It was slightly delayed, but a Christmas present well worth the wait for a Great Bend native. Zane Evans found out last week that he won the car of his dreams through an online sweepstakes from Tuner Cult. Evans won an R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, one of only 300 produced. Generally, never buying into contests because the chances of winning are next to slim, changed when Evans saw the R34 being given away. "The R34 is my dream car," said Evans. "I would rather have this car than 10 Lamborghinis." With every $1 spent on tunercult.com during the sweepstakes, you received 10 entries into the giveaway.

"Initially, I planned to buy some stuff real quick and not tell the wife," joked Evans. "I called the wife to tell her 'Sorry, I spent some money,' and she told me to make another order to get these chances going."

The contest ended Dec. 20 and the following week Evans was notified he was randomly chosen to win the car and $60,000 in cash to help pay for the taxes and extra expenses of the vehicle. "Tuner Cult sends all the entries to a sweepstakes company in Rochester, New York," said Evans. "I was at work Tuesday (Dec. 29) fixing my car and I got a call from Rochester. I told myself I would answer all unknown calls." Evans, now living in Manhattan with his wife and three children, is still deciding on when and how to make the trip to Irvine, California to pick up his dream car.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

"My heart instantly started racing," added Evans. "I couldn't wear my watch for like four hours because it thought I was constantly trying to work out. It was ridiculous."

Made in 1999, the R34 still falls under the 25-year rule which means the vehicle is not generally certified or legal for street use in America. The import is legal in the United States as an "antique" or car show vehicle as long as the car is driven no more than 2,500 miles per year. After the 25 years are up, the owner can drive the car as much as he or she likes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609448197159.jpeg" alt="Zane Evans won a 1999 R34 Nissan Skyline through a sweepstakes from Tuner Cult.&nbsp;Photo courtesy tunercult.com" />
 <figcaption>Zane Evans won a 1999 R34 Nissan Skyline through a sweepstakes from Tuner Cult.&nbsp;Photo courtesy tunercult.com</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostIt was slightly delayed, but a Christmas present well worth the wait for a Great Bend native. Zane Evans found out last week that he won the car of his dreams through an online sweepstakes from Tuner Cult. Evans won an R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, one of only 300 produced. Generally, never buying into contests because the chances of winning are next to slim, changed when Evans saw the R34 being given away. "The R34 is my dream car," said Evans. "I would rather have this car than 10 Lamborghinis." With every $1 spent on tunercult.com during the sweepstakes, you received 10 entries into the giveaway."Initially, I planned to buy some stuff real quick and not tell the wife," joked Evans. "I called the wife to tell her 'Sorry, I spent some money,' and she told me to make another order to get these chances going."The contest ended Dec. 20 and the following week Evans was notified he was randomly chosen to win the car and $60,000 in cash to help pay for the taxes and extra expenses of the vehicle. "Tuner Cult sends all the entries to a sweepstakes company in Rochester, New York," said Evans. "I was at work Tuesday (Dec. 29) fixing my car and I got a call from Rochester. I told myself I would answer all unknown calls." Evans, now living in Manhattan with his wife and three children, is still deciding on when and how to make the trip to Irvine, California to pick up his dream car.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;"My heart instantly started racing," added Evans. "I couldn't wear my watch for like four hours because it thought I was constantly trying to work out. It was ridiculous."Made in 1999, the R34 still falls under the 25-year rule which means the vehicle is not generally certified or legal for street use in America. The import is legal in the United States as an "antique" or car show vehicle as long as the car is driven no more than 2,500 miles per year. After the 25 years are up, the owner can drive the car as much as he or she likes.

Kansas man wins his dream car

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the only woman on federal death row to be executed before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.

The ruling, handed down Friday by a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, concluded that a lower court judge erred when he vacated Lisa Montgomery’s execution date in an order last week.

U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss had ruled the Justice Department unlawfully rescheduled Montgomery’s execution and he vacated an order from the director of the Bureau of Prisons scheduling her death for Jan. 12.

Montgomery had been scheduled to be put to death at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, in December, but Moss delayed the execution after her attorneys contracted coronavirus visiting their client and asked him to extend the time to file a clemency petition.

Moss concluded that the under his order the Bureau of Prisons could not even reschedule Montgomery’s execution until at least Jan. 1. But the appeals panel disagreed.

Meaghan VerGow, an attorney for Montgomery, said her legal team would ask for the full appeals court to review the case and said Montgomery should not be executed on Jan. 12.

Montgomery was convicted of killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in December 2004. She used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife, authorities said. Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own, prosecutors said.

Montgomery’s lawyers have argued that their client suffers from serious mental illnesses. Biden opposes the death penalty and his spokesman, TJ Ducklo, has said he would work to end its use. But Biden has not said whether he will halt federal executions after he takes office Jan. 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602895377835.png" alt="Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Montgomery is being held at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the only woman on federal death row to be executed before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.The ruling, handed down Friday by a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, concluded that a lower court judge erred when he vacated Lisa Montgomery’s execution date in an order last week.U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss had ruled the Justice Department unlawfully rescheduled Montgomery’s execution and he vacated an order from the director of the Bureau of Prisons scheduling her death for Jan. 12.Montgomery had been scheduled to be put to death at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, in December, but Moss delayed the execution after her attorneys contracted coronavirus visiting their client and asked him to extend the time to file a clemency petition.Moss concluded that the under his order the Bureau of Prisons could not even reschedule Montgomery’s execution until at least Jan. 1. But the appeals panel disagreed.Meaghan VerGow, an attorney for Montgomery, said her legal team would ask for the full appeals court to review the case and said Montgomery should not be executed on Jan. 12.Montgomery was convicted of killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in December 2004. She used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife, authorities said. Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own, prosecutors said.Montgomery’s lawyers have argued that their client suffers from serious mental illnesses. Biden opposes the death penalty and his spokesman, TJ Ducklo, has said he would work to end its use. But Biden has not said whether he will halt federal executions after he takes office Jan. 20.

Court: Kansas killer's execution set for Jan. 12

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

Just after noon on New Year's Day, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy stopped a 2007 gold Cadillac on Arizona Avenue near Banner in Holton for an alleged traffic infraction., according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver, Charles Ernest Wilson, 38, of Hiawatha, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Wilson also had an outstanding Brown County warrant and an outstanding City of Topeka warrant. Wilson remains in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609554415290.png" alt="Wilson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after noon on New Year's Day, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy stopped a 2007 gold Cadillac on Arizona Avenue near Banner in Holton for an alleged traffic infraction., according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver, Charles Ernest Wilson, 38, of Hiawatha, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Wilson also had an outstanding Brown County warrant and an outstanding City of Topeka warrant. Wilson remains in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.

Kan. man jailed on drug charge after New Year's Day traffic stop

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Lily Guido was having trouble hearing and she felt warm while talking to her co-worker at a California nursing home. She knew something was wrong.

Fearing the coronavirus, Guido, 30, of Santa Rosa, California, didn’t go home to avoid possibly spreading it to her five children, isolating in a hotel room provided for health care workers like her.

“They confirmed that I had COVID, and my husband was like, ‘Oh God, what’s going to happen?’” she said last week. “I couldn’t take it. I was in tears. I was in denial.”

Out of work, her family’s bills began to pile up this summer. While Guido is a U.S. citizen, and so are her children, her family hadn’t gotten a relief check from the federal government in the spring because she files taxes jointly with her husband, Erik, who is an immigrant in the country illegally and not eligible for any federal payments.

An estimated 1.4 million spouses and 3.7 million children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents in mixed-status families like Guido’s were cut out of the payments that many needed as the pandemic tanked the economy, according to tax data analysis by the Migration Policy Institute.

