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

This third batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 35 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit. 
Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received payments
 dated July 15 and Aug. 13, along with today's September 15 payment. 
Future payments are scheduled for October 15, November 15 and December 
15. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each 
child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through
 17.

Here are further details on these payments:

Still time to sign up; additional details

It's not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income tax 
return—including those who are not normally required to file because 
their incomes are too low—to sign up for advance CTC payments. Most 
low-income families can get these monthly payments.

The IRS urges families who normally aren't required to file a tax 
return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine their eligibility or help them file a simplified tax return to
 sign up for these payments, as well as to be considered automatically 
for the third round of Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 per 
person and to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit covering any of the first
 two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they may have missed.

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

Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
can do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update
 Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
October and for the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on
 October 4, 2021.

For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.

The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return in 2022. This could happen if, for example, someone 
else, such as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim 
their child or children as dependents in 2021.

At the same time, IRS also reminded eligible families who are not 
getting these payments, especially those who receive little or no 
income, that the IRS Non-filer Sign-up Tool remains available to use 
until October 15.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment for the month of September.This third batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 35 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit. 
Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received payments
 dated July 15 and Aug. 13, along with today's September 15 payment. 
Future payments are scheduled for October 15, November 15 and December 
15. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each 
child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through
 17.Here are further details on these payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting today, September 15. Like the prior payments, the vast majority
 of families will receive them by direct deposit.</li><li>For those receiving payments by paper check, be sure to allow extra
 time, through the end of September, for delivery by mail. Those wishing
 to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this change using
 the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a> available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>. A change made by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 4 will apply starting with the October payment.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by Aug. 30 are reflected in these 
payments. This includes people who don't typically file a return but 
during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using 
the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the 
Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC, also available only on IRS.gov.</li><li>Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, which could
 include filing a simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, 
families don't have to do anything if they are eligible to receive 
monthly payments.</li><li>Families who did not get a July or August payment and are getting 
their first monthly payment in September will still receive their total 
advance payment for the year of up to $1,800 for each child under age 6 
and up to $1,500 for each child ages 6 through 17. This means that the 
total payment will be spread over four months, rather than six, making 
each monthly payment larger. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to 
$450 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $375 per month for 
each child ages 6 through 17.</li>
 </ul><h2>Still time to sign up; additional details</h2>It's not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income tax 
return—including those who are not normally required to file because 
their incomes are too low—to sign up for advance CTC payments. Most 
low-income families can get these monthly payments.The IRS urges families who normally aren't required to file a tax 
return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine their eligibility or help them file a simplified tax return to
 sign up for these payments, as well as to be considered automatically 
for the third round of Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 per 
person and to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit covering any of the first
 two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they may have missed.The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools and toolkits</a> to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups sign up to receive these benefits.Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
can do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update
 Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
October and for the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on
 October 4, 2021.For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return in 2022. This could happen if, for example, someone 
else, such as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim 
their child or children as dependents in 2021.At the same time, IRS also reminded eligible families who are not 
getting these payments, especially those who receive little or no 
income, that the IRS Non-filer Sign-up Tool remains available to use 
until October 15.Links to these tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">special advance CTC 2021 page</a>.

IRS: Families now receiving September Child Tax Credit payments

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a solar farm in the far northeast corner of Reno County.

"It's
 averaging about a dollar a kilowatt," said Commissioner Daniel Friesen.
 "This is an expected $1.4 million investment in the county in an area 
that probably would never see that kind of investment if we hadn't 
fostered this."

The property is located on the south side of E. 
108th Avenue, approximately 825 feet east of the intersection of N. 
Sunrise Road and E. 108th Avenue. 

"Unlike some solar farms, this 
power generator will stay with Ark Valley customers only," said County 
Planner Mark Vonachen. "It will not be sold or distributed elsewhere. 
It's strictly for the benefit of customers from Ark Valley. The area 
around the solar farm is going to be secured by a six-foot fence with 
barbed wire. The project will also comply with the national electric 
code standards. The project is designed to last at least 25 years."

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request by a 5-0 vote and the County Commission also passed it unanimously.

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a solar farm in the far northeast corner of Reno County."It's
 averaging about a dollar a kilowatt," said Commissioner Daniel Friesen.
 "This is an expected $1.4 million investment in the county in an area 
that probably would never see that kind of investment if we hadn't 
fostered this."The property is located on the south side of E. 
108th Avenue, approximately 825 feet east of the intersection of N. 
Sunrise Road and E. 108th Avenue. "Unlike some solar farms, this 
power generator will stay with Ark Valley customers only," said County 
Planner Mark Vonachen. "It will not be sold or distributed elsewhere. 
It's strictly for the benefit of customers from Ark Valley. The area 
around the solar farm is going to be secured by a six-foot fence with 
barbed wire. The project will also comply with the national electric 
code standards. The project is designed to last at least 25 years."The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request by a 5-0 vote and the County Commission also passed it unanimously.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Solar farm approved by Reno County commissioners

WASHINGTON (AP) — Influential government advisers will debate Friday if there's enough proof that a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective — the first step toward deciding which Americans need one and when.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday posted much of the evidence its advisory panel will consider. The agency struck a decidedly neutral tone on the rationale for boosters — an unusual and careful approach that's all the more striking after President Joe Biden and his top health advisers trumpeted a booster campaign they hoped to begin next week.

Pfizer’s argument: While protection against severe disease is holding strong in the U.S., immunity against milder infection wanes somewhere around six to eight months after the second dose. The company gave an extra dose to 306 people at that point and recorded levels of virus-fighting antibodies threefold higher than after the earlier shots.

More important, Pfizer said, those antibodies appear strong enough to handle the extra-contagious delta variant that is surging around the country.

New public artwork above an alley in Philadelphia attracts attention

To bolster its case, Pfizer pointed the FDA to data from Israel, which began offering boosters over the summer.

That study tracked about 1 million people 60 and older and found those who got the extra shot were far less likely to become infected soon afterward. Pfizer said that translates to “roughly 95% effectiveness” when delta was spreading, comparable to the protection seen shortly after the vaccine’s rollout earlier in the year.

The Israeli data, also published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, cannot say how long the boosted protection lasts.

The FDA's reviewers, however, suggested they would mainly look to research on how the vaccines are working among Americans, saying that “may most accurately represent vaccine effectiveness in the U.S. population.”

Overall, the data show that the Pfizer and other U.S.-authorized COVID-19 vaccines “still afford protection against severe COVID-19 disease and death in the United States,” the agency said, summarizing the evidence.

The FDA is not bound to follow the advice of its independent advisory panel. But if the agency overrules its own experts, that could stoke public confusion. Earlier this week, two top FDA vaccine regulators joined a group of international scientists in rejecting boosters now for otherwise healthy individuals, citing the strong continuing protection against severe disease.

Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said it’s important to understand the FDA’s decision simply is whether an extra dose is safe and does what it promises — to raise immunity levels.

If the FDA decides the extra shot does those two things, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have to decide who should get another dose. The CDC has scheduled a meeting of its own advisers for next week and has signaled it is considering a booster for certain people — such as older adults, nursing home residents and front-line health workers — rather than the general population.

The broader issue: "What really is going to control the delta variant is vaccinating the unvaccinated, not boosters,” Durbin said. More than one-third of Americans who are eligible for the shots aren't yet fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.

The U.S. already offers an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to people with severely weakened immune systems.

