The coronavirus put tens of 
thousands of Kansans out of work, and left them frustrated when they try
 filing for unemployment benefits.

By JIM MCLEAN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/tags/kansas-news-service">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — A month into the economic fallout from the 
COVID-19 outbreak, one thing is clear: The Kansas Department of Labor 
found itself unprepared for a record number of jobless claims filed by 
people suddenly tossed out of work.

“It’s completely unprecedented,” said Brett Flachsbarth, deputy secretary and a 15-year veteran of the agency.

Since
 March 14, more than 160,000 Kansans have filed first-time claims for 
unemployment benefits. That is a 2,457% increase over the previous 
month.

The explosion in claims crashed the agency’s website and 
overloaded its phone lines, often with hundreds of thousands of calls in
 a single day.

Some people say they called hundreds of times 
before getting through to someone in the department’s call center. Even 
when they got through, calls often ended in frustration.

After 
failing to reach anyone for two weeks, Sarah Abdel finally got through 
only to have her call immediately redirected to a “claims specialist.”

“Then that person transferred me to another department that just hung up on me,” Abdel said.

After
 mustering out of the Navy last fall, Abel returned to Kansas to go to 
school. But she also took a full-time job at a small cosmetics retailer 
in the Kansas City area. She was laid off three weeks ago.

Because of an issue with her military pay, Abdel said she can’t use the agency’s website to file a claim.

Like
 tens of thousands of other Kansas struggling to get unemployment 
benefits, Abdel sometimes tunes in to the agency’s Facebook Live updates
 at 9 a.m. weekdays, where officials attempt to explain the technical 
difficulties they’re having while pleading for patience.

“To me, they’ve had time to fix it and I don’t really see any results,” she said. “I just keep hearing excuses.”

Josie Layne tells a similar story. She was in line for a promotion at Savers, an Olathe thrift store, before she got laid off.

She’s
 been trying for weeks to get through on the phone to file a claim. 
Every now and then, someone answers and quickly transfers her to a phone
 that just rings and rings.

“For 30 minutes then hangs up,” Layne said. “That’s happened to me like 10 times.”

So
 while trying to file online last weekend, Layne said the agency’s 
website crashed. She checked back the next day but it was still down.

“It doesn’t even pull up,” Layne said. “It just says ‘unavailable’ or something like that.”

The department has quadrupled its call center staff and worked its 
information technology staff around the clock in a futile attempt to 
keep pace with the claims and keep the website functioning, Flachsbarth 
said.

The old mainframe computer that the department uses wasn’t 
built to handle the volume of claims now pouring in, he said. It dates 
back to the mid-1970s and uses a program developed in the 1950s.

Because
 labor departments across the country use the same system, he said, 
states have known for a long time that they need to modernize their 
technology.

But money has been a problem. Most of the Kansas 
Department of Labor’s funding comes from the federal government. It gets
 more when unemployment rates are high and less when they’re low.

Kansas
 has had an unemployment rate below 4% since 2017. So, from a budget and
 staffing standpoint, the agency was unprepared to handle the sudden 
spike in claims triggered by the coronavirus shutdown.

Even so, Flachsbarth said, it was finally moving to replace its aging computer system.

“We have been engaged for the last year in trying to take necessary steps forward to modernize our system,” he said.

Agency
 officials had made site visits to states that had overhauled their 
systems and “doing game-planning for what our options were,” he said, 
“when this (the coronavirus) hit.”

Now, Flachsbarth said, “everything … is focused on how we can provide the most service to the most people.”

So
 far, he said, that hasn’t been enough. In addition to problems handling
 claims for state benefits, the agency hasn’t been able to make the 
changes needed to get an additional $600 a week in federal benefits out 
the door to Kansans who qualify for them.

And the agency is weeks 
away from making the administrative changes necessary to implement 
federal rule changes that make self-employed people and those who work 
in the “gig economy” — think Uber drivers and the like — eligible for 
benefits.

Flachsbarth knows that Kansans who desperately need 
unemployment benefits but can’t get them are frustrated and angry. But 
he said the agency is “doing everything possible to assist them.”

“That
 being said,” Flacshbarth added, “there has to be an awareness on our 
part that doesn’t give them (Kansans) the resources they need to pay 
rent, buy groceries (and) meet those essential needs.”

Meanwhile, the beleaguered agency has also become a political football.

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and
 U.S. Senate candidate, has criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for 
failing to fix the problems holding up benefits for out-of-work Kansans.

“This failure has been brewing since the pandemic began and Kansans have run out of patience,” Wagle said.

Kelly
 defended the agency, comparing the work that needs to be done to get 
things running smoothly to “fixing a plane in the air.”

In a news 
conference Wednesday afternoon, the governor said the agency now has 150
 people answering phones about jobless calls and 30 people working on 
the website and the underlying “antiquated” computer system.

The dated computer infrastructure, Kelly said, was the result of foot-dragging in Kansas and across the country over decades.

“We should have invested a lot earlier,” she said.

Kelly said now the state is gradually improving the processing of unemployment claims and the checks that follow.

“The work,” she said, “is paying off.”