That’s changed in the latest federal relief package. Guido celebrated that her family and others like them would get checks this time around, as well as a retroactive $1,200 tax credit.

“Mixed-status families with children count,” Guido said. “That makes such a big difference. And I jump for joy, you know, for those people that unfortunately aren’t able to work during this pandemic.”

But even in the latest bill, some 2.2 million children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents will be left out again because both their parents are in the country illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. That means no $600 check per child.

During the pandemic, officials in Democratic-controlled places have targeted rent relief and direct payments to all immigrant families who didn’t receive checks. States like California and Vermont have distributed federal relief money to community groups helping immigrants, saying they pay taxes and work essential jobs, while New Mexico lawmakers sent U.S. funds directly to those without legal status.

When Guido got sick, her husband, Erik, had already lost hours at his pest control job, so he stopped working for two and a half weeks to take care of their kids.

Alone in the hotel, the virus took her appetite, strained her breath and tanked her heart rate. She prayed and talked to her husband every day. Though she isolated away from home, he and the kids got the virus, too, but not as badly.

“I was stressing on top of it, not knowing how we were gonna make it, how we’re gonna pay my mortgage, how we’re gonna pay the rest of the bills,” Guido said.

They maxed out their credit cards to buy food and other necessities. Erik, who was 10 when he arrived from Mexico, doesn’t have a Social Security number and pays taxes using a special number for non-resident immigrants. Guido asked that his last name be withheld, fearing it could affect an immigration application.

Guido says she tried to apply by phone for financial help from California but never got through.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/679ae0f08b2f67df454e22e9e62e1bad">California’s governor distributed money</a>&nbsp;to a network of regional nonprofits to give to mixed-status families and adults in the country illegally early in the pandemic.

Recent aid packages passed by legislatures in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-michelle-lujan-grisham-coronavirus-pandemic-new-mexico-bills-6fe233171a8a58b569d8e05a172c885f">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2019-2020-coronavirus-pandemic-vermont-virus-outbreak-immigration-economic-stimulus-47db1fb4d4f6c84d812aa1b394ff5c7c">Vermont</a>&nbsp;directed federal relief funds to those who didn’t get checks in April, mostly through cash payments to mixed-status families and immigrants without legal status. In Phoenix, immigration advocates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-immigration-7116e261fa4207c60e2d52ae9493aba3">successfully sued</a>&nbsp;to ensure residents could access rent and bill relief regardless of legal status.

New Mexico’s effort is unique because it paid applicants through direct deposit, instead of relying on community groups to distribute the funds, like California and Vermont.

“These are families — many of them with young children — these are essential workers, these are folks whose livelihoods have been interrupted by this pandemic,” said state Rep. Javier Martínez, who’s credited with getting the measure into New Mexico’s larger emergency relief bill.

Some 15,000 New Mexico residents have received about $465 each from a $5 million fund created by the Legislature. It’s not just immigrants benefiting. The only requirements for the money are being a state resident and having not received a federal check in April, which includes homeless and elderly Americans who didn’t get a check because of IRS rules.

After getting about four times the number of applicants that the fund could support, state officials reduced the maximum amount and prioritized the lowest-income households.

The fund faced no resistance from minority Republicans in the New Mexico House, but some of them voted against the entire bill.

Cities also have used federal funds for direct payments to immigrants.

Angelica Rodriguez and her husband are restaurant cooks in Santa Fe and had their hours cut in half. But they have been able to catch up on rent thanks to the city’s pandemic relief: a $750 payment last month and $1,500 this month.

She’s a member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a Latino-focused group that advocated for the inclusion of immigrants in state relief efforts. It’s also educated immigrants about not worrying that pandemic assistance will count against them in immigration applications, which ask about public aid like food stamps.

Despite the city payments, Rodriguez’s family still can’t afford to fix a broken washing machine and couldn’t splurge on Christmas presents this year. She and her husband are in the country without permission while their three children are U.S. citizens.

“It’s really hard because the 15-year-old boy, the 13-year-old girl, they get it — we told them there won’t be Christmas presents this year because we’re working very little, and the money we are getting is to pay bills and rent,” said Rodriguez, 43.

“But the 6-year-old boy still doesn’t get it,” she said. When she told him Santa couldn’t come this year because the family had gotten COVID-19, he shot back: “He can leave my present outside the door and not come in.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609336667005.png" alt="A quiet U.S. Capitol the final week of December image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A quiet U.S. Capitol the final week of December image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Lily Guido was having trouble hearing and she felt warm while talking to her co-worker at a California nursing home. She knew something was wrong.Fearing the coronavirus, Guido, 30, of Santa Rosa, California, didn’t go home to avoid possibly spreading it to her five children, isolating in a hotel room provided for health care workers like her.“They confirmed that I had COVID, and my husband was like, ‘Oh God, what’s going to happen?’” she said last week. “I couldn’t take it. I was in tears. I was in denial.”Out of work, her family’s bills began to pile up this summer. While Guido is a U.S. citizen, and so are her children, her family hadn’t gotten a relief check from the federal government in the spring because she files taxes jointly with her husband, Erik, who is an immigrant in the country illegally and not eligible for any federal payments.An estimated 1.4 million spouses and 3.7 million children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents in mixed-status families like Guido’s were cut out of the payments that many needed as the pandemic tanked the economy, according to tax data analysis by the Migration Policy Institute.That’s changed in the latest federal relief package. Guido celebrated that her family and others like them would get checks this time around, as well as a retroactive $1,200 tax credit.“Mixed-status families with children count,” Guido said. “That makes such a big difference. And I jump for joy, you know, for those people that unfortunately aren’t able to work during this pandemic.”But even in the latest bill, some 2.2 million children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents will be left out again because both their parents are in the country illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. That means no $600 check per child.During the pandemic, officials in Democratic-controlled places have targeted rent relief and direct payments to all immigrant families who didn’t receive checks. States like California and Vermont have distributed federal relief money to community groups helping immigrants, saying they pay taxes and work essential jobs, while New Mexico lawmakers sent U.S. funds directly to those without legal status.When Guido got sick, her husband, Erik, had already lost hours at his pest control job, so he stopped working for two and a half weeks to take care of their kids.Alone in the hotel, the virus took her appetite, strained her breath and tanked her heart rate. She prayed and talked to her husband every day. Though she isolated away from home, he and the kids got the virus, too, but not as badly.“I was stressing on top of it, not knowing how we were gonna make it, how we’re gonna pay my mortgage, how we’re gonna pay the rest of the bills,” Guido said.They maxed out their credit cards to buy food and other necessities. Erik, who was 10 when he arrived from Mexico, doesn’t have a Social Security number and pays taxes using a special number for non-resident immigrants. Guido asked that his last name be withheld, fearing it could affect an immigration application.Guido says she tried to apply by phone for financial help from California but never got through.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/679ae0f08b2f67df454e22e9e62e1bad">California’s governor distributed money</a>&nbsp;to a network of regional nonprofits to give to mixed-status families and adults in the country illegally early in the pandemic.Recent aid packages passed by legislatures in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-michelle-lujan-grisham-coronavirus-pandemic-new-mexico-bills-6fe233171a8a58b569d8e05a172c885f">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2019-2020-coronavirus-pandemic-vermont-virus-outbreak-immigration-economic-stimulus-47db1fb4d4f6c84d812aa1b394ff5c7c">Vermont</a>&nbsp;directed federal relief funds to those who didn’t get checks in April, mostly through cash payments to mixed-status families and immigrants without legal status. In Phoenix, immigration advocates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-immigration-7116e261fa4207c60e2d52ae9493aba3">successfully sued</a>&nbsp;to ensure residents could access rent and bill relief regardless of legal status.New Mexico’s effort is unique because it paid applicants through direct deposit, instead of relying on community groups to distribute the funds, like California and Vermont.“These are families — many of them with young children — these are essential workers, these are folks whose livelihoods have been interrupted by this pandemic,” said state Rep. Javier Martínez, who’s credited with getting the measure into New Mexico’s larger emergency relief bill.Some 15,000 New Mexico residents have received about $465 each from a $5 million fund created by the Legislature. It’s not just immigrants benefiting. The only requirements for the money are being a state resident and having not received a federal check in April, which includes homeless and elderly Americans who didn’t get a check because of IRS rules.After getting about four times the number of applicants that the fund could support, state officials reduced the maximum amount and prioritized the lowest-income households.The fund faced no resistance from minority Republicans in the New Mexico House, but some of them voted against the entire bill.Cities also have used federal funds for direct payments to immigrants.Angelica Rodriguez and her husband are restaurant cooks in Santa Fe and had their hours cut in half. But they have been able to catch up on rent thanks to the city’s pandemic relief: a $750 payment last month and $1,500 this month.She’s a member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a Latino-focused group that advocated for the inclusion of immigrants in state relief efforts. It’s also educated immigrants about not worrying that pandemic assistance will count against them in immigration applications, which ask about public aid like food stamps.Despite the city payments, Rodriguez’s family still can’t afford to fix a broken washing machine and couldn’t splurge on Christmas presents this year. She and her husband are in the country without permission while their three children are U.S. citizens.“It’s really hard because the 15-year-old boy, the 13-year-old girl, they get it — we told them there won’t be Christmas presents this year because we’re working very little, and the money we are getting is to pay bills and rent,” said Rodriguez, 43.“But the 6-year-old boy still doesn’t get it,” she said. When she told him Santa couldn’t come this year because the family had gotten COVID-19, he shot back: “He can leave my present outside the door and not come in.”

