HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defendant in a double homicide has been bound over for trial following more than six hours of testimony during his preliminary hearing in Reno County District Court.

Kyle Hardwick was bound over on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 58-year-old Phillip Anstine and 56-year-old Marion “Ed” Bates in August of 2021. He is also charged with theft and had a fourth count of solicitation of perjury for trying to convince a friend, Sherry Reed, to lie on the witness stand or not show for the hearing at all.&nbsp;

Testimony Thursday morning came from friends of Bates and Anstine. Both Cathy Havell and Dawnita Joe Hartung testified they tried to get a hold of Bates over a period of two days. They testified that they drove out to a place called the "compound" east of Hutchinson where they met a man who ended up being Hardwick. He told the two women that the pair of victims had gone to town to buy cigarettes.

The two men were eventually found, Bates in a ditch covered in tree limbs and Anstine in a pit used for burning trash, his body consumed by a fire in the pit. Forensic evidence showed that Bates had been shot twice in the face while Anstine had been shot at least once in the back. The barrel of a shotgun was also found in the burn pit.

Detectives and deputies of the Reno County Sheriff’s Department also took the stand testifying about the amount of evidence they collected. DNA samples taken from items found in a camper were connected to Hardwick. DNA testing was also done on the two victims to identify them. Evidence collected from the scene included 12-gauge shotgun shells, two where Bates was allegedly shot and one more about 75 feet away near the burn pit where Anstine was found. Also found were a debit card, a receipt, a bus ticket and social security card, all belonging to the defendant.&nbsp;

The additional count of solicitation to commit perjury was added after a phone call between the defendant and Reed was played in court. Reed had just finished testifying but could not remember much about phone calls she got from Hardwick or much of anything else other than she drove him to a bus station in Kansas City. In the recorded FaceTime conversation, Hardwick repeatedly tells Reed not to show up for the hearing and, if she did testify, to tell the court she was mentally unstable and on drugs. At one time he said, “Please don’t come,” and repeatedly said, “you don’t have to show up.”

There was also testimony about a red Ford truck that was taken from the crime scene. That truck, which belonged to Anstine, was found at Pretty Prairie Road and Victory Road in October. Fingerprints tested from the truck belonged to Hardwick, although Detective Matthew Franklin with the Reno County Sheriff's Department could not say that the prints were put there during the murder and could have been placed there at any time. The defense for Hardwick asked few questions during the hearing, but did say during the testimony from Reed that Hardwick had said he was drugged and raped by the two victims. He is also quoted as saying that “Bates was a friend and he dropped like a martyr.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hardwick was arrested in Maize Sept. 1 near a Dollar General store where he had allegedly made purchases. The clerk at the store told detectives that Hardwick said to her that his truck had broken down near Hutchinson and that he walked to Maize. Detectives were able to locate Hardwick from a ping on a cell phone. He was found in an abandoned grain elevator.

Hardwick will be arraigned July 5 before Judge Keith Schroeder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630432406794.png" alt="Hardwick-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Hardwick-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROD ZOOK Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defendant in a double homicide has been bound over for trial following more than six hours of testimony during his preliminary hearing in Reno County District Court.Kyle Hardwick was bound over on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 58-year-old Phillip Anstine and 56-year-old Marion “Ed” Bates in August of 2021. He is also charged with theft and had a fourth count of solicitation of perjury for trying to convince a friend, Sherry Reed, to lie on the witness stand or not show for the hearing at all.&nbsp;Testimony Thursday morning came from friends of Bates and Anstine. Both Cathy Havell and Dawnita Joe Hartung testified they tried to get a hold of Bates over a period of two days. They testified that they drove out to a place called the "compound" east of Hutchinson where they met a man who ended up being Hardwick. He told the two women that the pair of victims had gone to town to buy cigarettes.The two men were eventually found, Bates in a ditch covered in tree limbs and Anstine in a pit used for burning trash, his body consumed by a fire in the pit. Forensic evidence showed that Bates had been shot twice in the face while Anstine had been shot at least once in the back. The barrel of a shotgun was also found in the burn pit.Detectives and deputies of the Reno County Sheriff’s Department also took the stand testifying about the amount of evidence they collected. DNA samples taken from items found in a camper were connected to Hardwick. DNA testing was also done on the two victims to identify them. Evidence collected from the scene included 12-gauge shotgun shells, two where Bates was allegedly shot and one more about 75 feet away near the burn pit where Anstine was found. Also found were a debit card, a receipt, a bus ticket and social security card, all belonging to the defendant.&nbsp;The additional count of solicitation to commit perjury was added after a phone call between the defendant and Reed was played in court. Reed had just finished testifying but could not remember much about phone calls she got from Hardwick or much of anything else other than she drove him to a bus station in Kansas City. In the recorded FaceTime conversation, Hardwick repeatedly tells Reed not to show up for the hearing and, if she did testify, to tell the court she was mentally unstable and on drugs. At one time he said, “Please don’t come,” and repeatedly said, “you don’t have to show up.”There was also testimony about a red Ford truck that was taken from the crime scene. That truck, which belonged to Anstine, was found at Pretty Prairie Road and Victory Road in October. Fingerprints tested from the truck belonged to Hardwick, although Detective Matthew Franklin with the Reno County Sheriff's Department could not say that the prints were put there during the murder and could have been placed there at any time. The defense for Hardwick asked few questions during the hearing, but did say during the testimony from Reed that Hardwick had said he was drugged and raped by the two victims. He is also quoted as saying that “Bates was a friend and he dropped like a martyr.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Hardwick was arrested in Maize Sept. 1 near a Dollar General store where he had allegedly made purchases. The clerk at the store told detectives that Hardwick said to her that his truck had broken down near Hutchinson and that he walked to Maize. Detectives were able to locate Hardwick from a ping on a cell phone. He was found in an abandoned grain elevator.Hardwick will be arraigned July 5 before Judge Keith Schroeder.

Suspect bound over for trial in Kansas double-murder case

TOPEKA&nbsp;–Surrounded by small business leaders in downtown Topeka, Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, which will invest $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a media release from her office.

More information about HB 2136 can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA2MDIuNTg4MTMzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMDYvSEItMjEzNi1Db3B5LnBkZiJ9.zUs2GQq9P3aLYpi6PThd3dnC_2q-SwtXKLpKip1fZv0/s/1303160919/br/132308831117-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

"Providing $50 million of financial assistance for small businesses is just one more way my Administration is working to make Kansas the most pro-business state in the country,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"The financial assistance legislation I signed today will support our entrepreneurs by ensuring they can make the investments they need to hire workers, strengthen their product lines, and better serve their communities."

"Small businesses are what power our economy, and this legislation builds on years of work to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to serve customers and create jobs,"&nbsp;said Senator Tom Holland.&nbsp;"Through bipartisan collaboration, we will be able to continue to make sure that our economy continues to grow a strong base of businesses here in Kansas."

Governor Kelly was joined at the bill signing by small business owners, the Greater Topeka Partnership, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

"House Bill 2136 is a product of the many people who have shown unwavering commitment to Kansas small businesses,"&nbsp;Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, said.&nbsp;"On behalf of the Kansas business community, thank you to Governor Kelly and the legislature for supporting this legislation. It will provide relief for the small businesses that make up the backbone of our state."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654200963148.png" alt="Governor Kelly was joined at the bill signing by small business owners, the Greater Topeka Partnership, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly was joined at the bill signing by small business owners, the Greater Topeka Partnership, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–Surrounded by small business leaders in downtown Topeka, Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, which will invest $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a media release from her office.More information about HB 2136 can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA2MDIuNTg4MTMzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMDYvSEItMjEzNi1Db3B5LnBkZiJ9.zUs2GQq9P3aLYpi6PThd3dnC_2q-SwtXKLpKip1fZv0/s/1303160919/br/132308831117-l" target="_blank">here</a>."Providing $50 million of financial assistance for small businesses is just one more way my Administration is working to make Kansas the most pro-business state in the country,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"The financial assistance legislation I signed today will support our entrepreneurs by ensuring they can make the investments they need to hire workers, strengthen their product lines, and better serve their communities.""Small businesses are what power our economy, and this legislation builds on years of work to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to serve customers and create jobs,"&nbsp;said Senator Tom Holland.&nbsp;"Through bipartisan collaboration, we will be able to continue to make sure that our economy continues to grow a strong base of businesses here in Kansas."Governor Kelly was joined at the bill signing by small business owners, the Greater Topeka Partnership, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce."House Bill 2136 is a product of the many people who have shown unwavering commitment to Kansas small businesses,"&nbsp;Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, said.&nbsp;"On behalf of the Kansas business community, thank you to Governor Kelly and the legislature for supporting this legislation. It will provide relief for the small businesses that make up the backbone of our state."

