By CARLA K. JOHNSON and NICKY FORSTER, Associated Press

Straining to handle record numbers of COVID-19 patients, hundreds of the nation’s intensive care units are running out of space and supplies and competing to hire temporary traveling nurses at soaring rates. Many of the facilities are clustered in the South and West.

An Associated Press analysis of federal hospital data shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40% of Americans now live in areas running out of ICU space, with only 15% of beds still available.

Intensive care units are the final defense for the sickest of the sick, patients who are nearly suffocating or facing organ failure. Nurses who work in the most stressed ICUs, changing IV bags and monitoring patients on breathing machines, are exhausted.

“You can’t push great people forever. Right? I mean, it just isn’t possible,” said Houston Methodist CEO Dr. Marc Boom, who is among many hospital leaders hoping that the numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients have begun to plateau. Worryingly, there’s an average of 20,000 new cases a day in Texas, which has the third-highest death count in the country and more than 13,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19-related symptoms.

According to data through Thursday from the COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are still high in the West and the South, with over 80,000 current COVID-19 hospital patients in those regions. The number of cases reported in the U.S. since the pandemic’s start surpassed 25 million on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Encouragingly, hospitalizations appear to have either plateaued or are trending downward across all regions. It’s unclear whether the easing will continue with more contagious versions of the virus arising and snags in the rollout of vaccines.

In New Mexico, one surging hospital system brought in 300 temporary nurses from outside the state, at a cost of millions of dollars, to deal with overflowing ICU patients, who were treated in converted procedure rooms and surgery suites.

“It’s been horrid,” said Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque. He’s comforted that the hospital never activated its plan for rationing lifesaving care, which would have required a triage team to rank patients with numerical scores based on who was least likely to survive.

“It’s a relief that we never had to actually do it,” Mitchell said. “It sounds scary because it is scary.”

In Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ran into shortages of take-home oxygen tanks, which meant some patients who could otherwise go home were kept longer, taking up needed beds. But the biggest problem is competing with other hospitals for traveling nurses.

“Initially, when the COVID surges were hitting one part of the country at a time, traveling nurses were able to go to areas more severely affected. Now with almost the entire country surging at the same time,” hospitals are paying twice and three times what they would normally pay for temporary, traveling nurses, said Dr. Jeff Smith, the hospital’s chief operating officer.

Houston Methodist Hospital recently paid $8,000 retention bonuses to keep staff nurses from signing up with agencies that would send them to other hot spots. Pay for traveling nurses can reach $6,000 per week, an enticement that can benefit a nurse but can seem like poaching to the hospital executives who watch nurses leave.

“There’s a lot of these agencies that are out there charging absolutely ridiculous sums of money to get ICU nurses in,” Boom said. “They go to California, which is in the midst of a surge, but they poach some ICU nurses there, send them to Texas, where they charge inordinate amounts to fill in gaps in Texas, many of which are created because nurses in Texas went to Florida or back to California.”

Space is another problem. Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, is treating adult ICU patients, under age 30, in the children’s hospital. Recovery rooms now have ICU patients, and, if things get worse, other areas — operating rooms and endoscopy centers — will be the next areas converted for critical care.

To prevent rural hospitals from sending more patients to Augusta, the hospital is using telemedicine to help manage those patients for as long as possible in their local hospitals.

“It is a model I believe will not only survive the pandemic but will flourish post pandemic,” said Dr. Phillip Coule, the Augusta hospital’s chief medical officer.

Hospitals are pleading with their communities to wear masks and limit gatherings.

“There just hasn’t been a lot of respect for the illness, which is disappointing,” said Dr. William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional Medical Center in Cullman, Alabama. He sees that changing now with more people personally knowing someone who has died.

“It has taken a lot of people,” he said of the virus, adding that the death toll — 144 people in six months in a county of 84,000 — “has opened their eyes to the randomness of this.”

The Alabama hospital’s ICU has been overflowing for six weeks, with 16 virus patients on ventilators in a hospital that a year ago had only 10 of the breathing machines. “You can see the stress in people’s faces and in their body language. It’s just a lot for people to carry around,” Smith said.

“Just the fatigue of our staff can affect quality of care. I’ve been encouraged we’ve been able to keep the quality of care high,” Smith said. “You feel like you are in a very precarious situation where errors could occur, but thankfully we’ve managed to stay on top of things.”

Hospitals say they are upholding high standards for patient care, but experts say surges compromise many normal medical practices. Overwhelmed hospitals might be forced to mobilize makeshift ICUs and staff them with personnel without any experience in critical care. They might run out of sedatives, antibiotics, IVs or other supplies they rely on to keep patients calm and comfortable while on ventilators.

“It’s really daunting and mentally taxing. You’re doing what you believe to be best practice,” said Kiersten Henry, a nurse at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland, and a board director for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

In Oklahoma City, OU Medicine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cameron Mantor said while the vaccines hold promise, hope still seems dim as ICU cases keep mounting. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at OU Medicine has declined from more than 100 daily in recent weeks to 98 on Wednesday, Mantor said.