Immigrants get help, cheer inclusion in new virus relief bill 

WASHINGTON— Congress has convened for a new session with lawmakers sworn into office during a tumultuous period.&nbsp; The New United States Senator from Kansas Dr. Roger Marshall was sworn in to the 117th Congress by Vice President Mike Pence.

Marshall was accompanied by outgoing Senator Pat Roberts and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell

Marshall wrote on social media, "Honor of a lifetime to serve Kansas." He follows in the footsteps of Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran who served as congressman from the first district of Kansas before election to the Senate.

Opening the Senate could be among McConnell’s final acts as majority leader. Republican control depends on Tuesday’s runoff elections for two Senate seats in Georgia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609695001506.png" alt="Dr. Roger Marshall enters the Senate Chamber for the official swearing in ceremony Sunday -Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Roger Marshall enters the Senate Chamber for the official swearing in ceremony Sunday -Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— Congress has convened for a new session with lawmakers sworn into office during a tumultuous period.&nbsp; The New United States Senator from Kansas Dr. Roger Marshall was sworn in to the 117th Congress by Vice President Mike Pence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609694624134.png" alt="Outgoing Senator Pat Roberts stands behind Marshall as the Vice President administers the oath." />
 <figcaption>Outgoing Senator Pat Roberts stands behind Marshall as the Vice President administers the oath.</figcaption>
 </figure>Marshall was accompanied by outgoing Senator Pat Roberts and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609695515687.png" alt="Dr. Roger Marshall signs the oath during Sunday's swearing in ceremony image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Roger Marshall signs the oath during Sunday's swearing in ceremony image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Marshall wrote on social media, "Honor of a lifetime to serve Kansas." He follows in the footsteps of Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran who served as congressman from the first district of Kansas before election to the Senate.Opening the Senate could be among McConnell’s final acts as majority leader. Republican control depends on Tuesday’s runoff elections for two Senate seats in Georgia.

Dr. Roger Marshall sworn in as new U.S. Senator

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities say a woman who was stabbed on New Year's Eve in Kansas City has died from her injuries.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jacob Becchina said that the woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition Thursday night and died Friday. Police are counting her killing as the first of 2021, even though the initial call was in 2020.

She was in in her 40s, but police didn't immediately release her name. No suspect information was immediately available.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities say a woman who was stabbed on New Year's Eve in Kansas City has died from her injuries.Police spokesman Sgt. Jacob Becchina said that the woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition Thursday night and died Friday. Police are counting her killing as the first of 2021, even though the initial call was in 2020.She was in in her 40s, but police didn't immediately release her name. No suspect information was immediately available.Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Woman stabbed on New Year's Eve in KC dies of her injuries

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — As 2021 begins, health officials and elected leaders in Kansas are reflecting on the lessons learned so far about the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said the pandemic showed Kansas that a “patchwork” response does not work. She closed schools in mid-March and late that month issued a statewide stay-at-home order that remained in place for five weeks.

A law approved in June by the Republican-controlled Legislature gave the state’s 105 counties the authority to opt out of Kelly’s orders. She argued recently that she was forced to accept local control to keep a state of emergency for the pandemic in effect.

“I never thought it was a bright idea,” she said in an Associated Press interview.

She added, “It really puts pressure on the local elected officials that many of them would just as soon not have.”

Russ Johnson, the CEO of LMH Health, formerly Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said the lessons of the pandemic “cut across every jurisdiction” and include the importance of planning and community collaboration.

He said restrictions in early spring could be seen as an overreaction but “accelerated” his organization’s focus on COVID-19 “in a way that we might not have done otherwise.”

Dr. Sam Antonios, chief clinical officer for the Ascension Via Christi health system, said “if you read history,” the coronavirus pandemic raised issues “eerily similar” to those facing communities during the deadly 1918-19 influenza pandemic.

Antonios also said the coronavirus pandemic demonstrated the need for a community health system that includes a strong workforce and healthy hospitals, clinics, technology, nursing homes and home health services.

“It has highlighted how important it is for that to be healthy in order for the community to remain healthy,” he said.

State Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican who was chairman of a committee that reviewed emergency management laws, said they were designed for short-term disasters, such as fires, floods and tornadoes. The law enacted in June applies only to the current pandemic. Lawmakers expect to consider permanent changes.

“I think we all believe that at the local level, people are better set up to make decisions on what’s impacting them,” Patton said. “It’s situations like this that sometimes challenges that belief, though.”

Incoming Kansas Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, both conservative Wichita Republicans, criticize Kelly for closing schools and businesses early in the pandemic. Many Republicans argue that Kelly’s actions damaged the economy more than necessary.

“If we learned anything from this, we learned we need to take measured approaches, step by step, and understand what we’re dealing with more so than just flying off the handle,” Suellentrop said.

When Kelly announced her stay-at-home order in late March, Kansas had reported six coronavirus deaths and fewer than 300 cases.

Kelly has argued that the state needed more information about COVID-19.

As of Friday, the state had reported a total of 2,879 deaths and 227,745 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

“What we’ve learned is that the governor made a bunch of bad mistakes early on,” Hawkins said.

House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, argues that Republicans who criticize Kelly for being too aggressive early in the pandemic are “really overplaying” the issue of her closing businesses.

“You can talk about the closing period, but they have struggled since there have been no restrictions from the state,” Sawyer said. “Until we get COVID under control, you know, the economy is going to suffer, businesses are going to suffer, people are going to suffer.”

Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, added that Republican lawmakers “act like this was the only state that shut down business.”

