WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment for the month of October.

This fourth batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received 
payments dated July 15, August 13 and September 15. Future payments are 
scheduled for November 15 and December 15. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. The vast majority 
will be issued by direct deposit.

The IRS is currently sending letters to some Americans reminding
 them it is not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income 
tax return — including those who are not normally required to file 
because their incomes are too low — to sign up for advance CTC payments.
 Most low-income families can get these monthly payments. The IRS urges 
families who normally aren't required to file a tax return to visit 
IRS.gov for more information on how to file a return and receive their 
credit.

Update on September advance Child Tax Credit payments

In September, the IRS successfully delivered a third monthly round of
 approximately 36 million Child Tax Credit payments, totaling more than 
$15 billion. Given the new components of this program, the IRS continues
 to work hard to make improvements and deliver payments timely.

After the September payment was issued, the IRS resolved a technical 
issue, which the agency estimates caused fewer than 2% of CTC recipients
 not to receive their September payment on the scheduled payment date. 
Payments have since gone out to affected individuals.

The impacted group primarily included taxpayers who recently made an 
update to their bank account or address information using the IRS Child 
Tax Credit Update Portal. In particular, the issue affected payments to 
married taxpayers filing jointly where only one spouse made a bank 
account or address change, which usually results in payments being split
 into two (between the existing account or address and the new account 
or address).

In some of these cases, the split payment caused a delay in making 
payments, and further caused individuals to receive slightly more than 
the correct payment in September. To address this, the payment that each
 spouse receives in October, November and December will be reduced 
slightly to adjust for the overpayment. For each taxpayer receiving a 
payment, the typical overpayment was $31.25 per child between 6 and 17 
years old and $37.50 per child under 6 years old. This will result in 
about a $10 to $13 reduction per child in the three remaining monthly 
payments.

The IRS will send letters to affected individuals with this 
information. The IRS continues to closely monitor this program and the 
agency appreciates the patience of those whose payments were affected.

The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools and toolkits</a> to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups sign up to receive these benefits.

Links to online tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the IRS' special advance CTC 2021 page. It's 
at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment for the month of October.This fourth batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received 
payments dated July 15, August 13 and September 15. Future payments are 
scheduled for November 15 and December 15. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. The vast majority 
will be issued by direct deposit.Here are more details on those payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting October 15. Like the prior payments, the vast majority of 
families will receive them by direct deposit.</li><li>For those receiving payments by paper check, be sure to allow extra
 time, through the end of October, for delivery by mail. Those wishing 
to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this change using 
the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>, available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by October 4 are reflected in these 
payments. This includes people who don't typically file a return but 
during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using 
the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC</a>, also available only on IRS.gov.</li><li>Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, including a
 simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don't have 
to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments.</li><li>Families who did not get a July, August or September payment and 
are getting their first monthly payment this month will still receive 
their total advance payment for the year. This means that the total 
payment will be spread over three months, rather than six, making each 
monthly payment larger.</li>
 </ul>The IRS is currently sending letters to some Americans reminding
 them it is not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income 
tax return — including those who are not normally required to file 
because their incomes are too low — to sign up for advance CTC payments.
 Most low-income families can get these monthly payments. The IRS urges 
families who normally aren't required to file a tax return to visit 
IRS.gov for more information on how to file a return and receive their 
credit.<h2>Update on September advance Child Tax Credit payments</h2>In September, the IRS successfully delivered a third monthly round of
 approximately 36 million Child Tax Credit payments, totaling more than 
$15 billion. Given the new components of this program, the IRS continues
 to work hard to make improvements and deliver payments timely.After the September payment was issued, the IRS resolved a technical 
issue, which the agency estimates caused fewer than 2% of CTC recipients
 not to receive their September payment on the scheduled payment date. 
Payments have since gone out to affected individuals.The impacted group primarily included taxpayers who recently made an 
update to their bank account or address information using the IRS Child 
Tax Credit Update Portal. In particular, the issue affected payments to 
married taxpayers filing jointly where only one spouse made a bank 
account or address change, which usually results in payments being split
 into two (between the existing account or address and the new account 
or address).In some of these cases, the split payment caused a delay in making 
payments, and further caused individuals to receive slightly more than 
the correct payment in September. To address this, the payment that each
 spouse receives in October, November and December will be reduced 
slightly to adjust for the overpayment. For each taxpayer receiving a 
payment, the typical overpayment was $31.25 per child between 6 and 17 
years old and $37.50 per child under 6 years old. This will result in 
about a $10 to $13 reduction per child in the three remaining monthly 
payments.The IRS will send letters to affected individuals with this 
information. The IRS continues to closely monitor this program and the 
agency appreciates the patience of those whose payments were affected.The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools and toolkits</a> to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups sign up to receive these benefits.Links to online tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the IRS' special advance CTC 2021 page. It's 
at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

October Child Tax Credit payments sent to American families

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Four people received prison sentences following convictions in relation to a drug trafficking ring that operated for years in the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to the United State's Attorney.

