SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two injured.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday,&nbsp;the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a report of two individuals with gunshot wounds in the 9000 block of SW Indian Hills Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian 

At the scene, deputies discovered a 51-year-old man and a 29- year-old woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. They were treated on scene and transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response.

During the investigation, deputies discovered a third individual identified as 38-year-old Jericoe M. Wolford of Topeka, was riding in a 1996 Ford Ranger with both victims. 

A disturbance occurred and Wolford discharged a firearm that was reported stolen through the Topeka Police Department. Deputies took Wolford into custody on scene and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, criminal possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property.

Wolford has previous convictions for aggravated assault, battery, criminal damage to property and ID theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638758483434.png" alt="Wolford has previous convictions for aggravated assault, battery, criminal damage to property and ID theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wolford has previous convictions for aggravated assault, battery, criminal damage to property and ID theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two injured.Just before 1a.m. Sunday,&nbsp;the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a report of two individuals with gunshot wounds in the 9000 block of SW Indian Hills Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian At the scene, deputies discovered a 51-year-old man and a 29- year-old woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. They were treated on scene and transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response.During the investigation, deputies discovered a third individual identified as 38-year-old Jericoe M. Wolford of Topeka, was riding in a 1996 Ford Ranger with both victims. A disturbance occurred and Wolford discharged a firearm that was reported stolen through the Topeka Police Department. Deputies took Wolford into custody on scene and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, criminal possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property.Wolford has previous convictions for aggravated assault, battery, criminal damage to property and ID theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Sheriff: Kan. man riding in pickup fired gun during dispute

With many people shopping for gifts <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26199-bbb-tip-how-to-plan-your-holiday-budget" target="_blank">on a budget</a>
 this holiday season, scammers are taking advantage of the demand for 
pricey gaming consoles by promoting fake deals for Xbox Series X, 
PlayStation 5 and other in-demand systems. Be sure to use caution when 
buying a console online.

You find a popular gaming console for sale online at a reduced price.
 Hoping to save some money, you research the seller’s website and find a
 few positive reviews. Convinced, you make your purchase via PayPal or 
another online payment method. You receive an email confirmation with 
shipping information and a tracking number.

If you receive a package at all from the company, it isn’t a gaming 
console – instead, it is a valueless phone cover or similar small 
object. Since you technically received a shipment, you will be unable to
 contest the purchase with the third-party who processed the payment.

Attempts to contact the company are useless. No one answers your 
phone calls or emails. One consumer who never received any package 
reported to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>:
 “I attempted to reach out to the email address on their website, 
however I received an email informing me that it was not a valid email 
address. I then attempted to call the phone number listed on the 
website, [which gave me] an automatic message informing me that the 
number was not valid.”

For more holiday tips, check out <a href="https://www.BBB.org/holiday-tips">BBB.org/holiday-tips</a>, as well as information from BBB on how to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe">shop safe this holiday season</a>.

If you’ve been a victim of this scam, help out your fellow consumers by filing a scam report at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBWith many people shopping for gifts <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26199-bbb-tip-how-to-plan-your-holiday-budget" target="_blank">on a budget</a>
 this holiday season, scammers are taking advantage of the demand for 
pricey gaming consoles by promoting fake deals for Xbox Series X, 
PlayStation 5 and other in-demand systems. Be sure to use caution when 
buying a console online.<h2>How the Scam Works</h2>You find a popular gaming console for sale online at a reduced price.
 Hoping to save some money, you research the seller’s website and find a
 few positive reviews. Convinced, you make your purchase via PayPal or 
another online payment method. You receive an email confirmation with 
shipping information and a tracking number.If you receive a package at all from the company, it isn’t a gaming 
console – instead, it is a valueless phone cover or similar small 
object. Since you technically received a shipment, you will be unable to
 contest the purchase with the third-party who processed the payment.Attempts to contact the company are useless. No one answers your 
phone calls or emails. One consumer who never received any package 
reported to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>:
 “I attempted to reach out to the email address on their website, 
however I received an email informing me that it was not a valid email 
address. I then attempted to call the phone number listed on the 
website, [which gave me] an automatic message informing me that the 
number was not valid.”<h2>How to Avoid Online Purchase Scams</h2><ul>
 <li>Research the company you plan to purchase from thoroughly. It’s
 best to purchase items from sellers you already know and trust, but if 
you decide to purchase from an unfamiliar online store, do your homework
 first. Read as many customer reviews as you can find, look up the 
business on <a href="https://www.BBB.org/search">BBB.org</a>, and do an 
online search with the company’s name followed by the word “scam” to see
 if you find any complaints. Make sure the company has legitimate 
customer service contact information (not just a form you have to fill 
out and hope for a response) and clear return and refund policies as 
well. </li><li>Avoid impulse buying. Scammers like to draw people 
in with “flash sales” and “limited time offers” in hopes you will hand 
over your money on impulse. Resist the urge. </li><li>Don’t believe prices that are too good to be true. Before
 you start shopping, find out the price of the gaming console at a major
 retailer. You can check prices online to get a general idea of what the
 console is selling for. Keep that price in mind as you shop and be wary
 of sellers who offer the product at a steeply discounted price. You 
could end up spending money on a defective or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams">counterfeit product</a>, or no product at all!</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>For more holiday tips, check out <a href="https://www.BBB.org/holiday-tips">BBB.org/holiday-tips</a>, as well as information from BBB on how to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe">shop safe this holiday season</a>.If you’ve been a victim of this scam, help out your fellow consumers by filing a scam report at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.

Scam alert: Fake deals on gaming consoles trick holiday shoppers

TOPEKA—U.S. leaders and many others are mourning the loss of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and former Republican presidential candidate who represented Kansas in Congress for 36 years 

Elizabeth Dole posted on social media Sunday that her husband had died at age 98.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?186322-1/robert-j-dole-1923-2021">Click here to watch Senator Dole'</a>s CSPAN interview about his book, "One Soldier's Story: A memoir"

TOPEKA—U.S. leaders and many others are mourning the loss of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and former Republican presidential candidate who represented Kansas in Congress for 36 years Elizabeth Dole posted on social media Sunday that her husband had died at age 98.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?186322-1/robert-j-dole-1923-2021">Click here to watch Senator Dole'</a>s CSPAN interview about his book, "One Soldier's Story: A memoir"<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole is dead at 98. In 1993, in the run-up to what would become his 1996 presidential campaign, Steve Kroft profiled the WWII vet for 60 Minutes. Dole became emotional when speaking about his recovery from war injuries. <a href="https://t.co/UiPGnqXUtG">https://t.co/UiPGnqXUtG</a> <a href="https://t.co/DnaQ6ztFnN">pic.twitter.com/DnaQ6ztFnN</a>&mdash; 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes/status/1467563744947576848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans. He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor. May God bless him, and may our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism for all time.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1467570905303896068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Whether it was on the battlefield, in the halls of Congress, or in his everyday life, Sen. Dole’s passion and dedication to his fellow Kansan and to his country was a steady reminder that a single person can make a difference and change the world. <a href="https://t.co/K61Rjn6x5Y">pic.twitter.com/K61Rjn6x5Y</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1467553395393368068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Governor Kelly&#39;s statement on the passing of Senator Bob Dole. <a href="https://t.co/VWsRD4M8E2">pic.twitter.com/VWsRD4M8E2</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1467567738063405057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorDole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenatorDole</a> was an American hero,a statesman of the highest order &amp; one of the greatest legislators of all time.Most importantly,he was forever a Kansan who always put service above self.Laina &amp; I join Kansans in holding Elizabeth, Robin &amp; the entire Dole family in our prayers. <a href="https://t.co/J2uqFqDlTt">https://t.co/J2uqFqDlTt</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ejsx1nNkmz">pic.twitter.com/Ejsx1nNkmz</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1467535513485783042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Senator Bob Dole. He was one of the finest leaders I have ever had the fortune of meeting and served his state, country, and the world with great distinction.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1467537665415278595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From Election Night 1968, when Rep. Bob Dole defeated Dem. William Robinson to win the first of 5 terms in the US Senate. RIP. <a href="https://t.co/qESYsRWOhX">https://t.co/qESYsRWOhX</a>&mdash; Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveKornacki/status/1467539351865376768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of Bob Dole, a dedicated public servant from Russell, Kansas to the ranks of the Army and all the way to the halls of Capitol Hill. He was a true statesman and honorable man. <a href="https://t.co/NFAPOq8Tv5">pic.twitter.com/NFAPOq8Tv5</a>&mdash; Rep. Sharice Davids (@RepDavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDavids/status/1467569997153251329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Remembering Bob Dole, the longtime lawmaker who overcame life-threatening injuries during World War II to become a shepherd of the Republican Party. Dole died in his sleep at the age of 98. <a href="https://t.co/ZRhdJlCSjM">pic.twitter.com/ZRhdJlCSjM</a>&mdash; Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeetThePress/status/1467539126366965762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bob Dole dedicated his entire life to serving the American people, from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress. After all he gave in the war, he didn’t have to give more. But he did. His example should inspire people today and for generations to come. <a href="https://t.co/8Iiy7ssGkD">pic.twitter.com/8Iiy7ssGkD</a>&mdash; Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillClinton/status/1467573698597113866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Bipartisan tributes pour in honoring Bob Dole

