BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>r

TOPEKA — A Senate committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases to appraised property values at 3%, and roll back the clock to 2022 assessments.

Republicans on the Senate tax committee said during debate Wednesday that the cap was just part of the solution for easing the property tax burden on homeowners.

“We all know that this constitutional amendment will not lower property tax, right? said&nbsp; Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston. “And I want to be clear, we put that out there, will not lower it. May slow the growth, but it will not lower it.”

Owens said he hopes the committee also will look at ways to limit mill levies that local governments can assess.

The committee is considering a variety of measures to address property taxes, including legislation that would provide a tax refund when a house sells for below the appraised value.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>&nbsp;would require county appraisals in 2027 to be no more than 3% higher than the values as assessed in 2022, and it would limit year-to-year increases after that to 3%. If two-thirds of the full Senate and House were to approve the resolution, voters in the August primary would have the opportunity to rewrite the state constitution with the 3% cap.

Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, noted that by going back to 2022 appraisals, the amendment would provide some immediate relief in lowering property tax bills.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/14/kansas-republicans-home-assessed-value-cap-may-or-may-not-reduce-property-taxes/">During an earlier hearing</a>&nbsp;on the proposed constitutional amendment, opponents complained that it would have the effect of shifting the burden of funding local government services to other taxes.

“I did spend several hours yesterday evening on the phone with several county commissioners across the state taking a look,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, who chairs the tax committee. “They all understand that we have to move on property taxes. So, may not be an agreement on the movement, but they understand this is part of the puzzle.”

After advancing SCR 1616 on Wednesday, the committee heard testimony on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb319/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 319</a>, which would allow residential, commercial and industrial property owners to apply for a tax rebate if property sells for less than the appraised value.

Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, introduced the bill. He told the committee he was upset that the Johnson County appraiser compared his 24-year-old home to newly built homes and one directly on a golf course to determine its value. He blamed the unfair comparisons for a 6.5% increase in his appraisal last year.

“We’ve been, basically, in my personal experience, overpaying tax, what I believe to be overpaying tax, for quite some time on the property based on the assigned value, based on the comparables,” Thompson said.

He said he understands the job of appraisers is difficult but that he thinks the bill will force them “to get as close as they can.”

Under the bill, property owners could seek a refund for property taxes paid in excess of the actual sale price for the year of the sale, as well as the past four years.

The committee received written testimony from eight proponents, including the Kansas Chamber and individual taxpayers. The Kansas Association of Counties and League of Kansas Municipalities opposed the bill.

Jay Hall, with the Kansas Association of Counties, told the committee that residential appraisals actually average about 93% of the sale price.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769180211793.png" alt=" Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, says a proposed constitutional amendment would lower property taxes by rolling back the appraised values to 2022 and capping annual increases at 3%. He is pictured here during a March 26, 2025, session of the Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, says a proposed constitutional amendment would lower property taxes by rolling back the appraised values to 2022 and capping annual increases at 3%. He is pictured here during a March 26, 2025, session of the Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>rTOPEKA — A Senate committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases to appraised property values at 3%, and roll back the clock to 2022 assessments.Republicans on the Senate tax committee said during debate Wednesday that the cap was just part of the solution for easing the property tax burden on homeowners.“We all know that this constitutional amendment will not lower property tax, right? said&nbsp; Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston. “And I want to be clear, we put that out there, will not lower it. May slow the growth, but it will not lower it.”Owens said he hopes the committee also will look at ways to limit mill levies that local governments can assess.The committee is considering a variety of measures to address property taxes, including legislation that would provide a tax refund when a house sells for below the appraised value.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>&nbsp;would require county appraisals in 2027 to be no more than 3% higher than the values as assessed in 2022, and it would limit year-to-year increases after that to 3%. If two-thirds of the full Senate and House were to approve the resolution, voters in the August primary would have the opportunity to rewrite the state constitution with the 3% cap.Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, noted that by going back to 2022 appraisals, the amendment would provide some immediate relief in lowering property tax bills.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/14/kansas-republicans-home-assessed-value-cap-may-or-may-not-reduce-property-taxes/">During an earlier hearing</a>&nbsp;on the proposed constitutional amendment, opponents complained that it would have the effect of shifting the burden of funding local government services to other taxes.“I did spend several hours yesterday evening on the phone with several county commissioners across the state taking a look,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, who chairs the tax committee. “They all understand that we have to move on property taxes. So, may not be an agreement on the movement, but they understand this is part of the puzzle.”After advancing SCR 1616 on Wednesday, the committee heard testimony on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb319/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 319</a>, which would allow residential, commercial and industrial property owners to apply for a tax rebate if property sells for less than the appraised value.Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, introduced the bill. He told the committee he was upset that the Johnson County appraiser compared his 24-year-old home to newly built homes and one directly on a golf course to determine its value. He blamed the unfair comparisons for a 6.5% increase in his appraisal last year.“We’ve been, basically, in my personal experience, overpaying tax, what I believe to be overpaying tax, for quite some time on the property based on the assigned value, based on the comparables,” Thompson said.He said he understands the job of appraisers is difficult but that he thinks the bill will force them “to get as close as they can.”Under the bill, property owners could seek a refund for property taxes paid in excess of the actual sale price for the year of the sale, as well as the past four years.The committee received written testimony from eight proponents, including the Kansas Chamber and individual taxpayers. The Kansas Association of Counties and League of Kansas Municipalities opposed the bill.Jay Hall, with the Kansas Association of Counties, told the committee that residential appraisals actually average about 93% of the sale price.

Kansas Senate panel advances constitutional amendment to cap property value increases

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City continue investigating the circumstances that prompted an Amber Alert Thursday in Kansas City.

Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert for a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister who were missing.&nbsp; The children, who were found safe, had last been seen about 6:30p.m. on Thursday near Barry and Maple Woods Road in Kansas City, according to Kansas City Police.

The siblings were with 27-year-old Lyrick Bryson who was driving a&nbsp;silver 2-door Infiniti with Missouri temporary tags, 008DMLF, according to the Alert.

Just after 10:15p.m., police reported they located the car and the children in south Kansas City, and took Bryson into custody.. Police released no additional details including the relationship between Bryon and the children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769176596606.png" alt="Bryson photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Bryson photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City continue investigating the circumstances that prompted an Amber Alert Thursday in Kansas City.Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert for a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister who were missing.&nbsp; The children, who were found safe, had last been seen about 6:30p.m. on Thursday near Barry and Maple Woods Road in Kansas City, according to Kansas City Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769176741654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The siblings were with 27-year-old Lyrick Bryson who was driving a&nbsp;silver 2-door Infiniti with Missouri temporary tags, 008DMLF, according to the Alert.Just after 10:15p.m., police reported they located the car and the children in south Kansas City, and took Bryson into custody.. Police released no additional details including the relationship between Bryon and the children.

Amber Alert suspect in custody, children found and are safe

Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation at 7:30 a.m. Friday due to winter weather forecast to impact the state this weekend, according to a statement from the Adjutant General’s Department. This declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance, specifically the waiver of hours of service for transportation, fuel, hours of service, and propane providers.&nbsp;

A significant winter storm is forecast to impact a large portion of the country. An arctic front will usher in frigid temperatures and strong, gusty winds, creating dangerous wind chills. Snowfall amounts will vary across Kansas, ranging from light accumulations to several inches.

“The current forecast for much of the state calls for frigid temperatures accompanied by snow and wind gusts,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “I urge everyone to be prepared. Stay inside as much as possible and avoid travel if you can. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked and if you must travel, be sure your car emergency kit is ready.”