“What is stressing everybody out,” Mantor said, “is looking at week after week after week, the spigot is not being turned off, not knowing there is a break, not seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566227740565.jpeg" alt="77 percent of ICU beds were occupied in Kansas and 84 percent in Missouri, according to data from U.S Health and Human Services on Jan. 18, 2021.&nbsp; The report indicated 66 percent were occupied in Nebraska." />
 <figcaption>77 percent of ICU beds were occupied in Kansas and 84 percent in Missouri, according to data from U.S Health and Human Services on Jan. 18, 2021.&nbsp; The report indicated 66 percent were occupied in Nebraska.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CARLA K. JOHNSON and NICKY FORSTER, Associated PressStraining to handle record numbers of COVID-19 patients, hundreds of the nation’s intensive care units are running out of space and supplies and competing to hire temporary traveling nurses at soaring rates. Many of the facilities are clustered in the South and West.An Associated Press analysis of federal hospital data shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40% of Americans now live in areas running out of ICU space, with only 15% of beds still available.Intensive care units are the final defense for the sickest of the sick, patients who are nearly suffocating or facing organ failure. Nurses who work in the most stressed ICUs, changing IV bags and monitoring patients on breathing machines, are exhausted.“You can’t push great people forever. Right? I mean, it just isn’t possible,” said Houston Methodist CEO Dr. Marc Boom, who is among many hospital leaders hoping that the numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients have begun to plateau. Worryingly, there’s an average of 20,000 new cases a day in Texas, which has the third-highest death count in the country and more than 13,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19-related symptoms.According to data through Thursday from the COVID Tracking Project, hospitalizations are still high in the West and the South, with over 80,000 current COVID-19 hospital patients in those regions. The number of cases reported in the U.S. since the pandemic’s start surpassed 25 million on Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University.Encouragingly, hospitalizations appear to have either plateaued or are trending downward across all regions. It’s unclear whether the easing will continue with more contagious versions of the virus arising and snags in the rollout of vaccines.In New Mexico, one surging hospital system brought in 300 temporary nurses from outside the state, at a cost of millions of dollars, to deal with overflowing ICU patients, who were treated in converted procedure rooms and surgery suites.“It’s been horrid,” said Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque. He’s comforted that the hospital never activated its plan for rationing lifesaving care, which would have required a triage team to rank patients with numerical scores based on who was least likely to survive.“It’s a relief that we never had to actually do it,” Mitchell said. “It sounds scary because it is scary.”In Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ran into shortages of take-home oxygen tanks, which meant some patients who could otherwise go home were kept longer, taking up needed beds. But the biggest problem is competing with other hospitals for traveling nurses.“Initially, when the COVID surges were hitting one part of the country at a time, traveling nurses were able to go to areas more severely affected. Now with almost the entire country surging at the same time,” hospitals are paying twice and three times what they would normally pay for temporary, traveling nurses, said Dr. Jeff Smith, the hospital’s chief operating officer.Houston Methodist Hospital recently paid $8,000 retention bonuses to keep staff nurses from signing up with agencies that would send them to other hot spots. Pay for traveling nurses can reach $6,000 per week, an enticement that can benefit a nurse but can seem like poaching to the hospital executives who watch nurses leave.“There’s a lot of these agencies that are out there charging absolutely ridiculous sums of money to get ICU nurses in,” Boom said. “They go to California, which is in the midst of a surge, but they poach some ICU nurses there, send them to Texas, where they charge inordinate amounts to fill in gaps in Texas, many of which are created because nurses in Texas went to Florida or back to California.”Space is another problem. Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, is treating adult ICU patients, under age 30, in the children’s hospital. Recovery rooms now have ICU patients, and, if things get worse, other areas — operating rooms and endoscopy centers — will be the next areas converted for critical care.To prevent rural hospitals from sending more patients to Augusta, the hospital is using telemedicine to help manage those patients for as long as possible in their local hospitals.“It is a model I believe will not only survive the pandemic but will flourish post pandemic,” said Dr. Phillip Coule, the Augusta hospital’s chief medical officer.Hospitals are pleading with their communities to wear masks and limit gatherings.“There just hasn’t been a lot of respect for the illness, which is disappointing,” said Dr. William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional Medical Center in Cullman, Alabama. He sees that changing now with more people personally knowing someone who has died.“It has taken a lot of people,” he said of the virus, adding that the death toll — 144 people in six months in a county of 84,000 — “has opened their eyes to the randomness of this.”The Alabama hospital’s ICU has been overflowing for six weeks, with 16 virus patients on ventilators in a hospital that a year ago had only 10 of the breathing machines. “You can see the stress in people’s faces and in their body language. It’s just a lot for people to carry around,” Smith said.“Just the fatigue of our staff can affect quality of care. I’ve been encouraged we’ve been able to keep the quality of care high,” Smith said. “You feel like you are in a very precarious situation where errors could occur, but thankfully we’ve managed to stay on top of things.”Hospitals say they are upholding high standards for patient care, but experts say surges compromise many normal medical practices. Overwhelmed hospitals might be forced to mobilize makeshift ICUs and staff them with personnel without any experience in critical care. They might run out of sedatives, antibiotics, IVs or other supplies they rely on to keep patients calm and comfortable while on ventilators.“It’s really daunting and mentally taxing. You’re doing what you believe to be best practice,” said Kiersten Henry, a nurse at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland, and a board director for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.In Oklahoma City, OU Medicine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cameron Mantor said while the vaccines hold promise, hope still seems dim as ICU cases keep mounting. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at OU Medicine has declined from more than 100 daily in recent weeks to 98 on Wednesday, Mantor said.“What is stressing everybody out,” Mantor said, “is looking at week after week after week, the spigot is not being turned off, not knowing there is a break, not seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.”

2 in 5 Americans live where COVID-19 strains hospital ICUs

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who officers believed was intending to fire a semi-automatic assault rifle around closing time in a popular Lawrence bar district has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

The judge told 19-year-old Dayson G. Kelley of Topeka during his sentencing Thursday that he or police officers could have lost their lives, and “that is something that none of us can stomach thinking about."

Kelley was arrested after two Lawrence police officers saw him take a rifle out of the trunk of a vehicle in a parking lot. Police believed he had prepared the weapon for use and intended to fire it.

The officers drew their guns and shouted at Kelley to drop the weapon. He did not comply and instead dropped down behind a car, apparently seeking cover, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

Kelley pleaded no contest in December to two counts of attempted aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer,

“He’s very fortunate that he wasn’t killed or badly wounded by these officers given the circumstances of the case, and I’ve informed him of that and I think he knows that,” defense attorney Jerry Wells said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611351204910.png" alt="Kelly photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Kelly photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who officers believed was intending to fire a semi-automatic assault rifle around closing time in a popular Lawrence bar district has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.The judge told 19-year-old Dayson G. Kelley of Topeka during his sentencing Thursday that he or police officers could have lost their lives, and “that is something that none of us can stomach thinking about."Kelley was arrested after two Lawrence police officers saw him take a rifle out of the trunk of a vehicle in a parking lot. Police believed he had prepared the weapon for use and intended to fire it.The officers drew their guns and shouted at Kelley to drop the weapon. He did not comply and instead dropped down behind a car, apparently seeking cover, according to an affidavit filed in the case.Kelley pleaded no contest in December to two counts of attempted aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer,“He’s very fortunate that he wasn’t killed or badly wounded by these officers given the circumstances of the case, and I’ve informed him of that and I think he knows that,” defense attorney Jerry Wells said.

Kan. teen who intended to fire assault rifle near bar sentenced

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged crimes involving a child and a meeting for sex.

Just after 2:30 p.m., Saturday, members of the Great Bend Police Department met with members of MotorCity Justice in reference to tip that a Great Bend man was soliciting sex from a 15-year old girl. The Great Bend Police Detectives had been working on this investigation with MotorCity Justice for several weeks.

The suspect later identified as 37-year-old Peter Nail communicated through a chat log, planning to meet the 15-year-old girl at a location in Great Bend, according to the release. Members of the Great Bend Police Department staged in the area of 10th and McKinley until Nail arrived to pick up the girl.

When Nail arrived, police conducted a traffic stop and placed him under arrest on requested charges of sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and electronic solicitation, according to the release.&nbsp; Police also seized an electronic device as evidence.&nbsp;Nail is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611593685588.png" alt="Nail photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Nail photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged crimes involving a child and a meeting for sex.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flonestarrjusticeog%2Fvideos%2F510940853201606%2F&show_text=false&width=267" width="267" height="476" 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>Just after 2:30 p.m., Saturday, members of the Great Bend Police Department met with members of MotorCity Justice in reference to tip that a Great Bend man was soliciting sex from a 15-year old girl. The Great Bend Police Detectives had been working on this investigation with MotorCity Justice for several weeks.The suspect later identified as 37-year-old Peter Nail communicated through a chat log, planning to meet the 15-year-old girl at a location in Great Bend, according to the release. Members of the Great Bend Police Department staged in the area of 10th and McKinley until Nail arrived to pick up the girl.When Nail arrived, police conducted a traffic stop and placed him under arrest on requested charges of sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and electronic solicitation, according to the release.&nbsp; Police also seized an electronic device as evidence.&nbsp;Nail is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

🎥 Social media tip: Kan. man wanted to meet teen for sex

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop.

Just after midnight January 23, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Ford Fiesta for a traffic infraction near 262nd and US Highway 75, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The traffic stop resulted in a drug investigation that led to the discovery of methamphetamine. 

Deputies arrested the driver, Gayle Renee Glenn, 38, of Liberal, Kansas&nbsp; on requested charges that in included possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Glenn is being held in the Jackson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611443362170.png" alt="Glenn-photo Jackson County." />
 <figcaption>Glenn-photo Jackson County.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop.Just after midnight January 23, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Ford Fiesta for a traffic infraction near 262nd and US Highway 75, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. The traffic stop resulted in a drug investigation that led to the discovery of methamphetamine. Deputies arrested the driver, Gayle Renee Glenn, 38, of Liberal, Kansas&nbsp; on requested charges that in included possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Glenn is being held in the Jackson County Jail.

