TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 19,414 to a total of 621,273 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The state reported 21 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,162.

<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 19,414 to a total of 621,273 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 21 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,162.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642183255468.png" alt="Friday January 14, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday January 14, 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: 19,400 new cases, 21 more COVID deaths

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery in Garden City.

Just after noon Thursday, police were dispatched to the Sam's Club, 3010 Lareu Road in Garden City&nbsp; where a&nbsp; woman reported she had been robbed at gunpoint, according to a media release from police.

The investigation revealed that the woman was parked in the loading/unloading zone at Sam’s Club when an unknown man approached her near her vehicle, pointed a firearm at her, and demanded her purse. 

The suspect grabbed the woman’s purse as she attempted to keep her purse from him. The suspect was able to get the purse and fled the area southbound behind the business. The woman was not injured from the incident.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his early 20s, wearing a grey beanie, black/blue coat, and blue jeans. He was last seen running south toward Old Navy, where he got into the passenger side of a black passenger vehicle. 

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery in Garden City.Just after noon Thursday, police were dispatched to the Sam's Club, 3010 Lareu Road in Garden City&nbsp; where a&nbsp; woman reported she had been robbed at gunpoint, according to a media release from police.The investigation revealed that the woman was parked in the loading/unloading zone at Sam’s Club when an unknown man approached her near her vehicle, pointed a firearm at her, and demanded her purse. The suspect grabbed the woman’s purse as she attempted to keep her purse from him. The suspect was able to get the purse and fled the area southbound behind the business. The woman was not injured from the incident.The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his early 20s, wearing a grey beanie, black/blue coat, and blue jeans. He was last seen running south toward Old Navy, where he got into the passenger side of a black passenger vehicle.

Search continues for Kan. suspect in armed robbery at Sam's Club 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A stretch of Interstate 70 westbound into Kansas City has been closed while crews assess damage from a fire that killed a homeless person.

KCTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/i-70-into-kansas-city-remains-closed-friday-morning-while-modot-continues-to-inspect-bridge/article_5082fbdc-7528-11ec-bfb0-c3de08fea49e.html?block_id=991162">reports&nbsp;</a>that the fire was reported around 6 a.m. Thursday under an I-70 bridge over Truman Road. The interstate westbound into the city has been shut down ever since.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said in a statement that workers are inspecting the bridge to determine the damage and potential needed repairs. The department has alerted drivers that they should exit I-70 westbound at the Interstate 435 interchange to get around the closure.

“Certainly we understand the impacts of closing I-70 near downtown,” said MoDOT Kansas City District Office Assistant District Engineer Matt Killion. “We really want to make sure the bridge is safe for all travelers. That’s our number one priority.”

Fires at encampments have previously caused structural damage to a bridge in Kansas City. In 2015, a fire under the Beardsley Road Bridge damaged concrete and bent two bridge girders. It cost $400,000 to repair. A second fire at the same bridge in 2018 cost $2 million to repair.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642178362328.png" alt=" The interstate westbound into Kansas City has been shut down ever since-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption> The interstate westbound into Kansas City has been shut down ever since-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A stretch of Interstate 70 westbound into Kansas City has been closed while crews assess damage from a fire that killed a homeless person.KCTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/i-70-into-kansas-city-remains-closed-friday-morning-while-modot-continues-to-inspect-bridge/article_5082fbdc-7528-11ec-bfb0-c3de08fea49e.html?block_id=991162">reports&nbsp;</a>that the fire was reported around 6 a.m. Thursday under an I-70 bridge over Truman Road. The interstate westbound into the city has been shut down ever since.The Missouri Department of Transportation said in a statement that workers are inspecting the bridge to determine the damage and potential needed repairs. The department has alerted drivers that they should exit I-70 westbound at the Interstate 435 interchange to get around the closure.“Certainly we understand the impacts of closing I-70 near downtown,” said MoDOT Kansas City District Office Assistant District Engineer Matt Killion. “We really want to make sure the bridge is safe for all travelers. That’s our number one priority.”Fires at encampments have previously caused structural damage to a bridge in Kansas City. In 2015, a fire under the Beardsley Road Bridge damaged concrete and bent two bridge girders. It cost $400,000 to repair. A second fire at the same bridge in 2018 cost $2 million to repair.

Deadly homeless camp fire in Kansas City closes westbound I-70 

MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged fraud involving a job offer.

On Thursday, officers filed a report for fraud in the 1200 block of Kearney Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.

A 26-year-old man reported an unknown suspect sent him an email posing as a Kansas State University employee offering a job. The victim received a check from the suspect that he deposited in his bank account and returned the money to the suspect. The check then bounced.

The victim also made numerous deposits to the suspect through gift cards and Zeele, a digital payment system.

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $10,000. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged fraud involving a job offer.On Thursday, officers filed a report for fraud in the 1200 block of Kearney Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.A 26-year-old man reported an unknown suspect sent him an email posing as a Kansas State University employee offering a job. The victim received a check from the suspect that he deposited in his bank account and returned the money to the suspect. The check then bounced.The victim also made numerous deposits to the suspect through gift cards and Zeele, a digital payment system.The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $10,000. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police: Kan. man lost $10,000 in employment offer scam

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — In 2013, Barton Community College started offering their Corrections
Officer program providing training and education to prepare students to serve as
correctional facility staff. 

The college’s vice president of instruction Elaine
Simmons said she had many conversations with prison wardens and members at the
state office for corrections prior to launching the program. At the time, those
officials said they were having a hard time getting employees. Barton created
the Corrections Officer program to help build the workforce, but Simmons said
the program has not taken off the way they expected. 
"The Kansas Department of Corrections is having even greater 
difficulties getting employees, but at this point they are working with 
wage increases as initiatives to bring more people into the field," said
 Simmons. "Training and education are not the priority right now. To 
close this program will hurt no one." 
Simmons said typically the program will see one or two students enrolled and at
the most three or four. The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved
eliminating the 17-credit-hour certificate and 68-credit-hour associate’s
degree. 
"We do not see students move through the program," said Simmons. "At 
this time, it's something that needs to come off the website and 
discontinued." 
Barton will keep some of the individual courses of the corrections officer
program that will be offered online.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — In 2013, Barton Community College started offering their Corrections
Officer program providing training and education to prepare students to serve as
correctional facility staff. The college’s vice president of instruction Elaine
Simmons said she had many conversations with prison wardens and members at the
state office for corrections prior to launching the program. At the time, those
officials said they were having a hard time getting employees. Barton created
the Corrections Officer program to help build the workforce, but Simmons said
the program has not taken off the way they expected. 
"The Kansas Department of Corrections is having even greater 
difficulties getting employees, but at this point they are working with 
wage increases as initiatives to bring more people into the field," said
 Simmons. "Training and education are not the priority right now. To 
close this program will hurt no one." 
Simmons said typically the program will see one or two students enrolled and at
the most three or four. The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved
eliminating the 17-credit-hour certificate and 68-credit-hour associate’s
degree. 
"We do not see students move through the program," said Simmons. "At 
this time, it's something that needs to come off the website and 
discontinued." 
Barton will keep some of the individual courses of the corrections officer
program that will be offered online.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Citing low enrollment, Barton cancels corrections officer program

Members of a large-scale theft ring have been charged by Federal and State prosecutors for their roles in an organization whose operations crossed state lines and caused more than $10 million in losses to retailers, according to U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson and Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.

This week, local, state, and federal law enforcement arrested 24 defendants in Tulsa and the surrounding areas, as part of Operation Booster Buster. Five defendants remain at large.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office charged a total of 29 defendants with taking part in the largescale retail theft ring staged out of northeastern Oklahoma.

“Organized retail crime is costly to the economic well-being of our communities. This alleged retail theft ring is estimated to have caused retailers more than $10 million in losses,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “A joint team of investigators have worked meticulously over the past several years to connect the evidence and bring this case forward for prosecution. I am thankful for their professionalism and persistence.”

“This investigation was complex, challenging, and lengthy,” Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor said. “These are serious crimes. Organized crime is on the rise nationwide, and my office is committed to holding criminals accountable for their actions. I want to thank the state, local, and federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors for their work and partnership in this case.”