Kelly on Wednesday received an early COVID-19 vaccine shot, while some top Republicans passed on the chance, saying they didn’t want to jump ahead of others needing vaccines more more. University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller described objections to Kelly’s early inoculation as arising from a political “theater industry.”

“It takes things, sometimes of little importance but sometimes of great importance, and then it repackages and it sells a movie script to you,” he said.

As for the pandemic, Miller said: “At this point, it’s just unavoidable that every single aspect of it is going to become political.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590011287498.png" alt="In May, Governor Laura Kelly and President Trump met in the White House Cabinet Room -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In May, Governor Laura Kelly and President Trump met in the White House Cabinet Room -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — As 2021 begins, health officials and elected leaders in Kansas are reflecting on the lessons learned so far about the coronavirus pandemic.THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORDemocratic Gov. Laura Kelly said the pandemic showed Kansas that a “patchwork” response does not work. She closed schools in mid-March and late that month issued a statewide stay-at-home order that remained in place for five weeks.A law approved in June by the Republican-controlled Legislature gave the state’s 105 counties the authority to opt out of Kelly’s orders. She argued recently that she was forced to accept local control to keep a state of emergency for the pandemic in effect.“I never thought it was a bright idea,” she said in an Associated Press interview.She added, “It really puts pressure on the local elected officials that many of them would just as soon not have.”THE HEALTH SYSTEM CEORuss Johnson, the CEO of LMH Health, formerly Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said the lessons of the pandemic “cut across every jurisdiction” and include the importance of planning and community collaboration.He said restrictions in early spring could be seen as an overreaction but “accelerated” his organization’s focus on COVID-19 “in a way that we might not have done otherwise.”THE CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICERDr. Sam Antonios, chief clinical officer for the Ascension Via Christi health system, said “if you read history,” the coronavirus pandemic raised issues “eerily similar” to those facing communities during the deadly 1918-19 influenza pandemic.Antonios also said the coronavirus pandemic demonstrated the need for a community health system that includes a strong workforce and healthy hospitals, clinics, technology, nursing homes and home health services.“It has highlighted how important it is for that to be healthy in order for the community to remain healthy,” he said.THE STUDY COMMITTEE CHAIRMANState Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican who was chairman of a committee that reviewed emergency management laws, said they were designed for short-term disasters, such as fires, floods and tornadoes. The law enacted in June applies only to the current pandemic. Lawmakers expect to consider permanent changes.“I think we all believe that at the local level, people are better set up to make decisions on what’s impacting them,” Patton said. “It’s situations like this that sometimes challenges that belief, though.”THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADERSIncoming Kansas Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, both conservative Wichita Republicans, criticize Kelly for closing schools and businesses early in the pandemic. Many Republicans argue that Kelly’s actions damaged the economy more than necessary.“If we learned anything from this, we learned we need to take measured approaches, step by step, and understand what we’re dealing with more so than just flying off the handle,” Suellentrop said.When Kelly announced her stay-at-home order in late March, Kansas had reported six coronavirus deaths and fewer than 300 cases.Kelly has argued that the state needed more information about COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609526207240.png" alt="Friday Jan. 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Jan. 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>As of Friday, the state had reported a total of 2,879 deaths and 227,745 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.“What we’ve learned is that the governor made a bunch of bad mistakes early on,” Hawkins said.THE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERSHouse Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, argues that Republicans who criticize Kelly for being too aggressive early in the pandemic are “really overplaying” the issue of her closing businesses.“You can talk about the closing period, but they have struggled since there have been no restrictions from the state,” Sawyer said. “Until we get COVID under control, you know, the economy is going to suffer, businesses are going to suffer, people are going to suffer.”Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, added that Republican lawmakers “act like this was the only state that shut down business.”THE POLITICAL SCIENTISTKelly on Wednesday received an early COVID-19 vaccine shot, while some top Republicans passed on the chance, saying they didn’t want to jump ahead of others needing vaccines more more. University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller described objections to Kelly’s early inoculation as arising from a political “theater industry.”“It takes things, sometimes of little importance but sometimes of great importance, and then it repackages and it sells a movie script to you,” he said.As for the pandemic, Miller said: “At this point, it’s just unavoidable that every single aspect of it is going to become political.”

Kansas leaders reflect on pandemic lessons from 2020

A huge U.S. study of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate is underway as states continue to roll out scarce supplies of the first shots to a nation anxiously awaiting relief from the catastrophic outbreak.

Public health experts say more options in addition to the two vaccines now being dispensed — one made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, the other by Moderna — are critical to amassing enough shots for the country and the world.

The candidate made by Novavax Inc. is the fifth to reach final-stage testing in the United States. Some 30,000 volunteers are needed to prove if the shot — a different kind than its Pfizer and Moderna competitors — really works and is safe.

“If you want to have enough vaccine to vaccinate all the people in the U.S. who you’d like to vaccinate — up to 85% or more of the population — you’re going to need more than two companies,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.

The coronavirus is blamed for about 1.8 million deaths worldwide, including more than 330,000 in the U.S. This has been the deadliest month of the outbreak in the U.S. yet, with about 65,000 deaths in December so far, according to the COVID Tracking Project. The nation has repeatedly recorded more than 3,000 dead per day over the past few weeks.

And the U.S. could be facing a terrible winter: Despite warnings to stay home and avoid others over Christmastime, nearly 1.3 million people went through the nation’s airports, the highest one-day total since the crisis took hold in the U.S. nine months ago.

The Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed expects to have shipped 20 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to states by the beginning of January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-gustave-perna-vaccine-shipments-6e61f8f1eb9bb0151669d1fe2d9b5646">fewer than originally estimated</a>&nbsp;to the frustration of states and health officials trying to schedule the shots.

There is no real-time tracking of how quickly people are getting the first of the two required doses. As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reports of more than 2.1 million vaccinations out of 11.4 million doses shipped — but the agency knows that count is outdated. It can take days for reports from vaccine providers to trickle in and get added to the site.

“Just because a vaccine arrives doesn’t mean we can put an on-the-spot clinic up and running,” said Jenny Barta, a public health official in Carlton County, Minnesota.

But Tuesday, her agency aims to vaccinate 100 people in a drive-thru clinic for emergency medical workers that Barta hopes could become a model for larger attempts at mass vaccination. Nurses will wheel vaccine to cars lined up in a county-owned snowplow garage. Once the drivers get their shots, they will wait in parking spaces to be sure they don’t have an allergic reaction before heading home.

“Vaccinating one individual at a time is how we’re going to work our way out of this pandemic,” she said.

Yet another worry hanging over the vaccine scramble: Will shots block a new variant of the coronavirus that emerged in Britain and might spread more easily? Fauci said that data from Britain indicates the vaccines still will protect against the virus but that National Institutes of Health researchers will be “looking at it very intensively” to be sure.

A look at the frontrunners in the global vaccine race:

The U.S. based its emergency rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a similar one made by Moderna and the NIH on studies suggesting they are both roughly 95% effective. Europe over the weekend began its first vaccinations with the Pfizer shot, and on Jan. 6 will decide whether to add Moderna’s.

These shots are made with a brand-new technology that injects a piece of genetic code for the spike protein that coats the coronavirus. That messenger RNA, or mRNA, induces the body to produce some harmless spike protein, enough to prime the immune system to react if it later encounters the real virus.

Both vaccines must be kept frozen, the Pfizer shot at ultra-low temperatures that complicate its delivery to poor or rural areas.

Additional companies are working toward their own mRNA candidates, including Germany’s CureVac, which has begun a large study in Europe.

The Novavax candidate is made differently, using what Fauci called a “more tried and true” technology that needs only ordinary refrigeration. The Maryland company grows harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in the laboratory and mixes in an immune-boosting chemical.

