BOONE COUNTY —Authorities in Missouri canceled an Amber Alert Thursday afternoon after two missing children were located and safe.

Just after 4p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Alert for&nbsp; a blue 2005 Lincoln Aviator with Missouri license plate GL7B2S. The vehicle was believed to be driving westbound on Interstate 70.

The suspect identified as 24-year-old Joy Ariel Smith was taken into custody at 4:42 p.m., according to the Patrol. Authorities

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766107646385.png" alt="Smith photo MSHP" />
                        <figcaption>Smith photo MSHP</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BOONE COUNTY —Authorities in Missouri canceled an Amber Alert Thursday afternoon after two missing children were located and safe.</p><p>Just after 4p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Alert for&nbsp; a blue 2005 Lincoln Aviator with Missouri license plate GL7B2S. The vehicle was believed to be driving westbound on Interstate 70.</p><p>The suspect identified as 24-year-old Joy Ariel Smith was taken into custody at 4:42 p.m., according to the Patrol. Authorities</p>

Patrol: Amber Alert suspect captured, children are safe

<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cl62lochkdzdalbzzqgq8/ADJIDEfLD1oQZrKmNeae2So?dl=0&amp;e=2&amp;rlkey=y7529bx9tl7db6zf279jp3cyu&amp;st=8o7kizhr">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;</a>to view the additional photos

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766094706592.png" alt="Photo House Oversight Committee" />
                        <figcaption>Photo House Oversight Committee</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEW: Oversight Dems are releasing additional photos from Jeffrey Epstein&#39;s estate to the public.<br><br>We will continue releasing photographs and documents to provide transparency for the American people. It’s time for the Department of Justice to release the files. <a href="https://t.co/ZGAvxVLCUq">pic.twitter.com/ZGAvxVLCUq</a></p>&mdash; Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/2001699758449082476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cl62lochkdzdalbzzqgq8/ADJIDEfLD1oQZrKmNeae2So?dl=0&amp;e=2&amp;rlkey=y7529bx9tl7db6zf279jp3cyu&amp;st=8o7kizhr">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;</a>to view the additional photos</p>

See the pics: Dems drop new Epstein photos ahead of DOJ  deadline

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would&nbsp;reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug&nbsp;and open new avenues for medical research, a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done.

The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Cannabis would instead be a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the President's Executive Order and reminded the public, "rescheduling is not the same as legalization."

"The cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana-derived THC products remains illegal under state and federal law, and the KBI will continue to enforce existing laws. "

"The marijuana products sold today are highly potent and pose a direct threat to public health. Rescheduling will allow qualified scientists to conduct reliable research on the long-term impact on the human brain of the use of high-concentration THC products. We believe this will conclusively prove the connection between marijuana use and mental health disorders, especially in children and teens."

"Marijuana products remain just as illegal today as they were yesterday. The KBI will continue our efforts to protect Kansans, especially Kansas children, from those who sell these illegal and dangerous products."

<p>President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would&nbsp;reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug&nbsp;and open new avenues for medical research, a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST NOW: President Trump signs an Executive Order to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III alongside doctors, cancer patients, veterans, and law enforcement <a href="https://t.co/4BBaVMlosm">pic.twitter.com/4BBaVMlosm</a></p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/2001732404420268366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Cannabis would instead be a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids.</p><p>The Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the President's Executive Order and reminded the public, "rescheduling is not the same as legalization."</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump signs executive order rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 controlled substance <a href="https://t.co/GaIRreRT60">pic.twitter.com/GaIRreRT60</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001732000810451189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>"The cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana-derived THC products remains illegal under state and federal law, and the KBI will continue to enforce existing laws. "</p><p>"The marijuana products sold today are highly potent and pose a direct threat to public health. Rescheduling will allow qualified scientists to conduct reliable research on the long-term impact on the human brain of the use of high-concentration THC products. We believe this will conclusively prove the connection between marijuana use and mental health disorders, especially in children and teens."</p><p>"Marijuana products remain just as illegal today as they were yesterday. The KBI will continue our efforts to protect Kansans, especially Kansas children, from those who sell these illegal and dangerous products."</p>

KBI responds to Trump's move to reclassify marijuana

<b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

Quest for November special session fell short, but Republicans may try again in January

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.

Kelly, the two-term Democrat entering her final year as governor, said the political landscape in Kansas appeared unchanged since House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, conceded in November he lacked enough signatures from Kansas House members to trigger a special session on redistricting.

While Hawkins fell about 10 signatures short of the required supermajority needed to convene in special session, enough Kansas Senate Republicans signed a petition to authorize a special session devoted to congressional mapping. The GOP leadership’s objective has been to implement a Kansas map to oust Davids, the state’s lone Democrat in the federal delegation, without threatening the three incumbent Kansas Republicans in Congress.

The administration of President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to gerrymander enough districts so Republicans could remain in control of the U.S. House.

Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said their strategy would be to consider redistricting when the 2026 Legislature convened Jan. 12 for its regular session.

“In some ways, I’ll be surprised if they even really bring it up,” Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector. “I don’t think a lot has changed in terms of where legislators stand on the issue.”

Kelly said it was interesting Hawkins couldn’t convince the minimum of 84 House members to sign a special session petition, because her years serving as a state senator demonstrated legislators were more inclined to authorize debate on a topic than to vote for an actual bill. While it would take simple majorities of 63 votes in the House and 21 votes in the Senate to pass a new map, a veto by Kelly would lead to a scramble for 84 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate to secure the supermajority required for a veto override of the governor.

“There are times when legislators will vote for a process and then turn around and vote against the action,” Kelly said. “I would be very surprised if they were able to get that passed with the veto-proof majority.”

The governor said the political appetite for mid-decade redistricting in Kansas resembled that of Indiana, where&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/11/repub/indiana-senate-republicans-reject-trumps-plea-for-gerrymandered-maps/">Republicans recently defeated</a>&nbsp;a push by Trump to change that state’s congressional map.

“The people spoke out very loudly there,” Kelly said. “While we haven’t had people in the rotunda discussing redistricting, all the polling has shown that it’s not popular in Kansas. It’s not something people are interested in. People really want the Legislature to deal with the issues that impact them day-to-day.”

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/08/kansas-legislative-leadership-wobbly-on-redistricting-as-january-session-draws-near/">In a recent interview</a>&nbsp;at a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, Masterson said he was confident the Legislature would work through redistricting challenges in the upcoming session.

“We’ll have no trouble for sure passing a new map with majorities,” said Masterson, who is a GOP candidate for governor.

Hawkins, who is seeking the GOP nomination for state insurance commissioner, said he was less confident the Legislature would cobble together the GOP coalition necessary to implement a new congressional map.

Davids, a four-term Democrat serving the Kansas City area, has condemned the attempt by Republicans to cave to special interests demanding mid-decade redistricting in Kansas. The current congressional district boundaries in Kansas were changed in 2022 to reflect population shifts and the GOP’s desire to undercut Davids, but the new approach would seek to weaken Davids’ reelection odds by cutting Johnson County in half.

In anticipation of the remapping battle, the Legislature spent $43,000 to acquire software and training to prepare for redrawing to congressional boundaries.

“It’s outrageous that politicians in Topeka secretly used Kansans’ hard-earned tax dollars to silence the very people footing the bill — all for a map folks haven’t seen and a process they’ve been cut out of,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/daily-headlines/2025-12-08/headlines-for-monday-december-8-2025" target="_blank">told KMUW</a>&nbsp;the tradition of amending congressional maps once each decade to comply with population changes should be retained in Kansas.

