SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged attempted murder.

Just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 2900 block of SE Illinois in Topeka on a report of an aggravated burglary, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.

The suspect later identified as 37-year-old Anthony Kincaide had forced his way into the residence and made threats to the occupants. 

When the Kincaide left, the door got stuck closed due to the damage from the initially entry and temporarily trapped the residents inside. 

Kincaide started a fire inside the residence and the residents were able to relay this information to 911 dispatch. Topeka Police and Topeka Fire both responded and the fire was quickly extinguished. The residents were able to get out of the house without injury and minimal damage from the fire.

Police located Kincaide, took him into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of requested&nbsp;charges Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Arson, Battery and Criminal Damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629077408385.png" alt="Kincaide photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kincaide photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged attempted murder.Just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 2900 block of SE Illinois in Topeka on a report of an aggravated burglary, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.The suspect later identified as 37-year-old Anthony Kincaide had forced his way into the residence and made threats to the occupants. When the Kincaide left, the door got stuck closed due to the damage from the initially entry and temporarily trapped the residents inside. Kincaide started a fire inside the residence and the residents were able to relay this information to 911 dispatch. Topeka Police and Topeka Fire both responded and the fire was quickly extinguished. The residents were able to get out of the house without injury and minimal damage from the fire.Police located Kincaide, took him into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of requested&nbsp;charges Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Arson, Battery and Criminal Damage.

Suspect set fire, trapped Kan. home burglary victims

The University of Kansas Health System

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The University of Kansas Health System reports a staggering jump in the numbers of COVID patients over the weekend. 63 people with the active virus are being treated, up from 45 on Friday, with one death on Friday. 21 of those patients are in the ICU, up from 17 Friday. 16 patients are on ventilators and 22 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, for a total of 85 patients. HaysMed has nine total patients, down from ten Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f39c483-4664-4619-ba49-72c0584d3264">RELATED: 13 new virus cases in Ellis County since Friday</a>

On today’s Morning Medical&nbsp;Update, the leaders of the Kansas and Missouri Hospital Associations explained how hospitals are handling the surge in COVID patients, the staffing issues popping up and the concern as cases continue to climb.

Steve Stites, MD, is chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System and had this blunt warning: “I think we’re in trouble. I said once before last fall that we were on fire and I think we’re on fire again.” He blames the current problem on two things — not enough people are vaccinated, and people are not following the rules of infection prevention and control, mainly by wearing a mask. That plus the fact the Delta variant is what he calls “a different enemy.” It’s two to five times more transmissible than the original virus and it only takes a couple minutes, rather than 10 or 12, to spread. With 95 percent of hospitalized COVID patients not vaccinated, it’s become a huge problem for hospitals around the Midwest. 

Because of all-time high patient numbers, none are able to accept transfers. The health system alone has had transfer requests from Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma but has no room. One patient from Salina, KS ended up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The number of COVID patients needing hospitalization is growing and filling up beds needed by people with other illnesses such heart attacks and strokes and unfortunately, some patients have died while waiting for a bed. The average age of patients now is 52 compared to 68 at the height of the surge last winter. Stites says, “We’re in a tough stew. We’re either going to have to make a decision to try to take those rules a little more seriously and get folks vaccinated, or we’re going to pay the consequences. And I’m afraid we’re already paying the consequences as the care for heart attacks and strokes is delayed.” He explained why the hospital is full with 85 COVID patients when the last time it was declared full with 120. The biggest reason is the current transfer acceptance rate, which used to be about 65 percent, is now at about ten percent because so many other non-COVID patients are hospitalized now. He says. “If we got to 80 or 85 percent vaccination, our patient numbers would drop dramatically, and we’d have five or ten patients in the hospital. Then we could take care of everybody else in the community, which we can’t right now.” He says with the original variant, you could expect some pretty good protection after your first dose, but not so with the Delta variant. It takes both doses and about six weeks to get the most protection. He urges everyone to get vaccinated and put on a mask.

Herb Kuhn is president &amp; CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association. He says, “This thing comes on like a freight train. Where before it took us five to six months to get to these high levels we saw last winter, now it’s taken five to six weeks. This thing moves quickly through a community and it’s very, very dangerous.” The other difference he sees is the spread in largely younger people. Last winter ICU’s had mostly elderly patients, but now hospitals are seeing 18 to 30- year-olds. A typical ICU patient might be there for two or three days, while it’s normal for a COVID patient to be there for two or three weeks. &nbsp;It’s taking a huge toll on hospital staff, who are now having to watch young people, rather than the elderly, pass away from this variant. He calls that a game changer, which is adding to additional emotional stress and burnout, and causing staff challenges for the entire healthcare system. He believes it helped when the governor recently authorized 30 EMS strike teams, which helps transfer patients around the state and region. He says the problem is now we have the means to combat the virus and until we all use those means we’ll continue to have these big challenges.

Chad Austin, President of the Kansas Hospital Association, says the challenge last year was getting enough supplies and testing capacity. Now he says the biggest challenge is getting the public to see the gravity of the situation and get vaccinated and wear masks. He noted the virus is starting to spread west across Kansas and his association is working with those smaller communities to prepare for and hopefully prevent the surges being seen in the larger metro areas. He believes a statewide mask mandate will be very difficult in Kansas but believes getting full authorization of the vaccines from the FDA will be a game changer as it will allow more employers to require vaccination of their employees. He says the good news is the state has plenty of supplies and medicine for the current surge, but staffing continues to be a big challenge with many taking a break or leaving the profession altogether.&nbsp;

Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, says despite a lot people clamoring for a booster, the official CDC guidance is only those who are immunocompromised need one right now. He thinks we’re fighting with one or even two hands tied behind our backs when we can’t get people to follow the simple measures like vaccination and masking. He says the treatments for COVID have not changed but adds it’s unfortunate that most of the people now coming for that treatment are those who steadfastly refused the vaccine. They all say they now wish they had taken the vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584374089535.png" alt="Dr. Steve Stites" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Steve Stites</figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Kansas Health SystemKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The University of Kansas Health System reports a staggering jump in the numbers of COVID patients over the weekend. 63 people with the active virus are being treated, up from 45 on Friday, with one death on Friday. 21 of those patients are in the ICU, up from 17 Friday. 16 patients are on ventilators and 22 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, for a total of 85 patients. HaysMed has nine total patients, down from ten Friday.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f39c483-4664-4619-ba49-72c0584d3264">RELATED: 13 new virus cases in Ellis County since Friday</a>On today’s Morning Medical&nbsp;Update, the leaders of the Kansas and Missouri Hospital Associations explained how hospitals are handling the surge in COVID patients, the staffing issues popping up and the concern as cases continue to climb.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gbFkzE_8Q6A"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steve Stites, MD, is chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System and had this blunt warning: “I think we’re in trouble. I said once before last fall that we were on fire and I think we’re on fire again.” He blames the current problem on two things — not enough people are vaccinated, and people are not following the rules of infection prevention and control, mainly by wearing a mask. That plus the fact the Delta variant is what he calls “a different enemy.” It’s two to five times more transmissible than the original virus and it only takes a couple minutes, rather than 10 or 12, to spread. With 95 percent of hospitalized COVID patients not vaccinated, it’s become a huge problem for hospitals around the Midwest. Because of all-time high patient numbers, none are able to accept transfers. The health system alone has had transfer requests from Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma but has no room. One patient from Salina, KS ended up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The number of COVID patients needing hospitalization is growing and filling up beds needed by people with other illnesses such heart attacks and strokes and unfortunately, some patients have died while waiting for a bed. The average age of patients now is 52 compared to 68 at the height of the surge last winter. Stites says, “We’re in a tough stew. We’re either going to have to make a decision to try to take those rules a little more seriously and get folks vaccinated, or we’re going to pay the consequences. And I’m afraid we’re already paying the consequences as the care for heart attacks and strokes is delayed.” He explained why the hospital is full with 85 COVID patients when the last time it was declared full with 120. The biggest reason is the current transfer acceptance rate, which used to be about 65 percent, is now at about ten percent because so many other non-COVID patients are hospitalized now. He says. “If we got to 80 or 85 percent vaccination, our patient numbers would drop dramatically, and we’d have five or ten patients in the hospital. Then we could take care of everybody else in the community, which we can’t right now.” He says with the original variant, you could expect some pretty good protection after your first dose, but not so with the Delta variant. It takes both doses and about six weeks to get the most protection. He urges everyone to get vaccinated and put on a mask.Herb Kuhn is president &amp; CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association. He says, “This thing comes on like a freight train. Where before it took us five to six months to get to these high levels we saw last winter, now it’s taken five to six weeks. This thing moves quickly through a community and it’s very, very dangerous.” The other difference he sees is the spread in largely younger people. Last winter ICU’s had mostly elderly patients, but now hospitals are seeing 18 to 30- year-olds. A typical ICU patient might be there for two or three days, while it’s normal for a COVID patient to be there for two or three weeks. &nbsp;It’s taking a huge toll on hospital staff, who are now having to watch young people, rather than the elderly, pass away from this variant. He calls that a game changer, which is adding to additional emotional stress and burnout, and causing staff challenges for the entire healthcare system. He believes it helped when the governor recently authorized 30 EMS strike teams, which helps transfer patients around the state and region. He says the problem is now we have the means to combat the virus and until we all use those means we’ll continue to have these big challenges.Chad Austin, President of the Kansas Hospital Association, says the challenge last year was getting enough supplies and testing capacity. Now he says the biggest challenge is getting the public to see the gravity of the situation and get vaccinated and wear masks. He noted the virus is starting to spread west across Kansas and his association is working with those smaller communities to prepare for and hopefully prevent the surges being seen in the larger metro areas. He believes a statewide mask mandate will be very difficult in Kansas but believes getting full authorization of the vaccines from the FDA will be a game changer as it will allow more employers to require vaccination of their employees. He says the good news is the state has plenty of supplies and medicine for the current surge, but staffing continues to be a big challenge with many taking a break or leaving the profession altogether.&nbsp;Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, says despite a lot people clamoring for a booster, the official CDC guidance is only those who are immunocompromised need one right now. He thinks we’re fighting with one or even two hands tied behind our backs when we can’t get people to follow the simple measures like vaccination and masking. He says the treatments for COVID have not changed but adds it’s unfortunate that most of the people now coming for that treatment are those who steadfastly refused the vaccine. They all say they now wish they had taken the vaccine.

