A man whose death sentence was overturned three times before being reinstated is now scheduled to die in May for killing a small-town couple nearly 26 years ago.

The Missouri Supreme Court on Monday set a May 3 execution date for Carman Deck. Executions in Missouri are carried out at the prison in Bonne Terre.

James and Zelma Long were fatally shot during a robbery inside their home in De Soto, about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, in July 1996. Deck confessed to the killings and was sentenced to death in 1998. The Missouri Supreme Court threw out the sentence due to errors by Deck's trial lawyer.

After he was sentenced a second time, the U.S. Supreme Court tossed that sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the sentencing jury.

He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008. In 2017, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty</a>&nbsp;in Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.

In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-courts-michael-brown-courts-dafff1dff6fdc35801b8fee2065af7ff">restored the death penalty</a>, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court.

Court records said Deck and his sister went to the Long home under the guise of asking for directions, but with the intent to rob them. Deck pulled a pistol from his waistband and ordered them to lie facedown on their bed. He shot them in the head.

Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings in oral, written and audio taped statements.

Only 11 people were executed in the U.S. last year, the fewest since 1988. Among them was Ernest Lee Johnson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-columbia-st-louis-missouri-religion-ec42295f28d14e01055aab20075c6422">was put to death in Missouri in October</a>&nbsp;for killing three Columbia convenience store workers in 1994.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643738665139.png" alt="Deck photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Deck photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM SALTER, Associated PressA man whose death sentence was overturned three times before being reinstated is now scheduled to die in May for killing a small-town couple nearly 26 years ago.The Missouri Supreme Court on Monday set a May 3 execution date for Carman Deck. Executions in Missouri are carried out at the prison in Bonne Terre.James and Zelma Long were fatally shot during a robbery inside their home in De Soto, about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, in July 1996. Deck confessed to the killings and was sentenced to death in 1998. The Missouri Supreme Court threw out the sentence due to errors by Deck's trial lawyer.After he was sentenced a second time, the U.S. Supreme Court tossed that sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the sentencing jury.He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008. In 2017, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty</a>&nbsp;in Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-courts-michael-brown-courts-dafff1dff6fdc35801b8fee2065af7ff">restored the death penalty</a>, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court.Court records said Deck and his sister went to the Long home under the guise of asking for directions, but with the intent to rob them. Deck pulled a pistol from his waistband and ordered them to lie facedown on their bed. He shot them in the head.Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings in oral, written and audio taped statements.Only 11 people were executed in the U.S. last year, the fewest since 1988. Among them was Ernest Lee Johnson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-columbia-st-louis-missouri-religion-ec42295f28d14e01055aab20075c6422">was put to death in Missouri in October</a>&nbsp;for killing three Columbia convenience store workers in 1994.

Execution set for man whose sentence was overturned 3 times

KANSAS CITY—One person died in a house fire Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded&nbsp; to a single-story house fire at&nbsp;2832 N Allis Street, according to a media release.

Firefighters searched the home, found a man and pulled him from the home. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, according to KCK fire officials.

.No firefighters were injured.&nbsp; Fire officials have not released the identity of the victim.&nbsp;The cause of the fire remains under investigation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643748838685.png" alt="photo KCK Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>photo KCK Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—One person died in a house fire Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded&nbsp; to a single-story house fire at&nbsp;2832 N Allis Street, according to a media release.Firefighters searched the home, found a man and pulled him from the home. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, according to KCK fire officials..No firefighters were injured.&nbsp; Fire officials have not released the identity of the victim.&nbsp;The cause of the fire remains under investigation

Man dies after 2-alarm fire at Kansas home

By SHERMAN SMITH Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Rep.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/rep_carlson_suzi_1/">Suzi Carlson</a>&nbsp;was arrested late Monday and booked into Shawnee County Jail with citations for drunk driving and failing to maintain a single lane.

Tim Phelps, deputy director of the jail, said Topeka police stopped Carlson at 10:08 p.m. Monday at S.W. 14th and Topeka Blvd., about four blocks south of the Statehouse.

Online jail records indicate Carlson, a Republican from Clay Center, was booked into jail at 11 p.m. and released at 2:15 a.m. after posting $1,000 cash bond. The citations indicate she had greater than .08 blood alcohol level and that she made an unsafe lane change. A court date was set for March 1.

Carlson has served in the House since 2019. Before that, she served as a municipal judge in Clay Center for 22 years.

“We do not have any additional information right now, but we expect local law enforcement to provide more details once they’ve completed their review,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643745700788.png" alt="Carlson-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Carlson-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — Rep.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/members/rep_carlson_suzi_1/">Suzi Carlson</a>&nbsp;was arrested late Monday and booked into Shawnee County Jail with citations for drunk driving and failing to maintain a single lane.Tim Phelps, deputy director of the jail, said Topeka police stopped Carlson at 10:08 p.m. Monday at S.W. 14th and Topeka Blvd., about four blocks south of the Statehouse.Online jail records indicate Carlson, a Republican from Clay Center, was booked into jail at 11 p.m. and released at 2:15 a.m. after posting $1,000 cash bond. The citations indicate she had greater than .08 blood alcohol level and that she made an unsafe lane change. A court date was set for March 1.Carlson has served in the House since 2019. Before that, she served as a municipal judge in Clay Center for 22 years.“We do not have any additional information right now, but we expect local law enforcement to provide more details once they’ve completed their review,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe.

Kansas Rep. Suzi Carlson jailed after drunk driving citation in Topeka

Hearing attracts 11 opponents, no favorable testimony

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/01/bill-opens-public-school-sports-extracurricular-activities-to-virtual-or-homeschool-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Douglass High School activities director Jason Menard says 
there’s no justification for a Kansas House bill rewriting state law to 
make virtual school, homeschool and nonaccredited private school 
students eligible for extracurricular activities in the public school 
district where they reside.

Menard, president of the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic 
Administrators Association, urged the House K-12 Education Budget 
Committee on Monday to reject the bill and affirm the state’s system of 
providing sports, music, debate and other opportunities to bona fide 
students of a public school district who participate only if compliant 
with attendance, academic and behavior standards set by the local Board 
of Education and the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

He said the legislation would disrupt an approach to education that 
blended classroom experiences with lessons learned through involvement 
in more than 15 KSHSAA-sanctioned activities.

“One thing we teach our students every day, is that there are 
positive and negative consequences to every decision,” Menard said. 
“Students and parents that choose the homeschool setting are doing so 
because they felt it was in their best academic or social interests. But
 by choosing the homeschool route, you are also forgoing opportunities 
to participate in their local school’s activities.”

The committee took no action on <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2511/">House Bill 2511</a>,
 but chairwoman Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta, expressed 
support for the bill likely to gain traction among conservative 
lawmakers fond of school choice. While no one testified in support of 
the bill, Williams said written testimony in favor of it was submitted 
after the deadline and wasn’t made public.

The bill would place into state law a requirement KSHSAA employees 
and board members be mandatory reporters of alleged student abuse or 
neglect. Currently, 73 of the 79 members of the KSHSAA board of 
directors are employees of Kansas school districts and fall under 
existing law making them mandated reporters. The other six, appointees 
of the state Board of Education or Gov. Laura Kelly, are mandatory 
reporters due to employment or licensing status.

Williams said students educated in home or virtual settings would be 
enriched by taking part in extracurricular activities at the 286 public 
school districts in Kansas. The influx of athletes or performers would 
be a boon in public school districts with shrinking enrollment, she 
said.

Under the bill, the private-education newcomers would be required to 
adhere to age, vaccination and fee-payment rules of their public school 
peers. They wouldn’t be held to academic course enrollment and 
completion standards applied to public school students takin part in 
extracurricular offerings.

Williams labeled Kansas a “no access” state in terms of opening 
public school activities and sports to homeschool and virtual school 
students. She said 20 states offered homeschooled students access to 
public school programs, while 10 states guaranteed partial access to 
homeschoolers.

“That’s building bridges, not walls,” Williams said. “It’s a 
progressive thought. One-hundred percent. Kids benefit when you let them
 play.”

