WASHINGTON — With filing season beginning January 24, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminded taxpayers about several key items to keep in 
mind when filing their federal income tax returns this year.

Given the unprecedented circumstances around the pandemic and unique 
challenges for this tax season, the IRS offers a 5-point checklist that 
can help many people speed tax return processing and refund delivery 
while avoiding delays.

1. File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays. Taxpayers should electronically file and choose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;as
 soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. 
Taxpayers have many choices, including using a trusted tax professional.
 For those using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">e-file,</a>
 the software helps individuals avoid mistakes by doing the math. It 
guides people through each section of their tax return using a 
question-and-answer format.

2. For an accurate return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">collect all documents</a> before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate. In
 addition to collecting W-2s, Form 1099s and other income-related 
statements, it is important people have their advance Child Tax Credit 
and Economic Impact Payment information on hand when filing.

Both letters – 6419 and 6475 – include important information 
that can help people file an accurate 2021 tax return. If a return 
includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review while 
the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this 
information when preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors
 and avoid delays in processing.

3. Avoid lengthy phone delays; use online resources before calling the IRS. Phone demand on IRS assistance lines remains at record highs. To avoid lengthy delays, the IRS urges people to use IRS.gov to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">get answers to tax questions</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">check a refund status</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">pay taxes</a>. There's no wait time or appointment needed — <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tools">online tools</a> and resources are available 24 hours a day.

Additionally, the IRS has several ways for taxpayers to stay up to date on important tax information:

4. Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? Special tip to help with e-filing a 2021 tax return: In order to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">validate and successfully submit an electronically filed tax return to the IRS</a>,
 taxpayers need their Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, from their most 
recent tax return. For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be 
processed, here's a special tip to ensure the tax return is accepted by 
the IRS for processing. Make sure to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last 
year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. For those who used a Non-Filer tool 
in 2021 to register for an advance Child Tax Credit or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021, they should enter $1 as their prior year AGI. 
Everyone else should enter their prior year's AGI from last year's 
return. Remember, if using the same tax preparation software as last year, this field will auto-populate.

5.&nbsp;Free resources are available to help taxpayers file. During
 this challenging year, the IRS reminds taxpayers there are many options
 for free help, including many resources on IRS.gov. For those looking 
to avoid the delays with a paper tax return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is an option. With Free File, leading tax software providers make their
 online products available for free as part of a 20-year partnership 
with the Internal Revenue Service. This year, there are eight products 
in English and two in Spanish. IRS Free File is available to any person 
or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. Qualified taxpayers can 
also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through
 the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — With filing season beginning January 24, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminded taxpayers about several key items to keep in 
mind when filing their federal income tax returns this year.Given the unprecedented circumstances around the pandemic and unique 
challenges for this tax season, the IRS offers a 5-point checklist that 
can help many people speed tax return processing and refund delivery 
while avoiding delays.1. File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays. Taxpayers should electronically file and choose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;as
 soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. 
Taxpayers have many choices, including using a trusted tax professional.
 For those using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">e-file,</a>
 the software helps individuals avoid mistakes by doing the math. It 
guides people through each section of their tax return using a 
question-and-answer format.2. For an accurate return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">collect all documents</a> before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate. In
 addition to collecting W-2s, Form 1099s and other income-related 
statements, it is important people have their advance Child Tax Credit 
and Economic Impact Payment information on hand when filing.<ul>
 <li>Advance CTC letter 6419: In late December 2021,
 and continuing into January, the IRS started sending letters to people 
who received advance CTC payments. The letter says, "2021 Total Advance 
Child Tax Credit (AdvCTC) Payments" near the top and, "Letter 6419" on 
the bottom righthand side of the page. Here's what people need to know:

	The letter contains important information that can help ensure the tax return is accurate.People who received advance CTC payments can also check the amount of the payments they received by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a>&nbsp;available on IRS.gov.Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.</li><li>The letter contains important information that can help ensure the tax return is accurate.</li><li>People who received advance CTC payments can also check the amount of the payments they received by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a>&nbsp;available on IRS.gov.</li><li>Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.</li><li>Third Economic Impact Payment letter 6475: In late
 January 2022, the IRS will begin issuing letters to people who received
 a third payment in late January 2021. The letter says, "Your Third 
Economic Impact Payment" near the top and, "Letter 6475" on the bottom 
righthand side of the page. Here's what people need to know:
	Most eligible people already received their stimulus payments. 
This letter will help individuals determine if they are eligible to 
claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a> for missing stimulus payments.People who are eligible for RRC must file a 2021 tax return to claim their remaining stimulus amount.People can also use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a>&nbsp;to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.</li><li>Most eligible people already received their stimulus payments. 
This letter will help individuals determine if they are eligible to 
claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a> for missing stimulus payments.</li><li>People who are eligible for RRC must file a 2021 tax return to claim their remaining stimulus amount.</li><li>People can also use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a>&nbsp;to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.</li>
 </ul>Both letters – 6419 and 6475 – include important information 
that can help people file an accurate 2021 tax return. If a return 
includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review while 
the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this 
information when preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors
 and avoid delays in processing.3. Avoid lengthy phone delays; use online resources before calling the IRS. Phone demand on IRS assistance lines remains at record highs. To avoid lengthy delays, the IRS urges people to use IRS.gov to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">get answers to tax questions</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">check a refund status</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">pay taxes</a>. There's no wait time or appointment needed — <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tools">online tools</a> and resources are available 24 hours a day.Additionally, the IRS has several ways for taxpayers to stay up to date on important tax information:<ul>
 <li>Follow the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">IRS' official social media accounts</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/e-news-subscriptions">email subscription lists</a> to stay current on the latest tax topics and alerts.</li><li>Download the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go mobile app</a>, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/irsvideos">IRS YouTube videos</a>,
 or follow the IRS on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for the 
latest updates on tax changes, scam alerts, initiatives, products and 
services.</li><li>Taxpayers can also get information in their preferred language. The
 IRS translates tax resources into several languages and currently has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages">basic tax information in 20 languages</a>. People can also file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-lep">Schedule LEP, Request for Change in Language Preference</a>, to receive written communications from the IRS in their preferred language.</li>
 </ul>4. Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? Special tip to help with e-filing a 2021 tax return: In order to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">validate and successfully submit an electronically filed tax return to the IRS</a>,
 taxpayers need their Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, from their most 
recent tax return. For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be 
processed, here's a special tip to ensure the tax return is accepted by 
the IRS for processing. Make sure to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last 
year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. For those who used a Non-Filer tool 
in 2021 to register for an advance Child Tax Credit or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021, they should enter $1 as their prior year AGI. 
Everyone else should enter their prior year's AGI from last year's 
return. Remember, if using the same tax preparation software as last year, this field will auto-populate.5.&nbsp;Free resources are available to help taxpayers file. During
 this challenging year, the IRS reminds taxpayers there are many options
 for free help, including many resources on IRS.gov. For those looking 
to avoid the delays with a paper tax return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is an option. With Free File, leading tax software providers make their
 online products available for free as part of a 20-year partnership 
with the Internal Revenue Service. This year, there are eight products 
in English and two in Spanish. IRS Free File is available to any person 
or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. Qualified taxpayers can 
also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through
 the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs</a>.

Top 5 things to remember when filing income tax returns in 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first year in office that he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-ap-fact-check-0e06b60ce6f610114913aa31f89c56bc">“outperformed” expectations</a>&nbsp;in dealing with it.

Facing sagging poll numbers and a stalled legislative agenda, Biden conceded he would likely have to pare back his “build back better” recovery package and instead settle for “big chunks” of his signature economic plan. He promised to further attack inflation and the pandemic and blamed Republicans for uniting in opposition to his proposals rather than offering ideas of their own.

This is a perilous time for Biden: The nation is gripped by a disruptive new surge of virus cases, and inflation is at a level not seen in a generation. Democrats are bracing for a potential midterm rout if he can’t turn things around.

Biden insisted that voters will come to embrace a more positive view of his tenure — and of his beleaguered party — in time. His appeal to voters for patience came with a pledge to spend more time outside Washington to make the case to them directly.

Biden also addressed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antony-blinken-jen-psaki-vladimir-putin-sergey-lavrov-congress-1df536e9a832830dc3bae2e89aef4116">brewing crisis</a>&nbsp;on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.

The president said his “guess” is Russia may move further but he believes President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want full-blown war. He declared Russia would pay a “dear price” if Putin launches a military incursion.

“He has to do something,” Biden said of Putin. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”

Biden suggested a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from some corners.

“President Biden basically gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a ‘minor incursion,’” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated in a subsequent statement that that wasn’t necessarily about tanks and troops.

“President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she said.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-9c1fea07322a2891add2ecc7d1c9e6de">held forth for 1 hour and 50 minutes in</a>&nbsp;the East Room of the White House, appearing to relish the opportunity to parry questions from two dozen journalists with doses of wit and a few flashes of anger. At several points, he looked at his watch, smiled and kept calling on reporters.

