By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-03/this-new-map-shows-where-to-get-a-coronavirus-vaccine-in-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>

Kansas has launched an online map that shows which hospitals and other locations offer COVID-19 vaccinations.

The tool — called <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/160/Find-My-Vaccine" target="_blank">Find My Vaccine</a> — shows dozens of sites across Kansas marked in either orange or blue.

Those colors show you where the latest shipments of vaccine doses went.

Orange sites
 haven’t received doses this week that would be available to people 
seeking their first shot. Those sites may have doses on hand reserved 
for people who are scheduled to receive their second shot. But 
that detail — second doses — doesn’t show up on the map, because it 
wouldn’t help the average person who is hoping to get their first shot.

Blue sites have received a shipment of doses this week that are meant for people looking to get their first shot.

If you see your county hospital or another site near you is offering shots, call and ask to get onto their wait list.

Keep in mind, Kansas still only receives about 45,000 doses a week from the federal government for use outside of nursing homes.

Compare that to the approximately 1 million Kansans that meet the current criteria for getting shots.

Kansas is in Phase 2 of its vaccine rollout. It includes
 people over the age of 65. It also covers teachers, grocery workers, 
first responders, prison inmates and many others. The state offers more 
detail <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/de/a6/100975e84c238fc4db5592eb3a9d/clj-phase-2-definition.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.

Right
 now, the state’s vaccine map mostly shows county health departments and
 hospitals, but as vaccine supply increases, it’s likely more providers 
will appear on the map.

Pharmacies, for example, have made clear that they want to participate.

For more on how vaccine distribution works in Kansas and how widespread coronavirus is in the state, check out <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/heres-latest-where-and-how-get-covid-vaccine-kansas" target="_blank">our FAQ</a>.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612385640072.png" alt="Okun Fieldhouse in Shawnee, Kansas, is one place where people can get their shot, but only by appointment. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Okun Fieldhouse in Shawnee, Kansas, is one place where people can get their shot, but only by appointment. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-03/this-new-map-shows-where-to-get-a-coronavirus-vaccine-in-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>Kansas has launched an online map that shows which hospitals and other locations offer COVID-19 vaccinations.The tool — called <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/160/Find-My-Vaccine" target="_blank">Find My Vaccine</a> — shows dozens of sites across Kansas marked in either orange or blue.Those colors show you where the latest shipments of vaccine doses went.Orange sites
 haven’t received doses this week that would be available to people 
seeking their first shot. Those sites may have doses on hand reserved 
for people who are scheduled to receive their second shot. But 
that detail — second doses — doesn’t show up on the map, because it 
wouldn’t help the average person who is hoping to get their first shot.Blue sites have received a shipment of doses this week that are meant for people looking to get their first shot.If you see your county hospital or another site near you is offering shots, call and ask to get onto their wait list.Keep in mind, Kansas still only receives about 45,000 doses a week from the federal government for use outside of nursing homes.Compare that to the approximately 1 million Kansans that meet the current criteria for getting shots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610374737400.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas is in Phase 2 of its vaccine rollout. It includes
 people over the age of 65. It also covers teachers, grocery workers, 
first responders, prison inmates and many others. The state offers more 
detail <a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/de/a6/100975e84c238fc4db5592eb3a9d/clj-phase-2-definition.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.Right
 now, the state’s vaccine map mostly shows county health departments and
 hospitals, but as vaccine supply increases, it’s likely more providers 
will appear on the map.Pharmacies, for example, have made clear that they want to participate.For more on how vaccine distribution works in Kansas and how widespread coronavirus is in the state, check out <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/heres-latest-where-and-how-get-covid-vaccine-kansas" target="_blank">our FAQ</a>.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Kansas map helps you find COVID-19 vaccine providers 

BARTON COUNTY—A Kansas man drown in a creek on Wednesday in Barton County.

Just after 9:30.am., deputies were dispatched to a location on the Wet Walnut Creek near 387 NW. 40th Road, north and west of Great Bend, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

A 911 caller reported an unresponsive individual in the water at that location.

A family member had called to report they had located 20-year-old Manuel Castillo in the creek. The Great Bend Fire Department and EMS services had also arrived at the scene and began resuscitation efforts. Castillo was transported the hospital in Great Bend where he was later pronounced deceased.

A Sheriff’s Office investigation indicates Castillo was walking along the creek bank at which time he evidently fell approximately 40 feet down the embankment. Evidence of the fall was found at the scene, according to Bellendir.

At that particular location, the embankment was covered with rock, metal rods and corrugated steel to prevent erosion. Castillo received numerous abrasions and lacerations during the fall. Further investigation indicates he was incapacitated by the fall and went into about 2 feet of water.

Forensic examination by Dr. Lyle Norhook indicates the cause of death was drowning. Preliminary findings indicate the death was accidental in nature.

BARTON COUNTY—A Kansas man drown in a creek on Wednesday in Barton County.Just after 9:30.am., deputies were dispatched to a location on the Wet Walnut Creek near 387 NW. 40th Road, north and west of Great Bend, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.A 911 caller reported an unresponsive individual in the water at that location.A family member had called to report they had located 20-year-old Manuel Castillo in the creek. The Great Bend Fire Department and EMS services had also arrived at the scene and began resuscitation efforts. Castillo was transported the hospital in Great Bend where he was later pronounced deceased.A Sheriff’s Office investigation indicates Castillo was walking along the creek bank at which time he evidently fell approximately 40 feet down the embankment. Evidence of the fall was found at the scene, according to Bellendir.At that particular location, the embankment was covered with rock, metal rods and corrugated steel to prevent erosion. Castillo received numerous abrasions and lacerations during the fall. Further investigation indicates he was incapacitated by the fall and went into about 2 feet of water.Forensic examination by Dr. Lyle Norhook indicates the cause of death was drowning. Preliminary findings indicate the death was accidental in nature.

Sheriff: 20-year-old Kan. man drowns after fall into creek

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have asked the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to South Madison Avenue and East Skinner Street, according to Officer Paul Cruz.

