SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Eleven U.S. mayors — from Los Angeles to tiny Tullahassee, Oklahoma — have pledged to pay reparations for slavery to a small group of Black residents in their cities, saying their aim is to set an example for the federal government on how a nationwide program could work.

The mayors had no details on how much it would cost, who would pay for it or how people would be chosen. All of those details would be worked out with the help of local commissions comprised of representatives from Black-led organizations set up to advise the mayor of each city. But the mayors say they are committed to paying reparations instead of just talking about them.

“Black Americans don’t need another study that sits on a shelf,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, the city’s first Black female mayor and a member of the group. “We need decisive action to address the racial wealth gap holding communities back across our country.”

The effort comes as Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States, has become a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday that was passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19, as a holiday.

Slavery officially ended in the United States in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th amendment to U.S. Constitution. But its effects have lingered far beyond that, contributing to disparities in wealth and health between white and Black populations.

Since 1989, lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill that would form a commission to study and develop reparations proposals in the United States. But it has never passed. Last year, California became the first state to set up its own reparations commission. That group held its first meeting earlier this month.

Friday's announcement marks the largest city-led effort at paying reparations to date, but it isn't the first. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-race-and-ethnicity-government-and-politics-162ed9de1b72bab0ed7e9c360392f59c">voted in March</a>&nbsp;to appoint a 15-member African American Reparations Advisory Committee. That same month, the City Council of Evanston, Illinois,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reparations-evanston-illinois-black-residents-752a6fe83c560117523d7f8abba1bfb8">voted to pay $400,000</a>&nbsp;to eligible Black households, part of a pledge to spend $10 million over the next 10 years. Qualifying households would get $25,000 to use for things like home repair or putting a down payment on property.

Last year, the City Council in Asheville, North Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5b46780d8ad761dbeedafe3db855721b">voted to approve reparations</a>&nbsp;in the form of investments in areas of disparity for Black residents.

This group of mayors, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://moremayors.org/">Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity</a>&nbsp;(MORE), is led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. Their stated goal is for these reparations programs to “serve as high-profile demonstrations for how the country can more quickly move from conversation to action on reparations for Black Americans,” according to the group's website.

“Let me be clear: Cities will never have the funds to pay for reparations on our own,” Garcetti said during a news conference on Friday to announce the group. “When we have the laboratories of cities show that there is much more to embrace than to fear, we know that we can inspire national action as well.”

It’s similar to the aim of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-andrew-yang-california-poverty-michael-tubbs-150214c358eaca9a24c8501c51e09491">another group of mayors&nbsp;</a>who have experimented with guaranteed income programs, where a small group of low-income people receive cash payments each month with no restrictions on how they can spend it. The first such program was set up in Stockton, California, by former mayor Michael Tubbs, who is listed as an “emeritus member” of the reparations group.

The other mayors are Jorge Elorza of Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Adler of Austin, Texas; Steve Schewel of Durham, North Carolina: Esther Manheimer of Asheville, North Carolina: Quinton Lucas of Kansas City; Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, California; Melvin Carter of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Keisha Currin of Tullahassee, Oklahoma.

Tullahassee — a small town of fewer than 200 people in northeast Oklahoma — is the oldest of the surviving all-Black towns in the states that were founded after the U.S. abolished slavery. Many of the first Black people to live there had been enslaved by Native American tribes that had allied with the Confederacy during the Civil War.

