SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a standoff in Topeka.

Just after 9 a.m., Thursday detectives with the Topeka Police Department went to 1286 SW Lane on an attempt to locate 33-year-old Bruce A. Teel of Topeka, on an original charge of Aggravated Assault, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Teel was wanted from an incident on March 23.

Upon arrival, detectives determined that Teel was in the residence and had gone up to a room in the attic. Detectives made verbal contact through the door with Teel who refused to open the door and barricaded himself. 

Detectives contacted the Response Team and Negotiators to try to get Teel to surrender. After several hours of negotiations, Teel surrendered without further incident.

Teel was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on the original requested charge of Aggravated Assault. He was also booked in for an additional requested charge of Felony Obstruction, according to Munoz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652439062192.png" alt="Teel-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Teel-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after a standoff in Topeka.Just after 9 a.m., Thursday detectives with the Topeka Police Department went to 1286 SW Lane on an attempt to locate 33-year-old Bruce A. Teel of Topeka, on an original charge of Aggravated Assault, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Teel was wanted from an incident on March 23.Upon arrival, detectives determined that Teel was in the residence and had gone up to a room in the attic. Detectives made verbal contact through the door with Teel who refused to open the door and barricaded himself. Detectives contacted the Response Team and Negotiators to try to get Teel to surrender. After several hours of negotiations, Teel surrendered without further incident.Teel was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on the original requested charge of Aggravated Assault. He was also booked in for an additional requested charge of Felony Obstruction, according to Munoz.

Police arrest wanted assault suspect after standoff at Kan. home

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legalized sports betting Thursday, only to be sued almost immediately by the operator of a state-owned casino that could offer the new wagering over an unrelated part of the law designed to revive a long-closed greyhound track in its area.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_84_2022" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>that the Republican-controlled Legislature passed with bipartisan support. State officials and others weren’t sure ahead of her action when sports fans actually would be able to start making their wagers.

The new law will allow people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at each of four state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino. Betting in fantasy sports leagues already was legal.

The lawsuit was filed was filed by the Kansas Star Casino in Shawnee County District Court in the state capital of Topeka. The casino is about 15 miles south of Wichita and operated by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming under a contract with the Kansas Lottery that runs until December 2026.

The casino argues that the state is breaching its contract, which says the lottery will not permit competition from similar facilities in the Wichita area. The dispute is over a provision allowing new gambling devices at Wichita Greyhound Park. The dog park first opened in 1989 — more than two decades before the casino — but had a financially troubled history and closed in 2007. The casino opened in 2011.

The devices in dispute are known as historic horse racing machines, and the new law allows 1,000 of them at the dog park. The devices replay snippets of past horse races, with results determining what a bettor wins, and the new law calls them machines for betting on races, not slots. But they look like slot machines, and Boyd argues that the two types of devices are “indistinguishable,” so that the state isn’t allowed to let the dog park have them.

“Boyd has lived up to its obligations, successfully operated the Kansas Star and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Kansas Star based on the State’s contractual promise,” the company said in a statement.

Boyd said it supports legalized sports betting in Kansas. The company is seeking to force the state to pay a $25 million penalty specified by the contract, plus interest, though the law says the dog park will reimburse Kansas if it gets its new gambling devices.

The lawsuit’s defendants are the state, the lottery and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates the state casinos.

Lottery Executive Director Stephen Durrell said he wasn’t aware of the lawsuit and couldn’t respond. The racing commission, the governor’s office and the company that owns Wichita Greyhound Park did not immediately return telephone or email messages seeking comment.

But state Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican who helped draft the final version of the law, said there’s a difference of opinion over whether the historic horse racing machines are slots and, “I guess we will not know for sure” until the Kansas Supreme Court rules.

“It’s a separate part of that bill, so I would think maybe the sports betting could go forward,” he said.

Then, Barker noted that Boyd’s contract expires near the end of 2026, and, “They’ve got a few things to lose, too.”

Kelly signing of the sports betting legislation came four years after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck down a federal ban&nbsp;</a>on sports betting in most states.

The new law dedicates most of the the state’s share of revenues from the new gambling — perhaps $5 million a year — to efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-sports-business-missouri-a63ac882393132ab2fa70bfd98bab169">lure the Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;from Missouri to Kansas.

Penn National Gaming plans to launch mobile sports betting and to have a retail sportsbook at the Hollywood Casino, which it operates for the lottery at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Spokesman Jeff Morris said that he hopes people in Kansas would be able to begin legally betting by the National Football League season.

“Our intention will be to launch the first day we are able to do so in the state,” Morris said.

Twenty-nine have authorized commercial sports betting, while another six allow Native American tribes to provide it, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/march-madness-fuels-sports-betting-trend-magazine2022.aspx" target="_blank">the National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>

Joseph Bryden, a 25-year-old University of Kansas law student, said he listens to an out-of-state podcast with hosts who often discuss sports betting.

“It’s my money. If I want to be able to bet on the (Dallas) Cowboys, I feel like I should be able to,” Bryden said.

By ANDY TSUBASA FIELD and JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legalized sports betting Thursday, only to be sued almost immediately by the operator of a state-owned casino that could offer the new wagering over an unrelated part of the law designed to revive a long-closed greyhound track in its area.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_84_2022" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>that the Republican-controlled Legislature passed with bipartisan support. State officials and others weren’t sure ahead of her action when sports fans actually would be able to start making their wagers.The new law will allow people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at each of four state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino. Betting in fantasy sports leagues already was legal.The lawsuit was filed was filed by the Kansas Star Casino in Shawnee County District Court in the state capital of Topeka. The casino is about 15 miles south of Wichita and operated by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming under a contract with the Kansas Lottery that runs until December 2026.The casino argues that the state is breaching its contract, which says the lottery will not permit competition from similar facilities in the Wichita area. The dispute is over a provision allowing new gambling devices at Wichita Greyhound Park. The dog park first opened in 1989 — more than two decades before the casino — but had a financially troubled history and closed in 2007. The casino opened in 2011.The devices in dispute are known as historic horse racing machines, and the new law allows 1,000 of them at the dog park. The devices replay snippets of past horse races, with results determining what a bettor wins, and the new law calls them machines for betting on races, not slots. But they look like slot machines, and Boyd argues that the two types of devices are “indistinguishable,” so that the state isn’t allowed to let the dog park have them.“Boyd has lived up to its obligations, successfully operated the Kansas Star and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Kansas Star based on the State’s contractual promise,” the company said in a statement.Boyd said it supports legalized sports betting in Kansas. The company is seeking to force the state to pay a $25 million penalty specified by the contract, plus interest, though the law says the dog park will reimburse Kansas if it gets its new gambling devices.The lawsuit’s defendants are the state, the lottery and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates the state casinos.Lottery Executive Director Stephen Durrell said he wasn’t aware of the lawsuit and couldn’t respond. The racing commission, the governor’s office and the company that owns Wichita Greyhound Park did not immediately return telephone or email messages seeking comment.But state Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican who helped draft the final version of the law, said there’s a difference of opinion over whether the historic horse racing machines are slots and, “I guess we will not know for sure” until the Kansas Supreme Court rules.“It’s a separate part of that bill, so I would think maybe the sports betting could go forward,” he said.Then, Barker noted that Boyd’s contract expires near the end of 2026, and, “They’ve got a few things to lose, too.”Kelly signing of the sports betting legislation came four years after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck down a federal ban&nbsp;</a>on sports betting in most states.The new law dedicates most of the the state’s share of revenues from the new gambling — perhaps $5 million a year — to efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-sports-business-missouri-a63ac882393132ab2fa70bfd98bab169">lure the Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;from Missouri to Kansas.Penn National Gaming plans to launch mobile sports betting and to have a retail sportsbook at the Hollywood Casino, which it operates for the lottery at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Spokesman Jeff Morris said that he hopes people in Kansas would be able to begin legally betting by the National Football League season.“Our intention will be to launch the first day we are able to do so in the state,” Morris said.Twenty-nine have authorized commercial sports betting, while another six allow Native American tribes to provide it, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/march-madness-fuels-sports-betting-trend-magazine2022.aspx" target="_blank">the National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>Joseph Bryden, a 25-year-old University of Kansas law student, said he listens to an out-of-state podcast with hosts who often discuss sports betting.“It’s my money. If I want to be able to bet on the (Dallas) Cowboys, I feel like I should be able to,” Bryden said.___

Casino sues Kan. after governor signs bill to legalize sports betting 

TOPEKA, Kan. – Sunflower Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of longtime Kansas newspaper journalist Brett Riggs as its new director of communications. He started in his new role on April 6.