The House bill would allow the homeschool or virtual school — not the
 public school district administrator — decide whether a student 
qualified for extracurricular activities. The roster of KSHSAA-sponsored
 activities includes basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf,
 gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling as 
well as debate, drama, music, piano, scholars bowl, speech and spirit 
activities.

Bill Faflick, executive director of the state High School Activities 
Association, said that since the 1970s the association granted small, 
nonaccredited private schools and homeschool organizations a chance to 
compete against KSHSAA member schools in regular season and invitation 
competitions. In the 2021-22 school year, 30 alternative schools were on
 the list.

He said 100,000 Kansas students attending accredited private and 
public schools with membership in KSHSAA earned the right on a 
semester-by-semester basis to be part of extracurricular activities. 
Passage of House Bill 2511, which guaranteed eligibility for students 
who chose to homeschool or go to virtual school, would be a disservice 
to those 100,000 students, he said.

“To grant automatic eligibility to homeschool children to play on 
another school’s team, where they have no standing or connection, 
fundamentally changes the nature of school activity groups and teams as 
extensions of the sponsoring school. The philosophical basis of all 
KSHSAA activities is that the student responsibilities come before being
 an athlete. This bill changes that foundational principle,” Faflick 
said.

He said it would transform high school teams into community teams competing in a recreational or club league.

“Will the Legislature grant eligibility for non-students to play on 
Kansas junior college, college or university teams in the same manner?” 
Faflick said.

Rep. Patrick Penn, a Wichita Republican on the House committee 
considering the bill, said he took exception to Faflick’s reference to 
students with no “standing or connection” to a public school district. 
He accused Faflick of intolerance for Black and Indigenous people as 
well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual
 people by denying them a chance at extracurricular activities in public
 schools.

“The people who pay the taxes, aren’t they the taxpayers?” Penn asked
 Faflick, who responded affirmatively. “So, are you saying you’re in 
favor of discriminating against taxpaying students from the LGBTQIA, the
 Indigenous people and the Black community just because they don’t 
attend your public schools?”

Faflick said he didn’t support discrimination of any person for any reason.

“I find some of your comments here a little abrasive and offensive,” Penn said.

Williams picked up the thread on “standing” by suggesting to Faflick 
that families paying property taxes in support of public education had a
 financial stake in local school districts. She said the owner of a 
$120,000 house in Andover or Sterling paid about $935 annually in 
property taxes for public schools.

“That piece of your testimony was a little concerning, considering 
the type of economic benefit those parents are providing the school 
district,” Williams said.

Keith Hall, superintendent of the Thunder Ridge district in 
Kensington, said experience showed and research affirmed students need 
to be on campus, in person, for the full day and not just show up for 
sports activities.

He said Thunder Ridge allowed remote learning for students unable to 
attend regular classes and agreed some of these students could 
participate in extracurricular activities. A portion are tempted to skip
 alternative school classes and show up for their favorite activities, 
he said.

“This bill, in the best interest of students, should be denied,” Hall
 said. “If you must move this bill forward, at the very least students 
should be enrolled in their home institution to allow the parents and 
school board to keep the local personal relationship strong and have an 
opportunity to create an environment that the local community supports. 
It should not be a springboard to allow a distant, impersonal 
institution that cares nothing about our students or community to raid 
our school district of our students and diminish the education they 
deserve.”

Phil Bressler, principal at Sterling Junior and Senior High School, 
said authors of the bill missed a basic reality that school-based 
activities were part of enrolling as a student in Sterling.

“Just because a school event is open to the community does not make 
it a community event. Similarly, the local Independence Day parade is 
not a school event simply because the school band marches in it,” 
Bressler said.

Holton High School principal Rod Wittmer said lack of state 
requirements that homeschools hire licensed personnel, offer specific 
curriculum and subject themselves to audits justified unease about 
legislation requiring the blending of students in public school 
districts.

He said the result could be emergence of a sports-first or sports-only environment.