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to prison Friday for his participation in a pair of armed bank robberies in which he fired several shots, including one at a customer about to enter the bank, according to the United State's Attorney.

In August 2021, a federal jury convicted Michael Shiferaw, 23, of Olathe of two counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery. A federal judge sentenced Shiferaw to 28 years in prison.

Prior to Shiferaw’s trial, accomplice Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery.

Breakfield was sentenced in September 2021 to 76 months in prison.

In October 2018, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas, wearing Venom face masks and carrying handguns. Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering. He then pointed a gun at the tellers and forced them to fill a duffel bag with money. As they left the bank, Shiferaw fired another round into the ceiling, yelling “happy holidays”.

In March 2019, the men robbed the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas. This time Breakfield stayed in the vehicle as the getaway driver, and Shiferaw entered the bank alone. Shiferaw fired four rounds during the robbery. When tellers attempted to hide under the counter, Shiferaw pointed his gun at them demanding to get into the vault. When one of the tellers attempted to get up, Shiferaw shoved him and pointed a gun at his head.

The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, and Roeland Park Police Department all assisted in the investigation of the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608237620776.png" alt="Security camera image of suspects during the bank robbery in Roeland Park -photo FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of suspects during the bank robbery in Roeland Park -photo FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to prison Friday for his participation in a pair of armed bank robberies in which he fired several shots, including one at a customer about to enter the bank, according to the United State's Attorney.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629232104778.png" alt="Shiferaw photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Shiferaw photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In August 2021, a federal jury convicted Michael Shiferaw, 23, of Olathe of two counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery. A federal judge sentenced Shiferaw to 28 years in prison.Prior to Shiferaw’s trial, accomplice Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery.Breakfield was sentenced in September 2021 to 76 months in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608237271487.png" alt="Breakfield photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Breakfield photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In October 2018, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas, wearing Venom face masks and carrying handguns. Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering. He then pointed a gun at the tellers and forced them to fill a duffel bag with money. As they left the bank, Shiferaw fired another round into the ceiling, yelling “happy holidays”.In March 2019, the men robbed the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas. This time Breakfield stayed in the vehicle as the getaway driver, and Shiferaw entered the bank alone. Shiferaw fired four rounds during the robbery. When tellers attempted to hide under the counter, Shiferaw pointed his gun at them demanding to get into the vault. When one of the tellers attempted to get up, Shiferaw shoved him and pointed a gun at his head.The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery.The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, and Roeland Park Police Department all assisted in the investigation of the case.

Kansas man sentenced for pair of violent bank robberies

RILEY COUNTY—Two Kansas teens died in an accident just after 1a.m. Sunday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.

The driver lost control of the SUV. The vehicle entered the south ditch,&nbsp; struck a concrete bridge pillar and caught fire.

Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp;Gaysha Alfred  both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.

EMS transported&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp; and passengers Alecia Reyna&nbsp; Smith Haynes, 13, Manhattan, to Via Christi in Manhattan and 14-year-old Jean Carlos&nbsp;Vazques-Ponce of Manhattan to KU Medical Center.

RILEY COUNTY—Two Kansas teens died in an accident just after 1a.m. Sunday in Riley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.The driver lost control of the SUV. The vehicle entered the south ditch,&nbsp; struck a concrete bridge pillar and caught fire.Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp;Gaysha Alfred both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.EMS transported&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp; and passengers Alecia Reyna&nbsp; Smith Haynes, 13, Manhattan, to Via Christi in Manhattan and 14-year-old Jean Carlos&nbsp;Vazques-Ponce of Manhattan to KU Medical Center.

2 Kansas teens dead, 3 injured after SUV crash, fire

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 2,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1999 Toyota Camry for an alleged traffic infraction on 150th and Q.4 Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Through the course of the investigation of the traffic stop, the deputy located illegal drug contraband in the vehicle. Subsequently, a search warrant was issued for a location near Mayetta where more illegal contraband was located.

Deputies jailed Alexandra Michelle Murillo, 30, and Matthew Smith, 33, both of Topeka, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638632075512.png" alt="Smith-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 2,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1999 Toyota Camry for an alleged traffic infraction on 150th and Q.4 Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. Through the course of the investigation of the traffic stop, the deputy located illegal drug contraband in the vehicle. Subsequently, a search warrant was issued for a location near Mayetta where more illegal contraband was located.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638632024505.png" alt="Murillo-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Murillo-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies jailed Alexandra Michelle Murillo, 30, and Matthew Smith, 33, both of Topeka, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

Traffic stop leads to drug bust at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Health officials have confirmed the first case of the omicron coronavirus variant in Missouri.

The St. Louis Health Department said Saturday that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed the virus case in a resident of St. Louis that was first reported Friday as a presumed case of the omicron variant.

Health officials did not identify the patient, but they have said that the person had recently traveled in the United States. Officials have also said there are no concerns about that person's health at this point.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, director of the St. Louis health department, said the omicron case is a reminder that everyone should get vaccinated and take other measures proven to limit the spread of the coronavirus such as wearing masks.

Scientists are still studying the new omicron variant of the virus to determine whether it spreads more easily or causes more severe illnesses than the delta variant. They are also looking at how well the current vaccines work against it.

Scientists monitor variants and the coronavirus’ evolution through genetic tests that are separate from the kinds of tests used to determine whether someone has COVID-19. This genetic sequencing allows scientists to monitor how the virus changes over time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638148803210.png" alt="3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -photo courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -photo courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Health officials have confirmed the first case of the omicron coronavirus variant in Missouri.The St. Louis Health Department said Saturday that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed the virus case in a resident of St. Louis that was first reported Friday as a presumed case of the omicron variant.Health officials did not identify the patient, but they have said that the person had recently traveled in the United States. Officials have also said there are no concerns about that person's health at this point.Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, director of the St. Louis health department, said the omicron case is a reminder that everyone should get vaccinated and take other measures proven to limit the spread of the coronavirus such as wearing masks.Scientists are still studying the new omicron variant of the virus to determine whether it spreads more easily or causes more severe illnesses than the delta variant. They are also looking at how well the current vaccines work against it.Scientists monitor variants and the coronavirus’ evolution through genetic tests that are separate from the kinds of tests used to determine whether someone has COVID-19. This genetic sequencing allows scientists to monitor how the virus changes over time.-------

Missouri confirms first case of Omicron virus variant

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of 
Agriculture will begin issuing final pandemic assistance payments to 
timber harvesters and timber hauling businesses through the <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/archive/pathh">Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program</a>
 starting next week. In total, $200 million will be provided to loggers 
and log trucking businesses who experienced a gross revenue loss of at 
least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2020, compared to 
the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2019. This support is part of 
USDA’s broader <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance">Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative</a>.