He fielded questions about inflation, nuclear talks with Iran, voting rights, political division, Vice President Kamala Harris’ place on the 2024 ticket, trade with China and the competency of government. Those questions showed the multitude of challenges confronting the president, each of them as much a risk as an opportunity to prove himself.

The president began by reeling off early progress in fighting the virus and showcasing quick passage of an ambitious bipartisan roads-and-bridges infrastructure deal. But his economic, voting rights, police reform and immigration agenda have all been thwarted in a barely Democratic-controlled Senate, while inflation has emerged as an economic threat to the nation and a political risk for Biden.

Despite his faltering approval numbers, Biden claimed to have “probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen” in a country still coping with the coronavirus.

“After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.

“Some people may call what’s happening now ’the new normal,″ he added, his voice rising. “I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”

On his nearly $2 trillion economic agenda that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has blocked from moving forward, Biden said he’ll pass the parts of the package that can net sufficient votes. This likely means not extending the expanded child tax credit or providing financial support to community colleges, Biden said.

“I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now, come back and fight for the rest,” he said, later adding that he would apply the same strategy to his voting reform agenda.

The social spending bill was once viewed as a catch-all home for various progressive priorities, but now Democrats are sensing a need to deliver a solid accomplishment to voters in the midterm year and are beginning to come to terms with a slimmed-down package that can overcome Manchin’s reticence.

The White House and congressional Democratic leaders are expected to refocus their attention on it beginning next week, after the all-but-certain collapse of the Democrats’ push on voting rights legislation. Talks to craft a new bill that meets Manchin’s demands and can garner the virtually unanimous Democratic support needed to pass Congress will likely take weeks.

The Democrats’ goal is to have a package — or be on the cusp of one — that Biden can highlight in his March 1 State of the Union address.

If Biden seemed to have one set of regrets so far, it was his inability because of the coronavirus to connect with more Americans outside the capital. He noted that this challenge was most acutely felt by Black voters who wanted him to push more aggressively on expanding access to voting.

“I don’t get a chance to look people in the eye because of both COVID and things that are happening in Washington,” he said.

Speaking as Democrats were mounting a doomed effort to change Senate rules to pass the voting measure, Biden said he still hoped that it would pass in some form and wasn’t prepared yet to discuss possible executive actions on the issue. The vote spotlighted the constraints on Biden’s influence barely a week after he delivered an impassioned speech in Atlanta suggesting opponents of the measures were taking a historical stance alongside segregationists and exhorting senators to action.

Still, he said he understood that civil rights groups were anxious and frustrated about the lack of action, particularly Black voters who question why he didn’t press the issue harder and earlier.

There are at least 19 Republican-backed laws in states that make it harder to vote, and Jan. 6 insurrection supporters are filling local election posts and running for office.

It was Biden’s seventh solo news conference as president. The ongoing threat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;was evident in the setup of Wednesday’s gathering: A limited number of reporters were allowed to attend and all had to have been tested for the virus and wear masks.

The president used the event to pay heed to growing anxiety about rising prices. Staring down an inflation rate that has gone from 1.7% at his inauguration to 7%, he called on the Federal Reserve to lessen its monetary boosting of the economy by raising interest rates, which would in theory help to reduce inflation.

“Given the strength of our economy, and the pace of recent price increases, it’s important to recalibrate the support that is now necessary,” Biden said. “Now, we need to get inflation under control.”

Despite it all, Biden said he’s convinced the country is still with him — even if they don’t tell that to pollsters.

“I don’t believe the polls,” he said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first year in office that he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-ap-fact-check-0e06b60ce6f610114913aa31f89c56bc">“outperformed” expectations</a>&nbsp;in dealing with it.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F486629802833516%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=6" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Facing sagging poll numbers and a stalled legislative agenda, Biden conceded he would likely have to pare back his “build back better” recovery package and instead settle for “big chunks” of his signature economic plan. He promised to further attack inflation and the pandemic and blamed Republicans for uniting in opposition to his proposals rather than offering ideas of their own.This is a perilous time for Biden: The nation is gripped by a disruptive new surge of virus cases, and inflation is at a level not seen in a generation. Democrats are bracing for a potential midterm rout if he can’t turn things around.Biden insisted that voters will come to embrace a more positive view of his tenure — and of his beleaguered party — in time. His appeal to voters for patience came with a pledge to spend more time outside Washington to make the case to them directly.Biden also addressed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antony-blinken-jen-psaki-vladimir-putin-sergey-lavrov-congress-1df536e9a832830dc3bae2e89aef4116">brewing crisis</a>&nbsp;on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.The president said his “guess” is Russia may move further but he believes President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want full-blown war. He declared Russia would pay a “dear price” if Putin launches a military incursion.“He has to do something,” Biden said of Putin. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”Biden suggested a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from some corners.“President Biden basically gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a ‘minor incursion,’” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated in a subsequent statement that that wasn’t necessarily about tanks and troops.“President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she said.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-9c1fea07322a2891add2ecc7d1c9e6de">held forth for 1 hour and 50 minutes in</a>&nbsp;the East Room of the White House, appearing to relish the opportunity to parry questions from two dozen journalists with doses of wit and a few flashes of anger. At several points, he looked at his watch, smiled and kept calling on reporters.He fielded questions about inflation, nuclear talks with Iran, voting rights, political division, Vice President Kamala Harris’ place on the 2024 ticket, trade with China and the competency of government. Those questions showed the multitude of challenges confronting the president, each of them as much a risk as an opportunity to prove himself.The president began by reeling off early progress in fighting the virus and showcasing quick passage of an ambitious bipartisan roads-and-bridges infrastructure deal. But his economic, voting rights, police reform and immigration agenda have all been thwarted in a barely Democratic-controlled Senate, while inflation has emerged as an economic threat to the nation and a political risk for Biden.Despite his faltering approval numbers, Biden claimed to have “probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen” in a country still coping with the coronavirus.“After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.“Some people may call what’s happening now ’the new normal,″ he added, his voice rising. “I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”On his nearly $2 trillion economic agenda that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has blocked from moving forward, Biden said he’ll pass the parts of the package that can net sufficient votes. This likely means not extending the expanded child tax credit or providing financial support to community colleges, Biden said.“I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now, come back and fight for the rest,” he said, later adding that he would apply the same strategy to his voting reform agenda.The social spending bill was once viewed as a catch-all home for various progressive priorities, but now Democrats are sensing a need to deliver a solid accomplishment to voters in the midterm year and are beginning to come to terms with a slimmed-down package that can overcome Manchin’s reticence.The White House and congressional Democratic leaders are expected to refocus their attention on it beginning next week, after the all-but-certain collapse of the Democrats’ push on voting rights legislation. Talks to craft a new bill that meets Manchin’s demands and can garner the virtually unanimous Democratic support needed to pass Congress will likely take weeks.The Democrats’ goal is to have a package — or be on the cusp of one — that Biden can highlight in his March 1 State of the Union address.If Biden seemed to have one set of regrets so far, it was his inability because of the coronavirus to connect with more Americans outside the capital. He noted that this challenge was most acutely felt by Black voters who wanted him to push more aggressively on expanding access to voting.“I don’t get a chance to look people in the eye because of both COVID and things that are happening in Washington,” he said.Speaking as Democrats were mounting a doomed effort to change Senate rules to pass the voting measure, Biden said he still hoped that it would pass in some form and wasn’t prepared yet to discuss possible executive actions on the issue. The vote spotlighted the constraints on Biden’s influence barely a week after he delivered an impassioned speech in Atlanta suggesting opponents of the measures were taking a historical stance alongside segregationists and exhorting senators to action.Still, he said he understood that civil rights groups were anxious and frustrated about the lack of action, particularly Black voters who question why he didn’t press the issue harder and earlier.There are at least 19 Republican-backed laws in states that make it harder to vote, and Jan. 6 insurrection supporters are filling local election posts and running for office.It was Biden’s seventh solo news conference as president. The ongoing threat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;was evident in the setup of Wednesday’s gathering: A limited number of reporters were allowed to attend and all had to have been tested for the virus and wear masks.The president used the event to pay heed to growing anxiety about rising prices. Staring down an inflation rate that has gone from 1.7% at his inauguration to 7%, he called on the Federal Reserve to lessen its monetary boosting of the economy by raising interest rates, which would in theory help to reduce inflation.“Given the strength of our economy, and the pace of recent price increases, it’s important to recalibrate the support that is now necessary,” Biden said. “Now, we need to get inflation under control.”Despite it all, Biden said he’s convinced the country is still with him — even if they don’t tell that to pollsters.“I don’t believe the polls,” he said.

