SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Police in the Kansas City, Kansas, suburb of Shawnee say a high school student found with a handgun in his backpack at school has been arrested. 

The Shawnee Police Department said in a news release that the gun and other contraband were found by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School staff Thursday morning in a search of the student's backpack.

Principal Lisa Gruman sent the following note to parents.

"Dear Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Families, I am writing to inform you of an incident that took place here at Northwest this morning. One of our students was found in possession of a weapon this morning. The weapon was discovered during an investigation of an unrelated matter, and there is currently no evidence that the student had any intention of using the weapon here at Northwest. I can assure you that this matter will be handled in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and district policies. This is the extent of the information that can be released at this time. I do want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain Northwest as a safe learning environment. We appreciate your support."

&nbsp;Police confiscated the gun during the arrest. Police did not release the student's name.

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Police in the Kansas City, Kansas, suburb of Shawnee say a high school student found with a handgun in his backpack at school has been arrested. The Shawnee Police Department said in a news release that the gun and other contraband were found by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School staff Thursday morning in a search of the student's backpack.Principal Lisa Gruman sent the following note to parents."Dear Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Families, I am writing to inform you of an incident that took place here at Northwest this morning. One of our students was found in possession of a weapon this morning. The weapon was discovered during an investigation of an unrelated matter, and there is currently no evidence that the student had any intention of using the weapon here at Northwest. I can assure you that this matter will be handled in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and district policies. This is the extent of the information that can be released at this time. I do want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain Northwest as a safe learning environment. We appreciate your support."&nbsp;Police confiscated the gun during the arrest. Police did not release the student's name.

Student arrested at Kansas high school with gun in backpack

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top aide to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned Republican legislators Thursday that a proposal to curb the power of the governor and other Kansas officials could seriously hamper the state’s response to future public health emergencies and urged them to extend a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will Lawrence, Kelly’s chief of staff, objected to key portions of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>from the state Senate’s top Republicans that would rewrite the state’s emergency management laws. The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed it Thursday as another committee considered requiring all public schools to offer in-person classes by March 26 and after the House approved a measure designed to manage a backlog of criminal cases caused by courts’ inability to hold trials because of the pandemic.

Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the pandemic for months. They forced her last year to accept local control requiring masks and restricting businesses in exchange for keeping a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic in place.

The special rules lawmakers set for COVID-19 and the state of emergency that broadens officials’ power temporarily are set to expire March 31, and legislators also are working on measures that will determine how state and local officials can respond to future health emergencies. Under the Senate Judiciary Committee’s measure, a governor could not issue executive orders without first consulting the state’s attorney general and getting approval from a new legislative committee likely to be dominated by Republicans.

“It’s going to be a problem,” Lawrence said. “The emergency has to be dealt with quickly and swiftly, and this feels different.”

The measure would not extend the existing pandemic state of emergency, and Lawrence said doing so is crucial to dealing with COVID-19 problems and distributing vaccines. But top GOP senators have said they’d like the state of emergency to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-7b1e05b8984f8866e5e2c3399efaa787">expire by April,&nbsp;</a>and they have the support of fellow conservatives who want to end any remaining local restrictions on businesses.

“When will it be over?” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. “I’ve got a lot constituents who are asking the same thing, who want to get their businesses back to normal.”

Thompson incorrectly asserted that the number of new cases in Kansas is as low as it was in June 2020, when the state averaged 157 a day. While new cases have declined sharply in recent weeks, so far this month, the state has averaged 647 new cases a day, according to health department data. Kansas also has averaged 38 new COVID-19 deaths per day this month.

“We still have a ways to go,” Norman told the committee.

The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would create special rules for public health emergencies, as opposed to shorter-term natural disasters such as tornadoes.

But as an example, Lawrence said a radiation leak at the state’s only nuclear power plant, about 60 miles south of Topeka, could be a public health emergency. He said the governor could be forced to wait two days before ordering an evacuation of people living near it.

Republicans argued that the attorney general and the legislative committee would act immediately in dire emergencies. They also said the measure would limit public health emergencies to contagious diseases transmitted human to human.

Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee wrestled with whether public K-12 schools should be required to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26. It had a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb213_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>proposed by Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.

Laura Klingensmith, mother of a student at an Overland Park high school, said remote, online and hybrid classes aren’t working because, “Students do not have the maturity to stay focused in an online environment all day, every day. They don’t have the attention span.”

But according to State Department of Education data, only five of the state’s 286 local school districts don’t expect to have a majority of students back for in-person classes by then. Kelly announced last week that Kansas was putting a priority on inoculating its 34,000 teachers and 72,000 K-12 staff members so that all of them could return to in-person classes.

And lobbyists for teachers and local school boards said local officials should decide when to reopen schools.

The House voted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210225113627_309148/" target="_blank">107-17</a>&nbsp;in favor of the bill dealing with the courts’ backlog of some 5,000 criminal cases, sending it to the Senate.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2078_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>would suspend until May 2024 a state law protecting defendants’ constitutional right to a speedy trial by imposing deadlines for hearing their cases.

Supporters say that if the state doesn’t act, judges could be forced to dismiss hundreds of cases because courts can’t meet the deadlines.