“Slavery has played a huge part in my family and in my community,” Currin said. “This program is going to show our community that we care.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624128251238.png" alt="Friday's announcement marks the largest city-led effort at paying reparations to date. Mayor Quinton Lucas of Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Friday's announcement marks the largest city-led effort at paying reparations to date. Mayor Quinton Lucas of Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Eleven U.S. mayors — from Los Angeles to tiny Tullahassee, Oklahoma — have pledged to pay reparations for slavery to a small group of Black residents in their cities, saying their aim is to set an example for the federal government on how a nationwide program could work.The mayors had no details on how much it would cost, who would pay for it or how people would be chosen. All of those details would be worked out with the help of local commissions comprised of representatives from Black-led organizations set up to advise the mayor of each city. But the mayors say they are committed to paying reparations instead of just talking about them.“Black Americans don’t need another study that sits on a shelf,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, the city’s first Black female mayor and a member of the group. “We need decisive action to address the racial wealth gap holding communities back across our country.”The effort comes as Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States, has become a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday that was passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19, as a holiday.Slavery officially ended in the United States in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th amendment to U.S. Constitution. But its effects have lingered far beyond that, contributing to disparities in wealth and health between white and Black populations.Since 1989, lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill that would form a commission to study and develop reparations proposals in the United States. But it has never passed. Last year, California became the first state to set up its own reparations commission. That group held its first meeting earlier this month.Friday's announcement marks the largest city-led effort at paying reparations to date, but it isn't the first. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-race-and-ethnicity-government-and-politics-162ed9de1b72bab0ed7e9c360392f59c">voted in March</a>&nbsp;to appoint a 15-member African American Reparations Advisory Committee. That same month, the City Council of Evanston, Illinois,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reparations-evanston-illinois-black-residents-752a6fe83c560117523d7f8abba1bfb8">voted to pay $400,000</a>&nbsp;to eligible Black households, part of a pledge to spend $10 million over the next 10 years. Qualifying households would get $25,000 to use for things like home repair or putting a down payment on property.Last year, the City Council in Asheville, North Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5b46780d8ad761dbeedafe3db855721b">voted to approve reparations</a>&nbsp;in the form of investments in areas of disparity for Black residents.This group of mayors, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://moremayors.org/">Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity</a>&nbsp;(MORE), is led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. Their stated goal is for these reparations programs to “serve as high-profile demonstrations for how the country can more quickly move from conversation to action on reparations for Black Americans,” according to the group's website.“Let me be clear: Cities will never have the funds to pay for reparations on our own,” Garcetti said during a news conference on Friday to announce the group. “When we have the laboratories of cities show that there is much more to embrace than to fear, we know that we can inspire national action as well.”It’s similar to the aim of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-andrew-yang-california-poverty-michael-tubbs-150214c358eaca9a24c8501c51e09491">another group of mayors&nbsp;</a>who have experimented with guaranteed income programs, where a small group of low-income people receive cash payments each month with no restrictions on how they can spend it. The first such program was set up in Stockton, California, by former mayor Michael Tubbs, who is listed as an “emeritus member” of the reparations group.The other mayors are Jorge Elorza of Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Adler of Austin, Texas; Steve Schewel of Durham, North Carolina: Esther Manheimer of Asheville, North Carolina: Quinton Lucas of Kansas City; Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, California; Melvin Carter of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Keisha Currin of Tullahassee, Oklahoma.Tullahassee — a small town of fewer than 200 people in northeast Oklahoma — is the oldest of the surviving all-Black towns in the states that were founded after the U.S. abolished slavery. Many of the first Black people to live there had been enslaved by Native American tribes that had allied with the Confederacy during the Civil War.“Slavery has played a huge part in my family and in my community,” Currin said. “This program is going to show our community that we care.”

KC Mayor joins effort to pay reparations for slavery

As cases tumble and states reopen, the potential final stage in the U.S. campaign to vanquish COVID-19 is turning into a slog, with a worrisome variant gaining a bigger foothold and lotteries and other prizes failing to persuade some Americans to get vaccinated.

“The last half, the last mile, the last quarter-mile always requires more effort,” Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.

While two of the states slammed hardest by the disaster, California and New York, celebrated their reopenings this week with fireworks and a multimillion-dollar drawing, hospitalizations in parts of Missouri are surging and cases are rising sharply in Texas, illustrating the challenges the country faces this summer.

One major concern is the highly contagious and potentially more severe delta variant of the coronavirus that originated in India. While health officials say the vaccines are effective against it, the fear is that it will lead to outbreaks in states with lower vaccination rates.

