SALINE COUNTY —Two people avoided serious injures after an accident on icy roads in Saline County.

According to Saline County Sheriff's Operations Captain Jim Hughes, the single vehicle accident occurred just before 5p.m.&nbsp;in the 5700 block of S. Burma. 

Investigators determined the vehicle was traveling too fast for conditions, slid off the road and landed on it top in a creek. &nbsp;Two occupants complained of minor “aches and pains” and denied EMS assistance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768228156199.png" alt="Photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Two people avoided serious injures after an accident on icy roads in Saline County.According to Saline County Sheriff's Operations Captain Jim Hughes, the single vehicle accident occurred just before 5p.m.&nbsp;in the 5700 block of S. Burma. Investigators determined the vehicle was traveling too fast for conditions, slid off the road and landed on it top in a creek. &nbsp;Two occupants complained of minor “aches and pains” and denied EMS assistance.

Sheriff: 2 avoid serious injury after crash into Kansas creek

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/brianmartucci/">Brian Martucci</a>- <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

Federal immigration authorities intensified a weekslong operation in the Twin Cities over the weekend following the Wednesday killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

Residents pushed back, led by a growing network of rapid responders hounding U.S. ICE and Border Patrol vehicles and agents across the metro area.

Thousands&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/10/thousands-march-in-minneapolis-to-protest-ice-after-shooting/">marched peacefully</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis Saturday to remember Good and protest the Trump administration’s expanding immigration crackdown. Many marchers stopped to pay their respects as the procession moved from Powderhorn Park past the intersection where the fatal shooting occurred.

Saturday’s protest, the largest since Good’s killing, was more subdued than a Friday evening gathering outside downtown Minneapolis hotels where ICE agents were said to be staying.

Protesters blew whistles, banged drums and shouted taunts outside the hotels for hours before some tried to force their way into the Canopy by Hilton at 700 Third Street South, causing about $6,000 in damage, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-ice-protest-friday-night-arrests-damage-no-injuries/601561757" target="_blank">Star Tribune&nbsp;reported</a>. City and state police ordered protesters to disperse around midnight and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h6jSaT1Qy3k?si=1vXpli_jiJ9nNRQL" target="_blank">arrested about 30 people</a>&nbsp;without incident, officials said Saturday.

Near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a smaller group braved chilly winds to maintain a near-permanent presence outside an ICE operations hub and detention center.

U.S. Reps.&nbsp; Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison said they were denied entry to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building shortly after arriving for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/us-reps-ilhan-omar-angie-craig-say-they-were-turned-away-from-ice-facility-mn/89-c71bf6c9-f7a0-459f-aee5-c62ea6858d56" target="_blank">what they called an oversight visit</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.

Later in the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/10/minnesota-democrats-ice-00721211" target="_blank">Politico reported</a>&nbsp;that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — who oversees ICE and said this weekend she’d ordered hundreds more agents to join at least 2,000 already in the Twin Cities — signed an order on Thursday requiring a week’s notice for Congressional visits to immigrant detention centers.

Multiple people released from Whipple told independent journalists that they’d been&nbsp;<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/gbrockell.bsky.social/post/3mc6zl5qsns2k" target="_blank">verbally or physically abused</a>&nbsp;in or en route to detention there. Two said agents used demeaning language to describe Good and suggested she’d deserved her fate.

The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;has not independently verified the Whipple detainees’ claims. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Minneapolis/comments/1qa3pmm/boxed_in_by_ice/" target="_blank">separate video</a>&nbsp;posted on Sunday by a Minneapolis Reddit user, an ICE agent tells a driver to “[g]o home to your children…have you not learned from what just happened?”

Sunday saw more reports of federal law enforcement activity in St. Paul. One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/saintpaul/comments/1qaaww4/greg_bovino_has_officially_kicked_off_door_to/" target="_blank">bystander video</a>&nbsp;purported to show agents going “door to door” on Thomas Avenue near Victoria Street, possibly making good on Vice President JD Vance’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/08/jd-vance-promises-aggressive-immigration-enforcement/88086884007/" target="_blank">promise earlier this week</a>&nbsp;of house-by-house immigration operations. Armed personnel&nbsp;<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattprivratsky.bsky.social/post/3mc6cp7f4pc2g" target="_blank">questioned shoppers</a>&nbsp;at a nearby Target. And a crowd heckled agents as they appeared to pull a man out of his car at a gas station on Snelling Avenue.

A multi-agency operation that at times felt like an outright occupation had many Twin Cities residents — not just hardened activists — calling for ICE to withdraw and deeper reform of federal immigration policy.

On Sunday, outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/democratic-minnesota-senator-ice-has-a-role-in-our-country-11342339" target="_blank">told CNN</a>&nbsp;that she was listening, but stopped short of promising to lead the “abolish ICE” movement in Washington.

