WASHINGTON (AP) — As more doctors prescribe Pfizer’s powerful COVID-19 pill, new questions are emerging about its performance, including why a small number of patients appear to relapse after taking the drug.

Paxlovid has become the go-to option against COVID-19 because of its at-home convenience and impressive results in heading off severe disease. The U.S. government has spent more than $10 billion to purchase enough pills to treat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-a5adf6c2e7894e479e795b5a6d1aeb84">20 million people.</a>

But experts say there is still much to be learned about the drug, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">authorized in December</a>&nbsp;for adults at high risk of severe COVID-19 based on a study in which 1,000 adults received the medication.

Doctors have started reporting rare cases of patients whose symptoms return several days after completing Paxlovid’s five-day regimen of pills. That’s prompted questions about whether those patients are still contagious and should receive a second course of Paxlovid.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration weighed in. It advised against a second round because there’s little risk of severe disease or hospitalization among patients who relapse.

Dr. Michael Charness&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1588371/v1/48342d2c-b3ea-4228-b600-168fca1fded7.pdf?c=1650977883" target="_blank">reported&nbsp;</a>last month on a 71-year-old vaccinated patient who saw his symptoms subside but then return, along with a spike in virus levels nine days into his illness.

Charness says Paxlovid remains a highly effective drug, but he wonders if it might be less potent against the current omicron variant. The $500 drug treatment was tested and OK’d based on its performance against the delta version of the coronavirus.

“The ability to clear the virus after it’s suppressed may be different from omicron to delta, especially for vaccinated people,” said Charness, who works for Boston’s VA health system.

Could some people just be susceptible to a relapse? Both the FDA and Pfizer point out that 1% to 2% of people in Pfizer’s original study saw their virus levels rebound after 10 days. The rate was about the same among people taking the drug or dummy pills, “so it is unclear at this point that this is related to drug treatment,” the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-updates-paxlovid-health-care-providers?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">FDA stated</a>.

Some experts point to another possibility: The Paxlovid dose isn’t strong enough to fully suppress the virus. Andy Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University worries that could spur mutations that are resistant to the drug.

“We should really make sure we’re dosing Paxlovid appropriately because I would hate to lose it right now,” said Pekosz, a virologist. “This is one of the essential tools we have to help us turn the corner on the pandemic.”

HOW WELL DOES PAXLOVID WORK IN VACCINATED PEOPLE?

Pfizer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-medication-eeea3c6a5f6428479e35bc1bcd7aec52">tested Paxlovid&nbsp;</a>in the highest-risk patients: unvaccinated adults with no prior COVID-19 infection and other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. The drug reduced their risk of hospitalization and death from 7% to 1%.

But that doesn’t reflect the vast majority of Americans today, where 89% of adults have had at least one shot. And roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e3.htm?s_cid=mm7117e3_w" target="_blank">60% of Americans</a>&nbsp;have been infected with the virus at some point.

“That’s the population I care about in 2022 because that’s who we’re seeing -- vaccinated people with COVID -- so do they benefit?” asked Dr. David Boulware, a University of Minnesota researcher and physician.

There’s no clear answer yet for vaccinated Americans, who already have a hospitalization rate far below 1%.

That may come from a large, ongoing Pfizer study that includes high-risk vaccinated people. No results have been published; the study is expected to wrap up in the fall.

Pfizer said last year that initial results showed Paxlovid failed to meet the study’s goals of significantly resolving symptoms and reducing hospitalizations. It recently stopped enrolling anyone who’s received a vaccination or booster in the past year, a change Boulware says suggests those patients aren’t benefitting.

At a minimum, the preliminary data should be released to federal officials, Boulware said. “If the U.S. government is spending billions of dollars on this medicine, what’s the obligation to release that data so that they can formulate a good policy?”

CAN PAXLOVID BE USED TO HELP PREVENT COVID-19 INFECTION?

Pfizer recently reported that proactively giving Paxlovid to family members of people infected with COVID-19 didn’t significantly reduce their chances of catching it. But that’s not the end of the story. Pfizer is studying several other potential benefits of early use, including whether Paxlovid reduces the length and severity of COVID-19 among households.

“It’s a high bar to protect against infection but I’d love to see data on how Paxlovid did against severe disease because it may be more effective there,” said Pekosz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652144968838.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As more doctors prescribe Pfizer’s powerful COVID-19 pill, new questions are emerging about its performance, including why a small number of patients appear to relapse after taking the drug.Paxlovid has become the go-to option against COVID-19 because of its at-home convenience and impressive results in heading off severe disease. The U.S. government has spent more than $10 billion to purchase enough pills to treat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-a5adf6c2e7894e479e795b5a6d1aeb84">20 million people.</a>But experts say there is still much to be learned about the drug, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">authorized in December</a>&nbsp;for adults at high risk of severe COVID-19 based on a study in which 1,000 adults received the medication.WHY DO SOME PATIENTS SEEM TO RELAPSE?Doctors have started reporting rare cases of patients whose symptoms return several days after completing Paxlovid’s five-day regimen of pills. That’s prompted questions about whether those patients are still contagious and should receive a second course of Paxlovid.Last week, the Food and Drug Administration weighed in. It advised against a second round because there’s little risk of severe disease or hospitalization among patients who relapse.Dr. Michael Charness&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1588371/v1/48342d2c-b3ea-4228-b600-168fca1fded7.pdf?c=1650977883" target="_blank">reported&nbsp;</a>last month on a 71-year-old vaccinated patient who saw his symptoms subside but then return, along with a spike in virus levels nine days into his illness.Charness says Paxlovid remains a highly effective drug, but he wonders if it might be less potent against the current omicron variant. The $500 drug treatment was tested and OK’d based on its performance against the delta version of the coronavirus.“The ability to clear the virus after it’s suppressed may be different from omicron to delta, especially for vaccinated people,” said Charness, who works for Boston’s VA health system.Could some people just be susceptible to a relapse? Both the FDA and Pfizer point out that 1% to 2% of people in Pfizer’s original study saw their virus levels rebound after 10 days. The rate was about the same among people taking the drug or dummy pills, “so it is unclear at this point that this is related to drug treatment,” the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-updates-paxlovid-health-care-providers?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">FDA stated</a>.Some experts point to another possibility: The Paxlovid dose isn’t strong enough to fully suppress the virus. Andy Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University worries that could spur mutations that are resistant to the drug.“We should really make sure we’re dosing Paxlovid appropriately because I would hate to lose it right now,” said Pekosz, a virologist. “This is one of the essential tools we have to help us turn the corner on the pandemic.”HOW WELL DOES PAXLOVID WORK IN VACCINATED PEOPLE?Pfizer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-medication-eeea3c6a5f6428479e35bc1bcd7aec52">tested Paxlovid&nbsp;</a>in the highest-risk patients: unvaccinated adults with no prior COVID-19 infection and other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. The drug reduced their risk of hospitalization and death from 7% to 1%.But that doesn’t reflect the vast majority of Americans today, where 89% of adults have had at least one shot. And roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e3.htm?s_cid=mm7117e3_w" target="_blank">60% of Americans</a>&nbsp;have been infected with the virus at some point.“That’s the population I care about in 2022 because that’s who we’re seeing -- vaccinated people with COVID -- so do they benefit?” asked Dr. David Boulware, a University of Minnesota researcher and physician.There’s no clear answer yet for vaccinated Americans, who already have a hospitalization rate far below 1%.That may come from a large, ongoing Pfizer study that includes high-risk vaccinated people. No results have been published; the study is expected to wrap up in the fall.Pfizer said last year that initial results showed Paxlovid failed to meet the study’s goals of significantly resolving symptoms and reducing hospitalizations. It recently stopped enrolling anyone who’s received a vaccination or booster in the past year, a change Boulware says suggests those patients aren’t benefitting.At a minimum, the preliminary data should be released to federal officials, Boulware said. “If the U.S. government is spending billions of dollars on this medicine, what’s the obligation to release that data so that they can formulate a good policy?”CAN PAXLOVID BE USED TO HELP PREVENT COVID-19 INFECTION?Pfizer recently reported that proactively giving Paxlovid to family members of people infected with COVID-19 didn’t significantly reduce their chances of catching it. But that’s not the end of the story. Pfizer is studying several other potential benefits of early use, including whether Paxlovid reduces the length and severity of COVID-19 among households.“It’s a high bar to protect against infection but I’d love to see data on how Paxlovid did against severe disease because it may be more effective there,” said Pekosz.