Riggs joins the foundation after having spent most of his 29-year career in the newspaper industry, including 24 years covering southwest Kansas news and sports at The Garden City Telegram, where he was managing editor for 16 years. He brings extensive multimedia, social media,&nbsp;media relations, communications, marketing and leadership experience to Sunflower Foundation, a statewide health philanthropic organization with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans.

“We are excited to welcome Brett to the Sunflower Foundation. His background and passion for storytelling aligns with our longtime advocacy work in elevating the voices of Kansans who are making a difference in their communities,” said Billie Hall, president and CEO of Sunflower Foundation. “Brett not only brings a strong background in media and communications, but he also brings innovation, a commitment to learning and humility. We are proud to welcome him to the Sunflower team.”&nbsp;

In his new role, Riggs&nbsp;will develop and implement the communications and marketing strategy for the foundation, including the Sunflower Nonprofit Center. He will lead the creation, coordination and implementation of communication strategies that inform and educate key audiences about the foundation’s mission, initiatives, programs and activities.

“I am excited to be part of an organization that is committed to investing in programs, projects and initiatives aimed at improving the health of Kansans and the communities in which they live,” Riggs said. “Sunflower Foundation partners with many organizations and people across the state who are doing great things in their communities, and I can’t wait to share their stories.”

Riggs grew up in Garden City, Kan., and has lived there most of his life. After a stint as a news reporter for the Blue Springs Examiner in Blue Springs, Mo., he returned to his hometown, where he started with The Garden City Telegram as a sports writer, then later became sports editor. He went on to serve as the newspaper’s assistant managing editor, before being named managing editor in 2003. In that role, he oversaw the daily news operations for The Telegram for 16 years.

After leaving the newspaper, he served as a communications advisor for Centura Health, a Colorado-based health system serving Colorado and western Kansas. In that capacity, he managed media and public relations, internal communications and social media for three hospitals – St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kan., and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colo.

While at Centura Health,&nbsp;Riggs helped promote health awareness campaigns on such topics as COVID-19, suicide prevention, cancer screening, diabetes, flu vaccinations, childhood immunizations, food security and wellness.

Most recently, Riggs worked in the automotive industry as marketing director for Western Motor Co., in Garden City, where he handled marketing, advertising, social media and community relations for one of southwest Kansas’ most successful and recognized auto dealerships.

Riggs, who graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, was born in Oneonta, N.Y.

He and his wife, Dawn, are in the process of relocating to Topeka. The couple has two children: a son, Evan, 27, of Lawrence; and a daughter, Sage, 18, who will be a freshman at the University of Kansas in the fall.

Riggs can be reached at 785-232-3000 ext. 113, or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:briggs@sunflowerfoundation.org">briggs@sunflowerfoundation.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652452380135.jpeg" alt="Riggs" />
 <figcaption>Riggs</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. – Sunflower Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of longtime Kansas newspaper journalist Brett Riggs as its new director of communications. He started in his new role on April 6.Riggs joins the foundation after having spent most of his 29-year career in the newspaper industry, including 24 years covering southwest Kansas news and sports at The Garden City Telegram, where he was managing editor for 16 years. He brings extensive multimedia, social media,&nbsp;media relations, communications, marketing and leadership experience to Sunflower Foundation, a statewide health philanthropic organization with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans.“We are excited to welcome Brett to the Sunflower Foundation. His background and passion for storytelling aligns with our longtime advocacy work in elevating the voices of Kansans who are making a difference in their communities,” said Billie Hall, president and CEO of Sunflower Foundation. “Brett not only brings a strong background in media and communications, but he also brings innovation, a commitment to learning and humility. We are proud to welcome him to the Sunflower team.”&nbsp;In his new role, Riggs&nbsp;will develop and implement the communications and marketing strategy for the foundation, including the Sunflower Nonprofit Center. He will lead the creation, coordination and implementation of communication strategies that inform and educate key audiences about the foundation’s mission, initiatives, programs and activities.“I am excited to be part of an organization that is committed to investing in programs, projects and initiatives aimed at improving the health of Kansans and the communities in which they live,” Riggs said. “Sunflower Foundation partners with many organizations and people across the state who are doing great things in their communities, and I can’t wait to share their stories.”Riggs grew up in Garden City, Kan., and has lived there most of his life. After a stint as a news reporter for the Blue Springs Examiner in Blue Springs, Mo., he returned to his hometown, where he started with The Garden City Telegram as a sports writer, then later became sports editor. He went on to serve as the newspaper’s assistant managing editor, before being named managing editor in 2003. In that role, he oversaw the daily news operations for The Telegram for 16 years.After leaving the newspaper, he served as a communications advisor for Centura Health, a Colorado-based health system serving Colorado and western Kansas. In that capacity, he managed media and public relations, internal communications and social media for three hospitals – St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kan., and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colo.While at Centura Health,&nbsp;Riggs helped promote health awareness campaigns on such topics as COVID-19, suicide prevention, cancer screening, diabetes, flu vaccinations, childhood immunizations, food security and wellness.Most recently, Riggs worked in the automotive industry as marketing director for Western Motor Co., in Garden City, where he handled marketing, advertising, social media and community relations for one of southwest Kansas’ most successful and recognized auto dealerships.Riggs, who graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, was born in Oneonta, N.Y.He and his wife, Dawn, are in the process of relocating to Topeka. The couple has two children: a son, Evan, 27, of Lawrence; and a daughter, Sage, 18, who will be a freshman at the University of Kansas in the fall.Riggs can be reached at 785-232-3000 ext. 113, or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:briggs@sunflowerfoundation.org">briggs@sunflowerfoundation.org</a>.

Sunflower Foundation hires Riggs as communications director

LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e6b0f2c2f70fdd07f853169e3515e3b">Elon Musk&nbsp;</a>said Friday that his plan to buy Twitter for $44 billion is “temporarily on hold” as he tries to pinpoint the exact number of spam and fake accounts on the social media platform, another twist amid signs of internal turmoil over the proposed acquisition.

Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to clean up Twitter’s problem with “spam bots” that mimic real people, appeared to question whether the company was underreporting them.

In a tweet, the Tesla billionaire linked to a Reuters story from May 2 about a quarterly report from Twitter that estimated false or spam accounts made up fewer than 5% of the company’s “monetizable daily active users” in the first quarter.

“Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1525049369552048129" target="_blank">deal temporarily on hold</a>&nbsp;pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users,” Musk said, indicating he’s skeptical that the number of inauthentic accounts is that low.

It wasn’t clear whether the issue could scuttle the deal.

Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for comment early Friday.

Stock in both Twitter and Tesla swung sharply in opposite directions, with Twitter’s stock tumbling 14%, and shares of Tesla, which Musk had proposed using to help fund the Twitter deal, jumping 7%.

Investors have had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-social-media-7e8f53143e510cdd7171b5ecc2486863">weigh legal troubles</a>&nbsp;for Musk, as well as the possibility that acquiring Twitter could be a distraction from running the world’s most valuable automaker. The proposed deal continued to pressure shares of Tesla, which had already fallen 16% this week.

The sharp jump in the price of Tesla shares before the opening bell Friday singled rising doubts that the acquisition of Twitter will take place.

Musk has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-business-tesla-inc-0a3c8696433b41ff40e22bc104a8b0ed#:~:text=In%20the%20three%20days%20after,to%20help%20fund%20the%20purchase.">sold off more than $8 billion</a>&nbsp;worth of his Tesla shares to finance the purchase.

Originally Musk had committed to borrowing $12.5 billion with Tesla stock as collateral to buy Twitter. He also would borrow $13 billion from banks and put up $21 billion in Tesla equity.