A home emergency kit should include a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra blankets and warm clothing, nonperishable food, high-energy snacks, and drinking water, at least one gallon per person per day, for a minimum of seven days. For more information on emergency kits, go online to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ready.gov/kit">https://www.ready.gov/kit</a>.

It is also advisable to keep an emergency supply kit in your car that also includes jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, blanket, map, and cat litter or sand (for better tire traction).

Avoid travel if you can. If you do travel, make sure someone knows your travel plans and that your vehicle has a full tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded. Ensure your mobile phone is charged and make sure your car's emergency kit is up to date. Whether at home or on the road, listen to your local radio and television stations for the latest weather forecast.

For continuously updated road information, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.KanDrive.gov</a>&nbsp;and click on the Road Condition map. Other construction information, camera views, weather websites and travel details are also available. You can also call 511 - for Kansas road condition information from anywhere in the U.S., call 1-866-511-KDOT (5368).

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will assist counties and local responders if requested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769176348352.png" alt="KanDrive image 7:45 a.m. Friday January 23" />
 <figcaption>KanDrive image 7:45 a.m. Friday January 23</figcaption>
 </figure>Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation at 7:30 a.m. Friday due to winter weather forecast to impact the state this weekend, according to a statement from the Adjutant General’s Department. This declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance, specifically the waiver of hours of service for transportation, fuel, hours of service, and propane providers.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Winter storm will bring heavy snow and dangerous wind chills through Monday morning. Snow is expected to start by early this evening and continue through Sunday morning. A brief lull in snowfall is anticipated during the day Saturday but will pick back up Saturday night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/uEtS2QjOFN">pic.twitter.com/uEtS2QjOFN</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/2014663685092892814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A significant winter storm is forecast to impact a large portion of the country. An arctic front will usher in frigid temperatures and strong, gusty winds, creating dangerous wind chills. Snowfall amounts will vary across Kansas, ranging from light accumulations to several inches.“The current forecast for much of the state calls for frigid temperatures accompanied by snow and wind gusts,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “I urge everyone to be prepared. Stay inside as much as possible and avoid travel if you can. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked and if you must travel, be sure your car emergency kit is ready.”A home emergency kit should include a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra blankets and warm clothing, nonperishable food, high-energy snacks, and drinking water, at least one gallon per person per day, for a minimum of seven days. For more information on emergency kits, go online to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ready.gov/kit">https://www.ready.gov/kit</a>.It is also advisable to keep an emergency supply kit in your car that also includes jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, blanket, map, and cat litter or sand (for better tire traction).Avoid travel if you can. If you do travel, make sure someone knows your travel plans and that your vehicle has a full tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded. Ensure your mobile phone is charged and make sure your car's emergency kit is up to date. Whether at home or on the road, listen to your local radio and television stations for the latest weather forecast.For continuously updated road information, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.KanDrive.gov</a>&nbsp;and click on the Road Condition map. Other construction information, camera views, weather websites and travel details are also available. You can also call 511 - for Kansas road condition information from anywhere in the U.S., call 1-866-511-KDOT (5368).The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will assist counties and local responders if requested.

Kansas gov. issues state of disaster emergency for winter storm

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that its President &amp; CEO, John Rolfe, has resigned from his role to pursue new opportunities, according to a media release from the organization. John led the Chamber in this leadership role since October 2021.

“The Board thanks John for his leadership and service to the organization over the past four years, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Gabe Schlickau, 2026 Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “While transition is never easy, the work of the Chamber continues as our Board and staff remain focused on delivering results aligned with strategic priorities for our business community.”

“We want to thank John for his leadership at the Chamber and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” said Victor Ojeleye, Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “John’s leadership at the Chamber led to the achievement of several strategic accomplishments. These include completing the three-year strategic plan, leading successful advocacy programs, and executing talent and strong business initiatives.”

Under Rolfe’s leadership, the inaugural Military Affairs Council was established to strengthen the partnership between McConnell Air Force Base and the business community. During Rolfe’s tenure with the Chamber, he also played a key role working to improve advocacy with the Kansas congressional delegation, state and local leaders.

The Chamber’s Board has implemented an interim leadership structure to ensure continuity of operations and commitment to its mission during the transition. The interim plan taps the experience and leadership of Walter Berry, who is a well-respected Wichita businessman and former Chamber Board Chair. Berry will serve as Executive in Residence for the Chamber, providing strategic oversight and consultation to ensure organizational effectiveness, while maintaining continuity of vision.

“We have a legacy of impactful work at the Chamber, and the importance of our mission to our membership and the broader business community remains as strong as ever,” said Berry. “I’m excited to work with the Board and Chamber staff to ensure this impact continues.”

While Berry will serve in a consultative leadership role, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Brecken Morel will serve as the Chamber’s interim president and CEO managing day-to-day operations until such time as the Board appoints a permanent leader. Morel joined the Chamber in 2025, bringing extensive process and management experience to the Chamber. The Board is actively evaluating long-term leadership needs aligned with the Chamber’s mission and strategic priorities.

“As the region’s leading business advocacy organization, the Chamber remains focused on championing the policies, programs and partnerships that strengthen the Wichita regional economy and support the growth of the businesses it serves,” said Schlickau.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769173882535.png" alt="John Rolfe-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>John Rolfe-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that its President &amp; CEO, John Rolfe, has resigned from his role to pursue new opportunities, according to a media release from the organization. John led the Chamber in this leadership role since October 2021.“The Board thanks John for his leadership and service to the organization over the past four years, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Gabe Schlickau, 2026 Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “While transition is never easy, the work of the Chamber continues as our Board and staff remain focused on delivering results aligned with strategic priorities for our business community.”“We want to thank John for his leadership at the Chamber and wish him the best in his next endeavor.” said Victor Ojeleye, Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “John’s leadership at the Chamber led to the achievement of several strategic accomplishments. These include completing the three-year strategic plan, leading successful advocacy programs, and executing talent and strong business initiatives.”Under Rolfe’s leadership, the inaugural Military Affairs Council was established to strengthen the partnership between McConnell Air Force Base and the business community. During Rolfe’s tenure with the Chamber, he also played a key role working to improve advocacy with the Kansas congressional delegation, state and local leaders.The Chamber’s Board has implemented an interim leadership structure to ensure continuity of operations and commitment to its mission during the transition. The interim plan taps the experience and leadership of Walter Berry, who is a well-respected Wichita businessman and former Chamber Board Chair. Berry will serve as Executive in Residence for the Chamber, providing strategic oversight and consultation to ensure organizational effectiveness, while maintaining continuity of vision.“We have a legacy of impactful work at the Chamber, and the importance of our mission to our membership and the broader business community remains as strong as ever,” said Berry. “I’m excited to work with the Board and Chamber staff to ensure this impact continues.”While Berry will serve in a consultative leadership role, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Brecken Morel will serve as the Chamber’s interim president and CEO managing day-to-day operations until such time as the Board appoints a permanent leader. Morel joined the Chamber in 2025, bringing extensive process and management experience to the Chamber. The Board is actively evaluating long-term leadership needs aligned with the Chamber’s mission and strategic priorities.“As the region’s leading business advocacy organization, the Chamber remains focused on championing the policies, programs and partnerships that strengthen the Wichita regional economy and support the growth of the businesses it serves,” said Schlickau.

Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO steps down

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City continue asking the public for help with information to locate a suspect in the death of 33-year-old Charles Lewis.

At 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Linwood and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

While en route officers were advised there was a person possibly shot inside a vehicle there.&nbsp;On arrival officers were directed to a vehicle near the intersection where they located a shooting victim, later identified as Lewis, unresponsive alone inside the vehicle. 

Officers called for EMS who responded for treatment of the victim. EMS subsequently transported Lewis to the hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased by medical personnel. This case is being investigated as a homicide, according to Becchina. 

