WASHINGTON—After 40 years of public service, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts delivered his final speech on the Senate floor on Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://senatorroberts.app.box.com/s/42cd9532ysvqhzqty1zhh9u3qtvdp2zd">Click here to watch&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;a replay of the speech and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBLYTtGXBTU&amp;feature=youtu.be">click here to </a>watch Senator Moran's tribute to Senator Roberts.

Senator Roberts is Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He becomes the first member of Congress in history to have chaired both the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate committee. He has also served as the ranking member of each committee.

For 16 years, Roberts represented the Big First District of Kansas, including his home of Dodge City, in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1996, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He is finishing his fourth term.

Below are Senator Roberts’ remarks as prepared for delivery.

Mr. President, my colleagues, I thank the leadership on both sides for this opportunity to give the “Pat Roberts Adios Amigos” speech.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The story of how I got into politics is a pretty straight family path. As a fourth generation Kansan, my great grandfathers, on both sides of the Roberts - Patrick family were pioneer newspaper editors who came to Kansas as crusading abolitionists.&nbsp;

To say I bleed fourth generation printers ink would be close to the truth.

However, the main influence that drew me to public service was my Dad, Wes Roberts, who was a newspaper man – and soon journalism led to politics. He served as chief of staff and an advisor for several Kansas governors, before becoming State Republican Chairman.

In 1952, my Dad was asked to head up the Citizens for Ike campaign team, which was a genuine army of volunteers, made up of legions of veterans, women’s groups and mostly Republicans who wanted a candidate who could win. Plus, they really liked Ike.

At 16, in my Dad’s tow, I was a sergeant of arms at the 1952 convention, back when conventions actually chose the nominee for president. I vividly remember two lasting experiences.

The renowned Senator from Illinois, Everett Dirksen, was a key leader in the Bob Taft campaign. &nbsp;Senator Dirksen, known for his long eloquent speeches, was in the midst of his convention remarks, when the entire New York delegation, led by former Governor and presidential candidate Tom Dewey, marched in and, with considerable noise, took their seats.

Dirksen paused and pointing directly at Dewey, and with his booming voice, said this:

“You, sir, have led this Republican Party down to defeat in 1944 and again in 1948. Don’t do it again!”

Whereupon, the entire New York delegation stood up and gave Dirksen the “raspberry”.

And, I thought, this is what adults do at a convention?

One morning I was in a meeting with my Dad and the top Ike campaign brass - Dewey, Lodge, Brownell, and other GOP movers and shakers. He told me to sit and be quiet.

He was in the midst of suggesting the “Fair Play” amendment given that the new Ike delegates from the “Solid South” had surprised the “old guard” and won delegate seats at the state conventions -- only to be replaced by the old guard at later surprise conventions. Unlike MacArthur, “old guards” never die or fade away.

My Dad said there was no downside if they lost and he believed they could win a majority of the delegates. The “Fair Play” amendment passed and Ike won on the first ballot.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I thought to myself, “Wow! My Dad helped Ike win!” I met the General, shook his hand, then again at the 1953 Inaugural ceremonies when my Dad became Republican National Chairman.

It was these reflections, told to my great friend and Medal of Honor recipient, Senator Danny Inouye, that prompted him to say, “I fought for Ike, you met him, it’s up to you to get his memorial done.”

And, after a 21 year effort, we did just that with the help from Bob Dole, Jim Baker, Susan Eisenhower, the Eisenhower family and Senator Lisa Murkowski, who kept the Ike Commission going during the tough years. Finally, we now have an appropriate, if not stunning, memorial to the Kansan who saved Western Democracy in World War II and led America onto the world stage.

With the final dedication of the Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial at the end of my Senate career, it is a full circle family accomplishment. If my Dad helped elect Ike, then the least I could do was to lead the effort to make a memorial on the mall to a great general and president a reality.

In a homecoming address Eisenhower famously said, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” He was a small town Kansas boy who saved western democracy and led the nation for 8 years of peace and prosperity.

I too come from a small town in Kansas. So how did this boy from Holton, Kansas, become the longest serving member of Congress in Kansas history?

Like father, like son, I graduated from K-State, with a degree in journalism.

My father joined the Marines in World War II and saw action in both Okinawa and Iwo Jima. I joined in peace time, served on Okinawa and was part of the first Marine contingent return to Iwo Jima on the 15th anniversary of that battle.

From Marine Captain to newspaper editor and news director of a radio station in Arizona, I dropped everything and drove to Washington when Senator Frank Carlson asked me to come work for him.

Within weeks of leaving Phoenix, I was the Chief of Staff for Senator Frank Carlson, a venerable and highly respected Senator, who made his mark on Kansas history as the only person to serve our state as a congressman, governor, senator, UN delegate, and the founder of the national prayer breakfast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Life changed dramatically. I always thought a bachelor was a man who did not make the same mistake once. Then, into my life came a tall, blonde, blue-eyed magnolia blossom from South Carolina.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Franki and I have been married for 51 years and have been blessed with three children and eight grandchildren. I am who I am because Franki is my wife and we are parents to David, Ashleigh, and Ann Wesley; and Papa Pat to Lorena, Patrick, Sayaka, Lilly, Charlie, Miles, Oliver, and Graham. My family is my crowning achievement.

Senator Frank was a great mentor. He always said, “There are no self-made men or women in public office, it is your friends and family who make you what you are.” &nbsp; &nbsp;

He taught me a great lesson: “Your true friends stand behind you when you are taking the bows and beside you when there any boo’s.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

Following the two year stint with the Senator, I was privileged to work 12 years for the newly elected congressman from the “Big First” district of Kansas as his chief of staff.

Keith Sebelius, was a wonderful man, a leader on the House Agriculture Committee and the Interior Committee, especially with regard to improvements and restoration of our national parks.

Upon Keith’s retirement, a group of party stalwarts encouraged me to run. Franki simply said, “This is what you always wanted to do, let’s do it.”

So, for nine months, with no paycheck or health insurance, and limited savings with three young children, Dodge City became my home. Most sane candidates would not attempt to go door to door in a district larger than most states. However, with a lot of help, we won a tough primary and not so tough general election – the first of 24 straight victories.