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks or 
email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586986796436.png" alt="Josie Layne lost her jobs at an Olathe thrift store just as she was about to get promoted. Now she's facing frustration getting unemployment benefits from the state's overwhelmed Department of Labor, where calls go unanswered and the website crashes regularly. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Josie Layne lost her jobs at an Olathe thrift store just as she was about to get promoted. Now she's facing frustration getting unemployment benefits from the state's overwhelmed Department of Labor, where calls go unanswered and the website crashes regularly. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The coronavirus put tens of 
thousands of Kansans out of work, and left them frustrated when they try
 filing for unemployment benefits.</h2>By JIM MCLEAN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/tags/kansas-news-service">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — A month into the economic fallout from the 
COVID-19 outbreak, one thing is clear: The Kansas Department of Labor 
found itself unprepared for a record number of jobless claims filed by 
people suddenly tossed out of work.“It’s completely unprecedented,” said Brett Flachsbarth, deputy secretary and a 15-year veteran of the agency.Since
 March 14, more than 160,000 Kansans have filed first-time claims for 
unemployment benefits. That is a 2,457% increase over the previous 
month.The explosion in claims crashed the agency’s website and 
overloaded its phone lines, often with hundreds of thousands of calls in
 a single day.Some people say they called hundreds of times 
before getting through to someone in the department’s call center. Even 
when they got through, calls often ended in frustration.After 
failing to reach anyone for two weeks, Sarah Abdel finally got through 
only to have her call immediately redirected to a “claims specialist.”“Then that person transferred me to another department that just hung up on me,” Abdel said.After
 mustering out of the Navy last fall, Abel returned to Kansas to go to 
school. But she also took a full-time job at a small cosmetics retailer 
in the Kansas City area. She was laid off three weeks ago.Because of an issue with her military pay, Abdel said she can’t use the agency’s website to file a claim.Like
 tens of thousands of other Kansas struggling to get unemployment 
benefits, Abdel sometimes tunes in to the agency’s Facebook Live updates
 at 9 a.m. weekdays, where officials attempt to explain the technical 
difficulties they’re having while pleading for patience.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586986903073.png" alt="Laurel Klein Searles, the Kansas unemployment insurance director, gives regular updates on Facebook about problems processing unemployment claims. Facebook Live" />
 <figcaption>Laurel Klein Searles, the Kansas unemployment insurance director, gives regular updates on Facebook about problems processing unemployment claims. Facebook Live</figcaption>
 </figure>“To me, they’ve had time to fix it and I don’t really see any results,” she said. “I just keep hearing excuses.”Josie Layne tells a similar story. She was in line for a promotion at Savers, an Olathe thrift store, before she got laid off.She’s
 been trying for weeks to get through on the phone to file a claim. 
Every now and then, someone answers and quickly transfers her to a phone
 that just rings and rings.“For 30 minutes then hangs up,” Layne said. “That’s happened to me like 10 times.”So
 while trying to file online last weekend, Layne said the agency’s 
website crashed. She checked back the next day but it was still down.“It doesn’t even pull up,” Layne said. “It just says ‘unavailable’ or something like that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586986933594.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Labor website has been overloaded by jobless benefit requests" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Labor website has been overloaded by jobless benefit requests</figcaption>
 </figure>The department has quadrupled its call center staff and worked its 
information technology staff around the clock in a futile attempt to 
keep pace with the claims and keep the website functioning, Flachsbarth 
said.The old mainframe computer that the department uses wasn’t 
built to handle the volume of claims now pouring in, he said. It dates 
back to the mid-1970s and uses a program developed in the 1950s.Because
 labor departments across the country use the same system, he said, 
states have known for a long time that they need to modernize their 
technology.But money has been a problem. Most of the Kansas 
Department of Labor’s funding comes from the federal government. It gets
 more when unemployment rates are high and less when they’re low.Kansas
 has had an unemployment rate below 4% since 2017. So, from a budget and
 staffing standpoint, the agency was unprepared to handle the sudden 
spike in claims triggered by the coronavirus shutdown.Even so, Flachsbarth said, it was finally moving to replace its aging computer system.“We have been engaged for the last year in trying to take necessary steps forward to modernize our system,” he said.Agency
 officials had made site visits to states that had overhauled their 
systems and “doing game-planning for what our options were,” he said, 
“when this (the coronavirus) hit.”Now, Flachsbarth said, “everything … is focused on how we can provide the most service to the most people.”So
 far, he said, that hasn’t been enough. In addition to problems handling
 claims for state benefits, the agency hasn’t been able to make the 
changes needed to get an additional $600 a week in federal benefits out 
the door to Kansans who qualify for them.And the agency is weeks 
away from making the administrative changes necessary to implement 
federal rule changes that make self-employed people and those who work 
in the “gig economy” — think Uber drivers and the like — eligible for 
benefits.Flachsbarth knows that Kansans who desperately need 
unemployment benefits but can’t get them are frustrated and angry. But 
he said the agency is “doing everything possible to assist them.”“That
 being said,” Flacshbarth added, “there has to be an awareness on our 
part that doesn’t give them (Kansans) the resources they need to pay 
rent, buy groceries (and) meet those essential needs.”Meanwhile, the beleaguered agency has also become a political football.Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and
 U.S. Senate candidate, has criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for 
failing to fix the problems holding up benefits for out-of-work Kansans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586986967714.png" alt="This closed thrift store is one of thousands of business shuttered across Kansas, closings that have overwhelmed the state's unemployment benefits system. Jim McLean photo" />
 <figcaption>This closed thrift store is one of thousands of business shuttered across Kansas, closings that have overwhelmed the state's unemployment benefits system. Jim McLean photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“This failure has been brewing since the pandemic began and Kansans have run out of patience,” Wagle said.Kelly
 defended the agency, comparing the work that needs to be done to get 
things running smoothly to “fixing a plane in the air.”In a news 
conference Wednesday afternoon, the governor said the agency now has 150
 people answering phones about jobless calls and 30 people working on 
the website and the underlying “antiquated” computer system.The dated computer infrastructure, Kelly said, was the result of foot-dragging in Kansas and across the country over decades.“We should have invested a lot earlier,” she said.Kelly said now the state is gradually improving the processing of unemployment claims and the checks that follow.“The work,” she said, “is paying off.”Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks or 
email jim@kcur.org.

Swamped hotline, crashing website: Kansans still can't get jobless checks 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he’s enlisting advisers from nearly all sectors of American commerce, the medical field and elected office to help shape his plans to reopen the coronavirus-battered economy.

The panel of advisers, whom Trump said he will consult by phone, will operate separately from the White House task force that’s leading the administration’s public health strategy to contain and mitigate the pandemic, though there is expected to be some overlap.

The panel, which the White House has dubbed the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, includes more than 50 executives and leaders from agricultural, defense and financial service industries, as well as leaders from unions, professional sports, think tanks and more.

The list of executives includes Apple’s Tim Cook, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, all individuals with whom Trump has long-standing relationships. Trump also named some individuals who have been critical of him in the past, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban.

Trump added that he would likely announce on Wednesday the names of elected officials, including governors and members of Congress, whom he would also consult.

“I’m confident that these respected people ... will give us some great ideas in addition to what the governors have learned,” Trump said.

Trump has insisted that he has “total” authority to decide how and when to loosen restrictions in the country — although the Constitution largely delegates such matters to the states. The president added on Tuesday that he plans to take action “in conjunction with governors.”

He also signaled that he is ready to push for big swaths of the country to get back to business soon. He noted that some states have been less affected by the virus and will be ready to “open very very shortly, if not, almost immediately.” More than 25,000 Americans have been killed by the virus outbreak.

Before Trump announced the people with whom he’d be consulting, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka stressed that the White House needed to make sure to include “voices of working people.” Trumka was among the union officials included on the list.

The global economy is projected to shrink by 3% during 2020, a falloff that would mark the steepest downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s, according to the International Monetary Fund.

With the country barreling toward a likely recession ahead of November’s election, Trump is eager to spur an economic revival, hoping to steady financial markets and restore some of the 16 million jobs already lost because of the pandemic. He originally hoped to have the country stirring again by Easter but now wants at least a partial reopening by the end of the month.

Many medical experts in the government, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, have cautioned that easing up on social distancing too soon could lead to a new wave of the disease that would require shuttering the economy again, with disastrous results.

Fauci said Tuesday that the U.S. does not yet have the critical testing and tracing procedures needed to begin reopening the economy.

Some ethics experts and participants in past councils created by Trump voiced concerns that the president may not be open to using the new panel to explore diverse viewpoints and hard truths about the best path forward.

“It doesn’t work if you bring in the hallelujah chorus,” said Thea Lee, president of the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning Washington think tank. Lee served on a short-lived manufacturing council that Trump established early in his presidency.

Among the executives with whom Trump said he will consult are representatives from Cisco Systems, Tyson Foods, Archer Daniels Midland, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Morgan Stanley, Grand Rapids State Bank and Southern Bank Corp.

Trump said he would also consult with union leaders including the International Union of Operating Engineers president James Callahan, North America’s Building Trade Unions president Sean McGarvey, International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James Hoffa, and Trumka.

Among the sports world emissaries he said he planned to consult are the WWE’s Vince McMahon, NASCAR board chairperson Lesa Kennedy, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586903031063.png" alt="President Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he’s enlisting advisers from nearly all sectors of American commerce, the medical field and elected office to help shape his plans to reopen the coronavirus-battered economy.The panel of advisers, whom Trump said he will consult by phone, will operate separately from the White House task force that’s leading the administration’s public health strategy to contain and mitigate the pandemic, though there is expected to be some overlap.The panel, which the White House has dubbed the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, includes more than 50 executives and leaders from agricultural, defense and financial service industries, as well as leaders from unions, professional sports, think tanks and more.The list of executives includes Apple’s Tim Cook, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, all individuals with whom Trump has long-standing relationships. Trump also named some individuals who have been critical of him in the past, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban.Trump added that he would likely announce on Wednesday the names of elected officials, including governors and members of Congress, whom he would also consult.“I’m confident that these respected people ... will give us some great ideas in addition to what the governors have learned,” Trump said.Trump has insisted that he has “total” authority to decide how and when to loosen restrictions in the country — although the Constitution largely delegates such matters to the states. The president added on Tuesday that he plans to take action “in conjunction with governors.”He also signaled that he is ready to push for big swaths of the country to get back to business soon. He noted that some states have been less affected by the virus and will be ready to “open very very shortly, if not, almost immediately.” More than 25,000 Americans have been killed by the virus outbreak.Before Trump announced the people with whom he’d be consulting, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka stressed that the White House needed to make sure to include “voices of working people.” Trumka was among the union officials included on the list.The global economy is projected to shrink by 3% during 2020, a falloff that would mark the steepest downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s, according to the International Monetary Fund.With the country barreling toward a likely recession ahead of November’s election, Trump is eager to spur an economic revival, hoping to steady financial markets and restore some of the 16 million jobs already lost because of the pandemic. He originally hoped to have the country stirring again by Easter but now wants at least a partial reopening by the end of the month.Many medical experts in the government, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, have cautioned that easing up on social distancing too soon could lead to a new wave of the disease that would require shuttering the economy again, with disastrous results.Fauci said Tuesday that the U.S. does not yet have the critical testing and tracing procedures needed to begin reopening the economy.Some ethics experts and participants in past councils created by Trump voiced concerns that the president may not be open to using the new panel to explore diverse viewpoints and hard truths about the best path forward.“It doesn’t work if you bring in the hallelujah chorus,” said Thea Lee, president of the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning Washington think tank. Lee served on a short-lived manufacturing council that Trump established early in his presidency.Among the executives with whom Trump said he will consult are representatives from Cisco Systems, Tyson Foods, Archer Daniels Midland, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Morgan Stanley, Grand Rapids State Bank and Southern Bank Corp.Trump said he would also consult with union leaders including the International Union of Operating Engineers president James Callahan, North America’s Building Trade Unions president Sean McGarvey, International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James Hoffa, and Trumka.Among the sports world emissaries he said he planned to consult are the WWE’s Vince McMahon, NASCAR board chairperson Lesa Kennedy, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.___