Charges were announced at a press conference Thursday. U.S. Attorney Johnson and Oklahoma Attorney General O’Connor were joined by Tulsa Chief of Police Wendell Franklin, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Altemus Jr. of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado.

Stores targeted include Reasor’s, Sprouts, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Walgreens, CVS, GNC and others.

For example, on Sept. 4, 2019, defendants&nbsp;Amber Clayson, Latoya Duhart&nbsp;and others allegedly boosted $1,329 worth of over-the-counter products, such as Flonase, Mucinex, Nexium, Zegerid, and Allegra, from a Reasor’s in Jenks, Oklahoma.

According to the federal indictment and the state’s probable cause affidavit, defendant&nbsp;Linda Been&nbsp;led the ring of “boosters” that netted $4.5 million from the sale of stolen merchandise and over-the-counter products to fencing organizations outside of Oklahoma. “Fences” then sold the stolen products through e-commerce sites, like eBay and Amazon.

Normally, fences paid Been half the market value for each item. Been, in turn, paid boosters half of her expected profit for each item they brought to her. Financial payments for stolen products were normally made through PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App, and some payments were made with drugs.

Been provided her boosters with a detailed list of items to steal and the pricing she would pay for each. She further instructed her ring on boosting techniques, including box stuffing. Box stuffing occurs when criminals conceal higher-value items inside lower-value item boxes and only paying for the lower-valued items.

Been and her team of boosters allegedly stole products from retailers in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado. Been would pay boosters’ expenses when they traveled outside the state. She would further pay boosters’ bond when arrested so they could continue boosting.

Boosters would then deliver the goods to predetermined locations in Tulsa, Sand Springs, and Cleveland, Oklahoma.&nbsp;Defendants Billy Osborne, Juston Osborne, Corey Fields, and Amanda Johnson&nbsp;allegedly helped manage the operation by storing stolen inventory at their residences or businesses and by prepping the merchandise for bulk shipments to fences outside the state. Been also stored stolen merchandise at her residences, prepared inventories, coordinated payment, and shipped the pallets of stolen items.

“Consumers and businesses incur a high price for thieves who commit larcenies and profit by selling their stolen goods to well organized theft rings,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “Thieves should take notice. Tulsa is not going to capitulate and allow criminals to disrupt commerce in our city.”

“These federal indictments are a result of the tremendous work and collaboration accomplished by our trusted law enforcement partners, said Christopher Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “It does not matter where these criminal networks operate and sell their illegally acquired goods. We will work without end to ensure those involved are investigated and brought to justice.”

The investigation into the retail theft ring began in 2019 when an organized crime investigator from a pharmacy retailer shared information with Tulsa Police Detectives about bulk thefts at their Tulsa area locations. Investigators linked several boosters in the Tulsa area to&nbsp;Been and her son, state defendant&nbsp;Curtis Leon Gann Jr. They also noted that Been and Gann Jr. were allegedly selling over-the-counter medications, along with other commonly stolen items on their eBay accounts.

The Tulsa Police Department reached out to lead investigator Agent Thomas Helm with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. Once it was determined that crimes linked to Been’s retail theft organization also occurred in surrounding states, a federal investigation was launched.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Tulsa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and IRS Criminal Investigation joined forces to lead Operation Booster Buster. HSI Task Force Officers from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office also joined in the investigation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Richard M. Cella and Reagan V. Reininger are prosecuting the case on behalf of the federal government. Senior Deputy Attorney General Joy Thorp and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Dane Towery are prosecuting the case on behalf of the state of Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

*A “booster” is a person who steals goods and merchandise, specifically, but not limited to OTC from retail stores.

* A “fence” or “fencing operation” is a person, organization or entity that purchases or receives stolen goods and merchandise from boosters.&nbsp; The fence or fencing operation then re-sells the stolen goods and merchandise to third parties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642110431914.png" alt="Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado joined local, state and federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors on Thursday to announce the results of a joint investigation into a retail theft ring that cost retailers across the region $10 million.-photo Dept. of Justice " />
 <figcaption>Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado joined local, state and federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors on Thursday to announce the results of a joint investigation into a retail theft ring that cost retailers across the region $10 million.-photo Dept. of Justice </figcaption>
 </figure>Members of a large-scale theft ring have been charged by Federal and State prosecutors for their roles in an organization whose operations crossed state lines and caused more than $10 million in losses to retailers, according to U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson and Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.This week, local, state, and federal law enforcement arrested 24 defendants in Tulsa and the surrounding areas, as part of Operation Booster Buster. Five defendants remain at large.The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office charged a total of 29 defendants with taking part in the largescale retail theft ring staged out of northeastern Oklahoma.“Organized retail crime is costly to the economic well-being of our communities. This alleged retail theft ring is estimated to have caused retailers more than $10 million in losses,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “A joint team of investigators have worked meticulously over the past several years to connect the evidence and bring this case forward for prosecution. I am thankful for their professionalism and persistence.”“This investigation was complex, challenging, and lengthy,” Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor said. “These are serious crimes. Organized crime is on the rise nationwide, and my office is committed to holding criminals accountable for their actions. I want to thank the state, local, and federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors for their work and partnership in this case.”Charges were announced at a press conference Thursday. U.S. Attorney Johnson and Oklahoma Attorney General O’Connor were joined by Tulsa Chief of Police Wendell Franklin, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Altemus Jr. of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado.Stores targeted include Reasor’s, Sprouts, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Walgreens, CVS, GNC and others.For example, on Sept. 4, 2019, defendants&nbsp;Amber Clayson, Latoya Duhart&nbsp;and others allegedly boosted $1,329 worth of over-the-counter products, such as Flonase, Mucinex, Nexium, Zegerid, and Allegra, from a Reasor’s in Jenks, Oklahoma.According to the federal indictment and the state’s probable cause affidavit, defendant&nbsp;Linda Been&nbsp;led the ring of “boosters” that netted $4.5 million from the sale of stolen merchandise and over-the-counter products to fencing organizations outside of Oklahoma. “Fences” then sold the stolen products through e-commerce sites, like eBay and Amazon.Normally, fences paid Been half the market value for each item. Been, in turn, paid boosters half of her expected profit for each item they brought to her. Financial payments for stolen products were normally made through PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App, and some payments were made with drugs.Been provided her boosters with a detailed list of items to steal and the pricing she would pay for each. She further instructed her ring on boosting techniques, including box stuffing. Box stuffing occurs when criminals conceal higher-value items inside lower-value item boxes and only paying for the lower-valued items.Been and her team of boosters allegedly stole products from retailers in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado. Been would pay boosters’ expenses when they traveled outside the state. She would further pay boosters’ bond when arrested so they could continue boosting.Boosters would then deliver the goods to predetermined locations in Tulsa, Sand Springs, and Cleveland, Oklahoma.&nbsp;Defendants Billy Osborne, Juston Osborne, Corey Fields, and Amanda Johnson&nbsp;allegedly helped manage the operation by storing stolen inventory at their residences or businesses and by prepping the merchandise for bulk shipments to fences outside the state. Been also stored stolen merchandise at her residences, prepared inventories, coordinated payment, and shipped the pallets of stolen items.“Consumers and businesses incur a high price for thieves who commit larcenies and profit by selling their stolen goods to well organized theft rings,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “Thieves should take notice. Tulsa is not going to capitulate and allow criminals to disrupt commerce in our city.”“These federal indictments are a result of the tremendous work and collaboration accomplished by our trusted law enforcement partners, said Christopher Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “It does not matter where these criminal networks operate and sell their illegally acquired goods. We will work without end to ensure those involved are investigated and brought to justice.”The investigation into the retail theft ring began in 2019 when an organized crime investigator from a pharmacy retailer shared information with Tulsa Police Detectives about bulk thefts at their Tulsa area locations. Investigators linked several boosters in the Tulsa area to&nbsp;Been and her son, state defendant&nbsp;Curtis Leon Gann Jr. They also noted that Been and Gann Jr. were allegedly selling over-the-counter medications, along with other commonly stolen items on their eBay accounts.The Tulsa Police Department reached out to lead investigator Agent Thomas Helm with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. Once it was determined that crimes linked to Been’s retail theft organization also occurred in surrounding states, a federal investigation was launched.The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Tulsa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and IRS Criminal Investigation joined forces to lead Operation Booster Buster. HSI Task Force Officers from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office also joined in the investigation.U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Richard M. Cella and Reagan V. Reininger are prosecuting the case on behalf of the federal government. Senior Deputy Attorney General Joy Thorp and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Dane Towery are prosecuting the case on behalf of the state of Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*A “booster” is a person who steals goods and merchandise, specifically, but not limited to OTC from retail stores.* A “fence” or “fencing operation” is a person, organization or entity that purchases or receives stolen goods and merchandise from boosters.&nbsp; The fence or fencing operation then re-sells the stolen goods and merchandise to third parties.