I was ranking to Chairman Kika de la Garza and when the l994 revolution put Republicans in the majority after being in the wilderness for over 40 years – suddenly, I was chairman. In 1996, we achieved a major farm policy reform, changing 40 years of farm bill policy. To this day, farmers still have the Freedom to Farm what they want.

I have had the honor and privilege of representing Kansans for 16 years in the House and 24 in the Senate. The Pat Roberts of 1980 was fighting for Kansas values and for the issues that affect the daily lives and pocketbooks of all Kansans. As the Pat Roberts of 1996, I promised that, if elected to the Senate, when Kansas spoke, Washington would listen.

I have held six gavels in the House and Senate, and that, in and of itself, might be a record. But, it’s what happened during my tenures as chairman that I believe have had the most lasting impacts. It’s not just having the gavel – it’s what you do with it.

Taking part and leading eight farm bills in the House and Senate have touched and improved many lives, and I’ve always been mindful of what farm families do for our nation and a troubled and hungry world as we crafted each bill.

I was fortunate that my first committee assignments were to serve on the Armed Services Committee, as well as Agriculture. Strom Thurmond was the very senior Chairman who, as the country song goes, never even called me by name. I was recognized as “the Senator who had the good sense to marry a fine, beautiful, South Carolina girl.”

My role on Armed Services Committee was to collect the small change left by the Air Force to enable the Marine Corps to continue to be our nation’s force in readiness, not to mention a new warfighting lab.

I also had the privilege of being the Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman for four years during the Iraq War, and led the Committee’s investigation that exposed a worldwide intelligence failure resulting in a blueprint for the 9/11 Commission and a better Intelligence Community that kept our country safer.&nbsp;

As Chairman of the brand new, Emerging Threats Subcommittee within the Armed Services Committee, I traveled to cities within what remained of the former Soviet Union. In one of the Soviet “secret cities”, we discovered a lab that had developed strains of pathogens that could do irreparable harm to any nation’s food supply! Talk about an “Evil Empire!”

I caution my colleagues: that threat still exists even as we endeavor to continue the worldwide fight against COVID-19.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It has taken over 20 years to respond to this threat with a biological containment and research lab, and we still are not done!

I’ve put a lifetime of work into NBAF, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, in Manhattan, Kansas. It will soon serve as the first line of defense to protect American agriculture and the world’s food supply.

I have also been privileged to serve on the HELP committee. Thank you to Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray for supporting my amendments, especially with regard to rural health care.

And, finally, I chaired the Senate Ethics Committee. I don’t know what I have done wrong, but I have been a member of the committee for what I am sure is a record of 24 years.&nbsp;

As I move out of my office – formerly a veritable museum of pictures, awards, and stuff we all collect – all that remains are the barren beige walls, full of memories and stories, which are all classified.

However, I still have my Marine Corps bumper sticker: “To err is human, to forgive is divine, neither is Marine Corps policy.” Marines never give up, we take the hill and the discipline and focus I learned in the Marine Corps never failed me in my toughest battles in the Senate. Semper Fi!

And still in the office, of course, a framed statement with the advice of LBJ: “Sometimes you have to hunker down like a jackass in a hail storm and just take it”.

On that note, if you want to avoid a hailstorm, get a good staff! You’re only as good as your staff, and I have the best staff in Washington because they always took the Hill.

My Chiefs of Staff: Leroy Towns, Jackie Cottrell and Chad Tenpenny, my DC Deputy Chief of Staff Amber Kirchhoefer, and my Ag Committee staff directors: Mike Seyfert, Joel Leftwich, and James Glueck led the posse. They always checked to make sure the herd was still there, and we didn’t ride into any box canyons.

To the staff currently in this chamber with me and those watching on C-SPAN, thank you. It has been an honor to have you call me “Boss.” Always remember, you are family. I couldn’t have asked for a more loyal, dedicated or talented staff.

To be a member of this United States Senate is a true privilege. A working family, it is the greatest deliberative body in the world. But, today, as compared to when I first came to the Senate, it’s the deliberative part that gives me great concern. I lament the loss of comity, the ability to work together, or just to get along. Sadly, gridlock appears to be the new normal. However, it does not have to be.

I am very proud that I have had the privilege of being chairman of a committee that does get along and we do get things done – the Senate Agriculture Committee. And, it really is not that hard.&nbsp;

First, we represent the best of our nation – farmers, ranchers, growers, and the entire food value chain. We know we have a collective job to do in their behalf – and we do just that.

Second, we convene in a small hearing room, in pre-COVID times, right across the table from each other.&nbsp;

Third, for the most part, we actually know one another! I used to be the ranking Republican member when Senator Stabenow was the Chairperson. We worked together on the 2014 farm bill. In 2018, it wasn’t our first rodeo!

We knew, regardless of what each of us wanted, passing a farm bill was paramount. We had an agreement: no surprises, no press the other one did not know about, and we held hearings together all over the country to listen to all of agriculture. I went to the campus of Michigan State and wore green and white, she came to Kansas State and wore purple. We not only agreed to work together, we gave staff marching orders to do the same. We also became friends, I protected her, and she protected me in conference and we got 87 votes, setting a record for a farm bill.

Now, we ordinarily do not vote alike on the floor, but we remain friends, and that is the way it should be. Friendship and comity is the norm for the Ag Committee, it could be for the whole Senate.

And though things in this great country are rocky, I have a news flash: these are not the worst of times.&nbsp;

When I first came to Washington in early 1967, our nation experienced the tragedy of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Within hours, Washington was on fire, Marines on the Capitol steps with sand bags and automatic weapons with live ammunition.&nbsp;

Advised to leave the beltway, I mistakenly thought I could get to my parents’ apartment house via the Rock Creek Parkway. No traffic was moving, tear gas in the air, and random gunshots rang out. I decided to jump the curb, drive on the sidewalks and eventually on the mall itself.

The police told me the parkway was closed. When they focused on the next drivers, I jumped the curb and took off on the parkway.

As bad as that period of time was, it was not as bad as the military march on thousands of WWI veterans demonstrating on the mall and setting up camp in the mid l930's and demanding bonuses.&nbsp; President Hoover ordered them removed by military force. Led by none other than Douglas MacArthur complete with a tank, horse cavalry with swords, and armed troops, the bonus vets were quickly dispersed or rounded up.