Sheriff: SW Kan. woman arrested in NE Kan. with drugs

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;The damage estimate for the fire that occurred on Jan. 20, at the Hampton Inn, 501 East Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan was completed Monday.

The fire loss to the structure is estimated at $2.5 million dollars and the loss to the contents is estimated at $2.5 million dollars, according to&nbsp;Deputy Chief Ryan Almes. The fire cause is accidental due to construction workers cutting on the roof.

Manhattan— A construction crew is responsible for a fire at a hotel in Manhattan.

Just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday, fire crews were dispatched to&nbsp; The Hampton Inn,&nbsp;501 East Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, for a report of a possible structure fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke and flames showing from the roof of a hotel.&nbsp; Crews immediately searched the building and helped one occupant from the structure.

During firefighting operations, a collapse occurred and a hotel room on the third floor crashed down to the ground level.&nbsp; 

The fire cause is accidental due to construction workers cutting on the roof. Riley County police asked the public to remain out of the area of East Poyntz and Frontage Road near the Hampton Inn as emergency crews worked the fire. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611190915977.png" alt="Wednesday afternoon hotel fire -photo courtesy Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday afternoon hotel fire -photo courtesy Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —&nbsp;The damage estimate for the fire that occurred on Jan. 20, at the Hampton Inn, 501 East Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan was completed Monday.The fire loss to the structure is estimated at $2.5 million dollars and the loss to the contents is estimated at $2.5 million dollars, according to&nbsp;Deputy Chief Ryan Almes. The fire cause is accidental due to construction workers cutting on the roof.-----------Manhattan— A construction crew is responsible for a fire at a hotel in Manhattan.Just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday, fire crews were dispatched to&nbsp; The Hampton Inn,&nbsp;501 East Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, for a report of a possible structure fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes.Upon arrival, crews found smoke and flames showing from the roof of a hotel.&nbsp; Crews immediately searched the building and helped one occupant from the structure.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611232215072.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>During firefighting operations, a collapse occurred and a hotel room on the third floor crashed down to the ground level.&nbsp; The fire cause is accidental due to construction workers cutting on the roof. Riley County police asked the public to remain out of the area of East Poyntz and Frontage Road near the Hampton Inn as emergency crews worked the fire. There were no injuries reported.

Fire at Kansas hotel caused $2.5M damage

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts, according to a media release from her offie.

“Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.

Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and provide hospitals and first responders with Personal Protective Equipment.

Though there are a number of COVID-19 response measures contained in SB 14, the key provision extends the current emergency declaration to March 31, 2021, providing a measure of stability and certainty for the state’s ongoing emergency response efforts.

The bill also contains the provisions of a number of executive orders that the Governor has issued during the pandemic, such as allowing establishments to continue the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption, expanding the ability of physicians to use telemedicine, and providing for temporary suspension of certain healthcare professional licensing and practice requirements.

Senate Bill 14 becomes effective upon publication in an emergency edition of the&nbsp;Kansas Register&nbsp;to be published Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611608088443.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly said,&nbsp;“Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts."&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAxMjUuMzM5MjU5MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDEvU0ItMTQtQ29tbXMtQ29weS13aXRoLXNpZ25hdHVyZS5wZGYifQ.glgNLURPB7sS2xXBQVLJVKx7kCr2i0egXVycvu_jG_Y/s/1303160919/br/93577589727-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the signed copy of SB14</a>&nbsp;- photo courtesy office of governor." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly said,&nbsp;“Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts."&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAxMjUuMzM5MjU5MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDEvU0ItMTQtQ29tbXMtQ29weS13aXRoLXNpZ25hdHVyZS5wZGYifQ.glgNLURPB7sS2xXBQVLJVKx7kCr2i0egXVycvu_jG_Y/s/1303160919/br/93577589727-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the signed copy of SB14</a>&nbsp;- photo courtesy office of governor.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts, according to a media release from her offie.“Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and provide hospitals and first responders with Personal Protective Equipment.Though there are a number of COVID-19 response measures contained in SB 14, the key provision extends the current emergency declaration to March 31, 2021, providing a measure of stability and certainty for the state’s ongoing emergency response efforts.The bill also contains the provisions of a number of executive orders that the Governor has issued during the pandemic, such as allowing establishments to continue the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption, expanding the ability of physicians to use telemedicine, and providing for temporary suspension of certain healthcare professional licensing and practice requirements.Senate Bill 14 becomes effective upon publication in an emergency edition of the&nbsp;Kansas Register&nbsp;to be published Tuesday.

Pandemic recovery: Gov. extends disaster declaration

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, say they are investigating the death of a man whose body was found inside an apartment. Police say officers were sent to the apartment complex along Orville Street on Saturday morning to check on the welfare of a man. 

Arriving officers discovered the body of the man, believed to be in his 70s, inside the apartment. His name has not yet been released. 

Police say the department's Major Case Unit is investigating the death and have asked the public for any information to help in the investigation.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, say they are investigating the death of a man whose body was found inside an apartment. Police say officers were sent to the apartment complex along Orville Street on Saturday morning to check on the welfare of a man. Arriving officers discovered the body of the man, believed to be in his 70s, inside the apartment. His name has not yet been released. Police say the department's Major Case Unit is investigating the death and have asked the public for any information to help in the investigation.

Police investigate death of Kan. man in his 70s 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an order Monday reversing a Trump-era Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender individuals from serving in the military.

The new order, which Biden signed in the Oval Office during a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, overturns a ban ordered by President Donald Trump in a tweet during his first year in office. It immediately prohibits any service member from being forced out of the military on the basis of gender identity.

This is the second order Biden signed that impacts the transgender community. Last week he signed an order that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in school sports and elsewhere.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/">Click here&nbsp;</a>to read last week's Executive Order.

The order that Biden signed Monday says that gender identity should not be a bar to military service.

“America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception,” the order says. “Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do and is in our national interest.”

The order directs the departments of Defense and Homeland Security to take steps to implement the order for the military and the Coast Guard. And it says they must reexamine the records of service members who were discharged or denied reenlistment due to gender identity issues under the previous policy.

It requires the departments to submit a report to the president on their progress within 60 days.

Biden had been widely expected to quickly overturn the Trump policy. And the move also was backed by Biden’s newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who spoke of the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.

“I support the president’s plan or plan to overturn the ban,” Austin said. “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve.”

Under Biden’s new policy, transgender servicemembers won’t be discharged based on gender identity, and they can serve in their preferred gender once their transition is complete and recorded in the defense reporting system.

The decision comes as Biden plans to turn his attention to equity issues that he believes continue to shadow nearly all aspects of American life. Ahead of his inauguration, Biden’s transition team circulated a memo from Ron Klain, now the White House chief of staff, that sketched out Biden’s plan to use his first full week as president “to advance equity and support communities of color and other underserved communities.”

The move to overturn the transgender ban is also the latest example of Biden using executive authority in his first days as president to dismantle Trump’s legacy. His early actions include orders to overturn a Trump administration ban on travelers from several predominantly Muslim countries, stop construction of the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, and launch an initiative to advance racial equity.

Until a few years ago service members could be discharged from the military for being transgender, but that changed during the Obama administration. In 2016, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that transgender people already serving in the military would be allowed to serve openly. And the military set July 1, 2017, as the date when transgender individuals would be allowed to enlist.

After Trump took office, however, his administration delayed the enlistment date and called for additional study to determine if allowing transgender individuals to serve would affect military readiness or effectiveness.

A few weeks later, Trump caught military leaders by surprise, tweeting that the government wouldn’t accept or allow transgender individuals to serve “in any capacity” in the military. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,” he wrote.