Last week, Musk strengthened the equity stake in his offer for Twitter with commitments of more than $7 billion from a diverse group of investors including Silicon Valley heavy hitters like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

Money from the new investors cuts the amount borrowed on the value of Tesla stock to $6.25 billion, according to the filing. The Tesla equity share could go from $21 billion to $27.25 billion.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, who follows both Tesla and Twitter, said Musk’s “bizarre” tweet will lead Wall Street to either think the deal is likely falling apart, Musk is attempting to negotiate a lower deal price, or he is simply walking away from the deal with a $1 billion penalty.

“Many will view this as Musk using this Twitter filing/spam accounts as a way to get out of this deal in a vastly changing market,” Ives wrote.

He added that the Musk’s use of Twitter rather than a financial filing to make the announcement was troubling and “sends this whole deal into a circus show with many questions and no concrete answers as to the path of this deal going forward.”

Musk’s tweet comes a day after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-f0548a0078f10582283c2fa735fd883e">social media company fired two of its top managers</a>. Twitter said the company is pausing most hiring, except for critical roles, and is “pulling back on non-labor costs to ensure we are being responsible and efficient.”

In a memo sent to employees and confirmed by Twitter, CEO Parag Agrawal said the company has not hit growth and revenue milestones after the company began to invest “aggressively” to expand its user base and revenue.

LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2e6b0f2c2f70fdd07f853169e3515e3b">Elon Musk&nbsp;</a>said Friday that his plan to buy Twitter for $44 billion is “temporarily on hold” as he tries to pinpoint the exact number of spam and fake accounts on the social media platform, another twist amid signs of internal turmoil over the proposed acquisition.Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to clean up Twitter’s problem with “spam bots” that mimic real people, appeared to question whether the company was underreporting them.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Still committed to acquisition&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1525080945274998785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a tweet, the Tesla billionaire linked to a Reuters story from May 2 about a quarterly report from Twitter that estimated false or spam accounts made up fewer than 5% of the company’s “monetizable daily active users” in the first quarter.“Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1525049369552048129" target="_blank">deal temporarily on hold</a>&nbsp;pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users,” Musk said, indicating he’s skeptical that the number of inauthentic accounts is that low.It wasn’t clear whether the issue could scuttle the deal.Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for comment early Friday.Stock in both Twitter and Tesla swung sharply in opposite directions, with Twitter’s stock tumbling 14%, and shares of Tesla, which Musk had proposed using to help fund the Twitter deal, jumping 7%.Investors have had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-social-media-7e8f53143e510cdd7171b5ecc2486863">weigh legal troubles</a>&nbsp;for Musk, as well as the possibility that acquiring Twitter could be a distraction from running the world’s most valuable automaker. The proposed deal continued to pressure shares of Tesla, which had already fallen 16% this week.The sharp jump in the price of Tesla shares before the opening bell Friday singled rising doubts that the acquisition of Twitter will take place.Musk has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-business-tesla-inc-0a3c8696433b41ff40e22bc104a8b0ed#:~:text=In%20the%20three%20days%20after,to%20help%20fund%20the%20purchase.">sold off more than $8 billion</a>&nbsp;worth of his Tesla shares to finance the purchase.Originally Musk had committed to borrowing $12.5 billion with Tesla stock as collateral to buy Twitter. He also would borrow $13 billion from banks and put up $21 billion in Tesla equity.Last week, Musk strengthened the equity stake in his offer for Twitter with commitments of more than $7 billion from a diverse group of investors including Silicon Valley heavy hitters like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.Money from the new investors cuts the amount borrowed on the value of Tesla stock to $6.25 billion, according to the filing. The Tesla equity share could go from $21 billion to $27.25 billion.Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, who follows both Tesla and Twitter, said Musk’s “bizarre” tweet will lead Wall Street to either think the deal is likely falling apart, Musk is attempting to negotiate a lower deal price, or he is simply walking away from the deal with a $1 billion penalty.“Many will view this as Musk using this Twitter filing/spam accounts as a way to get out of this deal in a vastly changing market,” Ives wrote.He added that the Musk’s use of Twitter rather than a financial filing to make the announcement was troubling and “sends this whole deal into a circus show with many questions and no concrete answers as to the path of this deal going forward.”Musk’s tweet comes a day after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-f0548a0078f10582283c2fa735fd883e">social media company fired two of its top managers</a>. Twitter said the company is pausing most hiring, except for critical roles, and is “pulling back on non-labor costs to ensure we are being responsible and efficient.”In a memo sent to employees and confirmed by Twitter, CEO Parag Agrawal said the company has not hit growth and revenue milestones after the company began to invest “aggressively” to expand its user base and revenue.

Elon Musk: Twitter deal 'temporarily on hold' over fake accounts

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders on Thursday for a renewed international commitment to attacking COVID-19 as he led the U.S. in marking the approaching “tragic milestone” of 1 million deaths at home from the virus. He ordered flags lowered to half-staff and warned against “complacency” around the globe.

(Click below to watch the President's comments.)

“This pandemic isn’t over,” Biden told the second global pandemic summit. “Today, we mark a tragic milestone here in the United States, 1 million COVID deaths — 1 million empty chairs around the family dinner table.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">The coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has killed more than 999,000 people in the U.S. and at least 6.2 million people globally since it emerged in late 2019, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6" target="_blank">figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University</a>. Biden issued a proclamation Thursday directing that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through sunset on Monday to honor those who lost their lives to the virus.

The president called on Congress to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-congress-e5b411a879b2becf3e342fea3b0df981">more funding</a>&nbsp;for testing, vaccines and treatments, something lawmakers have been unwilling to deliver so far.

The lack of funding — Biden has requested another $22.5 billion of what he calls critically needed money — is a reflection of faltering resolve at home that jeopardizes the global response to the pandemic.

Eight months after he used the first such summit to announce an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-joe-biden-pandemics-business-united-nations-e7c09c1f896d83c0ed80513082787bd3">ambitious pledge to donate 1.2 billion vaccine doses</a>&nbsp;to the world, the urgency of the U.S. and other nations to respond has waned.

Momentum on vaccinations and treatments has faded even as more infectious variants rise and billions of people across the globe remain unprotected.

Biden addressed the opening of the virtual summit Thursday morning with prerecorded remarks and made the case that tackling COVID-19 “must remain an international priority.” The U.S. is co-hosting the summit along with Germany, Indonesia, Senegal and Belize.

“This summit is an opportunity to renew our efforts to keep our foot on the gas when it comes to getting this pandemic under control and preventing future health crises,” Biden said.

The U.S. has shipped nearly 540 million vaccine doses to more than 110 countries and territories, according to the State Department — by far more than any other donor nation.

After the delivery of more than 1 billion vaccines to the developing world, the problem is no longer that there aren’t enough shots but a lack of logistical support to get doses into arms. According to government data, more than 680 million donated vaccine doses have been left unused in developing countries because they were set to expire soon and couldn’t be administered quickly enough. As of March, 32 poorer countries had used fewer than half of the COVID-19 vaccines they were sent.

U.S. assistance to promote and facilitate vaccinations overseas dried up earlier this year, and Biden has requested about $5 billion for the effort through the rest of the year.

“We have tens of millions of unclaimed doses because countries lack the resources to build out their cold chains, which basically is the refrigeration systems; to fight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31fd688936caec29ff082412ef23e30a">disinformation;</a>&nbsp;and to hire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/42fee2eeeb1848988a9b74a4e77a1045">vaccinators</a>,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said this week. She added that the summit is “going to be an opportunity to elevate the fact that we need additional funding to continue to be a part of this effort around the world.”

“We’re going to continue to fight for more funding here,” Psaki said. “But we will continue to press other countries to do more to help the world make progress as well.”

Congress has balked at the price tag for COVID-19 relief and has thus far refused to take up the package because of political opposition to the impending end of pandemic-era migration restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border. Even after a consensus for virus funding briefly emerged in March, lawmakers decided to strip out the global aid funding and solely focus the assistance on shoring up U.S. supplies of vaccine booster shots and therapeutics.

Biden has warned that without Congress acting, the U.S. could lose out on access to the next generation of vaccines and treatments, and that the nation won’t have enough supply of booster doses or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-fa6cd0dcc9dec4d1076b14a521e9a6e5">the antiviral drug Paxlovid</a>&nbsp;for later this year. He’s also sounding the alarm that more variants will spring up if the U.S. and the world don’t do more to contain the virus globally.