“If this is what parents want, then they already have club sports at 
their disposal,” Wittmer said. “If parents and students want to 
participate in public school activities and want to have the sense of 
community with classmates and teammates, then our doors are always open 
for their enrollment and participation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643730828104.png" alt="Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, asserted the executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association advocated discrimination against LGBTQIA, indigenous and Black people by opposing a bill allowing homeschool and virtual school students to participate in sports and activities in public school districts. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, asserted the executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association advocated discrimination against LGBTQIA, indigenous and Black people by opposing a bill allowing homeschool and virtual school students to participate in sports and activities in public school districts. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hearing attracts 11 opponents, no favorable testimony</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/01/bill-opens-public-school-sports-extracurricular-activities-to-virtual-or-homeschool-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Douglass High School activities director Jason Menard says 
there’s no justification for a Kansas House bill rewriting state law to 
make virtual school, homeschool and nonaccredited private school 
students eligible for extracurricular activities in the public school 
district where they reside.Menard, president of the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic 
Administrators Association, urged the House K-12 Education Budget 
Committee on Monday to reject the bill and affirm the state’s system of 
providing sports, music, debate and other opportunities to bona fide 
students of a public school district who participate only if compliant 
with attendance, academic and behavior standards set by the local Board 
of Education and the Kansas State High School Activities Association.He said the legislation would disrupt an approach to education that 
blended classroom experiences with lessons learned through involvement 
in more than 15 KSHSAA-sanctioned activities.“One thing we teach our students every day, is that there are 
positive and negative consequences to every decision,” Menard said. 
“Students and parents that choose the homeschool setting are doing so 
because they felt it was in their best academic or social interests. But
 by choosing the homeschool route, you are also forgoing opportunities 
to participate in their local school’s activities.”The committee took no action on <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2511/">House Bill 2511</a>,
 but chairwoman Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta, expressed 
support for the bill likely to gain traction among conservative 
lawmakers fond of school choice. While no one testified in support of 
the bill, Williams said written testimony in favor of it was submitted 
after the deadline and wasn’t made public.The bill would place into state law a requirement KSHSAA employees 
and board members be mandatory reporters of alleged student abuse or 
neglect. Currently, 73 of the 79 members of the KSHSAA board of 
directors are employees of Kansas school districts and fall under 
existing law making them mandated reporters. The other six, appointees 
of the state Board of Education or Gov. Laura Kelly, are mandatory 
reporters due to employment or licensing status.Williams said students educated in home or virtual settings would be 
enriched by taking part in extracurricular activities at the 286 public 
school districts in Kansas. The influx of athletes or performers would 
be a boon in public school districts with shrinking enrollment, she 
said.Under the bill, the private-education newcomers would be required to 
adhere to age, vaccination and fee-payment rules of their public school 
peers. They wouldn’t be held to academic course enrollment and 
completion standards applied to public school students takin part in 
extracurricular offerings.Williams labeled Kansas a “no access” state in terms of opening 
public school activities and sports to homeschool and virtual school 
students. She said 20 states offered homeschooled students access to 
public school programs, while 10 states guaranteed partial access to 
homeschoolers.“That’s building bridges, not walls,” Williams said. “It’s a 
progressive thought. One-hundred percent. Kids benefit when you let them
 play.”The House bill would allow the homeschool or virtual school — not the
 public school district administrator — decide whether a student 
qualified for extracurricular activities. The roster of KSHSAA-sponsored
 activities includes basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf,
 gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling as 
well as debate, drama, music, piano, scholars bowl, speech and spirit 
activities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643730887554.png" alt=" Bill Faflick, executive director of the state High School Activities Association, said he opposed House Bill 2511 because it would enable homeschool and virtual school students to participate in public school district sports or activities without meeting minimum enrollment, academic, attendance and behavior requirements of the district’s other students. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Bill Faflick, executive director of the state High School Activities Association, said he opposed House Bill 2511 because it would enable homeschool and virtual school students to participate in public school district sports or activities without meeting minimum enrollment, academic, attendance and behavior requirements of the district’s other students. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>It’s the principle</h2>Bill Faflick, executive director of the state High School Activities 
Association, said that since the 1970s the association granted small, 
nonaccredited private schools and homeschool organizations a chance to 
compete against KSHSAA member schools in regular season and invitation 
competitions. In the 2021-22 school year, 30 alternative schools were on
 the list.He said 100,000 Kansas students attending accredited private and 
public schools with membership in KSHSAA earned the right on a 
semester-by-semester basis to be part of extracurricular activities. 
Passage of House Bill 2511, which guaranteed eligibility for students 
who chose to homeschool or go to virtual school, would be a disservice 
to those 100,000 students, he said.“To grant automatic eligibility to homeschool children to play on 
another school’s team, where they have no standing or connection, 
fundamentally changes the nature of school activity groups and teams as 
extensions of the sponsoring school. The philosophical basis of all 
KSHSAA activities is that the student responsibilities come before being
 an athlete. This bill changes that foundational principle,” Faflick 
said.He said it would transform high school teams into community teams competing in a recreational or club league.“Will the Legislature grant eligibility for non-students to play on 
Kansas junior college, college or university teams in the same manner?” 
Faflick said.Rep. Patrick Penn, a Wichita Republican on the House committee 
considering the bill, said he took exception to Faflick’s reference to 
students with no “standing or connection” to a public school district. 
He accused Faflick of intolerance for Black and Indigenous people as 
well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual
 people by denying them a chance at extracurricular activities in public
 schools.“The people who pay the taxes, aren’t they the taxpayers?” Penn asked
 Faflick, who responded affirmatively. “So, are you saying you’re in 
favor of discriminating against taxpaying students from the LGBTQIA, the
 Indigenous people and the Black community just because they don’t 
attend your public schools?”Faflick said he didn’t support discrimination of any person for any reason.“I find some of your comments here a little abrasive and offensive,” Penn said.Williams picked up the thread on “standing” by suggesting to Faflick 
that families paying property taxes in support of public education had a
 financial stake in local school districts. She said the owner of a 
$120,000 house in Andover or Sterling paid about $935 annually in 
property taxes for public schools.“That piece of your testimony was a little concerning, considering 
the type of economic benefit those parents are providing the school 
district,” Williams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643730926597.png" alt="Mark Tallman, right, a lobbyist with the Kansas Association of School Boards, said the organization opposed a House bill that guaranteed homeschool and virtual school students a chance to participate in public school extracurricular activities and sports. He said passage of the bill could trigger misgivings from parents convinced their children lost enrichment opportunities to people not enrolled at their public school. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman, right, a lobbyist with the Kansas Association of School Boards, said the organization opposed a House bill that guaranteed homeschool and virtual school students a chance to participate in public school extracurricular activities and sports. He said passage of the bill could trigger misgivings from parents convinced their children lost enrichment opportunities to people not enrolled at their public school. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Other voices</h2>Keith Hall, superintendent of the Thunder Ridge district in 
Kensington, said experience showed and research affirmed students need 
to be on campus, in person, for the full day and not just show up for 
sports activities.He said Thunder Ridge allowed remote learning for students unable to 
attend regular classes and agreed some of these students could 
participate in extracurricular activities. A portion are tempted to skip
 alternative school classes and show up for their favorite activities, 
he said.“This bill, in the best interest of students, should be denied,” Hall
 said. “If you must move this bill forward, at the very least students 
should be enrolled in their home institution to allow the parents and 
school board to keep the local personal relationship strong and have an 
opportunity to create an environment that the local community supports. 
It should not be a springboard to allow a distant, impersonal 
institution that cares nothing about our students or community to raid 
our school district of our students and diminish the education they 
deserve.”Phil Bressler, principal at Sterling Junior and Senior High School, 
said authors of the bill missed a basic reality that school-based 
activities were part of enrolling as a student in Sterling.“Just because a school event is open to the community does not make 
it a community event. Similarly, the local Independence Day parade is 
not a school event simply because the school band marches in it,” 
Bressler said.Holton High School principal Rod Wittmer said lack of state 
requirements that homeschools hire licensed personnel, offer specific 
curriculum and subject themselves to audits justified unease about 
legislation requiring the blending of students in public school 
districts.He said the result could be emergence of a sports-first or sports-only environment.“If this is what parents want, then they already have club sports at 
their disposal,” Wittmer said. “If parents and students want to 
participate in public school activities and want to have the sense of 
community with classmates and teammates, then our doors are always open 
for their enrollment and participation.”

Kan. bill would opens public school sports, activities to virtual, homeschool students

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court wrestled Monday with whether a man invoked his right to remain silent before making statements that were key to him being convicted of capital murder in the fatal shootings of three adults and a toddler.

Kyle Trevor Flack is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn his death sentence and convictions for capital murder and other crimes. A jury in Franklin County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, found him guilty in 2016 of the April 2013 shootings of Kaylie Bailey, 21, from the Kansas City area; her 18-month-old daughter, Lana; Andrew Stout, 30, of Ottawa in Franklin County, and Steven White, 31, also from Ottawa.

The adults’ bodies were found on a farm, while the toddler’s body was found in a suitcase in a rural creek.

Flack’s state-appointed attorney for his appeal raised numerous issues both about his trial and the separate hearing in which the jury recommended the death penalty. But the Kansas Supreme Court’s hearing Monday focused heavily on whether prosecutors should have been allowed to present as evidence incriminating statements Flack made about White’s murder.

Capital appellate defender Clayton Perkins said prosecutors built their case against Flack on his incriminating statements. Perkins said that when officers interrogated Flack, he made statements nine times showing that he wanted to remain silent and end the interrogation, including, “Take me to jail! Take me to jail! Take me to jail!”

“That is something that objectively reasonable officers would recognize as an invocation of these rights,” Perkins told the court.

But Kristafer Ailslieger, the state’s assistant solicitor general, argued that before his incriminating statements, Flack never told officers explicitly that he wanted to end the interview.

“It has to be clear and unambiguous,” Ailslieger said, quoting the U.S. Supreme Court’s standard on the issue. “Which we don’t have in this case.”

Flack is one of nine men on death row in Kansas, which has not executed anyone since 1965. The Supreme Court is expected to take at least several months to issue a ruling in Flack’s case.

Even after Flack’s trial, it wasn’t clear what led to the shootings, which detectives believe happened over separate days. The defense argued that Flack, who was 28 at the time of the crimes and is now 36, suffered from a severe mental illness that caused him to hear voices throughout adulthood.

Prosecutors said they had strong circumstantial evidence linking Flack to the crimes in addition to his incriminating statements.

The court’s seven justices peppered both sides with questions about whether Flack’s statements about wanting to be taken to jail in effect was a demand to end his interrogation so that he could remain silent and rely on his constitutional right not to incriminate himself. Officers eventually did cut off their interview.

“The clear and unambiguous way to end an interview is to say, ‘I’m done talking. We’re done here. I’m not talking anymore,’” Justice Caleb Stegall said. “That doesn’t happen here.”

Yet Justice Evelyn Wilson wondered whether Flack had to use “magic words” to invoke his right to remain silent.

Justice Dan Biles said the video recording of the interrogation suggested that one officer understood that Flack wanted to stop it, and she told him, “Help yourself, Kyle,” which seemed to be “a signal to keep talking.”

