The
 Federal Trade Commission is returning an additional $25 million to 
consumers who lost money to a business coaching scheme that used the 
names Coaching Department and Apply Knowledge, among others. These 
refunds are the result of the FTC’s settlements with <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/defendants-who-took-part-business-coaching-scheme-settle-ftc">the</a> scheme’s ringleaders, the companies through which the scheme operated, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/05/worldwide-payment-processor-payments-industry-executive-pay-402">a payment processor</a> who helped facilitate the scheme.

According to the FTC, the defendants conned millions 
of dollars from consumers by falsely telling them they could earn 
thousands of dollars a month by purchasing their business coaching 
services and establishing an Internet business. The complaint alleges 
that consumers who bought into the scheme lost thousands—sometimes tens 
of thousands—of dollars each, most of it by racking up huge credit card 
debt at the defendants’ urging.

The funds for this distribution come from the FTC’s case against <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/05/worldwide-payment-processor-payments-industry-executive-pay-402">First Data Merchant Services</a>, LLC (First Data),
 one of several companies that processed credit card payments for the 
defendants in this case. According to the FTC, First Data allegedly 
ignored repeated warnings from employees, 
banks, and others that they were processing payments for companies that 
were breaking the law. First Data agreed to pay $40 million to settle 
the FTC’s charges, which has also been used to provide refunds to 
consumers in the FTC’s cases against <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/06/defendants-involved-selling-business-coaching-programs-settle-ftc">Lift International</a> and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-sends-more-11m-refunds-consumers-affected-credit-card">E.M. Systems and Services</a>.

In this distribution, 10,749 consumers 
will receive checks from the FTC totaling more than $25.6 million. Prior
 refund distributions in this case totaled more than $2 million.

People who receive checks should deposit or cash them
 within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Recipients who have 
questions about their checks should call the refund administrator, 
Analytics, LLC, at 844-982-1005. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check.

The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is returning an additional $25 million to 
consumers who lost money to a business coaching scheme that used the 
names Coaching Department and Apply Knowledge, among others. These 
refunds are the result of the FTC’s settlements with <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/defendants-who-took-part-business-coaching-scheme-settle-ftc">the</a> scheme’s ringleaders, the companies through which the scheme operated, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/05/worldwide-payment-processor-payments-industry-executive-pay-402">a payment processor</a> who helped facilitate the scheme.According to the FTC, the defendants conned millions 
of dollars from consumers by falsely telling them they could earn 
thousands of dollars a month by purchasing their business coaching 
services and establishing an Internet business. The complaint alleges 
that consumers who bought into the scheme lost thousands—sometimes tens 
of thousands—of dollars each, most of it by racking up huge credit card 
debt at the defendants’ urging.The funds for this distribution come from the FTC’s case against <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/05/worldwide-payment-processor-payments-industry-executive-pay-402">First Data Merchant Services</a>, LLC (First Data),
 one of several companies that processed credit card payments for the 
defendants in this case. According to the FTC, First Data allegedly 
ignored repeated warnings from employees, 
banks, and others that they were processing payments for companies that 
were breaking the law. First Data agreed to pay $40 million to settle 
the FTC’s charges, which has also been used to provide refunds to 
consumers in the FTC’s cases against <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/06/defendants-involved-selling-business-coaching-programs-settle-ftc">Lift International</a> and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-sends-more-11m-refunds-consumers-affected-credit-card">E.M. Systems and Services</a>.In this distribution, 10,749 consumers 
will receive checks from the FTC totaling more than $25.6 million. Prior
 refund distributions in this case totaled more than $2 million.People who receive checks should deposit or cash them
 within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Recipients who have 
questions about their checks should call the refund administrator, 
Analytics, LLC, at 844-982-1005. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check.The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: Coaching scam victims repaid additional $25M

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden unveiled a new slogan for his $1 trillion infrastructure package on Wednesday, but his overall message is staying largely the same.

Biden, trying to rebound from sagging poll numbers, rebranded his Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework as “Building a Better America.” He spoke at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, surrounded by buses and signs featuring the new slogan as he continued a weekslong tour to put greater focus on the planned spending for roads, bridges, water systems, broadband and greater resilience against climate change.

The economy has revived since Biden took office, but high inflation, political polarization and the inability to fully break free of the coronavirus pandemic have all hurt his popularity. The new slogan for his big, just-passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;says the president’s bipartisan deal will improve the country in ways well beyond repairing its aging roads and bridges.

“We’re talking about rebuilding America, investing in America, building a better America,” Biden said.

The new slogan hews closely to Biden’s separate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-congress-d1e755379b1941e1cca1178d3fb66b80">“Build Back Better” agenda of tax hikes on the wealthy and an expansion of education, family and environmental programs</a>&nbsp;still pending in the Senate. That slogan, too, has its critics, who say it makes it challenging for people to easily grasp all that’s in the package.

Biden mixed together talk of “Build Back Better” with the new infrastructure law on Wednesday, declaring that the risks of climate change mean roads need to be constructed higher and that costs more money.

“You got to build back better,” he said in his remarks.

The White House launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/build/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that asks Americans to record videos about how the infrastructure spending will help their own communities, part of a search for grassroots support as the administration seeks greater recognition for its achievements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The infrastructure law will fund upgrades and repairs to roads, bridges, mass transit and water systems nationwide, along with a shift to electrical vehicles to help ease the effects of climate change.

“It’s time to stop just kind of repairing our grandparents’ infrastructure — it’s time to start innovating,” said Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from the nearby state of Kansas who spoke at the event.

Biden lost Kansas and Missouri in last year’s presidential election. But the tour is a chance to make inroads with voters by showing that the administration can deliver results. Missouri has nearly 2,200 bridges and more than 7,570 miles of highway deemed in poor condition. Under the law, the state could expect $7 billion for highways and bridges, a nearly 30% increase in federal funding, the White House said.

The Buck O’Neil Bridge in Kansas City is among the bridges in the state in need of repair.

It’s named for Buck O’Neil, a two-time All-Star first baseman in baseball’s Negro Leagues and the first Black coach in the Major Leagues. O’Neil, who died in Kansas City in 2006, was inducted in baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Construction on a replacement bridge began in the fall, before Biden signed the infrastructure bill, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, at an estimated cost of close to $220 million borne by the state and the city.

The 65-year-old bridge is a key route connecting downtown Kansas City with northern Kansas City and growing suburbs across the Missouri River, and carries about 50,000 vehicles a day, according to the state Department of Transportation. It opened in 1956 and has required frequent upgrades and repairs in recent years.

Biden kicked off the infrastructure tour nearly a month ago with a speech at the Port of Baltimore.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639014758366.png" alt="President Biden arrived at Kansas City International airport Wednesday afternoon- photo courtesy city of KCMO" />
 <figcaption>President Biden arrived at Kansas City International airport Wednesday afternoon- photo courtesy city of KCMO</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden unveiled a new slogan for his $1 trillion infrastructure package on Wednesday, but his overall message is staying largely the same.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Glad to send <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> off with some Kansas City barbecue! Great trip. <a href="https://t.co/pCixrFuqzB">pic.twitter.com/pCixrFuqzB</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1468730768369373191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden, trying to rebound from sagging poll numbers, rebranded his Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework as “Building a Better America.” He spoke at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, surrounded by buses and signs featuring the new slogan as he continued a weekslong tour to put greater focus on the planned spending for roads, bridges, water systems, broadband and greater resilience against climate change.The economy has revived since Biden took office, but high inflation, political polarization and the inability to fully break free of the coronavirus pandemic have all hurt his popularity. The new slogan for his big, just-passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;says the president’s bipartisan deal will improve the country in ways well beyond repairing its aging roads and bridges.“We’re talking about rebuilding America, investing in America, building a better America,” Biden said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will improve transit, rebuild roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. <a href="https://t.co/InXiYpzwqH">pic.twitter.com/InXiYpzwqH</a>&mdash; RideKC (@RideKCTransit) <a href="https://twitter.com/RideKCTransit/status/1468688853531779077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new slogan hews closely to Biden’s separate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-congress-d1e755379b1941e1cca1178d3fb66b80">“Build Back Better” agenda of tax hikes on the wealthy and an expansion of education, family and environmental programs</a>&nbsp;still pending in the Senate. That slogan, too, has its critics, who say it makes it challenging for people to easily grasp all that’s in the package.Biden mixed together talk of “Build Back Better” with the new infrastructure law on Wednesday, declaring that the risks of climate change mean roads need to be constructed higher and that costs more money.“You got to build back better,” he said in his remarks.The White House launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/build/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that asks Americans to record videos about how the infrastructure spending will help their own communities, part of a search for grassroots support as the administration seeks greater recognition for its achievements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.The infrastructure law will fund upgrades and repairs to roads, bridges, mass transit and water systems nationwide, along with a shift to electrical vehicles to help ease the effects of climate change.“It’s time to stop just kind of repairing our grandparents’ infrastructure — it’s time to start innovating,” said Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from the nearby state of Kansas who spoke at the event.Biden lost Kansas and Missouri in last year’s presidential election. But the tour is a chance to make inroads with voters by showing that the administration can deliver results. Missouri has nearly 2,200 bridges and more than 7,570 miles of highway deemed in poor condition. Under the law, the state could expect $7 billion for highways and bridges, a nearly 30% increase in federal funding, the White House said.The Buck O’Neil Bridge in Kansas City is among the bridges in the state in need of repair.It’s named for Buck O’Neil, a two-time All-Star first baseman in baseball’s Negro Leagues and the first Black coach in the Major Leagues. O’Neil, who died in Kansas City in 2006, was inducted in baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday.Construction on a replacement bridge began in the fall, before Biden signed the infrastructure bill, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, at an estimated cost of close to $220 million borne by the state and the city.The 65-year-old bridge is a key route connecting downtown Kansas City with northern Kansas City and growing suburbs across the Missouri River, and carries about 50,000 vehicles a day, according to the state Department of Transportation. It opened in 1956 and has required frequent upgrades and repairs in recent years.Biden kicked off the infrastructure tour nearly a month ago with a speech at the Port of Baltimore.