“We know loggers and truckers felt the financial burden of the 
pandemic,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “This included lack 
of access to wood processing mills, which caused major disruptions to 
the logging industry. We made initial payments as we enrolled customers 
in PATHH and are happy to now finalize payments to provide this much 
needed assistance.”

“We are grateful for the partnerships with other USDA agencies to 
recognize the tremendous need and to mobilize quickly to assist loggers 
and log truckers adversely impacted by the pandemic,” said Forest 
Service Chief Randy Moore. “The American Loggers Council, Intertribal 
Timber Council, National Association of State Foresters, and Forest 
Resources Association were critical to helping us better understand the 
impacts and tailor a program that best serves these two sectors that are
 critical to forest management across the country.”

Eligible PATHH applicants must have derived at least 50 percent of 
total gross revenue from timber harvesting and/or timber hauling. 
Specifically, eligible activities included cutting timber, transporting 
timber and/or the processing of wood on-site on the forest land, such as
 chipping, grinding, converting to biochar or cutting to smaller 
lengths.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, authorized up to $200 
million for PATHH. FSA issued initial payments up to $2,000 as 
applications were approved. Now that signup has ended and FSA has 
evaluated remaining funds, FSA has started to issue second payments to 
those applicants whose calculated payment amount was over $2,000.

Based on the number of actual PATHH applications filed, FSA will be 
required to lower the payment limitation for PATHH from $125,000 to 
$75,000 and apply a payment factor of 70.5% across all calculated 
payments to ensure program outlays do not exceed the available funding. 
These provisions were previously outlined in the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/23/2021-15683/notice-of-funds-availability-nofa-pandemic-assistance-for-timber-harvesters-and-haulers-program">Notice of Funding Availability</a> in the event the revenue loss reported exceeded available funding.

Pandemic Assistance for Producers Delivered in 2021

As USDA looks for long-term solutions to build back a better food 
system, the Department is committed to delivery of financial assistance 
to farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers and businesses who have 
been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions. In addition to the funding
 USDA is issuing today, the Department has provided a broad range of 
support to America’s farmers and ranchers as part of its Pandemic 
Assistance for Producers initiative, including:

A full list of Pandemic Assistance is available at <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance">farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance</a>. USDA expects further Pandemic Assistance to continue to fill remaining gaps later this year.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive 
ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s
 food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional 
food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to 
healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and
 streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food 
and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure 
and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity
 across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a 
workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.usda.gov/">www.usda.gov</a>.

USDAWASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of 
Agriculture will begin issuing final pandemic assistance payments to 
timber harvesters and timber hauling businesses through the <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/archive/pathh">Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program</a>
 starting next week. In total, $200 million will be provided to loggers 
and log trucking businesses who experienced a gross revenue loss of at 
least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2020, compared to 
the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2019. This support is part of 
USDA’s broader <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance">Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative</a>.“We know loggers and truckers felt the financial burden of the 
pandemic,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “This included lack 
of access to wood processing mills, which caused major disruptions to 
the logging industry. We made initial payments as we enrolled customers 
in PATHH and are happy to now finalize payments to provide this much 
needed assistance.”“We are grateful for the partnerships with other USDA agencies to 
recognize the tremendous need and to mobilize quickly to assist loggers 
and log truckers adversely impacted by the pandemic,” said Forest 
Service Chief Randy Moore. “The American Loggers Council, Intertribal 
Timber Council, National Association of State Foresters, and Forest 
Resources Association were critical to helping us better understand the 
impacts and tailor a program that best serves these two sectors that are
 critical to forest management across the country.”Eligible PATHH applicants must have derived at least 50 percent of 
total gross revenue from timber harvesting and/or timber hauling. 
Specifically, eligible activities included cutting timber, transporting 
timber and/or the processing of wood on-site on the forest land, such as
 chipping, grinding, converting to biochar or cutting to smaller 
lengths.The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, authorized up to $200 
million for PATHH. FSA issued initial payments up to $2,000 as 
applications were approved. Now that signup has ended and FSA has 
evaluated remaining funds, FSA has started to issue second payments to 
those applicants whose calculated payment amount was over $2,000.Based on the number of actual PATHH applications filed, FSA will be 
required to lower the payment limitation for PATHH from $125,000 to 
$75,000 and apply a payment factor of 70.5% across all calculated 
payments to ensure program outlays do not exceed the available funding. 
These provisions were previously outlined in the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/23/2021-15683/notice-of-funds-availability-nofa-pandemic-assistance-for-timber-harvesters-and-haulers-program">Notice of Funding Availability</a> in the event the revenue loss reported exceeded available funding.<h2>Pandemic Assistance for Producers Delivered in 2021</h2>As USDA looks for long-term solutions to build back a better food 
system, the Department is committed to delivery of financial assistance 
to farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers and businesses who have 
been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions. In addition to the funding
 USDA is issuing today, the Department has provided a broad range of 
support to America’s farmers and ranchers as part of its Pandemic 
Assistance for Producers initiative, including:<ul>
 <li>More than $19 billion in <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2</a>
 (CFAP 2) payments, including a fourfold increase in participation by 
historically underserved producers since the program reopened in April 
2021.</li><li>Approximately $270 million in payments to contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry.</li><li>Over $43 million in assistance for those who had to depopulate livestock and poultry due to insufficient processing access (<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/plip">Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program</a>).</li><li>$1 billion to <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/06/04/usda-invest-1-billion-purchase-healthy-food-food-insecure-americans">purchase healthy food for food insecure Americans and build food bank capacity</a>.</li><li>$350 million in <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/08/19/usda-announces-improvements-dairy-safety-net-and-new-pandemic">additional dairy assistance related to market volatility</a>.</li><li>$500 million <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/03/24/after-identifying-gaps-previous-aid-usda-announces-pandemic">deployed through existing USDA programs</a>.</li>
 </ul>A full list of Pandemic Assistance is available at <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance">farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance</a>. USDA expects further Pandemic Assistance to continue to fill remaining gaps later this year.USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive 
ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s
 food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional 
food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to 
healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and
 streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food 
and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure 
and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity
 across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a 
workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.usda.gov/">www.usda.gov</a>.

USDA issues final pandemic payments for timber harvesters, haulers

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Bob Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharp-tongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, has died. He was 98.

His wife, Elizabeth Dole, posted the announcement Sunday on Twitter.

Dole announced in February 2021 that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. During his 36-year career on Capitol Hill, Dole became one of the most influential legislators and party leaders in the Senate, combining a talent for compromise with a caustic wit, which he often turned on himself but didn’t hesitate to turn on others, too.

He shaped tax policy, foreign policy, farm and nutrition programs and rights for the disabled, enshrining protections against discrimination in employment, education and public services in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Today’s accessible government offices and national parks, sidewalk ramps and the sign-language interpreters at official local events are just some of the more visible hallmarks of his legacy and that of the fellow lawmakers he rounded up for that sweeping civil rights legislation 30 years ago.

Dole devoted his later years to the cause of wounded veterans, their fallen comrades at Arlington National Cemetery and remembrance of the fading generation of World War II vets.

Thousands of old soldiers massed on the National Mall in 2004 for what Dole, speaking at the dedication of the World War II Memorial there, called “our final reunion.” He’d been a driving force in its creation. “Our ranks have dwindled,” he said then. “Yet if we gather in the twilight it is brightened by the knowledge that we have kept faith with our comrades.”

Long gone from Kansas, Dole made his life in the capital, at the center of power and then in its shadow upon his retirement, living all the while at the storied Watergate complex. When he left politics and joined a law firm staffed by prominent Democrats, he joked that he brought his dog to work so he would have another Republican to talk to.