“And I’m troubled by that,” Biles said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643671683978.png" alt="Flack photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Flack photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court wrestled Monday with whether a man invoked his right to remain silent before making statements that were key to him being convicted of capital murder in the fatal shootings of three adults and a toddler.Kyle Trevor Flack is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn his death sentence and convictions for capital murder and other crimes. A jury in Franklin County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, found him guilty in 2016 of the April 2013 shootings of Kaylie Bailey, 21, from the Kansas City area; her 18-month-old daughter, Lana; Andrew Stout, 30, of Ottawa in Franklin County, and Steven White, 31, also from Ottawa.The adults’ bodies were found on a farm, while the toddler’s body was found in a suitcase in a rural creek.Flack’s state-appointed attorney for his appeal raised numerous issues both about his trial and the separate hearing in which the jury recommended the death penalty. But the Kansas Supreme Court’s hearing Monday focused heavily on whether prosecutors should have been allowed to present as evidence incriminating statements Flack made about White’s murder.Capital appellate defender Clayton Perkins said prosecutors built their case against Flack on his incriminating statements. Perkins said that when officers interrogated Flack, he made statements nine times showing that he wanted to remain silent and end the interrogation, including, “Take me to jail! Take me to jail! Take me to jail!”“That is something that objectively reasonable officers would recognize as an invocation of these rights,” Perkins told the court.But Kristafer Ailslieger, the state’s assistant solicitor general, argued that before his incriminating statements, Flack never told officers explicitly that he wanted to end the interview.“It has to be clear and unambiguous,” Ailslieger said, quoting the U.S. Supreme Court’s standard on the issue. “Which we don’t have in this case.”Flack is one of nine men on death row in Kansas, which has not executed anyone since 1965. The Supreme Court is expected to take at least several months to issue a ruling in Flack’s case.Even after Flack’s trial, it wasn’t clear what led to the shootings, which detectives believe happened over separate days. The defense argued that Flack, who was 28 at the time of the crimes and is now 36, suffered from a severe mental illness that caused him to hear voices throughout adulthood.Prosecutors said they had strong circumstantial evidence linking Flack to the crimes in addition to his incriminating statements.The court’s seven justices peppered both sides with questions about whether Flack’s statements about wanting to be taken to jail in effect was a demand to end his interrogation so that he could remain silent and rely on his constitutional right not to incriminate himself. Officers eventually did cut off their interview.“The clear and unambiguous way to end an interview is to say, ‘I’m done talking. We’re done here. I’m not talking anymore,’” Justice Caleb Stegall said. “That doesn’t happen here.”Yet Justice Evelyn Wilson wondered whether Flack had to use “magic words” to invoke his right to remain silent.Justice Dan Biles said the video recording of the interrogation suggested that one officer understood that Flack wanted to stop it, and she told him, “Help yourself, Kyle,” which seemed to be “a signal to keep talking.”“And I’m troubled by that,” Biles said.

Kansas court mulls case of man facing death for 4 shootings

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal Jan. 14, shooting that killed 30-year-old Richie T. Aaron Jr. of Independence, Missouri on board an Amtrak train near Kansas City have a suspect in custody following a&nbsp; standoff.

&nbsp;Just after 2:30 p.m. Monday Detectives from the Lee’s Summit Police Department were following a lead on a person of interest in connection with the homicide aboard the train, according to Lee's Summit Police Sgt. Chris Depue.

Detectives contacted officers with the Kansas City Police Department for assistance in checking an apartment in the 1600 block of Bushman Drive. 

As Detectives knocked on the door, a woman answered the door and police saw the suspect was seen inside the apartment.&nbsp; The door to the apartment closed and when it opened again the suspect displayed a handgun and pointed it at several officers.

 Detectives withdrew to a safe area and contained the scene. Tactical units with the KCPD deployed to the scene and established an operation; negotiators spoke with the man for several hours by phone and at approximately 8:00 p.m. the man exited the apartment and was taken into custody without incident. 

Police transported the suspect, his name has not been released, to Lee’s Summit Police Department and detectives will submit charges to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office Tuesday, according to Depue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418758538.png" alt="First responders on the train&nbsp; Jan. 15-photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the train&nbsp; Jan. 15-photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal Jan. 14, shooting that killed 30-year-old Richie T. Aaron Jr. of Independence, Missouri on board an Amtrak train near Kansas City have a suspect in custody following a&nbsp; standoff.&nbsp;Just after 2:30 p.m. Monday Detectives from the Lee’s Summit Police Department were following a lead on a person of interest in connection with the homicide aboard the train, according to Lee's Summit Police Sgt. Chris Depue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643727081313.png" alt="Police on the scene of the standoff Monday night -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the standoff Monday night -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Detectives contacted officers with the Kansas City Police Department for assistance in checking an apartment in the 1600 block of Bushman Drive. As Detectives knocked on the door, a woman answered the door and police saw the suspect was seen inside the apartment.&nbsp; The door to the apartment closed and when it opened again the suspect displayed a handgun and pointed it at several officers. Detectives withdrew to a safe area and contained the scene. Tactical units with the KCPD deployed to the scene and established an operation; negotiators spoke with the man for several hours by phone and at approximately 8:00 p.m. the man exited the apartment and was taken into custody without incident. Police transported the suspect, his name has not been released, to Lee’s Summit Police Department and detectives will submit charges to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office Tuesday, according to Depue.

Suspect in KC-area Amtrak killing arrested after standoff

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady, the most successful quarterback in NFL history, has retired after winning seven Super Bowls and setting numerous passing records in an unprecedented 22-year career.

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”

Brady has long stated his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children despite still playing at the top of his game.

The 44-year-old Brady goes out after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season.

News of Brady’s pending retirement leaked Saturday. His family and the Buccaneers denied that he had made a final decision, and he said Monday night on his SiriusXM podcast he wasn’t ready to finalize his plans.

“I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions,” Brady said in his post. “And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”

Brady thanked the Buccaneers organization, his teammates, ownership, general manager Jason Licht, coach Bruce Arians, his trainer Alex Guerrero, agents Don Yee and Steve Dubin and his family in his nine-page post. He didn’t mention the New England Patriots, where he spent his first 20 seasons and won six Super Bowls. Of course, Brady thanked the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick after he left the team to sign with the Buccaneers in March 2020.

“To the Glazer family, thank you for taking a chance on me and supporting me,” Brady said of the Bucs’ owners. “I know I was demanding at times, but you provided everything we needed to win, and your ownership was everything a player could ask for.”

Brady said he’s still figuring out how he’ll spend his time but he plans to be involved in his TB12 health and wellness company, Brady clothing line and NFT company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643486871781.jpeg" alt="Tom Brady.&nbsp;All-Pro Reels,&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons" />
 <figcaption>Tom Brady.&nbsp;All-Pro Reels,&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady, the most successful quarterback in NFL history, has retired after winning seven Super Bowls and setting numerous passing records in an unprecedented 22-year career.“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”Brady has long stated his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children despite still playing at the top of his game.The 44-year-old Brady goes out after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season.News of Brady’s pending retirement leaked Saturday. His family and the Buccaneers denied that he had made a final decision, and he said Monday night on his SiriusXM podcast he wasn’t ready to finalize his plans.That came Tuesday morning.“I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions,” Brady said in his post. “And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”Brady thanked the Buccaneers organization, his teammates, ownership, general manager Jason Licht, coach Bruce Arians, his trainer Alex Guerrero, agents Don Yee and Steve Dubin and his family in his nine-page post. He didn’t mention the New England Patriots, where he spent his first 20 seasons and won six Super Bowls. Of course, Brady thanked the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick after he left the team to sign with the Buccaneers in March 2020.“To the Glazer family, thank you for taking a chance on me and supporting me,” Brady said of the Bucs’ owners. “I know I was demanding at times, but you provided everything we needed to win, and your ownership was everything a player could ask for.”Brady said he’s still figuring out how he’ll spend his time but he plans to be involved in his TB12 health and wellness company, Brady clothing line and NFT company.___

Officially official: Tom Brady retires after 22 seasons, 7 Super Bowl titles

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A Kansas City police officer shot a man in the hand during a confrontation near Troost Lake, the department said.

The shooting happened around 6 p.m. Monday at 29th Street and The Paseo after several people reported a man walking near the lake and threatening people people with a handgun, police said.

The man continued those threats even after police arrived, according to police, and he was shot in the hand by an officer. He was taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Police have not released the man’s name or the name of the officer who shot him. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643727430492.png" alt="At the scene of the officer involved shooting near Troost Lake at 29th and Paseo-Photo courtesy KCPD" />
 <figcaption>At the scene of the officer involved shooting near Troost Lake at 29th and Paseo-Photo courtesy KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A Kansas City police officer shot a man in the hand during a confrontation near Troost Lake, the department said.The shooting happened around 6 p.m. Monday at 29th Street and The Paseo after several people reported a man walking near the lake and threatening people people with a handgun, police said.The man continued those threats even after police arrived, according to police, and he was shot in the hand by an officer. He was taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.Police have not released the man’s name or the name of the officer who shot him. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting.