But the measure also faces bipartisan skepticism in the Senate from members who worry that a three-year suspension of the deadlines is too long and will leave too many defendants languishing in jail. The speedy trial law generally requires cases to go to trial within six months of a defendant entering a plea to criminal charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614340073508.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 15 into law Thursday to help Kansans receive low-interest loans and recover from the pandemic.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 15 into law Thursday to help Kansans receive low-interest loans and recover from the pandemic.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top aide to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned Republican legislators Thursday that a proposal to curb the power of the governor and other Kansas officials could seriously hamper the state’s response to future public health emergencies and urged them to extend a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.Will Lawrence, Kelly’s chief of staff, objected to key portions of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>from the state Senate’s top Republicans that would rewrite the state’s emergency management laws. The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed it Thursday as another committee considered requiring all public schools to offer in-person classes by March 26 and after the House approved a measure designed to manage a backlog of criminal cases caused by courts’ inability to hold trials because of the pandemic.Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the pandemic for months. They forced her last year to accept local control requiring masks and restricting businesses in exchange for keeping a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic in place.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614301408357.png" alt="Members of the Senate Judiciary committee reviewed the bill on Thursday-image courtesy Senate YouTube channel" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Senate Judiciary committee reviewed the bill on Thursday-image courtesy Senate YouTube channel</figcaption>
 </figure>The special rules lawmakers set for COVID-19 and the state of emergency that broadens officials’ power temporarily are set to expire March 31, and legislators also are working on measures that will determine how state and local officials can respond to future health emergencies. Under the Senate Judiciary Committee’s measure, a governor could not issue executive orders without first consulting the state’s attorney general and getting approval from a new legislative committee likely to be dominated by Republicans.“It’s going to be a problem,” Lawrence said. “The emergency has to be dealt with quickly and swiftly, and this feels different.”The measure would not extend the existing pandemic state of emergency, and Lawrence said doing so is crucial to dealing with COVID-19 problems and distributing vaccines. But top GOP senators have said they’d like the state of emergency to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-7b1e05b8984f8866e5e2c3399efaa787">expire by April,&nbsp;</a>and they have the support of fellow conservatives who want to end any remaining local restrictions on businesses.“When will it be over?” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. “I’ve got a lot constituents who are asking the same thing, who want to get their businesses back to normal.”Thompson incorrectly asserted that the number of new cases in Kansas is as low as it was in June 2020, when the state averaged 157 a day. While new cases have declined sharply in recent weeks, so far this month, the state has averaged 647 new cases a day, according to health department data. Kansas also has averaged 38 new COVID-19 deaths per day this month.“We still have a ways to go,” Norman told the committee.The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would create special rules for public health emergencies, as opposed to shorter-term natural disasters such as tornadoes.But as an example, Lawrence said a radiation leak at the state’s only nuclear power plant, about 60 miles south of Topeka, could be a public health emergency. He said the governor could be forced to wait two days before ordering an evacuation of people living near it.Republicans argued that the attorney general and the legislative committee would act immediately in dire emergencies. They also said the measure would limit public health emergencies to contagious diseases transmitted human to human.Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee wrestled with whether public K-12 schools should be required to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26. It had a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb213_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>proposed by Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.Laura Klingensmith, mother of a student at an Overland Park high school, said remote, online and hybrid classes aren’t working because, “Students do not have the maturity to stay focused in an online environment all day, every day. They don’t have the attention span.”But according to State Department of Education data, only five of the state’s 286 local school districts don’t expect to have a majority of students back for in-person classes by then. Kelly announced last week that Kansas was putting a priority on inoculating its 34,000 teachers and 72,000 K-12 staff members so that all of them could return to in-person classes.And lobbyists for teachers and local school boards said local officials should decide when to reopen schools.The House voted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210225113627_309148/" target="_blank">107-17</a>&nbsp;in favor of the bill dealing with the courts’ backlog of some 5,000 criminal cases, sending it to the Senate.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2078_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>would suspend until May 2024 a state law protecting defendants’ constitutional right to a speedy trial by imposing deadlines for hearing their cases.Supporters say that if the state doesn’t act, judges could be forced to dismiss hundreds of cases because courts can’t meet the deadlines.But the measure also faces bipartisan skepticism in the Senate from members who worry that a three-year suspension of the deadlines is too long and will leave too many defendants languishing in jail. The speedy trial law generally requires cases to go to trial within six months of a defendant entering a plea to criminal charges.___

Governor's aide: GOP plan may slow Kansas emergency response

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation into the murder of woman in Salina. A reward for information in the case is now $2500.

Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman of inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.

This case is being considered a homicide and detectives are attempting to identify suspect(s). In addition, Salina Police Detectives are working to identify and locate persons who were in the area at the time of the shooting.

If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org">https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org</a>&nbsp;to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward.&nbsp;The Crimestoppers board has increased the possible reward amount up to $2,500, and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact Detective Jeff Vaughan at the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2021-5058.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation into the murder of woman in Salina. A reward for information in the case is now $2500.Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman of inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.This case is being considered a homicide and detectives are attempting to identify suspect(s). In addition, Salina Police Detectives are working to identify and locate persons who were in the area at the time of the shooting.If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org">https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org</a>&nbsp;to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward.&nbsp;The Crimestoppers board has increased the possible reward amount up to $2,500, and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact Detective Jeff Vaughan at the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2021-5058.

Police: Reward increased for information in Salina woman's murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are ready to shove&nbsp;a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package&nbsp;through the House on Friday, despite a setback that means a minimum wage boost is unlikely to be in the final version that reaches President Joe Biden.

A near party-line vote seemed certain on the measure, Biden’s first crack at his initial legislative goal of&nbsp;acting decisively against the pandemic. In the year since&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;has taken hold, it has stalled much of the economy,&nbsp;killed half a million&nbsp;Americans and reshaped the daily lives of virtually everyone.

The relief bill would provide millions of people with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-15-dollar-minimum-wage-450d27c72ba701cb5aef3213cb4bcd8b">$1,400 direct payments</a>. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments, the ailing restaurant and airline industries and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax breaks to lower earners and families with children.

Republicans oppose the sweeping measure, saying it’s too expensive, not targeted enough at the people and businesses that most need it and a grab bag of gifts for Democratic allies. Not one has publicly said they will support the legislation, an ominous sign that the partisan gulf that has enveloped Washington for decades shows no sign of closing.

The House bill would also hoist the federal minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2025, more than doubling the current $7.25 floor that’s been in effect since 2019.

But that proposal seemed highly likely to die in the Senate after that chamber’s parliamentarian said Thursday that the cherished progressive goal must be dropped from the relief legislation, Senate Democratic aides said.

The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year in the face of solid Republican opposition.

Biden, a supporter of the $15 increase, was “disappointed” in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian’s ruling, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of heeding the parliamentarian’s decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.

“He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty,” Psaki said.

Democrats are pushing the massive coronavirus relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, a tactic that Democrats would need an unattainable 60 votes to defeat.

But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough said the minimum wage provision didn’t pass that test, according to aides who described her decision on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been released.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the minimum wage plan would remain in that chamber’s legislation anyway, saying, “House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary.”

She probably had little choice — many House Democrats are progressives who are insistent that the party fight for the wage boost. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a leading sponsor of the minimum wage increase, said Democats shouldn’t be bowed by “the advisory opinion of the parliamentarian and Republican obstructionism.”

Democrats can afford little dissension over the minimum wage or anything else in the COVID-19 relief bill. They have just a 10-vote edge in the House and no votes to spare in the 50-50 Senate.

Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were hoping that House approval of the package would be followed by passage in the Senate, where changes seem likely. Democrats are aiming to get the legislation to Biden’s desk by mid-March.

Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.

MacDonough’s decision might actually make passage of the overall relief bill easier because efforts to find a minimum wage compromise between progressives and moderate Democrats who’d prefer a more measured approach could have been contentious.

Democrats have said they could still pursue a minimum wage boost in free-standing legislation or attach it to legislation expected later this year that is to be aimed at a massive infrastructure program. But they’d still face the challenge of garnering 60 Senate votes, a hurdle that has upended Democratic attempts to boost the minimum wage for over a decade.

In a study that’s been cited by both sides in the clash, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the $15 minimum wage would increase pay for 27 million workers and lift 900,000 people out of poverty by 2025, but also kill 1.4 million jobs.

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have state minimum wages that exceed the federal $7.25 hourly floor, with only the District of Columbia currently requiring a $15 minimum.

Seven states have laws putting their minimums on a pathway to $15 in a future year, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614337301435.png" alt="Fence around the U.S. Capitol image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Fence around the U.S. Capitol image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are ready to shove&nbsp;a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package&nbsp;through the House on Friday, despite a setback that means a minimum wage boost is unlikely to be in the final version that reaches President Joe Biden.A near party-line vote seemed certain on the measure, Biden’s first crack at his initial legislative goal of&nbsp;acting decisively against the pandemic. In the year since&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;has taken hold, it has stalled much of the economy,&nbsp;killed half a million&nbsp;Americans and reshaped the daily lives of virtually everyone.The relief bill would provide millions of people with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-15-dollar-minimum-wage-450d27c72ba701cb5aef3213cb4bcd8b">$1,400 direct payments</a>. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments, the ailing restaurant and airline industries and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax breaks to lower earners and families with children.Republicans oppose the sweeping measure, saying it’s too expensive, not targeted enough at the people and businesses that most need it and a grab bag of gifts for Democratic allies. Not one has publicly said they will support the legislation, an ominous sign that the partisan gulf that has enveloped Washington for decades shows no sign of closing.The House bill would also hoist the federal minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2025, more than doubling the current $7.25 floor that’s been in effect since 2019.But that proposal seemed highly likely to die in the Senate after that chamber’s parliamentarian said Thursday that the cherished progressive goal must be dropped from the relief legislation, Senate Democratic aides said.The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year in the face of solid Republican opposition.Biden, a supporter of the $15 increase, was “disappointed” in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian’s ruling, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of heeding the parliamentarian’s decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.“He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty,” Psaki said.Democrats are pushing the massive coronavirus relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, a tactic that Democrats would need an unattainable 60 votes to defeat.But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough said the minimum wage provision didn’t pass that test, according to aides who described her decision on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been released.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the minimum wage plan would remain in that chamber’s legislation anyway, saying, “House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary.”She probably had little choice — many House Democrats are progressives who are insistent that the party fight for the wage boost. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a leading sponsor of the minimum wage increase, said Democats shouldn’t be bowed by “the advisory opinion of the parliamentarian and Republican obstructionism.”Democrats can afford little dissension over the minimum wage or anything else in the COVID-19 relief bill. They have just a 10-vote edge in the House and no votes to spare in the 50-50 Senate.Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were hoping that House approval of the package would be followed by passage in the Senate, where changes seem likely. Democrats are aiming to get the legislation to Biden’s desk by mid-March.Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.MacDonough’s decision might actually make passage of the overall relief bill easier because efforts to find a minimum wage compromise between progressives and moderate Democrats who’d prefer a more measured approach could have been contentious.Democrats have said they could still pursue a minimum wage boost in free-standing legislation or attach it to legislation expected later this year that is to be aimed at a massive infrastructure program. But they’d still face the challenge of garnering 60 Senate votes, a hurdle that has upended Democratic attempts to boost the minimum wage for over a decade.In a study that’s been cited by both sides in the clash, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the $15 minimum wage would increase pay for 27 million workers and lift 900,000 people out of poverty by 2025, but also kill 1.4 million jobs.Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have state minimum wages that exceed the federal $7.25 hourly floor, with only the District of Columbia currently requiring a $15 minimum.Seven states have laws putting their minimums on a pathway to $15 in a future year, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.___

Friday Vote: $1.9T virus relief bill won't raise minimum wage

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after marking a solemn milestone in the pandemic, President Joe Biden is celebrating the pace of his efforts to end it.

On Thursday, Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his swearing-in. The moment came days after the nation reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the nation’s governors on plans to speed the distribution even further.

“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.

“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”

All told, more than 45 million Americans have been administered at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.

As part of the ceremony, four front-line workers — a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store worker — received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program.

Biden predictions that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone that wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it. “We’ll have the vaccine waiting,” Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.

He promised a “massive campaign to educate people” about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in hopes of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.

Biden said he planned to tour a U.S. military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.

Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving approval as soon as this weekend, as Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.

“We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson &amp; Johnson can make it,” Biden said.

Meeting with governors, Biden appealed for their help in passing his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.

“The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself,” Biden said.

Biden also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalizations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.

“This is not the time to relax,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614292595179.png" alt="President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci look on as DC firefighter and EMT Gerald Burn receives a vaccination, during an event to commemorate the 50 millionth COVID-19 shot -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci look on as DC firefighter and EMT Gerald Burn receives a vaccination, during an event to commemorate the 50 millionth COVID-19 shot -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after marking a solemn milestone in the pandemic, President Joe Biden is celebrating the pace of his efforts to end it.On Thursday, Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his swearing-in. The moment came days after the nation reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the nation’s governors on plans to speed the distribution even further.“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”All told, more than 45 million Americans have been administered at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.As part of the ceremony, four front-line workers — a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store worker — received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program.Biden predictions that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone that wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it. “We’ll have the vaccine waiting,” Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.He promised a “massive campaign to educate people” about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in hopes of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.Biden said he planned to tour a U.S. military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving approval as soon as this weekend, as Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.“We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson &amp; Johnson can make it,” Biden said.Meeting with governors, Biden appealed for their help in passing his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.“The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself,” Biden said.Biden also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalizations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.“This is not the time to relax,” he said.

US marks 50M COVID-19 vaccine doses since Biden took office

PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man arrested on February 18, in connection with an ongoing sex crimes investigation with the assistance of MotorCity Justice made his first court appearance Thursday in Pawnee County, according to District Attorney Doug McNett.