The delta variant has increased from 2.7% of all cases in May to 9.7% this month, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a call for governors on Monday, according to details provided by the Washington governor’s office.

At the same time, states are convening focus groups to better understand who is declining to get vaccinated, why, and how to convince them that getting the shot is the right thing to do.

“It’s a race between the vaccines going into people and the current or future variants,” said Kansas Health Secretary Dr. Lee Norman.

Average deaths and cases per day have plummeted 90% or more across the U.S. since the winter. But the picture is uneven.

In Texas, the rolling average of newly confirmed infections has climbed from about 1,000 per day on May 31 to nearly 2,000 this week.

A swath of Missouri is seeing a big rise in cases and hospitalizations as tourists eager to get out after being cooped up for a year make their way to popular destinations like Branson and Lake of the Ozarks. Health officials said more than 200 people were hospitalized with the virus in southwestern Missouri, nearly double the number at the start of May. The number of patients in intensive care units in the region has tripled.

Health experts cite two factors driving the surge there: the faster-spreading delta variant and a reluctance among residents to get vaccinated.

The U.S. is expected to fall short of President Joe Biden’s goal of dispensing at least one dose to 70% of American adults by July 4. The figure stands at about 65%.

Among the states that don’t expect to hit the goal are Kansas and Idaho. In Idaho, some counties have adult vaccination rates under 30%, said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, public health administrator for the state Department of Health and Welfare.

To increase vaccinations, several states are working to break up large shipments of vaccine into smaller lots, which can then be distributed to doctors’ offices. Health officials see primary care physicians as key to easing people’s concerns.

“People want to hear it from their doctor, their medical providers, people that they know and trust,” Norman said.

Big, splashy giveaways such as lotteries have gotten a lot of headlines and dispensed millions of dollars. In Maine, home of the outdoor wear company L.L. Bean, Bean gift cards were a big hit. But elsewhere, there has been skepticism about such programs.

Shaw-Tulloch said some businesses in Idaho had offered financial incentives for employees to get vaccinated but didn’t get many takers. Instead, she said, the key is making it easy to get a vaccine by turning it into part of a person’s “daily flow.”

Some people’s attitude is that “if a vaccine were to fall out of the sky and hit me in the arm, I’ll get it. But I’m not going to interrupt my busy daily life to make that effort and go in and get a vaccination,” she said.

She added: “That’s why we’re really focusing on walk-in clinics, pop-up clinics where, wherever they turn, there’s a place that’s easily available for getting the vaccine.”

Elsewhere around the world, there have been glimmers of hope, as India reopened the Taj Mahal amid a decline in new infections. In France, where virus cases are below 4,000 per day — down from 35,000 in the spring — authorities eased the requirements on wearing masks outdoors and said the nightly curfew will end this weekend.

“We have not known such a low level of virus spreading since last August,” Prime Minister Jean Castex said.

Meanwhile, South Africa imposed tighter restrictions on public gatherings and liquor sales as hospital admissions due to COVID-19 increased by 59% over the past two weeks, authorities said. New cases there have nearly doubled.

The recorded U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 600,000 on Tuesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, it stands at 3.8 million, though both numbers are thought to be a significant undercount.