Fast forward, the 1968 Chicago riots, Kent State and the horrible shooting of students by untrained guardsmen. Sen. Bobby Kennedy running for president only to suffer the same fate as his brother. And then came Watergate.

Those days were tough. It was almost impossible to not face the bitter splits over political parties and even families.

Today we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic – and even that has fallen into politics – but it doesn’t have to be.

At home, Kansas has been dealt its fair share of hardships. But in Kansas, we don’t let disasters define us. We grab our bootstraps and get to work. That’s our normal.

Multiple prairie fires have ravaged Kansas farms and ranches – the Anderson Creek Fire in 2016, the Starbuck fire in 2017. Those folks have learned to adapt and build back, with the help of USDA disaster programs.

We also had the tale of Treece, Kansas – once a boomtown turned toxic waste dump – it was an extremely unsafe, unhealthy place for folks to live. Working with the Obama administration’s EPA – no less, we relocated them to safer places and (literally) greener pastures – because working across party lines is what we do in Kansas.

Let’s not forget about the EF-5 tornado in 2007 that completely destroyed the community of Greensburg.

I immediately called President Bush from a McDonald’s in the next town and asked for help. When I hung up, there were 25 people gathered around me, listening.

One old timer in his bib overalls said to me, “Was that the President of the United States?” I said, you bet. He turned to his wife and said, “Mother, see? I told you. I told you Pat was talking to the president and we’d get help.” And FEMA was there the next day.

In a FEMA-issued tent, I talked to the graduating senior class whose school and homes were but a pile of debris and told them, “You are the class of hope and destiny.”

The following year, President George W. Bush spoke at graduation. The size of that audience matched the size of hope that Kansans had for their future and rebuilding of their lives.

I’m reminded of the optimism of those speeches and the optimism I have for our country.

We endured these hardships and came out on the other side. We did it by changing the old normal and creating a new normal.

Here, in the Senate, only we can decide what our new normal is, and we ought to get to know one another. We don’t have to let the apparent gravitational pull of more and more politics in pursuit of power to change what our founders gave us – the creation of a nation of liberty and freedom, the envy of the world – and to literally move the United States Senate from the moorings of its historic and great past to simply be a rubber stamp for radical change.

The beauty is that we can decide what our normal is. We don’t have to let circumstances dictate our future. Let us once again become a body of respect, humility, cooperation, achievement and friendship. That can and should be our new normal.

The entire country could use a little bit of what we say in Kansas, “Ad astra per aspera” – to the stars through difficulties.

As my time in the Senate draws to a close, I have done my best to improve the lives of Kansans and all Americans. I have worked tirelessly for decades to accomplish big and small things so that this generation and future generations might live and achieve the American dream.

To Kansas, I say a humble thank you. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in this Great Body.

To my colleagues, thank you for fighting on behalf of our great nation and alongside me to preserve this chamber.

As I ride off into the sunset, to create a new normal for Franki and me, I will be cheering for the Senate to rebuild the bridges of comity that will create a new normal.

My colleagues, my time is up. Thank you for yours.

🎥  Sen. Pat Roberts 'adios amigos' speech in U.S. Senate

LENEXA&nbsp; - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $17.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training providers to support small drinking water and wastewater systems that are often located in rural communities across the United States. 

EPA’s funding will improve public health and environmental protection by helping to ensure that drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is treated before it is responsibly returned to the environment.

“One of EPA’s top priorities is ensuring that Americans have safe drinking water, regardless of their zip code,”&nbsp;said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The Trump Administration is helping small water systems—especially those in rural areas—get the training and technical assistance they need to support their communities.”

Small water systems often face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. 

EPA’s grant funding will be used by nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems, small wastewater systems, and private well owners across the country. Specifically, funding will help small systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and improve operational performance. It will also help inform private drinking water well owners about strategies to continue protecting their drinking water supply.

Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement are nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities and colleges, and public institutions of higher education. 

The application period for these competitive grants is now open. 

Questions about applying for EPA funding for training and technical assistance must be received by February 2, 2021, and applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 12, 2021. EPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by Summer 2021 and encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583167500999.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EPALENEXA&nbsp; - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $17.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training providers to support small drinking water and wastewater systems that are often located in rural communities across the United States. EPA’s funding will improve public health and environmental protection by helping to ensure that drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is treated before it is responsibly returned to the environment.“One of EPA’s top priorities is ensuring that Americans have safe drinking water, regardless of their zip code,”&nbsp;said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The Trump Administration is helping small water systems—especially those in rural areas—get the training and technical assistance they need to support their communities.”Small water systems often face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. EPA’s grant funding will be used by nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems, small wastewater systems, and private well owners across the country. Specifically, funding will help small systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and improve operational performance. It will also help inform private drinking water well owners about strategies to continue protecting their drinking water supply.Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement are nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities and colleges, and public institutions of higher education. The application period for these competitive grants is now open. Questions about applying for EPA funding for training and technical assistance must be received by February 2, 2021, and applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 12, 2021. EPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by Summer 2021 and encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity

EPA announces grants to support rural and small town water systems 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Thursday morning house fire that injured one person in Wichita.

Just before 9a.m. crews responded to the fire at a home&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 2400 Block of S Ida Avenue, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department.&nbsp;

One person was trapped in the home and was able to escape. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and conduct search and rescue.  All residents were accounted for and EMS transported one person to a local hospital in critical condition. Officials released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607616902085.png" alt="Thursday morning house fire photo Wichita Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Thursday morning house fire photo Wichita Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Thursday morning house fire that injured one person in Wichita.Just before 9a.m. crews responded to the fire at a home&nbsp;&nbsp;in the 2400 Block of S Ida Avenue, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department.&nbsp;One person was trapped in the home and was able to escape. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and conduct search and rescue. All residents were accounted for and EMS transported one person to a local hospital in critical condition. Officials released no additional details.

One person in critical condition after Kansas house fire

BY NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/08/kansas-broadband-efforts-receive-85-million-boost-to-bridge-digital-divide/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Kansas’ broadband czar says a new grant initiative will infuse tens 
of millions of dollars over the next decade into projects working to 
close the digital divide in underserved areas across Kansas.