A 49-year-old male victim reported to police that a suspect identified as Bryan Conner came to Auto Kings Car Dealership, 3205 South Broadway and requested to test-drive a blue Jeep Cherokee. 

The victim and Conner got into the Jeep and while they were test driving the vehicle, Conner stopped at Madison and Skinner, brandished a handgun and ordered the victim out of the vehicle.&nbsp; Conner then took the vehicle keys, got out of the vehicle, and left north bound on foot.

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612449876172.png" alt="On Thursday, police released a booking photo from a prior arrest for the suspect identified as 32-year-old Bryan Conner" />
 <figcaption>On Thursday, police released a booking photo from a prior arrest for the suspect identified as 32-year-old Bryan Conner</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have asked the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 5:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to South Madison Avenue and East Skinner Street, according to Officer Paul Cruz.A 49-year-old male victim reported to police that a suspect identified as Bryan Conner came to Auto Kings Car Dealership, 3205 South Broadway and requested to test-drive a blue Jeep Cherokee. The victim and Conner got into the Jeep and while they were test driving the vehicle, Conner stopped at Madison and Skinner, brandished a handgun and ordered the victim out of the vehicle.&nbsp; Conner then took the vehicle keys, got out of the vehicle, and left north bound on foot.Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call police.

Update: Kan. car salesman robbed during test drive

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Assurances from labor officials that new security protocols are blocking thousands of fraudulent attempts every hour to access Kansas’ unemployment benefits system did little Wednesday to dispel the concerns of Republican lawmakers who fear the state is losing millions of dollars to COVID-19 pandemic scammers.

The state Department of Labor reported that it blocked more than 649,000 attempts from internet bots or human scammers to log into its unemployment system within 34 hours after a shutdown of the system ended Tuesday morning. The department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-f79ed0b839ad8501cf50650ca51dcbb1">shut down the system</a>&nbsp;Saturday afternoon to add new security protocols after a flood of fraudulent claims for benefits.

Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and her administration for months over problems at the Department of Labor in providing benefits to workers who’ve lost their jobs in the pandemic. She and department officials have blamed the struggles on a decades-old computer system.

“I’m not going to deny that it has been a tough road and that many Kansans are frustrated by the inadequacy of the system that is 40, 45 years old,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference on COVID-19.

GOP lawmakers have become increasingly focused on fraudulent claims and have said they’re worried that employers, who cover at least part of the benefits for their ex-workers, will be on the hook for bogus claims if the fraud is not detected. The department also is mailing forms to individuals telling them they owe income taxes on past unemployment benefits — creating a headache for people who learn that bogus claims have been filed in their names.

The department said before the unemployment system’s reboot that it was catching about 2,300 fraudulent claims a day — or roughly 96 an hour. But its latest data means it stopped almost 19,400 fraudulent log-in attempts an hour since the reboot — or a little more than five every second.

“How many actually got through is my concern,” said House commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.

GOP lawmakers have been at odds with Kelly almost since COVID-19 reached the state in early March 2020 over her closing non-essential businesses and trying to mandate mask wearing, and Republicans have signaled that it will make what they view as her mistakes a key issue when she seeks a second term in 2022. But in recent weeks, as the number of new COVID-19 cases has declined, GOP criticism has focused on the Department of Labor and issues with the rollout of vaccines.

Kansas averaged 914 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, the first time the rolling seven-day average was below 1,000 since Oct. 28, according to state health department data. The state added 2,247 cases to its pandemic tally since Monday, bringing it to 278,915, close to one for every 10 of its 2.9 million residents.

The health department added 86 deaths to the state’s pandemic total since Monday, making it 3,895. Kansas averaged 25 additional COVID-19 deaths a day for the seven days ending Wednesday.

But the health department said Wednesday evening that it had confirmed a case in Ellis County in northwest Kansas of a more contagious coronavirus variant first identified in Great Britain. Public health officials worry that it could lead to an increase in new hospitalizations and deaths.

Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order in late March to contain the spread of COVID-19, and unemployment claims surged. They dropped before surging again starting in late November, fueling concerns that many of the claims were bogus.

Julie Menghini, the Department of Labor’s director of government affairs, told legislators in an email Tuesday evening that it has this year mailed out its largest number of forms notifying people they owed income taxes on unemployment benefits. She said the department made “every effort” to ensure that the forms didn’t go to people who had bogus claims filed in their names.

“However, despite our best efforts and in light of the historic level of forms issued as well as the high level of fraudulent activity, we expect a small universe of victims to receive these forms in error for compensation they never received,” Menghini wrote.

But GOP lawmakers said they’re getting complaints from people getting the forms who also can’t get through to the department’s special fraud call center.

University of Kansas journalism professor Teri Finneman received a notice saying that she owed taxes on $1,500 in unemployment benefits that she never received. She’s tried repeatedly to get through to the Department of Labor by phone and in frustration wrote a letter last week.

Finneman, who has covered state government in other states as a former political reporter, said she has never seen anything like it from a state agency. She said the fact that Kansas let an agency operate with a decades-old computer system is “completely inexcusable.”