The Jackson County Drug Task Force began an undercover operation in 2016 surrounding a drug trafficking ring, according to court documents.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later partnered in the investigation which included controlled purchases of confirmed methamphetamine and surveillance. In 2019, law enforcement arrested Juan Ceniceros, 28, of Kansas City, Missouri, and several of co-conspirators including Ryan Goodall, 25; Julio Rodriguez; 57, and Donald Brown, 51.

Juan Ceniceros was sentenced to 144 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Ryan Goodall was sentenced to 124 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Goodall also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Julio Rodriguez of Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Donald Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

“The fact that this investigation spanned several years is a testament to the patience and steadfast dedication of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Their commitment to staying with the investigation as long as necessary ensured appropriate convictions for this illegal behavior which harms our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

The Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. The United States Marshals Service assisted with identification and apprehension in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania prosecuted the case. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634070467617.png" alt="Ceniceros photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Ceniceros photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Four people received prison sentences following convictions in relation to a drug trafficking ring that operated for years in the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to the United State's Attorney.The Jackson County Drug Task Force began an undercover operation in 2016 surrounding a drug trafficking ring, according to court documents.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later partnered in the investigation which included controlled purchases of confirmed methamphetamine and surveillance. In 2019, law enforcement arrested Juan Ceniceros, 28, of Kansas City, Missouri, and several of co-conspirators including Ryan Goodall, 25; Julio Rodriguez; 57, and Donald Brown, 51.Juan Ceniceros was sentenced to 144 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634070625713.png" alt="Goodall photo Wyandotte Co" />
 <figcaption>Goodall photo Wyandotte Co</figcaption>
 </figure>Ryan Goodall was sentenced to 124 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Goodall also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634070704138.png" alt=" Rodriguez-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption> Rodriguez-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Julio Rodriguez of Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.Donald Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.“The fact that this investigation spanned several years is a testament to the patience and steadfast dedication of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Their commitment to staying with the investigation as long as necessary ensured appropriate convictions for this illegal behavior which harms our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.The Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. The United States Marshals Service assisted with identification and apprehension in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania prosecuted the case.

4 sentenced for role in Kansas City-area drug ring

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The person who ran an Overland Park day care was fired after police began investigating allegations of child abuse at the center. A spokesman for The Learning Express said Sunday that the franchise owner of the location in Overland Park was fired for “failing to meet our standard of care.” 

The independently owned day care is a franchise location of the Deerfield Beach, Florida-based company. Overland Park Police said Thursday that officers are investigating nine reports of child abuse at the center. That investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been reported.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The person who ran an Overland Park day care was fired after police began investigating allegations of child abuse at the center. A spokesman for The Learning Express said Sunday that the franchise owner of the location in Overland Park was fired for “failing to meet our standard of care.” The independently owned day care is a franchise location of the Deerfield Beach, Florida-based company. Overland Park Police said Thursday that officers are investigating nine reports of child abuse at the center. That investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been reported.

Day care manager in Kan. fired as police investigate reports of abuse

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing six people on or near trails in south Kansas City, Missouri, in 2016 and 2017 is now set to stand trial next year.

A judge on Thursday set Fredrick Scott’s first-degree murder trial date for Sept. 6, 2022. Earlier this year, Scott had been found not mentally competent to stand in the separate shooting deaths of 57-year-old Steven Gibbons; 54-year-old John Palmer; 67-year-old David Lenox; 57-year-old Timothy Rice; 61-year-old Michael Darby; and 64-year-old Karen Harmeyer.

All of the killings occurred in 2016 and 2017 along city hiking and biking trails that frightened the community and users of the trails. Scott has been in custody since his arrest nearly four years ago.

Police have said that in the days before his arrest, Scott reported four handguns stolen from him. Police believe those guns were used in the killings and that Scott reported them stolen to throw off investigators.

Police have said Scott told detectives after his arrest that he was angry about the 2015 shooting death of his half brother. Scott’s mother has said he suffered from delusions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623839245972.png" alt="Scott photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Scott photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing six people on or near trails in south Kansas City, Missouri, in 2016 and 2017 is now set to stand trial next year.A judge on Thursday set Fredrick Scott’s first-degree murder trial date for Sept. 6, 2022. Earlier this year, Scott had been found not mentally competent to stand in the separate shooting deaths of 57-year-old Steven Gibbons; 54-year-old John Palmer; 67-year-old David Lenox; 57-year-old Timothy Rice; 61-year-old Michael Darby; and 64-year-old Karen Harmeyer.All of the killings occurred in 2016 and 2017 along city hiking and biking trails that frightened the community and users of the trails. Scott has been in custody since his arrest nearly four years ago.Police have said that in the days before his arrest, Scott reported four handguns stolen from him. Police believe those guns were used in the killings and that Scott reported them stolen to throw off investigators.Police have said Scott told detectives after his arrest that he was angry about the 2015 shooting death of his half brother. Scott’s mother has said he suffered from delusions.

