Secretary points to poor condition of thousands of Kan., Mo. bridges

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/buttigieg-points-to-pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-as-blunt-reminder-of-infrastructure-spending-needs/">Kansas Reflector</a>

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. 
transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday the collapse of a 
bridge in Pittsburgh illustrated the necessity of federal investment in 
the nation’s infrastructure, including more than 1,000 bridges in poor 
condition in Kansas and twice that total in Missouri.

Buttigieg braved winter chill to stand at the rusting Rock Island 
railroad bridge and the heavily used Cesar Chavez Bridge carrying 
vehicles over the Kansas River to outline benefits of bipartisan 
legislation signed by President Joe Biden expected to funnel billions of
 dollars into infrastructure projects in both states.

The secretary expressed appreciation to first responders and 
committed the agency to support of the investigation of the collapse in 
Pennsylvania.

“Bottom line is this shouldn’t happen in the United States of 
America,” he said. “It is a very blunt reminder, among many reminders, 
of just how urgent the need is to invest in American infrastructure.”

Buttigieg said safety problems with bridges and roads across the 
nation was a result of disinvestment in public infrastructure. The U.S. 
Department of Transportation has been working to distribute funding to 
address safety and modernization priorities, he said.

“Right here in Kansas there are more than 1,000 bridges in poor 
condition,” the secretary said. “Over 2,000 across the state line in 
Missouri. We need to get to work right away. Instead of wringing or 
hands about it, we’re actually doing it.”

He said resources would be for work on large, well-known bridges as 
well as smaller rural bridges that had fallen into disrepair.

“We have to help communities to get the resources to make those improvements,” he said.

Based on formula-based funding, Kansas would expect to receive $2.8 
billion and Missouri approximately $7 billion over five years in federal
 highway and bridge infrastructure funding. Both states also could 
compete for billions of additional infrastructure aid for roads, 
bridges, ports, broadband, emissions control and public safety projects.

Buttigieg spoke to reporters and local government officials at a news
 conference with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor 
Tyrone Garner and Kansas transportation secretary Julie Lorenz.

Davids, a Democrat representing the 3rd District and the only member 
of the Kansas congressional delegation to vote for the infrastructure 
bill, said the federal law would earmark about $225 million over five 
years to repair and modernize bridges in Kansas. More than 700 bridges 
her the 3rd District of Wyandotte and Johnson counties were in need of 
work.

“Six of the top 10 most traveled structurally deficient bridges in 
Kansas are in the Third District. With this new funding from the 
bipartisan infrastructure law, we can begin to clear the backlog of 
repairs and ensure that all our bridges are safe and sound for years to 
come,” Davids said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643401257716.png" alt="U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday during a visit to Kansas City, Kan., the tragic collapse of a Pittsburg bridge illustrated the necessity of federal infrastructure spending to make travel safer. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday during a visit to Kansas City, Kan., the tragic collapse of a Pittsburg bridge illustrated the necessity of federal infrastructure spending to make travel safer. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Secretary points to poor condition of thousands of Kan., Mo. bridges</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/buttigieg-points-to-pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-as-blunt-reminder-of-infrastructure-spending-needs/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. 
transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday the collapse of a 
bridge in Pittsburgh illustrated the necessity of federal investment in 
the nation’s infrastructure, including more than 1,000 bridges in poor 
condition in Kansas and twice that total in Missouri.Buttigieg braved winter chill to stand at the rusting Rock Island 
railroad bridge and the heavily used Cesar Chavez Bridge carrying 
vehicles over the Kansas River to outline benefits of bipartisan 
legislation signed by President Joe Biden expected to funnel billions of
 dollars into infrastructure projects in both states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643403211577.png" alt="Buttigieg with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in Kansas City Friday" />
 <figcaption>Buttigieg with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in Kansas City Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>The secretary expressed appreciation to first responders and 
committed the agency to support of the investigation of the collapse in 
Pennsylvania.“Bottom line is this shouldn’t happen in the United States of 
America,” he said. “It is a very blunt reminder, among many reminders, 
of just how urgent the need is to invest in American infrastructure.”Buttigieg said safety problems with bridges and roads across the 
nation was a result of disinvestment in public infrastructure. The U.S. 
Department of Transportation has been working to distribute funding to 
address safety and modernization priorities, he said.“Right here in Kansas there are more than 1,000 bridges in poor 
condition,” the secretary said. “Over 2,000 across the state line in 
Missouri. We need to get to work right away. Instead of wringing or 
hands about it, we’re actually doing it.”He said resources would be for work on large, well-known bridges as 
well as smaller rural bridges that had fallen into disrepair.“We have to help communities to get the resources to make those improvements,” he said.Based on formula-based funding, Kansas would expect to receive $2.8 
billion and Missouri approximately $7 billion over five years in federal
 highway and bridge infrastructure funding. Both states also could 
compete for billions of additional infrastructure aid for roads, 
bridges, ports, broadband, emissions control and public safety projects.Buttigieg spoke to reporters and local government officials at a news
 conference with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor 
Tyrone Garner and Kansas transportation secretary Julie Lorenz.Davids, a Democrat representing the 3rd District and the only member 
of the Kansas congressional delegation to vote for the infrastructure 
bill, said the federal law would earmark about $225 million over five 
years to repair and modernize bridges in Kansas. More than 700 bridges 
her the 3rd District of Wyandotte and Johnson counties were in need of 
work.“Six of the top 10 most traveled structurally deficient bridges in 
Kansas are in the Third District. With this new funding from the 
bipartisan infrastructure law, we can begin to clear the backlog of 
repairs and ensure that all our bridges are safe and sound for years to 
come,” Davids said.

Buttigieg in Kansas: Bridge collapse blunt reminder of infrastructure needs

WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of prices that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve rose 5.8% last year, the sharpest increase since 1982, as brisk consumer spending collided with snarled supply chains to raise the costs of food, furniture, appliances and other goods.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/pi1221.pdf" target="_blank">report Friday from the Commerce Department</a>&nbsp;also said that consumer spending fell 0.6% in December, with purchases of cars, electronics, and clothes declining. Higher prices might have discouraged some shoppers, along with a wave of omicron cases that kept many Americans from traveling, eating out or visiting entertainment venues.

At the same time, incomes rose 0.3% last month, providing fuel for future spending.

Stubbornly high inflation has hammered household budgets, wiped out last year’s healthy wage gains and posed a severe political challenge to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress. It also led the Federal Reserve to signal Wednesday that it plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rates-inflation-1dd9283e46162b3c0d29a2c55a2934d1">raise interest rates multiple times</a>&nbsp;this year beginning in March to try to get accelerating prices under control.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices rose 4.9% last year, the biggest increase since 1983. That was up from a 4.7% year-over-year rise in core prices in November.

From November to December, prices rose 0.4%, down from a 0.6% increase from October to November. Core prices rose 0.5% for a second straight month.

The economy is expanding at its fastest pace in decades, and job creation reached a five-decade high last year. But the rebound occurred so quickly after the pandemic shutdowns that it left many companies flat-footed, with fewer workers and supplies than they needed.

Besides raising interest rates, Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the Fed will move to shrink its huge $8.9 trillion of bond holdings this year, another step that will likely tighten credit, slow spending and potentially weaken the economy.

Speaking at a news conference, Powell acknowledged that inflation has gotten “slightly worse” in the past month. He cautioned that higher prices “have now spread to a broader range of goods and services,” after initially affecting sectors of the economy, like factory-made products for homes, that were most disrupted by the pandemic.

Powell also said the Fed is increasingly focused on the question of whether rising wages are acting as a primary driver of inflation, by forcing companies to charge more to cover their higher labor costs. Such a “wage-price spiral,” which the United States hasn’t experienced since the 1970s, can make inflation difficult to cool.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/eci.pdf" target="_blank">separate report Friday</a>&nbsp;said that workers’ salaries and benefits jumped 4% last year. It was the biggest increase in 20 years. Powell has said that a sharp rise in pay and benefits, reported in November, was a key reason why the Fed began shifting its policy toward higher interest rates. While rising wages are good for employees, they can also elevate inflation if they aren’t offset by efficiency gains.

The inflation figure that the government reported Friday is its personal consumption expenditures index. Though the consumer price index is a better-known barometer, the Fed tends to track the PCE in setting its interest rate policies. The PCE index tracks actual purchases consumers make each month, while the CPI follows a fixed market basket of goods.

Earlier this month, the government said the CPI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-c1bfd93ed1719cf0135420f4fd0270f9">jumped 7% last year</a>, also the fastest pace in nearly four decades.

Prices have jumped in the past year as Americans have spent freely, helped by large stimulus checks in the spring and higher pay. Spending on autos, electronics and other goods jumped 12% in 2021, the government reported Wednesday, the biggest increase since 1946.

At the same time, bottlenecked supply chains and shortages of components, notably semiconductors, have left many retailers and auto dealers with fewer cars and other goods to sell. Powell has blamed mainly ongoing “supply and demand imbalances” for driving inflation.