“It is extremely frustrating how many Kansans have been impacted by this,” she said in an email to The AP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612392146635.png" alt="“I’m not going to deny that it has been a tough road and that many Kansans are frustrated by the inadequacy of the system that is 40, 45 years old,” Gov. Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference on COVID-19." />
 <figcaption>“I’m not going to deny that it has been a tough road and that many Kansans are frustrated by the inadequacy of the system that is 40, 45 years old,” Gov. Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference on COVID-19.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Assurances from labor officials that new security protocols are blocking thousands of fraudulent attempts every hour to access Kansas’ unemployment benefits system did little Wednesday to dispel the concerns of Republican lawmakers who fear the state is losing millions of dollars to COVID-19 pandemic scammers.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F252521489829194%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>The state Department of Labor reported that it blocked more than 649,000 attempts from internet bots or human scammers to log into its unemployment system within 34 hours after a shutdown of the system ended Tuesday morning. The department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-f79ed0b839ad8501cf50650ca51dcbb1">shut down the system</a>&nbsp;Saturday afternoon to add new security protocols after a flood of fraudulent claims for benefits.Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and her administration for months over problems at the Department of Labor in providing benefits to workers who’ve lost their jobs in the pandemic. She and department officials have blamed the struggles on a decades-old computer system.“I’m not going to deny that it has been a tough road and that many Kansans are frustrated by the inadequacy of the system that is 40, 45 years old,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference on COVID-19.GOP lawmakers have become increasingly focused on fraudulent claims and have said they’re worried that employers, who cover at least part of the benefits for their ex-workers, will be on the hook for bogus claims if the fraud is not detected. The department also is mailing forms to individuals telling them they owe income taxes on past unemployment benefits — creating a headache for people who learn that bogus claims have been filed in their names.The department said before the unemployment system’s reboot that it was catching about 2,300 fraudulent claims a day — or roughly 96 an hour. But its latest data means it stopped almost 19,400 fraudulent log-in attempts an hour since the reboot — or a little more than five every second.“How many actually got through is my concern,” said House commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.GOP lawmakers have been at odds with Kelly almost since COVID-19 reached the state in early March 2020 over her closing non-essential businesses and trying to mandate mask wearing, and Republicans have signaled that it will make what they view as her mistakes a key issue when she seeks a second term in 2022. But in recent weeks, as the number of new COVID-19 cases has declined, GOP criticism has focused on the Department of Labor and issues with the rollout of vaccines.Kansas averaged 914 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, the first time the rolling seven-day average was below 1,000 since Oct. 28, according to state health department data. The state added 2,247 cases to its pandemic tally since Monday, bringing it to 278,915, close to one for every 10 of its 2.9 million residents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612376064354.png" alt="Wednesday February 3, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday February 3, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The health department added 86 deaths to the state’s pandemic total since Monday, making it 3,895. Kansas averaged 25 additional COVID-19 deaths a day for the seven days ending Wednesday.But the health department said Wednesday evening that it had confirmed a case in Ellis County in northwest Kansas of a more contagious coronavirus variant first identified in Great Britain. Public health officials worry that it could lead to an increase in new hospitalizations and deaths.Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order in late March to contain the spread of COVID-19, and unemployment claims surged. They dropped before surging again starting in late November, fueling concerns that many of the claims were bogus.Julie Menghini, the Department of Labor’s director of government affairs, told legislators in an email Tuesday evening that it has this year mailed out its largest number of forms notifying people they owed income taxes on unemployment benefits. She said the department made “every effort” to ensure that the forms didn’t go to people who had bogus claims filed in their names.“However, despite our best efforts and in light of the historic level of forms issued as well as the high level of fraudulent activity, we expect a small universe of victims to receive these forms in error for compensation they never received,” Menghini wrote.But GOP lawmakers said they’re getting complaints from people getting the forms who also can’t get through to the department’s special fraud call center.University of Kansas journalism professor Teri Finneman received a notice saying that she owed taxes on $1,500 in unemployment benefits that she never received. She’s tried repeatedly to get through to the Department of Labor by phone and in frustration wrote a letter last week.Finneman, who has covered state government in other states as a former political reporter, said she has never seen anything like it from a state agency. She said the fact that Kansas let an agency operate with a decades-old computer system is “completely inexcusable.”“It is extremely frustrating how many Kansans have been impacted by this,” she said in an email to The AP.

🎥 GOP lawmakers not mollified on COVID-19 scams against Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday he’s “not married” to an absolute number on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan</a>&nbsp;but Congress needs to “act fast” on relief for the pandemic and the economic crisis.

Biden also said he doesn’t want to budge from his proposed $1,400 in direct payments that he said were promised to Americans.

“Look, we got a lot of people hurting in our country today,” Biden said. “We need to act. We need to act fast. We need to restore the soul of the country.”

On the direct payments, he said, “I’m not going to start my administration by breaking a promise to the American people.”

The meeting with House Democrats comes as the president steps up his public engagements with lawmakers on pandemic aid and an economic recovery package, together his first legislative priority and a test of the administration’s ability to deliver. Biden’s remarks to the Democratic caucus were relayed by two people who requested anonymity to discuss the private conference call.

While Biden is trying to build bipartisan support from Republicans, he is also prepared to rely on the Democratic majority in Congress to push his top agenda item into law. Republicans object to his package as excessive, preferring a $618 billion alternative, but Biden panned that as insufficient even as he continues private talks with Republicans on potential areas of compromise.

Meeting later with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and top Senate Democrats in the Oval Office, the president expressed confidence Wednesday that the relief would still win over GOP votes be bipartisan.

“I think we’ll get some Republicans,” he said at the start of the meeting.

With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid measures expire. Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.

As lawmakers in Congress begin drafting the details of the package under a budget process, Biden is taking care to shore up his allies while also ensuring that the final product fulfills his promise for bold relief to a battered nation.

House Democrats were told on the call with the president that they could be flexible on some numbers and programs, and could “better target” the direct payments, but should not back down on the size or scope of the aid.

“We have to go big, not small,” Biden told the Democrats. “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.”

As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49 on Tuesday to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without Republican support. The House is due to start its process with preliminary votes later Wednesday.

The swift action follows Tuesday’s outreach to Congress as Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small.

Both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened.

Schumer said of the Republican proposal: “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”

Biden is emphasizing the need not to forget working and middle-class families — those nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four.

Earlier in the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who were pitching their $618 billion alternative, and told them it was not enough. He said he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead largely on their own as the GOP senators try to provide bipartisan alternatives.

“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”

The two sides are far apart. The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and money for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed for aid specific to the pandemic.</a>

But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared with $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.

The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer people — those earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. Biden’s bigger $1,400 payments would extend to higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some families.

The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.

Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to reach the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.

But Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, laying groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote Senate majority.

White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group on Tuesday urged a compromise.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan&nbsp;</a>as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.

Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran for a private virtual meeting Tuesday, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small. They urged big fast action to stem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;crisis and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31ffad3ea17ef1d07e2724dd8fc25d50">its economic fallout</a>.

As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49, to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without GOP support. The goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires.