Biden enjoys KC barbecue, sells his $1 Trillion spending plan

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man and woman died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Toyota Camry driven by&nbsp; Derek R F&nbsp;Wohletz, 37,&nbsp;Tonganoxie, was southbound on U.S. 73 approximately three miles south of Atchison.

The Camry traveled left of center into the northbound lane and struck a&nbsp; northbound 2002 Toyota Corolla driven by Felieca K. Paxton, 26, Atchison, head-on.

Paxton and a passenger Jovonnie D&nbsp;Franklin, 33, Atchison, were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Lindsborg-Pruitt Funeral Home. 

EMS transported a 7-year-old boy from Atchison to Amberwell Atchison Hospital and a 6-year-old boy from Atchison to Children's Mercy. EMS transported Wohletz to KU Medical Center.

The adults were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have details on child seat/seatbelt status for the children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563104261595.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man and woman died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Toyota Camry driven by&nbsp; Derek R F&nbsp;Wohletz, 37,&nbsp;Tonganoxie, was southbound on U.S. 73 approximately three miles south of Atchison.The Camry traveled left of center into the northbound lane and struck a&nbsp; northbound 2002 Toyota Corolla driven by Felieca K. Paxton, 26, Atchison, head-on.Paxton and a passenger Jovonnie D&nbsp;Franklin, 33, Atchison, were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Lindsborg-Pruitt Funeral Home. EMS transported a 7-year-old boy from Atchison to Amberwell Atchison Hospital and a 6-year-old boy from Atchison to Children's Mercy. EMS transported Wohletz to KU Medical Center.The adults were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have details on child seat/seatbelt status for the children.

Kan. man, woman dead, 2 children hospitalized after head-on crash

SALINE COUNTY —&nbsp; Over a dozen earthquakes including a 4.3 magnitude quake shook central Kansas Wednesday.

The big jolt was reported at 7:45a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey and&nbsp; was centered approximately 3 miles southwest of Gypsum and felt across a wide area.

The the other quakes throughout the day measured under 3 magnitude, according to the Kansas Geological Survey. However, the agency did report a 3.4 magnitude quake southwest of Gypsum just before 2:30p.m.&nbsp;

There are no reports of damage or injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638972145787.png" alt="Star marks location of Wednesday's 4.3 magnitude quake -USGS image" />
 <figcaption>Star marks location of Wednesday's 4.3 magnitude quake -USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —&nbsp; Over a dozen earthquakes including a 4.3 magnitude quake shook central Kansas Wednesday.The big jolt was reported at 7:45a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey and&nbsp; was centered approximately 3 miles southwest of Gypsum and felt across a wide area.The the other quakes throughout the day measured under 3 magnitude, according to the Kansas Geological Survey. However, the agency did report a 3.4 magnitude quake southwest of Gypsum just before 2:30p.m.&nbsp;There are no reports of damage or injury.

Over a dozen earthquakes reported in Saline County Wednesday

The demand for “quarantine puppies” 
and other pets increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing with it a
 spike in scams that has persisted even as virus-related lockdowns have 
abated. Online pet scams -- in which an online search ends with a 
would-be pet owner paying hundreds of dollars or more to adopt a pet 
that ultimately doesn’t exist -- are especially pervasive during the 
holiday season, when families may be looking to add a furry family 
member as a gift. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises extreme caution 
if shopping for a pet online.&nbsp;

In addition to a shortage of puppies available due to high demand, earlier this year, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk-dog-ban-frn.html#:~:text=As%20of%20July%2014%2C%202021,in%20the%20past%206%20months." target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspended imports of dogs</a>
 to the U.S. from&nbsp; countries deemed at high risk of rabies. The U.S. 
typically imports 1 million dogs each year and have since updated the 
restrictions.

People currently shopping for pets online 
are very likely to encounter a scam listing in an online ad or website. 
Knowing the red flags associated with this scam can help people avoid 
heartache and loss of money.&nbsp;

Online shopping scam reports to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pet scams make up 35% of 
those reports in 2021. While pet scam-related reports are down slightly 
from 2020, they are expected to double this year to those reported in 
2019, and more than four times as many were reported in 2017, when BBB 
published its <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/puppy-scams/puppy-scams-full-study" target="_blank">first investigative study about online puppy scams.</a>&nbsp;

Scammers frequently capitalize on the high
 demand during the holidays by posting pictures of pets in Christmas 
hats and other gear. When a would-be pet parent pursues the listing, the
 scammer refuses to let the consumer meet the pet before buying – often 
claiming COVID-19 considerations. The scammer claims that they must use a
 pet delivery agency of some kind, often an airline. BBB Scam Tracker 
has received many reports of fake web pages impersonating real 
businesses for this purpose. The scammer also may demand fees for 
vaccinations or other last-minute “needs.” Ultimately, the pet does not 
exist, and the consumer has lost money and emotional investment.&nbsp;

The largest group of victims by age are 
those 25-35, followed by those 35-44. The average financial loss 
reported to BBB Scam Tracker was $1,088. While 82% of pet scam reports 
involved dogs, other reports included cats, birds and iguanas.&nbsp;

The tactics used in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>
 continue to evolve. Scammers increasingly ask for payment through 
untraceable cash apps such as Zelle, Google Pay, Cash App, Venmo and 
Apple Pay.&nbsp; A review of BBB Scam Tracker data finds that the vast 
majority of reports listed Zelle as the payment method involving the 
purchase of online pets. &nbsp;

A St. Louis woman told BBB Scam Tracker in
 April 2021 that she paid a $500 deposit via Zelle for a cavapoo puppy 
she had seen online. The seller sent her several photos and then asked 
for the remaining balance on the puppy via Zelle -- a transaction that 
the would-be buyer’s bank flagged as fraudulent. The woman requested a 
refund but never received it, and the puppy is still listed on the 
seller’s website.&nbsp;

A Castro Valley, California, woman 
reported losing $1,350 during the summer of 2021 when she and her 
husband tried to buy a samoyed puppy online. The woman told BBB Scam 
Tracker she signed a contract to purchase a puppy from a “breeder” who 
contacted her via email; she paid the “breeder” $1,350 via Zelle. She 
said she knew she had been scammed when the “shipping company” handling 
the puppy’s delivery contacted her and asked her to rent a 
temperature-regulated crate. &nbsp;

Pet scams are a worldwide problem, with 
the United Kingdom and Australia reporting large increases in pet scam 
complaints in 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;Many pet scams originate in Cameroon, 
according to data from Petscams.com, which tracks and catalogues puppy 
scams.&nbsp;

Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and 
abroad have worked to apprehend pet scammers. In December 2020, the U.S.
 Department of Justice announced criminal charges against a Cameroonian 
national living in Romania; among other tactics, the suspect had claimed
 the&nbsp;pets he was selling had COVID-19 and required would-be buyers to 
purchase a “vaccine guarantee document.”&nbsp;

BBB recommendations for buying pets online:&nbsp;

Who to contact if you are the victim of a pet scam:&nbsp;

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams on BBB.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639068796110.jpg" alt="Courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThe demand for “quarantine puppies” 
and other pets increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing with it a
 spike in scams that has persisted even as virus-related lockdowns have 
abated. Online pet scams -- in which an online search ends with a 
would-be pet owner paying hundreds of dollars or more to adopt a pet 
that ultimately doesn’t exist -- are especially pervasive during the 
holiday season, when families may be looking to add a furry family 
member as a gift. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises extreme caution 
if shopping for a pet online.&nbsp;In addition to a shortage of puppies available due to high demand, earlier this year, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk-dog-ban-frn.html#:~:text=As%20of%20July%2014%2C%202021,in%20the%20past%206%20months." target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspended imports of dogs</a>
 to the U.S. from&nbsp; countries deemed at high risk of rabies. The U.S. 
typically imports 1 million dogs each year and have since updated the 
restrictions.People currently shopping for pets online 
are very likely to encounter a scam listing in an online ad or website. 
Knowing the red flags associated with this scam can help people avoid 
heartache and loss of money.&nbsp;Online shopping scam reports to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pet scams make up 35% of 
those reports in 2021. While pet scam-related reports are down slightly 
from 2020, they are expected to double this year to those reported in 
2019, and more than four times as many were reported in 2017, when BBB 
published its <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/puppy-scams/puppy-scams-full-study" target="_blank">first investigative study about online puppy scams.</a>&nbsp;Scammers frequently capitalize on the high
 demand during the holidays by posting pictures of pets in Christmas 
hats and other gear. When a would-be pet parent pursues the listing, the
 scammer refuses to let the consumer meet the pet before buying – often 
claiming COVID-19 considerations. The scammer claims that they must use a
 pet delivery agency of some kind, often an airline. BBB Scam Tracker 
has received many reports of fake web pages impersonating real 
businesses for this purpose. The scammer also may demand fees for 
vaccinations or other last-minute “needs.” Ultimately, the pet does not 
exist, and the consumer has lost money and emotional investment.&nbsp;The largest group of victims by age are 
those 25-35, followed by those 35-44. The average financial loss 
reported to BBB Scam Tracker was $1,088. While 82% of pet scam reports 
involved dogs, other reports included cats, birds and iguanas.&nbsp;The tactics used in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>
 continue to evolve. Scammers increasingly ask for payment through 
untraceable cash apps such as Zelle, Google Pay, Cash App, Venmo and 
Apple Pay.&nbsp; A review of BBB Scam Tracker data finds that the vast 
majority of reports listed Zelle as the payment method involving the 
purchase of online pets. &nbsp;A St. Louis woman told BBB Scam Tracker in
 April 2021 that she paid a $500 deposit via Zelle for a cavapoo puppy 
she had seen online. The seller sent her several photos and then asked 
for the remaining balance on the puppy via Zelle -- a transaction that 
the would-be buyer’s bank flagged as fraudulent. The woman requested a 
refund but never received it, and the puppy is still listed on the 
seller’s website.&nbsp;A Castro Valley, California, woman 
reported losing $1,350 during the summer of 2021 when she and her 
husband tried to buy a samoyed puppy online. The woman told BBB Scam 
Tracker she signed a contract to purchase a puppy from a “breeder” who 
contacted her via email; she paid the “breeder” $1,350 via Zelle. She 
said she knew she had been scammed when the “shipping company” handling 
the puppy’s delivery contacted her and asked her to rent a 
temperature-regulated crate. &nbsp;Pet scams are a worldwide problem, with 
the United Kingdom and Australia reporting large increases in pet scam 
complaints in 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;Many pet scams originate in Cameroon, 
according to data from Petscams.com, which tracks and catalogues puppy 
scams.&nbsp;Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and 
abroad have worked to apprehend pet scammers. In December 2020, the U.S.
 Department of Justice announced criminal charges against a Cameroonian 
national living in Romania; among other tactics, the suspect had claimed
 the&nbsp;pets he was selling had COVID-19 and required would-be buyers to 
purchase a “vaccine guarantee document.”&nbsp;BBB recommendations for buying pets online:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>See the pet in person before paying any money.
 Consider a video call with the seller if there are concerns about 
meeting in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This way, you are 
able to see the seller and the actual pet for sale. More often than not,
 scammers won't comply with the request and help avoid a scam.&nbsp;</li><li>Conduct a reverse image search of the photo of the pet and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.&nbsp;</li><li>Research the breed to get a sense of a fair price&nbsp;
 you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog 
for free or at a deeply discounted price … it could be a fraudulent 
offer.&nbsp;</li><li>Check out a local animal shelter for pets to meet in person before adopting.&nbsp;</li><li>BBB urges more law enforcement action against pet scammers.&nbsp;</li><li>The media and public should help to educate those looking for pets online by sharing BBB’s tips and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/puppy-scams" target="_blank">study</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Who to contact if you are the victim of a pet scam:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Petscams.com&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://petscams.com/report-pet-scam-websites/" target="_blank">petscams.com/report-pet-scam-websites</a>&nbsp;tracks complaints, catalogues puppy scammers and endeavors to get fraudulent pet sales websites taken down.&nbsp;</li><li>Federal Trade Commission (FTC)&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/" target="_blank">reportfraud.ftc.gov</a> to file a complaint online or call 877-FTC-Help.</li><li>Better Business Bureau&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>&nbsp;to report a scam online.&nbsp;</li><li>Canadian Antifraud Centre&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm" target="_blank">antifraudcentre-centreantifraude</a>&nbsp;or call 1-888-495-8501 for scams involving Canada.&nbsp;</li><li>Your credit card issuer&nbsp;– report the incident&nbsp;if you&nbsp;shared&nbsp;your credit card number, even if the transaction was not completed.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams on BBB.org</a>.

SIT, STAY: Purchasing a puppy online remains extremely risky

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for a&nbsp;deadly drug deal shooting.

On Monday, Judge Eric Williams sentenced 18-year-old Nathaniel Brandy to 16-years and 5 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections and an additional year in the county jail, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office for second degree murder, robbery and criminal use of a weapon.

&nbsp;In December of 2020, police arrested then 17-year-old Brandy in connection with the shooting happened in the 9300 block of East Funston in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macy.

Officers found the victim identified as 20-year-old Cooper Kelley with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigation determined the shooting was over an illegal drug deal arranged over social media. They say there were several witnesses who were very helpful in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://www.ksn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/12/Brandy-Nathaniel-Sedgwick-County-Sheriff.jpg" alt="Brandy-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Brandy-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for a&nbsp;deadly drug deal shooting.On Monday, Judge Eric Williams sentenced 18-year-old Nathaniel Brandy to 16-years and 5 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections and an additional year in the county jail, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office for second degree murder, robbery and criminal use of a weapon.&nbsp;In December of 2020, police arrested then 17-year-old Brandy in connection with the shooting happened in the 9300 block of East Funston in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macy.Officers found the victim identified as 20-year-old Cooper Kelley with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.Investigation determined the shooting was over an illegal drug deal arranged over social media. They say there were several witnesses who were very helpful in the case.

Kan. teen sentenced for killing during social media planned drug deal

GALENA, Mo. (AP) — Three men charged after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-accidents-us-news-ap-top-news-storms-north-america-60b99441d63a48428b5dd79bbc37c75a">a tourist boat sank in Missouri during a 2018 storm</a>, killing 17 people, were in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing to determine if the criminal case against them will proceed.

Kenneth Scott McKee, 54, the captain of the vessel known as a duck boat; Curtis P. Lanham, 39, the general manager at Ride the Ducks in Branson; and Charles V. Baltzell, 79, the operations supervisor who was a manager on duty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-boat-accidents-us-news-ap-top-news-in-state-wire-e9ea37df0760459ba5ace5fff07e8779">the night the boat sank,</a>&nbsp;are each charged with 17 counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

McKee also faces 12 charges counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child because 12 children were on the amphibious boat when it capsized on Table Rock Lake near Branson on July 19, 2018. Riders from Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Arkansas were killed. Fourteen people survived.