Stanley
 Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program 
will provide $85 million over the next decade to qualifying areas with 
low connectivity.

Presenting
 Tuesday to the Special Committee on Economic Recovery, Adams told 
legislators the initiative is a major step toward adequate broadband 
services across Kansas.

“What
 we know for sure is increasingly, not decreasingly, we all need to have
 access to these services,” Adams said. “We knew that before the 
pandemic. Now, a lot more people know, and there is a glaring bright 
light on it, so it’s an opportunity for us to seize.”

Amid
 a crisis that exposed technology gaps in education, health and 
business, the grant program will address broadband priorities for 
underserved or economically distressed areas impacted most.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/broadband-acceleration-grant/" target="_blank">Applications for the first round of these funds are now open to the public</a>.

The
 idea for the grant initiative originated from a 2019 task force before 
passing through the 2021 Legislature as part of the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the plan into law in 
March before the legislative session was suspended.

Total
 funding from the program will last 10 years, beginning in 2021. There 
will be $5 million available annually over the next three years, with 
$10 million available annually the following seven.

Rep.
 Jim Gartner, a Topeka Democrat, expressed excitement that the program 
was a product of a legislative task force. He also pinpointed one reason
 federal funds were key to addressing digital inequalities.

“Companies
 go out and try to make business cases, and they need X penetration 
rate, and they cannot get people for whatever reason — either cost or a 
lot of those folks feel like they’ll never utilize it,” Gartner said. 
“So it’s really, really been a struggle, and that’s where government 
money really needs to subsidize to make this happen.”

In
 addition to addressing underserved areas, the grants will be awarded to
 projects that work with community stakeholders and share information 
transparently.&nbsp;

Applications
 for the grants will remain open through the office of broadband 
development until Jan.7. Staff then will review the applications and 
facilitate public comment to allow providers to address any challenges 
or issues before the department announces recipients Feb. 25.

Projects chosen for the initial round of grant funding should reach completion on or before Feb. 28, 2022.

“It
 is an aggressive timetable, but I think that this year highlights the 
need for us to be able to get those grants out the door,” said David 
Soffer, the legislative and policy director for the commerce department.

In
 a release announcing the launch of the program last month, the governor
 said this marked the first time in Kansas history there has been a 
statewide, bipartisan effort to fund increased broadband access.

“These
 grants are a critical part of my administration’s work to provide 
underserved Kansans with the high-speed internet they need to compete 
economically and to improve access to health, education and commercial 
tools,” Kelly said. “We are working quickly to ensure our communities, 
no matter their ZIP code, are adequately equipped for prosperity and 
growth, as Kansas continues to rebuild its foundation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607523381521.png" alt="Stanley Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Department of Commerce, said the pandemic made exceedingly clear the need for significant federal funding toward bridging the technological divide. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Stanley Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Department of Commerce, said the pandemic made exceedingly clear the need for significant federal funding toward bridging the technological divide. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/08/kansas-broadband-efforts-receive-85-million-boost-to-bridge-digital-divide/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Kansas’ broadband czar says a new grant initiative will infuse tens 
of millions of dollars over the next decade into projects working to 
close the digital divide in underserved areas across Kansas.Stanley
 Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program 
will provide $85 million over the next decade to qualifying areas with 
low connectivity.Presenting
 Tuesday to the Special Committee on Economic Recovery, Adams told 
legislators the initiative is a major step toward adequate broadband 
services across Kansas.“What
 we know for sure is increasingly, not decreasingly, we all need to have
 access to these services,” Adams said. “We knew that before the 
pandemic. Now, a lot more people know, and there is a glaring bright 
light on it, so it’s an opportunity for us to seize.”Amid
 a crisis that exposed technology gaps in education, health and 
business, the grant program will address broadband priorities for 
underserved or economically distressed areas impacted most.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/broadband-acceleration-grant/" target="_blank">Applications for the first round of these funds are now open to the public</a>.The
 idea for the grant initiative originated from a 2019 task force before 
passing through the 2021 Legislature as part of the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the plan into law in 
March before the legislative session was suspended.Total
 funding from the program will last 10 years, beginning in 2021. There 
will be $5 million available annually over the next three years, with 
$10 million available annually the following seven.Rep.
 Jim Gartner, a Topeka Democrat, expressed excitement that the program 
was a product of a legislative task force. He also pinpointed one reason
 federal funds were key to addressing digital inequalities.“Companies
 go out and try to make business cases, and they need X penetration 
rate, and they cannot get people for whatever reason — either cost or a 
lot of those folks feel like they’ll never utilize it,” Gartner said. 
“So it’s really, really been a struggle, and that’s where government 
money really needs to subsidize to make this happen.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607523431971.jpeg" alt="Rep. Jim Gartner (D-Topeka) said federal funding was necessary to subsidize providers struggling to get enough people to sign up for services. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jim Gartner (D-Topeka) said federal funding was necessary to subsidize providers struggling to get enough people to sign up for services. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In
 addition to addressing underserved areas, the grants will be awarded to
 projects that work with community stakeholders and share information 
transparently.&nbsp;Applications
 for the grants will remain open through the office of broadband 
development until Jan.7. Staff then will review the applications and 
facilitate public comment to allow providers to address any challenges 
or issues before the department announces recipients Feb. 25.Projects chosen for the initial round of grant funding should reach completion on or before Feb. 28, 2022.“It
 is an aggressive timetable, but I think that this year highlights the 
need for us to be able to get those grants out the door,” said David 
Soffer, the legislative and policy director for the commerce department.In
 a release announcing the launch of the program last month, the governor
 said this marked the first time in Kansas history there has been a 
statewide, bipartisan effort to fund increased broadband access.“These
 grants are a critical part of my administration’s work to provide 
underserved Kansans with the high-speed internet they need to compete 
economically and to improve access to health, education and commercial 
tools,” Kelly said. “We are working quickly to ensure our communities, 
no matter their ZIP code, are adequately equipped for prosperity and 
growth, as Kansas continues to rebuild its foundation.”

Kan. broadband efforts receive $85M boost to bridge digital divide

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly Thursday announced her intention to appoint Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers to become the 41st&nbsp;Kansas State Treasurer when Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner vacates the position in January.