Novavax already has enrolled 15,000 people in a late-stage study in Britain and 4,000 in South Africa. The newest and largest study, funded by the U.S. government, will recruit volunteers at more than 115 sites in the U.S. and Mexico and target high-risk older adults along with volunteers from Black and Hispanic communities, which have been hit hard by the virus.

“We’ve got to protect our community and our people,” said the Rev. Peter Johnson, 75, a prominent civil rights activist in Dallas who was among the first volunteers.

Two-thirds of participants will receive vaccine and the rest dummy shots, a twist from earlier vaccine studies that gave half their volunteers a placebo. That should help researchers recruit people who wonder whether it’s better to take part in a study or wait their turn for an existing shot, said Dr. Gregory Glenn, research chief at Novavax.

For many people, that would be a long wait: The Pfizer and Moderna shots are slated first for health care workers and nursing home residents, followed by people 75 and older and essential workers.

“If you wanted to hedge your bets, for most people who aren’t in those very high-risk groups, the shortest route to getting the vaccine would be to sign up for a trial,” said NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins.

The next big vaccine news may come from Johnson &amp; Johnson, which is aiming for a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

Made in yet another way, it uses a harmless virus – a cold virus called an adenovirus -- to carry the spike gene into the body. In mid-December, J&amp;J finished enrolling about 45,000 volunteers in a final-stage study in the U.S. and a half-dozen other countries. Fauci expects early results sometime next month.

In Britain, regulators also are considering clearing a similar vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Tests of the shots in Britain, South Africa and Brazil suggested they are safe and partially protective — about 70%. But questions remain about how well the vaccine works in people over 55 and how to interpret results from a small number of people given a different set of doses.

A U.S. study of the AstraZeneca shots is still recruiting volunteers; Fauci said researchers hope it will provide a more clear answer.

Companies in China and Russia also are producing adenovirus-based vaccines and began administering them before the results of final testing came in. Argentina is expected to soon use the Russian vaccine.

Spike-focused vaccines aren’t the only option. Making vaccines by growing a disease-causing virus and then killing it is a still older approach that gives the body a sneak peek at the germ itself rather than just that single spike protein.

China has three such “inactivated” COVID-19 vaccines in final testing in several countries and has allowed emergency use in some people ahead of results. An Indian company is testing its own inactivated candidate.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressA huge U.S. study of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate is underway as states continue to roll out scarce supplies of the first shots to a nation anxiously awaiting relief from the catastrophic outbreak.Public health experts say more options in addition to the two vaccines now being dispensed — one made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, the other by Moderna — are critical to amassing enough shots for the country and the world.The candidate made by Novavax Inc. is the fifth to reach final-stage testing in the United States. Some 30,000 volunteers are needed to prove if the shot — a different kind than its Pfizer and Moderna competitors — really works and is safe.“If you want to have enough vaccine to vaccinate all the people in the U.S. who you’d like to vaccinate — up to 85% or more of the population — you’re going to need more than two companies,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.The coronavirus is blamed for about 1.8 million deaths worldwide, including more than 330,000 in the U.S. This has been the deadliest month of the outbreak in the U.S. yet, with about 65,000 deaths in December so far, according to the COVID Tracking Project. The nation has repeatedly recorded more than 3,000 dead per day over the past few weeks.And the U.S. could be facing a terrible winter: Despite warnings to stay home and avoid others over Christmastime, nearly 1.3 million people went through the nation’s airports, the highest one-day total since the crisis took hold in the U.S. nine months ago.The Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed expects to have shipped 20 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to states by the beginning of January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-gustave-perna-vaccine-shipments-6e61f8f1eb9bb0151669d1fe2d9b5646">fewer than originally estimated</a>&nbsp;to the frustration of states and health officials trying to schedule the shots.There is no real-time tracking of how quickly people are getting the first of the two required doses. As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reports of more than 2.1 million vaccinations out of 11.4 million doses shipped — but the agency knows that count is outdated. It can take days for reports from vaccine providers to trickle in and get added to the site.“Just because a vaccine arrives doesn’t mean we can put an on-the-spot clinic up and running,” said Jenny Barta, a public health official in Carlton County, Minnesota.But Tuesday, her agency aims to vaccinate 100 people in a drive-thru clinic for emergency medical workers that Barta hopes could become a model for larger attempts at mass vaccination. Nurses will wheel vaccine to cars lined up in a county-owned snowplow garage. Once the drivers get their shots, they will wait in parking spaces to be sure they don’t have an allergic reaction before heading home.“Vaccinating one individual at a time is how we’re going to work our way out of this pandemic,” she said.Yet another worry hanging over the vaccine scramble: Will shots block a new variant of the coronavirus that emerged in Britain and might spread more easily? Fauci said that data from Britain indicates the vaccines still will protect against the virus but that National Institutes of Health researchers will be “looking at it very intensively” to be sure.A look at the frontrunners in the global vaccine race:GENETIC CODE VACCINESThe U.S. based its emergency rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a similar one made by Moderna and the NIH on studies suggesting they are both roughly 95% effective. Europe over the weekend began its first vaccinations with the Pfizer shot, and on Jan. 6 will decide whether to add Moderna’s.These shots are made with a brand-new technology that injects a piece of genetic code for the spike protein that coats the coronavirus. That messenger RNA, or mRNA, induces the body to produce some harmless spike protein, enough to prime the immune system to react if it later encounters the real virus.Both vaccines must be kept frozen, the Pfizer shot at ultra-low temperatures that complicate its delivery to poor or rural areas.Additional companies are working toward their own mRNA candidates, including Germany’s CureVac, which has begun a large study in Europe.PROTEIN VACCINESThe Novavax candidate is made differently, using what Fauci called a “more tried and true” technology that needs only ordinary refrigeration. The Maryland company grows harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in the laboratory and mixes in an immune-boosting chemical.Novavax already has enrolled 15,000 people in a late-stage study in Britain and 4,000 in South Africa. The newest and largest study, funded by the U.S. government, will recruit volunteers at more than 115 sites in the U.S. and Mexico and target high-risk older adults along with volunteers from Black and Hispanic communities, which have been hit hard by the virus.“We’ve got to protect our community and our people,” said the Rev. Peter Johnson, 75, a prominent civil rights activist in Dallas who was among the first volunteers.Two-thirds of participants will receive vaccine and the rest dummy shots, a twist from earlier vaccine studies that gave half their volunteers a placebo. That should help researchers recruit people who wonder whether it’s better to take part in a study or wait their turn for an existing shot, said Dr. Gregory Glenn, research chief at Novavax.For many people, that would be a long wait: The Pfizer and Moderna shots are slated first for health care workers and nursing home residents, followed by people 75 and older and essential workers.“If you wanted to hedge your bets, for most people who aren’t in those very high-risk groups, the shortest route to getting the vaccine would be to sign up for a trial,” said NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins.TROJAN HORSE VACCINESThe next big vaccine news may come from Johnson &amp; Johnson, which is aiming for a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.Made in yet another way, it uses a harmless virus – a cold virus called an adenovirus -- to carry the spike gene into the body. In mid-December, J&amp;J finished enrolling about 45,000 volunteers in a final-stage study in the U.S. and a half-dozen other countries. Fauci expects early results sometime next month.In Britain, regulators also are considering clearing a similar vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.Tests of the shots in Britain, South Africa and Brazil suggested they are safe and partially protective — about 70%. But questions remain about how well the vaccine works in people over 55 and how to interpret results from a small number of people given a different set of doses.A U.S. study of the AstraZeneca shots is still recruiting volunteers; Fauci said researchers hope it will provide a more clear answer.Companies in China and Russia also are producing adenovirus-based vaccines and began administering them before the results of final testing came in. Argentina is expected to soon use the Russian vaccine.“KILLED” VACCINESSpike-focused vaccines aren’t the only option. Making vaccines by growing a disease-causing virus and then killing it is a still older approach that gives the body a sneak peek at the germ itself rather than just that single spike protein.China has three such “inactivated” COVID-19 vaccines in final testing in several countries and has allowed emergency use in some people ahead of results. An Indian company is testing its own inactivated candidate.___

More COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline as US effort ramps up

WASHINGTON— The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.rK-VJ7BDRUwQ3Ry7J02pei4CY4kglKbX39qTegt7fXo/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;Wednesday announced that the deadline to apply for the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvZGlzYXN0ZXItYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.ZXkAvC18MK2b8eul_IEWmkzmJhhWsXSVGxdEJhZ4lIk/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)</a>&nbsp;program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to&nbsp;Dec. 31, 2021. &nbsp;

The deadline extension comes as a result of the recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and enacted by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020.