Trial set for murder of 6 on Kansas City hiking, biking trail

CRAWFIRD COUNTY —Authorities have identified a Kansas man who died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Saturday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2088 Chevy S-10 driven by Jeffery A. Leroy, 61, Pittsburg, was southbound on U.S. 69 ten miles north of Kansas 47. A 2019 GMC Yukon driven by Carter J. Edgecomb, 18, was&nbsp; northbound. 

The Chevy traveled left of center. Both vehicles attempted evasive maneuvers, colliding in the center of the roadway.

Leroy was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Edgecomb to Via Christi. A 16-year-old passenger in the. Yukon was not injured. Leroy was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Saturday evening crash in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a was southbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 69 ten miles north of Kansas 47 Highway traveled left of center. A northbound vehicle and the southbound vehicle collided in the center of the roadway.&nbsp; &nbsp;The KHP released no additional details late Saturday.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

CRAWFIRD COUNTY —Authorities have identified a Kansas man who died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Saturday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2088 Chevy S-10 driven by Jeffery A. Leroy, 61, Pittsburg, was southbound on U.S. 69 ten miles north of Kansas 47. A 2019 GMC Yukon driven by Carter J. Edgecomb, 18, was&nbsp; northbound. The Chevy traveled left of center. Both vehicles attempted evasive maneuvers, colliding in the center of the roadway.Leroy was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Edgecomb to Via Christi. A 16-year-old passenger in the. Yukon was not injured. Leroy was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.-----------CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Saturday evening crash in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a was southbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 69 ten miles north of Kansas 47 Highway traveled left of center. A northbound vehicle and the southbound vehicle collided in the center of the roadway.&nbsp; &nbsp;The KHP released no additional details late Saturday.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

KHP IDs Kansas man who died in SUV, pickup crash

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Like other ranchers across the country, Rusty Kemp for years grumbled about rock-bottom prices paid for the cattle he raised in central Nebraska, even as the cost of beef at grocery stores kept climbing.

He and his neighbors blamed it on consolidation in the beef industry stretching back to the 1970s that resulted in four companies slaughtering over 80% of the nation’s cattle, giving the processors more power to set prices while ranchers struggled to make a living. Federal data show that for every dollar spent on food, the share that went to ranchers and farmers dropped from 35 cents in the 1970s to 14 cents recently.

It led Kemp to launch an audacious plan: Raise more than $300 million from ranchers to build a plant themselves, putting their future in their own hands.

“We’ve been complaining about it for 30 years,” Kemp said. “It’s probably time somebody does something about it.”

Crews will start work this fall building the Sustainable Beef plant on nearly 400 acres near North Platte, Nebraska, and other groups are making similar surprising moves in Iowa, Idaho and Wisconsin. The enterprises will test whether it’s really possible to compete financially against an industry trend that has swept through American agriculture and that played a role in meat shortages during the coronavirus pandemic.

The move is well timed, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now taking a number of steps to encourage a more diverse supply in the beef industry.

Still, it’s hard to overstate the challenge, going up against huge, well-financed competitors that run highly efficient plants and can sell beef at prices that smaller operators will struggle to match.

The question is whether smaller plants can pay ranchers more and still make a profit themselves. An average 1,370-pound steer is worth about $1,630, but that value must be divided between the slaughterhouse, feed lot and the rancher, who typically bears the largest expense of raising the animal for more than a year.

David Briggs, the CEO of Sustainable Beef, acknowledged the difficulty but said his company’s investors remain confident.

“Cattle people are risk takers and they’re ready to take a risk,” Briggs said.

Consolidation of meatpacking started in the mid-1970s, with buyouts of smaller companies, mergers and a shift to much larger plants. Census data cited by the USDA shows that the number of livestock slaughter plants declined from 2,590 in 1977 to 1,387 in 1992. And big processors gradually dominated, going from handling only 12% of cattle in 1977 to 65% by 1997.

Currently four companies — Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing — control over 80% of the U.S. beef market thanks to cattle slaughtered at 24 plants. That concentration became problematic when the coronavirus infected workers, slowing and even closing some of the massive plants, and a cyberattack last summer briefly forced a shutdown of JBS plants until the company paid an $11 million ransom.

The Biden administration has largely blamed declining competition for a 14% increase in beef prices from December 2020 to August. Since 2016, the wholesale value of beef and profits to the largest processors has steadily increased while prices paid to ranchers have barely budged.

The backers of the planned new plants have no intention of replacing the giant slaughterhouses, such as a JBS plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, that processes about 6,000 cattle daily — four times what the proposed North Platte plant would handle.

However, they say they will have important advantages, including more modern equipment and, they hope, less employee turnover thanks to slightly higher pay of more than $50,000 annually plus benefits along with more favorable work schedules. The new Midwest plants are also counting on closer relationships with ranchers, encouraging them to invest in the plants, to share in the profits.