🎥 Biden says nation weary from COVID but he's doing his best to deal with it

The
 Federal Trade Commission ordered more than 20 marketers nationwide to 
immediately stop making baseless claims that their products and supposed
 therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19. In cease-and-desist demands 
sent to these marketers, the agency noted that violators could be hit 
with monetary penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act 
passed by Congress last year.

The cease-and-desist demands are the latest action in the FTC’s 
continued fight against fraudsters attempting to take advantage of 
ongoing coronavirus concerns, including those related to the Omicron 
variant.

“Americans are still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
scammers are still taking advantage of them by making false claims about
 cures and treatments,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau
 of Consumer Protection. “Our efforts to stamp out those claims will 
continue in 2022, and any marketers not heeding our cease-and-desist 
demands can expect to face consequences, including civil penalties”

This is the eleventh set of warning letters issued by the FTC. The Commission has previously sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters">similar health-related letters to 405 companies and individuals</a>.
 Most of the demands announced today were sent to companies using social
 media platforms to sell their products, and in those instances the 
agency also notified the platform of its demand.

Several of the letters announced today call out products and 
“treatments” the FTC has warned companies about previously, including 
peptide therapy, herbal remedies, ivermectin, and supplements. Others 
concern less-common products and therapies deceptively promoted to 
prevent or treat COVID-19. For example, letters went to companies 
claiming that “imprinted filtered water,” nasal irrigation, and even 
seaweed extract can fight coronavirus. However, currently there is no 
scientific evidence that any of these products can prevent or treat 
COVID-19 generally or any specific variant.

In the health-related letters, the FTC states that one or more of the
 efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they 
are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC 
Act. The demands order the recipients to immediately stop making all 
claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify 
the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.

The letters warn the recipients of the FTC’s authority to seek civil 
penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act. Violators who make
 deceptive claims related to the treatment, cure, or prevention of 
COVID-19 are subject to penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.

The actions announced today involved the companies and individuals 
listed below. Marketers are grouped based on the type of therapy, 
product, or service they pitched related to COVID-19.

Peptide Therapies/Vitamin Drips and Injections/Skin Care Therapies:

Supplements, Vitamins, Botanicals, Protease Inhibitors, Ivermectin, and Seaweed Extract:

The Commission also sent cease-and-desist demands to four multi-level
 marketing companies, advising them to them to remove and address claims
 that they or their participants are making about their products’ 
ability to treat or prevent coronavirus disease or about the earnings 
people who have recently lost income can make.

This is the third set of letters to MLMs the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from COVID-19 scams. The letters refer the companies to the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/business-guidance-concerning-multi-level-marketing">agency’s guidance for MLMs</a>,
 remind them that they are responsible for the claims made by their 
participants and representatives, advise the recipients that they and 
their participants must immediately cease making all claims that are 
false or misleading, and inform them that they must notify
 the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.

The FTC sent the letters to the four companies listed below. The recipients are grouped based on the types of claims made.

Other COVID-related FTC Enforcement Actions

In October 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/10/ftc-sues-utah-based-company-falsely-claiming-its-nasal-sprays-can">the FTC sued Xlear, Inc., a Utah-based company, for violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act,</a>
 alleging that it falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an 
effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19. In its lawsuit against 
Xlear, Inc. and its owner, the FTC is asking a federal court to impose 
monetary penalties on the defendants and bar them from continuing to 
make such false and unsupported claims.

In April 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-directed-30-more-marketers-stop-making-unsupported-claims">the FTC announced that 30 marketers nationwide had stopped making unsubstantiated claims</a>
 that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19. The 
marketers removed these claims after receiving FTC warning letters 
citing the agency’s new civil penalty authority under the COVID-19 
Consumer Protection Act.

Also that month, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/first-action-under-covid-19-consumer-protection-act-ftc-seeks">FTC charged St. Louis-based chiropractor Eric Anthony Nepute and his company Quickwork LLC</a>
 with violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the FTC Act, by
 deceptively marketing products containing vitamin D and zinc as 
scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. It was the first 
case the agency has brought under the new law.

In November 2020, a federal court in Ohio has issued a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/ftc_v_unknown_-_tro_with_attachment_a.pdf">temporary restraining order</a> against
 25 counterfeit websites that allegedly have been playing on consumers’ 
COVID-19 pandemic fears to trick them into paying for Clorox and Lysol 
products that the defendants never deliver.

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission ordered more than 20 marketers nationwide to 
immediately stop making baseless claims that their products and supposed
 therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19. In cease-and-desist demands 
sent to these marketers, the agency noted that violators could be hit 
with monetary penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act 
passed by Congress last year.The cease-and-desist demands are the latest action in the FTC’s 
continued fight against fraudsters attempting to take advantage of 
ongoing coronavirus concerns, including those related to the Omicron 
variant.“Americans are still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
scammers are still taking advantage of them by making false claims about
 cures and treatments,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau
 of Consumer Protection. “Our efforts to stamp out those claims will 
continue in 2022, and any marketers not heeding our cease-and-desist 
demands can expect to face consequences, including civil penalties”This is the eleventh set of warning letters issued by the FTC. The Commission has previously sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters">similar health-related letters to 405 companies and individuals</a>.
 Most of the demands announced today were sent to companies using social
 media platforms to sell their products, and in those instances the 
agency also notified the platform of its demand.Several of the letters announced today call out products and 
“treatments” the FTC has warned companies about previously, including 
peptide therapy, herbal remedies, ivermectin, and supplements. Others 
concern less-common products and therapies deceptively promoted to 
prevent or treat COVID-19. For example, letters went to companies 
claiming that “imprinted filtered water,” nasal irrigation, and even 
seaweed extract can fight coronavirus. However, currently there is no 
scientific evidence that any of these products can prevent or treat 
COVID-19 generally or any specific variant.In the health-related letters, the FTC states that one or more of the
 efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they 
are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC 
Act. The demands order the recipients to immediately stop making all 
claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify 
the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.The letters warn the recipients of the FTC’s authority to seek civil 
penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act. Violators who make
 deceptive claims related to the treatment, cure, or prevention of 
COVID-19 are subject to penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.The actions announced today involved the companies and individuals 
listed below. Marketers are grouped based on the type of therapy, 
product, or service they pitched related to COVID-19.Infoceuticals, Imprinted Filtered Water:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-ashnu-technologies">AshNu Technologies Inc.</a> (infopathy.com) (North York, Ontario, Canada)</li>
 </ul>IV Ozone and Vitamin C and D Therapy:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-pretty-healthy">Pretty Healthy</a> (New York, New York)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-ivita-drip">Vita Drip Therapy</a>, ivitadriptherapy.com (Rock Springs, Wyoming; Liberal, Kansas)</li>
 </ul>Low-dose Immunotherapy Treatments:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letters-peine-osteopathic">Peine Osteopathic</a> (Boise, Idaho)</li>
 </ul>Nasal Irrigation Therapy:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-rhinosystems">Martin R. Hoke, RhinoSystems, Inc.</a> (Brooklyn, Ohio)</li>
 </ul>Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-integrative-pain-wellness-center">Integrative Pain and Wellness Center</a> (Southlake, Texas)</li>
 </ul>Peptide Therapies/Vitamin Drips and Injections/Skin Care Therapies:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-gapin-institute">Dr. Tracy Gapin and Gapin Institute</a> (Sarasota, Florida)</li>
 </ul>Supplements, Vitamins, Botanicals, Protease Inhibitors, Ivermectin, and Seaweed Extract:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-krystal-anesthesia">Krystal Anesthesia &amp; Pain Specialists</a> (Arlington, Texas and Holly Lake Ranch, Texas)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-todos-medical">Todos Medical</a> (Rehovot, Israel) and Alchemist's Kitchen (New York, New York)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-seaweed-co">Seaweed &amp; Co.</a> (Whitley Bay, United Kingdom)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-foraged-faith">Foraged with Faith</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-green-star-products">Green Star Products</a> (Victor, Montana)&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-armored-nutrition">Armored Nutrition</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-sava-holistic-health">Sava Holistic Health</a> (East Hampton, Connecticut)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-sunshine-health-food">Sunshine Health Foods &amp; Wellness Center</a> (Titusville, Florida)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-terramune-health-llc">TerraMune Health, LLC</a> (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-austin-compounding-pharmacy">Austin Compounding Pharmacy</a> (Austin, Texas)</li>
 </ul>Herbal Remedies, Teas, and Juices: <ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-wei-fast-patch-hawaii">Wei FAST Patch Hawaii</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-angelica-kokkalis-han-institute">Dr. Angelica Kokkalis, The Han Institute</a> (West Lafayette, Indiana)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-wei-laboratories-inc">Wei Laboratories, Inc.</a> (Santa Clara, California)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-goodstuff-juices">Good Stuff Juices</a> (Greenville, North Carolina)</li>
 </ul>Multi-Level Marketing Companies:The Commission also sent cease-and-desist demands to four multi-level
 marketing companies, advising them to them to remove and address claims
 that they or their participants are making about their products’ 
ability to treat or prevent coronavirus disease or about the earnings 
people who have recently lost income can make.This is the third set of letters to MLMs the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from COVID-19 scams. The letters refer the companies to the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/business-guidance-concerning-multi-level-marketing">agency’s guidance for MLMs</a>,
 remind them that they are responsible for the claims made by their 
participants and representatives, advise the recipients that they and 
their participants must immediately cease making all claims that are 
false or misleading, and inform them that they must notify
 the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.The FTC sent the letters to the four companies listed below. The recipients are grouped based on the types of claims made.Product Claims:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-amplifei">AmpLIFEi</a> (Greenwood, Indiana)</li><li><a href="https://edit.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-blackoxygen-organics-usa">BlackOxygen Organics USA</a> (Sheridan, Wyoming)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-enagic-usa-inc">Enagic USA, Inc.</a> (Torrance, California)</li>
 </ul>Earnings Claims:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-family-first-life-llc">Family First Life, LLC</a> (Uncasville, Connecticut)</li>
 </ul>Other COVID-related FTC Enforcement ActionsIn October 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/10/ftc-sues-utah-based-company-falsely-claiming-its-nasal-sprays-can">the FTC sued Xlear, Inc., a Utah-based company, for violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act,</a>
 alleging that it falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an 
effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19. In its lawsuit against 
Xlear, Inc. and its owner, the FTC is asking a federal court to impose 
monetary penalties on the defendants and bar them from continuing to 
make such false and unsupported claims.In April 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-directed-30-more-marketers-stop-making-unsupported-claims">the FTC announced that 30 marketers nationwide had stopped making unsubstantiated claims</a>
 that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19. The 
marketers removed these claims after receiving FTC warning letters 
citing the agency’s new civil penalty authority under the COVID-19 
Consumer Protection Act. Also that month, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/first-action-under-covid-19-consumer-protection-act-ftc-seeks">FTC charged St. Louis-based chiropractor Eric Anthony Nepute and his company Quickwork LLC</a>
 with violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the FTC Act, by
 deceptively marketing products containing vitamin D and zinc as 
scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. It was the first 
case the agency has brought under the new law.In November 2020, a federal court in Ohio has issued a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/ftc_v_unknown_-_tro_with_attachment_a.pdf">temporary restraining order</a> against
 25 counterfeit websites that allegedly have been playing on consumers’ 
COVID-19 pandemic fears to trick them into paying for Clorox and Lysol 
products that the defendants never deliver.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC sends cease-and-desist demands to 400+ claiming to treat COVID