$50 million in COVID relief will assist small businesses in Kansas

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;As the 6th item on the 2022 "Dirty Dozen" scams warning 
list, the Internal Revenue Service today cautioned taxpayers with 
pending tax bills to contact the IRS directly and not go to unscrupulous
 tax companies that use local advertising and falsely claiming they can 
resolve unpaid taxes for pennies on the dollar.

"No one can get a better deal for taxpayers, than they can usually 
get for themselves by working directly with the IRS to resolve their tax
 issues," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Taxpayers can check 
online for their best deal, as well as calling a specialized collection 
line where they can get fast service by using voice and chat bots or 
opting to speak with a live phone assistor."

Offer in Compromise (OIC) "mills" make outlandish claims usually in 
local advertising regarding how they can settle a person's tax debt for 
pennies on the dollar. The reality usually is that taxpayers pay the OIC
 mill a fee to get the same deal they could have gotten on their own by 
working directly with the IRS.

The IRS has compiled the annual Dirty Dozen list for more than 20 
years as a way of alerting taxpayers and the tax professional community 
about scams and schemes. The list is not a legal document or a literal 
listing of agency enforcement priorities. It is designed to raise 
awareness among a variety of audiences that may not always be aware of 
developments involving tax administration.

OIC mills are a problem all year long but tend to be more visible 
right after the filing season is over and taxpayers are trying to 
resolve their tax issues perhaps after receiving a balance due notice in
 the mail.

For those who feel they need help, there are many reputable tax 
professionals available, and there are important tools that can help 
people find the right practitioner for their needs. IRS.gov is a good 
place to start scoping out what to do.

These "mills" contort the IRS program into something it's not — 
misleading people with no chance of meeting the requirements while 
charging excessive fees, often thousands of dollars.

An "offer," or OIC, is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS 
that resolves the taxpayer's tax debt. The IRS has the authority to 
settle, or "compromise," federal tax liabilities by accepting less than 
full payment under certain circumstances. However, some promoters are 
inappropriately advising indebted taxpayers to file an OIC application 
with the IRS, even though the promoters know the person won't qualify. 
This costs honest taxpayers money and time.

Before taxpayers start investing time to do the paperwork necessary to submit an offer, they'll want to check out the IRS's <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/">Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier Tool</a>
 to make sure they're eligible to file one. (Note: even though 
individuals and businesses can submit an offer, the tool is currently 
only available to individuals.)

The IRS also created an OIC video playlist that leads taxpayers 
through a series of steps and forms to help them calculate an 
appropriate offer based on their assets, income, expenses and future 
earning potential. Find these helpful, easy to navigate videos at <a href="https://www.irsvideos.gov/OIC">irsvideos.gov/oic</a>.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that under the First Time Penalty Abatement
 policy, taxpayers can go directly to the IRS for administrative relief 
from a penalty that would otherwise be added to their tax debt.

OIC mills are one example of unscrupulous tax preparers. Taxpayers 
should be wary of unscrupulous "ghost" preparers and aggressive promises
 of manufacturing a bigger refund.

Ghost preparers: Although most tax preparers are 
ethical and trustworthy, taxpayers should be wary of preparers who won't
 sign the tax returns they prepare, often referred to as ghost 
preparers. For e-filed returns, the "ghost" will prepare the return, but
 refuse to digitally sign as the paid preparer.

By law, anyone who is paid to prepare, or assists in preparing 
federal tax returns, must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification 
Number (PTIN). Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the 
return.

Inflated refunds: Not signing a return is a red flag
 that the paid preparer may be looking to make a quick profit by 
promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund.

Unscrupulous tax return preparers may also:

Choose wisely. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional page</a> on IRS.gov has information about tax preparer credentials and qualifications. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers</a> with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification.

Taxpayers are legally responsible for what's on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;As the 6th item on the 2022 "Dirty Dozen" scams warning 
list, the Internal Revenue Service today cautioned taxpayers with 
pending tax bills to contact the IRS directly and not go to unscrupulous
 tax companies that use local advertising and falsely claiming they can 
resolve unpaid taxes for pennies on the dollar."No one can get a better deal for taxpayers, than they can usually 
get for themselves by working directly with the IRS to resolve their tax
 issues," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Taxpayers can check 
online for their best deal, as well as calling a specialized collection 
line where they can get fast service by using voice and chat bots or 
opting to speak with a live phone assistor."Offer in Compromise (OIC) "mills" make outlandish claims usually in 
local advertising regarding how they can settle a person's tax debt for 
pennies on the dollar. The reality usually is that taxpayers pay the OIC
 mill a fee to get the same deal they could have gotten on their own by 
working directly with the IRS.The IRS has compiled the annual Dirty Dozen list for more than 20 
years as a way of alerting taxpayers and the tax professional community 
about scams and schemes. The list is not a legal document or a literal 
listing of agency enforcement priorities. It is designed to raise 
awareness among a variety of audiences that may not always be aware of 
developments involving tax administration.OIC mills are a problem all year long but tend to be more visible 
right after the filing season is over and taxpayers are trying to 
resolve their tax issues perhaps after receiving a balance due notice in
 the mail.For those who feel they need help, there are many reputable tax 
professionals available, and there are important tools that can help 
people find the right practitioner for their needs. IRS.gov is a good 
place to start scoping out what to do.These "mills" contort the IRS program into something it's not — 
misleading people with no chance of meeting the requirements while 
charging excessive fees, often thousands of dollars.An "offer," or OIC, is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS 
that resolves the taxpayer's tax debt. The IRS has the authority to 
settle, or "compromise," federal tax liabilities by accepting less than 
full payment under certain circumstances. However, some promoters are 
inappropriately advising indebted taxpayers to file an OIC application 
with the IRS, even though the promoters know the person won't qualify. 
This costs honest taxpayers money and time.Before taxpayers start investing time to do the paperwork necessary to submit an offer, they'll want to check out the IRS's <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/">Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier Tool</a>
 to make sure they're eligible to file one. (Note: even though 
individuals and businesses can submit an offer, the tool is currently 
only available to individuals.)The IRS also created an OIC video playlist that leads taxpayers 
through a series of steps and forms to help them calculate an 
appropriate offer based on their assets, income, expenses and future 
earning potential. Find these helpful, easy to navigate videos at <a href="https://www.irsvideos.gov/OIC">irsvideos.gov/oic</a>.The IRS reminds taxpayers that under the First Time Penalty Abatement
 policy, taxpayers can go directly to the IRS for administrative relief 
from a penalty that would otherwise be added to their tax debt.OIC mills are one example of unscrupulous tax preparers. Taxpayers 
should be wary of unscrupulous "ghost" preparers and aggressive promises
 of manufacturing a bigger refund.Ghost preparers: Although most tax preparers are 
ethical and trustworthy, taxpayers should be wary of preparers who won't
 sign the tax returns they prepare, often referred to as ghost 
preparers. For e-filed returns, the "ghost" will prepare the return, but
 refuse to digitally sign as the paid preparer.By law, anyone who is paid to prepare, or assists in preparing 
federal tax returns, must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification 
Number (PTIN). Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the 
return.Inflated refunds: Not signing a return is a red flag
 that the paid preparer may be looking to make a quick profit by 
promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund.Unscrupulous tax return preparers may also:<ul>
 <li>Require payment in cash only and will not provide a receipt.</li><li>Invent income to qualify their clients for tax credits.</li><li>Claim fake deductions to boost the size of the refund.</li><li>Direct refunds into their bank account, not the taxpayer's account.</li>
 </ul>Choose wisely. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional page</a> on IRS.gov has information about tax preparer credentials and qualifications. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers</a> with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification.Taxpayers are legally responsible for what's on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else.