“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”

The swift action from Democrats on Capitol Hill underscores the urgency of delivering Biden’s top legislative priority even as talks are progressing privately between Republicans and the White House, as well as with centrist Democrats, on potential changes to the package to win over broader bipartisan support.

Biden framed his views during the virtual lunch meeting with Democrats by talking about the need not to forget working and middle-class families — even those like nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four — who are straining during the crisis, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call.

The night before,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;pitching their $618 billion alternative, and let them know it was insufficient to meet the country’s needs. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.

While no compromise was reached during the late Monday session, White House talks with Republicans are privately underway.

The outcome will test the new president striving to unify the country but confronting&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">a rising COVID-19 death toll</a>&nbsp;and stubbornly high jobless numbers, with political risks for all sides. Vaccine distributions, direct $1,400 payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are all on the line.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead on their own. He said he had spoken to Biden ahead of his meeting with the 10 GOP senators.

The two sides are far apart, with the Republican group of 10 senators focused primarily on the health care crisis and smaller $1,000 direct aid to Americans than the $1,400 payments Biden proposed, while the president is leading Democrats toward a more sweeping rescue plan to shore up households, local governments and a partly shuttered economy.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Biden’s view that the risk is not in crafting too large a package, but in providing too little aid. She said the president was hopeful GOP ideas will be brought forward, and said nothing precludes Republicans from participating in the process.

“We need to make sure people get the relief they need,” she said.

White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/us-chamber-letter-the-american-rescue-plan" target="_blank">a letter&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that urged a bipartisan compromise.

“There ought to be common ground for a bipartisan proposal that can become law,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, said in an interview.

The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and funds for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed</a>.

But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.

The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer households, individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. That’s less than Biden’s proposal of $1,400 direct payments at higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some households..

According to Schumer, Biden told Democratic senators he had let the Republicans know “he’s willing to make some modifications.”

But both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened. Biden said he told the Republicans their offer was “way too small,” Schumer said.

Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.

Wary Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, unwilling to take too much time in courting GOP support that may not materialize or may lead to too meager a package.

The procedural steps are groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically needed.

The vote Tuesday opens 50 hours of debate on a budget resolution, with amendment votes expected later this week. The House is poised to launch a similar process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612221614309.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Senators including Jerry Moran in the Oval Office on Monday. The meeting apparently accomplished very little.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Senators including Jerry Moran in the Oval Office on Monday. The meeting apparently accomplished very little.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday he’s “not married” to an absolute number on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan</a>&nbsp;but Congress needs to “act fast” on relief for the pandemic and the economic crisis.Biden also said he doesn’t want to budge from his proposed $1,400 in direct payments that he said were promised to Americans.“Look, we got a lot of people hurting in our country today,” Biden said. “We need to act. We need to act fast. We need to restore the soul of the country.”On the direct payments, he said, “I’m not going to start my administration by breaking a promise to the American people.”The meeting with House Democrats comes as the president steps up his public engagements with lawmakers on pandemic aid and an economic recovery package, together his first legislative priority and a test of the administration’s ability to deliver. Biden’s remarks to the Democratic caucus were relayed by two people who requested anonymity to discuss the private conference call.While Biden is trying to build bipartisan support from Republicans, he is also prepared to rely on the Democratic majority in Congress to push his top agenda item into law. Republicans object to his package as excessive, preferring a $618 billion alternative, but Biden panned that as insufficient even as he continues private talks with Republicans on potential areas of compromise.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612378208993.png" alt="President Biden during his Wednesday visit with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during his Wednesday visit with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Meeting later with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and top Senate Democrats in the Oval Office, the president expressed confidence Wednesday that the relief would still win over GOP votes be bipartisan.“I think we’ll get some Republicans,” he said at the start of the meeting.With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid measures expire. Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.As lawmakers in Congress begin drafting the details of the package under a budget process, Biden is taking care to shore up his allies while also ensuring that the final product fulfills his promise for bold relief to a battered nation.House Democrats were told on the call with the president that they could be flexible on some numbers and programs, and could “better target” the direct payments, but should not back down on the size or scope of the aid.“We have to go big, not small,” Biden told the Democrats. “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.”As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49 on Tuesday to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without Republican support. The House is due to start its process with preliminary votes later Wednesday.The swift action follows Tuesday’s outreach to Congress as Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small.Both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened.Schumer said of the Republican proposal: “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”Biden is emphasizing the need not to forget working and middle-class families — those nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four.Earlier in the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who were pitching their $618 billion alternative, and told them it was not enough. He said he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead largely on their own as the GOP senators try to provide bipartisan alternatives.“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”The two sides are far apart. The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and money for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed for aid specific to the pandemic.</a>But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared with $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer people — those earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. Biden’s bigger $1,400 payments would extend to higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some families.The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to reach the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.But Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, laying groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote Senate majority.White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group on Tuesday urged a compromise.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan&nbsp;</a>as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran for a private virtual meeting Tuesday, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small. They urged big fast action to stem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;crisis and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31ffad3ea17ef1d07e2724dd8fc25d50">its economic fallout</a>.As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49, to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without GOP support. The goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires.“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”The swift action from Democrats on Capitol Hill underscores the urgency of delivering Biden’s top legislative priority even as talks are progressing privately between Republicans and the White House, as well as with centrist Democrats, on potential changes to the package to win over broader bipartisan support.Biden framed his views during the virtual lunch meeting with Democrats by talking about the need not to forget working and middle-class families — even those like nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four — who are straining during the crisis, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call.The night before,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;pitching their $618 billion alternative, and let them know it was insufficient to meet the country’s needs. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.While no compromise was reached during the late Monday session, White House talks with Republicans are privately underway.The outcome will test the new president striving to unify the country but confronting&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">a rising COVID-19 death toll</a>&nbsp;and stubbornly high jobless numbers, with political risks for all sides. Vaccine distributions, direct $1,400 payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are all on the line.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead on their own. He said he had spoken to Biden ahead of his meeting with the 10 GOP senators.“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”The two sides are far apart, with the Republican group of 10 senators focused primarily on the health care crisis and smaller $1,000 direct aid to Americans than the $1,400 payments Biden proposed, while the president is leading Democrats toward a more sweeping rescue plan to shore up households, local governments and a partly shuttered economy.At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Biden’s view that the risk is not in crafting too large a package, but in providing too little aid. She said the president was hopeful GOP ideas will be brought forward, and said nothing precludes Republicans from participating in the process.“We need to make sure people get the relief they need,” she said.White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/us-chamber-letter-the-american-rescue-plan" target="_blank">a letter&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that urged a bipartisan compromise.“There ought to be common ground for a bipartisan proposal that can become law,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, said in an interview.The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and funds for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed</a>.But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer households, individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. That’s less than Biden’s proposal of $1,400 direct payments at higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some households..The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.According to Schumer, Biden told Democratic senators he had let the Republicans know “he’s willing to make some modifications.”But both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened. Biden said he told the Republicans their offer was “way too small,” Schumer said.Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.Wary Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, unwilling to take too much time in courting GOP support that may not materialize or may lead to too meager a package.The procedural steps are groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically needed.The vote Tuesday opens 50 hours of debate on a budget resolution, with amendment votes expected later this week. The House is poised to launch a similar process.___

