SHAWNEE COUNTY —A man injured in a 2-vehicle crash last month in Topeka has died.

On Monday, police reported&nbsp; 29-year-old Joshua P. Harmer, 29, of Topeka died on December 22, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Dec. 20, police responded to an injury crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle near SW 29th Street and SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka.

First responders found the two vehicles had crashed. An ambulance transported the driver of motorcycle later identified as Harmer to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries and he died.

The driver of the other involved vehicle was identified as Shana L. Estes, 36, of Topeka. It was determined that she had a warrant for her arrest and she was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on that warrant.&nbsp; Police have not indicated whether Estes faces additional charges in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703284509788.png" alt="Estes-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Estes-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A man injured in a 2-vehicle crash last month in Topeka has died.On Monday, police reported&nbsp; 29-year-old Joshua P. Harmer, 29, of Topeka died on December 22, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704285048561.png" alt="Police on the scene of the deadly crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the deadly crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:30 p.m. Dec. 20, police responded to an injury crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle near SW 29th Street and SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka.First responders found the two vehicles had crashed. An ambulance transported the driver of motorcycle later identified as Harmer to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries and he died.The driver of the other involved vehicle was identified as Shana L. Estes, 36, of Topeka. It was determined that she had a warrant for her arrest and she was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on that warrant.&nbsp; Police have not indicated whether Estes faces additional charges in the case.

Motorcyclist injured in crash with wanted Kansas woman has died

Five people died and 59 were injured in 115 traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The patrol also worked 139 DWIs between December 29th and January 1st. The number of accidents is down substantially across the state this year, compared to last year's New Years weekend when 345 people were hurt and six were killed in 925 total crashes statewide.

DWIs are up a bit this year. Troopers arrested 105 people for DWIs last year on New Years weekend - that's 34 fewer than this year's total.

Of the five fatal crashes in Missouri this New Year's weekend, none of them were in Troop H.

However, one occurred on New Year's Eve in Kansas City. Nineteen-year-old Hmdovzoo Vue of Kansas City died when his vehicle went off the road, struck the center guardrail and overturned.

The crash occurred on 71 Highway near Truman Road. Vue was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFive people died and 59 were injured in 115 traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.The patrol also worked 139 DWIs between December 29th and January 1st. The number of accidents is down substantially across the state this year, compared to last year's New Years weekend when 345 people were hurt and six were killed in 925 total crashes statewide.DWIs are up a bit this year. Troopers arrested 105 people for DWIs last year on New Years weekend - that's 34 fewer than this year's total.Of the five fatal crashes in Missouri this New Year's weekend, none of them were in Troop H.However, one occurred on New Year's Eve in Kansas City. Nineteen-year-old Hmdovzoo Vue of Kansas City died when his vehicle went off the road, struck the center guardrail and overturned.The crash occurred on 71 Highway near Truman Road. Vue was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt.

MSHP Reports five Traffic Fatalities, 139 DWIs on New Year’s Holiday Weekend

BARBER COUNTY—Law enforcement and fire officials are investigating a deadly Kansas house fire.

On New Year's Eve, the Medicine Lodge Fire Department and Barber County Sheriff contacted the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Investigation Division to assist in the investigation of house fire at&nbsp;401 West Stolp Street in Medicine Lodge, according to a media release.

Investigators learned the fire department had discovered two fatalities in the home.

Investigators determined that the fire originated within the garage of the property.&nbsp; The cause of the fire is currently classified as undetermined. The victims have not been positively identified at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704231386868.png" alt="New Year's Eve fire photo KWCH" />
 <figcaption>New Year's Eve fire photo KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY—Law enforcement and fire officials are investigating a deadly Kansas house fire.On New Year's Eve, the Medicine Lodge Fire Department and Barber County Sheriff contacted the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Investigation Division to assist in the investigation of house fire at&nbsp;401 West Stolp Street in Medicine Lodge, according to a media release.Investigators learned the fire department had discovered two fatalities in the home.Investigators determined that the fire originated within the garage of the property.&nbsp; The cause of the fire is currently classified as undetermined. The victims have not been positively identified at this time.

2 dead in Kansas house fire on New Year's Eve

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-crossings-asylum-ukraine-aid-biden-dba31c3f461e1fa940f9cf00988444f7">grueling negotiations</a>, the contours of a bipartisan border security and immigration deal are beginning to take shape, emerging even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-congress-border-biden-064246982c828ed820c1c5a47c85901b">Congress leaves town</a>&nbsp;having failed to publicly unveil any details of the package that's central to unlocking stalled aid for Ukraine.

Talks between the White House and key senators have not veered widely from three main areas of discussion: toughening asylum protocols for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border</a>; bolstering border enforcement with more personnel and high-tech systems; and deterring migrants from making the journey in the first place.

As the Senate broke for the holidays, due back Jan. 8, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a rare joint statement indicated negotiations are progressing. They also met Wednesday to discuss how to advance the border policy alongside President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$110 billion package</a>&nbsp;of wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security priorities.

“We all know there’s a problem at the border,” Schumer said before sending senators home. “Our goal is, as soon as we get back, to get something done.”

McConnell said the negotiations “continue to make headway.”

And as aid for his country hangs in balance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-news-conference-5440b3d3034a34461d93d0740e0c1ae6">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;said at his own press conference in Kyiv he was confident “the U.S. will not let us down.”

Here’s a look at what’s being discussed as key Senate negotiators and the White House plan to dig in during the weeks ahead:

Senate negotiators have focused on asylum, by which the U.S. offers protection for people facing persecution in their home countries. The senators say they are trying to ensure that migrants who have a credible claim to asylum can safely apply, but that officials can also quickly turn away those who don't qualify.

Critics often say that too many people who pass their initial asylum interview end up ultimately failing in their efforts to win asylum. But because the immigration courts are so backlogged by the time the final determination happens, many have been in the country for years, making it more difficult and expensive to deport them.

The senators and the Biden administration have considered toughening the so-called credible fear standard that's used in the initial interviews to determine if migrants seeking asylum would likely have a winnable case before an immigration judge.

Advocates for immigrants argue that the credible fear standard is deliberately low in recognition of the fact that migrants being interviewed have usually fled desperate conditions, don't have legal representation and are still shaken by their journeys.

It was the Republicans who demanded negotiations over the border, refusing to provide aid for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion</a>, unless Biden also agreed to changes to cut immigration.

While Biden had initially proposed $14 billion to bolster border security in the national security package, Republicans said money was not enough. They want to enshrine policy changes at the border into law, some echoing Donald Trump, the party’s frontrunner for the presidential nomination, who takes a hard line against immigration.

Still, billions of dollars of funding will almost certainly be part of any deal.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">Border Patrol officers are overwhelmed</a>&nbsp;processing migrants who turn themselves in seeking asylum. Biden had proposed $3.1 billion for additional border agents as well more asylum officers, immigration judge teams and processing personnel. Supporters say the money for the asylum system is crucial to addressing the backlog in immigration courts and essentially getting the process moving faster.

Biden has also suggested $1.2 billion for Customs and Border Protection officers and inspection systems to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl.