“Lynn is uniquely qualified to serve as the Kansas state treasurer,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“He has over 40 years of experience as a banker – both in urban and rural areas alike. I’m grateful for his service in my administration, and I have no doubt he will keep doing great things for the people of Kansas in his new role.”

The State Treasurer vacancy was initiated by the election of Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd&nbsp;Congressional District in Kansas. Lieutenant Governor Rogers will be sworn in as Treasurer on January 2nd, 2021.

"It is an honor to accept the position of Kansas State Treasurer,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers said.&nbsp;“I spent my entire career in banking and bring to this position more than 40 years of experience working in all aspects of the industry. I look forward to applying all of this experience to helping protect the financial interests of Kansans."

The State Treasurer oversees Kansas’ revenue and finances, directs the investment of state assets, and ensures government can operate safely and efficiently through proper banking, investment, and cash management.&nbsp;

“The outstanding Treasurer’s Office staff and I look forward to assisting with a smooth hand-off to the new treasurer and ensuring Kansans continue to receive excellent service,”&nbsp;State Treasurer and Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner said.

Governor Kelly will announce her appointment to Lieutenant Governor next week.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly Thursday announced her intention to appoint Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers to become the 41st&nbsp;Kansas State Treasurer when Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner vacates the position in January.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F3493292697453267%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“Lynn is uniquely qualified to serve as the Kansas state treasurer,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“He has over 40 years of experience as a banker – both in urban and rural areas alike. I’m grateful for his service in my administration, and I have no doubt he will keep doing great things for the people of Kansas in his new role.”The State Treasurer vacancy was initiated by the election of Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd&nbsp;Congressional District in Kansas. Lieutenant Governor Rogers will be sworn in as Treasurer on January 2nd, 2021.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607620327948.png" alt="Lt. Governor Rogers answered questions during a Thurs. morning news conference in Topeka." />
 <figcaption>Lt. Governor Rogers answered questions during a Thurs. morning news conference in Topeka.</figcaption>
 </figure>"It is an honor to accept the position of Kansas State Treasurer,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers said.&nbsp;“I spent my entire career in banking and bring to this position more than 40 years of experience working in all aspects of the industry. I look forward to applying all of this experience to helping protect the financial interests of Kansans."The State Treasurer oversees Kansas’ revenue and finances, directs the investment of state assets, and ensures government can operate safely and efficiently through proper banking, investment, and cash management.&nbsp;“The outstanding Treasurer’s Office staff and I look forward to assisting with a smooth hand-off to the new treasurer and ensuring Kansans continue to receive excellent service,”&nbsp;State Treasurer and Congressman-elect Jake LaTurner said.Governor Kelly will announce her appointment to Lieutenant Governor next week.

🎥  Gov. appoints Lt. Gov.  Rogers as State Treasurer

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 14-year-old boy.

Just after 7:15 p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, police responded to a shooting at a home in the 1300 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old boy who had a gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; EMS transported him to an area hospital for medical treatment of a serious but non-life-threatening injury.

Through the investigation, it is believed someone accidentally shot the boy, causing his injuries.&nbsp; A lack of cooperation in this investigation has affected investigators from learning all the details of this case.

At least five other people were in the home when the shooting occurred and the shooter and the victim knew each other, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607568511002.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Wednesday evening -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Wednesday evening -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 14-year-old boy.Just after 7:15 p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, police responded to a shooting at a home in the 1300 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old boy who had a gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; EMS transported him to an area hospital for medical treatment of a serious but non-life-threatening injury.Through the investigation, it is believed someone accidentally shot the boy, causing his injuries.&nbsp; A lack of cooperation in this investigation has affected investigators from learning all the details of this case.At least five other people were in the home when the shooting occurred and the shooter and the victim knew each other, according to Davidson.The victim's name has not been released.---------

Police frustrated with investigation in shooting of Kan. boy

WICHITA – A Kansas man who carjacked a vehicle with young children inside has been sentenced in District Court in Wichita. On Tuesday, Judge William Woolley sentenced Jason Barajas, 32 of Wichita, to 47 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On June 19, 2019, Wichita Police were dispatched to the D&amp;C Store at 2160 S. Broadway. A woman told them she walked into the convenience store to buy something and left her three children, two-years, one-year, and eight months old, in the van. 

The keys were left in the vehicle which was stolen while the woman was inside.

Wichita Police requested 911 to “geo-locate” the van by “pinging” the mother’s cellphone that had been left inside. Police found the vehicle abandoned a half-hour later in the 1500 block of S. Gold with the windows rolled up. The temperature at the time was around 80 degrees. Officers said the children were sweating from the heat and crying in the backseat.

Another cellphone was found in the van that did not belong to the mother. Police used that phone to track down Barajas.

Police later discovered that Barajas had been sitting in the passenger seat of a car parked next to the van when he watched the mother enter the convenience store.

On October 7, 2020, Barajas pled guilty to theft and aggravated endangering a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607527693358.png" alt="Barajas photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Barajas photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A Kansas man who carjacked a vehicle with young children inside has been sentenced in District Court in Wichita. On Tuesday, Judge William Woolley sentenced Jason Barajas, 32 of Wichita, to 47 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On June 19, 2019, Wichita Police were dispatched to the D&amp;C Store at 2160 S. Broadway. A woman told them she walked into the convenience store to buy something and left her three children, two-years, one-year, and eight months old, in the van. The keys were left in the vehicle which was stolen while the woman was inside.Wichita Police requested 911 to “geo-locate” the van by “pinging” the mother’s cellphone that had been left inside. Police found the vehicle abandoned a half-hour later in the 1500 block of S. Gold with the windows rolled up. The temperature at the time was around 80 degrees. Officers said the children were sweating from the heat and crying in the backseat.Another cellphone was found in the van that did not belong to the mother. Police used that phone to track down Barajas.Police later discovered that Barajas had been sitting in the passenger seat of a car parked next to the van when he watched the mother enter the convenience store.On October 7, 2020, Barajas pled guilty to theft and aggravated endangering a child.

Kan. man sentenced for carjacking van with 3 children 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine faces one final hurdle as it races to become the first shot greenlighted in the U.S.: a panel of experts who will scrutinize the company’s data for any red flags.

or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-1/fda-holds-open-meeting-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here to watch</a>&nbsp;the hearing that begins at 8 a.m. CST

Thursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to begin shipping millions of doses of the shot, which has shown strong protection against the coronavirus.