“To beat the pandemic here, we need to beat it everywhere,” Biden said last September during the first global summit.

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines has dropped in some countries as infections and deaths have declined globally in recent months, particularly as the omicron variant has proved to be less severe than earlier versions of the disease. For the first time since it was created, the U.N.-backed COVAX effort has “enough supply to enable countries to meet their national vaccination targets,” according to vaccines alliance Gavi CEO Dr. Seth Berkley, which fronts COVAX.

Still, despite more than 65% of the world’s population receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, fewer than 16% of people in poor countries have been immunized. It is highly unlikely countries will hit the World Health Organization target of vaccinating 70% of all people by June.

In countries including Cameroon, Uganda and the Ivory Coast, officials have struggled to get enough refrigerators to transport vaccines, send enough syringes for mass campaigns and get enough health workers to inject the shots. Experts also point out that more than half of the health workers needed to administer the vaccines in poorer countries are either underpaid or not paid at all.

Donating more vaccines, critics say, would miss the point entirely.

“It’s like donating a bunch of fire trucks to countries that are on fire, but they have no water,” said Ritu Sharma, a vice president at the charity CARE, which has helped immunize people in more than 30 countries, including India, South Sudan and Bangladesh.

“We can’t be giving countries all these vaccines but no way to use them,” she said, adding that the same infrastructure that got the shots administered in the U.S. is now needed elsewhere. “We had to tackle this problem in the U.S., so why are we not now using that knowledge to get vaccines into the people who need them most?”

Sharma said greater investment was needed to counter vaccine hesitancy in developing countries where there are entrenched beliefs about the potential dangers of Western-made medicines.

“Leaders must agree to pursue a coherent strategy to end the pandemic instead of a fragmented approach that will extend the lifespan of this crisis,” said Gayle Smith, CEO of The ONE Campaign.

GAVI’s Berkley also said that countries are increasingly asking for the pricier messenger RNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, which are not as easily available as the AstraZeneca vaccine, which made up the bulk of COVAX’s supply last year.

The emergence of variants like delta and omicron has led many countries to switch to mRNA vaccines, which seem to provide more protection and are in greater demand globally than traditionally made vaccines like those from China and Russia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652366641765.png" alt="President Biden addressed the opening of the virtual Global Pandemic summit on Thursday -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden addressed the opening of the virtual Global Pandemic summit on Thursday -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders on Thursday for a renewed international commitment to attacking COVID-19 as he led the U.S. in marking the approaching “tragic milestone” of 1 million deaths at home from the virus. He ordered flags lowered to half-staff and warned against “complacency” around the globe.(Click below to watch the President's comments.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rIba4zXGm8o?start=1880" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“This pandemic isn’t over,” Biden told the second global pandemic summit. “Today, we mark a tragic milestone here in the United States, 1 million COVID deaths — 1 million empty chairs around the family dinner table.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">The coronavirus</a>&nbsp;has killed more than 999,000 people in the U.S. and at least 6.2 million people globally since it emerged in late 2019, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6" target="_blank">figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University</a>. Biden issued a proclamation Thursday directing that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through sunset on Monday to honor those who lost their lives to the virus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652366613851.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The president called on Congress to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-congress-e5b411a879b2becf3e342fea3b0df981">more funding</a>&nbsp;for testing, vaccines and treatments, something lawmakers have been unwilling to deliver so far.The lack of funding — Biden has requested another $22.5 billion of what he calls critically needed money — is a reflection of faltering resolve at home that jeopardizes the global response to the pandemic.Eight months after he used the first such summit to announce an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-joe-biden-pandemics-business-united-nations-e7c09c1f896d83c0ed80513082787bd3">ambitious pledge to donate 1.2 billion vaccine doses</a>&nbsp;to the world, the urgency of the U.S. and other nations to respond has waned.Momentum on vaccinations and treatments has faded even as more infectious variants rise and billions of people across the globe remain unprotected.Biden addressed the opening of the virtual summit Thursday morning with prerecorded remarks and made the case that tackling COVID-19 “must remain an international priority.” The U.S. is co-hosting the summit along with Germany, Indonesia, Senegal and Belize.“This summit is an opportunity to renew our efforts to keep our foot on the gas when it comes to getting this pandemic under control and preventing future health crises,” Biden said.The U.S. has shipped nearly 540 million vaccine doses to more than 110 countries and territories, according to the State Department — by far more than any other donor nation.After the delivery of more than 1 billion vaccines to the developing world, the problem is no longer that there aren’t enough shots but a lack of logistical support to get doses into arms. According to government data, more than 680 million donated vaccine doses have been left unused in developing countries because they were set to expire soon and couldn’t be administered quickly enough. As of March, 32 poorer countries had used fewer than half of the COVID-19 vaccines they were sent.U.S. assistance to promote and facilitate vaccinations overseas dried up earlier this year, and Biden has requested about $5 billion for the effort through the rest of the year.“We have tens of millions of unclaimed doses because countries lack the resources to build out their cold chains, which basically is the refrigeration systems; to fight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31fd688936caec29ff082412ef23e30a">disinformation;</a>&nbsp;and to hire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/42fee2eeeb1848988a9b74a4e77a1045">vaccinators</a>,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said this week. She added that the summit is “going to be an opportunity to elevate the fact that we need additional funding to continue to be a part of this effort around the world.”“We’re going to continue to fight for more funding here,” Psaki said. “But we will continue to press other countries to do more to help the world make progress as well.”Congress has balked at the price tag for COVID-19 relief and has thus far refused to take up the package because of political opposition to the impending end of pandemic-era migration restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border. Even after a consensus for virus funding briefly emerged in March, lawmakers decided to strip out the global aid funding and solely focus the assistance on shoring up U.S. supplies of vaccine booster shots and therapeutics.Biden has warned that without Congress acting, the U.S. could lose out on access to the next generation of vaccines and treatments, and that the nation won’t have enough supply of booster doses or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-fa6cd0dcc9dec4d1076b14a521e9a6e5">the antiviral drug Paxlovid</a>&nbsp;for later this year. He’s also sounding the alarm that more variants will spring up if the U.S. and the world don’t do more to contain the virus globally.“To beat the pandemic here, we need to beat it everywhere,” Biden said last September during the first global summit.Demand for COVID-19 vaccines has dropped in some countries as infections and deaths have declined globally in recent months, particularly as the omicron variant has proved to be less severe than earlier versions of the disease. For the first time since it was created, the U.N.-backed COVAX effort has “enough supply to enable countries to meet their national vaccination targets,” according to vaccines alliance Gavi CEO Dr. Seth Berkley, which fronts COVAX.Still, despite more than 65% of the world’s population receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, fewer than 16% of people in poor countries have been immunized. It is highly unlikely countries will hit the World Health Organization target of vaccinating 70% of all people by June.In countries including Cameroon, Uganda and the Ivory Coast, officials have struggled to get enough refrigerators to transport vaccines, send enough syringes for mass campaigns and get enough health workers to inject the shots. Experts also point out that more than half of the health workers needed to administer the vaccines in poorer countries are either underpaid or not paid at all.Donating more vaccines, critics say, would miss the point entirely.“It’s like donating a bunch of fire trucks to countries that are on fire, but they have no water,” said Ritu Sharma, a vice president at the charity CARE, which has helped immunize people in more than 30 countries, including India, South Sudan and Bangladesh.“We can’t be giving countries all these vaccines but no way to use them,” she said, adding that the same infrastructure that got the shots administered in the U.S. is now needed elsewhere. “We had to tackle this problem in the U.S., so why are we not now using that knowledge to get vaccines into the people who need them most?”Sharma said greater investment was needed to counter vaccine hesitancy in developing countries where there are entrenched beliefs about the potential dangers of Western-made medicines.“Leaders must agree to pursue a coherent strategy to end the pandemic instead of a fragmented approach that will extend the lifespan of this crisis,” said Gayle Smith, CEO of The ONE Campaign.GAVI’s Berkley also said that countries are increasingly asking for the pricier messenger RNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, which are not as easily available as the AstraZeneca vaccine, which made up the bulk of COVAX’s supply last year.The emergence of variants like delta and omicron has led many countries to switch to mRNA vaccines, which seem to provide more protection and are in greater demand globally than traditionally made vaccines like those from China and Russia.___

🎥Biden says pandemic not over, asks Congress for more COVID money

JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug charges after a traffic stop in northeast Kansas.

