KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A young girl died and two adults were critically injured in a Kansas City house fire, authorities say.

The Kansas City Fire Department said in a news release that crews responded early Thursday to the scene. They found a man and woman outside the home suffering from burns. Inside firefighters found the badly burned girl.

All three victims were rushed to the hospital, where the girl was pronounced dead and the two adults are listed in critical condition.

The girl's name wasn't immediately released. Firefighters said only that she was younger than 10.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but firefighters said foul play isn't suspected at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642092759057.png" alt="All three victims were rushed to the hospital, where the girl was pronounced dead-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>All three victims were rushed to the hospital, where the girl was pronounced dead-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A young girl died and two adults were critically injured in a Kansas City house fire, authorities say.The Kansas City Fire Department said in a news release that crews responded early Thursday to the scene. They found a man and woman outside the home suffering from burns. Inside firefighters found the badly burned girl.All three victims were rushed to the hospital, where the girl was pronounced dead and the two adults are listed in critical condition.The girl's name wasn't immediately released. Firefighters said only that she was younger than 10.The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but firefighters said foul play isn't suspected at this time.

Girl dies, 2 adults hospitalized after Kansas City fire

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —A teen with an active warrant was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase through parts of central and southeast Salina on Thursday.&nbsp;

Just before 12: 30 a.m., an officer attempted to stop a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire in the 700 block of S. Fourth Street after the vehicle made an improper turn in the 1000 block of E. Crawford Street, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The vehicle accelerated southbound on S. Fourth Street and the pursuit moved into the southeast portion of Salina with speeds reaching up to 80 mph. The pursuit ended when the vehicle was abandoned in the backyard of 2210 Michael Circle.

The driver, a 17-year-old Salina boy, fled on foot, but was later found hiding in an egress window at 2215 River Trail Road and was taken into custody.

The boy had an outstanding felony probation violation warrant out of Saline County and a suspended driver’s license. A 14-year-old girl from Salina also was in the car.

Police arrested the boy on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Interference with law enforcement, Driving while suspended and Endangering a child.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —A teen with an active warrant was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase through parts of central and southeast Salina on Thursday.&nbsp;Just before 12: 30 a.m., an officer attempted to stop a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire in the 700 block of S. Fourth Street after the vehicle made an improper turn in the 1000 block of E. Crawford Street, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The vehicle accelerated southbound on S. Fourth Street and the pursuit moved into the southeast portion of Salina with speeds reaching up to 80 mph. The pursuit ended when the vehicle was abandoned in the backyard of 2210 Michael Circle.The driver, a 17-year-old Salina boy, fled on foot, but was later found hiding in an egress window at 2215 River Trail Road and was taken into custody.The boy had an outstanding felony probation violation warrant out of Saline County and a suspended driver’s license. A 14-year-old girl from Salina also was in the car.Police arrested the boy on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Interference with law enforcement, Driving while suspended and Endangering a child.

Police find wanted Kan. teen hiding in window after high-speed chase

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Wednesday during a press conference on Majority Leader Schumer’s threats to change the rules of the Senate and eliminate the filibuster, according to a statement from his office.&nbsp;

“The filibuster protects the minority – whether Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, or an unusual idea – and the ability for a member of the Senate to speak on behalf of his or her constituents and advocate for their views,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“It allows every Senator to have the opportunity to garner more information, to seek out the sponsors of a bill, to have a conversation, and to pull people together before we decide to proceed on legislation. But the filibuster does more than that - it forces us to work together.

“Freedoms and liberties are protected by process – by the Constitution and by the 60-vote rule in the United States Senate,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran. “In the circumstance that those are eroded, the personal freedoms of Kansans and all Americans will disappear.”

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Wednesday during a press conference on Majority Leader Schumer’s threats to change the rules of the Senate and eliminate the filibuster, according to a statement from his office.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPT9xfsxOq4?start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“The filibuster protects the minority – whether Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, or an unusual idea – and the ability for a member of the Senate to speak on behalf of his or her constituents and advocate for their views,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“It allows every Senator to have the opportunity to garner more information, to seek out the sponsors of a bill, to have a conversation, and to pull people together before we decide to proceed on legislation. But the filibuster does more than that - it forces us to work together.“Freedoms and liberties are protected by process – by the Constitution and by the 60-vote rule in the United States Senate,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran. “In the circumstance that those are eroded, the personal freedoms of Kansans and all Americans will disappear.”

Moran responds to threats of change to rules in the Senate

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-10/dealers-are-spiking-drugs-with-fentanyl-and-killing-even-more-kansans-during-the-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>

People come to Valley Hope in Atchison, Kansas, to get clean. They’re
 fed up with addiction to cocaine or methamphetamine or OxyContin.

And
 that’s when some find out through a drug test that they’re actually 
hooked on something else, too: A drug they didn’t even know they were 
taking.

This synthetic opioid is <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2016/09/29/why-fentanyl-is-deadlier-than-heroin/" target="_blank">far more potent</a> than morphine or heroin. Even small amounts can kill. Withdrawal from it is painful.

And
 the growing practice of spiking other drugs with fentanyl — to heighten
 the addiction and keep buyers coming back for more — is fueling a sharp
 increase in fatal overdoses across Kansas and the U.S.

Physician 
Jon Siebert, Valley Hope Association’s medical director, sees the shock 
that patients experience when they learn they’re addicted to fentanyl. 
He asks them what they’ve been buying.

“The typical answer is, 
they’ll say, ‘Well, I’m doing Oxy-30,’” he said. “People who are 
manufacturing fentanyl, they press it into a pill.”

The pills look
 like 30mg OxyContin. It’s enough to trick people into trying it. Some 
eventually realize it contains fentanyl, but by then stopping is no easy
 feat.

The latest <a href="https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/VSRR-Provisional-Drug-Overdose-Death-Counts/xkb8-kh2a" target="_blank">preliminary federal and state tallies</a> of drug deaths paint an alarming picture for 2020 that appears to be worsening in 2021.

Overdose deaths increased 30% <a href="https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/VSRR-Provisional-Drug-Overdose-Death-Counts/xkb8-kh2a" target="_blank">across the country</a> in 2020, and rose by one-quarter in Kansas and by one-fifth in Missouri.

The federal government says the national death toll — it topped 
90,000 in 2020 — set a grim record. In Kansas, it appears nearly 500 
people died from overdoses.

Figures aren’t complete for 2021, but 
the most recent tallies published by the Centers for Disease Control and
 Prevention suggest fatal overdoses continue to trend upward.

Experts say the alarming trend is fueled largely by the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/22/989833102/overdose-deaths-surged-in-pandemic-as-more-drugs-were-laced-with-fentanyl" target="_blank">prevalence of fentanyl</a> and similar substances that people often consume unknowingly when mixed into other opioids and drugs.

National
 health officials suspect a direct link to the spread of COVID-19, which
 isolated people, destabilized their finances and housing, and 
complicated their access to medical and mental health care.

For
 many people, he said, “addiction is a disease of isolation.” Staying 
clean requires support, and the pandemic cuts off more people from loved
 ones, friends or professionals.

“You’re not able to be around your peers and get the help you need when you’re having a bad day,” he said.

Valley
 Hope Association, which has residential centers in seven states, has 
continued to serve people through the pandemic. COVID-19 regularly 
interrupts that work.

Across the Valley Hope network, Siebert said COVID-19 disruptions happen almost weekly.

“You
 can’t guarantee that everyone’s not got COVID when they check in,” 
Siebert said. “And so occasionally someone does get sick, and you have 
to pause admissions.”

Though a <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf" target="_blank">federal survey</a>
 found many people said the pandemic interrupted their access to illegal
 drugs, it also found that millions reported increasing their 
consumption in 2020.

In October, the Biden administration said it would back strategies meant to save lives among people struggling with addiction.

That
 includes approaches that are sometimes controversial, such as providing
 test strips that help drug users check for fentanyl contamination in 
other substances they buy from dealers, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/27/1049245787/biden-hhs-tackle-drug-overdose-deaths" target="_blank">NPR reported</a>.

Kansas is one of a handful of states <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm" target="_blank">reporting the biggest jumps</a> — percentage-wise — in lives lost to overdoses during a 12-month period early in the pandemic.

Kansans can get <a href="https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-program/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">free training</a>
 in administering naloxone to someone experiencing an opioid overdose. 
Naloxone (also known by the brand name, Narcan) counteracts the 
overdose.

<a href="https://pharmacy.ks.gov/k-tracs/pharmacists/naloxone-dispensing" target="_blank">Many pharmacies</a> across Kansas dispense it without a prescription. A state-federal program also offers limited supplies of <a href="https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-program/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">free naloxone</a>.

Kansas
 health officials say that an analysis of overdoses during the first six
 months of 2021 shows the vast majority of deaths involved 
methamphetamine, fentanyl or similar substances called fentanyl analogs.

Prescription opioids and cocaine also played a role, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says.

Federal officials say even in fatal overdoses on methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/22/989833102/overdose-deaths-surged-in-pandemic-as-more-drugs-were-laced-with-fentanyl" target="_blank">fentanyl contamination</a> is usually involved.

