old Camdenton resident, went missing on Dec. 29, 2013, after he went out for cigarettes and never returned. His disappearance piqued the interest of longtime true crime enthusiast and videographer James Hinkle last year, and the Youtuber spent a year tracing generations of Erwin's relatives and spending his free time searching for him after work, documenting his efforts on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasG5N4NPk7k3viaGJyb63w/videos">his channel</a>. He eventually discovered Erwin's car hidden in a small pond.

Deputies and firefighters pulled Erwin's algae-encrusted Hyundai Elantra and a titanium hip from a roadside drainage pond less than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from his home in December 2023, almost exactly a decade after he went missing.

“While a forensic pathologist will have to examine the remains to determine for certain if they are indeed those of Mr. Erwin, investigators are confident the hip and remains belong to him,” the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The case had gone dormant for years after Erwin's disappearance, frustrating investigators and his family. Yvonne Erwin-Bowen, Erwin’s sister, said she felt emotions beyond pain, frustration, aggravation and sorrow that she "can't even label.”

“This is one of those cases that keeps you up,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Scott Hines said. “Because the car just disappeared, and zero signs of him anywhere.”

Hinkle had skills that equipped him to take up the search.

“I just decided, well, I’m a scuba diver. I’m a drone pilot already," Hinkle said. “I’m like, ‘What the heck? I’ll just go look.’"

“Just go look” turned into a year of Hinkle searching, and in his final hunt, he visited every nearby pond, including bodies of water that had already been searched and searched again. Hinkle, along with another true crime junkie acting as his partner, planned to wait until the winter so algae obscuring the water would be dead and nearby trees would have lost their leaves.

Hinkle finally found luck retracing possible routes from Erwin's home to the convenience store where he bought cigarettes, then pinpointing roadside cliffs steep enough to hide an overturned car from passing drivers.

From there, Hinkle flew his drone by a pond so tiny he had previously written it off, where he found a tire.

When he returned a few days later with a sonar-equipped kayak and his camera to find a large car in the middle of the pond's shallow waters, he called the sheriff.

Hines said the car's discovery marked “the new beginning of the investigation.”

“Everything we’ve done up to the last 10 years has led us basically nowhere." Hines said. "And then suddenly, here’s this vehicle.”

Cadaver dogs brought in by volunteers later alerted to the scent of possible human remains in the pond, which will be drained for any additional evidence, Hines said.

Erwin-Bowen said the strangers who for years helped her search the area and the support she received from a Facebook page she dedicated to finding her brother taught her “there is still good in people.”