“It is hard for me to imagine how I could vote to support a budget bill for the Department of Homeland Security, given how the Department of Homeland Security is functioning right now in my community,” she said. “I want to see work done that would bring some serious reforms to ICE.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768243967494.png" alt=" Thousands of people march Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from Powderhorn Park to the site where an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, protesting the killing and also the drastic surge in ICE agents deployed to the state in recent weeks. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)" />
 <figcaption> Thousands of people march Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from Powderhorn Park to the site where an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, protesting the killing and also the drastic surge in ICE agents deployed to the state in recent weeks. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/brianmartucci/">Brian Martucci</a>- <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>Federal immigration authorities intensified a weekslong operation in the Twin Cities over the weekend following the Wednesday killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.Residents pushed back, led by a growing network of rapid responders hounding U.S. ICE and Border Patrol vehicles and agents across the metro area.Thousands&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/10/thousands-march-in-minneapolis-to-protest-ice-after-shooting/">marched peacefully</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis Saturday to remember Good and protest the Trump administration’s expanding immigration crackdown. Many marchers stopped to pay their respects as the procession moved from Powderhorn Park past the intersection where the fatal shooting occurred.Saturday’s protest, the largest since Good’s killing, was more subdued than a Friday evening gathering outside downtown Minneapolis hotels where ICE agents were said to be staying.Protesters blew whistles, banged drums and shouted taunts outside the hotels for hours before some tried to force their way into the Canopy by Hilton at 700 Third Street South, causing about $6,000 in damage, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-ice-protest-friday-night-arrests-damage-no-injuries/601561757" target="_blank">Star Tribune&nbsp;reported</a>. City and state police ordered protesters to disperse around midnight and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h6jSaT1Qy3k?si=1vXpli_jiJ9nNRQL" target="_blank">arrested about 30 people</a>&nbsp;without incident, officials said Saturday.Near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a smaller group braved chilly winds to maintain a near-permanent presence outside an ICE operations hub and detention center.U.S. Reps.&nbsp; Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison said they were denied entry to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building shortly after arriving for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/us-reps-ilhan-omar-angie-craig-say-they-were-turned-away-from-ice-facility-mn/89-c71bf6c9-f7a0-459f-aee5-c62ea6858d56" target="_blank">what they called an oversight visit</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.Later in the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/10/minnesota-democrats-ice-00721211" target="_blank">Politico reported</a>&nbsp;that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — who oversees ICE and said this weekend she’d ordered hundreds more agents to join at least 2,000 already in the Twin Cities — signed an order on Thursday requiring a week’s notice for Congressional visits to immigrant detention centers.Multiple people released from Whipple told independent journalists that they’d been&nbsp;<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/gbrockell.bsky.social/post/3mc6zl5qsns2k" target="_blank">verbally or physically abused</a>&nbsp;in or en route to detention there. Two said agents used demeaning language to describe Good and suggested she’d deserved her fate.The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;has not independently verified the Whipple detainees’ claims. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Minneapolis/comments/1qa3pmm/boxed_in_by_ice/" target="_blank">separate video</a>&nbsp;posted on Sunday by a Minneapolis Reddit user, an ICE agent tells a driver to “[g]o home to your children…have you not learned from what just happened?”Sunday saw more reports of federal law enforcement activity in St. Paul. One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/saintpaul/comments/1qaaww4/greg_bovino_has_officially_kicked_off_door_to/" target="_blank">bystander video</a>&nbsp;purported to show agents going “door to door” on Thomas Avenue near Victoria Street, possibly making good on Vice President JD Vance’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/08/jd-vance-promises-aggressive-immigration-enforcement/88086884007/" target="_blank">promise earlier this week</a>&nbsp;of house-by-house immigration operations. Armed personnel&nbsp;<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattprivratsky.bsky.social/post/3mc6cp7f4pc2g" target="_blank">questioned shoppers</a>&nbsp;at a nearby Target. And a crowd heckled agents as they appeared to pull a man out of his car at a gas station on Snelling Avenue.A multi-agency operation that at times felt like an outright occupation had many Twin Cities residents — not just hardened activists — calling for ICE to withdraw and deeper reform of federal immigration policy.On Sunday, outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/democratic-minnesota-senator-ice-has-a-role-in-our-country-11342339" target="_blank">told CNN</a>&nbsp;that she was listening, but stopped short of promising to lead the “abolish ICE” movement in Washington.“It is hard for me to imagine how I could vote to support a budget bill for the Department of Homeland Security, given how the Department of Homeland Security is functioning right now in my community,” she said. “I want to see work done that would bring some serious reforms to ICE.”

ICE intensifies Twin Cities operation after killing of Renee Good, protests

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a fatal shooting&nbsp; that occurred in the basement of a home in Wichita is set to return to court.

Elijah Cynova, 18, will appear in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He may be asked to enter a plea in the case.

&nbsp;On December 28, Cynova was charged with&nbsp;unintentional but reckless second-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Blaze Arrington, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just after 10p.m. December 23, police responded to a report of a shooting in the 3600 block of South Eisenhower Court in Wichita and found&nbsp; Arrington suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.&nbsp;

Investigators determined Arrington was in the basement with a friend, later identified as Cynova, showing him two firearms. During the interaction, Cynova reportedly pointed one of the firearms at Arrington and fired, striking him.&nbsp;

Arrington was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.&nbsp; He died four days later.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nicole-kenny-after-losing-blaze">Click here to view the</a> online fundraiser to assist Arrington's family.

Police arrested Cynova and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail early on Christmas Eve on an initial requested charge of aggravated battery.&nbsp; &nbsp;He met the requirement of a $100,000 bond and was released on January 8, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1767094930839.png" alt="Cynova-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Cynova-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a fatal shooting&nbsp; that occurred in the basement of a home in Wichita is set to return to court.Elijah Cynova, 18, will appear in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He may be asked to enter a plea in the case.&nbsp;On December 28, Cynova was charged with&nbsp;unintentional but reckless second-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Blaze Arrington, according to the District Attorney's office.Just after 10p.m. December 23, police responded to a report of a shooting in the 3600 block of South Eisenhower Court in Wichita and found&nbsp; Arrington suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.&nbsp;Investigators determined Arrington was in the basement with a friend, later identified as Cynova, showing him two firearms. During the interaction, Cynova reportedly pointed one of the firearms at Arrington and fired, striking him.&nbsp;Arrington was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.&nbsp; He died four days later.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nicole-kenny-after-losing-blaze">Click here to view the</a> online fundraiser to assist Arrington's family.Police arrested Cynova and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail early on Christmas Eve on an initial requested charge of aggravated battery.&nbsp; &nbsp;He met the requirement of a $100,000 bond and was released on January 8, according to online jail records.

Kan. man accused in death of teen friend set for return to court

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man died in a deputy involved shooting in Sedgwick County.

Just after 5:30a.m.. Monday, Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shirtless man holding a handgun in the roadway near 55th Street South and Hoover Road, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.

Deputies responded to the scene and found a 32-year-old Wichita man near the intersection, still armed. Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation for several minutes.

During the encounter, the man fired at deputies, striking at least one patrol vehicle. Deputies returned fire, striking the man multiple times.

Deputies immediately provided aid and requested assistance from Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department. EMS transported the man to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died. Hospital staff pronounced him dead at 6:51 a.m.

No deputies were injured during the incident.

Sheriff Jeff Easter activated the Wichita-Sedgwick County Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team. Under the ALERT agreement, the Wichita Police Department will lead the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768230233129.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man died in a deputy involved shooting in Sedgwick County.Just after 5:30a.m.. Monday, Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shirtless man holding a handgun in the roadway near 55th Street South and Hoover Road, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.Deputies responded to the scene and found a 32-year-old Wichita man near the intersection, still armed. Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation for several minutes.During the encounter, the man fired at deputies, striking at least one patrol vehicle. Deputies returned fire, striking the man multiple times.Deputies immediately provided aid and requested assistance from Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department. EMS transported the man to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died. Hospital staff pronounced him dead at 6:51 a.m.No deputies were injured during the incident.Sheriff Jeff Easter activated the Wichita-Sedgwick County Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team. Under the ALERT agreement, the Wichita Police Department will lead the investigation.

Sheriff: Man killed after shooting at Kansas deputies

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768236670819.png" alt="President Trump arriving back in DC Sunday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump arriving back in DC Sunday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

President Trump’s motorcade forced to reroute due to ‘suspicious object’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado in July will face a jury trial on Monday.

Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita will appear in Judge Sean Hatfield's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July of 2024, the Pueblo County Colorado Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that Antalek&nbsp; was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

Kansas authorities had been searching for Antalek on a warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.

Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.

Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500728222.png" alt="Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Colorado" />
 <figcaption>Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Colorado</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado in July will face a jury trial on Monday.Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita will appear in Judge Sean Hatfield's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720708672444.png" alt="Antalek photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Antalek photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>In July of 2024, the Pueblo County Colorado Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that Antalek&nbsp; was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.Kansas authorities had been searching for Antalek on a warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trial begins for Kansas assault suspect captured in Colorado

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">killing of a Minnesota woman</a>&nbsp;by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is reverberating across Capitol Hill where Democrats, and certain Republicans, are vowing an assertive response as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;aggressive deportation operations spark&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/ice-federal-officers-shooting-updates-1-9-2026#0000019b-a41c-dc32-a3df-acbc9d6f0000">protests nationwide.</a>

Lawmakers are demanding a range of actions, from a full investigation into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good's shooting death</a>&nbsp;and policy changes over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-shooting-immigration-842b1d92cb93f2326171f139686e8b0f">law enforcement raids</a>&nbsp;to the defunding of ICE operations and the impeachment of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>, in what is fast becoming an inflection point.

“The situation that took place in Minnesota is a complete and total disgrace,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said as details emerged. “And in the next few days, we will be having conversations about a strong and forceful and appropriate response by House Democrats.”

Yet there is almost no consensus among the political parties in the aftermath of the death of Good, who was behind the wheel of an SUV after dropping off her 6-year-old at school when she was shot and killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">an ICE officer</a>.

The killing immediately drew dueling narratives. Trump and Noem said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjGOBoKGX-E">ICE officer acted in self-defense</a>, while Democratic officials said the Trump administration was lying and they urged the public to see the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-minneapolis-minnesota-ice-shooting-1cd447e8963456af2be9a24d660ed1d6">viral videos</a>&nbsp;of the shooting for themselves.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;blamed Good, calling it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">“a tragedy of her own making,”</a>&nbsp;and said the ICE officer may have been “sensitive” from having been injured during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">unrelated altercation</a>&nbsp;last year.

But Good’s killing, at least the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">fifth known death</a>&nbsp;since the administration launched its mass deportation campaign, could change the political dynamic.

“The videos I’ve seen from Minneapolis are deeply disturbing,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in a statement.

“As we mourn this loss of life, we need a thorough and objective investigation into how and why this happened,” she said. As part of the investigation, she said she is calling for policy changes, saying the situation “was devastating, and cannot happen again.”

Homeland Security funding is up for debate

The push in Congress for more oversight and accountability of the administration's immigration operations comes as lawmakers are in the midst of the annual appropriations process to fund agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to prevent another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-spending-bill-shutdown-funding-senate-trump-86eed888517a899784695596ef80bb31">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;when money expires at the end of January.

As anti-ICE demonstrations erupt in cities in the aftermath of Good’s death, Democrats have pledged to use any available legislative lever to apply pressure on the administration to change the conduct of ICE officers.

“We’ve been warning about this for an entire year,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla.

The ICE officer “needs to be held accountable,” Frost said, “but not just them, but ICE as a whole, the president and this entire administration.”

Congressional Democrats saw Good’s killing as a sign of the need for aggressive action to restrain the administration’s tactics.

Several Democrats joined calls to impeach Noem, who has been under fire from both parties for her lack of transparency at the department, though that step is highly unlikely with Republicans in control of Congress.

Other Democrats want to restrict the funding for her department, whose budget was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">vastly increased</a>&nbsp;as part of Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending bill passed last summer.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that handles Homeland Security funding, plans to introduce legislation to rein in the agency with constraints on federal agents’ authority, including a requirement that the Border Patrol stick to the border and that DHS enforcement officers be unmasked.

“More Democrats are saying today the thing that a number of us have been saying since April and May: Kristi Noem is dangerous. She should not be in office, and she should be impeached,” said Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents parts of Chicago where ICE launched an enhanced immigration enforcement action last year that resulted in two deaths.

Immigration debates have long divided Congress and the parties. Democrats splinter between more liberal and stricter attitudes toward newcomers to the United States. Republicans have embraced Trump’s hard-line approach to portray Democrats as radicals.

The Republican administration had launched the enforcement operation in Minnesota in response to an investigation of the nonprofit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/feeding-our-future-pandemic-fraud-trial-847f42be252ecd373c60125fd4fae6e9">Feeding Our Future.</a>&nbsp;Prosecutors said the organization was at the center of the country’s largest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-7106883911765bb0c3794fe6196fcf9d">COVID-19-related fraud</a>&nbsp;scams, when defendants exploited a state-run, federally funded program intended to provide food for children.

Heading into the November midterm election, which Democrats believe will hinge on issues such as affordability and health care, national outcry over ICE’s conduct has pressured lawmakers to speak out.

“I’m not completely against deportations, but the way they’re handling it is a real disgrace,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, who represents a district along the U.S.-Mexico border

“Right now, you’re seeing humans treated like animals,” he said.

Other ICE shootings have rattled lawmakers

In September, a federal immigration enforcement agent in Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-chicago-shooting-death-immigration-operation-ca7326ca75993984e102fe3693ae469c">fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-ice-illinois-immigration-shooting-29eec5d07aef36b32fc8e03e8948c836">a brief altercation</a>&nbsp;after Gonzalez had dropped off his children at school.

In October, a Customs and Border Protection agent also in Chicago shot Marimar Martinez, a teacher and U.S. citizen, five times during a dispute with officers. The charges against Martinez brought by the administration were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-protests-prosecutions-doj-arrests-591f155d50c13756842e033ea23f16d3">dismissed by a federal judge</a>.

To Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., Good’s death "brought back heart-wrenching memories of those two shootings in my district.”

“It looks like the fact that a US citizen, who is a white woman, may be opening the eyes of the American public, certainly of members of Congress, that what’s going on is out of control,” he said, “that this isn’t about apprehending or pursuing the most dangerous immigrants.”

Republicans expressed some concern at the shooting but stood by the administration’s policy, defended the officer's actions and largely blamed Good for the standoff.

“Nobody wants to see people get shot,” said Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga.