Preliminary information from callers and people at the scene when officers arrived indicates the victim was inside the vehicle when another vehicle pulled along side his vehicle and shots appear to have been fired from that vehicle into the victim vehicle striking the victim.

Detectives worked through the night and have made significant progress identifying a subject of interest, according to Becchina.

This is a heavily traveled area with vehicle and foot traffic at this time of day, detectives are optimistic that there could be multiple very valuable witnesses.

 If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768268894770.png" alt="File photo by Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>File photo by Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City continue asking the public for help with information to locate a suspect in the death of 33-year-old Charles Lewis.At 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Linwood and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.While en route officers were advised there was a person possibly shot inside a vehicle there.&nbsp;On arrival officers were directed to a vehicle near the intersection where they located a shooting victim, later identified as Lewis, unresponsive alone inside the vehicle. Officers called for EMS who responded for treatment of the victim. EMS subsequently transported Lewis to the hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased by medical personnel. This case is being investigated as a homicide, according to Becchina. Preliminary information from callers and people at the scene when officers arrived indicates the victim was inside the vehicle when another vehicle pulled along side his vehicle and shots appear to have been fired from that vehicle into the victim vehicle striking the victim.Detectives worked through the night and have made significant progress identifying a subject of interest, according to Becchina.This is a heavily traveled area with vehicle and foot traffic at this time of day, detectives are optimistic that there could be multiple very valuable witnesses. If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

KCPD making progress investigating drive-by killing 

TOPEKA —Last weekend, a KHP Lieutenant attempted to stop a driver on Interstate 70 for suspected DUI, according to a social media report from the patrol.

The driver fled, repeatedly drove into the ditch, drove the wrong way on the Interstate, and made constant U-turns. After finally being caught, the driver admitted he was fleeing because he thought he had felony drug warrants through Missouri.&nbsp; He didn’t.&nbsp; The KHP did not release the name of the driver or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768928524934.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Last weekend, a KHP Lieutenant attempted to stop a driver on Interstate 70 for suspected DUI, according to a social media report from the patrol.The driver fled, repeatedly drove into the ditch, drove the wrong way on the Interstate, and made constant U-turns. After finally being caught, the driver admitted he was fleeing because he thought he had felony drug warrants through Missouri.&nbsp; He didn’t.&nbsp; The KHP did not release the name of the driver or additional details.

DUI suspect told KHP why he fled I-70 traffic stop

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed this year’s final batch of spending bills on Thursday as lawmakers, still smarting from last fall’s record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">43-day shutdown,</a>&nbsp;worked to avoid another funding lapse for a broad swath of the federal government.

The four bills total about $1.2 trillion in spending and now move to the Senate, with final passage needed next week before a Jan. 30 deadline to avoid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">a partial government shutdown</a>.

Three of the bills had broad, bipartisan support. They funded Defense and various other departments, including Education, Transportation and Health and Human Services. A fourth bill funding the Department of Homeland Security was hotly disputed as Democrats voiced concerns that it failed to restrain President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-ice-deportation-budget-be983b14f60a5cdfc17af7cf0307f1c9">mass deportation efforts.</a>

Republicans were able to overcome the Democratic objections and muscle the Homeland Security bill to passage in a 220-207 vote. The broader package, which funds a 3.8% pay raise for the military, passed in a 341-88 vote.

Before the votes, House Democratic leaders announced their opposition to the Homeland Security bill as the party’s rank-and-file demanded a more forceful stand in response to the Republican president’s immigration crackdown. Trump’s efforts have recently centered in the Minneapolis area, where more than 2,000 officers are stationed and where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, a mother of three.

In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.

“Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good. This extremism must end,” said the statement from Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.

Democrats had few good options to express their opposition to Homeland Security funding.

Lawmakers, when confronting a funding impasse, generally turn to continuing resolutions to temporarily fund agencies at their current levels. But doing so in this case would simply cede more Homeland Security spending decisions to Trump, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Also, there was concern that a failure to fund Homeland Security would hurt disaster assistance programs and agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, while ICE and Customs and Border Protection would simply carry on. They could use funding from Trump’s big tax cut and immigration bill to continue their operations. ICE, which typically receives about $10 billion a year, was provided $30 billion for operations and $45 billion for detention facilities through Republicans’ “one big beautiful bill.”

This year’s Homeland Security bill holds the annual spending that Congress provides ICE roughly flat from the prior year. It also restricts the ability of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-border-trump-44925ad8670cd4ad57427513915bb140">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;to unilaterally shift funding and allocate federal dollars as she sees fit. The bill also allocates $20 million for the purchase and operations of body cameras for ICE and CBP officers interacting with the public during immigration enforcement operations. And it will require Homeland Security to provide monthly updates on how it plans to spend money from Trump’s bill.

“It’s not everything we wanted. We wanted more oversight. But look, Democrats don’t control the House. We don’t control the Senate or the White House. But we were able to add some oversight over Homeland,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, a member of the Appropriations panel.

Republicans countered that the Homeland Security bill helps lawmakers accomplish their most important duty — keeping the American people safe.

“This legislation delivers just that and upholds the America first agenda,” said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Republicans also celebrated the avoidance of a massive, catchall funding bill known as an omnibus as part of this year’s appropriations process. Such bills, often taken up before the holiday season with lawmakers anxious to return home, have contributed to greater federal spending, they say. This year’s effort, while a few months behind schedule, manages to keep non-defense spending just below current levels, they emphasized.

“It sends a clear, powerful message back home — the House is back at work. We are back to governing,” said Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo.

One by one, Democratic lawmakers lined up to voice their opposition to the Homeland Security bill with a particular focus on ICE, which has been rapidly hiring thousands of new deportation officers to carry out the president’s mass deportation agenda.

Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota said residents of her state were being racially profiled on a mass scale and kidnapped from their communities.

“Masked federal agents are seizing parents, yes, in front of terrified children,” McCollum said. “And many of these people we’re finding had no record and were here legally.”

“I will not fund an agency that acts like an American gestapo,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

“This is about the political retribution of a vengeful president,” said Clark of Massachusetts. “I will not rubberstamp the federal government’s use of political violence against its own people and I ask every member to join me in voting no.”

Cole decried some of the comments about ICE on the House floor.

“It’s reckless, encouraging people to believe that we have masses of bad actors in a particular agency,” Cole said.