To date, the SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans which provides working capital funds to small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses make it through this challenging time.&nbsp;

“Following the President’s declaration of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the SBA has approved over 3.6 million loans through our Economic Injury Disaster Loan program nationwide,” Administrator Jovita Carranza said. “The EIDL program has assisted millions of small businesses, including non-profit organizations, sole proprietors and independent contractors, from a wide array of industries and business sectors, to survive this very difficult economic environment.”

EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. 

Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. 

Every eligible small business and nonprofit are&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZGlzYXN0ZXI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0._kwiA0S85RLiGVqPhdEq76BydFftCffrvYHewMzSVSo/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">encouraged to apply</a>&nbsp;to get the resources they need.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977997983.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SBAWASHINGTON— The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.rK-VJ7BDRUwQ3Ry7J02pei4CY4kglKbX39qTegt7fXo/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;Wednesday announced that the deadline to apply for the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvZGlzYXN0ZXItYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.ZXkAvC18MK2b8eul_IEWmkzmJhhWsXSVGxdEJhZ4lIk/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)</a>&nbsp;program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to&nbsp;Dec. 31, 2021. &nbsp;The deadline extension comes as a result of the recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and enacted by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020.To date, the SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans which provides working capital funds to small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses make it through this challenging time.&nbsp;“Following the President’s declaration of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the SBA has approved over 3.6 million loans through our Economic Injury Disaster Loan program nationwide,” Administrator Jovita Carranza said. “The EIDL program has assisted millions of small businesses, including non-profit organizations, sole proprietors and independent contractors, from a wide array of industries and business sectors, to survive this very difficult economic environment.”EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. Every eligible small business and nonprofit are&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDEyMzAuMzI2NTQxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZGlzYXN0ZXI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0._kwiA0S85RLiGVqPhdEq76BydFftCffrvYHewMzSVSo/s/202716367/br/92512131589-l" target="_blank">encouraged to apply</a>&nbsp;to get the resources they need.

SBA extends Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications through 2021

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects.&nbsp;

Just after 9a.m. New Year's Eve, a sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Ford Explorer north of 134th Road on U.S. 75 for allegedly displaying a license plate that wasn’t assigned to the vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver, Robert Motoyoski Thornbrough, 37, of Bakersfield, California, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no insurance, according to Morse.

The passenger, Kimber Leigh Hunt, 32, of Topeka, was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609554255698.png" alt="Thornbrough- photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Thornbrough- photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects.&nbsp;Just after 9a.m. New Year's Eve, a sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Ford Explorer north of 134th Road on U.S. 75 for allegedly displaying a license plate that wasn’t assigned to the vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver, Robert Motoyoski Thornbrough, 37, of Bakersfield, California, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no insurance, according to Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609554189764.png" alt="Hunt-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hunt-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The passenger, Kimber Leigh Hunt, 32, of Topeka, was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Calif. driver jailed for meth possession in Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City recorded 180 homicide victims in 2020, the highest number of killings in a single year in its history, as gun violence surged nationwide.

The last time the city saw anywhere close to as many homicides was 2017, when it recorded 155 killings, including four fatal police shootings.

In addition to the homicide record, 2020 also marked a dramatic surge in nonfatal shootings. More than 620 people were shot and survived — a statistic that Mayor Quinton Lucas described as “crazy” and “embarrassing.”

The city’s current response to killings is “not smart,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. If the approach doesn’t change, she said, Kansas City will continue to have a “disgusting homicide rate” year after year.

Baker was the chief architect of a previous anti-violence strategy, KC NoVA, which garnered national attention after killings dropped to 86 in 2014, the fewest in Kansas City in more than four decades. The police department, under Chief Rick Smith, abandoned the strategy after he took the helm in 2017.

In September, Lucas announced a new effort aimed at reducing violence called Reform Project KC. The focus is meant to be on prevention, intervention, enforcement and administrative reforms.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City recorded 180 homicide victims in 2020, the highest number of killings in a single year in its history, as gun violence surged nationwide.The last time the city saw anywhere close to as many homicides was 2017, when it recorded 155 killings, including four fatal police shootings.In addition to the homicide record, 2020 also marked a dramatic surge in nonfatal shootings. More than 620 people were shot and survived — a statistic that Mayor Quinton Lucas described as “crazy” and “embarrassing.”The city’s current response to killings is “not smart,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. If the approach doesn’t change, she said, Kansas City will continue to have a “disgusting homicide rate” year after year.Baker was the chief architect of a previous anti-violence strategy, KC NoVA, which garnered national attention after killings dropped to 86 in 2014, the fewest in Kansas City in more than four decades. The police department, under Chief Rick Smith, abandoned the strategy after he took the helm in 2017.In September, Lucas announced a new effort aimed at reducing violence called Reform Project KC. The focus is meant to be on prevention, intervention, enforcement and administrative reforms.

Kansas City suffers deadliest year ever with 180 killings

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will rely on genetic tests to identify cases of a new and apparently more contagious coronavirus strain that was first seen in England, the director of the state Department of Health and Environment said this week.

No cases of the new strain have been detected in Kansas. Cases have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-coronavirus-pandemic-donna-shalala-e7db939436099206667f956363af4909">confirmed</a>&nbsp;in Colorado, Florida and California.

Dr. Lee Norman said Kansas already does genetic testing with about 1% of COVID-19 patients and it plans to increase its lab capacity so that it can do more tests.

Norman told reporters during a Statehouse news conference this week that Kansas already has seen other variations of the virus that causes COVID-19, including a “Utah strain” and a “Wisconsin strain.”

“Viruses always change, kind of over time, with minor genetic variations. Mostly, they don’t make much difference,” Norman said. “They’re more alike than different, quite honestly.”

The state on Friday reported another 138 deaths from COVID-19 since Wednesday, for a total of 2,879 since the pandemic began. Kansas has confirmed 227,745 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 5,312 since Wednesday, the health department said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607605686018.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will rely on genetic tests to identify cases of a new and apparently more contagious coronavirus strain that was first seen in England, the director of the state Department of Health and Environment said this week.No cases of the new strain have been detected in Kansas. Cases have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-coronavirus-pandemic-donna-shalala-e7db939436099206667f956363af4909">confirmed</a>&nbsp;in Colorado, Florida and California.Dr. Lee Norman said Kansas already does genetic testing with about 1% of COVID-19 patients and it plans to increase its lab capacity so that it can do more tests.Norman told reporters during a Statehouse news conference this week that Kansas already has seen other variations of the virus that causes COVID-19, including a “Utah strain” and a “Wisconsin strain.”“Viruses always change, kind of over time, with minor genetic variations. Mostly, they don’t make much difference,” Norman said. “They’re more alike than different, quite honestly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609526207240.png" alt="Friday Jan. 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Jan. 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The state on Friday reported another 138 deaths from COVID-19 since Wednesday, for a total of 2,879 since the pandemic began. Kansas has confirmed 227,745 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 5,312 since Wednesday, the health department said.