By MICHELLE R. SMITHAs cases tumble and states reopen, the potential final stage in the U.S. campaign to vanquish COVID-19 is turning into a slog, with a worrisome variant gaining a bigger foothold and lotteries and other prizes failing to persuade some Americans to get vaccinated.“The last half, the last mile, the last quarter-mile always requires more effort,” Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.While two of the states slammed hardest by the disaster, California and New York, celebrated their reopenings this week with fireworks and a multimillion-dollar drawing, hospitalizations in parts of Missouri are surging and cases are rising sharply in Texas, illustrating the challenges the country faces this summer.One major concern is the highly contagious and potentially more severe delta variant of the coronavirus that originated in India. While health officials say the vaccines are effective against it, the fear is that it will lead to outbreaks in states with lower vaccination rates.The delta variant has increased from 2.7% of all cases in May to 9.7% this month, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a call for governors on Monday, according to details provided by the Washington governor’s office.At the same time, states are convening focus groups to better understand who is declining to get vaccinated, why, and how to convince them that getting the shot is the right thing to do.“It’s a race between the vaccines going into people and the current or future variants,” said Kansas Health Secretary Dr. Lee Norman.Average deaths and cases per day have plummeted 90% or more across the U.S. since the winter. But the picture is uneven.In Texas, the rolling average of newly confirmed infections has climbed from about 1,000 per day on May 31 to nearly 2,000 this week.A swath of Missouri is seeing a big rise in cases and hospitalizations as tourists eager to get out after being cooped up for a year make their way to popular destinations like Branson and Lake of the Ozarks. Health officials said more than 200 people were hospitalized with the virus in southwestern Missouri, nearly double the number at the start of May. The number of patients in intensive care units in the region has tripled.Health experts cite two factors driving the surge there: the faster-spreading delta variant and a reluctance among residents to get vaccinated.The U.S. is expected to fall short of President Joe Biden’s goal of dispensing at least one dose to 70% of American adults by July 4. The figure stands at about 65%.Among the states that don’t expect to hit the goal are Kansas and Idaho. In Idaho, some counties have adult vaccination rates under 30%, said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, public health administrator for the state Department of Health and Welfare.To increase vaccinations, several states are working to break up large shipments of vaccine into smaller lots, which can then be distributed to doctors’ offices. Health officials see primary care physicians as key to easing people’s concerns.“People want to hear it from their doctor, their medical providers, people that they know and trust,” Norman said.Big, splashy giveaways such as lotteries have gotten a lot of headlines and dispensed millions of dollars. In Maine, home of the outdoor wear company L.L. Bean, Bean gift cards were a big hit. But elsewhere, there has been skepticism about such programs.Shaw-Tulloch said some businesses in Idaho had offered financial incentives for employees to get vaccinated but didn’t get many takers. Instead, she said, the key is making it easy to get a vaccine by turning it into part of a person’s “daily flow.”Some people’s attitude is that “if a vaccine were to fall out of the sky and hit me in the arm, I’ll get it. But I’m not going to interrupt my busy daily life to make that effort and go in and get a vaccination,” she said.She added: “That’s why we’re really focusing on walk-in clinics, pop-up clinics where, wherever they turn, there’s a place that’s easily available for getting the vaccine.”Elsewhere around the world, there have been glimmers of hope, as India reopened the Taj Mahal amid a decline in new infections. In France, where virus cases are below 4,000 per day — down from 35,000 in the spring — authorities eased the requirements on wearing masks outdoors and said the nightly curfew will end this weekend.“We have not known such a low level of virus spreading since last August,” Prime Minister Jean Castex said.Meanwhile, South Africa imposed tighter restrictions on public gatherings and liquor sales as hospital admissions due to COVID-19 increased by 59% over the past two weeks, authorities said. New cases there have nearly doubled.The recorded U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 600,000 on Tuesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, it stands at 3.8 million, though both numbers are thought to be a significant undercount.___

Vaccine effort turns into slog as infectious variant spreads

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has started sending letters
 to more than 36 million American families who, based on tax returns 
filed with the agency, may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax 
Credit payments starting in July.

The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. The letters are going 
to families who may be eligible based on information they included in 
either their 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return or who used the 
Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov last year to register for an Economic Impact 
Payment.

Families who are eligible for advance Child Tax Credit payments will 
receive a second, personalized letter listing an estimate of their 
monthly payment, which begins July 15.

Most families do not need to take any action to get their payment. 
Normally, the IRS will calculate the payment amount based on the 2020 
tax return. If that return is not available, either because it has not 
yet been filed or it has not yet been processed, the IRS will instead 
determine the payment amount using the 2019 return.

Eligible families will begin receiving advance payments, either by 
direct deposit or check. The payment will be up to $300 per month for 
each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each 
qualifying child ages 6 to 17.The IRS will issue advance Child Tax 
Credit payments on July 15, August&nbsp;13, September 15, October 15, 
November 15 and December 15.