Associate Circuit County Judge Alan Mark Blankenship will hear testimony in Stone County Court and determine if the cases will be bound over for trial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-duck-boat-accident-charges-9be4b42462ab8c878cd35cc7f3bbf809">When charges were filed in July</a>, an affidavit from a Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant accused McKee of taking the duck boat onto the lake despite concern about an approaching storm. Lanham and Baltzell are accused of failing to communicate weather conditions and to stop operations after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued.

The three men each pleaded not guilty in September.

On Tuesday, McKee, of Verona, filed a motion to dismiss his charges, citing a lack of probable cause. He also accused Lanham, of Galena, and Baltzell, of Kirbyville, of not communicating the danger of the oncoming storm and halting the tour, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article256400501.html">reported</a>.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and the Stone County prosecutor filed the state charges after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-a424e3b6697a538067ae9daa5e09eac3">a judge dismissed federal charges</a>, ruling that the federal government did not have jurisdiction because Table Rock Lake is not considered a navigable waterway, which means it doesn’t support commerce.

The tour boats — a popular attraction on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo — have not been operating in Branson since the sinking.

Ride the Ducks and Ripley Entertainment, a Canadian company that owned the Ride the Ducks attraction in Branson at the time, have settled numerous lawsuits filed by survivors and relatives of those who died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563393605763.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the tragedy in 2018- photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the tragedy in 2018- photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>GALENA, Mo. (AP) — Three men charged after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-accidents-us-news-ap-top-news-storms-north-america-60b99441d63a48428b5dd79bbc37c75a">a tourist boat sank in Missouri during a 2018 storm</a>, killing 17 people, were in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing to determine if the criminal case against them will proceed.Kenneth Scott McKee, 54, the captain of the vessel known as a duck boat; Curtis P. Lanham, 39, the general manager at Ride the Ducks in Branson; and Charles V. Baltzell, 79, the operations supervisor who was a manager on duty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-boat-accidents-us-news-ap-top-news-in-state-wire-e9ea37df0760459ba5ace5fff07e8779">the night the boat sank,</a>&nbsp;are each charged with 17 counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter.McKee also faces 12 charges counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child because 12 children were on the amphibious boat when it capsized on Table Rock Lake near Branson on July 19, 2018. Riders from Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Arkansas were killed. Fourteen people survived.Associate Circuit County Judge Alan Mark Blankenship will hear testimony in Stone County Court and determine if the cases will be bound over for trial.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-duck-boat-accident-charges-9be4b42462ab8c878cd35cc7f3bbf809">When charges were filed in July</a>, an affidavit from a Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant accused McKee of taking the duck boat onto the lake despite concern about an approaching storm. Lanham and Baltzell are accused of failing to communicate weather conditions and to stop operations after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued.The three men each pleaded not guilty in September.On Tuesday, McKee, of Verona, filed a motion to dismiss his charges, citing a lack of probable cause. He also accused Lanham, of Galena, and Baltzell, of Kirbyville, of not communicating the danger of the oncoming storm and halting the tour, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article256400501.html">reported</a>.Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and the Stone County prosecutor filed the state charges after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-a424e3b6697a538067ae9daa5e09eac3">a judge dismissed federal charges</a>, ruling that the federal government did not have jurisdiction because Table Rock Lake is not considered a navigable waterway, which means it doesn’t support commerce.The tour boats — a popular attraction on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo — have not been operating in Branson since the sinking.Ride the Ducks and Ripley Entertainment, a Canadian company that owned the Ride the Ducks attraction in Branson at the time, have settled numerous lawsuits filed by survivors and relatives of those who died.

Preliminary hearing for 3 charged in Branson Duck boat tragedy

BLUE RAPIDS, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group says a Kansas town has dropped all charges against a man prosecuted for flying a flag outside his home with a profanity against President Joe Biden. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said Wednesday it got involved after the city of Blue Rapids charged David Sain in August with promoting obscenity. 

The ACLU says in a news release that Sain has a constitutionally protected right to free speech. Blue Rapids officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sain says he is grateful that he can express himself without fear of prosecution.

BLUE RAPIDS, Kan. (AP) — A civil rights group says a Kansas town has dropped all charges against a man prosecuted for flying a flag outside his home with a profanity against President Joe Biden. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said Wednesday it got involved after the city of Blue Rapids charged David Sain in August with promoting obscenity. The ACLU says in a news release that Sain has a constitutionally protected right to free speech. Blue Rapids officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sain says he is grateful that he can express himself without fear of prosecution.

Charges dropped against Kan. man flying flag with profanity against Biden

Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-omicron-variant-c4e5662a36708a594c454b171ab93bd0">new omicron variant</a>&nbsp;even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people’s levels of virus-fighting antibodies against the omicron variant.

Blood samples taken a month after a booster showed people harbored levels of omicron-neutralizing antibodies that were similar to amounts proven protective against earlier variants after two doses.

Scientists don’t yet know how big a threat the omicron variant really is. Currently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-southern-africa-pandemics-2a445501cff8d0354fabcf493418365e">the extra-contagious delta variant&nbsp;</a>is responsible for most of the COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and other countries.

But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-ec296f982f7342c29fa89f96e09db93a">omicron variant</a>, discovered late last month, carries an unusually large number of mutations and scientists are racing to learn how easily it spreads, whether it causes illness that is more serious or milder than other coronavirus types — and how much it might evade the protection of prior vaccinations.

Pfizer’s findings, announced in a press release, are preliminary and haven’t yet undergone scientific review. But they’re the first from a vaccine maker examining whether the booster doses that health authorities are urging people to get may indeed make an important difference.

Scientists have speculated that the high jump in antibodies that comes with a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines might be enough to counter any decrease in effectiveness.

Pfizer and BioNTech already are working to create an omicron-specific vaccine in case it’s needed.

Antibody levels predict how well a vaccine may prevent infection with the coronavirus but they are just one layer of the immune system’s defenses. Pfizer said two doses of the vaccine should still protect against severe disease, because the mutations in omicron don’t appear to hamper one of those other defenses, T cells that fight the virus after infection sets in.

“Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is maximized with a third dose of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.

Pfizer’s announcement had an immediate impact on U.S. markets. Futures that had pointed to a lower open reversed course in seconds and swung solidly to the positive with the Dow jumping almost 200 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608677701818.png" alt="A worker at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City prepares doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19 -photo Truman Medical Center" />
 <figcaption>A worker at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City prepares doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19 -photo Truman Medical Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressPfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-omicron-variant-c4e5662a36708a594c454b171ab93bd0">new omicron variant</a>&nbsp;even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective.Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people’s levels of virus-fighting antibodies against the omicron variant.Blood samples taken a month after a booster showed people harbored levels of omicron-neutralizing antibodies that were similar to amounts proven protective against earlier variants after two doses.Scientists don’t yet know how big a threat the omicron variant really is. Currently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-southern-africa-pandemics-2a445501cff8d0354fabcf493418365e">the extra-contagious delta variant&nbsp;</a>is responsible for most of the COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and other countries.But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-ec296f982f7342c29fa89f96e09db93a">omicron variant</a>, discovered late last month, carries an unusually large number of mutations and scientists are racing to learn how easily it spreads, whether it causes illness that is more serious or milder than other coronavirus types — and how much it might evade the protection of prior vaccinations.Pfizer’s findings, announced in a press release, are preliminary and haven’t yet undergone scientific review. But they’re the first from a vaccine maker examining whether the booster doses that health authorities are urging people to get may indeed make an important difference.Scientists have speculated that the high jump in antibodies that comes with a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines might be enough to counter any decrease in effectiveness.Pfizer and BioNTech already are working to create an omicron-specific vaccine in case it’s needed.Antibody levels predict how well a vaccine may prevent infection with the coronavirus but they are just one layer of the immune system’s defenses. Pfizer said two doses of the vaccine should still protect against severe disease, because the mutations in omicron don’t appear to hamper one of those other defenses, T cells that fight the virus after infection sets in.“Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is maximized with a third dose of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.Pfizer’s announcement had an immediate impact on U.S. markets. Futures that had pointed to a lower open reversed course in seconds and swung solidly to the positive with the Dow jumping almost 200 points.___

Pfizer: COVID booster may offer protection against omicron

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Move over, BIF and BBB. Now there's BBA.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516606-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-missouri-infrastructure-law&amp;live">Click here to watch t</a>he President's comments while in Kansas City.