In a last-minute add to the package, the House tacked on a provision that would repeal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-frost-senate-lawsuits-c266167102b9c367179618b6cd8bd697">ability of senators to sue</a>&nbsp;the government over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-january-6-senate-grassley-26dcd37c3b9e84c0173e63799baf3fa4">collection of their cellphone data</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed this year’s final batch of spending bills on Thursday as lawmakers, still smarting from last fall’s record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">43-day shutdown,</a>&nbsp;worked to avoid another funding lapse for a broad swath of the federal government.The four bills total about $1.2 trillion in spending and now move to the Senate, with final passage needed next week before a Jan. 30 deadline to avoid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">a partial government shutdown</a>.Three of the bills had broad, bipartisan support. They funded Defense and various other departments, including Education, Transportation and Health and Human Services. A fourth bill funding the Department of Homeland Security was hotly disputed as Democrats voiced concerns that it failed to restrain President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-ice-deportation-budget-be983b14f60a5cdfc17af7cf0307f1c9">mass deportation efforts.</a>Republicans were able to overcome the Democratic objections and muscle the Homeland Security bill to passage in a 220-207 vote. The broader package, which funds a 3.8% pay raise for the military, passed in a 341-88 vote.Before the votes, House Democratic leaders announced their opposition to the Homeland Security bill as the party’s rank-and-file demanded a more forceful stand in response to the Republican president’s immigration crackdown. Trump’s efforts have recently centered in the Minneapolis area, where more than 2,000 officers are stationed and where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, a mother of three.In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.“Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good. This extremism must end,” said the statement from Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.<h2>Democrats had limited options</h2>Democrats had few good options to express their opposition to Homeland Security funding.Lawmakers, when confronting a funding impasse, generally turn to continuing resolutions to temporarily fund agencies at their current levels. But doing so in this case would simply cede more Homeland Security spending decisions to Trump, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.Also, there was concern that a failure to fund Homeland Security would hurt disaster assistance programs and agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, while ICE and Customs and Border Protection would simply carry on. They could use funding from Trump’s big tax cut and immigration bill to continue their operations. ICE, which typically receives about $10 billion a year, was provided $30 billion for operations and $45 billion for detention facilities through Republicans’ “one big beautiful bill.”This year’s Homeland Security bill holds the annual spending that Congress provides ICE roughly flat from the prior year. It also restricts the ability of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-border-trump-44925ad8670cd4ad57427513915bb140">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;to unilaterally shift funding and allocate federal dollars as she sees fit. The bill also allocates $20 million for the purchase and operations of body cameras for ICE and CBP officers interacting with the public during immigration enforcement operations. And it will require Homeland Security to provide monthly updates on how it plans to spend money from Trump’s bill.“It’s not everything we wanted. We wanted more oversight. But look, Democrats don’t control the House. We don’t control the Senate or the White House. But we were able to add some oversight over Homeland,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, a member of the Appropriations panel.Republicans countered that the Homeland Security bill helps lawmakers accomplish their most important duty — keeping the American people safe.“This legislation delivers just that and upholds the America first agenda,” said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.Republicans also celebrated the avoidance of a massive, catchall funding bill known as an omnibus as part of this year’s appropriations process. Such bills, often taken up before the holiday season with lawmakers anxious to return home, have contributed to greater federal spending, they say. This year’s effort, while a few months behind schedule, manages to keep non-defense spending just below current levels, they emphasized.“It sends a clear, powerful message back home — the House is back at work. We are back to governing,” said Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo.<h2>Anger on the House floor</h2>One by one, Democratic lawmakers lined up to voice their opposition to the Homeland Security bill with a particular focus on ICE, which has been rapidly hiring thousands of new deportation officers to carry out the president’s mass deportation agenda.Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota said residents of her state were being racially profiled on a mass scale and kidnapped from their communities.“Masked federal agents are seizing parents, yes, in front of terrified children,” McCollum said. “And many of these people we’re finding had no record and were here legally.”“I will not fund an agency that acts like an American gestapo,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.“This is about the political retribution of a vengeful president,” said Clark of Massachusetts. “I will not rubberstamp the federal government’s use of political violence against its own people and I ask every member to join me in voting no.”Cole decried some of the comments about ICE on the House floor.“It’s reckless, encouraging people to believe that we have masses of bad actors in a particular agency,” Cole said.In a last-minute add to the package, the House tacked on a provision that would repeal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-frost-senate-lawsuits-c266167102b9c367179618b6cd8bd697">ability of senators to sue</a>&nbsp;the government over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-january-6-senate-grassley-26dcd37c3b9e84c0173e63799baf3fa4">collection of their cellphone data</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

House approves final spending bills; Democrats denounce ICE funding

KANSAS CITY—One person died from injuries in an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A man had off-loaded a grey Dodge Caravan from a transport truck&nbsp; at the Manheim Auto Auction, 8750 NE Parvin Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Bechina.

 The Dodge Caravan was not fully in park and began to roll backwards. The man attempted to enter the driver’s side of the vehicle as it rolled backwards. The van struck a parked Freightliner tow truck which pinned and crushed the man in between the Dodge and the Freightliner. 

The man was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff. 

This is fatality #5 in 2026 compared to #4 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY—One person died from injuries in an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A man had off-loaded a grey Dodge Caravan from a transport truck&nbsp; at the Manheim Auto Auction, 8750 NE Parvin Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Bechina. The Dodge Caravan was not fully in park and began to roll backwards. The man attempted to enter the driver’s side of the vehicle as it rolled backwards. The van struck a parked Freightliner tow truck which pinned and crushed the man in between the Dodge and the Freightliner. The man was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff. This is fatality #5 in 2026 compared to #4 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

Man killed while unloading van at KC auto auction 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-ice-b02b600b1bb8ba51d2d6a4f60d543f0e">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;Thursday, and admitted to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and illegally possessing firearms.

Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a trial was scheduled to begin in early March. Roberts is aware he could face deportation after he serves his sentence, according to the plea agreement he signed Wednesday.

Roberts ascended as an exuberant and inspiring leader over a two-decade career in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d11c6bc49815e2655b758fb8497bb23e">urban education</a>. For two years, he was superintendent of the Des Moines public school district, which serves 30,000 students.

Just weeks into a new school year, Roberts was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-b52a9ea28d002d27832c67513403368e">detained by federal immigration officers</a>. The Sept. 26 arrest stunned community members and drew national attention to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-ice-superintendent-lawsuit-iowa-b93f7c426b90a2e805d71f914707ce2d">history of criminal charges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-superintendent-ice-doctorate-d719dac9a6cffd5b8dc93725441fdebc">falsified credentials</a>.

As part of Roberts’ plea agreement, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed to not pursue additional charges against Roberts or others related to these counts, according to the filing. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.

In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Roberts was pulled over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and there was $3,000 in cash in the car.

A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits he knowingly and intentionally made a “false attestation” that he was a U.S. citizen on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines. That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.

Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, a second pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.

Roberts will forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.

Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, declined to comment on Roberts’ legal proceedings. The district’s focus “remains on serving the educational needs of students,” he said in a statement.

Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023.

Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, just months before his work authorization was set to expire, and a final removal order in 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were not aware of the immigration issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758925503158.png" alt="This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Ian Roberts in February 2020." />
 <figcaption>This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Ian Roberts in February 2020.</figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-ice-b02b600b1bb8ba51d2d6a4f60d543f0e">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;Thursday, and admitted to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and illegally possessing firearms.Ian Roberts, a native of Guyana in South America, had initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, which together carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a trial was scheduled to begin in early March. Roberts is aware he could face deportation after he serves his sentence, according to the plea agreement he signed Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758925645393.png" alt="Roberts Photo from September 26, 2025- image ICE" />
 <figcaption>Roberts Photo from September 26, 2025- image ICE</figcaption>
 </figure>Roberts ascended as an exuberant and inspiring leader over a two-decade career in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d11c6bc49815e2655b758fb8497bb23e">urban education</a>. For two years, he was superintendent of the Des Moines public school district, which serves 30,000 students.Just weeks into a new school year, Roberts was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-des-moines-superintendent-ian-roberts-b52a9ea28d002d27832c67513403368e">detained by federal immigration officers</a>. The Sept. 26 arrest stunned community members and drew national attention to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-ice-superintendent-lawsuit-iowa-b93f7c426b90a2e805d71f914707ce2d">history of criminal charges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ian-roberts-superintendent-ice-doctorate-d719dac9a6cffd5b8dc93725441fdebc">falsified credentials</a>.As part of Roberts’ plea agreement, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa agreed to not pursue additional charges against Roberts or others related to these counts, according to the filing. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency, but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.In a targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, Roberts was pulled over in his school-issued Jeep Cherokee and allegedly fled from federal agents. They later found the car abandoned near a wooded area and located Roberts with the help of state troopers. Authorities said a loaded handgun was wrapped in a towel under the seat and there was $3,000 in cash in the car.A federal grand jury in October returned a two-count indictment. According to the plea agreement, Roberts admits he knowingly and intentionally made a “false attestation” that he was a U.S. citizen on the Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, that he submitted in Des Moines. That carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine.Roberts also faces a federal weapons charge, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, a second pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said.Roberts will forfeit the weapons, according to the agreement.Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, declined to comment on Roberts’ legal proceedings. The district’s focus “remains on serving the educational needs of students,” he said in a statement.Roberts completed the I-9 form when he was hired in 2023 and submitted a Social Security card and driver’s license as verifying documents, according to the district. He also stated he was a U.S. citizen in his application to the state board of educational examiners, which issued Roberts a professional administrator license in 2023.Roberts was subject to a notice to appear before an immigration judge in October 2020, just months before his work authorization was set to expire, and a final removal order in 2024, authorities said. District officials said they were not aware of the immigration issues.