Biden won't budge from $1,400 virus relief payments 

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating robbery in Dodge City and and looking for suspects.

Just after 6a.m. Wednesday police were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Ave. E in Dodge City for a reported home invasion aggravated robbery, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, they found five victims of the robbery.

EMS transported two of them to Western Plains Regional Hospital for minor injuries received from the suspects allegedly striking them with firearms. 

Investigators learned three suspects wearing ski-masks entered the residence armed with firearms and demanded property from the victims. 

The victims described the suspects as college-age black males, varying in height and weight.  The suspects fled the scene before police arrived and are currently at-large. 

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating robbery in Dodge City and and looking for suspects.Just after 6a.m. Wednesday police were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Ave. E in Dodge City for a reported home invasion aggravated robbery, according to a media release.When officers arrived, they found five victims of the robbery.EMS transported two of them to Western Plains Regional Hospital for minor injuries received from the suspects allegedly striking them with firearms. Investigators learned three suspects wearing ski-masks entered the residence armed with firearms and demanded property from the victims. The victims described the suspects as college-age black males, varying in height and weight. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived and are currently at-large.

2 hospitalized after SW Kansas home-invasion robbery

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of the West Ridge Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker in Topeka Wednesday evening.

Mall management and police asked the public to avoid the area while police investigated.

&nbsp;Following a thorough investigation that ended just before 9p.m., police determined the building and surrounding area was safe, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. Authorities have released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612439843680.png" alt="Police on the scene of Wednesday evening's bomb threat investigation. -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of Wednesday evening's bomb threat investigation. -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of the West Ridge Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker in Topeka Wednesday evening.Mall management and police asked the public to avoid the area while police investigated.&nbsp;Following a thorough investigation that ended just before 9p.m., police determined the building and surrounding area was safe, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. Authorities have released no additional details.

Kansas mall evacuated after reported bomb threat

LINN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Linn County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven by Richard J. Coffey, 52, Fulton, Kansas, was&nbsp;westbound on E 2200 Road three miles east of U.S. 69.

The motorcycle crossed the center line into eastbound traffic and struck a 2007 Chevy pickup driven by Matthew S. Vanpelt, 37, Raymore, Kansas, head-on.

Coffey was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Schneider Funeral Home.&nbsp;Vanpelt was not injured. Coffey was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

LINN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Linn County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven by Richard J. Coffey, 52, Fulton, Kansas, was&nbsp;westbound on E 2200 Road three miles east of U.S. 69.The motorcycle crossed the center line into eastbound traffic and struck a 2007 Chevy pickup driven by Matthew S. Vanpelt, 37, Raymore, Kansas, head-on.Coffey was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Schneider Funeral Home.&nbsp;Vanpelt was not injured. Coffey was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after head-on motorcycle crash

TOPEKA –&nbsp;A CDC Emerging Variant, which has been found in 33 U.S. states, was identified in Kansas Wednesday afternoon, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

A Kansas resident in Ellis County was found to have the United Kingdom, or UK, variant known as B.1.1.7. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as if others may have been exposed. No further details are being released concerning the patient, including demographics.

The variant was determined through the whole genome sequencing (WGS) conducted through the laboratories at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

“This finding does not change our public health recommendations. We continue to encourage people to take the appropriate precautions: follow isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distancing, wearing masks, good hygiene, staying home if ill and getting the vaccine if you are able to, once the supply is sufficient,” Dr. Norman, KDHE Secretary, said.

This variant was first reported in the U.S. at the end of December 2020. Evidence from the UK indicates that this variant spreads much more quickly through the population and, given that fact, may rapidly increase the number of hospitalizations and deaths. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="Image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;A CDC Emerging Variant, which has been found in 33 U.S. states, was identified in Kansas Wednesday afternoon, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.A Kansas resident in Ellis County was found to have the United Kingdom, or UK, variant known as B.1.1.7. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as if others may have been exposed. No further details are being released concerning the patient, including demographics.The variant was determined through the whole genome sequencing (WGS) conducted through the laboratories at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).“This finding does not change our public health recommendations. We continue to encourage people to take the appropriate precautions: follow isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distancing, wearing masks, good hygiene, staying home if ill and getting the vaccine if you are able to, once the supply is sufficient,” Dr. Norman, KDHE Secretary, said.This variant was first reported in the U.S. at the end of December 2020. Evidence from the UK indicates that this variant spreads much more quickly through the population and, given that fact, may rapidly increase the number of hospitalizations and deaths. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.

KDHE: UK virus variant identified in Ellis County

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 3 suspects in connection with drugs and a reported stolen vehicle.

On January 26, 67-year-old Christopher Mark Kreidler reported to police that&nbsp;Amber Meleise McHargue, 33,&nbsp; and her boyfriend, later identified as&nbsp;Jose Matthew Diaz, 25, both of Arkansas City had taken his 2009 Toyota pickup truck without permission and not returned it to him, according to a media release from Arkansas City Police.

As part of this report, police entered the truck into the National Crime Information Center as a stolen vehicle.