“There’s a bit of fairness that I think ought to be preserved about this issue,” Moran told KMUW. “We have a practice that we’ve utilized for a long period of time. We reapportion at that census moment, and that makes sense to me.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765981463102.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions from Kansas Reflector senior reporter Tim Carpenter during a Dec. 16, 2025, interview at her office in the Statehouse. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions from Kansas Reflector senior reporter Tim Carpenter during a Dec. 16, 2025, interview at her office in the Statehouse. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><h2>Quest for November special session fell short, but Republicans may try again in January</h2><p>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.</p><p>Kelly, the two-term Democrat entering her final year as governor, said the political landscape in Kansas appeared unchanged since House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, conceded in November he lacked enough signatures from Kansas House members to trigger a special session on redistricting.</p><p>While Hawkins fell about 10 signatures short of the required supermajority needed to convene in special session, enough Kansas Senate Republicans signed a petition to authorize a special session devoted to congressional mapping. The GOP leadership’s objective has been to implement a Kansas map to oust Davids, the state’s lone Democrat in the federal delegation, without threatening the three incumbent Kansas Republicans in Congress.</p><p>The administration of President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to gerrymander enough districts so Republicans could remain in control of the U.S. House.</p><p>Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said their strategy would be to consider redistricting when the 2026 Legislature convened Jan. 12 for its regular session.</p><p>“In some ways, I’ll be surprised if they even really bring it up,” Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector. “I don’t think a lot has changed in terms of where legislators stand on the issue.”</p><p>Kelly said it was interesting Hawkins couldn’t convince the minimum of 84 House members to sign a special session petition, because her years serving as a state senator demonstrated legislators were more inclined to authorize debate on a topic than to vote for an actual bill. While it would take simple majorities of 63 votes in the House and 21 votes in the Senate to pass a new map, a veto by Kelly would lead to a scramble for 84 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate to secure the supermajority required for a veto override of the governor.</p><p>“There are times when legislators will vote for a process and then turn around and vote against the action,” Kelly said. “I would be very surprised if they were able to get that passed with the veto-proof majority.”</p><p>The governor said the political appetite for mid-decade redistricting in Kansas resembled that of Indiana, where&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/11/repub/indiana-senate-republicans-reject-trumps-plea-for-gerrymandered-maps/">Republicans recently defeated</a>&nbsp;a push by Trump to change that state’s congressional map.</p><p>“The people spoke out very loudly there,” Kelly said. “While we haven’t had people in the rotunda discussing redistricting, all the polling has shown that it’s not popular in Kansas. It’s not something people are interested in. People really want the Legislature to deal with the issues that impact them day-to-day.”</p><p><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/08/kansas-legislative-leadership-wobbly-on-redistricting-as-january-session-draws-near/">In a recent interview</a>&nbsp;at a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, Masterson said he was confident the Legislature would work through redistricting challenges in the upcoming session.</p><p>“We’ll have no trouble for sure passing a new map with majorities,” said Masterson, who is a GOP candidate for governor.</p><p>Hawkins, who is seeking the GOP nomination for state insurance commissioner, said he was less confident the Legislature would cobble together the GOP coalition necessary to implement a new congressional map.</p><p>Davids, a four-term Democrat serving the Kansas City area, has condemned the attempt by Republicans to cave to special interests demanding mid-decade redistricting in Kansas. The current congressional district boundaries in Kansas were changed in 2022 to reflect population shifts and the GOP’s desire to undercut Davids, but the new approach would seek to weaken Davids’ reelection odds by cutting Johnson County in half.</p><p>In anticipation of the remapping battle, the Legislature spent $43,000 to acquire software and training to prepare for redrawing to congressional boundaries.</p><p>“It’s outrageous that politicians in Topeka secretly used Kansans’ hard-earned tax dollars to silence the very people footing the bill — all for a map folks haven’t seen and a process they’ve been cut out of,” she said.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/daily-headlines/2025-12-08/headlines-for-monday-december-8-2025" target="_blank">told KMUW</a>&nbsp;the tradition of amending congressional maps once each decade to comply with population changes should be retained in Kansas.</p><p>“There’s a bit of fairness that I think ought to be preserved about this issue,” Moran told KMUW. “We have a practice that we’ve utilized for a long period of time. We reapportion at that census moment, and that makes sense to me.”</p>

Kan. governor doubtful GOP legislators can pull off congressional redistricting

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/elisha-brown/">Elisha Brown</a>

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning four major retailers about compliance with a recall of infant formula that has been linked to botulism.&nbsp;

Ann Oxenham, the FDA’s top compliance officer for the human foods program, sent letters to Albertsons, Kroger, Target and Walmart Friday about ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula products remaining on some store’s retail shelves as late as Nov. 26.&nbsp;

“These warning letters highlight the critical responsibility that retailers have in effectuating a recall, particularly when dealing with products that pose serious health risks to our most vulnerable populations, such as infants,” the agency said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;released Monday.&nbsp;

No infant deaths attributed to the outbreak have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. At least 51 cases across 19 states resulted in infant hospitalizations as of Dec. 10, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdcs-rapid-response-helps-solve-first-infant-botulism-outbreak-linked-to-formula.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.

ByHeart issued a recall of the formula on Nov. 8. The company expanded the recall three days later to include all of its products, including unexpired formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks, according to an agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">news release</a>.&nbsp;

When the agency’s state and local partners made 4,000 visits to retail stores in the weeks after the initial recall, they found the formula stocked at more than 175 locations across 36 states.&nbsp;

“Food safety is a shared responsibility, and it is of utmost importance that all parties in the supply chain act swiftly and vigilantly to protect our nation’s children from unsafe food,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;

Botulism in babies occurs when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum bacteria, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>. Symptoms can take weeks to develop, but they include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control and difficulty swallowing.&nbsp;

The ByHeart formula products were found at Walmart stores in 21 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, according to the FDA warning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/walmart-inc-720400-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to CEO Doug McMillon.&nbsp;

“As a participant in the supply chain, your firm should take prompt and effective action when notified of a product recall,” Oxenham wrote.&nbsp;

A Walmart spokesperson told States Newsroom that the health and safety of their customers is “always a top priority.”&nbsp;

“When notified of the recall, we moved swiftly to issue a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores and clubs and online. We take all reports of inaction seriously and will respond to the letter,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Even though Target told the FDA that the big-box store put a block on bar codes for cans of ByHeart formula and the single-serve packs on Nov. 11, an investigator found the formula at a New Hampshire location five days later, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/target-corporation-720399-12122025" target="_blank">warning letter</a>.&nbsp;

A larger agency audit discovered the recalled formula was still on Target shelves across 20 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 20. Associates told state and local FDA partners that they were not aware of the recall or confused about the scope of which products were potentially affected by the contamination, among other explanations.&nbsp;

An auditor even found the single-serve formula packs marked down at an Arkansas Target with a $2 discount weeks after the nationwide recall, the letter states.&nbsp;

Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

The recalled formula was found at several Albertsons stores, including Acme and Safeway, across 11 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, according to an FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/albertsons-companies-incorporated-720465-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;sent to CEO Susan Morris.

Agency officials had a call with the company’s leadership on Nov. 20 asking for a plan about the issue, but Oxenham wrote that the company did not deliver one.