New Trump advisory groups to consult on reopening US economy

KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;A&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;man who investigators say was planning to bomb a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City-area hospital was distressed by the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis and motivated by racial, religious and anti-government animus, according to newly unsealed court documents.

Timothy Wilson, 36, of Raymore, died March 24 in a firefight with FBI agents serving a probable cause arrest warrant on a Belton street. The plot was reminiscent of the 1995 bombing of a federal building in&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;City. Wilson first talked of plans for an attack in April or June, but FBI agents say he moved up that timeline as the coronavirus made its way to Missouri.

The violent take-down followed a long-running domestic terrorism investigation that began in 2019 with Wilson’s encrypted communications about bomb-building with Jarrett William Smith, a 24-year-old an Army infantry soldier who faces prison for distributing bomb-making information through social media.

Among details in court records unsealed last week was that Wilson considered attacking the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, before settling on a plan to park a vehicle loaded with explosives and detonate it in the parking lot of Belton Regional Medical Center in Cass County.

Just two days before his death, Wilson and an undercover FBI agent visited Belton Regional to inspect the hospital property and conduct a dry run of their plot, court records say.

The records show that for months, Wilson had discussed ideas for a terrorist attack, telling an undercover FBI agent that he was considering sites ranging from a nuclear plant and Islamic centers in Missouri to the Walmart headquarters or a synagogue in&nbsp;Arkansas. He also discussed last year shooting up a predominantly black elementary school, the FBI said in the affidavits.

Agents said that in January, Wilson started buying “explosive precursors” to a bomb, including nitrogen, ammonium nitrate and another type of fertilizer that can be combined to make a bomb.

First, on Jan. 30, Wilson bought two 5-pound (2.3 kilogram) bags of urea, a nitrate commonly used in improvised explosive devices. The following day, Wilson bought a combined 60 pounds of ammonium nitrate and another type of fertilizer that, when combined, could be used to develop an explosive device.

Ammonium nitrate was a main ingredient Timothy McVeigh used blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, that killed 168 people. The 25th anniversary of the attack is being marked this weekend.

Smith, Wilson’s contact on bomb-making, was a private first class stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. He admitted during a court hearing in February to providing information about explosives to an FBI undercover agent and signed a formal plea agreement with prosecutors in court. He faces up to 40 years in prison when he’s sentenced later this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586964853589.png" alt="An undercover officer met Wilson at this storage facility -google image" />
 <figcaption>An undercover officer met Wilson at this storage facility -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;A&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;man who investigators say was planning to bomb a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City-area hospital was distressed by the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis and motivated by racial, religious and anti-government animus, according to newly unsealed court documents.Timothy Wilson, 36, of Raymore, died March 24 in a firefight with FBI agents serving a probable cause arrest warrant on a Belton street. The plot was reminiscent of the 1995 bombing of a federal building in&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;City. Wilson first talked of plans for an attack in April or June, but FBI agents say he moved up that timeline as the coronavirus made its way to Missouri.The violent take-down followed a long-running domestic terrorism investigation that began in 2019 with Wilson’s encrypted communications about bomb-building with Jarrett William Smith, a 24-year-old an Army infantry soldier who faces prison for distributing bomb-making information through social media.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584973978568.png" alt="University of Kansas Hospital" />
 <figcaption>University of Kansas Hospital</figcaption>
 </figure>Among details in court records unsealed last week was that Wilson considered attacking the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, before settling on a plan to park a vehicle loaded with explosives and detonate it in the parking lot of Belton Regional Medical Center in Cass County.Just two days before his death, Wilson and an undercover FBI agent visited Belton Regional to inspect the hospital property and conduct a dry run of their plot, court records say.The records show that for months, Wilson had discussed ideas for a terrorist attack, telling an undercover FBI agent that he was considering sites ranging from a nuclear plant and Islamic centers in Missouri to the Walmart headquarters or a synagogue in&nbsp;Arkansas. He also discussed last year shooting up a predominantly black elementary school, the FBI said in the affidavits.Agents said that in January, Wilson started buying “explosive precursors” to a bomb, including nitrogen, ammonium nitrate and another type of fertilizer that can be combined to make a bomb.First, on Jan. 30, Wilson bought two 5-pound (2.3 kilogram) bags of urea, a nitrate commonly used in improvised explosive devices. The following day, Wilson bought a combined 60 pounds of ammonium nitrate and another type of fertilizer that, when combined, could be used to develop an explosive device.Ammonium nitrate was a main ingredient Timothy McVeigh used blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, that killed 168 people. The 25th anniversary of the attack is being marked this weekend.Smith, Wilson’s contact on bomb-making, was a private first class stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. He admitted during a court hearing in February to providing information about explosives to an FBI undercover agent and signed a formal plea agreement with prosecutors in court. He faces up to 40 years in prison when he’s sentenced later this year.

FBI: Government's response to virus spurred would-be bomber

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Wednesday afternoon.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here for</a> additional details.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Wednesday afternoon.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here for</a> additional details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586970679761.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>

HUTCHINSON —&nbsp;The former Kansas Secretary of State and an adviser on election 
security to the Trump administration believes that mail in voting is <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/08/kobach-the-coronavirus-is-no-excuse-for-opening-the-door-to-election-fraud/">not a good response</a> to the COVID-19 pandemic, because there are several types of fraud that are possible with that type of voting.

"Double
 voting, where a person votes in two different states," Kris Kobach 
said. "We prosecuted many individuals who had double voted in Kansas and
 in another state. The second one is ballot harvesting. That's the kind 
of fraud we saw in North Carolina in 2018, where people collect other 
people's ballots and say I'm going to deliver them for you at the 
election office and then they only deliver some of them, because they 
calculate some ballots are for the candidate they don't like and so 
those ballots wind up in the trash can. Another type of fraud is voting 
someone else's ballot falsely, either intercepting it at the mailbox or 
falsely requesting it, on that person's behalf, to go to a different 
place."

There are states that have all mail in voting already, 
like Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Kobach says they are subject to 
another kind of fraud, because every voter on the rolls gets a ballot.

"There
 are, in any given state, thousands and in big states, hundreds of 
thousands of bad names on the voter rolls," Kobach said. "These are 
deceased individuals, duplicates, someone might be in the voter rolls 
under the name of Charles and Charlie, Bill and William and the names of
 people who have moved out of state."

Kobach believes that the solutions Kansas has put in for its absentee ballots make the process much more secure here.

"When
 you request a mail in ballot in Kansas, your signature is verified," 
Kobach said. "The county will check to see that your signature on the 
ballot request form matches the signature the state has on file. You 
have to send in a photocopy of a photo ID, or write your entire Kansas 
Driver's License number on the request form. We have effectively stopped
 these forms of fraud in Kansas."