Jason Leigh Cavender, 44 of Larned, appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell Thursday morning via Zoom in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department made a probable cause arrest of Cavender following the execution search warrant at his home in Larned. The law enforcement investigation was prompted by a tip from MotorCity Justice whose goal is to educate parents on the issue of online predators and to expose people that want to meet with children.

Cavender was charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child at least 14, but less than 16 years of age, Promoting Obscenity to a Minor, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to McNett.

Under Kansas law, Electronic Solicitation of a Child is “by means of communication conducted through the telephone, internet or by other electronic means, enticing or soliciting a person, whom the offender believes to be a child, to commit or submit to an unlawful sexual act.”

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $75,000 bond, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614291131835.png" alt="Cavender photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cavender photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man arrested on February 18, in connection with an ongoing sex crimes investigation with the assistance of MotorCity Justice made his first court appearance Thursday in Pawnee County, according to District Attorney Doug McNett.Jason Leigh Cavender, 44 of Larned, appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell Thursday morning via Zoom in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department made a probable cause arrest of Cavender following the execution search warrant at his home in Larned. The law enforcement investigation was prompted by a tip from MotorCity Justice whose goal is to educate parents on the issue of online predators and to expose people that want to meet with children.Cavender was charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child at least 14, but less than 16 years of age, Promoting Obscenity to a Minor, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to McNett.Under Kansas law, Electronic Solicitation of a Child is “by means of communication conducted through the telephone, internet or by other electronic means, enticing or soliciting a person, whom the offender believes to be a child, to commit or submit to an unlawful sexual act.”A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $75,000 bond, according to McNett.

Kansas man jailed after online tip charged with child sex crime

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities&nbsp; have announced that a man already in prison for a separate crime has been charged in the 2018 killing of a Kansas City woman whose body was found in rural wooded area months after she disappeared.

Kenneth Wilson Jr., 32, of Cameron, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Vernece Brown.

Brown’s remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6a2c258203df444391a5cc1d1f05136f">were found</a>&nbsp;by mushroom hunters in May 2018 in a wooded area near Harrisonville, about 35 miles south of Kansas City. She had been missing since Valentine’s Day of that year. An autopsy showed she had been fatally shot.

Cellphone data shows Brown had been communicating with Wilson and that their cellphones were in the same location about the time she disappeared, police said.

Wilson is already in custody at the Western Missouri Correctional Center serving a sentence for a separate crime. Court records show he was arrested in 2018 while driving a stolen vehicle that was carjacked from a woman in Columbia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614281700279.png" alt="Wilson photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities&nbsp; have announced that a man already in prison for a separate crime has been charged in the 2018 killing of a Kansas City woman whose body was found in rural wooded area months after she disappeared.Kenneth Wilson Jr., 32, of Cameron, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Vernece Brown.Brown’s remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6a2c258203df444391a5cc1d1f05136f">were found</a>&nbsp;by mushroom hunters in May 2018 in a wooded area near Harrisonville, about 35 miles south of Kansas City. She had been missing since Valentine’s Day of that year. An autopsy showed she had been fatally shot.Cellphone data shows Brown had been communicating with Wilson and that their cellphones were in the same location about the time she disappeared, police said.Wilson is already in custody at the Western Missouri Correctional Center serving a sentence for a separate crime. Court records show he was arrested in 2018 while driving a stolen vehicle that was carjacked from a woman in Columbia.

Inmate charged in 2018 death of Kansas City woman

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Four men from Mississippi have been banned from hunting anywhere in the world and fined a total of $48,000 for violating wildlife laws in Kansas.

Kenneth R. Britt Jr., 51; Tony Grant Smith, 26; Barney Leon Bairfield III, 28; and Dustin Corey Treadway, 28, were also sentenced to several years of probation, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday.

They pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill wild turkeys in excess of the legal limit and illegally transporting the birds across state lines, prosecutors said in a news release.

The men are from two neighboring towns — Wesson and Brookhaven — in Mississippi.

In 2017 and 2018, they traveled to Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska for spring hunting trip without the required hunting licenses, prosecutors said

During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys. Kansas limits hunters to two wild turkey kills per hunter per season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614295511825.png" alt="During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys Photo courtesy KDWP&amp;T game wardens" />
 <figcaption>During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys Photo courtesy KDWP&amp;T game wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Four men from Mississippi have been banned from hunting anywhere in the world and fined a total of $48,000 for violating wildlife laws in Kansas.Kenneth R. Britt Jr., 51; Tony Grant Smith, 26; Barney Leon Bairfield III, 28; and Dustin Corey Treadway, 28, were also sentenced to several years of probation, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday.They pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill wild turkeys in excess of the legal limit and illegally transporting the birds across state lines, prosecutors said in a news release.The men are from two neighboring towns — Wesson and Brookhaven — in Mississippi.In 2017 and 2018, they traveled to Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska for spring hunting trip without the required hunting licenses, prosecutors saidDuring one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys. Kansas limits hunters to two wild turkey kills per hunter per season.

4 banned from hunting anywhere, fined for violations in Kansas

The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.

The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.

A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”

Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614298655971.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

Fort Riley soldiers deploy in support of vaccination effort

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on numerous drug charges after a late-night traffic stop.

Just before 4a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2013 Chrysler 200 in the 5600 block of W. 10th Street in Great Bend for speeding, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir.

During the course of the traffic stop, deputies determined the driver later identified as Andrew Decoudres age 32 of Larned, was driving under the influence of alcohol/or drugs. 

Deputies also located what is believed to be LSD, a substantial amount of methamphetamine and prescription drugs as well as paraphernalia during the course of the investigation.

Deputies arrested Decoudres and booked him on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessions of a hallucinogenic substance with intent to distribute, possession of prescription drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as interference with law enforcement officer and DUI as well as various other traffic charges. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614275210999.png" alt="Decoudres-photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Decoudres-photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on numerous drug charges after a late-night traffic stop.Just before 4a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2013 Chrysler 200 in the 5600 block of W. 10th Street in Great Bend for speeding, according to sheriff Brian Bellendir.During the course of the traffic stop, deputies determined the driver later identified as Andrew Decoudres age 32 of Larned, was driving under the influence of alcohol/or drugs. Deputies also located what is believed to be LSD, a substantial amount of methamphetamine and prescription drugs as well as paraphernalia during the course of the investigation.Deputies arrested Decoudres and booked him on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessions of a hallucinogenic substance with intent to distribute, possession of prescription drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as interference with law enforcement officer and DUI as well as various other traffic charges. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, according to Bellendir.