🎥 Doctor on COVID surge: 'I think we’re in trouble. We’re on fire again'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he stands “squarely behind” his decision for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a>&nbsp;President's comments&nbsp;

Speaking about the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, Biden says he faced a choice between following an agreement to withdraw or sending thousands more U.S. troops for a “third decade” of war. 

Biden spoke Monday after the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport as thousands tried to flee following the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country. Biden returned to the White House from the Camp David presidential retreat to deliver his first public remarks on the situation in nearly a week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is to address the nation on the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a> President's comments approximately 2:45p.m. CDT

Biden's remarks Monday come as the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport Monday as thousands tried to flee Afghanistan a day after the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

Biden traveled back to Washington from the Camp David presidential retreat to speak to the nation. It will be his first public remarks on the Afghanistan situation in nearly a week. Senior U.S. military officials say the chaos at the airport left seven people dead Monday, including some who fell from a departing American military transport jet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629144618362.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden said scenes in Afghanistan are 'gutwrenching,' US will continue to speak out for rights of Afghan people." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden said scenes in Afghanistan are 'gutwrenching,' US will continue to speak out for rights of Afghan people.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he stands “squarely behind” his decision for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a>&nbsp;President's comments&nbsp;Speaking about the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, Biden says he faced a choice between following an agreement to withdraw or sending thousands more U.S. troops for a “third decade” of war. Biden spoke Monday after the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport as thousands tried to flee following the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country. Biden returned to the White House from the Camp David presidential retreat to deliver his first public remarks on the situation in nearly a week.----------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629135976846.png" alt="President Biden returned to the White House Monday from what was supposed to be a long Camp David vacation-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden returned to the White House Monday from what was supposed to be a long Camp David vacation-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is to address the nation on the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a> President's comments approximately 2:45p.m. CDTBiden's remarks Monday come as the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport Monday as thousands tried to flee Afghanistan a day after the Taliban’s takeover of the country.Biden traveled back to Washington from the Camp David presidential retreat to speak to the nation. It will be his first public remarks on the Afghanistan situation in nearly a week. Senior U.S. military officials say the chaos at the airport left seven people dead Monday, including some who fell from a departing American military transport jet.

 🎥 Pres. Biden on deadly chaos in Afghanistan

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — A 7-month-old
 child in Barton County has been diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s 
according to Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman who&nbsp;updated 
county commissioners about the virus at their weekly meeting Monday.&nbsp;

Winkelman told commissioners the number of new cases has increased in the county throughout the summer.&nbsp;

"For
 the month of June, 11 total cases were reported to us, Winkelman said. 
"In July, we had 101 total.&nbsp;In August, just halfway through August, 
we've had 88 already."

Of the 88 COVID cases reported so 
far&nbsp;this&nbsp;month,&nbsp;11 of those are children&nbsp;under the age of 12, the 
youngest being 7 months old.&nbsp;The COVID vaccine has not yet been approved
 for children in that age group.&nbsp;

Thirteen of the 88 cases were 
diagnosed in people who have already&nbsp;been&nbsp;vaccinated.&nbsp;According to 
Winkelman, there may be an explanation for those breakthrough cases.&nbsp;

"The
 majority of them were vaccinated early, like when the vaccine first 
came out January, February," Winkelman explained. "As we know, vaccine 
can wane as does flu vaccine. Viruses change so that really isn't too 
surprising."&nbsp; &nbsp;

Winkelman also reported that&nbsp;a booster&nbsp;vaccine is 
recommended by the state health department for people who are moderately
 and severely immunocompromised and have already been fully vaccinated 
with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Johnson &amp; Johnson has 
not&nbsp;yet&nbsp;released a booster shot for its vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Those additional Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available at the Health Department during regular business hours.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629140886501.jpeg" alt="Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman reports on the latest COVID-19 numbers to county commissioners on Monday." />
 <figcaption>Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman reports on the latest COVID-19 numbers to county commissioners on Monday.</figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — A 7-month-old
 child in Barton County has been diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s 
according to Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman who&nbsp;updated 
county commissioners about the virus at their weekly meeting Monday.&nbsp;Winkelman told commissioners the number of new cases has increased in the county throughout the summer.&nbsp;"For
 the month of June, 11 total cases were reported to us, Winkelman said. 
"In July, we had 101 total.&nbsp;In August, just halfway through August, 
we've had 88 already."Of the 88 COVID cases reported so 
far&nbsp;this&nbsp;month,&nbsp;11 of those are children&nbsp;under the age of 12, the 
youngest being 7 months old.&nbsp;The COVID vaccine has not yet been approved
 for children in that age group.&nbsp;Thirteen of the 88 cases were 
diagnosed in people who have already&nbsp;been&nbsp;vaccinated.&nbsp;According to 
Winkelman, there may be an explanation for those breakthrough cases.&nbsp;"The
 majority of them were vaccinated early, like when the vaccine first 
came out January, February," Winkelman explained. "As we know, vaccine 
can wane as does flu vaccine. Viruses change so that really isn't too 
surprising."&nbsp; &nbsp;Winkelman also reported that&nbsp;a booster&nbsp;vaccine is 
recommended by the state health department for people who are moderately
 and severely immunocompromised and have already been fully vaccinated 
with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Johnson &amp; Johnson has 
not&nbsp;yet&nbsp;released a booster shot for its vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Those additional Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available at the Health Department during regular business hours.&nbsp;

COVID spreading to children, those already vaccinated in Barton Co.

MORTON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating after a southwest Kansas firefighter died from being shocked by power lines while working at the scene of a traffic crash. 

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, the firefighter and a sheriff's deputy were the first to arrive at the accident scene just south of Rolla, according to Morton County Emergency Management.