Just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday, a&nbsp; Jackson County Sheriff deputies stopped 37-year-old Theresa Marie Ross-Hetrick driving a 2007 Saturn SUV near 6th&nbsp;and Colorado in Holton for a traffic voilation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp;Deputies arrested Ross-Hetrick and transported her to the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652381275699.png" alt="Ross-Hetrick- photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ross-Hetrick- photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug charges after a traffic stop in northeast Kansas.Just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday, a&nbsp; Jackson County Sheriff deputies stopped 37-year-old Theresa Marie Ross-Hetrick driving a 2007 Saturn SUV near 6th&nbsp;and Colorado in Holton for a traffic voilation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;Deputies arrested Ross-Hetrick and transported her to the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas woman jailed for allegedly transporting meth

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation Thursday that transfers more than $1 billion from the State General Fund to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), according to a media release from her office.

Senate Bill 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by eliminating debt from the state’s balance sheets and reducing future employer contributions.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MTIuNTc4MDMzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDIxLyJ9.CIUtuop8b_ItADNnAlA_2suJhuamC1l7z5_sySkY3qs/s/1303160919/br/131211135450-l" target="_blank">Click here for more details on Senate Bill 421</a>

“Balancing the budget, paying off debt, and providing financial relief for Kansans has always been my top priority – and today we delivered on that promise,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“We’re fixing the damage done to KPERS because our public service employees and retirees deserve their retirement fund to be replenished after the previous administration skipped payments to cover reckless tax policy.”

SB 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by reducing the debt owed to the fund and further enhancing the state’s historic financial strength.

Payment of this debt builds on Governor Kelly’s exceptional record of reducing debt obligations that the previous administration was content to pass on to future generations of Kansans to pay for reckless tax policy.

“This legislation repays all the delayed KPERS contributions, which is&nbsp;a great relief to KPERS members and their beneficiaries,”&nbsp;State Treasurer Lynn Rogers said.&nbsp;“Governor Kelly's&nbsp;record of paying off significant debt&nbsp;allows us&nbsp;to&nbsp;have the capacity to better serve the people of Kansas and focus on investing in our future.”

In addition to funding KPERS, the state is set to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars in bonded debt as recommended by the Governor in January. The Governor also paid off a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Board two years ahead schedule.

“Since before she was elected Governor, Laura Kelly has demonstrated her steadfast support for improving the strength and financial resilience of our state’s public employee retirement system.”&nbsp;Alan D. Conroy, Executive Director of KPERS, said.&nbsp;“SB 421 not only makes significant progress in reducing our long-term unfunded actuarial liability, it also takes long-term KPERS debt completely off the books. Taken together, this infusion of one-time funding will provide immediate savings to the state, it will lead to a significant reduction in long-term KPERS payments, and it will further affirm for our retirees that they will receive the full pension benefit they have earned from their public service within Kansas to the State, cities and counties, and local school districts.”

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation Thursday that transfers more than $1 billion from the State General Fund to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), according to a media release from her office.Senate Bill 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by eliminating debt from the state’s balance sheets and reducing future employer contributions.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MTIuNTc4MDMzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDIxLyJ9.CIUtuop8b_ItADNnAlA_2suJhuamC1l7z5_sySkY3qs/s/1303160919/br/131211135450-l" target="_blank">Click here for more details on Senate Bill 421</a>“Balancing the budget, paying off debt, and providing financial relief for Kansans has always been my top priority – and today we delivered on that promise,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“We’re fixing the damage done to KPERS because our public service employees and retirees deserve their retirement fund to be replenished after the previous administration skipped payments to cover reckless tax policy.”SB 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by reducing the debt owed to the fund and further enhancing the state’s historic financial strength.Payment of this debt builds on Governor Kelly’s exceptional record of reducing debt obligations that the previous administration was content to pass on to future generations of Kansans to pay for reckless tax policy.“This legislation repays all the delayed KPERS contributions, which is&nbsp;a great relief to KPERS members and their beneficiaries,”&nbsp;State Treasurer Lynn Rogers said.&nbsp;“Governor Kelly's&nbsp;record of paying off significant debt&nbsp;allows us&nbsp;to&nbsp;have the capacity to better serve the people of Kansas and focus on investing in our future.”In addition to funding KPERS, the state is set to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars in bonded debt as recommended by the Governor in January. The Governor also paid off a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Board two years ahead schedule.“Since before she was elected Governor, Laura Kelly has demonstrated her steadfast support for improving the strength and financial resilience of our state’s public employee retirement system.”&nbsp;Alan D. Conroy, Executive Director of KPERS, said.&nbsp;“SB 421 not only makes significant progress in reducing our long-term unfunded actuarial liability, it also takes long-term KPERS debt completely off the books. Taken together, this infusion of one-time funding will provide immediate savings to the state, it will lead to a significant reduction in long-term KPERS payments, and it will further affirm for our retirees that they will receive the full pension benefit they have earned from their public service within Kansas to the State, cities and counties, and local school districts.”

Gov. signs bill paying off more than $1 Billion of KPERS debts

Shortages in the supply of baby formula 
are leading new moms to find other ways of finding the much-needed item -
 and risking themselves to potential online scams. The <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-important-steps-improve-supply-infant-and-specialty-formula-products" target="_blank">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> announced it is taking proactive measures to increase supply to help ease the shortage.&nbsp;

According to the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26628-2021-bbb-scamtracker-risk-report">2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>,
 online shopping scams are the riskiest. With the current supply issues 
on many items, including formula, scammers are watching.&nbsp;

An ad, post, or social media group posts 
they have baby formula available. The buyer contacts the seller via chat
 or direct message, showing photos of the cans available. The buyer 
makes a payment through a peer-to-peer platform such as <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/paypal-inc-1216-210387" target="_blank">PayPal (a BBB Accredited Business)</a> or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/venmo-1216-634567" target="_blank">Venmo (a BBB Accredited Business)</a>, but the formula never arrives. &nbsp;

Signs of a potential online purchase scam include:&nbsp;

Check out the website before making a purchase: &nbsp;