Kobach will be on the ballot at 
least for the primary in August, as he is running to replace the 
retiring Pat Roberts in the United States Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582891209105.jpeg" alt="Kris Kobach" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach</figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>
HUTCHINSON —&nbsp;The former Kansas Secretary of State and an adviser on election 
security to the Trump administration believes that mail in voting is <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/08/kobach-the-coronavirus-is-no-excuse-for-opening-the-door-to-election-fraud/">not a good response</a> to the COVID-19 pandemic, because there are several types of fraud that are possible with that type of voting."Double
 voting, where a person votes in two different states," Kris Kobach 
said. "We prosecuted many individuals who had double voted in Kansas and
 in another state. The second one is ballot harvesting. That's the kind 
of fraud we saw in North Carolina in 2018, where people collect other 
people's ballots and say I'm going to deliver them for you at the 
election office and then they only deliver some of them, because they 
calculate some ballots are for the candidate they don't like and so 
those ballots wind up in the trash can. Another type of fraud is voting 
someone else's ballot falsely, either intercepting it at the mailbox or 
falsely requesting it, on that person's behalf, to go to a different 
place."There are states that have all mail in voting already, 
like Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Kobach says they are subject to 
another kind of fraud, because every voter on the rolls gets a ballot."There
 are, in any given state, thousands and in big states, hundreds of 
thousands of bad names on the voter rolls," Kobach said. "These are 
deceased individuals, duplicates, someone might be in the voter rolls 
under the name of Charles and Charlie, Bill and William and the names of
 people who have moved out of state."Kobach believes that the solutions Kansas has put in for its absentee ballots make the process much more secure here."When
 you request a mail in ballot in Kansas, your signature is verified," 
Kobach said. "The county will check to see that your signature on the 
ballot request form matches the signature the state has on file. You 
have to send in a photocopy of a photo ID, or write your entire Kansas 
Driver's License number on the request form. We have effectively stopped
 these forms of fraud in Kansas."Kobach will be on the ballot at 
least for the primary in August, as he is running to replace the 
retiring Pat Roberts in the United States Senate.

Kobach: Keep away from mail-in ballots, unless using Kansas method

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is bracing for a months-long struggle against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus</a>, looking for novel ways to maintain a defensive crouch that sustains troops’ health without breaking their morale — while still protecting the nation.

Unlike talk in the Trump administration of possibly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/420a38ec14101eab70e07be367ee6422">reopening the country</a>&nbsp;as early as May, military leaders are suggesting that this summer may be the best-case scenario of tiptoeing toward a return to normal activities. Even that is uncertain, and for now the focus is on adjusting as the pandemic’s threat evolves.

“We are going to need to change and adapt, because even over the coming months the virus isn’t going to go away. We’re going to have to be able to operate in a COVID environment,” Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist said recently, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Officials have frozen most forces in place overseas, stopped troops and their families from moving to new assignments, and cut back access to the Pentagon. The military services have halted or restricted recruit training, canceled major exercises, and isolated troops in the most sensitive units. The new Space Force has delayed a satellite launch, and the Navy this week postponed the return of the USS Harry S. Truman, keeping the aircraft carrier at sea to shield its crew from virus exposure at home.

These steps to protect the force have parallels in civilian society, but a far-flung military can’t function by staying at home.

“This will be a new way of doing business that we have to focus in on,” says Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We’re adjusting to that new world as we speak today.”

The notion of “normal” in the military may never be the same.

“We’ve all deployed and fought enemies abroad, however, today’s enemy is here in our communities,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of the Air Force’s training and education command. “We don’t know what ‘new normal’ will look like until we get to the other side.”

Defense Secretary Mark Esper has been consistent in saying it will take time to determine when to begin lifting restrictions on the military, and he has faced little public pressure — from military families or the White House — to rush things. In civilian society, there is an open split between those like President Donald Trump who want the country reopened soon to mitigate economic damage and those, including many state governors, who fear reopening prematurely will undermine progress against the virus.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the the pandemic has spread so far and wide, potentially creating instability in some countries, that the U.S. military cannot return to business as usual.

“We have got to take a hard look at how we as a military, we as a Department of Defense, conduct operations in the future,” he said.

In a further sign of uncertainty, Esper said Tuesday that he will extend a “stop movement” order halting what are called permanent change-of-station moves by troops and their families. He did not say how long he will extend the order, aimed at protecting troops and originally set to expire May 11. If it continues into the summer, military members with children could face serious hardship, since they need time to settle and enroll their children in new schools.

Coronavirus has been less deadly in the military than in the rest of American society, but the number of confirmed cases is still rising. As of Tuesday the total exceeded 2,600, up from 1,521 a week earlier. Two troops have died of the disease — a National Guard member in March and a Navy sailor on Monday.

Even after the number of the military’s coronavirus cases crests, a degree of uncertainty about restoring normalcy will linger. The Navy’s top doctor, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, says the virus wields a “secret power” that the military must take into account as it adjusts in the weeks and months ahead.

“What we’ve learned, certainly in the Navy with regard to COVID-19, (is) that stealth, in the form of asymptomatic transmission, is this adversary’s secret power,” he told reporters. “And so we recognize that despite really our best efforts, we’re going to have to learn how to operate with the virus.”

Webb, the Air Force training commander, said his service is doing about 99% of its recruiting online rather than with traditional in-person pitches. And while the way ahead isn’t clear, he said, “I think we have the opportunity now to never go back to old ways.”

For the Army, a major priority is keeping combat brigades healthy but also ready for war. Prior to the coronavirus crisis, more than half of the brigades were at high readiness levels, but in the past month training has significantly slowed down.

“We’re in good shape but you’ve got to be able to turn it back on,” said Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. He says that increased coronavirus testing capabilities will allow the Army to test units and then send them out for large battalion and company-sized exercises where they can remain in a bubble.

“We’re going to have to do that, and that’s where you’re going to have to manage the risk until there’s a vaccine,” he said. “We’re preparing ourselves to do just that.”

Even as they take precautions, defense officials are eager to bat down any idea that they are so focused on protecting troops’ health that the force has been weakened or is unable to fight if needed.

“I don’t want anyone out there in the world to think that somehow the U.S. military’s readiness is significantly degraded. It is not,” Milley said last week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585777681665.png" alt="Defense Secretary Mark Esper gave a presentation during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Mark Esper gave a presentation during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is bracing for a months-long struggle against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus</a>, looking for novel ways to maintain a defensive crouch that sustains troops’ health without breaking their morale — while still protecting the nation.Unlike talk in the Trump administration of possibly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/420a38ec14101eab70e07be367ee6422">reopening the country</a>&nbsp;as early as May, military leaders are suggesting that this summer may be the best-case scenario of tiptoeing toward a return to normal activities. Even that is uncertain, and for now the focus is on adjusting as the pandemic’s threat evolves.“We are going to need to change and adapt, because even over the coming months the virus isn’t going to go away. We’re going to have to be able to operate in a COVID environment,” Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist said recently, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.Officials have frozen most forces in place overseas, stopped troops and their families from moving to new assignments, and cut back access to the Pentagon. The military services have halted or restricted recruit training, canceled major exercises, and isolated troops in the most sensitive units. The new Space Force has delayed a satellite launch, and the Navy this week postponed the return of the USS Harry S. Truman, keeping the aircraft carrier at sea to shield its crew from virus exposure at home.These steps to protect the force have parallels in civilian society, but a far-flung military can’t function by staying at home.“This will be a new way of doing business that we have to focus in on,” says Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We’re adjusting to that new world as we speak today.”The notion of “normal” in the military may never be the same.“We’ve all deployed and fought enemies abroad, however, today’s enemy is here in our communities,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of the Air Force’s training and education command. “We don’t know what ‘new normal’ will look like until we get to the other side.”Defense Secretary Mark Esper has been consistent in saying it will take time to determine when to begin lifting restrictions on the military, and he has faced little public pressure — from military families or the White House — to rush things. In civilian society, there is an open split between those like President Donald Trump who want the country reopened soon to mitigate economic damage and those, including many state governors, who fear reopening prematurely will undermine progress against the virus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585777561924.png" alt="General Mark Milley answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>General Mark Milley answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the the pandemic has spread so far and wide, potentially creating instability in some countries, that the U.S. military cannot return to business as usual.“We have got to take a hard look at how we as a military, we as a Department of Defense, conduct operations in the future,” he said.In a further sign of uncertainty, Esper said Tuesday that he will extend a “stop movement” order halting what are called permanent change-of-station moves by troops and their families. He did not say how long he will extend the order, aimed at protecting troops and originally set to expire May 11. If it continues into the summer, military members with children could face serious hardship, since they need time to settle and enroll their children in new schools.Coronavirus has been less deadly in the military than in the rest of American society, but the number of confirmed cases is still rising. As of Tuesday the total exceeded 2,600, up from 1,521 a week earlier. Two troops have died of the disease — a National Guard member in March and a Navy sailor on Monday.Even after the number of the military’s coronavirus cases crests, a degree of uncertainty about restoring normalcy will linger. The Navy’s top doctor, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, says the virus wields a “secret power” that the military must take into account as it adjusts in the weeks and months ahead.“What we’ve learned, certainly in the Navy with regard to COVID-19, (is) that stealth, in the form of asymptomatic transmission, is this adversary’s secret power,” he told reporters. “And so we recognize that despite really our best efforts, we’re going to have to learn how to operate with the virus.”Webb, the Air Force training commander, said his service is doing about 99% of its recruiting online rather than with traditional in-person pitches. And while the way ahead isn’t clear, he said, “I think we have the opportunity now to never go back to old ways.”For the Army, a major priority is keeping combat brigades healthy but also ready for war. Prior to the coronavirus crisis, more than half of the brigades were at high readiness levels, but in the past month training has significantly slowed down.“We’re in good shape but you’ve got to be able to turn it back on,” said Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. He says that increased coronavirus testing capabilities will allow the Army to test units and then send them out for large battalion and company-sized exercises where they can remain in a bubble.“We’re going to have to do that, and that’s where you’re going to have to manage the risk until there’s a vaccine,” he said. “We’re preparing ourselves to do just that.”Even as they take precautions, defense officials are eager to bat down any idea that they are so focused on protecting troops’ health that the force has been weakened or is unable to fight if needed.“I don’t want anyone out there in the world to think that somehow the U.S. military’s readiness is significantly degraded. It is not,” Milley said last week.___