The federal government operates <a href="https://findtreatment.gov/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">a website</a>
 meant to help people struggling with addiction to find treatment. The 
Kansas hotline for substance addictions is (866) 645-8216.

The <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf" target="_blank">American Medical Association</a>
 says every state has seen overdose spikes during the pandemic. It wants
 the federal government to help remove insurance hurdles and other 
barriers to addiction treatment.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on
 consumer health for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on 
Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641841246356.png" alt="Fake OxyContin pills often contain fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration" />
 <figcaption>Fake OxyContin pills often contain fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-10/dealers-are-spiking-drugs-with-fentanyl-and-killing-even-more-kansans-during-the-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>People come to Valley Hope in Atchison, Kansas, to get clean. They’re
 fed up with addiction to cocaine or methamphetamine or OxyContin.And
 that’s when some find out through a drug test that they’re actually 
hooked on something else, too: A drug they didn’t even know they were 
taking.Fentanyl.This synthetic opioid is <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2016/09/29/why-fentanyl-is-deadlier-than-heroin/" target="_blank">far more potent</a> than morphine or heroin. Even small amounts can kill. Withdrawal from it is painful.And
 the growing practice of spiking other drugs with fentanyl — to heighten
 the addiction and keep buyers coming back for more — is fueling a sharp
 increase in fatal overdoses across Kansas and the U.S.Physician 
Jon Siebert, Valley Hope Association’s medical director, sees the shock 
that patients experience when they learn they’re addicted to fentanyl. 
He asks them what they’ve been buying.“The typical answer is, 
they’ll say, ‘Well, I’m doing Oxy-30,’” he said. “People who are 
manufacturing fentanyl, they press it into a pill.”The pills look
 like 30mg OxyContin. It’s enough to trick people into trying it. Some 
eventually realize it contains fentanyl, but by then stopping is no easy
 feat.The latest <a href="https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/VSRR-Provisional-Drug-Overdose-Death-Counts/xkb8-kh2a" target="_blank">preliminary federal and state tallies</a> of drug deaths paint an alarming picture for 2020 that appears to be worsening in 2021.Overdose deaths increased 30% <a href="https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/VSRR-Provisional-Drug-Overdose-Death-Counts/xkb8-kh2a" target="_blank">across the country</a> in 2020, and rose by one-quarter in Kansas and by one-fifth in Missouri.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641841308282.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The federal government says the national death toll — it topped 
90,000 in 2020 — set a grim record. In Kansas, it appears nearly 500 
people died from overdoses.Figures aren’t complete for 2021, but 
the most recent tallies published by the Centers for Disease Control and
 Prevention suggest fatal overdoses continue to trend upward.Experts say the alarming trend is fueled largely by the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/22/989833102/overdose-deaths-surged-in-pandemic-as-more-drugs-were-laced-with-fentanyl" target="_blank">prevalence of fentanyl</a> and similar substances that people often consume unknowingly when mixed into other opioids and drugs.National
 health officials suspect a direct link to the spread of COVID-19, which
 isolated people, destabilized their finances and housing, and 
complicated their access to medical and mental health care.Siebert agrees.For
 many people, he said, “addiction is a disease of isolation.” Staying 
clean requires support, and the pandemic cuts off more people from loved
 ones, friends or professionals.“You’re not able to be around your peers and get the help you need when you’re having a bad day,” he said.Valley
 Hope Association, which has residential centers in seven states, has 
continued to serve people through the pandemic. COVID-19 regularly 
interrupts that work.Across the Valley Hope network, Siebert said COVID-19 disruptions happen almost weekly.“You
 can’t guarantee that everyone’s not got COVID when they check in,” 
Siebert said. “And so occasionally someone does get sick, and you have 
to pause admissions.”Though a <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf" target="_blank">federal survey</a>
 found many people said the pandemic interrupted their access to illegal
 drugs, it also found that millions reported increasing their 
consumption in 2020.In October, the Biden administration said it would back strategies meant to save lives among people struggling with addiction.That
 includes approaches that are sometimes controversial, such as providing
 test strips that help drug users check for fentanyl contamination in 
other substances they buy from dealers, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/27/1049245787/biden-hhs-tackle-drug-overdose-deaths" target="_blank">NPR reported</a>.Kansas is one of a handful of states <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm" target="_blank">reporting the biggest jumps</a> — percentage-wise — in lives lost to overdoses during a 12-month period early in the pandemic.Kansans can get <a href="https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-program/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">free training</a>
 in administering naloxone to someone experiencing an opioid overdose. 
Naloxone (also known by the brand name, Narcan) counteracts the 
overdose.<a href="https://pharmacy.ks.gov/k-tracs/pharmacists/naloxone-dispensing" target="_blank">Many pharmacies</a> across Kansas dispense it without a prescription. A state-federal program also offers limited supplies of <a href="https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-program/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">free naloxone</a>.Kansas
 health officials say that an analysis of overdoses during the first six
 months of 2021 shows the vast majority of deaths involved 
methamphetamine, fentanyl or similar substances called fentanyl analogs.Prescription opioids and cocaine also played a role, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says.Federal officials say even in fatal overdoses on methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/22/989833102/overdose-deaths-surged-in-pandemic-as-more-drugs-were-laced-with-fentanyl" target="_blank">fentanyl contamination</a> is usually involved.The federal government operates <a href="https://findtreatment.gov/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">a website</a>
 meant to help people struggling with addiction to find treatment. The 
Kansas hotline for substance addictions is (866) 645-8216.The <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf" target="_blank">American Medical Association</a>
 says every state has seen overdose spikes during the pandemic. It wants
 the federal government to help remove insurance hurdles and other 
barriers to addiction treatment.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on
 consumer health for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on 
Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Dealers spiking drugs with fentanyl, and killing even more Kansans

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Doctors in Kansas and Missouri are hunting down ventilators and running out of monoclonal antibodies as COVID-19 patient counts hit pandemic highs at a growing number of hospitals.

Health officials for hospitals in the Kansas City and Wichita areas issued a desperate plea Wednesday for people to wear masks and avoid crowds. And the situation was so bad in the St. Louis area that health officials there urged people just to stay home, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

“Any social gathering of any kind at this time is risky, it will put people at risk,” said St. Louis’ health director, Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis. She urged people to only leave home to go to work, school, doctor's appointments and grocery shopping.

The strain has prevented bigger, city hospitals from accepting as many rural transfer patients as they otherwise might, including patients who need treatment for heart attacks, strokes, serious car accidents or other non-COVID-19 reasons.

One of those bigger hospitals, Liberty Hospital on the northern edge of the Kansas City area, had to borrow ventilators from the state of Missouri's stockpile and hunt for more high-flow oxygen machines, said Dr. Raghu Adiga, the hospital's chief medical officer.

“Every day is a new record,” Adiga said, adding the hospital is treating 60 COVID-19 patients, which was 11 more than its previous high in December of 2020.

He said the hospital only had two doses of monoclonal antibodies left and was administering them Wednesday. Nonessential surgeries were postponed and the hospital's staffing was so thin on Tuesday that its office staff helped make beds.

“This is all hands on deck time, unfortunately," he said. “And this is the situation everywhere in the city right now. This is not a time to slip and fall."

Dr. Lisa Hays, the chief medical officer at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, described the ventilator situation at the hospital in the Kansas City suburb of Merriam, Kansas, as “tenuous."

She said she received an emergency call on Saturday night from the chief nursing officer because the hospital was down to just one available ventilator. She said the hospital managed to hunt down more, but that the situation is complicated by the fact that not all of the machines can handle the high-oxygen flow that COVID-19 patients require.

Meanwhile, more than 100 employees tested positive for COVID-19 and were on sick leave, and patient deaths are mounting, Hays said.

“I had to learn how many bodies our morgue could hold yesterday and determine whether that was going to be adequate for what our needs are," she said.

HCA Midwest Health has been shuffling ventilators around among its Kansas City-area hospitals, where 255 COVID-19 patients were filling about a quarter of the beds, said Dr. Kim Megow, the chief medical officer. Another 25 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Wednesday in the health system's rural facilities.

Megow said she had hoped that the arrival of a federal disaster medical assistance team at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, would allow the system to handle more patients. But she said the federal contingent instead has had to act as substitutes because more than 400 employees were out sick.

“The COVID blizzard continues,” she lamented.

Ascension Via Christi Health's Wichita hospitals were treating more than 170 COVID-19 patients, said Dr. Sam Antonios, the system's chief clinical officer. He said about 30 more were hospitalized in the system elsewhere in the state.

“We have unfortunately beat the 2020 record that we had," he said. “And it's obviously putting strain on the system.”

He said Ascension has been able to move ventilators around to prevent a shortage, adding that the bigger concern was the low supply of monoclonal antibodies.

His comments came after Wichita’s City Council received a dire report from medical officials Tuesday. The council took no action on the report, but it directed the city manager to look for ways that the city can contribute to efforts to improve testing availability and promote the vaccine, The Wichita Eagle reported.

Dr. Catherine Satterwhite, a U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services official for a region that includes Kansas and Missouri, said case counts were on “a very, very steep trajectory."