Report suspected online shopping fraud to: &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652456647413.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>BBBShortages in the supply of baby formula 
are leading new moms to find other ways of finding the much-needed item -
 and risking themselves to potential online scams. The <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-important-steps-improve-supply-infant-and-specialty-formula-products" target="_blank">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> announced it is taking proactive measures to increase supply to help ease the shortage.&nbsp;According to the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26628-2021-bbb-scamtracker-risk-report">2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>,
 online shopping scams are the riskiest. With the current supply issues 
on many items, including formula, scammers are watching.&nbsp;<h2>How it works&nbsp;</h2>An ad, post, or social media group posts 
they have baby formula available. The buyer contacts the seller via chat
 or direct message, showing photos of the cans available. The buyer 
makes a payment through a peer-to-peer platform such as <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/paypal-inc-1216-210387" target="_blank">PayPal (a BBB Accredited Business)</a> or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/venmo-1216-634567" target="_blank">Venmo (a BBB Accredited Business)</a>, but the formula never arrives. &nbsp;Signs of a potential online purchase scam include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Positive
 reviews on the website that have been copied from honest sites or 
created by scammers. Be aware, some review websites claim to be 
independent but are funded by scammers. Check <a href="https://www.bbb.org/">BBB.org</a>. </li><li>No
 indication of a brick-and-mortar address or the address shows on a 
Google map as a parking lot, residence, or unrelated business than what 
is listed on the website. </li><li>Misspellings, grammatical errors, or other descriptive language that is inconsistent with the product.&nbsp;</li><li>The
 seller advertises on a social media site and is communicative until the
 payment is made. Once the payment clears, they are unreachable.</li>
 </ul>Check out the website before making a purchase: &nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Visit  <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search">BBB.org</a> 
 to check a business’s rating and BBB accreditation status. Impostors 
have been known to copy the BBB seal. If it is real, clicking on the 
seal will lead to the company’s BBB profile on <a href="https://www.bbb.org" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> - check the domain of the URL. </li><li>Conduct an internet search with the company name and the word “scam.” This may locate other complaints about the site. &nbsp;</li><li>Make
 a note of the website where the order is placed. Take a screenshot of 
the item ordered, in case the website disappears, or a different item is
 received in the mail than what was advertised. &nbsp;</li><li>Credit cards often provide more protection against fraud than other payment methods. &nbsp;</li><li>Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">online ads on social media sites</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Report suspected online shopping fraud to: &nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Better Business Bureau - file a complaint at <a href="https://www.bbb.org/complain">BBB.org</a> or report a scam at <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">BBB.org/scamtracker</a>. </li><li>Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - file a complaint at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/" target="_blank">reportfraud.ftc.gov</a> or call 877-FTC-Help. &nbsp;</li><li>National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center - report intellectual property and counterfeiting violations to <a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/view" target="_blank">iprcenter.gov/referral/view</a>. &nbsp;</li><li>Internet Crime Complaint enter (IC3) - file a complaint at <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx" target="_blank">ic3.gov/complaint</a>. &nbsp;</li><li>Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - file a report at <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm" target="_blank">antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca</a> or call 1-888-495-8501. &nbsp;</li><li>Facebook – report ads that violate Facebooks policies by clicking the *** next to an ad to go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/help/162606073801742" target="_blank">facebook.com/business/help.</a> &nbsp;</li><li>Instagram - report copyright infringement or other policy violations at <a href="https://help.instagram.com/165828726894770" target="_blank">help.instagram.com.</a> &nbsp;</li><li>Amazon – report suspicious activities and webpages at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=21599686011&amp;ref_=hp_ss_v3_mp_t4" target="_blank">Amazon.com.</a> &nbsp;</li><li>Google – report scams at <a href="https://support.google.com/faqs/answer/2952493" target="_blank">Google.com.</a> &nbsp;</li><li>PayPal -
 call (888) 221-1161 to speak with a live person instead of using an 
automated system if you receive an item that is not as advertised. &nbsp;</li><li>Credit card company - Call the phone number on the back of the credit card to report the fraud and request a refund. &nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Warning: Baby formula shortage leads to potential scams

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nineteen years after a woman was raped near Topeka, a man has been convicted of the crime after authorities determined his DNA linked him to the crime.

Pernell Adam Mack Jr., was convicted Wednesday of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and aggravated criminal sodomy, District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.

Kagay said Mack and another person raped the woman at her home south of Topeka after robbing her and pistol-whipping her.

The investigation did not produce leads to possible suspects at the time, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585826204166.png" alt="Pernell Mack from his Shawnee Co. arrest in 2020" />
 <figcaption>Pernell Mack from his Shawnee Co. arrest in 2020</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nineteen years after a woman was raped near Topeka, a man has been convicted of the crime after authorities determined his DNA linked him to the crime.Pernell Adam Mack Jr., was convicted Wednesday of rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and aggravated criminal sodomy, District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.A sentencing date hasn’t been set.Kagay said Mack and another person raped the woman at her home south of Topeka after robbing her and pistol-whipping her.The investigation did not produce leads to possible suspects at the time, he said.

Man convicted 19 years after woman's rape in Kansas.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —Law enforcement arrested a man&nbsp;Wednesday morning after he allegedly threw a landscape rock at a restaurant window.

Officers were dispatched at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to McDonald's, 701 S. Broadway, for the report of damage to property, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.

Employees told police that when a man couldn't get into the lobby because it was closed, he grabbed a landscape rock and threw it at an eight-foot by five-foot window, causing $2,000 damage, Forrester said.

Police located the man, identified as Tadd Marshall, 36, of Salina, at a nearby bus stop. He was arrested on the requested charge of felony damage to property, Forrester said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652363880818.png" alt="Marshall photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Marshall photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —Law enforcement arrested a man&nbsp;Wednesday morning after he allegedly threw a landscape rock at a restaurant window.Officers were dispatched at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to McDonald's, 701 S. Broadway, for the report of damage to property, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.Employees told police that when a man couldn't get into the lobby because it was closed, he grabbed a landscape rock and threw it at an eight-foot by five-foot window, causing $2,000 damage, Forrester said.Police located the man, identified as Tadd Marshall, 36, of Salina, at a nearby bus stop. He was arrested on the requested charge of felony damage to property, Forrester said.

Kan. man unhappy with restaurant threw large rock breaking window

WICHITA, KAN. – The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas fined a recidivist violator of statutory and regulatory federal livestock laws under the Packers and Stockyards Act, according to the United State's Attorney.

The District Court also entered a lifetime ban against trader, John Rife, of Oswego, Kansas, for his violations of federal law and for breaching prior injunctive orders previously entered by the federal court.

Rife did not substantively defend allegations filed by the United States of numerous violations of federal law. The violations include:

• operating on a dealer basis of cattle transactions with a suspended registration;

• failing to maintain records and make records available to the federal inspectors; and

• violating the federal court’s prior 2012 and 2017 orders imposing penalties and injunctive relief against Rife for similar conduct

During a hearing on the matter, the United States argued that Rife’s operation as a cattle dealer and market agency without registering, bonding, or maintaining records potentially jeopardizes the financial integrity of the cattle markets. The United States also contended Rife’s failure to comply with federal law impairs the government’s ability to investigate and prevent the spread of disease.

The District Court ordered Rife to pay the United States 15% of $1,799,168.50 in new and reinstated penalties, equaling $269,875.27. The remainder is set in abatement in case of future violations. The

District Court further entered a lifetime ban against Rife, barring him from engaging in any further business within the USDA’s jurisdiction for which registration and bonding are required.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Packers and Stockyards Division investigated the case against Rife.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652370199940.png" alt="Rife -photo Cherokee County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Rife -photo Cherokee County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas fined a recidivist violator of statutory and regulatory federal livestock laws under the Packers and Stockyards Act, according to the United State's Attorney.The District Court also entered a lifetime ban against trader, John Rife, of Oswego, Kansas, for his violations of federal law and for breaching prior injunctive orders previously entered by the federal court.Rife did not substantively defend allegations filed by the United States of numerous violations of federal law. The violations include:• operating on a dealer basis of cattle transactions with a suspended registration;• operating without an adequate bond;• failing to maintain records and make records available to the federal inspectors; and• violating the federal court’s prior 2012 and 2017 orders imposing penalties and injunctive relief against Rife for similar conductDuring a hearing on the matter, the United States argued that Rife’s operation as a cattle dealer and market agency without registering, bonding, or maintaining records potentially jeopardizes the financial integrity of the cattle markets. The United States also contended Rife’s failure to comply with federal law impairs the government’s ability to investigate and prevent the spread of disease.The District Court ordered Rife to pay the United States 15% of $1,799,168.50 in new and reinstated penalties, equaling $269,875.27. The remainder is set in abatement in case of future violations. TheDistrict Court further entered a lifetime ban against Rife, barring him from engaging in any further business within the USDA’s jurisdiction for which registration and bonding are required.The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Packers and Stockyards Division investigated the case against Rife.

Kan. cattle trader fined, banned for life after repeated violations

BARBER COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Barber County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kenworth cement truck driven by Anthony R. Peek, 58, Medicine Lodge, was southbound on McAdoo Road two miles south of Elm Mills Road.

The truck's right front tire caught loose sand at the edge of the roadway as it crested a hill.

The vehicle was pulled closer to the ditch and the driver overcorrected. The truck entered the east ditch, rolled numerous times and came to rest on its wheels.

Peek was pronounced dead and was transported to&nbsp;Larrison Funeral Home in Medicine Lodge. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BARBER COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Barber County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kenworth cement truck driven by Anthony R. Peek, 58, Medicine Lodge, was southbound on McAdoo Road two miles south of Elm Mills Road.The truck's right front tire caught loose sand at the edge of the roadway as it crested a hill.The vehicle was pulled closer to the ditch and the driver overcorrected. The truck entered the east ditch, rolled numerous times and came to rest on its wheels.Peek was pronounced dead and was transported to&nbsp;Larrison Funeral Home in Medicine Lodge. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after cement truck rollover accident

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation that legalizes betting in Kansas on sports events, though state officials and others said it’s not clear yet how soon the wagering could begin.

