WASHINGTON (AP) — In an abrupt change of course, the White House is now declining to comment on the frequency of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 testing regimen, even as it maintains that it would inform the public if he were to ever test positive for the coronavirus.

Since Inauguration Day, the White House had frequently answered questions from reporters about when Biden, 79, last tested negative for the virus. Now, the White House says its policy is not to answer those questions.

“I’m telling you he has a regular cadence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, refusing to say what day he last tested negative. “I just don’t have a date to share with you, but he does have a regular weekly cadence.”

Following Jean-Pierre’s comments, deputy press secretary Chris Meagher tweeted Thursday that “Our policy is not to readout every test POTUS has taken.”

Biden has often been tested more frequently, either because of close calls with people who have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 or because of his travel schedule. And the White House had previously been more transparent about Biden’s testing.

“To remain transparent with you and the American people, we wanted to share that the President tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last February. “We will venture to provide this update the following day in the future.”

As recently as May 4, Psaki told reporters that Biden tested negative the previous day.

The new, more opaque approach comes as top White House officials have been matter-of-fact about the chances of the president getting COVID, a measure of how ingrained the virus has become in society — and of its diminished threat for those who are up to date on their vaccinations and with access to treatments.

Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the White House would inform the public if Biden were to test positive or if he were to be deemed a “close contact” of someone who tested positive. The White House uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of a “close contact,” which is being in the presence of someone with known or suspected COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, or within six feet of someone with the virus up to two days before they tested positive.

The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652913740800.png" alt="The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — In an abrupt change of course, the White House is now declining to comment on the frequency of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 testing regimen, even as it maintains that it would inform the public if he were to ever test positive for the coronavirus.Since Inauguration Day, the White House had frequently answered questions from reporters about when Biden, 79, last tested negative for the virus. Now, the White House says its policy is not to answer those questions.“I’m telling you he has a regular cadence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, refusing to say what day he last tested negative. “I just don’t have a date to share with you, but he does have a regular weekly cadence.”Following Jean-Pierre’s comments, deputy press secretary Chris Meagher tweeted Thursday that “Our policy is not to readout every test POTUS has taken.”Biden has often been tested more frequently, either because of close calls with people who have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 or because of his travel schedule. And the White House had previously been more transparent about Biden’s testing.“To remain transparent with you and the American people, we wanted to share that the President tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last February. “We will venture to provide this update the following day in the future.”As recently as May 4, Psaki told reporters that Biden tested negative the previous day.The new, more opaque approach comes as top White House officials have been matter-of-fact about the chances of the president getting COVID, a measure of how ingrained the virus has become in society — and of its diminished threat for those who are up to date on their vaccinations and with access to treatments.Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the White House would inform the public if Biden were to test positive or if he were to be deemed a “close contact” of someone who tested positive. The White House uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of a “close contact,” which is being in the presence of someone with known or suspected COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, or within six feet of someone with the virus up to two days before they tested positive.The White House said Biden has never tested positive for COVID-19.

White House clams up on Biden COVID-19 testing regimen

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Lifeguards at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby performed a water rescue Friday, according to a statement from the city.

Just before 9p.m. a lifeguard identified a 3-year-old boy under water in the children’s area of the pool and performed a water rescue.&nbsp;

Derby Fire &amp; Rescue responded to the call in less than two minutes. Sedgwick County EMS was also on scene. The boy was alert and responsive when emergency responders arrived. EMS transported the boy to a Wichita hospital as a precaution.

Since the park opened in 2004, the only other major incident occurred on July 25, 2019 in which there was a near drowning of a 9-year-old girl. Rock River Rapids lifeguards are trained for situations like this and can be commended for their quick response.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655556404906.png" alt="River Rock Rapids -Google image" />
 <figcaption>River Rock Rapids -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Lifeguards at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby performed a water rescue Friday, according to a statement from the city.Just before 9p.m. a lifeguard identified a 3-year-old boy under water in the children’s area of the pool and performed a water rescue.&nbsp;Derby Fire &amp; Rescue responded to the call in less than two minutes. Sedgwick County EMS was also on scene. The boy was alert and responsive when emergency responders arrived. EMS transported the boy to a Wichita hospital as a precaution.Since the park opened in 2004, the only other major incident occurred on July 25, 2019 in which there was a near drowning of a 9-year-old girl. Rock River Rapids lifeguards are trained for situations like this and can be commended for their quick response.

Lifeguard saves boy from drowning at Kansas waterpark

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers and marketers have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party cups.

But many are getting backlash on social media for what critics say undermines the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-congress-federal-holiday-3cc3b7a56ec97b0bae3dbdff1da092ee">designated as a federal holiday last year</a>&nbsp;to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. A search for Juneteenth items among online sellers like Amazon and J.C. Penney produced everything from toothpicks with pan-African flags to party plates and balloons.

Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, apologized last month after getting slammed for a Juneteenth ice cream flavor — swirled red velvet and cheesecake — under its store label Great Value. Walmart said it’s reviewing its product assortment and will remove items “as appropriate.” As of Friday, Walmart’s site was still offering lots of T-shirts and party plates.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum removed a Juneteenth watermelon salad from its menu and issued a mea culpa earlier this week. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the museum blamed a lapse in vendor oversight, noting the label and salad were not reviewed by museum staff.

“We are an imperfect institution, but we are committed to improvement and will work tirelessly to regain your trust,” the museum wrote on its Facebook page.

The backlash comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-business-lifestyle-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-george-floyd-ec48d239cd93b8d07a9fc13d62ba7364">companies promised after the police killing of George Floyd in May of 2020 to no longer stay silent</a>&nbsp;and vowed to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whole-foods-market-inc-race-and-ethnicity-beyonce-knowles-corporate-giving-coronavirus-pandemic-65357480c89de284c6f0feb2f4b62587">an active role</a>&nbsp;in confronting and educating customers and employees on systemic racism. According to the preliminary results of a survey by Mercer of 200 employers, 33% are offering Juneteenth as a paid holiday to their staff. That’s up from 9% last year in a survey of more than 400 companies conducted shortly before Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.

At the same time, many have cashed in on a holiday that Black Americans have observed since June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in alignment with President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.

Many experts believe that if retailers and other marketers plan to recognize the day, they should either sell merchandise from Black-owned businesses or invest in campaigns that would help Black communities. Amazon. for instance, does have a Black-owned business storefront that’s live all year-round for customers who want to support and shop Black-owned businesses selling on the site.

“This is a serious and reflective moment — I am excited and grateful for the recognition,” said Ramon Manning, chairman of the board at Emancipation Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization aimed to restore the park, which was purchased in 1872 by a group of former enslaved people to commemorate the anniversary of their emancipation.

“However, I feel like it is also brought back everybody else out of the woodwork who are opportunists more so than folks who are looking at the history of this country and looking at where a group of people have come from,” he added.

Manning, who is also founder and chairman of Ridgegate Capital, a private investment fund, further wondered: “Who is this going to benefit?”

Sheryl Daija, founder and CEO of Bridge, a group of marketing and diversity, equity and inclusion executives, noted there’s a disconnect between the seriousness of the holiday and the merchandise on display.

“A lot of companies have good intentions, but unfortunately good intentions can go awry, and this is what we have seen,” said Daija, who found Walmart’s Juneteenth ice cream particularly egregious because it used the holiday moniker to brand a new ice cream flavor.

Companies have a long history of commercializing holidays and other moments in order to cash in. Take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/12a7bd7d472a4037a984b04fae278107">Cinco de Mayo</a>, which has become in the U.S a celebration of all things Mexican, with companies selling everything from beans to beer to sombrero hats. The holiday has spread from the American Southwest, even though most have no idea about its original ties to the U.S. Civil War, abolition and promotion of civil rights for Blacks. In fact, it’s often mistaken for Mexican Independence day.

Meanwhile, every October, retailers are awash in pink merchandise to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month, but critics say many make misleading claims about supporting cancer groups. And Memorial Day, a federal holiday day designated to mourn the U.S. military who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces, has morphed into all-day mattress sales at stores.