“Let’s do the right thing and just be reasonable. And the reasonable thing is not to obstruct ICE officers and then accelerate while they’re standing in front of your car,” he said. “She made a mistake. I’m sure she didn’t mean for that to happen, nor did he mean for that to happen.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768077666777.png" alt="DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a news conference on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a news conference on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">killing of a Minnesota woman</a>&nbsp;by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is reverberating across Capitol Hill where Democrats, and certain Republicans, are vowing an assertive response as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;aggressive deportation operations spark&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/ice-federal-officers-shooting-updates-1-9-2026#0000019b-a41c-dc32-a3df-acbc9d6f0000">protests nationwide.</a>Lawmakers are demanding a range of actions, from a full investigation into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good's shooting death</a>&nbsp;and policy changes over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-shooting-immigration-842b1d92cb93f2326171f139686e8b0f">law enforcement raids</a>&nbsp;to the defunding of ICE operations and the impeachment of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>, in what is fast becoming an inflection point.“The situation that took place in Minnesota is a complete and total disgrace,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said as details emerged. “And in the next few days, we will be having conversations about a strong and forceful and appropriate response by House Democrats.”Yet there is almost no consensus among the political parties in the aftermath of the death of Good, who was behind the wheel of an SUV after dropping off her 6-year-old at school when she was shot and killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">an ICE officer</a>.The killing immediately drew dueling narratives. Trump and Noem said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjGOBoKGX-E">ICE officer acted in self-defense</a>, while Democratic officials said the Trump administration was lying and they urged the public to see the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-minneapolis-minnesota-ice-shooting-1cd447e8963456af2be9a24d660ed1d6">viral videos</a>&nbsp;of the shooting for themselves.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;blamed Good, calling it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-06b23b428edcc8498362be4ac656f201">“a tragedy of her own making,”</a>&nbsp;and said the ICE officer may have been “sensitive” from having been injured during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-minnesota-jonathan-ross-b9ce88da676d74ec6a1ab36aa55fbda1">unrelated altercation</a>&nbsp;last year.But Good’s killing, at least the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">fifth known death</a>&nbsp;since the administration launched its mass deportation campaign, could change the political dynamic.“The videos I’ve seen from Minneapolis are deeply disturbing,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in a statement.“As we mourn this loss of life, we need a thorough and objective investigation into how and why this happened,” she said. As part of the investigation, she said she is calling for policy changes, saying the situation “was devastating, and cannot happen again.”<h2>Homeland Security funding is up for debate</h2>The push in Congress for more oversight and accountability of the administration's immigration operations comes as lawmakers are in the midst of the annual appropriations process to fund agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to prevent another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-spending-bill-shutdown-funding-senate-trump-86eed888517a899784695596ef80bb31">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;when money expires at the end of January.As anti-ICE demonstrations erupt in cities in the aftermath of Good’s death, Democrats have pledged to use any available legislative lever to apply pressure on the administration to change the conduct of ICE officers.“We’ve been warning about this for an entire year,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla.The ICE officer “needs to be held accountable,” Frost said, “but not just them, but ICE as a whole, the president and this entire administration.”Congressional Democrats saw Good’s killing as a sign of the need for aggressive action to restrain the administration’s tactics.Several Democrats joined calls to impeach Noem, who has been under fire from both parties for her lack of transparency at the department, though that step is highly unlikely with Republicans in control of Congress.Other Democrats want to restrict the funding for her department, whose budget was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">vastly increased</a>&nbsp;as part of Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending bill passed last summer.Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that handles Homeland Security funding, plans to introduce legislation to rein in the agency with constraints on federal agents’ authority, including a requirement that the Border Patrol stick to the border and that DHS enforcement officers be unmasked.“More Democrats are saying today the thing that a number of us have been saying since April and May: Kristi Noem is dangerous. She should not be in office, and she should be impeached,” said Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents parts of Chicago where ICE launched an enhanced immigration enforcement action last year that resulted in two deaths.Immigration debates have long divided Congress and the parties. Democrats splinter between more liberal and stricter attitudes toward newcomers to the United States. Republicans have embraced Trump’s hard-line approach to portray Democrats as radicals.The Republican administration had launched the enforcement operation in Minnesota in response to an investigation of the nonprofit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/feeding-our-future-pandemic-fraud-trial-847f42be252ecd373c60125fd4fae6e9">Feeding Our Future.</a>&nbsp;Prosecutors said the organization was at the center of the country’s largest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-7106883911765bb0c3794fe6196fcf9d">COVID-19-related fraud</a>&nbsp;scams, when defendants exploited a state-run, federally funded program intended to provide food for children.Heading into the November midterm election, which Democrats believe will hinge on issues such as affordability and health care, national outcry over ICE’s conduct has pressured lawmakers to speak out.“I’m not completely against deportations, but the way they’re handling it is a real disgrace,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, who represents a district along the U.S.-Mexico border“Right now, you’re seeing humans treated like animals,” he said.<h2>Other ICE shootings have rattled lawmakers</h2>In September, a federal immigration enforcement agent in Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-chicago-shooting-death-immigration-operation-ca7326ca75993984e102fe3693ae469c">fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-ice-illinois-immigration-shooting-29eec5d07aef36b32fc8e03e8948c836">a brief altercation</a>&nbsp;after Gonzalez had dropped off his children at school.In October, a Customs and Border Protection agent also in Chicago shot Marimar Martinez, a teacher and U.S. citizen, five times during a dispute with officers. The charges against Martinez brought by the administration were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-protests-prosecutions-doj-arrests-591f155d50c13756842e033ea23f16d3">dismissed by a federal judge</a>.To Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., Good’s death "brought back heart-wrenching memories of those two shootings in my district.”“It looks like the fact that a US citizen, who is a white woman, may be opening the eyes of the American public, certainly of members of Congress, that what’s going on is out of control,” he said, “that this isn’t about apprehending or pursuing the most dangerous immigrants.”Republicans expressed some concern at the shooting but stood by the administration’s policy, defended the officer's actions and largely blamed Good for the standoff.“Nobody wants to see people get shot,” said Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga.“Let’s do the right thing and just be reasonable. And the reasonable thing is not to obstruct ICE officers and then accelerate while they’re standing in front of your car,” he said. “She made a mistake. I’m sure she didn’t mean for that to happen, nor did he mean for that to happen.”

Congress debates possible consequences for ICE and Noem after Renee Good's killing

The 2026 Kansas legislative session begins Monday with lawmakers in Topeka amid an election year that could influence both the tone and substance of the agenda.

Among the issues likely to dominate the session are budget decisions and tax policy. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has emphasized maintaining the state’s fiscal stability, while some Republican lawmakers are pushing for additional tax cuts.

Lawmakers must also determine how to allocate $222 million Kansas received through the Trump administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a funding stream aimed at strengthening health care access, particularly in rural areas.

Property taxes are also expected to be a major point of discussion. While there is broad agreement that rising property taxes are a significant concern for Kansans.

Republicans and Democrats agree property tax is a top issue in the state, but the consensus is not there, even within the parties. Agreement between Republican leaders is not present.

Redistricting, however, is not expected to be part of the regular session agenda. House Speaker Dan Hawkins said last week that Republicans currently do not have the votes to pass congressional redistricting.