The bill signed by Kelly dedicates most of the the state’s share of revenues from the new gambling to efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri to the Kansas side of the metropolitan area. The measure creates a fund for attracting professional sports teams to the state, but lawmakers have said the primary challenge is the Kansas City, Missouri-based professional football franchise. The funds available would be perhaps $5 million a year.

The new law will allow people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino.

Penn National Gaming, which operates the state-owned Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, plans to build a retail sportsbook in the Kansas City-area casino. The Pennsylvania-based company also aims to launch mobile sports betting for people in Kansas. Spokesman Jeff Morris said that he hopes that people in Kansas would be able to begin legally betting by the National Football League season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642433370143.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation that legalizes betting in Kansas on sports events, though state officials and others said it’s not clear yet how soon the wagering could begin.The bill signed by Kelly dedicates most of the the state’s share of revenues from the new gambling to efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri to the Kansas side of the metropolitan area. The measure creates a fund for attracting professional sports teams to the state, but lawmakers have said the primary challenge is the Kansas City, Missouri-based professional football franchise. The funds available would be perhaps $5 million a year.The new law will allow people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino.Penn National Gaming, which operates the state-owned Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, plans to build a retail sportsbook in the Kansas City-area casino. The Pennsylvania-based company also aims to launch mobile sports betting for people in Kansas. Spokesman Jeff Morris said that he hopes that people in Kansas would be able to begin legally betting by the National Football League season.

Governor signs bill to legalize betting on sports in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident involving a mail delivery car just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Barton County.

According to the sheriff's office, a 1994 Jeep driven by Ronald D. Hanhardt, 71 of Otis, was northbound on NE 70th Avenue and failed to yield right-of-way to a 2001 Dodge passenger car operated by Preston L McCord, age 18 of Ellinwood, at E. Barton County Road.

The vehicles collided in the intersection continuing to the northwest, coming to rest in the ditch and field. 

Ellinwood EMS transported both drivers to Ellinwood District Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The Hanhardt vehicle rolled onto its side pinning the driver in the vehicle for a short period of time. He was extracted by the Ellinwood Fire Department.

Hanhardt was transporting United States mail at the time of the collision. At some point during the accident, a large quantity of mail was ejected from the vehicle, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Officials from the United States Postal Service were contacted to recover the letters and parcels.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652373723204.jpeg" alt="photos courtesy Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>photos courtesy Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident involving a mail delivery car just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Barton County.According to the sheriff's office, a 1994 Jeep driven by Ronald D. Hanhardt, 71 of Otis, was northbound on NE 70th Avenue and failed to yield right-of-way to a 2001 Dodge passenger car operated by Preston L McCord, age 18 of Ellinwood, at E. Barton County Road.The vehicles collided in the intersection continuing to the northwest, coming to rest in the ditch and field. Ellinwood EMS transported both drivers to Ellinwood District Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652373809554.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hanhardt vehicle rolled onto its side pinning the driver in the vehicle for a short period of time. He was extracted by the Ellinwood Fire Department.Hanhardt was transporting United States mail at the time of the collision. At some point during the accident, a large quantity of mail was ejected from the vehicle, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. Officials from the United States Postal Service were contacted to recover the letters and parcels.

2 Kan. men injured after car delivering mail involved in crash

Demolition of the former Junction City High School began with the Deever Building portion of complex. That structure served as the school district's administration building for many years before being incorporated into the high school operation.

David Wild, USD 475 Chief Operations Officer, said the work will continue from the south to the west on the demolition site. "Just to let the public know, we'll be salvaging some bricks from the old high school and giving them to the Geary Community Schools Foundation for resale." Wild added that there have been many requests for bricks from the old school.

Demolition of the former JCHS is projected&nbsp; to be completed in August, and possibly earlier. Ark Demolition of Tulsa, OK is handling the project. They are a subcontractor of Hutton Construction.&nbsp;

The concrete grandstand for the Al Simpler Stadium at the old JCHS site will be torn down but the turf for the football field and the adjacent running track will be left in place. The tennis courts on the west side of the complex and two small classroom buildings near the west side of the former school building will remain. Cost estimate for the demolition is $2.7 million.

The plan is to return the property to grade and then sell it to the city so a future sports complex can be developed there, along with a possible new public library.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652378076841.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostDemolition of the former Junction City High School began with the Deever Building portion of complex. That structure served as the school district's administration building for many years before being incorporated into the high school operation.David Wild, USD 475 Chief Operations Officer, said the work will continue from the south to the west on the demolition site. "Just to let the public know, we'll be salvaging some bricks from the old high school and giving them to the Geary Community Schools Foundation for resale." Wild added that there have been many requests for bricks from the old school.Demolition of the former JCHS is projected&nbsp; to be completed in August, and possibly earlier. Ark Demolition of Tulsa, OK is handling the project. They are a subcontractor of Hutton Construction.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652378787483.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The concrete grandstand for the Al Simpler Stadium at the old JCHS site will be torn down but the turf for the football field and the adjacent running track will be left in place. The tennis courts on the west side of the complex and two small classroom buildings near the west side of the former school building will remain. Cost estimate for the demolition is $2.7 million.The plan is to return the property to grade and then sell it to the city so a future sports complex can be developed there, along with a possible new public library.

$2.7M demolition underway at old Junction City High School

Salina police canceled the Silver Alert for missing 78-year-old Joyce Bair.&nbsp; Police reported Thursday afternoon she had been found in Salina and is safe.

The police reported no additional details.

The Salina Police Department has issued a statewide Silver Alert for 78-year-old Joyce Bair.

She has not been seen since Sunday and has been without her needed medications. She was last seen traveling from Junction City to Salina but never arrived. She was known to be in a black Ford Fusion Kansas License 631MBD.

She is described as 5-foot-2, 150 pounds with blue eyes and gray hair.

If located or you have information, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652282354343.jpeg" alt="Joyce Bair-photo Salina Police" />
 <figcaption>Joyce Bair-photo Salina Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina police canceled the Silver Alert for missing 78-year-old Joyce Bair.&nbsp; Police reported Thursday afternoon she had been found in Salina and is safe.The police reported no additional details.--------------The Salina Police Department has issued a statewide Silver Alert for 78-year-old Joyce Bair.She has not been seen since Sunday and has been without her needed medications. She was last seen traveling from Junction City to Salina but never arrived. She was known to be in a black Ford Fusion Kansas License 631MBD.She is described as 5-foot-2, 150 pounds with blue eyes and gray hair.If located or you have information, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210.

Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas woman found safe

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — At the height of the pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as COVID-19 spread rapidly among workers, according to a Congressional report released Thursday.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/2022.5.12%20-%20SSCC%20report%20on%20Meatpacking%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">report&nbsp;</a>by the House’s Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis said meat companies pushed to keep their plants open even though they knew workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-colorado-mexico-greeley-football-da66aaeb93f57d98e62c67575b7f5dda">were at high risk of catching the virus</a>. The lobbying led to health and labor officials watering down their recommendations for the industry and culminated in an executive order President Donald Trump issued in the spring of 2020 designating meat plants as critical infrastructure that needed to remain open.

Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, who leads the subcommittee, said USDA officials and the industry prioritized production and profits over the health of workers and communities as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-pandemics-congress-72e766be17083ad819ea3ac26cb7fb76">at least 59,000 workers caught the virus and 269 workers died</a>.

“The shameful conduct of corporate executives pursuing profit at any cost during a crisis and government officials eager to do their bidding regardless of resulting harm to the public must never be repeated,” Clyburn said.

Former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who now leads the University System of Georgia, declined to comment Thursday. A spokesman for the university system said Perdue is focused on “serving the students of Georgia.”

The report is based on communications between industry executives, lobbyists and USDA officials and other documents the committee received from government agencies, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, JBS, Cargill, National Beef, Hormel and other companies. Those firms control 85% of the beef market and 70% of pork production nationwide.

The North American Meat Institute trade group said the report distorts the truth and ignores the steps companies took as they spent billions of dollars to retool plants and purchase protective gear for workers.