KANSAS CITY —A 29-year-old Kansas man has been charged in connection with a fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, Kansas City, Kan.. faces Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old Mackenzie Hopkins deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. 

The child remains in critical condition. A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to the defendant. 

Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a male in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the suspect to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter. Escalante-Corchado &nbsp;is being held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642597745010.png" alt="Escalante-Corchado-photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Escalante-Corchado-photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A 29-year-old Kansas man has been charged in connection with a fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, Kansas City, Kan.. faces Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630099420.png" alt="Photo of Mackenzie Hopkins and her daughter <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-mackenzie-hopkins?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=sms&amp;utm_source=customer">courtesy GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Mackenzie Hopkins and her daughter <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-mackenzie-hopkins?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=sms&amp;utm_source=customer">courtesy GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old Mackenzie Hopkins deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. The child remains in critical condition. A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to the defendant. Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a male in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the suspect to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter. Escalante-Corchado &nbsp;is being held without bond.

4-year-old girl found bludgeoned, mom killed in Kansas City

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/19/kansas-lawmakers-test-positive-for-covid-19-worry-about-lax-safety-at-statehouse/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democrats in the Kansas House are worried about lax health 
safety protocols, relocated COVID-19 testing, and the confirmed and 
rumored infections of legislators and staff.

Few lawmakers regularly wear a mask at the Statehouse, despite 
record-setting numbers of hospitalizations and escalating death totals 
from COVID-19.

The Kansas Department for Health and Environment on Wednesday 
reported 128 more deaths from COVID-19, along with 151 hospitalizations 
and 39,326 cases since Friday.

“Leadership doesn’t seem to care,” said Rep. John Carmichael, 
D-Wichita. “They have thrown in the towel on preventing the spread of 
this disease in the Kansas Legislature, and I fear that within days 
we’ll have a hard time finding a quorum around this place.”

Alexis Simmons, a spokeswoman for House Democrats, confirmed that 
three members of the caucus have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 
start of the session. They declined to be identified. Two more, Rep. 
Heather Meyer, D-Overland Park, and Rep. Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said
 they tested positive shortly before the start of the session.

Woodard and Meyer both said they are fully vaccinated and boosted. 
Meyer stayed away from the Statehouse during the first week of the 
session.

“I hear my constituents say they are tired, and my former colleagues 
in health care talk about how concerned they are about this surge,” 
Meyer said. “At this point, we are all exhausted and overwhelmed by the 
pandemic, which is why it’s important for everyone to step up their 
game, and continue to do all that we can to help stop the spread because
 we won’t beat this virus if we don’t work together.”

Woodard said he tested positive before New Year’s Eve and was 
asymptomatic. He expressed frustration about the lack of concern for 
COVID-19 he has seen so far this session.

On Tuesday, Woodard said, he asked a Republican lawmaker if they had COIVD-19. The response: COVID’s not real.

“It’s so frustrating because folks from our caucus are wearing masks 
and taking precautions, while science-deniers walk around the building,”
 Woodard said.

Lawmakers from both parties can be seen without a mask in hallways 
and any given committee hearing. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly left the 
State of the State speech without a mask last week and posed for 
maskless pictures with a group of education advisers on Friday.

Even the acting health secretary, Janet Stanek, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-abandons-efforts-to-trace-contacts-for-covid-19-infections/">didn’t wear a mask</a> when she appeared before Senate and House panels this week.

Carmichael said Stanek must have learned from the fate of former health secretary Lee Norman, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/19/lee-norman-steps-down-as-kansas-health-secretary-months-after-internal-dispute/">who was fired for speaking beyond politically calculated talking points</a> provided by the governor’s office.

“The governor started out doing the right things,” Carmichael said. 
“She met with political opposition. She had to compromise. But what 
she’s doing now is setting a poor example.”

Few legislators have been forthcoming about their illnesses, and 
medical privacy issues make it difficult to verify the many rumors of 
infected lawmakers. Several committees abruptly canceled hearings on 
Wednesday, with staff and lawmakers absent from the Statehouse.

Eric Turek, spokesman for House Republicans, wouldn’t say how many members have tested positive.

“We’re not going to disclose personal health information of any of our members,” Turek said.

A spokeswoman for Senate Democrats said there were no known cases of 
COVID-19 among caucus members. A spokesman for Senate Republicans didn’t
 respond to an inquiry for this story.

Tom Day, director of Legislative Administrative Services, said 
testing at the Statehouse is available for legislators and staff. 
Between 12-15 people are being tested per day, he said, and two have 
tested positive in the past five work days. A courier picks up the 
samples at 10 a.m. and delivers them to a lab at Wichita State 
University.

Last year, testing was conducted near the entry of the building on 
the ground floor, in a room typically used by lobbyists for luncheons. 
This year, testing was moved to the fifth floor, Day said, “because we 
had no other place to do it.”

Carmichael said he was troubled by the decision to move testing to a 
location where someone who is sick would have to pass through Capitol, 
ride in an enclosed elevator and enter an office where several people 
work.

“How many people are legislators and their staff going to pass the virus to just going to get their test?” Carmichael asked.

People are obviously tired of the necessary precautions to preserve 
the public health, Carmichael said. He understands that people are 
frustrated that the pandemic hasn’t gone away.

“But that doesn’t mean that the risk is less,” Carmichael said. 
“People who think that just because omicron is apparently less virulent 
or is less severe in its symptoms are running a tremendous risk. Because
 if they end up being the person who does have a deadly case of omicron,
 they will be just as dead as someone who died of delta or some other 
variant.