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/apf-politics">Politics</a>

After a lengthy and complicated legal battle and additional reviews, the Defense Department in April 2019 approved the new policy that fell short of an all-out ban but barred transgender troops and military recruits from transitioning to another sex and required most individuals to serve in their birth gender.

Under that policy, currently serving transgender troops and anyone who had signed an enlistment contract before the effective date could continue with plans for hormone treatments and gender transition if they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

But after that date, no one with gender dysphoria who was taking hormones or has transitioned to another gender was allowed to enlist. Troops that were already serving and were diagnosed with gender dysphoria were required to serve in their birth gender and were barred from taking hormones or getting transition surgery.

As of 2019, an estimated 14,700 troops on active duty and in the Reserves identify as transgender, but not all seek treatment. Since July 2016, more than 1,500 service members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria; as of Feb. 1, 2019, there were 1,071 currently serving. According to the Pentagon, the department spent about $8 million on transgender care between 2016 and 2019. The military’s annual health care budget tops $50 billion.

All four service chiefs told Congress in 2018 that they had seen no discipline, morale or unit readiness problems with transgender troops serving openly in the military. But they also acknowledged that some commanders were spending a lot of time with transgender individuals who were working through medical requirements and other transition issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611597110482.png" alt="President Biden signed the order in the Oval Office Monday -image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?508317-1/president-biden-reverses-trump-era-military-transgender-ban">Click here to</a> watch the signing ceremony" />
 <figcaption>President Biden signed the order in the Oval Office Monday -image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?508317-1/president-biden-reverses-trump-era-military-transgender-ban">Click here to</a> watch the signing ceremony</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an order Monday reversing a Trump-era Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender individuals from serving in the military.The new order, which Biden signed in the Oval Office during a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, overturns a ban ordered by President Donald Trump in a tweet during his first year in office. It immediately prohibits any service member from being forced out of the military on the basis of gender identity.This is the second order Biden signed that impacts the transgender community. Last week he signed an order that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in school sports and elsewhere.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/">Click here&nbsp;</a>to read last week's Executive Order.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden fulfilled another crucial pledge, repealing the transgender military ban to ensure everyone who’s qualified to serve in the military can do so openly and free from discrimination. <a href="https://t.co/b24PHI9OII">pic.twitter.com/b24PHI9OII</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1353758074008440835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The order that Biden signed Monday says that gender identity should not be a bar to military service.“America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception,” the order says. “Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do and is in our national interest.”The order directs the departments of Defense and Homeland Security to take steps to implement the order for the military and the Coast Guard. And it says they must reexamine the records of service members who were discharged or denied reenlistment due to gender identity issues under the previous policy.It requires the departments to submit a report to the president on their progress within 60 days.Biden had been widely expected to quickly overturn the Trump policy. And the move also was backed by Biden’s newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who spoke of the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.“I support the president’s plan or plan to overturn the ban,” Austin said. “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve.”Under Biden’s new policy, transgender servicemembers won’t be discharged based on gender identity, and they can serve in their preferred gender once their transition is complete and recorded in the defense reporting system.The decision comes as Biden plans to turn his attention to equity issues that he believes continue to shadow nearly all aspects of American life. Ahead of his inauguration, Biden’s transition team circulated a memo from Ron Klain, now the White House chief of staff, that sketched out Biden’s plan to use his first full week as president “to advance equity and support communities of color and other underserved communities.”The move to overturn the transgender ban is also the latest example of Biden using executive authority in his first days as president to dismantle Trump’s legacy. His early actions include orders to overturn a Trump administration ban on travelers from several predominantly Muslim countries, stop construction of the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, and launch an initiative to advance racial equity.Until a few years ago service members could be discharged from the military for being transgender, but that changed during the Obama administration. In 2016, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that transgender people already serving in the military would be allowed to serve openly. And the military set July 1, 2017, as the date when transgender individuals would be allowed to enlist.After Trump took office, however, his administration delayed the enlistment date and called for additional study to determine if allowing transgender individuals to serve would affect military readiness or effectiveness.A few weeks later, Trump caught military leaders by surprise, tweeting that the government wouldn’t accept or allow transgender individuals to serve “in any capacity” in the military. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,” he wrote.Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/apf-politics">Politics</a>After a lengthy and complicated legal battle and additional reviews, the Defense Department in April 2019 approved the new policy that fell short of an all-out ban but barred transgender troops and military recruits from transitioning to another sex and required most individuals to serve in their birth gender.Under that policy, currently serving transgender troops and anyone who had signed an enlistment contract before the effective date could continue with plans for hormone treatments and gender transition if they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.But after that date, no one with gender dysphoria who was taking hormones or has transitioned to another gender was allowed to enlist. Troops that were already serving and were diagnosed with gender dysphoria were required to serve in their birth gender and were barred from taking hormones or getting transition surgery.As of 2019, an estimated 14,700 troops on active duty and in the Reserves identify as transgender, but not all seek treatment. Since July 2016, more than 1,500 service members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria; as of Feb. 1, 2019, there were 1,071 currently serving. According to the Pentagon, the department spent about $8 million on transgender care between 2016 and 2019. The military’s annual health care budget tops $50 billion.All four service chiefs told Congress in 2018 that they had seen no discipline, morale or unit readiness problems with transgender troops serving openly in the military. But they also acknowledged that some commanders were spending a lot of time with transgender individuals who were working through medical requirements and other transition issues.

Biden signs 2nd order to benefit transgender people

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld the convictions and sentences of three militia members facing decades in prison for their roles in a foiled 2016 plot to massacre Somali Muslims in southwest Kansas.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected all the arguments raised by attorneys for Gavin Wright, Curtis Allen and Patrick Stein. The court was not swayed by claims that the men were entrapped and the method of selecting jurors was flawed.

Jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b3a41503845a4cdaa182ed79bd7083e1">convicted them in 2018</a>&nbsp;of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights for a scheme to blow up a mosque and apartments housing Somalis in Garden City.

Stein, the alleged ringleader, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Allen, who drafted a manifesto for the group, got 25 years. Wright, who helped make and test explosives at his mobile home business, received 26 years.

Before their sentencing, attorneys for the men had urged the court to consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/516b36fa21f1495899b9a42f825057a8">rhetoric from former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;that they said encouraged violence. Attorneys pointed to a Trump tweet at the time saying that “some very bad people” were mixed in a South American migrant caravan headed toward the U.S., calling it “an invasion” of the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611598959410.png" alt="Gavin Wright-photo Harvey Co." />
 <figcaption>Gavin Wright-photo Harvey Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld the convictions and sentences of three militia members facing decades in prison for their roles in a foiled 2016 plot to massacre Somali Muslims in southwest Kansas.The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected all the arguments raised by attorneys for Gavin Wright, Curtis Allen and Patrick Stein. The court was not swayed by claims that the men were entrapped and the method of selecting jurors was flawed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611599009165.png" alt="Curtis Allen photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Curtis Allen photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b3a41503845a4cdaa182ed79bd7083e1">convicted them in 2018</a>&nbsp;of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights for a scheme to blow up a mosque and apartments housing Somalis in Garden City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611598941423.png" alt="Patrick Stein photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Patrick Stein photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Stein, the alleged ringleader, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Allen, who drafted a manifesto for the group, got 25 years. Wright, who helped make and test explosives at his mobile home business, received 26 years.Before their sentencing, attorneys for the men had urged the court to consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/516b36fa21f1495899b9a42f825057a8">rhetoric from former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;that they said encouraged violence. Attorneys pointed to a Trump tweet at the time saying that “some very bad people” were mixed in a South American migrant caravan headed toward the U.S., calling it “an invasion” of the country.

