WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes for three months — an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">election-year</a>&nbsp;move meant to ease financial pressures that was greeted with doubts by many lawmakers.

The Democratic president also called on states to suspend their own gas taxes or provide similar relief, and he delivered a public critique of the energy industry for prioritizing profits over production. It would take action by lawmakers in Washington and in statehouses across the country to actually bring relief to consumers.

“It doesn’t reduce all the pain but it will be a big help,” Biden said, using the bully pulpit when his administration believes it has run out of direct levers to address soaring gas prices. “I’m doing my part. I want Congress, states and industry to do their part as well.”

At issue is the 18.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on gas and the 24.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on diesel fuel. If the gas savings were fully passed along to consumers, people would save roughly 3.6% at the pump when prices are averaging about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-business-fdcf2e9fbb835cd9bc3886b8dc4a7bc0">$5 a gallon</a>&nbsp;nationwide.

Biden’s push faces uphill odds in Congress, which must act in order to suspend the tax, and where many lawmakers, including some in his own party, have expressed reservations. Even many economists view the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-prices-congress-2a416dc661e56db6fbf63f2a3b9341c9">a gas tax holiday</a>&nbsp;with skepticism.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered a noncommittal response to Biden’s proposal, saying she would look to see if there was support for it in Congress.

“We will see where the consensus lies on a path forward for the president’s proposal in the House and the Senate,” Pelosi said.

Unlikely to pass a gas tax holiday through the 50-50 Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday that Democrats will focus instead on their bill to crack down on oil companies “manipulating the market” for higher prices and profits. “We’re going to focus on that issue,” Schumer said.

In his speech, Biden tied higher energy prices to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said, “defending freedom, defending democracy was not going to go without cost for the American people and the rest of the free world.” The president noted that lawmakers backed sanctions against Russia and aiding Ukraine despite the risks of inflation from resulting energy and food shortages.

Democrats, Republicans and independents in Congress chose to support Ukraine, “knowing full well the cost,” he said.

“So for all those Republicans in Congress criticizing me today for high gas prices in America: Are you now saying you were wrong to support Ukraine?” Biden said. “Are you saying that we would rather have lower gas prices in America than (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s iron fist in Europe? I don’t believe that. ”

The president said “states are now in a strong position to be able to afford to take some of these actions,” thanks to federal support from the 2021 COVID-19 relief bill. But there is no guarantee that states will tap into their budgets to suspend their taxes on gas or to deliver rebates to consumers, as Biden is requesting.

Barack Obama, during the 2008 presidential campaign, called the idea of a gas tax holiday a “gimmick” that allowed politicians to “say that they did something.” He also warned that oil companies could offset the tax relief by increasing their prices.

The administration is saying that gas tax suspensions at the federal and state levels as well as energy companies pouring their profits into production and refining capacity could cut gas prices by $1 a gallon.

High gas prices pose a fundamental threat to Biden’s electoral and policy ambitions. They’ve caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-jerome-powell-inflation-economy-8e4f1c2efc10349499bc61b638c15d7f">confidence in the economy</a>&nbsp;to slump to lows that bode poorly for defending Democratic control of the House and the Senate in November.

Biden’s past efforts to cut gas prices — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">the release of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-climate-and-environment-741866342fa94e30370cb6f4b2671e60">greater ethanol blending</a>&nbsp;this summer — have not delivered savings at the pump, a risk that carries over to the idea of a gas tax holiday.

The president can do remarkably little to fix prices that are set by global markets, profit-driven companies, consumer demand and aftershocks from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and the embargoes that followed. The underlying problem is a shortage of oil and refineries that produce gas, a challenge a tax holiday cannot necessarily fix.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, estimated that the majority of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/key-inflation-report-highest-level-in-four-decades-c0248c5b5705cd1523d3dab3771983b4">the 8.6% inflation</a>&nbsp;seen over the past 12 months in the U.S. comes from higher commodity prices due to Russia’s invasion and continued disruptions from the coronavirus.

“In the immediate near term, it is critical to stem the increase in oil prices,” Zandi said last week, suggesting that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and a nuclear deal with Iran could help to boost supplies and lower prices. Republican lawmakers have tried to shift more blame to Biden, saying he created a hostile environment for domestic oil producers, causing their output to stay below pre-pandemic levels.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell mocked the gas tax holiday as an “ineffective stunt” in a Wednesday floor speech. “This ineffective administration’s big new idea is a silly proposal that senior members of their own party have already shot down well in advance,” he said.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he would not support suspending the gas tax. “I’m going to be working against it. I have the largest committee in Congress, so we’ll see.”

DeFazio said a better course would be to tax oil companies on “windfall profits.”

Administration officials said the $10 billion cost of the gas tax holiday would be paid for and the Highway Trust Fund kept whole, even though the gas taxes make up a substantial source of revenue for the fund. The officials did not specify any new revenue sources.

The president has also called on energy companies to accept&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-f73c882b0664a5d5dd62635a9a65364c">lower profit margins</a>&nbsp;to increase oil production and refining capacity for gasoline.

This has increased tensions with oil producers: Biden has judged the companies to be making “more money than God.” That kicked off a chain of events in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prices-congress-38c4a047ac455f26c52f4c144d84a6dd">the head of Chevron</a>, Michael Wirth, sent a letter to the White House saying that the administration “has largely sought to criticize, and at times vilify, our industry.”

Asked about the letter, Biden said of Wirth: “He’s mildly sensitive. I didn’t know they’d get their feelings hurt that quickly.”