He tried three times to become president. The last was in 1996, when he won the Republican nomination only to see President Bill Clinton reelected. He sought his party’s presidential nomination in 1980 and 1988 and was the 1976 GOP vice presidential candidate on the losing ticket with President Gerald Ford.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613672342871.png" alt="Bob Dole represented Kansas in Congress for almost 36 years." />
 <figcaption>Bob Dole represented Kansas in Congress for almost 36 years.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Bob Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharp-tongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, has died. He was 98.His wife, Elizabeth Dole, posted the announcement Sunday on Twitter.Dole announced in February 2021 that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. During his 36-year career on Capitol Hill, Dole became one of the most influential legislators and party leaders in the Senate, combining a talent for compromise with a caustic wit, which he often turned on himself but didn’t hesitate to turn on others, too.He shaped tax policy, foreign policy, farm and nutrition programs and rights for the disabled, enshrining protections against discrimination in employment, education and public services in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Today’s accessible government offices and national parks, sidewalk ramps and the sign-language interpreters at official local events are just some of the more visible hallmarks of his legacy and that of the fellow lawmakers he rounded up for that sweeping civil rights legislation 30 years ago.Dole devoted his later years to the cause of wounded veterans, their fallen comrades at Arlington National Cemetery and remembrance of the fading generation of World War II vets.Thousands of old soldiers massed on the National Mall in 2004 for what Dole, speaking at the dedication of the World War II Memorial there, called “our final reunion.” He’d been a driving force in its creation. “Our ranks have dwindled,” he said then. “Yet if we gather in the twilight it is brightened by the knowledge that we have kept faith with our comrades.”Long gone from Kansas, Dole made his life in the capital, at the center of power and then in its shadow upon his retirement, living all the while at the storied Watergate complex. When he left politics and joined a law firm staffed by prominent Democrats, he joked that he brought his dog to work so he would have another Republican to talk to.He tried three times to become president. The last was in 1996, when he won the Republican nomination only to see President Bill Clinton reelected. He sought his party’s presidential nomination in 1980 and 1988 and was the 1976 GOP vice presidential candidate on the losing ticket with President Gerald Ford.

Bob Dole, former U.S. senator, presidential candidate has died

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 3:30a.m. Sunday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F250 driven by Hadley Garrett&nbsp;Fisher,&nbsp; 17, Spearville, was eastbound on Jewell Road approximately five miles east of Wright.

The pickup traveled into the south ditch, struck a driveway embankment, went airborne and impacted a field entrance. 

The pickup then struck a fence post causing it to spin, roll and the driver was ejected. During the crash, the vehicle destroyed several hundred feet of cable and barbed wire fence.

EMS transported Fisher to the hospital in Dodge City and he was later transferred to Children's Mercy in Kansas City for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 3:30a.m. Sunday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F250 driven by Hadley Garrett&nbsp;Fisher,&nbsp; 17, Spearville, was eastbound on Jewell Road approximately five miles east of Wright.The pickup traveled into the south ditch, struck a driveway embankment, went airborne and impacted a field entrance. The pickup then struck a fence post causing it to spin, roll and the driver was ejected. During the crash, the vehicle destroyed several hundred feet of cable and barbed wire fence.EMS transported Fisher to the hospital in Dodge City and he was later transferred to Children's Mercy in Kansas City for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kan. teen airlifted to hospital after ejected in violent pickup crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police continue to investigate vandalism at a Jewish community and educational center on the city's upscale Country Club Plaza.

Rabbi Yitzchak Itkin said vandals who hit the Chabad on the Plaza Tuesday morning threw papers and books around, tore out electric wires and caused water damage throughout the building.

“There is nothing more disturbing than walking into the Chabad house for an early morning Torah class and finding the place torn up,” the rabbi said on Facebook. “That was my reality this week.”

The Torah and other important religious texts were not damaged in the vandalism, which occurred in the midst of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday.

Kansas City police said officers responded to the scene early Tuesday after a report of someone hearing glass break and seeing a black SUV drive away from the center. Officers later tried to stop a similar vehicle but it sped away.

Itkin said the center has begun a fundraising campaign to repair the damage and is seeking a temporary home for the organization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638671072701.png" alt="Images of some of the damage courtesy Chabad on the Plaza-Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Images of some of the damage courtesy Chabad on the Plaza-Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police continue to investigate vandalism at a Jewish community and educational center on the city's upscale Country Club Plaza.Rabbi Yitzchak Itkin said vandals who hit the Chabad on the Plaza Tuesday morning threw papers and books around, tore out electric wires and caused water damage throughout the building.“There is nothing more disturbing than walking into the Chabad house for an early morning Torah class and finding the place torn up,” the rabbi said on Facebook. “That was my reality this week.”The Torah and other important religious texts were not damaged in the vandalism, which occurred in the midst of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday.Kansas City police said officers responded to the scene early Tuesday after a report of someone hearing glass break and seeing a black SUV drive away from the center. Officers later tried to stop a similar vehicle but it sped away.Itkin said the center has begun a fundraising campaign to repair the damage and is seeking a temporary home for the organization.

Jewish education center in Kansas City vandalized

New York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to the new variant to eight.

“The omicron variant is here, and as anticipated we are seeing the beginning of community spread,” state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a news release.

The number of states finding the variant is growing as well, with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington state announcing their first cases Saturday, a day after New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland reported their first confirmed cases. Missouri reported its first presumed case Friday.

The variant also has been detected in Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.

In New York, seven of the cases have been found in New York City, once a global epicenter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/covid-19-pandemic">the pandemic,</a>&nbsp;and the other in Suffolk County.

The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages.

The number of people testing positive statewide each day for the virus has doubled in the last 30 days.

Gov. Kathy Hochul in recent days has authorized the Health Department to limit nonessential, non-urgent procedures at hospitals close to running out of beds and deployed National Guard teams to relieve healthcare workers at facilities dealing with staffing issues and surging caseloads.

Fifteen members of the National Guard arrived at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester on Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/national-guard-members-to-help-monroe-community-hospital-as-covid-19-cases-increase/" target="_blank">WROC reported.</a>&nbsp;Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said Wednesday the state would send 13 National Guard teams to the western New York county, where County Executive Adam Bello has declared a state of emergency.

New York’s omicron cases so far appear to be unrelated, Hochul said. One of the known cases involved a man from Minnesota who was among 50,000 people who attended a three-day anime festival in New York City in November. Authorities have urged anyone who attended the conference to get tested for COVID-19 and wear a mask in public.

Much remains unknown about omicron, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it can thwart vaccines and whether it makes people as sick as the original strain.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-new-york-new-york-city-connecticut-bf5ef2212bfa02867202e44535ad7307">reported his state’s first confirmed case of the variant</a>, saying it may also be linked to the New York City anime convention. The case involves a vaccinated Hartford-area man in his 60s who has a family member who attended the convention. The family member, who is also vaccinated, developed symptoms that have since resolved, Lamont’s office said.

In Washington state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-washington-2ecf86de95ca24efa60081ec6d36db83">three cases of the omicron variant were confirmed Saturday</a>&nbsp;— one each in Thurston, Pierce and King counties, state health officials said. They noted the investigation is still early, and details were not yet known on the travel histories of the patients, two men and a woman who range from 20 to 39 years old.

A Massachusetts woman in her 20s who had traveled out of state is the first known case of the variant detected in her state, the Department of Public Health announced Saturday. The unidentified woman — a resident of Middlesex County — is fully vaccinated and has experienced mild symptoms.

