Former President&nbsp;Bill Clinton&nbsp;is testifying Friday before members of Congress who are investigating convicted sex offender&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein. Below is his opening statement.

Watch below, the first minutes of President Bill Clinton testifying under oath, via videotape, before a Federal Grand Jury about his relationship with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky - before the Independent Counsel, held at White House, beginning at 1:03 pm., Monday, August 17, 1998.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772215538027.png" alt="From his 1998 testimony courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>From his 1998 testimony courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Former President&nbsp;Bill Clinton&nbsp;is testifying Friday before members of Congress who are investigating convicted sex offender&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein. Below is his opening statement.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing—I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals. <a href="https://t.co/0rX8cat5Pu">pic.twitter.com/0rX8cat5Pu</a>&mdash; Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillClinton/status/2027424128559452573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Watch below, the first minutes of President Bill Clinton testifying under oath, via videotape, before a Federal Grand Jury about his relationship with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky - before the Independent Counsel, held at White House, beginning at 1:03 pm., Monday, August 17, 1998.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">First 2 minutes of President Bill Clinton testifying under oath, via videotape, before a Federal Grand Jury about his relationship with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky - before the Independent Counsel, held at White House, beginning at 1:03 pm., Monday, August 17, 1998 <a href="https://t.co/S3qGTo8S5i">pic.twitter.com/S3qGTo8S5i</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/2027437955472601577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Former President Bill Clinton's opening statement to House Oversight Committee

WASHINGTON (AP) —Joe Biden’s appearance in a boarding area awaiting a flight to South Carolina drew a crowd Friday morning at the the airport near downtown Washington.

The former president is spending Friday evening with Democrats in South Carolina who have organized a thank you event to commemorate his thunderous victory in the state’s 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

Other passengers were primarily deterred by the dozen Secret Service agents who surrounded Biden as he sat at the gate. But Biden took selfies with American Airlines employees, and dozens of passengers in the area filmed him on their cellphones.

Once on board awaiting takeoff, passengers passed by to shake Biden’s hand. “God bless you, sir,” one woman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772207561358.png" alt="Photos by Meg Kinnard Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photos by Meg Kinnard Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Joe Biden’s appearance in a boarding area awaiting a flight to South Carolina drew a crowd Friday morning at the the airport near downtown Washington.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Headed home today after a week in DC so I can cover former President Joe Biden as he attends a <a href="https://twitter.com/scdp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scdp</a> event in Columbia SC tonight. Apparently I picked a popular flight this morning! <a href="https://t.co/8iYUrHY7oQ">pic.twitter.com/8iYUrHY7oQ</a>&mdash; Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP/status/2027394704954830990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The former president is spending Friday evening with Democrats in South Carolina who have organized a thank you event to commemorate his thunderous victory in the state’s 2020 Democratic presidential primary.Other passengers were primarily deterred by the dozen Secret Service agents who surrounded Biden as he sat at the gate. But Biden took selfies with American Airlines employees, and dozens of passengers in the area filmed him on their cellphones.Once on board awaiting takeoff, passengers passed by to shake Biden’s hand. “God bless you, sir,” one woman said.

Former President draws attention at airport en route to South Carolina

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to cap property valuation increases at 3%, the first step toward achieving a constitutional change that would need to be approved by voters.&nbsp;

An amendment to the constitution must be approved by a majority of voters after passing both legislative chambers by a two-thirds majority.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>, which passed the Senate 30-10, stops assessed values of real property from increasing more than 3% per year except in certain situations, such as new construction or if improvements occurred on the property.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If approved by voters, the cap would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. Values of current homes would be set at 3% above 2022 valuations.&nbsp;

Opponents to the resolution argued that addressing one factor — in this case, the assessed valuation —- may or may not lower a homeowner’s property taxes. They expressed concern the issue may confuse taxpayers, who may vote in favor of the resolution and expect to see their property taxes decrease.&nbsp;

Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat who was a former commissioner in Kansas City, Kansas, said the resolution wouldn’t lower property taxes.&nbsp;

“Only mill levies can do that,” she said.

Mill levies are the assessment of $1 of tax per $1,000 of the property valuation. Local governments set mill levies based on their total valuations and the dollars needed to fund their budgets.&nbsp;

Local governments wishing to continue to provide their current level of services will immediately consider raising the mill levies, which determine property tax, Pettey said.&nbsp;

She said numerous opponents testified against the bill in committee, including the city of Mission, the city of Overland Park, the Kansas Realtors Association, the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Building Industry Association and the Kansas Farm Bureau.

“So a vast, diverse group of organizations came out in opposition because they believe, and I do, that this does not reduce or limit property tax increases and could more than likely result in a shift of property tax burden across taxpayers,” Pettey said.&nbsp;

Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is running for governor, said her concern with the resolution is that property taxes are the primary funding for local governments.

“Essentially, we have to take into consideration that services for local police departments, local roads, those costs aren’t going to decrease or disappear,” Holscher said. “The funds have to come from somewhere else.”

Holscher also raised concerns that capping property valuations would, over time, cause automobile taxes to rise because local governments would need to replace funding.&nbsp;

“Sixty-four percent of adults typically own homes. In Kansas, 74% own vehicles,” she said. “We’re effectively switching and removing the tax burden from property owners to car owners, some of whom don’t own property. We’re squeezing the balloons, so to speak, because again, the money has to come from somewhere to pay for these services.”

Proponents of the resolution said Kansas must provide property tax relief, especially for older Kansans on fixed incomes who see their property taxes jump higher every year.&nbsp;

“Property taxes are not just numbers on a statement,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “They’re grocery money. They’re car payments. They’re retirement savings, and they’re the difference between potentially staying in your home or being forced to sell.”

He said Kansans have seen their property valuations “rise sharply,” financially straining people on fixed incomes, young families and farmers and ranchers.&nbsp;

“It does not eliminate property taxes. It does not strip local governments of funding,” Bowser said. “What it does is provide stability, predictability and protection against sudden spikes in tax bills. This is about fairness. When market values surge 10, 15, even 20% in a single year, taxpayers are hit with increases they cannot control.”

SCR 1616 will move to the House for consideration. If it passes there, it would be placed on a special election ballot on Aug. 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In local governments, each entity, such as police and fire departments and the county commissioners, create a budget. Officials take the total assessed value of the jurisdiction — the total assessment of all property values — and determine what the mill levy needs to be to raise the dollars to meet the budget.&nbsp;

A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, if a house has assessed value of $150,000, the homeowner would pay $15 in property tax per mill levied by the county. In the city of Shawee, for instance,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofshawnee.org/departments/finance/tax_structure" target="_blank">the mill levy&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;includes funding needs for several taxing authorities, such as school districts and the local library.&nbsp;

Excluding school districts, which vary based on the resident’s location, the mill levy was 56.998. On the $150,000 assessed value, the homeowner would pay $854.97 annually in property taxes. (Remember, this doesn’t include mill levies for schools, which ranged from 51 mills to 63 mills.)