In the process of searching for victims of the rollover crash, the first responding firefighter received an electrical shock from damaged power lines. CPR was initiated by responders on scene with assistance from Morton County EMS who arrived on scene.

The firefighter was transported to Morton County Hospital where he later died.&nbsp;The firefighter's name has not been released.

MORTON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating after a southwest Kansas firefighter died from being shocked by power lines while working at the scene of a traffic crash. Just before 6p.m. Sunday, the firefighter and a sheriff's deputy were the first to arrive at the accident scene just south of Rolla, according to Morton County Emergency Management.In the process of searching for victims of the rollover crash, the first responding firefighter received an electrical shock from damaged power lines. CPR was initiated by responders on scene with assistance from Morton County EMS who arrived on scene.The firefighter was transported to Morton County Hospital where he later died.&nbsp;The firefighter's name has not been released.

Kan. firefighter dies after shocked by power lines

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Rural America lost more population in the latest census, highlighting an already severe worker shortage in the nation’s farming and ranching regions and drawing calls from those industries for immigration reform to help ease the problem.

The census data released last week showed that population gains in many rural areas were driven by increases in Hispanic and Latino residents, many of whom come as immigrants to work on farms or in meatpacking plants or to start their own businesses.

“We’ve struggled on this issue for a long time to try to come up with a more reasonable, common-sense approach,” said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, which is part of a group lobbying Congress for new immigration laws. Vilifying immigrants “just makes it harder to get there.”

The population trend is clear in Nebraska, where only 24 of the state’s 93 counties gained residents. Of those 24, just eight reported an increase in the white population, suggesting that most of the growth was driven by minorities, said David Drozd, a research coordinator for the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research.

Drozd crunched the census data and found that Nebraska counties with the greatest racial diversity are a “who’s who of where the meatpacking plants are,” even though many plants are in rural areas that are often perceived as mostly white.

“In the rural areas, if you didn’t have the Latino growth, employers would be struggling even more just to fill those positions,” Drozd said.

In New Mexico, populations declined across 20 rural counties that stretch from the Great Plains at Oklahoma to the U.S. border with Mexico. Desperate for laborers for its annual chile harvest, the state this week pledged up to $5 million in federal pandemic relief to subsidize wages for pickers and workers at chile-processing plants — boosting available wages as high as $19.50 an hour.

Some Republican state legislators blamed the labor scarcity on supplemental unemployment benefits, which they say create a disincentive to work because they pay more than some low-wage jobs. Democrats see a persistent labor crisis.

The New Mexico Chile Association trade group says the industry is short about 1,350 seasonal laborers of the 3,000 workers needed.

The problem is just as bad for poultry farmers in North Carolina, where meat processors help power the economies of many rural counties. Half of the state’s 100 counties have lost residents since 2010, the census data showed.

Bob Ford, executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation, predicted that labor shortages at poultry plants will only worsen as people continue to leave rural communities and migrant workers gravitate to other industries, such as building and construction.

He said higher pay for workers and better health care and housing benefits could help alleviate widespread labor shortages, but broader changes to immigration policy are probably the best solution.

The National Pork Producers Council is pushing federal lawmakers to change the H-2A visa program so that migrant workers can remain employed longer.

Bladen County, North Carolina, is home to the world’s largest pig slaughterhouse, Smithfield Foods’ Tar Heel plant. Between 2010 and 2020, the county’s population dropped by 15.9%. Bertie County, which is home to a large Perdue Farms poultry processing facility, saw a population decrease of 15.7%.

In Kansas, some rural Republicans say Congress needs to find a practical solution.

Nancy Weeks, secretary of the Haskell County Republican Party in southwestern Kansas, said if immigrants living in the United States illegally want to move to the area and work, they should be provided a way to gain legal status “so that they pay taxes like I do.”

“I don’t have a problem with them coming here as long as they get legal,” Weeks said. “It’s the ones that don’t get legal that I have a problem with.”

The challenge is exacerbated in Midwestern states that already have many of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, said Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Juhnke said his group would like to see changes that would allow seasonal immigrant workers to stay in the country longer.

“These folks buy houses. They bring their families. They go to our churches. They earn money and spend it locally,” he said. “It’s really a win-win-win for these communities.”

In Iowa, Latino leaders eagerly awaited the census numbers in hopes that they would show population growth that would translate into more political clout for their communities and better conditions in the food production and construction industries.

Republican politicians often try to tie reforms at the U.S.-Mexican border to pathways to citizenship for workers already here, said Joe Henry, political director for the League of United Latin American Citizens local council in Des Moines. But Henry said the two issues need to be separated, and agricultural companies understand that they cannot survive without immigrants.

“They know they need that labor,” he said.

Rachel Gantz, a spokeswoman for the National Pork Producers Council, said her group will continue to press Congress for changes.

“Simply put, pork producers are drawing from a rapidly diminishing pool of applicants,” she said. “Our producers fear — and the recent census data suggests — that this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589997636847.png" alt="Photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Rural America lost more population in the latest census, highlighting an already severe worker shortage in the nation’s farming and ranching regions and drawing calls from those industries for immigration reform to help ease the problem.The census data released last week showed that population gains in many rural areas were driven by increases in Hispanic and Latino residents, many of whom come as immigrants to work on farms or in meatpacking plants or to start their own businesses.“We’ve struggled on this issue for a long time to try to come up with a more reasonable, common-sense approach,” said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, which is part of a group lobbying Congress for new immigration laws. Vilifying immigrants “just makes it harder to get there.”The population trend is clear in Nebraska, where only 24 of the state’s 93 counties gained residents. Of those 24, just eight reported an increase in the white population, suggesting that most of the growth was driven by minorities, said David Drozd, a research coordinator for the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research.Drozd crunched the census data and found that Nebraska counties with the greatest racial diversity are a “who’s who of where the meatpacking plants are,” even though many plants are in rural areas that are often perceived as mostly white.“In the rural areas, if you didn’t have the Latino growth, employers would be struggling even more just to fill those positions,” Drozd said.In New Mexico, populations declined across 20 rural counties that stretch from the Great Plains at Oklahoma to the U.S. border with Mexico. Desperate for laborers for its annual chile harvest, the state this week pledged up to $5 million in federal pandemic relief to subsidize wages for pickers and workers at chile-processing plants — boosting available wages as high as $19.50 an hour.Some Republican state legislators blamed the labor scarcity on supplemental unemployment benefits, which they say create a disincentive to work because they pay more than some low-wage jobs. Democrats see a persistent labor crisis.The New Mexico Chile Association trade group says the industry is short about 1,350 seasonal laborers of the 3,000 workers needed.The problem is just as bad for poultry farmers in North Carolina, where meat processors help power the economies of many rural counties. Half of the state’s 100 counties have lost residents since 2010, the census data showed.Bob Ford, executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation, predicted that labor shortages at poultry plants will only worsen as people continue to leave rural communities and migrant workers gravitate to other industries, such as building and construction.He said higher pay for workers and better health care and housing benefits could help alleviate widespread labor shortages, but broader changes to immigration policy are probably the best solution.The National Pork Producers Council is pushing federal lawmakers to change the H-2A visa program so that migrant workers can remain employed longer.Bladen County, North Carolina, is home to the world’s largest pig slaughterhouse, Smithfield Foods’ Tar Heel plant. Between 2010 and 2020, the county’s population dropped by 15.9%. Bertie County, which is home to a large Perdue Farms poultry processing facility, saw a population decrease of 15.7%.In Kansas, some rural Republicans say Congress needs to find a practical solution.Nancy Weeks, secretary of the Haskell County Republican Party in southwestern Kansas, said if immigrants living in the United States illegally want to move to the area and work, they should be provided a way to gain legal status “so that they pay taxes like I do.”“I don’t have a problem with them coming here as long as they get legal,” Weeks said. “It’s the ones that don’t get legal that I have a problem with.”The challenge is exacerbated in Midwestern states that already have many of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, said Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Juhnke said his group would like to see changes that would allow seasonal immigrant workers to stay in the country longer.“These folks buy houses. They bring their families. They go to our churches. They earn money and spend it locally,” he said. “It’s really a win-win-win for these communities.”In Iowa, Latino leaders eagerly awaited the census numbers in hopes that they would show population growth that would translate into more political clout for their communities and better conditions in the food production and construction industries.Republican politicians often try to tie reforms at the U.S.-Mexican border to pathways to citizenship for workers already here, said Joe Henry, political director for the League of United Latin American Citizens local council in Des Moines. But Henry said the two issues need to be separated, and agricultural companies understand that they cannot survive without immigrants.“They know they need that labor,” he said.Rachel Gantz, a spokeswoman for the National Pork Producers Council, said her group will continue to press Congress for changes.“Simply put, pork producers are drawing from a rapidly diminishing pool of applicants,” she said. “Our producers fear — and the recent census data suggests — that this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.”