Leader of Iowa’s largest public school district admits falsely claiming US citizenship

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kaitlyn-huamani">KAITLYN HUAMANI</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-divestment-deal-trump-2fdb915cac5b6d06907a5a2de6764376">TikTok</a>&nbsp;has finalized a deal to create a new American version of the app, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the U.S. that has been in discussion for years.

The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new app will operate under “defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users,” the company said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/announcement-from-the-new-tiktok-usds-joint-venture-llc?lang=en" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Thursday.

Adam Presser, who previously worked as TikTok’s head of operations and trust and safety, will lead the new venture as its CEO. He will work alongside a seven-member, majority-American board of directors that includes TikTok’s CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-shou-zi-chew-testify-7927b1915db270aac67ca6f4ca31d6f3">Shou Chew</a>.

The deal marks the end of years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed — and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">ban TikTok in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;if it did not find a new owner in the place of China’s ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law’s January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-biden-china-bdc79b7ce741a81761f67ea56d410103">executive order to keep it running</a>&nbsp;while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769133573561.png" alt="Image Tiktok" />
 <figcaption>Image Tiktok</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kaitlyn-huamani">KAITLYN HUAMANI</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-divestment-deal-trump-2fdb915cac5b6d06907a5a2de6764376">TikTok</a>&nbsp;has finalized a deal to create a new American version of the app, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the U.S. that has been in discussion for years.The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new app will operate under “defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users,” the company said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/announcement-from-the-new-tiktok-usds-joint-venture-llc?lang=en" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Thursday.Adam Presser, who previously worked as TikTok’s head of operations and trust and safety, will lead the new venture as its CEO. He will work alongside a seven-member, majority-American board of directors that includes TikTok’s CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-shou-zi-chew-testify-7927b1915db270aac67ca6f4ca31d6f3">Shou Chew</a>.The deal marks the end of years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed — and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">ban TikTok in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;if it did not find a new owner in the place of China’s ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law’s January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-biden-china-bdc79b7ce741a81761f67ea56d410103">executive order to keep it running</a>&nbsp;while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company.

TikTok finalizes deal to form new American version of the app

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.

Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;

Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769117200424.png" alt="Ward-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Ward-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; &nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769117237605.png" alt="Teske photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Teske photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Domestic disturbance led to drug bust at Kan. home

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A prominent civil rights attorney and at least two other people involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">disrupted a service</a>&nbsp;at a Minnesota church have been arrested, Trump administration officials said Thursday, even as a judge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon.

The developments unfolded as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-ice-minneapolis-deportations-trump-economy-002f1d1acf05c00aeee289ec192100e7">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;arrived in the state. Speaking in Minneapolis, he urged state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal officials and said protesters must stop getting in their way.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X. On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi later posted on X that a second person had been arrested, followed by a third arrest announced by FBI Director Kash Patel.

The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good," referring to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">37-year-old mother of three</a>&nbsp;who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," the attorney general wrote on X.

Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office. Many Baptist churches have pastors who also work other jobs.

Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">the church’s defense</a>, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.

Attorneys representing the church hailed the arrests.

“The U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively by arresting those who coordinated and carried out the terrible crime,” said Doug Wardlow, director of litigation for True North Legal, which calls itself a public interest civil rights firm, in a statement.

Levy Armstrong, an attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”

“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday. “When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renee Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”

Vance wants local law enforcement to assist federal officers

Vance, a Republican, arrived amid tense interactions between federal immigration law enforcement authorities and residents. State and local elected officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-renee-good-immigration-sweeps-6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567">have opposed the crackdown</a>&nbsp;that has become a major focus of Department of Homeland Security sweeps.

His visit comes less than a month after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">Renee Good was killed</a>. He has called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">Good’s death</a>&nbsp;a “tragedy of her own making.”

Speaking in Toledo, Ohio, before his Minnesota visit, Vance warned the church protesters: “Those people are going to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so. We’re going to do everything we can to enforce the law."

Later in Minneapolis, he urged state and city law enforcement to help the federal immigration officers.

“We’re doing everything that we can to lower the temperature,” Vance said, adding that he wants “state and local officials to meet us halfway.”

A longtime activist in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Levy Armstrong has helped lead local protests after the high-profile police-involved killings of Black Americans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/video-minneapolis-immigration-good-ice-george-floyd-9dc5b1f19af644f861963f0a041516f4">George Floyd,</a>&nbsp;Philando&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/philando-castile">Castile</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-51873689cf63426c89e78ae987479315">Jamar Clark.</a>&nbsp;She is a former president of the NAACP’s Minneapolis branch.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a photo on X of Levy Armstrong with her arms behind her back next to a person wearing a badge. Noem said she faces a charge under a statute that bars threatening or intimidating someone exercising a right.

Patel posted on X that Chauntyll Louisa Allen, the second person Bondi said was arrested, is charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with a person seeking reproductive health services or seeking to participate in a service at a house of worship. Patel said William Kelly has also been arrested.

It's unclear which attorneys would represent Allen and Kelly.

Saint Paul Public Schools, where Allen is a member of the board of education, is aware of her arrest but will not comment on pending legal matters, according to district spokesperson Erica Wacker.

Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of a community of Black Minnesota activists who have protested the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police.

Kelly defended the protest during a news conference Tuesday, criticizing the church for its association with a pastor who works for ICE.

In court Thursday, federal magistrate judge Doug Micko granted the women bond and restricted them from traveling outside Minnesota or from going near the church. The government said it would appeal.

Levy-Armstrong’s attorney said he offered for her to turn herself in peacefully, but the Trump administration insisted on arresting her.

“They wanted a spectacle,” Levy-Armstrong’s husband Marques Armstrong said, recalling around 50 agents came to detain his wife.

Arrests follow a DOJ civil rights investigation

The Justice Department’s swift investigation into the church protest stands in contrast to its decision not to open a civil rights investigation into the killing of Good. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said last week there was “no basis” for a civil rights investigation into her death.

Administration officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">have said the officer acted in self-defense</a>&nbsp;and that the driver of the Honda was engaging in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">“an act of domestic terrorism”</a>&nbsp;when she pulled toward him. But the decision not to have the department’s Civil Rights Division investigate marked a sharp departure from past administrations, which have moved quickly to probe shootings of civilians by law enforcement officials.

The Justice Department has separately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">opened an investigation</a>&nbsp;into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements. Prosecutors this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">sent subpoenas</a>&nbsp;to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, according to a person familiar with the matter.

A magistrate judge rejected federal prosecutors’ bid to charge journalist Don Lemon related to the church protest, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation.

Lemon was among those on who entered the church. Lemon has said he is not affiliated with the protest organizers and was there chronicling as a journalist.