While the president also proposed funds to help communities in the U.S. that are taking in the record numbers of new arrivals, Republicans have resisted sending money to the cities, largely Democratic, that are helping house and provide care for the migrants.

Over and over, senators have emerged from hours of closed-door talks with an exasperated conclusion: Immigration policy is complicated.

“Millions of decisions,” said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma. “Underneath every big idea is 100 smaller decisions that all have to be made, and every one is complicated.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said: “It’s interconnected. So if you press in one side and it pops out the other, it takes time to get this right.”

One of the toughest issues to resolve has been how to dissuade migrants from even embarking on their journeys to the U.S. in the first place, particularly from countries experiencing unrest, economic calamity or widespread gang violence.

Senators have discussed ways to encourage people to apply for asylum before they arrive at the border — either in their home country, or if that’s not plausible, a country they travel through on their way to the U.S.

The Biden administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-united-states-government-caribbean-mexico-mobile-apps-49b38b18869ed3b2260fb6d774153456">launched a new system</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that encourages people seeking asylum to schedule an appointment, via a smartphone app, to seek entry at the border.

In talks, the White House has also insisted on keeping in place&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-mexico-immigration-af0643a4fb8f45388fe247e44c9b2c5e">its ability to allow 30,000 people a month</a>&nbsp;from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti entry into the U.S. if they have a financial sponsor and fly into the country.

The idea is to create a more orderly, efficient asylum system that reduces chaos at the border.

But record numbers of migrants are still arriving. Illegal crossings topped 10,000 some days in December.

Negotiators have run into trouble in the talks when it comes to enforcement measures. One potential compromise would set a threshold for the number of border crossings, and once the number is reached, stricter enforcement measures would take effect.

Under that system, if the crossings get too high authorities would shut down the border for asylum claims, enable fast-track removals of migrants who have already entered unlawfully, and detain some migrants while they are screened for valid asylum claims.

Funding in the package could also go to bolstering immigration enforcement, including detention facilities, according to one person familiar with the private negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Advocates for immigrants worry that some of the restrictions under discussion could just push the build-up of migrants south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We’re turning Mexico into a staging area for migrants moving north,” said Dylan Corbett, who heads the Hope Border Institute, in a call with reporters. “Mexico doesn’t have the infrastructure to be able to deal with this.”

They also warn that the expedited removal measures would strike fear in the millions of immigrants lacking permanent legal status while effectively turning Trump-style administrative policies into law, making them potentially more difficult to challenge in court.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent central to the negotiations, said that the potentially lasting impact of their work hangs over the talks.

“A mistake here will matter for many years,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-crossings-asylum-ukraine-aid-biden-dba31c3f461e1fa940f9cf00988444f7">grueling negotiations</a>, the contours of a bipartisan border security and immigration deal are beginning to take shape, emerging even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-congress-border-biden-064246982c828ed820c1c5a47c85901b">Congress leaves town</a>&nbsp;having failed to publicly unveil any details of the package that's central to unlocking stalled aid for Ukraine.Talks between the White House and key senators have not veered widely from three main areas of discussion: toughening asylum protocols for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border</a>; bolstering border enforcement with more personnel and high-tech systems; and deterring migrants from making the journey in the first place.As the Senate broke for the holidays, due back Jan. 8, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a rare joint statement indicated negotiations are progressing. They also met Wednesday to discuss how to advance the border policy alongside President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$110 billion package</a>&nbsp;of wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security priorities.“We all know there’s a problem at the border,” Schumer said before sending senators home. “Our goal is, as soon as we get back, to get something done.”McConnell said the negotiations “continue to make headway.”And as aid for his country hangs in balance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-news-conference-5440b3d3034a34461d93d0740e0c1ae6">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;said at his own press conference in Kyiv he was confident “the U.S. will not let us down.”Here’s a look at what’s being discussed as key Senate negotiators and the White House plan to dig in during the weeks ahead:TOUGHER ASYLUM CLAIMSSenate negotiators have focused on asylum, by which the U.S. offers protection for people facing persecution in their home countries. The senators say they are trying to ensure that migrants who have a credible claim to asylum can safely apply, but that officials can also quickly turn away those who don't qualify.Critics often say that too many people who pass their initial asylum interview end up ultimately failing in their efforts to win asylum. But because the immigration courts are so backlogged by the time the final determination happens, many have been in the country for years, making it more difficult and expensive to deport them.The senators and the Biden administration have considered toughening the so-called credible fear standard that's used in the initial interviews to determine if migrants seeking asylum would likely have a winnable case before an immigration judge.Advocates for immigrants argue that the credible fear standard is deliberately low in recognition of the fact that migrants being interviewed have usually fled desperate conditions, don't have legal representation and are still shaken by their journeys.BORDER SECURITYIt was the Republicans who demanded negotiations over the border, refusing to provide aid for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion</a>, unless Biden also agreed to changes to cut immigration.While Biden had initially proposed $14 billion to bolster border security in the national security package, Republicans said money was not enough. They want to enshrine policy changes at the border into law, some echoing Donald Trump, the party’s frontrunner for the presidential nomination, who takes a hard line against immigration.Still, billions of dollars of funding will almost certainly be part of any deal.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">Border Patrol officers are overwhelmed</a>&nbsp;processing migrants who turn themselves in seeking asylum. Biden had proposed $3.1 billion for additional border agents as well more asylum officers, immigration judge teams and processing personnel. Supporters say the money for the asylum system is crucial to addressing the backlog in immigration courts and essentially getting the process moving faster.Biden has also suggested $1.2 billion for Customs and Border Protection officers and inspection systems to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl.While the president also proposed funds to help communities in the U.S. that are taking in the record numbers of new arrivals, Republicans have resisted sending money to the cities, largely Democratic, that are helping house and provide care for the migrants.REDUCING BORDER BUILD-UPOver and over, senators have emerged from hours of closed-door talks with an exasperated conclusion: Immigration policy is complicated.“Millions of decisions,” said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma. “Underneath every big idea is 100 smaller decisions that all have to be made, and every one is complicated.”Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said: “It’s interconnected. So if you press in one side and it pops out the other, it takes time to get this right.”One of the toughest issues to resolve has been how to dissuade migrants from even embarking on their journeys to the U.S. in the first place, particularly from countries experiencing unrest, economic calamity or widespread gang violence.Senators have discussed ways to encourage people to apply for asylum before they arrive at the border — either in their home country, or if that’s not plausible, a country they travel through on their way to the U.S.The Biden administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-united-states-government-caribbean-mexico-mobile-apps-49b38b18869ed3b2260fb6d774153456">launched a new system</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that encourages people seeking asylum to schedule an appointment, via a smartphone app, to seek entry at the border.In talks, the White House has also insisted on keeping in place&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-mexico-immigration-af0643a4fb8f45388fe247e44c9b2c5e">its ability to allow 30,000 people a month</a>&nbsp;from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti entry into the U.S. if they have a financial sponsor and fly into the country.The idea is to create a more orderly, efficient asylum system that reduces chaos at the border.But record numbers of migrants are still arriving. Illegal crossings topped 10,000 some days in December.ENFORCEMENTNegotiators have run into trouble in the talks when it comes to enforcement measures. One potential compromise would set a threshold for the number of border crossings, and once the number is reached, stricter enforcement measures would take effect.Under that system, if the crossings get too high authorities would shut down the border for asylum claims, enable fast-track removals of migrants who have already entered unlawfully, and detain some migrants while they are screened for valid asylum claims.Funding in the package could also go to bolstering immigration enforcement, including detention facilities, according to one person familiar with the private negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity.Advocates for immigrants worry that some of the restrictions under discussion could just push the build-up of migrants south of the U.S.-Mexico border.“We’re turning Mexico into a staging area for migrants moving north,” said Dylan Corbett, who heads the Hope Border Institute, in a call with reporters. “Mexico doesn’t have the infrastructure to be able to deal with this.”They also warn that the expedited removal measures would strike fear in the millions of immigrants lacking permanent legal status while effectively turning Trump-style administrative policies into law, making them potentially more difficult to challenge in court.Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent central to the negotiations, said that the potentially lasting impact of their work hangs over the talks.“A mistake here will matter for many years,” she said.