A woman who recently traveled from South Africa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-travel-new-jersey-6ad8d2d59ac62d77814579cedd3a9f43">became both New Jersey and Georgia’s first confirmed case&nbsp;</a>after seeking care for moderate symptoms at an emergency room. The fully vaccinated Georgia resident was in her home state for two days between arriving from South Africa and traveling onward to New Jersey, health officials in both states said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-larry-hogan-maryland-baltimore-e5077f84e4112f1854ba07eb47eff3f9">Maryland’s first three cases of the omicron variant&nbsp;</a>were found in the Baltimore metropolitan region and include two people from the same household, authorities said. One of the two is a vaccinated person who recently traveled to South Africa. The third case, detected in a vaccinated person with no recent travel history, is unrelated.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pennsylvania-public-health-philadelphia-36b168cc3b06a71537ebf76aa95cecc4">In Pennsylvania, a man in his 30s from Philadelphia became that state’s first case.&nbsp;</a>The Philadelphia Department of Public Health did not immediately say whether the man was vaccinated against COVID-19 or if he had been traveling.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-st-louis-missouri-0d0a3288f81dbbccdaf873a8e4883c7d">Missouri’s presumed first case&nbsp;</a>involves someone who recently traveled within the U.S., according to state health officials, who did not provide additional details about the St. Louis resident. The St. Louis Health Department said it was awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Case counts in California, Nebraska and Colorado grew Friday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-lifestyle-weddings-california-c3de275dbe7c3a8529e66d0bfe2a96d1">Five cases in Northern California were linked to a wedding&nbsp;</a>in Wisconsin late last month, public health officials said. One of the individuals had recently returned from traveling internationally, according to the Alameda County Department of Public Health.

Health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-public-health-nebraska-a258934f6474ff21c443148bb578f3ad">confirmed six new cases of the variant in southeastern Nebraska.&nbsp;</a>State health officials said the state’s first case likely stemmed from one of the six who recently traveled to Nigeria and returned on Nov. 23.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-colorado-africa-denver-ffd7bd48fdec289ad4b0c9ec47f004a9">Colorado detected the state’s second case of the omicron variant</a>&nbsp;just a day after the state’s first confirmed case, officials said Friday.

“We knew the omicron variant was coming and we expect to see more cases. But let me be clear: We are not defenseless,” Hochul said. “We have the tools to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus: Get your vaccine, get your booster, and wear your mask.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638675257907.png" alt="Omicron variant spreading across the United State-image GISAID" />
 <figcaption>Omicron variant spreading across the United State-image GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>By CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated PressNew York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to the new variant to eight.“The omicron variant is here, and as anticipated we are seeing the beginning of community spread,” state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a news release.The number of states finding the variant is growing as well, with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington state announcing their first cases Saturday, a day after New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland reported their first confirmed cases. Missouri reported its first presumed case Friday.The variant also has been detected in Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.In New York, seven of the cases have been found in New York City, once a global epicenter of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/covid-19-pandemic">the pandemic,</a>&nbsp;and the other in Suffolk County.The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages.The number of people testing positive statewide each day for the virus has doubled in the last 30 days.Gov. Kathy Hochul in recent days has authorized the Health Department to limit nonessential, non-urgent procedures at hospitals close to running out of beds and deployed National Guard teams to relieve healthcare workers at facilities dealing with staffing issues and surging caseloads.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638148803210.png" alt="3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -image GISAID" />
 <figcaption>3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -image GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>Fifteen members of the National Guard arrived at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester on Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/national-guard-members-to-help-monroe-community-hospital-as-covid-19-cases-increase/" target="_blank">WROC reported.</a>&nbsp;Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said Wednesday the state would send 13 National Guard teams to the western New York county, where County Executive Adam Bello has declared a state of emergency.New York’s omicron cases so far appear to be unrelated, Hochul said. One of the known cases involved a man from Minnesota who was among 50,000 people who attended a three-day anime festival in New York City in November. Authorities have urged anyone who attended the conference to get tested for COVID-19 and wear a mask in public.Much remains unknown about omicron, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it can thwart vaccines and whether it makes people as sick as the original strain.Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-new-york-new-york-city-connecticut-bf5ef2212bfa02867202e44535ad7307">reported his state’s first confirmed case of the variant</a>, saying it may also be linked to the New York City anime convention. The case involves a vaccinated Hartford-area man in his 60s who has a family member who attended the convention. The family member, who is also vaccinated, developed symptoms that have since resolved, Lamont’s office said.In Washington state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-washington-2ecf86de95ca24efa60081ec6d36db83">three cases of the omicron variant were confirmed Saturday</a>&nbsp;— one each in Thurston, Pierce and King counties, state health officials said. They noted the investigation is still early, and details were not yet known on the travel histories of the patients, two men and a woman who range from 20 to 39 years old.A Massachusetts woman in her 20s who had traveled out of state is the first known case of the variant detected in her state, the Department of Public Health announced Saturday. The unidentified woman — a resident of Middlesex County — is fully vaccinated and has experienced mild symptoms.A woman who recently traveled from South Africa&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-travel-new-jersey-6ad8d2d59ac62d77814579cedd3a9f43">became both New Jersey and Georgia’s first confirmed case&nbsp;</a>after seeking care for moderate symptoms at an emergency room. The fully vaccinated Georgia resident was in her home state for two days between arriving from South Africa and traveling onward to New Jersey, health officials in both states said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-larry-hogan-maryland-baltimore-e5077f84e4112f1854ba07eb47eff3f9">Maryland’s first three cases of the omicron variant&nbsp;</a>were found in the Baltimore metropolitan region and include two people from the same household, authorities said. One of the two is a vaccinated person who recently traveled to South Africa. The third case, detected in a vaccinated person with no recent travel history, is unrelated.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pennsylvania-public-health-philadelphia-36b168cc3b06a71537ebf76aa95cecc4">In Pennsylvania, a man in his 30s from Philadelphia became that state’s first case.&nbsp;</a>The Philadelphia Department of Public Health did not immediately say whether the man was vaccinated against COVID-19 or if he had been traveling.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-st-louis-missouri-0d0a3288f81dbbccdaf873a8e4883c7d">Missouri’s presumed first case&nbsp;</a>involves someone who recently traveled within the U.S., according to state health officials, who did not provide additional details about the St. Louis resident. The St. Louis Health Department said it was awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Case counts in California, Nebraska and Colorado grew Friday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-lifestyle-weddings-california-c3de275dbe7c3a8529e66d0bfe2a96d1">Five cases in Northern California were linked to a wedding&nbsp;</a>in Wisconsin late last month, public health officials said. One of the individuals had recently returned from traveling internationally, according to the Alameda County Department of Public Health.Health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-public-health-nebraska-a258934f6474ff21c443148bb578f3ad">confirmed six new cases of the variant in southeastern Nebraska.&nbsp;</a>State health officials said the state’s first case likely stemmed from one of the six who recently traveled to Nigeria and returned on Nov. 23.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-colorado-africa-denver-ffd7bd48fdec289ad4b0c9ec47f004a9">Colorado detected the state’s second case of the omicron variant</a>&nbsp;just a day after the state’s first confirmed case, officials said Friday.“We knew the omicron variant was coming and we expect to see more cases. But let me be clear: We are not defenseless,” Hochul said. “We have the tools to help prevent the spread of this deadly virus: Get your vaccine, get your booster, and wear your mask.”___

Omicron spreading as hospitals strain under virus surge

BROWN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident Saturday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Thomas Sherwood Jackson II, 60, Fairview, Kansas was southbound on U.S. Highway 75 at 270th Road. 

The motorcycle traveled into the east ditch. Jackson was thrown from the motorcycle, pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP. The time of the accident is still under investigation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592389654778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident Saturday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Thomas Sherwood Jackson II, 60, Fairview, Kansas was southbound on U.S. Highway 75 at 270th Road. The motorcycle traveled into the east ditch. Jackson was thrown from the motorcycle, pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP. The time of the accident is still under investigation

Kansas man dies after ejected in motorcycle crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;in which it was asked to overturn a nationwide right to abortion that has existed for nearly 50 years.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/19-1392">Click here to</a> listen to the replay of the oral arguments.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/19-1392_gfbi.pdf">Click here to read</a> the transcript of the arguments.

