BUTLER COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that locked down schools Tuesday in Butler County and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 10a.m. Tuesday, Sheriff's deputies responded report of a shooting at a home near 200th Street just east of SW Butler Road in rural Butler County, according to a media release.

At the scene, deputies found a 43-year-old resident of the home with a gunshot wound to his chest. He remains hospitalized in serious condition at a Wichita hospital, according to the release.

Late Tuesday morning, a 22-year-old suspect identified as Maxwell Adams of Rose Hill turned himself to police.&nbsp; The shooting stemmed from a dispute over money, according to the sheriff's department.

Schools in USD 394 were placed on lockdown until authorities located the suspect.&nbsp;

BUTLER COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Butler County that sent one person to the hospital and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11a.m. Tuesday, all of Rose Hill Schools were locked down due to a  reported shooting south of town, according to a social media report from USD 394.&nbsp;

Students were not allowed outside and the school day continued as usual inside the building.&nbsp; Just before noon, the school district reported a suspect was in custody.

The school removed the precautionary lockdown that had been put in place for student safety. The sheriff's office is expected to release additional details as they&nbsp; become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633543845092.png" alt="Adams remains jailed in Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Adams remains jailed in Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that locked down schools Tuesday in Butler County and have a suspect in custody.Just after 10a.m. Tuesday, Sheriff's deputies responded report of a shooting at a home near 200th Street just east of SW Butler Road in rural Butler County, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633456097489.png" alt="Deputies on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Deputies on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, deputies found a 43-year-old resident of the home with a gunshot wound to his chest. He remains hospitalized in serious condition at a Wichita hospital, according to the release.Late Tuesday morning, a 22-year-old suspect identified as Maxwell Adams of Rose Hill turned himself to police.&nbsp; The shooting stemmed from a dispute over money, according to the sheriff's department.Schools in USD 394 were placed on lockdown until authorities located the suspect.&nbsp;-----------BUTLER COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Butler County that sent one person to the hospital and have a suspect in custody.Just before 11a.m. Tuesday, all of Rose Hill Schools were locked down due to a reported shooting south of town, according to a social media report from USD 394.&nbsp;Students were not allowed outside and the school day continued as usual inside the building.&nbsp; Just before noon, the school district reported a suspect was in custody.The school removed the precautionary lockdown that had been put in place for student safety. The sheriff's office is expected to release additional details as they&nbsp; become available.

Kan. man turns himself in after shooting in dispute over money

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas, man has been charged with murder and domestic battery in the shooting death of his older brother. 

Police say 34-year-old Ricky Salazar was arrested last week and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Ricardo Salazar. He also faces separate charges of aggravated robbery, being a criminal in possession of a weapon and cocaine possession. 

Police say the older brother was shot on Aug. 15 in an area along State Avenue and died of his injuries on Sept. 23.&nbsp; Ricky Salazar was being held Tuesday in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633459437445.png" alt="Salazar photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Salazar photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas, man has been charged with murder and domestic battery in the shooting death of his older brother. Police say 34-year-old Ricky Salazar was arrested last week and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Ricardo Salazar. He also faces separate charges of aggravated robbery, being a criminal in possession of a weapon and cocaine possession. Police say the older brother was shot on Aug. 15 in an area along State Avenue and died of his injuries on Sept. 23.&nbsp; Ricky Salazar was being held Tuesday in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Kansas man charged for the alleged killing of his brother

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Health officials are recommending that Kansas City extend its mask mandate for at least a little bit longer.

Frank Thompson, interim health director, told the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee on Wednesday that cases have seen a downward trend since the mask order was implemented in August and that the city is in a “much better" place than it was a month ago.

But the health department recommended the city maintain the mask order until it no longer is in the high risk threshold defined by the Centers for Disease Control. The mandate applies to those over the age of 5 in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status, with some exemptions.

Thompson said Kansas City still has a “long way to go” in vaccinating residents. Areas with the highest case rates continue to be those that also have the lowest vaccination rates, he said. He added that just about every COVID-19 hospitalization is preventable with the protection offered by vaccines.

The City Council will meet and vote on whether to extend the mandate Thursday. Due to new Missouri law, public health restrictions are required to be reviewed by the council every 30 days.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Health officials are recommending that Kansas City extend its mask mandate for at least a little bit longer.Frank Thompson, interim health director, told the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee on Wednesday that cases have seen a downward trend since the mask order was implemented in August and that the city is in a “much better" place than it was a month ago.But the health department recommended the city maintain the mask order until it no longer is in the high risk threshold defined by the Centers for Disease Control. The mandate applies to those over the age of 5 in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status, with some exemptions.Thompson said Kansas City still has a “long way to go” in vaccinating residents. Areas with the highest case rates continue to be those that also have the lowest vaccination rates, he said. He added that just about every COVID-19 hospitalization is preventable with the protection offered by vaccines.The City Council will meet and vote on whether to extend the mandate Thursday. Due to new Missouri law, public health restrictions are required to be reviewed by the council every 30 days.

Health officials: Kansas City mask mandate should continue

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal September 8, shooting in Lawrance have located and arrested 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence. United States Marshals took him into custody Wednesday in Tennessee, according to police

Spates is a suspect in the killing of 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence on Sept. 8, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.

On Sept. 17, Lawrence Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 18-year-old Javier Isidro Romero on a requested charge of first-degree murder in connection with shooting.

Spates will be transported to the Douglas County Jail pending an extradition hearing. He is being held on a requested charge of first-degree murder.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a second suspect identified as 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence 

He is a suspect in the killing of 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence on Sept. 15, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.

Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on Spates is encouraged to call the Lawrence Kansas Police Department at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers of Douglas County at 785-843-7477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards and tips can be anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633554885919.png" alt="Spates is being held in Madison County" />
 <figcaption>Spates is being held in Madison County</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal September 8, shooting in Lawrance have located and arrested 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence. United States Marshals took him into custody Wednesday in Tennessee, according to policeSpates is a suspect in the killing of 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence on Sept. 8, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631932120397.png" alt="Romero photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Romero photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Sept. 17, Lawrence Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 18-year-old Javier Isidro Romero on a requested charge of first-degree murder in connection with shooting.Spates will be transported to the Douglas County Jail pending an extradition hearing. He is being held on a requested charge of first-degree murder.-----------DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a second suspect identified as 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence He is a suspect in the killing of 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence on Sept. 15, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631932120397.png" alt="Romero photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Romero photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Sept. 17, Lawrence Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 18-year-old Javier Isidro Romero on a requested charge of first-degree murder in connection with shooting.Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous.Anyone with information on Spates is encouraged to call the Lawrence Kansas Police Department at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers of Douglas County at 785-843-7477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards and tips can be anonymous.

U.S. Marshals catch Kan. murder suspect in Tennessee

Kansas City —(AP) — Students gathered Tuesday at college campuses in Kansas and Missouri to protest sexual assaults.

A demonstration at the University of Missouri's flagship campus in Columbia drew a crowd of at least 100 people. Another 40 protested at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In Kansas, about two dozen people gathered outside of Strong Hall at the University of Kansas. The demonstration, which was organized by a group called Strip Your Letters, was the fourth held at the school since a woman told Lawrence police last month she’d been raped at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house during a party.

One of the protest group's founders, 23-year-old Grace Reading, said she hoped that it would put pressure on administrators at different campuses to do more to protect students and support survivors.