IRS: Avoid those 'pennies on the dollar' tax relief firms

GEARY COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident during a police chase just before 1p.m. Thursday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 15-year-old Kuis S. Sampson of Junction City was being pursued by law enforcement westbound on Interstate 70 at a high rate of speed and attempted to exit at Milford Lake Road

The driver could not maneuver the right turn on the exit and crashed down into the east ditch.

EMS transported a 15-year-old passenger identified as Lillith Morrison of Junction City to Geary Community Hospital. Sampson and two other 15-year-old female passengers were not injured. All four were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident during a police chase just before 1p.m. Thursday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 15-year-old Kuis S. Sampson of Junction City was being pursued by law enforcement westbound on Interstate 70 at a high rate of speed and attempted to exit at Milford Lake RoadThe driver could not maneuver the right turn on the exit and crashed down into the east ditch.EMS transported a 15-year-old passenger identified as Lillith Morrison of Junction City to Geary Community Hospital. Sampson and two other 15-year-old female passengers were not injured. All four were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

15-year-old crashes car after high-speed chase on I-70 

Consumers reported losing over $1 billion to fraud 
involving cryptocurrencies from January 2021 through March 2022, 
according to a new analysis from the Federal Trade Commission. Fraud 
reports suggest cryptocurrency is quickly becoming the payment of choice
 for many scammers, with about one out of every four dollars reported 
lost to fraud paid in cryptocurrency.

The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2022/06/reports-show-scammers-cashing-crypto-craze">FTC’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight</a>&nbsp;finds
 that most of the cryptocurrency losses consumers reported involved 
bogus cryptocurrency investment opportunities, which totaled $575 
million in reported losses since January 2021. These scams often falsely
 promise potential investors that they can earn huge returns by 
investing in their cryptocurrency schemes, but people report losing all 
the money they “invest.”

After cryptocurrency investment schemes, the next largest losses reported by consumers were on:

Reports suggest that cryptocurrency-related scams often 
begin on social media. Nearly half of consumers who reported a 
cryptocurrency related scam since 2021 said it started with an ad, post 
or message on a social media platform.

People ages 20 to 49 were more than three times as likely
 as older age groups to have reported losing money to a cryptocurrency 
scam. Older age groups, however, reported losing more money when they 
did report a cryptocurrency-related scam.

Some of the red flags consumers should watch out for include:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCConsumers reported losing over $1 billion to fraud 
involving cryptocurrencies from January 2021 through March 2022, 
according to a new analysis from the Federal Trade Commission. Fraud 
reports suggest cryptocurrency is quickly becoming the payment of choice
 for many scammers, with about one out of every four dollars reported 
lost to fraud paid in cryptocurrency.The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2022/06/reports-show-scammers-cashing-crypto-craze">FTC’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight</a>&nbsp;finds
 that most of the cryptocurrency losses consumers reported involved 
bogus cryptocurrency investment opportunities, which totaled $575 
million in reported losses since January 2021. These scams often falsely
 promise potential investors that they can earn huge returns by 
investing in their cryptocurrency schemes, but people report losing all 
the money they “invest.”After cryptocurrency investment schemes, the next largest losses reported by consumers were on:<ul>
 <li>Romance Scams: These often involve a love interest who tries to entice someone into investing in what turns out to be a cryptocurrency scam. </li><li>Business and Government Impersonation Scams: 
Reports show these scammers often target consumers by claiming their 
money is at risk because of fraud or a government investigation and the 
only way to protect their cash is by converting it to cryptocurrency.</li>
 </ul>Reports suggest that cryptocurrency-related scams often 
begin on social media. Nearly half of consumers who reported a 
cryptocurrency related scam since 2021 said it started with an ad, post 
or message on a social media platform.People ages 20 to 49 were more than three times as likely
 as older age groups to have reported losing money to a cryptocurrency 
scam. Older age groups, however, reported losing more money when they 
did report a cryptocurrency-related scam.Some of the red flags consumers should watch out for include:<ul>
 <li>anyone who claims they can guarantee profits or big returns by investing in cryptocurrency;</li><li>people who require you to buy or pay in cryptocurrency; and</li><li>a love interest who wants to show you how to invest in cryptocurrency or to send them cryptocurrency.</li>
 </ul>

Reports; Consumers lost more than $1B to crypto scams since 2021

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged arson.

Just after noon Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1100 block Parallel in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 Clothing belonging to a 30-year-old victim had been burned and furniture had been damaged.

Police arrested 34-year-old Daniel A. Etim, 34, Atchison, on requested charges of arson and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654179907960.png" alt="Etin-Photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Etin-Photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged arson.Just after noon Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1100 block Parallel in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. Clothing belonging to a 30-year-old victim had been burned and furniture had been damaged.Police arrested 34-year-old Daniel A. Etim, 34, Atchison, on requested charges of arson and criminal damage to property.

Kan. man accused of burning victim's clothes, furniture

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area police association has pulled the plug on its plan to raffle off an AR-15 rifle in the wake of recent mass shootings.

The Belton Police Athletic Association had planned to raffle off the gun as part of its annual fundraiser supporting an anti-drug education program in schools in the community about 20 miles south of Kansas City.

Organizers said the decision to include the rifle in this year’s event was made months ago — before a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-texas-shootings-269e29c931877db88b70cdf4c461ab10">gunman killed 19 students and two teachers</a>&nbsp;last week at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-politics-shootings-indictments-1ce595dbd268f0d6550c2dee2652b38e">a May 14 racist attack at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket</a>&nbsp;that killed 10 people. Police say both shooters had AR-15-style rifles.

“After recent tragic events, the Belton Police Athletic Association decided that it would be inappropriate to continue with the raffle as planned,” the association said in a statement posted Wednesday to the Belton Police Department's Facebook page.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area police association has pulled the plug on its plan to raffle off an AR-15 rifle in the wake of recent mass shootings.The Belton Police Athletic Association had planned to raffle off the gun as part of its annual fundraiser supporting an anti-drug education program in schools in the community about 20 miles south of Kansas City.Organizers said the decision to include the rifle in this year’s event was made months ago — before a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-texas-shootings-269e29c931877db88b70cdf4c461ab10">gunman killed 19 students and two teachers</a>&nbsp;last week at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-politics-shootings-indictments-1ce595dbd268f0d6550c2dee2652b38e">a May 14 racist attack at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket</a>&nbsp;that killed 10 people. Police say both shooters had AR-15-style rifles.“After recent tragic events, the Belton Police Athletic Association decided that it would be inappropriate to continue with the raffle as planned,” the association said in a statement posted Wednesday to the Belton Police Department's Facebook page.

KC-area police group pulls plug on raffle of AR-15 rifle

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the Deputy Chief of&nbsp;<a href="https://home.army.mil/riley/index.php/about/dir-staff/directorate-emergency-services/law-enforcement" target="_blank">Police for Fort Rile</a>y for alleged&nbsp;domestic battery.

Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, police arrested 51-year-old Shannon Wilson at his home in Wakefield, according to&nbsp;Steve Elstrom, Director of Public Affairs with Fort Riley.

Wilson was booked into the Clay Co. Jail on a requested charge of domestic battery, according to the sheriff's department and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Wilson has been employed as a Department of the Army Civilian employee since 2014. He has been Deputy Chief since 2016. 

During the investigation, Wilson has been assigned duties without law enforcement authority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654201233117.png" alt="Wilson-photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Wilson-photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the Deputy Chief of&nbsp;<a href="https://home.army.mil/riley/index.php/about/dir-staff/directorate-emergency-services/law-enforcement" target="_blank">Police for Fort Rile</a>y for alleged&nbsp;domestic battery.Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, police arrested 51-year-old Shannon Wilson at his home in Wakefield, according to&nbsp;Steve Elstrom, Director of Public Affairs with Fort Riley.Wilson was booked into the Clay Co. Jail on a requested charge of domestic battery, according to the sheriff's department and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.Wilson has been employed as a Department of the Army Civilian employee since 2014. He has been Deputy Chief since 2016. During the investigation, Wilson has been assigned duties without law enforcement authority.