Kan. to use genetic testing to ID highly infectious COVID-19 variant 

WASHINGTON —Kansas Senator-elect Roger Marshall announced on his twitter account Saturday that he would follow Missouri Senator Josh Hawley to raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

The move will force House and Senate votes that are likely to delay and could change— the final&nbsp;certification&nbsp;of&nbsp;Biden’s win.

When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a state’s votes on any grounds. But the objection is not taken up unless it is in writing and signed by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate.

When there is such a request, then the joint session suspends and the House and Senate go into separate sessions to consider it. For the objection to be sustained, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Wednesday he will raise objections next week when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-count-electoral-college-vote-5605532631a251ac8f902d1d1ca55428">Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory</a>&nbsp;in the election, forcing House and Senate votes that are likely to delay and could change — the final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-270-electoral-college-vote-d429ef97af2bf574d16463384dc7cc1e">certification</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Biden’s win</a>.

President Donald Trump has, without evidence, claimed there was widespread fraud in the election. He has pushed Republican senators to pursue his unfounded charges even though the Electoral College this month cemented Biden’s 306-232 victory and multiple legal efforts to challenge the results have failed.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-mo-brooks-elections-927d23e741ff7b2ca73afe734ffe278d">A group of Republicans</a>&nbsp;in the Democratic-majority House have already said they will object on Trump’s behalf during the Jan. 6 count of electoral votes, and they had needed just a single senator to go along with them to force votes in both chambers.

Without giving specifics or evidence, Hawley said he would object because “some states, including notably Pennsylvania” did not follow their own election laws. Lawsuits challenging Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania have been unsuccessful.

“At the very least, Congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections,” Hawley said in a statement. He also criticized the way Facebook and Twitter handled content related to the election, characterizing it as an effort to help Biden.

Biden transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki dismissed Hawley’s move as “antics” that will have no bearing on Biden being sworn in on Jan. 20.

“The American people spoke resoundingly in this election and 81 million people have voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Psaki said in a call with reporters. She added: “Congress will certify the results of the election as they do every four years.”

The last time such an objection was considered was 2005, when Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, both Democrats, objected to Ohio’s electoral votes by claiming there were voting irregularities. Both chambers debated the objection and rejected it. It was only the second time such a vote had occurred.

As president of the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the Jan. 6 session and declare the winner.

Asked about Hawley’s announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “I have no doubt that on next Wednesday, a week from today, that Joe Biden will be confirmed by the acceptance of the vote of the electoral college as the 46th president of the United States.”

Hawley is a first-term senator and potential contender in the 2024 presidential primary, and his decision to join the House objectors is rebuff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-congratulates-joe-biden-2ed09a34fbbc3342fe45c733ee0dd725">had asked his caucus not to participate</a>&nbsp;in a futile quest to overturn the results.

Aware that the Democratic-led House would not support such a challenge and that it would put most of his fellow GOP senators in a bind, McConnell told them on a private call Dec. 15 that it would be a “terrible vote” to have to take.

While some Republicans have echoed Trump’s unsubstantiated claims, or at least refused to counter them, McConnell and an increasing number of GOP senators have acknowledged that Biden won and will be inaugurated Jan. 20.

The Senate’s No. 2 Republican, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, said earlier this month that if the Senate were forced to vote on a challenge “it would go down like a shot dog.” Thune said it didn’t make sense to put senators through a vote when “you know what the ultimate outcome is gonna be.”

A range of nonpartisan election officials and Republicans have confirmed there was no fraud in the November contest that would change the results of the election. That includes former Attorney General William Barr, who said he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president’s claims about the 2020 election. He then resigned from his post last week.

Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. He’s also lost twice at the Supreme Court.

The group of House Republicans have said they plan to challenge the election results from Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada. All are states that Biden carried.

Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks, one of the Republicans who is leading the efforts, has raised questions about the way state elections were conducted. Some of the states made changes to ballots and procedures during the pandemic. While the new procedures may have led to confusion in some places, state and federal officials have said there was no credible evidence of widespread fraud.

In addition to having to go on the record with a vote, Republicans are worried about negative effects on the two Senate runoff elections in Georgia on Tuesday. GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler face Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in a state that flipped in November for Biden.

WASHINGTON —Kansas Senator-elect Roger Marshall announced on his twitter account Saturday that he would follow Missouri Senator Josh Hawley to raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We must hold accountable any state that disregarded the law or our constitution. The Electoral College is only as strong as the states who are entrusted to follow election laws. That is why I will be supporting objection and debate next week.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1345426262081286145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move will force House and Senate votes that are likely to delay and could change— the final&nbsp;certification&nbsp;of&nbsp;Biden’s win.When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a state’s votes on any grounds. But the objection is not taken up unless it is in writing and signed by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate.When there is such a request, then the joint session suspends and the House and Senate go into separate sessions to consider it. For the objection to be sustained, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted.------WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Wednesday he will raise objections next week when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-count-electoral-college-vote-5605532631a251ac8f902d1d1ca55428">Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory</a>&nbsp;in the election, forcing House and Senate votes that are likely to delay and could change — the final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-270-electoral-college-vote-d429ef97af2bf574d16463384dc7cc1e">certification</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Biden’s win</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard. I will object on January 6 on their behalf <a href="https://t.co/kTaaPPJGHE">pic.twitter.com/kTaaPPJGHE</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1344307458085412867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Donald Trump has, without evidence, claimed there was widespread fraud in the election. He has pushed Republican senators to pursue his unfounded charges even though the Electoral College this month cemented Biden’s 306-232 victory and multiple legal efforts to challenge the results have failed.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-mo-brooks-elections-927d23e741ff7b2ca73afe734ffe278d">A group of Republicans</a>&nbsp;in the Democratic-majority House have already said they will object on Trump’s behalf during the Jan. 6 count of electoral votes, and they had needed just a single senator to go along with them to force votes in both chambers.Without giving specifics or evidence, Hawley said he would object because “some states, including notably Pennsylvania” did not follow their own election laws. Lawsuits challenging Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania have been unsuccessful.“At the very least, Congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections,” Hawley said in a statement. He also criticized the way Facebook and Twitter handled content related to the election, characterizing it as an effort to help Biden.Biden transition spokeswoman Jen Psaki dismissed Hawley’s move as “antics” that will have no bearing on Biden being sworn in on Jan. 20.“The American people spoke resoundingly in this election and 81 million people have voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” Psaki said in a call with reporters. She added: “Congress will certify the results of the election as they do every four years.”When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a state’s votes on any grounds. But the objection is not taken up unless it is in writing and signed by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate.When there is such a request, then the joint session suspends and the House and Senate go into separate sessions to consider it. For the objection to be sustained, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted.The last time such an objection was considered was 2005, when Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, both Democrats, objected to Ohio’s electoral votes by claiming there were voting irregularities. Both chambers debated the objection and rejected it. It was only the second time such a vote had occurred.As president of the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the Jan. 6 session and declare the winner.Asked about Hawley’s announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “I have no doubt that on next Wednesday, a week from today, that Joe Biden will be confirmed by the acceptance of the vote of the electoral college as the 46th president of the United States.”Hawley is a first-term senator and potential contender in the 2024 presidential primary, and his decision to join the House objectors is rebuff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-congratulates-joe-biden-2ed09a34fbbc3342fe45c733ee0dd725">had asked his caucus not to participate</a>&nbsp;in a futile quest to overturn the results.Aware that the Democratic-led House would not support such a challenge and that it would put most of his fellow GOP senators in a bind, McConnell told them on a private call Dec. 15 that it would be a “terrible vote” to have to take.While some Republicans have echoed Trump’s unsubstantiated claims, or at least refused to counter them, McConnell and an increasing number of GOP senators have acknowledged that Biden won and will be inaugurated Jan. 20.The Senate’s No. 2 Republican, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, said earlier this month that if the Senate were forced to vote on a challenge “it would go down like a shot dog.” Thune said it didn’t make sense to put senators through a vote when “you know what the ultimate outcome is gonna be.”A range of nonpartisan election officials and Republicans have confirmed there was no fraud in the November contest that would change the results of the election. That includes former Attorney General William Barr, who said he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president’s claims about the 2020 election. He then resigned from his post last week.Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. He’s also lost twice at the Supreme Court.The group of House Republicans have said they plan to challenge the election results from Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada. All are states that Biden carried.Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks, one of the Republicans who is leading the efforts, has raised questions about the way state elections were conducted. Some of the states made changes to ballots and procedures during the pandemic. While the new procedures may have led to confusion in some places, state and federal officials have said there was no credible evidence of widespread fraud.In addition to having to go on the record with a vote, Republicans are worried about negative effects on the two Senate runoff elections in Georgia on Tuesday. GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler face Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in a state that flipped in November for Biden.