President Joe Biden, trying to rebound from sagging poll numbers, is rebranding his bipartisan infrastructure package as “Building a Better America” as part of a trip Wednesday to Kansas City, Missouri, to promote the deal.

The economy has roared back during Biden's tenure, but high inflation, political polarization and the inability to fully break free of the coronavirus pandemic has hurt his popularity. The new slogan tied to the $1 trillion infrastructure package is an effort to say that the president's bipartisan deal will improve the country in ways well beyond simply repairing its aging roads and bridges.

The new slogan replaces past informal references to BIF, the bipartisan infrastructure framework. And it also hews closely to Biden’s separate “Build Back Better” agenda of tax hikes on the wealthy and an expansion of education, family and environmental programs still pending in the Senate. That broad slogan has made it challenging for people to easily grasp all that’s in the package.

The White House launched a site Wednesday that asks Americans to record videos about how the infrastructure spending will help their communities, part of a search for grassroots support as the administration seeks greater recognition for its achievements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The infrastructure law will fund upgrades and repairs to roads, bridges, and mass transit and water systems nationwide, along with a shift to electrical vehicles to help ease the effects of climate change.

Biden on Wednesday headed to Missouri which has nearly 2,200 bridges and more than 7,570 miles of highway deemed in poor condition. Under the law, Missouri would expect to receive $7 billion for highways and bridges, a nearly 30% increase in federal funding, the White House said.

The Buck O'Neil Bridge in Kansas City is among bridges in the state in need of repair.

The 65-year-old bridge is a key route connecting downtown Kansas City with northern Kansas City and growing suburbs across the Missouri River, and carries about 50,000 vehicles a day, according to the state Department of Transportation. It opened in 1956 and had required frequent upgrades and repairs in recent years.

The bridge is named for Buck O'Neil, a two-time All-Star first baseman in baseball's Negro Leagues and the first Black coach in the National or American leagues. O'Neil was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Biden kicked off the infrastructure tour last week at a technical college in Rosemount, Minnesota.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638998187745.png" alt="President Biden, with Kansas congresswoman Sharice Davids and Missouri congressman Emanuel Cleaver, greets Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas during his arrival at KCI on Wednesday-White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden, with Kansas congresswoman Sharice Davids and Missouri congressman Emanuel Cleaver, greets Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas during his arrival at KCI on Wednesday-White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Move over, BIF and BBB. Now there's BBA.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516606-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-missouri-infrastructure-law&amp;live">Click here to watch t</a>he President's comments while in Kansas City.President Joe Biden, trying to rebound from sagging poll numbers, is rebranding his bipartisan infrastructure package as “Building a Better America” as part of a trip Wednesday to Kansas City, Missouri, to promote the deal.The economy has roared back during Biden's tenure, but high inflation, political polarization and the inability to fully break free of the coronavirus pandemic has hurt his popularity. The new slogan tied to the $1 trillion infrastructure package is an effort to say that the president's bipartisan deal will improve the country in ways well beyond simply repairing its aging roads and bridges.The new slogan replaces past informal references to BIF, the bipartisan infrastructure framework. And it also hews closely to Biden’s separate “Build Back Better” agenda of tax hikes on the wealthy and an expansion of education, family and environmental programs still pending in the Senate. That broad slogan has made it challenging for people to easily grasp all that’s in the package.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638998657515.png" alt="President Biden during his visit to Ride KC- The public transit organization in the city." />
 <figcaption>President Biden during his visit to Ride KC- The public transit organization in the city.</figcaption>
 </figure>The White House launched a site Wednesday that asks Americans to record videos about how the infrastructure spending will help their communities, part of a search for grassroots support as the administration seeks greater recognition for its achievements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.The infrastructure law will fund upgrades and repairs to roads, bridges, and mass transit and water systems nationwide, along with a shift to electrical vehicles to help ease the effects of climate change.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will improve transit, rebuild roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. <a href="https://t.co/InXiYpzwqH">pic.twitter.com/InXiYpzwqH</a>&mdash; RideKC (@RideKCTransit) <a href="https://twitter.com/RideKCTransit/status/1468688853531779077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden on Wednesday headed to Missouri which has nearly 2,200 bridges and more than 7,570 miles of highway deemed in poor condition. Under the law, Missouri would expect to receive $7 billion for highways and bridges, a nearly 30% increase in federal funding, the White House said.The Buck O'Neil Bridge in Kansas City is among bridges in the state in need of repair.Construction on a replacement bridge began in the fall, before Biden signed the infrastructure bill, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, at an estimated cost of close to $220 million borne by the state and the city.The 65-year-old bridge is a key route connecting downtown Kansas City with northern Kansas City and growing suburbs across the Missouri River, and carries about 50,000 vehicles a day, according to the state Department of Transportation. It opened in 1956 and had required frequent upgrades and repairs in recent years.The bridge is named for Buck O'Neil, a two-time All-Star first baseman in baseball's Negro Leagues and the first Black coach in the National or American leagues. O'Neil was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame on Sunday.Biden kicked off the infrastructure tour last week at a technical college in Rosemount, Minnesota.

🎥 Biden in Kansas City reveals new brand for infrastructure deal 

MOSCOW (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow will face a severe economic pain if it tries to attack Ukraine, but promised prospective talks to address Russia's concerns about NATO's expansion.

Biden said he was “very straightforward” with Putin during their call Tuesday, warning the Russian leader that he will pay a heavy price if he invades Ukraine.

“There were no minced words," Biden said at the White House before departing for Kanzas City. "It was polite, but I made it very clear. If in fact he invades Ukraine, there will be severe consequences, severe consequences. Economic consequences like you’ve never seen. I am absolutely confident he got the message.”

Asked by reporters if he’d ruled out U.S. troops on the ground to stop Russia, Biden said “that’s not on the table," saying that a U.S. obligation to protect NATO allies if they come under attack doesn't extend to Ukraine, which is not in the Atlantic military alliance.

"The idea that the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia for invading Ukraine is not in the cards right now,” Biden said.

At the same time, he said that the U.S., its allies and Russia could sit down for talks to discuss Moscow's grievances about NATO's expansion.

“We hope by Friday we’re gonna be able to say, announce to you we’re having meetings at a higher level, not just with us, but with at least four of our major NATO allies, and Russia to discuss the future of Russia’s concern relative to NATO writ large and whether or not we could work out any accommodations as it relates to bringing down the temperature along the eastern front (in Ukraine)," Biden said.

Putin, for his part, promised that Moscow will submit its proposals for a security dialogue with the U.S. in a few days. He reaffirmed his denial of planning to attack Ukraine, but said that Moscow can’t remain indifferent to NATO’s possible expansion to its neighbor.

Putin, who entered Tuesday's call with Biden looking for Western guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine, countered Western arguments that Russia has no say in the alliance expansion by arguing that security in Europe can only be mutual.

“Every country certainly has the right to choose the most acceptable way of ensuring its security, but it must be done in a way that doesn't infringe on the interests and undermine security of other countries, in this case Russia," Putin said. “Security must be global and equally cover everyone.”

“We can’t fail to be concerned about the prospect of Ukraine’s accession to NATO, because that will undoubtedly lead to the deployment of military contingents, bases and weapons that would threaten us,” he told reporters after talks in Sochi with visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He described the two-hour conversation with Biden as “very open, specific and, I would say constructive,” adding that he and Biden have agreed to ask experts to conduct talks on security in Europe.

“Russia will prepare its arguments literally in a few days, within a week, and we will submit it to the American side for consideration,” he said.

“We proceed from the assumption that this time are concerns will be heard,” he said, noting that the West ignored Moscow's complaints in the past about NATO's expansion eastward to incorporate former Soviet allies in Central and Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics in the Baltics.

Asked Wednesday if Russia was going to attack Ukraine, Putin called the question provocative, saying that “Russia is conducting a peaceful foreign policy, but it has the right to ensure its security in the mid- and long-term perspective.”

The leader-to-leader conversation — Biden speaking from the White House Situation Room, Putin from his residence in Sochi — was one of the most important of Biden’s presidency and came at a perilous time.

U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia has moved 70,000 troops near the Ukraine border and has made preparations for a possible invasion early next year. Moscow has denied any plans to attack Ukraine, rejecting Western concerns as part of a campaign to smear Russia.