Kansas City Police: Officer shot man in hand during face-off

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The family of a&nbsp;Kansas woman charged with joining the Islamic State group&nbsp;and leading an all-female battalion says they want nothing to do with her, a prosecutor said Monday.

Allison Ekren, 42, made an initial appearance on Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The hearing lasted only minutes; she was ordered to remain in jail pending a detention hearing set for Thursday afternoon, and an attorney was appointed to represent her.

At the end of the hearing, though, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh told the judge that he had been in contact with Ekren’s parents and her adult children, and all had said they wanted no contact with her.

The magistrate judge, Ivan Davis, said he had little ability to keep her from reaching out to her family from jail, but told Ekren he would take it into account at Thursday’s hearing if she contacted her family against their wishes.

Ekren, speaking in a soft-spoken voice and wearing an inmate jumpsuit and headscarf, said she understood the restriction. She also told the judge, in response to his question, that she preferred to be addressed as Ekren. The Justice Department used her full name, Allison Fluke-Ekren, when it announced charges against her Saturday.

Prosecutors say Ekren wanted to recruit operatives to attack a college campus in the U.S. and discussed the idea of attacking a shopping mall. She told one witness that “she considered any attack that did not kill a large number of individuals to be a waste of resources,” according to an FBI affidavit.

The affidavit also alleges Ekren became leader of an Islamic State unit called “Khatiba Nusaybah” in the Syrian city of Raqqa in late 2016. The all-female unit was trained in the use of AK-47 rifles, grenades and suicide belts.

According to court papers, Ekren moved to Egypt in 2008 and traveled frequently between Egypt and the U.S. over the next three years. She has not been in the U.S. since 2011. Prosecutors believe she moved to Syria around 2012.

Ekren’s newly appointed attorney, Joseph King, declined comment after Monday’s hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643715398750.png" alt="Ekren photo Alexandria, VA Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ekren photo Alexandria, VA Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The family of a&nbsp;Kansas woman charged with joining the Islamic State group&nbsp;and leading an all-female battalion says they want nothing to do with her, a prosecutor said Monday.Allison Ekren, 42, made an initial appearance on Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The hearing lasted only minutes; she was ordered to remain in jail pending a detention hearing set for Thursday afternoon, and an attorney was appointed to represent her.At the end of the hearing, though, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh told the judge that he had been in contact with Ekren’s parents and her adult children, and all had said they wanted no contact with her.The magistrate judge, Ivan Davis, said he had little ability to keep her from reaching out to her family from jail, but told Ekren he would take it into account at Thursday’s hearing if she contacted her family against their wishes.Ekren, speaking in a soft-spoken voice and wearing an inmate jumpsuit and headscarf, said she understood the restriction. She also told the judge, in response to his question, that she preferred to be addressed as Ekren. The Justice Department used her full name, Allison Fluke-Ekren, when it announced charges against her Saturday.Prosecutors say Ekren wanted to recruit operatives to attack a college campus in the U.S. and discussed the idea of attacking a shopping mall. She told one witness that “she considered any attack that did not kill a large number of individuals to be a waste of resources,” according to an FBI affidavit.The affidavit also alleges Ekren became leader of an Islamic State unit called “Khatiba Nusaybah” in the Syrian city of Raqqa in late 2016. The all-female unit was trained in the use of AK-47 rifles, grenades and suicide belts.According to court papers, Ekren moved to Egypt in 2008 and traveled frequently between Egypt and the U.S. over the next three years. She has not been in the U.S. since 2011. Prosecutors believe she moved to Syria around 2012.Ekren’s newly appointed attorney, Joseph King, declined comment after Monday’s hearing.

Kan. woman accused of plotting terror attack appears before judge

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are urging drugmaker Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old while awaiting data on a three-dose course, aiming to clear the way for the shots as soon as late February, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Monday.

The company’s application was expected to be submitted as soon as Tuesday.

Early Pfizer data has shown the vaccine — which is administered to younger kids at one-tenth the strength of the adult shot — is safe and produces an immune response. But last year Pfizer announced the two-dose shot proved to be less effective at preventing COVID-19 in kids ages 2-5, and regulators encouraged the company to add a third dose to the study on the belief that another dose would boost the vaccine’s effectiveness much like booster doses do in adults.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration is pushing the company to submit its application based on the two-dose data for potential approval in February, and then to return for additional authorization once it has the data from the third dose study, which is expected in March, the person familiar with the matter said. The two-step authorization process could mean that young children could be vaccinated more than a month earlier than previous estimates, assuming the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention greenlight the shots.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive regulatory issues. The person said the decreased effectiveness of the two-dose vaccine was not unexpected given the emergence of the highly transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19. Allowing young kids to be vaccinated with a two-dose shot earlier would ultimately accelerate when they could get the expected stronger protection from a third dose.

That would be welcome news for parents of young children, the last remaining age group without approval of COVID-19 shots.

Young children are far less likely than adults to develop serious complications or to die from COVID-19, but incidences of illness among the age group have risen amid the nationwide spike in cases from the omicron variant. Most cases and deaths occur among older people, especially those who are unvaccinated.

Speeding the authorization of pediatric vaccines against COVID-19 has been a priority for more than a year of the Biden administration, which believes them critical to reopening and keeping open schools and day care centers — and for freeing up parents occupied by childcare responsibilities to return to the workforce.

Vaccines for kids ages 5-12 were approved by U.S. regulators in November, though uptake of shots has been slower than U.S. officials hoped.

Pfizer’s primary series is administered three weeks apart. The third dose for young kids is being studied for administration at least two months after the second dose.

News of the earlier regulatory review was first reported by The Washington Post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="&nbsp;Pfizer's application was expected to be submitted as soon as Tuesday-photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Pfizer's application was expected to be submitted as soon as Tuesday-photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are urging drugmaker Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old while awaiting data on a three-dose course, aiming to clear the way for the shots as soon as late February, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Monday.The company’s application was expected to be submitted as soon as Tuesday.Early Pfizer data has shown the vaccine — which is administered to younger kids at one-tenth the strength of the adult shot — is safe and produces an immune response. But last year Pfizer announced the two-dose shot proved to be less effective at preventing COVID-19 in kids ages 2-5, and regulators encouraged the company to add a third dose to the study on the belief that another dose would boost the vaccine’s effectiveness much like booster doses do in adults.Now, the Food and Drug Administration is pushing the company to submit its application based on the two-dose data for potential approval in February, and then to return for additional authorization once it has the data from the third dose study, which is expected in March, the person familiar with the matter said. The two-step authorization process could mean that young children could be vaccinated more than a month earlier than previous estimates, assuming the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention greenlight the shots.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive regulatory issues. The person said the decreased effectiveness of the two-dose vaccine was not unexpected given the emergence of the highly transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19. Allowing young kids to be vaccinated with a two-dose shot earlier would ultimately accelerate when they could get the expected stronger protection from a third dose.That would be welcome news for parents of young children, the last remaining age group without approval of COVID-19 shots.Young children are far less likely than adults to develop serious complications or to die from COVID-19, but incidences of illness among the age group have risen amid the nationwide spike in cases from the omicron variant. Most cases and deaths occur among older people, especially those who are unvaccinated.Speeding the authorization of pediatric vaccines against COVID-19 has been a priority for more than a year of the Biden administration, which believes them critical to reopening and keeping open schools and day care centers — and for freeing up parents occupied by childcare responsibilities to return to the workforce.Vaccines for kids ages 5-12 were approved by U.S. regulators in November, though uptake of shots has been slower than U.S. officials hoped.Pfizer’s primary series is administered three weeks apart. The third dose for young kids is being studied for administration at least two months after the second dose.News of the earlier regulatory review was first reported by The Washington Post.

Pfizer seeks approval of COVID shots for kids under age 5

WASHINGTON — Now that the 2022 tax season is open, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to make sure they've got what they 
need before they file and to consider free resources available to help 
them get organized.