Appeals court upholds convictions in SW Kan. bomb plot

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,602 to a total of 269,255, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3,622, an increase of 24.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a> 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.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2,602 to a total of 269,255, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3,622, an increase of 24.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a> 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/2021/1/1611600857264.png" alt="Monday Jan. 25, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Jan. 25, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest.

Just after 6p.m. Saturday, a patrol officer in the 1100 block of North Ninth Street&nbsp; in Salina observed a southbound 2014 KIA Soul, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp; The officer discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Wichita.

The officer made contact with the driver identified as Arthur Strickland, 31, of Salina, after the vehicle pulled into the Pump Mart, 1118 North Ninth Street. 

Police conducted a search of the vehicle. They located and seized 1.35 pounds of methamphetamine, $3,855 in cash, and a Springfield 1911 .45 caliber handgun.

Officer arrested Strickland on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute a certain stimulant, No drug tax stamp, Felony possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and No proof of insurance, according to Forrester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611583294270.png" alt="Arthur Strickland has previous convictions for theft and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Arthur Strickland has previous convictions for theft and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest.Just after 6p.m. Saturday, a patrol officer in the 1100 block of North Ninth Street&nbsp; in Salina observed a southbound 2014 KIA Soul, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp; The officer discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Wichita.The officer made contact with the driver identified as Arthur Strickland, 31, of Salina, after the vehicle pulled into the Pump Mart, 1118 North Ninth Street. Police conducted a search of the vehicle. They located and seized 1.35 pounds of methamphetamine, $3,855 in cash, and a Springfield 1911 .45 caliber handgun.Officer arrested Strickland on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute a certain stimulant, No drug tax stamp, Felony possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and No proof of insurance, according to Forrester.

Police find Kan. felon driving stolen car with drugs, handgun

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A driver was fatally hit by a train in Kansas City after driving around lowered crossing arms in an apparent effort to beat the train, police said.

The crash happened just after 1 a.m. Sunday at 85th Street and Prospect Avenue. Investigators said crossing arms were down and red caution lights were flashing when the car approached the crossing. The driver went around the arms and was hit by a southbound Union Pacific train, police said.

The car was dragged about 60 feet until it was pushed into the gravel between a set of train tracks, police said. The car’s driver, who was not immediately identified, was declared dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611593728941.png" alt="85th Street and Prospect Avenue where police said the crossing arms were down and the lights were flashing at the time of the fatal crash-google image" />
 <figcaption>85th Street and Prospect Avenue where police said the crossing arms were down and the lights were flashing at the time of the fatal crash-google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A driver was fatally hit by a train in Kansas City after driving around lowered crossing arms in an apparent effort to beat the train, police said.The crash happened just after 1 a.m. Sunday at 85th Street and Prospect Avenue. Investigators said crossing arms were down and red caution lights were flashing when the car approached the crossing. The driver went around the arms and was hit by a southbound Union Pacific train, police said.The car was dragged about 60 feet until it was pushed into the gravel between a set of train tracks, police said. The car’s driver, who was not immediately identified, was declared dead at the scene.

Police: Driver ignored crossing arms, fatally hit by train

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and attempted robbery and asking&nbsp; the public for help to locate a suspect.

On January 22, police responded to the Days Inn, 1510 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka on a report of an attempted robbery and shooting, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The victim, a 51-year-old Topeka man sustained non-life threatening injuries in the incident. The persons involved are known to one another.

Police are attempting to locate Lasharra L. Riley, 30 of Topeka as a person of interest in this investigation.&nbsp; She is described as 6-foot-2 and weighs, approximately 185 pounds, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone with information about Riley’s location, including past sightings is asked to call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611589129217.png" alt="Riley has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and burglary, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Riley has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and burglary, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and attempted robbery and asking&nbsp; the public for help to locate a suspect.On January 22, police responded to the Days Inn, 1510 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka on a report of an attempted robbery and shooting, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The victim, a 51-year-old Topeka man sustained non-life threatening injuries in the incident. The persons involved are known to one another.Police are attempting to locate Lasharra L. Riley, 30 of Topeka as a person of interest in this investigation.&nbsp; She is described as 6-foot-2 and weighs, approximately 185 pounds, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Anyone with information about Riley’s location, including past sightings is asked to call police.

Police: Kan. woman wanted for attempted robbery, shooting

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-21/kansas-officials-start-with-talk-of-unity-but-fights-over-taxes-and-abortion-loom">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— Fights between Republican lawmakers and the 
Democratic governor — over new taxes and her power to shut down 
businesses in a pandemic — threaten calls on both sides for political 
unity.

Meanwhile, conservatives in the Legislature push ahead quickly to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-constitutions-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme-court-ba2344ac96f12a6891f24129e4593e4a" target="_blank">amend the Kansas Constitution</a> to declare it contains no right to abortion.

And
 lawmakers find themselves rushing on high-profile issues to outrun a 
pandemic that could force them to shut down the Statehouse if there’s an
 outbreak in the building.

The pandemic already took the pomp and 
circumstance out of the governor’s State of the State address — the 
chief executive’s high-profile chance to talk directly to legislators.

With COVID-19 lurking, <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/governor-kelly-mourns-kansas-covid-19-losses-and-uses-state-state-address-ask-civility" target="_blank">the annual event</a> went from a huge gathering in the House chamber to a simple speech recorded in a Topeka TV studio.

In the wake of violence at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Kelly called for lawmakers to set a positive example of civility.

“This
 isn’t like any other moment. We’re being tested like never before,” 
Kelly said in her speech. “This year, working together isn’t simply 
something I want – it’s something we owe to the people of Kansas.”

The coronavirus cut last year’s session short, so some fights that had been simmering before could bubble over this year.

The call for unity was mixed with hints of those conflicts.

In
 her speech, Kelly said tax cuts were a bad idea when the state tried 
them in the previous decade. She took a preemptive strike against 
Republicans eyeing tax cuts this year. She compares it to the 
government-cutting policies the state took after approving tax cuts when
 Sam Brownback was governor.

“My colleagues in the Legislature 
have already forgotten just how devastating that experiment was to our 
economy, our schools, and our future,” Kelly said.

The new 
Republican Senate president, Ty Masterson, sent a similar message, 
calling for working together when possible. But Masterson also said 
Republicans will consider tax cuts and <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/kansas-governor-poised-trade-some-emergency-powers-keep-her-covid-orders" target="_blank">further limiting</a> Kelly’s power to close businesses or order mask mandates in response to the pandemic.

“We
 will not support the governor’s regime of unconstitutional mandates and
 edicts,” Masterson said in the GOP response to Kelly’s speech. “We 
trust you will always make the best decisions for your family – not the 
government.”

Kelly is making another sales pitch for Medicaid 
expansion, although that’s almost certainly doomed for yet another year 
by an even <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/republican-gains-kansas-legislature-will-affect-vetoes-new-political-maps-and-more" target="_blank">more conservative Republican majority</a>.

The
 governor wants to spend more money for Medicaid expansion, education, 
mental health care and the state’s unemployment system.

Adding 
that spending while keeping the budget balanced will take more money, 
and the governor is looking at $90 million in taxes from online sales to
 keep the budget out of the red.

Kelly’s proposal would tax 
digital purchases of movies or music. Her budget director, Adam 
Proffitt, said the current system gives out-of-state online sellers an 
unfair advantage over storefront retailers in Kansas.

Buy a vinyl 
record or a movie at a Kansas store, and you’ll pay sales tax. Buy that 
same music or film in a digital format online, and it likely won’t be 
taxed.