Deal on US border policy is closer than it seems

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-mit-penn-campus-antisemitism-backlash-2c89312cdd0d2652a9b57ce71f1533fd">she was unable to say unequivocally</a>&nbsp;that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.

(Gay is also featured in this congressional hearing video below)

Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-governor-antisemitism-colleges-israel-gaza-ae1294d644b3305cc51e8d9bb7252766">in the past month</a>&nbsp;following the congressional testimony. Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, announced her departure just months into her tenure in a letter to the Harvard community.

Following the congressional hearing, Gay’s academic career came under intense scrutiny by conservative activists who unearthed several instances of alleged plagiarism in her 1997 doctoral dissertation. Harvard’s governing board initially rallied behind Gay, saying a review of her scholarly work turned up “a few instances of inadequate citation” but no evidence of research misconduct.

Days later, the Harvard Corporation revealed that it found two additional examples of “duplicative language without appropriate attribution.” The board said Gay would update her dissertation and request corrections.

The Harvard Corporation said the resignation came “with great sadness” and thanked Gay for her “deep and unwavering commitment to Harvard and to the pursuit of academic excellence.”

Alan M. Garber, provost and chief academic officer, will serve as interim president until Harvard finds a replacement, the board said in a statement. Garber, an economist and physician, has served as provost for 12 years.

Gay and the presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania came under fire last month for their lawyerly answers to a line of questioning from New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who asked whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate the colleges’ code of conduct.

The three presidents had been called before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce to answer accusations that universities were failing to protect Jewish students amid rising&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-antisemitism-europe-massacre-war-protests-1d26266dfd9b2b8dd4c795f420abab47">fears of antisemitism worldwide</a>&nbsp;and fallout from Israel’s intensifying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war in Gaza</a>, which faces heightened criticism for the mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-31-2023-1d854750b0caaa517677d3361c00cd06">Palestinian death toll</a>.

Gay said it depended on the context, adding that when “speech crosses into conduct, that violates our policies.” The answer faced swift backlash from Republican and some Democratic lawmakers as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antisemitism-islamophobia-colleges-biden-israel-hamas-57e32457f9113a168cc21d16fa008a79">the White House</a>. The hearing was parodied in the opening skit on “Saturday Night Live.”

Gay later apologized, telling The Crimson student newspaper that she got caught up in a heated exchange at the House committee hearing and failed to properly denounce threats of violence against Jewish students.

“What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to my guiding truth, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community — threats to our Jewish students — have no place at Harvard, and will never go unchallenged,” Gay said.

The episode marred Gay’s tenure at Harvard — she became president in July — and sowed discord at the Ivy League campus. Rabbi David Wolpe later resigned from a new committee on antisemitism created by Gay, saying in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that “events on campus and the painfully inadequate testimony reinforced the idea that I cannot make the sort of difference I had hoped.”

The House committee announced days after the hearing that it would investigate the policies and disciplinary procedures at Harvard, MIT and Penn. Separate federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-colleges-civil-rights-investigation-discrimination-f93aa9355f4c2d97b188df8546cc5131">civil rights investigations</a>&nbsp;were previously opened at Harvard, Penn and several other universities in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-colleges-civil-rights-investigation-discrimination-f93aa9355f4c2d97b188df8546cc5131">complaints</a>&nbsp;submitted to the U.S. Education Department.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-mit-penn-campus-antisemitism-backlash-2c89312cdd0d2652a9b57ce71f1533fd">she was unable to say unequivocally</a>&nbsp;that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.(Gay is also featured in this congressional hearing video below)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill resigned Saturday after facing backlash from her congressional testimony earlier this week on antisemitism on college campuses. Here&#39;s the exchange. <a href="https://t.co/EVrAMy33qh">pic.twitter.com/EVrAMy33qh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1733607598803292487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-governor-antisemitism-colleges-israel-gaza-ae1294d644b3305cc51e8d9bb7252766">in the past month</a>&nbsp;following the congressional testimony. Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, announced her departure just months into her tenure in a letter to the Harvard community.Following the congressional hearing, Gay’s academic career came under intense scrutiny by conservative activists who unearthed several instances of alleged plagiarism in her 1997 doctoral dissertation. Harvard’s governing board initially rallied behind Gay, saying a review of her scholarly work turned up “a few instances of inadequate citation” but no evidence of research misconduct.Days later, the Harvard Corporation revealed that it found two additional examples of “duplicative language without appropriate attribution.” The board said Gay would update her dissertation and request corrections.The Harvard Corporation said the resignation came “with great sadness” and thanked Gay for her “deep and unwavering commitment to Harvard and to the pursuit of academic excellence.”Alan M. Garber, provost and chief academic officer, will serve as interim president until Harvard finds a replacement, the board said in a statement. Garber, an economist and physician, has served as provost for 12 years.Gay and the presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania came under fire last month for their lawyerly answers to a line of questioning from New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who asked whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate the colleges’ code of conduct.The three presidents had been called before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce to answer accusations that universities were failing to protect Jewish students amid rising&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-antisemitism-europe-massacre-war-protests-1d26266dfd9b2b8dd4c795f420abab47">fears of antisemitism worldwide</a>&nbsp;and fallout from Israel’s intensifying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war in Gaza</a>, which faces heightened criticism for the mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-31-2023-1d854750b0caaa517677d3361c00cd06">Palestinian death toll</a>.Gay said it depended on the context, adding that when “speech crosses into conduct, that violates our policies.” The answer faced swift backlash from Republican and some Democratic lawmakers as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antisemitism-islamophobia-colleges-biden-israel-hamas-57e32457f9113a168cc21d16fa008a79">the White House</a>. The hearing was parodied in the opening skit on “Saturday Night Live.”Gay later apologized, telling The Crimson student newspaper that she got caught up in a heated exchange at the House committee hearing and failed to properly denounce threats of violence against Jewish students.“What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to my guiding truth, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community — threats to our Jewish students — have no place at Harvard, and will never go unchallenged,” Gay said.The episode marred Gay’s tenure at Harvard — she became president in July — and sowed discord at the Ivy League campus. Rabbi David Wolpe later resigned from a new committee on antisemitism created by Gay, saying in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that “events on campus and the painfully inadequate testimony reinforced the idea that I cannot make the sort of difference I had hoped.”The House committee announced days after the hearing that it would investigate the policies and disciplinary procedures at Harvard, MIT and Penn. Separate federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-colleges-civil-rights-investigation-discrimination-f93aa9355f4c2d97b188df8546cc5131">civil rights investigations</a>&nbsp;were previously opened at Harvard, Penn and several other universities in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-colleges-civil-rights-investigation-discrimination-f93aa9355f4c2d97b188df8546cc5131">complaints</a>&nbsp;submitted to the U.S. Education Department.