Students also called for change at Kansas State. Multiple organizations participated, included Wildcats Against Sexual Violence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633537867104.png" alt="Photos courtesy KOMU TV" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy KOMU TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City —(AP) — Students gathered Tuesday at college campuses in Kansas and Missouri to protest sexual assaults.A demonstration at the University of Missouri's flagship campus in Columbia drew a crowd of at least 100 people. Another 40 protested at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.In Kansas, about two dozen people gathered outside of Strong Hall at the University of Kansas. The demonstration, which was organized by a group called Strip Your Letters, was the fourth held at the school since a woman told Lawrence police last month she’d been raped at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house during a party.One of the protest group's founders, 23-year-old Grace Reading, said she hoped that it would put pressure on administrators at different campuses to do more to protect students and support survivors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633537838805.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Students also called for change at Kansas State. Multiple organizations participated, included Wildcats Against Sexual Violence.

Kansas, Missouri college students protest sexual assaults

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/05/republicans-see-kansas-governors-order-creating-child-advocate-as-slap-in-the-face/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s independent action to establish an Office
 of the Child Advocate a day ahead of the inaugural meeting of a child 
welfare oversight committee didn’t impress Republican members of the 
panel.

Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican who serves as chairman 
of the committee, called the governor’s decision to bypass legislators 
through executive order a “slap in the face.”

“Don’t get me wrong, the Office of the Child Advocate is a needed 
position, a position that has been needed for a long time,” Hilderbrand 
said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting. “I just find it very, very 
troublesome that the governor decided on the eve of the first meeting of
 this committee, which one of our tasks was to look at this, they decide
 to issue an executive order forming it.”

The Democratic governor on Monday announced she was forming the 
office and relocating divisions of two state agencies under the 
authority of the Department of Administration. Her allies in the 
Legislature praised the move after years in which efforts to install a 
child advocate failed to gain interest or got tied up in political 
wrangling, as was the case in the 2021 session.

“Everybody is in agreement here that we needed this office,” said 
Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam. “This office is going to be good for the 
kids. I applaud the governor’s efforts by taking the reins and 
establishing this office now and not wasting any more time letting it 
get caught up in politics.”

Ousley for five years has pursued legislation to establish a child 
advocate to field complaints about the Kansas foster care system and 
investigate them. He secured bipartisan support for a House bill this 
past session that would have had the advocate report directly to the 
Legislature, but House leadership killed the bill before it received a 
vote.

The Senate passed a competing plan that would have placed the office 
under Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican trying to unseat 
Kelly as governor in next year’s elections.

Child advocates opposed the politically charged Senate plan but have 
long pushed for more accountability of the privatized foster care system
 administered by the Department for Children and Families.

Republicans complained that Kelly’s executive order allows the 
governor to choose a child advocate without legislative approval. They 
also questioned whether the decision to relocate positions through an 
executive order is constitutional. Those moves typically require the 
governor to propose a reorganization, which the Legislature has to 
approve.

By placing the new office within the governor’s administration, said 
Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, the governor is merely shifting 
complaints from one department to another.

“We will learn about harms and dangers and failures of the system 
when our reporters call us and say, ‘Would you please comment on this?'”
 Baumgardner said. “We’re not going to find out this from the office of 
child advocacy. We’re not going to find out from the secretary of DCF.”

Democrats praised the governor for establishing the office after years of legislative inaction.

“Can we take some joy in the fact that what has been established will
 help save lives of children?” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland 
Park. “To me, that’s a very big deal. That’s a huge victory for the kids
 in our state. We’ve been waiting. The kids have been waiting. Advocates
 have been waiting for years for something like this to be established.”

Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, pointed to the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/wichita-death-spurs-call-for-alternative-to-incarceration-of-teenagers/">recent death of a 17-year-old who died in police custody</a>. The boy had been placed in a foster home by Saint Francis Ministries, the state’s largest foster care provider.

When the foster father called Saint Francis about the boy’s erratic 
behavior, Faust-Goudeau said, he was told it would be two hours before 
someone could help. Instead, he was taken into custody by police and 
died after an altercation at a juvenile detention facility.

“Had that foster dad been able to talk to someone directly right away, that young man may still be alive,” Faust-Goudeau said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633457915278.png" alt="Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, R-Galena, blasts the governor during a foster care oversight hearing Tuesday for independently forming an Office of the Child Advocate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, R-Galena, blasts the governor during a foster care oversight hearing Tuesday for independently forming an Office of the Child Advocate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/05/republicans-see-kansas-governors-order-creating-child-advocate-as-slap-in-the-face/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s independent action to establish an Office
 of the Child Advocate a day ahead of the inaugural meeting of a child 
welfare oversight committee didn’t impress Republican members of the 
panel.Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican who serves as chairman 
of the committee, called the governor’s decision to bypass legislators 
through executive order a “slap in the face.”“Don’t get me wrong, the Office of the Child Advocate is a needed 
position, a position that has been needed for a long time,” Hilderbrand 
said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting. “I just find it very, very 
troublesome that the governor decided on the eve of the first meeting of
 this committee, which one of our tasks was to look at this, they decide
 to issue an executive order forming it.”The Democratic governor on Monday announced she was forming the 
office and relocating divisions of two state agencies under the 
authority of the Department of Administration. Her allies in the 
Legislature praised the move after years in which efforts to install a 
child advocate failed to gain interest or got tied up in political 
wrangling, as was the case in the 2021 session.“Everybody is in agreement here that we needed this office,” said 
Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam. “This office is going to be good for the 
kids. I applaud the governor’s efforts by taking the reins and 
establishing this office now and not wasting any more time letting it 
get caught up in politics.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633457990643.png" alt=" Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam, praises the governor for taking action after years of political hangups in the Legislature. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam, praises the governor for taking action after years of political hangups in the Legislature. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ousley for five years has pursued legislation to establish a child 
advocate to field complaints about the Kansas foster care system and 
investigate them. He secured bipartisan support for a House bill this 
past session that would have had the advocate report directly to the 
Legislature, but House leadership killed the bill before it received a 
vote.The Senate passed a competing plan that would have placed the office 
under Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican trying to unseat 
Kelly as governor in next year’s elections.Child advocates opposed the politically charged Senate plan but have 
long pushed for more accountability of the privatized foster care system
 administered by the Department for Children and Families.Republicans complained that Kelly’s executive order allows the 
governor to choose a child advocate without legislative approval. They 
also questioned whether the decision to relocate positions through an 
executive order is constitutional. Those moves typically require the 
governor to propose a reorganization, which the Legislature has to 
approve.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633458024736.png" alt="Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, says the governor’s decision to place the Office of the Child Advocate within the Department of Administration won’t improve oversight of the foster care system. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, says the governor’s decision to place the Office of the Child Advocate within the Department of Administration won’t improve oversight of the foster care system. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By placing the new office within the governor’s administration, said 
Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, the governor is merely shifting 
complaints from one department to another.“We will learn about harms and dangers and failures of the system 
when our reporters call us and say, ‘Would you please comment on this?'”
 Baumgardner said. “We’re not going to find out this from the office of 
child advocacy. We’re not going to find out from the secretary of DCF.”Democrats praised the governor for establishing the office after years of legislative inaction.“Can we take some joy in the fact that what has been established will
 help save lives of children?” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland 
Park. “To me, that’s a very big deal. That’s a huge victory for the kids
 in our state. We’ve been waiting. The kids have been waiting. Advocates
 have been waiting for years for something like this to be established.”Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, pointed to the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/wichita-death-spurs-call-for-alternative-to-incarceration-of-teenagers/">recent death of a 17-year-old who died in police custody</a>. The boy had been placed in a foster home by Saint Francis Ministries, the state’s largest foster care provider.When the foster father called Saint Francis about the boy’s erratic 
behavior, Faust-Goudeau said, he was told it would be two hours before 
someone could help. Instead, he was taken into custody by police and 
died after an altercation at a juvenile detention facility.“Had that foster dad been able to talk to someone directly right away, that young man may still be alive,” Faust-Goudeau said.

