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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police release details in Kansas road-rage shooting 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homicide: Police ID man found dead outside KC home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump announces Warrior Dividend checks for the military 

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

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

🎥Highlights of President Trump's address to the nation

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kan. convenience store employee accused of stealing lottery tickets

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

Trump pays respects to National Guardsmen, interpreter killed in Syria 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The only video of that presumed, anticipated, suspected however you want to define it person of interest — you have it,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.&nbsp;

Nor have investigators been able to trace the person of interest’s movements a few blocks beyond Governor Street, a few blocks east of the engineering building.

“What’s really critical first, is that we identify who the person is,” Neronha said. “Once we identify who the person is, I believe we’ll be able to locate them. It’s very hard to hide in this country.”

Neronha continued, “Once we’ve identified him, we’ll know more information about where he’s from, and who his friends are, and where he might have gone.”&nbsp;

The FBI is offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/new-videos-show-suspect-casing-brown-campus-and-neighborhood-before-mass-shooting/">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;to anyone with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.&nbsp;

Besides a rough description of a 5-foot-8, stocky man wearing various shades of dark clothing, a satchel strapped across his body in some of the video segments, officials were reluctant to comment on any more facets of his identity, including an age, motive or connection to the university.&nbsp;

Perez said he appears to be casing the area in preparation for the shooting, noting it was a common practice among criminals who take days, sometimes weeks, to ready themselves before committing a crime.

Even the behavior exhibited in the video, strolling down the sidewalk, then later standing with hands clasped behind his back, looking out the street, was not enough to draw firm conclusions from, said Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office.

“To get into the mind of an individual that would commit such a heinous act, that’s a place I don’t want to go right now,” Docks said.&nbsp;

Perez said the mid-morning walk Saturday suggests the suspect was casing the neighborhood, familiarizing himself with the setting in preparation for the crime.

Several reporters asked questions about student and faculty pages that have allegedly been taken down since the shooting, along with conflicting reports that the gunman shouted something before opening fire.

But Perez and Christina Paxson, Brown University president, denied any knowledge of university pages being scrubbed. The words spoken, if any, remain unknown, Perez said.

The ever-outspoken Neronha again jumped in with another word of caution.

“It’s easy to jump from words that were spoken to what those words are, to a name that reflects a motive, targeting a particular person,” he said. “That’s a really dangerous road to go down.”

Investigators already ran into one dead end after detaining a person found at a Coventry hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">early Sunday morning</a>, only to&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">release him</a>&nbsp;less&nbsp;than 24 hours later because there was no evidence tying him to the crime. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley described the initial, incorrect suspect as a “setback” in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Rhode Island Report podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/providence-mayor-brown-university-shooting-setback-ri/" target="_blank">released Monday.</a>

Neronha, however, said Tuesday that while disappointing, it was not unusual for investigations to generate multiple leads that don’t always result in an arrest. Investigators&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/providence-police-prepare-to-release-more-surveillance-video-of-suspect/">continue to canvass</a>&nbsp;the East Side neighborhood around the scene of the shooting Tuesday in search of additional clues, but the search may expand beyond the neighborhood, or the city limits, in the coming days, Neronha said.

Providence police are also working with law enforcement across the state, and in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Perez said.

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

Enhanced video released: Brown University gunman still at large

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas sheriff's deputy for alleged crimes.&nbsp;

Just before 2a.m. Monday, 34-year-old Shawn Swanson was booked in the Shawnee County jail on a requested charge of&nbsp; Domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, according to online jail records.

Just before 11a.m. Monday he met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer in custody.&nbsp; He has been placed on administrative leave, according to the sheriff's department.