The legislative session runs until late April.&nbsp; The candidate filing deadline for the primary election is June 1. This year, Kansas voters will cast ballots for governor, U.S. senator, state attorney general, state insurance commissioner, secretary of state, state treasurer and state representatives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766440791008.png" alt="File photo -courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo -courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The 2026 Kansas legislative session begins Monday with lawmakers in Topeka amid an election year that could influence both the tone and substance of the agenda.Among the issues likely to dominate the session are budget decisions and tax policy. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has emphasized maintaining the state’s fiscal stability, while some Republican lawmakers are pushing for additional tax cuts.Lawmakers must also determine how to allocate $222 million Kansas received through the Trump administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a funding stream aimed at strengthening health care access, particularly in rural areas.Property taxes are also expected to be a major point of discussion. While there is broad agreement that rising property taxes are a significant concern for Kansans.Republicans and Democrats agree property tax is a top issue in the state, but the consensus is not there, even within the parties. Agreement between Republican leaders is not present.Redistricting, however, is not expected to be part of the regular session agenda. House Speaker Dan Hawkins said last week that Republicans currently do not have the votes to pass congressional redistricting.The legislative session runs until late April.&nbsp; The candidate filing deadline for the primary election is June 1. This year, Kansas voters will cast ballots for governor, U.S. senator, state attorney general, state insurance commissioner, secretary of state, state treasurer and state representatives.

2026 Kansas legislative session begins

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a semi driver on multiple allegations after a traffic stop on Sunday.

On January 11, Lyon County Deputies were dispatched to Interstate 35 for a report of a reckless semi, according to a media release. Deputies located the semi and subsequently conducted a traffic stop based on the driving behavior. 

During the course of the stop, deputies developed probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Deputies arrested him and transported him to the Lyon County Detention Center. 

While at the detention center, the driver blew over 3 times the legal limit for regular motor vehicles (.08) and 7 times the legal limit for commercial vehicle drivers (.04).&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the driver.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office reminds the public to drive sober, or you will get pulled over. Driving buzzed, high, or otherwise intoxicated is not only dangerous for you but also for other motorists.

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a semi driver on multiple allegations after a traffic stop on Sunday.On January 11, Lyon County Deputies were dispatched to Interstate 35 for a report of a reckless semi, according to a media release. Deputies located the semi and subsequently conducted a traffic stop based on the driving behavior. During the course of the stop, deputies developed probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Deputies arrested him and transported him to the Lyon County Detention Center. While at the detention center, the driver blew over 3 times the legal limit for regular motor vehicles (.08) and 7 times the legal limit for commercial vehicle drivers (.04).&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the driver.The Lyon County Sheriff's Office reminds the public to drive sober, or you will get pulled over. Driving buzzed, high, or otherwise intoxicated is not only dangerous for you but also for other motorists.

Semi driver arrested in Kansas: 7 times over legal blood alcohol limit

A Kansas City restaurant is warning against violence after a customer threatened to kill staff, including a teen, over a refund.

On their social media page,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paulsdriveinkc.com/" target="_blank">Paul’s Drive In</a>&nbsp;wrote the&nbsp;incident occurred Wednesday Jan. 7, at its location., 10424 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City,&nbsp;

"To our customers and community—this is an important post."

"Last night, our team experienced a situation that crossed a line no service worker should ever have to face. A customer became verbally aggressive during a routine refund and escalated to making explicit threats of violence, including threats to kill our staff. One of the employees involved is 16 years old."

"The customer’s concern was already being handled. A refund was actively in progress. There was never any refusal to resolve the issue."

"We train our team to prioritize safety above all else. When the threats began, the refund was completed and the individual was removed from the property. The entire incident was captured on our security system, and a police report is being filed."

"Threatening violence over a food order is not acceptable. Ever."

'It is not “passion.” It is not “frustration.” It is assault under Missouri law."

"We go out of our way to take care of our customers, but we will not tolerate threats, intimidation, or abuse of our staff, especially our minors. The service industry is experiencing an alarming rise in behavior like this, and it has to stop."

'To the individual involved: you are no longer welcome at Paul’s Drive In."

"To everyone else: thank you for continuing to treat our team with kindness, respect, and basic human decency. We stand with our employees. Always."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768169961840.png" alt="google image" />
 <figcaption>google image</figcaption>
 </figure>A Kansas City restaurant is warning against violence after a customer threatened to kill staff, including a teen, over a refund.On their social media page,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paulsdriveinkc.com/" target="_blank">Paul’s Drive In</a>&nbsp;wrote the&nbsp;incident occurred Wednesday Jan. 7, at its location., 10424 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City,&nbsp;"To our customers and community—this is an important post.""Last night, our team experienced a situation that crossed a line no service worker should ever have to face. A customer became verbally aggressive during a routine refund and escalated to making explicit threats of violence, including threats to kill our staff. One of the employees involved is 16 years old."To be clear:"The customer’s concern was already being handled. A refund was actively in progress. There was never any refusal to resolve the issue.""We train our team to prioritize safety above all else. When the threats began, the refund was completed and the individual was removed from the property. The entire incident was captured on our security system, and a police report is being filed."Let us be absolutely clear:"Threatening violence over a food order is not acceptable. Ever." 'It is not “passion.” It is not “frustration.” It is assault under Missouri law.""We go out of our way to take care of our customers, but we will not tolerate threats, intimidation, or abuse of our staff, especially our minors. The service industry is experiencing an alarming rise in behavior like this, and it has to stop."'To the individual involved: you are no longer welcome at Paul’s Drive In.""To everyone else: thank you for continuing to treat our team with kindness, respect, and basic human decency. We stand with our employees. Always."

KC restaurant issues warning after customer threatened to kill staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair&nbsp;<a href="https://google.com/search?q=apnews+">Jerome Powell</a>&nbsp;said Sunday the Department of Justice has served the central bank with subpoenas and threatened it with a criminal indictment over his testimony about the Fed's building renovations.

The move represents an unprecedented escalation in President Donald Trump's battle with the Fed, an independent agency he has repeatedly attacked for not cutting its key interest rate as quickly as Trump prefers. The subpoena relates to his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June, Powell said, regarding the Fed's $2.5 billion renovation of two office buildings, a project that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">Trump criticized as excessive</a>&nbsp;this summer.

In a video statement, Powell said the threat of criminal charges are “pretexts” to undermine the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">Fed's independence</a>&nbsp;when it comes to setting interest rates.

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.

The Justice Department in a statement Sunday said it can’t comment on any particular case, but added that Attorney General Pam Bondi “has instructed her US Attorneys to prioritize investigating any abuse of tax payer dollars.”

A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office didn’t immediately respond Sunday to a text message and phone call seeking comment.