Just after 9p.m. that evening, officers saw the alleged stolen truck and conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Summit Street. Kreidler was driving the truck, and Diaz and McHargue were passengers.

When questioned by officers at the scene, Kreidler allegedly denied reporting the vehicle as stolen. He then said he had reported the license plate stolen two months prior. 

When asked why he had reported the truck as stolen earlier that day when it had been stolen, he said it was “to get the truck back.”

A search of the vehicle, which was later impounded, turned up a blue bag containing numerous illegal substances on the driver’s-side floorboard of the truck. Police also determined Diaz had two active warrants outstanding for his arrest. 

Police took all three into custody without incident.

Jose Matthew Diaz, 25, was arrested on requested charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. He also was arrested on two Arkansas City Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear.

Amber Meleise McHargue, 33, of rural Arkansas City, was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.&nbsp;

Police arrested on requested charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of interference with a law enforcement officer by falsely reporting a crime, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

&nbsp;All three suspects remained in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612383782927.png" alt="Diaz-photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Diaz-photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 3 suspects in connection with drugs and a reported stolen vehicle.On January 26, 67-year-old Christopher Mark Kreidler reported to police that&nbsp;Amber Meleise McHargue, 33,&nbsp; and her boyfriend, later identified as&nbsp;Jose Matthew Diaz, 25, both of Arkansas City had taken his 2009 Toyota pickup truck without permission and not returned it to him, according to a media release from Arkansas City Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612384355854.png" alt=" Kreidler photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption> Kreidler photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>As part of this report, police entered the truck into the National Crime Information Center as a stolen vehicle.Just after 9p.m. that evening, officers saw the alleged stolen truck and conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of South Summit Street. Kreidler was driving the truck, and Diaz and McHargue were passengers.When questioned by officers at the scene, Kreidler allegedly denied reporting the vehicle as stolen. He then said he had reported the license plate stolen two months prior. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612383812613.png" alt="McHargue-photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>McHargue-photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>When asked why he had reported the truck as stolen earlier that day when it had been stolen, he said it was “to get the truck back.”A search of the vehicle, which was later impounded, turned up a blue bag containing numerous illegal substances on the driver’s-side floorboard of the truck. Police also determined Diaz had two active warrants outstanding for his arrest. Police took all three into custody without incident.Jose Matthew Diaz, 25, was arrested on requested charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. He also was arrested on two Arkansas City Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear.Amber Meleise McHargue, 33, of rural Arkansas City, was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.&nbsp;Police arrested on requested charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, as well as one misdemeanor count each of interference with a law enforcement officer by falsely reporting a crime, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.&nbsp;All three suspects remained in custody.

3 jailed after Kan. man falsely reported stolen pickup

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects following a traffic stop near Topeka.

Just after 4p.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Dodge Durango near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Street for an expired tag, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The deputy identified the driver as John M. Tyler, 40, and the passenger as Brian L. Hendrix, 47, both of Topeka.

During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed. Deputies found narcotics, including methamphetamine, and paraphernalia, a firearm, multiple checks, credit cards, identification cards and personal information, such as dates of birth and social security numbers, for various individuals. 

Investigators also found a valid law enforcement badge from a Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. The badge did not belong to any individual in the vehicle, according to Hendrix.

Deputies arrested Tyler and Hendrix and transported them to the Law Enforcement Center for further questioning.

While deputies were conducting their investigation, a woman&nbsp; identified as Valerie L. Shaffer, 35, of Topeka on the scene. Deputies arrested her for three outstanding warrants through both the City of Topeka and Shawnee County.

Tyler is being held on a felony warrant and is facing four counts of identity theft. Hendrix was arrested for three felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant. Tyler, Hendrix and Shaffer were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Additional charges are pending, according to Christian.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612357665086.png" alt="Hendrix-Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hendrix-Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects following a traffic stop near Topeka.Just after 4p.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Dodge Durango near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Street for an expired tag, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The deputy identified the driver as John M. Tyler, 40, and the passenger as Brian L. Hendrix, 47, both of Topeka.During the investigation, a K9 unit was deployed. Deputies found narcotics, including methamphetamine, and paraphernalia, a firearm, multiple checks, credit cards, identification cards and personal information, such as dates of birth and social security numbers, for various individuals. Investigators also found a valid law enforcement badge from a Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. The badge did not belong to any individual in the vehicle, according to Hendrix.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612358009205.png" alt="Tyler photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Tyler photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested Tyler and Hendrix and transported them to the Law Enforcement Center for further questioning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612357913911.png" alt="Shaffer photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shaffer photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>While deputies were conducting their investigation, a woman&nbsp; identified as Valerie L. Shaffer, 35, of Topeka on the scene. Deputies arrested her for three outstanding warrants through both the City of Topeka and Shawnee County.Tyler is being held on a felony warrant and is facing four counts of identity theft. Hendrix was arrested for three felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant. Tyler, Hendrix and Shaffer were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Additional charges are pending, according to Christian.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Kan. suspects stole ID cards, Social Security info

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers narrowed their proposal to cut Kansas’ income taxes before it cleared its first legislative hurdle, and a GOP leader said Wednesday that they’ll put off further action at least a short while to consider how the plan might affect the next state budget.

The Republican-controlled Senate tax committee endorsed a bill reducing income taxes by about $170 million during the budget year that begins July 1. The measure, which cleared committee Tuesday, would provide relief to businesses and individuals who are paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws in 2017 championed by former President Donald Trump.

The bill initially would have provided&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb22_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">$329 million in tax relief</a>&nbsp;during the next budget year, but the committee deleted a key provision that would have allowed businesses to seek refunds for past losses and limited the ability of individual filers to seek refunds. The measure went to the Republican-controlled Senate, where debate isn’t planned until at least next week.

“We need another week to talk about what our budget might look like,” Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican, said Wednesday.

Top GOP lawmakers have made revising income tax laws a top priority since the 2017 federal tax cuts. They argue that Kansas is receiving an unintended windfall and compare that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9a8b10659b6b436980cf5fd0040e2860">to finding someone’s cash-filled wallet</a>&nbsp;on the street.