But what makes the move by companies to cash in on Juneteenth worse is that it comes as the U.S. remains fraught with racial tensions, said Darnise Martin, clinical associate professor of African American studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“It is weird to merchandise around it, but that’s what America does,” Martin said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624012350734.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers and marketers have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party cups.But many are getting backlash on social media for what critics say undermines the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-congress-federal-holiday-3cc3b7a56ec97b0bae3dbdff1da092ee">designated as a federal holiday last year</a>&nbsp;to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. A search for Juneteenth items among online sellers like Amazon and J.C. Penney produced everything from toothpicks with pan-African flags to party plates and balloons.Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, apologized last month after getting slammed for a Juneteenth ice cream flavor — swirled red velvet and cheesecake — under its store label Great Value. Walmart said it’s reviewing its product assortment and will remove items “as appropriate.” As of Friday, Walmart’s site was still offering lots of T-shirts and party plates.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Please take a moment to read this important letter from The Children’s Museum. <a href="https://t.co/vMhnBSuGgK">pic.twitter.com/vMhnBSuGgK</a>&mdash; The Children&#39;s Museum (@TCMIndy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TCMIndy/status/1536679876589150209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum removed a Juneteenth watermelon salad from its menu and issued a mea culpa earlier this week. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the museum blamed a lapse in vendor oversight, noting the label and salad were not reviewed by museum staff.“We are an imperfect institution, but we are committed to improvement and will work tirelessly to regain your trust,” the museum wrote on its Facebook page.The backlash comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-business-lifestyle-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-george-floyd-ec48d239cd93b8d07a9fc13d62ba7364">companies promised after the police killing of George Floyd in May of 2020 to no longer stay silent</a>&nbsp;and vowed to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whole-foods-market-inc-race-and-ethnicity-beyonce-knowles-corporate-giving-coronavirus-pandemic-65357480c89de284c6f0feb2f4b62587">an active role</a>&nbsp;in confronting and educating customers and employees on systemic racism. According to the preliminary results of a survey by Mercer of 200 employers, 33% are offering Juneteenth as a paid holiday to their staff. That’s up from 9% last year in a survey of more than 400 companies conducted shortly before Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.At the same time, many have cashed in on a holiday that Black Americans have observed since June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in alignment with President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.Many experts believe that if retailers and other marketers plan to recognize the day, they should either sell merchandise from Black-owned businesses or invest in campaigns that would help Black communities. Amazon. for instance, does have a Black-owned business storefront that’s live all year-round for customers who want to support and shop Black-owned businesses selling on the site.“This is a serious and reflective moment — I am excited and grateful for the recognition,” said Ramon Manning, chairman of the board at Emancipation Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization aimed to restore the park, which was purchased in 1872 by a group of former enslaved people to commemorate the anniversary of their emancipation.“However, I feel like it is also brought back everybody else out of the woodwork who are opportunists more so than folks who are looking at the history of this country and looking at where a group of people have come from,” he added.Manning, who is also founder and chairman of Ridgegate Capital, a private investment fund, further wondered: “Who is this going to benefit?”Sheryl Daija, founder and CEO of Bridge, a group of marketing and diversity, equity and inclusion executives, noted there’s a disconnect between the seriousness of the holiday and the merchandise on display.“A lot of companies have good intentions, but unfortunately good intentions can go awry, and this is what we have seen,” said Daija, who found Walmart’s Juneteenth ice cream particularly egregious because it used the holiday moniker to brand a new ice cream flavor.Companies have a long history of commercializing holidays and other moments in order to cash in. Take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/12a7bd7d472a4037a984b04fae278107">Cinco de Mayo</a>, which has become in the U.S a celebration of all things Mexican, with companies selling everything from beans to beer to sombrero hats. The holiday has spread from the American Southwest, even though most have no idea about its original ties to the U.S. Civil War, abolition and promotion of civil rights for Blacks. In fact, it’s often mistaken for Mexican Independence day.Meanwhile, every October, retailers are awash in pink merchandise to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month, but critics say many make misleading claims about supporting cancer groups. And Memorial Day, a federal holiday day designated to mourn the U.S. military who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces, has morphed into all-day mattress sales at stores.But what makes the move by companies to cash in on Juneteenth worse is that it comes as the U.S. remains fraught with racial tensions, said Darnise Martin, clinical associate professor of African American studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.“It is weird to merchandise around it, but that’s what America does,” Martin said.

Some retailers face social media backlash over Juneteenth marketing 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the many cast members to grace 2022 Smallville Con this weekend at the Kansas State Fairgrounds is Jack O' Halloran. He played Non, the menacing but mute member of the trio of Kryptonian supervillains in the first two Superman movies.

"It's like an immortal deal," O'Halloran said. "I knew that, when we did the film, that it was going to be there forever."

O'Halloran spoke glowingly of the brilliance of director Richard Donner. He believes the so-called Donner Cut of Superman II is more true to the intent of the story.

"Richard Donner is a tremendous director," O'Halloran said. "He had already shot 86% of Superman II. When they brought on Richard Lester, in order for him to be a named director on the film, he had to have shot better than 50% of the film, so he went back and reshot stuff and added a lot more comedy and stuff than Donner did. The Donner Cut is actually a much better version of Superman II."

One of the differences in the older Superman movies from current comic book fare is that it isn't nearly as dark.

"There was enough action in the film to make the story work extremely well," O'Halloran said. "You didn't need to go overboard. Today, the films get darker and darker and darker. Hopefully, that changes in the future."

Jack O’Halloran will have Q&amp;A on Saturday in the Sunflower North Building.&nbsp;<a href="https://smallvillecomiccon.com/sites/all/libraries/pdfjs/web/2022SmallvilleProgramSchedule.pdf">Here is the full schedule</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655495294065.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the many cast members to grace 2022 Smallville Con this weekend at the Kansas State Fairgrounds is Jack O' Halloran. He played Non, the menacing but mute member of the trio of Kryptonian supervillains in the first two Superman movies."It's like an immortal deal," O'Halloran said. "I knew that, when we did the film, that it was going to be there forever."O'Halloran spoke glowingly of the brilliance of director Richard Donner. He believes the so-called Donner Cut of Superman II is more true to the intent of the story."Richard Donner is a tremendous director," O'Halloran said. "He had already shot 86% of Superman II. When they brought on Richard Lester, in order for him to be a named director on the film, he had to have shot better than 50% of the film, so he went back and reshot stuff and added a lot more comedy and stuff than Donner did. The Donner Cut is actually a much better version of Superman II."One of the differences in the older Superman movies from current comic book fare is that it isn't nearly as dark."There was enough action in the film to make the story work extremely well," O'Halloran said. "You didn't need to go overboard. Today, the films get darker and darker and darker. Hopefully, that changes in the future."Jack O’Halloran will have Q&amp;A on Saturday in the Sunflower North Building.&nbsp;<a href="https://smallvillecomiccon.com/sites/all/libraries/pdfjs/web/2022SmallvilleProgramSchedule.pdf">Here is the full schedule</a>.

Smallville Con brings movie actors to Hutchinson

WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says three sheriff's deputies who fatally shot a woman near Winfield in April were justified in their actions. 

KAKE-TV reports County Attorney Larry Schwartz says in a report that the shooting of Andrea Barrow was “lawful and justified." Schwartz's report says the deputies were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle when they encountered Barrow, of Arkansas City, who was acting erratically.

 He says the woman refused repeated orders to get out of her vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun and fired at the deputies. All three deputies were injured. Two deputies returned fire, killing Barrow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650123044781.png" alt="Law enforcement investigators on the scene of the April fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement investigators on the scene of the April fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says three sheriff's deputies who fatally shot a woman near Winfield in April were justified in their actions. KAKE-TV reports County Attorney Larry Schwartz says in a report that the shooting of Andrea Barrow was “lawful and justified." Schwartz's report says the deputies were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle when they encountered Barrow, of Arkansas City, who was acting erratically. He says the woman refused repeated orders to get out of her vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun and fired at the deputies. All three deputies were injured. Two deputies returned fire, killing Barrow.

Kansas deputies cleared in woman's shooting death

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.

Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.

Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seat

Deputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.

Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655479246400.jpeg" alt="Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Willie Boswell-photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities arrested a Montgomery, Alabama man&nbsp; Thursday afternoon on Interstate 70 west of Salina after more than 27 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products were found in the rental vehicle he was driving.Just before 3p.m., a deputy stopped an eastbound 2021 Chrysler Voyager on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff's Captain Jim HughesDuring a search of the vehicle, the deputy located 18 packages of raw marijuana weighing a total of 15.45 pounds. Additionally, 11.6 pounds of THC wax and THC edibles were located in the vehicle, Hughes said.Deputies also found a set of brass knuckles near the driver's seatDeputies arrested the driver of the rental vehicle, Willie Boswell, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of a weapon and Failure to signal a lane change.Four others in the vehicle were not arrested, according to Hughes.

Deputies find 27 pounds of pot, pot products on I-70

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have identified the victim as 35-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri.

At 10p.m. on&nbsp; Tuesday, police responded to 800 block of Kindelberger Road, according to a media release. They located Johnson's body in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The KCKPD Major Crime Care Unit is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have identified the victim as 35-year-old Lorenzo Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri.At 10p.m. on&nbsp; Tuesday, police responded to 800 block of Kindelberger Road, according to a media release. They located Johnson's body in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.The KCKPD Major Crime Care Unit is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Police ID man found dead in Kansas parking lot

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly firmly believes that if the state is not growing, it is dying. That is why she and her administration have placed such an emphasis on economic development during her first term in office.

"We have revived our state. We've fixed a lot of the things that were wrong, and clearly, that strategy is working," Kelly told Salina Post in an interview Thursday afternoon. "And I want to continue to build on that so that I leave Kansas a lot stronger than I found it."

Last week, it was announced that Kansas was one of only five states to win Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, the second such award in as many years. The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.