“We anticipate that it will be a sharp decline," she said. “What we don’t know is when, and we also know that there are still a lot of pockets of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people. A lot of people haven’t started their vaccine series, and a lot of people haven’t gotten their booster yet. So those kind of things impact how long omicron will hang around."

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Doctors in Kansas and Missouri are hunting down ventilators and running out of monoclonal antibodies as COVID-19 patient counts hit pandemic highs at a growing number of hospitals.Health officials for hospitals in the Kansas City and Wichita areas issued a desperate plea Wednesday for people to wear masks and avoid crowds. And the situation was so bad in the St. Louis area that health officials there urged people just to stay home, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.“Any social gathering of any kind at this time is risky, it will put people at risk,” said St. Louis’ health director, Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis. She urged people to only leave home to go to work, school, doctor's appointments and grocery shopping.The strain has prevented bigger, city hospitals from accepting as many rural transfer patients as they otherwise might, including patients who need treatment for heart attacks, strokes, serious car accidents or other non-COVID-19 reasons.One of those bigger hospitals, Liberty Hospital on the northern edge of the Kansas City area, had to borrow ventilators from the state of Missouri's stockpile and hunt for more high-flow oxygen machines, said Dr. Raghu Adiga, the hospital's chief medical officer.“Every day is a new record,” Adiga said, adding the hospital is treating 60 COVID-19 patients, which was 11 more than its previous high in December of 2020.He said the hospital only had two doses of monoclonal antibodies left and was administering them Wednesday. Nonessential surgeries were postponed and the hospital's staffing was so thin on Tuesday that its office staff helped make beds.“This is all hands on deck time, unfortunately," he said. “And this is the situation everywhere in the city right now. This is not a time to slip and fall."Dr. Lisa Hays, the chief medical officer at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, described the ventilator situation at the hospital in the Kansas City suburb of Merriam, Kansas, as “tenuous."She said she received an emergency call on Saturday night from the chief nursing officer because the hospital was down to just one available ventilator. She said the hospital managed to hunt down more, but that the situation is complicated by the fact that not all of the machines can handle the high-oxygen flow that COVID-19 patients require.Meanwhile, more than 100 employees tested positive for COVID-19 and were on sick leave, and patient deaths are mounting, Hays said.“I had to learn how many bodies our morgue could hold yesterday and determine whether that was going to be adequate for what our needs are," she said.HCA Midwest Health has been shuffling ventilators around among its Kansas City-area hospitals, where 255 COVID-19 patients were filling about a quarter of the beds, said Dr. Kim Megow, the chief medical officer. Another 25 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Wednesday in the health system's rural facilities.Megow said she had hoped that the arrival of a federal disaster medical assistance team at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, would allow the system to handle more patients. But she said the federal contingent instead has had to act as substitutes because more than 400 employees were out sick.“The COVID blizzard continues,” she lamented.Ascension Via Christi Health's Wichita hospitals were treating more than 170 COVID-19 patients, said Dr. Sam Antonios, the system's chief clinical officer. He said about 30 more were hospitalized in the system elsewhere in the state.“We have unfortunately beat the 2020 record that we had," he said. “And it's obviously putting strain on the system.”He said Ascension has been able to move ventilators around to prevent a shortage, adding that the bigger concern was the low supply of monoclonal antibodies.His comments came after Wichita’s City Council received a dire report from medical officials Tuesday. The council took no action on the report, but it directed the city manager to look for ways that the city can contribute to efforts to improve testing availability and promote the vaccine, The Wichita Eagle reported.Dr. Catherine Satterwhite, a U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services official for a region that includes Kansas and Missouri, said case counts were on “a very, very steep trajectory."“We anticipate that it will be a sharp decline," she said. “What we don’t know is when, and we also know that there are still a lot of pockets of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people. A lot of people haven’t started their vaccine series, and a lot of people haven’t gotten their booster yet. So those kind of things impact how long omicron will hang around."

Stressed Kansas and Missouri hospitals hunt for ventilators

To settle <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1723196dunbradstreetcomplaint.pdf">Federal Trade Commission charges</a>&nbsp;that
 it engaged in deceptive and unfair practices, Dun &amp; Bradstreet 
(D&amp;B) has agreed to an order requiring substantial changes in the 
firm’s operations that will benefit small- and mid-sized businesses. 
Under the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1723196dunbradstreetacco.pdf">proposed order</a>,
 D&amp;B will also provide refunds to certain businesses that purchased 
the company’s products in the belief that using the products would 
improve their business credit scores and ratings.

D&amp;B is a 
leading provider of business credit reports, which can impact firms’ 
ability to build relationships with vendors and other counterparties. 
But many businesses have complained of errors in these reports that have
 cost them time, expense, and opportunities. As detailed in the FTC’s 
administrative complaint, D&amp;B failed to give these businesses a 
clear, consistent, and reliable process to get these errors fixed. 
Moreover, D&amp;B profited from businesses’ pain by selling them a line 
of products that purported to help them improve their reports. In fact, 
for many businesses, these benefits proved illusory, while the costs 
were all too real.

“A faulty D&amp;B credit report can be a huge 
burden on a small business, raising costs and choking off 
opportunities,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of 
Consumer Protection. “This order arms businesses with new tools to 
ensure a fair shake, stops D&amp;B from profiting illegally from 
businesses’ pain, and returns funds to firms that got fleeced.”

D&amp;B
 credit reports, ratings, and scores, the complaint notes, are often key
 factors in whether and on what terms businesses will extend credit or 
award contracts to other businesses. This means that the contents of 
D&amp;B reports can be vitally important to many small and mid-sized 
businesses. In many cases, however, the reports contain incorrect 
information, including items as fundamental as a business’s name or 
address. 

Often, when a business would question or try to correct 
an inaccuracy in its report, D&amp;B pitched a suite of services under 
the name CreditBuilder costing hundreds or thousands of dollars each 
year. According to the FTC’s complaint, D&amp;B claimed that its 
CreditBuilder products allowed the business to have its payment history 
added to its credit report, which would improve the business’s scores 
and ratings.

According to the FTC’s complaint, though, the company
 regularly failed to deliver on its promises about CreditBuilder. While 
D&amp;B’s salespeople pitched CreditBuilder by promising businesses that
 the product would make it easy for them to add payment history 
information to their credit reports, thousands of CreditBuilder 
subscribers could not get any such information added to their reports at
 all. In fact, the complaint alleges, D&amp;B refused CreditBuilder 
subscribers’ submissions more often than it accepted them.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

The 
FTC’s complaint also alleges that D&amp;B’s telemarketers deceptively 
pitched CreditBuilder to new businesses and to businesses unfamiliar 
with D&amp;B by falsely claiming that the business had to purchase 
CreditBuilder so that D&amp;B could conduct a background check and 
provide the business with a complete credit report.

In addition, 
according to the complaint, D&amp;B did not clearly tell businesses that
 CreditBuilder subscriptions automatically renewed each year, nor did it
 properly disclose other renewal practices that led to ever-increasing 
costs for its customers. 

Under the terms of a proposed settlement
 order, D&amp;B would be required to make numerous changes to its 
processes that will help ensure that D&amp;B responds promptly and fully
 to businesses’ complaints about incorrect information in their D&amp;B 
reports. Among the notable changes:

The
 settlement also provides that D&amp;B must make clear disclosures to 
companies to which it is selling CreditBuilder about the rate at which 
D&amp;B accepts subscribers’ requests to add payment history 
information. D&amp;B would also have to make up-front disclosures about 
ways that D&amp;B limits its role in helping them add such information. 
These provisions will help prospective customers make informed choices 
when deciding whether to subscribe to D&amp;B’s CreditBuilder products.&nbsp;

The
 settlement would also require D&amp;B to provide refunds to many 
businesses that first purchased CreditBuilder products between April, 
2015 and May, 2020, as well as providing opportunities for many current 
customers to cancel their services and obtain refunds if they so choose.
 &nbsp;

In addition, the settlement would put restrictions on D&amp;B’s
 ability to automatically renew CreditBuilder subscriptions, requiring 
disclosures and prohibiting D&amp;B from using automatic renewal to 
switch a subscriber into a more expensive product that the subscriber 
did not order. The settlement would also prohibit D&amp;B from 
misrepresenting to current or potential customers any material fact 
about the price or features of any product. 

The FTC is committed to taking action to halt abuses aimed at small businesses and other organizations. In a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/01/merchant-cash-advance-providers-banned-industry-ordered-redress">recent case against Richmond Capital</a>,
 the agency took action against two defendants behind a small business 
financing scheme by banning them from the merchant cash advance and debt
 collection industries and ordering them to provide funds for redress.

The
 Commission vote to issue the administrative complaint and to accept the
 consent agreement was 4-0. The FTC will publish a description of the 
consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement 
will be subject to public comment for 30 days from publication in the 
Federal Register, after which the Commission will decide whether to make
 the proposed consent order final. Once processed, comments will be 
posted on Regulations.gov.