Among other things, the federal changes discouraged people from claiming itemized deductions. Kansas law does not allow people to itemize on their state returns if they don’t on their federal returns — resulting in bigger state tax bills.

“The federal government did not mean for state income tax to increase,” said Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican. “We need Kansans to get a windfall.”

Tyson said the committee narrowed the bill to make it more palatable to a broader group of lawmakers.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/02d4aa92788e4ef09d187211d949e2be">vetoed two Republican tax-cutting bills</a>&nbsp;in 2019, arguing they would undermine the state’s fiscal health. She has warned lawmakers against what she sees as an effort to return toward a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">now-largely repealed</a>&nbsp;and nationally notorious experiment in cutting income taxes under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012 and 2013, which was followed by persistent budget shortfalls.

Some of Kelly’s fellow Democrats also argue that the bill remains too focused on helping large businesses and wealthy individuals.

Sen. Ethan Corson, a Prairie Village Democrat, said if the state can afford to cut taxes, he wants the reductions targeted at Main Street businesses and middle-class and working families. He also questioned whether there’s “any room” for tax cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also said President Joe Biden’s administration could pursue changes in federal tax law and, “There is probably is some merit, before doing major (state) tax reform, in understanding what those potential changes could be.”

The state’s budget picture has brightened over the past six months, though officials have acknowledged economic uncertainties remain because of the pandemic.

Officials issued a fiscal forecast in November that was more optimistic than the previous one in April. From July 1, 2020, through Jan. 31, tax collections&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/SGF/FY2021/FY2021-SGF07-July20-January21.pdf" target="_blank">exceeded the state’s projections</a>&nbsp;by 3.3%, or $170 million.

Kelly proposed a $20.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that would leave Kansas with a financial cushion of $680 million.

But her spending blueprint relies in part on several proposals that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-f6b7d015ba971d5ba83b27bccc84eb65">the GOP has previously rejected.</a>&nbsp;They include a “Netflix tax” that would impose the state’s sales tax on online music, movies and video streaming services and sales on websites such as Etsy and eBay and a decrease in the state’s annual payments to its pension system for teachers and government workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612385265720.png" alt="Members of the Senate Taxation Committee during Wednesday's meeing -image courtesy Senate YouTube channel" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Senate Taxation Committee during Wednesday's meeing -image courtesy Senate YouTube channel</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers narrowed their proposal to cut Kansas’ income taxes before it cleared its first legislative hurdle, and a GOP leader said Wednesday that they’ll put off further action at least a short while to consider how the plan might affect the next state budget.The Republican-controlled Senate tax committee endorsed a bill reducing income taxes by about $170 million during the budget year that begins July 1. The measure, which cleared committee Tuesday, would provide relief to businesses and individuals who are paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws in 2017 championed by former President Donald Trump.The bill initially would have provided&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/fisc_note_sb22_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">$329 million in tax relief</a>&nbsp;during the next budget year, but the committee deleted a key provision that would have allowed businesses to seek refunds for past losses and limited the ability of individual filers to seek refunds. The measure went to the Republican-controlled Senate, where debate isn’t planned until at least next week.“We need another week to talk about what our budget might look like,” Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, a Wichita Republican, said Wednesday.Top GOP lawmakers have made revising income tax laws a top priority since the 2017 federal tax cuts. They argue that Kansas is receiving an unintended windfall and compare that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9a8b10659b6b436980cf5fd0040e2860">to finding someone’s cash-filled wallet</a>&nbsp;on the street.Among other things, the federal changes discouraged people from claiming itemized deductions. Kansas law does not allow people to itemize on their state returns if they don’t on their federal returns — resulting in bigger state tax bills.“The federal government did not mean for state income tax to increase,” said Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican. “We need Kansans to get a windfall.”Tyson said the committee narrowed the bill to make it more palatable to a broader group of lawmakers.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/02d4aa92788e4ef09d187211d949e2be">vetoed two Republican tax-cutting bills</a>&nbsp;in 2019, arguing they would undermine the state’s fiscal health. She has warned lawmakers against what she sees as an effort to return toward a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">now-largely repealed</a>&nbsp;and nationally notorious experiment in cutting income taxes under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012 and 2013, which was followed by persistent budget shortfalls.Some of Kelly’s fellow Democrats also argue that the bill remains too focused on helping large businesses and wealthy individuals.Sen. Ethan Corson, a Prairie Village Democrat, said if the state can afford to cut taxes, he wants the reductions targeted at Main Street businesses and middle-class and working families. He also questioned whether there’s “any room” for tax cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.He also said President Joe Biden’s administration could pursue changes in federal tax law and, “There is probably is some merit, before doing major (state) tax reform, in understanding what those potential changes could be.”The state’s budget picture has brightened over the past six months, though officials have acknowledged economic uncertainties remain because of the pandemic.Officials issued a fiscal forecast in November that was more optimistic than the previous one in April. From July 1, 2020, through Jan. 31, tax collections&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/SGF/FY2021/FY2021-SGF07-July20-January21.pdf" target="_blank">exceeded the state’s projections</a>&nbsp;by 3.3%, or $170 million.Kelly proposed a $20.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that would leave Kansas with a financial cushion of $680 million.But her spending blueprint relies in part on several proposals that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-f6b7d015ba971d5ba83b27bccc84eb65">the GOP has previously rejected.</a>&nbsp;They include a “Netflix tax” that would impose the state’s sales tax on online music, movies and video streaming services and sales on websites such as Etsy and eBay and a decrease in the state’s annual payments to its pension system for teachers and government workers.

Kan. lawmakers narrow bill for cutting your income taxes

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday to give an update on COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.

She also gave an update on the work to prevent fraud claims at the Kansas Department of Labor. She said the new web system want online Tuesday morning.&nbsp; In less than two days it has detected and blocked over 601,000 fraudulent log in attempts.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2247 to a total of 278,915, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3895 an increase of 86

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>use the new tool on the Kansas’s COVID-19 vaccine website and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/160/Find-My-Vaccine">Click here&nbsp;</a>to get more details on vaccine.