Energy companies are scheduled to meet Thursday with Energy Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jennifer-granholm">Jennifer Granholm</a>&nbsp;to discuss ways to increase supply.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes for three months — an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">election-year</a>&nbsp;move meant to ease financial pressures that was greeted with doubts by many lawmakers.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F884500062509296%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=404" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The Democratic president also called on states to suspend their own gas taxes or provide similar relief, and he delivered a public critique of the energy industry for prioritizing profits over production. It would take action by lawmakers in Washington and in statehouses across the country to actually bring relief to consumers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A federal gas tax holiday is a trivial attempt to address a serious issue that is hurting American families. President Biden needs to take concrete action to unleash American energy production in order to sustainably reduce prices at the gas pump.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1539683536629800960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It doesn’t reduce all the pain but it will be a big help,” Biden said, using the bully pulpit when his administration believes it has run out of direct levers to address soaring gas prices. “I’m doing my part. I want Congress, states and industry to do their part as well.”At issue is the 18.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on gas and the 24.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on diesel fuel. If the gas savings were fully passed along to consumers, people would save roughly 3.6% at the pump when prices are averaging about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-business-fdcf2e9fbb835cd9bc3886b8dc4a7bc0">$5 a gallon</a>&nbsp;nationwide.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">👀👀👀 <a href="https://t.co/d2yMoe32AF">https://t.co/d2yMoe32AF</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1539659606238314496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden’s push faces uphill odds in Congress, which must act in order to suspend the tax, and where many lawmakers, including some in his own party, have expressed reservations. Even many economists view the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-prices-congress-2a416dc661e56db6fbf63f2a3b9341c9">a gas tax holiday</a>&nbsp;with skepticism.Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered a noncommittal response to Biden’s proposal, saying she would look to see if there was support for it in Congress.“We will see where the consensus lies on a path forward for the president’s proposal in the House and the Senate,” Pelosi said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There are actions we can take to help ease the pain American families are feeling at the pump. We’ve taken them and will continue to do so. I’m doing my part. It’s time for Congress, states, and industry to do theirs. <a href="https://t.co/omiWqEyhHj">pic.twitter.com/omiWqEyhHj</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1539704785162895360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Unlikely to pass a gas tax holiday through the 50-50 Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday that Democrats will focus instead on their bill to crack down on oil companies “manipulating the market” for higher prices and profits. “We’re going to focus on that issue,” Schumer said.In his speech, Biden tied higher energy prices to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said, “defending freedom, defending democracy was not going to go without cost for the American people and the rest of the free world.” The president noted that lawmakers backed sanctions against Russia and aiding Ukraine despite the risks of inflation from resulting energy and food shortages.Democrats, Republicans and independents in Congress chose to support Ukraine, “knowing full well the cost,” he said.“So for all those Republicans in Congress criticizing me today for high gas prices in America: Are you now saying you were wrong to support Ukraine?” Biden said. “Are you saying that we would rather have lower gas prices in America than (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s iron fist in Europe? I don’t believe that. ”The president said “states are now in a strong position to be able to afford to take some of these actions,” thanks to federal support from the 2021 COVID-19 relief bill. But there is no guarantee that states will tap into their budgets to suspend their taxes on gas or to deliver rebates to consumers, as Biden is requesting.Barack Obama, during the 2008 presidential campaign, called the idea of a gas tax holiday a “gimmick” that allowed politicians to “say that they did something.” He also warned that oil companies could offset the tax relief by increasing their prices.The administration is saying that gas tax suspensions at the federal and state levels as well as energy companies pouring their profits into production and refining capacity could cut gas prices by $1 a gallon.High gas prices pose a fundamental threat to Biden’s electoral and policy ambitions. They’ve caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-jerome-powell-inflation-economy-8e4f1c2efc10349499bc61b638c15d7f">confidence in the economy</a>&nbsp;to slump to lows that bode poorly for defending Democratic control of the House and the Senate in November.Biden’s past efforts to cut gas prices — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">the release of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-climate-and-environment-741866342fa94e30370cb6f4b2671e60">greater ethanol blending</a>&nbsp;this summer — have not delivered savings at the pump, a risk that carries over to the idea of a gas tax holiday.The president can do remarkably little to fix prices that are set by global markets, profit-driven companies, consumer demand and aftershocks from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and the embargoes that followed. The underlying problem is a shortage of oil and refineries that produce gas, a challenge a tax holiday cannot necessarily fix.Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, estimated that the majority of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/key-inflation-report-highest-level-in-four-decades-c0248c5b5705cd1523d3dab3771983b4">the 8.6% inflation</a>&nbsp;seen over the past 12 months in the U.S. comes from higher commodity prices due to Russia’s invasion and continued disruptions from the coronavirus.“In the immediate near term, it is critical to stem the increase in oil prices,” Zandi said last week, suggesting that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and a nuclear deal with Iran could help to boost supplies and lower prices. Republican lawmakers have tried to shift more blame to Biden, saying he created a hostile environment for domestic oil producers, causing their output to stay below pre-pandemic levels.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell mocked the gas tax holiday as an “ineffective stunt” in a Wednesday floor speech. “This ineffective administration’s big new idea is a silly proposal that senior members of their own party have already shot down well in advance,” he said.Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he would not support suspending the gas tax. “I’m going to be working against it. I have the largest committee in Congress, so we’ll see.”DeFazio said a better course would be to tax oil companies on “windfall profits.”Administration officials said the $10 billion cost of the gas tax holiday would be paid for and the Highway Trust Fund kept whole, even though the gas taxes make up a substantial source of revenue for the fund. The officials did not specify any new revenue sources.The president has also called on energy companies to accept&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-f73c882b0664a5d5dd62635a9a65364c">lower profit margins</a>&nbsp;to increase oil production and refining capacity for gasoline.This has increased tensions with oil producers: Biden has judged the companies to be making “more money than God.” That kicked off a chain of events in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prices-congress-38c4a047ac455f26c52f4c144d84a6dd">the head of Chevron</a>, Michael Wirth, sent a letter to the White House saying that the administration “has largely sought to criticize, and at times vilify, our industry.”Asked about the letter, Biden said of Wirth: “He’s mildly sensitive. I didn’t know they’d get their feelings hurt that quickly.”Energy companies are scheduled to meet Thursday with Energy Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jennifer-granholm">Jennifer Granholm</a>&nbsp;to discuss ways to increase supply.

🎥Kansas Senators critical of Biden's call for gas tax holiday

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after he ran from an accident.

Just before 2p.m. June 19, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to a two vehicle accident in the 2800 block of NW 75 Highway, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

Callers stated that one of the drivers had fled the scene on foot. The suspect was then seen by witnesses entering a building of a business in the 2900 block of NW Button Road. 

Deputies arrived in the area and located the suspect across the street from the business.

Deputies arrested 25-year-old Kamren E. Brake of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated burglary, criminal trespass, and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655813997687.png" alt="Brake-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Brake-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after he ran from an accident.Just before 2p.m. June 19, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to a two vehicle accident in the 2800 block of NW 75 Highway, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.Callers stated that one of the drivers had fled the scene on foot. The suspect was then seen by witnesses entering a building of a business in the 2900 block of NW Button Road. Deputies arrived in the area and located the suspect across the street from the business.Deputies arrested 25-year-old Kamren E. Brake of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated burglary, criminal trespass, and interference with law enforcement.

Kan. burglary suspect arrested after he runs from crash 

The Federal Trade Commission has <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023179C4767ResidentHomeOrder.pdf">finalized an order</a>
 against Resident Home LLC&nbsp;and owner Ran Reske for allegedly making 
false, misleading, or unsupported advertising claims that their imported
 DreamCloud mattresses were made from 100% USA-made materials. Resident 
Home LLC&nbsp;and Reske will pay $753,000.

In the company’s promotional material, Resident Home LLC&nbsp;and Reske claimed that their DreamCloud mattresses were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/2023179_-_resident_home_complaint.pdf">“proudly made with 100 percent USA-made premium quality materials.”</a>&nbsp;But,
 according to the complaint, these claims were false or misleading, and 
violated the FTC Act. The FTC says all DreamCloud mattresses are 
finished overseas and, in some cases, are wholly imported or use 
significant imported materials.

Under the terms of the final order, in addition to paying $753,000, 
Resident Home LLC and Reske are prohibited from making several claims 
that deceive consumers and harm law-abiding businesses whose sales were 
siphoned because of this behavior. The order specifically covers&nbsp;unqualified&nbsp;U.S.-origin claims (claims made with no limitations) for any product, unless they&nbsp;can show that:

The order also governs any&nbsp;qualified&nbsp;Made in USA 
claims&nbsp;(claims that include explanatory information). For qualified 
claims, Resident Home LLC and Reske must include a clear disclosure 
about the extent to which the product contains foreign parts, 
ingredients, components, or processing.

The FTC’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1997/12/enforcement-policy-statement-us-origin-claims">Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims</a>&nbsp;offers guidance on making Made in USA claims. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/14/2021-14610/made-in-usa-labeling-rule">Made in USA Labeling Rule</a>&nbsp;went into effect on August 13, 2021. Companies that violate the Rule from that date forward may be subject to civil penalties.

The Commission voted 3-2 to approve the complaint and settlement 
order, with Commissioners Noah Joshua Phillips and Christine S. Wilson 
voting no. The majority <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-chair-lina-m-khan-commissioner-rebecca-kelly-slaughter-commissioner-alvaro-m-bedoya-matter">issued a statement</a>, and Commissioners Phillips and Wilson issued a<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/dissenting-statement-commissioner-noah-joshua-phillips-commissioner-christine-s-wilson-matter"> joint dissenting statement</a>. &nbsp;