According to information from the governor's office, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and been home to 645 new economic development projects during the Kelly administration. 

With two gold shovels in the state's trophy case, Kelly now has her sights set on a move upward to the recently created platinum shovel, a goal that she has conveyed to Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.

"The first time he delivered the gold shovel (2021), I said, 'this is very nice, David, but next year we want the platinum one," but there wasn't one," she said.

Now, however a platinum shovel award has been established. How does Kansas win a platinum shovel?

"You just have to be very successful in landing new capital investments," Kelly explained. "We have been able to do that. In 2020, we set a record for the most new capital investments in state history. That was only good, though, for a silver shovel. But then, in 2021, we went above and beyond and hit $3.8 billion in capital investments. That earned us the gold shovel."

Some of those capital investments, or economic development projects, are right here in Salina, including expansions at Schwan's, Great Plains Manufacturing, and McShares. Kelly also noted the unique-to-Kansas services offered by 1 Vision Aviation and the company's growth at the Salina Regional Airport as a boost to the local and state economy.

While the job growth is a huge boost for Salina, it also has created a need for more housing in and around the city. On April 20, Kelly signed the new state budget that includes increases the state’s funding for housing by $65 million over two years. According to information from the governor's office, the funding "will be dedicated to the development and renovation of moderate-income housing and the creation of a state revolving loan program to support the state’s workforce needs and close the financing gap in rural communities."

"We're making serious investments for things that we know are critical for people in the state of Kansas," Kelly said.

Kelly said she has plenty to keep her busy should she win re-election in November.

"Obviously, I want to build on the successes of my first term. I want to continue to set records for economic development," Kelly told Salina Post. "I want to continue to fund our schools and our roads, all of the things that really contribute to our economic success and the quality of life here in the state."

Kelly said she also had some goals she had not yet been able to achieve, including Medicaid expansion.

"I have been pushing hard for that all four sessions as governor and before as a state senator. I am hoping that once the election is over and I'm no longer a candidate to be opposed that we can break that logjam in the legislature and get Medicaid expansion done," she said.

Additionally, Kelly wants to expand high-speed internet access in Kansas.

"Another thing I want to build on and complete is by the end of my second term, I want to have every home and every business in the State of Kansas that wants to be connected to high-speed internet to get connected," Kelly said. "We know that if we are going to continue to grow as a state and attract people and keep people in our state, we've got to have that connectivity, so that is a goal."

Taking care of early childhood needs also is a goal for Kelly.

"I've always said that I want my legacy as governor to be the most robust, comprehensive early childhood system in the country," she told Salina Post.

Kelly said some headway has been made in the early childhood area during her first term as governor, however, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those efforts and forced the Kelly administration to change its focus to making sure there were childcare slots available because so many childcare providers had to shut down during the pandemic.

"We've been focused on ensuring that there are places for parents to leave their kids in a quality environment while they work, but we want to go way beyond that," Kelly said. "We had begun to develop a public/private partnership approach to early childhood, and we will continue to build on that during my second term."

Local and area programs that contribute to economic development

Earlier this year, Kelly was in Salina twice. Once to announce that Salina had joined the state's revitalized Main Street program and also for the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the expanded OCCK Transportation facility downtown. Additionally, OCCK celebrated the announcement that it was one of 26 agencies receiving funds as a part of the Access, Innovation, and Collaboration (AIC) Public Transit Program.

Kelly noted that both Salina efforts were boosts to economic development. The Kansas Main Street program, for instance, give communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts. The program supports community development and projects that bring in new businesses, that improve the quality of life, and slow the exodus of young Kansans from the state.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2571ccf9-4463-4322-b307-43b03ff0d8ef">Salina Downtown receives national accreditation</a>

Likewise, OCCK's efforts to provide transportation to those who need it, both in Salina and throughout the area, also boosts economic development.

"That was probably one of the most inspiring of all the dedications that I have done," Kelly said of the OCCK celebration in April. "To just see what OCCK has done in your area to really serve folks in need of transportation. Getting them to and from where they need to be. It started out so small and it has just grown like gangbusters."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655488006431.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly with the state's second Gold Shovel Award for economic development. Photo courtesy the governor's office" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly with the state's second Gold Shovel Award for economic development. Photo courtesy the governor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKansas Governor Laura Kelly firmly believes that if the state is not growing, it is dying. That is why she and her administration have placed such an emphasis on economic development during her first term in office."We have revived our state. We've fixed a lot of the things that were wrong, and clearly, that strategy is working," Kelly told Salina Post in an interview Thursday afternoon. "And I want to continue to build on that so that I leave Kansas a lot stronger than I found it."Last week, it was announced that Kansas was one of only five states to win Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, the second such award in as many years. The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities.According to information from the governor's office, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and been home to 645 new economic development projects during the Kelly administration. With two gold shovels in the state's trophy case, Kelly now has her sights set on a move upward to the recently created platinum shovel, a goal that she has conveyed to Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland."The first time he delivered the gold shovel (2021), I said, 'this is very nice, David, but next year we want the platinum one," but there wasn't one," she said.Now, however a platinum shovel award has been established. How does Kansas win a platinum shovel?"You just have to be very successful in landing new capital investments," Kelly explained. "We have been able to do that. In 2020, we set a record for the most new capital investments in state history. That was only good, though, for a silver shovel. But then, in 2021, we went above and beyond and hit $3.8 billion in capital investments. That earned us the gold shovel."Some of those capital investments, or economic development projects, are right here in Salina, including expansions at Schwan's, Great Plains Manufacturing, and McShares. Kelly also noted the unique-to-Kansas services offered by 1 Vision Aviation and the company's growth at the Salina Regional Airport as a boost to the local and state economy.While the job growth is a huge boost for Salina, it also has created a need for more housing in and around the city. On April 20, Kelly signed the new state budget that includes increases the state’s funding for housing by $65 million over two years. According to information from the governor's office, the funding "will be dedicated to the development and renovation of moderate-income housing and the creation of a state revolving loan program to support the state’s workforce needs and close the financing gap in rural communities.""We're making serious investments for things that we know are critical for people in the state of Kansas," Kelly said.Looking to the futureKelly said she has plenty to keep her busy should she win re-election in November."Obviously, I want to build on the successes of my first term. I want to continue to set records for economic development," Kelly told Salina Post. "I want to continue to fund our schools and our roads, all of the things that really contribute to our economic success and the quality of life here in the state."Kelly said she also had some goals she had not yet been able to achieve, including Medicaid expansion."I have been pushing hard for that all four sessions as governor and before as a state senator. I am hoping that once the election is over and I'm no longer a candidate to be opposed that we can break that logjam in the legislature and get Medicaid expansion done," she said.Additionally, Kelly wants to expand high-speed internet access in Kansas."Another thing I want to build on and complete is by the end of my second term, I want to have every home and every business in the State of Kansas that wants to be connected to high-speed internet to get connected," Kelly said. "We know that if we are going to continue to grow as a state and attract people and keep people in our state, we've got to have that connectivity, so that is a goal."Taking care of early childhood needs also is a goal for Kelly."I've always said that I want my legacy as governor to be the most robust, comprehensive early childhood system in the country," she told Salina Post.Kelly said some headway has been made in the early childhood area during her first term as governor, however, the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those efforts and forced the Kelly administration to change its focus to making sure there were childcare slots available because so many childcare providers had to shut down during the pandemic."We've been focused on ensuring that there are places for parents to leave their kids in a quality environment while they work, but we want to go way beyond that," Kelly said. "We had begun to develop a public/private partnership approach to early childhood, and we will continue to build on that during my second term."Local and area programs that contribute to economic developmentEarlier this year, Kelly was in Salina twice. Once to announce that Salina had joined the state's revitalized Main Street program and also for the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the expanded OCCK Transportation facility downtown. Additionally, OCCK celebrated the announcement that it was one of 26 agencies receiving funds as a part of the Access, Innovation, and Collaboration (AIC) Public Transit Program.Kelly noted that both Salina efforts were boosts to economic development. The Kansas Main Street program, for instance, give communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities. It also allows local officials to prioritize restoring and preserving unique, historic downtown business districts. The program supports community development and projects that bring in new businesses, that improve the quality of life, and slow the exodus of young Kansans from the state.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2571ccf9-4463-4322-b307-43b03ff0d8ef">Salina Downtown receives national accreditation</a>Likewise, OCCK's efforts to provide transportation to those who need it, both in Salina and throughout the area, also boosts economic development."That was probably one of the most inspiring of all the dedications that I have done," Kelly said of the OCCK celebration in April. "To just see what OCCK has done in your area to really serve folks in need of transportation. Getting them to and from where they need to be. It started out so small and it has just grown like gangbusters."

Kelly: Economic development key to strengthening Kansas

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4:30a.m.&nbsp; Friday in. Pawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan passenger car driven by Courtney Dawn Towery, 28, Larned, was eastbound on Kansas 156, just east of Kansas 265.

The vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the south ditch.&nbsp; The driver over corrected. The car returned to the roadway and traveled left of center.&nbsp; A 2008 Kenworth semi driven by Asael&nbsp;Hernandez-Salas, 45, Syracuse, Kansas, struck the Nissan.

Towery was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. Hernandez-Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4:30a.m.&nbsp; Friday in. Pawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan passenger car driven by Courtney Dawn Towery, 28, Larned, was eastbound on Kansas 156, just east of Kansas 265.The vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the south ditch.&nbsp; The driver over corrected. The car returned to the roadway and traveled left of center.&nbsp; A 2008 Kenworth semi driven by Asael&nbsp;Hernandez-Salas, 45, Syracuse, Kansas, struck the Nissan.Towery was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. Hernandez-Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after crash with a semi

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Abortion providers in some places where the procedure could be banned if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade are bracing for a ruling by halting scheduling for the procedure, transitioning staff to help patients travel to other states and creating networks of clinics that will span across regions of the country.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, which operates three clinics that provide abortions in the state, is not scheduling the procedure beyond June 25 as it anticipates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-religion-government-and-politics-e75b43ad1dd5608fbd7a186b3afe59a6">a late June decision reversing the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide.</a>&nbsp;The organization in recent weeks has dedicated two staff members to help patients book appointments and figure out how to get to clinics.

Whether clinics in Wisconsin will be able to provide abortions, though, has turned into a day-to-day question.

“One of the hardest aspects of this is not knowing what day this decision will come down and what it will be,” said Michelle Velasquez, the director of legal advocacy and services at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. “The unknown has been difficult.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-travel-health-b0561979f5b28c7aebc164c1e159ba0a">It’s a window into what abortion providers and access funds are planning</a>&nbsp;in more than a dozen other states across the South and Midwest. In South Dakota this week, the state’s only abortion clinic, also operated by Planned Parenthood, announced it had “paused” scheduling abortions beyond the end of the month. In Oklahoma, providers already stopped the procedure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-legislature-a43f7f21c1b8e07a383b120d1bdbc695">after a law was enacted to ban it.</a>

In Wisconsin, a law banning abortion has been on the books since 1849, but Roe v. Wade overrode it. While Roe’s fall would likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-madison-6109f177299eb861d8fa7a2e888e086a">spark a legal tussle</a>&nbsp;over whether it is valid, Planned Parenthood does not want to put its staff at risk of prosecution.

Velasquez said clinic staff wanted to provide abortions in Wisconsin up until the last minute it was legal, but also had to consider that scheduling appointments for dates when it could become illegal could create uncertainty and be “distressing” for patients.

Velasquez acknowledged that the Supreme Court could release its decision as soon as next week, even while Planned Parenthood has appointments on the books. She said if that happened, Planned Parenthood would help those patients book appointments for abortions in nearby states, such as Minnesota and Illinois. Patients could still get counseling, lab work and ultrasounds in Wisconsin in the meantime.

“We wouldn’t leave patients, like, ‘You’re on your own,’” Velasquez said.

“Even if we can’t provide the medications or we can’t do a procedure, we are absolutely able to help people find the care they need,” she added.

The strategy will inevitably put more pressure on providers in states in the region where abortion will still be legal, said Caitlyn Myers, an economic professor at Middlebury College who studies abortion access.

“As hundreds of thousands of women flood out of these states, it is going to enormously tax the resources of these providers,” she said. “I don’t think they are prepared for this huge influx.”

It comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-us-supreme-court-science-health-6a72fba07ebe4f8ba7cfb0ba66e3c592">the number and rates of U.S. abortions is on the rise after a long decline.</a>&nbsp;Abortions increased from 2017 to 2020, according to figures from the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It counted more than 930,000 abortions in the U.S. in 2020.

Clinics shuttering, like one did in Idaho recently, or halting scheduling show that a post-Roe reality has already arrived in many places. Myers said getting an appointment for an abortion may soon become “critical” across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648771341385.png" alt="Photo Planned Parenthood" />
 <figcaption>Photo Planned Parenthood</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Abortion providers in some places where the procedure could be banned if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade are bracing for a ruling by halting scheduling for the procedure, transitioning staff to help patients travel to other states and creating networks of clinics that will span across regions of the country.Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, which operates three clinics that provide abortions in the state, is not scheduling the procedure beyond June 25 as it anticipates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-religion-government-and-politics-e75b43ad1dd5608fbd7a186b3afe59a6">a late June decision reversing the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide.</a>&nbsp;The organization in recent weeks has dedicated two staff members to help patients book appointments and figure out how to get to clinics.Whether clinics in Wisconsin will be able to provide abortions, though, has turned into a day-to-day question.“One of the hardest aspects of this is not knowing what day this decision will come down and what it will be,” said Michelle Velasquez, the director of legal advocacy and services at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin. “The unknown has been difficult.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-travel-health-b0561979f5b28c7aebc164c1e159ba0a">It’s a window into what abortion providers and access funds are planning</a>&nbsp;in more than a dozen other states across the South and Midwest. In South Dakota this week, the state’s only abortion clinic, also operated by Planned Parenthood, announced it had “paused” scheduling abortions beyond the end of the month. In Oklahoma, providers already stopped the procedure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-legislature-a43f7f21c1b8e07a383b120d1bdbc695">after a law was enacted to ban it.</a>In Wisconsin, a law banning abortion has been on the books since 1849, but Roe v. Wade overrode it. While Roe’s fall would likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-madison-6109f177299eb861d8fa7a2e888e086a">spark a legal tussle</a>&nbsp;over whether it is valid, Planned Parenthood does not want to put its staff at risk of prosecution.Velasquez said clinic staff wanted to provide abortions in Wisconsin up until the last minute it was legal, but also had to consider that scheduling appointments for dates when it could become illegal could create uncertainty and be “distressing” for patients.Velasquez acknowledged that the Supreme Court could release its decision as soon as next week, even while Planned Parenthood has appointments on the books. She said if that happened, Planned Parenthood would help those patients book appointments for abortions in nearby states, such as Minnesota and Illinois. Patients could still get counseling, lab work and ultrasounds in Wisconsin in the meantime.“We wouldn’t leave patients, like, ‘You’re on your own,’” Velasquez said.“Even if we can’t provide the medications or we can’t do a procedure, we are absolutely able to help people find the care they need,” she added.The strategy will inevitably put more pressure on providers in states in the region where abortion will still be legal, said Caitlyn Myers, an economic professor at Middlebury College who studies abortion access.“As hundreds of thousands of women flood out of these states, it is going to enormously tax the resources of these providers,” she said. “I don’t think they are prepared for this huge influx.”It comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-us-supreme-court-science-health-6a72fba07ebe4f8ba7cfb0ba66e3c592">the number and rates of U.S. abortions is on the rise after a long decline.</a>&nbsp;Abortions increased from 2017 to 2020, according to figures from the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It counted more than 930,000 abortions in the U.S. in 2020.Clinics shuttering, like one did in Idaho recently, or halting scheduling show that a post-Roe reality has already arrived in many places. Myers said getting an appointment for an abortion may soon become “critical” across the country.___

Some clinics halting abortions while bracing for Roe's fall

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — Former NASCAR driver and Fox Sports analyst Clint Bowyer struck and killed a pedestrian on a highway in southwest Missouri earlier this month, police said.

The crash occurred June 5 on an exit ramp off of U.S 54 near Osage Beach, Missouri, according to a crash report from Lake Ozark police.

Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, stopped immediately after the collision and called 911, police said. The woman, 47-year-old Mary Jane Simmons, of Camdenton, died at the scene.

The crash report says Bowyer showed no signs of impairment and provided a roadside blood sample that showed no trace of alcohol.

A crystalline substance was found with the woman’s belongings and residents at a recreational vehicle park where she was staying said they believed she was under the influence of drugs, according to the police statement.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-sports-charlotte-nascar-clint-bowyer-ead024f089682ede9e85953a4faf1859">Bowyer retired in 2020</a>&nbsp;after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 years. His sense of humor has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-jeff-gordon-nascar-clint-bowyer-fd1cdcada40ba723b13d1d914444cea6">a hit in the Fox Sports booth</a>&nbsp;since jumping into that job as a second career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655484827252.png" alt="Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — Former NASCAR driver and Fox Sports analyst Clint Bowyer struck and killed a pedestrian on a highway in southwest Missouri earlier this month, police said.The crash occurred June 5 on an exit ramp off of U.S 54 near Osage Beach, Missouri, according to a crash report from Lake Ozark police.Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, stopped immediately after the collision and called 911, police said. The woman, 47-year-old Mary Jane Simmons, of Camdenton, died at the scene.The crash report says Bowyer showed no signs of impairment and provided a roadside blood sample that showed no trace of alcohol.A crystalline substance was found with the woman’s belongings and residents at a recreational vehicle park where she was staying said they believed she was under the influence of drugs, according to the police statement.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-sports-charlotte-nascar-clint-bowyer-ead024f089682ede9e85953a4faf1859">Bowyer retired in 2020</a>&nbsp;after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 years. His sense of humor has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytona-beach-jeff-gordon-nascar-clint-bowyer-fd1cdcada40ba723b13d1d914444cea6">a hit in the Fox Sports booth</a>&nbsp;since jumping into that job as a second career.