NOTE: The Commission 
issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that 
the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission 
that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a
 consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with 
respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in
 a civil penalty of up to $46,517.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCTo settle <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1723196dunbradstreetcomplaint.pdf">Federal Trade Commission charges</a>&nbsp;that
 it engaged in deceptive and unfair practices, Dun &amp; Bradstreet 
(D&amp;B) has agreed to an order requiring substantial changes in the 
firm’s operations that will benefit small- and mid-sized businesses. 
Under the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1723196dunbradstreetacco.pdf">proposed order</a>,
 D&amp;B will also provide refunds to certain businesses that purchased 
the company’s products in the belief that using the products would 
improve their business credit scores and ratings. D&amp;B is a 
leading provider of business credit reports, which can impact firms’ 
ability to build relationships with vendors and other counterparties. 
But many businesses have complained of errors in these reports that have
 cost them time, expense, and opportunities. As detailed in the FTC’s 
administrative complaint, D&amp;B failed to give these businesses a 
clear, consistent, and reliable process to get these errors fixed. 
Moreover, D&amp;B profited from businesses’ pain by selling them a line 
of products that purported to help them improve their reports. In fact, 
for many businesses, these benefits proved illusory, while the costs 
were all too real.“A faulty D&amp;B credit report can be a huge 
burden on a small business, raising costs and choking off 
opportunities,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of 
Consumer Protection. “This order arms businesses with new tools to 
ensure a fair shake, stops D&amp;B from profiting illegally from 
businesses’ pain, and returns funds to firms that got fleeced.”D&amp;B
 credit reports, ratings, and scores, the complaint notes, are often key
 factors in whether and on what terms businesses will extend credit or 
award contracts to other businesses. This means that the contents of 
D&amp;B reports can be vitally important to many small and mid-sized 
businesses. In many cases, however, the reports contain incorrect 
information, including items as fundamental as a business’s name or 
address. Often, when a business would question or try to correct 
an inaccuracy in its report, D&amp;B pitched a suite of services under 
the name CreditBuilder costing hundreds or thousands of dollars each 
year. According to the FTC’s complaint, D&amp;B claimed that its 
CreditBuilder products allowed the business to have its payment history 
added to its credit report, which would improve the business’s scores 
and ratings.According to the FTC’s complaint, though, the company
 regularly failed to deliver on its promises about CreditBuilder. While 
D&amp;B’s salespeople pitched CreditBuilder by promising businesses that
 the product would make it easy for them to add payment history 
information to their credit reports, thousands of CreditBuilder 
subscribers could not get any such information added to their reports at
 all. In fact, the complaint alleges, D&amp;B refused CreditBuilder 
subscribers’ submissions more often than it accepted them.&nbsp;&nbsp; The 
FTC’s complaint also alleges that D&amp;B’s telemarketers deceptively 
pitched CreditBuilder to new businesses and to businesses unfamiliar 
with D&amp;B by falsely claiming that the business had to purchase 
CreditBuilder so that D&amp;B could conduct a background check and 
provide the business with a complete credit report.In addition, 
according to the complaint, D&amp;B did not clearly tell businesses that
 CreditBuilder subscriptions automatically renewed each year, nor did it
 properly disclose other renewal practices that led to ever-increasing 
costs for its customers. Under the terms of a proposed settlement
 order, D&amp;B would be required to make numerous changes to its 
processes that will help ensure that D&amp;B responds promptly and fully
 to businesses’ complaints about incorrect information in their D&amp;B 
reports. Among the notable changes:<ul>
 <li>When a business informs 
D&amp;B of incorrect information in its report, D&amp;B will be required
 to either delete the disputed information or perform a reinvestigation 
of the information to confirm its accuracy. If the reinvestigation finds
 the disputed information to be inaccurate, or if it cannot verify 
payment experience information, D&amp;B must delete the information and 
must also ensure that it is not readded to the report at a later date.</li><li>D&amp;B
 has to comply with specific periods of time within which to promptly 
investigate and correct errors. The time allowed depends on the 
complexity of the investigation.</li><li>D&amp;B will be required to 
inform businesses of the results of their investigations and provide 
businesses with free access to the information as revised.&nbsp; </li>
 </ul>The
 settlement also provides that D&amp;B must make clear disclosures to 
companies to which it is selling CreditBuilder about the rate at which 
D&amp;B accepts subscribers’ requests to add payment history 
information. D&amp;B would also have to make up-front disclosures about 
ways that D&amp;B limits its role in helping them add such information. 
These provisions will help prospective customers make informed choices 
when deciding whether to subscribe to D&amp;B’s CreditBuilder products.&nbsp;The
 settlement would also require D&amp;B to provide refunds to many 
businesses that first purchased CreditBuilder products between April, 
2015 and May, 2020, as well as providing opportunities for many current 
customers to cancel their services and obtain refunds if they so choose.
 &nbsp;In addition, the settlement would put restrictions on D&amp;B’s
 ability to automatically renew CreditBuilder subscriptions, requiring 
disclosures and prohibiting D&amp;B from using automatic renewal to 
switch a subscriber into a more expensive product that the subscriber 
did not order. The settlement would also prohibit D&amp;B from 
misrepresenting to current or potential customers any material fact 
about the price or features of any product. The FTC is committed to taking action to halt abuses aimed at small businesses and other organizations. In a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/01/merchant-cash-advance-providers-banned-industry-ordered-redress">recent case against Richmond Capital</a>,
 the agency took action against two defendants behind a small business 
financing scheme by banning them from the merchant cash advance and debt
 collection industries and ordering them to provide funds for redress.The
 Commission vote to issue the administrative complaint and to accept the
 consent agreement was 4-0. The FTC will publish a description of the 
consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement 
will be subject to public comment for 30 days from publication in the 
Federal Register, after which the Commission will decide whether to make
 the proposed consent order final. Once processed, comments will be 
posted on Regulations.gov.NOTE: The Commission 
issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that 
the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission 
that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a
 consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with 
respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in
 a civil penalty of up to $46,517.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: Dun & Bradstreet to clean up credit reporting, refund customers

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas investigating the first homicide of 2022 have identified the victim as 42-year-old Roberto Antonio Alaniz.

Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home in 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.

First responders discovered Alaniz inside the home, a victim of gunfire. He lived at the home and was pronounced deceased on scene.

The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.

Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.

First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641833217883.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas investigating the first homicide of 2022 have identified the victim as 42-year-old Roberto Antonio Alaniz.Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home in 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.First responders discovered Alaniz inside the home, a victim of gunfire. He lived at the home and was pronounced deceased on scene.The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;-----------WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

KC Kan. Police ID victim in city's first homicide of 2022

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2022-04.pdf">frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the&nbsp;2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 Individuals who did not qualify for, or did not receive, the full 
amount of the third Economic Impact Payment may be eligible to claim the
 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 2021 tax year information. 
Individuals may have received their third Economic Impact Payment 
through initial and "plus-up" payments in 2021.

Note: Third Economic Impact Payments are different 
than the monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments that the IRS 
disbursed from July through December 2021.

Most eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments 
and won't include any information about their payment when they file. 
However, people who are missing stimulus payments should review the 
information on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> page to determine their eligibility and whether they need to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit for tax year 2021.

To claim any remaining credit for 2021, eligible people must file a 
2021 tax return, even if they usually do not file taxes. Also, people 
who did not receive all of their first and second Economic Impact 
Payments in 2020 can receive those amounts only by filing a 2020 tax 
return (or amending a previously filed return) and claiming the 2020 
Recovery Rebate Credit. They should review the Recovery Rebate Credit 
page to determine their eligibility.

The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit can reduce any taxes owed or be 
included in the tax refund for the 2021 tax year. Filers must ensure to 
not mix information from their 2020 and 2021 tax years. In particular, 
filers should take care to NOT include any information regarding the 
first and second Economic Impact Payments received in 2020, or the 2020 
Recovery Rebate Credit, on their 2021 return. They will need the total 
of the third payment received to accurately calculate the 2021 Recovery 
Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 federal tax return in 2022.

People can locate this information on Letter 1444-C, which they 
received from the IRS during 2021 after each payment, as well as Letter 
6475, which the IRS will mail to them beginning in late January 2022. 
Individuals can also view this information in their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">online account</a> later in January.

The FAQs cover most questions relating to claiming the credit and are
 for use by taxpayers and tax professionals and are being issued as 
expeditiously as possible.