FTCThe Federal Trade Commission has <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023179C4767ResidentHomeOrder.pdf">finalized an order</a>
 against Resident Home LLC&nbsp;and owner Ran Reske for allegedly making 
false, misleading, or unsupported advertising claims that their imported
 DreamCloud mattresses were made from 100% USA-made materials. Resident 
Home LLC&nbsp;and Reske will pay $753,000.In the company’s promotional material, Resident Home LLC&nbsp;and Reske claimed that their DreamCloud mattresses were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/2023179_-_resident_home_complaint.pdf">“proudly made with 100 percent USA-made premium quality materials.”</a>&nbsp;But,
 according to the complaint, these claims were false or misleading, and 
violated the FTC Act. The FTC says all DreamCloud mattresses are 
finished overseas and, in some cases, are wholly imported or use 
significant imported materials.Under the terms of the final order, in addition to paying $753,000, 
Resident Home LLC and Reske are prohibited from making several claims 
that deceive consumers and harm law-abiding businesses whose sales were 
siphoned because of this behavior. The order specifically covers&nbsp;unqualified&nbsp;U.S.-origin claims (claims made with no limitations) for any product, unless they&nbsp;can show that:<ul>
 <li>the product’s final assembly, final processing, and all significant processing takes place in the United States; and</li><li>all or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the United States.</li>
 </ul>The order also governs any&nbsp;qualified&nbsp;Made in USA 
claims&nbsp;(claims that include explanatory information). For qualified 
claims, Resident Home LLC and Reske must include a clear disclosure 
about the extent to which the product contains foreign parts, 
ingredients, components, or processing.The FTC’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1997/12/enforcement-policy-statement-us-origin-claims">Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims</a>&nbsp;offers guidance on making Made in USA claims. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/14/2021-14610/made-in-usa-labeling-rule">Made in USA Labeling Rule</a>&nbsp;went into effect on August 13, 2021. Companies that violate the Rule from that date forward may be subject to civil penalties.The Commission voted 3-2 to approve the complaint and settlement 
order, with Commissioners Noah Joshua Phillips and Christine S. Wilson 
voting no. The majority <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/statement-chair-lina-m-khan-commissioner-rebecca-kelly-slaughter-commissioner-alvaro-m-bedoya-matter">issued a statement</a>, and Commissioners Phillips and Wilson issued a<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/public-statements/dissenting-statement-commissioner-noah-joshua-phillips-commissioner-christine-s-wilson-matter"> joint dissenting statement</a>. &nbsp;

Company ordered to pay six-digit fine over 'Made in USA' claims

KANSAS CITY (AP) —In her first week on the job at a Philadelphia abortion clinic, Amanda Kifferly was taught how to search for bombs. About a year later, protesters blocked the entrances and exits of the The Women’s Centers, at one point pulling Kifferly into something resembling a mosh pit, where they surrounded her and shoved her around.

And on the night of last winter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">arguments</a>&nbsp;before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that could end the nationwide right to abortion, people gathered outside a clinic in New Jersey with lawn chairs, a cooler and a flaming torch — a sight that brought to mind lynchings and other horrors of the country’s racist past, says Kifferly, who now serves as vice president for abortion access.

Such scenes have become familiar for providers and patients across the country over the decades since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion. At times the violence has been far more severe, including bombings, arson and murders — from the 1993 killing of Dr. David Gunn outside a Florida abortion clinic to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-trials-courts-colorado-denver-26f0712e558032c99384262adb7aed4f">2015 fatal shooting</a>&nbsp;of three people inside a Colorado Planned Parenthood.

Now providers and some in law enforcement worry what will come next. They’re preparing for an increase in violence once the Supreme Court rules, saying there has historically been a spike when the issue of abortion gets widespread public attention, such as after a state approves new restrictions. If the decision ends Roe v. Wade — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-07439f9fc4542f1500ab78dfd34036b1">leaked draft opinion</a>&nbsp;indicates may happen — they also anticipate protests, harassment and other violence to be more concentrated and intensify in states where abortion remains legal.

“We know from experience, it’s not like the people protesting clinics in banned states just pack up and go home,” said Melissa Fowler, chief program officer for the National Abortion Federation.

The group and the hundreds of abortion clinics it represents have been on “heightened alert” since the opinion leaked, Fowler said. The organization has staff who specialize in security on call around the clock. They go out to clinics to do drills with employees and volunteers on scenarios such as bomb threats or active shooters and advise them on things like where to position security cameras. They also conduct safety assessments at the homes of physicians, monitor online threats and consult with local law enforcement.

In some places, local police are working with clinics to try to tamp down the potential for violence. In Jacksonville, Florida, the sheriff’s office said last month they would station an officer outside the clinic, and police in Little Rock, Arkansas, installed a camera atop a crane near an abortion clinic that has been the site of protests, hoping to deter bad actors.

Immediately following the leak and for days afterward, police in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, initiated extra patrols around The Women’s Center location, Kifferly said.

But the relationship between clinics and local police isn’t always a positive one, and clinics must weigh whether having a heavy police presence will frighten patients, Fowler said. In Kifferly’s experience, how well clinics and police departments work together varies by city and state. She recalled asking an officer for help as she was assaulted outside the Philadelphia clinic, and the officer responding that she should “call 911.”

NAF, which collects monthly data from its over 500 members on harassment and violence, reported a spike in incidents in 2020, the most recent year for which the group has published data. The number of death threats or threats of harm and of assault and battery both increased by more than double, and providers reported more than 24,000 incidents of hate email or internet harassment.

Abortion providers reported an uptick after Donald Trump became president, and “extremists felt like it was OK for them not to be in the shadows,” Fowler said. The coronavirus pandemic seemed to exacerbate things, Kifferly said, and in all four states where The Women’s Centers operates — New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia and Pennsylvania — “we were besieged by protesters” angry that abortion clinics were open while their churches or businesses were closed.

Abortion opponents also have been targets of violence, and say they’ve also seen an increase in incidents since the draft opinion leaked, though the FBI in a 2020 memo described the incidents as historically “rare.”

Shortly after the draft opinion became public, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-violence-government-and-politics-8f3a2a7146594a6275250b54be776f85">Department of Homeland Security’s</a>&nbsp;Office of Intelligence and Analysis said the draft had made extremist violence — by people on either side of the issue — more likely.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said there were more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-vandalism-83ef112cf20dcf511cf09dfd5241e1c1">40 incidents</a>&nbsp;of violence, intimidation and vandalism at pregnancy centers and churches in recent weeks.

In early June, a man with a gun, knife, zip ties and other items was arrested near&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-district-of-columbia-maryland-government-and-politics-179d18e7f933b3decbaddb542ceb0b29">Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s</a>&nbsp;home in the middle of the night. He told police he wanted to kill the justice because he was upset about the draft opinion as well as the fatal mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

The court is expected to issue its ruling in the coming days or weeks.

As for what might occur next for abortion providers, much focus has been on how to provide care to people seeking it, should abortion be banned in more states. But Fowler said another concern is also front of mind: “We also need to focus on safety.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) —In her first week on the job at a Philadelphia abortion clinic, Amanda Kifferly was taught how to search for bombs. About a year later, protesters blocked the entrances and exits of the The Women’s Centers, at one point pulling Kifferly into something resembling a mosh pit, where they surrounded her and shoved her around.And on the night of last winter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">arguments</a>&nbsp;before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that could end the nationwide right to abortion, people gathered outside a clinic in New Jersey with lawn chairs, a cooler and a flaming torch — a sight that brought to mind lynchings and other horrors of the country’s racist past, says Kifferly, who now serves as vice president for abortion access.Such scenes have become familiar for providers and patients across the country over the decades since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion. At times the violence has been far more severe, including bombings, arson and murders — from the 1993 killing of Dr. David Gunn outside a Florida abortion clinic to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-trials-courts-colorado-denver-26f0712e558032c99384262adb7aed4f">2015 fatal shooting</a>&nbsp;of three people inside a Colorado Planned Parenthood.Now providers and some in law enforcement worry what will come next. They’re preparing for an increase in violence once the Supreme Court rules, saying there has historically been a spike when the issue of abortion gets widespread public attention, such as after a state approves new restrictions. If the decision ends Roe v. Wade — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-07439f9fc4542f1500ab78dfd34036b1">leaked draft opinion</a>&nbsp;indicates may happen — they also anticipate protests, harassment and other violence to be more concentrated and intensify in states where abortion remains legal.“We know from experience, it’s not like the people protesting clinics in banned states just pack up and go home,” said Melissa Fowler, chief program officer for the National Abortion Federation.The group and the hundreds of abortion clinics it represents have been on “heightened alert” since the opinion leaked, Fowler said. The organization has staff who specialize in security on call around the clock. They go out to clinics to do drills with employees and volunteers on scenarios such as bomb threats or active shooters and advise them on things like where to position security cameras. They also conduct safety assessments at the homes of physicians, monitor online threats and consult with local law enforcement.In some places, local police are working with clinics to try to tamp down the potential for violence. In Jacksonville, Florida, the sheriff’s office said last month they would station an officer outside the clinic, and police in Little Rock, Arkansas, installed a camera atop a crane near an abortion clinic that has been the site of protests, hoping to deter bad actors.Immediately following the leak and for days afterward, police in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, initiated extra patrols around The Women’s Center location, Kifferly said.But the relationship between clinics and local police isn’t always a positive one, and clinics must weigh whether having a heavy police presence will frighten patients, Fowler said. In Kifferly’s experience, how well clinics and police departments work together varies by city and state. She recalled asking an officer for help as she was assaulted outside the Philadelphia clinic, and the officer responding that she should “call 911.”NAF, which collects monthly data from its over 500 members on harassment and violence, reported a spike in incidents in 2020, the most recent year for which the group has published data. The number of death threats or threats of harm and of assault and battery both increased by more than double, and providers reported more than 24,000 incidents of hate email or internet harassment.Abortion providers reported an uptick after Donald Trump became president, and “extremists felt like it was OK for them not to be in the shadows,” Fowler said. The coronavirus pandemic seemed to exacerbate things, Kifferly said, and in all four states where The Women’s Centers operates — New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia and Pennsylvania — “we were besieged by protesters” angry that abortion clinics were open while their churches or businesses were closed.Abortion opponents also have been targets of violence, and say they’ve also seen an increase in incidents since the draft opinion leaked, though the FBI in a 2020 memo described the incidents as historically “rare.”Shortly after the draft opinion became public, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-violence-government-and-politics-8f3a2a7146594a6275250b54be776f85">Department of Homeland Security’s</a>&nbsp;Office of Intelligence and Analysis said the draft had made extremist violence — by people on either side of the issue — more likely.Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said there were more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-wisconsin-vandalism-83ef112cf20dcf511cf09dfd5241e1c1">40 incidents</a>&nbsp;of violence, intimidation and vandalism at pregnancy centers and churches in recent weeks.In early June, a man with a gun, knife, zip ties and other items was arrested near&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-district-of-columbia-maryland-government-and-politics-179d18e7f933b3decbaddb542ceb0b29">Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s</a>&nbsp;home in the middle of the night. He told police he wanted to kill the justice because he was upset about the draft opinion as well as the fatal mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.The court is expected to issue its ruling in the coming days or weeks.As for what might occur next for abortion providers, much focus has been on how to provide care to people seeking it, should abortion be banned in more states. But Fowler said another concern is also front of mind: “We also need to focus on safety.”