The companies would market their beef both domestically and internationally as being of higher quality than meat processed at larger plants.

Chad Tentinger, who is leading efforts to build a Cattlemen’s Heritage plant near Council Bluffs, Iowa, said he thinks smaller plants were profitable even back to the 1970s but that owners shifted to bigger plants in hopes of increasing profits.

Now, he said, “We want to revolutionize the plant and make it an attractive place to work.”

Besides paying ranchers more and providing dividends to those who own shares, the hope is that their success will spur more plants to open, and the new competitors will add openness to cattle markets.

Derrell Peel, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University, said he hopes they’re right, but noted that research shows even a 30% reduction in a plant’s size will make it far less efficient, meaning higher costs to slaughter each animal.

Unless smaller plants can keep expenses down, they will need to find customers who will pay more for their beef, or manage with a lower profit margin than the big companies.

“We have these very large plants because they’re extremely efficient,” Peel said.

According to the North American Meat Institute, a trade group that includes large and mid-size plants, the biggest challenge will be the shortage of workers in the industry.

It’s unfair to blame the big companies and consolidation for the industry’s problems, said Tyson Fresh Meats group president Shane Miller.

“Many processors, including Tyson, are not able to run their facilities at capacity in spite of ample cattle supply,” Miller told a U.S. Senate committee in July. “This is not by choice: Despite our average wage and benefits of $22 per hour, there are simply not enough workers to fill our plants.”

The proposed new plants come as the USDA is trying to increase the supply chain. The agency has dedicated $650 million toward funding mid-size and small meat and poultry plants and $100 million in loan guarantees for such plants. Also planned are new rules to label meat as a U.S. product to differentiate it from meat raised in other countries.

“We’re trying to support new investment and policies that are going to diversify and address that underlying problem of concentration,” said Andy Green, a USDA senior adviser for fair and competitive markets.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562858534161.jpeg" alt="Photo by Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Like other ranchers across the country, Rusty Kemp for years grumbled about rock-bottom prices paid for the cattle he raised in central Nebraska, even as the cost of beef at grocery stores kept climbing.He and his neighbors blamed it on consolidation in the beef industry stretching back to the 1970s that resulted in four companies slaughtering over 80% of the nation’s cattle, giving the processors more power to set prices while ranchers struggled to make a living. Federal data show that for every dollar spent on food, the share that went to ranchers and farmers dropped from 35 cents in the 1970s to 14 cents recently.It led Kemp to launch an audacious plan: Raise more than $300 million from ranchers to build a plant themselves, putting their future in their own hands.“We’ve been complaining about it for 30 years,” Kemp said. “It’s probably time somebody does something about it.”Crews will start work this fall building the Sustainable Beef plant on nearly 400 acres near North Platte, Nebraska, and other groups are making similar surprising moves in Iowa, Idaho and Wisconsin. The enterprises will test whether it’s really possible to compete financially against an industry trend that has swept through American agriculture and that played a role in meat shortages during the coronavirus pandemic.The move is well timed, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now taking a number of steps to encourage a more diverse supply in the beef industry.Still, it’s hard to overstate the challenge, going up against huge, well-financed competitors that run highly efficient plants and can sell beef at prices that smaller operators will struggle to match.The question is whether smaller plants can pay ranchers more and still make a profit themselves. An average 1,370-pound steer is worth about $1,630, but that value must be divided between the slaughterhouse, feed lot and the rancher, who typically bears the largest expense of raising the animal for more than a year.David Briggs, the CEO of Sustainable Beef, acknowledged the difficulty but said his company’s investors remain confident.“Cattle people are risk takers and they’re ready to take a risk,” Briggs said.Consolidation of meatpacking started in the mid-1970s, with buyouts of smaller companies, mergers and a shift to much larger plants. Census data cited by the USDA shows that the number of livestock slaughter plants declined from 2,590 in 1977 to 1,387 in 1992. And big processors gradually dominated, going from handling only 12% of cattle in 1977 to 65% by 1997.Currently four companies — Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing — control over 80% of the U.S. beef market thanks to cattle slaughtered at 24 plants. That concentration became problematic when the coronavirus infected workers, slowing and even closing some of the massive plants, and a cyberattack last summer briefly forced a shutdown of JBS plants until the company paid an $11 million ransom.The Biden administration has largely blamed declining competition for a 14% increase in beef prices from December 2020 to August. Since 2016, the wholesale value of beef and profits to the largest processors has steadily increased while prices paid to ranchers have barely budged.The backers of the planned new plants have no intention of replacing the giant slaughterhouses, such as a JBS plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, that processes about 6,000 cattle daily — four times what the proposed North Platte plant would handle.However, they say they will have important advantages, including more modern equipment and, they hope, less employee turnover thanks to slightly higher pay of more than $50,000 annually plus benefits along with more favorable work schedules. The new Midwest plants are also counting on closer relationships with ranchers, encouraging them to invest in the plants, to share in the profits.The companies would market their beef both domestically and internationally as being of higher quality than meat processed at larger plants.Chad Tentinger, who is leading efforts to build a Cattlemen’s Heritage plant near Council Bluffs, Iowa, said he thinks smaller plants were profitable even back to the 1970s but that owners shifted to bigger plants in hopes of increasing profits.Now, he said, “We want to revolutionize the plant and make it an attractive place to work.”Besides paying ranchers more and providing dividends to those who own shares, the hope is that their success will spur more plants to open, and the new competitors will add openness to cattle markets.Derrell Peel, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University, said he hopes they’re right, but noted that research shows even a 30% reduction in a plant’s size will make it far less efficient, meaning higher costs to slaughter each animal.Unless smaller plants can keep expenses down, they will need to find customers who will pay more for their beef, or manage with a lower profit margin than the big companies.“We have these very large plants because they’re extremely efficient,” Peel said.According to the North American Meat Institute, a trade group that includes large and mid-size plants, the biggest challenge will be the shortage of workers in the industry.It’s unfair to blame the big companies and consolidation for the industry’s problems, said Tyson Fresh Meats group president Shane Miller.“Many processors, including Tyson, are not able to run their facilities at capacity in spite of ample cattle supply,” Miller told a U.S. Senate committee in July. “This is not by choice: Despite our average wage and benefits of $22 per hour, there are simply not enough workers to fill our plants.”The proposed new plants come as the USDA is trying to increase the supply chain. The agency has dedicated $650 million toward funding mid-size and small meat and poultry plants and $100 million in loan guarantees for such plants. Also planned are new rules to label meat as a U.S. product to differentiate it from meat raised in other countries.“We’re trying to support new investment and policies that are going to diversify and address that underlying problem of concentration,” said Andy Green, a USDA senior adviser for fair and competitive markets.

