KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 4a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

&nbsp;According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a 2015 Harley Davidson was southbound on West Pennway at 26th Street. The driver failed the negotiate the curve of the roadway. The motorcycle struck a light pole. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene. Police released no additional details on Christmas Day.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 4a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.&nbsp;According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a 2015 Harley Davidson was southbound on West Pennway at 26th Street. The driver failed the negotiate the curve of the roadway. The motorcycle struck a light pole. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene. Police released no additional details on Christmas Day.

KCPD: Driver died after motorcycle strikes a light pole

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating after a victim was rescued from small lake in Kansas City on Christmas Eve.

Just after 11:45p.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched to a reported water rescue near the 8400 block of North Overland Court, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

First responders found a man who was in waist deep water and stuck in the mud, approximately 30-40 yards off the bank.&nbsp;Rescue crews deployed a rope bag, by throwing it out to the victim, who was able to grab it and was then assisted to shore at 12:16 a.m. 

The victim was evaluated by on-scene personnel and transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. It is unknown how he ended up in the water. The KCFD released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating after a victim was rescued from small lake in Kansas City on Christmas Eve.Just after 11:45p.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched to a reported water rescue near the 8400 block of North Overland Court, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.First responders found a man who was in waist deep water and stuck in the mud, approximately 30-40 yards off the bank.&nbsp;Rescue crews deployed a rope bag, by throwing it out to the victim, who was able to grab it and was then assisted to shore at 12:16 a.m. The victim was evaluated by on-scene personnel and transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. It is unknown how he ended up in the water. The KCFD released no additional details.

KC emergency crews made water rescue Christmas Eve

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;A Texas woman was sentenced in federal court last week for her leadership role in a case that resulted in more than $250,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Daisha Sanders, formerly from Kansas City, Mo., 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 months imprisonment based upon her conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Sanders conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Sanders received kickbacks of $5,000 for each of the $20,832 PPP loans. Sanders filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $270,820,33, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;A Texas woman was sentenced in federal court last week for her leadership role in a case that resulted in more than $250,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.Daisha Sanders, formerly from Kansas City, Mo., 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 months imprisonment based upon her conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).Sanders conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Sanders received kickbacks of $5,000 for each of the $20,832 PPP loans. Sanders filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $270,820,33, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.

Prison: Former KC woman led $250K fraud scheme

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and… <a href="https://t.co/ct7rUW128t">pic.twitter.com/ct7rUW128t</a>&mdash; Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofWar/status/2004351717131903272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofWar</a> is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support &amp; cooperation. Merry Christmas! <a href="https://t.co/k5Q3Qd4ClE">https://t.co/k5Q3Qd4ClE</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/2004332431542022289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Read our press release: <a href="https://t.co/tcHZFTTrju">https://t.co/tcHZFTTrju</a>&mdash; U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAfricaCommand/status/2004331056812761430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

US launches strike against Islamic State militants in Nigeria

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the woman who died as 52-year-old Sherrie Baier.

&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;

Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered Baier suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced her deceased on scene.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766491333267.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the woman who died as 52-year-old Sherrie Baier.&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered Baier suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced her deceased on scene.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

Police: 52-year-old woman died of 'bodily trauma' in KC home

Missouri was already unlikely to ever collect a dime, legal experts agree, and the countersuit could expose U.S. assets to retaliation

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has cast news that she is being sued by the Chinese government as a badge of honor, pointing to the lawsuit as proof that her&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-wants-to-seize-chinese-assets-to-recover-24-billion-judgment-in-covid-case/">aggressive push to collect on a roughly $25 billion</a>&nbsp;court judgment tied to the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact.

But experts in international law say the lawsuit, filed in China earlier this year and announced last week by Hanaway, is more likely to do the opposite — making an already remote chance that Missouri will ever collect that money even slimmer, while potentially exposing U.S. assets abroad to retaliation.

Hanaway said last week in a news release that China is demanding a public apology from the state in a complaint filed in the Intermediate People’s Court of Wuhan, along with damages equivalent to $50.5 billion, legal fees and the right to seek additional compensation.

“This lawsuit is a stalling tactic and tells me that we have been on the right side of this issue all along,” Hanaway said.

The suit was filed after Missouri secured a default judgment earlier this year in a federal case alleging that China hoarded personal protective equipment during the early months of the pandemic. A judge ruled for Missouri after China declined to participate in the trial, awarding the state roughly $25 billion in damages.

Hanaway has since asked the U.S. State Department to notify China that Missouri intends to pursue assets with full or partial Chinese government ownership to satisfy the judgment. Her office is also assembling a list of Chinese properties that could be targeted, focusing on assets owned outright by the Chinese government or by companies in which it has a stake.

Legal scholars say those efforts face steep, and likely insurmountable, obstacles.

Chimène Keitner, director of the U.C. Davis Center for International Law &amp; Policy, said government-owned property is generally protected by sovereign immunity — meaning Chinese government assets in the United States are shielded from seizure, just as U.S. government property is protected abroad.

China’s countersuit, she said, also appears unlikely to result in any recovery. But it carries legal and diplomatic implications that could further complicate Missouri’s case.

International law recognizes a doctrine known as “countermeasures,” Keitner said, which allows a country to take actions it otherwise could not as a way of pressuring another country to comply with international law.