Cases of COVID returning pose questions for Pfizer pill

SALINA–Police investigating a fatal weekend shooting in Salina continue to search for&nbsp; a person-of interest as identified as 28-year-old Dalton Levi Palmer, according to a media release from police. Palmer is described as being 5-foot-6 and weighs 140 pounds.

Palmer currently also has an unrelated warrant from Saline County District Court.

&nbsp;Police identified the victim killed early Saturday as Dylan Eugene Garman, 25, of Salina.

Just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 400 block of South College Avenue, in Salina, for a report of several gunshots in the are, according to a media release from police. Officers located multiple spent ammunition casings lying in the street. They did&nbsp;not find any victims or witnesses at the scene.

A short time later, officers were dispatched to the Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) Emergency Room, 400 South Santa Fe Avenue, Salina, for a report of two gunshot victims, an 18-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man later identified as 25-year-old Dylan Eugene Garman of Salina arriving at the Emergency Room

&nbsp;Medical staff pronounced the Garman deceased.

Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 500 block of East Cloud Street, in Salina, for a report of a person, later identified as a 23-year-old man, lying in the front yard who had been shot multiple times.&nbsp;

EMS transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds. This victim underwent emergency surgery and was&nbsp; subsequently transferred to a hospital in Wichita, according to police.

&nbsp;It appears all shooting victims are related to the incident which occurred on South College Avenue, according to police.

Due to Palmer’s past criminal behavior, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

According to police, if you have any information about the location of Palmer or if you observe Palmer, do not approach and immediately call law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651958808690.jpeg" alt="Palmer-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Palmer-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA–Police investigating a fatal weekend shooting in Salina continue to search for&nbsp; a person-of interest as identified as 28-year-old Dalton Levi Palmer, according to a media release from police. Palmer is described as being 5-foot-6 and weighs 140 pounds.Palmer currently also has an unrelated warrant from Saline County District Court.&nbsp;Police identified the victim killed early Saturday as Dylan Eugene Garman, 25, of Salina.Just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 400 block of South College Avenue, in Salina, for a report of several gunshots in the are, according to a media release from police. Officers located multiple spent ammunition casings lying in the street. They did&nbsp;not find any victims or witnesses at the scene.A short time later, officers were dispatched to the Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) Emergency Room, 400 South Santa Fe Avenue, Salina, for a report of two gunshot victims, an 18-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man later identified as 25-year-old Dylan Eugene Garman of Salina arriving at the Emergency Room&nbsp;Medical staff pronounced the Garman deceased.Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 500 block of East Cloud Street, in Salina, for a report of a person, later identified as a 23-year-old man, lying in the front yard who had been shot multiple times.&nbsp;EMS transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds. This victim underwent emergency surgery and was&nbsp; subsequently transferred to a hospital in Wichita, according to police.&nbsp;It appears all shooting victims are related to the incident which occurred on South College Avenue, according to police.Due to Palmer’s past criminal behavior, he should be considered armed and dangerous.According to police, if you have any information about the location of Palmer or if you observe Palmer, do not approach and immediately call law enforcement.

Police: Fatal Kansas shooting suspect still at large

GEARY COUNTY — Searchers continued their efforts Monday to recover the body of a suspected drowning victim in the Curtis Creek area on the northwest side of Milford Lake, according to the Geary County Sheriff's Department.

Jesse Paul Sockness, 41, Lawrence, disappeared while swimming in the lake on&nbsp; April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Searchers planned to work from the shoreline Tuesday due to the anticipated high winds and waves at the lake.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652195537989.png" alt="Search crews on the lake -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Search crews on the lake -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY — Searchers continued their efforts Monday to recover the body of a suspected drowning victim in the Curtis Creek area on the northwest side of Milford Lake, according to the Geary County Sheriff's Department.Jesse Paul Sockness, 41, Lawrence, disappeared while swimming in the lake on&nbsp; April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;Searchers planned to work from the shoreline Tuesday due to the anticipated high winds and waves at the lake.

Search continues for body of drowning victim at Kansas lake

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two boys in connection with a burglary and shooting.

At 11:50 p.m., Sunday, an alert victim saw two individuals breaking into his vehicle in the 5700 Block of SW 14th Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Manual Munoz.

The Victim went outside to confront the individuals who took off running after he yelled at them. The victim began to chase the subject and one of them fired several shots at him. The victim retreated and was not struck or injured.

Victims called dispatch and provided a great description of the subjects who were later located near a park in the area. Officers also located a firearm in the park after an article search. Police transported both individuals, later determined to be juveniles, to the law enforcement center for further questioning.

As a result of the investigation, one of the juveniles was transported to Juvenile Department of Corrections. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by Juvenile and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm in the City Limits, according to Munoz. The other boy was released to the custody of his parents.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two boys in connection with a burglary and shooting.At 11:50 p.m., Sunday, an alert victim saw two individuals breaking into his vehicle in the 5700 Block of SW 14th Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Manual Munoz.The Victim went outside to confront the individuals who took off running after he yelled at them. The victim began to chase the subject and one of them fired several shots at him. The victim retreated and was not struck or injured.Victims called dispatch and provided a great description of the subjects who were later located near a park in the area. Officers also located a firearm in the park after an article search. Police transported both individuals, later determined to be juveniles, to the law enforcement center for further questioning.As a result of the investigation, one of the juveniles was transported to Juvenile Department of Corrections. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by Juvenile and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm in the City Limits, according to Munoz. The other boy was released to the custody of his parents.

Police: Kan. juvenile burglary suspect fired shots at victim

INMAN — Inman voters have approved a $5 million athletic facilities bond issue, with the final numbers confirmed after the Monday canvass at the McPherson County courthouse. The bond passed by six votes, 387 Yes to 381 No.

According to the district, the $5 million bond will be paid over 15 years, with only the first three years of the bond resulting in a significant tax increase. After the other bond that is still on comes off in three years, taxes will drop back to a similar level to where they are currently.