“Which is just not fair to the business that chose to 
invest in Kansas and has a brick-and-mortar store here,” Proffitt said 
during a presentation on the budget. “They’re at a disadvantage. We need
 to close that loophole.”

In addition, Kelly’s plan would 
institute a sales tax when businesses in other states sell products to 
Kansans through websites like Amazon. Transactions with those 
third-party sellers often avoid Kansas sales tax.

Kansas consumers are supposed to note those out-of-state purchases <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.org/perstaxtypesccu.html" target="_blank">when they file their state income taxes</a> and pay any remaining tax.

The internet taxes have failed in the past and they aren’t getting a warm response from Republicans this year.

“I
 don’t see it going forward,” Republican House Appropriations Committee 
Chairman Troy Waymaster said in an interview. “I’ve talked to other 
representatives that feel the same way.”

The governor also wants 
to refinance scheduled payments on a multi-billion-dollar deficit in the
 state pension plan. That would lower the annual payments but increase 
the overall amount the state pays.

Waymaster said lawmakers can 
eliminate a more than $100 million budget shortfall in the $8 billion 
budget without tax increases or pension changes.

“I know it’s a 
shortfall, but it’s still manageable,” Waymaster said. “We could 
actually make some adjustments without tax increases.”

Meanwhile, 
legislators are in a rush, with the focus on high-profile issues like a 
constitutional amendment on abortion, tax policy and the pandemic 
response.

The abortion amendment has complicated other issues in the past. Last year it derailed a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-02-15/kansas-medicaid-expansion-blocked-supporters-frustrated-and-lawmakers-considering-nuclear-option" target="_blank">Medicaid expansion debate</a>.
 This year, the amendment is one of the first issues lawmakers are 
tackling. Other issues could be pushed aside for now as legislators 
focus on a few top priorities.

Jeanne Gawdun, director of 
government relations with anti-abortion group Kansans for Life, said the
 speed is in case coronavirus ends the session early.

“We saw that happen last year,” Gawdun said. “This is such a fluid situation.”

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611328600055.png" alt="Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-21/kansas-officials-start-with-talk-of-unity-but-fights-over-taxes-and-abortion-loom">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— Fights between Republican lawmakers and the 
Democratic governor — over new taxes and her power to shut down 
businesses in a pandemic — threaten calls on both sides for political 
unity.Meanwhile, conservatives in the Legislature push ahead quickly to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-constitutions-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme-court-ba2344ac96f12a6891f24129e4593e4a" target="_blank">amend the Kansas Constitution</a> to declare it contains no right to abortion.And
 lawmakers find themselves rushing on high-profile issues to outrun a 
pandemic that could force them to shut down the Statehouse if there’s an
 outbreak in the building.The pandemic already took the pomp and 
circumstance out of the governor’s State of the State address — the 
chief executive’s high-profile chance to talk directly to legislators.With COVID-19 lurking, <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/governor-kelly-mourns-kansas-covid-19-losses-and-uses-state-state-address-ask-civility" target="_blank">the annual event</a> went from a huge gathering in the House chamber to a simple speech recorded in a Topeka TV studio.In the wake of violence at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Kelly called for lawmakers to set a positive example of civility.“This
 isn’t like any other moment. We’re being tested like never before,” 
Kelly said in her speech. “This year, working together isn’t simply 
something I want – it’s something we owe to the people of Kansas.”The coronavirus cut last year’s session short, so some fights that had been simmering before could bubble over this year.The call for unity was mixed with hints of those conflicts.In
 her speech, Kelly said tax cuts were a bad idea when the state tried 
them in the previous decade. She took a preemptive strike against 
Republicans eyeing tax cuts this year. She compares it to the 
government-cutting policies the state took after approving tax cuts when
 Sam Brownback was governor.“My colleagues in the Legislature 
have already forgotten just how devastating that experiment was to our 
economy, our schools, and our future,” Kelly said.The new 
Republican Senate president, Ty Masterson, sent a similar message, 
calling for working together when possible. But Masterson also said 
Republicans will consider tax cuts and <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/kansas-governor-poised-trade-some-emergency-powers-keep-her-covid-orders" target="_blank">further limiting</a> Kelly’s power to close businesses or order mask mandates in response to the pandemic.“We
 will not support the governor’s regime of unconstitutional mandates and
 edicts,” Masterson said in the GOP response to Kelly’s speech. “We 
trust you will always make the best decisions for your family – not the 
government.”Kelly is making another sales pitch for Medicaid 
expansion, although that’s almost certainly doomed for yet another year 
by an even <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/republican-gains-kansas-legislature-will-affect-vetoes-new-political-maps-and-more" target="_blank">more conservative Republican majority</a>.The
 governor wants to spend more money for Medicaid expansion, education, 
mental health care and the state’s unemployment system.Adding 
that spending while keeping the budget balanced will take more money, 
and the governor is looking at $90 million in taxes from online sales to
 keep the budget out of the red.Kelly’s proposal would tax 
digital purchases of movies or music. Her budget director, Adam 
Proffitt, said the current system gives out-of-state online sellers an 
unfair advantage over storefront retailers in Kansas.Buy a vinyl 
record or a movie at a Kansas store, and you’ll pay sales tax. Buy that 
same music or film in a digital format online, and it likely won’t be 
taxed.“Which is just not fair to the business that chose to 
invest in Kansas and has a brick-and-mortar store here,” Proffitt said 
during a presentation on the budget. “They’re at a disadvantage. We need
 to close that loophole.”In addition, Kelly’s plan would 
institute a sales tax when businesses in other states sell products to 
Kansans through websites like Amazon. Transactions with those 
third-party sellers often avoid Kansas sales tax.Kansas consumers are supposed to note those out-of-state purchases <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.org/perstaxtypesccu.html" target="_blank">when they file their state income taxes</a> and pay any remaining tax.The internet taxes have failed in the past and they aren’t getting a warm response from Republicans this year.“I
 don’t see it going forward,” Republican House Appropriations Committee 
Chairman Troy Waymaster said in an interview. “I’ve talked to other 
representatives that feel the same way.”The governor also wants 
to refinance scheduled payments on a multi-billion-dollar deficit in the
 state pension plan. That would lower the annual payments but increase 
the overall amount the state pays.Waymaster said lawmakers can 
eliminate a more than $100 million budget shortfall in the $8 billion 
budget without tax increases or pension changes.“I know it’s a 
shortfall, but it’s still manageable,” Waymaster said. “We could 
actually make some adjustments without tax increases.”Meanwhile, 
legislators are in a rush, with the focus on high-profile issues like a 
constitutional amendment on abortion, tax policy and the pandemic 
response.The abortion amendment has complicated other issues in the past. Last year it derailed a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-02-15/kansas-medicaid-expansion-blocked-supporters-frustrated-and-lawmakers-considering-nuclear-option" target="_blank">Medicaid expansion debate</a>.
 This year, the amendment is one of the first issues lawmakers are 
tackling. Other issues could be pushed aside for now as legislators 
focus on a few top priorities.Jeanne Gawdun, director of 
government relations with anti-abortion group Kansans for Life, said the
 speed is in case coronavirus ends the session early.“We saw that happen last year,” Gawdun said. “This is such a fluid situation.”Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

Kan. officials start with talk of unity, but abortion, tax fights loom

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a 60-year-old woman earlier this month.

The Jackson County Prosecutor's office said Travon Williams of Kansas City has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and two weapons charges in the Jan. 12 shooting death of Linda Gantt.

According to court documents, Williams and Gantt had been arguing before the shooting, but Gantt was riding inside a car leaving Williams' home when she was shot.

Prosecutors say Williams also forced another woman to get into a vehicle with him after he fled the shooting. He later drove to that woman’s grandmother’s home and fired multiple shots into the home.