The Topeka Police Department is in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765917626372.png" alt="Swanson photo Shawnee County" />
                        <figcaption>Swanson photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas sheriff's deputy for alleged crimes.&nbsp;</p><p>Just before 2a.m. Monday, 34-year-old Shawn Swanson was booked in the Shawnee County jail on a requested charge of&nbsp; Domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, according to online jail records.</p><p>Just before 11a.m. Monday he met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer in custody.&nbsp; He has been placed on administrative leave, according to the sheriff's department.</p><p>The Topeka Police Department is in charge of the investigation.</p>

Kansas sheriff's deputy is out of jail after arrest

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

just before 8a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 4000 block of Brooklyn Avenue on two separate calls for reported ShotSpotter activations, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Responding officers canvassed the area for any victims, or damage to property, as a result of potential gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they located a vehicle that sustained gunshot damage and located a man later identified as 34-year-old Demetrius L. Hall inside, unresponsive, and suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. 

&nbsp;EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.

Crime scene personnel, and Homicide detectives responded to the scene to begin canvassing the area for any evidence and to gather witness statements. There is not any preliminary information currently available that indicates what led up to the shooting, and police do not currently have a subject of interest identified.

This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Roselyn Temple, KC Mothers in Charge, and department social workers responded to the scene to begin providing assistance and resources to those impacted as a result of this incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765904192131.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>just before 8a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 4000 block of Brooklyn Avenue on two separate calls for reported ShotSpotter activations, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765904158014.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Responding officers canvassed the area for any victims, or damage to property, as a result of potential gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they located a vehicle that sustained gunshot damage and located a man later identified as 34-year-old Demetrius L. Hall inside, unresponsive, and suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. </p><p>&nbsp;EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.</p><p>Crime scene personnel, and Homicide detectives responded to the scene to begin canvassing the area for any evidence and to gather witness statements. There is not any preliminary information currently available that indicates what led up to the shooting, and police do not currently have a subject of interest identified.</p><p>This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Roselyn Temple, KC Mothers in Charge, and department social workers responded to the scene to begin providing assistance and resources to those impacted as a result of this incident.&nbsp;</p>

Gunshot detection alert led KCPD to location of homicide victim

(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755651756653.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/QS8Whosuml">pic.twitter.com/QS8Whosuml</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001076955395797252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765968665337.png" alt="Image from Dept. of Justice video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from Dept. of Justice video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… <a href="https://t.co/dNr0oAGl5x">pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x</a></p>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998875795151024337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump orders 'blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela

KANSAS CITY – A former elementary school teacher and employee of two Kansas City area school districts has been indicted by a federal grand jury for additional child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a thirteen-count federal superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City last week. Hernandez was previously charged in a seven-count indictment with five counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The superseding indictment includes those charges and six additional counts of production and attempted production of child pornography. The offenses charged in the indictment are alleged to involve twelve minor victims and are alleged to have occurred between August 2022 and August 2025.

<a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a>&nbsp;on Hernendez

The charges contained in this superseding indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755908167779.png" alt="Hernandez photo" />
                        <figcaption>Hernandez photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY – A former elementary school teacher and employee of two Kansas City area school districts has been indicted by a federal grand jury for additional child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.</p><p>Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a thirteen-count federal superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City last week. Hernandez was previously charged in a seven-count indictment with five counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The superseding indictment includes those charges and six additional counts of production and attempted production of child pornography. The offenses charged in the indictment are alleged to involve twelve minor victims and are alleged to have occurred between August 2022 and August 2025.</p><p><a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a>&nbsp;on Hernendez</p><p>The charges contained in this superseding indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.</p><p>This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.</p>

More charges: Teacher accused of filming child porn in KC area school

A UPS driver was killed Tuesday afternoon after a collision with a train on Woodberry Road south of U.S. 50 in Reno County.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received the call shortly after 3 p.m. reporting a serious accident at the railroad crossing. Deputies arrived to find a UPS delivery truck that had been struck by a train and pushed on the driver’s side.

Authorities said there are no railroad crossing lights at the scene. The driver of the UPS truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

No injuries were reported on the train. Officials have not released details regarding the train’s speed or direction of travel.