“The House Select Committee has done the nation a disservice,” the trade group’s President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said. “The Committee could have tried to learn what the industry did to stop the spread of COVID among meat and poultry workers, reducing positive cases associated with the industry while cases were surging across the country. Instead, the Committee uses 20/20 hindsight and cherry picks data to support a narrative that is completely unrepresentative of the early days of an unprecedented national emergency.”

One of the major unions that represents workers at the processing plants condemned the way the Trump administration helped the meat industry.

“We only wish that the Trump Administration cared as much about the lives of working people as it did about meat, pork and poultry products, when we wanted poultry plants to shut down for deep cleaning and to save workers’ lives,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

The report said meat companies were slow to take measures to protect workers from the virus and pushed to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-sd-state-wire-aa3cced1b5c5c40a4bc09db805393d80">government recommendations</a>&nbsp;to require masks to be worn, install dividers between work stations and encourage social distancing in their plants optional.

But JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson said the company “did everything possible to ensure the safety of our people who kept our critical food supply chain running.”

Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson echoed that sentiment and said Tyson has worked closely with both the Trump and Biden administrations, along with state and local officials, to respond to the pandemic’s challenges.

Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe said the industry reacted quickly, and Smithfield has spent more than $900 million so far to protect workers. He said it was appropriate for meat companies to share their concerns with government officials as the pandemic unfolded.

But the report cited a message that a Koch Foods executive sent a lobbyist in the spring of 2020 that said the industry shouldn’t do more than screen employees’ temperatures at the door of plants. The lobbyist agreed and said “Now to get rid of those pesky health departments!”

To that end, the report said USDA officials — at the behest of meat companies — tried to use Trump’s executive order to stop state and local health officials from ordering plant shutdowns.

Even with those efforts, U.S. meat production still fell to about 60% of normal during the spring of 2020 because a number of major plants were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-ap-top-news-us-news-sioux-falls-south-dakota-83ef6383e6a437aae20962e3c9de8855">forced to temporarily close</a>&nbsp;for deep cleaning, widespread testing and safety upgrades or operated at slower speeds because of worker shortages. Companies took action to close plants in consultation with health officials after outbreaks were confirmed.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve worked hard to maintain safe and consistent operations. At the same time, we have not hesitated to temporarily idle or reduce capacity at processing plants when we determined it necessary to do so,” Cargill spokesman Daniel Sullivan said.

Documents uncovered by the committee showed that meat companies pushed hard for the executive order partly because they believed it will help shield them from liability if workers got sick or died — something a federal appeals court later rejected in a lawsuit against Tyson over worker deaths at an Iowa plant. Emails show that the companies themselves submitted a draft of the executive order to the administration days before it was issued.

Early on in the pandemic, meat companies knew the virus was spreading rapidly among their workers because infection rates were much higher in the plants and their surrounding communities. The report said that in April 2020, a doctor at a hospital near a JBS plant in Cactus, Texas, told the company and government officials in an email that there was clearly a major outbreak at the plant because every COVID-19 patient at the hospital either worked at the plant or was related to a worker. “Your employees will get sick and may die if this factory remains open,” the doctor warned.

The report also highlighted the way meat companies aggressively pushed back against government safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That led to the final guidance including language that effectively made the rules optional because it said the recommendations should be done “if feasible” or “where possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589997636847.png" alt="Photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — At the height of the pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as COVID-19 spread rapidly among workers, according to a Congressional report released Thursday.The&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.house.gov/sites/democrats.coronavirus.house.gov/files/2022.5.12%20-%20SSCC%20report%20on%20Meatpacking%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">report&nbsp;</a>by the House’s Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis said meat companies pushed to keep their plants open even though they knew workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-colorado-mexico-greeley-football-da66aaeb93f57d98e62c67575b7f5dda">were at high risk of catching the virus</a>. The lobbying led to health and labor officials watering down their recommendations for the industry and culminated in an executive order President Donald Trump issued in the spring of 2020 designating meat plants as critical infrastructure that needed to remain open.Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, who leads the subcommittee, said USDA officials and the industry prioritized production and profits over the health of workers and communities as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-pandemics-congress-72e766be17083ad819ea3ac26cb7fb76">at least 59,000 workers caught the virus and 269 workers died</a>.“The shameful conduct of corporate executives pursuing profit at any cost during a crisis and government officials eager to do their bidding regardless of resulting harm to the public must never be repeated,” Clyburn said.Former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who now leads the University System of Georgia, declined to comment Thursday. A spokesman for the university system said Perdue is focused on “serving the students of Georgia.”The report is based on communications between industry executives, lobbyists and USDA officials and other documents the committee received from government agencies, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, JBS, Cargill, National Beef, Hormel and other companies. Those firms control 85% of the beef market and 70% of pork production nationwide.The North American Meat Institute trade group said the report distorts the truth and ignores the steps companies took as they spent billions of dollars to retool plants and purchase protective gear for workers.“The House Select Committee has done the nation a disservice,” the trade group’s President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said. “The Committee could have tried to learn what the industry did to stop the spread of COVID among meat and poultry workers, reducing positive cases associated with the industry while cases were surging across the country. Instead, the Committee uses 20/20 hindsight and cherry picks data to support a narrative that is completely unrepresentative of the early days of an unprecedented national emergency.”One of the major unions that represents workers at the processing plants condemned the way the Trump administration helped the meat industry.“We only wish that the Trump Administration cared as much about the lives of working people as it did about meat, pork and poultry products, when we wanted poultry plants to shut down for deep cleaning and to save workers’ lives,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.The report said meat companies were slow to take measures to protect workers from the virus and pushed to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-sd-state-wire-aa3cced1b5c5c40a4bc09db805393d80">government recommendations</a>&nbsp;to require masks to be worn, install dividers between work stations and encourage social distancing in their plants optional.But JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson said the company “did everything possible to ensure the safety of our people who kept our critical food supply chain running.”Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson echoed that sentiment and said Tyson has worked closely with both the Trump and Biden administrations, along with state and local officials, to respond to the pandemic’s challenges.Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe said the industry reacted quickly, and Smithfield has spent more than $900 million so far to protect workers. He said it was appropriate for meat companies to share their concerns with government officials as the pandemic unfolded.But the report cited a message that a Koch Foods executive sent a lobbyist in the spring of 2020 that said the industry shouldn’t do more than screen employees’ temperatures at the door of plants. The lobbyist agreed and said “Now to get rid of those pesky health departments!”To that end, the report said USDA officials — at the behest of meat companies — tried to use Trump’s executive order to stop state and local health officials from ordering plant shutdowns.Even with those efforts, U.S. meat production still fell to about 60% of normal during the spring of 2020 because a number of major plants were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-ap-top-news-us-news-sioux-falls-south-dakota-83ef6383e6a437aae20962e3c9de8855">forced to temporarily close</a>&nbsp;for deep cleaning, widespread testing and safety upgrades or operated at slower speeds because of worker shortages. Companies took action to close plants in consultation with health officials after outbreaks were confirmed.“Throughout the pandemic we’ve worked hard to maintain safe and consistent operations. At the same time, we have not hesitated to temporarily idle or reduce capacity at processing plants when we determined it necessary to do so,” Cargill spokesman Daniel Sullivan said.Documents uncovered by the committee showed that meat companies pushed hard for the executive order partly because they believed it will help shield them from liability if workers got sick or died — something a federal appeals court later rejected in a lawsuit against Tyson over worker deaths at an Iowa plant. Emails show that the companies themselves submitted a draft of the executive order to the administration days before it was issued.Early on in the pandemic, meat companies knew the virus was spreading rapidly among their workers because infection rates were much higher in the plants and their surrounding communities. The report said that in April 2020, a doctor at a hospital near a JBS plant in Cactus, Texas, told the company and government officials in an email that there was clearly a major outbreak at the plant because every COVID-19 patient at the hospital either worked at the plant or was related to a worker. “Your employees will get sick and may die if this factory remains open,” the doctor warned.The report also highlighted the way meat companies aggressively pushed back against government safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That led to the final guidance including language that effectively made the rules optional because it said the recommendations should be done “if feasible” or “where possible.”___