Rural population losses add to farm and ranch labor shortage

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2456 to a total of 350,384, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 9 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5394.

<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 2456 to a total of 350,384, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 9 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5394.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629133634422.png" alt="Monday August 16, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday August 16, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>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: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of thefts and are asking for help to identify a suspect.

The man is suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of property from multiple Dillon's stores, according to Wichita Police.

If you recognize the suspect or vehicle - or you know anything about these cases - you can submit an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629132054936.png" alt="Photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of thefts and are asking for help to identify a suspect.The man is suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of property from multiple Dillon's stores, according to Wichita Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629132186737.png" alt="Suspect vehicle-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Suspect vehicle-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>If you recognize the suspect or vehicle - or you know anything about these cases - you can submit an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward!

Police: Suspect stole thousands from Dillons stores

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history.

Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps (officially known as the SNAP program) will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.

The aid boost was first reported by The New York Times and the details were confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture. They will be formally announced Monday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The aid boost is being packaged as a major revision of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan. In concrete terms, the average monthly per-person benefits will rise from $121 to $157.

The increase is part of a multi-pronged Biden administration effort to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Poverty and food security activists maintain that longstanding inadequacies in that safety net were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity to make generational improvements that reach beyond the current public health crisis.

Activists say the previous levels of pre-pandemic SNAP assistance simply weren’t enough, forcing many households to choose cheaper, less nutritious options or simply go hungry as the funds ran low toward the end of the month.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history.Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps (officially known as the SNAP program) will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.The aid boost was first reported by The New York Times and the details were confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture. They will be formally announced Monday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.The aid boost is being packaged as a major revision of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan. In concrete terms, the average monthly per-person benefits will rise from $121 to $157.The increase is part of a multi-pronged Biden administration effort to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Poverty and food security activists maintain that longstanding inadequacies in that safety net were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity to make generational improvements that reach beyond the current public health crisis.Activists say the previous levels of pre-pandemic SNAP assistance simply weren’t enough, forcing many households to choose cheaper, less nutritious options or simply go hungry as the funds ran low toward the end of the month.

Biden boosts food stamp benefits; largest increase in history

PAWNEE COUNTY—A Southwest Kansas woman who fled an arrest during a traffic stop made her first court appearance in the case.

&nbsp;Rebecca Bird-Heiman, 49 of Deerfield, Kansas, was charged with Aggravated Escape from Custody, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Driving Under the Influence (3rd Offense), Driving While Suspended, No Liability Insurance and Transporting Open Container, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) during the earlier morning hours of August 10, 2021, near the Fort Larned National Historical Site on K156 Highway. It is alleged that after being arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence, while handcuffed Bird-Heiman fled on foot into the banks of the Pawnee River. She was returned to custody approximately eight and a half hours later near the same location and treated for minor injuries.

KHP was assisted in the search by the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, Federal Park Rangers, Larned Police Dept, KDOC personnel, Barton County Sheriff's Office, and Larned Fire &amp; EMS.

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for August 27, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $7,500 bond, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628874702501.png" alt="Bird-Heiman-photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Bird-Heiman-photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—A Southwest Kansas woman who fled an arrest during a traffic stop made her first court appearance in the case.&nbsp;Rebecca Bird-Heiman, 49 of Deerfield, Kansas, was charged with Aggravated Escape from Custody, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Driving Under the Influence (3rd Offense), Driving While Suspended, No Liability Insurance and Transporting Open Container, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) during the earlier morning hours of August 10, 2021, near the Fort Larned National Historical Site on K156 Highway. It is alleged that after being arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence, while handcuffed Bird-Heiman fled on foot into the banks of the Pawnee River. She was returned to custody approximately eight and a half hours later near the same location and treated for minor injuries.KHP was assisted in the search by the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, Federal Park Rangers, Larned Police Dept, KDOC personnel, Barton County Sheriff's Office, and Larned Fire &amp; EMS.A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for August 27, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $7,500 bond, according to McNett.

SW Kansas woman fled DUI arrest into river 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and other top U.S. officials have been stunned by the pace of the Taliban’s nearly complete takeover of Afghanistan, as the planned withdrawal of American forces urgently became a mission to ensure a safe evacuation.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evacuations-taliban-784681c4400b097cf73b93cec34c5c61">speed of the Afghan government’s collapse and the ensuing chaos</a>&nbsp;posed the most serious test of Biden as commander in chief, and he was the subject of withering criticism from Republicans who said that he had failed.

Biden campaigned as a seasoned expert in international relations and has spent months downplaying the prospect of an ascendant Taliban while arguing that Americans of all political persuasions have tired of a 20-year war, a conflict that demonstrated the limits of money and military might to force a Western-style democracy on a society not ready or willing to embrace it.

By Sunday, though, leading figures in the administration acknowledged they were caught off guard with the utter speed of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-bagram-e1ed33fe0c665ee67ba132c51b8e32a5https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-bagram-e1ed33fe0c665ee67ba132c51b8e32a5">the collapse</a>&nbsp;of Afghan security forces. The challenge of that effort became clear after reports of sporadic gunfire at the Kabul airport prompted Americans to shelter as they awaited flights to safety after the U.S. Embassy was completely evacuated.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday that Afghanistan fell faster than the administration expected, and blamed the government’s fall on the Afghans themselves.

“It is certainly the case that the speed with which cities fell was much greater than anyone anticipated,” Sullivan said Monday on NBC’s “Today.”

But he said the U.S. ultimately could not give Afghan security forces the “will” to fight to defend their fledgling democracy from the Taliban.

“At the end of the day, despite the fact that we spent 20 years and tens of billions of dollars to give the best equipment, the best training and the best capacity to the Afghan security forces, we could not give them the will and they ultimately decided that they would not fight for Kabul and they would not fight for the country,” Sullivan said.

The turmoil in Afghanistan resets the focus in an unwelcome way for a president who has largely focused on a domestic agenda that includes emerging from the pandemic, winning congressional approval for trillions of dollars in infrastructure spending and protecting voting rights.

Biden remained at Camp David on Monday, receiving regular briefings on Afghanistan and holding secure video conference calls with members of his national security team, according to senior White House officials. His administration released a single photo of the president on Sunday alone in a conference room meeting virtually with military, diplomatic and intelligence experts.

Sullivan said Biden would speak about Afghanistan “soon” but gave no timetable. Biden has been at the Camp David presidential retreat, and largely out of public view, since Friday. He was scheduled to stay there through Wednesday.

“At the right point he will absolutely address the American people,” Sullivan told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Biden is the fourth U.S. president to confront challenges in Afghanistan and has insisted he wouldn’t hand America’s longest war to his successor. But the president will likely have to explain how security in Afghanistan unraveled so quickly, especially since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-afghanistan-government-and-politics-86f939c746c7bc56bb9f11f095a95366">he and others in the administration have insisted it wouldn’t happen</a>.

“The jury is still out, but the likelihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely,” Biden said on July 8.

As recently as last week, Biden publicly expressed hope that Afghan forces could develop the will to defend their country. But privately, administration officials warned that the military was crumbling, prompting Biden on Thursday to order thousands of American troops into the region to speed up evacuation plans.