“And so our fatigue has taken over and overruled our common sense. 
And I have to admit that I slip up myself too. You know, it’s been a 
long time, and we all want this to be over with, but just hoping and 
wishing and saying it’s been long enough doesn’t stop the virus.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629772219.png" alt="A sign directing visitors to wear a mask before entering the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians clinic on the fourth floor of the Statehouse has been ripped from the door. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A sign directing visitors to wear a mask before entering the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians clinic on the fourth floor of the Statehouse has been ripped from the door. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/19/kansas-lawmakers-test-positive-for-covid-19-worry-about-lax-safety-at-statehouse/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democrats in the Kansas House are worried about lax health 
safety protocols, relocated COVID-19 testing, and the confirmed and 
rumored infections of legislators and staff.Few lawmakers regularly wear a mask at the Statehouse, despite 
record-setting numbers of hospitalizations and escalating death totals 
from COVID-19.The Kansas Department for Health and Environment on Wednesday 
reported 128 more deaths from COVID-19, along with 151 hospitalizations 
and 39,326 cases since Friday.“Leadership doesn’t seem to care,” said Rep. John Carmichael, 
D-Wichita. “They have thrown in the towel on preventing the spread of 
this disease in the Kansas Legislature, and I fear that within days 
we’ll have a hard time finding a quorum around this place.”Alexis Simmons, a spokeswoman for House Democrats, confirmed that 
three members of the caucus have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 
start of the session. They declined to be identified. Two more, Rep. 
Heather Meyer, D-Overland Park, and Rep. Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said
 they tested positive shortly before the start of the session.Woodard and Meyer both said they are fully vaccinated and boosted. 
Meyer stayed away from the Statehouse during the first week of the 
session.“I hear my constituents say they are tired, and my former colleagues 
in health care talk about how concerned they are about this surge,” 
Meyer said. “At this point, we are all exhausted and overwhelmed by the 
pandemic, which is why it’s important for everyone to step up their 
game, and continue to do all that we can to help stop the spread because
 we won’t beat this virus if we don’t work together.”Woodard said he tested positive before New Year’s Eve and was 
asymptomatic. He expressed frustration about the lack of concern for 
COVID-19 he has seen so far this session.On Tuesday, Woodard said, he asked a Republican lawmaker if they had COIVD-19. The response: COVID’s not real.“It’s so frustrating because folks from our caucus are wearing masks 
and taking precautions, while science-deniers walk around the building,”
 Woodard said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629838140.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly poses for a photo with members of her education advisory group on Friday in front of the Brown v. Board mural at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly poses for a photo with members of her education advisory group on Friday in front of the Brown v. Board mural at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Lawmakers from both parties can be seen without a mask in hallways 
and any given committee hearing. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly left the 
State of the State speech without a mask last week and posed for 
maskless pictures with a group of education advisers on Friday.Even the acting health secretary, Janet Stanek, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-abandons-efforts-to-trace-contacts-for-covid-19-infections/">didn’t wear a mask</a> when she appeared before Senate and House panels this week.Carmichael said Stanek must have learned from the fate of former health secretary Lee Norman, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/19/lee-norman-steps-down-as-kansas-health-secretary-months-after-internal-dispute/">who was fired for speaking beyond politically calculated talking points</a> provided by the governor’s office.“The governor started out doing the right things,” Carmichael said. 
“She met with political opposition. She had to compromise. But what 
she’s doing now is setting a poor example.”Few legislators have been forthcoming about their illnesses, and 
medical privacy issues make it difficult to verify the many rumors of 
infected lawmakers. Several committees abruptly canceled hearings on 
Wednesday, with staff and lawmakers absent from the Statehouse.Eric Turek, spokesman for House Republicans, wouldn’t say how many members have tested positive.“We’re not going to disclose personal health information of any of our members,” Turek said.A spokeswoman for Senate Democrats said there were no known cases of 
COVID-19 among caucus members. A spokesman for Senate Republicans didn’t
 respond to an inquiry for this story.Tom Day, director of Legislative Administrative Services, said 
testing at the Statehouse is available for legislators and staff. 
Between 12-15 people are being tested per day, he said, and two have 
tested positive in the past five work days. A courier picks up the 
samples at 10 a.m. and delivers them to a lab at Wichita State 
University.Last year, testing was conducted near the entry of the building on 
the ground floor, in a room typically used by lobbyists for luncheons. 
This year, testing was moved to the fifth floor, Day said, “because we 
had no other place to do it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629875680.png" alt="Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, says leadership doesn’t seem to care about preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the Statehouse this year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, says leadership doesn’t seem to care about preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the Statehouse this year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Carmichael said he was troubled by the decision to move testing to a 
location where someone who is sick would have to pass through Capitol, 
ride in an enclosed elevator and enter an office where several people 
work.“How many people are legislators and their staff going to pass the virus to just going to get their test?” Carmichael asked.People are obviously tired of the necessary precautions to preserve 
the public health, Carmichael said. He understands that people are 
frustrated that the pandemic hasn’t gone away.“But that doesn’t mean that the risk is less,” Carmichael said. 
“People who think that just because omicron is apparently less virulent 
or is less severe in its symptoms are running a tremendous risk. Because
 if they end up being the person who does have a deadly case of omicron,
 they will be just as dead as someone who died of delta or some other 
variant.“And so our fatigue has taken over and overruled our common sense. 
And I have to admit that I slip up myself too. You know, it’s been a 
long time, and we all want this to be over with, but just hoping and 
wishing and saying it’s been long enough doesn’t stop the virus.”

Kan. lawmakers test positive for COVID, worry about lax Statehouse safety

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A member of a U.S. Marshal's task force shot and injured a man in Kansas City on Wednesday, authorities said.

The man's injuries were not believed go be life-threatening, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Members of the task force spotted the man walking down a street. He was wanted on a federal probation violation and a Jackson County warrant for aggravated assault, Lowe said.

The man fled and at one point reached for a handgun in his waistband, prompting the officer to fire, Lowe said in a news conference at the scene. The man was shot in the arm.

The suspect then tried to break into a home. Another officer was injured by glass while struggling to arrest the suspect, Lowe said. The officer was taken to a hospital for observation.

Lowe said the task force includes officers from several law enforcement agencies and he was not immediately sure which agency employed the officer who fired at the suspect.

No names or further information were immediately available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630629891.png" alt="The suspect was wanted on a federal probation violation and a Jackson County warrant for aggravated assault-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>The suspect was wanted on a federal probation violation and a Jackson County warrant for aggravated assault-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A member of a U.S. Marshal's task force shot and injured a man in Kansas City on Wednesday, authorities said.The man's injuries were not believed go be life-threatening, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.Members of the task force spotted the man walking down a street. He was wanted on a federal probation violation and a Jackson County warrant for aggravated assault, Lowe said.The man fled and at one point reached for a handgun in his waistband, prompting the officer to fire, Lowe said in a news conference at the scene. The man was shot in the arm.The suspect then tried to break into a home. Another officer was injured by glass while struggling to arrest the suspect, Lowe said. The officer was taken to a hospital for observation.Lowe said the task force includes officers from several law enforcement agencies and he was not immediately sure which agency employed the officer who fired at the suspect.No names or further information were immediately available.

U.S. Marshal's task force member shoots man in Kansas City

Steffen promises to introduce legislation providing access to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/18/kansas-anti-vaxxers-applaud-effort-to-expand-access-to-unapproved-early-covid-19-treatments/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Dozens of anti-vaccine Kansans greeted Sen. Mark Steffen 
with raucous applause Tuesday as he announced immediate and forthcoming 
bills that would undermine local health officials and promote off-label 
use of prescription drugs.

Steffen, an anesthesiologist, 
criticized mainstream medical experts for keeping treatments like 
hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin from COVID-19 patients. In a bill 
introduced in special session but not acted on and in a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gop-senators-resolution-argues-for-derailment-of-covid-19-child-vaccination-campaign/">resolution introduced in a Senate committee</a>,
 the Hutchinson Republican advocated for more avenues to use these 
treatments that the Food and Drug Administration deemed unsafe.

He said the Senate planned to act 
as soon as next week and encouraged people to make their positions clear
 on early treatment options to legislators.

“When our voices are heard, we get
 things done,” Steffen said. “This is a sophisticated virus. It takes 
thoughtful planning and early treatment — getting to the virus early — 
is the most effective.”

Prompted by the anti-vaccine group
 Kansans for Health Freedom, more than 50 people gathered, mostly 
maskless, on the first floor of the Statehouse to mingle with state 
legislators.

Steffen promised he would file 
several more bills limiting the government’s ability to close businesses
 and churches, or local school boards’ authority to enact any sort of 
mask mandate.

Steffen was accompanied by several others who spoke at length about their frustrations with a lack of early treatment options.

Medical experts advise strongly against the use of ivermectin, primarily a horse dewormer,
 and hydroxychloroquine, often prescribed to those dealing with the 
inflammatory disease Lupus, for COVID-19 treatment. Pharmacists in 
Kansas can refuse a prescription if they believe it should not be 
filled.

“Even the levels of ivermectin for
 approved human uses can interact with other medications, like 
blood-thinners,” the FDA warns. “You can also overdose on ivermectin, 
which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood 
pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia 
(problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.”

Outside of calls for these 
alternative treatment methods, those gathered in the Statehouse spoke of
 falsified records and information used to twist the truth of the 
pandemic. Rebecca Dunlap, of Marshall County, called for a resolution to
 call a convention of states to propose changes to the U.S. 
Constitution.

An effort in 2021 to add Kansas to the list of states in favor of a convention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-election-2020-government-and-politics-6f4d13af853b652be80be15f3f6755aa">fizzled after a split among Republican legislators</a>&nbsp;resulted in the measure being sent back to committee.