Capping property valuations only makes a difference if mill levies don’t change.&nbsp;

If the local government doesn’t have other revenue options — such as sales tax or bed tax income —&nbsp; they may decide to increase the mill levy to meet budget demands. States with significant tourism, for instance, often have lower property tax values because they can rely on other revenue streams.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772200133782.png" alt=" Sen. Pat Pettey. shown here in a file photo, is concerned a 3% cap on property valuations won’t lower property taxes as most Kansans will expect. (Photo by Grace Hills for Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Pat Pettey. shown here in a file photo, is concerned a 3% cap on property valuations won’t lower property taxes as most Kansans will expect. (Photo by Grace Hills for Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to cap property valuation increases at 3%, the first step toward achieving a constitutional change that would need to be approved by voters.&nbsp;An amendment to the constitution must be approved by a majority of voters after passing both legislative chambers by a two-thirds majority.&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>, which passed the Senate 30-10, stops assessed values of real property from increasing more than 3% per year except in certain situations, such as new construction or if improvements occurred on the property.&nbsp;&nbsp;If approved by voters, the cap would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. Values of current homes would be set at 3% above 2022 valuations.&nbsp;Opponents to the resolution argued that addressing one factor — in this case, the assessed valuation —- may or may not lower a homeowner’s property taxes. They expressed concern the issue may confuse taxpayers, who may vote in favor of the resolution and expect to see their property taxes decrease.&nbsp;Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat who was a former commissioner in Kansas City, Kansas, said the resolution wouldn’t lower property taxes.&nbsp;“Only mill levies can do that,” she said.Mill levies are the assessment of $1 of tax per $1,000 of the property valuation. Local governments set mill levies based on their total valuations and the dollars needed to fund their budgets.&nbsp;Local governments wishing to continue to provide their current level of services will immediately consider raising the mill levies, which determine property tax, Pettey said.&nbsp;She said numerous opponents testified against the bill in committee, including the city of Mission, the city of Overland Park, the Kansas Realtors Association, the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Building Industry Association and the Kansas Farm Bureau.“So a vast, diverse group of organizations came out in opposition because they believe, and I do, that this does not reduce or limit property tax increases and could more than likely result in a shift of property tax burden across taxpayers,” Pettey said.&nbsp;Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is running for governor, said her concern with the resolution is that property taxes are the primary funding for local governments.“Essentially, we have to take into consideration that services for local police departments, local roads, those costs aren’t going to decrease or disappear,” Holscher said. “The funds have to come from somewhere else.”Holscher also raised concerns that capping property valuations would, over time, cause automobile taxes to rise because local governments would need to replace funding.&nbsp;“Sixty-four percent of adults typically own homes. In Kansas, 74% own vehicles,” she said. “We’re effectively switching and removing the tax burden from property owners to car owners, some of whom don’t own property. We’re squeezing the balloons, so to speak, because again, the money has to come from somewhere to pay for these services.”Proponents of the resolution said Kansas must provide property tax relief, especially for older Kansans on fixed incomes who see their property taxes jump higher every year.&nbsp;“Property taxes are not just numbers on a statement,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “They’re grocery money. They’re car payments. They’re retirement savings, and they’re the difference between potentially staying in your home or being forced to sell.”He said Kansans have seen their property valuations “rise sharply,” financially straining people on fixed incomes, young families and farmers and ranchers.&nbsp;“It does not eliminate property taxes. It does not strip local governments of funding,” Bowser said. “What it does is provide stability, predictability and protection against sudden spikes in tax bills. This is about fairness. When market values surge 10, 15, even 20% in a single year, taxpayers are hit with increases they cannot control.”SCR 1616 will move to the House for consideration. If it passes there, it would be placed on a special election ballot on Aug. 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>How property taxes and mill levies work</h2>In local governments, each entity, such as police and fire departments and the county commissioners, create a budget. Officials take the total assessed value of the jurisdiction — the total assessment of all property values — and determine what the mill levy needs to be to raise the dollars to meet the budget.&nbsp;A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, if a house has assessed value of $150,000, the homeowner would pay $15 in property tax per mill levied by the county. In the city of Shawee, for instance,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofshawnee.org/departments/finance/tax_structure" target="_blank">the mill levy&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;includes funding needs for several taxing authorities, such as school districts and the local library.&nbsp;Excluding school districts, which vary based on the resident’s location, the mill levy was 56.998. On the $150,000 assessed value, the homeowner would pay $854.97 annually in property taxes. (Remember, this doesn’t include mill levies for schools, which ranged from 51 mills to 63 mills.)Capping property valuations only makes a difference if mill levies don’t change.&nbsp;If the local government doesn’t have other revenue options — such as sales tax or bed tax income —&nbsp; they may decide to increase the mill levy to meet budget demands. States with significant tourism, for instance, often have lower property tax values because they can rely on other revenue streams.&nbsp;

Kansas Senate approves cap on property valuations, despite questions on real tax savings

On February 27, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of U.S. government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available.

Country Summary:&nbsp;Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. The security environment is complex and can change quickly, and violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning. Increased regional tensions can cause airlines to cancel and/or curtail flights into and out of Israel.

Some areas have increased risk. Read the&nbsp;<a href="https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas-gov.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&amp;originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com.mcas-gov.ms%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps%253A%25252F%25252Ftravel.state.gov%25252Fcontent%25252Ftravel%25252Fen%25252Finternational-travel%25252FInternational-Travel-Country-Information-Pages%25252FIsraeltheWestBankandGaza.html%252F1%252F0101019c9e328878-f8614486-ee74-479c-a2d5-30d64660914e-000000%252FAh2FYzHTLzqz7nPsda0poqOfEdN6BpRzR5XGiLnZW3c%253D446%26data%3D05%257C02%257CAlbelbeisiE%2540state.gov%257Ca5ffb6cc3a7a42802cc708de75dcfdce%257C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%257C0%257C0%257C639077789170603338%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3Dyx1o17QzmpCQFyVTI%252FRkC2M6JBm7WumzEwrlhONt4NA%253D%26reserved%3D0%26McasTsid%3D20893&amp;McasCSRF=af70f2d6e5704a15882d352f35afde4c9eb324eb761bcdec8771c8624f62e229" target="_blank">country information page&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;for additional information on travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Visit the CDC page for the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas-gov.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&amp;originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com.mcas-gov.ms%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps%253A%25252F%25252Fwwwnc.cdc.gov%25252Ftravel%25252Fdestinations%25252Ftraveler%25252Fnone%25252Fisrael%25253Fs_cid%253Dncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001%252F1%252F0101019c9e328878-f8614486-ee74-479c-a2d5-30d64660914e-000000%252FZkzxZMKzbhGrklHD4F4l6vPBvgKxOnBxzqtS8v-moDQ%253D446%26data%3D05%257C02%257CAlbelbeisiE%2540state.gov%257Ca5ffb6cc3a7a42802cc708de75dcfdce%257C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%257C0%257C0%257C639077789170615806%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DVCXcsKAmRUhojPQaQuN8wkY3Bnn4mor3Saxy93WPsBw%253D%26reserved%3D0%26McasTsid%3D20893&amp;McasCSRF=af70f2d6e5704a15882d352f35afde4c9eb324eb761bcdec8771c8624f62e229" target="_blank">Travel Health Information&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza:

Israel – Reconsider Travel (see below for additional information regarding areas near the Lebanese and Syrian borders)

Reconsider travel due to&nbsp;terrorism, and civil unrest.

The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning.

U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from personal travel to the following locations:

Any official travel of U.S. government personnel within these areas requires approval from the Embassy’s security office.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

Northern Israel (within 4 kilometers/2.5 miles of Lebanese and Syrian borders) – Do Not Travel

The Israeli authorities restrict travel to areas close to the border given the Israeli Defense Forces continued presence and activity. Do not travel to this area for any reason.

Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Israel are currently restricted from personal travel within 4 kilometers/2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Israel must obtain special authorization to travel close to these borders.

The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens not travel within 4 kilometers/2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders.

Reconsider Travel due to&nbsp;terrorism&nbsp;and&nbsp;civil unrest.

Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Israel must obtain special authorization travel to the West Bank. U.S. government employees are currently restricted from all personal travel to the West Bank, except:

Over the past several months, there has been an increase in violence, Israeli military operations, and terrorist attacks. Some incidents have resulted in injury or death of U.S. citizens. During periods of unrest, the Israeli government may restrict access to and within the West Bank, and some areas may be placed under curfew.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees working in Israel with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

Visit our website for&nbsp;<a href="https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas-gov.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&amp;originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com.mcas-gov.ms%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps%253A%25252F%25252Ftravel.state.gov%25252Fcontent%25252Fpassports%25252Fen%25252Fgo%25252FTraveltoHighRiskAreas.html%252F1%252F0101019c9e328878-f8614486-ee74-479c-a2d5-30d64660914e-000000%252FCJHwoe5ddft4nmJGklMrV7rtjlDoAxA1Nr6j7tqZdY0%253D446%26data%3D05%257C02%257CAlbelbeisiE%2540state.gov%257Ca5ffb6cc3a7a42802cc708de75dcfdce%257C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%257C0%257C0%257C639077789170729285%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DGcFf1gW3HyE8LzG%252Bdv%252BDGh1GDvnVnavM0Y0jEzuciz4%253D%26reserved%3D0%26McasTsid%3D20893&amp;McasCSRF=af70f2d6e5704a15882d352f35afde4c9eb324eb761bcdec8771c8624f62e229" target="_blank">Travel to High Risk Areas&nbsp;</a>.

Do not travel for any reason due to&nbsp;terrorism&nbsp;and&nbsp;armed conflict.

The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there. The security environment within Gaza and on its borders is extremely dangerous and volatile. The pedestrian crossing between Gaza and Israel (Erez Crossing) was damaged on October 7, 2023, and remains closed. The pedestrian crossing between Egypt and Gaza (Rafah Crossing) has been closed since May 7, 2024, and remains closed to the general public.

If a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) desires our assistance and has not already provided their information to the Department of State, please email U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:JerusalemACS@state.gov">JerusalemACS@state.gov</a>.

Visit our website for&nbsp;<a href="https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas-gov.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&amp;originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com.mcas-gov.ms%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps%253A%25252F%25252Ftravel.state.gov%25252Fcontent%25252Fpassports%25252Fen%25252Fgo%25252FTraveltoHighRiskAreas.html%252F2%252F0101019c9e328878-f8614486-ee74-479c-a2d5-30d64660914e-000000%252FKoAb07NTRIkz6QptK3rtrEY0e-fcZBXRW82fROpDKOw%253D446%26data%3D05%257C02%257CAlbelbeisiE%2540state.gov%257Ca5ffb6cc3a7a42802cc708de75dcfdce%257C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%257C0%257C0%257C639077789170743530%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DMtGfsOYHxbSdxpMkAsLg9JcAkw418SqIsYbeN5XLYeg%253D%26reserved%3D0%26McasTsid%3D20893&amp;McasCSRF=af70f2d6e5704a15882d352f35afde4c9eb324eb761bcdec8771c8624f62e229" target="_blank">Travel to High Risk Areas&nbsp;</a>.

Please be sure to visit our website for&nbsp;<a href="https://mcas-proxyweb.mcas-gov.ms/certificate-checker?login=false&amp;originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com.mcas-gov.ms%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps%253A%25252F%25252Ftravel.state.gov%25252Fcontent%25252Ftravel%25252Fen%25252Finternational-travel%25252Fbefore-you-go%25252Fcrisis_and_disaster_abroad_be_ready.html%252F1%252F0101019c9e328878-f8614486-ee74-479c-a2d5-30d64660914e-000000%252FmRStECkANzALK9cVshh6K4v_9vZHcVXDimtLlArNw_c%253D446%26data%3D05%257C02%257CAlbelbeisiE%2540state.gov%257Ca5ffb6cc3a7a42802cc708de75dcfdce%257C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%257C0%257C0%257C639077789170756531%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DAajaGEH0mjZt2ZoSlRppHpZo%252BKlGDLUjmDpbYQ%252FbutQ%253D%26reserved%3D0%26McasTsid%3D20893&amp;McasCSRF=af70f2d6e5704a15882d352f35afde4c9eb324eb761bcdec8771c8624f62e229" target="_blank">Crisis and Disaster Abroad&nbsp;</a>: Be Ready&nbsp;for information that may be helpful.

U.S. updates travel advisory to Israel amid Iran strike fears

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A 21-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot Wednesday evening in north Wichita.

Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police learned that a 21-year-old man had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper body. He is currently listed in stable condition.

Preliminary investigation indicates the incident began as a meeting arranged through social media for the sale of items. When the two parties met, the victim was reportedly robbed by two suspects, who then fled the scene. The victim followed the suspects in his vehicle.

In the 4100 block of North Tyler, the suspects fired at the victim’s vehicle, striking both the vehicle and the victim.

The victim then drove himself to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect vehicle was later located, and a juvenile male was taken into custody in connection with the case.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A 21-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot Wednesday evening in north Wichita.Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police learned that a 21-year-old man had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper body. He is currently listed in stable condition.Preliminary investigation indicates the incident began as a meeting arranged through social media for the sale of items. When the two parties met, the victim was reportedly robbed by two suspects, who then fled the scene. The victim followed the suspects in his vehicle.In the 4100 block of North Tyler, the suspects fired at the victim’s vehicle, striking both the vehicle and the victim.The victim then drove himself to a local hospital for treatment.The suspect vehicle was later located, and a juvenile male was taken into custody in connection with the case.

Police: Kan. teen shot man during social media arranged sale

CLARK COUNTY —After fighting a large wild fire last week, crews in southwest Kansas were busy with another grass fire Thursday.

Ashland Kansas fire crews reported on their social media page they&nbsp;just got home from a grass fire that started along U.S. 160 three miles west of Ashland. 

They thanked crews from Minneola, Englewood, Fowler and Ford county for their help. There were no injuries reported.

"Please make sure chains and other things that can spark a fire are properly secured on all vehicles. We are all home safe and sound."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772192059521.png" alt="Photo Ashland Kansas fire department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Ashland Kansas fire department</figcaption>
 </figure>CLARK COUNTY —After fighting a large wild fire last week, crews in southwest Kansas were busy with another grass fire Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772192044032.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ashland Kansas fire crews reported on their social media page they&nbsp;just got home from a grass fire that started along U.S. 160 three miles west of Ashland. They thanked crews from Minneola, Englewood, Fowler and Ford county for their help. There were no injuries reported."Please make sure chains and other things that can spark a fire are properly secured on all vehicles. We are all home safe and sound."

Crews fight another wildfire in southwest Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;told members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>.

“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein,” Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-door deposition concluded Thursday after over six hours of Hillary Clinton giving an answer to every question.

The depositions in the Clintons' hometown of Chappaqua, a typically quiet hamlet north of New York City, come after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-fb3b8d7caafda88ddfa670148ceb2a89">months of tense back-and-forth</a>&nbsp;between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee as it investigates Epstein, who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress.

Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epstein's abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, a Republican who has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to testify, bowed last year to pressure to release case files on Epstein. The Clintons, too,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-jeffrey-epstein-contempt-716148204e58a42153c5ab20a97c3011">agreed to testify</a>&nbsp;after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-contempt-congress-epstein-6132b63aeb1deb4513e9fa6807ae223c">criminal contempt of Congress charges</a>&nbsp;against them.

“Like every decent person," Hillary Clinton added in her opening statement, “I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.”

She has previously said that her husband flew with Epstein for charitable trips but that she did not recall ever meeting Epstein. She had also interacted with Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation.

Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/what-to-know-about-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epsteins-former-girlfriend-20b6d4a197364bb6b8d0f8390d2ce5a4">a British socialite</a>, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

As she exited the event center where the deposition was held, Hillary Clinton told reporters that Maxwell had come to the wedding as a guest of someone else and that she had told the committee she only knew Maxwell “as an acquaintance.”

Republicans relish chance to question Clintons

Bill Clinton, however, has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-4a55e83b62b5a037c431e36cfa87f0dc">Several photos</a>&nbsp;of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.

Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clinton's work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. Clinton defended her work to address sex trafficking around the world, saying that it remained important to help the millions of survivors of sex trafficking.

The committee's investigation has also sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges.

Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running a one-sided investigation that has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. “This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official,” she said.

Yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-362e6ccf61014d7fbaeb35e1b5d793a9">conspiracy theories</a>, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers.

Hillary Clinton said that one Republican lawmaker asked her a line of questions about “vile, bogus conspiracy theories.”

The deposition was also paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., sent a photo of Hillary Clinton in the private proceeding to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committee's rules for depositions.

Democrats said that the incident underscored how important it was for there to be a clear public record of the deposition. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, said that Hillary Clinton, after the incident, repeated her longstanding demand that the deposition be made public, and Democrats called for a video and transcript of the complete proceedings to be released quickly.

Comer said that he would work quickly to release a video and transcript of the deposition.

“The purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein,” he told reporters outside the convention center where the depositions were being held. “How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world?"

Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritized transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Several Democratic lawmakers joined with Republicans on the Oversight panel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-contempt-congress-epstein-6132b63aeb1deb4513e9fa6807ae223c">advance the contempt of Congress charges</a>&nbsp;against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them.

Garcia also called on Trump to testify in the investigation. He argued that Bill Clinton’s appearance sets a precedent that should apply to Trump as well.

"Let’s get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors,” Garcia said.

Comer previously said that the committee can’t depose Trump because he is a sitting president.

Still, Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Trump about his administration's handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epstein's abuse as their guests to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-state-union-speech-economy-midterms-affordability-d31fc47a200d159a2d24833bd378ec56">Trump's State of the Union address</a>.

Garcia and others are also challenging the Department of Justice's assertion that it has met the requirements of a law passed by Congress last year that mandates the release of many of the case files on Epstein.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his caucus in the coming days would also review unredacted versions of the Epstein case files at a Department of Justice office. Schumer, who demanded that the department release all of the files and preserve all materials, said they will “pull on every thread” until they “reveal this massive cover-up."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;told members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s or Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hillary Clinton: &quot;I just finished testifying. I answered every one of their questions as fully as I could...I never met Jeffrey Epstein, never had any connection or communication with him...I knew Ghislaine Maxwell casually, as an acquaintance…&quot; <a href="https://t.co/q1An5XIjlN">pic.twitter.com/q1An5XIjlN</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2027159353069916378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein,” Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-door deposition concluded Thursday after over six hours of Hillary Clinton giving an answer to every question.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here is my opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee today. <a href="https://t.co/NZSF2epcI5">pic.twitter.com/NZSF2epcI5</a>&mdash; Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/2027053057100693779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepRobertGarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepRobertGarcia</a> on leaked photo from Hillary Clinton deposition: &quot;That was completely against the rules. We&#39;re grateful the Secretary continued the deposition, but not acceptable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/R5IW9OtufY">pic.twitter.com/R5IW9OtufY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2027115397585985852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Advisors to Hillary Clinton say the House Oversight Committee&#39;s deposition hearing has been paused due an unauthorized photo from the hearing shared on social media: &quot;It came from Benny Johnson, he said Lauren Boebert gave it to him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/DAOMZmuSkn">pic.twitter.com/DAOMZmuSkn</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2027080264195731639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The depositions in the Clintons' hometown of Chappaqua, a typically quiet hamlet north of New York City, come after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-fb3b8d7caafda88ddfa670148ceb2a89">months of tense back-and-forth</a>&nbsp;between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee as it investigates Epstein, who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress.Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epstein's abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, a Republican who has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to testify, bowed last year to pressure to release case files on Epstein. The Clintons, too,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-jeffrey-epstein-contempt-716148204e58a42153c5ab20a97c3011">agreed to testify</a>&nbsp;after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-contempt-congress-epstein-6132b63aeb1deb4513e9fa6807ae223c">criminal contempt of Congress charges</a>&nbsp;against them.“Like every decent person," Hillary Clinton added in her opening statement, “I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.”She has previously said that her husband flew with Epstein for charitable trips but that she did not recall ever meeting Epstein. She had also interacted with Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation.Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/what-to-know-about-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epsteins-former-girlfriend-20b6d4a197364bb6b8d0f8390d2ce5a4">a British socialite</a>, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton.As she exited the event center where the deposition was held, Hillary Clinton told reporters that Maxwell had come to the wedding as a guest of someone else and that she had told the committee she only knew Maxwell “as an acquaintance.”<h2>Republicans relish chance to question Clintons</h2>Bill Clinton, however, has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-4a55e83b62b5a037c431e36cfa87f0dc">Several photos</a>&nbsp;of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clinton's work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. Clinton defended her work to address sex trafficking around the world, saying that it remained important to help the millions of survivors of sex trafficking.The committee's investigation has also sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges.Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running a one-sided investigation that has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. “This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official,” she said.Yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-362e6ccf61014d7fbaeb35e1b5d793a9">conspiracy theories</a>, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers.Hillary Clinton said that one Republican lawmaker asked her a line of questions about “vile, bogus conspiracy theories.”The deposition was also paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., sent a photo of Hillary Clinton in the private proceeding to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committee's rules for depositions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Can you talk to us about why you sent that picture?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepBoebert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepBoebert</a>: “I just returned to my hotel room and installed the BleachBit software…So, I guess in regards to taking photos, I do not recall.” <a href="https://t.co/A8WctEnaAQ">pic.twitter.com/A8WctEnaAQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2027132240019276138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Democrats said that the incident underscored how important it was for there to be a clear public record of the deposition. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, said that Hillary Clinton, after the incident, repeated her longstanding demand that the deposition be made public, and Democrats called for a video and transcript of the complete proceedings to be released quickly.Comer said that he would work quickly to release a video and transcript of the deposition.“The purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein,” he told reporters outside the convention center where the depositions were being held. “How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world?"<h2>Democrats call for Trump to testify</h2>Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritized transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Several Democratic lawmakers joined with Republicans on the Oversight panel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-contempt-congress-epstein-6132b63aeb1deb4513e9fa6807ae223c">advance the contempt of Congress charges</a>&nbsp;against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them.Garcia also called on Trump to testify in the investigation. He argued that Bill Clinton’s appearance sets a precedent that should apply to Trump as well."Let’s get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors,” Garcia said.Comer previously said that the committee can’t depose Trump because he is a sitting president.Still, Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Trump about his administration's handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epstein's abuse as their guests to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-state-union-speech-economy-midterms-affordability-d31fc47a200d159a2d24833bd378ec56">Trump's State of the Union address</a>.Garcia and others are also challenging the Department of Justice's assertion that it has met the requirements of a law passed by Congress last year that mandates the release of many of the case files on Epstein.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his caucus in the coming days would also review unredacted versions of the Epstein case files at a Department of Justice office. Schumer, who demanded that the department release all of the files and preserve all materials, said they will “pull on every thread” until they “reveal this massive cover-up."___

🎥What Hillary Clinton told members of Congress about Jeffrey Epstein

FORT HANCOCK, Texas (AP) — The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, members of Congress said Thursday, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas.