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday to give an update on COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.She also gave an update on the work to prevent fraud claims at the Kansas Department of Labor. She said the new web system want online Tuesday morning.&nbsp; In less than two days it has detected and blocked over 601,000 fraudulent log in attempts.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F252521489829194%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>&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2247 to a total of 278,915, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3895 an increase of 86<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612376064354.png" alt="Wednesday February 3, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday February 3, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>use the new tool on the Kansas’s COVID-19 vaccine website and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/160/Find-My-Vaccine">Click here&nbsp;</a>to get more details on vaccine.

🎥 Gov. on COVID-19 battle and Dept. of Labor issues in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities were busy on Tuesday in Great Bend.

Just before 5:30p.m. sheriff's deputies executed the first of two search warrants at 2209 28th Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Upon entry into the residence deputies and detectives discovered three quarters of a pound of methamphetamine as well as paraphernalia and a firearm.

Deputies arrested Amanda Decker, 33, Great Bend and booked her on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond. The second suspect at that location was identified as Harley Thomason, age 34 of Lyons. Thomason was wanted on outstanding warrants from Rice County for felony burglary and theft. He was arrested on those warrants and booked into the Barton County Jail. His bond was set at $5000 by Rice County.

Deputies executed the second search warrant at 5501 9th St. lot #92 in the Finer Mobile Home Park in the southwest part of Great Bend. 

Deputies were looking for methamphetamine and a wanted person, Christopher Caton, according to Bellendir.

Initially, Caton was not at the residence and was located and arrested a short time later in a vehicle nearby. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence. 

Caton was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, criminal use of a firearm, and various other drug related charges. Caton is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by a K9 officer from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office as well as an agent from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612388304436.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of the first drug bust Tuesday in Great Bend-Photo courtesy Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of the first drug bust Tuesday in Great Bend-Photo courtesy Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities were busy on Tuesday in Great Bend.Just before 5:30p.m. sheriff's deputies executed the first of two search warrants at 2209 28th Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Upon entry into the residence deputies and detectives discovered three quarters of a pound of methamphetamine as well as paraphernalia and a firearm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612387505541.png" alt="Decker photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Decker photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested Amanda Decker, 33, Great Bend and booked her on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond. The second suspect at that location was identified as Harley Thomason, age 34 of Lyons. Thomason was wanted on outstanding warrants from Rice County for felony burglary and theft. He was arrested on those warrants and booked into the Barton County Jail. His bond was set at $5000 by Rice County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612387533705.png" alt="Caton" />
 <figcaption>Caton</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies executed the second search warrant at 5501 9th St. lot #92 in the Finer Mobile Home Park in the southwest part of Great Bend. Deputies were looking for methamphetamine and a wanted person, Christopher Caton, according to Bellendir.Initially, Caton was not at the residence and was located and arrested a short time later in a vehicle nearby. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence. Caton was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, criminal use of a firearm, and various other drug related charges. Caton is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by a K9 officer from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office as well as an agent from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

KBI assists with drug busts at 2 Kansas homes

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Earlier this week, Kansas First District Congressman Republican Tracey Mann introduced his first pieces of legislation as a member of Congress.

"They're the More Accountability is Necessary Now Acts, or the MANN Acts," Congressman Mann said Wednesday. "We're doing that to promote accountability and transparency with the Executive Orders being made by the executive branch. The first 10 days of the Biden Administration, they issued 25 Executive Orders. For perspective, if you add up the first ten days of the last seven Presidents, that's less than what President Biden has done so far."

Mann is looking to get more notice on policy positions that specifically concern his district.

"Before an Executive Order is issued on the areas that most effect the Big First, 30 days would have to pass," Mann said. "Basically, they'd have to notify Congress that an Executive Order would be issued and also the American public and then they go into effect in 30 days."

The six areas where Mann is asking for notice are agriculture, food, and the livelihood of American farmers, ranchers, and producers, energy, america’s natural resources and the environment, pro-life provisions including the Hyde Amendment and the Right to Life, The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Immigration into the United States.

"Six months after the Executive Order and annually thereafter, there would be a reporting on what were the impacts of the Executive Order, so it would be both advance notice ahead of time and then also reporting after the fact."

Mann wants to be sure that any major policy shifts the administration wants to do at least need to go through the Congressional process

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612382532552.png" alt="Kansas First District Rep. Tracey Mann leaves his office to submit his first piece of legislation as a member of Congress" />
 <figcaption>Kansas First District Rep. Tracey Mann leaves his office to submit his first piece of legislation as a member of Congress</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Earlier this week, Kansas First District Congressman Republican Tracey Mann introduced his first pieces of legislation as a member of Congress."They're the More Accountability is Necessary Now Acts, or the MANN Acts," Congressman Mann said Wednesday. "We're doing that to promote accountability and transparency with the Executive Orders being made by the executive branch. The first 10 days of the Biden Administration, they issued 25 Executive Orders. For perspective, if you add up the first ten days of the last seven Presidents, that's less than what President Biden has done so far."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Joe Biden was sworn into office 14 days ago, and has circumvented Congress and the legislative process with #42 Executive Actions. This is not how America should be governed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KS01?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KS01</a> <a href="https://t.co/WSy3G1QdiR">pic.twitter.com/WSy3G1QdiR</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1356719313898643456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Mann is looking to get more notice on policy positions that specifically concern his district."Before an Executive Order is issued on the areas that most effect the Big First, 30 days would have to pass," Mann said. "Basically, they'd have to notify Congress that an Executive Order would be issued and also the American public and then they go into effect in 30 days."The six areas where Mann is asking for notice are agriculture, food, and the livelihood of American farmers, ranchers, and producers, energy, america’s natural resources and the environment, pro-life provisions including the Hyde Amendment and the Right to Life, The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Immigration into the United States."Six months after the Executive Order and annually thereafter, there would be a reporting on what were the impacts of the Executive Order, so it would be both advance notice ahead of time and then also reporting after the fact."Mann wants to be sure that any major policy shifts the administration wants to do at least need to go through the Congressional process