In a statement provided to States Newsroom, a spokesperson for the company said “they are committed to the health and safety of our customers.”&nbsp;

“We have procedures to address product recalls, including working closely with suppliers and regulators to identify and remove affected items and communicate guidance to customers,” a spokesperson said. “ByHeart infant formula products have been removed from our store shelves.”&nbsp;

The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/kroger-company-720464-12122025" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;to Kroger interim CEO Ronald Sargent on Friday, too, saying that the formula was found at the company’s stores across 10 states “well after the recall was initiated and subsequently expanded.” Kroger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

ByHeart is issuing refunds for all products purchased on or after Aug. 1 from their website, and parents or caregivers can also get their money back if they purchased the formula from retailers, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://byheart.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopkBi2iv35zHMHcBDwt-rPRyDbkPv4SGFQXfFmeRMyJNPDBwS-C" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;

The company has had safety issues recently: A Pennsylvania plant closed this year after inspectors found mold, dead insects and a leaking roof in a formula production area,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported last month.&nbsp;

Two years ago, a hazardous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cronobacter-sakazakii" target="_blank">bacterium that can cause sepsis and meningitis in infants</a>&nbsp;was found in a processing area of the same plant and in finished formula shortly after, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">Times</a>.&nbsp;

Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/idaho-infant-hospitalized-suspected-botulism-after-baby-formula-recall" target="_blank">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/louisiana-health-officials-say-stop-using-byhealth-baby-formula" target="_blank">Louisiana</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/byheart-baby-formula-linked-13-cases-infant-botulism-including-1-minnesota" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nm-health-department-issues-botulism-warning-over-infant-formula" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and countless other states have issued warnings about the ByHeart formula recall.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/major-retailers-slow-remove-recalled-infant-formula-shelves-fda-says" target="_blank">News From The States</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762681537657.png" alt="FDA image" />
                        <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/elisha-brown/">Elisha Brown</a></p><p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning four major retailers about compliance with a recall of infant formula that has been linked to botulism.&nbsp;</p><p>Ann Oxenham, the FDA’s top compliance officer for the human foods program, sent letters to Albertsons, Kroger, Target and Walmart Friday about ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula products remaining on some store’s retail shelves as late as Nov. 26.&nbsp;</p><p>“These warning letters highlight the critical responsibility that retailers have in effectuating a recall, particularly when dealing with products that pose serious health risks to our most vulnerable populations, such as infants,” the agency said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;released Monday.&nbsp;</p><p>No infant deaths attributed to the outbreak have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. At least 51 cases across 19 states resulted in infant hospitalizations as of Dec. 10, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdcs-rapid-response-helps-solve-first-infant-botulism-outbreak-linked-to-formula.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p><p>ByHeart issued a recall of the formula on Nov. 8. The company expanded the recall three days later to include all of its products, including unexpired formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks, according to an agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">news release</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>When the agency’s state and local partners made 4,000 visits to retail stores in the weeks after the initial recall, they found the formula stocked at more than 175 locations across 36 states.&nbsp;</p><p>“Food safety is a shared responsibility, and it is of utmost importance that all parties in the supply chain act swiftly and vigilantly to protect our nation’s children from unsafe food,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Botulism in babies occurs when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum bacteria, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>. Symptoms can take weeks to develop, but they include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control and difficulty swallowing.&nbsp;</p><p>The ByHeart formula products were found at Walmart stores in 21 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, according to the FDA warning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/walmart-inc-720400-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to CEO Doug McMillon.&nbsp;</p><p>“As a participant in the supply chain, your firm should take prompt and effective action when notified of a product recall,” Oxenham wrote.&nbsp;</p><p>A Walmart spokesperson told States Newsroom that the health and safety of their customers is “always a top priority.”&nbsp;</p><p>“When notified of the recall, we moved swiftly to issue a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores and clubs and online. We take all reports of inaction seriously and will respond to the letter,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;</p><p>Even though Target told the FDA that the big-box store put a block on bar codes for cans of ByHeart formula and the single-serve packs on Nov. 11, an investigator found the formula at a New Hampshire location five days later, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/target-corporation-720399-12122025" target="_blank">warning letter</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>A larger agency audit discovered the recalled formula was still on Target shelves across 20 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 20. Associates told state and local FDA partners that they were not aware of the recall or confused about the scope of which products were potentially affected by the contamination, among other explanations.&nbsp;</p><p>An auditor even found the single-serve formula packs marked down at an Arkansas Target with a $2 discount weeks after the nationwide recall, the letter states.&nbsp;</p><p>Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;</p><p>The recalled formula was found at several Albertsons stores, including Acme and Safeway, across 11 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, according to an FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/albertsons-companies-incorporated-720465-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;sent to CEO Susan Morris.</p><p>Agency officials had a call with the company’s leadership on Nov. 20 asking for a plan about the issue, but Oxenham wrote that the company did not deliver one.</p><p>In a statement provided to States Newsroom, a spokesperson for the company said “they are committed to the health and safety of our customers.”&nbsp;</p><p>“We have procedures to address product recalls, including working closely with suppliers and regulators to identify and remove affected items and communicate guidance to customers,” a spokesperson said. “ByHeart infant formula products have been removed from our store shelves.”&nbsp;</p><p>The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/kroger-company-720464-12122025" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;to Kroger interim CEO Ronald Sargent on Friday, too, saying that the formula was found at the company’s stores across 10 states “well after the recall was initiated and subsequently expanded.” Kroger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;</p><p>ByHeart is issuing refunds for all products purchased on or after Aug. 1 from their website, and parents or caregivers can also get their money back if they purchased the formula from retailers, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://byheart.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopkBi2iv35zHMHcBDwt-rPRyDbkPv4SGFQXfFmeRMyJNPDBwS-C" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>The company has had safety issues recently: A Pennsylvania plant closed this year after inspectors found mold, dead insects and a leaking roof in a formula production area,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported last month.&nbsp;</p><p>Two years ago, a hazardous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cronobacter-sakazakii" target="_blank">bacterium that can cause sepsis and meningitis in infants</a>&nbsp;was found in a processing area of the same plant and in finished formula shortly after, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">Times</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/idaho-infant-hospitalized-suspected-botulism-after-baby-formula-recall" target="_blank">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/louisiana-health-officials-say-stop-using-byhealth-baby-formula" target="_blank">Louisiana</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/byheart-baby-formula-linked-13-cases-infant-botulism-including-1-minnesota" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nm-health-department-issues-botulism-warning-over-infant-formula" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and countless other states have issued warnings about the ByHeart formula recall.</p><p>This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/major-retailers-slow-remove-recalled-infant-formula-shelves-fda-says" target="_blank">News From The States</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.</p>

FDA: Major retailers slow to remove recalled infant formula from shelves

Officials are now looking for a person who walked by the person of interest in Brown University mass shooting

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Investigators are widening their search as the hunt for the man believed responsible for the Brown University mass shooting that&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">killed two students</a>&nbsp;and injured nine others enters its fifth day.

Providence Police on Wednesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/tips/" target="_blank">new images</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ID-4.png">second person</a>&nbsp;who was walking through the East Side neighborhood at the same time as the suspected shooter on Saturday, along with&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/map.png">a map</a>&nbsp;of a focus area stretching 10 blocks south of the Barus and Holley engineering building where the fatal shooting occurred.

Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/investigators-are-counting-on-the-public-to-id-their-person-of-interest-so-far-theyre-getting-it/">are again</a>&nbsp;calling upon the public for help in identifying the second person, shown wearing a dark jacket with a tan sweatshirt underneath, hood pulled up, and carrying a tan bag, believed to have been close to the 5-foot-8 man with a stocky build previously identified as the main “person of interest” in the shooting.

“Videos don’t speak,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I wish the video could speak, and then I’d have the answers I need.”