🎥Harvard president resigns amid plagiarism claims, antisemitism testimony

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a house party and have made an arrest.

On Sunday, police arrested 18-year-old Marc Oliver on a warrant for requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;1st degree murder, aggravated battery, criminal discharge of a firearm and a probation violation, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

In the early morning on October 21, the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls reporting gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they found 2 male victims with gunshot wounds. A 3rd male victim later arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound from the incident.&nbsp;

Within a week of the shooting, detectives arrested Cordarius Gowdy, 21; Damerius McGee, 18, both of Ogden and Christopher Stowers, 21, of Manhattan on probable cause offenses of attempted first-degree murder aggravated battery and one count of firing into an occupied dwelling.&nbsp;

Oliver was issued total bond of $1,000,000. All four suspects remain confined in the Riley County Jail.&nbsp;

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a house party and have made an arrest.On Sunday, police arrested 18-year-old Marc Oliver on a warrant for requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;1st degree murder, aggravated battery, criminal discharge of a firearm and a probation violation, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.In the early morning on October 21, the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls reporting gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they found 2 male victims with gunshot wounds. A 3rd male victim later arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound from the incident.&nbsp;Within a week of the shooting, detectives arrested Cordarius Gowdy, 21; Damerius McGee, 18, both of Ogden and Christopher Stowers, 21, of Manhattan on probable cause offenses of attempted first-degree murder aggravated battery and one count of firing into an occupied dwelling.&nbsp;Oliver was issued total bond of $1,000,000. All four suspects remain confined in the Riley County Jail.&nbsp;

Police arrest 4th suspect for Kansas house party shooting

KANSAS CIT(AP) — Two people are dead after a robbery suspect's vehicle was going the wrong way on an interstate highway while being chased by officers early Tuesday and slammed into another vehicle, killing both drivers, police said.

The accident happened just after 4 a.m. on Interstate 435 in Kansas City. Names of those killed have not been released.

Armed robberies occurred between around 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. at three convenience stores. Soon after the third crime, police saw the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit, police spokeswoman Alayna Gonzalez said in a news release.

During the chase, the driver traveled south in the northbound lanes of the interstate, causing the crash, Gonzalez said. The accident remains under investigation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704216760410.png" alt="View of one of the vehicles involved in the deadly crash-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>View of one of the vehicles involved in the deadly crash-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CIT(AP) — Two people are dead after a robbery suspect's vehicle was going the wrong way on an interstate highway while being chased by officers early Tuesday and slammed into another vehicle, killing both drivers, police said.The accident happened just after 4 a.m. on Interstate 435 in Kansas City. Names of those killed have not been released.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704216864089.png" alt="photo of crash scene photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>photo of crash scene photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>Armed robberies occurred between around 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. at three convenience stores. Soon after the third crime, police saw the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit, police spokeswoman Alayna Gonzalez said in a news release.During the chase, the driver traveled south in the northbound lanes of the interstate, causing the crash, Gonzalez said. The accident remains under investigation

KC robbery suspect, other driver killed in wrong-way crash 

COFFEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 245 Southern Coffey County in Leroy are investigating a social media threat to the school district, according to a statement from the Coffey County School District.

"No matter the credibility of any threat, the Sheriff's Office will investigate, and all steps will be taken to ensure all students and faculty are provided a safe learning environment," according to Sheriff, Thomas Johnson.

This case is currently active, and any individual identified as being responsible will be prosecuted. Anyone with information should contact Coffey County Sheriff's Office at 620-364-2123.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697128767642.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COFFEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 245 Southern Coffey County in Leroy are investigating a social media threat to the school district, according to a statement from the Coffey County School District."No matter the credibility of any threat, the Sheriff's Office will investigate, and all steps will be taken to ensure all students and faculty are provided a safe learning environment," according to Sheriff, Thomas Johnson.This case is currently active, and any individual identified as being responsible will be prosecuted. Anyone with information should contact Coffey County Sheriff's Office at 620-364-2123.

Sheriff: Alleged social media threat in Kansas school district

KANSAS CITY —Liberty Hospital, 2525 Glenn Hendren Drive, Liberty, Mo.,continues to investigate the disruption to their computer systems that began December 19.

On Friday night, the hospital reported the computer systems disruption has since been determined to be a cybersecurity incident, according to a statement on the hospital web site.

"We are in the process of confirming the nature and extent of the event. It is too soon to know how long confirmation will take or to provide a definitive recovery timeline."

"Liberty Hospital became aware of a disruption to our computer systems on December 19, 2023. The hospital proactively took its entire computer network offline, and the information technology (IT) team took immediate action to begin understanding the event while ensuring patients continued to receive safe care."

"Third-party cybersecurity specialists were quickly called in, and the hospital implemented additional safety protocols. In collaboration with numerous EMS teams and hospitals from across the Kansas City area, Liberty Hospital swiftly transferred patients who required higher levels of care than systems were equipped to support at that time. Clinical staff moved to downtime processes and innovative workarounds to safely care for patients who remained."

"During the next several days, the hospital's IT team and other specialists worked diligently to revive the affected systems safely and methodically. The hospital continued to perform low-risk procedures in the main operating rooms, outpatient surgery department and Birthing Center and accepted walk-in patients at the emergency department. Just in time for the busy holiday weekend, the hospital's emergency department opened to ambulances."

"Across the metro area, hospitals are at- or over-capacity, and we are doing our part to provide healthcare for sick patients as we are safely able to do so."

As of Dec. 28, many clinical and surgical services have resumed. If you have questions about an upcoming appointment, please call your clinic or the hospital in advance of your arrival.

The emergency department is caring for an increasing number of patients each day. Due to downtime patient safety procedures, typical ER wait times may be longer than usual. We encourage patients who may not require emergency care to seek care first from their primary care provider or Liberty Hospital Urgent Care Shoal Creek.

At Liberty Hospital Primary Care and Specialty Care clinics, prescription refills for outpatients may not occur electronically at this time. If you need a prescription refill, call your provider's office to ensure it will be submitted to your pharmacy.

"Patients with concerns about their billing are encouraged to call&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a>. Our customer service team will look at their concerns individually and address them accordingly."

"Patients scheduled for elective outpatient imaging – such as routine mammograms – should contact patient scheduling to avoid wait times. Beginning on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., outpatient scheduling may be reached at&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927016">816.792.7016</a>. We regret any inconvenience this may cause."