For the average person, what’s the evidence that immunity is waning? The CDC says real-world data show protection against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths is holding strong. But in one recent study, protection against infection slipped as the delta variant hit: It was 91% in the spring but 78% in June and July. The CDC also has seen a hint that for people 75 and older, protection against hospitalizations slightly declined in the summer.

Moderna also has asked FDA to allow a booster dose of its vaccine, and on Wednesday posted its own study of waning immunity.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Influential government advisers will debate Friday if there's enough proof that a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective — the first step toward deciding which Americans need one and when.The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday posted much of the evidence its advisory panel will consider. The agency struck a decidedly neutral tone on the rationale for boosters — an unusual and careful approach that's all the more striking after President Joe Biden and his top health advisers trumpeted a booster campaign they hoped to begin next week.Pfizer’s argument: While protection against severe disease is holding strong in the U.S., immunity against milder infection wanes somewhere around six to eight months after the second dose. The company gave an extra dose to 306 people at that point and recorded levels of virus-fighting antibodies threefold higher than after the earlier shots.More important, Pfizer said, those antibodies appear strong enough to handle the extra-contagious delta variant that is surging around the country.New public artwork above an alley in Philadelphia attracts attentionTo bolster its case, Pfizer pointed the FDA to data from Israel, which began offering boosters over the summer.That study tracked about 1 million people 60 and older and found those who got the extra shot were far less likely to become infected soon afterward. Pfizer said that translates to “roughly 95% effectiveness” when delta was spreading, comparable to the protection seen shortly after the vaccine’s rollout earlier in the year.The Israeli data, also published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, cannot say how long the boosted protection lasts.The FDA's reviewers, however, suggested they would mainly look to research on how the vaccines are working among Americans, saying that “may most accurately represent vaccine effectiveness in the U.S. population.”Overall, the data show that the Pfizer and other U.S.-authorized COVID-19 vaccines “still afford protection against severe COVID-19 disease and death in the United States,” the agency said, summarizing the evidence.The FDA is not bound to follow the advice of its independent advisory panel. But if the agency overrules its own experts, that could stoke public confusion. Earlier this week, two top FDA vaccine regulators joined a group of international scientists in rejecting boosters now for otherwise healthy individuals, citing the strong continuing protection against severe disease.Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said it’s important to understand the FDA’s decision simply is whether an extra dose is safe and does what it promises — to raise immunity levels.If the FDA decides the extra shot does those two things, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have to decide who should get another dose. The CDC has scheduled a meeting of its own advisers for next week and has signaled it is considering a booster for certain people — such as older adults, nursing home residents and front-line health workers — rather than the general population.The broader issue: "What really is going to control the delta variant is vaccinating the unvaccinated, not boosters,” Durbin said. More than one-third of Americans who are eligible for the shots aren't yet fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.The U.S. already offers an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to people with severely weakened immune systems.For the average person, what’s the evidence that immunity is waning? The CDC says real-world data show protection against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths is holding strong. But in one recent study, protection against infection slipped as the delta variant hit: It was 91% in the spring but 78% in June and July. The CDC also has seen a hint that for people 75 and older, protection against hospitalizations slightly declined in the summer.Moderna also has asked FDA to allow a booster dose of its vaccine, and on Wednesday posted its own study of waning immunity.

Experts at FDA still disagree over need for COVID vaccine booster 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers 
about the upcoming October 15 due date to file 2020 tax returns. People 
who asked for an extension should file on or before the extension 
deadline to avoid the penalty for filing late. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">Electronic filing options</a>, such as IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>, are still available.

Although October 15 is the last day for most people to file, some taxpayers may have more time. They include:

There is usually no penalty for failure to file if the taxpayer 
is due a refund. However, people who wait too long to file and claim a 
refund, risk losing it altogether. Those who have yet to file a 2020 tax
 return, owe tax, and did not request an extension can generally avoid 
additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as 
possible and paying any taxes owed.

Schedule federal tax payments electronically

Taxpayers can file now and schedule their federal tax payments up to 
the October 15 due date. They can pay online, by phone or with their 
mobile device and the IRS2Go app. When paying federal taxes 
electronically taxpayers should remember:

Taxpayers can use their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">online account</a>&nbsp;to
 securely see important information when preparing to file their tax 
return or following up on balances or notices. This includes:

The safest and fastest way for people to get a refund is to file 
electronically and have their refund electronically deposited into their
 bank or other financial account. Taxpayers can use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;to deposit their refund into one, two or even three accounts. They can also <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/now-you-can-buy-us-series-i-savings-bonds-for-anyone-with-your-tax-refund">purchase U.S. Savings Bonds</a>.

People who don't have a bank account can go to the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/about/initiatives/getbanked/index.html">FDIC website</a>&nbsp;or the National Credit Union Association to use their <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a> for information on where to open an online bank or credit union account. Veterans can use the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.

Monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments

Millions of American families currently receive <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 either through direct deposit or paper check. These payments represent 
half of the increased Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan and
 will continue through the end of the year.

For those <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">eligible</a>
 and on extension for their 2020 tax returns, the IRS is using previous 
year tax information, 2019 for most, to determine the credit amount. The
 IRS urges people who requested an extension to file as soon as possible
 if they experienced a major change such as the birth of a child in 
2020. Once that return is processed, the IRS can <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-c-calculation-of-the-2021-child-tax-credit">calculate the credit</a> based on the 2020 return and pay it out in full over the remaining months in 2021.

Those who file and have their 2020 return processed on or before 
November&nbsp;1, may be eligible for two payments of half the credit in 2021.
 Similarly, people who file and have their return processed on or before
 November&nbsp;29, may be eligible for one payment.

To speed the processing of returns and to avoid delays, the IRS urges everyone to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a>.

Complete information on the advance Child Tax Credit is available on IRS.gov.

Act soon to claim missing stimulus payments

For anyone who missed out on the first two rounds of stimulus 
payments, it's not too late. People who didn't get a first and second 
Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts can get that 
missing money if they're eligible for it, but they need to act soon.

When it comes to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">missing stimulus payments,</a> it's critical that eligible people file a 2020 tax return or use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool</a>
 soon even if they don't usually file to provide information the IRS 
needs to send the payments. The IRS will also automatically evaluate the
 taxpayer's eligibility for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/third-economic-impact-payment">the third economic impact payment</a> when the 2020 return is processed.

The IRS will continue to issue eligible taxpayers their third 
economic impact payment and plus-up payments through the end of 2021. 
File a 2020 tax return electronically as soon as possible to give the IRS time to process and issue the payments before the end of 2021.