On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-earnings-368ae566f355df5bf5b150a4145fea3b">McDonald’s said that while sales last year grew</a>&nbsp;at a healthy pace, higher costs for food and paper products and the need to raise pay to attract and keep workers eroded profits even after it had raised prices 6% last year.

Likewise, Procter &amp; Gamble said last week that it plans to raise prices for detergents like Tide, Gain, and Downy and for personal care products. The company anticipates price increases for chemicals and other commodities this year.

Higher prices may be weighing on some Americans’ willingness to spend. Still, last month’s drop in consumer spending is likely to be temporary. Americans are already showing signs of heading back out to restaurants and movie theaters as the huge jump in omicron infections has started to decline.

JPMorgan Chase says spending on its credit cards for hotels, travel, and entertainment venues has rebounded this month, after falling in December. Spending has risen more in states where COVID-19 cases have come down the most.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623947660841.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of prices that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve rose 5.8% last year, the sharpest increase since 1982, as brisk consumer spending collided with snarled supply chains to raise the costs of food, furniture, appliances and other goods.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/pi1221.pdf" target="_blank">report Friday from the Commerce Department</a>&nbsp;also said that consumer spending fell 0.6% in December, with purchases of cars, electronics, and clothes declining. Higher prices might have discouraged some shoppers, along with a wave of omicron cases that kept many Americans from traveling, eating out or visiting entertainment venues.At the same time, incomes rose 0.3% last month, providing fuel for future spending.Stubbornly high inflation has hammered household budgets, wiped out last year’s healthy wage gains and posed a severe political challenge to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress. It also led the Federal Reserve to signal Wednesday that it plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rates-inflation-1dd9283e46162b3c0d29a2c55a2934d1">raise interest rates multiple times</a>&nbsp;this year beginning in March to try to get accelerating prices under control.Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices rose 4.9% last year, the biggest increase since 1983. That was up from a 4.7% year-over-year rise in core prices in November.From November to December, prices rose 0.4%, down from a 0.6% increase from October to November. Core prices rose 0.5% for a second straight month.The economy is expanding at its fastest pace in decades, and job creation reached a five-decade high last year. But the rebound occurred so quickly after the pandemic shutdowns that it left many companies flat-footed, with fewer workers and supplies than they needed.Besides raising interest rates, Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the Fed will move to shrink its huge $8.9 trillion of bond holdings this year, another step that will likely tighten credit, slow spending and potentially weaken the economy.Speaking at a news conference, Powell acknowledged that inflation has gotten “slightly worse” in the past month. He cautioned that higher prices “have now spread to a broader range of goods and services,” after initially affecting sectors of the economy, like factory-made products for homes, that were most disrupted by the pandemic.Powell also said the Fed is increasingly focused on the question of whether rising wages are acting as a primary driver of inflation, by forcing companies to charge more to cover their higher labor costs. Such a “wage-price spiral,” which the United States hasn’t experienced since the 1970s, can make inflation difficult to cool.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/eci.pdf" target="_blank">separate report Friday</a>&nbsp;said that workers’ salaries and benefits jumped 4% last year. It was the biggest increase in 20 years. Powell has said that a sharp rise in pay and benefits, reported in November, was a key reason why the Fed began shifting its policy toward higher interest rates. While rising wages are good for employees, they can also elevate inflation if they aren’t offset by efficiency gains.The inflation figure that the government reported Friday is its personal consumption expenditures index. Though the consumer price index is a better-known barometer, the Fed tends to track the PCE in setting its interest rate policies. The PCE index tracks actual purchases consumers make each month, while the CPI follows a fixed market basket of goods.Earlier this month, the government said the CPI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-c1bfd93ed1719cf0135420f4fd0270f9">jumped 7% last year</a>, also the fastest pace in nearly four decades.Prices have jumped in the past year as Americans have spent freely, helped by large stimulus checks in the spring and higher pay. Spending on autos, electronics and other goods jumped 12% in 2021, the government reported Wednesday, the biggest increase since 1946.At the same time, bottlenecked supply chains and shortages of components, notably semiconductors, have left many retailers and auto dealers with fewer cars and other goods to sell. Powell has blamed mainly ongoing “supply and demand imbalances” for driving inflation.On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-earnings-368ae566f355df5bf5b150a4145fea3b">McDonald’s said that while sales last year grew</a>&nbsp;at a healthy pace, higher costs for food and paper products and the need to raise pay to attract and keep workers eroded profits even after it had raised prices 6% last year.Likewise, Procter &amp; Gamble said last week that it plans to raise prices for detergents like Tide, Gain, and Downy and for personal care products. The company anticipates price increases for chemicals and other commodities this year.Higher prices may be weighing on some Americans’ willingness to spend. Still, last month’s drop in consumer spending is likely to be temporary. Americans are already showing signs of heading back out to restaurants and movie theaters as the huge jump in omicron infections has started to decline.JPMorgan Chase says spending on its credit cards for hotels, travel, and entertainment venues has rebounded this month, after falling in December. Spending has risen more in states where COVID-19 cases have come down the most.

A key inflation gauge rose 5.8% in 2021, most in 39 years

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid will not go to trial on a felony driving while intoxicated charge until at least September.

Reid was scheduled to go to trial April 18 but a Jackson County judge on Friday delayed the trial until Sept. 26. The decision came after a brief virtual hearing that included discussion about whether expert witnesses and toxicology reports would be available, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257808108.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Reid, the son of Chiefs Coach Andy Reid,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-michael-brown-super-bowl-nfl-sports-55699bf058c8afe40be7697d8cf47c43">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;in June to driving while intoxicated causing serious physical injury.

Police said Reid hit two stopped cars on an Interstate 435 entrance ramp near Arrowhead Stadium on Feb. 4, 2021. A 5-year-old girl in one of the cars, Ariel Young, suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Reid, the Chiefs former linebackers coach, was placed on administrative leave after the crash and his contract was allowed to expire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618277826304.png" alt="Reid photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Reid photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid will not go to trial on a felony driving while intoxicated charge until at least September.Reid was scheduled to go to trial April 18 but a Jackson County judge on Friday delayed the trial until Sept. 26. The decision came after a brief virtual hearing that included discussion about whether expert witnesses and toxicology reports would be available, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257808108.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">reported</a>.Reid, the son of Chiefs Coach Andy Reid,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-michael-brown-super-bowl-nfl-sports-55699bf058c8afe40be7697d8cf47c43">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;in June to driving while intoxicated causing serious physical injury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612784011749.png" alt="Ariel Young-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ariel Young-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Police said Reid hit two stopped cars on an Interstate 435 entrance ramp near Arrowhead Stadium on Feb. 4, 2021. A 5-year-old girl in one of the cars, Ariel Young, suffered a traumatic brain injury.Reid, the Chiefs former linebackers coach, was placed on administrative leave after the crash and his contract was allowed to expire.

Trial postponed: Former Chiefs coach charged in crash that injured girl

&nbsp;MORRIS COUNTY —The Morris County Sheriff’s Office reported that 85-year-old Hazel Casper was located tonight in Wellington, Kansas. She is now safe and Timothy Craker was detained.

MORRIS COUNTY –&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Council Grove woman.&nbsp;

The whereabouts of 85-year-old Hazel E. Casper are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her, according to a media release from the KBI.

Casper was last seen at around 4:50 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, when she was taken without authorization from a healthcare facility in Council Grove by her stepson, 65-year-old Timothy Craker. She has several serious medical conditions and is without essential medications.

They are likely traveling in a Black 2016 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Iowa tag DWE920. Investigators believe they may be traveling on 1-35, near Wichita. They could be heading toward Wichita or to Des Moines, Iowa.

Casper is a white female, 5 ft. 7 in. tall, weighing 145 lbs. She has white hair and blue eyes. Craker is a white male, 5 ft. 11 in. tall, and weighs around 180 lbs. His eyes are blue and hair is brown.&nbsp;

If you see Hazel Casper, Timothy Craker, or the vehicle, please immediately contact 911, or the Morris County Sheriff’s Office at&nbsp;(620)&nbsp;767-6310.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643423091920.png" alt="Hazel Casper and Tim Craker-photos KBI" />
 <figcaption>Hazel Casper and Tim Craker-photos KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;MORRIS COUNTY —The Morris County Sheriff’s Office reported that 85-year-old Hazel Casper was located tonight in Wellington, Kansas. She is now safe and Timothy Craker was detained.-----MORRIS COUNTY –&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Council Grove woman.&nbsp;The whereabouts of 85-year-old Hazel E. Casper are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her, according to a media release from the KBI.Casper was last seen at around 4:50 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, when she was taken without authorization from a healthcare facility in Council Grove by her stepson, 65-year-old Timothy Craker. She has several serious medical conditions and is without essential medications.They are likely traveling in a Black 2016 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Iowa tag DWE920. Investigators believe they may be traveling on 1-35, near Wichita. They could be heading toward Wichita or to Des Moines, Iowa.Casper is a white female, 5 ft. 7 in. tall, weighing 145 lbs. She has white hair and blue eyes. Craker is a white male, 5 ft. 11 in. tall, and weighs around 180 lbs. His eyes are blue and hair is brown.&nbsp;If you see Hazel Casper, Timothy Craker, or the vehicle, please immediately contact 911, or the Morris County Sheriff’s Office at&nbsp;(620)&nbsp;767-6310.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled; 85-year-old safe, stepson detained

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the northwest part of Garden City for a domestic situation, involving a man who had been stabbed by a woman known to him.