“Once the protest started in the church we did an act of journalism which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church and members of the organization,” Lemon said in a video posted on social media. “That’s it. That’s called journalism.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what the Justice Department would do after the judge’s decision. Authorities could return to a magistrate judge to again seek a criminal complaint or an indictment against Lemon before a grand jury.

CNN, which fired Lemon in 2023, first reported the ruling.

Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Chris Megerian in Washington; Corey Williams in Detroit; Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota; and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A prominent civil rights attorney and at least two other people involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">disrupted a service</a>&nbsp;at a Minnesota church have been arrested, Trump administration officials said Thursday, even as a judge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ok ✅ <a href="https://t.co/tQZNbKFABA">pic.twitter.com/tQZNbKFABA</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2014400940523069618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">William Kelly is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal crime, for his involvement in the St. Paul church riots. <a href="https://t.co/cXuuvQ9zxR">pic.twitter.com/cXuuvQ9zxR</a>&mdash; Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/2014410433281622347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The developments unfolded as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-ice-minneapolis-deportations-trump-economy-002f1d1acf05c00aeee289ec192100e7">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;arrived in the state. Speaking in Minneapolis, he urged state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal officials and said protesters must stop getting in their way.Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X. On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi later posted on X that a second person had been arrested, followed by a third arrest announced by FBI Director Kash Patel.The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good," referring to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">37-year-old mother of three</a>&nbsp;who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," the attorney general wrote on X.Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office. Many Baptist churches have pastors who also work other jobs.<h2>Church lawyers praise the arrests</h2>Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">the church’s defense</a>, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.Attorneys representing the church hailed the arrests.“The U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively by arresting those who coordinated and carried out the terrible crime,” said Doug Wardlow, director of litigation for True North Legal, which calls itself a public interest civil rights firm, in a statement.Levy Armstrong, an attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday. “When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renee Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”<h2>Vance wants local law enforcement to assist federal officers</h2>Vance, a Republican, arrived amid tense interactions between federal immigration law enforcement authorities and residents. State and local elected officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-renee-good-immigration-sweeps-6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567">have opposed the crackdown</a>&nbsp;that has become a major focus of Department of Homeland Security sweeps.His visit comes less than a month after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">Renee Good was killed</a>. He has called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">Good’s death</a>&nbsp;a “tragedy of her own making.”Speaking in Toledo, Ohio, before his Minnesota visit, Vance warned the church protesters: “Those people are going to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so. We’re going to do everything we can to enforce the law."Later in Minneapolis, he urged state and city law enforcement to help the federal immigration officers.“We’re doing everything that we can to lower the temperature,” Vance said, adding that he wants “state and local officials to meet us halfway.”<h2>Protesters appear in court</h2>A longtime activist in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Levy Armstrong has helped lead local protests after the high-profile police-involved killings of Black Americans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/video-minneapolis-immigration-good-ice-george-floyd-9dc5b1f19af644f861963f0a041516f4">George Floyd,</a>&nbsp;Philando&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/philando-castile">Castile</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-51873689cf63426c89e78ae987479315">Jamar Clark.</a>&nbsp;She is a former president of the NAACP’s Minneapolis branch.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a photo on X of Levy Armstrong with her arms behind her back next to a person wearing a badge. Noem said she faces a charge under a statute that bars threatening or intimidating someone exercising a right.Patel posted on X that Chauntyll Louisa Allen, the second person Bondi said was arrested, is charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with a person seeking reproductive health services or seeking to participate in a service at a house of worship. Patel said William Kelly has also been arrested.It's unclear which attorneys would represent Allen and Kelly.Saint Paul Public Schools, where Allen is a member of the board of education, is aware of her arrest but will not comment on pending legal matters, according to district spokesperson Erica Wacker.Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of a community of Black Minnesota activists who have protested the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police.Kelly defended the protest during a news conference Tuesday, criticizing the church for its association with a pastor who works for ICE.In court Thursday, federal magistrate judge Doug Micko granted the women bond and restricted them from traveling outside Minnesota or from going near the church. The government said it would appeal.Levy-Armstrong’s attorney said he offered for her to turn herself in peacefully, but the Trump administration insisted on arresting her.“They wanted a spectacle,” Levy-Armstrong’s husband Marques Armstrong said, recalling around 50 agents came to detain his wife.<h2>Arrests follow a DOJ civil rights investigation</h2>The Justice Department’s swift investigation into the church protest stands in contrast to its decision not to open a civil rights investigation into the killing of Good. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said last week there was “no basis” for a civil rights investigation into her death.Administration officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-enforcement-crackdown-woman-shot-5158ce0838305b491c95db97b970cd03">have said the officer acted in self-defense</a>&nbsp;and that the driver of the Honda was engaging in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">“an act of domestic terrorism”</a>&nbsp;when she pulled toward him. But the decision not to have the department’s Civil Rights Division investigate marked a sharp departure from past administrations, which have moved quickly to probe shootings of civilians by law enforcement officials.The Justice Department has separately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">opened an investigation</a>&nbsp;into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements. Prosecutors this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-trump-5e2f40582b62687fd9bc70640382f034">sent subpoenas</a>&nbsp;to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, according to a person familiar with the matter.<h2>Judge rejects charges against Lemon</h2>A magistrate judge rejected federal prosecutors’ bid to charge journalist Don Lemon related to the church protest, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation.Lemon was among those on who entered the church. Lemon has said he is not affiliated with the protest organizers and was there chronicling as a journalist.“Once the protest started in the church we did an act of journalism which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church and members of the organization,” Lemon said in a video posted on social media. “That’s it. That’s called journalism.”It wasn’t immediately clear what the Justice Department would do after the judge’s decision. Authorities could return to a magistrate judge to again seek a criminal complaint or an indictment against Lemon before a grand jury.CNN, which fired Lemon in 2023, first reported the ruling.___Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Chris Megerian in Washington; Corey Williams in Detroit; Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota; and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed.

FBI arrests 3 protesters who disrupted Minnesota church service

Kansas Republican Congressmen Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted against the resolution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution Thursday that would have prevented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after a tied vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.

The tied vote was the latest sign of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s tenuous hold on the majority, as well as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">growing pushback</a>&nbsp;in the GOP-controlled Congress to Trump’s aggressions in the Western Hemisphere. A Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">vote on a similar resolution</a>&nbsp;was also tied last week until Vice President JD Vance broke the deadlock.

To defeat the resolution Thursday, Republican leaders had to hold the vote open for more than 20 minutes while Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt, who had been out of state all week campaigning for a Senate seat in Texas, rushed back to Capitol Hill.

On the House floor, Democrats responded with shouts that Republican leaders were violating the chamber’s procedural moves. Two Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — voted with all Democrats for the legislation.

The war powers resolution would have directed Trump to remove U.S. troops from Venezuela. The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">told senators last week</a>&nbsp;that there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there.

But Democrats argued that the resolution is necessary after the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and since Trump has stated plans to control the country’s oil industry for years to come.

Thursday’s vote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president who campaigned on removing the U.S. from foreign entanglements but has increasingly reached for military options to impose his will in the Western Hemisphere. So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.

Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of bringing the war powers resolution to a vote out of “spite” for Trump.

“It’s about the fact that you don’t want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justice with possibly the most successful law enforcement operation in history,” Mast added.

Still, Democrats stridently argued that Congress needs to assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force a series of votes in both the House and Senate as Trump in recent months ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.

“Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies,” Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate. “This isn’t making America great again. It’s making us isolated and weak.”

Last week, Senate Republicans were only able to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">narrowly dismiss</a>&nbsp;a Venezuela war powers resolution after the Trump administration persuaded two Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">back away from their earlier support</a>. As part of that effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed to a briefing next week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

When the House voted on a similar Venezuela war powers resolution last month, three Republican House members — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since resigned from Congress — joined Democrats in voting for the legislation. Trump has since carried out the attack on Venezuela to seize Maduro, as well as turned his ambitions to possessing Greenland.