GOP sees Kan. governor’s order creating child advocate as ‘slap in the face’

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,312 to a total of 415,431 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 35 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,106.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,312 to a total of 415,431 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 35 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,106.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633541271643.png" alt="Wednesday Oct. 6, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Oct. 6, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 2,300 new cases, 35 more COVID deaths

TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;Minimum-custody resident Elvin Eugene Morris continues on escape status since 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 2, after he walked away from the Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Morris, a 43-year-old black male, left for Walmart in the community at 4:05 p.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following an approved community pass.

Morris is currently serving a sentence for a conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment. Morris was last seen leaving the Wichita Work Release Facility at 400 South Emporia in Wichita, Kansas.

Morris is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 179 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Morris was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeved, button up, white shirt and gray sweatshirt.

Anyone with information on Morris can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The&nbsp;escape&nbsp;is currently being investigated.&nbsp; New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633225847462.png" alt="Morris has previous convictions for theft and one for aggravated robbery in addition to his conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Morris has previous convictions for theft and one for aggravated robbery in addition to his conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;Minimum-custody resident Elvin Eugene Morris continues on escape status since 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 2, after he walked away from the Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Morris, a 43-year-old black male, left for Walmart in the community at 4:05 p.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following an approved community pass.Morris is currently serving a sentence for a conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment. Morris was last seen leaving the Wichita Work Release Facility at 400 South Emporia in Wichita, Kansas.Morris is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 179 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Morris was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeved, button up, white shirt and gray sweatshirt.Anyone with information on Morris can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.The&nbsp;escape&nbsp;is currently being investigated.&nbsp; New information will be released as it becomes available.The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.

Kansas felon still missing from work release facility

WASHINGTON (AP) — With just weeks remaining before federal workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, the federal government outlined procedures for employees to request medical or religious exemptions from President Joe Biden’s mandate.

The Office of Management and Budget released the new guidance Monday afternoon ahead of the Nov. 22 deadline for workers to be fully vaccinated, outlining specific medical conditions that would warrant an exemption. Under the guidelines, agencies are to direct workers to get their first shot within two weeks of an exemption request being denied, or the resolution of a medical condition. They also make clear that federal agencies may deny medical or religious exemptions if they determine that no other safety protocol is adequate.

The Biden administration is drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to determine approved medical exemptions, including a history of allergic reaction to the vaccines. Other conditions, including being treated with monoclonal antibodies or having a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, warrant a 90-day delay in vaccination, in accordance with CDC advice.

While the CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant get vaccinated against COVID-19, the federal government will consider requests to delay vaccination while pregnant depending on the worker’s particular medical circumstances.

Senior administration officials provided The Associated Press with a preview of the new guidance Monday before it was posted by OMB.

Federal workers seeking exemptions will engage in what officials called an “interactive process” with their agencies, which will include being asked to provide documentation to support the exemption and potential accommodations. In the event an exemption request is rejected, workers will have two weeks to get a first shot, or be subject to disciplinary proceedings in accordance with Biden’s order.

Unvaccinated workers are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing and will have their ability to travel for work curtailed. New testing guidance for those who are granted exemptions is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

In some cases, agencies may deny even legitimate exemption requests if they determine “that no safety protocol other than vaccination is adequate” given the nature of the employee’s job.

Under CDC guidelines, people are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of two-shot mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna or the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot — meaning most federal workers have until Nov. 8, at the latest, to roll up their sleeves to comply with Biden’s order.

According to the new federal guidance, neither past COVID-19 infection nor an antibody test can be substituted for vaccination.

Meanwhile, private companies with more than 100 employees will be subject to a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requiring all employees to be vaccinated or get tested weekly. Biden announced the regulation weeks ago, but the agency is still drafting the particulars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631816336784.png" alt="The Biden administration is drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to determine approved medical exemptions-White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>The Biden administration is drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to determine approved medical exemptions-White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With just weeks remaining before federal workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, the federal government outlined procedures for employees to request medical or religious exemptions from President Joe Biden’s mandate.The Office of Management and Budget released the new guidance Monday afternoon ahead of the Nov. 22 deadline for workers to be fully vaccinated, outlining specific medical conditions that would warrant an exemption. Under the guidelines, agencies are to direct workers to get their first shot within two weeks of an exemption request being denied, or the resolution of a medical condition. They also make clear that federal agencies may deny medical or religious exemptions if they determine that no other safety protocol is adequate.The Biden administration is drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to determine approved medical exemptions, including a history of allergic reaction to the vaccines. Other conditions, including being treated with monoclonal antibodies or having a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, warrant a 90-day delay in vaccination, in accordance with CDC advice.While the CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant get vaccinated against COVID-19, the federal government will consider requests to delay vaccination while pregnant depending on the worker’s particular medical circumstances.Senior administration officials provided The Associated Press with a preview of the new guidance Monday before it was posted by OMB.Federal workers seeking exemptions will engage in what officials called an “interactive process” with their agencies, which will include being asked to provide documentation to support the exemption and potential accommodations. In the event an exemption request is rejected, workers will have two weeks to get a first shot, or be subject to disciplinary proceedings in accordance with Biden’s order.Unvaccinated workers are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing and will have their ability to travel for work curtailed. New testing guidance for those who are granted exemptions is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.In some cases, agencies may deny even legitimate exemption requests if they determine “that no safety protocol other than vaccination is adequate” given the nature of the employee’s job.Under CDC guidelines, people are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of two-shot mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna or the one-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot — meaning most federal workers have until Nov. 8, at the latest, to roll up their sleeves to comply with Biden’s order.According to the new federal guidance, neither past COVID-19 infection nor an antibody test can be substituted for vaccination.Meanwhile, private companies with more than 100 employees will be subject to a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requiring all employees to be vaccinated or get tested weekly. Biden announced the regulation weeks ago, but the agency is still drafting the particulars.

US unveils guidance for federal vaccine mandate, exemptions

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansa man died in an accident just before 3a.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1989 Triumph Street Triple driven by Jeremy S. Masuch, 42, Nortonville, was northbound on U.S 59 ten miles south of Atchison.

The motorcycle struck a the passenger side of a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Rickey E. Brown, 65, Cummings, who had just turned from Kansas 116 to northbound U.S. 59.

Masuch was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Arensburg Pruett Funeral Home. Brown was not injured.&nbsp; Masuch was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansa man died in an accident just before 3a.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1989 Triumph Street Triple driven by Jeremy S. Masuch, 42, Nortonville, was northbound on U.S 59 ten miles south of Atchison.The motorcycle struck a the passenger side of a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Rickey E. Brown, 65, Cummings, who had just turned from Kansas 116 to northbound U.S. 59.Masuch was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Arensburg Pruett Funeral Home. Brown was not injured.&nbsp; Masuch was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle, pickup crash

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspicious death in Topeka.

Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 900 Block NE Madison in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

At the scene, officers located the unresponsive individual. Medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased.

&nbsp;Officers and Detectives continue looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident, according to Monasmith. Police have not released the victim's name or a possible cause of death.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633528449254.png" alt="Authorities near the scene of the death investigation Tuesday evening-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Authorities near the scene of the death investigation Tuesday evening-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspicious death in Topeka.Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 900 Block NE Madison in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.At the scene, officers located the unresponsive individual. Medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased.&nbsp;Officers and Detectives continue looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident, according to Monasmith. Police have not released the victim's name or a possible cause of death.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Police investigating suspicious death at Kansas home

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/05/audit-inadequate-it-security-at-kansas-schools-leaves-vital-information-exposed/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A legislative audit revealing many school districts are not 
practicing basic security measures for information technology systems 
raised eyebrows Tuesday from a panel of legislators.

According to the K-12 Cybersecurity 
Resource Center, security incidents at schools have increased by 18% 
since last year. The limited-scope audit focused on how schools were 
approaching IT security, which contains sensitive data including grades,
 medical records and financial information.