29 charged in shoplifting ring that hit pharmacies in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — More&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;districts are closing and warning of potential closure as the COVID-19 outbreak sickens staff.

The Eudora districts pulled the plug on classed Friday because of a lack of substitutes and increased numbers of COVID-19 cases.

“Our current reality is that we simply do not have enough substitutes to appropriately maintain operations,” Superintendent Stu Moeckel wrote.

The Kansas City, Kansas, district also warned parents to start preparing for school closures and said buses would be 15 to 20 minutes late Friday because of staff shortages.

Earlier this week, the Wichita district, which is the state's largest, warned that school closures might be necessary.

The staffing shortages are so severe that the state announced this week that substitute teachers in Kansas will not be required to have college credit hours. The Kansas State Board of Education said the changes will last only until June 1, when the more stringent requirements will return.

On Wednesday, the Bonner Springs and El Dorado school districts announced classes would be cancelled for the rest of the week because of high numbers of staff and student illnesses.

The Rock Creek district in Pottawatomie County said an elementary and middle school were closed Thursday and Friday because of staffing issues. The DeSoto, Eudora and Manhattan-Ogden districts were set to be closed Friday.

In addition, Fairfield USD 310 in Langdon is closed though next week and activities are also canceled due a sharp increase in quarantines and positive COVID cases 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — More&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;districts are closing and warning of potential closure as the COVID-19 outbreak sickens staff.The Eudora districts pulled the plug on classed Friday because of a lack of substitutes and increased numbers of COVID-19 cases.“Our current reality is that we simply do not have enough substitutes to appropriately maintain operations,” Superintendent Stu Moeckel wrote.The Kansas City, Kansas, district also warned parents to start preparing for school closures and said buses would be 15 to 20 minutes late Friday because of staff shortages.Earlier this week, the Wichita district, which is the state's largest, warned that school closures might be necessary.The staffing shortages are so severe that the state announced this week that substitute teachers in Kansas will not be required to have college credit hours. The Kansas State Board of Education said the changes will last only until June 1, when the more stringent requirements will return.On Wednesday, the Bonner Springs and El Dorado school districts announced classes would be cancelled for the rest of the week because of high numbers of staff and student illnesses.The Rock Creek district in Pottawatomie County said an elementary and middle school were closed Thursday and Friday because of staffing issues. The DeSoto, Eudora and Manhattan-Ogden districts were set to be closed Friday.In addition, Fairfield USD 310 in Langdon is closed though next week and activities are also canceled due a sharp increase in quarantines and positive COVID cases

More Kansas districts close, warn parents to be ready

WASHINGTON (AP) — All but conceding defeat, President Joe Biden said Thursday he’s now unsure the Democrats’ major elections and voting rights legislation can pass Congress this year. He spoke at the Capitol after a key fellow Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, dramatically announced her refusal to go along with changing Senate rules to muscle the bill past a Republican filibuster.

Biden had come to the Capitol to prod Democratic senators in a closed-door meeting, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-elections-voting-congress-6f8d20e337743c53cc39f7d9372c4108">he was not optimistic</a>&nbsp;when he emerged. He vowed to keep fighting for the sweeping legislation that advocates say is vital to protecting elections.

“The honest to God answer is I don’t know whether we can get this done,” Biden said. He told reporters, his voice rising, “As long as I’m in the White House, as long as I’m engaged at all, I’m going to be fighting.”

Sinema all but dashed the bill’s chances minutes earlier, declaring just before Biden arrived on Capitol Hill that she could not support a “short sighted” rules change.

She said in a speech on the Senate floor that the answer to divisiveness in the Senate and in the country is not to change filibuster rules so one party, even hers, can pass controversial bills. “We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy,” she said.

The moment once again leaves Biden empty-handed after a high-profile visit to Congress. Earlier forays did little to advance his other big priority, the “Build Back Better Act” of social and climate change initiatives. Instead, Biden returned to the White House with his agenda languishing in Congress.

Biden spoke for more than an hour in private with restive Democrats in the Senate, including Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who also opposes changing Senate rules.

Manchin said in a statement later: “Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation.”

Both senators went to the White House Thursday evening for an additional hour, which the White House later described as “a candid and respectful exchange of views.”

Since taking control of Congress and the White House last year, Democrats have vowed to counteract a wave of new state laws, inspired by former President Donald Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, that have made it harder to vote. But their efforts have stalled in the narrowly divided Senate, where they lack the 60 votes out of 100 needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

For weeks, Sinema and Manchin have come under intense pressure to support rules changes that would allow the party to pass their legislation with a simple majority — a step both have long opposed.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Sinema’s speech an important act of “political courage” that could “save the Senate as an institution.” Her own colleagues weren’t as charitable.

Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who once opposed changing the Senate rules said, “She believes that the risk of changing the filibuster is greater than the risk of what’s going on in the states. I hope profoundly that she’s right. I fear that she’s wrong.”

The Democratic package of voting and ethics legislation would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections in a generation, striking down hurdles to voting enacted in the name of election security, reducing the influence of big money in politics and limiting partisan influence over the drawing of congressional districts. The package would create national election standards that would trump the state-level GOP laws. It would also restore the ability of the Justice Department to police election laws in states with a history of discrimination.

Biden’s trip to the Capitol, where he served for decades as a senator from Delaware, was part of weeklong effort to jolt the stalled legislation. On Tuesday he gave a fiery speech in Atlanta, likening opponents of the legislation to racist historical figures and telling lawmakers they will be “judged by history.”

Republicans are nearly unanimous in opposing the legislation, viewing it as federal overreach that would infringe on states’ abilities to conduct their own elections. And they’ve pointed out that Democrats opposed changes to the filibuster that Trump sought when he was president.

But for Democrats and Biden, the legislation is viewed as a political imperative. Failure to pass it would break a major campaign promise to Black voters, who helped hand Democrats control of the White House and Congress, and would come just before midterm elections when slim Democratic majorities will be on the line.

During the closed-door meeting, Biden and the senators engaged in a spirited conversation, the president drawing on his own years in the chamber, senators said. He fielded questions and comments, including from Manchin, who expressed reluctance to changing Senate rules. Biden’s message to the senators: It’s an “opportunity to do something that will do so much good for so many at a time where it’s so necessary,” according to Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Democrats have still pledged to force a public showdown over the bill on the Senate floor, which could stretch for days and carry echoes of civil rights battles a generation ago that led to some of the most famous filibusters in Senate history.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had initially set Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a deadline to either pass the voting legislation or consider revising the filibuster rules. But after one Democratic senator tested positive for COVID-19 and went into isolation, denying the party a needed vote, Schumer canceled a planned Senate recess week and said debate would instead begin Tuesday.

Democrats shifted their legislative strategy, too, as they sought to pressure Manchin and Sinema. Under their new approach, which uses a procedural shortcut, they will be able to debate the bill without being blocked by a filibuster — a feat after Republicans used the filibuster four times in recent months to stop deliberation.

The mechanics work like this: The House amended and passed an unrelated bill that was already approved by both chambers of Congress, combining Democrats’ voting proposals into one bill. Because that bill already passed both chambers, it can be called for debate in the Senate with a simple majority, though Senate Republicans can still block a final vote to pass the measure.