Senator-elect Marshall will also object to Biden's electoral votes

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made two arrests.

Just after 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.

Upon officers arriving, they located 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres, who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.

Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.

Martin of Wichita is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20065752">held on a requested</a> charge of 2nd-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; The 16-year-old boy is being held a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Davidson.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609538313369.png" alt="Martin-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made two arrests.Just after 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson..&nbsp; A citizen called and reported hearing shots and a man lying on the sidewalk.Upon officers arriving, they located 22-year-old Gabriel Campos-Torres, who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.Through the investigation, an additional crime scene was located at a home in the 1200 block of South Laura, where Campos-Torres was shot.&nbsp; Investigators also learned that 18-year-old Noah Martin and a 16-year-old were involved in the shooting.&nbsp; They were located at the home on Laura and arrested.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a firearms inside of the home.Martin of Wichita is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20065752">held on a requested</a> charge of 2nd-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; The 16-year-old boy is being held a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Davidson.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police: Kan. teen jailed for New Year's Day murder

MANHATTAN — Applications to obtain a license to participate in the new Kansas Commercial Industrial Hemp Program are now available on the Kansas Department of Agriculture website. The program allows for the licensing of producers to commercially grow or cultivate industrial hemp.

To be considered for a commercial license for the 2021 growing season, applicants must submit a commercial license application, including — along with all required documentation — applicable fees, fingerprint cards and waiver forms to KDA. Each individual applying for a license (not including employees, agents, volunteers, or landowners of a license) must submit to the required fingerprint-based state and national criminal history record check. 

The deadline to submit applications along with all required materials to KDA is Monday, March 15, 2021.

Previously, the production of industrial hemp in Kansas was only allowable through the Industrial Hemp Research Program, but the 2018 Farm Bill removed restrictions concerning the domestic production of industrial hemp. 

Kansas developed a plan to govern the new commercial program which was approved by USDA in April 2020 and followed the Kansas rule and regulation approval and adoption process, becoming effective on January 8, 2021.

The application forms and additional instruction — along with much more information about the new Commercial Industrial Hemp Program in Kansas — can be found at the KDA industrial hemp website:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Findustrialhemp&amp;data=04%7C01%7CPio-stwide%40list.da.ks.gov%7C10e4aee06bf94fe6a33308d8b3f188d2%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637457197611363729%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=pwquRsWsBuYQPySqYHdvyBCi%2FanjZwKQ4bD2h5W4Vno%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">agriculture.ks.gov/IndustrialHemp</a>.

Please direct questions about the applications or the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDA.industrialhemp@ks.gov" target="_blank">KDA.industrialhemp@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or by calling KDA at 785-564-6700.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582842005199.jpeg" alt=" A bud from an industrial hemp plant, which is cannabis that has less of the psychoactive chemical compound THC than marijuana. (Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service photo)" />
 <figcaption> A bud from an industrial hemp plant, which is cannabis that has less of the psychoactive chemical compound THC than marijuana. (Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>KDAMANHATTAN — Applications to obtain a license to participate in the new Kansas Commercial Industrial Hemp Program are now available on the Kansas Department of Agriculture website. The program allows for the licensing of producers to commercially grow or cultivate industrial hemp.To be considered for a commercial license for the 2021 growing season, applicants must submit a commercial license application, including — along with all required documentation — applicable fees, fingerprint cards and waiver forms to KDA. Each individual applying for a license (not including employees, agents, volunteers, or landowners of a license) must submit to the required fingerprint-based state and national criminal history record check. The deadline to submit applications along with all required materials to KDA is Monday, March 15, 2021.Previously, the production of industrial hemp in Kansas was only allowable through the Industrial Hemp Research Program, but the 2018 Farm Bill removed restrictions concerning the domestic production of industrial hemp. Kansas developed a plan to govern the new commercial program which was approved by USDA in April 2020 and followed the Kansas rule and regulation approval and adoption process, becoming effective on January 8, 2021.The application forms and additional instruction — along with much more information about the new Commercial Industrial Hemp Program in Kansas — can be found at the KDA industrial hemp website:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Findustrialhemp&amp;data=04%7C01%7CPio-stwide%40list.da.ks.gov%7C10e4aee06bf94fe6a33308d8b3f188d2%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637457197611363729%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=pwquRsWsBuYQPySqYHdvyBCi%2FanjZwKQ4bD2h5W4Vno%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">agriculture.ks.gov/IndustrialHemp</a>. Please direct questions about the applications or the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDA.industrialhemp@ks.gov" target="_blank">KDA.industrialhemp@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or by calling KDA at 785-564-6700.

Commercial industrial hemp program applications now available

RILEY COUNTY.—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home northwest of Manhattan.

At 10p.m. New Year's Day, fire crews responded to a home on Fawn Circle for smell of an electrical fire, according to a media release.

Flames were coming out the chimney and there was fire inside the home as crews arrived. The fire was contained to the living room and attic around the fireplace. There was also fire damage in the basement. Residents were able to escape, according to the release.

More than 30 fire fighters from five stations, including Tuttle Creek, Keats, Konza, Ogden, and Riley fire departments were on scene.

Crews contained and extinguished the fire within three hours of the initial fire call and there were no injuries reported. Authorities have not released a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609594462977.png" alt="New Year's Day fire at a home in Riley County -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>New Year's Day fire at a home in Riley County -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY.—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home northwest of Manhattan.At 10p.m. New Year's Day, fire crews responded to a home on Fawn Circle for smell of an electrical fire, according to a media release.Flames were coming out the chimney and there was fire inside the home as crews arrived. The fire was contained to the living room and attic around the fireplace. There was also fire damage in the basement. Residents were able to escape, according to the release.More than 30 fire fighters from five stations, including Tuttle Creek, Keats, Konza, Ogden, and Riley fire departments were on scene.Crews contained and extinguished the fire within three hours of the initial fire call and there were no injuries reported. Authorities have not released a damage estimate.