Court records show that Williams was previously convicted in 2019 of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors asked for a $1 million cash bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611583030123.png" alt="Travon Williams photo Henry County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Travon Williams photo Henry County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a 60-year-old woman earlier this month.The Jackson County Prosecutor's office said Travon Williams of Kansas City has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and two weapons charges in the Jan. 12 shooting death of Linda Gantt.According to court documents, Williams and Gantt had been arguing before the shooting, but Gantt was riding inside a car leaving Williams' home when she was shot.Prosecutors say Williams also forced another woman to get into a vehicle with him after he fled the shooting. He later drove to that woman’s grandmother’s home and fired multiple shots into the home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611522704743.png" alt="Williams-photo MODC" />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo MODC</figcaption>
 </figure>Court records show that Williams was previously convicted in 2019 of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors asked for a $1 million cash bond.

Man charged in Kansas City woman's murder, kidnapping

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top aides to President Joe Biden on Sunday began talks with a group of moderate Senate Republicans and Democrats on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package as Biden faces increasing headwinds in his effort to win bipartisan backing for the initial legislative effort of his presidency.

Lawmakers on the right question the wisdom of racking up bigger deficits while those on the left are urging Biden not to spend too much time on bipartisanship when the pandemic is killing thousands of Americans each day and costing more jobs amid tightening restrictions in many communities.

At least a dozen senators met for an hour and 15 minutes in a virtual call with White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese and other senior White House officials. Many hope to approve a relief package before former President Donald Trump’s trial, which is set to begin in two weeks, overtakes Washington’s attention.

Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, called the opening talks a “serious effort.”

“There was not a hint of cynicism or lack of commitment to at least trying to work something out,” King said. “If they were just trying to jam this through, I don’t think it would have interrupted the Packers game.”

King told reporters that there was “absolute consensus” among the group that the No. 1 priority was to speed up the distribution of vaccinations and expanding COVID-19 testing and tracing.

The White House did not seem to budge on breaking up the package or reducing the overall price tag, even as it pushes for bipartisan support. There was also no discussion of pushing it through on a procedural move that could be done without Republicans, King said.

One key Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said afterward, “It seems premature to be considering a package of this size and scope.”

Collins said instead she would pull the bipartisan group together “and see if we could come up with a more targeted package.” She said in a statement that a bill with additional funding for vaccine distribution “would be useful.”

Senators from both parties raised questions about the economic aid provisions, particularly making direct $1,400 payments to Americans more tailored to recipients based on need.

Senators also wanted more data on how the White House reached the $1.9 trillion figure.

Many of the senators are from a bipartisan group that struck the contours of the last COVID-19 deal approved late last year. They were joined on the call by the two leaders of the House’s Problem Solvers Caucus, Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y., who were also part of earlier discussions.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., told The Associated Press that no red lines were drawn. But she added there was consensus among the call’s participants “that the more targeted the aid is the more effective it can be.”

Overall, “it was a conversation and it was not about drawing lines in the sand,” Shaheen said. “It was about how can we work together to help the people of this country.”

White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients and White House legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell also joined the call.

Out of the gate, Biden has made clear that quickly passing another round of coronavirus relief is a top priority as he seeks to get the surging pandemic and the related economic crisis under control, while demonstrating he can break the gridlock that has ailed Congress for much of the last two presidencies.

Biden and his aides in their public comments have stressed that his plan is a starting point and that finding common ground on relief should be attainable considering the devastating impact the pandemic is exacting on Democratic and Republican states alike. With more than 412,000 dead and the economy again losing jobs, Biden has argued there is no time to lose.

“We’re going to continue to push because we can’t wait,” said White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn’t mean it needs to continue to be gridlocked

Central to Biden’s campaign pitch, beyond healing the wounds created by Trump’s presidency, was that he was a proven bipartisan dealmaker, one who would draw upon his decades in the Senate and deep relationships with Republicans to bridge partisan divides.

Some Biden advisers watched with worry as the Senate, just days into the president’s term, was already in gridlock as to a power-sharing agreement, with Republican leader Mitch McConnell refusing to budge on a demand to keep the filibuster intact. If the Senate twists itself in knots over its very basics, some Democrats wondered, how could it reach a big deal?

Additionally, some of Biden’s preferred methods to lobby and schmooze have been curtailed by the pandemic. Though his address book remains one of the best in Washington, it stands to be far more difficult for Biden — at least for the foreseeable future — to engage in the face-to-face politicking that he prefers.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, ahead of the meeting, raised concerns again about the wisdom of the government engaging in massive deficit spending.

“If we get beyond COVID, I believe that the economy is going to come roaring back,” Romney told “Fox News Sunday.” “And spending and borrowing trillions of dollars from the Chinese, among others, is not necessarily the best thing we can do to get our economy to be strong long-term.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he didn’t have high hopes for negotiations leading to Republican support and suggested Democrats may need to use budget reconciliation to pass it with a simple majority. The procedural tool would allow Democrats to push the package to approval without the 60-vote threshold typically needed to advance legislation past a filibuster. Republicans used the same tool to pass tax cuts during the Trump administration.

“What we cannot do is wait weeks and weeks and months and months to go forward,” Sanders said. “We have got to act now. That is what the American people want. “

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611542702528.png" alt="President Biden unveiled his COVID-19 plan Jan. 21. Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden unveiled his COVID-19 plan Jan. 21. Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Top aides to President Joe Biden on Sunday began talks with a group of moderate Senate Republicans and Democrats on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package as Biden faces increasing headwinds in his effort to win bipartisan backing for the initial legislative effort of his presidency.Lawmakers on the right question the wisdom of racking up bigger deficits while those on the left are urging Biden not to spend too much time on bipartisanship when the pandemic is killing thousands of Americans each day and costing more jobs amid tightening restrictions in many communities.At least a dozen senators met for an hour and 15 minutes in a virtual call with White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese and other senior White House officials. Many hope to approve a relief package before former President Donald Trump’s trial, which is set to begin in two weeks, overtakes Washington’s attention.Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, called the opening talks a “serious effort.”“There was not a hint of cynicism or lack of commitment to at least trying to work something out,” King said. “If they were just trying to jam this through, I don’t think it would have interrupted the Packers game.”King told reporters that there was “absolute consensus” among the group that the No. 1 priority was to speed up the distribution of vaccinations and expanding COVID-19 testing and tracing.The White House did not seem to budge on breaking up the package or reducing the overall price tag, even as it pushes for bipartisan support. There was also no discussion of pushing it through on a procedural move that could be done without Republicans, King said.One key Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said afterward, “It seems premature to be considering a package of this size and scope.”Collins said instead she would pull the bipartisan group together “and see if we could come up with a more targeted package.” She said in a statement that a bill with additional funding for vaccine distribution “would be useful.”Senators from both parties raised questions about the economic aid provisions, particularly making direct $1,400 payments to Americans more tailored to recipients based on need.Senators also wanted more data on how the White House reached the $1.9 trillion figure.Many of the senators are from a bipartisan group that struck the contours of the last COVID-19 deal approved late last year. They were joined on the call by the two leaders of the House’s Problem Solvers Caucus, Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y., who were also part of earlier discussions.Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., told The Associated Press that no red lines were drawn. But she added there was consensus among the call’s participants “that the more targeted the aid is the more effective it can be.”Overall, “it was a conversation and it was not about drawing lines in the sand,” Shaheen said. “It was about how can we work together to help the people of this country.”White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients and White House legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell also joined the call.Out of the gate, Biden has made clear that quickly passing another round of coronavirus relief is a top priority as he seeks to get the surging pandemic and the related economic crisis under control, while demonstrating he can break the gridlock that has ailed Congress for much of the last two presidencies.Biden and his aides in their public comments have stressed that his plan is a starting point and that finding common ground on relief should be attainable considering the devastating impact the pandemic is exacting on Democratic and Republican states alike. With more than 412,000 dead and the economy again losing jobs, Biden has argued there is no time to lose.“We’re going to continue to push because we can’t wait,” said White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “Just because Washington has been gridlocked before doesn’t mean it needs to continue to be gridlockedCentral to Biden’s campaign pitch, beyond healing the wounds created by Trump’s presidency, was that he was a proven bipartisan dealmaker, one who would draw upon his decades in the Senate and deep relationships with Republicans to bridge partisan divides.Some Biden advisers watched with worry as the Senate, just days into the president’s term, was already in gridlock as to a power-sharing agreement, with Republican leader Mitch McConnell refusing to budge on a demand to keep the filibuster intact. If the Senate twists itself in knots over its very basics, some Democrats wondered, how could it reach a big deal?Additionally, some of Biden’s preferred methods to lobby and schmooze have been curtailed by the pandemic. Though his address book remains one of the best in Washington, it stands to be far more difficult for Biden — at least for the foreseeable future — to engage in the face-to-face politicking that he prefers.Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, ahead of the meeting, raised concerns again about the wisdom of the government engaging in massive deficit spending.“If we get beyond COVID, I believe that the economy is going to come roaring back,” Romney told “Fox News Sunday.” “And spending and borrowing trillions of dollars from the Chinese, among others, is not necessarily the best thing we can do to get our economy to be strong long-term.Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he didn’t have high hopes for negotiations leading to Republican support and suggested Democrats may need to use budget reconciliation to pass it with a simple majority. The procedural tool would allow Democrats to push the package to approval without the 60-vote threshold typically needed to advance legislation past a filibuster. Republicans used the same tool to pass tax cuts during the Trump administration.“What we cannot do is wait weeks and weeks and months and months to go forward,” Sanders said. “We have got to act now. That is what the American people want. “___