Taxpayers will find answers to many questions using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)</a>, a tax law resource that works using a series of questions and responses. Additionally, the IRS provides payment options at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a> and tax information is available in several languages by clicking on the "English" tab on the front page of IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers 
about the upcoming October 15 due date to file 2020 tax returns. People 
who asked for an extension should file on or before the extension 
deadline to avoid the penalty for filing late. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">Electronic filing options</a>, such as IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>, are still available.Although October 15 is the last day for most people to file, some taxpayers may have more time. They include:<ul>
 <li>Members of the military and others serving in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/combat-zones">combat zone</a>. They typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.</li><li>Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas who already had valid extensions. For details, see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations">disaster relief</a>&nbsp;page on IRS.gov.</li>
 </ul>There is usually no penalty for failure to file if the taxpayer 
is due a refund. However, people who wait too long to file and claim a 
refund, risk losing it altogether. Those who have yet to file a 2020 tax
 return, owe tax, and did not request an extension can generally avoid 
additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as 
possible and paying any taxes owed.<h2>Schedule federal tax payments electronically</h2>Taxpayers can file now and schedule their federal tax payments up to 
the October 15 due date. They can pay online, by phone or with their 
mobile device and the IRS2Go app. When paying federal taxes 
electronically taxpayers should remember:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">Electronic payment options</a>&nbsp;are the optimal way to make a tax payment.</li><li>They can pay when they file electronically using tax software 
online. If using a tax preparer, taxpayers should ask the preparer to 
make the tax payment through an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">electronic funds withdrawal</a>&nbsp;from a bank account.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">IRS Direct Pay</a>&nbsp;allows
 taxpayers to pay online directly from a checking or savings account for
 free, and to schedule payments up to 365 days in advance.</li><li>Choices to pay with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet option are available through a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">payment processor</a>. The payment processor, not the IRS, charges a fee for this service.</li><li>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a>&nbsp;app provides the mobile-friendly payment options, including Direct Pay and debit or credit card payments on mobile devices.</li><li>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)</a>&nbsp;is convenient, safe and easy. Choose to pay online or by phone by using the EFTPS Voice Response System.</li>
 </ul><h2>View tax account online</h2>Taxpayers can use their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">online account</a>&nbsp;to
 securely see important information when preparing to file their tax 
return or following up on balances or notices. This includes:<ul>
 <li>Adjusted Gross Income: This can be useful if using a different tax software or tax preparer this year.</li><li>Economic Impact Payment amounts: Eligible 
individuals who did not receive the full amounts of both Economic Impact
 Payments may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 federal tax
 return. To claim the full amount, taxpayers will need to know the 
amounts of the Economic Impact Payments received. These amounts can be 
found on the Tax Records tab in online account.</li><li>Estimated tax payment amounts:&nbsp;The total of any 
estimated tax payments made during the year or refunds applied as a 
credit can be found on the Account Balance tab in online account, and a 
record of each payment appears under Payment Activity.</li>
 </ul>Additionally, taxpayers can view the:<ul>
 <li>Amount owed for any past years, updated for the current calendar day,</li><li>Payment history and any scheduled or pending payments,</li><li>Payment plan details,</li><li>Digital copies of select notices from the IRS, and</li><li>Approve or reject authorization requests from tax professionals.</li>
 </ul><h2>Choose direct deposit for refunds</h2>The safest and fastest way for people to get a refund is to file 
electronically and have their refund electronically deposited into their
 bank or other financial account. Taxpayers can use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;to deposit their refund into one, two or even three accounts. They can also <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/now-you-can-buy-us-series-i-savings-bonds-for-anyone-with-your-tax-refund">purchase U.S. Savings Bonds</a>.People who don't have a bank account can go to the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/about/initiatives/getbanked/index.html">FDIC website</a>&nbsp;or the National Credit Union Association to use their <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a> for information on where to open an online bank or credit union account. Veterans can use the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.<h2>Monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments</h2>Millions of American families currently receive <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments</a>
 either through direct deposit or paper check. These payments represent 
half of the increased Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan and
 will continue through the end of the year.For those <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">eligible</a>
 and on extension for their 2020 tax returns, the IRS is using previous 
year tax information, 2019 for most, to determine the credit amount. The
 IRS urges people who requested an extension to file as soon as possible
 if they experienced a major change such as the birth of a child in 
2020. Once that return is processed, the IRS can <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-c-calculation-of-the-2021-child-tax-credit">calculate the credit</a> based on the 2020 return and pay it out in full over the remaining months in 2021.Those who file and have their 2020 return processed on or before 
November&nbsp;1, may be eligible for two payments of half the credit in 2021.
 Similarly, people who file and have their return processed on or before
 November&nbsp;29, may be eligible for one payment.To speed the processing of returns and to avoid delays, the IRS urges everyone to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a>.Complete information on the advance Child Tax Credit is available on IRS.gov.<h2>Act soon to claim missing stimulus payments</h2>For anyone who missed out on the first two rounds of stimulus 
payments, it's not too late. People who didn't get a first and second 
Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts can get that 
missing money if they're eligible for it, but they need to act soon.When it comes to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">missing stimulus payments,</a> it's critical that eligible people file a 2020 tax return or use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool</a>
 soon even if they don't usually file to provide information the IRS 
needs to send the payments. The IRS will also automatically evaluate the
 taxpayer's eligibility for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/third-economic-impact-payment">the third economic impact payment</a> when the 2020 return is processed.The IRS will continue to issue eligible taxpayers their third 
economic impact payment and plus-up payments through the end of 2021. 
File a 2020 tax return electronically as soon as possible to give the IRS time to process and issue the payments before the end of 2021.<h2>IRS.gov assistance</h2>Taxpayers will find answers to many questions using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)</a>, a tax law resource that works using a series of questions and responses. Additionally, the IRS provides payment options at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a> and tax information is available in several languages by clicking on the "English" tab on the front page of IRS.gov.

Deadline looms for taxpayers who requested extensions to file 2020 returns

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge ordered Kansas on Wednesday to pay a total of $1.42 million to attorneys who succeeded in getting the federal courts to strike down a state law requiring new voters to show papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled the attorneys suing the Kansas secretary of state’s office over the law should receive more than $1.07 million to cover their fees and another $350,000 for litigation expenses. The lawyers had initially sought more than $3.3 million. The parties negotiated a lower amount that was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-lawsuits-voting-voting-rights-db1ed581e017e9174233a939fcfa691f">presented to the judge&nbsp;</a>Friday.

The law was championed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who led former President Donald Trump’s now-defunct voter fraud commission. Kobach was a leading source for Trump’s unsubstantiated claim that millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally may have voted in the 2016 election.

The lawsuits argued that the proof-of-citizenship requirement denied voting rights to thousands of citizens while doing little or nothing to stop fraud. Robinson and a federal appeals court agreed, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined last year to intervene.

Kobach represented himself in much of the litigation. He left office after losing the 2018 governor’s race but is running for Kansas attorney general in 2022.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge ordered Kansas on Wednesday to pay a total of $1.42 million to attorneys who succeeded in getting the federal courts to strike down a state law requiring new voters to show papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering.U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled the attorneys suing the Kansas secretary of state’s office over the law should receive more than $1.07 million to cover their fees and another $350,000 for litigation expenses. The lawyers had initially sought more than $3.3 million. The parties negotiated a lower amount that was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-lawsuits-voting-voting-rights-db1ed581e017e9174233a939fcfa691f">presented to the judge&nbsp;</a>Friday.The law was championed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who led former President Donald Trump’s now-defunct voter fraud commission. Kobach was a leading source for Trump’s unsubstantiated claim that millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally may have voted in the 2016 election.The lawsuits argued that the proof-of-citizenship requirement denied voting rights to thousands of citizens while doing little or nothing to stop fraud. Robinson and a federal appeals court agreed, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined last year to intervene.Kobach represented himself in much of the litigation. He left office after losing the 2018 governor’s race but is running for Kansas attorney general in 2022.

Judge: Kansas must pay $1.42M to attorneys in voting rights case

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man accused in a fatal drive-by shooting made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Jesus Manzano-Legarda, 21 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 12a.m. Friday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges first degree murder in connection with the&nbsp; fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15 police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.

Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita who had been shot.

First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger believed to be&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.

The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.

Police arrested and booked Manzano-Legarda Friday. He is scheduled for court again Sept. 23.&nbsp; He is being held on a bond of $500,000, according to the district attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.

Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by Carter who had been shot.

Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.

This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. Police have not identified a suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631742123130.png" alt="MANZANO-LEGARDA" />
 <figcaption>MANZANO-LEGARDA</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man accused in a fatal drive-by shooting made his first court appearance Tuesday.Jesus Manzano-Legarda, 21 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 12a.m. Friday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges first degree murder in connection with the&nbsp; fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.Just after 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15 police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita who had been shot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631150186772.png" alt="Police at the scene of the fatal shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the fatal shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger believed to be&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.Police arrested and booked Manzano-Legarda Friday. He is scheduled for court again Sept. 23.&nbsp; He is being held on a bond of $500,000, according to the district attorney's office.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by Carter who had been shot.First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. Police have not identified a suspect.

Man charged in fatal Kansas drive-by shooting

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged drug violation.

Just after 11:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation near 126 road on U.S. 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

After an investigation, deputies arrested the driver Amber Lea Rachel Mason, 36, Topeka, on requested charges of meth possession, possession of hallucinogenic drugs, driving while suspended and aggravated child endangerment.

The sheriff's office did not release details on the children and where they were placed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631709154665.png" alt="Mason-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mason-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged drug violation.Just after 11:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation near 126 road on U.S. 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.After an investigation, deputies arrested the driver Amber Lea Rachel Mason, 36, Topeka, on requested charges of meth possession, possession of hallucinogenic drugs, driving while suspended and aggravated child endangerment.The sheriff's office did not release details on the children and where they were placed.

Kan. woman caught driving with meth, children in car

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high-speed chase in Reno County.

A suspect later identified as 26-year-old Clancy Nelson fled from law enforcement as they tried to make a vehicle stop in&nbsp; Hutchinson, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Department.

Nelson,&nbsp; drove south on Avenue A to U.S. 50 and then east at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Deputies were able to force the vehicle off the road near Burrton, where he was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail. 

He faces potential charges of aggravated kidnapping, drug possession and fleeing and eluding. His bond is set at $221,000.&nbsp;

One of two passengers in the vehicle, Heather Smith was also arrested for drug distribution and other warrants. She is jailed on a bond of $28,500. Deputies released a second passenger at the scene.

According to the sheriff's department, the two passengers wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Nelson refused thus the potential kidnapping charges.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722267062.png" alt="Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high-speed chase in Reno County.A suspect later identified as 26-year-old Clancy Nelson fled from law enforcement as they tried to make a vehicle stop in&nbsp; Hutchinson, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Department.Nelson,&nbsp; drove south on Avenue A to U.S. 50 and then east at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Deputies were able to force the vehicle off the road near Burrton, where he was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail. He faces potential charges of aggravated kidnapping, drug possession and fleeing and eluding. His bond is set at $221,000.&nbsp;One of two passengers in the vehicle, Heather Smith was also arrested for drug distribution and other warrants. She is jailed on a bond of $28,500. Deputies released a second passenger at the scene.According to the sheriff's department, the two passengers wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Nelson refused thus the potential kidnapping charges.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Wanted Kan. felon refused to let passenger out of car during chase 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women.

During a Wednesday afternoon news conference, members of the community including Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the suspect 22-year-old Keshawn Dawson to turn himself in. Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens said authorities do not know where Dawson is in hiding. Police have received information that suggests he may be in south Wichita, according to Stephens.&nbsp; There is a reward of up to $2500 through Crime Stoppers for information in the case that leads to an arrest.&nbsp;

Police say Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. Friends and family held his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kendra-and-the-spencer-family?fbclid=IwAR1CeDwwCQIfSCoQNv5hK0sgu10mWuhu3Tv8iapl8Qnv-1Q6hJWoNgFeDag">memorial service</a>&nbsp;on Monday.

The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.

The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.

Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631032156553.png" alt="Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens." />
 <figcaption>Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F415078036812791%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=30" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>During a Wednesday afternoon news conference, members of the community including Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the suspect 22-year-old Keshawn Dawson to turn himself in. Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens said authorities do not know where Dawson is in hiding. Police have received information that suggests he may be in south Wichita, according to Stephens.&nbsp; There is a reward of up to $2500 through Crime Stoppers for information in the case that leads to an arrest.&nbsp;Police say Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. Friends and family held his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kendra-and-the-spencer-family?fbclid=IwAR1CeDwwCQIfSCoQNv5hK0sgu10mWuhu3Tv8iapl8Qnv-1Q6hJWoNgFeDag">memorial service</a>&nbsp;on Monday.The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.---------------

🎥 Community pleads with Kan. shooting suspect to turn himself in

The University of Kansas Health System

The number of active COVID patients at The
 University of Kansas Health System is steady Wednesday. 38 patients with 
the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Only five of 
those 38 are vaccinated. 16 patients are in the ICU, up from 13 
yesterday and only one of those patients is vaccinated.

Nine are on 
ventilators, up from seven yesterday. 40 other patients are still 
hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, 
down from 41 yesterday. That’s a total of 78 patients, down from 79 
yesterday. HaysMed has 15 total patients, up from 14 yesterday.

Today, 
another episode of Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Steve Stites, MD, chief 
medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, was joined by
 Colette Lasack, Vice President of Revenue Cycle at the health system. 
They took a close look at how insurance is changing for COVID patients.&nbsp;

Lasack revealed an eye-popping
 number. She says it’s common for a COVID patient who’s been 
hospitalized for several weeks with intensive and extraordinary care to 
end up with a bill of more than one million dollars. Some have been more
 than two million dollars. How is anyone supposed to pay that staggering
 amount back? In her words, “You don’t.” 

She explained how the health 
system does everything possible to help patients secure coverage, and 
says there’s a high discount rate for the uninsured, but sometimes that 
still leaves people with a bill of a hundred thousand dollars, which is 
still impossible for many to pay. In that case, when all other avenues 
are exhausted, sometimes the health system has to write off the bill as 
charity care. That puts a burden on the whole system. She says most 
people don’t realize how COVID can be financially devastating for 
patients and their families, especially for those younger patients who 
might not be able to go back to work for a long time, if ever. 

She 
mentioned things aren’t likely to get better for insurance as many 
companies are starting to end their initial practice of waiving 
deductibles and copays for COVID treatment. That’s because they are 
starting to treat COVID as a preventable disease, and the unvaccinated 
may have to pay more for insurance, similar to smokers, because they are
 at higher risk. That’s already happening for employees of Delta 
Airlines, and she says that’s an employer’s choice. Lasack also 
mentioned long haul patients, and said for now there is no special 
coverage for them beyond their normal insurance if they have it. The 
only things for which there is still no cost is COVID testing, 
vaccination, and treatment such as monoclonal antibodies. She urges 
everyone who is resisting the vaccine or even wearing a mask to think 
about your risk and the consequences of your behavior. She says, 
“Consider not only your health but also your financial health and what 
this could mean to you and your family.”

Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, pointed to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7036e2.htm?s_cid=mm7036e2_w">recent CDC findings</a>
 that even with Delta, fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of 
infection by five times, they had a reduced risk of hospitalization by 
ten times and a reduced risk of death by more than 10 times. To those 
who worry about reports of blood clots and myocarditis from the vaccine,
 especially in teens, he says those cases are extremely rare. He says 
the risk of those conditions from getting COVID is much higher and the 
effects much more severe. He urges parents not to be swayed by protests 
and demonstrations against masks in schools, saying there is good real 
world evidence from large random controlled trials that masks work to 
keep COVID from spreading. He thinks increased vaccination is helping 
with the current downward trend of hospitalizations.

Dr. Stites says the biggest 
threat of unvaccinated people is that we can’t get back to real life. He
 believes the reason we’re not succeeding with the pandemic in the U.S. 
is not that we don’t have a way out. It’s those who refuse to follow the
 science and do the right thing. 

He says, “For all those folks who said 
it wasn’t safe, there are two billion doses that say it’s overwhelmingly
 safe, and it’s much safer than having COVID.” To those who say masks 
and vaccinations are unconstitutional, he points out the Constitution 
says with freedom comes responsibility. 

“At some point we have to quit 
fighting about whether COVID is real. Of course it’s real.” He asks, “At
 what point is it not OK to have an increasingly smaller group of 
individuals keep the rest of society hostage from getting back to normal
 life?” 

He stresses that vaccinated patients don’t die, they spread the 
virus to a much lesser degree and vaccinated countries like Denmark with
 a 75 percent vaccination rate are able to lift restrictions and reopen 
society. “Vaccination is safe and it’s effective and it works.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584374089535.png" alt="Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer" />
 <figcaption>Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer</figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Kansas Health SystemThe number of active COVID patients at The
 University of Kansas Health System is steady Wednesday. 38 patients with 
the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Only five of 
those 38 are vaccinated. 16 patients are in the ICU, up from 13 
yesterday and only one of those patients is vaccinated.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5wKYHa2ckvY?start=68" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Nine are on 
ventilators, up from seven yesterday. 40 other patients are still 
hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, 
down from 41 yesterday. That’s a total of 78 patients, down from 79 
yesterday. HaysMed has 15 total patients, up from 14 yesterday.Today, 
another episode of Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Steve Stites, MD, chief 
medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, was joined by
 Colette Lasack, Vice President of Revenue Cycle at the health system. 
They took a close look at how insurance is changing for COVID patients.&nbsp;Lasack revealed an eye-popping
 number. She says it’s common for a COVID patient who’s been 
hospitalized for several weeks with intensive and extraordinary care to 
end up with a bill of more than one million dollars. Some have been more
 than two million dollars. How is anyone supposed to pay that staggering
 amount back? In her words, “You don’t.” She explained how the health 
system does everything possible to help patients secure coverage, and 
says there’s a high discount rate for the uninsured, but sometimes that 
still leaves people with a bill of a hundred thousand dollars, which is 
still impossible for many to pay. In that case, when all other avenues 
are exhausted, sometimes the health system has to write off the bill as 
charity care. That puts a burden on the whole system. She says most 
people don’t realize how COVID can be financially devastating for 
patients and their families, especially for those younger patients who 
might not be able to go back to work for a long time, if ever. She 
mentioned things aren’t likely to get better for insurance as many 
companies are starting to end their initial practice of waiving 
deductibles and copays for COVID treatment. That’s because they are 
starting to treat COVID as a preventable disease, and the unvaccinated 
may have to pay more for insurance, similar to smokers, because they are
 at higher risk. That’s already happening for employees of Delta 
Airlines, and she says that’s an employer’s choice. Lasack also 
mentioned long haul patients, and said for now there is no special 
coverage for them beyond their normal insurance if they have it. The 
only things for which there is still no cost is COVID testing, 
vaccination, and treatment such as monoclonal antibodies. She urges 
everyone who is resisting the vaccine or even wearing a mask to think 
about your risk and the consequences of your behavior. She says, 
“Consider not only your health but also your financial health and what 
this could mean to you and your family.”Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, pointed to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7036e2.htm?s_cid=mm7036e2_w">recent CDC findings</a>
 that even with Delta, fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of 
infection by five times, they had a reduced risk of hospitalization by 
ten times and a reduced risk of death by more than 10 times. To those 
who worry about reports of blood clots and myocarditis from the vaccine,
 especially in teens, he says those cases are extremely rare. He says 
the risk of those conditions from getting COVID is much higher and the 
effects much more severe. He urges parents not to be swayed by protests 
and demonstrations against masks in schools, saying there is good real 
world evidence from large random controlled trials that masks work to 
keep COVID from spreading. He thinks increased vaccination is helping 
with the current downward trend of hospitalizations.Dr. Stites says the biggest 
threat of unvaccinated people is that we can’t get back to real life. He
 believes the reason we’re not succeeding with the pandemic in the U.S. 
is not that we don’t have a way out. It’s those who refuse to follow the
 science and do the right thing. He says, “For all those folks who said 
it wasn’t safe, there are two billion doses that say it’s overwhelmingly
 safe, and it’s much safer than having COVID.” To those who say masks 
and vaccinations are unconstitutional, he points out the Constitution 
says with freedom comes responsibility. “At some point we have to quit 
fighting about whether COVID is real. Of course it’s real.” He asks, “At
 what point is it not OK to have an increasingly smaller group of 
individuals keep the rest of society hostage from getting back to normal
 life?” He stresses that vaccinated patients don’t die, they spread the 
virus to a much lesser degree and vaccinated countries like Denmark with
 a 75 percent vaccination rate are able to lift restrictions and reopen 
society. “Vaccination is safe and it’s effective and it works.”

🎥 Expert: COVID treatment can ring up bills of $1-2M for patients 

DOVER, Del. (AP) — One of the primary insurers of the Boy Scouts of America announced Tuesday that it has reached a tentative settlement agreement with the organization and with attorneys representing tens of thousands of men who say they were molested decades ago by scoutmasters and others.

Under the agreement, insurance company The Hartford will pay $787 million into a fund to be established for the men, the company said in a news release. In exchange for the payment, the Boy Scouts organization and its local councils have agreed to release The Hartford from further liability regarding sexual abuse claims.

Under a separate settlement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to pay $250 million into the fund for abuse claimants, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. The denomination, commonly known as the Mormon church, was the largest single sponsor of Boy Scout troops before ending its partnership with the BSA at the beginning of last year.

The proposed settlements are part of an ongoing effort by the Boy Scouts, which declared bankruptcy in February 2020, to forge a reorganization plan that must win approval by a majority of abuse victims and the court. Attorneys are still trying to negotiate a settlement with the Boy Scouts’ other major insurer, Century Indemnity.

The proposed settlements are opposed by the official victims committee appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, as well as law firms separately representing hundreds of men who have filed sexual abuse claims. Representatives of the official victims committee described the proposed settlements as “grossly unfair.”

“The only winners in this latest proposal are the Boy Scouts, their local councils, the Mormon Church, and the Hartford insurance company,” Michael Pfau, an attorney whose firm represents more than 1,000 abuse claimants in the bankruptcy, said in a prepared statement.

“The Boy Scouts are offering abuse survivors a fraction of what their cases are worth and the assets available to pay them,” Pfau added. “The Mormon church is reported to have roughly $100 billion in assets, but it is offering a paltry $250 million to compensate the thousands of abuse survivors who were abused in Mormon Boy Scout troops by Mormon Scout leaders.”

The proposed settlements will be incorporated into a new reorganization plan that attorneys for the Boy Scouts were expected to file late Tuesday night.