Former NASCAR driver, Kan. native Clint Bowyer involved in fatal crash

This is the first of a&nbsp; three-part series on former K-State football coach Bill Snyder. This story focuses on that portion of his life ranging from childhood through college and his early teaching years.&nbsp;

Former K-State football coach Bill Snyder credits educators for having a great impact on his life. That was a message during remarks to a Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel audience in Junction City Thursday. "The people that have had the greatest impact on my life are people like you, people who sat in classrooms with me, people who guided me, people who gave me direction, people who redirected me in many, many ways. "&nbsp;

Snyder told the story about his childhood. "My mother worked at a downtown department store in St. Joseph, MO.. " He added that she worked 12 hours a day, six days a week and didn't make a lot of money. They lived in a one room apartment, his mother never drove an automobile in her life and she had to walk to work. At night he slept on a murphy bed and his mother on a cot. " But I thought we were rich because of my mother and all that she did for me."

Snyder attended the University of Missouri where he struggled and after one semester returned to St. Joseph where he attended community college with no plans to further his college education beyond that level until the football coach and athletic director for William Jewell College, Dr. Norris Patterson, came to see him. Snyder decided to attend the school and between the jobs that were provided and some need based scholarship money worked his way through college. "I didn't want my mother to have to pay for anything so I made sure that I had enough employment in order to pay what the scholarships did not pay and I was able to do exactly that. " He worked his way through college and went into teaching at Gallatin High School in the small town of Gallatin, MO.

Snyder told a humorous story that left his audience laughing out loud about how he was required to take a foreign language and he had enrolled in one that was unfamiliar to him, Spanish. He took the necessary two classes. " And I thought I'll take one more&nbsp; and that will give me a minor, and I'll have a minor in something. Big mistake in my life!" When he arrived in Gallatin he was informed by the principal that he would be teaching four classes of Spanish. "I don't know if it was fortunately or unfortunately such a small school, the largest class was seven students and the smallest was four." Snyder recounted how he stayed up late every night just to prepare for the next day's lesson. " I was one step ahead, that's it, period!

Later Snyder would become a teacher and assistant football coach at Indio High School in Indio, California. On his first day he learned about his teaching responsibilities including physical education and unexpectedly for one semester....Spanish!&nbsp;&nbsp;

After serving as a graduate assistant in the football program at USC, he returned to Indio High School for three years as the head football coach. He then moved to Foothill High School in Santa Anna, California with the intention of becoming an assistant&nbsp; football coach and physical education teacher. While laughing, explained that on the first day the principal informed him that a teacher had left. "And we would like for you...you guessed it right?&nbsp; So for one class a day I'm back in the classroom with the Spanish students. I thought I will never get away from this, I've got to get into college coaching where that doesn't take place. "

But one point was clear in his remarks. While he may have forgotten the names of some acquaintances over the years he could clearly remember the names of his teachers. "I can recall them so quickly and dream up&nbsp; the images because of the impact that they had."

Snyder would go on to coach at Austin College, North Texas State, the University of Iowa and finally Kansas State University where he took on the massive job of trying to build up the Wildcat football program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655430955148.jpeg" alt="Bill Snyder speaking at the&nbsp; Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel convention in Junction City" />
 <figcaption>Bill Snyder speaking at the&nbsp; Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel convention in Junction City</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the first of a&nbsp; three-part series on former K-State football coach Bill Snyder. This story focuses on that portion of his life ranging from childhood through college and his early teaching years.&nbsp;By Dewey TerrillJC PostFormer K-State football coach Bill Snyder credits educators for having a great impact on his life. That was a message during remarks to a Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel audience in Junction City Thursday. "The people that have had the greatest impact on my life are people like you, people who sat in classrooms with me, people who guided me, people who gave me direction, people who redirected me in many, many ways. "&nbsp;Snyder told the story about his childhood. "My mother worked at a downtown department store in St. Joseph, MO.. " He added that she worked 12 hours a day, six days a week and didn't make a lot of money. They lived in a one room apartment, his mother never drove an automobile in her life and she had to walk to work. At night he slept on a murphy bed and his mother on a cot. " But I thought we were rich because of my mother and all that she did for me."Snyder attended the University of Missouri where he struggled and after one semester returned to St. Joseph where he attended community college with no plans to further his college education beyond that level until the football coach and athletic director for William Jewell College, Dr. Norris Patterson, came to see him. Snyder decided to attend the school and between the jobs that were provided and some need based scholarship money worked his way through college. "I didn't want my mother to have to pay for anything so I made sure that I had enough employment in order to pay what the scholarships did not pay and I was able to do exactly that. " He worked his way through college and went into teaching at Gallatin High School in the small town of Gallatin, MO.Snyder told a humorous story that left his audience laughing out loud about how he was required to take a foreign language and he had enrolled in one that was unfamiliar to him, Spanish. He took the necessary two classes. " And I thought I'll take one more&nbsp; and that will give me a minor, and I'll have a minor in something. Big mistake in my life!" When he arrived in Gallatin he was informed by the principal that he would be teaching four classes of Spanish. "I don't know if it was fortunately or unfortunately such a small school, the largest class was seven students and the smallest was four." Snyder recounted how he stayed up late every night just to prepare for the next day's lesson. " I was one step ahead, that's it, period!Later Snyder would become a teacher and assistant football coach at Indio High School in Indio, California. On his first day he learned about his teaching responsibilities including physical education and unexpectedly for one semester....Spanish!&nbsp;&nbsp;After serving as a graduate assistant in the football program at USC, he returned to Indio High School for three years as the head football coach. He then moved to Foothill High School in Santa Anna, California with the intention of becoming an assistant&nbsp; football coach and physical education teacher. While laughing, explained that on the first day the principal informed him that a teacher had left. "And we would like for you...you guessed it right?&nbsp; So for one class a day I'm back in the classroom with the Spanish students. I thought I will never get away from this, I've got to get into college coaching where that doesn't take place. "But one point was clear in his remarks. While he may have forgotten the names of some acquaintances over the years he could clearly remember the names of his teachers. "I can recall them so quickly and dream up&nbsp; the images because of the impact that they had."Snyder would go on to coach at Austin College, North Texas State, the University of Iowa and finally Kansas State University where he took on the massive job of trying to build up the Wildcat football program.

Coach Snyder shares his early story with retired Kan. educators

WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Tracey Mann and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;led several of their colleagues in sending a letter&nbsp;to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging it to consider the record-high fertilizer cost and suspend the duties it placed on urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer imports from Trinidad and Tobago.

<a href="https://mann.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mann.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/FINAL_ITC_2_RAIMONDO.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> the letter

"We're seeing the price of fertilizer, which is many times based on fossil fuel increase 300 to 400%," Mann said this week.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) heard final arguments on Thursday in the antidumping duty investigation of UAN fertilizers from Trinidad and Tobago.

"When you quadruple the price of fertilizer and other inputs, it's all about the margin and what you actually take home," Mann said. "We're putting our ag producers, the best in the world, in a really bad spot right now."

<a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-expected-remain-higher-longer">The World Bank posted on its blog last month</a>&nbsp;that fertilizers are now at their least affordable levels since the 2008 global food crisis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627660813904.png" alt="Kansas First District congressman Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Kansas First District congressman Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Tracey Mann and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;led several of their colleagues in sending a letter&nbsp;to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging it to consider the record-high fertilizer cost and suspend the duties it placed on urea ammonium nitrate fertilizer imports from Trinidad and Tobago.<a href="https://mann.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mann.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/FINAL_ITC_2_RAIMONDO.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> the letter"We're seeing the price of fertilizer, which is many times based on fossil fuel increase 300 to 400%," Mann said this week.The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) heard final arguments on Thursday in the antidumping duty investigation of UAN fertilizers from Trinidad and Tobago."When you quadruple the price of fertilizer and other inputs, it's all about the margin and what you actually take home," Mann said. "We're putting our ag producers, the best in the world, in a really bad spot right now."<a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-expected-remain-higher-longer">The World Bank posted on its blog last month</a>&nbsp;that fertilizers are now at their least affordable levels since the 2008 global food crisis.

Mann, Moran respond to record high cost of fertilizer

By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — November 15, 
2021, is a day Jefferson Davis will never forget. That afternoon, Davis 
and a friend were cruising the highways of northern Barton County on 
motorcycles when Davis lost control of his bike and crashed into a 
ditch. The off-duty Great Bend Police Department sergeant suffered two 
skull fractures, a broken neck, broken ribs down his entire left side, a
 broken shoulder, ruptured spleen, and bleeding in the brain.