This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">Additional help</a>&nbsp;is available at IRS.gov or in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>.

While taxpayers should not file late, they also should not file 
prematurely. People who file before they receive all the proper tax 
reporting documents risk making a mistake that may lead to processing 
delays.

Typically, year-end forms start arriving by mail – or are available 
online – in January. Taxpayers should review them carefully. If any of 
the information shown is inaccurate or not available, taxpayers should <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154">contact the payer</a> right away for a correction or to ensure they have their current mailing or email address.

New this year, the IRS sent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6419">Letter 6419, Advance Child Tax Credit Reconciliation</a>,
 in January 2022 to help individuals reconcile and receive the full 
amount of their 2021 Child Tax Credit. This letter includes the total 
amount of the 2021 advance Child Tax Credit payments issued and the 
number of qualifying children used to calculate their advance payments. 
People need this important information to accurately claim the other 
half of the 2021 Child Tax Credit when filing their 2021 tax return and 
prevent delays in processing. The IRS reminds people to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-statement-child-tax-credit-letters">check this information</a> carefully.

Most eligible people were already issued their third Economic Impact 
Payment and won't include any information about it when they file. 
However, people who didn't qualify for a third payment or did not 
receive the full amount may be eligible for the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 based on their 2021 tax situation. They will need the total amount of 
their third Economic Impact Payment to file an accurate tax return to 
avoid a processing delay. Taxpayers can sign into their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> to view the total amount of the third-round Economic Impact Payment or wait to receive IRS Letter 6475.

Individuals not required to file must file a tax return to claim important tax credits

The IRS strongly encourages individuals who are not required to file a
 tax return to file one this season to claim potentially thousands of 
dollars in tax credits. By filing a tax return, individuals could claim:

Individuals can use their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> to securely access information about their federal tax account, including payments, tax records and more.

To help with filing a return, individuals can view:

They can also now make and track payments and manage 
communication preferences, including the option to go paperless and 
request email notifications for certain notices available online. 
Taxpayers are encouraged to register for an online account, if they 
haven't already, or sign in to access this information and explore these
 new features.

Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier and may help taxpayers find overlooked <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions-for-individuals">deductions or credits</a>.

Taxpayers should wait to file until they have all their supporting income statements including but not limited to:

Once taxpayers have collected all their tax documents and information, they're ready to consider how they will file.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is a great option for eligible taxpayers who are only filing a tax 
return to reconcile 2021 advance payments and claim the remaining 
portion of their Child Tax Credit or to claim the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 either because they didn't receive a third-round Economic Impact 
Payment or did not receive the full amount. IRS Free File can also be 
used to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides a refundable 
tax credit based on a filer's income and family size.

IRS Free File is available to any person or family who earned $73,000
 or less in 2021. This year, there are eight IRS Free File products in 
English and one in Spanish.

Taxpayers can use a "look up" tool to choose from one of the Free 
File Providers. Each provider sets its own eligibility standards, 
generally based on income, age and state residency giving taxpayers who 
earned $73,000 or less at least one product to use for free.

Free File is just one way the IRS provides free tax preparation 
options to taxpayers through a partnership model. The IRS also partners 
with community organizations to train IRS-certified volunteers to 
prepare and electronically file basic income tax returns for qualified 
individuals for free.

Qualified taxpayers who generally make $58,000 or less, persons with 
disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need help 
preparing their own tax returns can get free tax help at one of 
thousands of community volunteer sites through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program</a>.

And the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a>
 program offered by AARP, offers free tax help for all taxpayers, 
particularly those who are 60 and older, specializing in questions about
 pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

Members of the military and qualifying veterans can use <a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>,
 a Department of Defense program that generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns.

New alternative media preference to help taxpayers

Beginning January 31, 2022, taxpayers can complete <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9000.pdf">Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference</a>&nbsp;PDF,
 to choose to receive their IRS tax notices in Braille, large print, 
audio or electronic formats. This includes notices about additional 
taxes or penalties owed. Taxpayers can include the completed form with 
their tax return, mail it as a standalone form to the IRS or call <a href="tel:800-829-1040">800-829-1040</a> to elect their preferred format.

As a reminder, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Forms 1040 and 1040-SR</a> are available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/es/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Spanish</a>, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-lep">Schedule LEP, Request for Change in Language Preference</a>, allows taxpayers to request information in 20 different languages besides English.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically and use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>
 to get their refunds. Combining e-file with direct deposit is the 
safest and fastest way to receive a refund. Taxpayers can file 
electronically through a tax professional, IRS Free File or commercial 
tax preparation software. When choosing e-file and direct deposit, most 
people receive their refunds in less than 21 days.

People who don't have a bank account can visit the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC website</a> or use the National Credit Union Administration's <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>
 to find an institution that allows them to open an account online and 
for tips on how to choose the right account. Veterans can check out the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program</a>
 for access to financial services at participating banks. Taxpayers can 
also ask their preparer if they offer other electronic refund options.