The new agreement with The Hartford was negotiated after the bankruptcy judge last month rejected two key provisions of an $850 million deal that the BSA had reached with attorneys representing a majority of abuse claimants.

Judge Laura Selber Silverstein denied the BSA’s request as part of that deal for permission to withdraw from a previous $650 million settlement it had reached with The Hartford. The Boy Scouts sought to withdraw from that April agreement after attorneys for abuse claimants repeatedly insisted that their clients would never vote for a reorganization plan that included it.

Silverstein also rejected a proposal for the Boy Scouts to pay millions of dollars in legal fees and expenses of attorneys hired by a coalition of law firms that represent tens of thousands of abuse claimants. The judge noted that any such payment would come out of the pockets of abuse claimants themselves.

The new settlement with The Hartford was the product of negotiations that included attorneys representing an ad hoc group called the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. Law firms affiliated with the group represent more than 60,000 sex abuse claimants.

“These are very significant developments,” said Ken Rothweiler, whose law firm is affiliated with the coalition and represents roughly 16,800 abuse claimants.

The proposed settlements, coupled with the $850 million contribution from the BSA and local councils, would bring the fund for abuse claimants to almost $1.9 billion. If the plan is approved, it would represent one of the largest sex-abuse settlements in U.S. history.

Meanwhile, the official victims committee has estimated the total liability exposure of Boy Scouts insurers for abuse claims at more than $100 billion.

The committee supported the previous arrangement, which called for the earlier settlement with The Hartford to be scrapped and for the Boy Scouts and local BSA councils, which run day-to-day operations for Boy Scout troops, to contribute $850 million and their rights to insurance policies to the fund for abuse claimants. The committee noted that the primary value for abuse survivors under that deal would come from available insurance coverage.

Insurance companies pushed back hard against that plan, arguing that the proposed transfer of insurance rights unlawfully stripped them of their ability to question claims and improperly allowed the trustee overseeing the victims fund to determine what insurers owed without being challenged. Insurers also questioned a provision allowing expedited payments of $3,500 from the fund to resolve abuse claims, no questions asked.

DOVER, Del. (AP) — One of the primary insurers of the Boy Scouts of America announced Tuesday that it has reached a tentative settlement agreement with the organization and with attorneys representing tens of thousands of men who say they were molested decades ago by scoutmasters and others.Under the agreement, insurance company The Hartford will pay $787 million into a fund to be established for the men, the company said in a news release. In exchange for the payment, the Boy Scouts organization and its local councils have agreed to release The Hartford from further liability regarding sexual abuse claims.Under a separate settlement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to pay $250 million into the fund for abuse claimants, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. The denomination, commonly known as the Mormon church, was the largest single sponsor of Boy Scout troops before ending its partnership with the BSA at the beginning of last year.The proposed settlements are part of an ongoing effort by the Boy Scouts, which declared bankruptcy in February 2020, to forge a reorganization plan that must win approval by a majority of abuse victims and the court. Attorneys are still trying to negotiate a settlement with the Boy Scouts’ other major insurer, Century Indemnity.The proposed settlements are opposed by the official victims committee appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, as well as law firms separately representing hundreds of men who have filed sexual abuse claims. Representatives of the official victims committee described the proposed settlements as “grossly unfair.”“The only winners in this latest proposal are the Boy Scouts, their local councils, the Mormon Church, and the Hartford insurance company,” Michael Pfau, an attorney whose firm represents more than 1,000 abuse claimants in the bankruptcy, said in a prepared statement.“The Boy Scouts are offering abuse survivors a fraction of what their cases are worth and the assets available to pay them,” Pfau added. “The Mormon church is reported to have roughly $100 billion in assets, but it is offering a paltry $250 million to compensate the thousands of abuse survivors who were abused in Mormon Boy Scout troops by Mormon Scout leaders.”The proposed settlements will be incorporated into a new reorganization plan that attorneys for the Boy Scouts were expected to file late Tuesday night.The new agreement with The Hartford was negotiated after the bankruptcy judge last month rejected two key provisions of an $850 million deal that the BSA had reached with attorneys representing a majority of abuse claimants.Judge Laura Selber Silverstein denied the BSA’s request as part of that deal for permission to withdraw from a previous $650 million settlement it had reached with The Hartford. The Boy Scouts sought to withdraw from that April agreement after attorneys for abuse claimants repeatedly insisted that their clients would never vote for a reorganization plan that included it.Silverstein also rejected a proposal for the Boy Scouts to pay millions of dollars in legal fees and expenses of attorneys hired by a coalition of law firms that represent tens of thousands of abuse claimants. The judge noted that any such payment would come out of the pockets of abuse claimants themselves.The new settlement with The Hartford was the product of negotiations that included attorneys representing an ad hoc group called the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. Law firms affiliated with the group represent more than 60,000 sex abuse claimants.“These are very significant developments,” said Ken Rothweiler, whose law firm is affiliated with the coalition and represents roughly 16,800 abuse claimants.The proposed settlements, coupled with the $850 million contribution from the BSA and local councils, would bring the fund for abuse claimants to almost $1.9 billion. If the plan is approved, it would represent one of the largest sex-abuse settlements in U.S. history.Meanwhile, the official victims committee has estimated the total liability exposure of Boy Scouts insurers for abuse claims at more than $100 billion.The committee supported the previous arrangement, which called for the earlier settlement with The Hartford to be scrapped and for the Boy Scouts and local BSA councils, which run day-to-day operations for Boy Scout troops, to contribute $850 million and their rights to insurance policies to the fund for abuse claimants. The committee noted that the primary value for abuse survivors under that deal would come from available insurance coverage.Insurance companies pushed back hard against that plan, arguing that the proposed transfer of insurance rights unlawfully stripped them of their ability to question claims and improperly allowed the trustee overseeing the victims fund to determine what insurers owed without being challenged. Insurers also questioned a provision allowing expedited payments of $3,500 from the fund to resolve abuse claims, no questions asked.

Sex abuse claim: Boy Scouts settlements reached with insurer

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new federal vaccine requirement announced by President Joe Biden has created another worry for large businesses: With help wanted signs up almost everywhere, some could lose valuable employees or won’t be able to find new ones.

Biden announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">sweeping new orders</a>&nbsp;last week that will require employers with more than 100 workers to mandate vaccinations against COVID-19 or offer weekly testing. The new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the vaccine mandate could go a long way to boost the economy.

“The evidence across countries is that more vaccinations means fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn means a stronger economy,” he said.

But even those who favor Biden’s decision as a way to stop the coronavirus from spreading further are afraid that vaccination-averse workers will quit, or job seekers won’t apply for their openings. Some workers may also switch to smaller companies where shots in the arm aren’t required.

“In a tight marketplace, it’s very difficult to find employees, much less to keep our current employees,” said Jonathan Chariff, CEO of South Motors, a group of 12 auto dealerships in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area with more than 1,100 workers. “It’s easy for them to go and find another job elsewhere.”

To be sure, the mandate could make some employees more comfortable working with others in tight spaces. Indeed, Chariff said his company supports Biden’s move and wants to make sure all workers are vaccinated to keep them safe, especially after two employees died from the virus. However, the company decided against requiring them because of the labor shortage. Right now, Chariff has 80 to 100 openings.