Military sees no quick exit from 'new world' of coronavirus

SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman at an apartment complex in Liberal.

Just after 7a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 1400 block of Larrabee Road in Liberal after a report of a suspicious person, according to Captain Robert Rogers.

 Upon their arrival, officers found a 24-year-old woman unresponsive in an open area of the apartment complex. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The cause of death is unknown, according to Rogers. The victim's name has not been released.

Rogers did not release additional details early Wednesday.

SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman at an apartment complex in Liberal.Just after 7a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 1400 block of Larrabee Road in Liberal after a report of a suspicious person, according to Captain Robert Rogers. Upon their arrival, officers found a 24-year-old woman unresponsive in an open area of the apartment complex. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene.The cause of death is unknown, according to Rogers. The victim's name has not been released.Rogers did not release additional details early Wednesday.

Police: 24-year-old SW Kansas woman found dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department took the rare step on Tuesday of weighing in on the side of a&nbsp;Mississippi&nbsp;Christian church where local officials had tried to stop Holy Week services broadcast to congregants sitting in their cars in the parking lot.

As the coronavirus pandemic spread, leaders at Temple Baptist Church in Greenville began holding drive-in services for their congregation on a short-wave radio frequency from inside an empty church save for the preacher.

Arthur Scott, the 82-year-old pastor, said Tuesday that it was a good compromise for his group, a “wonderful way to preach the gospel and still it's like they are there, but you can't go out and see them, but you know they're there.”

The federal involvement adds to the rising tension over reconciling religious freedom with public health restrictions designed to fight the pandemic, disputes that are playing out along the same partisan lines that mark the nation’s overall divide.

Greenville city leaders argue the services violate stay-at-home orders and could have put people's lives in jeopardy. Church officials believe they have been singled out for their religion, especially after eight police officers were sent last week to ticket the faithful, $500 apiece, for attending services, including the pastor's wife.

“We haven't missed one Sunday in 45 years,” Scott said. “We love our people. This is a way we can preach to them. We’re afraid of the coronavirus as much as anybody else. And if we thought we were putting our people in danger at all, we wouldn’t do this.”

Even after the mayor said Monday they would not have to pay the fines, the church is pursuing a lawsuit saying their First Amendment religious freedoms were violated. The Justice Department sided with the church.

With federal prosecutors now weighing in, the national debate over how far coronavirus gathering limits can go to restrict religion could get even louder. President Donald Trump’s reelection appeal to devout conservative voters rests in part on his vocal advocacy for religious freedom, making the issue a politically potent one for his administration to take up.

The&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Supreme Court upheld Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s move to limit faith gatherings to 10 people, while a federal judge in&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;sided with a church that challenged the Louisville mayor’s restrictions on drive-in Easter services.

The church has been in Greenville for more than 65 years. Scott said his congregants, about 125 in all, are mostly older and on fixed incomes, and aren't tech savvy, so the radio broadcast was a way to keep them connected.

Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons, a Democrat, said Monday that no one will have to pay the fines, but the ban on such gatherings remains in place to try to save lives as the highly contagious virus continues to spread. He also called on Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to issue clear statewide guidance on whether people are allowed to congregate for worship during the governor’s statewide stay-at-home order that remains in effect until April 20.

The governor’s order tells people not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Reeves has said he would prefer that churches not hold services in sanctuaries or parking lots. But he has also said the government does not have the right to ban worship.

On Tuesday, he tweeted a thanks to Attorney General William Barr “for this strong stand in support of religious liberty. The government cannot shut down churches.”

Attorney Ryan Tucker of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the church, says there’s a Sonic Drive-In restaurant about 200 yards (180 meters) from the church where patrons are still allowed to roll down their windows and talk.

He said they will continue the lawsuit seeking a restraining order because the mayor’s order remains in place.

“The threat is still present,” he said. “They mayor did not say he’s rescinding the order."

There are at least 3,000 cases of coronavirus in Mississippi and more than 100 deaths for the state’s 3 million people. The U.S. has more than 590,000 cases and more than 27,000 deaths.

The Justice Department argued in the filing that the city appeared to be targeting religious conduct by singling churches out as the only essential service (as designated by the state of Mississippi) that may not operate despite following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations regarding social distancing.

“The facts alleged in the complaint strongly suggest that the city’s actions target religious conduct,” the filing says. “If proven, these facts establish a free exercise violation unless the city demonstrates that its actions are neutral and apply generally to nonreligious and religious institutions or satisfies the demanding strict scrutiny standard.”

Barr said that he believes there is a sufficient basis for social distancing rules that have been put in place, but that the restrictions must be applied evenly and not single out religious institutions.

“But even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” Barr said in a statement. “Thus, government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity.”

The Justice Department has made similar filings in other religious liberty cases, including one in February in support of a Kentucky wedding photographer who is challenging a city ordinance banning businesses from discriminating against gay customers by arguing it would violate her religious beliefs. In June 2019, the department filed a statement of interest in a case in&nbsp;Maine, arguing that a law that banned religious schools from the state’s tuition program was unconstitutional.

In previous administrations, such involvement was highly unusual.