Members of the Legislative Post Audit
 Committee expressed disappointment upon hearing that most respondents 
to a survey of all Kansas school districts do not have adequate IT 
security measures.

“I can’t believe in this day and age 
that we’re this far behind. It’s gonna take two or three years just to 
get up to par,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican. “I think the 
Legislature should pick this up and set some minimum standards, but it’s
 really up to the state school board to pick this one up.”

The survey — which had a 51% response
 rate — revealed 58% of responding school districts do not require 
security awareness training for staff at any time, 65% do not scan their
 systems for vulnerabilities as often as recommended and 69% do not have
 an incident response plan.

State auditors said many schools 
simply failed to implement basic security controls to protect their 
networks against unauthorized users. They recommended the Legislature 
consider a measure to direct the Kansas State Department of Education to
 set minimum IT security standards for schools through guidance or 
requirements.

About half of survey respondents said
 the biggest barrier to achieving better IT security was an inability to
 hire enough staff or pay them competitively. Olson said he hoped 
legislative committees, such as the House K-12 Education Budget 
Committee chaired by Rep. Kristey Williams, would take up the matter.

Williams, an Augusta Republican who 
is chairwoman of the post audit panel, said they would review the issue 
but appeared keen to take a route that did not require spending state 
funds. She said districts should have money to address this issue with 
increased school funding from legal settlements and federal COVID-19 
relief funds.&nbsp;

“Ultimately I do feel that we have 
fully funded our school districts and they need to take this on,” 
Williams said, adding that offering guidance would not require school 
districts to spend money unless they choose to invest in improved 
security.

Rep. Jim Gartner, a Topeka Democrat, 
said it was a bit unrealistic to expect a department or any school 
districts to measure up without a statutory requirement.

“It would seem to me if it’s not 
required, they’re not going to really do it unless we require them to do
 it,” Gartner said. “So that’s something the legislature needs to 
address.”

In a written response to the audit, 
Kansas State Education Commissioner Randy Watson said if KSDE sets 
minimum standards, districts would likely rely on the agency for 
technical assistance. At the moment, the agency is only staffed to meet 
its own needs.&nbsp;

“The level of support necessary for 
school districts to implement IT security standards would be a 
significant undertaking and is not possible with the current level of IT
 staffing at KSDE,” Watson said. “If the Kansas Legislature chooses to 
implement the LPA recommendation, there will need to be additional IT 
staff, and the Department would like to see that noted within the LPA 
recommendation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633466462153.png" alt="Sen. Rob Olson was dismayed with results from a legislative audit indicating school districts were not up to par with information technology security measures. Most respondents to an audit survey lacked training or planning for potential IT security incidents. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rob Olson was dismayed with results from a legislative audit indicating school districts were not up to par with information technology security measures. Most respondents to an audit survey lacked training or planning for potential IT security incidents. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/05/audit-inadequate-it-security-at-kansas-schools-leaves-vital-information-exposed/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A legislative audit revealing many school districts are not 
practicing basic security measures for information technology systems 
raised eyebrows Tuesday from a panel of legislators.According to the K-12 Cybersecurity 
Resource Center, security incidents at schools have increased by 18% 
since last year. The limited-scope audit focused on how schools were 
approaching IT security, which contains sensitive data including grades,
 medical records and financial information.Members of the Legislative Post Audit
 Committee expressed disappointment upon hearing that most respondents 
to a survey of all Kansas school districts do not have adequate IT 
security measures.“I can’t believe in this day and age 
that we’re this far behind. It’s gonna take two or three years just to 
get up to par,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican. “I think the 
Legislature should pick this up and set some minimum standards, but it’s
 really up to the state school board to pick this one up.”The survey — which had a 51% response
 rate — revealed 58% of responding school districts do not require 
security awareness training for staff at any time, 65% do not scan their
 systems for vulnerabilities as often as recommended and 69% do not have
 an incident response plan.State auditors said many schools 
simply failed to implement basic security controls to protect their 
networks against unauthorized users. They recommended the Legislature 
consider a measure to direct the Kansas State Department of Education to
 set minimum IT security standards for schools through guidance or 
requirements.About half of survey respondents said
 the biggest barrier to achieving better IT security was an inability to
 hire enough staff or pay them competitively. Olson said he hoped 
legislative committees, such as the House K-12 Education Budget 
Committee chaired by Rep. Kristey Williams, would take up the matter.Williams, an Augusta Republican who 
is chairwoman of the post audit panel, said they would review the issue 
but appeared keen to take a route that did not require spending state 
funds. She said districts should have money to address this issue with 
increased school funding from legal settlements and federal COVID-19 
relief funds.&nbsp;“Ultimately I do feel that we have 
fully funded our school districts and they need to take this on,” 
Williams said, adding that offering guidance would not require school 
districts to spend money unless they choose to invest in improved 
security.Rep. Jim Gartner, a Topeka Democrat, 
said it was a bit unrealistic to expect a department or any school 
districts to measure up without a statutory requirement.“It would seem to me if it’s not 
required, they’re not going to really do it unless we require them to do
 it,” Gartner said. “So that’s something the legislature needs to 
address.”In a written response to the audit, 
Kansas State Education Commissioner Randy Watson said if KSDE sets 
minimum standards, districts would likely rely on the agency for 
technical assistance. At the moment, the agency is only staffed to meet 
its own needs.&nbsp;“The level of support necessary for 
school districts to implement IT security standards would be a 
significant undertaking and is not possible with the current level of IT
 staffing at KSDE,” Watson said. “If the Kansas Legislature chooses to 
implement the LPA recommendation, there will need to be additional IT 
staff, and the Department would like to see that noted within the LPA 
recommendation.”

Audit: Poor IT security at Kan. schools leaves vital info exposed

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A suspect identified as 31-year-old Danielle Robinson of Salina, wounded by police during an exchange of gunfire at a grocery store in Wichita, has been moved from the hospital to the Sedgwick County jail, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20072856">according to online booking records.</a>

Just after 8p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a suspicious person with a gun in the parking lot of the Whole Foods store, 1423 North Webb Road, in Wichita,&nbsp; according to Officer Trevor Macy.

&nbsp;Multiple 911 callers reported a woman at Whole Foods acting strangely, drinking, and brandishing a firearm. Witnesses reported the woman pointing a gun at windows of the store, and toward the parking lot.

At the scene, officers encountered the woman, later identified as Robinson, who pointed a gun in their direction. They gave verbal commands to the suspect to drop the gun but she did not comply and retreated into the store. There was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect fired one shot at officers that shattered a store window. Both officers returned fire, each firing six shots at the suspect.

After shots were fired, the officers rendered aid and placed Robinson in custody. EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Police said there were more than a dozen shoppers and staff inside of the store when the shooting happened, but none were harmed.

Interviews with various witnesses on scene revealed that Robinson had been at the store consuming alcohol and attempted to rob a customer of their personal belongings.

Robinson was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon booked into jail on various requested charges including aggravated assault, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and aggravated robbery.&nbsp; Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. They have worked for the Wichita Police Department for 8 and 19-years, according to Macy.