If the U.S. government were to authorize Missouri’s efforts to seize Chinese assets, she said, it could expose American property in China to reciprocal action.

“So if Missouri violates China’s sovereign immunity,” Keitner said, “China could have a good argument for doing the same thing — not just against Missouri, but against the United States as a whole.”

William Dodge, a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in international law a, said neither lawsuit “has a prayer of being enforced.”

Even if Missouri were allowed to pursue assets, Dodge said, the scope would be narrow. Only property owned by the defendants named in the lawsuit — including the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, several national agencies, provincial and local governments around Wuhan and the Wuhan Institute of Virology — could potentially be targeted.

And the state would still have to show that those specific entities were involved in hoarding personal protective equipment, he said.

Dodge, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://tlblog.org/author/william-dodge/" target="_blank">written extensively about Missouri’s lawsuit and a similar effort in Mississippi</a>, agreed that China’s complaint further reduces the already slim likelihood that Missouri will be able to collect because it raises the risk of retaliation.

“China’s law has a reciprocity provision,” he said. “It basically says that if a foreign country gives China less immunity than Chinese law provides, China can respond by giving that foreign country less immunity. In other words: whatever the U.S. does to us, we can do to them.”

U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh initially dismissed Missouri’s lawsuit in 2022, ruling that the state could not sue China. An appeals court later allowed one claim to proceed — the allegation that China hoarded items such as respirator masks, medical gowns and gloves.

After Chinese officials failed to respond, Limbaugh accepted Missouri’s estimate of past and future damages of more than $8 billion, tripled it as federal law allows, and added 3.91% interest until the judgment is paid.

In an emailed statement last month, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said China’s pandemic response involved “acts of national sovereignty” that are not subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.

China will not pay, Liu said, and “will retaliate if necessary.”

The lawsuit filed in China accuses Missouri of “fabricating enormous disinformation” and spreading “stigmatizing and discriminating slanders” that it says have damaged China’s reputation.

“We stand undeterred in our mission to collect on our $24 billion judgment that was lawfully handed down in federal court,” she said.

Neither side’s claims are likely to result in any tangible recovery, Keitner said, leaving the dispute largely symbolic.

“Unfortunately, this all seems to be a lot of unhelpful political theater,” she said, “with no clear off-ramp for either side to save face.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656529671105.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missouri was already unlikely to ever collect a dime, legal experts agree, and the countersuit could expose U.S. assets to retaliation</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has cast news that she is being sued by the Chinese government as a badge of honor, pointing to the lawsuit as proof that her&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-wants-to-seize-chinese-assets-to-recover-24-billion-judgment-in-covid-case/">aggressive push to collect on a roughly $25 billion</a>&nbsp;court judgment tied to the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact.But experts in international law say the lawsuit, filed in China earlier this year and announced last week by Hanaway, is more likely to do the opposite — making an already remote chance that Missouri will ever collect that money even slimmer, while potentially exposing U.S. assets abroad to retaliation.Hanaway said last week in a news release that China is demanding a public apology from the state in a complaint filed in the Intermediate People’s Court of Wuhan, along with damages equivalent to $50.5 billion, legal fees and the right to seek additional compensation.“This lawsuit is a stalling tactic and tells me that we have been on the right side of this issue all along,” Hanaway said.The suit was filed after Missouri secured a default judgment earlier this year in a federal case alleging that China hoarded personal protective equipment during the early months of the pandemic. A judge ruled for Missouri after China declined to participate in the trial, awarding the state roughly $25 billion in damages.Hanaway has since asked the U.S. State Department to notify China that Missouri intends to pursue assets with full or partial Chinese government ownership to satisfy the judgment. Her office is also assembling a list of Chinese properties that could be targeted, focusing on assets owned outright by the Chinese government or by companies in which it has a stake.Legal scholars say those efforts face steep, and likely insurmountable, obstacles.Chimène Keitner, director of the U.C. Davis Center for International Law &amp; Policy, said government-owned property is generally protected by sovereign immunity — meaning Chinese government assets in the United States are shielded from seizure, just as U.S. government property is protected abroad.China’s countersuit, she said, also appears unlikely to result in any recovery. But it carries legal and diplomatic implications that could further complicate Missouri’s case.International law recognizes a doctrine known as “countermeasures,” Keitner said, which allows a country to take actions it otherwise could not as a way of pressuring another country to comply with international law.If the U.S. government were to authorize Missouri’s efforts to seize Chinese assets, she said, it could expose American property in China to reciprocal action.“So if Missouri violates China’s sovereign immunity,” Keitner said, “China could have a good argument for doing the same thing — not just against Missouri, but against the United States as a whole.”William Dodge, a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in international law a, said neither lawsuit “has a prayer of being enforced.”Even if Missouri were allowed to pursue assets, Dodge said, the scope would be narrow. Only property owned by the defendants named in the lawsuit — including the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, several national agencies, provincial and local governments around Wuhan and the Wuhan Institute of Virology — could potentially be targeted.And the state would still have to show that those specific entities were involved in hoarding personal protective equipment, he said.Dodge, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://tlblog.org/author/william-dodge/" target="_blank">written extensively about Missouri’s lawsuit and a similar effort in Mississippi</a>, agreed that China’s complaint further reduces the already slim likelihood that Missouri will be able to collect because it raises the risk of retaliation.“China’s law has a reciprocity provision,” he said. “It basically says that if a foreign country gives China less immunity than Chinese law provides, China can respond by giving that foreign country less immunity. In other words: whatever the U.S. does to us, we can do to them.”U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh initially dismissed Missouri’s lawsuit in 2022, ruling that the state could not sue China. An appeals court later allowed one claim to proceed — the allegation that China hoarded items such as respirator masks, medical gowns and gloves.After Chinese officials failed to respond, Limbaugh accepted Missouri’s estimate of past and future damages of more than $8 billion, tripled it as federal law allows, and added 3.91% interest until the judgment is paid.In an emailed statement last month, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said China’s pandemic response involved “acts of national sovereignty” that are not subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.China will not pay, Liu said, and “will retaliate if necessary.”The lawsuit filed in China accuses Missouri of “fabricating enormous disinformation” and spreading “stigmatizing and discriminating slanders” that it says have damaged China’s reputation.Hanaway scoffed at China’s criticism.“We stand undeterred in our mission to collect on our $24 billion judgment that was lawfully handed down in federal court,” she said.Neither side’s claims are likely to result in any tangible recovery, Keitner said, leaving the dispute largely symbolic.“Unfortunately, this all seems to be a lot of unhelpful political theater,” she said, “with no clear off-ramp for either side to save face.”