Karl Wadensten, CEO of Richmond, Rhode Island-based VIBCO Vibrators, was an early adopter of masks, weekly virus testing and temperature checks at his manufacturing business and has encouraged vaccinations, but fears he’d lose employees if he forced them to get the jab.

Wadensten, whose company makes industrial vibrators used in dump trucks and other applications, said Friday he is waiting for more clarity about what the Biden orders will mean for his business, which has a small number of government contracts. His workforce has been hovering just above and below 100 employees, of whom about 85% are vaccinated.

“For that other 15%, it would be detrimental to their beliefs and values that they have,” he said.

Conversely, smaller companies see being exempt as an advantage. Like other businesses, Alan Dietrich, CEO of Crater Lake Spirits in Bend, Oregon, is facing staff shortages. He has a 36 workers, with an immediate need for two or three more.

“Being left out of the mandate is helpful for hiring,” he said. “We are still finding that a small but meaningful number of people in our area are vaccine hesitant, and staffing is so tough that even one person is significant to us.”

On the other hand, he said, the business is more susceptible to slowdowns or shutdowns due to positive tests. But a statewide mask mandate in Oregon “definitely helps keep our staff safer,” he said.

The Associated Press reached out to a wide range of companies since Thursday’s announcement. Many, like General Motors and Ford, said they favor vaccines but were analyzing the executive order. Others noted that they already require vaccinations.

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, was one of the first major companies to mandate vaccines for workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and its managers who travel within the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But it excluded front-line workers such as cashiers, who according to the company have a lower vaccination rate than management.

The tech industry has largely been at the forefront of vaccine requirements, making the sector in general a likely supporter of Biden’s policy on the issue. In late July, Google became one of the first major U.S. employers to decide all its workers needed to be vaccinated before returning to the office. Facebook quickly adopted a similar policy a few hours after Google took its hard stand on vaccines.

Angela B. Cornell, a clinical professor at Cornell Law School who focuses on labor law, said the mandates are a positive step for businesses.

“This shift will make it a lot easier for employers to push those individuals who have been on the fence or who have been opposed,” she said.

Companies won’t have to worry about being sued, since it’s a government mandate and not one from the employer, she said.

Per Biden’s order, the millions who work as employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government won’t have the option to get tested instead of taking the vaccine. The order also requires large companies to provide paid time off for vaccination.

Those who don’t work for federal contractors and are afraid of the vaccine can choose weekly testing instead, but many people who are simply hesitant are more likely to get immunized, said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who has studied vaccine mandates for nearly a decade.

“The testing is sufficiently burdensome that most of them would prefer just to be vaccinated,” she said.

Half of American workers favor of vaccine requirements at their workplaces, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-1afb2682d6e08cdb54c5131f967f278a">poll from The Associated Press-NORC</a>&nbsp;Center for Public Affairs Research. Such mandates have already been gaining traction following the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines from Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson are available under emergency authorization, but haven’t been formally approved.

Cole Stevenson, an assembly line worker at Ford’s pickup truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, said the requirement is a “huge overreach” by the government. He hasn’t been vaccinated and is concerned that the vaccines were released before being properly tested.

“They just haven’t done as much as they should have to be putting it into people now,” said Stevenson, who plans to get tested weekly rather than get vaccinated. “I just don’t trust it.”

The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. have in fact been proven safe and remarkably effective against the worst outcomes of the disease in studies of tens of thousands of people and in following their real-world performance.

More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks. They’ve now reached an average of about 140,000 cases per day.

On average, about 1,000 Americans die from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 650,000 Americans have died from the virus since January of 2020, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Britton Durbin, a utility worker in Dunnellon, Florida, who is vaccinated, said mandates are needed to make sure workers are safe and the power company he works for can operate without being interrupted by people getting sick. His company hasn’t mandated vaccines yet, but has encouraged them. In the last couple of months, three colleagues have died of COVID-19.

“When I know my co-workers are vaccinated, it’s reassuring,” said Durbin, 32. “There’s less of a chance of them getting sick or passing on.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631221419994.png" alt="President Biden's new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden's new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new federal vaccine requirement announced by President Joe Biden has created another worry for large businesses: With help wanted signs up almost everywhere, some could lose valuable employees or won’t be able to find new ones.Biden announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">sweeping new orders</a>&nbsp;last week that will require employers with more than 100 workers to mandate vaccinations against COVID-19 or offer weekly testing. The new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated.Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the vaccine mandate could go a long way to boost the economy.“The evidence across countries is that more vaccinations means fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn means a stronger economy,” he said.But even those who favor Biden’s decision as a way to stop the coronavirus from spreading further are afraid that vaccination-averse workers will quit, or job seekers won’t apply for their openings. Some workers may also switch to smaller companies where shots in the arm aren’t required.“In a tight marketplace, it’s very difficult to find employees, much less to keep our current employees,” said Jonathan Chariff, CEO of South Motors, a group of 12 auto dealerships in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area with more than 1,100 workers. “It’s easy for them to go and find another job elsewhere.”To be sure, the mandate could make some employees more comfortable working with others in tight spaces. Indeed, Chariff said his company supports Biden’s move and wants to make sure all workers are vaccinated to keep them safe, especially after two employees died from the virus. However, the company decided against requiring them because of the labor shortage. Right now, Chariff has 80 to 100 openings.Karl Wadensten, CEO of Richmond, Rhode Island-based VIBCO Vibrators, was an early adopter of masks, weekly virus testing and temperature checks at his manufacturing business and has encouraged vaccinations, but fears he’d lose employees if he forced them to get the jab.Wadensten, whose company makes industrial vibrators used in dump trucks and other applications, said Friday he is waiting for more clarity about what the Biden orders will mean for his business, which has a small number of government contracts. His workforce has been hovering just above and below 100 employees, of whom about 85% are vaccinated.“For that other 15%, it would be detrimental to their beliefs and values that they have,” he said.Conversely, smaller companies see being exempt as an advantage. Like other businesses, Alan Dietrich, CEO of Crater Lake Spirits in Bend, Oregon, is facing staff shortages. He has a 36 workers, with an immediate need for two or three more.“Being left out of the mandate is helpful for hiring,” he said. “We are still finding that a small but meaningful number of people in our area are vaccine hesitant, and staffing is so tough that even one person is significant to us.”On the other hand, he said, the business is more susceptible to slowdowns or shutdowns due to positive tests. But a statewide mask mandate in Oregon “definitely helps keep our staff safer,” he said.The Associated Press reached out to a wide range of companies since Thursday’s announcement. Many, like General Motors and Ford, said they favor vaccines but were analyzing the executive order. Others noted that they already require vaccinations.Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, was one of the first major companies to mandate vaccines for workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and its managers who travel within the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But it excluded front-line workers such as cashiers, who according to the company have a lower vaccination rate than management.The tech industry has largely been at the forefront of vaccine requirements, making the sector in general a likely supporter of Biden’s policy on the issue. In late July, Google became one of the first major U.S. employers to decide all its workers needed to be vaccinated before returning to the office. Facebook quickly adopted a similar policy a few hours after Google took its hard stand on vaccines.Angela B. Cornell, a clinical professor at Cornell Law School who focuses on labor law, said the mandates are a positive step for businesses.“This shift will make it a lot easier for employers to push those individuals who have been on the fence or who have been opposed,” she said.Companies won’t have to worry about being sued, since it’s a government mandate and not one from the employer, she said.Per Biden’s order, the millions who work as employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government won’t have the option to get tested instead of taking the vaccine. The order also requires large companies to provide paid time off for vaccination.Those who don’t work for federal contractors and are afraid of the vaccine can choose weekly testing instead, but many people who are simply hesitant are more likely to get immunized, said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who has studied vaccine mandates for nearly a decade.“The testing is sufficiently burdensome that most of them would prefer just to be vaccinated,” she said.Half of American workers favor of vaccine requirements at their workplaces, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-1afb2682d6e08cdb54c5131f967f278a">poll from The Associated Press-NORC</a>&nbsp;Center for Public Affairs Research. Such mandates have already been gaining traction following the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines from Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson are available under emergency authorization, but haven’t been formally approved.Cole Stevenson, an assembly line worker at Ford’s pickup truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, said the requirement is a “huge overreach” by the government. He hasn’t been vaccinated and is concerned that the vaccines were released before being properly tested.“They just haven’t done as much as they should have to be putting it into people now,” said Stevenson, who plans to get tested weekly rather than get vaccinated. “I just don’t trust it.”The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. have in fact been proven safe and remarkably effective against the worst outcomes of the disease in studies of tens of thousands of people and in following their real-world performance.More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks. They’ve now reached an average of about 140,000 cases per day.On average, about 1,000 Americans die from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 650,000 Americans have died from the virus since January of 2020, according to Johns Hopkins University.Britton Durbin, a utility worker in Dunnellon, Florida, who is vaccinated, said mandates are needed to make sure workers are safe and the power company he works for can operate without being interrupted by people getting sick. His company hasn’t mandated vaccines yet, but has encouraged them. In the last couple of months, three colleagues have died of COVID-19.“When I know my co-workers are vaccinated, it’s reassuring,” said Durbin, 32. “There’s less of a chance of them getting sick or passing on.”____