Taxpayers with income of $73,000 or less can file their federal tax returns electronically for free through the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File Program</a>. The fastest way to receive a tax refund is to file electronically and have it <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 deposited</a>
 into a financial account. Refunds can be directly deposited into bank 
accounts, prepaid debit cards or mobile apps as long as a routing and 
account number is provided.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2022-04.pdf">frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the&nbsp;2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 Individuals who did not qualify for, or did not receive, the full 
amount of the third Economic Impact Payment may be eligible to claim the
 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 2021 tax year information. 
Individuals may have received their third Economic Impact Payment 
through initial and "plus-up" payments in 2021.Note: Third Economic Impact Payments are different 
than the monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments that the IRS 
disbursed from July through December 2021.Most eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments 
and won't include any information about their payment when they file. 
However, people who are missing stimulus payments should review the 
information on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> page to determine their eligibility and whether they need to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit for tax year 2021.To claim any remaining credit for 2021, eligible people must file a 
2021 tax return, even if they usually do not file taxes. Also, people 
who did not receive all of their first and second Economic Impact 
Payments in 2020 can receive those amounts only by filing a 2020 tax 
return (or amending a previously filed return) and claiming the 2020 
Recovery Rebate Credit. They should review the Recovery Rebate Credit 
page to determine their eligibility.The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit can reduce any taxes owed or be 
included in the tax refund for the 2021 tax year. Filers must ensure to 
not mix information from their 2020 and 2021 tax years. In particular, 
filers should take care to NOT include any information regarding the 
first and second Economic Impact Payments received in 2020, or the 2020 
Recovery Rebate Credit, on their 2021 return. They will need the total 
of the third payment received to accurately calculate the 2021 Recovery 
Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 federal tax return in 2022.People can locate this information on Letter 1444-C, which they 
received from the IRS during 2021 after each payment, as well as Letter 
6475, which the IRS will mail to them beginning in late January 2022. 
Individuals can also view this information in their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">online account</a> later in January.The FAQs cover most questions relating to claiming the credit and are
 for use by taxpayers and tax professionals and are being issued as 
expeditiously as possible.The 2021 Recovery Rebate FAQ topics are:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-general-information">Topic A: General Information</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-b-claiming-the-2021-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Topic B: Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a 2021 tax return</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-c-eligibility-for-claiming-a-recovery-rebate-credit-on-a-2021-tax-return">Topic C: Eligibility for claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit on a 2021 tax return</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-d-claiming-the-2021-recovery-rebate-credit">Topic D: Claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-e-calculating-the-2021-recovery-rebate-credit">Topic E: Calculating the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-f-receiving-the-credit-on-a-2021-tax-return">Topic F: Receiving the Credit on a 2021 tax return</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-g-finding-the-third-economic-impact-payment-amount-to-calculate-the-2021-recovery-rebate-credit">Topic G: Finding the third Economic Impact Payment Amounts to calculate the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-h-correcting-issues-after-the-2021-tax-return-is-filed">Topic H: Correcting issues after the 2021 tax return is filed</a></li>
 </ul><h2>File for free and use direct deposit</h2>Taxpayers with income of $73,000 or less can file their federal tax returns electronically for free through the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File Program</a>. The fastest way to receive a tax refund is to file electronically and have it <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 deposited</a>
 into a financial account. Refunds can be directly deposited into bank 
accounts, prepaid debit cards or mobile apps as long as a routing and 
account number is provided.

IRS offers tax guidance on 2021 COVID relief payments

SEATTLE — A leader of a scheme to cheat Washington State out of more 
than $10 million in tobacco excise taxes was sentenced today in U.S. 
District Court in Seattle to 26 months in prison, announced U.S. 
Attorney Nick Brown. Hyung Il Kwon of Henderson, Nevada, was the secret 
owner of TK Mac, a company that owned and operated two smoke shops in 
Federal Way and Lynnwood, Washington. Kwon conspired with others to 
cheat the state out of tobacco excise taxes; he also evaded more than 
$850,000 in federal income taxes. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. 
District Judge James L. Robart noted that Kwon has a prior state 
conviction from a similar tobacco fraud scheme, and said, "You [Kwon] 
have almost no respect for the law whatsoever when it gets in the way of
 making money."

"For years, Mr. Kwon repeatedly laundered cash and created false 
invoices to avoid paying tobacco excise taxes. This didn't just hurt the
 state coffers, it gave his business a competitive advantage over other 
small stores," said U.S. Attorney Brown. "Now Mr. Kwon has a substantial
 restitution obligation, which will follow him even after he serves his 
prison term."

According to records filed in the case, between 2009 and 2017, Kwon 
engaged in two schemes to defraud the state of tobacco excise taxes. The
 schemes involved two tribal smoke shops on the Puyallup reservation 
which sold significant quantities of tobacco products to TK Mac, the 
non-tribal tobacco distributor. Most of the sales were in cash, and TK 
Mac failed to report the purchases to the state, thus avoiding millions 
of dollars in excise taxes. When TK Mac then resold the products for 
cash, the company had a problem, since large deposits of cash would have
 triggered state scrutiny of its tobacco business. So, beginning in 2013
 and continuing until 2017, Kwon and his coconspirators engaged in a 
money-laundering scheme: the two tribal smoke shops wrote checks to TK 
Mac as if the tribal smoke shops had purchased tobacco products from the
 non-tribal store. In fact, TK Mac simply provided the tribal smoke 
shops with large amounts of cash equal to the checks. No tobacco 
products changed hands, but TK Mac received an excise tax credit. As a 
result of these schemes, Washington State suffered losses of more than 
$10 million.

The president of the company that owns the tribal smoke shops, 
Anthony Edwin Paul, was sentenced last month to 14 months in prison, a 
$5,000 fine, and $1,764,818 in restitution. Paul's subordinate, Theodore
 Kai Silva, who operated the scheme on behalf of the tribal smoke shops,
 was sentenced today to four years of probation with six months of home 
confinement, plus $25,000 in restitution. Kwon's coconspirator and 
business partner Tae Young Kim will be sentenced in February 2022.

"Taxes, whether state or federal, are levied for the benefit of the 
public. When individuals like Mr. Silva, Mr. Kwon, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Kim
 scheme in a flagrant attempt to evade taxes, they are hurting the 
communities they purport to serve with their businesses," said Bret 
Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Special Agent in Charge, 
Seattle Field Office. "Today's sentence is a reminder that those who 
willfully dodge their duty to pay federal and state taxes will be held 
accountable for their actions. IRS:CI is committed to investigating 
those who choose their own greed over paying their fair share of taxes 
for the good of the public."

Following the indictment of various coconspirators, the government 
seized more than $5 million from Kwon and Kim. Today, Judge Robart 
imposed a $10,000 fine on Kwon and ordered him to pay $5,098,249 in 
restitution to the Washington State Department of Revenue, plus 
restitution to the IRS.

The case was investigated by IRS-CI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Oesterle and Jonas Lerman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSSEATTLE — A leader of a scheme to cheat Washington State out of more 
than $10 million in tobacco excise taxes was sentenced today in U.S. 
District Court in Seattle to 26 months in prison, announced U.S. 
Attorney Nick Brown. Hyung Il Kwon of Henderson, Nevada, was the secret 
owner of TK Mac, a company that owned and operated two smoke shops in 
Federal Way and Lynnwood, Washington. Kwon conspired with others to 
cheat the state out of tobacco excise taxes; he also evaded more than 
$850,000 in federal income taxes. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. 
District Judge James L. Robart noted that Kwon has a prior state 
conviction from a similar tobacco fraud scheme, and said, "You [Kwon] 
have almost no respect for the law whatsoever when it gets in the way of
 making money.""For years, Mr. Kwon repeatedly laundered cash and created false 
invoices to avoid paying tobacco excise taxes. This didn't just hurt the
 state coffers, it gave his business a competitive advantage over other 
small stores," said U.S. Attorney Brown. "Now Mr. Kwon has a substantial
 restitution obligation, which will follow him even after he serves his 
prison term."According to records filed in the case, between 2009 and 2017, Kwon 
engaged in two schemes to defraud the state of tobacco excise taxes. The
 schemes involved two tribal smoke shops on the Puyallup reservation 
which sold significant quantities of tobacco products to TK Mac, the 
non-tribal tobacco distributor. Most of the sales were in cash, and TK 
Mac failed to report the purchases to the state, thus avoiding millions 
of dollars in excise taxes. When TK Mac then resold the products for 
cash, the company had a problem, since large deposits of cash would have
 triggered state scrutiny of its tobacco business. So, beginning in 2013
 and continuing until 2017, Kwon and his coconspirators engaged in a 
money-laundering scheme: the two tribal smoke shops wrote checks to TK 
Mac as if the tribal smoke shops had purchased tobacco products from the
 non-tribal store. In fact, TK Mac simply provided the tribal smoke 
shops with large amounts of cash equal to the checks. No tobacco 
products changed hands, but TK Mac received an excise tax credit. As a 
result of these schemes, Washington State suffered losses of more than 
$10 million.The president of the company that owns the tribal smoke shops, 
Anthony Edwin Paul, was sentenced last month to 14 months in prison, a 
$5,000 fine, and $1,764,818 in restitution. Paul's subordinate, Theodore
 Kai Silva, who operated the scheme on behalf of the tribal smoke shops,
 was sentenced today to four years of probation with six months of home 
confinement, plus $25,000 in restitution. Kwon's coconspirator and 
business partner Tae Young Kim will be sentenced in February 2022."Taxes, whether state or federal, are levied for the benefit of the 
public. When individuals like Mr. Silva, Mr. Kwon, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Kim
 scheme in a flagrant attempt to evade taxes, they are hurting the 
communities they purport to serve with their businesses," said Bret 
Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Special Agent in Charge, 
Seattle Field Office. "Today's sentence is a reminder that those who 
willfully dodge their duty to pay federal and state taxes will be held 
accountable for their actions. IRS:CI is committed to investigating 
those who choose their own greed over paying their fair share of taxes 
for the good of the public."Following the indictment of various coconspirators, the government 
seized more than $5 million from Kwon and Kim. Today, Judge Robart 
imposed a $10,000 fine on Kwon and ordered him to pay $5,098,249 in 
restitution to the Washington State Department of Revenue, plus 
restitution to the IRS.The case was investigated by IRS-CI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Oesterle and Jonas Lerman.