Fort Riley Deputy Chief of Police accused of domestic battery

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel advanced legislation Thursday that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21 as Democrats moved quickly to put their stamp on gun legislation in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-politics-texas-shootings-e3975aebf393ca7c122cc117d29059c4">mass shootings in Texas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-politics-shootings-indictments-1ce595dbd268f0d6550c2dee2652b38e">New York</a>&nbsp;by assailants who used such weapons to kill 31 people, including 19 children.

The vote came as President Joe Biden gave a prime-time speech about the shootings and told Americans, “Let’s hear the call and the cry, let’s meet the moment, let us finally do something.”

Partisan positions were clear at the Judiciary Committee hearing, which lasted more than nine hours. In addition to raising the age limit for purchasing semi-automatic rifles, the bill also would make it a federal offense to import, manufacture or possess large-capacity magazines and would create a grant program to buy back such magazines.

It also builds on the administration’s executive action banning fast-action “bump-stock” devices and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-bureau-of-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-gun-politics-5f0f26cdb5d3bcbc6f9c5daf471c118d">“ghost guns”</a>&nbsp;that are assembled without serial numbers.

The final vote to advance the bill was 25-19, with Democrats accounting for all the yes votes and Republicans accounting for all the no votes.

The Democratic legislation, called the Protecting Our Kids Act, was quickly added to the legislative docket after last week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., promised in a letter to Democratic colleagues Thursday that the House will vote on the measure next week, and she promised other votes in the weeks ahead, including on a bill to to create an Amber Alert-style notification during a mass shooting. Pelosi also pledged a hearing on a bill banning military-style semiautomatic rifles.

But with Republicans nearly all in opposition, the House action will mostly be symbolic, merely putting lawmakers on record about gun control ahead of this year’s elections. The Senate is taking a different course, with a bipartisan group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-texas-school-shooting-gun-politics-0a290e15634cf11aa0faa53ed44caeb0">striving toward a compromise</a>&nbsp;on gun safety legislation that can win enough GOP support to become law. Those talks are making “rapid progress,” according to Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the Republican negotiators.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, defended his chamber’s proposals as popular with most Americans. He dismissed Republican criticism.

“You say that it is too soon to take action? That we are ‘politicizing’ these tragedies to enact new policies?” Nadler said. “It has been 23 years since Columbine. Fifteen years since Virginia Tech. Ten years since Sandy Hook. Seven years since Charleston. Four years since Parkland and Santa Fe and Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.”

“Too soon? My friends, what the hell are you waiting for?”

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the committee, said no one wants another tragedy. But he insisted the House bill would do nothing to stop mass shootings.

“We need to get serious about understanding why this keeps happening. Democrats are always fixated on curtailing the rights of law-abiding citizens rather than trying to understand why this evil happens,” Jordan said. “Until we figure out the why, we will always mourn losses without facing the problem. Our job is to figure out the why.”

A chief feature of the House bill requires those buying semi-automatic weapons to be at least 21. Only six states require someone to be at least 21 years old to buy rifles and shotguns. The shooters in Uvalde and Buffalo, New York, both were 18 and used an AR-15-style weapon.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said that it should be a red flag when an 18-year-old wants to buy “an assault weapon.”

“That’s what they want on their 18th birthday is an assault weapon? They’ve got a problem, which means we’ve got a problem, which means those 19 kids and their parents and those two teachers have a problem, forever,” Cohen said, referring to the victims in Uvalde.

Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., pointed to a U.S. appeals court ruling last month, however, that found California’s ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to adults under 21 unconstitutional.

“I can tell you this, and let me be clear, you are not going to bully your way to stripping Americans of fundamental rights,” Bishop said.

The hearing featured emotional pleas from Democratic lawmakers for Congress to respond to the mass shootings after years of gridlock on gun issues, one of the most riveting coming from Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia.

She recalled how her son, Jordan, was shot and killed at a gas station by a man who complained about the loud music he was listening to. She said she dreams of who he would have become. She said racial bias led to his death and those of 10 Black Americans in Buffalo last month and is “being replayed with casual callousness and despicable frequency” in the United States.

“We all understand that the murder of our children cannot continue,” McBath said. “And we have solutions that a majority of American people believe in. They are common-sense compromises that will keep American children alive.”

Several lawmakers participated in the hearing remotely, including Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., who brandished various pistols in arguing that the bill’s provision banning large-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds amounted to stopping law-abiding citizens from purchasing guns of their choice.

When Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, remarked that she hoped one of the guns Steube was holding was not loaded, Steube replied, “I’m in my house, I can do whatever I want with my guns.” It was one of several pointed exchanges during the hearing.

Any legislative response to the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings will have to get through the evenly divided Senate, where support from at least 10 Republicans would be needed to advance the measure to a final vote. A group of senators has been working privately this week in hopes of finding a consensus.

Ideas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-texas-buffalo-united-states-gun-politics-ab8294ecb4b8f3c6fdc8761d8581ce7e">under discussion</a>&nbsp;include expanding background checks for gun purchases and incentivizing red-flag laws that allow family members, school officials and others to go into court and secure orders requiring the police to seize guns from people considered threats to themselves or others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654192080985.png" alt="Texas Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee during Thursday's hearing" />
 <figcaption>Texas Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee during Thursday's hearing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel advanced legislation Thursday that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21 as Democrats moved quickly to put their stamp on gun legislation in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-politics-texas-shootings-e3975aebf393ca7c122cc117d29059c4">mass shootings in Texas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-politics-shootings-indictments-1ce595dbd268f0d6550c2dee2652b38e">New York</a>&nbsp;by assailants who used such weapons to kill 31 people, including 19 children.The vote came as President Joe Biden gave a prime-time speech about the shootings and told Americans, “Let’s hear the call and the cry, let’s meet the moment, let us finally do something.”Partisan positions were clear at the Judiciary Committee hearing, which lasted more than nine hours. In addition to raising the age limit for purchasing semi-automatic rifles, the bill also would make it a federal offense to import, manufacture or possess large-capacity magazines and would create a grant program to buy back such magazines.It also builds on the administration’s executive action banning fast-action “bump-stock” devices and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-bureau-of-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-gun-politics-5f0f26cdb5d3bcbc6f9c5daf471c118d">“ghost guns”</a>&nbsp;that are assembled without serial numbers.The final vote to advance the bill was 25-19, with Democrats accounting for all the yes votes and Republicans accounting for all the no votes.The Democratic legislation, called the Protecting Our Kids Act, was quickly added to the legislative docket after last week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., promised in a letter to Democratic colleagues Thursday that the House will vote on the measure next week, and she promised other votes in the weeks ahead, including on a bill to to create an Amber Alert-style notification during a mass shooting. Pelosi also pledged a hearing on a bill banning military-style semiautomatic rifles.But with Republicans nearly all in opposition, the House action will mostly be symbolic, merely putting lawmakers on record about gun control ahead of this year’s elections. The Senate is taking a different course, with a bipartisan group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-texas-school-shooting-gun-politics-0a290e15634cf11aa0faa53ed44caeb0">striving toward a compromise</a>&nbsp;on gun safety legislation that can win enough GOP support to become law. Those talks are making “rapid progress,” according to Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the Republican negotiators.Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, defended his chamber’s proposals as popular with most Americans. He dismissed Republican criticism.“You say that it is too soon to take action? That we are ‘politicizing’ these tragedies to enact new policies?” Nadler said. “It has been 23 years since Columbine. Fifteen years since Virginia Tech. Ten years since Sandy Hook. Seven years since Charleston. Four years since Parkland and Santa Fe and Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.”“Too soon? My friends, what the hell are you waiting for?”Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the committee, said no one wants another tragedy. But he insisted the House bill would do nothing to stop mass shootings.“We need to get serious about understanding why this keeps happening. Democrats are always fixated on curtailing the rights of law-abiding citizens rather than trying to understand why this evil happens,” Jordan said. “Until we figure out the why, we will always mourn losses without facing the problem. Our job is to figure out the why.”A chief feature of the House bill requires those buying semi-automatic weapons to be at least 21. Only six states require someone to be at least 21 years old to buy rifles and shotguns. The shooters in Uvalde and Buffalo, New York, both were 18 and used an AR-15-style weapon.Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said that it should be a red flag when an 18-year-old wants to buy “an assault weapon.”“That’s what they want on their 18th birthday is an assault weapon? They’ve got a problem, which means we’ve got a problem, which means those 19 kids and their parents and those two teachers have a problem, forever,” Cohen said, referring to the victims in Uvalde.Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., pointed to a U.S. appeals court ruling last month, however, that found California’s ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to adults under 21 unconstitutional.“I can tell you this, and let me be clear, you are not going to bully your way to stripping Americans of fundamental rights,” Bishop said.The hearing featured emotional pleas from Democratic lawmakers for Congress to respond to the mass shootings after years of gridlock on gun issues, one of the most riveting coming from Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia.She recalled how her son, Jordan, was shot and killed at a gas station by a man who complained about the loud music he was listening to. She said she dreams of who he would have become. She said racial bias led to his death and those of 10 Black Americans in Buffalo last month and is “being replayed with casual callousness and despicable frequency” in the United States.“We all understand that the murder of our children cannot continue,” McBath said. “And we have solutions that a majority of American people believe in. They are common-sense compromises that will keep American children alive.”Several lawmakers participated in the hearing remotely, including Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., who brandished various pistols in arguing that the bill’s provision banning large-capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds amounted to stopping law-abiding citizens from purchasing guns of their choice.When Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, remarked that she hoped one of the guns Steube was holding was not loaded, Steube replied, “I’m in my house, I can do whatever I want with my guns.” It was one of several pointed exchanges during the hearing.Any legislative response to the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings will have to get through the evenly divided Senate, where support from at least 10 Republicans would be needed to advance the measure to a final vote. A group of senators has been working privately this week in hopes of finding a consensus.Ideas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-school-shooting-texas-buffalo-united-states-gun-politics-ab8294ecb4b8f3c6fdc8761d8581ce7e">under discussion</a>&nbsp;include expanding background checks for gun purchases and incentivizing red-flag laws that allow family members, school officials and others to go into court and secure orders requiring the police to seize guns from people considered threats to themselves or others.--------