For those three years, the increase on a $150,000 home will be $57.08 a year. The increase on a 160-acre piece of irrigated land will be $74.81 a year.

Those projections only figure in the current debt service and the addition that will be made through the new $5 million bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652116745316.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>INMAN — Inman voters have approved a $5 million athletic facilities bond issue, with the final numbers confirmed after the Monday canvass at the McPherson County courthouse. The bond passed by six votes, 387 Yes to 381 No.According to the district, the $5 million bond will be paid over 15 years, with only the first three years of the bond resulting in a significant tax increase. After the other bond that is still on comes off in three years, taxes will drop back to a similar level to where they are currently.For those three years, the increase on a $150,000 home will be $57.08 a year. The increase on a 160-acre piece of irrigated land will be $74.81 a year.Those projections only figure in the current debt service and the addition that will be made through the new $5 million bond.

Inman, USD 448 school bond passes by six votes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Monday to beef up security for Supreme Court justices, ensuring they and their families are protected as the court deliberates abortion access and whether to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

The bipartisan bill, which passed by voice vote with no objections, did not provide additional funding, which could come later. But it aims to put the court on par with the executive and legislative branches, ensuring the nine justices are provided security as some protesters have gathered outside their homes. The bill now moves to the House for its consideration.

Protests have erupted in front of the Supreme Court and around the country after a leaked draft opinion suggested a majority of conservatives on the court are prepared to end the constitutional right to an abortion from the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling.

The legislation is a technical change that allows Supreme Court law enforcement to provide around-the-clock security to immediate family members, in line with protection for certain people in the executive and legislative branches. It was sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Cornyn said threats to Supreme Court justices and their families are “disgraceful” and attempts to intimidate the independence of the judiciary branch shouldn't be tolerated.

“The House must take up and pass it immediately,” Cornyn said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651754402764.jpeg" alt="Security fence placed around the U.S. Supreme Court last week-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Security fence placed around the U.S. Supreme Court last week-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARY CLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCAROWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Monday to beef up security for Supreme Court justices, ensuring they and their families are protected as the court deliberates abortion access and whether to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.The bipartisan bill, which passed by voice vote with no objections, did not provide additional funding, which could come later. But it aims to put the court on par with the executive and legislative branches, ensuring the nine justices are provided security as some protesters have gathered outside their homes. The bill now moves to the House for its consideration.Protests have erupted in front of the Supreme Court and around the country after a leaked draft opinion suggested a majority of conservatives on the court are prepared to end the constitutional right to an abortion from the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling.The legislation is a technical change that allows Supreme Court law enforcement to provide around-the-clock security to immediate family members, in line with protection for certain people in the executive and legislative branches. It was sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.Cornyn said threats to Supreme Court justices and their families are “disgraceful” and attempts to intimidate the independence of the judiciary branch shouldn't be tolerated.“The House must take up and pass it immediately,” Cornyn said.

Senate passes bill to boost security for Supreme Court

You’ve been invited to check out one of your favorite retailers to 
secretly shop their store and evaluate the quality of service and 
product availability. The best part? You get to keep the items plus earn
 a paycheck as a mystery shopper.

If this sounds too good to be true, it very well could be. Many 
mystery shopper opportunities are scams. Here’s how to tell a real gig 
from this common con.

You receive an offer via email, text, or a social media network to 
become a secret shopper. In other cases, you may apply to a secret 
shopper job advertised online. Either way, the company offers you the 
job right away. You are so perfect for the position, they claim, you 
don't even need to interview.

In the most common version of this scam, the company mails you a 
check to cover your secret shopper purchases. You are asked to buy a few
 things and send back the remaining money. Unfortunately, the check is a
 fake. It will bounce, and you’ll be left footing the full bill and the 
bank fees associated with it

However, scammers are getting creative with secret shoppers cons. Be on the lookout for twists. For example, one victim told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 about the following: “I saw a job posting on LinkedIn for a secret 
shopper position. I applied and shortly afterwards received a check in 
the mail. The check was for $2,470 and the business wanted me to go to 
local stores, purchase gift cards with $2,000, and keep the rest as pay.
 I was supposed to scratch off the security covers and send pictures.” 
In another version of this scam, con artists offer high paying 
assignments with one small catch: you need to pay a registration fee to 
participate.

How to avoid secret shopper scams

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBYou’ve been invited to check out one of your favorite retailers to 
secretly shop their store and evaluate the quality of service and 
product availability. The best part? You get to keep the items plus earn
 a paycheck as a mystery shopper.If this sounds too good to be true, it very well could be. Many 
mystery shopper opportunities are scams. Here’s how to tell a real gig 
from this common con.<h2>How mystery shopper scams work</h2>You receive an offer via email, text, or a social media network to 
become a secret shopper. In other cases, you may apply to a secret 
shopper job advertised online. Either way, the company offers you the 
job right away. You are so perfect for the position, they claim, you 
don't even need to interview.In the most common version of this scam, the company mails you a 
check to cover your secret shopper purchases. You are asked to buy a few
 things and send back the remaining money. Unfortunately, the check is a
 fake. It will bounce, and you’ll be left footing the full bill and the 
bank fees associated with itHowever, scammers are getting creative with secret shoppers cons. Be on the lookout for twists. For example, one victim told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 about the following: “I saw a job posting on LinkedIn for a secret 
shopper position. I applied and shortly afterwards received a check in 
the mail. The check was for $2,470 and the business wanted me to go to 
local stores, purchase gift cards with $2,000, and keep the rest as pay.
 I was supposed to scratch off the security covers and send pictures.” 
In another version of this scam, con artists offer high paying 
assignments with one small catch: you need to pay a registration fee to 
participate.<h2>How to avoid secret shopper scams </h2><ul>
 <li>Research the secret shopper companies before applying.
 Before applying to a secret shopper job, make sure the company exists, 
has working contact information, and has good reviews and feedback from 
previous employees. Search online with the company name and the word 
“scam” to find other reports. </li><li>Check the Mystery Shopper Professionals Association database. Visit <a href="https://www.mspa-americas.org/">MSPA Americas</a>
 to search a database of MSPA members for legitimate mystery shopping 
providers. However, scammers do impersonate real companies and their job
 postings, so watch out for these other warning signs too. </li><li>Be wary of companies that hire on the spot. Real 
businesses will want to get to know you before they hire you. If a 
company reaches out to you out of the blue with a guaranteed position in
 their company, it’s probably a scam. </li><li>Beware of jobs that involve receiving and returning money. Legitimate
 companies don’t generally send money to new employees before work is 
done. They certainly don’t ask you to return funds that you’ve already 
been paid. </li><li>Never wire money or buy prepaid debit cards for strangers. Scammers
 love to ask people to wire money or send prepaid gift cards. Once 
you’ve wired money or sent the gift card information, there is no way to
 get your money back. Be very careful with <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/25956-bbb-tip-know-your-rights-and-responsibilities-when-it-comes-to-payment-types">these forms of payment</a>.</li>
 </ul>

BBB: Secret shopper job sounds cool, but it's really a scam

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The first telephone call Jill Biden made from her black SUV after an unannounced meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart inside the embattled country was to her husband, President Joe Biden.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jill-biden-migration-slovakia-d22b406bd735c1899a55ba656cbbc317">Biden and Olena Zelenska</a>, who had not been seen in public since President Vladimir Putin sent Russia’s military into her country nearly 11 weeks ago, had just spent about two hours together at a school in Uzhhorod in western Ukraine.