Officers learned that the man had returned to his residence after running errands and engaged in a verbal argument with the woman, identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Maria Herrera-Chavez&nbsp; of Garden City.

Herrera-Chavez became upset and allegedly stabbed the man with a pocketknife, in the presence of a small child. The man was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was treated and released for his injuries.

Herrera-Chavez was arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Child Endangerment, according to the release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643386937368.png" alt="Herrera-Chavez-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Herrera-Chavez-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the northwest part of Garden City for a domestic situation, involving a man who had been stabbed by a woman known to him.Officers learned that the man had returned to his residence after running errands and engaged in a verbal argument with the woman, identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Maria Herrera-Chavez&nbsp; of Garden City.Herrera-Chavez became upset and allegedly stabbed the man with a pocketknife, in the presence of a small child. The man was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was treated and released for his injuries.Herrera-Chavez was arrested and booked into the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Child Endangerment, according to the release.

Police: SW Kan. woman stabbed man in front of children

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court said Friday it would take no further action against a former county judge who shared nude photos of himself on an online dating site for swingers.

(Click below to watch the Oct. hearing on the case)

The court accepted a disciplinary panel's ruling that Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark violated standards of judicial conduct. But the justices said they would take no further action because Clark resigned from the bench in May. 

An investigator with the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct said in March that Clark sent photos to the Club Foreplay site, and also sent “salacious” texts to a woman discussing a possible sexual encounter in the judge’s chamber.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether a retired judge should be disciplined for sharing nude photos online.

 The court heard arguments Thursday involving retired Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark, who sent the photos of himself to a website for swingers.

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded in May that Clark had violated ethical standards for judges. The commission's attorney argued Thursday that Clark should be barred from being a judge again unless he is educated on the integrity of the judicial branch. Clark's attorney argued Clark should not be disciplined for sending the photos to a private channel on his own time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643406859775.png" alt="Judge Marty Clark (lower right) during the virtual hearing on his conduct" />
 <figcaption>Judge Marty Clark (lower right) during the virtual hearing on his conduct</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court said Friday it would take no further action against a former county judge who shared nude photos of himself on an online dating site for swingers.(Click below to watch the Oct. hearing on the case)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yrJksnDEMQA?start=61" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The court accepted a disciplinary panel's ruling that Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark violated standards of judicial conduct. But the justices said they would take no further action because Clark resigned from the bench in May. An investigator with the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct said in March that Clark sent photos to the Club Foreplay site, and also sent “salacious” texts to a woman discussing a possible sexual encounter in the judge’s chamber.------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether a retired judge should be disciplined for sharing nude photos online. The court heard arguments Thursday involving retired Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark, who sent the photos of himself to a website for swingers.The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded in May that Clark had violated ethical standards for judges. The commission's attorney argued Thursday that Clark should be barred from being a judge again unless he is educated on the integrity of the judicial branch. Clark's attorney argued Clark should not be disciplined for sending the photos to a private channel on his own time.

🎥Court takes no action against Kan. judge who shared nude photos

HUTCHINSON— Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the highly active Omicron variant, Amtrak is temporarily reducing some train frequencies on select routes due to staffing challenges, including on the <a href="https://amtrakguide.com/stations/amtrak-stations-in-kansas/">Southwest Chief that stops</a> in Lawrence, Topeka, Hutchinson, Newton, Dodge City and Garden City.

Despite Amtrak’s rigorous vaccination and testing program, several hundred on-board service personnel, conductors, engineers, and mechanical crews continue to be impacted by COVID infections or exposures, particularly given the highly infectious nature of the new variant and the prevalence of breakthrough cases.

To ensure safe, reliable service and minimize unplanned service interruptions, Amtrak is suspending 8% of train departures over the next ten weeks.

There is a suspension of two weekly departures on nine long distance routes between until March 27, reducing weekly service from daily to five days per week, including the Southwest Chief.

Impacted customers with existing reservations are being re-accommodated. For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="http://amtrak.com/">Amtrak.com</a>&nbsp;and click on ‘Schedules’.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609258167047.png" alt="Photo courtesy Amtrak" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Amtrak</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON— Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the highly active Omicron variant, Amtrak is temporarily reducing some train frequencies on select routes due to staffing challenges, including on the <a href="https://amtrakguide.com/stations/amtrak-stations-in-kansas/">Southwest Chief that stops</a> in Lawrence, Topeka, Hutchinson, Newton, Dodge City and Garden City.Despite Amtrak’s rigorous vaccination and testing program, several hundred on-board service personnel, conductors, engineers, and mechanical crews continue to be impacted by COVID infections or exposures, particularly given the highly infectious nature of the new variant and the prevalence of breakthrough cases.To ensure safe, reliable service and minimize unplanned service interruptions, Amtrak is suspending 8% of train departures over the next ten weeks.There is a suspension of two weekly departures on nine long distance routes between until March 27, reducing weekly service from daily to five days per week, including the Southwest Chief.Impacted customers with existing reservations are being re-accommodated. For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="http://amtrak.com/">Amtrak.com</a>&nbsp;and click on ‘Schedules’.

Amtrak's Southwest Chief limits service across Kansas

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/wind-energy-proponent-says-senate-bills-would-kill-development-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Wind
 and solar farms would be banned in more than half of Kansas counties 
—&nbsp;and made nearly impossible in the rest — under a trio of bills heard 
by legislators this week.

One of the bills would require leases presented to landowners to come with a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb323/">message in 16-point font urging them to hire a lawyer</a>. One would <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb324/">deem projects “abandoned”</a> if construction doesn’t commence within three years. The last would <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb325/">ban wind and solar farms on any land not zoned for industrial use</a> —&nbsp;forcing 60 Kansas counties to consider zoning if they want to allow wind development.

And it would require wind developers 
to get a permit before they file signed leases with the county. But 
according to a renewable development attorney, a developer can’t get 
that permit until they’ve leased the ground.

“So there’s a bust here that I think 
is intentional,” said Alan Claus Anderson, vice chairman of Polsinelli’s
 energy practice group in Kansas City. “Maybe it’s accidental. Either 
way, it makes the person’s ability to lease the land impossible.”

The trio of bills, all offered by <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/23/kansas-wind-energy-supporters-defend-local-control-economic-investments/">Sen. Mike Thompson</a>,
 a Shawnee Republican, were heard by two Senate committees this week. A 
handful of landowners in rural Kansas supported the bills while the 
renewable development industry urged lawmakers not to move forward.

“There’s a series of bills here, all taken together to do the same goal, which is to end renewable energy,” Anderson said.

Thompson told committee members 
Kansas needed more transparency around industrial wind and solar 
development, claiming wind energy developers target unzoned counties and
 use “tactics that are secretive” to obtain leases to build their wind 
turbines.

“We’re not saying we can’t do these 
facilities,” Thompson said. “We’re just saying these communities are 
being so severely impacted that they need to know about it and at least 
have a chance to negotiate or push back.”

He echoed a refrain commonly employed
 by critics of wind facilities — yes, landowners who want a turbine on 
their property have the right to do so, but nearby <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/30/as-kansas-missouri-keep-building-wind-some-communities-look-to-regulate/">landowners’ property rights are infringed by intrusive development</a>.

“It would be the same as saying, ‘I 
want to shoot my gun at your property, but the bullet just magically 
stops at the property line,’” Thompson said. “It’s a health and safety 
risk.”

The bill requiring that land be zoned
 for industrial use before a wind project is built would also allow 
adjoining landowners to stop that rezoning. If 10% of the contiguous 
landowners sign a petition, it would go on the next general election 
ballot.

If a project is deemed abandoned 
after three years, a developer would have to file a plan with the county
 for construction. Otherwise, landowners could terminate their leases.

But Anderson said it takes longer 
than three years to complete the necessary studies, including those 
required by the regional grid, the Southwest Power Pool, to start 
construction. Developers have to have control of the site to get that 
done.

“So it creates, by the nature of the 
terms of this, an impossibility,” Anderson said. “So what does that 
mean? That means that these people cannot contract because companies 
will say, ‘I can’t work in this regime. We’re out.’ ”

Kansas has seen an explosion of wind generation in recent decades. At the end of 2020, <a target="_blank" href="https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/land-based_wind_market_report_2021_edition_final.pdf">it had the fourth-largest capacity for wind generation</a>, with more than 7,000 megawatts. Wind makes up more than 40% of the state’s electrical generation.