Perez declined to answer whether the second person was connected to the person of interest.&nbsp;

Nearly 100 hours have passed since the fatal shooting at the campus engineering building at 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 200 tips, including photo and video evidence from property security systems and vehicle dash cameras, have poured in as local, state, and federal investigators searched for physical evidence in the surrounding neighborhood.

“This is a very intensive investigation,” Perez said. “It’s going to take public assistance. It’s going to take 21st century policing involving technology, but it’s also going to take good old fashioned police work, which is knocking on doors, going through yards.”

Perez said later, “A person is going to get caught. We’re not going to stop until they do.”

The area of focus has expanded beyond the intersection of Ives and Pitman streets, where the gunman was last detected on video footage after the crime, stretching south into Fox Point, almost reaching the Washington Bridge, according to the new map.

“We want to make sure we don’t miss anything,” Perez said.

Concentric circles growing outward is standard practice for investigations, and Perez said the team is ready to follow tips and leads across and beyond state lines, too.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha offered new insight into officials’ decision to keep key details of the investigation under wraps, including videos from inside the building that show students fleeing after the gunman opened fire with what officials have said was a 9 millimeter gun. They have not confirmed whether the weapon has been found.

“These are not facts that advance the investigation,” Neronha said of the video recorded inside Barus and Holley showing students fleeing. “As we interview witnesses, we don’t want them to learn facts from these press conferences. We’re being careful about the facts that we are sharing for that reason.”

The collaboration of nine federal agencies and state and local investigators appears somewhat disjointed, with the FBI releasing videos and images separately from Providence police on Tuesday. Yet officials presented a united front, stressing teamwork and partnership, including with Brown University.

University officials faced more questions from reporters Wednesday about the lack of camera footage in the part of the academic building where the shooting took place at the end of a review session for an economics final. University Provost Francis Doyle in response said that all evidence had been turned over to law enforcement, while noting that it would be “counterproductive” to reveal the locations of the university’s 1,200 camera security system.

The vacuum of information and images has left the&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">capital city on edge</a>&nbsp;and fueled speculation and misinformation on social media. Brown in a statement Tuesday night warned about harmful doxxing activity toward at least one member of the university.

“Accusations, speculation and conspiracies we’re seeing on social media and in some news reports are irresponsible, harmful, and in some cases dangerous for the safety of individuals in our community” the university said. “It is not unusual as a safety measure to take steps to protect an individual’s safety when this kind of activity happens, including in regard to their online presence.

Mayor Brett Smiley cautioned against AI-generated images being circulated online. Officials have created an online repository of verified photos and videos of the suspect, the second person, and the map area, available on the&nbsp;<a href="http://providenceri.gov/tips" target="_blank">city website</a>.

No additional updates are expected until Thursday when another briefing is scheduled for 4 p.m., Smiley said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766058464325.png" alt="Providence Police on Wednesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/tips/" target="_blank">new images</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ID-4.png">second person</a>&nbsp;who was walking through the East Side neighborhood at the same time as the suspected shooter-Photo Providence Police" />
                        <figcaption>Providence Police on Wednesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/tips/" target="_blank">new images</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ID-4.png">second person</a>&nbsp;who was walking through the East Side neighborhood at the same time as the suspected shooter-Photo Providence Police</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Officials are now looking for a person who walked by the person of interest in Brown University mass shooting</h2><p>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a></p><p>Investigators are widening their search as the hunt for the man believed responsible for the Brown University mass shooting that&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">killed two students</a>&nbsp;and injured nine others enters its fifth day.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766058449910.png" alt="Providence police released this image of a person who walked by the person of interest on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Courtesy of Providence Police)" />
                        <figcaption>Providence police released this image of a person who walked by the person of interest on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Courtesy of Providence Police)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Providence Police on Wednesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/tips/" target="_blank">new images</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ID-4.png">second person</a>&nbsp;who was walking through the East Side neighborhood at the same time as the suspected shooter on Saturday, along with&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/map.png">a map</a>&nbsp;of a focus area stretching 10 blocks south of the Barus and Holley engineering building where the fatal shooting occurred.</p><p>Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/investigators-are-counting-on-the-public-to-id-their-person-of-interest-so-far-theyre-getting-it/">are again</a>&nbsp;calling upon the public for help in identifying the second person, shown wearing a dark jacket with a tan sweatshirt underneath, hood pulled up, and carrying a tan bag, believed to have been close to the 5-foot-8 man with a stocky build previously identified as the main “person of interest” in the shooting.</p><p>“Videos don’t speak,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I wish the video could speak, and then I’d have the answers I need.”</p><p>Perez declined to answer whether the second person was connected to the person of interest.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ENHANCED VIDEO: We are releasing an enhanced video of the person of interest in the Brown University incident. Footage was captured on the East Side of Providence on Saturday afternoon before the incident.<br><br>Please share widely and contact the official tip line if you have… <a href="https://t.co/mewBSflOiO">pic.twitter.com/mewBSflOiO</a></p>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2001035754898653196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Nearly 100 hours have passed since the fatal shooting at the campus engineering building at 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 200 tips, including photo and video evidence from property security systems and vehicle dash cameras, have poured in as local, state, and federal investigators searched for physical evidence in the surrounding neighborhood.</p><p>“This is a very intensive investigation,” Perez said. “It’s going to take public assistance. It’s going to take 21st century policing involving technology, but it’s also going to take good old fashioned police work, which is knocking on doors, going through yards.”</p><p>Perez said later, “A person is going to get caught. We’re not going to stop until they do.”</p><p>The area of focus has expanded beyond the intersection of Ives and Pitman streets, where the gunman was last detected on video footage after the crime, stretching south into Fox Point, almost reaching the Washington Bridge, according to the new map.</p><p>“We want to make sure we don’t miss anything,” Perez said.</p><h2>Expanding circles</h2><p>Concentric circles growing outward is standard practice for investigations, and Perez said the team is ready to follow tips and leads across and beyond state lines, too.</p><p>Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha offered new insight into officials’ decision to keep key details of the investigation under wraps, including videos from inside the building that show students fleeing after the gunman opened fire with what officials have said was a 9 millimeter gun. They have not confirmed whether the weapon has been found.</p><p>“These are not facts that advance the investigation,” Neronha said of the video recorded inside Barus and Holley showing students fleeing. “As we interview witnesses, we don’t want them to learn facts from these press conferences. We’re being careful about the facts that we are sharing for that reason.”</p><p>The collaboration of nine federal agencies and state and local investigators appears somewhat disjointed, with the FBI releasing videos and images separately from Providence police on Tuesday. Yet officials presented a united front, stressing teamwork and partnership, including with Brown University.</p><p>University officials faced more questions from reporters Wednesday about the lack of camera footage in the part of the academic building where the shooting took place at the end of a review session for an economics final. University Provost Francis Doyle in response said that all evidence had been turned over to law enforcement, while noting that it would be “counterproductive” to reveal the locations of the university’s 1,200 camera security system.</p><p>The vacuum of information and images has left the&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">capital city on edge</a>&nbsp;and fueled speculation and misinformation on social media. Brown in a statement Tuesday night warned about harmful doxxing activity toward at least one member of the university.</p><p>“Accusations, speculation and conspiracies we’re seeing on social media and in some news reports are irresponsible, harmful, and in some cases dangerous for the safety of individuals in our community” the university said. “It is not unusual as a safety measure to take steps to protect an individual’s safety when this kind of activity happens, including in regard to their online presence.</p><p>Mayor Brett Smiley cautioned against AI-generated images being circulated online. Officials have created an online repository of verified photos and videos of the suspect, the second person, and the map area, available on the&nbsp;<a href="http://providenceri.gov/tips" target="_blank">city website</a>.</p><p>No additional updates are expected until Thursday when another briefing is scheduled for 4 p.m., Smiley said.</p>

Still no name, motive or weapon: Brown University manhunt continues

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">STEPH QUINN&nbsp;</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a>

Josh Moore is the new director of MO HealthNet Division, taking over the agency that administers Missouri’s Medicaid program, according to a press release from the state’s social services department Wednesday.&nbsp;

Moore, who has served since 2019 as MO HealthNet’s pharmacy director, succeeds Todd Richardson, the former Missouri House speaker who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-medicaid-director-slated-to-step-down-after-seven-years-in-post/">resigned</a>&nbsp;from his role in October after seven years in the job.