It's not clear why the laser was deployed but it's the second time in two weeks that one has been fired in the area.

The earlier laser firing did not hit a target. It was done by the CBP near Fort Bliss, about 50 miles northwest, and prompted the FAA to shut down air traffic at El Paso airport and the surrounding area. This time, the closure was smaller and commercial flights not affected.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and several other top Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee said they were stunned when notified of the latest incident.

“Our heads are exploding over the news,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. They criticized the Trump administration for “sidestepping” a bipartisan bill to train drone operators and improve communication among the Pentagon, FAA and Department of Homeland Security.

"Now, we’re seeing the result of its incompetence,” they said.

The Defense and Transportation departments referred questions to the FAA, which said in a brief statement that it had expanded the airspace closure around Fort Hancock. Border Protection did not immediately respond to questions.

The El Paso shutdown two weeks ago lasted only a few hours but it raised alarm and led to a number of flight cancellations in the city of nearly 700,000 people not far from the Mexican border.

In that case, an anti-drone laser was deployed by CBP near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, which then decided to close the El Paso airspace to ensure commercial air safety, according to sources familiar with what happened who weren’t authorized to discuss it.

Afterward, members of Congress said it appeared to be another example of dysfunction within the government with different agencies failing to coordinate with each other.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he was planning to brief members of Congress sometime this week about what happened. He said at an unrelated news conference last Friday that it wasn’t a mistake for the FAA to close the airspace in El Paso and that he doesn’t think it was a communication issue that led to the problems.

The investigation into last year’s midair collision near Washington, D.C., between an airliner and Army helicopter that killed 67 people highlighted how the FAA and Pentagon were not always working well together.

FORT HANCOCK, Texas (AP) — The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, members of Congress said Thursday, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas.It's not clear why the laser was deployed but it's the second time in two weeks that one has been fired in the area.The earlier laser firing did not hit a target. It was done by the CBP near Fort Bliss, about 50 miles northwest, and prompted the FAA to shut down air traffic at El Paso airport and the surrounding area. This time, the closure was smaller and commercial flights not affected.U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and several other top Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee said they were stunned when notified of the latest incident.“Our heads are exploding over the news,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. They criticized the Trump administration for “sidestepping” a bipartisan bill to train drone operators and improve communication among the Pentagon, FAA and Department of Homeland Security."Now, we’re seeing the result of its incompetence,” they said.The Defense and Transportation departments referred questions to the FAA, which said in a brief statement that it had expanded the airspace closure around Fort Hancock. Border Protection did not immediately respond to questions.The El Paso shutdown two weeks ago lasted only a few hours but it raised alarm and led to a number of flight cancellations in the city of nearly 700,000 people not far from the Mexican border.In that case, an anti-drone laser was deployed by CBP near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, which then decided to close the El Paso airspace to ensure commercial air safety, according to sources familiar with what happened who weren’t authorized to discuss it.Afterward, members of Congress said it appeared to be another example of dysfunction within the government with different agencies failing to coordinate with each other.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he was planning to brief members of Congress sometime this week about what happened. He said at an unrelated news conference last Friday that it wasn’t a mistake for the FAA to close the airspace in El Paso and that he doesn’t think it was a communication issue that led to the problems.The investigation into last year’s midair collision near Washington, D.C., between an airliner and Army helicopter that killed 67 people highlighted how the FAA and Pentagon were not always working well together.

Lawmakers say US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

CLAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Clay County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Optima driven by a 21-year-old Kansas City, Missouri woman was northbound on Interstate 35 near the 435 interchange. The car struck a person who entered the road. The pedestrian, later identified as a 40-year-old Bates City man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Clay County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Optima driven by a 21-year-old Kansas City, Missouri woman was northbound on Interstate 35 near the 435 interchange. The car struck a person who entered the road. The pedestrian, later identified as a 40-year-old Bates City man, was pronounced dead at the scene.The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Man dead after struck by a car near Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas city man faces multiple felony charges&nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during an attempted home invasion in 2024.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2814/Perkins-Redacted-Complaint">Sheldon Perkins</a>, 34,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, 1st Degree Attempted Robbery, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, 1st Degree Burglary, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2815/Perkins-Redacted-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City detectives determined Perekins allegedly recruited two other men, including his brother, to help him rob the occupants of a Kansas City residence on August 26, 2024. The three men forced their way into the home, where an altercation ensued with one of the occupants of the residence.&nbsp;

During the struggle, a firearm belonging to one of the intruders became loose. The second occupant of the home picked up the firearm and fired at the men. The gunfire killed one of the intruders and injured the other two, including the defendant, who fled the scene and checked into a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

The occupant who fired the shots called 911 to report the attempted robbery and shooting.

When Kansas City police arrived at the residence, they found one victim outside the home with gunshot wounds to the back. He was transported to a nearby hospital and determined to be paralyzed as a result of the shooting. Inside the residence, officers found a second victim who was deceased.&nbsp;

DNA testing of the firearms recovered at the crime scene found the Perkin’s DNA on two of the firearms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772120101060.png" alt="Perkins photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Perkins photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas city man faces multiple felony charges&nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during an attempted home invasion in 2024.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2814/Perkins-Redacted-Complaint">Sheldon Perkins</a>, 34,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, 1st Degree Attempted Robbery, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, 1st Degree Burglary, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2815/Perkins-Redacted-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City detectives determined Perekins allegedly recruited two other men, including his brother, to help him rob the occupants of a Kansas City residence on August 26, 2024. The three men forced their way into the home, where an altercation ensued with one of the occupants of the residence.&nbsp;During the struggle, a firearm belonging to one of the intruders became loose. The second occupant of the home picked up the firearm and fired at the men. The gunfire killed one of the intruders and injured the other two, including the defendant, who fled the scene and checked into a nearby hospital.&nbsp;The occupant who fired the shots called 911 to report the attempted robbery and shooting.When Kansas City police arrived at the residence, they found one victim outside the home with gunshot wounds to the back. He was transported to a nearby hospital and determined to be paralyzed as a result of the shooting. Inside the residence, officers found a second victim who was deceased.&nbsp;DNA testing of the firearms recovered at the crime scene found the Perkin’s DNA on two of the firearms.

Suspect was wounded in failed KC home-invasion robbery

WYANDOTTE COUNTY- A man wanted for murder in Denver remains behind bars in Kansas, after a multi-agency traffic stop.

Just after noon, Feb. 20, The FBI and Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department's Special Operations Unit and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from KCK Police.

During the stop, police arrested 20-year-old Yeanbraiker Yriarte-Valera who&nbsp;was a passenger inside the vehicle.