Sheriff: Deputies find LSD during Kansas traffic stop

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities canceled the Silver Alert for a missing 74-year-old woman on Thursday afternoon. Authorities located Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; needs&nbsp; have issued a Silver Alert for 74-year-old Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police.

She was last seen in the Wichita area on Monday and is believed to be driving a black 2014 Ford Focus with South Dakota tag 7A5227.

If you know her whereabouts, contact the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4659 or call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614189663811.png" alt="Janice Gaug photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Janice Gaug photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities canceled the Silver Alert for a missing 74-year-old woman on Thursday afternoon. Authorities located Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; needs&nbsp; have issued a Silver Alert for 74-year-old Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614189526707.png" alt="Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 11.57.59 AM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 11.57.59 AM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>She was last seen in the Wichita area on Monday and is believed to be driving a black 2014 Ford Focus with South Dakota tag 7A5227.If you know her whereabouts, contact the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4659 or call 911.

Silver Alert canceled for woman reported missing in Kansas

SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday lifted a freeze on green cards issued by his predecessor during the pandemic that lawyers said was blocking most legal immigration to the United States.

Former President Donald Trump last spring halted the issuance of green cards until the end of 2020 in the name of protecting the coronavirus-wracked job market — a reason that Trump gave to achieve many of the cuts to legal immigration that had eluded him before the pandemic.

Trump on Dec. 31 extended those orders until the end of March.

Trump had deemed immigrants a “risk to the U.S. labor market” and blocked their entry to the United States in issuing Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052.

Biden stated in his proclamation Wednesday that shutting the door on legal immigrants “does not advance the interests of the United States.”

“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world,” Biden stated in his proclamation.

Most immigrant visas were blocked by the orders, according to immigration lawyers.

As many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost largely because of the pandemic-related freeze in the 2020 budget year, according to the American Immigrant Lawyers Association. Immigrants could not bring over family members unless they were U.S. citizens applying for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 21.

It also barred entry to immigrants with employment-based visas unless they were considered beneficial to the national interest such as health care professionals.

And it slammed the door on thousands of visa lottery winners who were randomly chosen from a pool of about 14 million applicants to be given green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States.

The blocked visas add to a growing backlog that has reached 437,000 for family-based visas alone, said California immigration lawyer Curtis Morrison, who represented thousands of people blocked by the freeze.

“I’m thrilled for my clients who are now in a position that they can now enter the U.S.,” he said. “But that backlog will take years if the administration does not take ambitious measures.”

A federal judge last year issued a ruling that all but lifted Proclamation 10052 by allowing temporary foreign workers to enter the United States if their employers are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or several other large organizations that represent much of the U.S. economy.

But Proclamation 10014 continued to block thousands of immigrants.

Immigration lawyers said they were surprised Biden did not immediately lift the freeze like he did with Trump’s travel ban imposed against people from mostly Muslim-majority countries. As a result, some immigrants blocked by the travel ban found they still could not come to the United States because of the freeze.

Biden’s actions come only days after thousands of visa lottery winners at risk of having their visas expire won a court order that put their visas on hold by the judge in the case. Now they will be allowed to use their visas to enter the country.

The United States makes available up to 55,000 visas a year for immigrants whose nationalities are underrepresented in the U.S. population. The visas must be used within six months of being obtained.

Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.

The president has not said whether there will be any redress for visa lottery winners who lost out because of the pandemic-era policies. But he is calling for the U.S. to increase the number of diversity visas available via the lottery each year from 55,000 to 80,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614257784463.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Harris during a Wednesday signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Harris during a Wednesday signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday lifted a freeze on green cards issued by his predecessor during the pandemic that lawyers said was blocking most legal immigration to the United States.Former President Donald Trump last spring halted the issuance of green cards until the end of 2020 in the name of protecting the coronavirus-wracked job market — a reason that Trump gave to achieve many of the cuts to legal immigration that had eluded him before the pandemic.Trump on Dec. 31 extended those orders until the end of March.Trump had deemed immigrants a “risk to the U.S. labor market” and blocked their entry to the United States in issuing Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052.Biden stated in his proclamation Wednesday that shutting the door on legal immigrants “does not advance the interests of the United States.”“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world,” Biden stated in his proclamation.Most immigrant visas were blocked by the orders, according to immigration lawyers.As many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost largely because of the pandemic-related freeze in the 2020 budget year, according to the American Immigrant Lawyers Association. Immigrants could not bring over family members unless they were U.S. citizens applying for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 21.It also barred entry to immigrants with employment-based visas unless they were considered beneficial to the national interest such as health care professionals.And it slammed the door on thousands of visa lottery winners who were randomly chosen from a pool of about 14 million applicants to be given green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States.The blocked visas add to a growing backlog that has reached 437,000 for family-based visas alone, said California immigration lawyer Curtis Morrison, who represented thousands of people blocked by the freeze.“I’m thrilled for my clients who are now in a position that they can now enter the U.S.,” he said. “But that backlog will take years if the administration does not take ambitious measures.”A federal judge last year issued a ruling that all but lifted Proclamation 10052 by allowing temporary foreign workers to enter the United States if their employers are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or several other large organizations that represent much of the U.S. economy.But Proclamation 10014 continued to block thousands of immigrants.Immigration lawyers said they were surprised Biden did not immediately lift the freeze like he did with Trump’s travel ban imposed against people from mostly Muslim-majority countries. As a result, some immigrants blocked by the travel ban found they still could not come to the United States because of the freeze.Biden’s actions come only days after thousands of visa lottery winners at risk of having their visas expire won a court order that put their visas on hold by the judge in the case. Now they will be allowed to use their visas to enter the country.The United States makes available up to 55,000 visas a year for immigrants whose nationalities are underrepresented in the U.S. population. The visas must be used within six months of being obtained.Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.The president has not said whether there will be any redress for visa lottery winners who lost out because of the pandemic-era policies. But he is calling for the U.S. to increase the number of diversity visas available via the lottery each year from 55,000 to 80,000.

President Biden lifts ban blocking legal immigration to US

CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.

On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.

&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.

Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.

Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614272962304.png" alt="Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

Sheriff: 2 men fishing in Kansas fell through ice, drowned

NEW YORK (AP) — A public service ad<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/"> campaign </a>unveiled Thursday aims to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling them “It’s Up to You.”

<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/">The campaign</a> by the Ad Council and its partners is focused on those who may be hesitant to get the shots. One print ad reads: “Getting back to hugs starts with getting informed,” and directs readers to a website with information about vaccines in seven languages.