'Heightened alert': Abortion providers brace for ruling

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an unusual arrest.

Just after 6:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a report of a disabled motorist at milepost 160 on Interstate 35, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 While on scene, the deputy found illegal narcotics were located in possession of a passenger of the vehicle identified as Kimberly A. Mayer, 39, of Gilbert, Arizona.

The deputy transported her to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, trafficking in contraband into a correctional facility, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Wells.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655838322456.png" alt="Mayer-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Mayer-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an unusual arrest.Just after 6:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a report of a disabled motorist at milepost 160 on Interstate 35, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. While on scene, the deputy found illegal narcotics were located in possession of a passenger of the vehicle identified as Kimberly A. Mayer, 39, of Gilbert, Arizona.The deputy transported her to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, trafficking in contraband into a correctional facility, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Wells.

Kan. deputy finds illegal drugs while helping with disabled vehicle

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former teacher at a private Christian school in Wichita has pleaded guilty to one count of having sexual relations with a student under 16 and faces prison time when he's sentenced later this summer. 

Police arrested Matthew McFarren, who had been a high school teacher and assistant soccer coach at Trinity Academy in Wichita, early last year. Police began investigating after receiving a tip that McFarren, now 43, was in a relationship with a 16-year-old student. 

McFarren was fired from the K-12 school soon after he was arrested in March 2021. Television station KSN reports that McFarren is set to be sentenced on Aug. 5.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Kansas teacher for possible sexual relations with a student have made an arrest.

Earlier this month, police in Wichita were notified of the sexual relationship between 41-year-old Matthew McFarren, a teacher and coach at Trinity Academy,&nbsp;12345 E. 21st Street, in Wichita and a 16-year-old student, according to officer Charley Davidson.

On Saturday, police arrested McFarren on a requested charges of Unlawful Sexual Relations in violation of K.S.A. 21-5512.&nbsp;

Dr. Kneeland Brown, president of Trinity Academy, said in a media release the school is devastated at the news but cooperating with the investigation. "This alleged behavior runs directly counter to the school beliefs and values."

Two weeks ago, the school fired McFarren for a violation of expectations and school policy, according to the release.

&nbsp;The case has been presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616444824202.png" alt="McFarren-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>McFarren-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former teacher at a private Christian school in Wichita has pleaded guilty to one count of having sexual relations with a student under 16 and faces prison time when he's sentenced later this summer. Police arrested Matthew McFarren, who had been a high school teacher and assistant soccer coach at Trinity Academy in Wichita, early last year. Police began investigating after receiving a tip that McFarren, now 43, was in a relationship with a 16-year-old student. McFarren was fired from the K-12 school soon after he was arrested in March 2021. Television station KSN reports that McFarren is set to be sentenced on Aug. 5.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Kansas teacher for possible sexual relations with a student have made an arrest.Earlier this month, police in Wichita were notified of the sexual relationship between 41-year-old Matthew McFarren, a teacher and coach at Trinity Academy,&nbsp;12345 E. 21st Street, in Wichita and a 16-year-old student, according to officer Charley Davidson.On Saturday, police arrested McFarren on a requested charges of Unlawful Sexual Relations in violation of K.S.A. 21-5512.&nbsp;Dr. Kneeland Brown, president of Trinity Academy, said in a media release the school is devastated at the news but cooperating with the investigation. "This alleged behavior runs directly counter to the school beliefs and values."Two weeks ago, the school fired McFarren for a violation of expectations and school policy, according to the release.&nbsp;The case has been presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.

Teacher at Kan. church school admits sex with teen student 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that injured a 10-year-old Kansas boy.

Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at a home in the 3300 block of South Fern in Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz. 

At the home, police contacted a 46-year-old man and a 10-year-old who had a gunshot wound to his leg. 

EMS transported the boy to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Cruz.

The investigation revealed the 46-year-old was manipulating a gun when it fired. The round went through the wall and struck the 10-year-old who was in another room of the residence.

Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Cruz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573683844307.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that injured a 10-year-old Kansas boy.Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at a home in the 3300 block of South Fern in Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz. At the home, police contacted a 46-year-old man and a 10-year-old who had a gunshot wound to his leg. EMS transported the boy to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Cruz.The investigation revealed the 46-year-old was manipulating a gun when it fired. The round went through the wall and struck the 10-year-old who was in another room of the residence.Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Cruz.

Police: Kan. man fired gun that struck boy in another room

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden visited a vaccination clinic in Washington Tuesday to celebrate that virtually all Americans can now get a COVID-19 shot after the authorization of vaccines for kids under 5 over the weekend.&nbsp;

While taking questions from reporters later, Biden confirmed his administration needs more money from Congress to plan for the the next pandemic.

(click below to watch President Biden's comments)

&nbsp;While anyone aged six months and up is now eligible for vaccines, the administration is cautioning that it expects the pace of shots for the youngest kids to be slower than older ones, as parents are more likely to rely on their children’s pediatricians to administer them.

“The United States is now the first country in the world to offer safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months old,” Biden said at the White House.

Addressing parents, Biden said, “I encourage you to talk to the doctor after you make a plan to get your child vaccinated.”

Biden also delivered a thinly veiled criticism of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who blocked his health department from ordering and delivering pediatric vaccines in his state, a move the White House said delayed the availability of shots for kids under 5.

“Let’s be clear: Elected officials shouldn’t get in the way and can make it more difficult for parents who want their children to be vaccinated and want to protect them and those around them,” he said. “This is no time for politics. It’s about parents being able to do everything they can to keep the children safe.”

Earlier Tuesday, he and first lady Jill Biden met with newly vaccinated kids and their parents at Church of the Holy Communion in southeast Washington. As he handed out hugs to kids, Biden spoke of his youngest grandson, Beau, aged two, being newly eligible for vaccination.

“Everybody knows I like kids better than people,” he joked.

In a Friday interview with The Associated Press, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha predicted that universal eligibility for vaccines would be a “huge psychological milestone” for the country as it seeks to emerge from two years of pandemic disruption.