Although most refunds are delivered in 21 days, it could take longer 
if the tax return includes errors, is incomplete or requires further 
security review. Paper-filed tax returns and paper refund checks will 
take even longer this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — Now that the 2022 tax season is open, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to make sure they've got what they 
need before they file and to consider free resources available to help 
them get organized.This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">Additional help</a>&nbsp;is available at IRS.gov or in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>.<h2>Don't file before ready</h2>While taxpayers should not file late, they also should not file 
prematurely. People who file before they receive all the proper tax 
reporting documents risk making a mistake that may lead to processing 
delays.Typically, year-end forms start arriving by mail – or are available 
online – in January. Taxpayers should review them carefully. If any of 
the information shown is inaccurate or not available, taxpayers should <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154">contact the payer</a> right away for a correction or to ensure they have their current mailing or email address.New this year, the IRS sent <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6419">Letter 6419, Advance Child Tax Credit Reconciliation</a>,
 in January 2022 to help individuals reconcile and receive the full 
amount of their 2021 Child Tax Credit. This letter includes the total 
amount of the 2021 advance Child Tax Credit payments issued and the 
number of qualifying children used to calculate their advance payments. 
People need this important information to accurately claim the other 
half of the 2021 Child Tax Credit when filing their 2021 tax return and 
prevent delays in processing. The IRS reminds people to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-statement-child-tax-credit-letters">check this information</a> carefully.Most eligible people were already issued their third Economic Impact 
Payment and won't include any information about it when they file. 
However, people who didn't qualify for a third payment or did not 
receive the full amount may be eligible for the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 based on their 2021 tax situation. They will need the total amount of 
their third Economic Impact Payment to file an accurate tax return to 
avoid a processing delay. Taxpayers can sign into their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> to view the total amount of the third-round Economic Impact Payment or wait to receive IRS Letter 6475.<h2>Individuals not required to file must file a tax return to claim important tax credits</h2>The IRS strongly encourages individuals who are not required to file a
 tax return to file one this season to claim potentially thousands of 
dollars in tax credits. By filing a tax return, individuals could claim:<ul>
 <li>The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 to receive any remaining 2021 stimulus payments that they might not 
have received (for example, if they added a new child or other dependent
 in 2021);</li><li>The remaining <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Child Tax Credit</a>
 for which they are eligible, including any monthly payments that they 
might not have received (for example, if they added a new qualifying 
child in 2021); and</li><li>The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a>,
 the federal government's largest refundable tax credit for low- to 
moderate-income families (the amount of which has been nearly tripled 
for filers without children).</li>
 </ul><h2>View IRS account information online</h2>Individuals can use their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> to securely access information about their federal tax account, including payments, tax records and more.To help with filing a return, individuals can view:<ul>
 <li>The total amounts of Economic Impact Payments issued for tax year 2021</li><li>The total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments</li><li>Their adjusted gross income from their last tax return</li><li>The total of any estimated tax payments they made, and refunds applied as a credit</li>
 </ul>They can also now make and track payments and manage 
communication preferences, including the option to go paperless and 
request email notifications for certain notices available online. 
Taxpayers are encouraged to register for an online account, if they 
haven't already, or sign in to access this information and explore these
 new features.<h2>Important 2021 tax documents</h2>Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier and may help taxpayers find overlooked <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions-for-individuals">deductions or credits</a>.Taxpayers should wait to file until they have all their supporting income statements including but not limited to:<ul>
 <li>Forms W-2 from employer(s)</li><li>Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies and other payers including 
unemployment compensation, dividends and distributions from a pension, 
annuity or retirement plan</li><li>Form 1099-K, 1099-Misc, W-2 or other income statement if they worked in the gig economy</li><li>Form 1099-INT if they received interest payments</li><li>Other income documents and records reporting virtual or crypto currency transactions</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/questions-and-answers-about-health-care-information-forms-for-individuals">Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement</a>, to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/premium-tax-credit-claiming-the-credit-and-reconciling-advance-credit-payments">reconcile advance Premium Tax Credits</a> for Marketplace coverage</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6419">Letter 6419, 2021 Total advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a> to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/premium-tax-credit-claiming-the-credit-and-reconciling-advance-credit-payments">reconcile advance Child Tax Credit payments</a></li><li>Letter 6475, 2021 Economic Impact Payment, to determine eligibility to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit</li>
 </ul><h2>Free help</h2>Once taxpayers have collected all their tax documents and information, they're ready to consider how they will file.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is a great option for eligible taxpayers who are only filing a tax 
return to reconcile 2021 advance payments and claim the remaining 
portion of their Child Tax Credit or to claim the 2021 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 either because they didn't receive a third-round Economic Impact 
Payment or did not receive the full amount. IRS Free File can also be 
used to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides a refundable 
tax credit based on a filer's income and family size.IRS Free File is available to any person or family who earned $73,000
 or less in 2021. This year, there are eight IRS Free File products in 
English and one in Spanish.Taxpayers can use a "look up" tool to choose from one of the Free 
File Providers. Each provider sets its own eligibility standards, 
generally based on income, age and state residency giving taxpayers who 
earned $73,000 or less at least one product to use for free.Free File is just one way the IRS provides free tax preparation 
options to taxpayers through a partnership model. The IRS also partners 
with community organizations to train IRS-certified volunteers to 
prepare and electronically file basic income tax returns for qualified 
individuals for free.Qualified taxpayers who generally make $58,000 or less, persons with 
disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need help 
preparing their own tax returns can get free tax help at one of 
thousands of community volunteer sites through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program</a>.And the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a>
 program offered by AARP, offers free tax help for all taxpayers, 
particularly those who are 60 and older, specializing in questions about
 pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.Members of the military and qualifying veterans can use <a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>,
 a Department of Defense program that generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns.<h2>New alternative media preference to help taxpayers</h2>Beginning January 31, 2022, taxpayers can complete <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9000.pdf">Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference</a>&nbsp;PDF,
 to choose to receive their IRS tax notices in Braille, large print, 
audio or electronic formats. This includes notices about additional 
taxes or penalties owed. Taxpayers can include the completed form with 
their tax return, mail it as a standalone form to the IRS or call <a href="tel:800-829-1040">800-829-1040</a> to elect their preferred format.As a reminder, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Forms 1040 and 1040-SR</a> are available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/es/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Spanish</a>, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-lep">Schedule LEP, Request for Change in Language Preference</a>, allows taxpayers to request information in 20 different languages besides English.<h2>E-file and choose direct deposit</h2>The IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically and use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>
 to get their refunds. Combining e-file with direct deposit is the 
safest and fastest way to receive a refund. Taxpayers can file 
electronically through a tax professional, IRS Free File or commercial 
tax preparation software. When choosing e-file and direct deposit, most 
people receive their refunds in less than 21 days.People who don't have a bank account can visit the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC website</a> or use the National Credit Union Administration's <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>
 to find an institution that allows them to open an account online and 
for tips on how to choose the right account. Veterans can check out the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program</a>
 for access to financial services at participating banks. Taxpayers can 
also ask their preparer if they offer other electronic refund options.Although most refunds are delivered in 21 days, it could take longer 
if the tax return includes errors, is incomplete or requires further 
security review. Paper-filed tax returns and paper refund checks will 
take even longer this year.

Tax time! Important considerations before filing a 2021 tax return

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Oklahoma have a suspect in custody in Kansas, according to The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

On Satuday, the Kay County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance processing a crime scene on Tosque Drive in Tonkawa. Charles Star Warrior, 40, was missing from the residence and based on the scene it appeared a homicide had occurred. &nbsp; On Sunday, authorities found a body in the Chikaskia River east of Tonkawa. The victim was identified as Warrior. Based on the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for 42-year-old Dustin Lee Begshisown. Just before 5a.m. Monday, police in Wichita<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20074279"> arrested Begshisown </a>on requested charges of Murder in the Second Degree. He was in custody in Wichita awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643667495574.png" alt="Begshisown-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Begshisown-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Oklahoma have a suspect in custody in Kansas, according to The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.On Satuday, the Kay County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance processing a crime scene on Tosque Drive in Tonkawa. Charles Star Warrior, 40, was missing from the residence and based on the scene it appeared a homicide had occurred. &nbsp; On Sunday, authorities found a body in the Chikaskia River east of Tonkawa. The victim was identified as Warrior. Based on the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for 42-year-old Dustin Lee Begshisown. Just before 5a.m. Monday, police in Wichita<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20074279"> arrested Begshisown </a>on requested charges of Murder in the Second Degree. He was in custody in Wichita awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.

Wanted murder suspect captured in Kansas

GEARY COUNTY —Geary County Commissioners Monday adopted a resolution that commits funding to support the financially challenged Geary Community Hospital in Junction City.&nbsp; They will use available American Recovery Program Act money to help defray operational expenses and cash flow requirements to ensure the hospital does not face a reduction of services.

The hospital announced last month they would close the Intensive Care Unit February 1.&nbsp;

Commissioner Trish Giordano said the funds are non-taxed funds from ARPA received by the county. "This is not something that we're not just going to handle over money. They're going to have to exactly show where this money is going, what they're using it for and why they need it." Giordano added the economic impact if the hospital did not exist would be devastating.

There is a maximum total of approximately three and a half million dollars in available ARPA money. "We're hoping to do other stuff with that so we're just going to take it day by day, explained Giordano.

Commission Chair Alex Tyson explained the funds can help as officials move forward to hopefully try and find a new partnership for the hospital. Also to make sure that we can still provide quality of services to the citizens of Geary County."&nbsp;

Commissioner Keith Ascher said the governing body is trying to buy some time to figure out what we can do. Right we just are trying to get them to slow down a little bit on looking for a partner that they've got in mind, and still trying to keep the hospital open as a full hospital."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643716602310.png" alt="Geary Community Hospital" />
 <figcaption>Geary Community Hospital</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Geary County Commissioners Monday adopted a resolution that commits funding to support the financially challenged Geary Community Hospital in Junction City.&nbsp; They will use available American Recovery Program Act money to help defray operational expenses and cash flow requirements to ensure the hospital does not face a reduction of services.The hospital announced last month they would close the Intensive Care Unit February 1.&nbsp;Commissioner Trish Giordano said the funds are non-taxed funds from ARPA received by the county. "This is not something that we're not just going to handle over money. They're going to have to exactly show where this money is going, what they're using it for and why they need it." Giordano added the economic impact if the hospital did not exist would be devastating.There is a maximum total of approximately three and a half million dollars in available ARPA money. "We're hoping to do other stuff with that so we're just going to take it day by day, explained Giordano.Commission Chair Alex Tyson explained the funds can help as officials move forward to hopefully try and find a new partnership for the hospital. Also to make sure that we can still provide quality of services to the citizens of Geary County."&nbsp;Commissioner Keith Ascher said the governing body is trying to buy some time to figure out what we can do. Right we just are trying to get them to slow down a little bit on looking for a partner that they've got in mind, and still trying to keep the hospital open as a full hospital."