“It’s an uphill battle with the 
way the Kansas laws are written,” Dunlap said. “But I believe in bodily 
autonomy, and that’s one of our major freedoms that’s being infringed 
upon.”

Paul Stang, a Lawrence resident, 
said he stands outside the Lawrence public school board building every 
day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in opposition of what he called a “leadership 
of fear.”

Earlier this month, Douglas County re-issued an emergency public health order requiring face masks indoors. Last week, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/almost-2000-students-absent-from-lawrence-public-schools/38741348">Lawrence Public Schools reported about 2,000 students</a> and more than 100 teachers were absent in the previous week.

Stang also made a comparison between what Hitler did in World War II-era Germany and modern-day vaccine mandates.

“We’re standing here for freedom,”
 Stang said. “We’re totally opposed to the fear that’s being presented 
to our children. What is that going to do to the future of our country?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630019719.png" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen told dozens of Kansans gathered to oppose COVID-19 mandates that he would fight for expanded access to early treatment options like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, both considered by the FDA to be dangerous treatment methods for COVID-19. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen told dozens of Kansans gathered to oppose COVID-19 mandates that he would fight for expanded access to early treatment options like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, both considered by the FDA to be dangerous treatment methods for COVID-19. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Steffen promises to introduce legislation providing access to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine</h2>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/18/kansas-anti-vaxxers-applaud-effort-to-expand-access-to-unapproved-early-covid-19-treatments/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Dozens of anti-vaccine Kansans greeted Sen. Mark Steffen 
with raucous applause Tuesday as he announced immediate and forthcoming 
bills that would undermine local health officials and promote off-label 
use of prescription drugs.Steffen, an anesthesiologist, 
criticized mainstream medical experts for keeping treatments like 
hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin from COVID-19 patients. In a bill 
introduced in special session but not acted on and in a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gop-senators-resolution-argues-for-derailment-of-covid-19-child-vaccination-campaign/">resolution introduced in a Senate committee</a>,
 the Hutchinson Republican advocated for more avenues to use these 
treatments that the Food and Drug Administration deemed unsafe.He said the Senate planned to act 
as soon as next week and encouraged people to make their positions clear
 on early treatment options to legislators.“When our voices are heard, we get
 things done,” Steffen said. “This is a sophisticated virus. It takes 
thoughtful planning and early treatment — getting to the virus early — 
is the most effective.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630130162.png" alt="A group of Republican House members eat lunch Tuesday in the Statehouse while Sen. Mark Steffen discusses forthcoming legislation. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A group of Republican House members eat lunch Tuesday in the Statehouse while Sen. Mark Steffen discusses forthcoming legislation. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Prompted by the anti-vaccine group
 Kansans for Health Freedom, more than 50 people gathered, mostly 
maskless, on the first floor of the Statehouse to mingle with state 
legislators.Steffen promised he would file 
several more bills limiting the government’s ability to close businesses
 and churches, or local school boards’ authority to enact any sort of 
mask mandate.Steffen was accompanied by several others who spoke at length about their frustrations with a lack of early treatment options.Medical experts advise strongly against the use of ivermectin, primarily a horse dewormer,
 and hydroxychloroquine, often prescribed to those dealing with the 
inflammatory disease Lupus, for COVID-19 treatment. Pharmacists in 
Kansas can refuse a prescription if they believe it should not be 
filled.“Even the levels of ivermectin for
 approved human uses can interact with other medications, like 
blood-thinners,” the FDA warns. “You can also overdose on ivermectin, 
which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood 
pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia 
(problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.”Outside of calls for these 
alternative treatment methods, those gathered in the Statehouse spoke of
 falsified records and information used to twist the truth of the 
pandemic. Rebecca Dunlap, of Marshall County, called for a resolution to
 call a convention of states to propose changes to the U.S. 
Constitution.An effort in 2021 to add Kansas to the list of states in favor of a convention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-election-2020-government-and-politics-6f4d13af853b652be80be15f3f6755aa">fizzled after a split among Republican legislators</a>&nbsp;resulted in the measure being sent back to committee.“It’s an uphill battle with the 
way the Kansas laws are written,” Dunlap said. “But I believe in bodily 
autonomy, and that’s one of our major freedoms that’s being infringed 
upon.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630165599.png" alt="Those who attended the Kansans for Health Freedom lunch Tuesday expressed frustrations with vaccine and mask mandates, as well as available treatment methods. Most did not wear masks. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Those who attended the Kansans for Health Freedom lunch Tuesday expressed frustrations with vaccine and mask mandates, as well as available treatment methods. Most did not wear masks. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Stang, a Lawrence resident, 
said he stands outside the Lawrence public school board building every 
day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in opposition of what he called a “leadership 
of fear.”Earlier this month, Douglas County re-issued an emergency public health order requiring face masks indoors. Last week, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/almost-2000-students-absent-from-lawrence-public-schools/38741348">Lawrence Public Schools reported about 2,000 students</a> and more than 100 teachers were absent in the previous week.Stang also made a comparison between what Hitler did in World War II-era Germany and modern-day vaccine mandates.“We’re standing here for freedom,”
 Stang said. “We’re totally opposed to the fear that’s being presented 
to our children. What is that going to do to the future of our country?”

Effort to expand access to unapproved COVID-19 treatments applauded in Kan.

By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-01-19/city-council-member-wants-to-make-hutchinson-a-constitutional-republic">Kansas News Service</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sara Bagwell introduced <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp0180K0kVA" target="_blank">a motion to the council Tuesday</a> to make Hutchinson a “Constitutional Republic City.”

She used mask and vaccine mandates as examples of executive orders she deems as unconstitutional.

The motion failed 4-1, but Bagwell said there’s a possibility it will be introduced again at a later meeting.

“Maybe
 change the title because I think a lot of people are confused with the 
Constitutional Republic City title,” Bagwell said. “Probably use the 
same language in the resolution, but just maybe change the title and see
 if that’s better understood.”

Bagwell said her motion would 
prohibit the city from enforcing executive orders that are being 
challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.

“I did say (at the 
council meeting) that this is just affirming our oath of office,” 
Bagwell said. “I thought I made that clear.”

Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho compared the motion to secession and the Confederacy at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Thoughts on a possible secession?” the mayor said when the motion was opened for discussion.

Other members of the council also questioned the motion.

“It’s
 a slippery slope because then it’s, ‘Well, we don’t like this either, 
so we’re going to declare ourselves independent of this rule,’” council 
member Jon Richardson said.

City Attorney Paul Brown said at the meeting that the motion was not legal.

“We
 are a municipal corporation,” Brown said. “How are we established as a 
municipal corporation? By the state of Kansas. By state law. We couldn’t
 exist without it.”

Brown explained that the council should trust the courts to determine whether an executive order is unconstitutional.

The
 only other city in the United States thought to have passed a similar 
resolution is Oroville, California. Oroville’s resolution, however, 
doesn’t carry any legal authority.

Bagwell, who’s been in office 
since 2020, said the idea of a Constitutional Republic City was brought 
forward to her by “a few” constituents.

“So I emailed and contacted the mayor of Oroville,” Bagwell said.

Since the meeting, Bagwell said she’s received emails for and against her motion.

“I think it’s something that should have been done sooner than later, but at least later is better than never,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629361643.png" alt="Screenshot of Hutchinson City Council meeting on Jan. 18." />
 <figcaption>Screenshot of Hutchinson City Council meeting on Jan. 18.</figcaption>
 </figure>By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-01-19/city-council-member-wants-to-make-hutchinson-a-constitutional-republic">Kansas News Service</a>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sara Bagwell introduced <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp0180K0kVA" target="_blank">a motion to the council Tuesday</a> to make Hutchinson a “Constitutional Republic City.”She used mask and vaccine mandates as examples of executive orders she deems as unconstitutional.The motion failed 4-1, but Bagwell said there’s a possibility it will be introduced again at a later meeting.“Maybe
 change the title because I think a lot of people are confused with the 
Constitutional Republic City title,” Bagwell said. “Probably use the 
same language in the resolution, but just maybe change the title and see
 if that’s better understood.”Bagwell said her motion would 
prohibit the city from enforcing executive orders that are being 
challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.“I did say (at the 
council meeting) that this is just affirming our oath of office,” 
Bagwell said. “I thought I made that clear.”Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho compared the motion to secession and the Confederacy at Tuesday’s meeting.“Thoughts on a possible secession?” the mayor said when the motion was opened for discussion.Other members of the council also questioned the motion.“It’s
 a slippery slope because then it’s, ‘Well, we don’t like this either, 
so we’re going to declare ourselves independent of this rule,’” council 
member Jon Richardson said.City Attorney Paul Brown said at the meeting that the motion was not legal.“We
 are a municipal corporation,” Brown said. “How are we established as a 
municipal corporation? By the state of Kansas. By state law. We couldn’t
 exist without it.”Brown explained that the council should trust the courts to determine whether an executive order is unconstitutional.The
 only other city in the United States thought to have passed a similar 
resolution is Oroville, California. Oroville’s resolution, however, 
doesn’t carry any legal authority.Bagwell, who’s been in office 
since 2020, said the idea of a Constitutional Republic City was brought 
forward to her by “a few” constituents.“So I emailed and contacted the mayor of Oroville,” Bagwell said.Since the meeting, Bagwell said she’s received emails for and against her motion.“I think it’s something that should have been done sooner than later, but at least later is better than never,” she said.