With her visit to the Ukraine war zone, the U.S. first lady was able to act as a second pair of eyes and ears for the president, who so far has been unable to visit the country himself.

“Sometimes the first lady is able to do things and get into places where the president can’t,” said Myra Gutin, author of “The President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century.”

Jill Biden wrapped up her four-day trip to Eastern Europe on Monday after meeting in Bratislava with Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s first female president. Her trip over the border on Sunday to meet with Zelenska and refugees from elsewhere in Ukraine was a highpoint of the visit.

Seated across from Caputova, Jill Biden said she told her husband in their phone call “just how much I saw the need to support the people of Ukraine” and about “the horrors and the brutality that the people I had met had experienced.”

Ever since Russia opened war on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been open about wanting Biden to visit him in Kyiv, just like many other world leaders have done, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau on Sunday.

The closest President Biden has been to Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-europe-european-union-069f04d92a20f125a487fbb9bc121bd9">was a stop in Rzeszow, Poland</a>, in late March after he went to Brussels to discuss the war with other world leaders. At the time, he publicly lamented that he was not allowed to cross the Polish border and go into western Ukraine.

“Part of my disappointment is that I can’t see it firsthand ... they will not let me,” Biden said, likely speaking about the ever-present security concerns associated with presidential travel that are heightened by any talk of sending him to an active war zone.

The White House said as recently as last week that while the president “would love to visit” Ukraine there were no plans for him to do so at this time.

Security is a concern for the first lady, too. But when she travels solo, she flies on a smaller plane than the president’s Air Force One and with a significantly smaller “package” of Secret Service agents, Air Force crew members, White House staff and, sometimes, journalists.

The difference in the “footprint” makes it easier for a first lady to act as an emissary for the president and then tell him about what she picks up during her travels.

Jill Biden had wanted to visit Ukraine in March but settled on a Mother’s Day weekend trip to help buck up Ukrainian moms who fled with their children to “frontline” countries like Slovakia that border Ukraine and have been taking them in.

During multiple stops in Romania and Slovakia, refugees shared their heartbreaking stories with the first lady — but also their gratitude for her visit as a high-profile symbol of U.S. support.

While first ladies lack the power or authority to send money or fighter jets, what they can do is show people that they — and the United States — care, Gutin said.

A first lady is a presidential adviser without comparison.

On a trip like this, “she will be able to say to the refuges, ‘I’m going to tell the president what I saw, I’m going to tell the president what you told me,’” Gutin, a professor at Rider University in New Jersey, said in an interview before the trip.

The first lady was so eager to tell the president about her meeting with Zelenska that he was the first person she called from her vehicle after that portion of the trip had concluded.

The trip gave Jill Biden something else, too: a chance to practice the “soft diplomacy” that first ladies engage in while representing the United States abroad.

Her first stop in Europe was a military base near the Black Sea in Romania to meet U.S. troops deployed there by the president in the run-up to the Russia-Ukraine war. She brought them 50 gallons of ketchup after learning that base supplies of the condiment had run low.

She had the belly of her plane packed with seven trunks of supplies for refugees, including blankets, playing cards, coloring books and crayons, T-shirts, gardenia-scented candles, toiletry kits and other items. The White House logo or the Bidens’ signatures were on everything.

As she interacted with displaced Ukrainians and the volunteers helping them, the first lady sometimes turned the person she was face to face with around and asked them to tell their story to the journalists in the room.

“Come here so the press can hear you, then they know what you’re doing,” she said Sunday while repositioning a local volunteer working in one of the tents at a processing facility at the Slovak border crossing in Vysne Nemecke.

Jill Biden sported a large Ukraine flag pin on her lapel after she returned to the Kosice airport from Ukraine. It was a gift from the head of Zelenska’s security detail after the U.S. first lady presented him with one of her souvenir coins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652118741146.png" alt="Jill Biden wrapped up her four-day trip to Eastern Europe on Monday after meeting in Bratislava with Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s first female president.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Jill Biden wrapped up her four-day trip to Eastern Europe on Monday after meeting in Bratislava with Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s first female president.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The first telephone call Jill Biden made from her black SUV after an unannounced meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart inside the embattled country was to her husband, President Joe Biden.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jill-biden-migration-slovakia-d22b406bd735c1899a55ba656cbbc317">Biden and Olena Zelenska</a>, who had not been seen in public since President Vladimir Putin sent Russia’s military into her country nearly 11 weeks ago, had just spent about two hours together at a school in Uzhhorod in western Ukraine.With her visit to the Ukraine war zone, the U.S. first lady was able to act as a second pair of eyes and ears for the president, who so far has been unable to visit the country himself.“Sometimes the first lady is able to do things and get into places where the president can’t,” said Myra Gutin, author of “The President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century.”Jill Biden wrapped up her four-day trip to Eastern Europe on Monday after meeting in Bratislava with Zuzana Caputova, Slovakia’s first female president. Her trip over the border on Sunday to meet with Zelenska and refugees from elsewhere in Ukraine was a highpoint of the visit.Seated across from Caputova, Jill Biden said she told her husband in their phone call “just how much I saw the need to support the people of Ukraine” and about “the horrors and the brutality that the people I had met had experienced.”Ever since Russia opened war on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been open about wanting Biden to visit him in Kyiv, just like many other world leaders have done, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau on Sunday.The closest President Biden has been to Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-europe-european-union-069f04d92a20f125a487fbb9bc121bd9">was a stop in Rzeszow, Poland</a>, in late March after he went to Brussels to discuss the war with other world leaders. At the time, he publicly lamented that he was not allowed to cross the Polish border and go into western Ukraine.“Part of my disappointment is that I can’t see it firsthand ... they will not let me,” Biden said, likely speaking about the ever-present security concerns associated with presidential travel that are heightened by any talk of sending him to an active war zone.The White House said as recently as last week that while the president “would love to visit” Ukraine there were no plans for him to do so at this time.Security is a concern for the first lady, too. But when she travels solo, she flies on a smaller plane than the president’s Air Force One and with a significantly smaller “package” of Secret Service agents, Air Force crew members, White House staff and, sometimes, journalists.The difference in the “footprint” makes it easier for a first lady to act as an emissary for the president and then tell him about what she picks up during her travels.Jill Biden had wanted to visit Ukraine in March but settled on a Mother’s Day weekend trip to help buck up Ukrainian moms who fled with their children to “frontline” countries like Slovakia that border Ukraine and have been taking them in.During multiple stops in Romania and Slovakia, refugees shared their heartbreaking stories with the first lady — but also their gratitude for her visit as a high-profile symbol of U.S. support.While first ladies lack the power or authority to send money or fighter jets, what they can do is show people that they — and the United States — care, Gutin said.A first lady is a presidential adviser without comparison.On a trip like this, “she will be able to say to the refuges, ‘I’m going to tell the president what I saw, I’m going to tell the president what you told me,’” Gutin, a professor at Rider University in New Jersey, said in an interview before the trip.The first lady was so eager to tell the president about her meeting with Zelenska that he was the first person she called from her vehicle after that portion of the trip had concluded.The trip gave Jill Biden something else, too: a chance to practice the “soft diplomacy” that first ladies engage in while representing the United States abroad.Her first stop in Europe was a military base near the Black Sea in Romania to meet U.S. troops deployed there by the president in the run-up to the Russia-Ukraine war. She brought them 50 gallons of ketchup after learning that base supplies of the condiment had run low.She had the belly of her plane packed with seven trunks of supplies for refugees, including blankets, playing cards, coloring books and crayons, T-shirts, gardenia-scented candles, toiletry kits and other items. The White House logo or the Bidens’ signatures were on everything.As she interacted with displaced Ukrainians and the volunteers helping them, the first lady sometimes turned the person she was face to face with around and asked them to tell their story to the journalists in the room.“Come here so the press can hear you, then they know what you’re doing,” she said Sunday while repositioning a local volunteer working in one of the tents at a processing facility at the Slovak border crossing in Vysne Nemecke.Soft diplomacy works in reverse, too.Jill Biden sported a large Ukraine flag pin on her lapel after she returned to the Kosice airport from Ukraine. It was a gift from the head of Zelenska’s security detail after the U.S. first lady presented him with one of her souvenir coins.