“Members of this chamber were elected to debate and vote, particularly on an issue as vital to the beating heart of democracy as this one,” Schumer said late Thursday.

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock questioned the wisdom of Manchin and Sinema’s reflexive pursuit of bipartisanship.

“It can’t be the only important thing,” said Warnock, who is Georgia’s first Black senator. “Slavery was bipartisan. Jim Crow segregation was bipartisan. The denial of women’s suffrage was bipartisan.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642158990209.png" alt="President Biden leaving a meeting with Democrats Thursday-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden leaving a meeting with Democrats Thursday-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — All but conceding defeat, President Joe Biden said Thursday he’s now unsure the Democrats’ major elections and voting rights legislation can pass Congress this year. He spoke at the Capitol after a key fellow Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, dramatically announced her refusal to go along with changing Senate rules to muscle the bill past a Republican filibuster.Biden had come to the Capitol to prod Democratic senators in a closed-door meeting, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-elections-voting-congress-6f8d20e337743c53cc39f7d9372c4108">he was not optimistic</a>&nbsp;when he emerged. He vowed to keep fighting for the sweeping legislation that advocates say is vital to protecting elections.“The honest to God answer is I don’t know whether we can get this done,” Biden said. He told reporters, his voice rising, “As long as I’m in the White House, as long as I’m engaged at all, I’m going to be fighting.”Sinema all but dashed the bill’s chances minutes earlier, declaring just before Biden arrived on Capitol Hill that she could not support a “short sighted” rules change.She said in a speech on the Senate floor that the answer to divisiveness in the Senate and in the country is not to change filibuster rules so one party, even hers, can pass controversial bills. “We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy,” she said.The moment once again leaves Biden empty-handed after a high-profile visit to Congress. Earlier forays did little to advance his other big priority, the “Build Back Better Act” of social and climate change initiatives. Instead, Biden returned to the White House with his agenda languishing in Congress.Biden spoke for more than an hour in private with restive Democrats in the Senate, including Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who also opposes changing Senate rules.Manchin said in a statement later: “Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation.”Both senators went to the White House Thursday evening for an additional hour, which the White House later described as “a candid and respectful exchange of views.”Since taking control of Congress and the White House last year, Democrats have vowed to counteract a wave of new state laws, inspired by former President Donald Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, that have made it harder to vote. But their efforts have stalled in the narrowly divided Senate, where they lack the 60 votes out of 100 needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.For weeks, Sinema and Manchin have come under intense pressure to support rules changes that would allow the party to pass their legislation with a simple majority — a step both have long opposed.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Sinema’s speech an important act of “political courage” that could “save the Senate as an institution.” Her own colleagues weren’t as charitable.Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who once opposed changing the Senate rules said, “She believes that the risk of changing the filibuster is greater than the risk of what’s going on in the states. I hope profoundly that she’s right. I fear that she’s wrong.”The Democratic package of voting and ethics legislation would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections in a generation, striking down hurdles to voting enacted in the name of election security, reducing the influence of big money in politics and limiting partisan influence over the drawing of congressional districts. The package would create national election standards that would trump the state-level GOP laws. It would also restore the ability of the Justice Department to police election laws in states with a history of discrimination.Biden’s trip to the Capitol, where he served for decades as a senator from Delaware, was part of weeklong effort to jolt the stalled legislation. On Tuesday he gave a fiery speech in Atlanta, likening opponents of the legislation to racist historical figures and telling lawmakers they will be “judged by history.”Republicans are nearly unanimous in opposing the legislation, viewing it as federal overreach that would infringe on states’ abilities to conduct their own elections. And they’ve pointed out that Democrats opposed changes to the filibuster that Trump sought when he was president.But for Democrats and Biden, the legislation is viewed as a political imperative. Failure to pass it would break a major campaign promise to Black voters, who helped hand Democrats control of the White House and Congress, and would come just before midterm elections when slim Democratic majorities will be on the line.During the closed-door meeting, Biden and the senators engaged in a spirited conversation, the president drawing on his own years in the chamber, senators said. He fielded questions and comments, including from Manchin, who expressed reluctance to changing Senate rules. Biden’s message to the senators: It’s an “opportunity to do something that will do so much good for so many at a time where it’s so necessary,” according to Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.Democrats have still pledged to force a public showdown over the bill on the Senate floor, which could stretch for days and carry echoes of civil rights battles a generation ago that led to some of the most famous filibusters in Senate history.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had initially set Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a deadline to either pass the voting legislation or consider revising the filibuster rules. But after one Democratic senator tested positive for COVID-19 and went into isolation, denying the party a needed vote, Schumer canceled a planned Senate recess week and said debate would instead begin Tuesday.Democrats shifted their legislative strategy, too, as they sought to pressure Manchin and Sinema. Under their new approach, which uses a procedural shortcut, they will be able to debate the bill without being blocked by a filibuster — a feat after Republicans used the filibuster four times in recent months to stop deliberation.The mechanics work like this: The House amended and passed an unrelated bill that was already approved by both chambers of Congress, combining Democrats’ voting proposals into one bill. Because that bill already passed both chambers, it can be called for debate in the Senate with a simple majority, though Senate Republicans can still block a final vote to pass the measure.“Members of this chamber were elected to debate and vote, particularly on an issue as vital to the beating heart of democracy as this one,” Schumer said late Thursday.Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock questioned the wisdom of Manchin and Sinema’s reflexive pursuit of bipartisanship.“It can’t be the only important thing,” said Warnock, who is Georgia’s first Black senator. “Slavery was bipartisan. Jim Crow segregation was bipartisan. The denial of women’s suffrage was bipartisan.”___

President Biden all but concedes defeat on voting, election bills

KANSAS CITY (AP)—Distrust, misinformation and delays because of the holidays and bad weather have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11.

As of Tuesday, just over 17% were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots became available to the age group. While Vermont is at 48%, California is just shy of 19% and Mississippi is at only 5%.

Vaccinations among the elementary school set surged after the shots were introduced in the fall, but the numbers have crept up slowly since then, and omicron’s explosive spread appears to have had little effect.

The low rates are “very disturbing,” said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director for the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “It’s just amazing.”

Parents who hesitate “are taking an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic,” Murphy said.

Hospitalizations of children under 18 with COVID-19 in the U.S. have climbed to their highest levels on record in the past few weeks. Many have other conditions made worse by COVID-19, though many aren’t sick enough to require intensive care.

The low vaccination rates and rising hospitalizations are “a gut punch, especially when we’ve been working so hard to keep these kids well,” said Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in Overland Park, Kansas.

The vaccines have proved highly safe and effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Overall, 63% of Americans are fully vaccinated. Among children 12 to 17, the rate is 54%.

COVID-19 shots for young children have been authorized in at least 12 countries. In Canada, where Pfizer shots were cleared for ages 5 to 11 in November, just 2% are fully vaccinated.

Snowstorms, tornadoes and other heavy weather in December are believed to have slowed the pace of vaccination in the U.S., along with the busy holiday season. Also, some parents are distrustful because the vaccine is so new, and many have other concerns.

Chicago mother Kendra Shaw has resisted shots for her two school-age children, saying she worries about possible risks and isn’t convinced the benefits are worth it.

But this week, her 10-year-old daughter pleaded to get vaccinated so she wouldn’t miss school, and her soon-to-be 7-year-old son asked for his shots so he could have a big birthday party.

Shaw scheduled their first doses for Wednesday but said: “I’m really on the fence.”

Daniel Kotzin, of Denver, said he is convinced he made the right decision not to vaccinate his 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because most omicron cases seem to be mild.

“They are essentially at no risk of harm, so I really don’t understand the reason to vaccinate them,” he said.

Doctors say that kind of thinking is misguided and part of the problem.

“It’s true, kids in general do better than adults with COVID,” said Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician in Rochester, New York, and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, “but ‘not too sick’ still can mean miserable with fevers and muscle aches for a week. It can also mean MIS-C or long COVID.”

MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome, is a rare but serious condition linked to COVID-19 that can affect many organs and typically requires hospitalization.

Authorities don’t think omicron is making children and adults more seriously ill than other variants, and say hospitalization rates are up partly because it is so much more contagious.