China’s lawsuit makes Missouri’s $25 billion COVID judgment even harder to collect

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —A Jackson County sheriff's deputy struck by a car while investigating an accident was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'. 

Just after 6p.m. December 17, a 2012 Mercedes driven by a 69-year-old Lee's Summit woman was southbound at South Buckner Tarsney at E. Ryan Road. The vehicle traveled into the crash scene and struck the the 53-year-old deputy, according to the MSHP.

Central Jackson County EMS transported the deputy to Centerpoint Medical Center where he underwnt several medical procedures.

"He’s in good spirits, has a positive mindset, and is expected to fully recover.&nbsp; He’s blessed to be surrounded by a caring family," according to Forte'

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766358531941.png" alt="photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —A Jackson County sheriff's deputy struck by a car while investigating an accident was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'. Just after 6p.m. December 17, a 2012 Mercedes driven by a 69-year-old Lee's Summit woman was southbound at South Buckner Tarsney at E. Ryan Road. The vehicle traveled into the crash scene and struck the the 53-year-old deputy, according to the MSHP.Central Jackson County EMS transported the deputy to Centerpoint Medical Center where he underwnt several medical procedures."He’s in good spirits, has a positive mindset, and is expected to fully recover.&nbsp; He’s blessed to be surrounded by a caring family," according to Forte'

Merry Christmas: Deputy struck by a car released from hospital

The Powerball® jackpot has been won in Arkansas, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. A single ticket sold in Arkansas matched all six numbers drawn last night to win a $1.817 billion jackpot. The jackpot has a cash option of $834.9 million.

The winning numbers in the Wednesday, Dec. 24 Powerball drawing were white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot reached $1.817 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won and the largest Powerball prize this year.

“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”

This marks the second time the Powerball® jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas; the first was in 2010.

The lucky ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $1.817 billion or a lump sump payment of $834.9 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Match 5 prize is a set cash prize of $1 million except in California, where prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

The drawing also produced 114 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Colorado and South Carolina won $500,000 prizes 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. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">&nbsp;Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Last night’s Powerball drawing was the 47th in the jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was previously won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

For the next drawing on Saturday night, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The Power Play® 10X multiplier will be available for play since the advertised jackpot is below $150 million.

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

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

The Powerball® jackpot has been won in Arkansas, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. A single ticket sold in Arkansas matched all six numbers drawn last night to win a $1.817 billion jackpot. The jackpot has a cash option of $834.9 million.The winning numbers in the Wednesday, Dec. 24 Powerball drawing were white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot reached $1.817 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won and the largest Powerball prize this year.“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”This marks the second time the Powerball® jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas; the first was in 2010.The lucky ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $1.817 billion or a lump sump payment of $834.9 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Match 5 prize is a set cash prize of $1 million except in California, where prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.The drawing also produced 114 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Colorado and South Carolina won $500,000 prizes 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. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">&nbsp;Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Last night’s Powerball drawing was the 47th in the jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was previously won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.For the next drawing on Saturday night, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The Power Play® 10X multiplier will be available for play since the advertised jackpot is below $150 million.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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Record U.S. Lottery Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.817 Billion – Powerball – Dec. 24, 2025 – AR</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>$1.348 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>

Single ticket wins $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging two Indian nationals with allegedly defrauding a victim while posing as federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;

According to court documents, Venkateswara Reddy Chagamreddy, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sai Praveen Kommana, 29, of Frisco, Texas, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of interference with commerce by threat.

From May 2025 through September 2025, Chagamreddy and Kommana are accused of conspiring with others to defraud a victim in Kansas. The members of this conspiracy posed as agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They allegedly convinced the individual to purchase $255,287 in gold and give it them, falsely thinking it was going to a government agency for safe keeping.

The members of this conspiracy, including the indicted men, allegedly primarily target elderly retired individuals, falsely asserting they are with a government agency and telling victims that their identity has been compromised in ways that could result in jail time and major financial loss for victims. Prosecutors accuse the members of this conspiracy of convincing victims to transfer their assets, primarily in gold, to the federal government to protect themselves against further crimes.