White House officials made clear that Biden is not interested in putting U.S. troops in harm’s way defending Ukraine. But U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted that Biden said the U.S. would also “provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians … and we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”

Sullivan said the U.S. believes that Putin hasn’t yet made a final decision to invade. Biden was vice president in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and backed an insurgency in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 14,000 people and is still an active conflict.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin countered Biden’s expressions of concern about the Russian troop buildup near Ukraine by snapping: “You Americans are worried about Russian battalions on Russian territory thousands of miles away from the United States, while we are really worried about our security.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that “it was positive that the U.S. president spoke to the Russian president,” adding that he would comment in detail on Thursday, after his own phone call with Biden.

With no immediate breakthrough&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-moscow-1170930d07c3b41d227dbf44b062aa26">on the Ukraine question</a>, the U.S. emphasized a need for diplomacy and de-escalation, while issuing stern threats to Russia about the high costs of a military incursion.

A top U.S. envoy, Victoria Nuland, said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would also jeopardize a controversial pipeline between Russia and Germany known as Nord Stream 2. She told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that if Russia invaded, “our expectation is that the pipeline will be suspended.”

On another matter, Putin proposed to lift all mutual restrictions on diplomatic missions and help normalize other aspects of bilateral relations, according to the Kremlin. Sullivan said the leaders would direct their staff to continue negotiations on that.

There was at least one area where the two leaders found common ground. Sullivan said Biden and Putin had a “good discussion” on efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and called it an area where the two countries could cooperate.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to appoint envoys to continue talks on security in Europe in light of escalating tensions over Russia’s massing tens of thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine, but the Kremlin said Wednesday it was unclear when the talks would happen.

Biden and Putin spoke for over two hours during a video call on Tuesday. The conversation seemed to have yielded little progress on Ukraine and the Russian troop buildup apart from the two leaders agreeing to name envoys to keep the discussion going.

“It’s impossible to tell at this point when exactly this would happen, but the presidents meant that it should happen rather promptly,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question about the next steps for Washington and Moscow after the much-anticipated call between Putin and Biden.

Biden delivered a simple message to during his call with Putin: invade Ukraine again and face painful sanctions that will do resounding harm to your economy. The Russian president had his own blunt take, telling Biden that “the Russian troops are on their own territory, and they don’t threaten anyone,” according to Putin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he would comment in detail on Thursday, after his own scheduled phone call with Biden. “Overall,...it was positive that the U.S. president spoke to the Russian president,” Zelenskyy said.

With no immediate breakthrough on the Ukraine question, the U.S. emphasized a need for diplomacy and de-escalation, while issuing stern threats to Russia about the high costs of a military incursion.

Biden “told President Putin directly that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States and our European allies would respond with strong economic measures,” U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. He added that Biden said the U.S. would also “provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians … and we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”

White House officials made clear that Biden is not interested in putting U.S. troops in harm’s way defending Ukraine. But Sullivan added that potential efforts to bolster regional allies could lead to additional deployments of U.S. troops to eastern European NATO allies.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov insisted Wednesday that Nord Stream 2 wasn't even mentioned during the call between Putin and Biden.

Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, dismissed the sanctions threat, telling reporters following the presidents' video call: “Sanctions aren’t something new. They have been in place for a long time and will not have any effect.”

He described the presidents’ video conference as “candid and businesslike,” adding that they also exchanged occasional jokes.

The two leaders spoke on the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a defining moment that led to the U.S. entry in World War II. They commiserated about the cost of that conflict to their own families, Ushakov noted. Hours before the high-stakes call, Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited a war memorial in Washington to commemorate the anniversary.

In a brief snippet of the start of their meeting broadcasted by Russian state television, the two leaders offered friendly greetings to each other.

“I welcome you, Mr. President,” Putin said, with a Russian flag behind him and a video monitor showing Biden in front of him.

At the White House, Sullivan called it “a useful meeting,” allowing Biden to lay out in candid terms where America stands.

But as the U.S. and Russian presidents conferred, Ukraine grew only more anxious about the tens of thousands of Russian troops that have been deployed near its border.

Ukrainian officials said Russia had further escalated the crisis by sending tanks and snipers to war-torn eastern Ukraine to “provoke return fire” and lay a pretext for a potential invasion.

U.S. intelligence officials haven't been able to independently verify that accusation, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

But the official said that the White House has directly raised concerns with the Russians about “resorting to their old playbook” by trying to provoke the Ukrainians.

Putin entered the call looking for guarantees from Biden that an expansion of the NATO military alliance would never include Ukraine, a demand that was a non-starter for the U.S. and its NATO allies.

The Kremlin, in a post-call statement, said NATO had been “making dangerous attempts to expand its presence on the Ukrainian territory and has been expanding its military potential near Russian borders.”

U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia has moved 70,000 troops near the Ukraine border and has made preparations for a possible invasion early next year.

Sullivan said the U.S. believes that Putin hasn't yet made a final decision to invade. Biden was vice president in 2014 when Russian troops strode into the Black Sea's Crimean Peninsula and annexed it from Ukraine.

Aides say the Crimea episode — one of the darker moments for then President Barack Obama on the international stage — looms large as Biden looks at the smoldering current crisis.

Biden’s Republican opponents in Washington are framing this moment as a key test of the president’s leadership on the global stage. Biden vowed as a candidate to reassert American leadership after President Donald Trump’s emphasis on an “America First” foreign policy.

“I will look you in the eye and tell you as President Biden looked President Putin in the eye and told him today that things we did not do in 2014, we are prepared to do now,” Sullivan told reporters after the leaders’ video call.

But there was at least one area where the two leaders found common ground during Tuesday’s call.

Sullivan said Biden and Putin had a “good discussion” on efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and called it an area where the two countries could cooperate.

In Russia, the talks were seen as acceptable overall, said Pavel Sharikov, senior research fellow at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences.

“The impression of the (call) is satisfactory. It was held in a pragmatic manner. There was an intense dialogue, an exchange of opinions,” Sharikov told The Associated Press.