Jill Biden was president's eyes, ears on trip to Ukraine

HARVEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday in Harvey County.

A maintenance vehicle turned over on East First Street between Oliver and Woodlawn roads, according to a social media report from the Harvey Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; The driver was found, pinned inside the truck in critical condition.&nbsp; Crews worked diligently for just over an hour to free the patient, cutting away parts of the cab and using hydraulic spreaders and rams to gain access, according to Newton Fire and EMS.

Eagle Med air-lifted the patient to Wesley Medical Center.

First Street was closed between Oliver and Woodlawn for several hours as maintenance crews worked to get the vehicle upright and cleaning up spilled diesel fuel.

The sheriff's department did not release the driver's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652177437197.png" alt="Monday accident in Harvey County-photo Harvey County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Monday accident in Harvey County-photo Harvey County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday in Harvey County.A maintenance vehicle turned over on East First Street between Oliver and Woodlawn roads, according to a social media report from the Harvey Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; The driver was found, pinned inside the truck in critical condition.&nbsp; Crews worked diligently for just over an hour to free the patient, cutting away parts of the cab and using hydraulic spreaders and rams to gain access, according to Newton Fire and EMS.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652177722905.png" alt="Photos courtesy Newton Fire and EMS" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Newton Fire and EMS</figcaption>
 </figure>Eagle Med air-lifted the patient to Wesley Medical Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652177909509.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First Street was closed between Oliver and Woodlawn for several hours as maintenance crews worked to get the vehicle upright and cleaning up spilled diesel fuel.The sheriff's department did not release the driver's name.

Kansas man air-lifted to hospital after truck overturns

EVANSVILLE, Indiana (AP) –A former Alabama jail official on the run with a murder suspect she was accused of helping escape shot and killed herself Monday as authorities caught up with the pair after more than a week of searching, officials said. The man she fled with surrendered.

The death of Vicky White, 56, only deepened the mystery of why a respected jail official would leave everything to help free Casey White, 38, a hulking inmate with a violent and frightening history.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-escaped-inmate-missing-correctional-officer-6a15511d74faee827af19e0fae78fc6c">two fugitives</a>&nbsp;were caught — following a manhunt through three states — in Evansville, Indiana, when U.S. Marshals chasing them crashed into their vehicle, authorities said. Casey White gave himself up and Vicky White shot herself and was taken to a hospital, authorities said. Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said she died from her injuries.

Before Vicky White’s death, authorities celebrated the fugitives’ apprehension.

“We got a dangerous man off the street today. He is never going to see the light of day again. That is a good thing, for not just our community. That’s a good thing for our country,” Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton of Alabama said.

The manhunt began April 29 when Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for the jail in Lauderdale County, allegedly helped engineer the escape of Casey White, who was awaiting trial in a capital murder case. Vicky White had told co-workers she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-54e8920ec04985ffaf4e9d5d75c50e90">taking the inmate from the jail</a>&nbsp;for a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but the two, who are not related, instead fled the area.

The car they took off in was later found abandoned in Tennessee, but there was no trace of the pair until U.S. Marshals received a tip Sunday that surveillance photos from an Evansville car wash showed a man who closely resembled Casey White exiting a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the Marshals Service said. White stands 6 feet, 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs about 260 pounds (118 kilograms).

On Monday, officials learned that the pair was spotted near the sheriff’s office, said Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding in Indiana. As officers arrived, the pair fled in a vehicle and led police on a pursuit, he said. U.S. Marshals collided with them “to try to end the pursuit,” he said. Casey White was injured, not too seriously, in the crash and Vicky White then shot herself, causing “very serious” injuries, he said.

“We’re lucky that no law enforcement was injured, no innocent civilians were injured, the pursuit was short in nature and we have both people in custody,” Wedding said.

Casey White was serving a 75-year prison sentence for attempted murder and other charges at the time of his escape. He was awaiting trial in the stabbing of a 58-year-old woman during a burglary in 2015. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Federal and local law enforcement officials have also learned Casey White threatened to kill his former girlfriend and his sister in 2015 and said “that he wanted police to kill him,” the Marshals Service said.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-florence-treatment-of-prisoners-69d5605872860d12e415e2bbe96092d1">warrant was issued on May 2</a>&nbsp;for Vicky Sue White charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.

Before her death was announced, the Alabama sheriff said he hoped to get answers from his once trusted jail employee about her actions but acknowledged those answers might not come. “I had every bit of trust in Vicky White. She has been an exemplary employee. What in the world provoked her, prompted her to pull a stunt like this? I don’t know. I don’t know if we’ll ever know,” Singleton said.

Vicky White’s family members and co-workers said they were stunned by her involvement. Singleton said it appeared the plan had been in the works for some time. Jail inmates said the two had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-florence-84a97f256406f02e8c2ee1f6a46f8c0d">special relationship</a>&nbsp;and she gave Casey White better treatment than other inmates.

In the past several months, she bought a rifle and a shotgun and also was known to have a handgun, U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said.

She sold her house for about half of market value and bought a 2007 orange Ford Edge that she stashed at a shopping center without license plates.

“This escape was obviously well-planned and calculated. A lot of preparation went into this. They had plenty of resources, had cash, had vehicles,” Singleton said.

The escape happened on what Vicky White said was going to be her last day at work. She told co-workers that Casey White had a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but none was scheduled. She did not have a second officer accompany them, which was against jail policy.

Video showed the pair went from the jail to the shopping center, where they picked up the Ford and left, Singleton said. Their flight was not discovered for much of the day.

Investigators believe the pickup truck Casey White had at the car wash was stolen in Tennessee and then driven about 175 miles to Evansville, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

EVANSVILLE, Indiana (AP) –Escaped inmate Casey White and former jail official Vicky White were taken into custody Monday in Indiana, according to an Alabama sheriff.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said they two fugitives were caught near Evansville, Indiana, after a chase with U.S. Marshals. Marshals were pursuing a pickup driven by Casey White when the truck wrecked and he surrendered, the sheriff said. Vicky White was taken to a hospital.