House panel advances gun bill after recent mass shootings

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/covid-vaccine-for-kids-under-5-could-be-available-as-soon-as-june-21/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The Biden 
administration is preparing to ship out to the states millions of 
COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 in the coming weeks, likely 
ending months of waiting for parents and caregivers.

White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha said Thursday 
that if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use 
of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young kids after its June 15 
meeting, the federal government would immediately begin shipping the 
specialty doses.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would need to 
recommend emergency use of the vaccines before health care providers 
could begin administering them, but Jha said he expects vaccinations for
 children under 5 could begin as soon as Tuesday, June 21.

Jha said he wasn’t making the announcement as a pre-judgment of what 
the FDA or CDC would decide on the vaccines, but to detail how the Biden
 administration has been planning for eventual approval.

“We have asked states to distribute the initial tranche of doses to 
their highest priority sites, including those serving the highest-risk 
children and hardest-to-reach areas,” Jha said. “We’ve also asked them 
to prioritize sites that can handle large volumes, such as children’s 
hospitals.”

Jha said state governments can begin ordering from the initial 10 million doses on Friday, June 3.

While some vaccinations for children under 5 would begin the week of 
June 21, Jha said, it would take “some time to ramp up the program and 
for vaccinations to be more widely available.”

The “good news,” Jha said, is that the federal government has plenty of doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young kids.

Approval of a vaccines for young children would come more than seven 
months after the FDA authorized emergency use of a Pfizer vaccine for 
children between 5 and 11 years old.

Pfizer originally&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-ok-sought-two-dose-covid-vaccine-kids-under-5">asked</a>&nbsp;the federal government in early February to begin the approval process for a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5.

The very next day, then-White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-plans-speedy-delivery-states-covid-vaccine-littlest-kids">detailed</a>&nbsp;how
 the federal government would ship out vaccines for young kids, saying 
it would likely take several days or a week before the first shots could
 begin.

About a week later, the White House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/covid-vaccine-kids-under-5-delayed-until-least-april">announced</a>&nbsp;that
 the earliest a COVID-19 vaccine for young kids would be available was 
in April, giving ​​Pfizer additional time to gather information on a 
three-dose regimen.

The approval process for the Moderna vaccine for young kids has also had several starts and stops along the way.

At the moment, the Biden administration seems optimistic that it 
could begin shipping doses of both vaccines for young kids within three 
weeks, as long as the FDA authorizes the vaccines and the CDC issues a 
recommendation.

Once that happens, Jha said, ​​the White House expects “that within 
weeks every parent who wants their child to get vaccinated will be able 
to get an appointment.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="COVID vaccine for children photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>COVID vaccine for children photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/covid-vaccine-for-kids-under-5-could-be-available-as-soon-as-june-21/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The Biden 
administration is preparing to ship out to the states millions of 
COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 in the coming weeks, likely 
ending months of waiting for parents and caregivers.White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha said Thursday 
that if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use 
of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young kids after its June 15 
meeting, the federal government would immediately begin shipping the 
specialty doses.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would need to 
recommend emergency use of the vaccines before health care providers 
could begin administering them, but Jha said he expects vaccinations for
 children under 5 could begin as soon as Tuesday, June 21.Jha said he wasn’t making the announcement as a pre-judgment of what 
the FDA or CDC would decide on the vaccines, but to detail how the Biden
 administration has been planning for eventual approval.“We have asked states to distribute the initial tranche of doses to 
their highest priority sites, including those serving the highest-risk 
children and hardest-to-reach areas,” Jha said. “We’ve also asked them 
to prioritize sites that can handle large volumes, such as children’s 
hospitals.”Jha said state governments can begin ordering from the initial 10 million doses on Friday, June 3.While some vaccinations for children under 5 would begin the week of 
June 21, Jha said, it would take “some time to ramp up the program and 
for vaccinations to be more widely available.”The “good news,” Jha said, is that the federal government has plenty of doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young kids.Approval of a vaccines for young children would come more than seven 
months after the FDA authorized emergency use of a Pfizer vaccine for 
children between 5 and 11 years old.Pfizer originally&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-ok-sought-two-dose-covid-vaccine-kids-under-5">asked</a>&nbsp;the federal government in early February to begin the approval process for a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5.The very next day, then-White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-plans-speedy-delivery-states-covid-vaccine-littlest-kids">detailed</a>&nbsp;how
 the federal government would ship out vaccines for young kids, saying 
it would likely take several days or a week before the first shots could
 begin.About a week later, the White House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/covid-vaccine-kids-under-5-delayed-until-least-april">announced</a>&nbsp;that
 the earliest a COVID-19 vaccine for young kids would be available was 
in April, giving ​​Pfizer additional time to gather information on a 
three-dose regimen.The approval process for the Moderna vaccine for young kids has also had several starts and stops along the way.At the moment, the Biden administration seems optimistic that it 
could begin shipping doses of both vaccines for young kids within three 
weeks, as long as the FDA authorizes the vaccines and the CDC issues a 
recommendation.Once that happens, Jha said, ​​the White House expects “that within 
weeks every parent who wants their child to get vaccinated will be able 
to get an appointment.”

COVID vaccine for kids under 5 could be available this month

By FRANK MORRIS <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-02/ford-motor-co-s-plant-in-kansas-city-is-adding-1-100-people-to-meet-demand-for-electric-vehicles">Kansas News Service</a>

It’s a good time to be in the electric vehicle business.

Ford Motor Co. announced on Thursday that it’s launching a major expansion here.

The
 company said its Claycomo plant northeast of Kansas City will add a 
third shift producing its popular Transit and E-Transit delivery vans, 
requiring 1,100 new workers and a $95 million investment to keep the van
 production side of the plant running almost around the clock.