The FBI will never call, email or otherwise contact private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal or sensitive information. Fraud can be reported via<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">&nbsp;tips.fbi.gov&nbsp;</a>or 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI encourages people who have been victims of internet crimes and/or financial fraud and schemes to report via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">ic3.gov</a>.&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758654102753.png" alt="Sai Praveen Kommana from his Sept. arrest in Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Sai Praveen Kommana from his Sept. arrest in Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging two Indian nationals with allegedly defrauding a victim while posing as federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;According to court documents, Venkateswara Reddy Chagamreddy, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sai Praveen Kommana, 29, of Frisco, Texas, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of interference with commerce by threat.From May 2025 through September 2025, Chagamreddy and Kommana are accused of conspiring with others to defraud a victim in Kansas. The members of this conspiracy posed as agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They allegedly convinced the individual to purchase $255,287 in gold and give it them, falsely thinking it was going to a government agency for safe keeping.The members of this conspiracy, including the indicted men, allegedly primarily target elderly retired individuals, falsely asserting they are with a government agency and telling victims that their identity has been compromised in ways that could result in jail time and major financial loss for victims. Prosecutors accuse the members of this conspiracy of convincing victims to transfer their assets, primarily in gold, to the federal government to protect themselves against further crimes.The FBI will never call, email or otherwise contact private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal or sensitive information. Fraud can be reported via<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">&nbsp;tips.fbi.gov&nbsp;</a>or 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI encourages people who have been victims of internet crimes and/or financial fraud and schemes to report via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">ic3.gov</a>.&nbsp;The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case.An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a&nbsp;

2 accused of posing as FBI agents to scam Kansans

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after&nbsp; 7:00 a.m. Dec. 18, a Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the residence of 16399 R. Road, just north of the City of Mayetta, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. In October law enforcement responded to a shooting at the same address.

 The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information late Tuesday evening reporting a domestic altercation and criminal damage to a vehicle at the location.&nbsp; On Wednesday, deputies served the search warrant taking two men into custody.

Deputies arrested 22-year-old Cody M. Smith and 21-year-old Cole Alexander Thompson both of Mayetta.

Deputies seized cocaine and weapons from the residence. Smith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thompson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766096515535.png" alt="Smith photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after&nbsp; 7:00 a.m. Dec. 18, a Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the residence of 16399 R. Road, just north of the City of Mayetta, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. In October law enforcement responded to a shooting at the same address.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766096470916.png" alt="Thompson photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure> The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information late Tuesday evening reporting a domestic altercation and criminal damage to a vehicle at the location.&nbsp; On Wednesday, deputies served the search warrant taking two men into custody.Deputies arrested 22-year-old Cody M. Smith and 21-year-old Cole Alexander Thompson both of Mayetta.Deputies seized cocaine and weapons from the residence. Smith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.Thompson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff: Suspects were selling cocaine from Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 33-year-old Johntrel L Vickers, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the intersection of Admiral and Paseo on a reported shooting, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders found Vickers lying in the street near the intersection, unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded to the scene&nbsp; and pronounced him deceased.

There is no preliminary information indicating what led up to the shooting and a subject of interest has not been identified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766337684429.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryle Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryle Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 33-year-old Johntrel L Vickers, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the intersection of Admiral and Paseo on a reported shooting, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.First responders found Vickers lying in the street near the intersection, unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded to the scene&nbsp; and pronounced him deceased.There is no preliminary information indicating what led up to the shooting and a subject of interest has not been identified.

Police ID homicide victim found on Kansas City street

WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;Alex Emillano Jaramillo, 45, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) has been apprehended.

Jaramillo was taken into custody Wednesday morning, December 24, after surrendering to authorities at a local hospital, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was arrested without incident.

Jaramillo was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from his night job.

Jaramillo is listed a violent Kansas offender and has previous convictions for aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, burglary, driving while suspended, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, violation of the offender registration act and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766595016819.png" alt="Jaramillo photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Jaramillo photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;Alex Emillano Jaramillo, 45, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) has been apprehended.Jaramillo was taken into custody Wednesday morning, December 24, after surrendering to authorities at a local hospital, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was arrested without incident.Jaramillo was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from his night job.Jaramillo is listed a violent Kansas offender and has previous convictions for aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, burglary, driving while suspended, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, violation of the offender registration act and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Violent Kan. offender captured after Christmas Eve escape

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City.

According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a white Mack concrete truck entered the on-ramp for southbound U.S. 71 Highway from eastbound MO 150 Highway at a high rate of speed. 

The driver was unable to maintain the curvature of the entrance ramp and due its height and weight, the truck rolled over. The truck then slid into the concrete retaining wall located along the east side of the ramp before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. This is fatality #67 compared to #92 at this time last year, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; The name of the driver has not been released.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Kansas City.According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a white Mack concrete truck entered the on-ramp for southbound U.S. 71 Highway from eastbound MO 150 Highway at a high rate of speed. The driver was unable to maintain the curvature of the entrance ramp and due its height and weight, the truck rolled over. The truck then slid into the concrete retaining wall located along the east side of the ramp before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. This is fatality #67 compared to #92 at this time last year, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; The name of the driver has not been released.

KCPD: Driver killed after concrete truck rollover crash

LYON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire in Emporia.

Just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews were dispatched to fire at 801 Clark Street Lot 5 in Emporia, according to Battalion Chief Ryan Conley.

Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy smoke and fire coming from the west side of the home. On entry into the structure, heavy fire was found throughout. A vehicle nearby was also involved. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished by fire crews utilizing two hand lines. On the primary search of the structure, one fatality victim was found.

Heavy fire damage was found throughout the home. Officials did not release the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766547093678.png" alt="Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire in Emporia.Just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews were dispatched to fire at 801 Clark Street Lot 5 in Emporia, according to Battalion Chief Ryan Conley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766589695494.png" alt="-Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE" />
 <figcaption>-Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy smoke and fire coming from the west side of the home. On entry into the structure, heavy fire was found throughout. A vehicle nearby was also involved. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished by fire crews utilizing two hand lines. On the primary search of the structure, one fatality victim was found.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766589739310.png" alt="-Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE" />
 <figcaption>-Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE</figcaption>
 </figure>Heavy fire damage was found throughout the home. Officials did not release the name of the victim.

One dead in Kansas house fire

A St. Charles man faces felony charges after allegedly posting online threats against Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and his family, state authorities announced Friday.

42-year old Daniel N. Mertz was taken into custody in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Dec. 19. He has been charged by the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of first-degree stalking and one count of first-degree harassment, both class E felonies.

The investigation began Dec. 16 when the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was alerted to threatening and harassing statements on Facebook. Investigators identified several posts made between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 under the profile name “Danny Mertz.”

Working with the Missouri Information and Analysis Center, investigators linked the account to Mertz and developed probable cause for his arrest.

Mertz was apprehended by Daytona Beach police and officers from Operation Relentless Pursuit. Authorities said Mertz was in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.

Mertz is being held without bond at the Volusia County Jail in Florida. Missouri officials have started the extradition process to return him to the state for arraignment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766576740572.png" alt="Mertz photo Volusia County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Mertz photo Volusia County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA St. Charles man faces felony charges after allegedly posting online threats against Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and his family, state authorities announced Friday.42-year old Daniel N. Mertz was taken into custody in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Dec. 19. He has been charged by the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of first-degree stalking and one count of first-degree harassment, both class E felonies.The investigation began Dec. 16 when the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was alerted to threatening and harassing statements on Facebook. Investigators identified several posts made between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 under the profile name “Danny Mertz.”Working with the Missouri Information and Analysis Center, investigators linked the account to Mertz and developed probable cause for his arrest.Mertz was apprehended by Daytona Beach police and officers from Operation Relentless Pursuit. Authorities said Mertz was in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.Mertz is being held without bond at the Volusia County Jail in Florida. Missouri officials have started the extradition process to return him to the state for arraignment.

Missouri man arrested in Florida for online threats against Gov. Mike Kehoe

HARVEY COUNTY – Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina, was sentenced December 22, by Chief Judge Wilder in Harvey County District Court for the crime of rape, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Cole faced a presumptive prison sentence ranging from 147 to 165 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger requested that the Court impose the standard sentence of 155 months in prison.

After considering a defense motion for durational departure, the Court sentenced Cole to 78 months in prison. The Court cited Cole’s acceptance of responsibility, his age at the time of the offense, his performance while on bond, and his consistent attendance at court proceedings as factors supporting the reduced sentence. Cole will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

Cole was convicted of rape on September 19, 2025. The offense occurred in August of 2023 in the victim’s dorm room on the Bethel campus in Harvey County.

HARVEY COUNTY – On September 19, 2025, Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina,&nbsp; entered a guilty plea in Harvey County District Court to one count of Rape, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.

At the time of the offense, Cole was a student at Bethel College and the crime occurred in the dorms located on the Bethel College campus.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Chief Judge Marilyn Wilder on December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Cole remains out of custody on bond pending sentencing. 

He faces a potential prison sentence of 147 to 653 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the North Newton Police Department. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766511296887.png" alt="Cole photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Cole photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY – Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina, was sentenced December 22, by Chief Judge Wilder in Harvey County District Court for the crime of rape, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Cole faced a presumptive prison sentence ranging from 147 to 165 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger requested that the Court impose the standard sentence of 155 months in prison.After considering a defense motion for durational departure, the Court sentenced Cole to 78 months in prison. The Court cited Cole’s acceptance of responsibility, his age at the time of the offense, his performance while on bond, and his consistent attendance at court proceedings as factors supporting the reduced sentence. Cole will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.Cole was convicted of rape on September 19, 2025. The offense occurred in August of 2023 in the victim’s dorm room on the Bethel campus in Harvey County.--------------------HARVEY COUNTY – On September 19, 2025, Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina,&nbsp; entered a guilty plea in Harvey County District Court to one count of Rape, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.At the time of the offense, Cole was a student at Bethel College and the crime occurred in the dorms located on the Bethel College campus.Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Chief Judge Marilyn Wilder on December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Cole remains out of custody on bond pending sentencing. He faces a potential prison sentence of 147 to 653 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the North Newton Police Department.