Moore’s appointment comes as MO HealthNet and the state’s social services department prepare to implement Medicaid eligibility changes passed by Congress in July as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Work requirements and twice-yearly eligibility recertifications beginning in 2027 could cause&nbsp;<a href="https://shvs.org/resource/senate-passed-h-r-1-updated-estimates-on-impact-to-state-medicaid-coverage-and-expenditures-hospital-expenditures-including-impacts-by-congressional-district/" target="_blank">130,000</a>&nbsp;of the 1.25 million Missourians currently on Medicaid to lose coverage, according to one Princeton University estimate.

Gov. Mike Kehoe and Jess Bax, director of the department, praised Moore’s experience in the press release and emphasized a need for MO HealthNet’s sustainability.

“With his experience and proven leadership,” Kehoe said, “we are confident he will strengthen access, improve outcomes and ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.”

Bax said Moore’s policy expertise and “leadership across state and federal partners” will “strengthen healthcare access statewide while better serving our most vulnerable populations.”

The new federal requirements are expected to come with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-10/PL-119-21-Medicaid%20_0.pdf" target="_blank">over $900 billion</a>&nbsp;in cuts to Medicaid nationwide over the next decade. Missouri could lose 14% of its federal Medicaid funding, somewhere between $11 and $18 billion over 10 years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/?utm_campaign=kff-medicaid&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2anqtz-_zm3lwumkl5wy2haxviaaes4e09yijxwjzzroomznoqveahlvn9mqj7soof2xs2eoftsce61g-s7aipaiw_kocyl4x0g&amp;_hsmi=369561629&amp;utm_content=369561629" target="_blank">KFF</a>.

As pharmacy director, Moore’s responsibilities included developing policies for drug reimbursement and criteria for doctors to approve medications for prior authorization.&nbsp;

Moore’s tenure as pharmacy director has seen state&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/no-quick-fix-missouri-finds-managing-pain-without-opioids-isnt-fast-or-easy/" target="_blank">efforts</a>&nbsp;to provide alternatives to opioids in pain management, the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of GLP-1 therapies in obesity care. In October, Moore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/innovative-payment-models-holistic-medicaid-approaches-could-improve-glp-1-access-outcomes" target="_blank">presented</a>&nbsp;at the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus on the potential for GLP-1s to reduce heart attacks, surgeries and emergency room visits in the long term.&nbsp;

He has also served on Missouri’s Psychotropic Medication Advisory Committee, which advises the department on the use of these medications for youth in foster care.

Moore said he is “honored to serve Missouri in this role.”

“I look forward to working with our dedicated team, partners and stakeholders,” he said, “to strengthen access to care, ensure fiscal stewardship and improve health outcomes for Missourians who rely on the state’s Medicaid program.”

<p>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">STEPH QUINN&nbsp;</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>Josh Moore is the new director of MO HealthNet Division, taking over the agency that administers Missouri’s Medicaid program, according to a press release from the state’s social services department Wednesday.&nbsp;</p><p>Moore, who has served since 2019 as MO HealthNet’s pharmacy director, succeeds Todd Richardson, the former Missouri House speaker who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-medicaid-director-slated-to-step-down-after-seven-years-in-post/">resigned</a>&nbsp;from his role in October after seven years in the job.</p><p>Moore’s appointment comes as MO HealthNet and the state’s social services department prepare to implement Medicaid eligibility changes passed by Congress in July as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Work requirements and twice-yearly eligibility recertifications beginning in 2027 could cause&nbsp;<a href="https://shvs.org/resource/senate-passed-h-r-1-updated-estimates-on-impact-to-state-medicaid-coverage-and-expenditures-hospital-expenditures-including-impacts-by-congressional-district/" target="_blank">130,000</a>&nbsp;of the 1.25 million Missourians currently on Medicaid to lose coverage, according to one Princeton University estimate.</p><p>Gov. Mike Kehoe and Jess Bax, director of the department, praised Moore’s experience in the press release and emphasized a need for MO HealthNet’s sustainability.</p><p>“With his experience and proven leadership,” Kehoe said, “we are confident he will strengthen access, improve outcomes and ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.”</p><p>Bax said Moore’s policy expertise and “leadership across state and federal partners” will “strengthen healthcare access statewide while better serving our most vulnerable populations.”</p><p>The new federal requirements are expected to come with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-10/PL-119-21-Medicaid%20_0.pdf" target="_blank">over $900 billion</a>&nbsp;in cuts to Medicaid nationwide over the next decade. Missouri could lose 14% of its federal Medicaid funding, somewhere between $11 and $18 billion over 10 years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/?utm_campaign=kff-medicaid&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2anqtz-_zm3lwumkl5wy2haxviaaes4e09yijxwjzzroomznoqveahlvn9mqj7soof2xs2eoftsce61g-s7aipaiw_kocyl4x0g&amp;_hsmi=369561629&amp;utm_content=369561629" target="_blank">KFF</a>.</p><p>As pharmacy director, Moore’s responsibilities included developing policies for drug reimbursement and criteria for doctors to approve medications for prior authorization.&nbsp;</p><p>Moore’s tenure as pharmacy director has seen state&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/no-quick-fix-missouri-finds-managing-pain-without-opioids-isnt-fast-or-easy/" target="_blank">efforts</a>&nbsp;to provide alternatives to opioids in pain management, the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of GLP-1 therapies in obesity care. In October, Moore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/innovative-payment-models-holistic-medicaid-approaches-could-improve-glp-1-access-outcomes" target="_blank">presented</a>&nbsp;at the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus on the potential for GLP-1s to reduce heart attacks, surgeries and emergency room visits in the long term.&nbsp;</p><p>He has also served on Missouri’s Psychotropic Medication Advisory Committee, which advises the department on the use of these medications for youth in foster care.</p><p>Moore said he is “honored to serve Missouri in this role.”</p><p>“I look forward to working with our dedicated team, partners and stakeholders,” he said, “to strengthen access to care, ensure fiscal stewardship and improve health outcomes for Missourians who rely on the state’s Medicaid program.”</p>

Gov. names longtime state pharmacy director to lead Missouri Medicaid program

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for information regarding a road rage incident that occurred between approximately 7:05-7:15a.m. on December 16.

The incident began in Lenexa near K-10 and K-7 interchange, and then continued eastbound on K-10, and eventually onto eastbound Interstate 435 Highway, according to Overland Park Officer John Lacy.

 Multiple gunshots were fired at the victim on eastbound Interstate 435 Highway just west of the Quivira Road.

The suspect vehicle was described as a white Chevrolet Malibu, possibly a 2017-2018 model.  Two occupants were inside the Malibu, the driver was a black male. 