The FDA panel functions like a science court that will pick apart the data and debate — in public and live-streamed — whether the shot is safe and effective enough to be cleared for emergency use. The non-government experts specialize in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-236677e5030e61b70ce432cfd9fd9b8b">is expected to follow</a>&nbsp;the committee’s advice, although it is not required to do so.

The FDA’s decision comes as the coronavirus continues surging across much of the world, claiming more than 1.5 million lives, including more than 289,000 in the U.S.

Hanging over the meeting is a warning from U.K. officials that people with a history of serious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/allergy-reaction-vaccines-rare-explained-4ee5fb2f2553863d9d2659b1f06a0e21">allergic reactions</a>&nbsp;shouldn’t get the vaccine. Government officials there are investigating two reports of reactions that occurred when the country began mass vaccinations.

Still, a positive recommendation and speedy U.S. approval seem nearly certain after FDA scientists issued an overwhelmingly positive initial review of the vaccine earlier this week.

FDA said results from Pfizer’s large, ongoing study showed the shot, which was co-developed with Germany’s BioNTech, was more than 90% effective across people of different ages, races and underlying health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. No major safety issues were uncovered and common vaccine-related side effects like fever, fatigue and injection site pain were tolerable.

“The data presented in the briefing report were consistent with what we heard before and are really exciting,” said Dr. William Moss, head of Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center. “Nothing that I see would delay an emergency use authorization.”

The meeting also gives regulators an opportunity to try to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-norc-poll-us-half-want-vaccine-shots-4d98dbfc0a64d60d52ac84c3065dac55">public confidence</a>&nbsp;in the breakneck development process that has produced the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a string of other upcoming shots in less than a year. The FDA has also faced weeks of verbal abuse from President Donald Trump for not rushing out a vaccine before Election Day.

“There have been a lot of questions about why it takes us so long or ‘are we being rigorous enough?’” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in an interview. “I’m hoping that people will see with our transparency that we have taken a very rigorous stance on this.”

Hahn said the agency has already teed up the process to authorize the vaccine by filling out all the legal paperwork in advance, regardless of the ultimate decision.

The FDA uncovered no major safety issues in its review of Pfizer’s 44,000-person study, including no allergic reactions of the type reported in the U.K. But such studies can’t detect rare problems that might only affect a tiny slice of the general population.

FDA reviewers noted four cases of Bell’s palsy that all occurred among people getting the vaccine. They concluded the cases were likely unrelated to the vaccine because they occurred at rates that would be expected without any medical intervention. But the agency did say cases of the nerve disorder should be tracked, given that other vaccines can cause the problem.

“I think we have to be upfront, without scaring people, that we don’t know yet about any potential, rare, long-term adverse events,” Moss said.

The FDA found the vaccine highly effective across various demographic groups.

But it’s unclear how well the vaccine works in people with HIV and other immune-system disorders.

The study excluded pregnant women, but experts will tease apart the data for any hints in case women get vaccinated before realizing they’re pregnant.

A study of children as young as 12 is underway.

Answering some of these questions will require keeping Pfizer’s study going for many more months.

When the FDA panel met in October, experts warned against allowing trial participants who received placebos to switch and get the real vaccine immediately after it receives the FDA’s emergency OK. Doing that could make it impossible to get answers to long-term questions, including how long the protection lasts.

Pfizer and BioNTech say they want to allow such participants to get the vaccine either upon request or, at the latest, after six months of follow-up.

The FDA still hasn’t made clear if it will accept that approach.

“FDA is adamant that they want these trials completed,” said Norman Baylor, former director of FDA’s vaccine office, adding that its expert panel members “know that too.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607605686018.png" alt="During a news conference Wednesday, KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman shows the packaging container used to ship the vaccine to the state from Pfizer. It contains a probe to monitor the cold temperature necessary to store the vaccine." />
 <figcaption>During a news conference Wednesday, KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman shows the packaging container used to ship the vaccine to the state from Pfizer. It contains a probe to monitor the cold temperature necessary to store the vaccine.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine faces one final hurdle as it races to become the first shot greenlighted in the U.S.: a panel of experts who will scrutinize the company’s data for any red flags.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFDA%2Fvideos%2F849134789187196%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-1/fda-holds-open-meeting-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here to watch</a>&nbsp;the hearing that begins at 8 a.m. CSTThursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to begin shipping millions of doses of the shot, which has shown strong protection against the coronavirus.The FDA panel functions like a science court that will pick apart the data and debate — in public and live-streamed — whether the shot is safe and effective enough to be cleared for emergency use. The non-government experts specialize in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-236677e5030e61b70ce432cfd9fd9b8b">is expected to follow</a>&nbsp;the committee’s advice, although it is not required to do so.The FDA’s decision comes as the coronavirus continues surging across much of the world, claiming more than 1.5 million lives, including more than 289,000 in the U.S.Hanging over the meeting is a warning from U.K. officials that people with a history of serious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/allergy-reaction-vaccines-rare-explained-4ee5fb2f2553863d9d2659b1f06a0e21">allergic reactions</a>&nbsp;shouldn’t get the vaccine. Government officials there are investigating two reports of reactions that occurred when the country began mass vaccinations.Still, a positive recommendation and speedy U.S. approval seem nearly certain after FDA scientists issued an overwhelmingly positive initial review of the vaccine earlier this week.FDA said results from Pfizer’s large, ongoing study showed the shot, which was co-developed with Germany’s BioNTech, was more than 90% effective across people of different ages, races and underlying health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. No major safety issues were uncovered and common vaccine-related side effects like fever, fatigue and injection site pain were tolerable.“The data presented in the briefing report were consistent with what we heard before and are really exciting,” said Dr. William Moss, head of Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center. “Nothing that I see would delay an emergency use authorization.”The meeting also gives regulators an opportunity to try to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-norc-poll-us-half-want-vaccine-shots-4d98dbfc0a64d60d52ac84c3065dac55">public confidence</a>&nbsp;in the breakneck development process that has produced the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a string of other upcoming shots in less than a year. The FDA has also faced weeks of verbal abuse from President Donald Trump for not rushing out a vaccine before Election Day.“There have been a lot of questions about why it takes us so long or ‘are we being rigorous enough?’” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in an interview. “I’m hoping that people will see with our transparency that we have taken a very rigorous stance on this.”Hahn said the agency has already teed up the process to authorize the vaccine by filling out all the legal paperwork in advance, regardless of the ultimate decision.On Thursday’s agenda:RARE ADVERSE REACTIONSThe FDA uncovered no major safety issues in its review of Pfizer’s 44,000-person study, including no allergic reactions of the type reported in the U.K. But such studies can’t detect rare problems that might only affect a tiny slice of the general population.FDA reviewers noted four cases of Bell’s palsy that all occurred among people getting the vaccine. They concluded the cases were likely unrelated to the vaccine because they occurred at rates that would be expected without any medical intervention. But the agency did say cases of the nerve disorder should be tracked, given that other vaccines can cause the problem.“I think we have to be upfront, without scaring people, that we don’t know yet about any potential, rare, long-term adverse events,” Moss said.EFFICACY QUESTIONSThe FDA found the vaccine highly effective across various demographic groups.But it’s unclear how well the vaccine works in people with HIV and other immune-system disorders.The study excluded pregnant women, but experts will tease apart the data for any hints in case women get vaccinated before realizing they’re pregnant.A study of children as young as 12 is underway.IMPACT OF EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONAnswering some of these questions will require keeping Pfizer’s study going for many more months.When the FDA panel met in October, experts warned against allowing trial participants who received placebos to switch and get the real vaccine immediately after it receives the FDA’s emergency OK. Doing that could make it impossible to get answers to long-term questions, including how long the protection lasts.Pfizer and BioNTech say they want to allow such participants to get the vaccine either upon request or, at the latest, after six months of follow-up.The FDA still hasn’t made clear if it will accept that approach.“FDA is adamant that they want these trials completed,” said Norman Baylor, former director of FDA’s vaccine office, adding that its expert panel members “know that too.”___