Leader of $10M tobacco tax fraud, money laundering conspiracy sentenced

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army, for the first time, is offering a maximum enlistment bonus of $50,000 to highly skilled recruits who join for six years, The Associated Press has learned, as the service struggles to lure soldiers into certain critical jobs during the continuing pandemic.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command, told AP that shuttered schools and the competitive job market over the past year have posed significant challenges for recruiters. So heading into the most difficult months of the year for recruiting, the Army is hoping that some extra cash and a few other changes will entice qualified young people to sign up.

“We are still living the implications of 2020 and the onset of COVID, when the school systems basically shut down,” said Vereen. “We lost a full class of young men and women that we didn’t have contact with, face-to-face.”

Two years of the pandemic has made it more difficult to recruit in schools and at public events, and the competition for quality workers has intensified as young people weigh their options.

Some, said Vereen, are taking what he calls a gap year, and “are making the decision that they don’t necessarily need to work right now.”

The annual recruiting goal fluctuates as currently serving soldiers decide whether to reenlist or leave. In the last two years, as the pandemic raged, many decided to stay in, lessening the pressure on recruiting to help keep the Army at its full strength of 485,000. Last year’s recruiting goal was 57,500, and Vereen said it will be about the same this year.

To entice recruits, those who sign up for a six-year enlistment in one of several high-demand career fields can get bonuses that total as much as $50,000. Given the high standards, it will be difficult for many to qualify for the top bonus.

The final figure depends on when they agree to ship out for training, if they already have critical skills and if they choose airborne or ranger posts. Certain careers — such as missile defense crew, special forces, signals intelligence and fire control specialists who coordinate battlefield weapons operations — can often come with the maximum bonuses. But other key jobs include infantry, intelligence analyst, combat medic specialist, military police, combat engineer and several others. And those may change every month, based on available spots in the training pipeline and other service needs.

Until now, the Army has offered a maximum bonus of $40,000.

“We’re in a competitive market,” said Vereen. “How we incentivize is absolutely essential, and that is absolutely something that we know that is important to trying to get somebody to come and join the military.′

Sgt. 1st Class Mary James has been working as a recruiter in Ohio since November 2020, and she said the early months — when COVID-19 was surging and there were no vaccines — were challenging. It’s gotten better, and she said the higher bonuses will help her.

“Money isn’t always the first thing that they talk about, but it does come into play,” said James, who’s been in the Army for 15 years. “It will be exciting to see what the return is on that. You know, I think it does put us in one of the top tier levels of competitive businesses.”

James, who previously worked as a signals intelligence analyst, can also talk to recruits about deploying to war zones, and the exciting opportunities the military offers. And she said she hears a lot of questions and worries about stability, leaving home and a career that may have them moving from place to place every few years.

Vereen said the Army is doing more to address those types of concerns. Last fall the Army significantly increased the option to enlist for two years, expanding it to a total of 84 different career fields. And some will be able to choose where they will initially be assigned — a benefit Army leaders approved in an effort to be more family friendly and bolster the recruiting effort, particularly in the pandemic.

According to Vereen, the total amount of bonuses available hasn’t been set. But the money has decreased every year since a peak of more than $485 million in 2018, after the Army failed to meet its annual recruiting goal. In the fiscal year that ended last Sept. 30, the Army spent more than $233 million on bonuses, with about 16,500 recruits getting an average enlistment bonus of more than $14,000.

“We want to promote the value of serving your country first,” said Vereen. “But we also know that, this generation and I guess human nature, you know, it’s all about compensation, too.”

For James, the money may help her meet her recruiting goal as the Army heads into what it calls the “bathtub” months of February to May, when recruiting is historically at its low point. During the spring, the Army’s more than 9,400 recruiters have to seek out and sign up people who have already graduated from high school and college. Recruiting traditionally spikes as students graduate in the spring and start looking for jobs.

James said her goal is to get 20 qualified candidates a week to take initial enlistment steps, and last week she made 75% of that. She had more success around the holidays, but it’s more difficult now.

Compounding the issue is the highly contagious omicron variant, which is prompting some school systems to shut down — just as recruiters want to get into the schools or get out to sports events to woo candidates.

As a result, Brig. Gen. John Cushing, the deputy commander at Recruiting Command, said the Army decided to tweak its bonus systems. In previous years, said Cushing, the Army spread out the bonuses. “sort of evenly like peanut butter across the whole accessions (recruiting) year.” This year, the money will be concentrated in the next few months when it is really needed.

“It is certainly a weapon that we have in our arsenal. And I think we’ve used it effectively and I’m very confident we’ll get after it again this year,” said Cushing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army, for the first time, is offering a maximum enlistment bonus of $50,000 to highly skilled recruits who join for six years, The Associated Press has learned, as the service struggles to lure soldiers into certain critical jobs during the continuing pandemic.Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command, told AP that shuttered schools and the competitive job market over the past year have posed significant challenges for recruiters. So heading into the most difficult months of the year for recruiting, the Army is hoping that some extra cash and a few other changes will entice qualified young people to sign up.“We are still living the implications of 2020 and the onset of COVID, when the school systems basically shut down,” said Vereen. “We lost a full class of young men and women that we didn’t have contact with, face-to-face.”Two years of the pandemic has made it more difficult to recruit in schools and at public events, and the competition for quality workers has intensified as young people weigh their options.Some, said Vereen, are taking what he calls a gap year, and “are making the decision that they don’t necessarily need to work right now.”The annual recruiting goal fluctuates as currently serving soldiers decide whether to reenlist or leave. In the last two years, as the pandemic raged, many decided to stay in, lessening the pressure on recruiting to help keep the Army at its full strength of 485,000. Last year’s recruiting goal was 57,500, and Vereen said it will be about the same this year.To entice recruits, those who sign up for a six-year enlistment in one of several high-demand career fields can get bonuses that total as much as $50,000. Given the high standards, it will be difficult for many to qualify for the top bonus.The final figure depends on when they agree to ship out for training, if they already have critical skills and if they choose airborne or ranger posts. Certain careers — such as missile defense crew, special forces, signals intelligence and fire control specialists who coordinate battlefield weapons operations — can often come with the maximum bonuses. But other key jobs include infantry, intelligence analyst, combat medic specialist, military police, combat engineer and several others. And those may change every month, based on available spots in the training pipeline and other service needs.Until now, the Army has offered a maximum bonus of $40,000.“We’re in a competitive market,” said Vereen. “How we incentivize is absolutely essential, and that is absolutely something that we know that is important to trying to get somebody to come and join the military.′Sgt. 1st Class Mary James has been working as a recruiter in Ohio since November 2020, and she said the early months — when COVID-19 was surging and there were no vaccines — were challenging. It’s gotten better, and she said the higher bonuses will help her.“Money isn’t always the first thing that they talk about, but it does come into play,” said James, who’s been in the Army for 15 years. “It will be exciting to see what the return is on that. You know, I think it does put us in one of the top tier levels of competitive businesses.”James, who previously worked as a signals intelligence analyst, can also talk to recruits about deploying to war zones, and the exciting opportunities the military offers. And she said she hears a lot of questions and worries about stability, leaving home and a career that may have them moving from place to place every few years.Vereen said the Army is doing more to address those types of concerns. Last fall the Army significantly increased the option to enlist for two years, expanding it to a total of 84 different career fields. And some will be able to choose where they will initially be assigned — a benefit Army leaders approved in an effort to be more family friendly and bolster the recruiting effort, particularly in the pandemic.According to Vereen, the total amount of bonuses available hasn’t been set. But the money has decreased every year since a peak of more than $485 million in 2018, after the Army failed to meet its annual recruiting goal. In the fiscal year that ended last Sept. 30, the Army spent more than $233 million on bonuses, with about 16,500 recruits getting an average enlistment bonus of more than $14,000.“We want to promote the value of serving your country first,” said Vereen. “But we also know that, this generation and I guess human nature, you know, it’s all about compensation, too.”For James, the money may help her meet her recruiting goal as the Army heads into what it calls the “bathtub” months of February to May, when recruiting is historically at its low point. During the spring, the Army’s more than 9,400 recruiters have to seek out and sign up people who have already graduated from high school and college. Recruiting traditionally spikes as students graduate in the spring and start looking for jobs.James said her goal is to get 20 qualified candidates a week to take initial enlistment steps, and last week she made 75% of that. She had more success around the holidays, but it’s more difficult now.Compounding the issue is the highly contagious omicron variant, which is prompting some school systems to shut down — just as recruiters want to get into the schools or get out to sports events to woo candidates.As a result, Brig. Gen. John Cushing, the deputy commander at Recruiting Command, said the Army decided to tweak its bonus systems. In previous years, said Cushing, the Army spread out the bonuses. “sort of evenly like peanut butter across the whole accessions (recruiting) year.” This year, the money will be concentrated in the next few months when it is really needed.“It is certainly a weapon that we have in our arsenal. And I think we’ve used it effectively and I’m very confident we’ll get after it again this year,” said Cushing.