“Our goal is to move them from being hesitant to being confident” in vaccines, said Lisa Sherman, the Ad Council’s president.

As many as 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Some scientists estimate that more than 2 in 3 Americans will need to get vaccinated to stop the epidemic that has killed more than 500,000 people in the U.S.

The large, national campaign is producing an array of English and Spanish ads for TV, billboards, bus shelters, social media and publications that will be rolled out over the next few months. A few of the ads are expected to feature celebrities like the actors Angela Bassett and John Leguizamo, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The spots are expected to run throughout the year.

The effort includes materials specifically for church leaders, doctors, pharmacists and others in Black and Hispanic communities

The new campaign was funded by $52 million in donations — supplemented with donated labor and resources, said Sherman. The advertising industry-backed group calls it one of the largest public education efforts in U.S. history. It’s famous for many iconic public service campaigns that include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” campaign for the Peace Corps.

Print versions show an adhesive bandage framing the words “It’s Up to You.” One video spot shows a series of illustrated arms of different colors and one robotic, all with a bandage on the upper arm, blending in to a mosaic of the U.S. map. “You’ve got questions. And that’s normal” reads another ad. It invites viewers to go to a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/" target="_blank">GetVaccineAnswers.org</a>, to get more information.

Although vaccines have been available — in limited supplies — in the U.S. since mid-December, the timing of the ad campaign is actually good, said Jay Winsten, a Harvard University public health communications expert.

It takes a while for people who question the effectiveness or safety of vaccines to gain faith in shots, said Winsten, who is known as the architect of a national designated driver campaign that aimed to reduce drunk driving injuries and deaths.

But it also helps that millions of Americans have already gotten shots, and they did not suffer serious side effects, he added.

“People will be more open to the messaging now” because of that, he said.

The federal government is involved in the Ad Council’s campaign, but also has its own in the works. A $300 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services campaign was put on pause late in the Trump administration. Biden administration officials have picked it up but have not said when it will launch.

NEW YORK (AP) — A public service ad<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/"> campaign </a>unveiled Thursday aims to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling them “It’s Up to You.”<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/">The campaign</a> by the Ad Council and its partners is focused on those who may be hesitant to get the shots. One print ad reads: “Getting back to hugs starts with getting informed,” and directs readers to a website with information about vaccines in seven languages.“Our goal is to move them from being hesitant to being confident” in vaccines, said Lisa Sherman, the Ad Council’s president.As many as 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Some scientists estimate that more than 2 in 3 Americans will need to get vaccinated to stop the epidemic that has killed more than 500,000 people in the U.S.The large, national campaign is producing an array of English and Spanish ads for TV, billboards, bus shelters, social media and publications that will be rolled out over the next few months. A few of the ads are expected to feature celebrities like the actors Angela Bassett and John Leguizamo, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.The spots are expected to run throughout the year.The effort includes materials specifically for church leaders, doctors, pharmacists and others in Black and Hispanic communitiesThe new campaign was funded by $52 million in donations — supplemented with donated labor and resources, said Sherman. The advertising industry-backed group calls it one of the largest public education efforts in U.S. history. It’s famous for many iconic public service campaigns that include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” campaign for the Peace Corps.Print versions show an adhesive bandage framing the words “It’s Up to You.” One video spot shows a series of illustrated arms of different colors and one robotic, all with a bandage on the upper arm, blending in to a mosaic of the U.S. map. “You’ve got questions. And that’s normal” reads another ad. It invites viewers to go to a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/" target="_blank">GetVaccineAnswers.org</a>, to get more information.Although vaccines have been available — in limited supplies — in the U.S. since mid-December, the timing of the ad campaign is actually good, said Jay Winsten, a Harvard University public health communications expert.It takes a while for people who question the effectiveness or safety of vaccines to gain faith in shots, said Winsten, who is known as the architect of a national designated driver campaign that aimed to reduce drunk driving injuries and deaths.But it also helps that millions of Americans have already gotten shots, and they did not suffer serious side effects, he added.“People will be more open to the messaging now” because of that, he said.The federal government is involved in the Ad Council’s campaign, but also has its own in the works. A $300 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services campaign was put on pause late in the Trump administration. Biden administration officials have picked it up but have not said when it will launch.___

Ad campaign launches to build public trust in COVID-19 shots

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident found on Wednesday believe the victim actually died in the crash on Sunday.

Just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 6100 Block of Riverview after report of an accident involving a vehicle in a creek bed, according to police department spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.&nbsp;

First responders found the sole occupant, a man in his 60s, was dead.&nbsp; 

Investigators determined the vehicle was westbound Sunday evening on Riverview when it left the road, struck an embankment and landed in a semi-frozen creek bed. 

The location of the crash in a wooded area and the position in which&nbsp; the vehicle came to rest made it extremely difficult for passing motorists to have seen, according to Chartrand.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident found on Wednesday believe the victim actually died in the crash on Sunday.Just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 6100 Block of Riverview after report of an accident involving a vehicle in a creek bed, according to police department spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.&nbsp;First responders found the sole occupant, a man in his 60s, was dead.&nbsp; Investigators determined the vehicle was westbound Sunday evening on Riverview when it left the road, struck an embankment and landed in a semi-frozen creek bed. The location of the crash in a wooded area and the position in which&nbsp; the vehicle came to rest made it extremely difficult for passing motorists to have seen, according to Chartrand.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

Man who died Sunday in crash into Kan. creek found Wednesday

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas may have paid $600 million worth of bogus claims for unemployment benefits last year, a legislative audit said Wednesday, more than double an estimate from the state Department of Labor.

<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-1/" target="_blank">The report</a>&nbsp;from the Republican-controlled Legislature’s nonpartisan auditing division suggested that nearly 1 in 4 unemployment claims paid last year could have been fraudulent amid a surge in filings during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the Department of Labor’s own data. The department on Tuesday estimated last year’s fraudulent claims as worth $290 million.

The department strongly disputed the audit’s figure and said in a written response that the report was “rife” with “factual errors.” The department took the uncommon step of asking the auditing division to withdraw its estimate, but Justin Stowe, the division’s director, immediately stood by its work, calling its estimate not precise but “reasonable.”

(Advance player to 17:40 to hear the governor's comments on the audit)

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who’s faced intensifying criticism from GOP lawmakers over the department’s problems, defended the department’s figure. But she added that she has ordered a separate, outside audit to determine the amount of fraud. Kelly said that with the legislative audit, “There are questions that people have.”