County provides temporary financial bailout as hospital ICU closes

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;José Garcia Muñoz of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 10:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 200 Block of South 14th Street in Kansas City, according to a media release.&nbsp;

Officers found Muñoz&nbsp; with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. Police have not reported an arrest.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting.

Officers found a boy who was in his early teens with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. His name has not been released. Police have not reported additional details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;José Garcia Muñoz of Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 10:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 200 Block of South 14th Street in Kansas City, according to a media release.&nbsp;Officers found Muñoz&nbsp; with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. Police have not reported an arrest.--------------WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting.Just after 10:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 200 Block of South 14th Street in Kansas City, according to a media release.&nbsp;Officers found a boy who was in his early teens with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. His name has not been released. Police have not reported additional details.

Police ID 16-year-old who died in Kansas shooting

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today updated its 
frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the 2021 Child Tax Credit and 
Advance Child Tax Credit Payments.

This updated FAQ modifies a question and adds a new question (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2022-07.pdf">FS-2022-07</a>&nbsp;PDF):

These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today updated its 
frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the 2021 Child Tax Credit and 
Advance Child Tax Credit Payments.This updated FAQ modifies a question and adds a new question (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2022-07.pdf">FS-2022-07</a>&nbsp;PDF):<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return#qh4">Question 4</a>, Topic H: Reconciling Your Advance Child Tax Credit Payments on Your 2021 Tax Return</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return#q10">Question 10</a>, Topic H: Reconciling Your Advance Child Tax Credit Payments on Your 2021 Tax Return</li>
 </ul>These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

IRS revises FAQs for 2021 Child Tax Credit, Advance Child Tax Credit Payments

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — A Kansas&nbsp;man and a Maryland man have been charged with making separate threats to kill President Joe Biden, authorities said Monday.

Scott Ryan Merryman, 37, Independence, Kansas and Ryan Matthew Conlon, 37, of Halethorpe, Maryland; were both arrested last week, but Conlon's case was sealed until Monday. He is also charged with making threats to blow up National Security Agency headquarters.

Merryman was arrested after he traveled from his home to Maryland. Merryman called police in his hometown last Tuesday and said he was on his way to Washington, D.C., to see the president, federal authorities said.

When a Secret Service agent called him last Wednesday, Merryman said God told him to travel to Washington to “lop off the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation,” according to an FBI agent's affidavit.

“Merryman denied that the serpent was the President of the United States, but stated that he had information about the Book of Revelation that he was being instructed by God to give to the President,” the agent wrote.

Merryman didn’t have a weapon but was carrying ammunition and a spotting scope in his backpack when agents found him in a restaurant’s parking lot in Hagerstown, Maryland, last Wednesday.

The next day, Merryman called the White House switchboard and said he was coming there to "cut off the head of the snake/anti-Christ,” the FBI affidavit said.

Merryman made his initial court appearance in Baltimore on Monday afternoon.

Court filings don't list attorneys for Merryman or Conlon, who was released after his initial court appearance last week. U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite ordered Conlon to refrain from using a computer or any other internet-connected devices without a probation officer's permission.

Conlon is accused of sending a string of messages to the NSA and FBI tiplines threatening to bomb the White House to kill the president, blow up the NSA's headquarters in Ft. Meade, Maryland, and carry out a mass shooting of NSA employees. Investigators traced the messages to a phone number and Maryland address linked to Conlon, according to the FBI.

The FBI found a Facebook account for a username of “Targeted Individual T.I.” with a profile picture that appeared to depict Conlon. The account included pictures of a white Chevrolet Tahoe and described the vehicle as a “Gangstalker” that followed him on New Year’s Eve.

Investigators called Conlon, who said the vehicle had parked next to him in a parking lot once and “made him feel targeted,” an FBI agent's affidavit said.

“Conlon apologized for sending threats when he becomes angry,” the agent wrote.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kansas man traveling to Washington is being held on charges of threatening President Joe Biden, authorities said.

Scott Merryman, 37, was in the Washington County Detention Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, awaiting a court appearance set for Monday, a detention center official said.

A court filing in the case said Merryman phoned police in Independence, Kansas, on Tuesday and told them that he was going to the nation's capital to see the president.

In a telephone interview with a U.S. Secret Service agent on Wednesday, Merryman said that God told him to go to Washington to cut off “the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation," the filing states.

Merryman denied in the interview that Biden was the serpent, though in a Facebook post he identified the president as the “AntiChrist” and said “he will suffer a fatal head wound.” Merryman added, “I'll deal that blow in Christ's name.”

Another Secret Service agent located Merryman at the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Hagerstown. The agent searched Merryman and found three rounds of ammunition and a spotting scope, but no gun or other weapons, according to the court document.

On Thursday, Merryman called the White House switch board and threatened Biden, the document says.

The criminal complaint calling for his arrest on the federal charges was filed Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643637477568.png" alt="Merryman from a previous arrest in Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Merryman from a previous arrest in Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — A Kansas&nbsp;man and a Maryland man have been charged with making separate threats to kill President Joe Biden, authorities said Monday.Scott Ryan Merryman, 37, Independence, Kansas and Ryan Matthew Conlon, 37, of Halethorpe, Maryland; were both arrested last week, but Conlon's case was sealed until Monday. He is also charged with making threats to blow up National Security Agency headquarters.Merryman was arrested after he traveled from his home to Maryland. Merryman called police in his hometown last Tuesday and said he was on his way to Washington, D.C., to see the president, federal authorities said.When a Secret Service agent called him last Wednesday, Merryman said God told him to travel to Washington to “lop off the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation,” according to an FBI agent's affidavit.“Merryman denied that the serpent was the President of the United States, but stated that he had information about the Book of Revelation that he was being instructed by God to give to the President,” the agent wrote.Merryman didn’t have a weapon but was carrying ammunition and a spotting scope in his backpack when agents found him in a restaurant’s parking lot in Hagerstown, Maryland, last Wednesday.The next day, Merryman called the White House switchboard and said he was coming there to "cut off the head of the snake/anti-Christ,” the FBI affidavit said.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottie.merryman%2Fposts%2F10225209858544920&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="265" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Merryman made his initial court appearance in Baltimore on Monday afternoon.Court filings don't list attorneys for Merryman or Conlon, who was released after his initial court appearance last week. U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite ordered Conlon to refrain from using a computer or any other internet-connected devices without a probation officer's permission.Conlon is accused of sending a string of messages to the NSA and FBI tiplines threatening to bomb the White House to kill the president, blow up the NSA's headquarters in Ft. Meade, Maryland, and carry out a mass shooting of NSA employees. Investigators traced the messages to a phone number and Maryland address linked to Conlon, according to the FBI.The FBI found a Facebook account for a username of “Targeted Individual T.I.” with a profile picture that appeared to depict Conlon. The account included pictures of a white Chevrolet Tahoe and described the vehicle as a “Gangstalker” that followed him on New Year’s Eve.Investigators called Conlon, who said the vehicle had parked next to him in a parking lot once and “made him feel targeted,” an FBI agent's affidavit said.“Conlon apologized for sending threats when he becomes angry,” the agent wrote.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kansas man traveling to Washington is being held on charges of threatening President Joe Biden, authorities said.Scott Merryman, 37, was in the Washington County Detention Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, awaiting a court appearance set for Monday, a detention center official said.A court filing in the case said Merryman phoned police in Independence, Kansas, on Tuesday and told them that he was going to the nation's capital to see the president.In a telephone interview with a U.S. Secret Service agent on Wednesday, Merryman said that God told him to go to Washington to cut off “the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation," the filing states.Merryman denied in the interview that Biden was the serpent, though in a Facebook post he identified the president as the “AntiChrist” and said “he will suffer a fatal head wound.” Merryman added, “I'll deal that blow in Christ's name.”Another Secret Service agent located Merryman at the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Hagerstown. The agent searched Merryman and found three rounds of ammunition and a spotting scope, but no gun or other weapons, according to the court document.On Thursday, Merryman called the White House switch board and threatened Biden, the document says.The criminal complaint calling for his arrest on the federal charges was filed Friday.