Prison for sex crime in Kansas college dorm

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is continuing to deliver this holiday season on its promise to help illegal aliens in the United States return home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home. Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.&nbsp;“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

Self-deportation through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season. It’s a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest – including arranging and paying for your travel back home.&nbsp;

Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766422617160.png" alt="Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is continuing to deliver this holiday season on its promise to help illegal aliens in the United States return home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">ILLEGAL ALIENS: Avoid ICE Air and go Ho Ho Home this Christmas using the CBP Home app! <a href="https://t.co/8UqOwg0Dhb">pic.twitter.com/8UqOwg0Dhb</a>&mdash; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov/status/2002912253772026218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home. Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.&nbsp;“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”&nbsp; &nbsp;Self-deportation through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season. It’s a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest – including arranging and paying for your travel back home.&nbsp;Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States.&nbsp;

DHS offers cash stipend for illegal aliens to go ‘Home for the Holidays’

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/aaron-sanderford/">Aaron Sanderford</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jay-waagmeester/">Jay Waagmeester</a>- <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer,” he announced on social media Tuesday.

“Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” Sasse wrote.

Most of the political world knows Sasse from his time tussling with President Donald Trump over the direction of the Republican Party, including being one of seven Republicans who voted to convict the president following his impeachment in 2021.&nbsp;

Sasse has been, in many ways, a traditional small-government conservative with an intellectual bent. He often critiqued the GOP’s turn toward populism under Trump and paid a price in public.

He made waves as a candidate running from academia, as then-president of Midland University in Fremont before being elected to the Senate in 2014. His friends describe him as an intense and philosophical thinker.

His foes describe him as a man who likes to prove he is the smartest person in the room. He and his family had discussed moving back to Nebraska, to the lakes, from Florida.

In the early days, he pressed his fellow Republicans to offer solutions to issues like health care instead of just talking about what they were against.

In practice, he told reporters he found the Senate and its politically limiting ways stifling to the sort of committee work and legislative progress he sought.

He did not ever repeal and replace Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, nor did he muster support for a clear legislative alternative.

But he found his legislative niche pushing back against the rise of China and the malfeasance of Russia online and in the real world, the changing face of war.

He told Americans early and often about the societal and economic disruption artificial intelligence would bring, calling it the next industrial revolution.

Much of his late Senate work focused on what he called “the future of work,” and he spoke often about the need to change education and training to meet new needs.

In 2022, Sasse was&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/11/01/u-s-sen-sasse-sole-finalist-in-uf-presidential-search-to-lead-floridas-flagship-university/" target="_blank">named sole finalist</a>&nbsp;for the University of Florida presidency, leaving the Senate for the role in early 2023. Secrecy around the search and concerns about Sasse’s political background stirred campus before he took office.&nbsp;

The UF Faculty Senate voted “no confidence” in the presidential search process, citing a law passed earlier that year to close presidential searches to the public until the final stage.

<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/07/19/ben-sasse-resigns-his-university-of-florida-presidency-after-wifes-condition-worsens/" target="_blank">Sasse left office</a>&nbsp;after 17 months, amid concerns about his spending habits as president among&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/mattgaetz/status/1823684508987662490" target="_blank">lawmakers</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/08/desantis-administration-calls-for-investigation-into-former-uf-president-ben-sasse-s-exorbitant-spending" target="_blank">Governor’s Office</a>, and then-Chief Financial Officer<a href="https://x.com/JimmyPatronis/status/1824151429873012749" target="_blank">&nbsp;Jimmy Patronis</a>.

The Independent Florida Alligator&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/08/sasse-s-spending-spree-former-uf-president-channeled-millions-to-gop-allies-secretive-contracts" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;after Sasse resigned, that he had “channeled millions to GOP allies, secretive contracts, tripling spending by the previous president.

“A majority of the spending surge was driven by lucrative contracts with big-name consulting firms and high-salaried, remote positions for Sasse’s former U.S. Senate staff and Republican officials,” the newspaper reported.

Sasse then became a professor at the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at UF, a hub with a “classical” mission that aims to produce people working in law, government, public policy, finance, health and nonprofits.&nbsp;

His&nbsp;<a href="https://hamilton.ufl.edu/people/ben-sasse/" target="_blank">bio</a>&nbsp;on the Florida website points to his “service-leadership posture” and the university’s response to “post-October 7th campus unrest” during his presidency. It also mentions his implementing post-tenure review and launching of the&nbsp;<a href="https://news.ufl.edu/2023/10/strategic-funding-awardees/" target="_blank">President’s Strategic Initiative</a>, targeted funding for student experience and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Florida State Rep. Allison Tant, a Democrat from Tallahassee,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AllisonTantFL/status/2003509774013681854" target="_blank">replied</a>&nbsp;to Sasse’s social media post, saying, “Praying for your strength and peace.”

Sasse has said he resigned from the Florida presidency to help care for his wife, Melissa, who had been ill.

Sasse typically dealt with her epilepsy and other ailments quietly, telling friends that his teens would be fine because they were a family that would work together.

He celebrated his closeness with Melissa since stepping back in the 185-word statement he posted, calling her “the best friend a man could ever have.”

“This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad,” he wrote. “I can’t begin to describe how great my people are.”&nbsp;

Sasse has three children, two daughters and a son. His post referenced his joy in their successes — one in the Air Force, one teaching and one learning to drive.

In it, he spoke about the situation his health would put his family through, not getting to walk his daughter down the aisle, burying him.

But he layered his message as he did in some of his speeches, with themes and reflections on the faith that buttressed him during difficult times with his wife and kids.

Sasse said he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He said he finds comfort in the idea of Christmas. And “gallows humor.” He said death and dying are not the same.

“We hope in a real Deliverer — a rescuing God, born at a real time, in a real place,” he said.”But the eternal city — with foundations and without cancer — is not yet.”