Woodberry Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon as investigators worked the scene. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office says the crash remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765933777098.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MARC JACOBS<br>Hutch Post&nbsp;<br></p><p>A UPS driver was killed Tuesday afternoon after a collision with a train on Woodberry Road south of U.S. 50 in Reno County.</p><p>According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received the call shortly after 3 p.m. reporting a serious accident at the railroad crossing. Deputies arrived to find a UPS delivery truck that had been struck by a train and pushed on the driver’s side.</p><p>Authorities said there are no railroad crossing lights at the scene. The driver of the UPS truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.</p><p>No injuries were reported on the train. Officials have not released details regarding the train’s speed or direction of travel.</p><p>Woodberry Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon as investigators worked the scene. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office says the crash remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.</p>

Kansas delivery driver killed after a train strikes UPS truck

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment in Kansas City.

Just before 1p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 2800 block of Bellview on the west side of Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 On arrival crews reported smoke from a two-story apartment. Crews quickly made an interior attack of the first floor apartment and discovered a kitchen fire in the rear of the structure. 

The fire was quickly put out limiting the damage. A search of the entire structure was conducted and came back all clear.&nbsp; One dog was found and removed and safely placed in the care of a neighbor. 

No injuries were reported at this incident. The occupants were not home at the time.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765896836187.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Department." />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Department.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment in Kansas City.</p><p>Just before 1p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 2800 block of Bellview on the west side of Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.</p><p> On arrival crews reported smoke from a two-story apartment. Crews quickly made an interior attack of the first floor apartment and discovered a kitchen fire in the rear of the structure. </p><p>The fire was quickly put out limiting the damage. A search of the entire structure was conducted and came back all clear.&nbsp; One dog was found and removed and safely placed in the care of a neighbor. </p><p>No injuries were reported at this incident. The occupants were not home at the time.&nbsp;</p>

Family pet rescued from Kansas City apartment fire

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits.&nbsp;

Johnson was confident that blocking the amendment would not lead centrist GOP lawmakers to oppose the Republican health care bill scheduled to get a vote Wednesday.&nbsp;

“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare, COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created,” Johnson said. “We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve and it just was not to be.”

The enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, sharply increasing the cost of health insurance for the roughly 22 million Americans who purchase plans through the exchange and benefit from the subsidies.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-preps-health-care-bill-vote-new-year" target="_blank">House Republican health care bill</a>&nbsp;wouldn’t extend those tax credits, frustrating GOP lawmakers in that chamber who are most at risk of losing their reelection bids during the November midterm elections.&nbsp;

Johnson said he expects that GOP bill will pass, though he didn’t address its prospects in the Senate, where bipartisanship is needed for nearly all bills to advance under that chamber’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.&nbsp;

“So we have been forced to sign onto two discharge petitions,” he said. “And yet my Democratic colleagues will not join us, but for those that were at the negotiation table.”

Lawler then criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, for not encouraging Democrats to sign onto the bipartisan discharge petitions, noting that would likely get the 218 signatures needed to force a floor vote. He argued that’s because Jeffries “doesn’t actually want to solve the problem, he wants the issue.”

“This place is disgraceful,” Lawler said. “Everybody wants the upper hand.&nbsp; Everybody wants the political advantage. They don’t actually want to do the damn work. This problem could be solved today if everybody who says they care about extending this signs the discharge.”

When the House returns from its two-week holiday break next year, Johnson said, leaders may try to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/youre-hearing-lot-about-budget-reconciliation-congress-what-does-mean" target="_blank">complex reconciliation process</a>&nbsp;they used to enact the “one big, beautiful bill” to address health care.&nbsp;

“What we anticipate going into the first quarter of next year is, possibly in a reconciliation package or in regular order a stand-alone, ideas just like this,” Johnson said after being asked a question about Health Savings Accounts. “We have a long list of things that we know will reduce premiums, increase access and quality of care.”&nbsp;

President Donald Trump said Monday he wants Republicans to use the reconciliation process or to eliminate the Senate’s legislative filibuster to address health care and other policy priorities.&nbsp;

“Republicans should knock out the filibuster and we should approve a lot of things,” Trump said.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he doesn’t intend to change or scrap the filibuster.