Unhappy with prices, ranchers look to build own meat plants

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hotel shooting continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;31-year-old Patricio Gomez.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at&nbsp;Extended Stay America, 9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Investigators learned Gomez and a woman later identified as 35-year-old Shae Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City and on Oct. 7, police arrested Robers. She has been&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=399685">She remains jailed on a&nbsp;</a> $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police." />
 <figcaption>Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hotel shooting continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;31-year-old Patricio Gomez.Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at&nbsp;Extended Stay America, 9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117696289.png" alt="Police outside a hotel in Park City where they recovered the Esclade-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police outside a hotel in Park City where they recovered the Esclade-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned Gomez and a woman later identified as 35-year-old Shae Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634486646051.png" alt="Roberts-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City and on Oct. 7, police arrested Robers. She has been&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=399685">She remains jailed on a&nbsp;</a> $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police continue search for suspect in Kansas drug deal killing 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/noah-taborda/">NOAH TABORDA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/12/academic-achievement-measures-at-kansas-schools-drop-during-pandemic/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — In the first year and a half of the pandemic, Kansas schools have seen a troubling decrease in enrollment and attendance and an increase in truancy and chronic absenteeism.

Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson told the State Board of Education on Tuesday that more than 15,000 fewer students were enrolled in Kansas schools in 2021 than 2019, and the rate of chronic absenteeism has risen more than 4%. He said the pandemic likely has affected nearly every measure of academic success and social-emotional health.

The warning comes after Kansas saw a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/04/kansas-education-officials-celebrate-graduation-rates-but-say-work-is-far-from-over/">record high in graduation rates</a>&nbsp;for students with disabilities or in poverty, along with English language learners. The state has also seen postsecondary success rates improve, but Watson warned during his annual report to the board that the pandemic offered challenges never before seen in academics.

“The last 18 months have been the hardest on our state, and schools are a microcosm of that, in the history of our public and private schools,” Watson said.

While graduation and dropout rates are not yet available for 2021, Watson warned those would likely take a turn for the worse. He compared the effect of the pandemic to the unpredictability of a tornado and the widespread destruction of a hurricane.

This “storm” caused by COVID-19 comes at a time when educators across the state are working to shift the way Kansas students are taught to focus on “soft skills,” in addition to academic achievement. The Kansas Can Program launched in 2017 and has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article254299753.html">seen mixed results</a>.

“In some ways, we were ahead of schedule (on the program) going into 2020,” Watson said. “You’re not going to be able to say anything other than how the pandemic affects us. We’re living it. We don’t know yet.”

Many of the academic achievement issues occurring across the country are reflected in Kansas, Watson said. For example, formal truancy paperwork filed in 2021 was 2,239, up from 767 in 2019.

The number of students learning remotely jumped from zero to 34,104 as students were forced to quarantine to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The state department of education saw the number of parents refusing to allow their students to take the state exam rise to 1,964.

A key to weathering the virus noted by both board members and Watson was focusing on a structured education plan. Of concern to Wichita state board member Betty Arnold was the use of Individual Plans of Study across the state.

These plans are designed and required for every middle-school Kansan to identify career clusters and interests to aid in attaining a postsecondary degree.