Following her arrest for the shooting in January in Salina, Robinson was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated assault, Aggravated burglary, Criminal use of a weapon and Interference with a law enforcement officer, according to online booking records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633514325560.png" alt="In January, police arrested Robinson in connection with a shooting at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salina." />
 <figcaption>In January, police arrested Robinson in connection with a shooting at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salina.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A suspect identified as 31-year-old Danielle Robinson of Salina, wounded by police during an exchange of gunfire at a grocery store in Wichita, has been moved from the hospital to the Sedgwick County jail, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20072856">according to online booking records.</a>Just after 8p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a suspicious person with a gun in the parking lot of the Whole Foods store, 1423 North Webb Road, in Wichita,&nbsp; according to Officer Trevor Macy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633466749928.png" alt="Police body camera image of the suspect later identified as Robinson- Wichita Police image" />
 <figcaption>Police body camera image of the suspect later identified as Robinson- Wichita Police image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Multiple 911 callers reported a woman at Whole Foods acting strangely, drinking, and brandishing a firearm. Witnesses reported the woman pointing a gun at windows of the store, and toward the parking lot.At the scene, officers encountered the woman, later identified as Robinson, who pointed a gun in their direction. They gave verbal commands to the suspect to drop the gun but she did not comply and retreated into the store. There was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect fired one shot at officers that shattered a store window. Both officers returned fire, each firing six shots at the suspect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633466917940.png" alt="Wichita police body camera image of officers at the scene of the shooting" />
 <figcaption>Wichita police body camera image of officers at the scene of the shooting</figcaption>
 </figure>After shots were fired, the officers rendered aid and placed Robinson in custody. EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;Police said there were more than a dozen shoppers and staff inside of the store when the shooting happened, but none were harmed.Interviews with various witnesses on scene revealed that Robinson had been at the store consuming alcohol and attempted to rob a customer of their personal belongings.Robinson was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon booked into jail on various requested charges including aggravated assault, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and aggravated robbery.&nbsp; Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. They have worked for the Wichita Police Department for 8 and 19-years, according to Macy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611066836000.png" alt="Danielle Robinson in her Saline County booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Danielle Robinson in her Saline County booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Following her arrest for the shooting in January in Salina, Robinson was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated assault, Aggravated burglary, Criminal use of a weapon and Interference with a law enforcement officer, according to online booking records.

Police: Kan. grocery store shooting suspect moved from hospital to jail

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Calling opponents of his plans “complicit in America’s decline,” President Joe Biden made the case Tuesday that his ambitious social spending proposal is key to America’s global competitiveness — even as he acknowledged the current $3.5 trillion price tag will shrink.

With his plans in jeopardy on Capitol Hill, Biden journeyed to Michigan, declaring he wanted to “set some things straight” about his agenda and cut through what he dismissed as “noise” in Washington.

“America’s still the largest economy in the world, we still have the most productive workers and the most innovative minds in the world, but we’re at risk of losing our edge as a nation,” he said at a union training center, surrounded by bulldozers and other heavy equipment.

The president went on to spell out his plans in greater detail than he has in some time, after spending the past week deep in the details of negotiations on Capitol Hill. He highlighted popular individual parts of the plan, including funding for early childhood education and investments to combat climate change, rather than the expensive topline. And he emphasized that the trillions in spending would be drawn out over a decade and paid for by tax increases on corporations and the wealthiest Americans.

Speaking briefly to reporters afterward, Biden acknowledged that the overall $3.5 trillion number for his social spending bill will decline, but he insisted that he and Democrats in Congress will “get it done.”

And in a signal of how much still may change by the time the bill makes it to his desk, Biden later suggested he’d sign a bill that included the controversial Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. Moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin wants it in the final bill, while progressive Democrats oppose it — but Biden told reporters, “I’d sign it either way.”

On Capitol Hill, strong signs were emerging that Democrats were coalescing around Biden’s push for a slimmed-down package in the $2 trillion range, a figure that seemed potentially acceptable to Manchin, D-W.Va., and other centrists with reservations. With all Republicans opposed, Biden can’t spare a single Democratic senator.

Polling suggests that elements in the social spending bill and a related $1 trillion infrastructure bill — such as expanded child care opportunities and roads-and-bridges infrastructure projects — are popular with large parts of the public. But even some of the White House’s closest allies have worried that the West Wing has not done enough to sell the spending. That brought Biden back on the road Tuesday, hitting the red-leaning district of Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin to sell his policies.

“These bills are not about left versus right or moderate vs progressive,” Biden said. “These bills are about competitiveness versus complacency.”

Back in Washington, a more immediate problem was mounting as Senate Republicans are putting up hurdles to raising the nation’s debt limit, a routine vote that’s needed to allow more borrowing and prevent a devastating credit default. Biden said Democrats are considering changing the chamber’s filibuster rules, which would lower the typical 60-vote threshold to 50, to do it.

“It’s a real possibility,” Biden told reporters at the White House.

Meanwhile, negotiations continued on the pair of bills to boost spending on safety net, health and environmental programs and infrastructure projects. The $3.5 trillion price tag on the social services portion of Biden’s agenda has long been the sticking point, with progressives demanding the funding for their priorities and moderates balking at the eye-popping number. But there’s a growing consensus — which Biden has expressed privately to lawmakers, and acknowledged publicly Tuesday — that the topline number will eventually shrink.

In multiple private meetings, Biden has now floated $2 trillion as a figure for his signature package, including in a call late Monday with progressive House lawmakers, who still advocated for a higher amount, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting.

While there is cautious optimism about recent progress, no deal has been struck to bridge stark divides between moderates and progressives in Biden’s Democratic Party on the size and scope of the social spending package. In recent weeks, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has worked unsuccessfully to secure passage of the bills, Biden has stayed in Washington to cajole lawmakers.

Now, he’s trying to put the public focus on popular components of the bills rather than the inside-the-Beltway debate over the price tag.

Next to Biden, the Democrats with the most on the line over the shape and success of his spending plans are House members from swing districts whose reelections are essential if his party is to retain control of Congress.

Many of those targeted moderates — including Arizona Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger and nine other vulnerable Democrats — joined Biden for a virtual meeting Tuesday. He held a similar session the previous day with a dozen progressives.

And his Tuesday visit to Slotkin’s district, which President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2020, was aimed at giving moderates like her cover to support his spending package.

While Slotkin backs the smaller, bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has passed the Senate, she prefers passing it in the House before negotiating the broader package of social programs.

“To be honest, it was hard for me to understand why leadership decided in the first place to tie the two bills together,” Slotkin recently told The Detroit News. “That’s not how we normally operate. It’s not my preference.”

Washington was gripped with the drama last week as lawmakers grappled with the massive Democrats-only social spending bill that has been linked with the infrastructure bill. Progressives have balked at voting for the infrastructure bill if the other bill shrinks.

Yet even as talk of that shrinkage increased, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a leader of the progressives, said Tuesday, “There’s a lot of discussion going on, but I’m confident at the end of the day it’s going to be a good agreement.”

At the same time, new battle lines are being formed as Democrats decide which of the many programs that they want to expand — health, education, childcare, climate change — will remain in the final proposal or be reduced or left behind.

“This cannot ultimately be a bill that does 18 new things, but it could do four or five or six big bold new things,” said Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, an ally of the president.

Lawmakers are considering cutting back some programs or limiting others to only people who qualify based on need.

Biden’s team huddled with the Democratic leaders late Monday at the Capitol as they rush to finish the latest draft — in “days, not weeks,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

One senator was moved to compare it all to dancing.