One official said Biden was more sanguine on projections for the Afghan fighters to hold off the Taliban in part to prevent a further erosion in morale among their force. It was ultimately for naught.

Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump also yearned to leave Afghanistan, but ultimately stood down in the face of resistance from military leaders and other political concerns. Biden, on the other hand, has been steadfast in his refusal to change the Aug. 31 deadline, in part because of his belief that the American public is on his side.

A late July ABC News/Ipsos poll, for instance, showed 55% of Americans approving of Biden’s handling of the troop withdrawal.

Most Republicans have not pushed Biden to keep troops in Afghanistan over the long term and they also supported Trump’s own push to exit the country. Still, some in the GOP are stepping up their critique of Biden’s withdrawal strategy and said images from Sunday of American helicopters circling the U.S. Embassy in Kabul evoked the humiliating departure of U.S. personnel from Vietnam.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell deemed the scenes of withdrawal as “the embarrassment of a superpower laid low.”

There were no additional steps planned beyond the troop deployment Biden ordered to assist in the evacuations. Senior administration officials believe the U.S. will be able to maintain security at the Kabul airport long enough to extricate Americans and their allies, but the fate of those unable to get to the airport was far from certain.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has backed the Biden administration’s strategy, said in an interview that “the speed is a surprise” but would not characterize the situation as an intelligence failure. He said it has long been known that Afghanistan would fall to the Taliban if the United States pulled out.

“Given how much we have invested in the Afghan army, it’s not ridiculous for analysts to believe that they’d be able to put up a fight for more than a few days,” Murphy said. “You want to believe that trillions of dollars and 20 years of investment adds up to something, even if it doesn’t add up for the ability to defend the country in the long run.”

In the upper ranks of Biden’s staff, the rapid collapse in Afghanistan only confirmed the decision to leave: If the meltdown of the Afghan forces would come so quickly after nearly two decades of American presence, another six months or a year or two or more would not have changed anything.

Biden has argued for more than a decade that Afghanistan was a kind of purgatory for the United States. He found it to be corrupt, addicted to America’s largesse and an unreliable partner that should be made to fend for itself. His goal was to protect Americans from terrorist attacks, not building a country.

As vice president, he argued privately against Obama’s surge of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in a bid to stabilize the country so that the United States and its allies could then pull back their forces.

As president, Biden said in July that he made the decision to withdraw with “clear eyes” after receiving daily battlefield updates. His judgment was that Afghanistan would be divided in a peace agreement with the Taliban, rather than falling all at once.

“There’s going to be no circumstance where you see people being lifted off the roof of a embassy in the — of the United States from Afghanistan,” he said in July. “The likelihood there’s going to be one unified government in Afghanistan controlling the whole country is highly unlikely.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629040310655.png" alt="Saturday morning, the President and Vice President held a video conference with the national security team to discuss the efforts to draw down the U.S. civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Saturday morning, the President and Vice President held a video conference with the national security team to discuss the efforts to draw down the U.S. civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and other top U.S. officials have been stunned by the pace of the Taliban’s nearly complete takeover of Afghanistan, as the planned withdrawal of American forces urgently became a mission to ensure a safe evacuation.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evacuations-taliban-784681c4400b097cf73b93cec34c5c61">speed of the Afghan government’s collapse and the ensuing chaos</a>&nbsp;posed the most serious test of Biden as commander in chief, and he was the subject of withering criticism from Republicans who said that he had failed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden should move quickly to protect all Americans in Afghanistan through any means necessary. Weakness invites attacks. So far we have only seen weakness.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1427020128747667460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden campaigned as a seasoned expert in international relations and has spent months downplaying the prospect of an ascendant Taliban while arguing that Americans of all political persuasions have tired of a 20-year war, a conflict that demonstrated the limits of money and military might to force a Western-style democracy on a society not ready or willing to embrace it.By Sunday, though, leading figures in the administration acknowledged they were caught off guard with the utter speed of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-bagram-e1ed33fe0c665ee67ba132c51b8e32a5https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-bagram-e1ed33fe0c665ee67ba132c51b8e32a5">the collapse</a>&nbsp;of Afghan security forces. The challenge of that effort became clear after reports of sporadic gunfire at the Kabul airport prompted Americans to shelter as they awaited flights to safety after the U.S. Embassy was completely evacuated.National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday that Afghanistan fell faster than the administration expected, and blamed the government’s fall on the Afghans themselves.“It is certainly the case that the speed with which cities fell was much greater than anyone anticipated,” Sullivan said Monday on NBC’s “Today.”But he said the U.S. ultimately could not give Afghan security forces the “will” to fight to defend their fledgling democracy from the Taliban.“At the end of the day, despite the fact that we spent 20 years and tens of billions of dollars to give the best equipment, the best training and the best capacity to the Afghan security forces, we could not give them the will and they ultimately decided that they would not fight for Kabul and they would not fight for the country,” Sullivan said.The turmoil in Afghanistan resets the focus in an unwelcome way for a president who has largely focused on a domestic agenda that includes emerging from the pandemic, winning congressional approval for trillions of dollars in infrastructure spending and protecting voting rights.Biden remained at Camp David on Monday, receiving regular briefings on Afghanistan and holding secure video conference calls with members of his national security team, according to senior White House officials. His administration released a single photo of the president on Sunday alone in a conference room meeting virtually with military, diplomatic and intelligence experts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629040483076.png" alt="President Biden speaking with Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the ongoing efforts to safely drawdown the civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden speaking with Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the ongoing efforts to safely drawdown the civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Sullivan said Biden would speak about Afghanistan “soon” but gave no timetable. Biden has been at the Camp David presidential retreat, and largely out of public view, since Friday. He was scheduled to stay there through Wednesday.“At the right point he will absolutely address the American people,” Sullivan told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”Biden is the fourth U.S. president to confront challenges in Afghanistan and has insisted he wouldn’t hand America’s longest war to his successor. But the president will likely have to explain how security in Afghanistan unraveled so quickly, especially since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-afghanistan-government-and-politics-86f939c746c7bc56bb9f11f095a95366">he and others in the administration have insisted it wouldn’t happen</a>.“The jury is still out, but the likelihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely,” Biden said on July 8.As recently as last week, Biden publicly expressed hope that Afghan forces could develop the will to defend their country. But privately, administration officials warned that the military was crumbling, prompting Biden on Thursday to order thousands of American troops into the region to speed up evacuation plans.One official said Biden was more sanguine on projections for the Afghan fighters to hold off the Taliban in part to prevent a further erosion in morale among their force. It was ultimately for naught.Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump also yearned to leave Afghanistan, but ultimately stood down in the face of resistance from military leaders and other political concerns. Biden, on the other hand, has been steadfast in his refusal to change the Aug. 31 deadline, in part because of his belief that the American public is on his side.A late July ABC News/Ipsos poll, for instance, showed 55% of Americans approving of Biden’s handling of the troop withdrawal.Most Republicans have not pushed Biden to keep troops in Afghanistan over the long term and they also supported Trump’s own push to exit the country. Still, some in the GOP are stepping up their critique of Biden’s withdrawal strategy and said images from Sunday of American helicopters circling the U.S. Embassy in Kabul evoked the humiliating departure of U.S. personnel from Vietnam.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell deemed the scenes of withdrawal as “the embarrassment of a superpower laid low.”There were no additional steps planned beyond the troop deployment Biden ordered to assist in the evacuations. Senior administration officials believe the U.S. will be able to maintain security at the Kabul airport long enough to extricate Americans and their allies, but the fate of those unable to get to the airport was far from certain.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has backed the Biden administration’s strategy, said in an interview that “the speed is a surprise” but would not characterize the situation as an intelligence failure. He said it has long been known that Afghanistan would fall to the Taliban if the United States pulled out.“Given how much we have invested in the Afghan army, it’s not ridiculous for analysts to believe that they’d be able to put up a fight for more than a few days,” Murphy said. “You want to believe that trillions of dollars and 20 years of investment adds up to something, even if it doesn’t add up for the ability to defend the country in the long run.”In the upper ranks of Biden’s staff, the rapid collapse in Afghanistan only confirmed the decision to leave: If the meltdown of the Afghan forces would come so quickly after nearly two decades of American presence, another six months or a year or two or more would not have changed anything.Biden has argued for more than a decade that Afghanistan was a kind of purgatory for the United States. He found it to be corrupt, addicted to America’s largesse and an unreliable partner that should be made to fend for itself. His goal was to protect Americans from terrorist attacks, not building a country.As vice president, he argued privately against Obama’s surge of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in a bid to stabilize the country so that the United States and its allies could then pull back their forces.As president, Biden said in July that he made the decision to withdraw with “clear eyes” after receiving daily battlefield updates. His judgment was that Afghanistan would be divided in a peace agreement with the Taliban, rather than falling all at once.“There’s going to be no circumstance where you see people being lifted off the roof of a embassy in the — of the United States from Afghanistan,” he said in July. “The likelihood there’s going to be one unified government in Afghanistan controlling the whole country is highly unlikely.”___