To build wind farms, developers lease
 ground for turbines from farmers. They often tout the economic benefits
 of wind production for rural towns and counties and have offered 
additional funds for community projects.

But some rural neighbors who either 
aren’t offered leases or turn them down have regarded the turbines, 
often hundreds of feet tall with blades that extend even farther, as 
nuisances.

“Some people end up surrounded by these turbines with flashing lights, the noise, the health issues,” Thompson said.

Claims of adverse health effects are not widely supported by scientists.

Don Lueger, of Nemaha County, said 
there was ground leased in his community within a mile of St. Benedict 
where the historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church draws visitors.

He said the Soldier Creek wind farm 
nearby in the county was opposed by much of the community but forced on 
the area. His son plans to build a house on part of the family’s land 
but fears turbines could be placed nearby.

“To think that placing a turbine that
 close isn’t infringing on our property rights is ludicrous,” he said. 
“Something has got to change.”

Proponents of the bills, skeptics of 
industrial wind development, argue developers push projects on rural 
communities, signing up farmers’ ground before nonparticipating 
landowners know what’s happening.

“I believe (the bills) are absolutely
 mandatory to establish a broader scope of state regulations that 
protect landowners from lopsided tenant or industrial energy developer 
agreements that place excessive risk on trusting and again, if not 
naive, Kansas landowners,” said Bill Scopp, of Linn County.

Scopp said he has spent his career in
 equipment and leasing and reviewed a lease offered in Linn County that 
he believed unduly benefited the developer at the expense of landowners’
 rights. Scopp did not say whether he had ever been offered the 
opportunity to lease his land to a wind developer.

He complained that wind developers 
could tie up land for years with a sign-on bonus before farmers receive 
monthly payments from the wind farm.

Beverly Kavouras, of McPherson 
County, said developers “prey on” unzoned counties, though various 
developers attempted to establish five wind projects in McPherson 
County, which is zoned. McPherson County instituted a moratorium on wind
 development.

And while landowners without wind 
turbines say the projects infringe on their right to enjoy their rural 
property, restricting the ability for landowners who want to lease to 
developers is an assault on their freedom to contract.

Anderson called it a “pretty remarkable” one.

“The end result of this bill does end
 the ability for landowners to contract, use their property rights and 
participate in commerce as they deem fit with their land,” Anderson 
said.

The Kansas Association of Counties 
called the proposal to only allow wind farms on land zoned for 
industrial use an “assault on local control” because it would force 
unzoned counties that are interested in wind development to go through 
the expensive, time-consuming process of developing zoning. And the bill
 offers no funds for that.

Kimberly Gencur Svaty, public policy 
director for the Advanced Power Alliance, said she and her husband, 
former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Svaty, had purchased 
ground with a wind lease already on it. They also negotiated 
successfully over months with an energy company for a wind farm. On 
another piece of ground, they opted not to lease for wind.

She took “umbrage with an individual calling many landowners trusting and naive.”

“I am so proud of my land,” Gencur 
Svaty said. “It’s not something that I ever thought that I was going to 
get to own. … It’s really been one of the greatest joys of my life, so I
 don’t treat any interactions with my ground and my property lightly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643395093240.png" alt="Evergy’s Flat Ridge Wind Farm, near Medicine Lodge, is one of the utility’s sources of renewable energy. Bills before the Kansas Senate would make developing wind energy impossible, the industry says. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Evergy’s Flat Ridge Wind Farm, near Medicine Lodge, is one of the utility’s sources of renewable energy. Bills before the Kansas Senate would make developing wind energy impossible, the industry says. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/wind-energy-proponent-says-senate-bills-would-kill-development-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>Wind
 and solar farms would be banned in more than half of Kansas counties 
—&nbsp;and made nearly impossible in the rest — under a trio of bills heard 
by legislators this week.One of the bills would require leases presented to landowners to come with a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb323/">message in 16-point font urging them to hire a lawyer</a>. One would <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb324/">deem projects “abandoned”</a> if construction doesn’t commence within three years. The last would <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb325/">ban wind and solar farms on any land not zoned for industrial use</a> —&nbsp;forcing 60 Kansas counties to consider zoning if they want to allow wind development.And it would require wind developers 
to get a permit before they file signed leases with the county. But 
according to a renewable development attorney, a developer can’t get 
that permit until they’ve leased the ground.“So there’s a bust here that I think 
is intentional,” said Alan Claus Anderson, vice chairman of Polsinelli’s
 energy practice group in Kansas City. “Maybe it’s accidental. Either 
way, it makes the person’s ability to lease the land impossible.”The trio of bills, all offered by <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/23/kansas-wind-energy-supporters-defend-local-control-economic-investments/">Sen. Mike Thompson</a>,
 a Shawnee Republican, were heard by two Senate committees this week. A 
handful of landowners in rural Kansas supported the bills while the 
renewable development industry urged lawmakers not to move forward.“There’s a series of bills here, all taken together to do the same goal, which is to end renewable energy,” Anderson said.Thompson told committee members 
Kansas needed more transparency around industrial wind and solar 
development, claiming wind energy developers target unzoned counties and
 use “tactics that are secretive” to obtain leases to build their wind 
turbines.“We’re not saying we can’t do these 
facilities,” Thompson said. “We’re just saying these communities are 
being so severely impacted that they need to know about it and at least 
have a chance to negotiate or push back.”He echoed a refrain commonly employed
 by critics of wind facilities — yes, landowners who want a turbine on 
their property have the right to do so, but nearby <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/30/as-kansas-missouri-keep-building-wind-some-communities-look-to-regulate/">landowners’ property rights are infringed by intrusive development</a>.“It would be the same as saying, ‘I 
want to shoot my gun at your property, but the bullet just magically 
stops at the property line,’” Thompson said. “It’s a health and safety 
risk.”The bill requiring that land be zoned
 for industrial use before a wind project is built would also allow 
adjoining landowners to stop that rezoning. If 10% of the contiguous 
landowners sign a petition, it would go on the next general election 
ballot.If a project is deemed abandoned 
after three years, a developer would have to file a plan with the county
 for construction. Otherwise, landowners could terminate their leases.But Anderson said it takes longer 
than three years to complete the necessary studies, including those 
required by the regional grid, the Southwest Power Pool, to start 
construction. Developers have to have control of the site to get that 
done.“So it creates, by the nature of the 
terms of this, an impossibility,” Anderson said. “So what does that 
mean? That means that these people cannot contract because companies 
will say, ‘I can’t work in this regime. We’re out.’ ”Kansas has seen an explosion of wind generation in recent decades. At the end of 2020, <a target="_blank" href="https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/land-based_wind_market_report_2021_edition_final.pdf">it had the fourth-largest capacity for wind generation</a>, with more than 7,000 megawatts. Wind makes up more than 40% of the state’s electrical generation.To build wind farms, developers lease
 ground for turbines from farmers. They often tout the economic benefits
 of wind production for rural towns and counties and have offered 
additional funds for community projects.But some rural neighbors who either 
aren’t offered leases or turn them down have regarded the turbines, 
often hundreds of feet tall with blades that extend even farther, as 
nuisances.“Some people end up surrounded by these turbines with flashing lights, the noise, the health issues,” Thompson said.Claims of adverse health effects are not widely supported by scientists.Don Lueger, of Nemaha County, said 
there was ground leased in his community within a mile of St. Benedict 
where the historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church draws visitors.He said the Soldier Creek wind farm 
nearby in the county was opposed by much of the community but forced on 
the area. His son plans to build a house on part of the family’s land 
but fears turbines could be placed nearby.“To think that placing a turbine that
 close isn’t infringing on our property rights is ludicrous,” he said. 
“Something has got to change.”<h2>Property rights&nbsp;</h2>Proponents of the bills, skeptics of 
industrial wind development, argue developers push projects on rural 
communities, signing up farmers’ ground before nonparticipating 
landowners know what’s happening.“I believe (the bills) are absolutely
 mandatory to establish a broader scope of state regulations that 
protect landowners from lopsided tenant or industrial energy developer 
agreements that place excessive risk on trusting and again, if not 
naive, Kansas landowners,” said Bill Scopp, of Linn County.Scopp said he has spent his career in
 equipment and leasing and reviewed a lease offered in Linn County that 
he believed unduly benefited the developer at the expense of landowners’
 rights. Scopp did not say whether he had ever been offered the 
opportunity to lease his land to a wind developer.He complained that wind developers 
could tie up land for years with a sign-on bonus before farmers receive 
monthly payments from the wind farm.Beverly Kavouras, of McPherson 
County, said developers “prey on” unzoned counties, though various 
developers attempted to establish five wind projects in McPherson 
County, which is zoned. McPherson County instituted a moratorium on wind
 development.And while landowners without wind 
turbines say the projects infringe on their right to enjoy their rural 
property, restricting the ability for landowners who want to lease to 
developers is an assault on their freedom to contract.Anderson called it a “pretty remarkable” one.“The end result of this bill does end
 the ability for landowners to contract, use their property rights and 
participate in commerce as they deem fit with their land,” Anderson 
said.The Kansas Association of Counties 
called the proposal to only allow wind farms on land zoned for 
industrial use an “assault on local control” because it would force 
unzoned counties that are interested in wind development to go through 
the expensive, time-consuming process of developing zoning. And the bill
 offers no funds for that.Kimberly Gencur Svaty, public policy 
director for the Advanced Power Alliance, said she and her husband, 
former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Svaty, had purchased 
ground with a wind lease already on it. They also negotiated 
successfully over months with an energy company for a wind farm. On 
another piece of ground, they opted not to lease for wind.She took “umbrage with an individual calling many landowners trusting and naive.”“I am so proud of my land,” Gencur 
Svaty said. “It’s not something that I ever thought that I was going to 
get to own. … It’s really been one of the greatest joys of my life, so I
 don’t treat any interactions with my ground and my property lightly.”