Patient portals may not yet be accessible. In the meantime, patients may pay bills by phone Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703156650753.png" alt="Liberty Hospital courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Liberty Hospital courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Liberty Hospital, 2525 Glenn Hendren Drive, Liberty, Mo.,continues to investigate the disruption to their computer systems that began December 19.On Friday night, the hospital reported the computer systems disruption has since been determined to be a cybersecurity incident, according to a statement on the hospital web site. "We are in the process of confirming the nature and extent of the event. It is too soon to know how long confirmation will take or to provide a definitive recovery timeline.""Liberty Hospital became aware of a disruption to our computer systems on December 19, 2023. The hospital proactively took its entire computer network offline, and the information technology (IT) team took immediate action to begin understanding the event while ensuring patients continued to receive safe care.""Third-party cybersecurity specialists were quickly called in, and the hospital implemented additional safety protocols. In collaboration with numerous EMS teams and hospitals from across the Kansas City area, Liberty Hospital swiftly transferred patients who required higher levels of care than systems were equipped to support at that time. Clinical staff moved to downtime processes and innovative workarounds to safely care for patients who remained.""During the next several days, the hospital's IT team and other specialists worked diligently to revive the affected systems safely and methodically. The hospital continued to perform low-risk procedures in the main operating rooms, outpatient surgery department and Birthing Center and accepted walk-in patients at the emergency department. Just in time for the busy holiday weekend, the hospital's emergency department opened to ambulances.""Across the metro area, hospitals are at- or over-capacity, and we are doing our part to provide healthcare for sick patients as we are safely able to do so."As of Dec. 28, many clinical and surgical services have resumed. If you have questions about an upcoming appointment, please call your clinic or the hospital in advance of your arrival.The emergency department is caring for an increasing number of patients each day. Due to downtime patient safety procedures, typical ER wait times may be longer than usual. We encourage patients who may not require emergency care to seek care first from their primary care provider or Liberty Hospital Urgent Care Shoal Creek.At Liberty Hospital Primary Care and Specialty Care clinics, prescription refills for outpatients may not occur electronically at this time. If you need a prescription refill, call your provider's office to ensure it will be submitted to your pharmacy."Patients with concerns about their billing are encouraged to call&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a>. Our customer service team will look at their concerns individually and address them accordingly.""Patients scheduled for elective outpatient imaging – such as routine mammograms – should contact patient scheduling to avoid wait times. Beginning on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., outpatient scheduling may be reached at&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927016">816.792.7016</a>. We regret any inconvenience this may cause."Patient portals may not yet be accessible. In the meantime, patients may pay bills by phone Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<ul>
 <li>Liberty Hospital:&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a></li><li>Primary and Specialty Care Clinics:&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a></li><li>Liberty Hospital Outpatient Surgery Department:&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a></li><li>Urgent Care:&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18167927110">816.792.7110</a></li><li>Emergency Room Physicians:&nbsp;<a href="tel:+18166568648">816.656.8648</a></li>
 </ul>-----

KC-area hospital continues to battle cybersecurity incident 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and after asking the public for help have identified the victim and are still working to notify family, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office

An employee at Rocky Hollow Park found the body at about 8:15 a.m. December 22, off a roadway at the park, located at 14812 Old Quarry Road, Excelsior Springs.

Charges have been filed against a suspect in the homicide of the man whose body was located at Rocky Hollow Park on Dec. 22. Investigators need help to locate 48-year-old Elena Delcarmen Flores. She has been charged with 1st-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Clay County Sheriff.

She lives in Gardner, Kansas but investigators believe she may no longer be in the KC metro area. She may also go by Elena Torres, Elena Flores Garcia or Elena Stores. She is 5-foot-5 and 200 pounds. If you know where she is, call&nbsp; 816-407-3723 or <a href="https://twitter.com/KCCrimeStop">@KCCrimeStop</a> at 816-474-TIPS (8477). 2/2

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703285918610.png" alt="photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and after asking the public for help have identified the victim and are still working to notify family, according to the Clay County Sheriff's OfficeAn employee at Rocky Hollow Park found the body at about 8:15 a.m. December 22, off a roadway at the park, located at 14812 Old Quarry Road, Excelsior Springs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703802024415.png" alt="Flores-photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Flores-photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Charges have been filed against a suspect in the homicide of the man whose body was located at Rocky Hollow Park on Dec. 22. Investigators need help to locate 48-year-old Elena Delcarmen Flores. She has been charged with 1st-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Clay County Sheriff.She lives in Gardner, Kansas but investigators believe she may no longer be in the KC metro area. She may also go by Elena Torres, Elena Flores Garcia or Elena Stores. She is 5-foot-5 and 200 pounds. If you know where she is, call&nbsp; 816-407-3723 or <a href="https://twitter.com/KCCrimeStop">@KCCrimeStop</a> at 816-474-TIPS (8477). 2/2

Search continues for Kansas woman for man's murder

WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead.

Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-earthquake-tsunami-bfb94b14333379491953f7eb58c4e466">a magnitude 7.6 temblor</a>&nbsp;slammed the area.

Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.

Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death toll, saying he was aware of the prefecture's tally.

Water, power and cell phone service were still down in some areas. Residents expressed sorrow about their uncertain futures.

"It’s not just that it’s a mess. The wall has collapsed, and you can see through to the next room. I don’t think we can live here anymore,” Miki Kobayashi, an Ishikawa resident, said as she swept around her house.

The house was also damaged in a 2007 quake, she said.

Although casualty numbers continued to climb gradually, the prompt public warnings, relayed on broadcasts and phones, and the quick response from the general public and officials appeared to have limited some of the damage.

Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, said people were prepared because the area had been hit by quakes in recent years. They had evacuation plans and emergency supplies in stock.

“There is probably no people on earth other than Japanese who are so disaster-ready,” he told The Associated Press.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Katada warned the situation remains precarious and unpredictable. The March 2011 quake and tsunami in northeastern Japan had been preceded by other quakes.

“This is far from over,” Katada said.

Predictions by scientists have repeatedly been proven wrong, such as with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-65736139597c4702962593dce94fd464">the 2016 quake in southwestern Kumamoto</a>, an area previously seen as relatively quake-free.

“Having too much confidence in the power of science is very dangerous. We are dealing with nature," Katada said.

Japanese media's aerial footage showed widespread damage in the hardest-hit spots, with landslides burying roads, boats tossed in the waters and a fire that had turned an entire section of Wajima city to ashes.

Japan’s military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to the disaster zones to join rescue efforts, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.

“Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time,” he said. “It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately.”

A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking. Quakes continued to rock the area, reaching more than 100 aftershocks over the past day.

Nuclear regulators said several nuclear plants in the region were operating normally. The 2011 quake and tsunami&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fukushima-nuclear-plant-timeline-0710658563458ed94c20517f49ff720f">caused three reactors to melt</a>&nbsp;and release large amounts of radiation at a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.

On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern island of Hokkaido.

The warning was downgraded several hours later, and all tsunami warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday. Waves measuring more than one meter (3 feet) hit some places.

Still, half-sunken ships floated in bays where tsunami waves had rolled in, leaving a muddied coastline.