But 
this is a happy story. A month ago, in early May, Davis returned 
full-time to his job with the GBPD. He has been overwhelmed by the 
community's response after the accident.

"It's hard for me to put 
it into words, but it really made me appreciate and love this community 
that much more," he said. "That show of support was just amazing. It 
just inspires me to give back to my community more than I ever did."

Because
 of his injuries, Davis does not recall a whole lot about the moments 
just before and after his accident.  He can remember looking down at one
 of his foot pegs because it felt wrong.

"I remember thinking when
 I get home, I'm going to loosen it and adjust it and get it fixed," he 
said. "I think that was my mistake. By the time I looked up we were 
coming up on a curve. I attempted to slow down so I could navigate the 
road. I got on my front brake pretty hard, which I know better, but at 
the time you don't think about that. I think I was on that front brake a
 little too hard. I went to shift the bike with my body weight to move 
it. It locked up and rolled and sent me flying."

Coming around the
 curve, Davis's friend had braked. Davis was wearing amber-colored 
lenses at the time, and law enforcement has suggested that may have been
 a contributing factor in the accident. 

"I don't know if that's 
exactly what led to the accident, but it could very well have been a 
circumstance towards it," Davis said. "I've told people, stay away from 
the amber color. It does kind of hide the shade of brake lights and you 
don't see it."

Hoisington EMS was 
dispatched to the accident. Davis never lost consciousness after the 
crash, but he is forever grateful for the fast response of Hoisington's 
crew.

"If I was going to hat-tip anybody, Hoisington EMS did a 
great job," he said. "I was confused, I was scared, I was in a lot of 
places at that time. I recognized one of them, and she kind of reminded 
me I know her. It just brought me some feeling of security. They really 
did a good job of treating me and getting me to the hospital. They 
stayed there at the hospital while I was being diagnosed."

That 
move paid off. In addition to the broken bones, a scan revealed two 
brain bleeds inside the skull.  The same Hoisington EMS team was able to
 rush Davis to a hospital in Wichita. Fortunately, Davis's Traumautic 
Brain Injury rated as the least severe on a 15-point scale.

"I've 
since found the EMTs who responded and I can't thank them enough," said 
Davis. "Every time I see them I just smile and tell them I owe them. I 
can never repay it but I owe them. I love those guys. They did me a 
solid, for sure."

Davis was released from 
the hospital five days after the accident. A day later, a home-health 
nurse arrived for additional care. After asking about his pain level and
 going through some movement tests, she suggested he visit the emergency
 room for another check. 

"I credit her for keeping me healthy, 
too," Davis said. "She said I should probably go to the ER and get 
checked out again. They scanned and ended up finding several smaller 
brain bleeds. That's when I got to take a helicopter ride back to 
Wichita."

This hospital stint lasted four days. Davis wore a neck 
brace for approximately six weeks upon returning home the second time, 
and began physical therapy at Catalyst Sports Therapy and Rehab in Great
 Bend.

"That was my first time with physical therapy and I didn't 
know what to expect," he said. "That is an amazing process. I was able 
to heal up and get movement back. I'm probably stronger now than I was 
before the accident."

Davis had 
little time to notice the community response after the first hospital 
stay. It became quite evident once he was back for good.

"When I 
got back the second time, my wife started telling me about all the 
community support," he said. "I was absolutely overwhelmed. My first 
question was 'Why, why?' She said, 'Believe it or not, people like 
you.'"

Davis first noticed a railing that had been added to his 
front porch so he could get into his home. Wally Eldridge had stopped by
 to install it. When Jefferson's brother tried to pay for the services, 
Eldridge refused to accept.

The Brothers in Blue Motorcycle Club 
held a fundraiser and requested an appearance from Davis. He was only 
able to make a quick stop but it made a huge impact on his recovery as 
he received encouragement from friends and strangers.

"It was a 
little overwhelming to me," he said. "It inspired me to get better. I 
told myself when I get better, I'm going to give everything I have and 
more to the community. When I needed help, it was there."

Many in 
the community lent a hand. The local Fraternal Order of Police, American
 Legion, and Great Bend Fire Department Social and Charity Fund all 
helped with moral and financial support. 

Life
 is slowly returning to normal for Davis. Given his injuries, he was 
unsure about the future of his position with the GBPD. A police officer 
since 2003, Davis's dreams of returning full-time came to fruition in 
May. 

And then there are motorcycles. Davis owned two motorcycles 
at the time of the crash. His riding days are not as long as they used 
to be, but he's back on the bike.

"I investigate accidents," he 
said. "Looking at my own accident and understanding it better afterward,
 I realize there was a very strong possibility I could have been a 
fatality. But I was given a second chance. I debated about riding again 
and, at the end of the day, I'm still me. I still love motorcycles. I've
 always enjoyed riding and, in my case, fixing motorcycles. I still 
wanted to be myself."

Davis was not wearing a helmet at the time of his accident. That's a mistake he's vowed to never make again.

"I
 promised my wife I'd wear a helmet," he said. "I've owned a helmet and 
used to wear it before the accident hit or miss. I wear it every time 
now. I realize how much a helmet can help when we're talking potential 
accidents and potential injury. If I could go back in time, on Nov. 15, I
 really wish I'd had my helmet. That would have prevented a lot of the 
brain injuries. We learn lessons in life, and I guess that was one I had
 to learn the hard way."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477644878.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Police Department Sgt. Jefferson Davis has returned to work after a November 2021 motorcycle crash." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Police Department Sgt. Jefferson Davis has returned to work after a November 2021 motorcycle crash.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — November 15, 
2021, is a day Jefferson Davis will never forget. That afternoon, Davis 
and a friend were cruising the highways of northern Barton County on 
motorcycles when Davis lost control of his bike and crashed into a 
ditch. The off-duty Great Bend Police Department sergeant suffered two 
skull fractures, a broken neck, broken ribs down his entire left side, a
 broken shoulder, ruptured spleen, and bleeding in the brain.But 
this is a happy story. A month ago, in early May, Davis returned 
full-time to his job with the GBPD. He has been overwhelmed by the 
community's response after the accident."It's hard for me to put 
it into words, but it really made me appreciate and love this community 
that much more," he said. "That show of support was just amazing. It 
just inspires me to give back to my community more than I ever did."The accidentBecause
 of his injuries, Davis does not recall a whole lot about the moments 
just before and after his accident. He can remember looking down at one
 of his foot pegs because it felt wrong."I remember thinking when
 I get home, I'm going to loosen it and adjust it and get it fixed," he 
said. "I think that was my mistake. By the time I looked up we were 
coming up on a curve. I attempted to slow down so I could navigate the 
road. I got on my front brake pretty hard, which I know better, but at 
the time you don't think about that. I think I was on that front brake a
 little too hard. I went to shift the bike with my body weight to move 
it. It locked up and rolled and sent me flying."Coming around the
 curve, Davis's friend had braked. Davis was wearing amber-colored 
lenses at the time, and law enforcement has suggested that may have been
 a contributing factor in the accident. "I don't know if that's 
exactly what led to the accident, but it could very well have been a 
circumstance towards it," Davis said. "I've told people, stay away from 
the amber color. It does kind of hide the shade of brake lights and you 
don't see it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477683275.jpeg" alt="Davis suffered several broken bones, including two skull fractures and a broken neck. He spent a total of nine days in a Wichita hospital." />
 <figcaption>Davis suffered several broken bones, including two skull fractures and a broken neck. He spent a total of nine days in a Wichita hospital.</figcaption>
 </figure>Trip to the hospital, Part IHoisington EMS was 
dispatched to the accident. Davis never lost consciousness after the 
crash, but he is forever grateful for the fast response of Hoisington's 
crew."If I was going to hat-tip anybody, Hoisington EMS did a 
great job," he said. "I was confused, I was scared, I was in a lot of 
places at that time. I recognized one of them, and she kind of reminded 
me I know her. It just brought me some feeling of security. They really 
did a good job of treating me and getting me to the hospital. They 
stayed there at the hospital while I was being diagnosed."That 
move paid off. In addition to the broken bones, a scan revealed two 
brain bleeds inside the skull. The same Hoisington EMS team was able to
 rush Davis to a hospital in Wichita. Fortunately, Davis's Traumautic 
Brain Injury rated as the least severe on a 15-point scale."I've 
since found the EMTs who responded and I can't thank them enough," said 
Davis. "Every time I see them I just smile and tell them I owe them. I 
can never repay it but I owe them. I love those guys. They did me a 
solid, for sure."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655477712370.jpeg" alt="Davis with the Hoisington EMTs who helped save his life." />
 <figcaption>Davis with the Hoisington EMTs who helped save his life.</figcaption>
 </figure>Trip to the hospital, Part IIDavis was released from 
the hospital five days after the accident. A day later, a home-health 
nurse arrived for additional care. After asking about his pain level and
 going through some movement tests, she suggested he visit the emergency
 room for another check. "I credit her for keeping me healthy, 
too," Davis said. "She said I should probably go to the ER and get 
checked out again. They scanned and ended up finding several smaller 
brain bleeds. That's when I got to take a helicopter ride back to 
Wichita."This hospital stint lasted four days. Davis wore a neck 
brace for approximately six weeks upon returning home the second time, 
and began physical therapy at Catalyst Sports Therapy and Rehab in Great
 Bend."That was my first time with physical therapy and I didn't 
know what to expect," he said. "That is an amazing process. I was able 
to heal up and get movement back. I'm probably stronger now than I was 
before the accident."A wave of supportDavis had 
little time to notice the community response after the first hospital 
stay. It became quite evident once he was back for good."When I 
got back the second time, my wife started telling me about all the 
community support," he said. "I was absolutely overwhelmed. My first 
question was 'Why, why?' She said, 'Believe it or not, people like 
you.'"Davis first noticed a railing that had been added to his 
front porch so he could get into his home. Wally Eldridge had stopped by
 to install it. When Jefferson's brother tried to pay for the services, 
Eldridge refused to accept.The Brothers in Blue Motorcycle Club 
held a fundraiser and requested an appearance from Davis. He was only 
able to make a quick stop but it made a huge impact on his recovery as 
he received encouragement from friends and strangers."It was a 
little overwhelming to me," he said. "It inspired me to get better. I 
told myself when I get better, I'm going to give everything I have and 
more to the community. When I needed help, it was there."Many in 
the community lent a hand. The local Fraternal Order of Police, American
 Legion, and Great Bend Fire Department Social and Charity Fund all 
helped with moral and financial support. Back on the bikeLife
 is slowly returning to normal for Davis. Given his injuries, he was 
unsure about the future of his position with the GBPD. A police officer 
since 2003, Davis's dreams of returning full-time came to fruition in 
May. And then there are motorcycles. Davis owned two motorcycles 
at the time of the crash. His riding days are not as long as they used 
to be, but he's back on the bike."I investigate accidents," he 
said. "Looking at my own accident and understanding it better afterward,
 I realize there was a very strong possibility I could have been a 
fatality. But I was given a second chance. I debated about riding again 
and, at the end of the day, I'm still me. I still love motorcycles. I've
 always enjoyed riding and, in my case, fixing motorcycles. I still 
wanted to be myself."Davis was not wearing a helmet at the time of his accident. That's a mistake he's vowed to never make again."I
 promised my wife I'd wear a helmet," he said. "I've owned a helmet and 
used to wear it before the accident hit or miss. I wear it every time 
now. I realize how much a helmet can help when we're talking potential 
accidents and potential injury. If I could go back in time, on Nov. 15, I
 really wish I'd had my helmet. That would have prevented a lot of the 
brain injuries. We learn lessons in life, and I guess that was one I had
 to learn the hard way."