Trump also reiterated during the Oval Office event he would like to see Congress send direct payments to Americans to help them buy health insurance or afford health care.&nbsp;

“I want all money going to the people and let the people buy their own health care. It’ll be unbelievable,” Trump said. “They’ll do a great job. They’ll get much better health care at a much lower cost.”

The Senate voted last week on two health care bills, one from Republicans and one from Democrats, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">neither received the support needed</a>&nbsp;to move toward a final passage vote.&nbsp;

Republicans’ bill would have provided direct payments to some people enrolled in either bronze or catastrophic ACA marketplace plans with up to $1,500 in payments annually for 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;

Democrats’ legislation would have extended the enhanced ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;

A bipartisan group of senators is trying to find solutions that bridge the political divide, though they are unlikely to achieve consensus on the details before the end of this week.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/699770/cost-leads-americans-top-mind-healthcare-concerns.aspx?utm_source=twitterbutton&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=sharing" target="_blank">poll</a>&nbsp;released Monday by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that cost is the “most urgent” health issue facing the country, followed by access and then obesity.&nbsp;

Just 57% of those polled said they were satisfied with how much they pay for their own health care and only 16% were satisfied with the total cost of healthcare.

Nearly two-thirds of those in the survey said they believe it’s the federal government’s responsibility “to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage,” while 33% said it’s not.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765911736967.png" alt="U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
                        <figcaption>U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> confirms there will not be a vote on extending ACA subsidies, saying many Republicans &quot;did want to vote on this Obamacare COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created. We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve, and it just was not to be. We… <a href="https://t.co/jaI1C0NFJu">pic.twitter.com/jaI1C0NFJu</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2000963416228352279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Johnson was confident that blocking the amendment would not lead centrist GOP lawmakers to oppose the Republican health care bill scheduled to get a vote Wednesday.&nbsp;</p><p>“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare, COVID-era subsidy the Democrats created,” Johnson said. “We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve and it just was not to be.”</p><p>The enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, sharply increasing the cost of health insurance for the roughly 22 million Americans who purchase plans through the exchange and benefit from the subsidies.&nbsp;</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-preps-health-care-bill-vote-new-year" target="_blank">House Republican health care bill</a>&nbsp;wouldn’t extend those tax credits, frustrating GOP lawmakers in that chamber who are most at risk of losing their reelection bids during the November midterm elections.&nbsp;</p><p>Johnson said he expects that GOP bill will pass, though he didn’t address its prospects in the Senate, where bipartisanship is needed for nearly all bills to advance under that chamber’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;</p><h2>‘Idiotic and shameful’</h2><p>New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.&nbsp;</p><p>“So we have been forced to sign onto two discharge petitions,” he said. “And yet my Democratic colleagues will not join us, but for those that were at the negotiation table.”</p><p>Lawler then criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, for not encouraging Democrats to sign onto the bipartisan discharge petitions, noting that would likely get the 218 signatures needed to force a floor vote. He argued that’s because Jeffries “doesn’t actually want to solve the problem, he wants the issue.”</p><p>“This place is disgraceful,” Lawler said. “Everybody wants the upper hand.&nbsp; Everybody wants the political advantage. They don’t actually want to do the damn work. This problem could be solved today if everybody who says they care about extending this signs the discharge.”</p><h2>GOP-only bill in 2026?</h2><p>When the House returns from its two-week holiday break next year, Johnson said, leaders may try to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/youre-hearing-lot-about-budget-reconciliation-congress-what-does-mean" target="_blank">complex reconciliation process</a>&nbsp;they used to enact the “one big, beautiful bill” to address health care.&nbsp;</p><p>“What we anticipate going into the first quarter of next year is, possibly in a reconciliation package or in regular order a stand-alone, ideas just like this,” Johnson said after being asked a question about Health Savings Accounts. “We have a long list of things that we know will reduce premiums, increase access and quality of care.”&nbsp;</p><p>President Donald Trump said Monday he wants Republicans to use the reconciliation process or to eliminate the Senate’s legislative filibuster to address health care and other policy priorities.&nbsp;</p><p>“Republicans should knock out the filibuster and we should approve a lot of things,” Trump said.&nbsp;</p><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he doesn’t intend to change or scrap the filibuster.</p><h2>Direct payments or tax breaks</h2><p>Trump also reiterated during the Oval Office event he would like to see Congress send direct payments to Americans to help them buy health insurance or afford health care.&nbsp;</p><p>“I want all money going to the people and let the people buy their own health care. It’ll be unbelievable,” Trump said. “They’ll do a great job. They’ll get much better health care at a much lower cost.”</p><p>The Senate voted last week on two health care bills, one from Republicans and one from Democrats, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">neither received the support needed</a>&nbsp;to move toward a final passage vote.&nbsp;</p><p>Republicans’ bill would have provided direct payments to some people enrolled in either bronze or catastrophic ACA marketplace plans with up to $1,500 in payments annually for 2026 and 2027.&nbsp;</p><p>Democrats’ legislation would have extended the enhanced ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;</p><h2>Cost most urgent issue, poll finds</h2><p>A bipartisan group of senators is trying to find solutions that bridge the political divide, though they are unlikely to achieve consensus on the details before the end of this week.</p><p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/699770/cost-leads-americans-top-mind-healthcare-concerns.aspx?utm_source=twitterbutton&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=sharing" target="_blank">poll</a>&nbsp;released Monday by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that cost is the “most urgent” health issue facing the country, followed by access and then obesity.&nbsp;</p><p>Just 57% of those polled said they were satisfied with how much they pay for their own health care and only 16% were satisfied with the total cost of healthcare.</p><p>Nearly two-thirds of those in the survey said they believe it’s the federal government’s responsibility “to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage,” while 33% said it’s not.&nbsp;</p>