The fate of the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States and its 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed Roe, probably won’t be known until late June.

But during nearly two hours of arguments on Wednesday, conservative justices indicated they had questions about the court’s current abortion framework. The justices were being asked to overrule the two seminal decisions in the context of a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. The court’s Roe and Casey precedents say a state can regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, at about 24 weeks. All six conservative justices, including three appointed by former President Donald Trump, indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s law.

In their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-voting-rights-john-roberts-32d2ff1e016c8f72012c49a4ed2bf2e1">writings and statements</a>&nbsp;before Wednesday, Justice Clarence Thomas had been the only justice to call openly for overruling Roe and Casey.

Here are some of the things the justices said during arguments:

Chief Justice John Roberts called a 15-week ban “not a dramatic departure from viability.” He said: “If you think ... that women should have a choice to terminate their pregnancy, that supposes that there is a point at which they’ve had the fair choice, opportunity to choice, and why would 15 weeks be an inappropriate line? Because viability, it seems to me, doesn’t have anything to do with choice. But, if it really is an issue about choice, why is 15 weeks not enough time?”

Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the right to abortion appears nowhere in the Constitution: “If we were talking about the Second Amendment, I know exactly what we’re talking about. If we’re talking about the Fourth Amendment, I know what we’re talking about because it’s written. It’s there. What specifically is the right here that we’re talking about?”

Justice Samuel Alito said people on both sides of the abortion issue have said the court’s viability line “really doesn’t make a lot of sense.” He suggested a woman still “has the same interest in terminating her pregnancy after the viability line has been crossed.” He added: “The fetus has an interest in having a life, and that doesn’t change, does it, from the point before viability to the point after viability?”

Justice Neil Gorsuch asked what the court should do if it were to “reject the viability line.” “Do you see any other intelligible principle that the court could choose?” he asked the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, who was arguing that Mississippi’s ban should be struck down.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested overruling precedent has been an important part of the court’s history: “If you think about some of the most important cases, the most consequential cases in this court’s history, there’s a string of them where the cases overruled precedent.” Kavanaugh cited cases that extended rights beyond where they were previously, including those that outlawed segregation and said gay couples have a right to marry. “If we think that the prior precedents are seriously wrong, if that, why then doesn’t the history of this court’s practice with respect to those cases tell us that the right answer is actually a return to the position of neutrality and — and not stick with those precedents in the same way that all those other cases didn’t?”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested that so-called safe haven laws in all 50 states that allow mothers to relinquish parental rights mean women can’t be forced into motherhood. She asked about states “requiring the woman to go 15, 16 weeks more” past the point of viability “and then terminate parental rights at the conclusion.” ”Why didn’t you address the safe haven laws and why don’t they matter?” she asked a lawyer arguing against Mississippi’s ban.

Justice Stephen Breyer said that where the court is overturning a watershed case like Roe it “better be damn sure” before doing so. He quoted the Casey case about the dangers of overruling precedent, saying: “To overrule under fire in the absence of the most compelling reason, to reexamine a watershed decision, would subvert the court’s legitimacy beyond any serious question.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said reversing Roe and Casey would damage the court. She asked: “Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts?”

Justice Elena Kagan said of the current case: “I guess what strikes me when I look at this case is that, you know, not much has changed since Roe and Casey, that people think it’s right or wrong based on the things that they have always thought it was right and wrong for.” Since Roe, however, there’s been “50 years of water under the bridge, 50 years of decisions saying that this is part of our law, that this is part of the fabric of women’s existence in this country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638369620989.png" alt="Protesters outside the Supreme Court during Wednesday' oral arguments. Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Protesters outside the Supreme Court during Wednesday' oral arguments. Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-united-states-mississippi-65751e1b9ca7d34f1458ffe9729f82b2">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;in which it was asked to overturn a nationwide right to abortion that has existed for nearly 50 years.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/19-1392">Click here to</a> listen to the replay of the oral arguments.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/19-1392_gfbi.pdf">Click here to read</a> the transcript of the arguments.The fate of the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States and its 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed Roe, probably won’t be known until late June.But during nearly two hours of arguments on Wednesday, conservative justices indicated they had questions about the court’s current abortion framework. The justices were being asked to overrule the two seminal decisions in the context of a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. The court’s Roe and Casey precedents say a state can regulate but not ban abortion before the point of viability, at about 24 weeks. All six conservative justices, including three appointed by former President Donald Trump, indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s law.In their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-voting-rights-john-roberts-32d2ff1e016c8f72012c49a4ed2bf2e1">writings and statements</a>&nbsp;before Wednesday, Justice Clarence Thomas had been the only justice to call openly for overruling Roe and Casey.Here are some of the things the justices said during arguments:CONSERVATIVES:Chief Justice John Roberts called a 15-week ban “not a dramatic departure from viability.” He said: “If you think ... that women should have a choice to terminate their pregnancy, that supposes that there is a point at which they’ve had the fair choice, opportunity to choice, and why would 15 weeks be an inappropriate line? Because viability, it seems to me, doesn’t have anything to do with choice. But, if it really is an issue about choice, why is 15 weeks not enough time?”Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the right to abortion appears nowhere in the Constitution: “If we were talking about the Second Amendment, I know exactly what we’re talking about. If we’re talking about the Fourth Amendment, I know what we’re talking about because it’s written. It’s there. What specifically is the right here that we’re talking about?”Justice Samuel Alito said people on both sides of the abortion issue have said the court’s viability line “really doesn’t make a lot of sense.” He suggested a woman still “has the same interest in terminating her pregnancy after the viability line has been crossed.” He added: “The fetus has an interest in having a life, and that doesn’t change, does it, from the point before viability to the point after viability?”Justice Neil Gorsuch asked what the court should do if it were to “reject the viability line.” “Do you see any other intelligible principle that the court could choose?” he asked the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, who was arguing that Mississippi’s ban should be struck down.Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested overruling precedent has been an important part of the court’s history: “If you think about some of the most important cases, the most consequential cases in this court’s history, there’s a string of them where the cases overruled precedent.” Kavanaugh cited cases that extended rights beyond where they were previously, including those that outlawed segregation and said gay couples have a right to marry. “If we think that the prior precedents are seriously wrong, if that, why then doesn’t the history of this court’s practice with respect to those cases tell us that the right answer is actually a return to the position of neutrality and — and not stick with those precedents in the same way that all those other cases didn’t?”Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested that so-called safe haven laws in all 50 states that allow mothers to relinquish parental rights mean women can’t be forced into motherhood. She asked about states “requiring the woman to go 15, 16 weeks more” past the point of viability “and then terminate parental rights at the conclusion.” ”Why didn’t you address the safe haven laws and why don’t they matter?” she asked a lawyer arguing against Mississippi’s ban.LIBERALS:Justice Stephen Breyer said that where the court is overturning a watershed case like Roe it “better be damn sure” before doing so. He quoted the Casey case about the dangers of overruling precedent, saying: “To overrule under fire in the absence of the most compelling reason, to reexamine a watershed decision, would subvert the court’s legitimacy beyond any serious question.”Justice Sonia Sotomayor said reversing Roe and Casey would damage the court. She asked: “Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts?”Justice Elena Kagan said of the current case: “I guess what strikes me when I look at this case is that, you know, not much has changed since Roe and Casey, that people think it’s right or wrong based on the things that they have always thought it was right and wrong for.” Since Roe, however, there’s been “50 years of water under the bridge, 50 years of decisions saying that this is part of our law, that this is part of the fabric of women’s existence in this country.”

🎤Abortion remarks by Supreme Court justices indicate how they lean

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fed Chair Jerome Powell is keeping his job, but he's also tempering his outlook for the economy.

"He's been saying that inflation is transitory," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "He removed that language and said, well, maybe it's not transitory, maybe it's here for awhile. It is here for awhile and what it means, his reappointment, is don't change boats in the middle of the stream."

The economy is slowing, but it's still growing.