Great Bend officer back on the beat after November motorcycle crash

U.S. regulators on Friday authorized the first COVID-19 shots for infants and preschoolers, paving the way for vaccinations to begin next week.

The Food and Drug Administration’s action follows its advisory panel’s unanimous recommendation for the shots from Moderna and Pfizer. That means U.S. kids under 5 — roughly 18 million youngsters — are eligible for the shots, about 1 1/2 years after the vaccines first became available in the U.S. for adults, who have been hit the hardest during the pandemic.

The FDA also authorized Moderna’s vaccine for school-aged children and teens. Pfizer’s shots had previously been the only ones available for those ages.

There’s one step left: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends how to use vaccines and its vaccine advisers are set to discuss the shots for the youngest kids Friday and vote on Saturday. A final signoff would come from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

At a Senate hearing Thursday, Walensky said her staff was working over the Juneteenth federal holiday weekend “because we understand the urgency of this for American parents.”

She said pediatric deaths from COVID-19 have been higher than what is generally seen from the flu each year.

“So I actually think we need to protect young children, as well as protect everyone with the vaccine and especially protect elders,” she said.

For weeks, the Biden administration has been preparing to roll out the vaccines. States, tribes, community health centers and pharmacies preordered millions of doses. FDA’s emergency use authorization allows manufacturers to begin shipping vaccine across the country. Vaccinations could begin as early as Monday or Tuesday.

Some parents have been anxiously awaiting the chance to protect their little ones.

While young children generally don’t get as sick from COVID-19 as older kids and adults, their hospitalizations surged during the omicron wave and FDA’s advisers determined that benefits from vaccination outweighed the minimal risks. Studies from Moderna and Pfizer showed side effects, including fever and fatigue, were mostly minor.

The two brands use the same technology but there are differences.

Pfizer’s vaccine for kids younger than 5 is one-tenth of the adult dose. Three shots are needed: the first two given three weeks apart and the last at least two months later.

Moderna’s is two shots, each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart for kids under 6.

The vaccines are for children as young as 6 months. Moderna next plans to study its shots for babies as young as 3-months-old. Pfizer has not finalized plans for shots in younger infants. A dozen countries, including China, already vaccinate kids under 5.

Dr. Beth Ebel, professor of pediatrics at University of Washington in Seattle, said the tot-sized vaccines would be especially welcomed by U.S. parents with children in daycare where outbreaks can sideline parents from jobs, adding to financial strain.

“A lot of people are going to be happy and a lot of grandparents are going to be happy, too, because we’ve missed those babies who grew up when you weren’t able to see them,” Ebel said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655473904908.png" alt="A final signoff must come from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky who answered questions Thursday before the Senate Health Committee- Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A final signoff must come from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky who answered questions Thursday before the Senate Health Committee- Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By LINDSEY TANNER, Associated PressU.S. regulators on Friday authorized the first COVID-19 shots for infants and preschoolers, paving the way for vaccinations to begin next week.The Food and Drug Administration’s action follows its advisory panel’s unanimous recommendation for the shots from Moderna and Pfizer. That means U.S. kids under 5 — roughly 18 million youngsters — are eligible for the shots, about 1 1/2 years after the vaccines first became available in the U.S. for adults, who have been hit the hardest during the pandemic.The FDA also authorized Moderna’s vaccine for school-aged children and teens. Pfizer’s shots had previously been the only ones available for those ages.There’s one step left: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends how to use vaccines and its vaccine advisers are set to discuss the shots for the youngest kids Friday and vote on Saturday. A final signoff would come from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.At a Senate hearing Thursday, Walensky said her staff was working over the Juneteenth federal holiday weekend “because we understand the urgency of this for American parents.”She said pediatric deaths from COVID-19 have been higher than what is generally seen from the flu each year.“So I actually think we need to protect young children, as well as protect everyone with the vaccine and especially protect elders,” she said.For weeks, the Biden administration has been preparing to roll out the vaccines. States, tribes, community health centers and pharmacies preordered millions of doses. FDA’s emergency use authorization allows manufacturers to begin shipping vaccine across the country. Vaccinations could begin as early as Monday or Tuesday.Some parents have been anxiously awaiting the chance to protect their little ones.While young children generally don’t get as sick from COVID-19 as older kids and adults, their hospitalizations surged during the omicron wave and FDA’s advisers determined that benefits from vaccination outweighed the minimal risks. Studies from Moderna and Pfizer showed side effects, including fever and fatigue, were mostly minor.The two brands use the same technology but there are differences.Pfizer’s vaccine for kids younger than 5 is one-tenth of the adult dose. Three shots are needed: the first two given three weeks apart and the last at least two months later.Moderna’s is two shots, each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart for kids under 6.The vaccines are for children as young as 6 months. Moderna next plans to study its shots for babies as young as 3-months-old. Pfizer has not finalized plans for shots in younger infants. A dozen countries, including China, already vaccinate kids under 5.Dr. Beth Ebel, professor of pediatrics at University of Washington in Seattle, said the tot-sized vaccines would be especially welcomed by U.S. parents with children in daycare where outbreaks can sideline parents from jobs, adding to financial strain.“A lot of people are going to be happy and a lot of grandparents are going to be happy, too, because we’ve missed those babies who grew up when you weren’t able to see them,” Ebel said.

Kids under age 5 a step closer to COVID-19 vaccination

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the American people are “really, really down” after a tumultuous two years with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</a>, volatility in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-jerome-powell-economy-inflation-d595a997cb4f60e8ee3469b154a7059d">the economy</a>&nbsp;and now surging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-are-gas-prices-rising-541819ca1aa4d3dc0a0206271f9f8589">gasoline prices</a>&nbsp;that are slamming family budgets. But he stressed that a recession was “not inevitable” and held out hope of giving the country a greater sense of confidence.

Speaking to The Associated Press in a 30-minute Oval Office interview, the president emphasized the battered economy that he inherited and the lingering psychological scars caused by a pandemic that disrupted people’s sense of identity. He bristled at claims by Republican lawmakers that last year’s COVID-19 aid plan was fully to blame for inflation reaching a 40-year high, calling that argument “bizarre.”

As for the overall American mindset, Biden said, “People are really, really down.”