People who were evacuated from their houses huddled in auditoriums, schools and community centers. Bullet trains in the region were halted, but service was mostly restored by Tuesday afternoon. Sections of highways were closed.

Weather forecasters predicted rain, setting off worries about crumbling buildings and infrastructure.

The region includes tourist spots famous for lacquerware and other traditional crafts, along with designated cultural heritage sites.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration was “ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people.”

WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 48 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ahead.

Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-earthquake-tsunami-bfb94b14333379491953f7eb58c4e466">a magnitude 7.6 temblor</a>&nbsp;slammed the area on Monday afternoon.

Forty-eight people were confirmed dead in Ishikawa, officials said. Sixteen others were seriously injured, while damage to homes was so great that it could not immediately be assessed, they said.

Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death tally, while saying he was aware of the prefecture's tally.

Water, power and cell phone service were still down in some areas, and residents expressed sorrow about their destroyed homes and uncertain futures.

Their house was also damaged in a 2007 quake, she said.

Although casualty numbers continued to climb gradually, the prompt public warnings, relayed on broadcasts and phones, and the quick response from the general public and officials appeared to have kept at least some of the damage under control.

The rescue efforts that quickly followed from firefighters, police and the military proved a testament to how this nation has repeatedly withstood disasters, which have practically become a part of everyday life.

Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, said the people were prepared because the area had been hit by quakes in recent years. They had evacuation plans and emergency supplies in stock.

“There is probably no people on earth other than Japanese who are so disaster-ready,” he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Predictions by scientists have repeatedly been proven wrong, such as with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-65736139597c4702962593dce94fd464">the 2016 quake in southwestern Kumamoto</a>, an area previously seen as relatively quake-free. The only real projection possible is that you can't make projections, Katada added.

“Having too much confidence in the power of science is very dangerous. We are dealing with nature.”

Japanese media aerial footage showed widespread damage in the hardest-hit spots, with landslides burying roads, boats tossed in the waters and a major fire that had turned an entire section of Wajima city to ashes.

A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking. More quakes continued to rock the area, reaching more than 100 aftershocks over the past day.

News videos showed rows of collapsed houses. Some wooden structures were flattened and cars were overturned. Half-sunken ships floated in bays where tsunami waves had rolled in, leaving a muddied coastline.

Weather forecasters predicted rain, setting off worries about already crumbling buildings and infrastructure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704110268813.png" alt="Location of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake -USGS image" />
 <figcaption>Location of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake -USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead.Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-earthquake-tsunami-bfb94b14333379491953f7eb58c4e466">a magnitude 7.6 temblor</a>&nbsp;slammed the area.Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death toll, saying he was aware of the prefecture's tally.Water, power and cell phone service were still down in some areas. Residents expressed sorrow about their uncertain futures."It’s not just that it’s a mess. The wall has collapsed, and you can see through to the next room. I don’t think we can live here anymore,” Miki Kobayashi, an Ishikawa resident, said as she swept around her house.The house was also damaged in a 2007 quake, she said.Although casualty numbers continued to climb gradually, the prompt public warnings, relayed on broadcasts and phones, and the quick response from the general public and officials appeared to have limited some of the damage.Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, said people were prepared because the area had been hit by quakes in recent years. They had evacuation plans and emergency supplies in stock.“There is probably no people on earth other than Japanese who are so disaster-ready,” he told The Associated Press.Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.Katada warned the situation remains precarious and unpredictable. The March 2011 quake and tsunami in northeastern Japan had been preceded by other quakes.“This is far from over,” Katada said.Predictions by scientists have repeatedly been proven wrong, such as with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-65736139597c4702962593dce94fd464">the 2016 quake in southwestern Kumamoto</a>, an area previously seen as relatively quake-free.“Having too much confidence in the power of science is very dangerous. We are dealing with nature," Katada said.Japanese media's aerial footage showed widespread damage in the hardest-hit spots, with landslides burying roads, boats tossed in the waters and a fire that had turned an entire section of Wajima city to ashes.Japan’s military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to the disaster zones to join rescue efforts, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.“Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time,” he said. “It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately.”A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking. Quakes continued to rock the area, reaching more than 100 aftershocks over the past day.Nuclear regulators said several nuclear plants in the region were operating normally. The 2011 quake and tsunami&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fukushima-nuclear-plant-timeline-0710658563458ed94c20517f49ff720f">caused three reactors to melt</a>&nbsp;and release large amounts of radiation at a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern island of Hokkaido.The warning was downgraded several hours later, and all tsunami warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday. Waves measuring more than one meter (3 feet) hit some places.Still, half-sunken ships floated in bays where tsunami waves had rolled in, leaving a muddied coastline.People who were evacuated from their houses huddled in auditoriums, schools and community centers. Bullet trains in the region were halted, but service was mostly restored by Tuesday afternoon. Sections of highways were closed.Weather forecasters predicted rain, setting off worries about crumbling buildings and infrastructure.The region includes tourist spots famous for lacquerware and other traditional crafts, along with designated cultural heritage sites.U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration was “ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people.”___WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 48 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ahead.Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-earthquake-tsunami-bfb94b14333379491953f7eb58c4e466">a magnitude 7.6 temblor</a>&nbsp;slammed the area on Monday afternoon.Forty-eight people were confirmed dead in Ishikawa, officials said. Sixteen others were seriously injured, while damage to homes was so great that it could not immediately be assessed, they said.Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said 17 people were seriously injured and gave a slightly lower death tally, while saying he was aware of the prefecture's tally.Water, power and cell phone service were still down in some areas, and residents expressed sorrow about their destroyed homes and uncertain futures."It’s not just that it’s a mess. The wall has collapsed, and you can see through to the next room. I don’t think we can live here anymore,” Miki Kobayashi, an Ishikawa resident, said as she swept around her house.Their house was also damaged in a 2007 quake, she said.Although casualty numbers continued to climb gradually, the prompt public warnings, relayed on broadcasts and phones, and the quick response from the general public and officials appeared to have kept at least some of the damage under control.The rescue efforts that quickly followed from firefighters, police and the military proved a testament to how this nation has repeatedly withstood disasters, which have practically become a part of everyday life.Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters, said the people were prepared because the area had been hit by quakes in recent years. They had evacuation plans and emergency supplies in stock.“There is probably no people on earth other than Japanese who are so disaster-ready,” he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.Katada warned the situation remains precarious and unpredictable. The March 2011 quake and tsunami in northeastern Japan had been preceded by other quakes.“This is far from over,” Katada said.Predictions by scientists have repeatedly been proven wrong, such as with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-65736139597c4702962593dce94fd464">the 2016 quake in southwestern Kumamoto</a>, an area previously seen as relatively quake-free. The only real projection possible is that you can't make projections, Katada added.“Having too much confidence in the power of science is very dangerous. We are dealing with nature.”Japanese media aerial footage showed widespread damage in the hardest-hit spots, with landslides burying roads, boats tossed in the waters and a major fire that had turned an entire section of Wajima city to ashes.Japan’s military dispatched 1,000 soldiers to the disaster zones to join rescue efforts, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.“Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time,” he said. “It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately.”A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook the Ishikawa area as he was speaking. More quakes continued to rock the area, reaching more than 100 aftershocks over the past day.Nuclear regulators said several nuclear plants in the region were operating normally. The 2011 quake and tsunami&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fukushima-nuclear-plant-timeline-0710658563458ed94c20517f49ff720f">caused three reactors to melt</a>&nbsp;and release large amounts of radiation at a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.News videos showed rows of collapsed houses. Some wooden structures were flattened and cars were overturned. Half-sunken ships floated in bays where tsunami waves had rolled in, leaving a muddied coastline.On Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, as well as for the northern island of Hokkaido.The warning was downgraded several hours later, and all tsunami warnings were lifted as of early Tuesday. Waves measuring more than one meter (3 feet) hit some places.People who were evacuated from their houses huddled in auditoriums, schools and community centers. Bullet trains in the region were halted, but service was mostly restored by Tuesday afternoon. Sections of highways were closed.Weather forecasters predicted rain, setting off worries about already crumbling buildings and infrastructure.The region includes tourist spots famous for lacquerware and other traditional crafts, along with designated cultural heritage sites.U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration was “ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people.”Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Death toll climbs after powerful earthquakes rock Japan