The Overland Park Police Criminal Investigations Division asks anyone with information regarding this incident to call 913-344-8750 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for information regarding a road rage incident that occurred between approximately 7:05-7:15a.m. on December 16.</p><p>The incident began in Lenexa near K-10 and K-7 interchange, and then continued eastbound on K-10, and eventually onto eastbound Interstate 435 Highway, according to Overland Park Officer John Lacy.</p><p> Multiple gunshots were fired at the victim on eastbound Interstate 435 Highway just west of the Quivira Road.</p><p>The suspect vehicle was described as a white Chevrolet Malibu, possibly a 2017-2018 model.  Two occupants were inside the Malibu, the driver was a black male. </p><p>The Overland Park Police Criminal Investigations Division asks anyone with information regarding this incident to call 913-344-8750 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).</p>

Police release details in Kansas road-rage shooting 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Anthony Alexander, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 3100 block of Kensington, according to Becchina. 911 received a call to the location asking for help.

First responders contacted people in the area that heard the sound of a disturbance followed by what they thought was possible gunfire.&nbsp;Officers checked the area and located Alexander unresponsive on the ground next to a residence.&nbsp;

Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS took over treatment and declared Alexander deceased at the scene, according to Becchina.

Preliminary investigation indicates Alexander appears to have been shot. Investigation further appears he had an interaction at the location with unknown suspect(s) that led to gunfire that killed Alexander

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765389300809.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Anthony Alexander, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.</p><p>Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 3100 block of Kensington, according to Becchina. 911 received a call to the location asking for help.</p><p>First responders contacted people in the area that heard the sound of a disturbance followed by what they thought was possible gunfire.&nbsp;Officers checked the area and located Alexander unresponsive on the ground next to a residence.&nbsp;</p><p>Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS took over treatment and declared Alexander deceased at the scene, according to Becchina.</p><p>Preliminary investigation indicates Alexander appears to have been shot. Investigation further appears he had an interaction at the location with unknown suspect(s) that led to gunfire that killed Alexander</p>

Homicide: Police ID man found dead outside KC home

On Dec. 17, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp;

<p>On Dec. 17, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Dec. 17, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known… <a href="https://t.co/Yhu3LSOyea">pic.twitter.com/Yhu3LSOyea</a></p>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2001464448750621120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p> Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp;</p>

U.S. military reports another deadly attack on a drug boat

The Powerball® jackpot has jumped to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, extending the game’s holiday jackpot streak. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $686.5 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.

“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, six tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Connecticut, New York (3), Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and Massachusetts, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 72 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Florida won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>following the main Powerball drawing.

Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 45th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.

If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.5 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $686.5 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

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

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

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

<p>The Powerball® jackpot has jumped to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, extending the game’s holiday jackpot streak. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $686.5 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.</p><p>Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.</p><p>“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”</p><p>The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.</p><p>Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.</p><p>Nationwide, six tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Connecticut, New York (3), Pennsylvania and Tennessee.</p><p>Two tickets, sold in Arizona and Massachusetts, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.</p><p>The drawing also produced 72 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.</p><p>In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Florida won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>following the main Powerball drawing.</p><p>Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 45th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.</p><p>This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.</p><p>If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.5 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $686.5 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.</p><p>Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.</p><p>Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.</p><p>The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.</p><p>Top U.S. Lottery Jackpots</p><ol>
                        <li>$2.04 Billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Powerball – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.602 Billion – Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023 - FL</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.537 Billion – Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC</li><li>$1.5 Billion est. – Powerball – Dec. 20, 2025</li><li>$1.348 Billion – Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023 – ME</li><li>$1.337 Billion – Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 – IL</li><li>$1.326 Billion – Powerball – April 6, 2024 – OR</li>
                    </ol>

Powerball jackpot climbs to fifth-largest in game’s history

KANSAS CITY—A suspect in a deadly Kansas City gas station killing is facing multiple charges.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2777/Stallings-RED-COMPLAINT-AS">Adrian Stallings</a>, 27, is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On November 18, Kansas City police responded to a gas station and located a victim inside the store, shot multiple times. He was confirmed deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and observed a man, later identified as the Stallings, enter the gas station store, speak with the victim and other individuals present briefly, and then approached the clerk at the register to purchase an item.&nbsp;

Stallings then looked back at the group of individuals and asked what they were laughing at and an argument and altercation ensued. Stallings pulled out a firearm and shot at the victim, who fell to the ground. Stallings then shot at the victim again as he was on the ground. He stepped back and then stepped forward and fired a third time toward the victim’s head and then fled.&nbsp;

Detectives used department resources to help identify Stallings including booking pictures and social media. Stallings&nbsp;is being held without bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765539778097.png" alt="Stallings photo Jackson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Stallings photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY—A suspect in a deadly Kansas City gas station killing is facing multiple charges.</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2777/Stallings-RED-COMPLAINT-AS">Adrian Stallings</a>, 27, is charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.</p><p>On November 18, Kansas City police responded to a gas station and located a victim inside the store, shot multiple times. He was confirmed deceased on the scene.&nbsp;</p><p>Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and observed a man, later identified as the Stallings, enter the gas station store, speak with the victim and other individuals present briefly, and then approached the clerk at the register to purchase an item.&nbsp;</p><p>Stallings then looked back at the group of individuals and asked what they were laughing at and an argument and altercation ensued. Stallings pulled out a firearm and shot at the victim, who fell to the ground. Stallings then shot at the victim again as he was on the ground. He stepped back and then stepped forward and fired a third time toward the victim’s head and then fled.&nbsp;</p><p>Detectives used department resources to help identify Stallings including booking pictures and social media. Stallings&nbsp;is being held without bond.&nbsp;</p>

Court records: KC man killed victim after group laughed at him

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special Warrior Dividend before Christmas...We are sending every soldier $1,776...and the checks are already on the way.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Sb2cVv8AK2">pic.twitter.com/Sb2cVv8AK2</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001477122934673907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces &quot;WARRIOR DIVIDENDS&quot; — a $1,776 non-taxable lump sum payment for our great service members, already on its way. <a href="https://t.co/s9lVlknp6x">https://t.co/s9lVlknp6x</a> <a href="https://t.co/PsINTaUoVt">pic.twitter.com/PsINTaUoVt</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001476701436420554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces &quot;WARRIOR DIVIDENDS.&quot;<br><br>Active duty service members in grades O-6 and below, and reserve component service members in grades O-6 and below and on active duty orders of 31 days or more as of November 30, 2025, are eligible. <a href="https://t.co/e8McJo0NH2">pic.twitter.com/e8McJo0NH2</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001475635781501225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump announces Warrior Dividend checks for the military 

WASHINGTON — President&nbsp;Donald Trump delivered a speech from the White House Wednesday night.