The potential indictment has already drawn concern from one Republican senator, who said he’ll oppose any future nominee to the central bank, including any replacement for Powell, until “this legal matter is fully resolved.”

“If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the Banking Committee, which oversees Fed nominations. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753406431605.png" alt="FILE - President Donald Trump and&nbsp;Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell look over a document of cost figures during a visit to the Federal Reserve, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington.-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>FILE - President Donald Trump and&nbsp;Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell look over a document of cost figures during a visit to the Federal Reserve, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington.-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair&nbsp;<a href="https://google.com/search?q=apnews+">Jerome Powell</a>&nbsp;said Sunday the Department of Justice has served the central bank with subpoenas and threatened it with a criminal indictment over his testimony about the Fed's building renovations.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell: <a href="https://t.co/5dfrkByGyX">https://t.co/5dfrkByGyX</a> <a href="https://t.co/O4ecNaYaGH">pic.twitter.com/O4ecNaYaGH</a>&mdash; Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) <a href="https://twitter.com/federalreserve/status/2010510130970849338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move represents an unprecedented escalation in President Donald Trump's battle with the Fed, an independent agency he has repeatedly attacked for not cutting its key interest rate as quickly as Trump prefers. The subpoena relates to his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June, Powell said, regarding the Fed's $2.5 billion renovation of two office buildings, a project that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">Trump criticized as excessive</a>&nbsp;this summer.In a video statement, Powell said the threat of criminal charges are “pretexts” to undermine the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">Fed's independence</a>&nbsp;when it comes to setting interest rates.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753406454439.png" alt="President Trump and&nbsp;Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell&nbsp; during a meeting at the construction at the Federal Reserve in July-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and&nbsp;Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell&nbsp; during a meeting at the construction at the Federal Reserve in July-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.The Justice Department in a statement Sunday said it can’t comment on any particular case, but added that Attorney General Pam Bondi “has instructed her US Attorneys to prioritize investigating any abuse of tax payer dollars.”A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office didn’t immediately respond Sunday to a text message and phone call seeking comment.The potential indictment has already drawn concern from one Republican senator, who said he’ll oppose any future nominee to the central bank, including any replacement for Powell, until “this legal matter is fully resolved.”“If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the Banking Committee, which oversees Fed nominations. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”___

🎥Fed Chair responds to Trump DOJ investigation, indictment threat

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Sunday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Honda Accord driven by Tim S. Martin, 74, Maize,&nbsp;was eastbound on Kansas 96 just east of West Street in the westbound lane. The car struck a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Halie M&nbsp;Weese, 25, Hutchinson, and&nbsp; a 2013 Toyota Camry driven by William L&nbsp;Chesbro, 34,&nbsp;Alamogordo, New Mexico.&nbsp; A 2021 GMC Yukon driven by Dwayne C. Doyle, 39, Wichita, then&nbsp;T-boned the Honda.

Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. Weese, Chesbro and Doyle were not transported for treatment. Two children in the Yukon had minor injuries. Martin was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768214819336.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Sunday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Honda Accord driven by Tim S. Martin, 74, Maize,&nbsp;was eastbound on Kansas 96 just east of West Street in the westbound lane. The car struck a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Halie M&nbsp;Weese, 25, Hutchinson, and&nbsp; a 2013 Toyota Camry driven by William L&nbsp;Chesbro, 34,&nbsp;Alamogordo, New Mexico.&nbsp; A 2021 GMC Yukon driven by Dwayne C. Doyle, 39, Wichita, then&nbsp;T-boned the Honda.Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. Weese, Chesbro and Doyle were not transported for treatment. Two children in the Yukon had minor injuries. Martin was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dead in wrong-way, 4-vehicle crash

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in a fire on Saturday in Kansas City.

Just after 5:30p.m., crews&nbsp;responded to an automatic alarm in the 3000 block of Benton Boulevard, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews discovered a water flow alarm was sounding and found an apartment with a sprinkler activation. Companies forced entry to the apartment and discovered the apartment full of smoke with an active sprinkler. The fire had been controlled by the sprinkler system. The occupant, an elderly woman was treated on scene and transported with burn injuries. 

The sprinkler system was secured and the smoke evacuated. No fire supression activities were needed by KCFD, the sprinkler system worked appropriately. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in a fire on Saturday in Kansas City.Just after 5:30p.m., crews&nbsp;responded to an automatic alarm in the 3000 block of Benton Boulevard, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews discovered a water flow alarm was sounding and found an apartment with a sprinkler activation. Companies forced entry to the apartment and discovered the apartment full of smoke with an active sprinkler. The fire had been controlled by the sprinkler system. The occupant, an elderly woman was treated on scene and transported with burn injuries. The sprinkler system was secured and the smoke evacuated. No fire supression activities were needed by KCFD, the sprinkler system worked appropriately. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KCFD: Elderly woman hospitalized after apartment fire

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.

On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia. 

Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.

Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.

 Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.

All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767989235838.png" alt="Conrad photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Conrad photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia. Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767989384517.png" alt="Leach photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Leach photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767989450367.png" alt="Norton photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Norton photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767989508701.png" alt="Norton photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Norton photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Johnson County.

Deputies responded to the area of Edgerton Road and 167th Street&nbsp; following an iPhone crash notification and an additional 911 call reporting a vehicle in a ditch, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's office.

First responders located the vehicle with significant damage and one occupant, a driver later identified as 36-year-old Bailey Boswell of Meriden, unresponsive inside the vehicle. Johnson County MED-ACT responded and attempted life-saving measures.&nbsp; Boswell was pronounced deceased at 3:58 p.m.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 913-715-5400.

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Johnson County.Deputies responded to the area of Edgerton Road and 167th Street&nbsp; following an iPhone crash notification and an additional 911 call reporting a vehicle in a ditch, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's office.First responders located the vehicle with significant damage and one occupant, a driver later identified as 36-year-old Bailey Boswell of Meriden, unresponsive inside the vehicle. Johnson County MED-ACT responded and attempted life-saving measures.&nbsp; Boswell was pronounced deceased at 3:58 p.m.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 913-715-5400.

Kansas woman dies after vehicle crash into a ditch

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man is going to prison for the murder of his mother at her Kansas home in 2023.

On Friday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 24-year-old Devin Joel to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Last year, Joel pleaded guilty to first degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in the 2023 murder.

In May of 2023, police were dispatched to report of a&nbsp; clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.

Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.

Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, who lived in California at the time of the crime, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him.