“We want to answer those questions,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference.

For Republican lawmakers, the legislative audit Wednesday confirmed their view that problems with unemployment fraud and distributing legitimate benefits to jobless workers represents a major failure of Kelly’s administration.

“The fraud has been there for a long time, and they’ve mismanaged it,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, who called the fraud problem “a disgrace.”

Kelly has said her administration is doing “everything in our power” to combat fraud and resolve problems with distributing benefits during the pandemic. She and department officials also have said the problems are nationwide.

Deputy Labor Secretary Brett Flachsbarth told the legislative committee overseeing auditors’ work that Republican lawmakers’ repeated suggestions that fraud in Kansas is worse than in other states is a misleading “preconceived narrative.”

“Any sort of assertion — that we have had publicly made and numerous times — that Kansas is somehow the only state or an outlier or No. 1 in fraud is categorically false,” Flachsbarth said.

Republican lawmakers said their assertions that Kansas’ fraud problems are unusually bad are based on information from companies with operations in multiple states and data indicating unusual spikes in claims.

“From what we can tell, Kansas was a much bigger problem,” said House commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.

Olson renewed his call&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-d859fffe8b2a110ac8c1e47dbf873108">to strip the governor of control</a>&nbsp;over the department and create an independent board to oversee its day-to-day operations, similar to the board that oversees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kpers.org/about/board.html#members" target="_blank">the state pension system</a>&nbsp;for teachers and government workers. Olson said he’s holding off on a committee vote on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb177_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;aimed at overhauling the unemployment system so that he can develop a proposal.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-topeka-74ac0a21fa8c04ac74e62602605c471d">Republican legislators&nbsp;</a>have expressed concerns that employers, who pay taxes to finance benefits, could be on the hook for covering the costs of bogus claims.

Kelly and the department have blamed the problems on decades-old computer technology. They’ve said that system wasn’t equipped to handle the surge of 4 million claims that came after restrictions imposed to check the spread of COVID-19, including a statewide stay-at-home order imposed by Kelly last spring. Kelly has included $37.5 million in her proposed budget to upgrade the department’s technology.

The Department of Labor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-f79ed0b839ad8501cf50650ca51dcbb1">shut down</a>&nbsp;the Kansas unemployment system from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 to install new security protocols. It said it has blocked about 5 million fraudulent log-in attempts by scammers or internet bots, or roughly three every second. The department said it has referred more than 50,000 cases to federal law enforcement officials.

The governor also sees much of the criticism as Republicans “just laying the groundwork” to try to prevent her reelection in 2022.

Acting Labor Secretary Amber Schultz on Tuesday also blamed Congress for some of the problems when it created several new programs to provide additional benefits to jobless workers. She said congressional measures handcuffed states’ efforts to limit fraud until the most recent COVID-19 relief package in December.

The audit agreed that how Congress structured a program aimed at providing benefits for the first time to self-employed workers and independent contractors made it a big and early target for scammers. It also said scammers have relied on “large scale identity theft.”

But the auditors also said that the department relied on “manual” methods to detect fraud that were “ineffective” amid a flood of claims.

“I want to know when we’re going to stop blaming other people,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and chair of the legislative audit committee. “Somebody has to be responsible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614257985849.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during a Wednesday news conference said she has ordered a separate, outside audit to determine the amount of fraud." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during a Wednesday news conference said she has ordered a separate, outside audit to determine the amount of fraud.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas may have paid $600 million worth of bogus claims for unemployment benefits last year, a legislative audit said Wednesday, more than double an estimate from the state Department of Labor.<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-1/" target="_blank">The report</a>&nbsp;from the Republican-controlled Legislature’s nonpartisan auditing division suggested that nearly 1 in 4 unemployment claims paid last year could have been fraudulent amid a surge in filings during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the Department of Labor’s own data. The department on Tuesday estimated last year’s fraudulent claims as worth $290 million.The department strongly disputed the audit’s figure and said in a written response that the report was “rife” with “factual errors.” The department took the uncommon step of asking the auditing division to withdraw its estimate, but Justin Stowe, the division’s director, immediately stood by its work, calling its estimate not precise but “reasonable.”(Advance player to 17:40 to hear the governor's comments on the audit)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F167433801857085%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" 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>Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who’s faced intensifying criticism from GOP lawmakers over the department’s problems, defended the department’s figure. But she added that she has ordered a separate, outside audit to determine the amount of fraud. Kelly said that with the legislative audit, “There are questions that people have.”“We want to answer those questions,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference.For Republican lawmakers, the legislative audit Wednesday confirmed their view that problems with unemployment fraud and distributing legitimate benefits to jobless workers represents a major failure of Kelly’s administration.“The fraud has been there for a long time, and they’ve mismanaged it,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, who called the fraud problem “a disgrace.”Kelly has said her administration is doing “everything in our power” to combat fraud and resolve problems with distributing benefits during the pandemic. She and department officials also have said the problems are nationwide.Deputy Labor Secretary Brett Flachsbarth told the legislative committee overseeing auditors’ work that Republican lawmakers’ repeated suggestions that fraud in Kansas is worse than in other states is a misleading “preconceived narrative.”“Any sort of assertion — that we have had publicly made and numerous times — that Kansas is somehow the only state or an outlier or No. 1 in fraud is categorically false,” Flachsbarth said.Republican lawmakers said their assertions that Kansas’ fraud problems are unusually bad are based on information from companies with operations in multiple states and data indicating unusual spikes in claims.“From what we can tell, Kansas was a much bigger problem,” said House commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.Olson renewed his call&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-d859fffe8b2a110ac8c1e47dbf873108">to strip the governor of control</a>&nbsp;over the department and create an independent board to oversee its day-to-day operations, similar to the board that oversees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kpers.org/about/board.html#members" target="_blank">the state pension system</a>&nbsp;for teachers and government workers. Olson said he’s holding off on a committee vote on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb177_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;aimed at overhauling the unemployment system so that he can develop a proposal.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-topeka-74ac0a21fa8c04ac74e62602605c471d">Republican legislators&nbsp;</a>have expressed concerns that employers, who pay taxes to finance benefits, could be on the hook for covering the costs of bogus claims.Kelly and the department have blamed the problems on decades-old computer technology. They’ve said that system wasn’t equipped to handle the surge of 4 million claims that came after restrictions imposed to check the spread of COVID-19, including a statewide stay-at-home order imposed by Kelly last spring. Kelly has included $37.5 million in her proposed budget to upgrade the department’s technology.The Department of Labor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-f79ed0b839ad8501cf50650ca51dcbb1">shut down</a>&nbsp;the Kansas unemployment system from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 to install new security protocols. It said it has blocked about 5 million fraudulent log-in attempts by scammers or internet bots, or roughly three every second. The department said it has referred more than 50,000 cases to federal law enforcement officials.The governor also sees much of the criticism as Republicans “just laying the groundwork” to try to prevent her reelection in 2022.Acting Labor Secretary Amber Schultz on Tuesday also blamed Congress for some of the problems when it created several new programs to provide additional benefits to jobless workers. She said congressional measures handcuffed states’ efforts to limit fraud until the most recent COVID-19 relief package in December.The audit agreed that how Congress structured a program aimed at providing benefits for the first time to self-employed workers and independent contractors made it a big and early target for scammers. It also said scammers have relied on “large scale identity theft.”But the auditors also said that the department relied on “manual” methods to detect fraud that were “ineffective” amid a flood of claims.“I want to know when we’re going to stop blaming other people,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and chair of the legislative audit committee. “Somebody has to be responsible.”