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of extra duty at sea providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">protection for Israel</a>, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group will be heading home, the Navy announced Monday.

The Ford and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. The three vessels had been in the Red Sea and have been transiting toward the Eastern Mediterranean over the last few days.

The Ford will sail for home “in the coming days,” the U.S. 6th Fleet, the European-based U.S. naval command that’s responsible for ships sailing in the Mediterranean, said in a statement

The Ford was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628" target="_blank">sent to the Eastern Mediterranean</a>&nbsp;to be within striking distance of Israel since the day after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. The carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-navy-israel-hamas-iran-25a387e50b4ad9054e8be753c59464e4" target="_blank">stayed in the Eastern Mediterranean</a>&nbsp;while its accompanying warships had sailed into the Red Sea, where they repeatedly intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and attack drones fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-us-austin-b606e2bc61b57493cd2d322ebd1885d6" target="_blank">visited the Ford</a>&nbsp;last month.

Since it was extended in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier have been part of a two-carrier presence bracketing the Israel-Hamas war, underscoring U.S. concerns that the conflict will widen. The Eisenhower has recently patrolled near the Gulf of Aden, at the mouth of the Red Sea waterway, where so many commercial vessels have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/attacks-red-sea-navy-mission-missiles-286d51bfd65e741e839e185f0f4a455b" target="_blank">come under attack</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks.

On Sunday, helicopters from the Eisenhower and its destroyer the USS Gravely responded to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which was under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. As the helicopters responded, the boats fired at them with crew-served weapons and small arms and the helicopters returned fire, sinking three of the four boats and killing their crews, the U.S. Central Command said.

The incessant attacks on the commercial ships have led some companies to suspend transits through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the southern Red Sea and then the Suez Canal.

The Bataan’s accompanying warship the Mesa Verde is a transport dock ship, carrying approximately 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Those Marines provide “forces capable of supporting a wide range of missions,” the U.S. 6th Fleet said. The Carter Hall is a dock landing ship, which carries amphibious landing craft and their crews. Both vessels and the Bataan can support rotary aircraft; the Bataan can also carry and support Marine Corps’ F-35 vertical takeoff fighter aircraft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of extra duty at sea providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">protection for Israel</a>, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group will be heading home, the Navy announced Monday.The Ford and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. The three vessels had been in the Red Sea and have been transiting toward the Eastern Mediterranean over the last few days.The Ford will sail for home “in the coming days,” the U.S. 6th Fleet, the European-based U.S. naval command that’s responsible for ships sailing in the Mediterranean, said in a statementThe Ford was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628" target="_blank">sent to the Eastern Mediterranean</a>&nbsp;to be within striking distance of Israel since the day after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. The carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-navy-israel-hamas-iran-25a387e50b4ad9054e8be753c59464e4" target="_blank">stayed in the Eastern Mediterranean</a>&nbsp;while its accompanying warships had sailed into the Red Sea, where they repeatedly intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and attack drones fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-us-austin-b606e2bc61b57493cd2d322ebd1885d6" target="_blank">visited the Ford</a>&nbsp;last month.Since it was extended in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier have been part of a two-carrier presence bracketing the Israel-Hamas war, underscoring U.S. concerns that the conflict will widen. The Eisenhower has recently patrolled near the Gulf of Aden, at the mouth of the Red Sea waterway, where so many commercial vessels have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/attacks-red-sea-navy-mission-missiles-286d51bfd65e741e839e185f0f4a455b" target="_blank">come under attack</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks.On Sunday, helicopters from the Eisenhower and its destroyer the USS Gravely responded to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which was under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. As the helicopters responded, the boats fired at them with crew-served weapons and small arms and the helicopters returned fire, sinking three of the four boats and killing their crews, the U.S. Central Command said.The incessant attacks on the commercial ships have led some companies to suspend transits through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the southern Red Sea and then the Suez Canal.The Bataan’s accompanying warship the Mesa Verde is a transport dock ship, carrying approximately 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Those Marines provide “forces capable of supporting a wide range of missions,” the U.S. 6th Fleet said. The Carter Hall is a dock landing ship, which carries amphibious landing craft and their crews. Both vessels and the Bataan can support rotary aircraft; the Bataan can also carry and support Marine Corps’ F-35 vertical takeoff fighter aircraft.

US to bring home aircraft carrier after deployment defending Israel

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a New Year's Eve house fire in Kansas City.

Just after 4:30a.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 3700 block of Wayne Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a two-story house.

&nbsp;There appeared to be someone living in the home. However, there were no utilities, gas or electric. Fire crews never made contact with occupants of the home.

The water supply needed to fight this fire was delayed due to a car being parked in front of the closest hydrant.

There were no injuries reported at this fire. The KCFD would like to remind individuals that it is illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant, and you should leave a minimum of 15 feet of clearance. Officials did not release a damage estimate.

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a New Year's Eve house fire in Kansas City.Just after 4:30a.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 3700 block of Wayne Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a two-story house.&nbsp;There appeared to be someone living in the home. However, there were no utilities, gas or electric. Fire crews never made contact with occupants of the home.The water supply needed to fight this fire was delayed due to a car being parked in front of the closest hydrant.There were no injuries reported at this fire. The KCFD would like to remind individuals that it is illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant, and you should leave a minimum of 15 feet of clearance. Officials did not release a damage estimate.

Car parked in front of hydrant delays getting water to KC house fire

JOHNSON COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender has been charged with new allegations.

Bobby Holder, 72, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's Office

According to court documents, Holder recorded children during an incident on November 1.&nbsp; Holder has been registered as a sex offender since 2008 for a conviction on four counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Olathe, according to the KBI offender registry.

He is being held on a $100,000 bond and is due back in court Feb. 14, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1704040353292.png" alt="Holder-photo KBI offender registry&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Holder-photo KBI offender registry&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender has been charged with new allegations.Bobby Holder, 72, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's OfficeAccording to court documents, Holder recorded children during an incident on November 1.&nbsp; Holder has been registered as a sex offender since 2008 for a conviction on four counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Olathe, according to the KBI offender registry.He is being held on a $100,000 bond and is due back in court Feb. 14, according to online jail records.