“Casey White and Vicky White are in custody,” Singleton said. “This has ended a very long and stressful and challenging week and a half. It ended the way that we knew it would. They are in custody.”

The two had been the target of a nationwide manhunt since April 29 when Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for the jail in Lauderdale County, helped engineer the escape of Casey White, who was awaiting trial in a capital murder case. Vicky White had told co-workers she was taking the inmate from the jail for a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but the two instead fled the area.

The truck was found Monday in Evansville, Indiana, after U.S. Marshals received a tip Sunday that the 2006 Ford F-150 pickup was seen at a car wash in the town, the Marshals Service said. Surveillance photos showed a man who closely resembles Casey White exiting the vehicle at the car wash, officials said.

Investigators believe the pickup truck was stolen in Tennessee and then driven about 175 miles to Evansville, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

A warrant was issued on May 2 for Vicky Sue White charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.

Federal and local law enforcement officials have also learned Casey White threatened to kill his former girlfriend and his sister in 2015 and said, “that he wanted police to kill him,” the Marshals Service said. Investigators said they have been in contact with them about the threats and are taking measures to ensure their safety.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652134811046.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EVANSVILLE, Indiana (AP) –A former Alabama jail official on the run with a murder suspect she was accused of helping escape shot and killed herself Monday as authorities caught up with the pair after more than a week of searching, officials said. The man she fled with surrendered.The death of Vicky White, 56, only deepened the mystery of why a respected jail official would leave everything to help free Casey White, 38, a hulking inmate with a violent and frightening history.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-escaped-inmate-missing-correctional-officer-6a15511d74faee827af19e0fae78fc6c">two fugitives</a>&nbsp;were caught — following a manhunt through three states — in Evansville, Indiana, when U.S. Marshals chasing them crashed into their vehicle, authorities said. Casey White gave himself up and Vicky White shot herself and was taken to a hospital, authorities said. Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said she died from her injuries.Before Vicky White’s death, authorities celebrated the fugitives’ apprehension.“We got a dangerous man off the street today. He is never going to see the light of day again. That is a good thing, for not just our community. That’s a good thing for our country,” Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton of Alabama said.The manhunt began April 29 when Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for the jail in Lauderdale County, allegedly helped engineer the escape of Casey White, who was awaiting trial in a capital murder case. Vicky White had told co-workers she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-54e8920ec04985ffaf4e9d5d75c50e90">taking the inmate from the jail</a>&nbsp;for a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but the two, who are not related, instead fled the area.The car they took off in was later found abandoned in Tennessee, but there was no trace of the pair until U.S. Marshals received a tip Sunday that surveillance photos from an Evansville car wash showed a man who closely resembled Casey White exiting a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the Marshals Service said. White stands 6 feet, 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs about 260 pounds (118 kilograms).On Monday, officials learned that the pair was spotted near the sheriff’s office, said Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding in Indiana. As officers arrived, the pair fled in a vehicle and led police on a pursuit, he said. U.S. Marshals collided with them “to try to end the pursuit,” he said. Casey White was injured, not too seriously, in the crash and Vicky White then shot herself, causing “very serious” injuries, he said.“We’re lucky that no law enforcement was injured, no innocent civilians were injured, the pursuit was short in nature and we have both people in custody,” Wedding said.Casey White was serving a 75-year prison sentence for attempted murder and other charges at the time of his escape. He was awaiting trial in the stabbing of a 58-year-old woman during a burglary in 2015. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.Federal and local law enforcement officials have also learned Casey White threatened to kill his former girlfriend and his sister in 2015 and said “that he wanted police to kill him,” the Marshals Service said.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-florence-treatment-of-prisoners-69d5605872860d12e415e2bbe96092d1">warrant was issued on May 2</a>&nbsp;for Vicky Sue White charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.Before her death was announced, the Alabama sheriff said he hoped to get answers from his once trusted jail employee about her actions but acknowledged those answers might not come. “I had every bit of trust in Vicky White. She has been an exemplary employee. What in the world provoked her, prompted her to pull a stunt like this? I don’t know. I don’t know if we’ll ever know,” Singleton said.Vicky White’s family members and co-workers said they were stunned by her involvement. Singleton said it appeared the plan had been in the works for some time. Jail inmates said the two had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-florence-84a97f256406f02e8c2ee1f6a46f8c0d">special relationship</a>&nbsp;and she gave Casey White better treatment than other inmates.In the past several months, she bought a rifle and a shotgun and also was known to have a handgun, U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said.She sold her house for about half of market value and bought a 2007 orange Ford Edge that she stashed at a shopping center without license plates.“This escape was obviously well-planned and calculated. A lot of preparation went into this. They had plenty of resources, had cash, had vehicles,” Singleton said.The escape happened on what Vicky White said was going to be her last day at work. She told co-workers that Casey White had a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but none was scheduled. She did not have a second officer accompany them, which was against jail policy.Video showed the pair went from the jail to the shopping center, where they picked up the Ford and left, Singleton said. Their flight was not discovered for much of the day.Investigators believe the pickup truck Casey White had at the car wash was stolen in Tennessee and then driven about 175 miles to Evansville, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.--------EVANSVILLE, Indiana (AP) –Escaped inmate Casey White and former jail official Vicky White were taken into custody Monday in Indiana, according to an Alabama sheriff.Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said they two fugitives were caught near Evansville, Indiana, after a chase with U.S. Marshals. Marshals were pursuing a pickup driven by Casey White when the truck wrecked and he surrendered, the sheriff said. Vicky White was taken to a hospital.“Casey White and Vicky White are in custody,” Singleton said. “This has ended a very long and stressful and challenging week and a half. It ended the way that we knew it would. They are in custody.”The two had been the target of a nationwide manhunt since April 29 when Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for the jail in Lauderdale County, helped engineer the escape of Casey White, who was awaiting trial in a capital murder case. Vicky White had told co-workers she was taking the inmate from the jail for a mental health evaluation at the courthouse, but the two instead fled the area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652134478478.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The truck was found Monday in Evansville, Indiana, after U.S. Marshals received a tip Sunday that the 2006 Ford F-150 pickup was seen at a car wash in the town, the Marshals Service said. Surveillance photos showed a man who closely resembles Casey White exiting the vehicle at the car wash, officials said.Investigators believe the pickup truck was stolen in Tennessee and then driven about 175 miles to Evansville, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.A warrant was issued on May 2 for Vicky Sue White charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.Federal and local law enforcement officials have also learned Casey White threatened to kill his former girlfriend and his sister in 2015 and said, “that he wanted police to kill him,” the Marshals Service said. Investigators said they have been in contact with them about the threats and are taking measures to ensure their safety.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: Fugitive inmate captured, ex-jail officer dead

PRATT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.

Following an investigation into allegations that a child had been sexually assaulted,&nbsp; police arrested 62-year-old Larry  Bereis, according to a media release from police.

Bereis is currently being held on a $500,000 bond on requested charges of sexual assault of a child &lt; 14 years of age.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652105332811.png" alt="Beireis is being held on a $500,000 bond-photo Pratt Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Beireis is being held on a $500,000 bond-photo Pratt Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes.Following an investigation into allegations that a child had been sexually assaulted,&nbsp; police arrested 62-year-old Larry Bereis, according to a media release from police.Bereis is currently being held on a $500,000 bond on requested charges of sexual assault of a child &lt; 14 years of age.