“If it wasn’t for the public, I don’t think that we’d be where we’re at today,” Erwin-Bowen said. “Because they kept his face alive.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704400228877.png" alt="Photo Camden Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Camden Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A decade-old cold case centered on a Navy veteran who disappeared without a trace in rural Missouri is hot again after an amateur sleuth and YouTube creator's help led police to unidentified human remains.Donnie Erwin, a 59-year-old Camdenton resident, went missing on Dec. 29, 2013, after he went out for cigarettes and never returned. His disappearance piqued the interest of longtime true crime enthusiast and videographer James Hinkle last year, and the Youtuber spent a year tracing generations of Erwin's relatives and spending his free time searching for him after work, documenting his efforts on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasG5N4NPk7k3viaGJyb63w/videos">his channel</a>. He eventually discovered Erwin's car hidden in a small pond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704400430400.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies and firefighters pulled Erwin's algae-encrusted Hyundai Elantra and a titanium hip from a roadside drainage pond less than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from his home in December 2023, almost exactly a decade after he went missing.“While a forensic pathologist will have to examine the remains to determine for certain if they are indeed those of Mr. Erwin, investigators are confident the hip and remains belong to him,” the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.The case had gone dormant for years after Erwin's disappearance, frustrating investigators and his family. Yvonne Erwin-Bowen, Erwin’s sister, said she felt emotions beyond pain, frustration, aggravation and sorrow that she "can't even label.”“This is one of those cases that keeps you up,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Scott Hines said. “Because the car just disappeared, and zero signs of him anywhere.”Hinkle had skills that equipped him to take up the search.“I just decided, well, I’m a scuba diver. I’m a drone pilot already," Hinkle said. “I’m like, ‘What the heck? I’ll just go look.’"“Just go look” turned into a year of Hinkle searching, and in his final hunt, he visited every nearby pond, including bodies of water that had already been searched and searched again. Hinkle, along with another true crime junkie acting as his partner, planned to wait until the winter so algae obscuring the water would be dead and nearby trees would have lost their leaves.Hinkle finally found luck retracing possible routes from Erwin's home to the convenience store where he bought cigarettes, then pinpointing roadside cliffs steep enough to hide an overturned car from passing drivers.From there, Hinkle flew his drone by a pond so tiny he had previously written it off, where he found a tire.When he returned a few days later with a sonar-equipped kayak and his camera to find a large car in the middle of the pond's shallow waters, he called the sheriff.Hines said the car's discovery marked “the new beginning of the investigation.”“Everything we’ve done up to the last 10 years has led us basically nowhere." Hines said. "And then suddenly, here’s this vehicle.”Cadaver dogs brought in by volunteers later alerted to the scent of possible human remains in the pond, which will be drained for any additional evidence, Hines said.Erwin-Bowen said the strangers who for years helped her search the area and the support she received from a Facebook page she dedicated to finding her brother taught her “there is still good in people.”“If it wasn’t for the public, I don’t think that we’d be where we’re at today,” Erwin-Bowen said. “Because they kept his face alive.”

YouTube creator helps break decade-old missing person case

ALLEN COUNTY — Three teens were injured in an accident just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Allen County.

According to the Alley County Sheriff, a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 16-year-old was westbound on Hawaii Road five miles east of Humboldt at "a very high rate of speed" when the driver lost control at the intersection of 2200 Street, where the road changes from paved to gravel. The car skidded about 100 yards before going off the road and becoming airborne. 

The car struck the top strand of a barbed wire fence, crashed into a pasture, then into a gate made of 2-inch steel tubing and traveled approximately 80 more yards, flipped end over end multiple times, struck the top wire of another fence and came to a rest upright on all four tires.

An automated phone app called 911 to report the crash, according to sheriff's office.

The Allen County dispatchers could hear a person or persons moaning but otherwise got no response from anyone at the crash scene.

EMS transported the driver and two teen passengers to Allen County Regional hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

The sheriff's office is requesting charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving, minor in consumption/possession of alcohol and other traffic violations against the teen driver.&nbsp; The passengers are expected to face requested charges of minor in possession/consumption of alcohol, according to the sheriff. The sheriff's office did not release names of those involved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704389389994.png" alt="Photos Allen County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Allen County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>ALLEN COUNTY — Three teens were injured in an accident just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Allen County.According to the Alley County Sheriff, a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 16-year-old was westbound on Hawaii Road five miles east of Humboldt at "a very high rate of speed" when the driver lost control at the intersection of 2200 Street, where the road changes from paved to gravel. The car skidded about 100 yards before going off the road and becoming airborne. The car struck the top strand of a barbed wire fence, crashed into a pasture, then into a gate made of 2-inch steel tubing and traveled approximately 80 more yards, flipped end over end multiple times, struck the top wire of another fence and came to a rest upright on all four tires.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704389506226.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>An automated phone app called 911 to report the crash, according to sheriff's office.The Allen County dispatchers could hear a person or persons moaning but otherwise got no response from anyone at the crash scene.EMS transported the driver and two teen passengers to Allen County Regional hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;The sheriff's office is requesting charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving, minor in consumption/possession of alcohol and other traffic violations against the teen driver.&nbsp; The passengers are expected to face requested charges of minor in possession/consumption of alcohol, according to the sheriff. The sheriff's office did not release names of those involved.