"We are hitting somewhat of a wall," Goss said. "It's not a big wall, but it's slowing growth. It's got a lot to do with the supply chain disruption and we're also talking about, again, the inability to find and hire workers. That's slowing the growth, as well."

Right now, though, there's still plenty of money to spend.

"You know, we've had the Trump stimulus plan, we've had the Biden stimulus plan, then we've had the Federal Reserve stimulus plan, now we've got the Build Back Better plan which is before the Senate right now," Goss said.

If all of that passes, there's still plenty of opportunities for both business and government to spend, even with inflation where it is, as long as they can find both materials and labor.

By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fed Chair Jerome Powell is keeping his job, but he's also tempering his outlook for the economy."He's been saying that inflation is transitory," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "He removed that language and said, well, maybe it's not transitory, maybe it's here for awhile. It is here for awhile and what it means, his reappointment, is don't change boats in the middle of the stream."The economy is slowing, but it's still growing."We are hitting somewhat of a wall," Goss said. "It's not a big wall, but it's slowing growth. It's got a lot to do with the supply chain disruption and we're also talking about, again, the inability to find and hire workers. That's slowing the growth, as well."Right now, though, there's still plenty of money to spend."You know, we've had the Trump stimulus plan, we've had the Biden stimulus plan, then we've had the Federal Reserve stimulus plan, now we've got the Build Back Better plan which is before the Senate right now," Goss said.If all of that passes, there's still plenty of opportunities for both business and government to spend, even with inflation where it is, as long as they can find both materials and labor.

Fed Chair said inflation is around; Goss sees big supply of money

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender accused in violent knife attack made his first court appearance on Thursday. Jeffrey Elam, 27, was charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 His next court date is 12/9/21.  The case has been assigned to Judge Christopher Magana.  Mr. Elam’s bond is $500,000.

Just after 11:30p.m. November 28,&nbsp; police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.

When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. 

EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him and made an arrest the following night.

Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014. Elam is due back in court December 9. He remains jailed on a bond is $500,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637681991929.png" alt="Elam photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Elam photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender accused in violent knife attack made his first court appearance on Thursday. Jeffrey Elam, 27, was charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. His next court date is 12/9/21. The case has been assigned to Judge Christopher Magana. Mr. Elam’s bond is $500,000.Just after 11:30p.m. November 28,&nbsp; police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637631064201.png" alt="Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him and made an arrest the following night.Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014. Elam is due back in court December 9. He remains jailed on a bond is $500,000.

Kansas sex offender charged in knife attack on woman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country musician Stonewall Jackson, who sang on the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and had No. 1 hits with “Waterloo” and others, died Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia. He was 89.

The Opry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-television-theater-tennessee-nashville-744bbb278ee3bd98eba87bf3cf633ab6">the longest-running radio show in history,&nbsp;</a>announced Jackson’s death in a news release.

Jackson, a guitarist, performed on the Opry beginning in 1956 and was still appearing on the show in 2010. His real name was Stonewall, after Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/longtime-country-singer-stonewall-jackson-dies-at-89/article_be5e03c0-5545-11ec-ac21-efa846c5812d.html" target="_blank">WSMV-TV,</a>&nbsp;the late Porter Wagoner would introduce Stonewall on his show by saying he came to the Opry “with a heart full of love and a sack full of songs.”

“Waterloo” was a hit on the country and pop charts in 1959. His other hits, mostly in the 1960s, included “Don’t Be Angry,” “B.J. the D.J,” “Why I’m Walkin’,” “A Wound Time Can’t Erase” and “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water.”

In 1971, he recorded his version of Lobo’s “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo.”

Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.

In 2008, at age 75, he settled a federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry. He claimed Opry officials had cut back his appearances starting in 1998, and sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Jackson was born in eastern North Carolina and was raised on a south Georgia farm.

Jackson’s mentor in his early career was country legend Ernest Tubb, who bought him his first stage clothes and hired him as his opening act. He was presented with the Ernest Tubb Memorial Award in 1997 for his contributions to country music, according to the Grand Ole Opry website.

In 1991, he privately published his autobiography, “From the Bottom Up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638676211309.png" alt="Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart." />
 <figcaption>Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country musician Stonewall Jackson, who sang on the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and had No. 1 hits with “Waterloo” and others, died Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia. He was 89.The Opry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-television-theater-tennessee-nashville-744bbb278ee3bd98eba87bf3cf633ab6">the longest-running radio show in history,&nbsp;</a>announced Jackson’s death in a news release.Jackson, a guitarist, performed on the Opry beginning in 1956 and was still appearing on the show in 2010. His real name was Stonewall, after Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/longtime-country-singer-stonewall-jackson-dies-at-89/article_be5e03c0-5545-11ec-ac21-efa846c5812d.html" target="_blank">WSMV-TV,</a>&nbsp;the late Porter Wagoner would introduce Stonewall on his show by saying he came to the Opry “with a heart full of love and a sack full of songs.”“Waterloo” was a hit on the country and pop charts in 1959. His other hits, mostly in the 1960s, included “Don’t Be Angry,” “B.J. the D.J,” “Why I’m Walkin’,” “A Wound Time Can’t Erase” and “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water.”In 1971, he recorded his version of Lobo’s “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo.”Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.In 2008, at age 75, he settled a federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry. He claimed Opry officials had cut back his appearances starting in 1998, and sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.Jackson was born in eastern North Carolina and was raised on a south Georgia farm.Jackson’s mentor in his early career was country legend Ernest Tubb, who bought him his first stage clothes and hired him as his opening act. He was presented with the Ernest Tubb Memorial Award in 1997 for his contributions to country music, according to the Grand Ole Opry website.In 1991, he privately published his autobiography, “From the Bottom Up.”

Grand Ole Opry country singer Stonewall Jackson dies at 89

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been acquitted on all charges related to the death of his 4-year-old granddaughter from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Shawnee County jury on Friday acquitted 58-year-old Timothy Wayne Funk Sr. of three charges, including first-degree murder. He was charged after his granddaughter, Brandy Funk, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died in July 2019 at her grandfather's home in Silver Lake.

Court records show Timothy Funk acknowledged he left a generator running in the house’s garage with its door shut while he was watching the girl and another granddaughter, who survived.

He said he didn't intend to leave the door closed for as long as he did.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576255713389.png" alt="Brandy Funk / photo courtesy Davidson Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Brandy Funk / photo courtesy Davidson Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been acquitted on all charges related to the death of his 4-year-old granddaughter from carbon monoxide poisoning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573254159942.png" alt="Funk photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Funk photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A Shawnee County jury on Friday acquitted 58-year-old Timothy Wayne Funk Sr. of three charges, including first-degree murder. He was charged after his granddaughter, Brandy Funk, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died in July 2019 at her grandfather's home in Silver Lake.Court records show Timothy Funk acknowledged he left a generator running in the house’s garage with its door shut while he was watching the girl and another granddaughter, who survived.He said he didn't intend to leave the door closed for as long as he did.

Kan. man acquitted in 4-year-old granddaughter's death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden will visit Kansas City Wednesday to promote the recently passed infrastructure law. The White House on Saturday did not announce the exact location of Biden's visit. 

It is his first time in Kansas City as president but he visited the area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.

 Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Nov. 15. It contains money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583675671957.png" alt="&nbsp;Biden visited the Kansas City area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.-photo Biden for President campaign" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Biden visited the Kansas City area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.-photo Biden for President campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden will visit Kansas City Wednesday to promote the recently passed infrastructure law. The White House on Saturday did not announce the exact location of Biden's visit. It is his first time in Kansas City as president but he visited the area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination. Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Nov. 15. It contains money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles.

President Biden scheduled to visit Kansas City next week

HARPER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening at an apartment complex in Harper, Kansas.

Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a citizen called police to report a man who was observed damaging property at the apartment complex at 1123 Jefferson Street in Harper, according to a media release from the KBI.