Kansas man held on $500K bond for alleged child sex crimes

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a weekend arrest.

Just before 1:30a.m. Saturday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on an ATV in the 100 block of North 5th Street in Quenemo, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 The driver of the ATV, later identified as 39-year-old Richard W. Traver, Jr. 39, Quenemo,&nbsp; stopped, then fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit deputies apprehended him.

Deputies then transported Traver to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp; felony interference with a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a felony arrest warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652016356057.png" alt="Traver photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Traver photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a weekend arrest.Just before 1:30a.m. Saturday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on an ATV in the 100 block of North 5th Street in Quenemo, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. The driver of the ATV, later identified as 39-year-old Richard W. Traver, Jr. 39, Quenemo,&nbsp; stopped, then fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit deputies apprehended him.Deputies then transported Traver to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp; felony interference with a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a felony arrest warrant.

Kan. man accused of drug crimes after traffic stop of ATV

RENO COUNTY — A Kansas felon with a history of violent crime has been charged in a rape and kidnapping case involving a teen runaway.

&nbsp;Tyrone E. Carter, 51, has been charged with rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child older than 14 and younger than 16 and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Reno County District Attorney.

The complaint alleges that Carter had sex with the teen without her consent and while she was under the influence of a substance and that he held the victim against her will.

She told the court that Carter raped her twice, then drove her to Newton, where she was able to walk away and get help.

Because some of the details of the case are not yet clear, the crime has been charged with several potential alternatives, depending upon what set of facts the forensic evidence, once it's processed, will support.

Carter has over twenty convictions that include theft, forgery, aggravated battery, robbery, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651258961364.png" alt="Carter has over twenty convictions that include theft, forgery, aggravated battery, robbery, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Carter has over twenty convictions that include theft, forgery, aggravated battery, robbery, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — A Kansas felon with a history of violent crime has been charged in a rape and kidnapping case involving a teen runaway.&nbsp;Tyrone E. Carter, 51, has been charged with rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child older than 14 and younger than 16 and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Reno County District Attorney.The complaint alleges that Carter had sex with the teen without her consent and while she was under the influence of a substance and that he held the victim against her will.She told the court that Carter raped her twice, then drove her to Newton, where she was able to walk away and get help.Because some of the details of the case are not yet clear, the crime has been charged with several potential alternatives, depending upon what set of facts the forensic evidence, once it's processed, will support.Carter has over twenty convictions that include theft, forgery, aggravated battery, robbery, aggravated failure to appear and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections

Kan. career criminal charged with sex crimes against runaway 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to people with low incomes, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/">Click here&nbsp;</a>to read details on the program from the White House

“High speed internet is not a luxury any longer. It’s a necessity,” Biden said at a sun-drenched rose garden event with representatives from participating companies, as well as members of Congress.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">The $1 trillion infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.

With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with government assistance if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.

Biden noted that families of four earning about $55,000 annually — or those including someone eligible for Medicaid — will get a $30 monthly credit, meaning about 40 percent of Americans will qualify.

“This is a case where big business stepped up. We’re trying to get others to do the same thing,” Biden told the crowd to sustained applause. “It’s going to change peoples’ lives.”

“It might be a game-changer,” said Marty Newell, coordinator for Rural Broadband Policy at the Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, Kentucky, where he said slow internet has plagued residents and businesses alike.

Newell said he wanted to see more about what the program will mean going forward, but that his main question is — given that increased broadband access has generally been a bipartisan issue in Congress -- “What took them so long?”

Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable Wi-Fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic,</a>&nbsp;including, he said Monday, families driving to McDonald’s parking lots to access wireless internet inside the restaurant.

The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, the president said. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also met Monday with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households. The president said a top priority going forward will be increasing competition among internet providers in many parts of the country, noting that millions of Americans live in areas with just one provider and currently pay higher prices because of it.

The participating providers are Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&amp;T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.

American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to low-income Americans, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/">Click here </a>to read details from the White House

With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with the government subsidy if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.

Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable wi-fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>.

“If we didn’t know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential,” the Democratic president said during a White House event last month honoring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-jill-kurt-russell-ba1b6ecc47fc3046b17f3b564bbe45ef">the National Teacher of the Year</a>.

The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were set to meet with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.

The providers are Allo Communications , AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&amp;T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to people with low incomes, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F725527678805286%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=610" 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><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/">Click here&nbsp;</a>to read details on the program from the White House“High speed internet is not a luxury any longer. It’s a necessity,” Biden said at a sun-drenched rose garden event with representatives from participating companies, as well as members of Congress.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">The $1 trillion infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with government assistance if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.Biden noted that families of four earning about $55,000 annually — or those including someone eligible for Medicaid — will get a $30 monthly credit, meaning about 40 percent of Americans will qualify.“This is a case where big business stepped up. We’re trying to get others to do the same thing,” Biden told the crowd to sustained applause. “It’s going to change peoples’ lives.”Advocates were cautiously optimistic.“It might be a game-changer,” said Marty Newell, coordinator for Rural Broadband Policy at the Center for Rural Strategies in Whitesburg, Kentucky, where he said slow internet has plagued residents and businesses alike.Newell said he wanted to see more about what the program will mean going forward, but that his main question is — given that increased broadband access has generally been a bipartisan issue in Congress -- “What took them so long?”Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable Wi-Fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic,</a>&nbsp;including, he said Monday, families driving to McDonald’s parking lots to access wireless internet inside the restaurant.The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, the president said. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also met Monday with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households. The president said a top priority going forward will be increasing competition among internet providers in many parts of the country, noting that millions of Americans live in areas with just one provider and currently pay higher prices because of it.The participating providers are Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&amp;T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.-------WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to low-income Americans, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/">Click here </a>to read details from the White House<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">The $1 trillion infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with the government subsidy if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable wi-fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>.“If we didn’t know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential,” the Democratic president said during a White House event last month honoring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-jill-kurt-russell-ba1b6ecc47fc3046b17f3b564bbe45ef">the National Teacher of the Year</a>.The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were set to meet with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.The providers are Allo Communications , AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&amp;T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.

🎥 New program offers discounted internet service for millions

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

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had wide-ranging impacts on
the world as a whole and now threatens global food security.

Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt says the full impact of the war
on food supply is just now beginning to emerge.

“There’s a growing awareness of how much impact this could
have, not just in Ukraine or in Europe, but in Africa,” Bond says in an
interview with KFEQ. “Ukraine and Russia combined produce about 25% of all the
wheat exports in the world.”

Ukraine produces a large portion of the food stuffs for Europe
and Africa. In addition to wheat, Ukraine produces more than 20% of the world’s
corn. It produces nearly all the sunflower oil. Blunt says Europe and Africa
are facing possible food shortages due to the war in Ukraine. Blunt says Africa
relies on the raw grain coming out of Ukraine to produce its food.

Russia’s war on Ukraine has kept Ukrainian farmers out of the
field and has blocked the export of crops in the grain bins. Also, farm
supplies on which the United States relies have been held up by the war.