Army ups bonuses for recruits to $50K, as COVID takes toll

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers 
to use IRS online tools and resources to find the information they need 
to be ready to file their 2021 federal tax returns, including important 
special steps related to Economic Impact Payments and advance Child Tax 
Credit payments.

Individuals, especially those who don't usually file a tax return, are urged to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file their 2021 tax return electronically</a>
 beginning January 24, 2022. Using tax preparation software or a trusted
 tax professional will help guide people through the process and avoid 
making errors. Filing an incomplete or inaccurate return may mean a 
processing delay that slows the resulting tax refund.

"There are some simple steps people can take to make sure they avoid 
delays and receive a quick refund," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "It's
 critical this year to avoid a paper tax return whenever possible and 
file electronically with direct deposit. And it's more important than 
ever to make sure you're filing an accurate tax return. The IRS urges 
people to review some straightforward tips that can help them avoid 
problems and get their tax refunds quickly."

This is the third in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">special page</a>, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to make tax filing easier.

IRS.gov tools are easy to use and available 24 hours a day. Millions 
of people use them to find information about their accounts, get answers
 to tax questions or file and pay taxes.

Recovery Rebate Credit/Economic Impact Payments

Individuals who didn't qualify for a third Economic Impact Payment or
 got less than the full amount may be eligible to claim the Recovery 
Rebate Credit. They will need to know the total amount of their third <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-information-letters-to-advance-child-tax-credit-recipients-and-recipients-of-the-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-taxpayers-should-hold-onto-letters-to-help-the-2022-filing-season">Economic Impact Payments</a>
 received to calculate their correct 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit amount 
when they file their 2021 tax return. Ensuring they use the correct 
payment amounts will help them avoid a processing delay that may slow 
their refund. Beginning in late January, the IRS will send Letter 6475 
with the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment received. 
People can also view their economic impact payments using their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>.

People will need to know the total amount of advance payments they received in 2021 to compare them with the full amount of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">Child Tax Credit</a> that they can properly claim when they file their 2021 tax return. People who received the advance <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-information-letters-to-advance-child-tax-credit-recipients-and-recipients-of-the-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-taxpayers-should-hold-onto-letters-to-help-the-2022-filing-season">payments</a>
 can access their online account to check the total amount of their 
payments. The IRS is also sending Letter 6419 to provide the total 
amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments received in 2021. Eligible 
families who did not get monthly advance payments in 2021 can still get a
 lump-sum payment by claiming the Child Tax Credit when they file a 2021
 federal income tax return this year. This includes families who don't 
normally need to file a return.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a>&nbsp;answers
 general tax law questions, including helping to determine if a type of 
income is taxable or if someone is eligible to claim certain credits and
 deductions. With changes to income and other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a>&nbsp;for many in 2021, tax&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a>&nbsp;can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket. Thinking about eligibility now can help make tax filing easier.

Taxpayers can use their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 to securely see important information when preparing to file their tax 
return or following up on balances or notices. Taxpayers can view the 
amount they owe, make and track payments and view payment plan details. 
Taxpayers can now also manage their communication preferences to go 
paperless for certain notices from the IRS, or to receive email 
notifications when the IRS sends them a new digital notice. They can 
also access information about Economic Impact Payments and advance Child
 Tax Credit payments needed to file a complete and accurate return. Act 
now to create an account.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool.
 The status is available within 24 hours after the IRS accepts their 
e-filed tax return or up to four weeks after they mailed a paper return.
 The Where's My Refund? tool updates once every 24 hours, usually 
overnight, so taxpayers only need to check once a day.

Get ready to use direct deposit for tax refunds

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a>&nbsp;gives taxpayers access to their refund faster than a paper check.&nbsp;Individuals
 can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app to use direct 
deposit and will need to provide routing and account numbers. Learn how 
to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the National&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>. Veterans should see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.

Everyone can file electronically for free. Starting January 14, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File program</a>, available only through IRS.gov or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>,
 offers brand-name tax preparation software packages. For those who 
earned $73,000 or less in 2021, they may qualify for Free File guided 
tax software. The software does all the work of finding deductions, 
credits and exemptions. Some of the Free File offers may include a free 
state tax return. Taxpayers comfortable filling out tax forms, can use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, the electronic federal tax forms paper version to file their tax returns online, regardless of income.

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.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax help</a> and e-file for taxpayers who qualify.

The IRS has several options for finding a tax preparer.&nbsp;The IRS provides an online database to help taxpayers locate an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-providers-for-individuals">authorized e-file provider</a> in their area who can electronically file their tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a> provides information for selecting a tax professional. The&nbsp;<a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a>&nbsp;can
 help taxpayers find preparers in their area who currently hold 
professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual 
Filing Season Program Record of Completion. Taxpayers need to remember 
that they, not the tax preparer, are responsible for information on 
their tax return once they sign it.

Links to online tools, publications, and other helpful resources are available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">Get Ready</a>&nbsp;page. For more information about planning ahead, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5348.pdf">Publication 5348, Get Ready to File</a>&nbsp;PDF&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5349.pdf">Publication 5349, Year-Round Tax Planning is for Everyone</a>&nbsp;PDF.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers 
to use IRS online tools and resources to find the information they need 
to be ready to file their 2021 federal tax returns, including important 
special steps related to Economic Impact Payments and advance Child Tax 
Credit payments.Individuals, especially those who don't usually file a tax return, are urged to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file their 2021 tax return electronically</a>
 beginning January 24, 2022. Using tax preparation software or a trusted
 tax professional will help guide people through the process and avoid 
making errors. Filing an incomplete or inaccurate return may mean a 
processing delay that slows the resulting tax refund."There are some simple steps people can take to make sure they avoid 
delays and receive a quick refund," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "It's
 critical this year to avoid a paper tax return whenever possible and 
file electronically with direct deposit. And it's more important than 
ever to make sure you're filing an accurate tax return. The IRS urges 
people to review some straightforward tips that can help them avoid 
problems and get their tax refunds quickly."This is the third in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">special page</a>, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to make tax filing easier.IRS.gov tools are easy to use and available 24 hours a day. Millions 
of people use them to find information about their accounts, get answers
 to tax questions or file and pay taxes.<h2>Recovery Rebate Credit/Economic Impact Payments</h2>Individuals who didn't qualify for a third Economic Impact Payment or
 got less than the full amount may be eligible to claim the Recovery 
Rebate Credit. They will need to know the total amount of their third <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-information-letters-to-advance-child-tax-credit-recipients-and-recipients-of-the-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-taxpayers-should-hold-onto-letters-to-help-the-2022-filing-season">Economic Impact Payments</a>
 received to calculate their correct 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit amount 
when they file their 2021 tax return. Ensuring they use the correct 
payment amounts will help them avoid a processing delay that may slow 
their refund. Beginning in late January, the IRS will send Letter 6475 
with the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment received. 
People can also view their economic impact payments using their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>.<h2>Advance Child Tax Credit payments</h2>People will need to know the total amount of advance payments they received in 2021 to compare them with the full amount of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">Child Tax Credit</a> that they can properly claim when they file their 2021 tax return. People who received the advance <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-information-letters-to-advance-child-tax-credit-recipients-and-recipients-of-the-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-taxpayers-should-hold-onto-letters-to-help-the-2022-filing-season">payments</a>
 can access their online account to check the total amount of their 
payments. The IRS is also sending Letter 6419 to provide the total 
amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments received in 2021. Eligible 
families who did not get monthly advance payments in 2021 can still get a
 lump-sum payment by claiming the Child Tax Credit when they file a 2021
 federal income tax return this year. This includes families who don't 
normally need to file a return.<h2>Interactive Tax Assistant</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a>&nbsp;answers
 general tax law questions, including helping to determine if a type of 
income is taxable or if someone is eligible to claim certain credits and
 deductions. With changes to income and other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a>&nbsp;for many in 2021, tax&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a>&nbsp;can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket. Thinking about eligibility now can help make tax filing easier.<h2>Online Account</h2>Taxpayers can use their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 to securely see important information when preparing to file their tax 
return or following up on balances or notices. Taxpayers can view the 
amount they owe, make and track payments and view payment plan details. 
Taxpayers can now also manage their communication preferences to go 
paperless for certain notices from the IRS, or to receive email 
notifications when the IRS sends them a new digital notice. They can 
also access information about Economic Impact Payments and advance Child
 Tax Credit payments needed to file a complete and accurate return. Act 
now to create an account.<h2>Where's My Refund?</h2>Taxpayers can check the status of their refund using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool.
 The status is available within 24 hours after the IRS accepts their 
e-filed tax return or up to four weeks after they mailed a paper return.
 The Where's My Refund? tool updates once every 24 hours, usually 
overnight, so taxpayers only need to check once a day.<h2>Get ready to use direct deposit for tax refunds</h2><a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a>&nbsp;gives taxpayers access to their refund faster than a paper check.&nbsp;Individuals
 can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app to use direct 
deposit and will need to provide routing and account numbers. Learn how 
to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the National&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>. Veterans should see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.<h2>IRS Free File</h2>Everyone can file electronically for free. Starting January 14, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File program</a>, available only through IRS.gov or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>,
 offers brand-name tax preparation software packages. For those who 
earned $73,000 or less in 2021, they may qualify for Free File guided 
tax software. The software does all the work of finding deductions, 
credits and exemptions. Some of the Free File offers may include a free 
state tax return. Taxpayers comfortable filling out tax forms, can use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, the electronic federal tax forms paper version to file their tax returns online, regardless of income.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>Free tax return preparation site</h2>The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free tax help</a> and e-file for taxpayers who qualify.<h2>Choosing a preparer</h2>The IRS has several options for finding a tax preparer.&nbsp;The IRS provides an online database to help taxpayers locate an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-providers-for-individuals">authorized e-file provider</a> in their area who can electronically file their tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a> provides information for selecting a tax professional. The&nbsp;<a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a>&nbsp;can
 help taxpayers find preparers in their area who currently hold 
professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual 
Filing Season Program Record of Completion. Taxpayers need to remember 
that they, not the tax preparer, are responsible for information on 
their tax return once they sign it.<h2>IRS.gov/getready</h2>Links to online tools, publications, and other helpful resources are available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">Get Ready</a>&nbsp;page. For more information about planning ahead, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5348.pdf">Publication 5348, Get Ready to File</a>&nbsp;PDF&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5349.pdf">Publication 5349, Year-Round Tax Planning is for Everyone</a>&nbsp;PDF.