<p>WASHINGTON — President&nbsp;Donald Trump delivered a speech from the White House Wednesday night.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation <a href="https://t.co/MFdbVqP2Ty">https://t.co/MFdbVqP2Ty</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2001472912063074380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: Soon, we will host the World Cup, the Olympics, and most importantly, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. <br><br>When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is LOYAL to its citizens, FAITHFUL to its workers,… <a href="https://t.co/Bz8XoaGwq4">pic.twitter.com/Bz8XoaGwq4</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478813222338796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is loyal to its citizens, faithful to its workers, confidant to its identity, certain to its destiny and the envy of the entire globe. We are respected again like we have never been respected before.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/L8iSdMiUKD">pic.twitter.com/L8iSdMiUKD</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001479523619975433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special Warrior Dividend before Christmas...We are sending every soldier $1,776...and the checks are already on the way.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Sb2cVv8AK2">pic.twitter.com/Sb2cVv8AK2</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001477122934673907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;Do you remember when Joe Biden said that he needed Congress to pass legislation to help close the border? He was was always blaming Congress and everyone else. As it turned out we didn&#39;t need legislation. We just needed a new president.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3QkVoQ2Jys">pic.twitter.com/3QkVoQ2Jys</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001475575001633178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Tonight, after 11 months, our border is secure, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down, our nation is strong, America is respected, and our country is back... <br><br>We&#39;re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4VWkFR4159">pic.twitter.com/4VWkFR4159</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478813063024686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The last administration and their allies in Congress brought in millions of migrants, and gave them taxpayer-funded housing, while your rent and housing costs skyrocketed... For the first time in 50 years, we are now seeing reverse migration... leaving more housing and… <a href="https://t.co/GKETu3mjby">pic.twitter.com/GKETu3mjby</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478484552749428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: For so long, the vast majority of good and decent Americans were forced to watch as corrupt politicians plundered the halls of power, exploited our taxpayers, and pillaged every system that makes civilized society function.<br><br>NOT ANYMORE. We are putting AMERICA FIRST. <a href="https://t.co/Ioc4xMd3Du">pic.twitter.com/Ioc4xMd3Du</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478358803296599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The yearly cost of a typical new mortgage increased by $15,000 dollars under Democrat rule. In 11 months, I have already gotten that annual cost down by $3,000 dollars.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2YWbxBIk8G">pic.twitter.com/2YWbxBIk8G</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477956955443563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: For years, Radical Left Democrats exploited the Green Energy SCAM as an excuse to funnel billions into their own massive slush funds as their restrictions drastically drove up prices. Electricity costs surged 30 to 100% under Biden.<br><br>On Day One, I declared a National… <a href="https://t.co/bnGx547Mf1">pic.twitter.com/bnGx547Mf1</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477919865213145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I&#39;m doing what no politician of either party has ever done—standing up to the special interests to dramatically reduce the price of prescription drugs...<br><br>The first of these unprecedented price reductions will be available starting in January through a new website:… <a href="https://t.co/G1AtlYCXu6">pic.twitter.com/G1AtlYCXu6</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477670299681212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I&#39;m also taking on the gigantic health insurance companies that have gotten rich on billions of dollars of money that should go directly to the people... so they can buy their own health insurance, which will give far better benefits at much lower costs.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TpKwqzCDzL">pic.twitter.com/TpKwqzCDzL</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477172108611796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Next year, you will also see the results of the largest tax cuts in American history... many families will be saving between $11,000 and $20,000 dollars a year, and next spring is projected to be the largest tax refund season of all time.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MdzWRy3YMw">pic.twitter.com/MdzWRy3YMw</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001476724564070471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Already, I&#39;ve secured a record-breaking $18 trillion dollars of investment into the United States—which means Jobs, wage increases, growth, factory openings, and far greater national security.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tWiOGpm95y">pic.twitter.com/tWiOGpm95y</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001476352315429273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Under the Biden administration, Car prices rose 22%, and in many states 30% or more. Gasoline rose 30 to 50%. Hotel rates rose 37%. Airfares rose 31%. Now, under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RYvdHkiDxt">pic.twitter.com/RYvdHkiDxt</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001475912643060084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Highlights of President Trump's address to the nation

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for theft of lottery tickets from where he worked.

Just after 9a.m., the Casey's in the 500 Block of N. Ohio in Salina reported that an employee stole over 100 lottery tickets from the store between November 30 and December 14, according to&nbsp;Police Captain Jim Feldman. The lottery tickets were valued at $2,700.

Lottery tickets in Kansas are tracked using barcodes and a centralized computer system that logs each ticket sale and activation.

Officers arrested the suspect identified as 37-year old Robert Davis.

Davis was booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of Felony Theft. He also had a warrant out of Russell County.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765981883090.jpeg" alt="Davis photo Saline Co." />
                        <figcaption>Davis photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for theft of lottery tickets from where he worked.</p><p>Just after 9a.m., the Casey's in the 500 Block of N. Ohio in Salina reported that an employee stole over 100 lottery tickets from the store between November 30 and December 14, according to&nbsp;Police Captain Jim Feldman. The lottery tickets were valued at $2,700.</p><p>Lottery tickets in Kansas are tracked using barcodes and a centralized computer system that logs each ticket sale and activation.</p><p>Officers arrested the suspect identified as 37-year old Robert Davis.</p><p>Davis was booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of Felony Theft. He also had a warrant out of Russell County.</p>

Kan. convenience store employee accused of stealing lottery tickets

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rest in Peace, Heroes. 🙏🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Gb73qEQyNl">pic.twitter.com/Gb73qEQyNl</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2001385127511994405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Biden, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine and others participate in dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base of two Iowa National Guardsmen and an American civilian interpreter killed in Syria.<br><br>(Note: Video has no audio) <a href="https://t.co/i37jEAiLAF">pic.twitter.com/i37jEAiLAF</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001387339805835338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> witnesses the dignified transfer of the three American Patriots killed in Syria over the weekend.<br><br>May God bless their families, may God bless our military, and may God bless the United States of America. <a href="https://t.co/1DUJLF0Wna">pic.twitter.com/1DUJLF0Wna</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001380379098509806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">May God bless the memory of these fallen American Patriots and may God be with their loved ones.<br><br>Rest in Peace, Heroes.<br><br>🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Uks0MyVWqS">pic.twitter.com/Uks0MyVWqS</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001381519190003756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump pays respects to National Guardsmen, interpreter killed in Syria 

RENO COUNTY—The Reno County Sheriff has identified the UPS driver who died in the accident with a train on Tuesday as&nbsp;has 47-year-old Darick Navarro of Hutchinson

Just after 3p.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Reno County Sheriff's Office along with Burrton Fire and EMS, Reno County EMS, and Kansas Highway Patrol, were dispatched to a train, UPS truck collision at Blanchard and Woodberry in eastern Reno County. 

  Arriving units located a UPS delivery truck with heavy damage. The driver, later identified as Navarro, was removed from the vehicle and emergency services began life saving procedures. He was pronounced deceased by EMS on scene.  The train was occupied by two BNSF employees who were uninjured.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765933777098.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>RENO COUNTY—The Reno County Sheriff has identified the UPS driver who died in the accident with a train on Tuesday as&nbsp;has 47-year-old Darick Navarro of Hutchinson</p><p>Just after 3p.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Reno County Sheriff's Office along with Burrton Fire and EMS, Reno County EMS, and Kansas Highway Patrol, were dispatched to a train, UPS truck collision at Blanchard and Woodberry in eastern Reno County. </p><p>  Arriving units located a UPS delivery truck with heavy damage. The driver, later identified as Navarro, was removed from the vehicle and emergency services began life saving procedures. He was pronounced deceased by EMS on scene.  The train was occupied by two BNSF employees who were uninjured.</p>

Sheriff IDs  Kansas UPS driver who died in collision with a train

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenEricSchmitt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenEricSchmitt</a> on boat strikes: &quot;Right now the focus is to blow the boats that are killing Americans out of the water.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/rV6i0lUcPA">pic.twitter.com/rV6i0lUcPA</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001325949116162069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Mo. U.S. Senator: Focus is to blow the boats killing Americans out of the water

Less than two months after pleading guilty in the deaths of 32-year-old Kalsey Payton and a 4-year-old girl, 37-year-old Wendell Payton was sentenced Monday afternoon to consecutive life terms in Reno County District Court.