🎥  Bogus unemployment claims may have cost Kan. more than first reported

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans rallied solidly Wednesday against Democrats’ proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill as lawmakers awaited a decision by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8893a3f95038cac51ba66066554bcd20" target="_blank">the Senate’s parliamentarian&nbsp;</a>that could bolster or potentially kill a pivotal provision hiking the federal minimum wage.

Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were poised to push the sweeping package through the House on Friday. They were hoping the Senate, where changes seem likely, would follow quickly enough to have legislation on President Joe Biden’s desk by mid-March.

By late Wednesday, not one Republican in either chamber had publicly said he or she would back the legislation. GOP leaders were honing attacks on the package as a job killer that does too little to reopen schools or businesses shuttered for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b08eb8f76932cc71049732ddd60a035d" target="_blank">the pandemic</a>&nbsp;and that was not only wasteful but also even unscrupulous.

“I haven’t seen a Republican yet that’s found something in there that they agree with,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “I think all Republicans believe in three simple things: They want a bill that puts us back to work, back to school and back to health. This bill is too costly, too corrupt and too liberal.”

The hardening opposition suggested that Biden’s first major legislative initiative could encounter unanimous GOP opposition. That was a counterpoint to the new president’s refrain during his campaign about bringing the country together and a replay of the Republican wall that new President Barack Obama encountered in 2009 and most of his administration.

Democrats showed no signs of backing down, citing the assistance the measure would spread to people, businesses and state and local governments.

“If congressional Republicans want to oppose all that, my response is: Good luck,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor.

By Wednesday evening, the most suspense was over a decision anticipated from Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, that promised enormous political and legislative consequences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614216931503.png" alt="“I haven’t seen a Republican yet that’s found something in there that they agree with," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy&nbsp;(R-CA) -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“I haven’t seen a Republican yet that’s found something in there that they agree with," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy&nbsp;(R-CA) -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans rallied solidly Wednesday against Democrats’ proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill as lawmakers awaited a decision by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8893a3f95038cac51ba66066554bcd20" target="_blank">the Senate’s parliamentarian&nbsp;</a>that could bolster or potentially kill a pivotal provision hiking the federal minimum wage.Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were poised to push the sweeping package through the House on Friday. They were hoping the Senate, where changes seem likely, would follow quickly enough to have legislation on President Joe Biden’s desk by mid-March.By late Wednesday, not one Republican in either chamber had publicly said he or she would back the legislation. GOP leaders were honing attacks on the package as a job killer that does too little to reopen schools or businesses shuttered for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b08eb8f76932cc71049732ddd60a035d" target="_blank">the pandemic</a>&nbsp;and that was not only wasteful but also even unscrupulous.“I haven’t seen a Republican yet that’s found something in there that they agree with,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “I think all Republicans believe in three simple things: They want a bill that puts us back to work, back to school and back to health. This bill is too costly, too corrupt and too liberal.”The hardening opposition suggested that Biden’s first major legislative initiative could encounter unanimous GOP opposition. That was a counterpoint to the new president’s refrain during his campaign about bringing the country together and a replay of the Republican wall that new President Barack Obama encountered in 2009 and most of his administration.Democrats showed no signs of backing down, citing the assistance the measure would spread to people, businesses and state and local governments.“If congressional Republicans want to oppose all that, my response is: Good luck,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor.By Wednesday evening, the most suspense was over a decision anticipated from Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, that promised enormous political and legislative consequences.The relief bill includes a provision that over five years would hike the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. The parliamentarian is involved because Democrats are pushing the overall $1.9 trillion measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans.Those same rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. The parliamentarian decides if a provision passes that test.With Republicans strongly against a minimum wage increase, the only way for it to survive is by including it in a filibuster-proof bill like the COVID-19 relief measure. To end a filibuster, Democrats would need 60 votes, an impossibility for them in the evenly divided 50-50 Senate.If the parliamentarian decides the minimum wage provision can remain in the bill, it would be a major boost for its proponents. But there would be no guarantee the measure would survive because some moderates oppose it or want it dialed back. That suggests grueling bargaining on its final form would lie ahead.A decision by the parliamentarian that the minimum wage hike must fall from the bill could be fatal, but not necessarily. Democrats could employ a rarely used procedural move to muscle the minimum wage provision into the bill with just 51 votes anyway, but it was unclear if they could muster enough support to do that.The minimum wage has stood at $7.25 since 2009. Winning the increase is a top priority for progressives at a time when Democrats control Congress and the White House.The overall bill would provide millions of Americans with $1,400 direct payments to help them weather the pandemic that’s stalled much of the economy for a year and killed half a million people. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax cuts or payments for many families with children.In a sign of hardball politics ahead, top Republicans suggested that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Schumer squeezed money into the bill for their own states.McCarthy said the bill had $100 million to help extend the San Francisco area’s BART commuter rail system south to San Jose. That project was approved previously by the Trump administration and is not in Pelosi’s San Francisco district, a top Democratic aide said.McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., suggested Schumer had won money for a bridge connecting upstate New York to Canada. A senior Democratic aide said the bill contains $1.5 million for the bridge, which is in the district of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. The aide said it was requested in 2020 by the Trump administration’s Transportation Department, which was headed by Elaine Chao, McConnell’s wife.