Some children have been admitted for conditions such as lung disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease that have worsened because of an omicron infection, doctors say.

Dr. Jesse Hackell, a pediatrician in Pomona, New York, said that at least 25% of his patients ages 5 to 11 are vaccinated, but that after an initial rush in the fall, the numbers have dwindled.

“It’s a tough sell,” he said. “We’re not ready” is a common comment, Hackell said. “When I ask, ‘What are you waiting for?’ I get kind of a shrug. I’ve had a few say, ’We’re not going to be the first million. We’ll wait to see what happens.”’

A frustrated Hackell said the government’s vaccination campaign is clearly struggling against misinformation and “pseudoscience,” the likes of which he has never seen before in his 40-plus years as a pediatrician.

He said the government needs to get tough and mandate the shots.

“If we could get every kid vaccinated across the board, it would go a long way. It wouldn’t end the pandemic, but it would end the severe disease,” Hackell said. “It could help turn the virus into nothing more serious than the common cold, and we can deal with that.’’

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642082002561.png" alt="COVID vaccination by county across the U.S. Some states may appear to have a lower percentage of vaccination coverage when viewed by county because &gt; 25% of their vaccination reports are missing or the state does not report. -CDC image" />
 <figcaption>COVID vaccination by county across the U.S. Some states may appear to have a lower percentage of vaccination coverage when viewed by county because &gt; 25% of their vaccination reports are missing or the state does not report. -CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—Distrust, misinformation and delays because of the holidays and bad weather have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11.As of Tuesday, just over 17% were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots became available to the age group. While Vermont is at 48%, California is just shy of 19% and Mississippi is at only 5%.Vaccinations among the elementary school set surged after the shots were introduced in the fall, but the numbers have crept up slowly since then, and omicron’s explosive spread appears to have had little effect.The low rates are “very disturbing,” said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director for the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “It’s just amazing.”Parents who hesitate “are taking an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic,” Murphy said.Hospitalizations of children under 18 with COVID-19 in the U.S. have climbed to their highest levels on record in the past few weeks. Many have other conditions made worse by COVID-19, though many aren’t sick enough to require intensive care.The low vaccination rates and rising hospitalizations are “a gut punch, especially when we’ve been working so hard to keep these kids well,” said Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in Overland Park, Kansas.The vaccines have proved highly safe and effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.Overall, 63% of Americans are fully vaccinated. Among children 12 to 17, the rate is 54%.COVID-19 shots for young children have been authorized in at least 12 countries. In Canada, where Pfizer shots were cleared for ages 5 to 11 in November, just 2% are fully vaccinated.Snowstorms, tornadoes and other heavy weather in December are believed to have slowed the pace of vaccination in the U.S., along with the busy holiday season. Also, some parents are distrustful because the vaccine is so new, and many have other concerns.Chicago mother Kendra Shaw has resisted shots for her two school-age children, saying she worries about possible risks and isn’t convinced the benefits are worth it.But this week, her 10-year-old daughter pleaded to get vaccinated so she wouldn’t miss school, and her soon-to-be 7-year-old son asked for his shots so he could have a big birthday party.Shaw scheduled their first doses for Wednesday but said: “I’m really on the fence.”Daniel Kotzin, of Denver, said he is convinced he made the right decision not to vaccinate his 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because most omicron cases seem to be mild.“They are essentially at no risk of harm, so I really don’t understand the reason to vaccinate them,” he said.Doctors say that kind of thinking is misguided and part of the problem.“It’s true, kids in general do better than adults with COVID,” said Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician in Rochester, New York, and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, “but ‘not too sick’ still can mean miserable with fevers and muscle aches for a week. It can also mean MIS-C or long COVID.”MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome, is a rare but serious condition linked to COVID-19 that can affect many organs and typically requires hospitalization.Authorities don’t think omicron is making children and adults more seriously ill than other variants, and say hospitalization rates are up partly because it is so much more contagious.Some children have been admitted for conditions such as lung disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease that have worsened because of an omicron infection, doctors say.Dr. Jesse Hackell, a pediatrician in Pomona, New York, said that at least 25% of his patients ages 5 to 11 are vaccinated, but that after an initial rush in the fall, the numbers have dwindled.“It’s a tough sell,” he said. “We’re not ready” is a common comment, Hackell said. “When I ask, ‘What are you waiting for?’ I get kind of a shrug. I’ve had a few say, ’We’re not going to be the first million. We’ll wait to see what happens.”’A frustrated Hackell said the government’s vaccination campaign is clearly struggling against misinformation and “pseudoscience,” the likes of which he has never seen before in his 40-plus years as a pediatrician.He said the government needs to get tough and mandate the shots.“If we could get every kid vaccinated across the board, it would go a long way. It wouldn’t end the pandemic, but it would end the severe disease,” Hackell said. “It could help turn the virus into nothing more serious than the common cold, and we can deal with that.’’

Kids' low COVID-19 vaccination rates are 'very disturbing'

WASHINGTON — The IRS today announced the availability of Free File, 
providing taxpayers online tax preparation products available at no 
charge. Today's launch of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>,
 available only through IRS.gov, provides people an early opportunity to
 file their taxes and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the 
enhanced Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other 
important credits. Taxpayers can use Free File to claim the remaining 
amount of their Child Tax Credit and claim any advance payments of the 
Child Tax Credit they did not receive in 2021.

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.

"Free File is part of a wide selection of services available on 
IRS.gov to help people file taxes during this challenging period," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "IRS Free File offers taxpayers an easy, 
free way to do their taxes from the safety of their own home. Free File 
also provides electronic filing with direct deposit, which is the best 
way to avoid delays and receive refunds quickly and securely."

Because the filing season starts on January 24, 2022, IRS Free File 
providers will accept completed tax returns and hold them until they can
 be filed electronically on that date. The Free File Fillable Forms, the
 electronic version of IRS paper forms, will be available on January 24,
 2022. Free File Fillable Forms is available for use by everyone, 
regardless of income, but should be used only by people who are 
comfortable preparing their own taxes.

Other important information related to the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2022-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-24-irs-outlines-refund-timing-and-what-to-expect-in-advance-of-april-18-tax-deadline">January 24 start of tax season</a> is available on IRS.gov, including <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-bookmark-irsgov-resources-and-online-tools-to-use-before-during-and-after-filing">important filing tips</a>.

Each IRS Free File provider sets its own eligibility rules for 
products based on age, income, and state residency. However, for those 
who make $73,000 or less, they will find at least one product that 
matches their needs, and usually more. Some providers also offer free 
state income tax return preparation. [Some state tax benefits, such as 
state Earned Income Tax Credits, are based on information contained on 
the taxpayer's federal income tax return. Taxpayers are encouraged to 
check with their <a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies">state tax agency</a>
 about state tax benefits and requirements to file a state income tax 
return.] Active-duty military can use any IRS Free File product if their
 income was $73,000 or less.

Here's a step-by-step overview of how to find the right Free File product:

No computer? No problem. Taxpayers can complete and file their 
tax return using IRS Free File products through smart phones or tablets.

Child Tax Credit, 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax benefits

IRS Free File is all taxpayers need to claim the Child Tax Credit 
(CTC), 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, and other tax benefits such as the 
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The IRS also continues to urge people who received one or more 
advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2021 to carefully review their 
taxes before filing. Families who received advance payments will need to
 compare the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">advance Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 they received in 2021 with the amount of the Child Tax Credit they can 
properly claim on their 2021 tax return. To help taxpayers who received 
an advance Child Tax Credit payment, the IRS started sending Letter 
6419, 2021 Advance CTC, in late December 2021.

The letter contains important information on advance Child Tax Credit
 payments that can help ensure the tax return is accurate. People who 
received the advance CTC payments can also check the amount of their 
payments by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> available on IRS.gov.

In late January, the IRS will begin sending Letter 6475, Your Third 
Economic Impact Payment, to individuals who received a third stimulus 
payment in 2021, including initial and "plus-up" payments. While most 
eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments, or 
stimulus payments, this letter will help them determine if they are 
eligible to claim the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return to claim this credit. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view both payment amounts.