“A free society depends on a vibrant religious life by the people,” Barr said in an interview with Fox News last week. He said he would “hate to see restrictions on religion continue longer than they are strictly necessary.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586897776837.png" alt="Heritage Baptist in Lawrence held an in-person Easter service" />
 <figcaption>Heritage Baptist in Lawrence held an in-person Easter service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department took the rare step on Tuesday of weighing in on the side of a&nbsp;Mississippi&nbsp;Christian church where local officials had tried to stop Holy Week services broadcast to congregants sitting in their cars in the parking lot.As the coronavirus pandemic spread, leaders at Temple Baptist Church in Greenville began holding drive-in services for their congregation on a short-wave radio frequency from inside an empty church save for the preacher.Arthur Scott, the 82-year-old pastor, said Tuesday that it was a good compromise for his group, a “wonderful way to preach the gospel and still it's like they are there, but you can't go out and see them, but you know they're there.”The federal involvement adds to the rising tension over reconciling religious freedom with public health restrictions designed to fight the pandemic, disputes that are playing out along the same partisan lines that mark the nation’s overall divide.Greenville city leaders argue the services violate stay-at-home orders and could have put people's lives in jeopardy. Church officials believe they have been singled out for their religion, especially after eight police officers were sent last week to ticket the faithful, $500 apiece, for attending services, including the pastor's wife.“We haven't missed one Sunday in 45 years,” Scott said. “We love our people. This is a way we can preach to them. We’re afraid of the coronavirus as much as anybody else. And if we thought we were putting our people in danger at all, we wouldn’t do this.”Even after the mayor said Monday they would not have to pay the fines, the church is pursuing a lawsuit saying their First Amendment religious freedoms were violated. The Justice Department sided with the church.With federal prosecutors now weighing in, the national debate over how far coronavirus gathering limits can go to restrict religion could get even louder. President Donald Trump’s reelection appeal to devout conservative voters rests in part on his vocal advocacy for religious freedom, making the issue a politically potent one for his administration to take up.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586440392187.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued the executive order to limit faith gatherings on April 7." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued the executive order to limit faith gatherings on April 7.</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Supreme Court upheld Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s move to limit faith gatherings to 10 people, while a federal judge in&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;sided with a church that challenged the Louisville mayor’s restrictions on drive-in Easter services.The church has been in Greenville for more than 65 years. Scott said his congregants, about 125 in all, are mostly older and on fixed incomes, and aren't tech savvy, so the radio broadcast was a way to keep them connected.Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons, a Democrat, said Monday that no one will have to pay the fines, but the ban on such gatherings remains in place to try to save lives as the highly contagious virus continues to spread. He also called on Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to issue clear statewide guidance on whether people are allowed to congregate for worship during the governor’s statewide stay-at-home order that remains in effect until April 20.The governor’s order tells people not to gather in groups of 10 or more. Reeves has said he would prefer that churches not hold services in sanctuaries or parking lots. But he has also said the government does not have the right to ban worship.On Tuesday, he tweeted a thanks to Attorney General William Barr “for this strong stand in support of religious liberty. The government cannot shut down churches.”Attorney Ryan Tucker of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the church, says there’s a Sonic Drive-In restaurant about 200 yards (180 meters) from the church where patrons are still allowed to roll down their windows and talk.He said they will continue the lawsuit seeking a restraining order because the mayor’s order remains in place.“The threat is still present,” he said. “They mayor did not say he’s rescinding the order."There are at least 3,000 cases of coronavirus in Mississippi and more than 100 deaths for the state’s 3 million people. The U.S. has more than 590,000 cases and more than 27,000 deaths.The Justice Department argued in the filing that the city appeared to be targeting religious conduct by singling churches out as the only essential service (as designated by the state of Mississippi) that may not operate despite following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations regarding social distancing.“The facts alleged in the complaint strongly suggest that the city’s actions target religious conduct,” the filing says. “If proven, these facts establish a free exercise violation unless the city demonstrates that its actions are neutral and apply generally to nonreligious and religious institutions or satisfies the demanding strict scrutiny standard.”Barr said that he believes there is a sufficient basis for social distancing rules that have been put in place, but that the restrictions must be applied evenly and not single out religious institutions.“But even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” Barr said in a statement. “Thus, government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity.”The Justice Department has made similar filings in other religious liberty cases, including one in February in support of a Kentucky wedding photographer who is challenging a city ordinance banning businesses from discriminating against gay customers by arguing it would violate her religious beliefs. In June 2019, the department filed a statement of interest in a case in&nbsp;Maine, arguing that a law that banned religious schools from the state’s tuition program was unconstitutional.In previous administrations, such involvement was highly unusual.“A free society depends on a vibrant religious life by the people,” Barr said in an interview with Fox News last week. He said he would “hate to see restrictions on religion continue longer than they are strictly necessary.”___

Justice Department takes church's side in 1st Amendment suit

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Tuesday night canceled arguments from attorneys over a civil rights’ group attempt to force the state to release prison inmates with preexisting medical conditions making them vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.

The high court’s actions came with arguments originally set for Wednesday afternoon in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac07990b544da59f4a72588fe2a58f2f">a lawsuit&nbsp;</a>filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas for seven inmates at state prisons in Ellsworth, Lansing and Topeka. A two-page order signed by Justice Marla Luckert sent the case to district court in Leavenworth County, home to the Lansing prison.

The lawsuit argues that the inmates are housed in crowded conditions with limited access to adequate medical care. It also contended that releasing vulnerable inmates would allow proper social distancing and reduce the virus’ transmission among remaining prisoners.

But lawyers for the Department of Corrections and Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office on Tuesday filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and Luckert’s order said the state’s response showed “there are significant issues of fact” that should be settled in district court.

The state has confirmed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/25c89572334afcca21034740070c45f4">18 inmates and 21 staff at the Lansing prison&nbsp;</a>have tested positive for coronavirus. An inmate at a work-release facility in Wichita also tested positive, prompting the Department of Corrections to move 113 prisoners Sunday night to Lansing.

Gov. Laura Kelly has said efforts are underway to identify inmates who are close to finishing their sentences and can be released.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause a severe illness or death.

Jails already have started shrinking their populations, including one in Sedgwick County that now has nearly 400 fewer inmates.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court plans to hear arguments from attorneys Wednesday over a civil rights group’s attempt to force the state to release prison inmates with preexisting medical conditions making them vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.

The court is reviewing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac07990b544da59f4a72588fe2a58f2f">a lawsuit&nbsp;</a>filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas for seven inmates at state prisons in Ellsworth, Lansing and Topeka. The lawsuit argues that the inmates are housed in crowded conditions with limited access to adequate medical care.

The lawsuit contends that releasing vulnerable inmates would allow proper social distancing and reduce the virus’ transmission among remaining prisoners.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586614513860.png" alt="During oral arguments April 11, the Justices conducted&nbsp; the hearing completely via video conferencing." />
 <figcaption>During oral arguments April 11, the Justices conducted&nbsp; the hearing completely via video conferencing.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Tuesday night canceled arguments from attorneys over a civil rights’ group attempt to force the state to release prison inmates with preexisting medical conditions making them vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.The high court’s actions came with arguments originally set for Wednesday afternoon in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac07990b544da59f4a72588fe2a58f2f">a lawsuit&nbsp;</a>filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas for seven inmates at state prisons in Ellsworth, Lansing and Topeka. A two-page order signed by Justice Marla Luckert sent the case to district court in Leavenworth County, home to the Lansing prison.The lawsuit argues that the inmates are housed in crowded conditions with limited access to adequate medical care. It also contended that releasing vulnerable inmates would allow proper social distancing and reduce the virus’ transmission among remaining prisoners.But lawyers for the Department of Corrections and Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office on Tuesday filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and Luckert’s order said the state’s response showed “there are significant issues of fact” that should be settled in district court.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586514290122.png" alt="Police arrive at Lansing&nbsp; prison last week to quiet a prison riot-image courtesy Fox4KansasCity&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Police arrive at Lansing&nbsp; prison last week to quiet a prison riot-image courtesy Fox4KansasCity&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The state has confirmed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/25c89572334afcca21034740070c45f4">18 inmates and 21 staff at the Lansing prison&nbsp;</a>have tested positive for coronavirus. An inmate at a work-release facility in Wichita also tested positive, prompting the Department of Corrections to move 113 prisoners Sunday night to Lansing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586892568009.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly discussed the inmate issue at her Monday news conference." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly discussed the inmate issue at her Monday news conference.</figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Laura Kelly has said efforts are underway to identify inmates who are close to finishing their sentences and can be released.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause a severe illness or death.Jails already have started shrinking their populations, including one in Sedgwick County that now has nearly 400 fewer inmates.___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court plans to hear arguments from attorneys Wednesday over a civil rights group’s attempt to force the state to release prison inmates with preexisting medical conditions making them vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.The court is reviewing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ac07990b544da59f4a72588fe2a58f2f">a lawsuit&nbsp;</a>filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas for seven inmates at state prisons in Ellsworth, Lansing and Topeka. The lawsuit argues that the inmates are housed in crowded conditions with limited access to adequate medical care.The lawsuit contends that releasing vulnerable inmates would allow proper social distancing and reduce the virus’ transmission among remaining prisoners.The state has confirmed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/25c89572334afcca21034740070c45f4">18 inmates and 21 staff at the Lansing prison&nbsp;</a>have tested positive for coronavirus. An inmate at a work-release facility in Wichita also tested positive, prompting the Department of Corrections to move 113 prisoners Sunday night to Lansing.Gov. Laura Kelly has said efforts are underway to identify inmates who are close to finishing their sentences and can be released.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause a severe illness or death.