Biden on Tuesday spoke for the second straight day with leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy to coordinate messaging and potential sanctions. Biden is also expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638976547895.png" alt="President Biden held a secure video call with Russian President Putin of Russia to discuss a range of topics in the U.S.-Russia relationship, including concerns about Russian military activities on the border with Ukraine, cyber security and other regional issues.-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden held a secure video call with Russian President Putin of Russia to discuss a range of topics in the U.S.-Russia relationship, including concerns about Russian military activities on the border with Ukraine, cyber security and other regional issues.-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow will face a severe economic pain if it tries to attack Ukraine, but promised prospective talks to address Russia's concerns about NATO's expansion.Biden said he was “very straightforward” with Putin during their call Tuesday, warning the Russian leader that he will pay a heavy price if he invades Ukraine.“There were no minced words," Biden said at the White House before departing for Kanzas City. "It was polite, but I made it very clear. If in fact he invades Ukraine, there will be severe consequences, severe consequences. Economic consequences like you’ve never seen. I am absolutely confident he got the message.”Asked by reporters if he’d ruled out U.S. troops on the ground to stop Russia, Biden said “that’s not on the table," saying that a U.S. obligation to protect NATO allies if they come under attack doesn't extend to Ukraine, which is not in the Atlantic military alliance."The idea that the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia for invading Ukraine is not in the cards right now,” Biden said.At the same time, he said that the U.S., its allies and Russia could sit down for talks to discuss Moscow's grievances about NATO's expansion.“We hope by Friday we’re gonna be able to say, announce to you we’re having meetings at a higher level, not just with us, but with at least four of our major NATO allies, and Russia to discuss the future of Russia’s concern relative to NATO writ large and whether or not we could work out any accommodations as it relates to bringing down the temperature along the eastern front (in Ukraine)," Biden said.Putin, for his part, promised that Moscow will submit its proposals for a security dialogue with the U.S. in a few days. He reaffirmed his denial of planning to attack Ukraine, but said that Moscow can’t remain indifferent to NATO’s possible expansion to its neighbor.Putin, who entered Tuesday's call with Biden looking for Western guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine, countered Western arguments that Russia has no say in the alliance expansion by arguing that security in Europe can only be mutual.“Every country certainly has the right to choose the most acceptable way of ensuring its security, but it must be done in a way that doesn't infringe on the interests and undermine security of other countries, in this case Russia," Putin said. “Security must be global and equally cover everyone.”“We can’t fail to be concerned about the prospect of Ukraine’s accession to NATO, because that will undoubtedly lead to the deployment of military contingents, bases and weapons that would threaten us,” he told reporters after talks in Sochi with visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.He described the two-hour conversation with Biden as “very open, specific and, I would say constructive,” adding that he and Biden have agreed to ask experts to conduct talks on security in Europe.“Russia will prepare its arguments literally in a few days, within a week, and we will submit it to the American side for consideration,” he said.“We proceed from the assumption that this time are concerns will be heard,” he said, noting that the West ignored Moscow's complaints in the past about NATO's expansion eastward to incorporate former Soviet allies in Central and Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics in the Baltics.Asked Wednesday if Russia was going to attack Ukraine, Putin called the question provocative, saying that “Russia is conducting a peaceful foreign policy, but it has the right to ensure its security in the mid- and long-term perspective.”The leader-to-leader conversation — Biden speaking from the White House Situation Room, Putin from his residence in Sochi — was one of the most important of Biden’s presidency and came at a perilous time.U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia has moved 70,000 troops near the Ukraine border and has made preparations for a possible invasion early next year. Moscow has denied any plans to attack Ukraine, rejecting Western concerns as part of a campaign to smear Russia.White House officials made clear that Biden is not interested in putting U.S. troops in harm’s way defending Ukraine. But U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted that Biden said the U.S. would also “provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians … and we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”Sullivan said the U.S. believes that Putin hasn’t yet made a final decision to invade. Biden was vice president in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and backed an insurgency in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 14,000 people and is still an active conflict.Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin countered Biden’s expressions of concern about the Russian troop buildup near Ukraine by snapping: “You Americans are worried about Russian battalions on Russian territory thousands of miles away from the United States, while we are really worried about our security.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that “it was positive that the U.S. president spoke to the Russian president,” adding that he would comment in detail on Thursday, after his own phone call with Biden.With no immediate breakthrough&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-moscow-1170930d07c3b41d227dbf44b062aa26">on the Ukraine question</a>, the U.S. emphasized a need for diplomacy and de-escalation, while issuing stern threats to Russia about the high costs of a military incursion.A top U.S. envoy, Victoria Nuland, said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would also jeopardize a controversial pipeline between Russia and Germany known as Nord Stream 2. She told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that if Russia invaded, “our expectation is that the pipeline will be suspended.”On another matter, Putin proposed to lift all mutual restrictions on diplomatic missions and help normalize other aspects of bilateral relations, according to the Kremlin. Sullivan said the leaders would direct their staff to continue negotiations on that.There was at least one area where the two leaders found common ground. Sullivan said Biden and Putin had a “good discussion” on efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and called it an area where the two countries could cooperate.----------MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to appoint envoys to continue talks on security in Europe in light of escalating tensions over Russia’s massing tens of thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine, but the Kremlin said Wednesday it was unclear when the talks would happen.Biden and Putin spoke for over two hours during a video call on Tuesday. The conversation seemed to have yielded little progress on Ukraine and the Russian troop buildup apart from the two leaders agreeing to name envoys to keep the discussion going.“It’s impossible to tell at this point when exactly this would happen, but the presidents meant that it should happen rather promptly,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question about the next steps for Washington and Moscow after the much-anticipated call between Putin and Biden.Biden delivered a simple message to during his call with Putin: invade Ukraine again and face painful sanctions that will do resounding harm to your economy. The Russian president had his own blunt take, telling Biden that “the Russian troops are on their own territory, and they don’t threaten anyone,” according to Putin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he would comment in detail on Thursday, after his own scheduled phone call with Biden. “Overall,...it was positive that the U.S. president spoke to the Russian president,” Zelenskyy said.With no immediate breakthrough on the Ukraine question, the U.S. emphasized a need for diplomacy and de-escalation, while issuing stern threats to Russia about the high costs of a military incursion.Biden “told President Putin directly that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States and our European allies would respond with strong economic measures,” U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. He added that Biden said the U.S. would also “provide additional defensive material to the Ukrainians … and we would fortify our NATO allies on the eastern flank with additional capabilities in response to such an escalation.”White House officials made clear that Biden is not interested in putting U.S. troops in harm’s way defending Ukraine. But Sullivan added that potential efforts to bolster regional allies could lead to additional deployments of U.S. troops to eastern European NATO allies.A top U.S. envoy, Victoria Nuland, said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would also jeopardize a controversial pipeline between Russia and Germany known as Nord Stream 2. She told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that if Russia invaded, “our expectation is that the pipeline will be suspended.”Kremlin spokesman Peskov insisted Wednesday that Nord Stream 2 wasn't even mentioned during the call between Putin and Biden.Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, dismissed the sanctions threat, telling reporters following the presidents' video call: “Sanctions aren’t something new. They have been in place for a long time and will not have any effect.”He described the presidents’ video conference as “candid and businesslike,” adding that they also exchanged occasional jokes.The two leaders spoke on the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a defining moment that led to the U.S. entry in World War II. They commiserated about the cost of that conflict to their own families, Ushakov noted. Hours before the high-stakes call, Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited a war memorial in Washington to commemorate the anniversary.In a brief snippet of the start of their meeting broadcasted by Russian state television, the two leaders offered friendly greetings to each other.“I welcome you, Mr. President,” Putin said, with a Russian flag behind him and a video monitor showing Biden in front of him.At the White House, Sullivan called it “a useful meeting,” allowing Biden to lay out in candid terms where America stands.But as the U.S. and Russian presidents conferred, Ukraine grew only more anxious about the tens of thousands of Russian troops that have been deployed near its border.Ukrainian officials said Russia had further escalated the crisis by sending tanks and snipers to war-torn eastern Ukraine to “provoke return fire” and lay a pretext for a potential invasion.U.S. intelligence officials haven't been able to independently verify that accusation, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.But the official said that the White House has directly raised concerns with the Russians about “resorting to their old playbook” by trying to provoke the Ukrainians.Putin entered the call looking for guarantees from Biden that an expansion of the NATO military alliance would never include Ukraine, a demand that was a non-starter for the U.S. and its NATO allies.The Kremlin, in a post-call statement, said NATO had been “making dangerous attempts to expand its presence on the Ukrainian territory and has been expanding its military potential near Russian borders.”On another matter, Putin proposed to lift all mutual restrictions on diplomatic missions and help normalize other aspects of bilateral relations, according to the Kremlin. Sullivan said the leaders would direct their staff to continue negotiations on that.The leader-to-leader conversation — Biden speaking from the White House Situation Room, Putin from his residence in Sochi — was one of the most important of Biden’s presidency and came at a perilous time.U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia has moved 70,000 troops near the Ukraine border and has made preparations for a possible invasion early next year.Sullivan said the U.S. believes that Putin hasn't yet made a final decision to invade. Biden was vice president in 2014 when Russian troops strode into the Black Sea's Crimean Peninsula and annexed it from Ukraine.Aides say the Crimea episode — one of the darker moments for then President Barack Obama on the international stage — looms large as Biden looks at the smoldering current crisis.Biden’s Republican opponents in Washington are framing this moment as a key test of the president’s leadership on the global stage. Biden vowed as a candidate to reassert American leadership after President Donald Trump’s emphasis on an “America First” foreign policy.“I will look you in the eye and tell you as President Biden looked President Putin in the eye and told him today that things we did not do in 2014, we are prepared to do now,” Sullivan told reporters after the leaders’ video call.But there was at least one area where the two leaders found common ground during Tuesday’s call.Sullivan said Biden and Putin had a “good discussion” on efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and called it an area where the two countries could cooperate.In Russia, the talks were seen as acceptable overall, said Pavel Sharikov, senior research fellow at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences.“The impression of the (call) is satisfactory. It was held in a pragmatic manner. There was an intense dialogue, an exchange of opinions,” Sharikov told The Associated Press.Biden on Tuesday spoke for the second straight day with leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy to coordinate messaging and potential sanctions. Biden is also expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.___

Kremlin, White House differ on result of Putin-Biden call

115 Kansas hospitals used Motient program during COVID surge

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/08/kansas-extends-deal-for-patient-transfer-system-used-by-115-hospitals-during-covid-19-surges/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Health and Environment has extended an agreement with Motient for use 
of a patient transfer system used by 115 hospitals statewide.

Known as Mission Control, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/10/inside-mission-control-hospital-capacity-in-kansas-at-its-worst-with-latest-covid-19-surge/">the program helps overwhelmed hospitals find available bed space for acute care patients</a>. The software also provides a real-time view of surging cases of COVID-19 that require hospitalization.

Motient announced that KDHE would continue to pay for the service. 
The agency didn’t immediately respond to a request for the cost and 
length of the deal.