Sheriff: Alcohol suspected; 3 Kan. teens survive violent crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a “couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-hamas-houthis-red-sea-fef8d446852b6eae33d38ffd8f6b2d64">issued a “final warning”</a>&nbsp;to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, since their harassment of commercial ships in the Red Sea began after the outbreak of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>. They have, however, used them in years past.

Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the USV’s are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against the Saudi coalition forces that intervened in Yemen's war. They have regularly been used as suicide drone boats that explode upon impact.

Most of the Houthis’ USVs are likely assembled in Yemen but often fitted with components made in Iran, such as computerized guidance systems, Hinz said.

At the United Nations, U.S. deputy ambassador Christopher Lu said at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">emergency Security Council meeting</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday that Iran has supplied the Houthis with money and advanced weapons systems, including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. He said Iran also has been deeply involved in planning the Houthis' attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

He said the United States isn’t seeking a confrontation with Iran, but Tehran has a choice.

“It can continue its current course,” Lu said, “or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”

This raises questions as to whether any action against the Houthis would also address Iran's role in any way, which could risk widening the conflict.

A statement Wednesday signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom gave the Houthis what a senior Biden administration official described as a final warning.

“Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews,” the countries said in the statement. “The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”

Since late October, the Houthis have launched scores of one-way attack drones and missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. U.S. Navy warships have also intercepted ballistic missiles the Pentagon says were headed toward Israel. Cooper said a total of 61 missiles and drones have been shot down by U.S. warships.

In response to the Houthi attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, with the United States and other countries sending additional ships to the southern Red Sea to provide protection for commercial vessels passing through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Cooper said 1,500 commercial ships have been able to transit safely since the operation was launched on Dec. 18.

However, the Houthis have continued to launch missiles and attack drones, prompting the White House and 12 allies to issue what amounted to a final warning Wednesday to cease their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">attacks on vessels in the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;or face potential targeted military action.

Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian was solely defensive in nature and separate from any military action the U.S. might take if the Houthi attacks continue.

The U.S., United Kingdom and France are providing most of the warships now, and Greece and Denmark will also be providing vessels, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699124273212.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a “couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-hamas-houthis-red-sea-fef8d446852b6eae33d38ffd8f6b2d64">issued a “final warning”</a>&nbsp;to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action.Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, since their harassment of commercial ships in the Red Sea began after the outbreak of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>. They have, however, used them in years past.Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the USV’s are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against the Saudi coalition forces that intervened in Yemen's war. They have regularly been used as suicide drone boats that explode upon impact.Most of the Houthis’ USVs are likely assembled in Yemen but often fitted with components made in Iran, such as computerized guidance systems, Hinz said.At the United Nations, U.S. deputy ambassador Christopher Lu said at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">emergency Security Council meeting</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday that Iran has supplied the Houthis with money and advanced weapons systems, including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. He said Iran also has been deeply involved in planning the Houthis' attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.He said the United States isn’t seeking a confrontation with Iran, but Tehran has a choice.“It can continue its current course,” Lu said, “or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”This raises questions as to whether any action against the Houthis would also address Iran's role in any way, which could risk widening the conflict.A statement Wednesday signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom gave the Houthis what a senior Biden administration official described as a final warning.“Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews,” the countries said in the statement. “The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”Since late October, the Houthis have launched scores of one-way attack drones and missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. U.S. Navy warships have also intercepted ballistic missiles the Pentagon says were headed toward Israel. Cooper said a total of 61 missiles and drones have been shot down by U.S. warships.In response to the Houthi attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, with the United States and other countries sending additional ships to the southern Red Sea to provide protection for commercial vessels passing through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait.Cooper said 1,500 commercial ships have been able to transit safely since the operation was launched on Dec. 18.However, the Houthis have continued to launch missiles and attack drones, prompting the White House and 12 allies to issue what amounted to a final warning Wednesday to cease their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">attacks on vessels in the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;or face potential targeted military action.Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian was solely defensive in nature and separate from any military action the U.S. might take if the Houthi attacks continue.The U.S., United Kingdom and France are providing most of the warships now, and Greece and Denmark will also be providing vessels, he said.