Kansas Supreme Court cancels arguments on releasing inmates

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a burglary report at Tom Sawyer Bicycle Shop located in the 1900 block&nbsp;of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Surveillance video showed the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Christopher Brody Edward Steele, Jr. breaking into the business with a pipe wrench and stealing a BMX bike.

Just after noon, an officer spotted Steele on a bicycle in the 800 block of South Broadway. 

Steele matched the suspect seen in the surveillance video, and the bicycle was the same as well. When the officer attempted to contact Steele, he fled on the bike and ran into a house in the 1000 block of South Main. Steele attempted to run out the back door of the house but was arrested.

The bicycle was recovered inside of the residence.&nbsp;Steele remains jailed on requested charges of burglary, theft, and obstruct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586897565709.png" alt="Steele photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Steele photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a burglary report at Tom Sawyer Bicycle Shop located in the 1900 block&nbsp;of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Surveillance video showed the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Christopher Brody Edward Steele, Jr. breaking into the business with a pipe wrench and stealing a BMX bike.Just after noon, an officer spotted Steele on a bicycle in the 800 block of South Broadway. Steele matched the suspect seen in the surveillance video, and the bicycle was the same as well. When the officer attempted to contact Steele, he fled on the bike and ran into a house in the 1000 block of South Main. Steele attempted to run out the back door of the house but was arrested.The bicycle was recovered inside of the residence.&nbsp;Steele remains jailed on requested charges of burglary, theft, and obstruct.

Surveillance video helps police catch Kan. burglary suspect

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Emergency medical workers in Kansas have written to Gov. Laura Kelly saying they lack adequate protective gear and that their workers compensation doesn’t cover them if they become infected with the coronavirus or need to be quarantined.

The Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association said in a letter sent last week that EMS providers are very concerned that they will be “severely financially impacted” if they are exposed to the virus. Some are volunteers, while others are part-time workers. The advocacy group sent the letter to journalists this week.

It asked Kelly to issue an executive order to cover lost wages and the cost of health care for workers on the front line who fall ill or must be quarantined.

“Kansas workers compensation does not cover communicable disease infections even though EMS and other healthcare providers are clearly putting themselves in harms’ way to deliver much needed care,” the letter says.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Kelly has responded.

Health officials in Kansas are urging residents to wear cloth face coverings when they go out in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Kelly said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/posts/527606137939165?__xts__[0]=68.ARBsd5ozUbliIOKdNRRp4Q79kHg2LFg-oVCBlmAL027fanCoo5uQX0q6qE6smgWrhHZYGE-XGMb1C8OGUSYPZKAedYR3QAKJDK8tPE4p1_Np_sNQ6UIZSrMGOOVUgJAnrrMr_QqyCH2KBdoVmIA8MLj_fLWdkh4QhKdbOznz5bZTOcvWeI9QE2pLAF0JUUsyq3P6rRepAJJPZ8oqGy8qCAQ4ufzXgALa7OFBUMFzGjODbp5aDXRUgd1wOLrNoBSI7VPzpvTCxz9GPZQNKIGgvulz__0HPDwyyoCc24GHHSkx7_9KZ44wy2GOezDmVIKfvSTGC6nJVEkY_zbpy-U&amp;__tn__=-R" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that new evidence suggests people are able to transmit the virus to others before they show any symptoms.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9625f2983ac615d631a64e3e99b0e69e">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;issued a similar recommendation last week.

Topeka-area health officials offered similar guidance to retail workers on Monday. Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino said retailers should limit the number of customers in a store to no more than five for each 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) at a time. He said customers should be admitted into stores on a “one-out, one in” basis once a store reaches its capacity, The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200413/shawnee-county-health-officer-store-employees-should-cover-faces-at-all-times" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Statewide, the number of confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/642/4-14-20-update-numbers" target="_blank">cases</a>&nbsp;of COVID-19,the disease caused by the virus, grew Tuesday to 1,426 cases, up 50 from Monday. The number of deaths increased by seven to 69.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

At the University of Kansas Health System, the number of inpatients dropped to 29 Tuesday from 31 Monday. Twelve are in the ICU and nine are on ventilators, according to a news release.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, said the curve has been flattened, at least in the Kansas City area. But he added that the biggest risk is returning to normal too quickly.

His remarks came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/06f57a460059e8e2c481078dc4747440">Trump insisted Monday</a>&nbsp;that he has “total” authority to decide how and when to loosen restrictions — a notion considered at odds with the Constitution, which delegates such matters to the states.

Kelly said Monday that Kansas would move “back to normal as the science allows.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586807038792.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly listens to questions during her Monday news conference" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly listens to questions during her Monday news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Emergency medical workers in Kansas have written to Gov. Laura Kelly saying they lack adequate protective gear and that their workers compensation doesn’t cover them if they become infected with the coronavirus or need to be quarantined.The Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association said in a letter sent last week that EMS providers are very concerned that they will be “severely financially impacted” if they are exposed to the virus. Some are volunteers, while others are part-time workers. The advocacy group sent the letter to journalists this week.It asked Kelly to issue an executive order to cover lost wages and the cost of health care for workers on the front line who fall ill or must be quarantined.“Kansas workers compensation does not cover communicable disease infections even though EMS and other healthcare providers are clearly putting themselves in harms’ way to deliver much needed care,” the letter says.It wasn’t immediately clear if Kelly has responded.FACE MASKS<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586545963590.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Lee Norman demonstrated how to wear a face mask during a Friday April 11 press conference in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Lee Norman demonstrated how to wear a face mask during a Friday April 11 press conference in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>Health officials in Kansas are urging residents to wear cloth face coverings when they go out in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Kelly said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/posts/527606137939165?__xts__[0]=68.ARBsd5ozUbliIOKdNRRp4Q79kHg2LFg-oVCBlmAL027fanCoo5uQX0q6qE6smgWrhHZYGE-XGMb1C8OGUSYPZKAedYR3QAKJDK8tPE4p1_Np_sNQ6UIZSrMGOOVUgJAnrrMr_QqyCH2KBdoVmIA8MLj_fLWdkh4QhKdbOznz5bZTOcvWeI9QE2pLAF0JUUsyq3P6rRepAJJPZ8oqGy8qCAQ4ufzXgALa7OFBUMFzGjODbp5aDXRUgd1wOLrNoBSI7VPzpvTCxz9GPZQNKIGgvulz__0HPDwyyoCc24GHHSkx7_9KZ44wy2GOezDmVIKfvSTGC6nJVEkY_zbpy-U&amp;__tn__=-R" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that new evidence suggests people are able to transmit the virus to others before they show any symptoms.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9625f2983ac615d631a64e3e99b0e69e">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;issued a similar recommendation last week.Topeka-area health officials offered similar guidance to retail workers on Monday. Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino said retailers should limit the number of customers in a store to no more than five for each 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) at a time. He said customers should be admitted into stores on a “one-out, one in” basis once a store reaches its capacity, The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200413/shawnee-county-health-officer-store-employees-should-cover-faces-at-all-times" target="_blank">reports</a>.CORONAVIRUS CASESStatewide, the number of confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/642/4-14-20-update-numbers" target="_blank">cases</a>&nbsp;of COVID-19,the disease caused by the virus, grew Tuesday to 1,426 cases, up 50 from Monday. The number of deaths increased by seven to 69.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.At the University of Kansas Health System, the number of inpatients dropped to 29 Tuesday from 31 Monday. Twelve are in the ICU and nine are on ventilators, according to a news release.Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, said the curve has been flattened, at least in the Kansas City area. But he added that the biggest risk is returning to normal too quickly.His remarks came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/06f57a460059e8e2c481078dc4747440">Trump insisted Monday</a>&nbsp;that he has “total” authority to decide how and when to loosen restrictions — a notion considered at odds with the Constitution, which delegates such matters to the states.Kelly said Monday that Kansas would move “back to normal as the science allows.”