No US House vote to extend health care subsidies, Speaker Johnson says

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez, a BMW 230I was traveling on the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 670 to southbound 71 Highway at a high rate of speed. 

The BMW failed to negotiate the curve of the ramp and traveled off the roadway to the left, down the grassy embankment and struck a concrete bridge support pillar. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

This is Fatality #63 compared to #89 at this time last year, according to the Gonzalez.

<p>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>According to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez, a BMW 230I was traveling on the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 670 to southbound 71 Highway at a high rate of speed. </p><p>The BMW failed to negotiate the curve of the ramp and traveled off the roadway to the left, down the grassy embankment and struck a concrete bridge support pillar. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was pronounced deceased at the scene. </p><p>This is Fatality #63 compared to #89 at this time last year, according to the Gonzalez.</p>

KCPD: Driver dies after losing control on exit ramp

FBI offers $50K reward for information leading to arrest

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Details about the man believed to have fatally shot two Brown University students and injured nine more are coming into focus, with new videos and photos released by public officials in a press conference late Monday afternoon.

The series of five short video clips and photographs captured from neighborhood property cameras include blurred images of the person’s face, partially obscured by what looks like a pandemic-era medical mask, as he walked the streets a few blocks east of the building where the shooting took place, about two hours beforehand on Saturday. Instead of black clothing, as previously described, he wears a two-colored jacket that appears dark gray and green.

As the manhunt continues for the suspect, law enforcement are seeking more tips from the public, with the FBI offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/brown-university-shooting.pdf">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual responsible. The suspect is believed to be about 5-foot-8 with a stocky build, described as “armed and dangerous” according to the&nbsp;FBI poster.