Evacuation of the American Embassy in Kabul complete

The
 Federal Trade Commission and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office 
today sued the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America for 
marketing stem cell therapy to seniors nationwide using bogus claims 
that it is effective in treating arthritis, joint pain, and a range of 
other orthopedic ailments.

The agencies’
 complaint also alleges that the Canton, Georgia-based defendants 
promoted the false or unsubstantiated claim that stem cell therapy is 
comparable or superior to surgery, steroid injections, and painkillers, 
and that they provided chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners 
with the means of deceiving consumers about such treatments.

“These
 defendants advertised expensive stem cell injections with baseless 
pain-relief claims, and provided marketing materials and training to 
chiropractors to do the same,” said Samuel Levine, Acting Director of 
the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “With our partner, the Georgia 
Attorney General, we aim to ensure they can’t keep preying on older 
adults and others who need real medical help.”

“At
 best, the use of unproven products or therapies can cost consumers 
thousands of dollars without affording them any results,” said Georgia 
Attorney General Chris Carr. “At worst, it can be harmful to their 
health. Our office will continue to hold accountable businesses that 
make unsubstantiated claims and violate the law – especially those that 
target our older or at-risk adults.”

The joint agency <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1._complaint.pdf">complaint</a>,
 names as defendants Steven D. Peyroux and Brent J. Detelich, 
Regenerative Medicine Institute of America, LLC, doing business as Stem 
Cell Institute of America, LLC (SCIA); Physicians Business Solutions, 
LLC (PBS); and Superior Healthcare, LLC (SHC).

Peyroux,
 a chiropractor, owned and managed SHC, a clinic that provided patients 
with a range of healthcare-related services, including, between 2015 and
 mid-2019, stem cell therapy. While running SHC, Peyroux founded PBS, a 
consulting firm that advises and trains chiropractors and other 
healthcare practitioners on how to expand their businesses. Detelich, a 
former chiropractor and longtime business associate of Peyroux’s, 
started working with PBS as a coach and speaker, and has managed some of
 the company’s business operations. 

&nbsp;In
 2015, Peyroux and Detelich co-founded SCIA, a company that trained 
chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners on how to add stem cell
 therapy to their practices. The complaint states SCIA trained its 
client clinics on how to recruit patients through advertising, host free
 educational seminars, and conduct consultations. SCIA also provided its
 clients access to a “vault” of sample advertisements, including 
newspaper ads, fact sheets, and PowerPoint slides and provided client 
clinics with the appearance of being part of a large nationwide network 
under the SCIA name and logo.

The 
agencies contend the defendants also hosted their own free “educational 
seminars” for consumers, where they marketed SHC as an SCIA clinic and 
pitched stem cell therapy as an effective treatment for joint pain and 
other orthopedic conditions. They allegedly targeted seniors and 
retirement communities, and at the end of the seminars would attempt to 
schedule attendees for consultations at SHC’s clinic. SHC charged 
approximately $5,000 per joint injection, with many patients receiving 
more than one injection as part of their treatment.

In
 2018, the complaint alleges, the defendants began offering a stem cell 
therapy program through PBS similar to SCIA’s services. PBS trains its 
clients on setting up and marketing a regenerative medicine program 
through seminars, conferences, one-on-one consultations, and access to 
“PBS University,” an online platform with training videos. PBS has also 
provided demonstrations at the SHC clinic on how to administer stem cell
 injections.

In addition to making false
 and unsubstantiated claims, the complaint alleges that the defendants 
violated Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act related to the 
distribution of false or misleading information through the use of a 
computer or computer network.

The 
Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The
 complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of Georgia. The FTC appreciates the partnership of the Georgia 
Attorney General’s Office in bringing the action announced today.

NOTE: The
 Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the 
named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it 
appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. 
The case will be decided by the court.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office 
today sued the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America for 
marketing stem cell therapy to seniors nationwide using bogus claims 
that it is effective in treating arthritis, joint pain, and a range of 
other orthopedic ailments.The agencies’
 complaint also alleges that the Canton, Georgia-based defendants 
promoted the false or unsubstantiated claim that stem cell therapy is 
comparable or superior to surgery, steroid injections, and painkillers, 
and that they provided chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners 
with the means of deceiving consumers about such treatments.“These
 defendants advertised expensive stem cell injections with baseless 
pain-relief claims, and provided marketing materials and training to 
chiropractors to do the same,” said Samuel Levine, Acting Director of 
the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “With our partner, the Georgia 
Attorney General, we aim to ensure they can’t keep preying on older 
adults and others who need real medical help.”“At
 best, the use of unproven products or therapies can cost consumers 
thousands of dollars without affording them any results,” said Georgia 
Attorney General Chris Carr. “At worst, it can be harmful to their 
health. Our office will continue to hold accountable businesses that 
make unsubstantiated claims and violate the law – especially those that 
target our older or at-risk adults.”The joint agency <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1._complaint.pdf">complaint</a>,
 names as defendants Steven D. Peyroux and Brent J. Detelich, 
Regenerative Medicine Institute of America, LLC, doing business as Stem 
Cell Institute of America, LLC (SCIA); Physicians Business Solutions, 
LLC (PBS); and Superior Healthcare, LLC (SHC).Peyroux,
 a chiropractor, owned and managed SHC, a clinic that provided patients 
with a range of healthcare-related services, including, between 2015 and
 mid-2019, stem cell therapy. While running SHC, Peyroux founded PBS, a 
consulting firm that advises and trains chiropractors and other 
healthcare practitioners on how to expand their businesses. Detelich, a 
former chiropractor and longtime business associate of Peyroux’s, 
started working with PBS as a coach and speaker, and has managed some of
 the company’s business operations. &nbsp;In
 2015, Peyroux and Detelich co-founded SCIA, a company that trained 
chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners on how to add stem cell
 therapy to their practices. The complaint states SCIA trained its 
client clinics on how to recruit patients through advertising, host free
 educational seminars, and conduct consultations. SCIA also provided its
 clients access to a “vault” of sample advertisements, including 
newspaper ads, fact sheets, and PowerPoint slides and provided client 
clinics with the appearance of being part of a large nationwide network 
under the SCIA name and logo.The 
agencies contend the defendants also hosted their own free “educational 
seminars” for consumers, where they marketed SHC as an SCIA clinic and 
pitched stem cell therapy as an effective treatment for joint pain and 
other orthopedic conditions. They allegedly targeted seniors and 
retirement communities, and at the end of the seminars would attempt to 
schedule attendees for consultations at SHC’s clinic. SHC charged 
approximately $5,000 per joint injection, with many patients receiving 
more than one injection as part of their treatment.In
 2018, the complaint alleges, the defendants began offering a stem cell 
therapy program through PBS similar to SCIA’s services. PBS trains its 
clients on setting up and marketing a regenerative medicine program 
through seminars, conferences, one-on-one consultations, and access to 
“PBS University,” an online platform with training videos. PBS has also 
provided demonstrations at the SHC clinic on how to administer stem cell
 injections.In addition to making false
 and unsubstantiated claims, the complaint alleges that the defendants 
violated Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act related to the 
distribution of false or misleading information through the use of a 
computer or computer network.The 
Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The
 complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of Georgia. The FTC appreciates the partnership of the Georgia 
Attorney General’s Office in bringing the action announced today.NOTE: The
 Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the 
named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it 
appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. 
The case will be decided by the court.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

FTC: Stem cell institute made bogus claims, targeted seniors

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — There are plenty of places to turn for accurate information about COVID-19. Your physician. Local health departments. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

But not, perhaps, your local government’s public comment session.