🎥  Countdown to vaccine: FDA approval hearing 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The U.S. Geological Survey says a pair of earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 2.7 rattled parts of Wichita on Thursday. The first occurred just after 2:30a.m. and the second just after 7:30a.m. and were centered northeast of Eastborough, according to the USGS.

These are the 6th and 7th earthquakes of 2.0 magnitude or more reported in the Wichita area in the last two weeks including a 2.7 magnitude quake Wednesday and a 3.3 quake Tuesday.&nbsp; No damage or injuries were reported.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 2.7 rattled parts of Wichita just after 2:30a.m. Thursday.

It is the sixth earthquake of 2.0 magnitude or more reported in the Wichita area in the last two weeks including a 2.7 quake Wednesday. No damage or injuries were reported.&nbsp;

The highest magnitude was 3.3 quake on Tuesday, according to the USGS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other earthquakes were reported in the Wichita area on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27 and Nov. 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607600245788.png" alt="Location of Thursday's 2:30a.m. earthquake-USGS image" />
 <figcaption>Location of Thursday's 2:30a.m. earthquake-USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The U.S. Geological Survey says a pair of earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 2.7 rattled parts of Wichita on Thursday. The first occurred just after 2:30a.m. and the second just after 7:30a.m. and were centered northeast of Eastborough, according to the USGS.These are the 6th and 7th earthquakes of 2.0 magnitude or more reported in the Wichita area in the last two weeks including a 2.7 magnitude quake Wednesday and a 3.3 quake Tuesday.&nbsp; No damage or injuries were reported.&nbsp;--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 2.7 rattled parts of Wichita just after 2:30a.m. Thursday.It is the sixth earthquake of 2.0 magnitude or more reported in the Wichita area in the last two weeks including a 2.7 quake Wednesday. No damage or injuries were reported.&nbsp;The highest magnitude was 3.3 quake on Tuesday, according to the USGS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other earthquakes were reported in the Wichita area on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27 and Nov. 30.

2 more low-intensity earthquakes shake Wichita

WASHINGTON (AP) — Still spinning their wheels on COVID-19 relief, lawmakers have grabbed a one-week government funding extension that buys time for more talks — though there is considerable disagreement over who is supposed to be taking the lead from there.

Amid the uncertainty, the House easily passed a one-week government-wide funding bill Wednesday that sets a new Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both the COVID-19 relief measure and a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill that is also overdue. The 343-67 vote sent the one-week bill to the Senate, where it's expected to easily pass before a deadline of midnight Friday to avert a partial government shutdown.

The measure would give lawmakers more time to sort through the hot mess they have created for themselves after months of futile negotiations and posturing and recent rounds of flip-flopping.

Top GOP leaders said the right people to handle endgame negotiations are the top four leaders of Congress and the Trump administration, focused on a proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to eliminate a Democratic demand for a $160 billion or so aid package for state and local governments.

Top Democrats. meanwhile, are placing their bets on a bipartisan group of senators who are trying to iron out a $908 billion package. The bipartisan group is getting no encouragement from McConnell, but members are claiming progress on perhaps the most contentious item, a demand by the Kentucky Republican to award businesses and other organizations protections against COVID-19-related lawsuits.

“We’re trying to get a bipartisan compromise along the lines of the Gang of Eight framework," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “We need Leader McConnell to stop sabotaging the talks and work with this gang of eight, which is the most hopeful and the only bipartisan group together."

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., however, said the only way to resolve the negotiations is for McConnell, Pelosi and the White House to take charge.

“The bipartisan group provided a good foundation kind of a place to start from. And hopefully, the negotiations are real negotiations on what can ultimately pass the House, the Senate, and get signed," Thune said. "We need to get under way."

The Trump administration is back in the middle of the negotiations, offering a $916 billion package on Tuesday that would send a $600 direct payment to most Americans but eliminate a $300-per-week employment benefit favored by the bipartisan group of Senate negotiators.

The offer arrived Tuesday came with the endorsement of the top House Republican and apparent backing from McConnell, who had previously favored a $519 billion GOP plan that has already failed twice. But Democrats immediately blasted the plan over the administration's refusal to back the partial restoration, to $300 per week, of bonus pandemic jobless benefits that lapsed in August.