Kansas sex offender jailed on new child sex allegations

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of an inmate in the dorm at the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections Adult Residential and Work Release Program.

Just after 5:30 a.m. New Year's Day, a corrections officer was doing a dorm check according to a news release. One of the residential clients told the officer that the 22-year-old man was not doing well.

The officer found the man unresponsive. Corrections staff and EMS attempted life-saving measures but he was pronounced deceased.

The inmate, whose name has not been released, had been convicted of burglary and theft. He was court-assigned to the adult residential facility on Dec. 20.&nbsp;

The Kansas Bureau of Investigations, Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and the District Coroner’s Office are in charge of the investigation, according to the release.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of an inmate in the dorm at the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections Adult Residential and Work Release Program.Just after 5:30 a.m. New Year's Day, a corrections officer was doing a dorm check according to a news release. One of the residential clients told the officer that the 22-year-old man was not doing well.The officer found the man unresponsive. Corrections staff and EMS attempted life-saving measures but he was pronounced deceased.The inmate, whose name has not been released, had been convicted of burglary and theft. He was court-assigned to the adult residential facility on Dec. 20.&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigations, Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and the District Coroner’s Office are in charge of the investigation, according to the release.

Inmate found dead at Kan. residential work release facility

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just before&nbsp;9:30p.m. Dec. 29, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a black, Hyundai Sonata on U.S. 75 just south of 142nd Road for traffic violations, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; During the traffic stop, the deputy conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, which revealed drug paraphernalia, hallucinogenic drugs, cocaine and an open container of alcohol.

The deputy arrested the driver, 31-year-old Ian Jameel Norvell Black of Topeka, on requested charge Possession of cocaine, Possession of hallucinogenic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Transporting an open container,Violation of restrictions on driver’s license, Defective tail lamp on motor vehicle and Improper driving on laned roadway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1704055615779.png" alt="Black photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Black photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.Just before&nbsp;9:30p.m. Dec. 29, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a black, Hyundai Sonata on U.S. 75 just south of 142nd Road for traffic violations, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; During the traffic stop, the deputy conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, which revealed drug paraphernalia, hallucinogenic drugs, cocaine and an open container of alcohol.The deputy arrested the driver, 31-year-old Ian Jameel Norvell Black of Topeka, on requested charge Possession of cocaine, Possession of hallucinogenic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Transporting an open container,Violation of restrictions on driver’s license, Defective tail lamp on motor vehicle and Improper driving on laned roadway.

Kan. man caught driving with cocaine, open container of alcohol

NEW YORK (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/social-media">Social media</a>&nbsp;companies collectively made over $11 billion in U.S. advertising revenue from minors last year, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published on Wednesday.

The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. They note such regulations, as well greater transparency from tech companies, could help alleviate harms to youth mental health and curtail potentially harmful advertising practices that target children and adolescents.

To come up with the revenue figure, the researchers estimated the number of users under 18 on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube in 2022 based on population data from the U.S. Census and survey data from Common Sense Media and Pew Research. They then used data from research firm eMarketer, now called Insider Intelligence, and Qustodio, a parental control app, to estimate each platform's U.S. ad revenue in 2022 and the time children spent per day on each platform. After that, the researchers said they built a simulation model using the data to estimate how much ad revenue the platforms earned from minors in the U.S.

Researchers and lawmakers have long focused on the negative effects stemming from social media platforms, whose personally-tailored algorithms can drive children towards excessive use. This year, lawmakers in states like New York and Utah introduced or passed legislation that would curb social media use among kids, citing harms to youth mental health and other concerns.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, is also being sued by dozens of states for allegedly contributing to the mental health crisis.

“Although social media platforms may claim that they can self-regulate their practices to reduce the harms to young people, they have yet to do so, and our study suggests they have overwhelming financial incentives to continue to delay taking meaningful steps to protect children," said Bryn Austin, a professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard and a senior author on the study.

The platforms themselves don't make public how much money they earn from minors.

Social media platforms are not the first to advertise to children, and parents and experts have long expressed concerns about marketing to kids online, on television and even in schools. But online ads can be especially insidious because they can be targeted to children and because the line between ads and the content kids seek out is often blurry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578090484280.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/social-media">Social media</a>&nbsp;companies collectively made over $11 billion in U.S. advertising revenue from minors last year, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published on Wednesday.The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. They note such regulations, as well greater transparency from tech companies, could help alleviate harms to youth mental health and curtail potentially harmful advertising practices that target children and adolescents.To come up with the revenue figure, the researchers estimated the number of users under 18 on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube in 2022 based on population data from the U.S. Census and survey data from Common Sense Media and Pew Research. They then used data from research firm eMarketer, now called Insider Intelligence, and Qustodio, a parental control app, to estimate each platform's U.S. ad revenue in 2022 and the time children spent per day on each platform. After that, the researchers said they built a simulation model using the data to estimate how much ad revenue the platforms earned from minors in the U.S.Researchers and lawmakers have long focused on the negative effects stemming from social media platforms, whose personally-tailored algorithms can drive children towards excessive use. This year, lawmakers in states like New York and Utah introduced or passed legislation that would curb social media use among kids, citing harms to youth mental health and other concerns.Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, is also being sued by dozens of states for allegedly contributing to the mental health crisis.“Although social media platforms may claim that they can self-regulate their practices to reduce the harms to young people, they have yet to do so, and our study suggests they have overwhelming financial incentives to continue to delay taking meaningful steps to protect children," said Bryn Austin, a professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard and a senior author on the study.The platforms themselves don't make public how much money they earn from minors.Social media platforms are not the first to advertise to children, and parents and experts have long expressed concerns about marketing to kids online, on television and even in schools. But online ads can be especially insidious because they can be targeted to children and because the line between ads and the content kids seek out is often blurry.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/1/e20201681/37013/Digital-Advertising-to-Children">2020 policy paper</a>, the American Academy of Pediatrics said children are “uniquely vulnerable to the persuasive effects of advertising because of immature critical thinking skills and impulse inhibition.”“School-aged children and teenagers may be able to recognize advertising but often are not able to resist it when it is embedded within trusted social networks, encouraged by celebrity influencers, or delivered next to personalized content,” the paper noted.As concerns about social media and children's mental health grow, the Federal Trade Commission earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ftc-children-social-media-games-coppa-352ba63293832ee930f0c137aac735de">proposed sweeping changes</a>&nbsp;to a decades-old law that regulates how online companies can track and advertise to children. The proposed changes include turning off targeted ads to kids under 13 by default and limiting push notifications.According to the Harvard study, YouTube derived the greatest ad revenue from users 12 and under ($959.1 million), followed by Instagram ($801.1 million) and Facebook ($137.2 million).Instagram, meanwhile, derived the greatest ad revenue from users aged 13-17 ($4 billion), followed by TikTok ($2 billion) and YouTube ($1.2 billion).The researchers also estimate that Snapchat derived the greatest share of its overall 2022 ad revenue from users under 18 (41%), followed by TikTok (35%), YouTube (27%), and Instagram (16%).