During a meeting of the St. Louis County Council earlier this month, opponents of a possible mask mandate made so many misleading comments about masks, vaccines and COVID-19 that YouTube removed the video for violating its policies against false claims about the virus.

“I hope no one is making any medical decisions based on what they hear at our public forums,” said County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, who supports mask wearing and said she believes most of her constituents do too. The video was restored, but Clancy’s worries about the impact of that misinformation remain.

Videos of local government meetings have emerged as the latest vector of COVID-19 misinformation, broadcasting misleading claims about masks and vaccines to millions and creating new challenges for internet platforms trying to balance the potential harm against the need for government openness.

The latest video to go viral features a local physician who made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-science-health-indiana-coronavirus-pandemic-bb7744800a96b96ed37d38ab1f5e9803">several misleading claims about COVID-19</a>&nbsp;while addressing the Mount Vernon Community School Corporation in Fortville, Indiana, on Aug. 6. In his 6-minute remarks, Dr. Dan Stock tells the board that masks don’t work, vaccines don’t prevent infection, and state and federal health officials don’t follow the science.

The video has amassed tens of millions of online views, and prompted the Indiana State Department of Health to push back. Stock did not return multiple messages seeking comment.

“Here comes a doctor in suspenders who goes in front of the school board and basically says what some people are thinking: the masks are B.S., vaccines don’t work and the CDC is lying — it can be very compelling to laypeople,” said Dr. Zubin Damania, a California physician who received so many messages about the Indiana clip that he created his own video debunking Stock’s claims.

Damania hosts a popular online medical show under the name ZDoggMD. His video debunking Stock’s comments has been viewed more than 400,000 times so far. He said that while there are legitimate questions about the effectiveness of mask requirements for children, Stock’s broad criticism of masks and vaccines went too far.

YouTube removed several similar videos of local government meetings in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas and Washington state. In Bellingham, Washington, officials responded by temporarily suspending public comment sessions.

The false claims in those videos were made during the portion of the meeting devoted to public comment. Local officials have no control over what is said at these forums, and say that’s part of the point.

In Kansas, YouTube pulled video of the May school board meeting in the 27,000-student Shawnee Mission district in which parents and a state lawmaker called for the district to remove its mask mandate, citing “medical misinformation.”

The district, where a mask mandate remains in effect, responded by ending livestreaming of the public comment period. District spokesman David Smith acknowledged that it has been challenging to balance making the board meetings accessible and not spreading fallacies.

“It was hard for me to hear things in the board meeting that weren’t true and to know that those were going out without contradiction,” Smith said. “I am all about free speech, but when that free speech endangers people’s lives, it is hard to sit through that.”

After hearing from local officials, YouTube reversed its decision and put the videos back up. Earlier this month the company, which is owned by Google, announced a change to its COVID misinformation policy to allow exceptions for local government meetings — though YouTube may still remove content that uses remarks from public forums in an attempt to mislead.

“While we have clear policies to remove harmful COVID-19 misinformation, we also recognize the importance of organizations like school districts and city councils using YouTube to share recordings of open public forums, even when comments at those forums may violate our policies,” company spokeswoman Elena Hernandez said.

The deluge of false claims about the virus has challenged other platforms too. Twitter and Facebook each have their own policies on COVID-19 misinformation, and say that like YouTube they attach labels to misleading content and remove the worst of it.

Public comment sessions preceding local government meetings have long been known for sometimes colorful remarks from local residents. But before the internet, if someone were to drone on about fluoride in the drinking water, for instance, their comments weren’t likely to become national news.

Now, thanks to the internet and social media, the misleading musings of a local doctor speaking before a school board can compete for attention with the recommendations of the CDC.

It was only a matter of time before misleading comments at these local public forums went viral, according to Jennifer Grygiel, a communications professor at Syracuse University who studies social media platforms.

Grygiel suggested a few possible ways to minimize the impact of misinformation without muzzling local governments. Grygiel said clear labels on government broadcasts would help viewers understand what they’re watching. Keeping the video on the government’s website, instead of making it shareable on YouTube, could allow local residents to watch without enabling the spread of videos more widely.

“Anytime there is a public arena – a city council hearing, a school board meeting, a public park – the public has the opportunity to potentially spread misinformation,” Grygiel said. “What’s changed is it used to stay local.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629038602416.png" alt="From Shawnee Mission Kansas School Board meeting on July 26" />
 <figcaption>From Shawnee Mission Kansas School Board meeting on July 26</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — There are plenty of places to turn for accurate information about COVID-19. Your physician. Local health departments. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control.But not, perhaps, your local government’s public comment session.During a meeting of the St. Louis County Council earlier this month, opponents of a possible mask mandate made so many misleading comments about masks, vaccines and COVID-19 that YouTube removed the video for violating its policies against false claims about the virus.“I hope no one is making any medical decisions based on what they hear at our public forums,” said County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, who supports mask wearing and said she believes most of her constituents do too. The video was restored, but Clancy’s worries about the impact of that misinformation remain.Videos of local government meetings have emerged as the latest vector of COVID-19 misinformation, broadcasting misleading claims about masks and vaccines to millions and creating new challenges for internet platforms trying to balance the potential harm against the need for government openness.The latest video to go viral features a local physician who made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-science-health-indiana-coronavirus-pandemic-bb7744800a96b96ed37d38ab1f5e9803">several misleading claims about COVID-19</a>&nbsp;while addressing the Mount Vernon Community School Corporation in Fortville, Indiana, on Aug. 6. In his 6-minute remarks, Dr. Dan Stock tells the board that masks don’t work, vaccines don’t prevent infection, and state and federal health officials don’t follow the science.The video has amassed tens of millions of online views, and prompted the Indiana State Department of Health to push back. Stock did not return multiple messages seeking comment.“Here comes a doctor in suspenders who goes in front of the school board and basically says what some people are thinking: the masks are B.S., vaccines don’t work and the CDC is lying — it can be very compelling to laypeople,” said Dr. Zubin Damania, a California physician who received so many messages about the Indiana clip that he created his own video debunking Stock’s claims.Damania hosts a popular online medical show under the name ZDoggMD. His video debunking Stock’s comments has been viewed more than 400,000 times so far. He said that while there are legitimate questions about the effectiveness of mask requirements for children, Stock’s broad criticism of masks and vaccines went too far.YouTube removed several similar videos of local government meetings in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas and Washington state. In Bellingham, Washington, officials responded by temporarily suspending public comment sessions.The false claims in those videos were made during the portion of the meeting devoted to public comment. Local officials have no control over what is said at these forums, and say that’s part of the point.In Kansas, YouTube pulled video of the May school board meeting in the 27,000-student Shawnee Mission district in which parents and a state lawmaker called for the district to remove its mask mandate, citing “medical misinformation.”The district, where a mask mandate remains in effect, responded by ending livestreaming of the public comment period. District spokesman David Smith acknowledged that it has been challenging to balance making the board meetings accessible and not spreading fallacies.“It was hard for me to hear things in the board meeting that weren’t true and to know that those were going out without contradiction,” Smith said. “I am all about free speech, but when that free speech endangers people’s lives, it is hard to sit through that.”After hearing from local officials, YouTube reversed its decision and put the videos back up. Earlier this month the company, which is owned by Google, announced a change to its COVID misinformation policy to allow exceptions for local government meetings — though YouTube may still remove content that uses remarks from public forums in an attempt to mislead.“While we have clear policies to remove harmful COVID-19 misinformation, we also recognize the importance of organizations like school districts and city councils using YouTube to share recordings of open public forums, even when comments at those forums may violate our policies,” company spokeswoman Elena Hernandez said.The deluge of false claims about the virus has challenged other platforms too. Twitter and Facebook each have their own policies on COVID-19 misinformation, and say that like YouTube they attach labels to misleading content and remove the worst of it.Public comment sessions preceding local government meetings have long been known for sometimes colorful remarks from local residents. But before the internet, if someone were to drone on about fluoride in the drinking water, for instance, their comments weren’t likely to become national news.Now, thanks to the internet and social media, the misleading musings of a local doctor speaking before a school board can compete for attention with the recommendations of the CDC.It was only a matter of time before misleading comments at these local public forums went viral, according to Jennifer Grygiel, a communications professor at Syracuse University who studies social media platforms.Grygiel suggested a few possible ways to minimize the impact of misinformation without muzzling local governments. Grygiel said clear labels on government broadcasts would help viewers understand what they’re watching. Keeping the video on the government’s website, instead of making it shareable on YouTube, could allow local residents to watch without enabling the spread of videos more widely.“Anytime there is a public arena – a city council hearing, a school board meeting, a public park – the public has the opportunity to potentially spread misinformation,” Grygiel said. “What’s changed is it used to stay local.”