“We know with the individual plan of study there are some districts that really are validating and supporting that, and then there are districts that do just enough,” Arnold said. “That’s a great concern because what kind of plan would we have to make sure that districts statewide are appreciating the value of the individualized plan of study and are implementing it?”

With employers requiring higher educational attainment, education officials have put more emphasis on helping students explore potential careers.

Watson said like any new approach or remodel, getting all districts up to speed on best IPS practices would take time. He pointed to DeSoto and Piper schools as “gold level” districts using the plans well.

“We’re not there, but we’ll get there,” Watson said. “We have a rubric. We’re measuring every school against that, and when you get to the gold level you have all of those things in place that would lead to the deep understanding of having a good IPS.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Watson-1024x576.png" alt="Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson shared Tuesday academic struggles during the first 18 months of the pandemic with the State Board of Education. He warned that graduation rates, which have risen steadily since 2015, will likely decline this year. (Screen capture of Kansas State Department of Education)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson shared Tuesday academic struggles during the first 18 months of the pandemic with the State Board of Education. He warned that graduation rates, which have risen steadily since 2015, will likely decline this year. (Screen capture of Kansas State Department of Education)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/noah-taborda/">NOAH TABORDA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/12/academic-achievement-measures-at-kansas-schools-drop-during-pandemic/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — In the first year and a half of the pandemic, Kansas schools have seen a troubling decrease in enrollment and attendance and an increase in truancy and chronic absenteeism.Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson told the State Board of Education on Tuesday that more than 15,000 fewer students were enrolled in Kansas schools in 2021 than 2019, and the rate of chronic absenteeism has risen more than 4%. He said the pandemic likely has affected nearly every measure of academic success and social-emotional health.The warning comes after Kansas saw a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/04/kansas-education-officials-celebrate-graduation-rates-but-say-work-is-far-from-over/">record high in graduation rates</a>&nbsp;for students with disabilities or in poverty, along with English language learners. The state has also seen postsecondary success rates improve, but Watson warned during his annual report to the board that the pandemic offered challenges never before seen in academics.“The last 18 months have been the hardest on our state, and schools are a microcosm of that, in the history of our public and private schools,” Watson said.While graduation and dropout rates are not yet available for 2021, Watson warned those would likely take a turn for the worse. He compared the effect of the pandemic to the unpredictability of a tornado and the widespread destruction of a hurricane.This “storm” caused by COVID-19 comes at a time when educators across the state are working to shift the way Kansas students are taught to focus on “soft skills,” in addition to academic achievement. The Kansas Can Program launched in 2017 and has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article254299753.html">seen mixed results</a>.“In some ways, we were ahead of schedule (on the program) going into 2020,” Watson said. “You’re not going to be able to say anything other than how the pandemic affects us. We’re living it. We don’t know yet.”Many of the academic achievement issues occurring across the country are reflected in Kansas, Watson said. For example, formal truancy paperwork filed in 2021 was 2,239, up from 767 in 2019.The number of students learning remotely jumped from zero to 34,104 as students were forced to quarantine to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The state department of education saw the number of parents refusing to allow their students to take the state exam rise to 1,964.A key to weathering the virus noted by both board members and Watson was focusing on a structured education plan. Of concern to Wichita state board member Betty Arnold was the use of Individual Plans of Study across the state.These plans are designed and required for every middle-school Kansan to identify career clusters and interests to aid in attaining a postsecondary degree.“We know with the individual plan of study there are some districts that really are validating and supporting that, and then there are districts that do just enough,” Arnold said. “That’s a great concern because what kind of plan would we have to make sure that districts statewide are appreciating the value of the individualized plan of study and are implementing it?”With employers requiring higher educational attainment, education officials have put more emphasis on helping students explore potential careers.Watson said like any new approach or remodel, getting all districts up to speed on best IPS practices would take time. He pointed to DeSoto and Piper schools as “gold level” districts using the plans well.“We’re not there, but we’ll get there,” Watson said. “We have a rubric. We’re measuring every school against that, and when you get to the gold level you have all of those things in place that would lead to the deep understanding of having a good IPS.”

Academic achievement measures at Kansas schools drop during pandemic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A group of 17 U.S. missionaries, including children, was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.

The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a message from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”

The message says the mission’s field director is working with the U.S. Embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man stayed at the ministry’s base while everyone else visited the orphanage.

No other details were immediately available.

A U.S. government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.

“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson said, declining further comment.

Haiti is once again struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings that had diminished after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7, and following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest Haiti in August and killed more than 2,200 people.

Gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1 million, according to authorities.

Last month, a deacon was killed in front of a church in the capital of Port-au-Prince and his wife kidnapped, one of dozens of people who have been abducted in recent months.

At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti’s National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH.

Gangs have been accused of kidnapping schoolchildren, doctors, police officers, busloads of passengers and others as they grow more powerful. In April, one gang kidnapped five priests and two nuns, a move that prompted a protest similar to the one organized for this Monday to decry the lack of security in the impoverished country.

“Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions – including food insecurity and malnutrition – all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation,” BINUH said in its report. “An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti.”

On Friday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. political mission in Haiti.

The kidnapping of the missionaries comes just days after high-level U.S. officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti’s National Police, including another $15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has displaced thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters in increasingly unhygienic conditions.

Among those who met with Haiti’s police chief was Uzra Zeya, U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights.

“Dismantling violent gangs is vital to Haitian stability and citizen security,” she recently tweeted.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A group of 17 U.S. missionaries, including children, was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a message from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”The message says the mission’s field director is working with the U.S. Embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man stayed at the ministry’s base while everyone else visited the orphanage.No other details were immediately available.A U.S. government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson said, declining further comment.Haiti is once again struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings that had diminished after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7, and following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest Haiti in August and killed more than 2,200 people.Gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1 million, according to authorities.Last month, a deacon was killed in front of a church in the capital of Port-au-Prince and his wife kidnapped, one of dozens of people who have been abducted in recent months.At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti’s National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH.Gangs have been accused of kidnapping schoolchildren, doctors, police officers, busloads of passengers and others as they grow more powerful. In April, one gang kidnapped five priests and two nuns, a move that prompted a protest similar to the one organized for this Monday to decry the lack of security in the impoverished country.“Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions – including food insecurity and malnutrition – all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation,” BINUH said in its report. “An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti.”On Friday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. political mission in Haiti.The kidnapping of the missionaries comes just days after high-level U.S. officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti’s National Police, including another $15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has displaced thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters in increasingly unhygienic conditions.Among those who met with Haiti’s police chief was Uzra Zeya, U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights.“Dismantling violent gangs is vital to Haitian stability and citizen security,” she recently tweeted.___

Religious group: 17 U.S. missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.

Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.

“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”

Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>

Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.

The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.

Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.

Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.

“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.

Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”

“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.

The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.

The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.

Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.

“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.

He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”

“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.

Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.

The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.

Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.

Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.

“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”

Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.

Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.

“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”

Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."

“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.

Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.

“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606851264919.png" alt="Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

Nursing schools see applications rise, despite COVID burnout

Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls.  As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. 

In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before.  Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts.  Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.

“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”

If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages</h2>FCCWASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls. As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before. Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts. Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging.

FCC chair proposes new rule to fight robotexts

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on multiple charges after a Kansas traffic stop.

Just before 3p.m. Oct. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car south of Mayetta for an alleged registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle.  Deputies arrested the driver, Elizabeth Marie Willis, 32, of Lawrence on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

A passenger, Dustin Michael Voelker, 33, of Tonganoxie was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

Passenger, Charity Lynn Schultz, 42, of Ottawa is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A third passenger, Natasha Rena Popp, 49, of Salina is custody on requested charges that incoude possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243368498.png" alt="Willis-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Willis-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on multiple charges after a Kansas traffic stop.Just before 3p.m. Oct. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car south of Mayetta for an alleged registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle. Deputies arrested the driver, Elizabeth Marie Willis, 32, of Lawrence on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243484515.png" alt="Voelker-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Voelker-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger, Dustin Michael Voelker, 33, of Tonganoxie was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243552256.png" alt="Schultz-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schultz-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Passenger, Charity Lynn Schultz, 42, of Ottawa is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243611428.png" alt="Popp-photo Jacson Co." />
 <figcaption>Popp-photo Jacson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A third passenger, Natasha Rena Popp, 49, of Salina is custody on requested charges that incoude possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

4 jailed after Kan. sheriff's K9 alerts to drugs during traffic stop

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of two Kansas men accused in a 2019 double shooting in a Lawrence park that injured two brothers will get prison time after pleading no contest last month to attempted first-degree murder. 

Sahavione Caraway, 19, Topeka also pleaded no contest to aggravated robbery on Sept. 13. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional counts of each charge. 

The minimum sentence for the attempted murder charge is about 12 years in prison. Caraway is set to be sentenced next Wednesday. Prosecutors say Caraway and another man, Benson Edwards Jr., were 17 when they shot two brothers, ages 18 and 16, in Holcom Park on March 19, 2019, seriously injuring both. Edwards has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634233266238.png" alt="Caraway is being held in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Caraway is being held in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of two Kansas men accused in a 2019 double shooting in a Lawrence park that injured two brothers will get prison time after pleading no contest last month to attempted first-degree murder. Sahavione Caraway, 19, Topeka also pleaded no contest to aggravated robbery on Sept. 13. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional counts of each charge. The minimum sentence for the attempted murder charge is about 12 years in prison. Caraway is set to be sentenced next Wednesday. Prosecutors say Caraway and another man, Benson Edwards Jr., were 17 when they shot two brothers, ages 18 and 16, in Holcom Park on March 19, 2019, seriously injuring both. Edwards has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in January.

Teen charged in shooting of 2 Kansas brothers enters plea

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has filed a complaint against a city police officer who allegedly used a criminal justice database to search for information about the mayor.