Under the agreement, hospitals and correctional facilities in Kansas can use the software for free, the company said.

“Motient’s assistance has been invaluable during the pandemic, and 
its 24/7 communications team has helped our communities weather the 
hospital capacity crisis,” said Ashley Goss, deputy KDHE secretary, in a
 statement released by Motient. “We’re excited to continue to provide 
free patient movement services not only for our state’s hospitals but 
also for our correctional facilities, which face unique challenges. 
Aggregated statewide metrics will continue to play an important role in 
supporting the health of Kansans through the pandemic and beyond.”

KDHE previously awarded a one-year, $1.3 million grant to the company
 in November 2020. Hospitals in Kansas used Mission Control to transfer 
more than 5,000 patients in 12 months.

Mission Control provides information on available bed space, patient 
conditions, and available transportation among medical care providers, 
including those beyond state lines. The program is designed to take less
 than a minute for someone to enter all of the information needed to 
move a patient from one hospital to another.

Rural hospitals with little acute care resources and hospitals with 
nursing shortages relied on the software during surges of COVID-19 cases
 last winter and when the delta variant stressed networks in August and 
September.

“We started using the platform to find beds, and now we use it for 
more than 90% of our transfer patients,” said Alana Longwell, chief 
medical officer at the 25-bed Newman Regional Hospital in Emporia, in a 
statement provided by Motient. “The platform lets us slice and dice our 
data around time-critical diagnoses to help us increase efficiency and 
improve our transport processes.”

As of Monday, KDHE had reported 6,743 deaths since the start of the 
pandemic, including 57 deaths added to the total from Dec. 1-6.

The agency also has reported more than 12,000 new cases since the 
start of the month, for a seven-day average of 1,785 cases per day — the
 highest mark since Jan. 17. During the delta surge, new cases peaked at
 an average of 1,654 in early September.

KDHE is expected to update numbers of cases, deaths, hospitalizations and outbreak locations by Wednesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638982028953.png" alt="This sample data with fictitious names provides a view of what hospital staff might see when they look inside Mission Control. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>This sample data with fictitious names provides a view of what hospital staff might see when they look inside Mission Control. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>115 Kansas hospitals used Motient program during COVID surge</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/08/kansas-extends-deal-for-patient-transfer-system-used-by-115-hospitals-during-covid-19-surges/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Health and Environment has extended an agreement with Motient for use 
of a patient transfer system used by 115 hospitals statewide.Known as Mission Control, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/10/inside-mission-control-hospital-capacity-in-kansas-at-its-worst-with-latest-covid-19-surge/">the program helps overwhelmed hospitals find available bed space for acute care patients</a>. The software also provides a real-time view of surging cases of COVID-19 that require hospitalization.Motient announced that KDHE would continue to pay for the service. 
The agency didn’t immediately respond to a request for the cost and 
length of the deal.Under the agreement, hospitals and correctional facilities in Kansas can use the software for free, the company said.“Motient’s assistance has been invaluable during the pandemic, and 
its 24/7 communications team has helped our communities weather the 
hospital capacity crisis,” said Ashley Goss, deputy KDHE secretary, in a
 statement released by Motient. “We’re excited to continue to provide 
free patient movement services not only for our state’s hospitals but 
also for our correctional facilities, which face unique challenges. 
Aggregated statewide metrics will continue to play an important role in 
supporting the health of Kansans through the pandemic and beyond.”KDHE previously awarded a one-year, $1.3 million grant to the company
 in November 2020. Hospitals in Kansas used Mission Control to transfer 
more than 5,000 patients in 12 months.Mission Control provides information on available bed space, patient 
conditions, and available transportation among medical care providers, 
including those beyond state lines. The program is designed to take less
 than a minute for someone to enter all of the information needed to 
move a patient from one hospital to another.Rural hospitals with little acute care resources and hospitals with 
nursing shortages relied on the software during surges of COVID-19 cases
 last winter and when the delta variant stressed networks in August and 
September.“We started using the platform to find beds, and now we use it for 
more than 90% of our transfer patients,” said Alana Longwell, chief 
medical officer at the 25-bed Newman Regional Hospital in Emporia, in a 
statement provided by Motient. “The platform lets us slice and dice our 
data around time-critical diagnoses to help us increase efficiency and 
improve our transport processes.”As of Monday, KDHE had reported 6,743 deaths since the start of the 
pandemic, including 57 deaths added to the total from Dec. 1-6.The agency also has reported more than 12,000 new cases since the 
start of the month, for a seven-day average of 1,785 cases per day — the
 highest mark since Jan. 17. During the delta surge, new cases peaked at
 an average of 1,654 in early September.KDHE is expected to update numbers of cases, deaths, hospitalizations and outbreak locations by Wednesday afternoon.

Kan. extends deal for 'Mission Control' system for patient transfers

On Wednesday morning, a group of current and former Kansas lawmakers honored Bob Dole at the WWII memorial. The service ended just before 8a.m.

 Click below to watch a replay of their comments.

&nbsp;The current Kansas congressional delegation participated as well as Former Senator Pat Roberts, and Former Congressman Kevin Yoder. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Joseph Martin conducted the official wreath laying.

General Martin served as commanding general of 1st Infantry Division from September 2016 to May 2018, where he deployed and commanded the Combined Joint Force Land Component Command in Operation Inherent Resolve.

Bob Dole will be honored Friday in a private memorial service attended by President Joe Biden as well as a public service at the World War II Memorial in Washington before the casket of the former presidential candidate and decorated soldier travels to&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;for events in his hometown and the state capital.

Dole’s casket will lie in state Thursday at the U.S. Capitol. Biden will join former presidents, current and former leaders in Congress, friends and the Dole family for the private service Friday morning at Washington National Cathedral, according to the Dole Institute of Politics.

A public viewing of Dole’s casket and a memorial service are set for Saturday morning at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.

A private ceremony will follow at Saturday afternoon at the Statehouse in Topeka, with remarks by Kelly and the state’s two U.S. senators, Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638989154958.png" alt="Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard-Courtesy Senator Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard-Courtesy Senator Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday morning, a group of current and former Kansas lawmakers honored Bob Dole at the WWII memorial. The service ended just before 8a.m. Click below to watch a replay of their comments.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Join us live at the WWII Memorial as we honor the life of late U.S. Senator Bob Dole.<a href="https://t.co/jpljxVzqtY">https://t.co/jpljxVzqtY</a>&mdash; Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenateGOP/status/1468569515457929227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;The current Kansas congressional delegation participated as well as Former Senator Pat Roberts, and Former Congressman Kevin Yoder. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Joseph Martin conducted the official wreath laying.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638970630563.png" alt="Former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts addressed those in attendance" />
 <figcaption>Former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts addressed those in attendance</figcaption>
 </figure>General Martin served as commanding general of 1st Infantry Division from September 2016 to May 2018, where he deployed and commanded the Combined Joint Force Land Component Command in Operation Inherent Resolve.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638989294841.png" alt="Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard courtesy Senator Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard courtesy Senator Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>Bob Dole will be honored Friday in a private memorial service attended by President Joe Biden as well as a public service at the World War II Memorial in Washington before the casket of the former presidential candidate and decorated soldier travels to&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;for events in his hometown and the state capital.Dole’s casket will lie in state Thursday at the U.S. Capitol. Biden will join former presidents, current and former leaders in Congress, friends and the Dole family for the private service Friday morning at Washington National Cathedral, according to the Dole Institute of Politics.A public viewing of Dole’s casket and a memorial service are set for Saturday morning at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.A private ceremony will follow at Saturday afternoon at the Statehouse in Topeka, with remarks by Kelly and the state’s two U.S. senators, Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran.

🎥 Members of the Kan. delegation honor Dole at WWII Memorial 

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,443&nbsp; to a total of 482,232, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 25 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,768.

<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, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,443&nbsp; to a total of 482,232, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 25 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,768.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638987627388.png" alt="Wednesday December 8, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday December 8, 2021 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: 4,400 new cases, 25 more COVID deaths

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported theft involving a rental car in Manhattan.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported theft involving a rental car in Manhattan.Just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for theft in the 5500 block of Skyway Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity reportHertz Rental reported a 32-year-old man and 35-year-old woman&nbsp; rented a 2021 Dodge Charger from the company and stole the wheels and rims off the car, replacing them with different wheels and rims before returning the car. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $3,500.&nbsp;