The evidence comes more than 48 hours after the shooting at Brown’s Barus and Holley engineering building, but wasn’t collected until Monday, Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, told Rhode Island Current after the press conference.

Perez remained tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation, including personal connections to the victims or the Ivy League campus.&nbsp;

<h2>FBI offers $50K reward for information leading to arrest</h2><p>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/christopher-shea/">Christopher Shea</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEW: We are releasing a new image of the person of interest in the Brown University incident and plan to release additional media shortly. Please share widely and contact the official tip line if you have information or an ID: 401-272-3121 <a href="https://t.co/8a1yEMZhnI">https://t.co/8a1yEMZhnI</a> <a href="https://t.co/YvN2ash224">pic.twitter.com/YvN2ash224</a></p>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2001003360829497665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Details about the man believed to have fatally shot two Brown University students and injured nine more are coming into focus, with new videos and photos released by public officials in a press conference late Monday afternoon.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4/4 We are requesting the public&#39;s assistance in identifying a person of interest in Saturday&#39;s incident at Brown University. Please share these images and direct all tips to 401-272-3121 or <a href="https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya">https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya</a> <a href="https://t.co/9kyZXBlj7I">pic.twitter.com/9kyZXBlj7I</a></p>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000702215904788495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: The FBI and <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProvidenceRIPD</a> are releasing new images of a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University on 12/13/25. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBI</a> is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual.… <a href="https://t.co/OhpnsN9fds">pic.twitter.com/OhpnsN9fds</a></p>&mdash; FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIBoston/status/2000690371072794682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The series of five short video clips and photographs captured from neighborhood property cameras include blurred images of the person’s face, partially obscured by what looks like a pandemic-era medical mask, as he walked the streets a few blocks east of the building where the shooting took place, about two hours beforehand on Saturday. Instead of black clothing, as previously described, he wears a two-colored jacket that appears dark gray and green.</p><p>As the manhunt continues for the suspect, law enforcement are seeking more tips from the public, with the FBI offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/brown-university-shooting.pdf">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual responsible. The suspect is believed to be about 5-foot-8 with a stocky build, described as “armed and dangerous” according to the&nbsp;FBI poster.</p><p>The evidence comes more than 48 hours after the shooting at Brown’s Barus and Holley engineering building, but wasn’t collected until Monday, Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, told Rhode Island Current after the press conference.</p><p>Perez remained tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation, including personal connections to the victims or the Ivy League campus.&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s a great question and something we are all asking ourselves,” Perez said.</p><h2>A targeted attack</h2><p>For the first time, Perez publicly confirmed that investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack against the university.</p><p>Indeed, the video clips&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687" target="_blank">posted to X</a>&nbsp;show the suspect walking back and forth across the same small section of the East Side neighborhood, pausing multiple times as he appears to take stock of the surroundings. At one point, he changes direction and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000701550864326687?s=20" target="_blank">clasps his hands together</a>&nbsp;behind his back as he gazes up.</p><p>Perez also confirmed the weapon used as a 9 millimeter firearm, with multiple rounds fired.&nbsp;</p><p>Investigators had previously detained a person of interest found in a Coventry hotel early Sunday, but released him at around 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">declaring him cleared.</a>&nbsp;But not before his name was publicly circulated via national news reports, prompting a second round of scolding by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.</p><p>“It’s one of the reasons we use words carefully,” Neronha said, explaining the difference between someone detained for questioning, versus held in custody on suspicion of committing a crime.&nbsp;</p><p>And as federal prosecutors descended on the Hampton Inn in Coventry<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">&nbsp;early Sunday</a>, other investigators were working on alternative leads and tips, Neronha said.