 When an officer from the Harper Police Department arrived he attempted to make contact with the subject who was standing in the doorway of his apartment. As the officer approached the man, later identified as Kenneth E. Smith, 61, of Harper, tried to slam the door on the officer. The officer caught the door and pushed his way inside the apartment.

Preliminary information indicates that as the officer entered he observed that Smith was armed with a knife. A physical struggle occurred. During the altercation the officer sprayed pepper spray at Smith. The struggle continued until Smith advanced toward the officer with the knife. The officer fired one shot which struck Smith in the right arm.

The officer attempted to create distance from Smith by backing out of the apartment. Smith then locked the apartment door. Officers from the Harper Police Department and deputies from the Harper County Sheriff’s Office responded and forced entry into the apartment. They engaged in another short struggle with Smith while taking him into custody.

EMS responded and transported Smith to a local hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was then transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where he underwent surgery. Smith is currently in good and stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Harper County Attorney for review.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638648314339.png" alt="Smith from an earlier arrest in Kingman County" />
 <figcaption>Smith from an earlier arrest in Kingman County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARPER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening at an apartment complex in Harper, Kansas.Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a citizen called police to report a man who was observed damaging property at the apartment complex at 1123 Jefferson Street in Harper, according to a media release from the KBI. When an officer from the Harper Police Department arrived he attempted to make contact with the subject who was standing in the doorway of his apartment. As the officer approached the man, later identified as Kenneth E. Smith, 61, of Harper, tried to slam the door on the officer. The officer caught the door and pushed his way inside the apartment.Preliminary information indicates that as the officer entered he observed that Smith was armed with a knife. A physical struggle occurred. During the altercation the officer sprayed pepper spray at Smith. The struggle continued until Smith advanced toward the officer with the knife. The officer fired one shot which struck Smith in the right arm.The officer attempted to create distance from Smith by backing out of the apartment. Smith then locked the apartment door. Officers from the Harper Police Department and deputies from the Harper County Sheriff’s Office responded and forced entry into the apartment. They engaged in another short struggle with Smith while taking him into custody.EMS responded and transported Smith to a local hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was then transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where he underwent surgery. Smith is currently in good and stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Harper County Attorney for review.&nbsp;

KBI: Man injured after knife fight, officer-involved shooting 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County authorities have identified the suspect in two shootings that left a child dead and two other people injured before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The sheriff's office said 38-year-old Keith Johnson Jr. is believed to have shot his girlfriend at Welborn Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday. 

He then went to his home and barricaded himself inside. When officers eventually entered the home, they found Johnson and 7-year-old Cariya Reed dead from gunshot wounds. A 3-year-old boy was also shot. The boy and  Johnson's girlfriend remain hospitalized in critical condition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638644606794.png" alt="Keith Johnson, Jr. following a previous arrest for alleged domestic battery, according to the Wyandotte County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Keith Johnson, Jr. following a previous arrest for alleged domestic battery, according to the Wyandotte County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County authorities have identified the suspect in two shootings that left a child dead and two other people injured before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638384786383.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The sheriff's office said 38-year-old Keith Johnson Jr. is believed to have shot his girlfriend at Welborn Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday. He then went to his home and barricaded himself inside. When officers eventually entered the home, they found Johnson and 7-year-old Cariya Reed dead from gunshot wounds. A 3-year-old boy was also shot. The boy and Johnson's girlfriend remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Sheriff IDs 7-year-old, suspect killed in shooting at Kan. home

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-01/the-kansas-prison-staff-shortage-means-lansing-inmates-wont-be-able-to-see-their-families">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — Dana Aguilar is preparing to see her son in person for what could be the last time for months.

Her
 son is an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility, where an ongoing
 staff shortage has triggered an indefinite halt to in-person visits 
starting Dec. 6.

“I’ve been in denial,” Aguilar said. “I’m gonna 
keep trying to schedule. ... I’ll just go out there and show up until 
they tell me I’m not allowed or the doors are locked.”

Job vacancies at state prisons have doubled since summer and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad" target="_blank">workers are taking on mandatory overtime just to keep facilities operational.</a>
 Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a letter 
to residents and family that staff have continued to leave the 
department and Lansing “simply cannot continue to staff” visitations.

Medium and maximum housing units will also be locked down from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. everyday.

“We
 heard clearly from many of you how difficult the suspension of 
in-person was upon residents and families during the height of the 
coronavirus pandemic,” Zmuda said in the letter. “I expect that will be 
the same again, and we wish that we could have at least made it through 
the holiday season before this became necessary. Regrettably we cannot.”

Aguilar
 plans to call and video chat with her son, but those are more expensive
 and she finds them less fulfilling than in-person visits. She said her 
son is more depressed after hearing the news.

“I’m hoping that he 
reaches out for help,” Aguilar said. “He’s really bummed out about it. 
They don’t give an end date, it’s just the looming (feeling of) how long
 is this going to go on?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638455863184.png" alt="In-person visitation at the Lansing Correctional Facility is suspended indefinately as the Kansas Department of Corrections staffing crisis continues. Julie Denesha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>In-person visitation at the Lansing Correctional Facility is suspended indefinately as the Kansas Department of Corrections staffing crisis continues. Julie Denesha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-01/the-kansas-prison-staff-shortage-means-lansing-inmates-wont-be-able-to-see-their-families">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — Dana Aguilar is preparing to see her son in person for what could be the last time for months.Her
 son is an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility, where an ongoing
 staff shortage has triggered an indefinite halt to in-person visits 
starting Dec. 6.“I’ve been in denial,” Aguilar said. “I’m gonna 
keep trying to schedule. ... I’ll just go out there and show up until 
they tell me I’m not allowed or the doors are locked.”Job vacancies at state prisons have doubled since summer and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad" target="_blank">workers are taking on mandatory overtime just to keep facilities operational.</a>
 Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a letter 
to residents and family that staff have continued to leave the 
department and Lansing “simply cannot continue to staff” visitations.Medium and maximum housing units will also be locked down from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. everyday.“We
 heard clearly from many of you how difficult the suspension of 
in-person was upon residents and families during the height of the 
coronavirus pandemic,” Zmuda said in the letter. “I expect that will be 
the same again, and we wish that we could have at least made it through 
the holiday season before this became necessary. Regrettably we cannot.”Aguilar
 plans to call and video chat with her son, but those are more expensive
 and she finds them less fulfilling than in-person visits. She said her 
son is more depressed after hearing the news.“I’m hoping that he 
reaches out for help,” Aguilar said. “He’s really bummed out about it. 
They don’t give an end date, it’s just the looming (feeling of) how long
 is this going to go on?”She didn’t see her son for almost a year
 because the pandemic prevented in-person visitation. Aguilar was 
planning to see her son on Christmas, but that likely won’t happen.“I
 feel like I’m being punished,” she said. “I’m just really going to be 
glad when this is all over and we (can) put this behind us because I 
never want to go through this again. It's really stressful.”Gov. 
Laura Kelly announced on Nov. 23 that state prison staff would get 
temporary raises and some employees would get one-time $3,500 bonuses, 
but that was after prison and union officials said staffing was the 
worst they had ever seen.Kelly’s plan also proposed a base pay 
increase to state prison employees and 24/7 nursing staff that could 
cost $18 million over the next two years.Sarah LaFrenz, president
 of the Kansas Organization of State Employees union, applauded Kelly’s 
plan. But she said action needs to be taken immediately.In the 
past month, two correctional officers at the Lansing prison were injured
 in attacks. LaFrenz blamed the staff shortage for the incidents. Each 
of the corrections officers was watching over 100 inmates on their own.“Clearly,
 the administrators of Lansing Correctional Facility have made no 
changes to ensure the safety of the state employees that work at that 
facility,” LaFrenz said. “We have heard no reports of staffing changes, 
policy updates or any other measures to alleviate the dangerous 
conditions at Lansing.”Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice
 and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can 
follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.