The news came as part of an announcement detailing a major expansion of Ford’s manufacturing operations in the Midwest.

“We’re
 going to create 6,200 new UAW (United Auto Workers) jobs and invest 
$3.7 billion in Ford plants across the Midwest,” Kumar Galhotra, a top 
Ford executive, said at a news conference in Ohio this morning.

Most
 of the new jobs, 3,200 of them, will be added in Michigan, where Ford 
produces the Ford Ranger pickup truck, Ford Mustang and the popular 
F-150 Lightning electric pickup.

Ford’s Claycomo Assembly plant in
 in the Northland also makes F-150s, but not the battery-powered 
variant. Today’s announcement does not affect F-150 production there.

An
 assembly plant in Ohio will add 1,800 union jobs to start production of
 a new electric commercial vehicle, details about which are still under 
wraps.

Ford also unveiled good news for its current workers.

“We are committing $1 billion over 5 years to improve the work experience in our factories,” Kumar said.

Ford
 said it will provide better break rooms and stock them with healthier 
food, as well as improve lighting and other conditions. 

It said it's also converting 3,000 temporary workers to full-time status with full benefits.

General
 Motors and the automotive group Stellantis have also recently announced
 multi-billion dollar investments in domestic electric vehicle 
production.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654196271230.png" alt="The new E-Transit is produced at Claycomo, the first Ford plant in the U.S. to assemble both batteries and all-electric vehicles in-house. DAVID KAUP / Ford Motor Company" />
 <figcaption>The new E-Transit is produced at Claycomo, the first Ford plant in the U.S. to assemble both batteries and all-electric vehicles in-house. DAVID KAUP / Ford Motor Company</figcaption>
 </figure>By FRANK MORRIS <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-02/ford-motor-co-s-plant-in-kansas-city-is-adding-1-100-people-to-meet-demand-for-electric-vehicles">Kansas News Service</a>It’s a good time to be in the electric vehicle business.Ford Motor Co. announced on Thursday that it’s launching a major expansion here.The
 company said its Claycomo plant northeast of Kansas City will add a 
third shift producing its popular Transit and E-Transit delivery vans, 
requiring 1,100 new workers and a $95 million investment to keep the van
 production side of the plant running almost around the clock.The news came as part of an announcement detailing a major expansion of Ford’s manufacturing operations in the Midwest.“We’re
 going to create 6,200 new UAW (United Auto Workers) jobs and invest 
$3.7 billion in Ford plants across the Midwest,” Kumar Galhotra, a top 
Ford executive, said at a news conference in Ohio this morning.Most
 of the new jobs, 3,200 of them, will be added in Michigan, where Ford 
produces the Ford Ranger pickup truck, Ford Mustang and the popular 
F-150 Lightning electric pickup.Ford’s Claycomo Assembly plant in
 in the Northland also makes F-150s, but not the battery-powered 
variant. Today’s announcement does not affect F-150 production there.An
 assembly plant in Ohio will add 1,800 union jobs to start production of
 a new electric commercial vehicle, details about which are still under 
wraps.Ford also unveiled good news for its current workers.“We are committing $1 billion over 5 years to improve the work experience in our factories,” Kumar said.Ford
 said it will provide better break rooms and stock them with healthier 
food, as well as improve lighting and other conditions. It said it's also converting 3,000 temporary workers to full-time status with full benefits.General
 Motors and the automotive group Stellantis have also recently announced
 multi-billion dollar investments in domestic electric vehicle 
production.

Ford adding 1,100 jobs in KC to meet electric vehicle demand

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 11a.m. Thursday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota Avalon driven by Tyra A. Anderson, 28, St. George, was eastbound on Military Trail Road just east of Railway Road.

The car left the roadway to the right and struck a tree.

Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a 1-year-old boy in the car to the hospital in Wamego for treatment of serious injuries, according to the KHP. A 3-year-old boy in the car was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654190926276.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 11a.m. Thursday in Pottawatomie County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota Avalon driven by Tyra A. Anderson, 28, St. George, was eastbound on Military Trail Road just east of Railway Road.The car left the roadway to the right and struck a tree.Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a 1-year-old boy in the car to the hospital in Wamego for treatment of serious injuries, according to the KHP. A 3-year-old boy in the car was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, 1-year-old injured in crash

By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-06-01/kansas-sanctuary-cities-law-creates-issues-for-municipalities-wanting-to-create-id-programs">Kansas News Service</a>

The “sanctuary cities” bill that was passed during this year’s 
legislative session is causing issues for some municipalities — 
including Wichita.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-11/kansas-governor-kelly-signs-sanctuary-city-bill-dealing-harsh-blow-to-immigration-activists" target="_blank">Soon to become a state law</a>,
 the bill also prohibited the use of municipal IDs. That has stalled the
 city of Wichita’s plans to create a municipal ID program to assist 
those who don’t have state-issued identification.

“If it ain’t 
broke, the Legislature will fix it until it’s broke,” said Mayor Brandon
 Whipple, a former legislator. “They were trying to play politics with a
 federal level issue and the casualty is they robbed us and other cities
 of our ability to respond to the needs of our public.”

The bill was introduced by the Kansas Attorney General’s office in response to the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-11/wyandotte-county-passes-safe-and-welcoming-act-providing-municipal-ids-for-immigrants" target="_blank">"Safe and Welcoming Act"</a> that was passed in Wyandotte County earlier this year.

The
 act blocked local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement authorities unless there is a public safety emergency or 
they have a warrant signed by a judge.

It also helped those 
without legal identification receive a municipal ID to obtain services 
where identification would be required — such as going to the bank or 
receiving medical care.

During testimony for the bill, proponents 
said the way state statute was written would have allowed those who 
aren’t able to legally vote to try to use municipal IDs at the polls.

That includes Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who’s running for governor.

“I’m
 just saying it’s an obvious loophole in the statute,” Schmidt said, 
“and we suggested fixing it, and the secretary of state suggested fixing
 it more explicitly, and that’s the bill that you have in front of you.”

Municipal
 IDs through the city of Wichita would have been issued by the city’s 
libraries — some of which already serve as passport centers.

Now 
the plan has stalled and will likely have an impact on the unhoused, 
elderly or younger people who don’t or can’t drive, as well as survivors
 of domestic violence.

“Isolation is a very common tool used by 
batterers and perpetrators to subject and control their victims and keep
 them from seeking services, seeking help,” Lindsie Ford with the Kansas
 Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence said during testimony 
against the bill.

If the city were able to issue identification, 
survivors who had their property taken away or bank accounts locked by 
their abuser could have gotten help.

“Under this, we could have 
actually gotten you an ID by going to the library,” Whipple said, “and 
then you would have had access to open a bank account, to go ahead and 
get to our Section 8 program so that you can get affordable housing even
 though your abuser took the money.”

Unhoused people also struggle
 to receive legal identification if they don’t have documentation like a
 birth certificate or Social Security card. That makes it difficult for 
them to receive some services such as housing or food.

“You have 
to have something to get something; you have to be able to prove who you
 are,” said Alleshia Benward with Breakthrough Episcopal Services.

Benward
 said not having identification is an issue her clients face every day —
 including a client she recently worked with to obtain their driver's 
license.

“Both the shelter and us working on this step, and the 
email I just got from the shelter case manager was, ‘We achieved the 
impossible!’ " Benward said. "People . . . (whose) days are 
designated to doing these steps, for us to perceive it as impossible 
tells you how many barriers there are.”

The many barriers to receive state-issued identification is an issue everyone should be concerned about," Benward said.

“It’s
 really easy for just about anybody to lose their identification," she 
said. "So it applies to all of us to have accessible ways to regain 
that.”

For now, Whipple said the city is doing more research to 
try to help those who need identification and get the services they need
 – but the outlook is grim.