&nbsp;</p><p>“These investigations are like threads that you pull on a garment,” Neronha said. “Some of them you pull, and the garment doesn’t open up. Other ones you pull and the garment comes undone.”</p><p>Federal and state investigators were seen combing sidewalks and properties across the East Side Monday afternoon, looking for more evidence of the shooter’s path. The return to the scene of the crime was prompted by additional tips and video and photo evidence, which has increased significantly with footage submitted from business owners and residents that were closed or away for the weekend, Neronha said.</p><p>Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office, which is assisting Providence police and other local and state law enforcement, said the federal agency continues to process evidence from the neighborhood while investigators at its Quantico, Virginia, laboratory work to recreate the scene of the crime, documenting the trajectories of the bullets.</p><p>“It’s painstaking work and we are asking the public to be patient as we continue to run down every lead,” Docks said, adding that no amount of information was “too small or irrelevant.”</p><p>Perez acknowledged the length of the time that has elapsed since the shooting but reiterated the Providence agency’s dedication and professionalism in finding the suspect.&nbsp;</p><p>“There’s no one that wants to put this individual in handcuffs [more] than us,” Perez said.&nbsp;</p><h2>A city on edge</h2><p>Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the fear and grief that has gripped the capital city, evidenced by local residents, workers and students he had spoken with throughout the weekend and into Monday. Yet the city did not renew the lockdown order that was lifted early Sunday, after the previous person of interest was detained because there have been no new “credible” threats, Smiley said.</p><p>“It is going to be hard for my city to feel safe going forward,” Smiley said. “This has shaken us. That will be true tomorrow. I suspect that will be true the day after the general convicts someone. This is a process to restore a sense of safety.”</p><p>Providence schools opened as usual Monday and will continue with regular schedules Tuesday, with additional security officers on-hand to help reassure students and parents, Smiley said.&nbsp;</p><p>Recalling the 200-plus person crowd that gathered in<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">&nbsp;Lippitt Memorial Park</a>&nbsp;on the Providence-Pawtucket line in sub-freezing temperatures Sunday night to honor the victims, Smiley said “This is a tight-knit community that looks out for each other.”</p><p>Some neighborhood residents have lamented the lack of emergency notifications from the city during and after the shooting. But Smiley rebuffed criticisms of the city’s alert&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/pvd311/" target="_blank">system</a>, saying it worked as intended for everyone who signed up, with text messages continuing to be sent out through Monday afternoon.</p><p>Smiley’s tone grew sharper when asked about the onus placed on the university. President Donald Trump said earlier today that the tragedy was a “school problem” while defending the FBI’s role in the investigation.</p><p>“So far, we’ve done a very good job of doing it,” Trump said of the federal investigation. “With the various times this has happened, they’ve done it in pretty much record time. But you really have to ask the school a little bit more about that, because this was a school problem. They had their own guards, they had their own police, they had their own everything. But you’d have to ask that question, really, to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact.”</p><p>Smiley’s response: “I do not accept that criticism.”</p><p>Unlike prior press conferences, no one representing the university attended Monday afternoon’s event. Smiley said it did not signify their lack of support, instead explaining that because the updates focused on the continued law enforcement efforts to find the suspect, there was no need for the university to have a presence.</p><p>However, Smiley said he was unable to directly answer reporters’ questions about why Brown did not activate its sirens when the shooting took place.&nbsp;</p><p>Throughout the 30-minute briefing with reporters, public officials repeatedly stressed the need to verify information from official sources, noting the confusion and misinformation that spread in the days since the attack. That included reports of what initially sounded like gunfire reported on Pitman Street in the midst of the university campus Monday morning, but was later confirmed to be a boiler that backfired,&nbsp;<a href="https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-police-respond-to-shots-fired-call-that-turns-out-to-be-backfiring-boiler-dec-15-2025" target="_blank">according to news reports.</a></p><p>There were no additional updates on the eight victims still in treatment at Rhode Island hospital. One person has already been released. The two students killed were also&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">publicly identified Monday.</a></p><p>Officials do not expect to provide additional public updates Monday.</p>