“When the President came into office, he was very clear, he said over and over again, that he wanted to make sure that every American had the access and availability of these life protecting vaccines,” he said. “We are now at the point where that vision, that expectation that mission can now be fulfilled.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden visited a vaccination clinic in Washington Tuesday to celebrate that virtually all Americans can now get a COVID-19 shot after the authorization of vaccines for kids under 5 over the weekend.&nbsp;While taking questions from reporters later, Biden confirmed his administration needs more money from Congress to plan for the the next pandemic.(click below to watch President Biden's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F707142770571759%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1377" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>&nbsp;While anyone aged six months and up is now eligible for vaccines, the administration is cautioning that it expects the pace of shots for the youngest kids to be slower than older ones, as parents are more likely to rely on their children’s pediatricians to administer them.“The United States is now the first country in the world to offer safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months old,” Biden said at the White House.Addressing parents, Biden said, “I encourage you to talk to the doctor after you make a plan to get your child vaccinated.”Biden also delivered a thinly veiled criticism of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who blocked his health department from ordering and delivering pediatric vaccines in his state, a move the White House said delayed the availability of shots for kids under 5.“Let’s be clear: Elected officials shouldn’t get in the way and can make it more difficult for parents who want their children to be vaccinated and want to protect them and those around them,” he said. “This is no time for politics. It’s about parents being able to do everything they can to keep the children safe.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655932765709.jpeg" alt="White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier Tuesday, he and first lady Jill Biden met with newly vaccinated kids and their parents at Church of the Holy Communion in southeast Washington. As he handed out hugs to kids, Biden spoke of his youngest grandson, Beau, aged two, being newly eligible for vaccination.“Everybody knows I like kids better than people,” he joked.In a Friday interview with The Associated Press, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha predicted that universal eligibility for vaccines would be a “huge psychological milestone” for the country as it seeks to emerge from two years of pandemic disruption.“When the President came into office, he was very clear, he said over and over again, that he wanted to make sure that every American had the access and availability of these life protecting vaccines,” he said. “We are now at the point where that vision, that expectation that mission can now be fulfilled.”

🎥Biden says he's planning for another pandemic

RENO COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 L-23 Super Blanik glider piloted by a 15-year-old from&nbsp; Tulsa was making a turn toward the runway at the&nbsp;Sunflower Aerodrome Airport, 916East Red Rock Road in Yoder.

The pilot lost control and crashed into a field. EMS transported the teen and a passenger, 71-year-old Carl Hallum of Adrian, Minnesota, to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655930867209.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Reno County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 L-23 Super Blanik glider piloted by a 15-year-old from&nbsp; Tulsa was making a turn toward the runway at the&nbsp;Sunflower Aerodrome Airport, 916East Red Rock Road in Yoder.The pilot lost control and crashed into a field. EMS transported the teen and a passenger, 71-year-old Carl Hallum of Adrian, Minnesota, to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

15-year-old pilot hospitalized after glider crash in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/22/president-biden-announces-tenth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">announced Wednesday</a> that it is providing logistical support to import the equivalent of about 16 million 8-ounce baby formula bottles from Mexico starting this weekend, as part of its efforts to ease nationwide supply shortages caused by the closure of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">largest U.S. manufacturing plant.</a>

The Department of Health and Human Services is expediting the travel of trucks that will drive about 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula from a Nestlé plant to U.S. retailers, the White House said, nearly doubling the amount imported to the U.S. to date. Cargo flights from Europe and Australia already have brought baby formula into the U.S., including two new rounds of air shipments that begin this weekend.

The White House has been working to make supply more available as it has faced pressure from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-business-health-d3e32ba9e2381f77c299391e762abe21">parents over supply issues</a>&nbsp;after regulators in February shuttered a Michigan plant run by Abbott that is the largest domestic manufacturer of baby formula over safety concerns. The plant reopened on June 4 after the company committed to additional sanitizing and safety protocols, but shuttered again more than a week ago after severe weather caused damage to the plant.

The company said it needs time to assess&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-health-thunderstorms-weather-f7d8a9df5ac176a6ac7e97802e05673b">damage and re-sanitize the factory</a>&nbsp;after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through southwestern Michigan on June 13.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration moved to ease federal import regulations to allow baby formula to be shipped to the U.S., and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-df586c2e52b5e5865ea9f8091d4d1f80">Biden authorized the use of the Defense Production Act</a>&nbsp;to provide federal support to move formula from overseas into the U.S.

Wednesday’s announcement also includes air shipments of 1.65 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Nestlé NAN Supremepro 2 infant formula from Germany to Texas this weekend, and 5.5 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Bubs infant formula in two shipments on June 26 and July 5.

The White House says that by June 26, it efforts, dubbed “Operation Fly Formula,” will have brought 32 flights and almost 19 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of infant formula into the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653255522967.png" alt="On May 22, 132 pallets of Nestle Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula left Ramstein Air Base in Germany for the U.S.White House photo" />
 <figcaption>On May 22, 132 pallets of Nestle Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula left Ramstein Air Base in Germany for the U.S.White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/22/president-biden-announces-tenth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">announced Wednesday</a> that it is providing logistical support to import the equivalent of about 16 million 8-ounce baby formula bottles from Mexico starting this weekend, as part of its efforts to ease nationwide supply shortages caused by the closure of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">largest U.S. manufacturing plant.</a>The Department of Health and Human Services is expediting the travel of trucks that will drive about 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula from a Nestlé plant to U.S. retailers, the White House said, nearly doubling the amount imported to the U.S. to date. Cargo flights from Europe and Australia already have brought baby formula into the U.S., including two new rounds of air shipments that begin this weekend.The White House has been working to make supply more available as it has faced pressure from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-business-health-d3e32ba9e2381f77c299391e762abe21">parents over supply issues</a>&nbsp;after regulators in February shuttered a Michigan plant run by Abbott that is the largest domestic manufacturer of baby formula over safety concerns. The plant reopened on June 4 after the company committed to additional sanitizing and safety protocols, but shuttered again more than a week ago after severe weather caused damage to the plant.The company said it needs time to assess&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-health-thunderstorms-weather-f7d8a9df5ac176a6ac7e97802e05673b">damage and re-sanitize the factory</a>&nbsp;after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through southwestern Michigan on June 13.Last month, the Food and Drug Administration moved to ease federal import regulations to allow baby formula to be shipped to the U.S., and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-df586c2e52b5e5865ea9f8091d4d1f80">Biden authorized the use of the Defense Production Act</a>&nbsp;to provide federal support to move formula from overseas into the U.S.Wednesday’s announcement also includes air shipments of 1.65 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Nestlé NAN Supremepro 2 infant formula from Germany to Texas this weekend, and 5.5 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Bubs infant formula in two shipments on June 26 and July 5.The White House says that by June 26, it efforts, dubbed “Operation Fly Formula,” will have brought 32 flights and almost 19 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of infant formula into the U.S.

US importing baby formula from Mexico to ease shortage

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/22/2-38-per-gallon-gasoline-draws-a-crowd-in-bellevue-for-afp-gov-pete-ricketts/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

BELLEVUE, Nebraska — A driver in her 20s looked up from her phone and stared slack-jawed at the price of gasoline advertised Wednesday morning at the Speedy Gas N Shop in Bellevue.

A
 woman hollered from a second car turning onto the street. She asked a 
man on the sidewalk whether the $2.38-per-gallon price was real. He said
 yes, one-day-only, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Both
 drivers were directed a block away, to the back of a line that was 23 
cars deep at 8:23 a.m., minutes after Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska 
tried to make a political point.

People
 are suffering from inflationary costs that President Joe Biden and 
Democrats in Congress made worse, said Jessica Shelburn, state director 
of Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska.

The
 discounted amount matched the price of regular gasoline when Biden took
 office in 2021. The station sold 1,750 gallons in two hours.

The group compensated the station for the difference in price, which totaled nearly $4,000. The 501(c)(4) lobbies federal, state and local governments for lower taxes and less regulation and promotes domestic energy.

“We
 just want to help folks out,” Shelburn said. “Everyone is feeling it. 
We’re paying more, and we’re getting less. … There’s a lot that can be 
done in D.C. to change this.”