“I really wish that this wasn’t a 
partisan issue like it was,” Whipple said, “because getting access to 
the services that a victim of domestic violence, that someone who is 
experiencing homelessness needs, that shouldn’t be partisan.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654188027054.png" alt="A bill prohibiting the use of municipal IDs was introduced by the Kansas Attorney General's office during the 2022 legislative session. Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>A bill prohibiting the use of municipal IDs was introduced by the Kansas Attorney General's office during the 2022 legislative session. Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-06-01/kansas-sanctuary-cities-law-creates-issues-for-municipalities-wanting-to-create-id-programs">Kansas News Service</a>The “sanctuary cities” bill that was passed during this year’s 
legislative session is causing issues for some municipalities — 
including Wichita.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-11/kansas-governor-kelly-signs-sanctuary-city-bill-dealing-harsh-blow-to-immigration-activists" target="_blank">Soon to become a state law</a>,
 the bill also prohibited the use of municipal IDs. That has stalled the
 city of Wichita’s plans to create a municipal ID program to assist 
those who don’t have state-issued identification.“If it ain’t 
broke, the Legislature will fix it until it’s broke,” said Mayor Brandon
 Whipple, a former legislator. “They were trying to play politics with a
 federal level issue and the casualty is they robbed us and other cities
 of our ability to respond to the needs of our public.”The bill was introduced by the Kansas Attorney General’s office in response to the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-11/wyandotte-county-passes-safe-and-welcoming-act-providing-municipal-ids-for-immigrants" target="_blank">"Safe and Welcoming Act"</a> that was passed in Wyandotte County earlier this year.The
 act blocked local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement authorities unless there is a public safety emergency or 
they have a warrant signed by a judge.It also helped those 
without legal identification receive a municipal ID to obtain services 
where identification would be required — such as going to the bank or 
receiving medical care.During testimony for the bill, proponents 
said the way state statute was written would have allowed those who 
aren’t able to legally vote to try to use municipal IDs at the polls.That includes Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who’s running for governor.“I’m
 just saying it’s an obvious loophole in the statute,” Schmidt said, 
“and we suggested fixing it, and the secretary of state suggested fixing
 it more explicitly, and that’s the bill that you have in front of you.”Municipal
 IDs through the city of Wichita would have been issued by the city’s 
libraries — some of which already serve as passport centers.Now 
the plan has stalled and will likely have an impact on the unhoused, 
elderly or younger people who don’t or can’t drive, as well as survivors
 of domestic violence.“Isolation is a very common tool used by 
batterers and perpetrators to subject and control their victims and keep
 them from seeking services, seeking help,” Lindsie Ford with the Kansas
 Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence said during testimony 
against the bill.If the city were able to issue identification, 
survivors who had their property taken away or bank accounts locked by 
their abuser could have gotten help.“Under this, we could have 
actually gotten you an ID by going to the library,” Whipple said, “and 
then you would have had access to open a bank account, to go ahead and 
get to our Section 8 program so that you can get affordable housing even
 though your abuser took the money.”Unhoused people also struggle
 to receive legal identification if they don’t have documentation like a
 birth certificate or Social Security card. That makes it difficult for 
them to receive some services such as housing or food.“You have 
to have something to get something; you have to be able to prove who you
 are,” said Alleshia Benward with Breakthrough Episcopal Services.Benward
 said not having identification is an issue her clients face every day —
 including a client she recently worked with to obtain their driver's 
license.“Both the shelter and us working on this step, and the 
email I just got from the shelter case manager was, ‘We achieved the 
impossible!’ " Benward said. "People . . . (whose) days are 
designated to doing these steps, for us to perceive it as impossible 
tells you how many barriers there are.”The many barriers to receive state-issued identification is an issue everyone should be concerned about," Benward said.“It’s
 really easy for just about anybody to lose their identification," she 
said. "So it applies to all of us to have accessible ways to regain 
that.”For now, Whipple said the city is doing more research to 
try to help those who need identification and get the services they need
 – but the outlook is grim.“I really wish that this wasn’t a 
partisan issue like it was,” Whipple said, “because getting access to 
the services that a victim of domestic violence, that someone who is 
experiencing homelessness needs, that shouldn’t be partisan.”

Kan. ‘Sanctuary Cities’ law creates issues for cities wanting to create ID programs

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — While the Missouri Legislature was unable to legalize sports betting during this past session, Kansas has signed a sports betting bill into law.

SB 84 
received bipartisan support in Kansas' house and senate, and the bill 
was signed into law by governor Laura Kelly earlier in May.

State 
representative John Eplee, who represents Doniphan and Atchison County, 
Kansas says this bill cracks down on any illegal betting going on in the
 state.

"It does allow people to do this in a legal fashion 
through our casinos and Kansas Lottery," Eplee told St. Joseph Post. "It
 will be starting up here soon, because it was signed by the governor."

The
 Kansas Lottery has until January 1st of 2023 to create a regulatory 
environment for sports betting, and wagering is expected to start in 
spring of next year as well.

Around 80 percent of all funds from 
sports betting in Kansas would be funneled into the "Attracting 
Professional Sports to Kansas Fund" as an attempt to lure any sports 
team into the state.

Eplee says this includes but is not limited to the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It
 could be for any other team or a new team," he said. "Let's say there 
was expansion of the NFL and there was a new team. Kansas would have an 
opportunity to get that. Obviously, people think it's a fund to lure the
 Chiefs across the state line. I'm not sure that's a really good 
characterization."

Kansas is now the 35th state to legalize sports betting in the United States.

Residents of the state will be allowed to place bets on college and professional teams beginning in the spring of 2023.

Eplee says this legislation will especially beneficial to the state's casinos.

"We
 included casinos in this so they have an opportunity to be a part of 
it," he said. "This took a lot of compromise on both sides to get this 
to the finish line. It's been a long time coming."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654085095636.png" alt="State Rep. John Eplee&nbsp; represents Doniphan and Atchison County, Kansas " />
 <figcaption>State Rep. John Eplee&nbsp; represents Doniphan and Atchison County, Kansas </figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — While the Missouri Legislature was unable to legalize sports betting during this past session, Kansas has signed a sports betting bill into law.SB 84 
received bipartisan support in Kansas' house and senate, and the bill 
was signed into law by governor Laura Kelly earlier in May.State 
representative John Eplee, who represents Doniphan and Atchison County, 
Kansas says this bill cracks down on any illegal betting going on in the
 state."It does allow people to do this in a legal fashion 
through our casinos and Kansas Lottery," Eplee told St. Joseph Post. "It
 will be starting up here soon, because it was signed by the governor."The
 Kansas Lottery has until January 1st of 2023 to create a regulatory 
environment for sports betting, and wagering is expected to start in 
spring of next year as well.Around 80 percent of all funds from 
sports betting in Kansas would be funneled into the "Attracting 
Professional Sports to Kansas Fund" as an attempt to lure any sports 
team into the state.Eplee says this includes but is not limited to the Kansas City Chiefs."It
 could be for any other team or a new team," he said. "Let's say there 
was expansion of the NFL and there was a new team. Kansas would have an 
opportunity to get that. Obviously, people think it's a fund to lure the
 Chiefs across the state line. I'm not sure that's a really good 
characterization."Kansas is now the 35th state to legalize sports betting in the United States.Residents of the state will be allowed to place bets on college and professional teams beginning in the spring of 2023.Eplee says this legislation will especially beneficial to the state's casinos."We
 included casinos in this so they have an opportunity to be a part of 
it," he said. "This took a lot of compromise on both sides to get this 
to the finish line. It's been a long time coming."

State rep: Kan. sports betting bill not only about luring Chiefs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is planning for “dire” contingencies that could include rationing supplies of vaccines and treatments this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more money for fighting COVID-19.

In public comments and private meetings on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House coronavirus coordinator,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-congress-a05afb7ebfa102992c354c99619fa944">has painted a dark picture in which the U.S. could be forced to cede many of the advances made against the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;over the last two years and even the most vulnerable could face supply shortages.

Biden administration officials have been warning for weeks that the country has spent nearly all the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response.

A small pool of money remains, and the administration faces critical decisions about how to spend it. That means tough decisions, like weighing whether to use it to secure the next generation of vaccines to protect the highest risk populations or giving priority to a supply of highly effective therapies that dramatically reduce the risks of severe illness and death.