Yriarte-Valera is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on&nbsp;a first-degree murder charge from Denver and a separate hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772105519803.png" alt="Yriarte-Valera photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Yriarte-Valera photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY- A man wanted for murder in Denver remains behind bars in Kansas, after a multi-agency traffic stop.Just after noon, Feb. 20, The FBI and Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department's Special Operations Unit and Violent Crimes Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from KCK Police.During the stop, police arrested 20-year-old Yeanbraiker Yriarte-Valera who&nbsp;was a passenger inside the vehicle.Yriarte-Valera is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on&nbsp;a first-degree murder charge from Denver and a separate hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to online jail records.

Murder suspect captured in Kansas also wanted by ICE

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday rejected a preservationist group’s request to block the Trump administration from continuing construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.47.0.pdf">U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled</a>&nbsp;that the National Trust for Historic Preservation was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its bid to temporarily halt President Donald Trump’s project. He said the privately funded group based its challenge on a "ragtag group of theories" under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution, and would have a better chance of success if it amended the lawsuit.

“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the President’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, Plaintiff didn’t bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” the judge wrote.

The preservationists sought an order pausing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-57512e0d91432f75529946fddfbfe2c5">ballroom project</a>&nbsp;until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.

Trump used his social media account to hail the ruling as “Great news for America.” The Republican president said the project was ahead of schedule and under budget and "will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America.”

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said the group was “disappointed" that no injunction was issued but “pleased that Judge Leon ruled that the National Trust has standing to bring this lawsuit, as we have asserted from the start.”

“We are also pleased that he encouraged us to amend our complaint — specifically, to assert that the president has acted beyond his statutory authority — and we plan to do so promptly,” Quillen said in a statement. “The judge indicated he will rule expeditiously once we do so, and we will await his decision.”

The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer. By late October, the Republican president had demolished the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that he said will fit 999 people. The White House said private donations, including from Trump himself, would pay for the planned construction of a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom.

Trump proceeded with the project before seeking input from a pair of federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Trump has stocked both commission with allies.

The arts panel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-fine-arts-f2a15d0b1c9c95f24816fe60b6b1ee5f">approved the project</a>&nbsp;at a meeting last week. The planning commission is set to discuss it further at a March 5 meeting.

During a preliminary hearing in December, Leon warned the administration to refrain from making decisions on underground work, such as the routing of plumbing and gas lines, that would dictate the scope of future ballroom construction above ground.

The group challenging the project argued that Trump could be emboldened to go further — and possibly demolish the White House’s West Wing or Executive Mansion — if the court did not intervene.

“The losers will be (the) American public, who will be left with a massive ballroom that not only overwhelms what is perhaps the nation’s most historically important building, but will have been built in violation of an astonishingly wide range of laws,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.33.0.pdf">plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote</a>.

The administration said in a court filing that above-ground construction on the ballroom would not begin until April. In the meantime,&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.14.0_2.pdf">government lawyers argued</a>, the preservationist group’s challenge was premature because the building plans were not final.

The administration also argued that other presidents did not need congressional approval for previous White House renovation projects, large and small.

“Many of those projects were highly controversial in their time yet have since become accepted—even beloved—parts of the White House,” government lawyers wrote.

Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said the White House office behind the project is not an agency covered under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge also said the preservationists, who argued that the ballroom usurped the authority of Congress, did not have the basis to invoke the power of the courts.

As a result, “I cannot reach the merits of the National Trust’s novel and weighty statutory arguments” at this time, Leon said.

Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771522704150.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday rejected a preservationist group’s request to block the Trump administration from continuing construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/W18hXCkCgW">pic.twitter.com/W18hXCkCgW</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2027087614168179145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.47.0.pdf">U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled</a>&nbsp;that the National Trust for Historic Preservation was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its bid to temporarily halt President Donald Trump’s project. He said the privately funded group based its challenge on a "ragtag group of theories" under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution, and would have a better chance of success if it amended the lawsuit.“Unfortunately, because both sides initially focused on the President’s constitutional authority to destruct and construct the East Wing of the White House, Plaintiff didn’t bring the necessary cause of action to test the statutory authority the President claims is the basis to do this construction project without the blessing of Congress and with private funds,” the judge wrote.The preservationists sought an order pausing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-57512e0d91432f75529946fddfbfe2c5">ballroom project</a>&nbsp;until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.Trump used his social media account to hail the ruling as “Great news for America.” The Republican president said the project was ahead of schedule and under budget and "will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America.”Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said the group was “disappointed" that no injunction was issued but “pleased that Judge Leon ruled that the National Trust has standing to bring this lawsuit, as we have asserted from the start.”“We are also pleased that he encouraged us to amend our complaint — specifically, to assert that the president has acted beyond his statutory authority — and we plan to do so promptly,” Quillen said in a statement. “The judge indicated he will rule expeditiously once we do so, and we will await his decision.”The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer. By late October, the Republican president had demolished the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that he said will fit 999 people. The White House said private donations, including from Trump himself, would pay for the planned construction of a 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom.Trump proceeded with the project before seeking input from a pair of federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Trump has stocked both commission with allies.The arts panel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-fine-arts-f2a15d0b1c9c95f24816fe60b6b1ee5f">approved the project</a>&nbsp;at a meeting last week. The planning commission is set to discuss it further at a March 5 meeting.During a preliminary hearing in December, Leon warned the administration to refrain from making decisions on underground work, such as the routing of plumbing and gas lines, that would dictate the scope of future ballroom construction above ground.The group challenging the project argued that Trump could be emboldened to go further — and possibly demolish the White House’s West Wing or Executive Mansion — if the court did not intervene.“The losers will be (the) American public, who will be left with a massive ballroom that not only overwhelms what is perhaps the nation’s most historically important building, but will have been built in violation of an astonishingly wide range of laws,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.33.0.pdf">plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote</a>.The administration said in a court filing that above-ground construction on the ballroom would not begin until April. In the meantime,&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645/gov.uscourts.dcd.287645.14.0_2.pdf">government lawyers argued</a>, the preservationist group’s challenge was premature because the building plans were not final.The administration also argued that other presidents did not need congressional approval for previous White House renovation projects, large and small.“Many of those projects were highly controversial in their time yet have since become accepted—even beloved—parts of the White House,” government lawyers wrote.Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said the White House office behind the project is not an agency covered under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge also said the preservationists, who argued that the ballroom usurped the authority of Congress, did not have the basis to invoke the power of the courts.As a result, “I cannot reach the merits of the National Trust’s novel and weighty statutory arguments” at this time, Leon said.___Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report.

Trump responds to judge's decision on $400 million ballroom project

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA —&nbsp;FIFA World Cup games will go around-the-clock, but under current law the alcoholic drinks in Kansas will stop before the final whistle.&nbsp;

A proposed Senate bill would change that.

Proponents are worried that fans will cross the border to Missouri, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/sports/world-cup/where-kansas-city-area-cities-stand-on-23-hour-alcohol-sales-during-world-cup-in-missouri" target="_blank">already passed</a>&nbsp;legislation to extend liquor sales to 23 hours of the day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sen. Adam Thomas, a Republican from Olathe with decades of restaurant experience, modeled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb393/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 393</a>&nbsp;after Missouri’s law.&nbsp;

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. The reason this was brought is because as we know, last year Missouri already passed this,” Thomas said. “As we know, KCK is not that far from the state line.”