Wind energy proponent: Kan. Senate bills would kill development

By JILL BLEED and SEAN MURPHY Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal judge has resentenced "Tiger King" Joe Exotic to 21 years in prison. The former zookeeper — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — was convicted in a murder-for-hire case involving his chief rival, Carole Baskin. 

He was sentenced two years ago to 22 years in prison, but a federal appeals court ruled last year that the proper sentencing guidelines weren't used.  He was resentenced Friday in Oklahoma City.

Prosecutors say Maldonado-Passage tried to hire two different people — including an undercover FBI agent — to kill Baskin, who'd criticized his treatment of animals. 

Baskin attended Friday's sentencing and said Maldonado-Passage "continues to harbor intense feelings of ill will toward me."

By JILL BLEED and SEAN MURPHY Associated PressOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal judge has resentenced "Tiger King" Joe Exotic to 21 years in prison. The former zookeeper — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — was convicted in a murder-for-hire case involving his chief rival, Carole Baskin. He was sentenced two years ago to 22 years in prison, but a federal appeals court ruled last year that the proper sentencing guidelines weren't used. He was resentenced Friday in Oklahoma City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643400522851.png" alt="Santa Rose County (Fla.) Jail" />
 <figcaption>Santa Rose County (Fla.) Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors say Maldonado-Passage tried to hire two different people — including an undercover FBI agent — to kill Baskin, who'd criticized his treatment of animals. Baskin attended Friday's sentencing and said Maldonado-Passage "continues to harbor intense feelings of ill will toward me."

'Tiger King' Joe Exotic resentenced to 21 years in prison

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state legislator has been charged with two traffic violations over his late November arrest on Interstate 70 in northeast&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;but not with driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the potential crime initially listed by the Highway Patrol.

Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, also still faces a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in a separate criminal case in the Kansas City area over an Oct. 30 fight with his younger brother. Coleman pled not guilty, and a scheduling hearing in that case is set for Wednesday in Johnson County District Court.

In neighboring Douglas County, home to Lawrence and the main University of Kansas campus, Coleman faces charges of speeding and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle as required by law over a Nov. 27 stop. A complaint filed Jan. 21 by an assistant district attorney says Coleman was driving 92 mph when the post speed limit was 75 mph Together, the charges could result in several hundred dollars in fines.

Coleman is scheduled to have the charges formally read to him and enter a plea on April 15, during a break in the Kansas Legislature's annual session. His attorney did not respond to a telephone message and the lawmaker did not reply to a text seeking comment.

Coleman has been embroiled in controversy since he ran for the House in 2020, when he acknowledged past abuses against girls and young women. A legislative committee reprimanded Coleman in writing in February 2020 over those abuses. After his two arrests within a month, six female Democrats in the House filed a complaint against him with the House designed to lead to his ouster.

The Kansas Highway Patrol initially said he had been arrested in Douglas County on suspicion of DUI, but a decision on charges waited on the report to the district attorney's office from the patrol on the substances in Coleman's body at the time of the stop. Coleman has said he wasn't under the influence.

Jill Jess, a spokesperson for the Douglas County district attorney's office, said the charges were “based on evidence presented,” without elaborating. The Associated Press has requested a copy of the patrol's report.

“Mr. Coleman faces no further charges in Douglas County at this time,” she wrote.

Coleman is free on bond in both criminal cases. At the Statehouse, he's been pursuing a liberal agenda and earlier this month introduced a bill to reduce criminal penalties for possessing or distributing psychedelic mushrooms. But Democratic leaders have refused to give him any committee assignments.

The complaint filed against him by six fellow Democrats revived the committee of three Republicans and three Democrats that admonished him in writing last year. But its chairman has said it doesn't plan to meet again until Coleman's criminal cases are resolved.

In the Johnson County case, Coleman was ordered to undergo a mental health exam. Court documents said Coleman, who is Jewish, had a fight with his younger brother over the brother's plans for a Christian baptism.

A police sergeant wrote in an affidavit that Coleman was uncooperative and “extremely erratic,” and that he reported not sleeping for three days. Coleman tweeted Nov. 25 — two days before his arrest in Douglas County — that he's suffered from chronic insomnia “my whole adult life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635804497310.png" alt="Coleman as shown in his October booking photo in Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Coleman as shown in his October booking photo in Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state legislator has been charged with two traffic violations over his late November arrest on Interstate 70 in northeast&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;but not with driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the potential crime initially listed by the Highway Patrol.Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, also still faces a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in a separate criminal case in the Kansas City area over an Oct. 30 fight with his younger brother. Coleman pled not guilty, and a scheduling hearing in that case is set for Wednesday in Johnson County District Court.In neighboring Douglas County, home to Lawrence and the main University of Kansas campus, Coleman faces charges of speeding and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle as required by law over a Nov. 27 stop. A complaint filed Jan. 21 by an assistant district attorney says Coleman was driving 92 mph when the post speed limit was 75 mph Together, the charges could result in several hundred dollars in fines.Coleman is scheduled to have the charges formally read to him and enter a plea on April 15, during a break in the Kansas Legislature's annual session. His attorney did not respond to a telephone message and the lawmaker did not reply to a text seeking comment.Coleman has been embroiled in controversy since he ran for the House in 2020, when he acknowledged past abuses against girls and young women. A legislative committee reprimanded Coleman in writing in February 2020 over those abuses. After his two arrests within a month, six female Democrats in the House filed a complaint against him with the House designed to lead to his ouster.The Kansas Highway Patrol initially said he had been arrested in Douglas County on suspicion of DUI, but a decision on charges waited on the report to the district attorney's office from the patrol on the substances in Coleman's body at the time of the stop. Coleman has said he wasn't under the influence.Jill Jess, a spokesperson for the Douglas County district attorney's office, said the charges were “based on evidence presented,” without elaborating. The Associated Press has requested a copy of the patrol's report.“Mr. Coleman faces no further charges in Douglas County at this time,” she wrote.Coleman is free on bond in both criminal cases. At the Statehouse, he's been pursuing a liberal agenda and earlier this month introduced a bill to reduce criminal penalties for possessing or distributing psychedelic mushrooms. But Democratic leaders have refused to give him any committee assignments.The complaint filed against him by six fellow Democrats revived the committee of three Republicans and three Democrats that admonished him in writing last year. But its chairman has said it doesn't plan to meet again until Coleman's criminal cases are resolved.In the Johnson County case, Coleman was ordered to undergo a mental health exam. Court documents said Coleman, who is Jewish, had a fight with his younger brother over the brother's plans for a Christian baptism.A police sergeant wrote in an affidavit that Coleman was uncooperative and “extremely erratic,” and that he reported not sleeping for three days. Coleman tweeted Nov. 25 — two days before his arrest in Douglas County — that he's suffered from chronic insomnia “my whole adult life.”

Kansas lawmaker charged with traffic violations but not DUI

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/hope-springs-from-kansas-governors-proposal-to-restore-water-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Connie Owen, director of Kansas Water Office, says the 
governor’s recommendation to restore funding for water projects has 
given her organization momentum as it considers a wide range of needs.

Legislators since 2008 have not allocated the full $8 million that is
 supposed to go toward a State Water Plan established in 1989. During 
the past 14 years, Owen said, the state has shorted the plan by $80 
million, jeopardizing efforts to address concerns with reservoirs, 
groundwater, and water quality across the state.

This year, Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed fully funding the water 
plan. If lawmakers agree, that would mean allocating $6 million from the
 state general fund and $2 million from an economic development fund.

Kelly told members of the Kansas Water Authority during a meeting 
Thursday in Topeka that she was excited about a budget surplus that 
would allow the state to meet its obligations.

“I know there are a lot of water projects,” Kelly said. “The eight 
million goes a long way, but not long enough for many of the things that
 need to get done.”

She said she also anticipates using federal money from the infrastructure package on “expense projects in the world of water.”