Kan. council member wants to make city a ‘constitutional republic’ 


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said his office intends to continue to fight the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers, in spite of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to enjoin the practice earlier this month.

"We tried," Schmidt said. "We took that case to the U.S. Supreme Court and in the case of the healthcare mandate, a slim majority of the court simply didn't agree with us. We fought to the end. We didn't win, now we're going to go back and continue to fight, because we have no other option."

The healthcare mandate is the only one of the four Schmidt's office has fought that the court said shouldn't be blocked immediately.

"These cases are really tied up in knots," Schmidt said. "The particular case on the healthcare mandate, the CMS case, the Supreme Court, technically, all it did was deny what they call preliminary relief. It said, we're not going to issue an injunction from the court right now, before the case really gets going, that blocks the government from putting this mandate into effect. Instead, we're going to let the case percolate in the lower courts and see what happens."

The argument that they are likely to make in a lower court, either at the 8th Circuit level or in a federal district court in Missouri, is that mandating health care worker vaccines will result in a further shortage of health care workers.

"The department, ostensibly, took note of the potential impact on rural communities," Schmidt said. "We don't think they did it properly, accurately or thoroughly. As a result, they discounted improperly, the reality, which is that if the federal government compels health care workers to get their vaccine, there's going to be a significant number, perhaps particularly in rural communities that simply decline. They'll leave the field. We already have a crisis of staffing in rural health care, rural nursing homes. If you drive, even a small percentage of additional nurses and health care professionals out of the field, we're afraid the result is going to be the closure of some of these facilities and that means that patients no longer have access to services in their communities."

The failure to stop the mandate's implementation immediately could leave some health care workers in that vaccinate or quit position before the court case resolves itself.

By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said his office intends to continue to fight the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers, in spite of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to enjoin the practice earlier this month."We tried," Schmidt said. "We took that case to the U.S. Supreme Court and in the case of the healthcare mandate, a slim majority of the court simply didn't agree with us. We fought to the end. We didn't win, now we're going to go back and continue to fight, because we have no other option."The healthcare mandate is the only one of the four Schmidt's office has fought that the court said shouldn't be blocked immediately."These cases are really tied up in knots," Schmidt said. "The particular case on the healthcare mandate, the CMS case, the Supreme Court, technically, all it did was deny what they call preliminary relief. It said, we're not going to issue an injunction from the court right now, before the case really gets going, that blocks the government from putting this mandate into effect. Instead, we're going to let the case percolate in the lower courts and see what happens."The argument that they are likely to make in a lower court, either at the 8th Circuit level or in a federal district court in Missouri, is that mandating health care worker vaccines will result in a further shortage of health care workers."The department, ostensibly, took note of the potential impact on rural communities," Schmidt said. "We don't think they did it properly, accurately or thoroughly. As a result, they discounted improperly, the reality, which is that if the federal government compels health care workers to get their vaccine, there's going to be a significant number, perhaps particularly in rural communities that simply decline. They'll leave the field. We already have a crisis of staffing in rural health care, rural nursing homes. If you drive, even a small percentage of additional nurses and health care professionals out of the field, we're afraid the result is going to be the closure of some of these facilities and that means that patients no longer have access to services in their communities."The failure to stop the mandate's implementation immediately could leave some health care workers in that vaccinate or quit position before the court case resolves itself.

Attorney General: Kan. must 'continue to fight' healthcare vax mandate

KANSAS CITY (AP) — For the first time in half a year, families on Friday are going without a monthly deposit from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-child-tax-credits-work-fa15590a2c60fc665ddc59ced78dacfe">the child tax credit</a>&nbsp;— a program that was intended to be part of President Joe Biden’s legacy but has emerged instead as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-lifestyle-colorado-michael-bennet-23fe6fc6c742eea078134a367be7544a">a flash point</a>&nbsp;over who is worthy of government support.

Retiree Andy Roberts, from St. Albans, West Virginia, relied on the checks to help raise his two young grandchildren, whom he and his wife adopted because the birth parents are recovering from drug addiction.

The Robertses are now out $550 a month. That money helped pay for Girl Scouts, ballet and acting lessons and kids’ shoes, which Roberts noted are more expensive than adult shoes. The tax credit, he said, was a “godsend.”

“It’ll make you tighten up your belt, if you’ve got anything to tighten,” Roberts said about losing the payments.

The monthly tax credits were part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;— and the president had proposed extending them for another full year as part of a separate measure focused on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-congress-voting-rights-9a1930700762a4a37ad78a496c9f9050">economic and social programs</a>.

But Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-joe-manchin-congress-937bac56b09dfda5be2ed70748b5cd01">Sen. Joe Manchin</a>, from Roberts’ home state of West Virginia, objected to extending the credit out of concern that the money would discourage people from working and that any additional federal spending would fuel inflation that has already climbed to a nearly 40-year high.

<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/131/Advance-CTC-Payments-Disbursed-December-2021-by-State-12152021.pdf." target="_blank">According to IRS data</a>, 305,000 West Virginia children benefited from the expanded credit last month.

Manchin’s opposition in the evenly split Senate derailed Biden’s social spending package and caused the expanded tax credits that were going out in the middle of every month to expire in January. This is whittling down family incomes at the precise moment when people are grappling with higher prices.

However, families only received half of their 2021 credit on a monthly basis and the other half will be received once they file their taxes in the coming months. The size of the credit will be cut in 2022, with full payments only going to families that earned enough income to owe taxes, a policy choice that will limit the benefits for the poorest households. And the credits for 2022 will come only once people file their taxes at the start of the following year.

West Virginia families interviewed by The Associated Press highlighted how their grocery and gasoline bills have risen and said they’ll need to get by with less of a financial cushion than a few months ago.

“You’re going to have to learn to adapt,” said Roberts, who worked as an auto dealer for five decades. “You never really dreamed that everything would all of a sudden explode. You go down and get a package of hamburger and it’s $7-8 a pound.”

By the Biden administration’s math, the expanded child tax credit and its monthly payments were a policy success that paid out $93 billion over six months. More than 36 million families received the payments in December. The payments were $300 monthly for each child who was five and younger, and $250 monthly for children between the ages of six and 17.

The Treasury Department declined to address questions about the expiration of the expanded child tax credit, which has become a politically sensitive issue as part of Biden’s nearly $2 trillion economic package that has stalled in the Senate.

Manchin has supported some form of a work requirement for people receiving the payment, out of concern that automatic government aid could cause people to quit their jobs. Yet his primary objection, in a written statement last month, sidestepped that issue as he expressed concerns about inflation and that a one-year extension masked the true costs of a tax credit that could become permanent.

“My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face,” Manchin said. He added that he was worried about inflation and the size of the national debt.

But Joanna Vance of Beckley, who works for a nonprofit social justice group, said Manchin needs to learn more about his constituents, especially southern communities where thousands of coal mining jobs were lost over the past decade as companies and utilities explore using other energy sources such as natural gas, solar and wind.

“Take a drive through there,” Vance said Friday. “Now they’re just ghost towns. There’s no jobs there. There’s no child care there. There’s no transportation there. And it’s that way for 20 miles in either direction.

“So I understand wanting to have a work requirement. You can’t have a work requirement when it’s not even viable.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/10/nearly-a-third-of-parents-spent-child-tax-credit-on-school-expenses.html" target="_blank">Census Bureau surveyed&nbsp;</a>the spending patterns of recipients during September and October. Nearly a third used the credit to pay for school expenses, while about 25% of families with young children spent it on child care. About 40% of recipients said they mostly relied on the money to pay off debt.

There are separate benefits in terms of improving the outcomes for impoverished children, whose families could not previously access the full tax credit because their earnings were too low. An analysis by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104743/expanding-the-child-tax-credit-could-lift-millions-of-children-out-of-poverty_0.pdf" target="_blank">Urban Institute</a>&nbsp;estimated that extending the credit as developed by the Biden administration would cut child poverty by 40%.

The tax credits did not cause an immediate exodus from the workforce, as some lawmakers had feared. The&nbsp;<a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/EMRATIO" target="_blank">Bureau of Labor Statistics reported</a>&nbsp;that the percentage of people with jobs increased from 58% the month before the monthly payments began to 59.5% last month. That same trend occurred in West Virginia, where the employment-population ratio rose to the pre-pandemic level of 52.9%.