The bill would authorize bars, restaurants and liquor stores to sell liquor from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. for the duration of the World Cup, which is predicted to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-disaster-declaration-prepares-state-for-world-cup-visitor-boom/">650,000 visitors</a>&nbsp;this summer. Thomas said the one-hour window is to give restaurant staff time to recoup.&nbsp;

The proposed change is a jump from current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/abcsaledays.html#:~:text=When%20Can%20Alcoholic%20Liquor%20and%20Cereal%20Malt,more%20restrictive%20hours%20via%20ordinance%20or%20resolution" target="_blank">liquor sale hours</a>. Under current law, liquor stores can generally sell from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with various restrictions on the weekends, and bars from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.&nbsp;

Kansas will be the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportingkc.com/news/kansas-city-selected-by-four-national-teams-for-base-camps-emerging-as-the-base-camp-capital-of-the-fifa-world-cup-2026tm" target="_blank">home base</a>&nbsp;for two teams: Argentina at Kansas City’s Sporting KC Training Center, and Algeria at Lawrence’s Rock Chalk Park. Missouri will have two teams as well, with England at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Netherlands at Riverside’s KC Current Training Facility.&nbsp;

Janez Lomshek, who owns bars and grills in Johnson County, testified on behalf of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Lomshek said he already has invested tens of thousands of dollars in renovations in anticipation.&nbsp;

“Our current alcohol sales hour restrictions risk preventing us from fully accommodating this international moment,” Lomshek said in his written testimony. “A meaningful share of visitor spending — especially during late-night or early morning games due to global scheduling — could easily cross State Line Road into Missouri.”

“With a full one-third of Kansas alcohol licensees located within 10 miles of the Missouri border, and about 26.4% in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties alone (including businesses like mine), this cross-border diversion represents a real threat to local revenue,” he added.

Sen. Ron Ryckman, R-Meade, said he is apprehensive about changing the drinking hours for the whole state, including his southwest Kansas district — far away from the World Cup action.

“I’m not excited about people in southwest Kansas drinking till 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning,” Ryckman said. “We know the problem that alcohol causes there, and I know you do too.”

Thomas said the bill wouldn’t force businesses to be open late, just give them the option.&nbsp;

“We’re not mandating that anybody do this,” Thomas said. “ We’re simply opening the door for folks, that right now instead of staying open till 2 a.m., have that couple of extra hours to sell.”

There was no neutral or opposition testimony for the bill, but Sen. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan, brought up the security needs associated with late-night and early-morning drinking. Lomshek said his bars and grills would have extra staff on board, and their kitchens would stay open later.

Sen. Stephen Owens, a Republican from Hesston, asked Thomas a joking question: “Nothing good happens after midnight. What good is going to happen after midnight here?”

“We’re already open till 2 right now,” Thomas replied. “So I would argue if nothing good happens after midnight the difference between 2 and 5 is — not much is going to change.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772132095539.png" alt="Sen. Adam Thomas, R-Olathe, has introduced a bill extending Kansas drinking hours during the World Cup tournament. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Adam Thomas, R-Olathe, has introduced a bill extending Kansas drinking hours during the World Cup tournament. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp;FIFA World Cup games will go around-the-clock, but under current law the alcoholic drinks in Kansas will stop before the final whistle.&nbsp;A proposed Senate bill would change that.Proponents are worried that fans will cross the border to Missouri, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/sports/world-cup/where-kansas-city-area-cities-stand-on-23-hour-alcohol-sales-during-world-cup-in-missouri" target="_blank">already passed</a>&nbsp;legislation to extend liquor sales to 23 hours of the day.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sen. Adam Thomas, a Republican from Olathe with decades of restaurant experience, modeled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb393/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 393</a>&nbsp;after Missouri’s law.&nbsp;“This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. The reason this was brought is because as we know, last year Missouri already passed this,” Thomas said. “As we know, KCK is not that far from the state line.”The bill would authorize bars, restaurants and liquor stores to sell liquor from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. for the duration of the World Cup, which is predicted to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-disaster-declaration-prepares-state-for-world-cup-visitor-boom/">650,000 visitors</a>&nbsp;this summer. Thomas said the one-hour window is to give restaurant staff time to recoup.&nbsp;The proposed change is a jump from current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/abcsaledays.html#:~:text=When%20Can%20Alcoholic%20Liquor%20and%20Cereal%20Malt,more%20restrictive%20hours%20via%20ordinance%20or%20resolution" target="_blank">liquor sale hours</a>. Under current law, liquor stores can generally sell from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with various restrictions on the weekends, and bars from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.&nbsp;Kansas will be the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportingkc.com/news/kansas-city-selected-by-four-national-teams-for-base-camps-emerging-as-the-base-camp-capital-of-the-fifa-world-cup-2026tm" target="_blank">home base</a>&nbsp;for two teams: Argentina at Kansas City’s Sporting KC Training Center, and Algeria at Lawrence’s Rock Chalk Park. Missouri will have two teams as well, with England at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Netherlands at Riverside’s KC Current Training Facility.&nbsp;Janez Lomshek, who owns bars and grills in Johnson County, testified on behalf of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Lomshek said he already has invested tens of thousands of dollars in renovations in anticipation.&nbsp;“Our current alcohol sales hour restrictions risk preventing us from fully accommodating this international moment,” Lomshek said in his written testimony. “A meaningful share of visitor spending — especially during late-night or early morning games due to global scheduling — could easily cross State Line Road into Missouri.”“With a full one-third of Kansas alcohol licensees located within 10 miles of the Missouri border, and about 26.4% in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties alone (including businesses like mine), this cross-border diversion represents a real threat to local revenue,” he added.Sen. Ron Ryckman, R-Meade, said he is apprehensive about changing the drinking hours for the whole state, including his southwest Kansas district — far away from the World Cup action.“I’m not excited about people in southwest Kansas drinking till 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning,” Ryckman said. “We know the problem that alcohol causes there, and I know you do too.”Thomas said the bill wouldn’t force businesses to be open late, just give them the option.&nbsp;“We’re not mandating that anybody do this,” Thomas said. “ We’re simply opening the door for folks, that right now instead of staying open till 2 a.m., have that couple of extra hours to sell.”There was no neutral or opposition testimony for the bill, but Sen. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan, brought up the security needs associated with late-night and early-morning drinking. Lomshek said his bars and grills would have extra staff on board, and their kitchens would stay open later.Sen. Stephen Owens, a Republican from Hesston, asked Thomas a joking question: “Nothing good happens after midnight. What good is going to happen after midnight here?”“We’re already open till 2 right now,” Thomas replied. “So I would argue if nothing good happens after midnight the difference between 2 and 5 is — not much is going to change.”

Senate bill would uncork round-the-clock drinking in Kansas during FIFA World Cup

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating more credit card skimmers on gas pumps in Salina.

On Wednesday afternoon, police made contact with employees of Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio in Salina in reference to finding two more skimmers on two diesel pumps, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

The employees reported after finding the initial two skimmers Tuesday they had checked the pumps and had not located any others. 

Prior to calling they checked the pumps and located two new skimmers. The business checked their security cameras and observed a white dually pickup pull up to both pumps for a short amount of time before leaving. 