First
 in line to take advantage of the special price was Nick, who wouldn’t 
share his last name. He said he heard about the promotion from a gas 
station attendant Tuesday. He arrived at 5 a.m.&nbsp;

Filling up his van cost $70 two years ago. It now costs $165. The break on Wednesday was a blessing, he said.&nbsp;

“I
 live in my van,” Nick said. “Being a mobile home, in a sense, it’s 
impossible. I almost had to get rid of it and go to a shelter, just over
 the gas prices.”

Bellevue
 resident Frederick Wisdom said high prices have changed how his family 
decides what to do and where to go. He heard about the promotion and 
thought he “might as well stop by.”

“We
 don’t travel as much,” Wisdom said. “We eat at home a lot. … Going to 
work now is just going to work and coming back. Just highway miles and 
back.”&nbsp;

Biden
 on Wednesday proposed that Congress pass a three-month pause in 
collecting federal gas taxes. Shelburn described the president’s 
proposal as a Band-Aid on a bigger problem.

U.S.
 gas prices remain lower than in many peer nations, Kiplinger reports. 
Many of the countries where gas costs less subsidize the costs of fuel, 
including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait.

Nebraska
 Gov. Pete Ricketts and State Sens. Mike Flood of Norfolk, Lou Ann 
Linehan of Omaha and John Arch of La Vista greeted people stopping for 
gas. They said Republicans could help get gas prices under control.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ricketts
 argued for resuming leases to drill on federal land and reviving the 
Keystone XL pipeline. Flood pushed for domestic drilling and restraining
 federal spending.

Neither
 blamed oil companies for taking record profits. Ricketts defended 
capitalism and said profits help oil companies to invest in future 
energy production.

“We’re
 not a communist country,” Ricketts said. “We’re just a place where we 
should allow the free market to work again … for energy resources to be 
developed.”

Nebraska
 Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb, who helped defeat the pipeline, said
 Ricketts could ease some of the pain of global gas prices by calling a 
tax holiday at the pump.

Kleeb said Republicans could also join Democrats in calling for a ban on exporting American oil.&nbsp;

“Ricketts
 could also pressure Big Oil to stop price gouging,” Kleeb said. “But 
no, instead of any meaningful action to help families, Ricketts will 
perform a PR stunt.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655926850541.png" alt="Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts watches a Nebraskan fill up with gas during an Americans for Prosperity event which offered gas at the price when President Joe Biden took over. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts watches a Nebraskan fill up with gas during an Americans for Prosperity event which offered gas at the price when President Joe Biden took over. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/22/2-38-per-gallon-gasoline-draws-a-crowd-in-bellevue-for-afp-gov-pete-ricketts/">Nebraska Examiner</a>BELLEVUE, Nebraska — A driver in her 20s looked up from her phone and stared slack-jawed at the price of gasoline advertised Wednesday morning at the Speedy Gas N Shop in Bellevue.A
 woman hollered from a second car turning onto the street. She asked a 
man on the sidewalk whether the $2.38-per-gallon price was real. He said
 yes, one-day-only, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.Both
 drivers were directed a block away, to the back of a line that was 23 
cars deep at 8:23 a.m., minutes after Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska 
tried to make a political point.<h2>The point</h2>People
 are suffering from inflationary costs that President Joe Biden and 
Democrats in Congress made worse, said Jessica Shelburn, state director 
of Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska.The
 discounted amount matched the price of regular gasoline when Biden took
 office in 2021. The station sold 1,750 gallons in two hours.The group compensated the station for the difference in price, which totaled nearly $4,000. The 501(c)(4) lobbies federal, state and local governments for lower taxes and less regulation and promotes domestic energy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655926912205.jpeg" alt=" Bellevue resident Frederick Wisdom says higher gas prices have led his family to eat out less and travel less. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Bellevue resident Frederick Wisdom says higher gas prices have led his family to eat out less and travel less. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We
 just want to help folks out,” Shelburn said. “Everyone is feeling it. 
We’re paying more, and we’re getting less. … There’s a lot that can be 
done in D.C. to change this.”<h2>Line of cars</h2>First
 in line to take advantage of the special price was Nick, who wouldn’t 
share his last name. He said he heard about the promotion from a gas 
station attendant Tuesday. He arrived at 5 a.m.&nbsp;Filling up his van cost $70 two years ago. It now costs $165. The break on Wednesday was a blessing, he said.&nbsp;“I
 live in my van,” Nick said. “Being a mobile home, in a sense, it’s 
impossible. I almost had to get rid of it and go to a shelter, just over
 the gas prices.”Bellevue
 resident Frederick Wisdom said high prices have changed how his family 
decides what to do and where to go. He heard about the promotion and 
thought he “might as well stop by.”“We
 don’t travel as much,” Wisdom said. “We eat at home a lot. … Going to 
work now is just going to work and coming back. Just highway miles and 
back.”&nbsp;<h2>What Washington can do</h2>Biden
 on Wednesday proposed that Congress pass a three-month pause in 
collecting federal gas taxes. Shelburn described the president’s 
proposal as a Band-Aid on a bigger problem.U.S.
 gas prices remain lower than in many peer nations, Kiplinger reports. 
Many of the countries where gas costs less subsidize the costs of fuel, 
including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655926950596.jpeg" alt=" In the 8 o’clock hour, more than 23 cars waited in line to get discounted gasoline at Speedy Gas N Stop in Bellevue. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> In the 8 o’clock hour, more than 23 cars waited in line to get discounted gasoline at Speedy Gas N Stop in Bellevue. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska
 Gov. Pete Ricketts and State Sens. Mike Flood of Norfolk, Lou Ann 
Linehan of Omaha and John Arch of La Vista greeted people stopping for 
gas. They said Republicans could help get gas prices under control.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ricketts
 argued for resuming leases to drill on federal land and reviving the 
Keystone XL pipeline. Flood pushed for domestic drilling and restraining
 federal spending.Neither
 blamed oil companies for taking record profits. Ricketts defended 
capitalism and said profits help oil companies to invest in future 
energy production.“We’re
 not a communist country,” Ricketts said. “We’re just a place where we 
should allow the free market to work again … for energy resources to be 
developed.”<h2>State can help, too</h2>Nebraska
 Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb, who helped defeat the pipeline, said
 Ricketts could ease some of the pain of global gas prices by calling a 
tax holiday at the pump.Kleeb said Republicans could also join Democrats in calling for a ban on exporting American oil.&nbsp;“Ricketts
 could also pressure Big Oil to stop price gouging,” Kleeb said. “But 
no, instead of any meaningful action to help families, Ricketts will 
perform a PR stunt.”

$2.38-per-gallon gasoline draws a crowd for Neb. governor

Police are looking for information concerning a Chevrolet Express van they believe is connected to the disappearance of a Salina man.

On Saturday, the Salina Police Department announced that it was investigating the disappearance of Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina, who hadn't been seen in approximately a week. Police noted that Thompson was being considered a missing endangered person.

He is described as being 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

On Wednesday, the Salina Police Department reported investigators, developed information that the a Chevrolet Express van was possibly used to facilitate the disappearance of Nathan Thompson. The Salina Police Department has the van in its possession and are asking the public for any information they can provide with regards to the van since June 9th, 2022. Police especially want information on sightings of the vehicle in rural areas.

Anyone that has seen the van and/or its driver should contact the Salina Police Department, Crime Stoppers or the tip line below.

If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655917384049.png" alt="Police seek information about this van. Photos courtesy Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Police seek information about this van. Photos courtesy Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTPolice are looking for information concerning a Chevrolet Express van they believe is connected to the disappearance of a Salina man.On Saturday, the Salina Police Department announced that it was investigating the disappearance of Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina, who hadn't been seen in approximately a week. Police noted that Thompson was being considered a missing endangered person.He is described as being 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655577117894.jpeg" alt="Nathan Philip Thompson.&nbsp;Photo from May 3, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Philip Thompson.&nbsp;Photo from May 3, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday, the Salina Police Department reported investigators, developed information that the a Chevrolet Express van was possibly used to facilitate the disappearance of Nathan Thompson. The Salina Police Department has the van in its possession and are asking the public for any information they can provide with regards to the van since June 9th, 2022. Police especially want information on sightings of the vehicle in rural areas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655917461520.png" alt="The van police believe is connected to Thompson's disappearance." />
 <figcaption>The van police believe is connected to Thompson's disappearance.</figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone that has seen the van and/or its driver should contact the Salina Police Department, Crime Stoppers or the tip line below.If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

Police: Van possibly linked to disappearance of Kansas man

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday that it will have erased its backlog of last season’s tax returns by the end of this week.