IRS Free File also can be used by workers to claim the EITC, which 
provides a refundable tax credit based on a filer's income and family 
size.

Please remember that unemployment benefits paid by states are taxable
 income. States should send Forms 1099-G to those who received jobless 
benefits.

For 2022, these providers are participating in IRS Free File:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS today announced the availability of Free File, 
providing taxpayers online tax preparation products available at no 
charge. Today's launch of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>,
 available only through IRS.gov, provides people an early opportunity to
 file their taxes and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the 
enhanced Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other 
important credits. Taxpayers can use Free File to claim the remaining 
amount of their Child Tax Credit and claim any advance payments of the 
Child Tax Credit they did not receive in 2021.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."Free File is part of a wide selection of services available on 
IRS.gov to help people file taxes during this challenging period," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "IRS Free File offers taxpayers an easy, 
free way to do their taxes from the safety of their own home. Free File 
also provides electronic filing with direct deposit, which is the best 
way to avoid delays and receive refunds quickly and securely."Because the filing season starts on January 24, 2022, IRS Free File 
providers will accept completed tax returns and hold them until they can
 be filed electronically on that date. The Free File Fillable Forms, the
 electronic version of IRS paper forms, will be available on January 24,
 2022. Free File Fillable Forms is available for use by everyone, 
regardless of income, but should be used only by people who are 
comfortable preparing their own taxes.Other important information related to the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2022-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-24-irs-outlines-refund-timing-and-what-to-expect-in-advance-of-april-18-tax-deadline">January 24 start of tax season</a> is available on IRS.gov, including <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-bookmark-irsgov-resources-and-online-tools-to-use-before-during-and-after-filing">important filing tips</a>.<h2>How IRS Free File works</h2>Each IRS Free File provider sets its own eligibility rules for 
products based on age, income, and state residency. However, for those 
who make $73,000 or less, they will find at least one product that 
matches their needs, and usually more. Some providers also offer free 
state income tax return preparation. [Some state tax benefits, such as 
state Earned Income Tax Credits, are based on information contained on 
the taxpayer's federal income tax return. Taxpayers are encouraged to 
check with their <a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies">state tax agency</a>
 about state tax benefits and requirements to file a state income tax 
return.] Active-duty military can use any IRS Free File product if their
 income was $73,000 or less.Here's a step-by-step overview of how to find the right Free File product:<ol>
 <li>Go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS.gov/freefile</a>.</li><li>Use the "Free File Online Look up" tool for help in finding the right product, or</li><li>Review each offer by a provider using the "Browse All Offers" tool.</li><li>Select a product.</li><li>Follow links to the provider's website to begin a tax return.</li>
 </ol>No computer? No problem. Taxpayers can complete and file their 
tax return using IRS Free File products through smart phones or tablets.<h2>Child Tax Credit, 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax benefits</h2>IRS Free File is all taxpayers need to claim the Child Tax Credit 
(CTC), 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, and other tax benefits such as the 
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).The IRS also continues to urge people who received one or more 
advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2021 to carefully review their 
taxes before filing. Families who received advance payments will need to
 compare the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">advance Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 they received in 2021 with the amount of the Child Tax Credit they can 
properly claim on their 2021 tax return. To help taxpayers who received 
an advance Child Tax Credit payment, the IRS started sending Letter 
6419, 2021 Advance CTC, in late December 2021.The letter contains important information on advance Child Tax Credit
 payments that can help ensure the tax return is accurate. People who 
received the advance CTC payments can also check the amount of their 
payments by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> available on IRS.gov.In late January, the IRS will begin sending Letter 6475, Your Third 
Economic Impact Payment, to individuals who received a third stimulus 
payment in 2021, including initial and "plus-up" payments. While most 
eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments, or 
stimulus payments, this letter will help them determine if they are 
eligible to claim the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return to claim this credit. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view both payment amounts.IRS Free File also can be used by workers to claim the EITC, which 
provides a refundable tax credit based on a filer's income and family 
size.Please remember that unemployment benefits paid by states are taxable
 income. States should send Forms 1099-G to those who received jobless 
benefits.<h2>IRS Free File participants</h2>For 2022, these providers are participating in IRS Free File:<ul>
 <li>1040Now.NET</li><li>ezTaxReturn.com (available in Spanish)</li><li>FreeTaxReturn.com INC</li><li>FileYourTaxes.com</li><li>On-Line Taxes at OLT.com</li><li>TaxAct</li><li>FreeTaxUSA ®</li><li>TaxSlayer (coming soon in Spanish)</li>
 </ul>

IRS Free File now available; filers can claim important tax benefits

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in an armed carjacking that led to a high-speed chase in which he collided with another vehicle and killed another motorist, according to the United State's Attorney.

Derrell M. Wade, 20, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Co-defendants Michael A. Brown, 20, and Curtis R. Daniels, 19, both of Kansas City also have pleaded guilty to carjacking. Brown and Daniels both have been sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.

Wade and his co-defendants participated in a carjacking that occurred at approximately 10:35 p.m. on Aug. 24. Wade pressed the barrel of his gun against the forehead of the victim, identified in court documents as “T.R.,” and demanded the keys to his gold 2007 Prius. Another person took T.R.’s cell phone from his hand. T.R. was repeatedly struck in the back with an unknown object by a third person, and told to stay on his knees. The three men then fled in T.R.’s vehicle.

T.R. immediately contacted law enforcement, and used his wife’s cell phone to track his stolen cell phone, using the Find My Phone app. Police officers saw the stolen Prius driving southbound on Lister Avenue, passing over the main thoroughfare of East 23rd Street, at about 11:09 p.m. the same day. Officers pulled behind the vehicle, which was being driven by Wade, and the vehicle accelerated a high rate of speed away from the officers. Officers activated their emergency equipment and initiated a pursuit of the vehicle.

The stolen vehicle traveled at speeds up to 75 miles per hour and ran several stop signs during the pursuit. After running the stop sign at 23rd Street and Lawn Avenue, the Prius collided with another vehicle. This collision resulted in the fatality of an occupant from that vehicle and injuries to another person.

Wade attempted to run away but fell to the ground. As he was falling, he pulled a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and threw it in the grass.

Brown got out of the passenger side rear door of the Prius and began running toward Elmwood Avenue. He was found hiding near a grill in a residential backyard and arrested.

Daniels, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the Prius, was arrested without incident.

<a></a><a>If the court accepts the binding plea agreement, Wade will be sentenced to 13 years in federal prison without parole.&nbsp;</a>A sentencing hearing will be held on June 2.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641911062947.png" alt="Police at the scene of the fatal crash and arrest -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the fatal crash and arrest -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in an armed carjacking that led to a high-speed chase in which he collided with another vehicle and killed another motorist, according to the United State's Attorney.Derrell M. Wade, 20, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.Co-defendants Michael A. Brown, 20, and Curtis R. Daniels, 19, both of Kansas City also have pleaded guilty to carjacking. Brown and Daniels both have been sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole.Wade and his co-defendants participated in a carjacking that occurred at approximately 10:35 p.m. on Aug. 24. Wade pressed the barrel of his gun against the forehead of the victim, identified in court documents as “T.R.,” and demanded the keys to his gold 2007 Prius. Another person took T.R.’s cell phone from his hand. T.R. was repeatedly struck in the back with an unknown object by a third person, and told to stay on his knees. The three men then fled in T.R.’s vehicle.T.R. immediately contacted law enforcement, and used his wife’s cell phone to track his stolen cell phone, using the Find My Phone app. Police officers saw the stolen Prius driving southbound on Lister Avenue, passing over the main thoroughfare of East 23rd Street, at about 11:09 p.m. the same day. Officers pulled behind the vehicle, which was being driven by Wade, and the vehicle accelerated a high rate of speed away from the officers. Officers activated their emergency equipment and initiated a pursuit of the vehicle.The stolen vehicle traveled at speeds up to 75 miles per hour and ran several stop signs during the pursuit. After running the stop sign at 23rd Street and Lawn Avenue, the Prius collided with another vehicle. This collision resulted in the fatality of an occupant from that vehicle and injuries to another person.Wade attempted to run away but fell to the ground. As he was falling, he pulled a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and threw it in the grass.Brown got out of the passenger side rear door of the Prius and began running toward Elmwood Avenue. He was found hiding near a grill in a residential backyard and arrested.Daniels, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the Prius, was arrested without incident.<a></a><a>If the court accepts the binding plea agreement, Wade will be sentenced to 13 years in federal prison without parole.&nbsp;</a>A sentencing hearing will be held on June 2.