 The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767998608468.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation in May of 2023-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation in May of 2023-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man is going to prison for the murder of his mother at her Kansas home in 2023.On Friday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 24-year-old Devin Joel to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768142338212.png" alt="Joel photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Joel photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last year, Joel pleaded guilty to first degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in the 2023 murder.In May of 2023, police were dispatched to report of a&nbsp; clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, who lived in California at the time of the crime, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him. The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident.&nbsp;

Prison for killing his mother at her home in Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) —'Melania' the movie is set for a January 29, Kennedy Center debut.

Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, says a documentary film about first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;will make its premiere later this month, posting a trailer on X.

As the Trumps prepared to return to the White House last year, Amazon Prime Video announced a year ago that it had obtained exclusive licensing rights for a streaming and theatrical release directed by Brett Ratner.

Melania Trump also released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-memoir-first-lady-0461dbb098a2218d41fbe7960c05a1a5">a self-titled memoir</a>&nbsp;in late 2024.

Some artists have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-new-years-eve-canceled-db4bc44f0d95cb40f794f2cb737562a3">canceled scheduled Kennedy Center performances</a>&nbsp;after a newly installed board voted to add President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-performing-arts-8b7159067174f3a0070b877c149ff0a7">to the facility</a>, prompting Grenell to accuse the performers of making their decisions because of politics.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737381842811.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —'Melania' the movie is set for a January 29, Kennedy Center debut.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The trailer for Melania’s movie is out. <a href="https://t.co/CLyyvrH2TL">pic.twitter.com/CLyyvrH2TL</a>&mdash; Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/2001270810606965080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, says a documentary film about first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;will make its premiere later this month, posting a trailer on X.As the Trumps prepared to return to the White House last year, Amazon Prime Video announced a year ago that it had obtained exclusive licensing rights for a streaming and theatrical release directed by Brett Ratner.Melania Trump also released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-memoir-first-lady-0461dbb098a2218d41fbe7960c05a1a5">a self-titled memoir</a>&nbsp;in late 2024.Some artists have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-new-years-eve-canceled-db4bc44f0d95cb40f794f2cb737562a3">canceled scheduled Kennedy Center performances</a>&nbsp;after a newly installed board voted to add President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-performing-arts-8b7159067174f3a0070b877c149ff0a7">to the facility</a>, prompting Grenell to accuse the performers of making their decisions because of politics.

🎥See the trailer: 'Melania’ movie set for Kennedy Center debut

Dr. Molly O’Shea has noticed growing skepticism about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-hhs-9b8df9e2767c1261aaac4e2331e77fa3">vaccines</a>&nbsp;at both of her Michigan pediatric offices and says this week's unprecedented and confusing changes to federal vaccine guidance will only make things worse.

One of her offices is in a Democratic area, where more of the parents she sees are opting for alternative schedules that spread out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-childhood-vaccines-fact-check-17c0cb6f2f208f11b3474b96d1726945">shots</a>. The other is in a Republican area, where some parents have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-fluoride-kennedy-trump-science-antiscience-legislation-73af8e65f407331e8f31b2909812a004">stopped immunizing</a>&nbsp;their children altogether.

She and other doctors fear the new recommendations and the terminology around them will stoke vaccine hesitancy even more, pose challenges for pediatricians and parents that make it harder for kids to get shots, and ultimately lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">more illness and death</a>.

The biggest change was to stop blanket recommendations for protection against six diseases and recommend those vaccines only for at-risk children or through something called “shared clinical decision-making” with a health care provider.

The phrase, experts say, is confusing and dangerous: “It sends a message to a parent that actually there’s only a rarefied group of people who really need the vaccine,” O’Shea said. “It’s creating an environment that puts a sense of uncertainty about the value and necessity or importance of the vaccines in that category.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rfk-gold-standard-science-research-autism-6e4c6bc2534252ab1e7add0942043778">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said in announcing the changes that they better align the U.S. with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”

But doctors say they are sowing doubt — the vaccines have been extensively studied and proven to be safe and effective at shielding kids from nasty diseases — at a time when childhood vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">are already falling</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-cases-cdc-subclade-k-29cc5a68eb100585c8e0dbd2ec47b3eb">some of those infectious diseases</a>&nbsp;are spreading.

On Friday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and more than 200 medical, public health and patient advocacy groups sent&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.aap.org%2FDOFA%2FChildhood%2520Vaccine%2520Schedule%2520Joint%2520Letter%2520Final.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clungar%40ap.org%7Ca1fb226ec30c4cdff05c08de4fc36b97%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639035898073595504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=o8rZF2%2BTwKkMqKrfe0eboUu%2FPrvyzOuqOuUveQ9lD8o%3D&amp;reserved=0">a letter to Congress</a>&nbsp;about the new childhood immunization schedule.

“We urge you to investigate why the schedule was changed, why credible scientific evidence was ignored, and why the committee charged with advising the HHS Secretary on immunizations did not discuss the schedule changes as a part of their public meeting process," they wrote.

Many don't know what ’shared decision-making' means

O’Shea said she and other pediatricians discuss vaccines with parents at every visit where they are given. But that’s not necessarily “shared clinical decision-making,” which has a particular definition.

On its website, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says: “Unlike routine, catch-up, and risk-based recommendations, shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are not recommended for everyone in a particular age group or everyone in an identifiable risk group. Rather, shared clinical decision-making recommendations are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian.”

In this context, health care providers include primary care physicians, specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists.

A pair of surveys conducted last year by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania suggested that many people don’t fully understand the concept, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-cdc-kennedy-fd6ab0c7303a4a1698b319885a02ef54">came up last year</a>&nbsp;when the federal government changed recommendations around COVID-19 vaccinations.

Only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults knew that one meaning behind shared decision-making is that “taking the vaccine may not be a good idea for everyone but would benefit some.” And only about one-third realized pharmacists count as health care providers to talk with during the process, even though they frequently administer vaccines.

As of this week, vaccines that protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, flu and meningococcal disease are no longer universally recommended for kids. RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain high-risk populations; flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended through shared decision-making — as is the COVID-19 vaccine, although that change was made last year.

Shortly after the federal announcement Monday, Dr. Steven Abelowitz heard from half a dozen parents. “It’s causing concern for us, but more importantly, concern for parents with kids, especially young kids, and confusion,” said Abelowitz, founder of Ocean Pediatrics in Orange County, California.

Though federal recommendations are not mandates — states have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren — they can affect how easy it is for kids to get shots if doctors choose to follow them.

Under the new guidelines, O'Shea said, parents seeking shots in the shared decision-making category might no longer bring their kids in for a quick, vaccine-only appointment with staff. They'd sit down with a health care provider and discuss the vaccine. And it could be tougher to have a flu clinic, where parents drive up and kids get shots without seeing a doctor.