“Their need for mental health in America has skyrocketed because people have seen everything upset,” Biden said. “Everything they’ve counted on upset. But most of it’s the consequence of what happened, what happened as a consequence of the, the COVID crisis.”

That pessimism has carried over into the economy as record prices at the pump and persistent inflation have jeopardized Democrats’ ability to hold on to the House and Senate in the midterm elections. Biden addressed the warnings by economists that fighting inflation could tip United States into recession.

“First of all, it’s not inevitable,” he said. “Secondly, we’re in a stronger position than any nation in the world to overcome this inflation.”

As for the causes of inflation, Biden flashed some defensiveness on that count. “If it’s my fault, why is it the case in every other major industrial country in the world that inflation is higher? You ask yourself that? I’m not being a wise guy,” he said.

The president’s statement appeared to be about inflation rising worldwide, not necessarily whether countries had higher rates than the U.S. Annual inflation in Japan, for example, has risen in recent months though it’s still at a yearly rate of 2.4%, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The president said he saw reason for optimism with the 3.6% unemployment rate and America’s relative strength in the world.

But restoring confidence so far has eluded Biden, whose approval ratings have been in steady decline as he has lost support among Democrats and has little evidence to show that he could restore a sense of bipartisan normalcy to Washington.

Biden’s Oval Office is filled with the portraits of presidents who faced crises that have imperiled the country, and the president acknowledged there were parallels to his own situation. A picture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt hangs over his fireplace, a place of prominence because the historian Jon Meacham told Biden that no president had come into office with the economy in such dire circumstances. There is also a painting of Abraham Lincoln, who became president with a nation brutally divided and on the verge of the Civil War.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652912839699.png" alt="“First of all, it’s not inevitable,” he said. “Secondly, we’re in a stronger position than any nation in the world to overcome this inflation.” -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>“First of all, it’s not inevitable,” he said. “Secondly, we’re in a stronger position than any nation in the world to overcome this inflation.” -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the American people are “really, really down” after a tumultuous two years with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</a>, volatility in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-jerome-powell-economy-inflation-d595a997cb4f60e8ee3469b154a7059d">the economy</a>&nbsp;and now surging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-are-gas-prices-rising-541819ca1aa4d3dc0a0206271f9f8589">gasoline prices</a>&nbsp;that are slamming family budgets. But he stressed that a recession was “not inevitable” and held out hope of giving the country a greater sense of confidence.Speaking to The Associated Press in a 30-minute Oval Office interview, the president emphasized the battered economy that he inherited and the lingering psychological scars caused by a pandemic that disrupted people’s sense of identity. He bristled at claims by Republican lawmakers that last year’s COVID-19 aid plan was fully to blame for inflation reaching a 40-year high, calling that argument “bizarre.”As for the overall American mindset, Biden said, “People are really, really down.”“Their need for mental health in America has skyrocketed because people have seen everything upset,” Biden said. “Everything they’ve counted on upset. But most of it’s the consequence of what happened, what happened as a consequence of the, the COVID crisis.”That pessimism has carried over into the economy as record prices at the pump and persistent inflation have jeopardized Democrats’ ability to hold on to the House and Senate in the midterm elections. Biden addressed the warnings by economists that fighting inflation could tip United States into recession.<ul>
 <li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ap-interview-transcript-fefb405f8383c6fdb4674eef9706fd65">– CLICK here to read the full transcript of the AP interview&nbsp;</a></li>
 </ul>“First of all, it’s not inevitable,” he said. “Secondly, we’re in a stronger position than any nation in the world to overcome this inflation.”As for the causes of inflation, Biden flashed some defensiveness on that count. “If it’s my fault, why is it the case in every other major industrial country in the world that inflation is higher? You ask yourself that? I’m not being a wise guy,” he said.The president’s statement appeared to be about inflation rising worldwide, not necessarily whether countries had higher rates than the U.S. Annual inflation in Japan, for example, has risen in recent months though it’s still at a yearly rate of 2.4%, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.The president said he saw reason for optimism with the 3.6% unemployment rate and America’s relative strength in the world.But restoring confidence so far has eluded Biden, whose approval ratings have been in steady decline as he has lost support among Democrats and has little evidence to show that he could restore a sense of bipartisan normalcy to Washington.Biden’s Oval Office is filled with the portraits of presidents who faced crises that have imperiled the country, and the president acknowledged there were parallels to his own situation. A picture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt hangs over his fireplace, a place of prominence because the historian Jon Meacham told Biden that no president had come into office with the economy in such dire circumstances. There is also a painting of Abraham Lincoln, who became president with a nation brutally divided and on the verge of the Civil War.Yet Biden’s remedy is not that different from the diagnosis made by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, when the U.S. economy was crippled by stagflation. Carter said then the U.S. was suffering from a “crisis of confidence” and “the erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.”The president said he wants to endow the U.S. with more verve, fortitude and courage.“Be confident,” Biden said. “Because I am confident. We’re better positioned than any country in the world to own the second quarter of the 21st century.”Biden’s bleak assessment of the national psyche comes as voters have soured on his job performance and the direction of the country. Only 39% of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s performance as president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-approval-rating-drops-ap-norc-poll-d41bce85e1b062b588a32908b2affa65">according to a May poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research, dipping from already negative ratings a month earlier.Overall, only about 2 in 10 adults said the U.S. is heading in the right direction or that the economy is good, both down from about 3 in 10 in April. Those drops were concentrated among Democrats, with just 33% within the president’s party saying the country is headed in the right direction.Biden said Republican social policies were contributing to public anxieties. He suggested GOP lawmakers could face consequences in the midterms if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, possibly removing national protections for abortion access. Voters will consider the “failure of this Republican Party to be willing” to respond to “the basic social concerns of the country,” the president said.The president outlined some of the hard choices he has faced, saying the U.S. needed to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine in February even though tough sanctions imposed as a result of that war have caused gas prices to surge, creating a political risk for Biden in an election year. He called on oil companies to think of the world’s short-term needs and increase production.Asked why he ordered the financial penalties against Moscow that have disrupted food and energy markets globally, Biden said he made his calculation as commander in chief rather than as a politician thinking about elections.“I’m the president of the United States,” he said. “It’s not about my political survival. It’s about what’s best for the country. No kidding. No kidding. So what happens? What happens if the strongest power, NATO, the organizational structure we put together, walked away from Russian aggression?”Biden spun out the possibility of chaos in Europe if an unimpeded Russia kept moving deeper into the continent,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lloyd-austin-singapore-asia-beijing-china-f96014dba8daf5002e5136c9cd4227a1">China was emboldened to take over Taiwan</a>&nbsp;and North Korea grew even more aggressive with its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-antony-blinken-north-government-and-politics-d3a28902b9c06eaa47c3199418ccf5f7">nuclear weapon ambitions</a>.Biden renewed his contention that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-f73c882b0664a5d5dd62635a9a65364c">major oil companies</a>&nbsp;have benefited from higher prices without increasing production as much as they should. He said the companies needed to think of the world in the short term, not just their investors.“Don’t just reward yourself,” he said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/key-inflation-report-highest-level-in-four-decades-c0248c5b5705cd1523d3dab3771983b4">Consumer prices</a>&nbsp;have jumped 8.6% over the past year, the steepest rise in more than 40 years. Republican lawmakers have said that Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package from last year kick-started a spiral of price increases.The president said there was “zero evidence” for that claim, noting that other countries have endured higher prices as economies reopened and people became vaccinated. Still, Biden acknowledged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-janet-yellen-jerome-powell-business-government-and-politics-fbbfda135bb00b5b9f7b8e8cf800f68c">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s contention</a>&nbsp;that the spending had a limited inflationary effect.“You could argue whether it had a marginal, a minor impact on inflation,” he said. “I don’t think it did. And most economists do not think it did. But the idea that it caused inflation is bizarre.”Still, high inflation has created a conundrum for Biden. He prioritized bringing back millions of jobs and has seen the unemployment rate return to close to pre-pandemic levels. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday increased its benchmark interest rate, in hopes of slowing the economy and pulling inflation down to its target rate of 2%.The tightening of Fed policy has caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-japan-asia-financial-markets-859cf34a8a2bba21e76c585356bb961b">financial markets</a>&nbsp;to slump and led many economists to warn of a potential recession next year. The president encouraged Americans to stay patient.“They shouldn’t believe a warning,” he said. “They should just say: ‘Let’s see. Let’s see which is correct.’”The president is still trying to steer his domestic agenda through Congress, after an earlier iteration last year failed to clear a 50-50 Senate. Biden said “I believe I have the votes” to lower prescription drug prices, reduce families’ utility bills with tax incentives and place a 15% minimum tax on corporations. He said his plans would lower expenses for many Americans, though the measure would be scaled back from earlier intentions for an expanded child tax credit, universal pre-kindergarten and other programs.“I’m going to be able to get, God willing, the ability to pay for prescription drugs,” Biden said. “There’s more than one way to bring down the cost for working folks.”And then, in acknowledgement of the political restraints he faces, Biden added, “I can’t get it all done.”