“The best image I know is a square dance: You come together, but then you go apart; you come together, but then you go apart,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, describing his fellow Democrats. “There’s a rhythm there, we just got to make sure we stay in rhythm. That’s the challenge.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633464761565.png" alt="And in a signal of how much still may change by the time the bill makes it to his desk, Biden later suggested he’d sign a bill that included the controversial Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. Moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin wants it in the final bill, while progressive Democrats oppose it — but Biden told reporters, “I’d sign it either way.”-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>And in a signal of how much still may change by the time the bill makes it to his desk, Biden later suggested he’d sign a bill that included the controversial Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. Moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin wants it in the final bill, while progressive Democrats oppose it — but Biden told reporters, “I’d sign it either way.”-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Calling opponents of his plans “complicit in America’s decline,” President Joe Biden made the case Tuesday that his ambitious social spending proposal is key to America’s global competitiveness — even as he acknowledged the current $3.5 trillion price tag will shrink.With his plans in jeopardy on Capitol Hill, Biden journeyed to Michigan, declaring he wanted to “set some things straight” about his agenda and cut through what he dismissed as “noise” in Washington.“America’s still the largest economy in the world, we still have the most productive workers and the most innovative minds in the world, but we’re at risk of losing our edge as a nation,” he said at a union training center, surrounded by bulldozers and other heavy equipment.The president went on to spell out his plans in greater detail than he has in some time, after spending the past week deep in the details of negotiations on Capitol Hill. He highlighted popular individual parts of the plan, including funding for early childhood education and investments to combat climate change, rather than the expensive topline. And he emphasized that the trillions in spending would be drawn out over a decade and paid for by tax increases on corporations and the wealthiest Americans.Speaking briefly to reporters afterward, Biden acknowledged that the overall $3.5 trillion number for his social spending bill will decline, but he insisted that he and Democrats in Congress will “get it done.”And in a signal of how much still may change by the time the bill makes it to his desk, Biden later suggested he’d sign a bill that included the controversial Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. Moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin wants it in the final bill, while progressive Democrats oppose it — but Biden told reporters, “I’d sign it either way.”On Capitol Hill, strong signs were emerging that Democrats were coalescing around Biden’s push for a slimmed-down package in the $2 trillion range, a figure that seemed potentially acceptable to Manchin, D-W.Va., and other centrists with reservations. With all Republicans opposed, Biden can’t spare a single Democratic senator.Polling suggests that elements in the social spending bill and a related $1 trillion infrastructure bill — such as expanded child care opportunities and roads-and-bridges infrastructure projects — are popular with large parts of the public. But even some of the White House’s closest allies have worried that the West Wing has not done enough to sell the spending. That brought Biden back on the road Tuesday, hitting the red-leaning district of Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin to sell his policies.“These bills are not about left versus right or moderate vs progressive,” Biden said. “These bills are about competitiveness versus complacency.”Back in Washington, a more immediate problem was mounting as Senate Republicans are putting up hurdles to raising the nation’s debt limit, a routine vote that’s needed to allow more borrowing and prevent a devastating credit default. Biden said Democrats are considering changing the chamber’s filibuster rules, which would lower the typical 60-vote threshold to 50, to do it.“It’s a real possibility,” Biden told reporters at the White House.Meanwhile, negotiations continued on the pair of bills to boost spending on safety net, health and environmental programs and infrastructure projects. The $3.5 trillion price tag on the social services portion of Biden’s agenda has long been the sticking point, with progressives demanding the funding for their priorities and moderates balking at the eye-popping number. But there’s a growing consensus — which Biden has expressed privately to lawmakers, and acknowledged publicly Tuesday — that the topline number will eventually shrink.In multiple private meetings, Biden has now floated $2 trillion as a figure for his signature package, including in a call late Monday with progressive House lawmakers, who still advocated for a higher amount, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting.While there is cautious optimism about recent progress, no deal has been struck to bridge stark divides between moderates and progressives in Biden’s Democratic Party on the size and scope of the social spending package. In recent weeks, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has worked unsuccessfully to secure passage of the bills, Biden has stayed in Washington to cajole lawmakers.Now, he’s trying to put the public focus on popular components of the bills rather than the inside-the-Beltway debate over the price tag.Next to Biden, the Democrats with the most on the line over the shape and success of his spending plans are House members from swing districts whose reelections are essential if his party is to retain control of Congress.Many of those targeted moderates — including Arizona Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger and nine other vulnerable Democrats — joined Biden for a virtual meeting Tuesday. He held a similar session the previous day with a dozen progressives.And his Tuesday visit to Slotkin’s district, which President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2020, was aimed at giving moderates like her cover to support his spending package.While Slotkin backs the smaller, bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has passed the Senate, she prefers passing it in the House before negotiating the broader package of social programs.“To be honest, it was hard for me to understand why leadership decided in the first place to tie the two bills together,” Slotkin recently told The Detroit News. “That’s not how we normally operate. It’s not my preference.”Washington was gripped with the drama last week as lawmakers grappled with the massive Democrats-only social spending bill that has been linked with the infrastructure bill. Progressives have balked at voting for the infrastructure bill if the other bill shrinks.Yet even as talk of that shrinkage increased, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a leader of the progressives, said Tuesday, “There’s a lot of discussion going on, but I’m confident at the end of the day it’s going to be a good agreement.”At the same time, new battle lines are being formed as Democrats decide which of the many programs that they want to expand — health, education, childcare, climate change — will remain in the final proposal or be reduced or left behind.“This cannot ultimately be a bill that does 18 new things, but it could do four or five or six big bold new things,” said Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, an ally of the president.Lawmakers are considering cutting back some programs or limiting others to only people who qualify based on need.Biden’s team huddled with the Democratic leaders late Monday at the Capitol as they rush to finish the latest draft — in “days, not weeks,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.One senator was moved to compare it all to dancing.“The best image I know is a square dance: You come together, but then you go apart; you come together, but then you go apart,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, describing his fellow Democrats. “There’s a rhythm there, we just got to make sure we stay in rhythm. That’s the challenge.”

Biden pushes $3.5T plans as key to avoid ‘America’s decline’

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man was put to death Tuesday for killing three workers while robbing a convenience store nearly three decades ago, an execution performed over objections from racial justice activists, lawmakers and even the pope.

Ernest Johnson died from an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. It was the first execution in Missouri since May 2020 and just the seventh in the U.S. this year.

The state moved ahead with executing Johnson despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-executions-robbery-missouri-columbia-57a9a68268c61dca879cbe5637153f96">claims by his attorney</a>&nbsp;that doing so would violate the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits executing intellectually disabled people.

Johnson had a history of scoring extremely low on IQ tests, dating back to childhood. His attorney, Jeremy Weis, said Johnson also was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and lost about one-fifth of his brain tissue when a benign tumor was removed in 2008.

A representative for Pope Francis was among those who urged Republican Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency, telling Parson in a letter that the pope “wishes to place before you the simple fact of Mr. Johnson’s humanity and the sacredness of all human life.” Parson announced Monday that he would not intervene.

It wasn’t the first time a pope has sought to intervene in a Missouri execution. In 1999, during his visit to St. Louis, Pope John Paul II persuaded Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan to grant clemency to Darrell Mease, weeks before Mease was to be put to death for a triple killing. Carnahan, who died in 2000, was a Baptist, as is Parson.

In 2018, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-city-ap-top-news-pope-francis-international-news-europe-b1cf76995c8646118184fc5b009b129c">changed church teaching</a>&nbsp;to say capital punishment can never be sanctioned because it constitutes an “attack” on human dignity. Catholic leaders have been outspoken opponents of the death penalty in many states.

Racial justice activists and two Missouri members of congress — Democratic U.S. Reps. Cori Bush of St. Louis and Emmanuel Cleaver of Kansas City —also called on Parson to show mercy to Johnson, who is Black.

But Parson announced Monday he would not grant clemency, and the courts declined to intervene.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-executions-robbery-missouri-columbia-57a9a68268c61dca879cbe5637153f96">Johnson’s crime&nbsp;</a>shook the central Missouri city of Columbia nearly 28 years ago.

Johnson was a frequent customer of a Casey’s General Store. Court records show that on Feb. 12, 1994, he borrowed a .25-caliber pistol from his girlfriend’s 18-year-old son, with plans to rob the store for money to buy drugs.

In a 2004 videotaped interview with a psychologist shown in court, Johnson said he was under the influence of cocaine as he waited for the last customer to leave at closing time. Three workers were in the store: manager Mary Bratcher, 46, and employees Mabel Scruggs, 57, and Fred Jones, 58.