Misinformation at public forums vexes local boards, big tech

WASHINGTON (AP) — The upcoming 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as well as approaching religious holidays could inspire extremist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security said in a terrorism alert issued Friday.

DHS did not cite any specific threats in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. But it noted that the U.S. is in a “heightened threat environment,” fueled by factors that include violent extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred and resentment of restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

DHS issues the warnings to alert the public as well as state and local authorities. They reflect intelligence gathered from other law enforcement agencies.

The bulletin is an extension of a similar one issued in May that expired on the day the new one was issued. DHS says domestic extremists remain a national threat priority for U.S. law enforcement and will for at least the remainder of the year.

The agency noted that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released the first English-language edition of its Inspire magazine in four years, apparently to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The anniversary and the approaching holidays “could serve as a catalyst for acts of targeted violence,” it said.

DHS also noted that domestic extremists motivated by religious and ethnic hatred have in the past attacked houses of worships and other gatherings, but it said there aren’t any “credible or imminent threats identified to these locations.”

As in previous bulletins, DHS expressed concern about both domestic extremists, motivated by “personal grievances and extremist ideological beliefs,” and foreign influences.

The agency said Russian, Chinese and Iranian government-linked media outlets have helped spread conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines and have in some cases amplified calls for violence against people of Asian descent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629076784407.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The upcoming 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as well as approaching religious holidays could inspire extremist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security said in a terrorism alert issued Friday.DHS did not cite any specific threats in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. But it noted that the U.S. is in a “heightened threat environment,” fueled by factors that include violent extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred and resentment of restrictions imposed during the pandemic.DHS issues the warnings to alert the public as well as state and local authorities. They reflect intelligence gathered from other law enforcement agencies.The bulletin is an extension of a similar one issued in May that expired on the day the new one was issued. DHS says domestic extremists remain a national threat priority for U.S. law enforcement and will for at least the remainder of the year.The agency noted that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released the first English-language edition of its Inspire magazine in four years, apparently to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.The anniversary and the approaching holidays “could serve as a catalyst for acts of targeted violence,” it said.DHS also noted that domestic extremists motivated by religious and ethnic hatred have in the past attacked houses of worships and other gatherings, but it said there aren’t any “credible or imminent threats identified to these locations.”As in previous bulletins, DHS expressed concern about both domestic extremists, motivated by “personal grievances and extremist ideological beliefs,” and foreign influences.The agency said Russian, Chinese and Iranian government-linked media outlets have helped spread conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines and have in some cases amplified calls for violence against people of Asian descent.

US warns 9/11 anniversary could inspire attacks

RICE COUNTY — A severe thunderstorm rolled through Rice County Sunday evening and prompted some damage.

According to reports provided to the National Weather Service office in Wichita on Sunday, at least 22 power poles were snapped, large tree limbs were downed, a barn was destroyed and a half-mile of railroad cars were laid over near Geneseo.

Storm spotters also reported baseball size hail with that storm.

The same storm prompted a gust of 77 mph at the Lyons airport at 6:40 p.m. Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629110774887.png" alt="Half a mile of rail cars knocked over west of Geneseo along Highway 4 due to the strong winds from the Sunday storm-photo Metorologist Ross Janssen courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Half a mile of rail cars knocked over west of Geneseo along Highway 4 due to the strong winds from the Sunday storm-photo Metorologist Ross Janssen courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY — A severe thunderstorm rolled through Rice County Sunday evening and prompted some damage.According to reports provided to the National Weather Service office in Wichita on Sunday, at least 22 power poles were snapped, large tree limbs were downed, a barn was destroyed and a half-mile of railroad cars were laid over near Geneseo.Storm spotters also reported baseball size hail with that storm.The same storm prompted a gust of 77 mph at the Lyons airport at 6:40 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday storm brought strong winds, baseball size hail

BUTLER COUNTY— A Kansas man was injured in a small plane crash just after 4:30p.m. Sunday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a single engine 2002 Flying K Skyraider piloted by Terry R. Allen, 69, Augusta, took off from an air strip.

The airplane had a mechanical issue. The pilot attempted to land in a field close by and stalled the plane. The plane crashed to the ground near&nbsp;near 7613 Southwest 50th Street one half mile west of SW Ohio Street and and one quarter mile south of SW 50th Street.

EMS transported Allen to Wesley Medical Center. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629108905823.png" alt="Location of the plane crash Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the plane crash Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY— A Kansas man was injured in a small plane crash just after 4:30p.m. Sunday in Butler County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a single engine 2002 Flying K Skyraider piloted by Terry R. Allen, 69, Augusta, took off from an air strip.The airplane had a mechanical issue. The pilot attempted to land in a field close by and stalled the plane. The plane crashed to the ground near&nbsp;near 7613 Southwest 50th Street one half mile west of SW Ohio Street and and one quarter mile south of SW 50th Street.EMS transported Allen to Wesley Medical Center. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

Kansas pilot hospitalized after small plane crash

Still time for low-income families to sign up

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.

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

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. 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.

Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.

Here are further details on these payments:

It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.

The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.

Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
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 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Still time for low-income families to sign up</h2>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 
billion, are reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority will be issued by direct deposit.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. 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.Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.Here are further details on these payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting today, August&nbsp;13. Like the first payments, the vast majority of
 families will receive these payments by direct deposit.</li><li>The IRS wants to alert some recipients who received direct deposits
 in July that they will receive the August payments by mail. Due to an 
issue expected to be resolved by the September payments, a percentage of
 these recipients – less than 15% – who received payments by direct 
deposit in July will be mailed paper checks for the August payment. For 
those affected, no additional action is needed for the September payment
 to be issued by direct deposit. Families can visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a> to see if they're receiving a direct deposit or paper check this month.</li><li>For those receiving their payments by paper check, be sure to allow
 extra time for delivery by mail through the end of August. 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>,&nbsp;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. ET on Aug. 30 will apply starting with the September payment.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by August&nbsp;2 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, including a
 simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don't have 
to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments. The 
Non-Filer Sign-Up tool is available until October 15, 2021.&nbsp;</li><li>Families who did not get a July payment and are getting their first
 monthly payment in August will still receive their total advance 
payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread 
over five months, rather than six, making each monthly payment larger. 
For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $360 per month for each child 
under age 6 and up to $300 per month for each child ages 6 through 17</li><li>Additionally, the IRS is correcting an issue regarding the advance 
CTC payments for families where the parent(s) have an Individual 
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and the qualifying children have a
 Social Security number. Such families who did not receive a July 
payment are receiving a monthly payment in August, which also includes a
 portion of the July payment. They will receive the remainder of the 
July payment in late August.</li>
 </ul><h2>Low-income families can still sign up</h2>It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.<h2>Families can stop payments anytime</h2>Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
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 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 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. 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.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 tax agency's special advance CTC 2021 
page. It's at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.