And with 143 million returns from this year’s tax season processed so far, agency officials say there’s a greater likelihood of being caught up on processing all returns by the end of this year.

The agency has faced a well-publicized backlog of tens of millions of tax returns and clogged customer service phone systems, which leaders have attributed to decades of underfunding and antiquated internal computer systems.

“To date, more than twice as many returns await processing compared to a typical year at this point in the calendar year, although the IRS has worked through almost a million more returns to date than it had at this time last year,” the agency said in statement Tuesday.

Administering pandemic-related programs — including stimulus checks and advanced Child Tax Credit payments — imposed a new workload on the agency over the past two years.

That’s on top of an IRS workforce that is the same size it was in 1970, though the U.S. population has grown exponentially and the U.S. tax code has become increasingly complicated.

A Treasury official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said agency employees have worked 500,000 overtime hours to bring down the backlog.

Agency officials have been asking Congress for increased funding for the agency.

During the 2020 budget year, the IRS processed more than 240 million tax returns and issued roughly $736 billion in refunds, including $268 billion in stimulus payments, according to the latest IRS data.

In that same time frame, 59.5 million people called or visited an IRS office.

In a joint letter addressed to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who heads the Senate Finance Committee, Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said Tuesday that the agency has provided over $298 billion in refunds to Americans this year, and electronic returns without errors have been processed within 8 to 21 days.

“Despite this progress, there are real challenges ahead,” the letter said. “Because the IRS entered this filing season with a significant backlog, millions of paper returns received in 2022 have not yet been processed.”

The agency has been working to catch up to the ever-mounting pile of work. The agency entered this year’s tax filing season with 8 million unprocessed returns from 2021, and by the end of this week will have polished off the last of those that didn’t contain taxpayer errors, it says.

Last week, the agency unveiled voice bots to help eligible taxpayers easily verify their identity to set up or modify a payment plan while avoiding long wait times.

And in March, the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-fd02c92a48c44a8a5fe48dae46b90d14">announced</a>&nbsp;plans to hire 10,000 new workers. Thus far 1,500 new workers have been hired, according to Treasury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641845771409.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday that it will have erased its backlog of last season’s tax returns by the end of this week.And with 143 million returns from this year’s tax season processed so far, agency officials say there’s a greater likelihood of being caught up on processing all returns by the end of this year.The agency has faced a well-publicized backlog of tens of millions of tax returns and clogged customer service phone systems, which leaders have attributed to decades of underfunding and antiquated internal computer systems.“To date, more than twice as many returns await processing compared to a typical year at this point in the calendar year, although the IRS has worked through almost a million more returns to date than it had at this time last year,” the agency said in statement Tuesday.Administering pandemic-related programs — including stimulus checks and advanced Child Tax Credit payments — imposed a new workload on the agency over the past two years.That’s on top of an IRS workforce that is the same size it was in 1970, though the U.S. population has grown exponentially and the U.S. tax code has become increasingly complicated.A Treasury official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said agency employees have worked 500,000 overtime hours to bring down the backlog.Agency officials have been asking Congress for increased funding for the agency.During the 2020 budget year, the IRS processed more than 240 million tax returns and issued roughly $736 billion in refunds, including $268 billion in stimulus payments, according to the latest IRS data.In that same time frame, 59.5 million people called or visited an IRS office.In a joint letter addressed to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who heads the Senate Finance Committee, Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said Tuesday that the agency has provided over $298 billion in refunds to Americans this year, and electronic returns without errors have been processed within 8 to 21 days.“Despite this progress, there are real challenges ahead,” the letter said. “Because the IRS entered this filing season with a significant backlog, millions of paper returns received in 2022 have not yet been processed.”The agency has been working to catch up to the ever-mounting pile of work. The agency entered this year’s tax filing season with 8 million unprocessed returns from 2021, and by the end of this week will have polished off the last of those that didn’t contain taxpayer errors, it says.Last week, the agency unveiled voice bots to help eligible taxpayers easily verify their identity to set up or modify a payment plan while avoiding long wait times.And in March, the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-fd02c92a48c44a8a5fe48dae46b90d14">announced</a>&nbsp;plans to hire 10,000 new workers. Thus far 1,500 new workers have been hired, according to Treasury.

IRS backlog continues holding up millions of tax returns

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday June 15, to Wednesday June 22, for a total of 801,946 cases.

Th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2&nbsp;additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,945.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday June 15, to Wednesday June 22, for a total of 801,946 cases.Th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2&nbsp;additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,945.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655917937720.png" alt="Wednesday June 22, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday June 22, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican State Senator Mark Steffen of Hutchinson called in to the KWBW Phone Forum program on Wednesday and made several pointed comments about the FDA and CDC approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to five years of age.

"It's predatory on these kids," Steffen said. "These kids have a survival rate of 99.995% from the COVID virus, which is higher than most elective surgeries."

He considers the policy decision of the Reno County Health Department to stock the Moderna vaccine for young children and offer it to the public to be incorrect.

"Our Reno County Health Department has decided they are going to take the lead in the state of Kansas of promoting these shots for these six-month olds," Steffen said. "It's deplorable. It's wrong. They tell everybody they follow the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. According to Kansas Statute, they answer to County Commissioners. What they are doing is wrong. As of today, I'm calling for the dismissal of Karla Nichols and Karen Hammersmith. They need to be out of that county health department."

Director Karla Nichols had no comment when contacted by Hutch Post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642187798087.png" alt="Republican Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson area physician-photo by (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Republican Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson area physician-photo by (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican State Senator Mark Steffen of Hutchinson called in to the KWBW Phone Forum program on Wednesday and made several pointed comments about the FDA and CDC approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to five years of age."It's predatory on these kids," Steffen said. "These kids have a survival rate of 99.995% from the COVID virus, which is higher than most elective surgeries."He considers the policy decision of the Reno County Health Department to stock the Moderna vaccine for young children and offer it to the public to be incorrect."Our Reno County Health Department has decided they are going to take the lead in the state of Kansas of promoting these shots for these six-month olds," Steffen said. "It's deplorable. It's wrong. They tell everybody they follow the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. According to Kansas Statute, they answer to County Commissioners. What they are doing is wrong. As of today, I'm calling for the dismissal of Karla Nichols and Karen Hammersmith. They need to be out of that county health department."Director Karla Nichols had no comment when contacted by Hutch Post.

State Rep. calls for health dept. leaders 'dismissal' over COVID vaccine

SALINE COUNTY—The Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) family is grieving the loss of Uzazi, their male southern white rhino, who was the last of the original rhinos that arrived at RHZ in 1995, according to a media release from the zoo.

At 30-years-old, Uzazi began developing age related issues which were not responding to treatment. RHZ animal care staff and veterinarian have been monitoring his health for the past several months, but sadly his quality of life was declining rapidly. It was decided that humanly euthanizing him was the kindest option available.

Born on Nov. 20, 1991, at San Diego Wild Animal Park, Uzazi moved to Salina in 1995 and was one of the first animals to call RHZ home.

“Of the original group of rhinos, Uzazi was the youngest, and one of his favorite things to do was smash boxes, sweet potatoes, bags, and even an occasional pumpkin,” said Devney Bowen, RHZ head keeper. “He also loved to manipulate things, so we created enrichment to encourage those natural behaviors. One of his favorites was a PVC shaker filled with pellets or scent. Once he had the shaker he would move it with his horn to get the pellets to fall out or release the scent of the female rhinos. Uzazi was very intelligent. When working on hoof care he learned to lie on his side and present all four feet straight out for inspection and trimming. He also learned to open his mouth so we could look inside, and would hold this position for favorite treats.”