Kansas City man enters plea for armed carjacking that led to fatal crash

WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden is disappointed with Thursday's Supreme Court decision on vaccine requirements.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The court stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.

At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S.

In a statement from his office Biden said.

&nbsp;"My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated."

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a244_hgci.pdf">here to read court’s orders&nbsp;</a>

"My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated. Today, that number is down to under 35 million. These vaccine requirements applied to members of the Armed Forces, federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and employees in large firms. Had my administration not put vaccination requirements in place, we would be now experiencing a higher death toll from COVID-19 and even more hospitalizations.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A244">CLICK&nbsp; here to listen&nbsp;</a>to a replay of the oral argument vs the Dept. of Labor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: &nbsp;the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there. It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A240">Click here</a>&nbsp;to listen to a replay of the oral arguments over the mandate for health care workers.

At the same time, I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law. This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden. &nbsp; &nbsp; As a result of the Court’s decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans’ health and economy. I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up – including one third of Fortune 100 companies – and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities.&nbsp;

We have to keep working together if we want to save lives, keep people working, and put this pandemic behind us."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641479071719.png" alt="Biden said, "I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees "" />
 <figcaption>Biden said, "I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees "</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden is disappointed with Thursday's Supreme Court decision on vaccine requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp;The court stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S.In a statement from his office Biden said.&nbsp;"My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated."Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a244_hgci.pdf">here to read court’s orders&nbsp;</a>"My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated. Today, that number is down to under 35 million. These vaccine requirements applied to members of the Armed Forces, federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and employees in large firms. Had my administration not put vaccination requirements in place, we would be now experiencing a higher death toll from COVID-19 and even more hospitalizations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A244">CLICK&nbsp; here to listen&nbsp;</a>to a replay of the oral argument vs the Dept. of Labor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: &nbsp;the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there. It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A240">Click here</a>&nbsp;to listen to a replay of the oral arguments over the mandate for health care workers.At the same time, I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law. This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden. &nbsp; &nbsp; As a result of the Court’s decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans’ health and economy. I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up – including one third of Fortune 100 companies – and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities.&nbsp;We have to keep working together if we want to save lives, keep people working, and put this pandemic behind us."

Biden disappointed Supreme Court blocked vaxx mandate for business

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/13/kansas-lawmakers-officials-march-in-honor-of-martin-luther-king-jr-call-for-unity/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — In anticipation of Rev. 
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Kansas lawmakers, civil rights 
advocates and other government officials spoke Thursday of unity among 
Kansans as a key to weathering challenging times and making positive 
progress as a state.

Gov. Laura Kelly pointed to the acts of selflessness and teamwork 
displayed over the COVID-19 pandemic, from front-line health care 
workers to teachers to spiritual leaders, to show how the principles 
King held remain prevalent in Kansas today. She said the state’s elected
 leaders must not only heed that same call to service but work to set an
 example for all others.

“We can all do more to make our communities better. We can all do 
more to make each other better,” Kelly said. “We can truly make a 
difference when we take Dr. King’s lead and choose to stand together in 
solidarity, mutual respect and commitment to making the world a better 
place.”

State legislators, members of the governor’s cabinet, Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt and members of the Kansas African American Affairs
 Commission were among those who joined Kelly in the annual march around
 the statehouse to honor King. Following the march, Kelly proclaimed 
Jan. 17, 2022, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Kansas. (King was born 
on Jan. 15, but the day is observed as a holiday on the third Monday in 
January because of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-the-president-upon-signing-the-uniform-holiday-bill">Uniform Monday Holiday Act.</a>)

Last year, the march took place online to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Stacey Knoell, executive director of the African American Affairs 
Commission, said King’s words and efforts still ring loud and true 
today, making the effort to continue his legacy paramount. While toned 
down or better hidden, many of the same issues of the 1960s remain, she 
said.

“Mark Twain said that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does 
rhyme. Well today we’re living through a time that certainly rhymes with
 the turbulence of the 1960s,” Knoell said. “We’re still fighting voter 
suppression; we’re still fighting for fair redistricting and we’re still
 fighting for human rights and dignity.”

The greatest gift provided by King was hope, Knoell said, adding that
 hope remains inside of all who heed his words and follow his example.

Beryl New, chair of the African American Affairs Commission, asked 
Kansans to look inside themselves and ask questions of their thoughts, 
opinions and actions. Self-reflection will open a path to creating a 
better Kansas, she said.

“When we do all of these, Kansas, America, the world will be closer 
to the vision of the dream that Dr. King had when he looked forward to 
the day, all God’s children, Black and white, Jews and Gentiles, 
Protestants and Catholics, can join hands and sing the old Negro 
spiritual, ‘Free at last,’ ” New said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642112407622.png" alt="The annual Martin Luther King Jr. March around the statehouse elicited talk of unity and self-reflection to weather hard times, like the pandemic. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The annual Martin Luther King Jr. March around the statehouse elicited talk of unity and self-reflection to weather hard times, like the pandemic. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/13/kansas-lawmakers-officials-march-in-honor-of-martin-luther-king-jr-call-for-unity/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — In anticipation of Rev. 
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Kansas lawmakers, civil rights 
advocates and other government officials spoke Thursday of unity among 
Kansans as a key to weathering challenging times and making positive 
progress as a state.Gov. Laura Kelly pointed to the acts of selflessness and teamwork 
displayed over the COVID-19 pandemic, from front-line health care 
workers to teachers to spiritual leaders, to show how the principles 
King held remain prevalent in Kansas today. She said the state’s elected
 leaders must not only heed that same call to service but work to set an
 example for all others.“We can all do more to make our communities better. We can all do 
more to make each other better,” Kelly said. “We can truly make a 
difference when we take Dr. King’s lead and choose to stand together in 
solidarity, mutual respect and commitment to making the world a better 
place.”State legislators, members of the governor’s cabinet, Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt and members of the Kansas African American Affairs
 Commission were among those who joined Kelly in the annual march around
 the statehouse to honor King. Following the march, Kelly proclaimed 
Jan. 17, 2022, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Kansas. (King was born 
on Jan. 15, but the day is observed as a holiday on the third Monday in 
January because of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-the-president-upon-signing-the-uniform-holiday-bill">Uniform Monday Holiday Act.</a>)Last year, the march took place online to limit the spread of COVID-19.Stacey Knoell, executive director of the African American Affairs 
Commission, said King’s words and efforts still ring loud and true 
today, making the effort to continue his legacy paramount. While toned 
down or better hidden, many of the same issues of the 1960s remain, she 
said.“Mark Twain said that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does 
rhyme. Well today we’re living through a time that certainly rhymes with
 the turbulence of the 1960s,” Knoell said. “We’re still fighting voter 
suppression; we’re still fighting for fair redistricting and we’re still
 fighting for human rights and dignity.”The greatest gift provided by King was hope, Knoell said, adding that
 hope remains inside of all who heed his words and follow his example.Beryl New, chair of the African American Affairs Commission, asked 
Kansans to look inside themselves and ask questions of their thoughts, 
opinions and actions. Self-reflection will open a path to creating a 
better Kansas, she said.“When we do all of these, Kansas, America, the world will be closer 
to the vision of the dream that Dr. King had when he looked forward to 
the day, all God’s children, Black and white, Jews and Gentiles, 
Protestants and Catholics, can join hands and sing the old Negro 
spiritual, ‘Free at last,’ ” New said.