The vehicle was at the pumps between 4:30 AM and 4:45 AM on the morning Wednesday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1772040372270.png" alt="Photo Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating more credit card skimmers on gas pumps in Salina.On Wednesday afternoon, police made contact with employees of Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio in Salina in reference to finding two more skimmers on two diesel pumps, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.The employees reported after finding the initial two skimmers Tuesday they had checked the pumps and had not located any others. Prior to calling they checked the pumps and located two new skimmers. The business checked their security cameras and observed a white dually pickup pull up to both pumps for a short amount of time before leaving. The vehicle was at the pumps between 4:30 AM and 4:45 AM on the morning Wednesday.&nbsp;

More credit card skimmers found in central Kansas

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran– a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry – today applauded the removal of the lesser prairie-chicken from the&nbsp;Endangered Species Act&nbsp;(ESA) list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), following a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas:

“The removal of the lesser prairie‑chicken from the endangered and threatened species list is a major win for Kansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities. For years, Kansas producers have worked to protect the bird’s habitat through voluntary, locally‑driven conservation efforts, but the listing’s burdensome federal regulations put severe strain on many Kansas industries.&nbsp;I have worked to oppose the listing of the lesser prairie-chicken for more than a decade, and I applaud today’s decision to remove the listing and continue to support local efforts to promote voluntary solutions that will protect the bird’s habitat without placing unnecessary burdens on our agricultural community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681935383708.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Senator Jerry MoranWASHINGTON&nbsp;– Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran– a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry – today applauded the removal of the lesser prairie-chicken from the&nbsp;Endangered Species Act&nbsp;(ESA) list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), following a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas:“The removal of the lesser prairie‑chicken from the endangered and threatened species list is a major win for Kansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities. For years, Kansas producers have worked to protect the bird’s habitat through voluntary, locally‑driven conservation efforts, but the listing’s burdensome federal regulations put severe strain on many Kansas industries.&nbsp;I have worked to oppose the listing of the lesser prairie-chicken for more than a decade, and I applaud today’s decision to remove the listing and continue to support local efforts to promote voluntary solutions that will protect the bird’s habitat without placing unnecessary burdens on our agricultural community.”

Kan. U.S. Senator applauds removal of prairie-chicken from ESA list

SEATTLE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hilary-knight">Hilary Knight</a>&nbsp;doesn’t want to let what she called a “distasteful” joke by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-womens-hockey-olympic-final-141b5904352673676656cbe2a1c253e5">gold-medal winning</a>&nbsp;U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team get in the way of a historic performance by American women across all sports at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Games</a>.

“I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate,” Knight said on Wednesday alongside fellow Olympians Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes at the Seattle Space Needle ahead of their return to play for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. “And, I think just the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point and really shines light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats.”

Knight, a two-time gold medalist whose 15 goals and 33 points in Olympic competition are the most by a U.S. hockey player at the Games, said she’s not focusing on an offhand comment by Trump after the American men topped Canada for gold in overtime on Sunday.

Talking on a speakerphone in the postgame locker room, Trump extended an invitation to the White House to the men’s team, then added, “We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” The president later joked that if he didn’t extend the invitation, he would probably be impeached.

While the vast majority of the men’s team flew to Washington on Tuesday and visited Trump in the White House before being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-hockey-olympics-trump-89fff7bdec947251ff926e09ac24d4e4">guests at the State of the Union</a>, many of the women’s players were on the way back to their professional or college clubs.

USA Hockey, which said it was “honored” by the invitation, cited logistical issues as the major hurdle that prevented the women’s team from stopping by the White House. The team was originally scheduled to fly commercially into New York on Monday, but was forced to reroute through Atlanta due to a snowstorm in the Northeast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771816710692.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hilary-knight">Hilary Knight</a>&nbsp;doesn’t want to let what she called a “distasteful” joke by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-womens-hockey-olympic-final-141b5904352673676656cbe2a1c253e5">gold-medal winning</a>&nbsp;U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team get in the way of a historic performance by American women across all sports at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Games</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump invited both the men&#39;s and women&#39;s U.S. Olympic ice <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hockey</a> teams to the White House. In a phone call with the men&#39;s team, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a> joked that he only invited the women to avoid impeachment if he didn&#39;t. After that, the women&#39;s declined his invitation. <a href="https://t.co/7gm7rusKTl">pic.twitter.com/7gm7rusKTl</a>&mdash; Mina (@Mina696645851) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mina696645851/status/2026455099149615199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate,” Knight said on Wednesday alongside fellow Olympians Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes at the Seattle Space Needle ahead of their return to play for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. “And, I think just the way women are represented, it’s a great teaching point and really shines light on how women should be championed for their amazing feats.”Knight, a two-time gold medalist whose 15 goals and 33 points in Olympic competition are the most by a U.S. hockey player at the Games, said she’s not focusing on an offhand comment by Trump after the American men topped Canada for gold in overtime on Sunday.Talking on a speakerphone in the postgame locker room, Trump extended an invitation to the White House to the men’s team, then added, “We’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” The president later joked that if he didn’t extend the invitation, he would probably be impeached.While the vast majority of the men’s team flew to Washington on Tuesday and visited Trump in the White House before being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-hockey-olympics-trump-89fff7bdec947251ff926e09ac24d4e4">guests at the State of the Union</a>, many of the women’s players were on the way back to their professional or college clubs.USA Hockey, which said it was “honored” by the invitation, cited logistical issues as the major hurdle that prevented the women’s team from stopping by the White House. The team was originally scheduled to fly commercially into New York on Monday, but was forced to reroute through Atlanta due to a snowstorm in the Northeast.Several players were going to stick around New York for promotional purposes, even ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Those scheduled appearances had to be canceled because of flight changes.Knight lamented that the video — which included several players laughing after Trump’s comments — took on a life of its own and didn’t convey the true nature of the relationship between the men’s and women’s US hockey programs.“The men’s and the women’s team did it together,” Knight said. “And, that’s super special. It’s never been done in our program’s history. It’s something we’re extremely proud about. But these women are amazing. And whatever’s going on should never outshine or minimize their work and our success on the world stage.”Kelly Pannek, a forward on the women’s team, told reporters “the video is what it is” but added it was a “special feeling” spending time with the men’s team after they won the first Olympic gold for the U.S. in 46 years. Pannek believes there is mutual respect and support on both sides.Goaltender Jeremy Swayman told reporters in Boston after returning to practice with the Bruins that the men “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s remarks.“To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for,” Swayman said. “And now that we’re home we get to share that together forever and see the incredible support we have from the USA and share this incredible gold medal.”Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal in overtime for the U.S., also said the moment did not reflect the views of the men’s team.“You’re in the moment and the president calls. We’re blaring the music. It is what it is,” Hughes said Wednesday night after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sabres-devils-score-0eb145127b212254164b4d837c11204d">his first game back</a>&nbsp;with the New Jersey Devils. “We have so much respect for the women’s team and they have so much respect for us. We are all just proud Americans.”The earliest the U.S. women could make a White House visit would be in late spring after the conclusion of the PWHL season.The U.S. won 12 gold medals in Milan Cortina, with women playing a hand in eight of them. The women’s hockey team outscored opponents 33-2 on its way to the top of the podium.“This was the best American women’s hockey team, the best American team we’ve ever put together on the world stage when the lights have been the brightest ever,” Knight said. “And so, I think everybody felt that going through the tournament. And, I want to celebrate. I want people to be remembered for that. I want the legacy of this team to be remembered.”___AP freelancer Everett Merrill in Newark, New Jersey, contributed to this report.