Terrorists attack ships in Red Sea hours after US issues 'final warning'

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A 17-year-old opened fire at a small-town Iowa high school on the first day of school after the winter break, killing a sixth-grader and wounding five others as students barricaded in offices and fled in panic.

The suspect, a student at the school in Perry, died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and at least one of the victims is a school administrator, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.

Perry has about 8,000 residents and is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, on the edge of the state capital's metropolitan area. It is home to a large pork-processing plant, and low-slung, single story homes spread among trees now shorn of their leaves by winter. The high school and middle school are connected, sitting on the east edge of town.

Perry High School senior Ava Augustus said she was in a counselor’s office, waiting for hers to arrive, when she heard three shots. She and other people barricaded the door, preparing to throw things if necessary, with a window being too small for an escape.

Three gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, a spokesperson for its health system said. Some other patients were transported to a second hospital in Des Moines, a spokesperson for MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center confirmed, declining to comment on the number of patients or their statuses.

Vigils were planned Thursday evening at a park and a local church. A post on the high school's Facebook page said it would be closed Friday, with counseling services planned at the public library Friday and Saturday.

In Washington, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed on the shooting. FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office are assisting with the investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The shooting occurred in the backdrop of Iowa's first-in-the-nation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-iowa-caucus-works-2024-democrats-republicans-592ab40b9b9b948c0540f2cf132bab5c">presidential caucuses</a>. GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had a campaign event scheduled in Perry at 9 a.m. about 1 1/2 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the high school but canceled it to have a prayer and intimate discussion with area residents.

Mass shootings across the U.S. have long brought calls for stricter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gun-politics">gun laws</a>&nbsp;from gun safety advocates, and Thursday's did within hours. But that idea has been a non-starter for many Republicans, particularly in rural, GOP-leaning states like Iowa.

As of July 2021, Iowa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-gun-politics-business-laws-656a5ba4382a64f2d93790f56050ce3c">does not require a permit</a>&nbsp;to purchase a handgun or carry a firearm in public, though it mandates a background check for a person buying a handgun without a permit.

Ramaswamy said the shooting is a sign of a “psychological sickness” in the country. In Des Moines, GOP rival and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that gun violence "is more of a local and state issue" in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2024/01/04/after-iowa-school-shooting-ron-desantis-pitches-no-new-gun-restrictions/72107293007/">the Des Moines Register and NBC News</a>.

The high school in Perry is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District. The town is more diverse than Iowa as a whole, with census figures showing that 31% of the residents are Hispanic, compared to less than 7% for the state. Those figures also show that nearly 19% of the town’s residents were born outside the U.S.

An active shooter was reported at 7:37 a.m. Thursday and officers arrived seven minutes later, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said. Emergency vehicles surrounded the middle and high school.

Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway when he heard gunshots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. Zander was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his father at 7:36 a.m.

Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, was wrapping up jazz band practice when she and her bandmates heard what she described as four gunshots, spaced apart.

“We all just jumped,” Kares said. “My band teacher looked at us and yelled, ‘Run!’ So we ran.”

Kares and many others from the school ran out past the football field, as she heard people yelling, “Get out! Get out!” She said she heard additional shots as she ran, but didn’t know how many. She was more concerned about getting home to her 3-year-old son.

“At that moment I didn’t care about anything except getting out because I had to get home with my son,” she said.

Erica Jolliff said that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Distraught, Jolliff was still looking for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later.