On the video, Johnson said he became angry when Bratcher, who claimed not to have a safe key, tried to flush it down the toilet. He shot the victims with the borrowed gun, then attacked them with a claw hammer. Bratcher also was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver. Police found two victims in the store’s bathroom, and the third in a cooler.

“This was a hideous crime,” said Kevin Crane, the Boone County prosecutor at the time. “It was traumatic, and it was intense.”

Police officers searching a nearby field found a bloody screwdriver, gloves, jeans and a brown jacket, and questioned Johnson within hours of the killings. At Johnson’s girlfriend’s house, officers found a bag with $443, coin wrappers, partially burned checks and tennis shoes matching bloody shoe prints from inside the store.

Johnson had previously asked that his execution be carried out by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-michael-brown-courts-government-and-politics-29d7d156eb49b40e3dcd63bbe4d7a3f5">firing squad</a>. His lawyers argued that Missouri’s lethal injection drug, pentobarbital, could trigger seizures due to the loss of the brain tissue when the tumor was removed.

Missouri law does not authorize execution by firing squad.

Johnson was sentenced to death in his first trial and two other times. The second death sentence, in 2003, came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing the mentally ill was unconstitutionally cruel. The Missouri Supreme Court tossed that second death sentence, and Johnson was sentenced a third time in 2006.

Of the six previous U.S. executions this year, three were in Texas and three involved federal prisoners.

The peak year for modern executions was 1999, when there were 98 across the U.S. That number has gradually declined and just 17 people were executed last year — 10 involving federal prisoners, three in Texas and one each in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri, according to a database compiled by the Death Penalty Information Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621882682950.png" alt="Johnson photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man was put to death Tuesday for killing three workers while robbing a convenience store nearly three decades ago, an execution performed over objections from racial justice activists, lawmakers and even the pope.Ernest Johnson died from an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. It was the first execution in Missouri since May 2020 and just the seventh in the U.S. this year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633514003319.png" alt="Johnson's final statement from the Missouri Department of Corrections&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Johnson's final statement from the Missouri Department of Corrections&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The state moved ahead with executing Johnson despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-executions-robbery-missouri-columbia-57a9a68268c61dca879cbe5637153f96">claims by his attorney</a>&nbsp;that doing so would violate the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits executing intellectually disabled people.Johnson had a history of scoring extremely low on IQ tests, dating back to childhood. His attorney, Jeremy Weis, said Johnson also was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and lost about one-fifth of his brain tissue when a benign tumor was removed in 2008.A representative for Pope Francis was among those who urged Republican Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency, telling Parson in a letter that the pope “wishes to place before you the simple fact of Mr. Johnson’s humanity and the sacredness of all human life.” Parson announced Monday that he would not intervene.It wasn’t the first time a pope has sought to intervene in a Missouri execution. In 1999, during his visit to St. Louis, Pope John Paul II persuaded Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan to grant clemency to Darrell Mease, weeks before Mease was to be put to death for a triple killing. Carnahan, who died in 2000, was a Baptist, as is Parson.In 2018, Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-city-ap-top-news-pope-francis-international-news-europe-b1cf76995c8646118184fc5b009b129c">changed church teaching</a>&nbsp;to say capital punishment can never be sanctioned because it constitutes an “attack” on human dignity. Catholic leaders have been outspoken opponents of the death penalty in many states.Racial justice activists and two Missouri members of congress — Democratic U.S. Reps. Cori Bush of St. Louis and Emmanuel Cleaver of Kansas City —also called on Parson to show mercy to Johnson, who is Black.But Parson announced Monday he would not grant clemency, and the courts declined to intervene.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-executions-robbery-missouri-columbia-57a9a68268c61dca879cbe5637153f96">Johnson’s crime&nbsp;</a>shook the central Missouri city of Columbia nearly 28 years ago.Johnson was a frequent customer of a Casey’s General Store. Court records show that on Feb. 12, 1994, he borrowed a .25-caliber pistol from his girlfriend’s 18-year-old son, with plans to rob the store for money to buy drugs.In a 2004 videotaped interview with a psychologist shown in court, Johnson said he was under the influence of cocaine as he waited for the last customer to leave at closing time. Three workers were in the store: manager Mary Bratcher, 46, and employees Mabel Scruggs, 57, and Fred Jones, 58.On the video, Johnson said he became angry when Bratcher, who claimed not to have a safe key, tried to flush it down the toilet. He shot the victims with the borrowed gun, then attacked them with a claw hammer. Bratcher also was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver. Police found two victims in the store’s bathroom, and the third in a cooler.“This was a hideous crime,” said Kevin Crane, the Boone County prosecutor at the time. “It was traumatic, and it was intense.”Police officers searching a nearby field found a bloody screwdriver, gloves, jeans and a brown jacket, and questioned Johnson within hours of the killings. At Johnson’s girlfriend’s house, officers found a bag with $443, coin wrappers, partially burned checks and tennis shoes matching bloody shoe prints from inside the store.Johnson had previously asked that his execution be carried out by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-michael-brown-courts-government-and-politics-29d7d156eb49b40e3dcd63bbe4d7a3f5">firing squad</a>. His lawyers argued that Missouri’s lethal injection drug, pentobarbital, could trigger seizures due to the loss of the brain tissue when the tumor was removed.Missouri law does not authorize execution by firing squad.Johnson was sentenced to death in his first trial and two other times. The second death sentence, in 2003, came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing the mentally ill was unconstitutionally cruel. The Missouri Supreme Court tossed that second death sentence, and Johnson was sentenced a third time in 2006.Of the six previous U.S. executions this year, three were in Texas and three involved federal prisoners.The peak year for modern executions was 1999, when there were 98 across the U.S. That number has gradually declined and just 17 people were executed last year — 10 involving federal prisoners, three in Texas and one each in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri, according to a database compiled by the Death Penalty Information Center.

Man executed for claw hammer killing of 3 during robbery

The
 Federal Trade Commission put 70 for-profit higher education 
institutions on notice that the agency is cracking down on any false 
promises they make about their graduates’ job and earnings prospects and
 other outcomes and will hit violators with significant financial 
penalties.

The Commission is resurrecting its Penalty Offense 
Authority, found in Section 5 of the FTC Act, to ensure that bad actors 
pay a price when they break the law. By sending a Notice of Penalty 
Offenses to the institutions, which represent the largest for-profit 
colleges and vocational schools across the country, the companies 
operating these colleges will be on notice that they could incur 
significant sanctions for engaging in certain unlawful practices. The 
notice outlines a number of practices that the FTC has previously found 
to be unfair or deceptive, and notes that these practices could lead to 
civil penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.

“For too long, 
unscrupulous for-profit schools have preyed on students with impunity, 
facing no penalties when they defraud their students and drive them into
 debt,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC is resurrecting a dormant 
authority to deter wrongdoing and hold accountable bad actors who abuse 
students and taxpayers. Working closely with our state and federal 
partners, we’ll be monitoring this market carefully.” 

This 
broad-based initiative to deter for-profit college fraud marks the 
agency’s first use of its Penalty Offense Authority to protect students 
and their families. The Notice of Penalty Offenses allows the agency to 
seek civil penalties against a company that engages in conduct that it 
knows has been found unlawful in a previous FTC administrative order, 
other than a consent order. 

Many of the practices outlined in the
 Notice relate to claims made by institutions about the career outcomes 
of their graduates, including whether a particular career field is in 
demand, the percentage of graduates who get jobs in their chosen field, 
whether the institution can help a graduate get a job, the amount of 
money a graduate can expect to earn and other related practices. 
Complaints to the FTC around education-related issues surged roughly 70 
percent between 2018 and 2020, and the Commission is committed to 
rooting out practices that harm students and their families.

The 
Notice cites a number of administrative cases brought by the FTC against
 for-profit institutions in which the Commission found practices like 
those outlined in the Notice unlawful.