Still, doctors say they won’t let the changes stop them from helping children get the vaccines they need. Leading medical groups are sticking with prior vaccine recommendations. Many parents are, too.

Megan Landry, whose 4-year-old son Zackary is one of O’Shea’s patients, is among them.

“It’s my responsibility as a parent to protect my child’s health and well-being,” she said. “Vaccines are a really effective and well-studied way to do that.”

She plans to keep having the same conversations she’s always had with O’Shea before getting vaccines for Zackary.

“Relying on evidence and trusted medical guidance really helps me to make those decisions,” she said. “And for me, it’s not just a personal choice for my own son but a way to contribute to the health of everybody.”

But for other families, confidence about vaccines is waning as trust in science erodes. O'Shea lamented that parents are getting the message that they can't trust medical experts.

“If I take my car to the mechanic, I don’t go do my own research ahead of time," she said. “I go to a person I trust and I trust them to tell me what’s going on.”

Abelowitz, the California doctor, likened the latest federal move to pouring gasoline on a fire of mistrust that was already burning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767645053047.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA UNGAR AP Medical WriterDr. Molly O’Shea has noticed growing skepticism about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-hhs-9b8df9e2767c1261aaac4e2331e77fa3">vaccines</a>&nbsp;at both of her Michigan pediatric offices and says this week's unprecedented and confusing changes to federal vaccine guidance will only make things worse.One of her offices is in a Democratic area, where more of the parents she sees are opting for alternative schedules that spread out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-childhood-vaccines-fact-check-17c0cb6f2f208f11b3474b96d1726945">shots</a>. The other is in a Republican area, where some parents have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-fluoride-kennedy-trump-science-antiscience-legislation-73af8e65f407331e8f31b2909812a004">stopped immunizing</a>&nbsp;their children altogether.She and other doctors fear the new recommendations and the terminology around them will stoke vaccine hesitancy even more, pose challenges for pediatricians and parents that make it harder for kids to get shots, and ultimately lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">more illness and death</a>.The biggest change was to stop blanket recommendations for protection against six diseases and recommend those vaccines only for at-risk children or through something called “shared clinical decision-making” with a health care provider.The phrase, experts say, is confusing and dangerous: “It sends a message to a parent that actually there’s only a rarefied group of people who really need the vaccine,” O’Shea said. “It’s creating an environment that puts a sense of uncertainty about the value and necessity or importance of the vaccines in that category.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rfk-gold-standard-science-research-autism-6e4c6bc2534252ab1e7add0942043778">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said in announcing the changes that they better align the U.S. with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”But doctors say they are sowing doubt — the vaccines have been extensively studied and proven to be safe and effective at shielding kids from nasty diseases — at a time when childhood vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">are already falling</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-cases-cdc-subclade-k-29cc5a68eb100585c8e0dbd2ec47b3eb">some of those infectious diseases</a>&nbsp;are spreading.On Friday, the American Academy of Pediatrics and more than 200 medical, public health and patient advocacy groups sent&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.aap.org%2FDOFA%2FChildhood%2520Vaccine%2520Schedule%2520Joint%2520Letter%2520Final.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clungar%40ap.org%7Ca1fb226ec30c4cdff05c08de4fc36b97%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639035898073595504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=o8rZF2%2BTwKkMqKrfe0eboUu%2FPrvyzOuqOuUveQ9lD8o%3D&amp;reserved=0">a letter to Congress</a>&nbsp;about the new childhood immunization schedule.“We urge you to investigate why the schedule was changed, why credible scientific evidence was ignored, and why the committee charged with advising the HHS Secretary on immunizations did not discuss the schedule changes as a part of their public meeting process," they wrote.<h2>Many don't know what ’shared decision-making' means</h2>O’Shea said she and other pediatricians discuss vaccines with parents at every visit where they are given. But that’s not necessarily “shared clinical decision-making,” which has a particular definition.On its website, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says: “Unlike routine, catch-up, and risk-based recommendations, shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are not recommended for everyone in a particular age group or everyone in an identifiable risk group. Rather, shared clinical decision-making recommendations are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian.”In this context, health care providers include primary care physicians, specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists.A pair of surveys conducted last year by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania suggested that many people don’t fully understand the concept, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-cdc-kennedy-fd6ab0c7303a4a1698b319885a02ef54">came up last year</a>&nbsp;when the federal government changed recommendations around COVID-19 vaccinations.Only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults knew that one meaning behind shared decision-making is that “taking the vaccine may not be a good idea for everyone but would benefit some.” And only about one-third realized pharmacists count as health care providers to talk with during the process, even though they frequently administer vaccines.As of this week, vaccines that protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, flu and meningococcal disease are no longer universally recommended for kids. RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain high-risk populations; flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines are recommended through shared decision-making — as is the COVID-19 vaccine, although that change was made last year.Shortly after the federal announcement Monday, Dr. Steven Abelowitz heard from half a dozen parents. “It’s causing concern for us, but more importantly, concern for parents with kids, especially young kids, and confusion,” said Abelowitz, founder of Ocean Pediatrics in Orange County, California.Though federal recommendations are not mandates — states have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren — they can affect how easy it is for kids to get shots if doctors choose to follow them.Under the new guidelines, O'Shea said, parents seeking shots in the shared decision-making category might no longer bring their kids in for a quick, vaccine-only appointment with staff. They'd sit down with a health care provider and discuss the vaccine. And it could be tougher to have a flu clinic, where parents drive up and kids get shots without seeing a doctor.<h2>Staying the course as challenges mount</h2>Still, doctors say they won’t let the changes stop them from helping children get the vaccines they need. Leading medical groups are sticking with prior vaccine recommendations. Many parents are, too.Megan Landry, whose 4-year-old son Zackary is one of O’Shea’s patients, is among them.“It’s my responsibility as a parent to protect my child’s health and well-being,” she said. “Vaccines are a really effective and well-studied way to do that.”She plans to keep having the same conversations she’s always had with O’Shea before getting vaccines for Zackary.“Relying on evidence and trusted medical guidance really helps me to make those decisions,” she said. “And for me, it’s not just a personal choice for my own son but a way to contribute to the health of everybody.”But for other families, confidence about vaccines is waning as trust in science erodes. O'Shea lamented that parents are getting the message that they can't trust medical experts.“If I take my car to the mechanic, I don’t go do my own research ahead of time," she said. “I go to a person I trust and I trust them to tell me what’s going on.”Abelowitz, the California doctor, likened the latest federal move to pouring gasoline on a fire of mistrust that was already burning.“We’re worried the fire’s out of control,” he said. “Already we’ve seen that with measles and pertussis, there are increased hospitalizations and even increasing deaths. So the way that I look at it — and my colleagues look at it — we’re basically regressing decades.”___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.