“I just want to know that he’s safe and OK,” Jolliff said. “They won’t tell me nothing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704402515704.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCCI TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCCI TV</figcaption>
 </figure>PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A 17-year-old opened fire at a small-town Iowa high school on the first day of school after the winter break, killing a sixth-grader and wounding five others as students barricaded in offices and fled in panic.The suspect, a student at the school in Perry, died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and at least one of the victims is a school administrator, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704382094941.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCCI TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCCI TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Perry has about 8,000 residents and is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, on the edge of the state capital's metropolitan area. It is home to a large pork-processing plant, and low-slung, single story homes spread among trees now shorn of their leaves by winter. The high school and middle school are connected, sitting on the east edge of town.Perry High School senior Ava Augustus said she was in a counselor’s office, waiting for hers to arrive, when she heard three shots. She and other people barricaded the door, preparing to throw things if necessary, with a window being too small for an escape.“And then we hear ‘He’s down. You can go out,’” Augustus said through tears. ”And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they’re taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg.”Three gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, a spokesperson for its health system said. Some other patients were transported to a second hospital in Des Moines, a spokesperson for MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center confirmed, declining to comment on the number of patients or their statuses.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers &amp; families of the Perry Community. I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies &amp; am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today.&mdash; Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAGovernor/status/1742963075928502497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Vigils were planned Thursday evening at a park and a local church. A post on the high school's Facebook page said it would be closed Friday, with counseling services planned at the public library Friday and Saturday.In Washington, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed on the shooting. FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office are assisting with the investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.The shooting occurred in the backdrop of Iowa's first-in-the-nation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-iowa-caucus-works-2024-democrats-republicans-592ab40b9b9b948c0540f2cf132bab5c">presidential caucuses</a>. GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had a campaign event scheduled in Perry at 9 a.m. about 1 1/2 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the high school but canceled it to have a prayer and intimate discussion with area residents.Mass shootings across the U.S. have long brought calls for stricter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gun-politics">gun laws</a>&nbsp;from gun safety advocates, and Thursday's did within hours. But that idea has been a non-starter for many Republicans, particularly in rural, GOP-leaning states like Iowa.As of July 2021, Iowa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-gun-politics-business-laws-656a5ba4382a64f2d93790f56050ce3c">does not require a permit</a>&nbsp;to purchase a handgun or carry a firearm in public, though it mandates a background check for a person buying a handgun without a permit.Ramaswamy said the shooting is a sign of a “psychological sickness” in the country. In Des Moines, GOP rival and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that gun violence "is more of a local and state issue" in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2024/01/04/after-iowa-school-shooting-ron-desantis-pitches-no-new-gun-restrictions/72107293007/">the Des Moines Register and NBC News</a>.The high school in Perry is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District. The town is more diverse than Iowa as a whole, with census figures showing that 31% of the residents are Hispanic, compared to less than 7% for the state. Those figures also show that nearly 19% of the town’s residents were born outside the U.S.An active shooter was reported at 7:37 a.m. Thursday and officers arrived seven minutes later, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said. Emergency vehicles surrounded the middle and high school.Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway when he heard gunshots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. Zander was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his father at 7:36 a.m.Kevin Shelley, who drives a garbage truck, told his boss he had to run. “It was the most scared I’ve been in my entire life,” he said.Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, was wrapping up jazz band practice when she and her bandmates heard what she described as four gunshots, spaced apart.“We all just jumped,” Kares said. “My band teacher looked at us and yelled, ‘Run!’ So we ran.”Kares and many others from the school ran out past the football field, as she heard people yelling, “Get out! Get out!” She said she heard additional shots as she ran, but didn’t know how many. She was more concerned about getting home to her 3-year-old son.“At that moment I didn’t care about anything except getting out because I had to get home with my son,” she said.Erica Jolliff said that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Distraught, Jolliff was still looking for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later.“I just want to know that he’s safe and OK,” Jolliff said. “They won’t tell me nothing.”___

Police: 6th grader killed, 5 wounded in Iowa school shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — Glynis Johns, a Tony Award-winning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/theater">stage</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/movies">screen</a>&nbsp;star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie “Mary Poppins” and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim, has died. She was 100.

Mitch Clem, her manager, said she died Thursday at an assisted living home in Los Angeles of natural causes. “Today’s a sad day for Hollywood,” Clem said. “She is the last of the last of old Hollywood.”