A full list of the 
institutions that received the Notice from the FTC is available on the 
FTC’s website.&nbsp; A school’s presence on this list does not reflect any 
assessment as to whether they have engaged in deceptive or unfair 
conduct. 

The Commission vote to authorize the Notice and its distribution was 5-0.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission put 70 for-profit higher education 
institutions on notice that the agency is cracking down on any false 
promises they make about their graduates’ job and earnings prospects and
 other outcomes and will hit violators with significant financial 
penalties.The Commission is resurrecting its Penalty Offense 
Authority, found in Section 5 of the FTC Act, to ensure that bad actors 
pay a price when they break the law. By sending a Notice of Penalty 
Offenses to the institutions, which represent the largest for-profit 
colleges and vocational schools across the country, the companies 
operating these colleges will be on notice that they could incur 
significant sanctions for engaging in certain unlawful practices. The 
notice outlines a number of practices that the FTC has previously found 
to be unfair or deceptive, and notes that these practices could lead to 
civil penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.“For too long, 
unscrupulous for-profit schools have preyed on students with impunity, 
facing no penalties when they defraud their students and drive them into
 debt,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC is resurrecting a dormant 
authority to deter wrongdoing and hold accountable bad actors who abuse 
students and taxpayers. Working closely with our state and federal 
partners, we’ll be monitoring this market carefully.” This 
broad-based initiative to deter for-profit college fraud marks the 
agency’s first use of its Penalty Offense Authority to protect students 
and their families. The Notice of Penalty Offenses allows the agency to 
seek civil penalties against a company that engages in conduct that it 
knows has been found unlawful in a previous FTC administrative order, 
other than a consent order. Many of the practices outlined in the
 Notice relate to claims made by institutions about the career outcomes 
of their graduates, including whether a particular career field is in 
demand, the percentage of graduates who get jobs in their chosen field, 
whether the institution can help a graduate get a job, the amount of 
money a graduate can expect to earn and other related practices. 
Complaints to the FTC around education-related issues surged roughly 70 
percent between 2018 and 2020, and the Commission is committed to 
rooting out practices that harm students and their families.The 
Notice cites a number of administrative cases brought by the FTC against
 for-profit institutions in which the Commission found practices like 
those outlined in the Notice unlawful.A full list of the 
institutions that received the Notice from the FTC is available on the 
FTC’s website.&nbsp; A school’s presence on this list does not reflect any 
assessment as to whether they have engaged in deceptive or unfair 
conduct. The Commission vote to authorize the Notice and its distribution was 5-0.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

 FTC targets false claims by for-profit colleges

It’s always a good idea to get your holiday shopping done early, but this year it’s more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a <a href="https://www.wral.com/supply-chain-issues-mean-you-should-start-your-holiday-shopping-now/19865174/" target="_blank">microchip shortage</a> and <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supply-chain-issues-products-worker-shortage/" target="_blank">supply chain issues</a>. This means electronics, toys, and other products will be (or already are) in short supply.

Supply shortages, in turn, result in fewer holiday bargains and 
higher than normal prices.&nbsp; This means that sticking to your budget and 
scoring all the gifts on your list will be harder than usual. To make a success of your holiday shopping this year despite the challenges, BBB recommends the following tips.

Read the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Smart Shopping Online</a> and visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/Holiday-Tips" target="_blank">BBB.org/Holiday-Tips</a> for more ways to get your holiday shopping done safely this year.

Always make purchases from businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;

If you come across a scam while holiday shopping, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. Your report can help others stay alert to the danger.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBIt’s always a good idea to get your holiday shopping done early, but this year it’s more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a <a href="https://www.wral.com/supply-chain-issues-mean-you-should-start-your-holiday-shopping-now/19865174/" target="_blank">microchip shortage</a> and <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supply-chain-issues-products-worker-shortage/" target="_blank">supply chain issues</a>. This means electronics, toys, and other products will be (or already are) in short supply.Supply shortages, in turn, result in fewer holiday bargains and 
higher than normal prices.&nbsp; This means that sticking to your budget and 
scoring all the gifts on your list will be harder than usual. To make a success of your holiday shopping this year despite the challenges, BBB recommends the following tips.<h2>Tips for your 2021 holiday shopping</h2><ul>
 <li>Know what products stores might run out of. Millions
 of everyday products use microchips to function. Computers, gaming 
systems, smart appliances, cameras, and toys that feature light, sound, 
motion, or any kind of tech all use microchips, meaning many 
manufacturers are already struggling to keep up with the demand for 
their products. Think though your holiday list and identify&nbsp;must-have 
that are impacted by the shortage. </li><li>Start shopping earlier than usual. Don’t wait until Black Friday to start holiday shopping this year. Certain products may already be sold out by November, <a href="https://lifehacker.com/will-supply-chain-issues-really-sabotage-2021-holiday-s-1847682085" target="_blank">according to some retailers</a>. </li><li>When you find a good deal, don’t wait to buy. Good deals will be harder to find this year, so if you find a product in stock at a good price, take advantage right away. </li><li>Budget your holiday shopping without expecting sales. Supply
 chain problems mean many retailers have had to pay more than usual for 
inventory and can’t offer the same bargain prices they did last year. In
 fact, many products that use microchips have already gone up in price, 
so plan your budget accordingly. This might mean buying fewer presents 
or organizing <a href="https://lifehacker.com/the-best-way-to-run-a-secret-santa-gift-exchange-1789285244">a secret Santa style gift exchange.</a> </li><li>Have a backup plan. Because so many household items
 use microchip technology, some retailers already have products 
backordered into 2022. Try to stay flexible this year. If you absolutely
 can’t get a gift you had in mind, you may need a Plan B. For example, 
if the toy you wanted for your kids is not available or too expensive, 
keep in mind that the present shortages only affect <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/could-toy-shortage-holiday-why-190042035.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall">certain kinds of gifts</a>. Plush toys, outdoor toys, and action figures sans electronic features should stay in stock and reasonably priced this year. </li><li>Watch out for scams. Whenever a product is in high demand like <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">the hottest toy of the holiday season</a>,
 scammers try to take advantage of consumers. Remember, deals that sound
 too good to be true probably are. In addition, keep an eye out for 
sketchy sellers that may be selling <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams" target="_blank">counterfeit products</a>.
 Finally, always research vendors you are unfamiliar with to make sure 
you’re dealing with a legitimate business before you make a purchase or 
give them your personal information, such as your credit card number.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>Read the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Smart Shopping Online</a> and visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/Holiday-Tips" target="_blank">BBB.org/Holiday-Tips</a> for more ways to get your holiday shopping done safely this year.Always make purchases from businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;If you come across a scam while holiday shopping, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. Your report can help others stay alert to the danger.

Microchip shortage: Don't let it ruin your holiday shopping

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for setting fire to a Kansas City church last year.

Christopher Durant, 39, of Kansas City, was sentenced Monday to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in April to one count of arson, federal prosecutors for Missouri said in a news release. There is no parole in the federal system.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598704000473.png" alt="Security camera image just after the fire started- KCMO police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image just after the fire started- KCMO police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for setting fire to a Kansas City church last year.Christopher Durant, 39, of Kansas City, was sentenced Monday to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in April to one count of arson, federal prosecutors for Missouri said in a news release. There is no parole in the federal system.Durant also was ordered to pay more than $143,000 in restitution to go to the church, insurance company and owner of the building in which the church is housed.Prosecutors said Durant set fire to Beyond Thee Four Walls Ministries on Aug. 26, 2020, days after he had approached church staff asking for water and was turned away. Surveillance video showed Durant breaking church windows with chunks of asphalt, then placing burning objects inside the church through a mail slot and the broken windows, investigators said.