Biden, lawmakers begin fight over more COVID-19 relief

WASHINGTON (AP) —Public health experts blamed COVID-19 vaccine shortages around the U.S. in part on the Trump administration’s push to get states to vastly expand their vaccination drives to reach the nation’s estimated 54 million people age 65 and over.

The push that began over a week ago has not been accompanied by enough doses to meet demand, according to state and local officials, leading to frustration and confusion and limiting states’ ability to attack the outbreak that has killed over 400,000 Americans.

Over the past few days, authorities in California, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Hawaii warned that their supplies were running out. New York City began canceling or postponing shots or stopped making new appointments because of the shortages, which President Joe Biden has vowed to turn around. Florida’s top health official said the state would deal with the scarcity by restricting vaccines to state residents.

The vaccine rollout so far has been “a major disappointment,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Problems started with the Trump administration’s “fatal mistake” of not ordering enough vaccine, which was then snapped up by other countries, Topol said. Then, opening the line to senior citizens set people up for disappointment because there wasn’t enough vaccine, he said. The Trump administration also left crucial planning to the states and didn’t provide the necessary funding.

“It doesn’t happen by fairy dust,” Topol said. “You need to put funds into that.”

Last week, before Biden took over as president, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department suggested that the frustration was the result of unrealistic expectations among the states as to how much vaccine was on the way.

But some public health experts said that the states have not been getting reliable information on vaccine deliveries and that the amounts they have been sent have been unpredictable. That, in turn, has made it difficult for them to plan how to inoculate people.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Public health experts blamed COVID-19 vaccine shortages around the U.S. in part on the Trump administration’s push to get states to vastly expand their vaccination drives to reach the nation’s estimated 54 million people age 65 and over.The push that began over a week ago has not been accompanied by enough doses to meet demand, according to state and local officials, leading to frustration and confusion and limiting states’ ability to attack the outbreak that has killed over 400,000 Americans.Over the past few days, authorities in California, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Hawaii warned that their supplies were running out. New York City began canceling or postponing shots or stopped making new appointments because of the shortages, which President Joe Biden has vowed to turn around. Florida’s top health official said the state would deal with the scarcity by restricting vaccines to state residents.The vaccine rollout so far has been “a major disappointment,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.Problems started with the Trump administration’s “fatal mistake” of not ordering enough vaccine, which was then snapped up by other countries, Topol said. Then, opening the line to senior citizens set people up for disappointment because there wasn’t enough vaccine, he said. The Trump administration also left crucial planning to the states and didn’t provide the necessary funding.“It doesn’t happen by fairy dust,” Topol said. “You need to put funds into that.”Last week, before Biden took over as president, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department suggested that the frustration was the result of unrealistic expectations among the states as to how much vaccine was on the way.But some public health experts said that the states have not been getting reliable information on vaccine deliveries and that the amounts they have been sent have been unpredictable. That, in turn, has made it difficult for them to plan how to inoculate people.“It’s a bit of having to build it as we go,” said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s a front-end supply issue, and unless we know how much vaccine is flowing down the pipe, it’s hard to get these things sized right, staffed, get people there, get them vaccinated and get them gone.”State health secretaries have asked the Biden administration for earlier and more reliable predictions on vaccine deliveries, said Washington state Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah.Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was also among those who said opening vaccinations to senior citizens was done too soon, before supply could catch up.“We needed steady federal leadership on this early in the launch,” Plescia said. “That did not happen, and now that we are not prioritizing groups, there is going to be some lag for supply to catch up with demand.”Supply will pick up over the next few weeks, he said. Deliveries go out to the states every week, and the government and drugmakers have given assurances large quantities are in the pipeline.The rollout has proceeded at a disappointing pace. The U.S. government has delivered nearly 38 million doses of vaccine to the states, and about 17.5 million of those have been administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About 2.4 million people have received the necessary two doses, by the CDC’s count — well short of the hundreds of millions who will have to be inoculated to vanquish the outbreak.Biden, in one of his first orders of business, signed 10 executive orders to combat the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, including one broadening the use of the Defense Production Act to expand vaccine production. The 1950 Korean War-era law enables the government to direct the manufacture of critical goods.He also mandated masks for travel, including in airports and on planes, ships, trains, buses and public transportation, and ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up vaccination centers and the CDC to make vaccines available through pharmacies starting next month.Biden has vowed to dispense 100 million shots in his first 100 days.“We’ll move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated for free,” he said.Florida was one of the first states to open vaccine eligibility to members of the general public over 65. Now uncertainty over the vaccine supply has prompted the state surgeon general, Scott Rivkees, to advise counties to prioritize available doses for state residents, including so-called snowbirds who live there part-time. People seeking vaccination will have to provide a driver’s license or other document, such as rental leases and utility bills.In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been pleading for more doses. Appointments through Sunday for the first dose of the vaccine at 15 community vaccination hubs set up by the city health department were postponed to next week.Vaccinations in New York haven’t stopped, but demand for the shots now far exceeds the number of doses available, the mayor said.“It’s just tremendously sad that we have so many people who want the vaccine and so much ability to give the vaccine, what’s happening?” de Blasio said. “For lack of supply, we’re actually having to cancel appointments.”Rosa Schneider had jumped at the chance to make a vaccination appointment once she heard that educators like her were eligible in New York. A high school English teacher who lives in New York City but works in New Jersey, she said that a day before she was to be vaccinated on Wednesday at a city-run hospital, she got a call saying the supply had run out and the appointment was canceled.“I was concerned, and I was upset,” said Schneider, 32, but she is trying daily to book another appointment. She is hopeful availability will improve in the coming weeks.