Kan. lawmakers, officials march in honor of MLK, call for unity

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A244">CLICK&nbsp; here to listen </a>to a replay of the oral argument vs the Dept. of Labor.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A240">Click here</a> to listen to a replay of the oral arguments over the mandate for health care workers.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a244_hgci.pdf">The court’s orders </a>Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases was a mixed bag for the administration’s efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans.

The court’s conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees. More than 80 million people would have been affected.

“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID–19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here,” the conservatives wrote in an unsigned opinion.

In dissent, the court’s three liberals argued that it was the court that was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts. “Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies,” Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent.

When crafting the OSHA rule, White House officials always anticipated legal challenges — and privately some harbored doubts that it could withstand them. The administration nonetheless still views the rule as a success at already driving millions of people to get vaccinated and for private businesses to implement their own requirements that are unaffected by the legal challenge.

Both rules had been challenged by Republican-led states. In addition, business groups attacked the OSHA emergency regulation as too expensive and likely to cause workers to leave their jobs at a time when finding new employees already is difficult.

The vaccine mandate that the court will allow to be enforced nationwide covers virtually all health care workers in the country. It applies to health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.

Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis had blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration already was taking steps to enforce it elsewhere.

In the healthcare case, only justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito noted their dissents. “The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it. At the same time, such unprecedented circumstances provide no grounds for limiting the exercise of authorities the agency has long been recognized to have,” the justices wrote in an unsigned opinion, saying the “latter principle governs” in the healthcare cases.

More than 208 million Americans, 62.7% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All nine justices have gotten booster shots.

The justices heard arguments on the challenges last week. Their questions then hinted at the split verdict that they issued Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A244">CLICK&nbsp; here to listen </a>to a replay of the oral argument vs the Dept. of Labor.At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A240">Click here</a> to listen to a replay of the oral arguments over the mandate for health care workers.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a244_hgci.pdf">The court’s orders </a>Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases was a mixed bag for the administration’s efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans.The court’s conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees. More than 80 million people would have been affected.“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID–19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here,” the conservatives wrote in an unsigned opinion.In dissent, the court’s three liberals argued that it was the court that was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts. “Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies,” Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent.When crafting the OSHA rule, White House officials always anticipated legal challenges — and privately some harbored doubts that it could withstand them. The administration nonetheless still views the rule as a success at already driving millions of people to get vaccinated and for private businesses to implement their own requirements that are unaffected by the legal challenge.Both rules had been challenged by Republican-led states. In addition, business groups attacked the OSHA emergency regulation as too expensive and likely to cause workers to leave their jobs at a time when finding new employees already is difficult.The vaccine mandate that the court will allow to be enforced nationwide covers virtually all health care workers in the country. It applies to health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis had blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration already was taking steps to enforce it elsewhere.In the healthcare case, only justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito noted their dissents. “The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it. At the same time, such unprecedented circumstances provide no grounds for limiting the exercise of authorities the agency has long been recognized to have,” the justices wrote in an unsigned opinion, saying the “latter principle governs” in the healthcare cases.More than 208 million Americans, 62.7% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All nine justices have gotten booster shots.The justices heard arguments on the challenges last week. Their questions then hinted at the split verdict that they issued Thursday.___

🎤Supreme Court halts vaccine rule for businesses, allows health care worker mandate

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America’s darkest times.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his “political hero” and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety.

“Mr. Sirhan’s assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history,” Newsom wrote in his decision. “After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past.”

He said factors in his decision including Sirhan’s refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors.

Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California’s pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630107734279.png" alt="Sirhan photo California Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Sirhan photo California Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America’s darkest times.Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his “political hero” and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety.“Mr. Sirhan’s assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history,” Newsom wrote in his decision. “After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past.”He said factors in his decision including Sirhan’s refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors.Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California’s pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.The slaying took place five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated.Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023.Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsom’s denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry.“We fully expect that judicial review of the governor’s decision will show that the governor got it wrong,” she said.State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that “not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society.”She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom “chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law.”Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release “because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century,” she said. “Since the mid-1980’s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.”During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy “the hope of the world.” But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesn’t recall because he was drunk.“It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that,” Sirhan said.The parole panel’s recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family, with two of RFK’s sons — Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — supporting his release. But six of Kennedy’s nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFK’s wife, urged Newsom to block his parole.The panel’s decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 — the 15th time he’d lost his bid for release.Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didn’t object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascón’s policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsom’s late father.Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhan’s fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent ’60s and reopened memories many want to forget.Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry.Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation.--------SAN DIEGO (AP) —&nbsp;California’s parole board voted Friday to free Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin after two of RFK’s sons said they supported releasing him and prosecutors declined to argue he should be kept behind bars. But the governor ultimately will decide if Sirhan Sirhan leaves prison.Douglas Kennedy was a toddler when his father was gunned down in 1968. He told a two-person board panel that he was moved to tears by Sirhan’s remorse and that the 77-year-old should be released if he’s not a threat to others.“I’m overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,” he said. “I’ve lived my life both in fear of him and his name in one way or another. And I am grateful today to see him as a human being worthy of compassion and love.”Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has spoken in favor of Sirhan’s release in the past and met with him in prison, wrote in favor of paroling Sirhan.“While nobody can speak definitively on behalf of my father, I firmly believe that based on his own consuming commitment to fairness and justice, that he would strongly encourage this board to release Mr. Sirhan because of Sirhan’s impressive record of rehabilitation,” he said in a letter submitted to the board.Sirhan smiled, thanked the board and gave a thumbs-up after the decision to grant parole was announced. It was a major victory in his 16th attempt at parole. But it does not assure his release.The ruling will be reviewed over the next 90 days by the board’s staff. Then it will be sent to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it. If Sirhan is freed, he must live in a transitional home for six months, enroll in an alcohol abuse program and get therapy.Robert F. Kennedy was a a U.S. senator from&nbsp;New York&nbsp;and the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. RFK was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination when he was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after delivering a victory speech in the pivotal California primary. Five others were wounded.Sirhan, who insists he doesn't remember the shooting and had been drinking alcohol just beforehand, was convicted of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death after his conviction, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.At his last parole hearing in 2016, commissioners concluded after more than three hours of intense testimony that Sirhan did not show adequate remorse or understand the enormity of his crime.This time, prosecutors declined to participate or oppose Sirhan’s release under a policy by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, a former police officer who took office last year after running on a reform platform. Gascón, who said he idolized the Kennedys and mourned RFK’s assassination, believes the prosecutors’ role ends at sentencing and they should not influence decisions to release prisoners.The Los Angeles Police Department, relatives of some of the victims and members of the public submitted letters opposing Sirhan’s release, Parole Board Commissioner Robert Barton said at the start of Friday’s proceeding, held virtually with Sirhan appearing on camera from a San Diego County prison.“We don’t have a DA here, but I have to consider all sides,” Barton said, noting it would consider arguments made in the past by prosecutors opposing his release, depending on their relevance.Sirhan's lawyer, Angela Berry, said the board should base its decision on who Sirhan is today and not what he did more than 50 years ago. She said he is not a threat to the public.Sirhan said he had learned to control his anger and was committed to living peacefully.“I would never put myself in jeopardy again,” he told the panel. “You have my pledge. I will always look to safety and peace and non-violence.”Sirhan, a Christian Palestinian from Jordan, has acknowledged he was angry at Kennedy for his support of Israel. When asked about how he feels about the Middle East conflict today, Sirhan broke down crying and temporarily couldn’t speak.“Take a few deep breaths,” said Barton, who noted the conflict had not gone away and still touched a nerve.Sirhan said he doesn't follow what's going on in the region but thinks about the suffering of refugees.“The misery that those people are experiencing. It’s painful,” Sirhan said.If released, Sirhan could be deported to Jordan, and Barton said he was concerned he might become a “symbol or lightning rod to foment more violence.”Sirhan said he was too old to be involved in the Middle East conflict and would detach himself from it.“The same argument can be said or made that I can be a peacemaker and a contributor to a friendly nonviolent way of resolving the issue,” said Sirhan, who told the panel the hoped to live with his blind brother in Pasadena, California.Paul Schrade, a union leader and aide to RFK who was among five people wounded in the 1968 shooting, also spoke in favor of Sirhan's release.___