Get ready for taxes: Resources, online tools for before, during and after filing

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A former Kan. teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student made her first court appearance in the case Wednesday.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Christin Covel, 31, was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail, according to the daily booking report. On Wednesday, she made her first court appearance and was charged with 3 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of unlawful sexual relations, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

On Jan. 4, police arrested Covel, a teacher at Edison Preparatory Schools in Tulsa, on complaints out of Sedgewick County, according to Tulsa Police Department. She is accused of having inappropriate relations with a boy while working at Mead Middle School&nbsp;2601 E Skinner Street in Wichita.

The incidents involving the boy happened between 2018 and 2019, according to police. Covel worked in the district from 2015 to 2020, according to USD 259.

The Tulsa school district sent a letter to parents Jan. 4 to inform them of her arrest, according to the district web site.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641428925404.png" alt="Covel from the Tulsa County jail booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Covel from the Tulsa County jail booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A former Kan. teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student made her first court appearance in the case Wednesday.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Christin Covel, 31, was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail, according to the daily booking report. On Wednesday, she made her first court appearance and was charged with 3 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of unlawful sexual relations, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.On Jan. 4, police arrested Covel, a teacher at Edison Preparatory Schools in Tulsa, on complaints out of Sedgewick County, according to Tulsa Police Department. She is accused of having inappropriate relations with a boy while working at Mead Middle School&nbsp;2601 E Skinner Street in Wichita.The incidents involving the boy happened between 2018 and 2019, according to police. Covel worked in the district from 2015 to 2020, according to USD 259.The Tulsa school district sent a letter to parents Jan. 4 to inform them of her arrest, according to the district web site.

Teacher arrested in Okla. charged with child sex crimes in Kansas

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon with nearly two dozen convictions in connection with a probation violation, according the&nbsp;&nbsp;Douglas County 

On Dec. 29, Tyrone “Ty” Leroy Alexander, 48, of Baldwin City, fled a traffic stop and led deputies on a high speed chase through portions of Lawrence.

Alexander has 23 previous convictions that include robbery, burglary, forgery, theft, criminal use of a financial card, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

The new charges would include aggravated assault, felony flee and elude and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sheriff's office.

Anyone with information about Alexander’s whereabouts can contact our office, 785-843-0250, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642021103301.png" alt="Alexander has&nbsp;convictions that include robbery, burglary, forgery, theft, criminal use of a financial card, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Alexander has&nbsp;convictions that include robbery, burglary, forgery, theft, criminal use of a financial card, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon with nearly two dozen convictions in connection with a probation violation, according the&nbsp;&nbsp;Douglas County On Dec. 29, Tyrone “Ty” Leroy Alexander, 48, of Baldwin City, fled a traffic stop and led deputies on a high speed chase through portions of Lawrence.Alexander has 23 previous convictions that include robbery, burglary, forgery, theft, criminal use of a financial card, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.The new charges would include aggravated assault, felony flee and elude and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sheriff's office.Anyone with information about Alexander’s whereabouts can contact our office, 785-843-0250, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477).

Search continues for wanted Kan. felon who fled traffic stop

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available, according to a statement from the organization.

Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.

“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We’re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.”

The Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/">RedCrossBlood.org</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

The Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Adding to the concern is the surge of COVID-19 cases. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the Omicron variant takes over.

All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis. If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient blood supply

Supplying 40% of the nation’s blood, the Red Cross has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In fact, on certain days, some hospitals may not receive as much as one-quarter of the blood products requested. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.

All of this comes as January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to raise awareness about the need for blood donations when regular seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu, as well as winter weather often leads to a decline in donations.

“Every community in America needs blood on a daily basis. At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges – the Red Cross is no different. And while we are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others – donating blood must continue to be part of it,” added Dr. Young.

The Red Cross appreciates the patience of blood donors and blood drive hosts. As the nation faces the latest challenges of this pandemic environment, there may not be an immediate appointment available or an individual may be asked to reschedule an appointment — but the Red Cross still needs donors. The Red Cross is grateful for donors’ understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.

The Personal Impact of Blood Shortages

Kristen Mill of Spring Grove, Illinois, suffers from ongoing health problems caused by a tick bite in 2008. Her body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen in her blood, and when her hemoglobin levels drop, blood transfusions are essential for her to survive. She has needed weekly transfusions to treat this condition for much of the summer and fall of 2021.

On a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, she was told the hospital had no blood that matched her blood type and she would have to wait until the right match became available.

“The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, ‘We’re so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don’t have anyone that matches with you,’” said Kristen. “It’s very scary, especially if you don’t know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live.”

Unfortunately, Kristen has had to wait for blood on multiple occasions in recent weeks. “It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood. Then my condition would get worse, and I’d need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life,” said Kristen.

Kristen worries that the next time she needs blood, it may not arrive in time to keep her alive. After seeing firsthand what a blood shortage means, she has become an advocate for blood donation.

“I don’t want this to happen to other people,” Kristen said. “There is nothing greater you can give someone than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is just incredible and essential.”

Special Thank You to Those Who Come to Give

The Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to kick off 2022 with a blood or platelet donation. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/super_bowl.html">RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl</a>&nbsp;for more information.

In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists – another volunteer opportunity – provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in communities across the country. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday">redcross.org/volunteertoday</a>.

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available, according to a statement from the organization.Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We’re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.”The Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/">RedCrossBlood.org</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)The Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Adding to the concern is the surge of COVID-19 cases. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the Omicron variant takes over.All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis. If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient blood supplyBlood Donation ChallengesSupplying 40% of the nation’s blood, the Red Cross has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In fact, on certain days, some hospitals may not receive as much as one-quarter of the blood products requested. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.All of this comes as January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to raise awareness about the need for blood donations when regular seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu, as well as winter weather often leads to a decline in donations.“Every community in America needs blood on a daily basis. At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges – the Red Cross is no different. And while we are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others – donating blood must continue to be part of it,” added Dr. Young.The Red Cross appreciates the patience of blood donors and blood drive hosts. As the nation faces the latest challenges of this pandemic environment, there may not be an immediate appointment available or an individual may be asked to reschedule an appointment — but the Red Cross still needs donors. The Red Cross is grateful for donors’ understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.The Personal Impact of Blood ShortagesKristen Mill of Spring Grove, Illinois, suffers from ongoing health problems caused by a tick bite in 2008. Her body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen in her blood, and when her hemoglobin levels drop, blood transfusions are essential for her to survive. She has needed weekly transfusions to treat this condition for much of the summer and fall of 2021.On a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, she was told the hospital had no blood that matched her blood type and she would have to wait until the right match became available.“The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, ‘We’re so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don’t have anyone that matches with you,’” said Kristen. “It’s very scary, especially if you don’t know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live.”Unfortunately, Kristen has had to wait for blood on multiple occasions in recent weeks. “It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood. Then my condition would get worse, and I’d need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life,” said Kristen.Kristen worries that the next time she needs blood, it may not arrive in time to keep her alive. After seeing firsthand what a blood shortage means, she has become an advocate for blood donation.“I don’t want this to happen to other people,” Kristen said. “There is nothing greater you can give someone than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is just incredible and essential.”Special Thank You to Those Who Come to GiveThe Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to kick off 2022 with a blood or platelet donation. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/super_bowl.html">RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl</a>&nbsp;for more information.Blood Drive Volunteers NeededIn addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists – another volunteer opportunity – provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in communities across the country. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday">redcross.org/volunteertoday</a>.COVID-19 Safety ProtocolsEach Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donate blood and platelets. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they receive is important in determining blood donation eligibility.About Blood DonationA blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive">donate blood</a>. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass®&nbsp;to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a>&nbsp;or use the Blood Donor App.