There’s an academic debate over whether the credit could suppress employment in the long term, with most studies suggesting that the impact would be statistically negligible.

Academics who study the tax credit are torn on how a permanent program would affect the economy and child welfare.

Katherine Michelmore, an associate professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, and two other researchers estimated that roughly 350,000 parents would exit the workforce, a figure that is not all that significant in an economy with roughly 150 million jobs.

Michelmore said the long-term effects of a permanent tax credit would have a positive impact on the economy, as children who grow up in families with higher incomes “tend to do better in school, they’re more likely to graduate from high school. It might be 15 years down the road but there will be more cost savings in the future.”

One of the key questions for policymakers is whether bureaucracies or parents are better at spending money on children. Manchin has proposed a 10-year, funded version of Biden’s economic proposal that would scrap the child tax credits focus and instead finance programs such as universal pre-kindergarten, to avoid sending money directly to families.

“It’s a moral question of do you trust families to make their own decisions,” Michelmore said.

Hairdresser Chelsea Woody is a single mother from Charleston, West Virginia, who works six days a week to make ends meet. The extended child tax credit payments had helped pay for her son’s daycare, as well as letting her splurge on clothes for him.

“It truly helps out a lot. It’s an extra cushion, instead of me worrying how I’m going to pay a bill or if anything comes up,” Woody said as she loaded groceries into her car. “It’s helpful for a lot of people. It helps working families out because we struggle the most. I’m hardly home with my kid because I work all the time.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — For the first time in half a year, families on Friday are going without a monthly deposit from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-child-tax-credits-work-fa15590a2c60fc665ddc59ced78dacfe">the child tax credit</a>&nbsp;— a program that was intended to be part of President Joe Biden’s legacy but has emerged instead as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-lifestyle-colorado-michael-bennet-23fe6fc6c742eea078134a367be7544a">a flash point</a>&nbsp;over who is worthy of government support.Retiree Andy Roberts, from St. Albans, West Virginia, relied on the checks to help raise his two young grandchildren, whom he and his wife adopted because the birth parents are recovering from drug addiction.The Robertses are now out $550 a month. That money helped pay for Girl Scouts, ballet and acting lessons and kids’ shoes, which Roberts noted are more expensive than adult shoes. The tax credit, he said, was a “godsend.”“It’ll make you tighten up your belt, if you’ve got anything to tighten,” Roberts said about losing the payments.The monthly tax credits were part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;— and the president had proposed extending them for another full year as part of a separate measure focused on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-congress-voting-rights-9a1930700762a4a37ad78a496c9f9050">economic and social programs</a>.But Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-joe-manchin-congress-937bac56b09dfda5be2ed70748b5cd01">Sen. Joe Manchin</a>, from Roberts’ home state of West Virginia, objected to extending the credit out of concern that the money would discourage people from working and that any additional federal spending would fuel inflation that has already climbed to a nearly 40-year high.<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/131/Advance-CTC-Payments-Disbursed-December-2021-by-State-12152021.pdf." target="_blank">According to IRS data</a>, 305,000 West Virginia children benefited from the expanded credit last month.Manchin’s opposition in the evenly split Senate derailed Biden’s social spending package and caused the expanded tax credits that were going out in the middle of every month to expire in January. This is whittling down family incomes at the precise moment when people are grappling with higher prices.However, families only received half of their 2021 credit on a monthly basis and the other half will be received once they file their taxes in the coming months. The size of the credit will be cut in 2022, with full payments only going to families that earned enough income to owe taxes, a policy choice that will limit the benefits for the poorest households. And the credits for 2022 will come only once people file their taxes at the start of the following year.West Virginia families interviewed by The Associated Press highlighted how their grocery and gasoline bills have risen and said they’ll need to get by with less of a financial cushion than a few months ago.“You’re going to have to learn to adapt,” said Roberts, who worked as an auto dealer for five decades. “You never really dreamed that everything would all of a sudden explode. You go down and get a package of hamburger and it’s $7-8 a pound.”By the Biden administration’s math, the expanded child tax credit and its monthly payments were a policy success that paid out $93 billion over six months. More than 36 million families received the payments in December. The payments were $300 monthly for each child who was five and younger, and $250 monthly for children between the ages of six and 17.The Treasury Department declined to address questions about the expiration of the expanded child tax credit, which has become a politically sensitive issue as part of Biden’s nearly $2 trillion economic package that has stalled in the Senate.Manchin has supported some form of a work requirement for people receiving the payment, out of concern that automatic government aid could cause people to quit their jobs. Yet his primary objection, in a written statement last month, sidestepped that issue as he expressed concerns about inflation and that a one-year extension masked the true costs of a tax credit that could become permanent.“My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face,” Manchin said. He added that he was worried about inflation and the size of the national debt.But Joanna Vance of Beckley, who works for a nonprofit social justice group, said Manchin needs to learn more about his constituents, especially southern communities where thousands of coal mining jobs were lost over the past decade as companies and utilities explore using other energy sources such as natural gas, solar and wind.“Take a drive through there,” Vance said Friday. “Now they’re just ghost towns. There’s no jobs there. There’s no child care there. There’s no transportation there. And it’s that way for 20 miles in either direction.“So I understand wanting to have a work requirement. You can’t have a work requirement when it’s not even viable.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/10/nearly-a-third-of-parents-spent-child-tax-credit-on-school-expenses.html" target="_blank">Census Bureau surveyed&nbsp;</a>the spending patterns of recipients during September and October. Nearly a third used the credit to pay for school expenses, while about 25% of families with young children spent it on child care. About 40% of recipients said they mostly relied on the money to pay off debt.There are separate benefits in terms of improving the outcomes for impoverished children, whose families could not previously access the full tax credit because their earnings were too low. An analysis by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104743/expanding-the-child-tax-credit-could-lift-millions-of-children-out-of-poverty_0.pdf" target="_blank">Urban Institute</a>&nbsp;estimated that extending the credit as developed by the Biden administration would cut child poverty by 40%.The tax credits did not cause an immediate exodus from the workforce, as some lawmakers had feared. The&nbsp;<a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/EMRATIO" target="_blank">Bureau of Labor Statistics reported</a>&nbsp;that the percentage of people with jobs increased from 58% the month before the monthly payments began to 59.5% last month. That same trend occurred in West Virginia, where the employment-population ratio rose to the pre-pandemic level of 52.9%.There’s an academic debate over whether the credit could suppress employment in the long term, with most studies suggesting that the impact would be statistically negligible.Academics who study the tax credit are torn on how a permanent program would affect the economy and child welfare.Katherine Michelmore, an associate professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, and two other researchers estimated that roughly 350,000 parents would exit the workforce, a figure that is not all that significant in an economy with roughly 150 million jobs.Michelmore said the long-term effects of a permanent tax credit would have a positive impact on the economy, as children who grow up in families with higher incomes “tend to do better in school, they’re more likely to graduate from high school. It might be 15 years down the road but there will be more cost savings in the future.”One of the key questions for policymakers is whether bureaucracies or parents are better at spending money on children. Manchin has proposed a 10-year, funded version of Biden’s economic proposal that would scrap the child tax credits focus and instead finance programs such as universal pre-kindergarten, to avoid sending money directly to families.“It’s a moral question of do you trust families to make their own decisions,” Michelmore said.Hairdresser Chelsea Woody is a single mother from Charleston, West Virginia, who works six days a week to make ends meet. The extended child tax credit payments had helped pay for her son’s daycare, as well as letting her splurge on clothes for him.“It truly helps out a lot. It’s an extra cushion, instead of me worrying how I’m going to pay a bill or if anything comes up,” Woody said as she loaded groceries into her car. “It’s helpful for a lot of people. It helps working families out because we struggle the most. I’m hardly home with my kid because I work all the time.”

Goodbye 'godsend': Expiration of child tax credits hits home

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 39,326 to a total of 660,599 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon. The state did not update totals on Monday due to the MLK holiday.

The state reported 128 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,290.

<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 39,326 to a total of 660,599 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon. The state did not update totals on Monday due to the MLK holiday.The state reported 128 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,290.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642615556956.png" alt="Wednesday January 19, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday January 19, 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: 39,300 new cases, 128 COVID deaths since Friday

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Kansas man turned himself in after he shattered the front glass door at the Salina Police Department Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642605238078.png" alt="Craig Gilbert -Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Craig Gilbert -Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Kansas man turned himself in after he shattered the front glass door at the Salina Police Department Tuesday night.At approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Craig Gilbert, 53, of Salina, walked into the Salina Police Department lobby and used the phone to call the dispatch center and report that he had just shattered the front door of the police department, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.Officers located a rock in the foyer area and found that the glass door was, indeed, shattered. Damage was estimated at $800.Gilbert was arrested on the requested charge of damage to property, Forrester reported.