Lucas filed the complaint Friday with the Office of Community Complaints, which investigates allegations of misconduct against police officers.

The search occurred in May but Lucas said in his complaint that he became aware of it only after a Jackson County prosecutor informed him in September. The prosecutor did not say what information the officer was seeking.

Police department policy prohibits using the Criminal Justice Information Center database for personal use.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the officer’s actions for potential criminal charges.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said last week that another officer reported the search to the department in May. He said the incident was investigated but he was prohibited by state law from saying if the officer was disciplined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634421249315.png" alt="Mayor Lucas during a visit with students this week in Kansas City-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Mayor Lucas during a visit with students this week in Kansas City-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has filed a complaint against a city police officer who allegedly used a criminal justice database to search for information about the mayor.Lucas filed the complaint Friday with the Office of Community Complaints, which investigates allegations of misconduct against police officers.The search occurred in May but Lucas said in his complaint that he became aware of it only after a Jackson County prosecutor informed him in September. The prosecutor did not say what information the officer was seeking.Police department policy prohibits using the Criminal Justice Information Center database for personal use.The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the officer’s actions for potential criminal charges.Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said last week that another officer reported the search to the department in May. He said the incident was investigated but he was prohibited by state law from saying if the officer was disciplined.

Kansas City mayor files complaint after police data search

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.

On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.

&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634406705569.png" alt="Smith photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

Police ask for help to locate Kansas stabbing suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.

Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.

“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.

On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.

During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.

The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.

The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.

Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629894518244.png" alt="Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

US vows to pay relatives after 7 Afghan children killed in drone strike

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/brian-grimmett">Brian Grimmett</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service</a>

Your natural gas bill will increase this winter as supply issues drive up market prices.

WICHITA, Kansas&nbsp;— Your natural gas bill is going to go up this winter.

Natural gas prices run nearly double what they did a year ago and experts predict the increased prices to last at least through the winter.

Utility companies pass the cost of natural gas directly on to their customers. As the price of wholesale natural gas increases, so will the fee your utility charges every month.

For Kansas Gas Service customers, that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasgasservice.com//media/KGS/Tariffs/current_cog.pdf" target="_blank">fee this month</a>&nbsp;is $5.67 per thousand cubic feet of gas used. Last October it was only $3.76.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/brian-grimmett">Brian Grimmett</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service</a><h2>Your natural gas bill will increase this winter as supply issues drive up market prices.</h2>WICHITA, Kansas&nbsp;— Your natural gas bill is going to go up this winter.Natural gas prices run nearly double what they did a year ago and experts predict the increased prices to last at least through the winter.Utility companies pass the cost of natural gas directly on to their customers. As the price of wholesale natural gas increases, so will the fee your utility charges every month.For Kansas Gas Service customers, that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasgasservice.com//media/KGS/Tariffs/current_cog.pdf" target="_blank">fee this month</a>&nbsp;is $5.67 per thousand cubic feet of gas used. Last October it was only $3.76.Other large gas utilities have made similar increases.The Atmos Energy gas purchase fee this month is nearly $1.50 more than last year. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/ksg_pga.pdf" target="_blank">Black Hills Energy</a>&nbsp;it’s more than $3 more.“Right now, what we see is a relatively tight market, and higher prices signalling that more (gas) supplies are needed on the market,” said Richard Meyer, vice-president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aga.org/" target="_blank">American Gas Association</a>&nbsp;that represents natural gas utilities.The U.S. Energy Information Agency said a few things are<a href="https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/prices.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;causing strain on natural gas supply</a>&nbsp;that contribute to higher-than-normal natural gas prices.First, the amount of gas in underground storage is lower than normal. That’s partly caused by February’s winter storm that set record cold temperatures for much of the central U.S. It’s also caused by increased usage by gas-fired power plants during a particularly hot August.Hurricane Ida also&nbsp;cut natural gas production and supplies.While the EIA expects many of those supply issues to get resolved, it said the price will likely remain high all winter.If it does, the average Kansan could see a monthly bill increase as much as $100 higher than last year.Kansas Gas Service spokeswoman Dawn Tripp said the company has several tools to help keep the cost of gas down even as market prices rise.The company has purchased and stored large amounts of gas this summer when prices were generally lower. It also will enter into long- and medium-term contracts to try to lock a price in and hedge against future increases.“By doing that, we’re able to place a price cap on a portion of our winter supply,” Tripp said.Increased natural gas prices will also greatly impact Kansas farmers. Natural gas is the main ingredient in nitrogen fertilizers. When the price of gas goes up, so does the price of fertilizer.“Fertilizer is the largest direct cost (for farmers),” said Mark Nelson with the Kansas Farm Bureau.Higher fertilizer prices will mean thinner profit margins, he said.Last year the price to put fertilizer on no-till corn was $60 an acre. Nelson said many people are preparing for that cost to double.“That’s a lot of money just for that one cost input,” Nelson said.Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service.&nbsp;</a>