27th Judicial District Judge Daniel Gilligan ordered two 50-year sentences for first-degree murder to run consecutively, resulting in a controlling sentence of 100 years without the possibility of parole. Payton will not be eligible for parole consideration until after serving 50 years. Additional sentences related to aggravated arson, child endangerment, and interference with law enforcement were ordered to run concurrently with the homicide sentences.

Payton pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to two counts of intentional, premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated arson, aggravated endangering of a child, two counts of interference with law enforcement officers, and domestic battery against Kalsey Payton. As part of the plea agreement, Payton waived his right to appeal the sentence.

The charges stem from a Feb. 1 fire at a residence in the 1000 block of East Third Avenue in Hutchinson. Kalsey Payton and the 4-year-old girl were found inside the home after firefighters responded to the reported blaze.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738764456680.png" alt="Payton" />
                        <figcaption>Payton</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MARC JACOBS<br>Hutch Post</p><p>Less than two months after pleading guilty in the deaths of 32-year-old Kalsey Payton and a 4-year-old girl, 37-year-old Wendell Payton was sentenced Monday afternoon to consecutive life terms in Reno County District Court.</p><p>27th Judicial District Judge Daniel Gilligan ordered two 50-year sentences for first-degree murder to run consecutively, resulting in a controlling sentence of 100 years without the possibility of parole. Payton will not be eligible for parole consideration until after serving 50 years. Additional sentences related to aggravated arson, child endangerment, and interference with law enforcement were ordered to run concurrently with the homicide sentences.</p><p>Payton pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to two counts of intentional, premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated arson, aggravated endangering of a child, two counts of interference with law enforcement officers, and domestic battery against Kalsey Payton. As part of the plea agreement, Payton waived his right to appeal the sentence.</p><p>The charges stem from a Feb. 1 fire at a residence in the 1000 block of East Third Avenue in Hutchinson. Kalsey Payton and the 4-year-old girl were found inside the home after firefighters responded to the reported blaze.</p>

Kan. man sentenced for murder of wife and 4-year-old daughter

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

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;

“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;

“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”

Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”

“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.

Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.

Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;

“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”

The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;

The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;

It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;

Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”

Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”

“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”

The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1764097679232.png" alt="Image from the controversial video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from the controversial video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;</p><p>“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;</p><p>“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”</p><p>Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”</p><p>“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;</p><p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.</p><p>Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.</p><p>Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;</p><p>“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”</p><p>The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;</p><p>The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;</p><p>It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;</p><p>Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”</p><p>Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;</p><p>The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”</p><p>“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”</p><p>The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;</p><p>Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”</p>

Pentagon ‘escalating’ investigation into Sen. Kelly for illegal-orders video

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Newly released,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/BYzr71Vlqz4" target="_blank">enhanced video footage&nbsp;</a>and photos build out the description of suspected Brown University mass shooter: his gait, his pacing, appearance.

But the identity of the man seen pacing the residential neighborhood as early as 10:30 a.m. the day of the shooting remains unknown. Local and federal investigators continue to ask for information, including photo and video evidence, as the search for the person responsible for<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">&nbsp;killing two students</a>&nbsp;and injuring nine people stretches into a fourth day.&nbsp;

“We’re looking for a moment that is short, shorter than a person taking a breath,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. “It’s incredibly hard work to do that and so we’re asking the public to assist with that.”

More than 200 “credible” tips have poured into city and federal tip lines, along with terabytes of video and photo footage from residential properties surrounding the Ivy League campus. Yet there is no video from inside the Barus and Holley engineering building that shows the gunman.

<p>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a></p><p>Newly released,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/BYzr71Vlqz4" target="_blank">enhanced video footage&nbsp;</a>and photos build out the description of suspected Brown University mass shooter: his gait, his pacing, appearance.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=420&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F872134025201536%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="420" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><p>But the identity of the man seen pacing the residential neighborhood as early as 10:30 a.m. the day of the shooting remains unknown. Local and federal investigators continue to ask for information, including photo and video evidence, as the search for the person responsible for<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">&nbsp;killing two students</a>&nbsp;and injuring nine people stretches into a fourth day.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’re looking for a moment that is short, shorter than a person taking a breath,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. “It’s incredibly hard work to do that and so we’re asking the public to assist with that.”</p><p>More than 200 “credible” tips have poured into city and federal tip lines, along with terabytes of video and photo footage from residential properties surrounding the Ivy League campus. Yet there is no video from inside the Barus and Holley engineering building that shows the gunman.</p><p>“The only video of that presumed, anticipated, suspected however you want to define it person of interest — you have it,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.&nbsp;</p><p>Nor have investigators been able to trace the person of interest’s movements a few blocks beyond Governor Street, a few blocks east of the engineering building.</p><p>“What’s really critical first, is that we identify who the person is,” Neronha said. “Once we identify who the person is, I believe we’ll be able to locate them. It’s very hard to hide in this country.”</p><p>Neronha continued, “Once we’ve identified him, we’ll know more information about where he’s from, and who his friends are, and where he might have gone.”&nbsp;</p><p>The FBI is offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/new-videos-show-suspect-casing-brown-campus-and-neighborhood-before-mass-shooting/">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;to anyone with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.&nbsp;</p><h2>Casing the area</h2><p>Besides a rough description of a 5-foot-8, stocky man wearing various shades of dark clothing, a satchel strapped across his body in some of the video segments, officials were reluctant to comment on any more facets of his identity, including an age, motive or connection to the university.&nbsp;</p><p>Perez said he appears to be casing the area in preparation for the shooting, noting it was a common practice among criminals who take days, sometimes weeks, to ready themselves before committing a crime.</p><p>Even the behavior exhibited in the video, strolling down the sidewalk, then later standing with hands clasped behind his back, looking out the street, was not enough to draw firm conclusions from, said Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office.</p><p>“To get into the mind of an individual that would commit such a heinous act, that’s a place I don’t want to go right now,” Docks said.&nbsp;</p><p>Perez said the mid-morning walk Saturday suggests the suspect was casing the neighborhood, familiarizing himself with the setting in preparation for the crime.</p><p>Several reporters asked questions about student and faculty pages that have allegedly been taken down since the shooting, along with conflicting reports that the gunman shouted something before opening fire.</p><p>But Perez and Christina Paxson, Brown University president, denied any knowledge of university pages being scrubbed. The words spoken, if any, remain unknown, Perez said.</p><p>The ever-outspoken Neronha again jumped in with another word of caution.</p><p>“It’s easy to jump from words that were spoken to what those words are, to a name that reflects a motive, targeting a particular person,” he said. “That’s a really dangerous road to go down.”</p><p>Investigators already ran into one dead end after detaining a person found at a Coventry hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">early Sunday morning</a>, only to&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">release him</a>&nbsp;less&nbsp;than 24 hours later because there was no evidence tying him to the crime. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley described the initial, incorrect suspect as a “setback” in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Rhode Island Report podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/providence-mayor-brown-university-shooting-setback-ri/" target="_blank">released Monday.</a></p><p>Neronha, however, said Tuesday that while disappointing, it was not unusual for investigations to generate multiple leads that don’t always result in an arrest. Investigators&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/providence-police-prepare-to-release-more-surveillance-video-of-suspect/">continue to canvass</a>&nbsp;the East Side neighborhood around the scene of the shooting Tuesday in search of additional clues, but the search may expand beyond the neighborhood, or the city limits, in the coming days, Neronha said.</p><p>Providence police are also working with law enforcement across the state, and in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Perez said.</p>