“I think everybody is encouraged that there is a real framework here that everybody agrees on and there’s a few issues that are still the sticking points," Treasury Secretary Steven Muchin told reporters Wednesday. “The two biggest issues are the money for state and local governments and liability protections. If we can’t resolve those, we can move forward on everything else. I don’t want to tell a bunch of small businesses that they can’t get (paycheck protection) loans.”

President-elect Joe Biden is pressing for as much pandemic relief as possible, though he's not directly involved in the talks. McConnell says Congress will not adjourn without providing the long-overdue COVID-19 relief. The pressure to deliver is intense — all sides say failure isn’t an option.

The bipartisan negotiating group — led by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, among others — is seeking to rally lawmakers behind a $908 billion framework that includes a $300-per-week pandemic jobless benefit and $160 billion for states and local governments. It is more generous than a plan assembled by McConnell but far smaller than a wish list assembled by House Democrats.

Details leaked Wednesday on less controversial elements of their plan, including a four-month extension of jobless benefits set to expire at the end of the month, $300 billion for “paycheck protection" subsidies for struggling businesses, funding for vaccines and testing, and a host of smaller items like aid to transit systems, the U.S. Postal Service and health care providers.

Negotiations continue on a hotly contested liability shield from COVID-19-related lawsuits brought against businesses, universities and others that have reopened during the pandemic. The liability issue is regarded as a key to an eventual agreement that would pair the business relief with a $160 billion state and local aid package sought by Democrats.

“Right now we’re targeting struggling families, failing businesses, health care workers and we don’t have a stimulus check to every single person, regardless of need,” said Collins.

But there's clear momentum for another round of payments going out to taxpayers despite reservations among rank-and-file Republicans concerned about corralling costs.

A potential COVID-19 agreement would catch a ride on a separate $1.4 trillion government-wide spending bill that has its own set of problems, including fights over protections for the sage grouse, the Census, and accounting maneuvers being employed by lawmakers to squeeze $12 billion more into the legislation.

“We're still looking for a way forward," McConnell said Wednesday morning.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Still spinning their wheels on COVID-19 relief, lawmakers have grabbed a one-week government funding extension that buys time for more talks — though there is considerable disagreement over who is supposed to be taking the lead from there.Amid the uncertainty, the House easily passed a one-week government-wide funding bill Wednesday that sets a new Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both the COVID-19 relief measure and a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill that is also overdue. The 343-67 vote sent the one-week bill to the Senate, where it's expected to easily pass before a deadline of midnight Friday to avert a partial government shutdown.The measure would give lawmakers more time to sort through the hot mess they have created for themselves after months of futile negotiations and posturing and recent rounds of flip-flopping.Top GOP leaders said the right people to handle endgame negotiations are the top four leaders of Congress and the Trump administration, focused on a proposal by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to eliminate a Democratic demand for a $160 billion or so aid package for state and local governments.Top Democrats. meanwhile, are placing their bets on a bipartisan group of senators who are trying to iron out a $908 billion package. The bipartisan group is getting no encouragement from McConnell, but members are claiming progress on perhaps the most contentious item, a demand by the Kentucky Republican to award businesses and other organizations protections against COVID-19-related lawsuits.“We’re trying to get a bipartisan compromise along the lines of the Gang of Eight framework," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “We need Leader McConnell to stop sabotaging the talks and work with this gang of eight, which is the most hopeful and the only bipartisan group together."Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., however, said the only way to resolve the negotiations is for McConnell, Pelosi and the White House to take charge.“The bipartisan group provided a good foundation kind of a place to start from. And hopefully, the negotiations are real negotiations on what can ultimately pass the House, the Senate, and get signed," Thune said. "We need to get under way."The Trump administration is back in the middle of the negotiations, offering a $916 billion package on Tuesday that would send a $600 direct payment to most Americans but eliminate a $300-per-week employment benefit favored by the bipartisan group of Senate negotiators.The offer arrived Tuesday came with the endorsement of the top House Republican and apparent backing from McConnell, who had previously favored a $519 billion GOP plan that has already failed twice. But Democrats immediately blasted the plan over the administration's refusal to back the partial restoration, to $300 per week, of bonus pandemic jobless benefits that lapsed in August.“I think everybody is encouraged that there is a real framework here that everybody agrees on and there’s a few issues that are still the sticking points," Treasury Secretary Steven Muchin told reporters Wednesday. “The two biggest issues are the money for state and local governments and liability protections. If we can’t resolve those, we can move forward on everything else. I don’t want to tell a bunch of small businesses that they can’t get (paycheck protection) loans.”President-elect Joe Biden is pressing for as much pandemic relief as possible, though he's not directly involved in the talks. McConnell says Congress will not adjourn without providing the long-overdue COVID-19 relief. The pressure to deliver is intense — all sides say failure isn’t an option.The bipartisan negotiating group — led by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, among others — is seeking to rally lawmakers behind a $908 billion framework that includes a $300-per-week pandemic jobless benefit and $160 billion for states and local governments. It is more generous than a plan assembled by McConnell but far smaller than a wish list assembled by House Democrats.Details leaked Wednesday on less controversial elements of their plan, including a four-month extension of jobless benefits set to expire at the end of the month, $300 billion for “paycheck protection" subsidies for struggling businesses, funding for vaccines and testing, and a host of smaller items like aid to transit systems, the U.S. Postal Service and health care providers.Negotiations continue on a hotly contested liability shield from COVID-19-related lawsuits brought against businesses, universities and others that have reopened during the pandemic. The liability issue is regarded as a key to an eventual agreement that would pair the business relief with a $160 billion state and local aid package sought by Democrats.“Right now we’re targeting struggling families, failing businesses, health care workers and we don’t have a stimulus check to every single person, regardless of need,” said Collins.But there's clear momentum for another round of payments going out to taxpayers despite reservations among rank-and-file Republicans concerned about corralling costs.A potential COVID-19 agreement would catch a ride on a separate $1.4 trillion government-wide spending bill that has its own set of problems, including fights over protections for the sage grouse, the Census, and accounting maneuvers being employed by lawmakers to squeeze $12 billion more into the legislation.“We're still looking for a way forward," McConnell said Wednesday morning.Pelosi said she's encouraged about the reports she's hearing from the bipartisan talks.“I think that we're close," Pelosi said. “That's what they tell me."