This is a developing story.&nbsp;Nebraska Examiner Reporter Juan Salinas II contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1564937419455.png" alt="File photo former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse- image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse- image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/aaron-sanderford/">Aaron Sanderford</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jay-waagmeester/">Jay Waagmeester</a>- <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer,” he announced on social media Tuesday.“Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” Sasse wrote.Most of the political world knows Sasse from his time tussling with President Donald Trump over the direction of the Republican Party, including being one of seven Republicans who voted to convict the president following his impeachment in 2021.&nbsp;Sasse has been, in many ways, a traditional small-government conservative with an intellectual bent. He often critiqued the GOP’s turn toward populism under Trump and paid a price in public.<h2>Intellectual senator</h2>He made waves as a candidate running from academia, as then-president of Midland University in Fremont before being elected to the Senate in 2014. His friends describe him as an intense and philosophical thinker.His foes describe him as a man who likes to prove he is the smartest person in the room. He and his family had discussed moving back to Nebraska, to the lakes, from Florida.In the early days, he pressed his fellow Republicans to offer solutions to issues like health care instead of just talking about what they were against.In practice, he told reporters he found the Senate and its politically limiting ways stifling to the sort of committee work and legislative progress he sought.He did not ever repeal and replace Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, nor did he muster support for a clear legislative alternative.But he found his legislative niche pushing back against the rise of China and the malfeasance of Russia online and in the real world, the changing face of war.He told Americans early and often about the societal and economic disruption artificial intelligence would bring, calling it the next industrial revolution.Much of his late Senate work focused on what he called “the future of work,” and he spoke often about the need to change education and training to meet new needs.<h2>University of Florida presidency</h2>In 2022, Sasse was&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/11/01/u-s-sen-sasse-sole-finalist-in-uf-presidential-search-to-lead-floridas-flagship-university/" target="_blank">named sole finalist</a>&nbsp;for the University of Florida presidency, leaving the Senate for the role in early 2023. Secrecy around the search and concerns about Sasse’s political background stirred campus before he took office.&nbsp;The UF Faculty Senate voted “no confidence” in the presidential search process, citing a law passed earlier that year to close presidential searches to the public until the final stage.<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/07/19/ben-sasse-resigns-his-university-of-florida-presidency-after-wifes-condition-worsens/" target="_blank">Sasse left office</a>&nbsp;after 17 months, amid concerns about his spending habits as president among&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/mattgaetz/status/1823684508987662490" target="_blank">lawmakers</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/08/desantis-administration-calls-for-investigation-into-former-uf-president-ben-sasse-s-exorbitant-spending" target="_blank">Governor’s Office</a>, and then-Chief Financial Officer<a href="https://x.com/JimmyPatronis/status/1824151429873012749" target="_blank">&nbsp;Jimmy Patronis</a>.The Independent Florida Alligator&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/08/sasse-s-spending-spree-former-uf-president-channeled-millions-to-gop-allies-secretive-contracts" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;after Sasse resigned, that he had “channeled millions to GOP allies, secretive contracts, tripling spending by the previous president.“A majority of the spending surge was driven by lucrative contracts with big-name consulting firms and high-salaried, remote positions for Sasse’s former U.S. Senate staff and Republican officials,” the newspaper reported.Sasse then became a professor at the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at UF, a hub with a “classical” mission that aims to produce people working in law, government, public policy, finance, health and nonprofits.&nbsp;His&nbsp;<a href="https://hamilton.ufl.edu/people/ben-sasse/" target="_blank">bio</a>&nbsp;on the Florida website points to his “service-leadership posture” and the university’s response to “post-October 7th campus unrest” during his presidency. It also mentions his implementing post-tenure review and launching of the&nbsp;<a href="https://news.ufl.edu/2023/10/strategic-funding-awardees/" target="_blank">President’s Strategic Initiative</a>, targeted funding for student experience and interdisciplinary scholarship.Florida State Rep. Allison Tant, a Democrat from Tallahassee,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AllisonTantFL/status/2003509774013681854" target="_blank">replied</a>&nbsp;to Sasse’s social media post, saying, “Praying for your strength and peace.”<h2>Family health fight</h2>Sasse has said he resigned from the Florida presidency to help care for his wife, Melissa, who had been ill.Sasse typically dealt with her epilepsy and other ailments quietly, telling friends that his teens would be fine because they were a family that would work together.He celebrated his closeness with Melissa since stepping back in the 185-word statement he posted, calling her “the best friend a man could ever have.”“This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad,” he wrote. “I can’t begin to describe how great my people are.”&nbsp;Sasse has three children, two daughters and a son. His post referenced his joy in their successes — one in the Air Force, one teaching and one learning to drive.In it, he spoke about the situation his health would put his family through, not getting to walk his daughter down the aisle, burying him.But he layered his message as he did in some of his speeches, with themes and reflections on the faith that buttressed him during difficult times with his wife and kids.Sasse said he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He said he finds comfort in the idea of Christmas. And “gallows humor.” He said death and dying are not the same.“We hope in a real Deliverer — a rescuing God, born at a real time, in a real place,” he said.”But the eternal city — with foundations and without cancer — is not yet.”This is a developing story.&nbsp;Nebraska Examiner Reporter Juan Salinas II contributed to this story.