Emergency workers in Kan. seek help responding to virus outbreak

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Kansas City police officer who said he was shot in the chest last fall while patrolling a shopping center has been charged with false reporting, prosecutors said.

Kelly Sapp, 53, was suspended from his job after investigators questioned his story about being shot Sept. 14 while he moonlighted as a security guard.

Police swarmed the area looking for a shooter after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/054d2a1fe3134972b6612fb728f4c5f5">Sapp radioed he needed help</a>. He said he had been shot by an unknown assailant as he investigated noises coming from a tree line near the shopping center. Sapp, who was in uniform at the time, said his protective vest saved him from grave injury.

But investigators later determined the evidence gathered at the scene didn’t match Sapp’s story, including security video that showed Sapp outside his vehicle, but no shooting. Investigators said Sapp continued to maintain he was being truthful until he later told detectives that the story was “a result of his being ‘in crisis’.”

Sapp left the department about a month after the incident, police officials said. Sapp is scheduled to appear in court on May 28.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Kansas City police officer who said he was shot in the chest last fall while patrolling a shopping center has been charged with false reporting, prosecutors said.Kelly Sapp, 53, was suspended from his job after investigators questioned his story about being shot Sept. 14 while he moonlighted as a security guard.Police swarmed the area looking for a shooter after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/054d2a1fe3134972b6612fb728f4c5f5">Sapp radioed he needed help</a>. He said he had been shot by an unknown assailant as he investigated noises coming from a tree line near the shopping center. Sapp, who was in uniform at the time, said his protective vest saved him from grave injury.But investigators later determined the evidence gathered at the scene didn’t match Sapp’s story, including security video that showed Sapp outside his vehicle, but no shooting. Investigators said Sapp continued to maintain he was being truthful until he later told detectives that the story was “a result of his being ‘in crisis’.”Sapp left the department about a month after the incident, police officials said. Sapp is scheduled to appear in court on May 28.

Ex-Kansas City officer accused of lying about being shot

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was cutting off U.S. payments to the World Health Organization during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus pandemic</a>, accusing the organization of failing to do enough to stop the virus from spreading when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/68a9e1b91de4ffc166acd6012d82c2f9">first surfaced in China</a>.

Trump, who had telegraphed his intentions last week, claimed the outbreak could have been contained at its source and that lives could have been saved had the U.N. health agency done a better job investigating the early reports coming out of China.

“The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump said at a Tuesday briefing. He said the U.S. would be reviewing the WHO’s actions to stop the virus before making any decision on resuming aid.

There was no immediate comment from the Geneva-based organization on Trump’s announcement. But when asked about possible U.S. funding cuts during a regular U.N. briefing earlier Tuesday, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris responded, “Regardless of any issues, our work will go on.”

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to Trump’s announcement by saying now is not the time to end support for the World Health Organization, calling the WHO “absolutely critical” to the global effort to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Guterres said that it is possible that different entities read the facts differently but that the appropriate time for a review is “once we have finally turned the page on this pandemic.”

“But now is not that time,” he said, adding that it also is not the time to reduce resources for operations at the WHO or any other humanitarian group that is working to combat the virus.

The United States contributed nearly $900 million to the WHO’s budget for 2018-19, according to information on the agency’s website. That represents one-fifth of its total $4.4 billion budget for those years. The U.S. gave nearly three-fourths of the funds in “specified voluntary contributions” and the rest in “assessed” funding as part of Washington’s commitment to U.N. institutions.

A more detailed WHO budget document provided by the U.S. mission in Geneva showed that in 2019, the United States provided $452 million, including nearly $119 million in assessed funding. In its most recent budget proposal from February, the Trump administration called for slashing the U.S. assessed funding contribution to the WHO to $57.9 million.

More than 125,000 deaths worldwide, including more than 25,000 in the U.S., have been blamed on the coronavirus,&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">according to Johns Hopkins University</a>.

Last week, Trump blasted the WHO for being “China-centric” and alleging that it had “criticized” his ban on travel from China as the COVID-19 outbreak was spreading from the city of Wuhan.

The WHO generally takes care not to criticize countries on their national policies, and it was not immediately clear what specific criticism Trump was alluding to.

Trump himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/be2b37d1a6c43aa662cf4469fb50b753">showed deference to China</a>&nbsp;at the beginning stages of the outbreak.

“China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus,” he tweeted Jan. 24. “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586903005302.png" alt="President Trump made the announcement during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing from the White House Rose Garden" />
 <figcaption>President Trump made the announcement during Tuesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing from the White House Rose Garden</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was cutting off U.S. payments to the World Health Organization during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus pandemic</a>, accusing the organization of failing to do enough to stop the virus from spreading when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/68a9e1b91de4ffc166acd6012d82c2f9">first surfaced in China</a>.Trump, who had telegraphed his intentions last week, claimed the outbreak could have been contained at its source and that lives could have been saved had the U.N. health agency done a better job investigating the early reports coming out of China.“The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump said at a Tuesday briefing. He said the U.S. would be reviewing the WHO’s actions to stop the virus before making any decision on resuming aid.There was no immediate comment from the Geneva-based organization on Trump’s announcement. But when asked about possible U.S. funding cuts during a regular U.N. briefing earlier Tuesday, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris responded, “Regardless of any issues, our work will go on.”U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to Trump’s announcement by saying now is not the time to end support for the World Health Organization, calling the WHO “absolutely critical” to the global effort to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.Guterres said that it is possible that different entities read the facts differently but that the appropriate time for a review is “once we have finally turned the page on this pandemic.”“But now is not that time,” he said, adding that it also is not the time to reduce resources for operations at the WHO or any other humanitarian group that is working to combat the virus.The United States contributed nearly $900 million to the WHO’s budget for 2018-19, according to information on the agency’s website. That represents one-fifth of its total $4.4 billion budget for those years. The U.S. gave nearly three-fourths of the funds in “specified voluntary contributions” and the rest in “assessed” funding as part of Washington’s commitment to U.N. institutions.A more detailed WHO budget document provided by the U.S. mission in Geneva showed that in 2019, the United States provided $452 million, including nearly $119 million in assessed funding. In its most recent budget proposal from February, the Trump administration called for slashing the U.S. assessed funding contribution to the WHO to $57.9 million.More than 125,000 deaths worldwide, including more than 25,000 in the U.S., have been blamed on the coronavirus,&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">according to Johns Hopkins University</a>.Last week, Trump blasted the WHO for being “China-centric” and alleging that it had “criticized” his ban on travel from China as the COVID-19 outbreak was spreading from the city of Wuhan.The WHO generally takes care not to criticize countries on their national policies, and it was not immediately clear what specific criticism Trump was alluding to.Trump himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/be2b37d1a6c43aa662cf4469fb50b753">showed deference to China</a>&nbsp;at the beginning stages of the outbreak.“China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus,” he tweeted Jan. 24. “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”Asked Tuesday about the appropriateness of seeking to cut the WHO’s funding in the middle of a worldwide viral outbreak, Trump said the review would last 60 to 90 days.“This is an evaluation period, but in the meantime, we’re putting a hold on all funds going to World Health,” Trump said. He said the U.S. will continue to engage with the WHO in pursuit of “meaningful reforms.”Trump has also complained that other countries give substantially less than the U.S., singling out China.The American Medical Association immediately called on Trump to reconsider his decision.“During the worst public health crisis in a century, halting funding to the World Health Organization is a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier,” AMA President Patrice A. Harris said in a statement.Harris said international cooperation is needed to fight the virus, along with science and data.“Cutting funding to the WHO, rather than focusing on solutions, is a dangerous move at a precarious moment for the world,” she said.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. But it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death for some people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems. The vast majority of people recover.___