“So much of the fertilizer that comes out of Russia, and some
of it comes out of Ukraine, and we’re not seeing that as well,” Blunt says. “Even
before this happened, nitrogen was up by 175%. Now it’s 200% higher than it was
a year ago.”

Blunt says that has had a real impact here, driving up
agricultural input costs, such as diesel prices.

“You take fuel prices and add to that fertilizer prices and then
have parts of the world that have been served by somebody else suddenly desperately
needing food and we’re truly trying it figure out what to do both in the United
States as we think about that and what to do right now in Ukraine to figure out
how to get the food out of there that’s currently there.”

KFEQ Agriculture Director Dionne Bertling contributed to this article. Cover image courtesy Pixabay.

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had wide-ranging impacts on
the world as a whole and now threatens global food security.Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt says the full impact of the war
on food supply is just now beginning to emerge.“There’s a growing awareness of how much impact this could
have, not just in Ukraine or in Europe, but in Africa,” Bond says in an
interview with KFEQ. “Ukraine and Russia combined produce about 25% of all the
wheat exports in the world.”Ukraine produces a large portion of the food stuffs for Europe
and Africa. In addition to wheat, Ukraine produces more than 20% of the world’s
corn. It produces nearly all the sunflower oil. Blunt says Europe and Africa
are facing possible food shortages due to the war in Ukraine. Blunt says Africa
relies on the raw grain coming out of Ukraine to produce its food.Russia’s war on Ukraine has kept Ukrainian farmers out of the
field and has blocked the export of crops in the grain bins. Also, farm
supplies on which the United States relies have been held up by the war.“So much of the fertilizer that comes out of Russia, and some
of it comes out of Ukraine, and we’re not seeing that as well,” Blunt says. “Even
before this happened, nitrogen was up by 175%. Now it’s 200% higher than it was
a year ago.”Blunt says that has had a real impact here, driving up
agricultural input costs, such as diesel prices.“You take fuel prices and add to that fertilizer prices and then
have parts of the world that have been served by somebody else suddenly desperately
needing food and we’re truly trying it figure out what to do both in the United
States as we think about that and what to do right now in Ukraine to figure out
how to get the food out of there that’s currently there.”KFEQ Agriculture Director Dionne Bertling contributed to this article. Cover image courtesy Pixabay.

Russia's war on Ukraine could cause global food shortage

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)&nbsp; announced Monday the continuation of the free COVID-19 testing program for summer camps for the 2022 season. COVID-19 testing is a key strategy that summer camps can utilize to identify early cases and prevent transmission in the camp setting.

Summer camps can choose to use point-of-care (POC), Over-the-counter (OTC), or both test options to fit the camps' needs and resources best and make sure their campers and staff remain safe this summer.

Camps may choose to implement any of the following testing strategies. A specialist at KDHE will help camps plan the best strategies to fit their needs and to provide training on use of the tests, as needed.

Screening testing:&nbsp;Regularly test participants and staff even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

Diagnostic testing (testing persons with symptoms):&nbsp;Offer diagnostic testing through POC tests to support participants and staff who become symptomatic during camp.

Free COVID-19 testing resources are available for all summer camps in Kansas. For more information, summer camps can contact Kim Boucher at (316) 243-8364 or via&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Kimberly.Boucher@ks.gov;%20Sarah.Allin@ks.gov" target="_blank">email</a>.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)&nbsp; announced Monday the continuation of the free COVID-19 testing program for summer camps for the 2022 season. COVID-19 testing is a key strategy that summer camps can utilize to identify early cases and prevent transmission in the camp setting.Summer camps can choose to use point-of-care (POC), Over-the-counter (OTC), or both test options to fit the camps' needs and resources best and make sure their campers and staff remain safe this summer.Camps may choose to implement any of the following testing strategies. A specialist at KDHE will help camps plan the best strategies to fit their needs and to provide training on use of the tests, as needed.Screening testing:&nbsp;Regularly test participants and staff even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.<ul>
 <li>Pre-arrival screening testing – provide two OTC self-tests to participants and staff to take 48 and 24 hours before camp begins.</li><li>Screening testing on arrival – test participants and staff on arrival at camp using POC tests.</li><li>Routine screening testing – test participants and staff every other day using POC tests or OTC tests at home for testing every other day.</li>
 </ul>Diagnostic testing (testing persons with symptoms):&nbsp;Offer diagnostic testing through POC tests to support participants and staff who become symptomatic during camp.Free COVID-19 testing resources are available for all summer camps in Kansas. For more information, summer camps can contact Kim Boucher at (316) 243-8364 or via&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Kimberly.Boucher@ks.gov;%20Sarah.Allin@ks.gov" target="_blank">email</a>.

KDHE: Free COVID-19 testing supplies for summer camps

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families.

The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states. In Texas, for example, Gov. Gregg Abbott has directed state agencies to consider placing transgender children in foster care, though a judge has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-greg-abbott-texas-child-abuse-bad82efbb182e59030eaf9c4ca7cd3f8">temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;such investigations. And multiple states have approved measures prohibiting gender-affirming health care treatments for transgender youth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596824087253.png" alt="Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and the first transgender state lawmaker elected in Kansas-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and the first transgender state lawmaker elected in Kansas-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families.The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states. In Texas, for example, Gov. Gregg Abbott has directed state agencies to consider placing transgender children in foster care, though a judge has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-greg-abbott-texas-child-abuse-bad82efbb182e59030eaf9c4ca7cd3f8">temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;such investigations. And multiple states have approved measures prohibiting gender-affirming health care treatments for transgender youth.To combat such moves, lawmakers in both Minnesota and New York recently filed refuge state legislation modeled after the bill proposed in March by state Sen. Scott Wiener in California. Democrats in 16 other states plan to follow suit, though about half of their legislatures are out of session or not currently accepting new bills.Wiener said he immediately began hearing from other states after coming forward with his bill, which would reject any out-of-state court judgments removing children from their parents’ custody because they allowed gender-affirming health care. It also would make arrest warrants based on alleged violation of another state’s law against receiving such care the lowest priority for California law enforcement.“We’re sick of just playing defense against what these red states are doing,” Wiener said in an interview Monday. “We’re going on offense, we’re going to protect LGBQT kids and their families and we’re going to build a rainbow wall to protect our community.”Also joining the effort are LGBTQ lawmakers in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.Annise Parker, president and CEO of the Victory Institute, acknowledged that the legislation likely will fail in some states but said it was time to stand against the onslaught of bills targeting the LGBTQ community.“This is our opportunity to drive the conversation and the debate, and to call on our allies proactively to step up instead of allowing ourselves to be targeted,” said Parker, who was the first openly LGBTQ mayor of a major American city when she led Houston for six years.“We would love to see these bills in states where there are more progressive legislatures,” she said. “But we also think it’s important that trans kids and their families out there see and hear legislators from our community standing up and defending them.”Wiener said it is despicable that any family would have to consider moving to a new state to protect a child, but if that happens, he hopes as many states as possible will welcome them.“When your kid is being threatened with removal from your home, families are going to consider a lot of different options, and we just want to be clear that if you decide that’s the option for you, we’re going to do everything we can do to welcome you and protect you,” he said.