The water authority, which is part of the Water Office, develops the 
water plan and manages the available cash. Owen said the annual 
allotment figure hasn’t changed since the mid-1990s. If adjusted for 
inflation, she said, the state would have to pay closer to $20 million 
annually.

The issues are profound. In western Kansas, the depletion of the 
Ogallala Aquifer threatens the livelihood of agriculture producers.

“It’s already too far gone,” Owen said if the aquifer. “There are areas that are beyond use.”

She said the state could invest in innovative technologies that help 
agriculture producers make a living. For example: Farmers could use a 
soil moisture probe to determine whether they need to irrigate on a 
given day.

Producers in the Colby area who chose to voluntarily reduce water 
use, Owen said, have actually seen profitability increase because they 
are paying less for nutrients and power used for pumps. The water plan 
could help fund programs to help other producers make a similar 
transition in how they operate, Owen said.

In eastern Kansas,&nbsp; the biggest issue involves the silting of 
reservoirs. The accumulation of silt happens naturally as water flows 
into the reservoirs, presenting an array of challenges.

Tuttle Creek Lake, the flagship reservoir, has lost about 40% of its capacity, Owen said.

“When you have your silt filling up reservoirs and losing storage 
capacity, well, you’re going to lose the amount of water you had access 
to,” Owen said. “You will not have the flexibility to store water in a 
flood and help reduce flood damage. You will not have the capacity to 
store water when you can to prepare for a drought.

“Not to mention you just will not have enough supply to meet the 
needs of the people who live here. You want to turn on your tap and you 
want the water to come on. If the reservoirs can’t hold enough water, 
that’s going to be a problem.”

Michael Armstrong, who represents a water district in Johnson County,
 asked the governor to consider using a chunk of the state’s surplus to 
cover debt the state owes on federal reservoirs — Perry, Milford and 
Hillsdale. There are about $112 million in outstanding obligations that 
could be retired with a one-time payment.

Kelly said she was unaware of the debt or the interest that continues to accrue.

“That drives me absolutely insane,” the governor said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643387455587.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly addresses Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office, during a meeting of the Kansas Water Authority on Thursday at the Ramada Inn in downtown Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly addresses Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office, during a meeting of the Kansas Water Authority on Thursday at the Ramada Inn in downtown Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/hope-springs-from-kansas-governors-proposal-to-restore-water-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Connie Owen, director of Kansas Water Office, says the 
governor’s recommendation to restore funding for water projects has 
given her organization momentum as it considers a wide range of needs.Legislators since 2008 have not allocated the full $8 million that is
 supposed to go toward a State Water Plan established in 1989. During 
the past 14 years, Owen said, the state has shorted the plan by $80 
million, jeopardizing efforts to address concerns with reservoirs, 
groundwater, and water quality across the state.This year, Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed fully funding the water 
plan. If lawmakers agree, that would mean allocating $6 million from the
 state general fund and $2 million from an economic development fund.Kelly told members of the Kansas Water Authority during a meeting 
Thursday in Topeka that she was excited about a budget surplus that 
would allow the state to meet its obligations.“I know there are a lot of water projects,” Kelly said. “The eight 
million goes a long way, but not long enough for many of the things that
 need to get done.”She said she also anticipates using federal money from the infrastructure package on “expense projects in the world of water.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643387510350.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly says the $8 million needed to fully fund the State Water Plan will go a long way, but not long enough. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly says the $8 million needed to fully fund the State Water Plan will go a long way, but not long enough. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The water authority, which is part of the Water Office, develops the 
water plan and manages the available cash. Owen said the annual 
allotment figure hasn’t changed since the mid-1990s. If adjusted for 
inflation, she said, the state would have to pay closer to $20 million 
annually.The issues are profound. In western Kansas, the depletion of the 
Ogallala Aquifer threatens the livelihood of agriculture producers.“It’s already too far gone,” Owen said if the aquifer. “There are areas that are beyond use.”She said the state could invest in innovative technologies that help 
agriculture producers make a living. For example: Farmers could use a 
soil moisture probe to determine whether they need to irrigate on a 
given day.Producers in the Colby area who chose to voluntarily reduce water 
use, Owen said, have actually seen profitability increase because they 
are paying less for nutrients and power used for pumps. The water plan 
could help fund programs to help other producers make a similar 
transition in how they operate, Owen said.In eastern Kansas,&nbsp; the biggest issue involves the silting of 
reservoirs. The accumulation of silt happens naturally as water flows 
into the reservoirs, presenting an array of challenges.Tuttle Creek Lake, the flagship reservoir, has lost about 40% of its capacity, Owen said.“When you have your silt filling up reservoirs and losing storage 
capacity, well, you’re going to lose the amount of water you had access 
to,” Owen said. “You will not have the flexibility to store water in a 
flood and help reduce flood damage. You will not have the capacity to 
store water when you can to prepare for a drought.“Not to mention you just will not have enough supply to meet the 
needs of the people who live here. You want to turn on your tap and you 
want the water to come on. If the reservoirs can’t hold enough water, 
that’s going to be a problem.”Michael Armstrong, who represents a water district in Johnson County,
 asked the governor to consider using a chunk of the state’s surplus to 
cover debt the state owes on federal reservoirs — Perry, Milford and 
Hillsdale. There are about $112 million in outstanding obligations that 
could be retired with a one-time payment.Kelly said she was unaware of the debt or the interest that continues to accrue.“That drives me absolutely insane,” the governor said.

Hope springs from Kan. governor’s proposal to restore water funding

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 12,986 to a total of 722,824, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The state reported 134 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,522.

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

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

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 12,986 to a total of 722,824, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 134 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,522.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643392776971.png" alt="Friday January 28, 2022 -KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday January 28, 2022 -KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE reports 134 more COVID-19 deaths

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Kansas felon who asked to make a report to Salina police, then fled from officers at a high rate of speed, later called to report that he had crashed his vehicle.

Just after 9p.m. Thursday, officers at the Salina Police Department were asked to assist a citizen identified as Montreal Williams, 44, of Wichita, next door in the parking lot of the Salina Senior Center, 245 N. Ninth Street, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. 

Williams was sitting in the front seat of a 2013 Mazda 2. He told the officers that he wanted to make a report and that he wanted the patrol supervisor.

Williams handed an officer a citation from Wichita that was for driving on a suspended driver’s license, Forrester reported. The officers asked Williams for his driver’s license and he refused. The patrol supervisor arrived and also asked Williams for his license. At that point, Williams put his vehicle in drive and allegedly exited the parking lot at a high rate of speed, traveling eastbound on W. Elm Street.

Forrester reported that officers initially pursued Williams, but terminated the pursuit after only a few blocks. Williams was seen turning southbound on N. Ohio Street. Another officer, who was on S. Ohio Street, observed Williams’ vehicle allegedly traveling at approximately 95 mph on S. Ohio Street and running the stoplight at the E. Crawford Street/S. Ohio Street intersection.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Williams called and reported that he had crashed his vehicle at W. Magnolia Road and the Interstate 135 on-ramp. The right front tire of the Mazda had been shredded by an unknown object.

Police arrested Williams was arrested on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Driving while suspended, Numerous traffic violations and Interference with law enforcement. He previous convictions for theft, burglary and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643382933520.png" alt="Williams has previous convictions for theft, burglary and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-&nbsp;Photo Saline Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Williams has previous convictions for theft, burglary and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-&nbsp;Photo Saline Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Kansas felon who asked to make a report to Salina police, then fled from officers at a high rate of speed, later called to report that he had crashed his vehicle.Just after 9p.m. Thursday, officers at the Salina Police Department were asked to assist a citizen identified as Montreal Williams, 44, of Wichita, next door in the parking lot of the Salina Senior Center, 245 N. Ninth Street, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. Williams was sitting in the front seat of a 2013 Mazda 2. He told the officers that he wanted to make a report and that he wanted the patrol supervisor.Williams handed an officer a citation from Wichita that was for driving on a suspended driver’s license, Forrester reported. The officers asked Williams for his driver’s license and he refused. The patrol supervisor arrived and also asked Williams for his license. At that point, Williams put his vehicle in drive and allegedly exited the parking lot at a high rate of speed, traveling eastbound on W. Elm Street.Forrester reported that officers initially pursued Williams, but terminated the pursuit after only a few blocks. Williams was seen turning southbound on N. Ohio Street. Another officer, who was on S. Ohio Street, observed Williams’ vehicle allegedly traveling at approximately 95 mph on S. Ohio Street and running the stoplight at the E. Crawford Street/S. Ohio Street intersection.Approximately 30 minutes later, Williams called and reported that he had crashed his vehicle at W. Magnolia Road and the Interstate 135 on-ramp. The right front tire of the Mazda had been shredded by an unknown object.Police arrested Williams was arrested on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Driving while suspended, Numerous traffic violations and Interference with law enforcement. He previous convictions for theft, burglary and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Kansas felon jailed after he fled police, crashed his car

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A proposal in the Kansas Legislature introduced by Democrat Jarrod Ousley of Merriam would take the cap for remote learning hours off for schools in Kansas.