That decision may be made in the coming week, according to the administration, as the White House faces imminent deadlines to begin placing orders for vaccines and treatments before other nations jump ahead of the U.S. in accessing supply.

Jha has warned that without more money, vaccines will be harder to come by, tests will once again be scarce, and the therapeutics that are helping the country weather the current omicron-driven surge in cases without a commensurate increase in deaths could be sold overseas before Americans can access them.

“I think we would see a lot of unnecessary loss of life if that were to happen,” Jha said this past week. “But we’re looking at all the scenarios and planning for all of them.”

He said the administration was “getting much more into the scenario-planning business to make sure that we know what may be ahead of us so we can plan for it and obviously also lay those out in front of Congress.”

Jha, who declined to put a specific projection on potential loss of life, has become the face of the Biden administration’s efforts to persuade Congress to approve an additional $22.5 billion for COVID-19 response.

“The scenarios that we’re planning for are for things like what if Congress gives us no money and we don’t have adequate vaccines,” Jha told the AP in a May 12 interview. “We run out of therapies. We don’t have enough tests. What might things look like? Obviously, that’s a pretty dire situation.”

Already, the domestic production of at-home testing is slowing, with workers beginning to be laid off. In the coming weeks, Jha said, manufacturers will sell off equipment and “get out of this business,” leaving the U.S. once again dependent on overseas suppliers for rapid test.

Drug manufactures and the Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, are working on evaluating the next generation of vaccines, potentially including ones that are targeted at the dominant omicron strain. But getting them ready before the predicted case surge in the fall means placing orders now, since they take two to three months to produce.

Jha said this week that the U.S. has yet to start negotiations with drugmakers because of the lack of money.

“We’ve had some very preliminary conversations with the manufacturers,” he said. “But the negotiations around it have not yet begun, partly because we’re waiting for resources.” He added: “The truth is that other countries are in conversations with the manufacturers and starting to kind of advance their negotiations.”

The U.S., he said, doesn’t have enough money to purchase additional booster vaccines for anyone who wants one. Instead, the supplies of those vaccines may be restricted to just the most vulnerable — not unlike the chaotic early days of the COVID-10 vaccine roll-out.

“Without additional funding from Congress, we will not be able to buy enough vaccines for every American who wants one once these new generation of vaccines come out in the fall and winter,” he said.

And while the U.S. has built up a stockpile of the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which has been widely effective at reducing severe disease and death, it’s running out of money to purchase new doses — or other, even more effective therapies that are in the final stages of development.

“If we don’t get more resources from Congress, what we will find in the fall and winter is we will find a period of time where Americans can look around and see their friends in other countries — in Europe and Canada — with access to these treatments that Americans will not have,” Jha said.

A congressional deal for a slimmed-down COVID-19 response package of about $10 billion fell apart in March over the Biden administration’s plans to lift virus-related restrictions on migration at U.S. borders. But a federal judge on Friday put that plan on hold, just days before it was to take effect on Monday.

There is no guarantee of swift action on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers — particularly Republicans — have grown newly wary of deficit spending. On Thursday, a $40 billion measure to assist restaurants that struggled during the pandemic failed on those grounds. GOP lawmakers have also objected to additional funding for the global pandemic response, and called for any new virus response funding to come from unspent economic relief money in the $1.9 trillion rescue plan.

The administration is preparing to lay the blame on lawmakers if there are tough consequences this fall due to lack of money. Still, it could be perilous for Biden, who has struggled to fulfill his promise to voters to get control of the pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654192646776.png" alt="In public comments and private meetings on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House coronavirus coordinator,&nbsp;has painted a dark picture in which the U.S. could be forced to cede many of the advances made against the coronavirus&nbsp;over the last two years and even the most vulnerable could face supply shortages.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>In public comments and private meetings on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House coronavirus coordinator,&nbsp;has painted a dark picture in which the U.S. could be forced to cede many of the advances made against the coronavirus&nbsp;over the last two years and even the most vulnerable could face supply shortages.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is planning for “dire” contingencies that could include rationing supplies of vaccines and treatments this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more money for fighting COVID-19.In public comments and private meetings on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House coronavirus coordinator,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-congress-a05afb7ebfa102992c354c99619fa944">has painted a dark picture in which the U.S. could be forced to cede many of the advances made against the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;over the last two years and even the most vulnerable could face supply shortages.Biden administration officials have been warning for weeks that the country has spent nearly all the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response.A small pool of money remains, and the administration faces critical decisions about how to spend it. That means tough decisions, like weighing whether to use it to secure the next generation of vaccines to protect the highest risk populations or giving priority to a supply of highly effective therapies that dramatically reduce the risks of severe illness and death.That decision may be made in the coming week, according to the administration, as the White House faces imminent deadlines to begin placing orders for vaccines and treatments before other nations jump ahead of the U.S. in accessing supply.Jha has warned that without more money, vaccines will be harder to come by, tests will once again be scarce, and the therapeutics that are helping the country weather the current omicron-driven surge in cases without a commensurate increase in deaths could be sold overseas before Americans can access them.“I think we would see a lot of unnecessary loss of life if that were to happen,” Jha said this past week. “But we’re looking at all the scenarios and planning for all of them.”He said the administration was “getting much more into the scenario-planning business to make sure that we know what may be ahead of us so we can plan for it and obviously also lay those out in front of Congress.”Jha, who declined to put a specific projection on potential loss of life, has become the face of the Biden administration’s efforts to persuade Congress to approve an additional $22.5 billion for COVID-19 response.“The scenarios that we’re planning for are for things like what if Congress gives us no money and we don’t have adequate vaccines,” Jha told the AP in a May 12 interview. “We run out of therapies. We don’t have enough tests. What might things look like? Obviously, that’s a pretty dire situation.”Already, the domestic production of at-home testing is slowing, with workers beginning to be laid off. In the coming weeks, Jha said, manufacturers will sell off equipment and “get out of this business,” leaving the U.S. once again dependent on overseas suppliers for rapid test.Drug manufactures and the Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, are working on evaluating the next generation of vaccines, potentially including ones that are targeted at the dominant omicron strain. But getting them ready before the predicted case surge in the fall means placing orders now, since they take two to three months to produce.Jha said this week that the U.S. has yet to start negotiations with drugmakers because of the lack of money.“We’ve had some very preliminary conversations with the manufacturers,” he said. “But the negotiations around it have not yet begun, partly because we’re waiting for resources.” He added: “The truth is that other countries are in conversations with the manufacturers and starting to kind of advance their negotiations.”The U.S., he said, doesn’t have enough money to purchase additional booster vaccines for anyone who wants one. Instead, the supplies of those vaccines may be restricted to just the most vulnerable — not unlike the chaotic early days of the COVID-10 vaccine roll-out.“Without additional funding from Congress, we will not be able to buy enough vaccines for every American who wants one once these new generation of vaccines come out in the fall and winter,” he said.And while the U.S. has built up a stockpile of the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which has been widely effective at reducing severe disease and death, it’s running out of money to purchase new doses — or other, even more effective therapies that are in the final stages of development.“If we don’t get more resources from Congress, what we will find in the fall and winter is we will find a period of time where Americans can look around and see their friends in other countries — in Europe and Canada — with access to these treatments that Americans will not have,” Jha said.A congressional deal for a slimmed-down COVID-19 response package of about $10 billion fell apart in March over the Biden administration’s plans to lift virus-related restrictions on migration at U.S. borders. But a federal judge on Friday put that plan on hold, just days before it was to take effect on Monday.There is no guarantee of swift action on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers — particularly Republicans — have grown newly wary of deficit spending. On Thursday, a $40 billion measure to assist restaurants that struggled during the pandemic failed on those grounds. GOP lawmakers have also objected to additional funding for the global pandemic response, and called for any new virus response funding to come from unspent economic relief money in the $1.9 trillion rescue plan.The administration is preparing to lay the blame on lawmakers if there are tough consequences this fall due to lack of money. Still, it could be perilous for Biden, who has struggled to fulfill his promise to voters to get control of the pandemic.