Johns was known to be a perfectionist about her profession — precise, analytical and opinionated. The roles she took had to be multi-faceted. Anything less was giving less than her all.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m not interested in playing the role on only one level,” she told The Associated Press in 1990. “The whole point of first-class acting is to make a reality of it. To be real. And I have to make sense of it in my own mind in order to be real."

Johns’ greatest triumph was playing Desiree Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music,” for which she won a Tony in 1973. Sondheim wrote the show’s hit song “Send in the Clowns” to suit her distinctive husky voice, but she lost the part in the 1977 film version to Elizabeth Taylor.

“I’ve had other songs written for me, but nothing like that,” Johns told the AP in 1990. “It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever been given in the theater.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Glynis Johns, a Tony Award-winning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/theater">stage</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/movies">screen</a>&nbsp;star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie “Mary Poppins” and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim, has died. She was 100.Mitch Clem, her manager, said she died Thursday at an assisted living home in Los Angeles of natural causes. “Today’s a sad day for Hollywood,” Clem said. “She is the last of the last of old Hollywood.”Johns was known to be a perfectionist about her profession — precise, analytical and opinionated. The roles she took had to be multi-faceted. Anything less was giving less than her all.“As far as I’m concerned, I’m not interested in playing the role on only one level,” she told The Associated Press in 1990. “The whole point of first-class acting is to make a reality of it. To be real. And I have to make sense of it in my own mind in order to be real."Johns’ greatest triumph was playing Desiree Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music,” for which she won a Tony in 1973. Sondheim wrote the show’s hit song “Send in the Clowns” to suit her distinctive husky voice, but she lost the part in the 1977 film version to Elizabeth Taylor.“I’ve had other songs written for me, but nothing like that,” Johns told the AP in 1990. “It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever been given in the theater.”Others who followed Johns in singing Sondheim’s most popular song include Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan and Olivia Newton-John. It also appeared in season two of “Yellowjackets” in 2023, sung by Elijah Wood.Back when it was being conceived, “A Little Night Music” had gone into rehearsal with some of the book and score unfinished, including a solo song for Johns. Director Hal Prince suggested she and co-star Len Cariou improvise a scene or two to give book writer Hugh Wheeler some ideas.“Hal said ‘Why don’t you just say what you feel,”’ she recalled to the AP. “When Len and I did that, Hal got on the phone to Steve Sondheim and said, ‘I think you’d better get in a cab and get round here and watch what they’re doing because you are going to get the idea for Glynis’ solo.”’Johns was the fourth generation of an English theatrical family. Her father, Mervyn Johns, had a long career as a character actor and her mother was a pianist. She was born in Pretoria, South Africa, because her parents were visiting the area on tour at the time of her birth.Johns was a dancer at 12 and an actor at 14 in London’s West End. Her breakthrough role was as the amorous mermaid in the title of the 1948 hit comedy “Miranda.”“I was quite an athlete, my muscles were strong from dancing, so the tail was just fine; I swam like a porpoise,” she told Newsday in 1998. In 1960’s “The Sundowners,” with Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum, she was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar. (She lost out to Shirley Jones in “Elmer Gantry.”)Other highlights include playing the mother in “Mary Poppins,” the movie that introduced Julie Andrews and where she sang the rousing tune “Sister Suffragette.” She also starred in the 1989 Broadway revival of “The Circle,” W. Somerset Maugham’s romantic comedy about love, marriage and fidelity, opposite Rex Harrison and Stewart Granger.“I’ve retired many times. My personal life has come before my work. The theater is just part of my life. It probably uses my highest sense of intelligence, so therefore I have to come back to it, to realize that I’ve got the talent. I’m not as good doing anything else,” she told the AP.To prepare for “A Coffin in Egypt,” Horton Foote’s 1998 play about a grand dame reminiscing about her life on and off a ranch on the Texas prairie, she asked the Texas-born Foote to record a short tape of himself reading some lines and used it as her coach.In a 1991 revival of “A Little Night Music” in Los Angeles, she played Madame Armfeldt, the mother of Desiree, the part she had created. In 1963, she starred in her own TV sitcom “Glynis.”