"I think the concern is that with the latest round of COVID, school districts have been closing down, often, either a combination of having not enough staff or too many students and simply not operating," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards. "That means, essentially, you make the day up later. The debate, I guess, that we're going to face, is some legislators, clearly the majority that passed this just thought that remote learning is just not adequate and it shouldn't be allowed over a certain level limited threshold."

Given that it was introduced by a minority party member and the makeup of the legislature hasn't fundamentally changed, the chances of it gaining traction are slim, at best.

"Others would argue remote learning can be better than no learning, particularly if it may be an extended period of time," Tallman said. "That doesn't solve all problems, because we still come back to an issue of looking at, depending on why teaching staff may be out, whether they are in a position even to offer remote learning. It would seem to be obvious that there are times when there's quarantining and that kind of issue, so we'll see where this goes. I don't think there's going to be a lot of support among Republican leadership, at least initially."

There are provisions in current law to get exceptions for individual students on a case-by-case basis already.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582221969260.jpeg" alt="Mark Tallman -photo Kansas Association of School Boards" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman -photo Kansas Association of School Boards</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A proposal in the Kansas Legislature introduced by Democrat Jarrod Ousley of Merriam would take the cap for remote learning hours off for schools in Kansas."I think the concern is that with the latest round of COVID, school districts have been closing down, often, either a combination of having not enough staff or too many students and simply not operating," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards. "That means, essentially, you make the day up later. The debate, I guess, that we're going to face, is some legislators, clearly the majority that passed this just thought that remote learning is just not adequate and it shouldn't be allowed over a certain level limited threshold."Given that it was introduced by a minority party member and the makeup of the legislature hasn't fundamentally changed, the chances of it gaining traction are slim, at best."Others would argue remote learning can be better than no learning, particularly if it may be an extended period of time," Tallman said. "That doesn't solve all problems, because we still come back to an issue of looking at, depending on why teaching staff may be out, whether they are in a position even to offer remote learning. It would seem to be obvious that there are times when there's quarantining and that kind of issue, so we'll see where this goes. I don't think there's going to be a lot of support among Republican leadership, at least initially."There are provisions in current law to get exceptions for individual students on a case-by-case basis already.

Tallman: Remote learning proposal in Kan. legislature not going far

WASHINGTON – More people without children now qualify for the Earned 
Income Tax Credit (EITC), the federal government's largest refundable 
tax credit for low- to moderate-income families.

In addition, families can use pre-pandemic income levels to qualify 
if it results in a larger credit. The Internal Revenue Service and 
partners across the nation highlight those changes today as they mark 
the 16th annual EITC Awareness Day.

Enacted in 1975, EITC is regarded as one of the government's largest 
antipoverty programs helping millions of American families every year. 
The IRS and partners nationwide urge people to check to see if they 
qualify for this important credit, and also urge people who don't 
normally file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and 
other valuable credits like the Child Tax Credit or the Recovery Rebate 
Credit, also referred to as stimulus payments.

"There are important changes to EITC that will help this credit reach
 more hard-working families this year," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "We urge people potentially eligible for this valuable credit to
 review the guidelines; many people each year overlook this and leave 
money on the table. On this EITC Awareness Day, we want to make sure 
everyone who qualifies for the credit knows about it and has the 
information they need to get it."

The IRS began accepting 2021 tax returns on January 24, 2022. 
Taxpayers can ensure they're getting all the credits and deductions for 
which they qualify, including EITC, by filing their taxes 
electronically, using a trusted tax professional or using an <a href="https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/filing-status">IRS Free File</a>
 partner's name-brand software. Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income 
(or AGI) is $73,000 or less qualify for Free File partner offers.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax 
refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically and choosing 
direct deposit for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and 
other free options can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.

For 2021 only, more childless workers and couples can qualify for the
 EITC, and the maximum credit is nearly tripled for these taxpayers. For
 the first time, the credit is now available to both younger workers and
 senior citizens.

For 2021, the EITC is generally available to filers without 
qualifying children who are at least 19 years old with earned income 
below $21,430; $27,380 for spouses filing a joint return. The maximum 
EITC for filers with no qualifying children is $1,502, up from $538 in 
2020. There are also special exceptions for people who are 18 years old 
and were formerly in foster care or are experiencing homelessness. 
Full-time students under age 24 don't qualify. There is no upper age 
limit for claiming the credit if taxpayers have earned income. In the 
past, the EITC for those with no dependents was only available to people
 ages 25 to 64.

Another change for 2021 allows individuals to figure the EITC using 
their 2019 earned income if it was higher than their 2021 earned income.
 To qualify for the EITC, people must have earned income through 
employment or other sources, so this option may help workers get a 
larger credit if they earned less in 2021 or received unemployment 
income instead of their regular wages. See the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">instructions for Form 1040</a>&nbsp;PDF, line 27 c.

For 2021, the amount of the credit has been increased and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/earned-income-and-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc-tables">phaseout income limits</a>
 at which taxpayers can claim the credit have been expanded. For 
instance, the maximum EITC for a married couple filing jointly with 
three or more children is $6,728 and the upper-income level for that 
same family is $57,414. In 2020, the maximum EITC for a family in that 
situation was $6,660 and the upper-income level was $56,844.

Taxpayers should also note that any <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments or Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 received are not taxable or counted as income for purposes of claiming 
the EITC. Eligible individuals who did not receive the full amounts of 
their Economic Impact Payments may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on 
their 2021 tax return. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">IRS.gov/rrc</a> for more information.

New law changes expand the EITC for 2021 and future years. These changes include:

The EITC is the federal government's largest refundable federal 
income tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers. For those who 
qualify, and if the credit is larger than the amount of tax they owe, 
they will receive a refund for the difference. While the majority of 
those eligible claim the EITC every year, IRS estimates that one of five
 eligible taxpayers do not claim the credit.

Nationwide last year, almost 25 million eligible workers and families
 received over $60 billion in EITC allowing for the payment of 
necessities, housing, and educational training, with an average EITC 
nationwide of $2,411. For 2021, the EITC is worth as much as $6,728 for a
 family with three or more children or up to $1,502 for taxpayers who do
 not have a qualifying child.

Look for EITC Refunds by early March if no issues with tax return

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax 
returns that claim the EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). 
The IRS must hold the entire refund − even the portion not associated 
with the EITC or ACTC and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 if applicable. This helps ensure taxpayers receive the refund they 
deserve and gives the agency more time to detect and prevent errors and 
fraud.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where’s My Refund?</a> on IRS.gov and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>
 will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC 
refund filers by February 19. Therefore, EITC/ACTC filers will not see 
an update to their refund status for several days after February 15. Due
 to weekends and other factors, the IRS expects most EITC or ACTC 
related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit 
cards by the first week of March, if they choose direct deposit and 
there are no other issues with their tax return.&nbsp;

Workers at risk for overlooking this important credit include taxpayers:

To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit.
 Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were 
below the income requirement to file a tax return. Free tax preparation 
help is available online and through volunteer organizations.

Those eligible for the EITC have these options:

The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social 
Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return, 
and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be 
issued before the due date of the return, including extensions. There 
are special rules for those in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/military-and-clergy-rules-for-the-earned-income-tax-credit">military</a> or those out of the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – More people without children now qualify for the Earned 
Income Tax Credit (EITC), the federal government's largest refundable 
tax credit for low- to moderate-income families.In addition, families can use pre-pandemic income levels to qualify 
if it results in a larger credit. The Internal Revenue Service and 
partners across the nation highlight those changes today as they mark 
the 16th annual EITC Awareness Day.Enacted in 1975, EITC is regarded as one of the government's largest 
antipoverty programs helping millions of American families every year. 
The IRS and partners nationwide urge people to check to see if they 
qualify for this important credit, and also urge people who don't 
normally file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and 
other valuable credits like the Child Tax Credit or the Recovery Rebate 
Credit, also referred to as stimulus payments."There are important changes to EITC that will help this credit reach
 more hard-working families this year," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "We urge people potentially eligible for this valuable credit to
 review the guidelines; many people each year overlook this and leave 
money on the table. On this EITC Awareness Day, we want to make sure 
everyone who qualifies for the credit knows about it and has the 
information they need to get it."The IRS began accepting 2021 tax returns on January 24, 2022. 
Taxpayers can ensure they're getting all the credits and deductions for 
which they qualify, including EITC, by filing their taxes 
electronically, using a trusted tax professional or using an <a href="https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/filing-status">IRS Free File</a>
 partner's name-brand software. Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income 
(or AGI) is $73,000 or less qualify for Free File partner offers.The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax 
refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically and choosing 
direct deposit for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and 
other free options can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.<h2>What's new?</h2><h2>Childless EITC expanded for 2021</h2>For 2021 only, more childless workers and couples can qualify for the
 EITC, and the maximum credit is nearly tripled for these taxpayers. For
 the first time, the credit is now available to both younger workers and
 senior citizens.For 2021, the EITC is generally available to filers without 
qualifying children who are at least 19 years old with earned income 
below $21,430; $27,380 for spouses filing a joint return. The maximum 
EITC for filers with no qualifying children is $1,502, up from $538 in 
2020. There are also special exceptions for people who are 18 years old 
and were formerly in foster care or are experiencing homelessness. 
Full-time students under age 24 don't qualify. There is no upper age 
limit for claiming the credit if taxpayers have earned income. In the 
past, the EITC for those with no dependents was only available to people
 ages 25 to 64.<h2>Income from 2019</h2>Another change for 2021 allows individuals to figure the EITC using 
their 2019 earned income if it was higher than their 2021 earned income.
 To qualify for the EITC, people must have earned income through 
employment or other sources, so this option may help workers get a 
larger credit if they earned less in 2021 or received unemployment 
income instead of their regular wages. See the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">instructions for Form 1040</a>&nbsp;PDF, line 27 c.<h2>Phase out and credit limits</h2>For 2021, the amount of the credit has been increased and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/earned-income-and-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc-tables">phaseout income limits</a>
 at which taxpayers can claim the credit have been expanded. For 
instance, the maximum EITC for a married couple filing jointly with 
three or more children is $6,728 and the upper-income level for that 
same family is $57,414. In 2020, the maximum EITC for a family in that 
situation was $6,660 and the upper-income level was $56,844.Taxpayers should also note that any <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments or Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 received are not taxable or counted as income for purposes of claiming 
the EITC. Eligible individuals who did not receive the full amounts of 
their Economic Impact Payments may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on 
their 2021 tax return. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">IRS.gov/rrc</a> for more information.<h2>2021 and beyond</h2>New law changes expand the EITC for 2021 and future years. These changes include:<ul>
 <li>More workers and working families who also have investment 
income can get the credit. Starting in 2021, the amount of investment 
income they can receive and still be eligible for the EITC increases to 
$10,000. In 2020, the limit was $3,650. After 2021, the $10,000 limit is
 indexed for inflation.</li><li>Married but separated spouses can choose to be treated as not 
married for EITC purposes. To qualify, the spouse claiming the credit 
cannot file jointly with the other spouse, must have a qualifying child 
living with them for more than half the year and either:
	Do not have the same principal residence as the other spouse for at least the last six months out of the year.Are legally separated according to their state law under a written
 separation agreement or a decree of separate maintenance and not live 
in the same household as their spouse at the end of the tax year for 
which the EITC is being claimed.
		Taxpayers should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-eic-form-1040">Schedule EIC (Form 1040)</a> and check the box showing them as married filing separately with a qualifying child.In the past, married taxpayers had to file with their spouse to claim the EITC.</li><li>Do not have the same principal residence as the other spouse for at least the last six months out of the year.</li><li>Are legally separated according to their state law under a written
 separation agreement or a decree of separate maintenance and not live 
in the same household as their spouse at the end of the tax year for 
which the EITC is being claimed.
		Taxpayers should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-eic-form-1040">Schedule EIC (Form 1040)</a> and check the box showing them as married filing separately with a qualifying child.In the past, married taxpayers had to file with their spouse to claim the EITC.</li><li>Taxpayers should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-eic-form-1040">Schedule EIC (Form 1040)</a> and check the box showing them as married filing separately with a qualifying child.</li><li>In the past, married taxpayers had to file with their spouse to claim the EITC.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Single people and couples with children who have Social 
Security numbers can claim the credit, even if their children do not 
have SSNs. In this instance, they would get the smaller credit available
 to childless workers. In the past, these filers didn't qualify for the 
credit.
	Taxpayers should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-eic-form-1040">Schedule EIC (Form 1040)</a>
 if they have a qualifying child. If they have at least one child who 
meets the conditions to be their qualifying child for purposes of 
claiming the EITC, they should complete and attach Schedule EIC to their
 Form 1040 or 1040-SR even if that child doesn't have a valid SSN. For 
more information, including how to complete Schedule EIC if your 
qualifying child doesn't have a valid SSN, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">instructions for Form 1040</a>&nbsp;PDF, line 27a, and Schedule EIC.</li><li>Taxpayers should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-eic-form-1040">Schedule EIC (Form 1040)</a>
 if they have a qualifying child. If they have at least one child who 
meets the conditions to be their qualifying child for purposes of 
claiming the EITC, they should complete and attach Schedule EIC to their
 Form 1040 or 1040-SR even if that child doesn't have a valid SSN. For 
more information, including how to complete Schedule EIC if your 
qualifying child doesn't have a valid SSN, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">instructions for Form 1040</a>&nbsp;PDF, line 27a, and Schedule EIC.</li>
 </ul><h2>Vital refund boost</h2>The EITC is the federal government's largest refundable federal 
income tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers. For those who 
qualify, and if the credit is larger than the amount of tax they owe, 
they will receive a refund for the difference. While the majority of 
those eligible claim the EITC every year, IRS estimates that one of five
 eligible taxpayers do not claim the credit.Nationwide last year, almost 25 million eligible workers and families
 received over $60 billion in EITC allowing for the payment of 
necessities, housing, and educational training, with an average EITC 
nationwide of $2,411. For 2021, the EITC is worth as much as $6,728 for a
 family with three or more children or up to $1,502 for taxpayers who do
 not have a qualifying child.<h2>Look for EITC Refunds by early March if no issues with tax return</h2>By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax 
returns that claim the EITC or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). 
The IRS must hold the entire refund − even the portion not associated 
with the EITC or ACTC and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 if applicable. This helps ensure taxpayers receive the refund they 
deserve and gives the agency more time to detect and prevent errors and 
fraud.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where’s My Refund?</a> on IRS.gov and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>
 will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC 
refund filers by February 19. Therefore, EITC/ACTC filers will not see 
an update to their refund status for several days after February 15. Due
 to weekends and other factors, the IRS expects most EITC or ACTC 
related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit 
cards by the first week of March, if they choose direct deposit and 
there are no other issues with their tax return.&nbsp;<h2>Workers who can claim the EITC</h2>Workers at risk for overlooking this important credit include taxpayers:<ul>
 <li>Without children, including those workers who are at least 19 years old and older than 64</li><li>Living in non-traditional families, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild</li><li>Whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed</li><li>With limited English language skills</li><li>Who are members of the armed forces</li><li>Living in rural areas</li><li>Who are Native Americans</li><li>With disabilities or who provide care for a disabled dependent</li>
 </ul><h2>How to claim the EITC</h2>To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit.
 Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were 
below the income requirement to file a tax return. Free tax preparation 
help is available online and through volunteer organizations.Those eligible for the EITC have these options:<ul>
 <li>Find a trusted tax professional. The IRS also reminds taxpayers 
that a trusted tax professional can prepare their tax return and provide
 helpful information and advice. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Tips for choosing a return preparer</a>,
 including certified public accountants, enrolled agents, attorneys and 
many others who don't have a professional credential, and details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/irs-tax-pro-association-partners">national tax professional groups</a> are available on IRS.gov. EITC recipients should be careful not to be duped by an unscrupulous return preparer.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File on IRS.gov</a>.
 Free brand-name tax software is available that leads taxpayers through a
 question-and-answer format to help prepare the tax return and claim 
credits and deductions if they're eligible. Free File also provides 
online versions of IRS paper forms, an option called <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/before-starting-free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, best suited for taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Free tax preparation sites</a>.
 EITC-eligible workers can seek free tax preparation at thousands of 
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the 
Elderly (TCE) sites. To locate the nearest site, use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prep">search tool</a> on IRS.gov, the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go smartphone application</a>, or call toll-free <a href="tel:800-906-9887">800-906-9887</a>. Taxpayers should bring all required documents and information.</li>
 </ul>The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social 
Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return, 
and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be 
issued before the due date of the return, including extensions. There 
are special rules for those in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/military-and-clergy-rules-for-the-earned-income-tax-credit">military</a> or those out of the country.<h2>Avoid errors</h2>Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return even 
if someone else prepares it for them. Since the rules for claiming the 
EITC can be complex, the IRS urges taxpayers to understand all of them. 
People can find help to make sure they're eligible by visiting a free 
tax return preparation site, or using Free File software or by using a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc254">paid tax professional</a>.<h2>Beware of scams</h2>Be sure to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">choose a tax preparer</a>
 wisely. Beware of scams that claim to increase the EITC refund. Scams 
that create fictitious qualifying children or inflate income levels to 
get the maximum EITC could leave taxpayers with a penalty.<h2>Visit IRS online</h2>IRS.gov is a valuable first stop to help taxpayers get it right this filing season. Information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions-for-individuals">other tax credits</a>, such as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents">Child Tax Credit</a>, is also available.<h2>Related items</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/">EITC Central</a>, helpful resources for IRS partners and others.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-596">Publication 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC)</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals">Tax Professionals</a>, another place for valuable EITC resources and assistance.</li>
 </ul>