Trump’s insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, a NATO ally, has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">most outspoken objections</a>&nbsp;to almost anything the president has done since taking office.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-davos-housing-greenland-gaza-a2f3f4c18ba321c8025a3e208fc0ddf6">Trump this week backed away</a>&nbsp;from military and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that his administration was working with NATO on a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security.

But Bacon still expressed frustration with Trump’s aggressive foreign policy and planned to vote for the war powers resolution, even though it only applies to Venezuela.

“I’m tired of all the threats,” he said.

Trump’s recent military actions — and threats to do more — have reignited a decades-old debate in Congress over the War Powers Act, a law passed in the early 1970s by lawmakers looking to claw back their authority over military actions.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">War Powers Resolution</a>&nbsp;was passed in the Vietnam War era as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia. It attempted to force presidents to work with Congress to deploy troops if there hasn’t already been a formal declaration of war.

Under the legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities.

Presidents have long tested the limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever.

The Trump administration left Congress in the dark ahead of the surprise raid to capture Maduro. It has also used an evolving set of legal justifications to blow up alleged drug boats and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/venezuela-oil-exports-explainer/">seize sanctioned oil tankers</a>&nbsp;near Venezuela.

Democrats question who gets to benefit from Venezuelan oil licenses

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">Trump administration oversees</a>&nbsp;the sale of Venezuela’s petroleum worldwide, Senate Democrats are questioning who is benefitting from the contracts.

In one of the first transactions, the U.S. granted Vitol, the world’s largest independent oil broker, a license worth roughly $250 million. A senior partner at Vitol, John Addison, gave roughly $6 million to Trump-aligned political action committees during the presidential election, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?cycle=2024&amp;order=asc&amp;page=3&amp;sort=N&amp;zip=77024" target="_blank">donation records</a>&nbsp;compiled by OpenSecrets.

“Congress and the American people deserve full transparency regarding any financial commitments, promises, deals, or other arrangements related to Venezuela that could favor donors to the President’s campaign and political operation,” 13 Democratic senators wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Thursday in a letter led by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.

The White House has said it is safeguarding the South American country’s oil for the benefit of both the people of Venezuela and the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769122743381.png" alt="File photo House Speaker Mike Johnson" />
 <figcaption>File photo House Speaker Mike Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kansas Republican Congressmen Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted against the resolution.</h2>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution Thursday that would have prevented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after a tied vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.The tied vote was the latest sign of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s tenuous hold on the majority, as well as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">growing pushback</a>&nbsp;in the GOP-controlled Congress to Trump’s aggressions in the Western Hemisphere. A Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">vote on a similar resolution</a>&nbsp;was also tied last week until Vice President JD Vance broke the deadlock.To defeat the resolution Thursday, Republican leaders had to hold the vote open for more than 20 minutes while Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt, who had been out of state all week campaigning for a Senate seat in Texas, rushed back to Capitol Hill.On the House floor, Democrats responded with shouts that Republican leaders were violating the chamber’s procedural moves. Two Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — voted with all Democrats for the legislation.The war powers resolution would have directed Trump to remove U.S. troops from Venezuela. The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">told senators last week</a>&nbsp;that there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there.But Democrats argued that the resolution is necessary after the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-trump-military-operation-85041a1ec03bafe839b785a95169d694">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and since Trump has stated plans to control the country’s oil industry for years to come.Thursday’s vote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president who campaigned on removing the U.S. from foreign entanglements but has increasingly reached for military options to impose his will in the Western Hemisphere. So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of bringing the war powers resolution to a vote out of “spite” for Trump.“It’s about the fact that you don’t want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justice with possibly the most successful law enforcement operation in history,” Mast added.Still, Democrats stridently argued that Congress needs to assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force a series of votes in both the House and Senate as Trump in recent months ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.“Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies,” Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate. “This isn’t making America great again. It’s making us isolated and weak.”Last week, Senate Republicans were only able to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-senate-war-powers-2350b162d116090759a7428c4b915eea">narrowly dismiss</a>&nbsp;a Venezuela war powers resolution after the Trump administration persuaded two Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">back away from their earlier support</a>. As part of that effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed to a briefing next week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.<h2>The response to Trump’s foreign policy</h2>When the House voted on a similar Venezuela war powers resolution last month, three Republican House members — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since resigned from Congress — joined Democrats in voting for the legislation. Trump has since carried out the attack on Venezuela to seize Maduro, as well as turned his ambitions to possessing Greenland.Trump’s insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, a NATO ally, has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-republicans-trump-greenland-denmark-28252fc0691a183f52d3c4a77369457b">most outspoken objections</a>&nbsp;to almost anything the president has done since taking office.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-davos-housing-greenland-gaza-a2f3f4c18ba321c8025a3e208fc0ddf6">Trump this week backed away</a>&nbsp;from military and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that his administration was working with NATO on a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security.But Bacon still expressed frustration with Trump’s aggressive foreign policy and planned to vote for the war powers resolution, even though it only applies to Venezuela.“I’m tired of all the threats,” he said.Trump’s recent military actions — and threats to do more — have reignited a decades-old debate in Congress over the War Powers Act, a law passed in the early 1970s by lawmakers looking to claw back their authority over military actions.<h2>The war powers debate</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">War Powers Resolution</a>&nbsp;was passed in the Vietnam War era as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia. It attempted to force presidents to work with Congress to deploy troops if there hasn’t already been a formal declaration of war.Under the legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities.Presidents have long tested the limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever.The Trump administration left Congress in the dark ahead of the surprise raid to capture Maduro. It has also used an evolving set of legal justifications to blow up alleged drug boats and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/venezuela-oil-exports-explainer/">seize sanctioned oil tankers</a>&nbsp;near Venezuela.<h2>Democrats question who gets to benefit from Venezuelan oil licenses</h2>As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">Trump administration oversees</a>&nbsp;the sale of Venezuela’s petroleum worldwide, Senate Democrats are questioning who is benefitting from the contracts.In one of the first transactions, the U.S. granted Vitol, the world’s largest independent oil broker, a license worth roughly $250 million. A senior partner at Vitol, John Addison, gave roughly $6 million to Trump-aligned political action committees during the presidential election, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?cycle=2024&amp;order=asc&amp;page=3&amp;sort=N&amp;zip=77024" target="_blank">donation records</a>&nbsp;compiled by OpenSecrets.“Congress and the American people deserve full transparency regarding any financial commitments, promises, deals, or other arrangements related to Venezuela that could favor donors to the President’s campaign and political operation,” 13 Democratic senators wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Thursday in a letter led by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.The White House has said it is safeguarding the South American country’s oil for the benefit of both the people of Venezuela and the U.S.

Kan. GOP lawmakers help House defeat war powers resolution to check Trump’s military action 

ATLANTA (AP) — Millions of Americans from New Mexico to the Carolinas are bracing for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-ice-snow-freezing-rain-f8f2277db0d87b1aa3d4893c565ce57c">a potentially catastrophic ice storm</a>&nbsp;that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, while Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could see enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible, forecasters say.

About 140 million people were under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings — and in many places both.

The storm, expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-polar-vortex-snow-ice-freezing-06beb5eef46fba3fc81ac3213e5568e0">is also projected to bring</a>&nbsp;heavy snow and all types of wintry precipitation, including freezing rain and sleet. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atmospheric-river-explainer-weather-terms-noaa-1255da0c90791344332391b81dbcd8e6">atmospheric river</a>&nbsp;of moisture could be in place by the weekend, pulling precipitation across Texas and other states along the Gulf Coast and continuing across Georgia and the Carolinas before heading northeast, forecasters said.

“Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from D.C. to Boston,” said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.

In Washington, D.C., “the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,” forecasters said in the weather service's Washington/Baltimore office warned.

Here's a look at the approaching storm and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-tips-c6c631eaf21489462a6c7de58a1f1003">how people are preparing for it</a>, by the numbers:

The number of snowplows owned by the city of Jackson, Mississippi, where a mix of ice and sleet is possible this weekend. The city uses other heavy machinery like skid steers and small excavators to clear roads, said James Caldwell, deputy director of public works. Jackson also has three trucks that carry salt and sand to spread across roads before freezing weather.

The amount of ice — half an inch, or 1.27 centimeters — that can lead to a crippling ice storm, toppling trees and power lines to create widespread and long-lasting power outages. The latest forecasts from the weather service warn of the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee.

The number of Nashville snowplows named after country music legend and Tennessee native Dolly Parton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MetroSchools/photos/meet-dolly-plowton-music-city-plow-blizzard-of-oz-snowella-and-frosty-the-snow-p/1337230701778613/">(Dolly Plowton)</a>. Another snowplow in East Tennessee was named Snowlene after her classic hit song “Jolene” as part of a 2022 naming contest.

The number of layers needed to keep warm in extreme cold. AP video journalist Mark Vancleave in Minnesota explains the benefits of all three — a base layer, a middle layer and an outer shell —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-weekend-storm-ba67d30f05cbe14e9568907f09d2f13f">in this video</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769113144833.png" alt="NWS image" />
 <figcaption>NWS image</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Millions of Americans from New Mexico to the Carolinas are bracing for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-ice-snow-freezing-rain-f8f2277db0d87b1aa3d4893c565ce57c">a potentially catastrophic ice storm</a>&nbsp;that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, while Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could see enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible, forecasters say.About 140 million people were under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings — and in many places both.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Cold air is still on track. We have expanded the Winter Storm Watch northward. Accumulating snow is becoming more likely. The northern edge of snowfall is still uncertain. <a href="https://t.co/RZzNA01jjt">pic.twitter.com/RZzNA01jjt</a>&mdash; NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSKansasCity/status/2014311894941589661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A strong winter storm will move into our area on Friday and continue into the weekend bringing accumulating snowfall and extreme cold temperatures. Stay weather aware and be prepared! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KSwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KSwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/mIbgJKNLg5">pic.twitter.com/mIbgJKNLg5</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/2014260044557152346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The storm, expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-polar-vortex-snow-ice-freezing-06beb5eef46fba3fc81ac3213e5568e0">is also projected to bring</a>&nbsp;heavy snow and all types of wintry precipitation, including freezing rain and sleet. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atmospheric-river-explainer-weather-terms-noaa-1255da0c90791344332391b81dbcd8e6">atmospheric river</a>&nbsp;of moisture could be in place by the weekend, pulling precipitation across Texas and other states along the Gulf Coast and continuing across Georgia and the Carolinas before heading northeast, forecasters said.“Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from D.C. to Boston,” said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.In Washington, D.C., “the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,” forecasters said in the weather service's Washington/Baltimore office warned.Here's a look at the approaching storm and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-tips-c6c631eaf21489462a6c7de58a1f1003">how people are preparing for it</a>, by the numbers:<h2>0</h2>The number of snowplows owned by the city of Jackson, Mississippi, where a mix of ice and sleet is possible this weekend. The city uses other heavy machinery like skid steers and small excavators to clear roads, said James Caldwell, deputy director of public works. Jackson also has three trucks that carry salt and sand to spread across roads before freezing weather.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dangerously cold Arctic air spills out over the Great Plains and Eastern U.S through the weekend <a href="https://t.co/A3RX3bwD5b">https://t.co/A3RX3bwD5b</a>&mdash; NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWPC/status/2014308582359998614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>0.5</h2>The amount of ice — half an inch, or 1.27 centimeters — that can lead to a crippling ice storm, toppling trees and power lines to create widespread and long-lasting power outages. The latest forecasts from the weather service warn of the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee.<h2>1</h2>The number of Nashville snowplows named after country music legend and Tennessee native Dolly Parton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MetroSchools/photos/meet-dolly-plowton-music-city-plow-blizzard-of-oz-snowella-and-frosty-the-snow-p/1337230701778613/">(Dolly Plowton)</a>. Another snowplow in East Tennessee was named Snowlene after her classic hit song “Jolene” as part of a 2022 naming contest.<h2>3</h2>The number of layers needed to keep warm in extreme cold. AP video journalist Mark Vancleave in Minnesota explains the benefits of all three — a base layer, a middle layer and an outer shell —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-weekend-storm-ba67d30f05cbe14e9568907f09d2f13f">in this video</a>.<h2>4</h2>The number of major U.S. hub airports in the path of the southern storm this weekend, when ice, sleet and snow could delay passengers and cargo: Dallas-Fort Worth; Atlanta; Memphis, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Still more major airports on the East Coast could see delays later, as the storm barrels east.<h2>12</h2>The number of beet juice-dispensing trucks in the city of Chicago, according to Cole Stallard, Chicago’s commissioner of Streets and Sanitation. The natural sugars of beet juice lower the freezing point of water, allowing salt mixtures to work at much lower temperatures and preventing refreezing, while also helping salt stick to the road longer.<h2>15</h2>The number of snow and ice removal trucks operated by Memphis, Tennessee's Division of Public Works. The city also has six trucks that spread brine, a mixture designed to melt wintry precipitation. Statewide, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has 851 salt trucks and 634 brine trucks, and most of the salt trucks double as plows.<h2>19</h2>Parts of at least 19 states in the storm’s path were under winter storm watches by late Wednesday, with more watches and warnings expected as the system approaches. They include Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. An estimated 55 million people are included in these winter storm watches, the weather service said.<h2>32</h2>The degree in Fahrenheit when water freezes, equivalent to 0 Celsius. This is a magic number when it comes to winter weather, said Eric Guillot, a scientist at the weather service. If the temperature is slightly above 32, it will be mostly liquid. But the colder it is below the mark, the more efficiently precipitation will freeze.<h2>45</h2>The number of snowplow trucks at the ready in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure.<h2>50 below zero</h2>The windchill value — how cold it feels to a person when winds are factored in — that is expected in parts of the Northern Plains, the weather service projects. That equates to minus 45.6 Celsius and is forecast for parts of northern Minnesota and North Dakota.“When the weather forecast says, ‘feels like negative 34,’ it’s just a matter of covering skin and being prepared for it,” said Nils Anderson, who owns Duluth Gear Exchange, an outdoor equipment store in Duluth, Minnesota.<h2>600</h2>The number of miles added last year to snowplow routes in Nashville, Tennessee. That was done “to get deeper into our neighborhoods — roads that had never been plowed before,” said Alex Apple, a spokesperson for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.<h2>1,000-plus</h2>Texas has this number of pieces of winter weather equipment, including snowplows, motor graders and brine tankers, Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson Adam Hammons said. He said the agency also works with state partners and contractors to get more equipment when needed. In the Dallas area, “right now our main focus is treating our roadways in advance of the storm,” agency spokesperson Tony Hartzel said Wednesday.<h2>78,000</h2>The number of cubic yards of salt on hand at the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The state has 121 salt houses around the Arkansas, plus 600 salt spreaders and 700 snowplows, said Dave Parker, an agency spokesperson.___Associated Press writers Jamie Stengle in Dallas; Sophie Bates in Jackson, Mississippi; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Travis Loller and Kristin M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City; John O'Connor in Springfield, Illinois; and Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, contributed.