Vaccine mandate spawns new fear: Finding, keeping workers

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,665 to a total of 393,696 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,801.&nbsp;

<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 3,665 to a total of 393,696 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,801.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631725414770.png" alt="Wednesday September 15, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday September 15, 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: 28 more COVID deaths, 3,600 new cases

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514546-1/gymnasts-fbi-director-testify-larry-nassar-sexual-assault-investigation&amp;live=">CLICK here to watch </a>a replay of the statements from Simone Biles and the other gymnasts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress on Wednesday that “enough is enough” in emotional testimony along with other young gymnasts about her sexual abuse at the hands of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

Biles blamed not only the gymnastics organization but also federal law enforcement that “turned a blind eye” to the crimes as hundreds of young athletes were abused.

“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She said USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was abused by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge.”

McKayla Maroney, another gold medal winning gymnast, told senators that one night when she was 15 years old, she found the doctor on top of her while she was naked — one of many times she was abused. She said she thought she was going to die that evening.

Maroney said the FBI “minimized and disregarded” her after she reported Nassar and said the agency delayed the investigation as others were abused. “If they’re not going to protect me, I want to know who are they trying to protect,” she said.

She added: “I think for so long all of us questioned, just because someone else wasn’t fully validating us, that we doubted what happened to us. And I think that makes the healing process take longer.”

The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case, including the delays that allowed Nassar to abuse additional young gymnasts. An internal investigation by the Justice Department released in July said that the FBI made fundamental errors in the probe and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” after USA Gymnastics first reported the allegations to the FBI’s field office in Indianapolis in 2015. The FBI has acknowledged its own conduct was inexcusable as at least 40 girls and women said they were molested while the FBI was aware of the problem.

Biles and Maroney were joined by Aly Raisman, another Olympic gold medalist, and gymnast Maggie Nicols. Raisman said it “disgusts me” that they are still looking for answers six years after the original allegations against Nassar were reported.

“We just can’t fix a problem we don’t understand, and we can’t understand the problem unless and until we have all of the facts,” Raisman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722987090.png" alt="“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514546-1/gymnasts-fbi-director-testify-larry-nassar-sexual-assault-investigation&amp;live=">CLICK here to watch </a>a replay of the statements from Simone Biles and the other gymnasts.WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress on Wednesday that “enough is enough” in emotional testimony along with other young gymnasts about her sexual abuse at the hands of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.Biles blamed not only the gymnastics organization but also federal law enforcement that “turned a blind eye” to the crimes as hundreds of young athletes were abused.“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She said USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was abused by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge.”McKayla Maroney, another gold medal winning gymnast, told senators that one night when she was 15 years old, she found the doctor on top of her while she was naked — one of many times she was abused. She said she thought she was going to die that evening.Maroney said the FBI “minimized and disregarded” her after she reported Nassar and said the agency delayed the investigation as others were abused. “If they’re not going to protect me, I want to know who are they trying to protect,” she said.She added: “I think for so long all of us questioned, just because someone else wasn’t fully validating us, that we doubted what happened to us. And I think that makes the healing process take longer.”The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case, including the delays that allowed Nassar to abuse additional young gymnasts. An internal investigation by the Justice Department released in July said that the FBI made fundamental errors in the probe and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” after USA Gymnastics first reported the allegations to the FBI’s field office in Indianapolis in 2015. The FBI has acknowledged its own conduct was inexcusable as at least 40 girls and women said they were molested while the FBI was aware of the problem.Biles and Maroney were joined by Aly Raisman, another Olympic gold medalist, and gymnast Maggie Nicols. Raisman said it “disgusts me” that they are still looking for answers six years after the original allegations against Nassar were reported.“We just can’t fix a problem we don’t understand, and we can’t understand the problem unless and until we have all of the facts,” Raisman said.

🎥 Biles tells Congress FBI ignored gymnasts' report of abuse

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities cleaned up a large diesel spill Tuesday night in Topeka.

Just before 11p.m., fire crews responded to a diesel spill located at Mars Chocolate, 100 SW Mars Boulevard, according to Public Information Officer Alan Stahl.&nbsp;

Crews found a large diesel fuel spill caused by a crushed fuel tank on a refrigerator trailer. Mars staff members had contained the spill before the arrival of fire crews. 

Topeka firefighters assisted facility staff in controlling and monitoring the spill until a tow truck had moved the damaged trailer and no more fuel would spill. Fire crews then turned the scene over to Mars employees so they could continue the cleanup.

A preliminary investigation showed the cause of the spill was the trailer coming unhooked from the vehicle moving it, causing the landing gear (jacks) to collapse and crush the fuel tank. The estimated fuel spilled was 80 gallons.

The fuel spill was contained on paved surfaces and did not enter any drains or damage the environment, according to Stahl.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities cleaned up a large diesel spill Tuesday night in Topeka.Just before 11p.m., fire crews responded to a diesel spill located at Mars Chocolate, 100 SW Mars Boulevard, according to Public Information Officer Alan Stahl.&nbsp;Crews found a large diesel fuel spill caused by a crushed fuel tank on a refrigerator trailer. Mars staff members had contained the spill before the arrival of fire crews. Topeka firefighters assisted facility staff in controlling and monitoring the spill until a tow truck had moved the damaged trailer and no more fuel would spill. Fire crews then turned the scene over to Mars employees so they could continue the cleanup.A preliminary investigation showed the cause of the spill was the trailer coming unhooked from the vehicle moving it, causing the landing gear (jacks) to collapse and crush the fuel tank. The estimated fuel spilled was 80 gallons.The fuel spill was contained on paved surfaces and did not enter any drains or damage the environment, according to Stahl.&nbsp;