“Uzazi has been very gentle and loving,” said Vickie Musselman, RHZ register. “He always enjoyed lots of attention from keepers, staff and visitors, including being talked to, touched and brushed. He especially loved his baths, most days standing directly in front of the hose with his rear to you while you were cleaning, pretty much making you give him a light shower.”

“He was the sweetest, most gentle boy, always in good spirits, and never met a stranger,” said Laura Mason, RHZ hoofstock keeper. “When I decided I wanted to work with animals my goal was to work with rhinos, and Uzazi was the first rhino I fell in love with. His calm eyes and gentle demeanor meant everyone who met him instantly saw the depth of these incredible creatures. Uzazi also loved a party, and he would stroll out into his yard and check out each box before starting to eat his treats. Usually about halfway through he would realize he had barrels or boxes to smash and mosey over to do so. Though he never moved fast, he could often be seen strolling along the yard grazing or rubbing his horn on anything hard he could find. He will leave a big gap in all of our hearts and the barn will never be the same without our ‘old man’.”

“While I’ve worked in or around zoos for over 20 years, Uzazi was the first rhino I spent any time around,” said Ryan VanZant, RHZ executive director. “He certainly touched the heart and ignited passion for me and my family as I’m sure he did with all of those who met him. There is little doubt that his life led to many thousands of small actions all contributing toward saving his species all around the world.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655847755327.jpeg" alt="Uzazi. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Uzazi. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—The Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) family is grieving the loss of Uzazi, their male southern white rhino, who was the last of the original rhinos that arrived at RHZ in 1995, according to a media release from the zoo.At 30-years-old, Uzazi began developing age related issues which were not responding to treatment. RHZ animal care staff and veterinarian have been monitoring his health for the past several months, but sadly his quality of life was declining rapidly. It was decided that humanly euthanizing him was the kindest option available.Born on Nov. 20, 1991, at San Diego Wild Animal Park, Uzazi moved to Salina in 1995 and was one of the first animals to call RHZ home.“Of the original group of rhinos, Uzazi was the youngest, and one of his favorite things to do was smash boxes, sweet potatoes, bags, and even an occasional pumpkin,” said Devney Bowen, RHZ head keeper. “He also loved to manipulate things, so we created enrichment to encourage those natural behaviors. One of his favorites was a PVC shaker filled with pellets or scent. Once he had the shaker he would move it with his horn to get the pellets to fall out or release the scent of the female rhinos. Uzazi was very intelligent. When working on hoof care he learned to lie on his side and present all four feet straight out for inspection and trimming. He also learned to open his mouth so we could look inside, and would hold this position for favorite treats.”“Uzazi has been very gentle and loving,” said Vickie Musselman, RHZ register. “He always enjoyed lots of attention from keepers, staff and visitors, including being talked to, touched and brushed. He especially loved his baths, most days standing directly in front of the hose with his rear to you while you were cleaning, pretty much making you give him a light shower.”“He was the sweetest, most gentle boy, always in good spirits, and never met a stranger,” said Laura Mason, RHZ hoofstock keeper. “When I decided I wanted to work with animals my goal was to work with rhinos, and Uzazi was the first rhino I fell in love with. His calm eyes and gentle demeanor meant everyone who met him instantly saw the depth of these incredible creatures. Uzazi also loved a party, and he would stroll out into his yard and check out each box before starting to eat his treats. Usually about halfway through he would realize he had barrels or boxes to smash and mosey over to do so. Though he never moved fast, he could often be seen strolling along the yard grazing or rubbing his horn on anything hard he could find. He will leave a big gap in all of our hearts and the barn will never be the same without our ‘old man’.”“While I’ve worked in or around zoos for over 20 years, Uzazi was the first rhino I spent any time around,” said Ryan VanZant, RHZ executive director. “He certainly touched the heart and ignited passion for me and my family as I’m sure he did with all of those who met him. There is little doubt that his life led to many thousands of small actions all contributing toward saving his species all around the world.”

One of original animals at Rolling Hills Zoo has died

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting on Father's Day have identified the victim as 17-year-old Avion Walton of Independence, Missouri.

Just after 2p.m. Sunday police responded to a shooting in the 200 Block of South 8th Street, according to a media release. They found a victim&nbsp; believed to be in her late teens.&nbsp; 

EMS transported Walton to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police reported they had a suspect in custody.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the suspect's name or possible charges.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting on Father's Day have identified the victim as 17-year-old Avion Walton of Independence, Missouri.Just after 2p.m. Sunday police responded to a shooting in the 200 Block of South 8th Street, according to a media release. They found a victim&nbsp; believed to be in her late teens.&nbsp; EMS transported Walton to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police reported they had a suspect in custody.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the suspect's name or possible charges.

Police ID teen who died after shooting on Father's Day in Kansas

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-doctors-see-early-demand-for-covid-19-vaccines-for-young-children/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — COVID-19 vaccinations 
for kids as young as six months old began Tuesday across the country, 
and Kansas doctors say demand is already high.

Last week, both Moderna and Pfizer <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/fda-greenlights-emergency-use-of-covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-5/">received emergency use authorizations</a>
 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Subsequently, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the vaccination for 
children younger than 5.

At the University of Kansas Health System, the vaccines are available
 during well child visits or by appointment during evening and Saturday 
vaccination time slots.

“What we’re hearing in the clinic is that parents are excited,” said 
Mallory Leach, a pediatric nurse manager with the health system, during a
 news briefing Monday. “Parents are already messaging us and calling us 
when are you going to have the vaccine in the clinic? When is it 
available for us to vaccinate our child?”

A federal advisory committee determined the benefits of both vaccines
 outweigh any risks after they were well-tolerated by children who 
received them during clinical trials. Under the FDA authorization, the 
Moderna vaccine will consist of two shots while the Pfizer vaccine 
consists of three shots.

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-doctors-see-early-demand-for-covid-19-vaccines-for-young-children/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — COVID-19 vaccinations 
for kids as young as six months old began Tuesday across the country, 
and Kansas doctors say demand is already high.Last week, both Moderna and Pfizer <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/fda-greenlights-emergency-use-of-covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-5/">received emergency use authorizations</a>
 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Subsequently, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the vaccination for 
children younger than 5.At the University of Kansas Health System, the vaccines are available
 during well child visits or by appointment during evening and Saturday 
vaccination time slots.“What we’re hearing in the clinic is that parents are excited,” said 
Mallory Leach, a pediatric nurse manager with the health system, during a
 news briefing Monday. “Parents are already messaging us and calling us 
when are you going to have the vaccine in the clinic? When is it 
available for us to vaccinate our child?”A federal advisory committee determined the benefits of both vaccines
 outweigh any risks after they were well-tolerated by children who 
received them during clinical trials. Under the FDA authorization, the 
Moderna vaccine will consist of two shots while the Pfizer vaccine 
consists of three shots.With the virus now endemic, health system doctors advocated for 
vaccines as the best way to ensure national and local COVID-19 numbers 
trend in the right direction. The rolling seven-day average for cases 
has decreased for the past two weeks in Kansas.While demand may be high, more than 27% of parents still say they 
will not get the vaccine for their children, said Kevin Ault, with the 
health system and CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He 
said the fear factor remains around some misinformation of inaccurate 
reports of side effects.“We don’t finish talking about these vaccines based on a one- or 
two-day meeting,” Ault said. “We have dozens of meetings because of the 
pandemic every year, and we’ll continue to review this safety data.”Ault said a pregnant mother could be vaccinated, and the child should
 have protection from the virus for the first six months of life.Ryan Smith, a pediatrician with KU Health System, said conversations 
with vaccine-hesitant parents will be a challenge but a necessary hurdle
 to overcome. He hoped people would, at the very least, be willing to 
engage in conversation about their hesitancies.Smith, a father of 2-year-old twins, said he plans to have both his 
children vaccinated as soon as possible and warned some pediatric 
providers are considering whether to allow unvaccinated patients.“There’s a lot of information that’s circulating around out there, 
and that’s why we have our visits,” Smith said. “That’s why we are here 
as resources as healthcare workers to kind of have these discussions and
 navigate through these difficult things.”