Former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announces terminal stage-four cancer diagnosis

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/AA3vZTiiSk">pic.twitter.com/AA3vZTiiSk</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2003229806721396801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: As Commander-in-Chief, it&#39;s my great honor to announce that I&#39;ve approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand new, very large battleships... They&#39;ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far — 100x more powerful than any battleship ever built. <a href="https://t.co/226O1UxOeS">pic.twitter.com/226O1UxOeS</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2003229232491901068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;These cutting edge vessels will be some of the most lethal surface warfare ships... We envision that these ships will be the first of a whole new class of battleships to be produced in the years to come.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej">https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej</a> <a href="https://t.co/DMVbS216KG">pic.twitter.com/DMVbS216KG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2003230163832832306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I want to be very clear that we&#39;re building them here... we have great Navy Yards. We&#39;ll be negotiating with some of the companies that are running those yards.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej">https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej</a> <a href="https://t.co/6xLWpiR3z5">pic.twitter.com/6xLWpiR3z5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2003231004958568928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;They&#39;ll also have hypersonic weapons...and even the high-power lasers that you&#39;ve been starting to read about... They&#39;ll also carry the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles currently under development.&quot; 🔥🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej">https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej</a> <a href="https://t.co/6PNzZFwADs">pic.twitter.com/6PNzZFwADs</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2003231909221138714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. to build "Trump-class" warships for "Golden Fleet"

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the recovery of a body&nbsp;&nbsp;found in a wooded area near the YMCA building in Salina have identified the victim as&nbsp;60-year old, Shane T. Duffy of Salina, according to a statement from Salina Police.

The cause of death was a heart attack and the contributing factors were chronic substance abuse, according to police. There was no&nbsp;indication of foul play.&nbsp;&nbsp;A passerby found the deceased body and contacted police on Nov. 20.

There was no home address listed for Duffy, as he was deemed to be homeless.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763669921157.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the recovery of a body&nbsp;&nbsp;found in a wooded area near the YMCA building in Salina have identified the victim as&nbsp;60-year old, Shane T. Duffy of Salina, according to a statement from Salina Police.The cause of death was a heart attack and the contributing factors were chronic substance abuse, according to police. There was no&nbsp;indication of foul play.&nbsp;&nbsp;A passerby found the deceased body and contacted police on Nov. 20.There was no home address listed for Duffy, as he was deemed to be homeless.

Police ID body of man found in wooded area near Salina YMCA

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

Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered an adult female victim suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766491333267.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered an adult female victim suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

Police: Woman killed, another injured in Kansas City

CASS COUNTY —The  Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating a fatal officer shooting involving a member of the Belton Police Department.

Just after 10a.m. Friday, police in the Kansas City suburb of Belton responded to a the 16,000 Block of Rebecca Lane to check the welfare of a subject possibly experiencing&nbsp; mental health issues, according to a media release from the&nbsp; MSHP. Officers made contact with the subject, later identified as 26-year-old&nbsp;Quinn Swaggart at the residence. Swaggart refused any assistance from officers.

Just before 12:30p.m. Officers were called to the same address a second time on a report Swaggart was threatening a member of the residence with a&nbsp; knife. Officer arrived and contacted the reporting party in the front of the home. During the conversation, Swaggart exited the residence and was armed with a knife. Swaggart ran toward the officers and they retreated.&nbsp; The subject continued to chase an officer. At 12:35p.m., the officer fired shots striking the Swaggart. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

No officers were injured during the incident. Investigators recovered a knife at the scene.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. Their final report on the incident will forwarded to the Cass County Attorney for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766181673996.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating a fatal officer shooting involving a member of the Belton Police Department.Just after 10a.m. Friday, police in the Kansas City suburb of Belton responded to a the 16,000 Block of Rebecca Lane to check the welfare of a subject possibly experiencing&nbsp; mental health issues, according to a media release from the&nbsp; MSHP. Officers made contact with the subject, later identified as 26-year-old&nbsp;Quinn Swaggart at the residence. Swaggart refused any assistance from officers.Just before 12:30p.m. Officers were called to the same address a second time on a report Swaggart was threatening a member of the residence with a&nbsp; knife. Officer arrived and contacted the reporting party in the front of the home. During the conversation, Swaggart exited the residence and was armed with a knife. Swaggart ran toward the officers and they retreated.&nbsp; The subject continued to chase an officer. At 12:35p.m., the officer fired shots striking the Swaggart. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;No officers were injured during the incident. Investigators recovered a knife at the scene.The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. Their final report on the incident will forwarded to the Cass County Attorney for review.

Patrol IDs man shot, killed after chasing officers with a knife

Powerball® could deliver the ultimate life-changing prize this Christmas Eve. No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $1.70 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million.

Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and among U.S. lottery games.

“Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all. A portion of every ticket helps support programs and services that benefit local communities.”

Historically, the Powerball® jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day (1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013).

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and red Powerball 7. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

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.

Powerball® could deliver the ultimate life-changing prize this Christmas Eve. No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $1.70 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million.Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and among U.S. lottery games.“Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all. A portion of every ticket helps support programs and services that benefit local communities.”Historically, the Powerball® jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day (1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013).The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and red Powerball 7. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.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, nine tickets matched all five white balls to $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.The drawing also produced 107 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 28 tickets that won $100,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Florida and Maryland won $500,000 prizes 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. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 47th 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.If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.70 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $781.3 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Record U.S. Lottery Jackpots<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>$1.70 Billion est. – Powerball – Dec. 24, 2025</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>$1.348 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>