Eligible families should file tax returns soon

The IRS urges individuals and families who haven't yet filed their 
2020 return – or 2019 return – to do so as soon as possible so they can 
receive any advance payment they're eligible for.

Filing soon will also ensure that the IRS has their most current 
banking information, as well as key details about qualifying children. 
This includes people who don't normally file a tax return, such as 
families experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and other 
underserved groups.

For most people, the fastest and easiest way to file a return is by using the Free File system, available only on IRS.gov.

Throughout the summer, the IRS will be adding additional tools and 
online resources to help with the advance Child Tax Credit. One of these
 tools will enable families to unenroll from receiving these advance 
payments and instead receive the full amount of the credit when they 
file their 2021 return next year.

Additionally, later this year, individuals and families will also be 
able to go to IRS.gov and use a Child Tax Credit Update Portal to notify
 IRS of changes in their income, filing status, or number of qualifying 
children; update their direct deposit information; and make other 
changes to ensure they are receiving the right amount as quickly as 
possible.

The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.

In the next few weeks, the page will also feature other useful new online tools, including:

The American Rescue Plan raised the maximum Child Tax Credit in 2021 
to $3,600 for qualifying children under the age of 6 and to $3,000 per 
child for qualifying children between ages 6 and 17. Before 2021, the 
credit was worth up to $2,000 per eligible child, and 17 year-olds were 
not considered as qualifying children for the credit.

The new maximum credit is available to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of:

For most people, modified AGI is the amount shown on Line 11 of 
their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Above these income thresholds, the 
extra amount above the original $2,000 credit — either $1,000 or $1,600 
per child — is reduced by $50 for every extra $1,000 in modified AGI.

In addition, the entire credit is fully refundable for 2021. This means that eligible families
 can get it, even if they owe no federal income tax. Before this year, 
the refundable portion was limited to $1,400 per child.

The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations, and others with connections to people with children to 
share this critical information about the Child Tax Credit as well as 
other important benefits. The IRS will be providing in the near future 
additional materials and information that can be easily shared by social
 media, email and other methods.

For the most up-to-date information on the Child Tax Credit and advance payments, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has started sending letters
 to more than 36 million American families who, based on tax returns 
filed with the agency, may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax 
Credit payments starting in July.The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. The letters are going 
to families who may be eligible based on information they included in 
either their 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return or who used the 
Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov last year to register for an Economic Impact 
Payment.Families who are eligible for advance Child Tax Credit payments will 
receive a second, personalized letter listing an estimate of their 
monthly payment, which begins July 15.Most families do not need to take any action to get their payment. 
Normally, the IRS will calculate the payment amount based on the 2020 
tax return. If that return is not available, either because it has not 
yet been filed or it has not yet been processed, the IRS will instead 
determine the payment amount using the 2019 return.Eligible families will begin receiving advance payments, either by 
direct deposit or check. The payment will be up to $300 per month for 
each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each 
qualifying child ages 6 to 17.The IRS will issue advance Child Tax 
Credit payments on July 15, August&nbsp;13, September 15, October 15, 
November 15 and December 15.<h2>Eligible families should file tax returns soon</h2>The IRS urges individuals and families who haven't yet filed their 
2020 return – or 2019 return – to do so as soon as possible so they can 
receive any advance payment they're eligible for.Filing soon will also ensure that the IRS has their most current 
banking information, as well as key details about qualifying children. 
This includes people who don't normally file a tax return, such as 
families experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and other 
underserved groups.For most people, the fastest and easiest way to file a return is by using the Free File system, available only on IRS.gov.Throughout the summer, the IRS will be adding additional tools and 
online resources to help with the advance Child Tax Credit. One of these
 tools will enable families to unenroll from receiving these advance 
payments and instead receive the full amount of the credit when they 
file their 2021 return next year.Additionally, later this year, individuals and families will also be 
able to go to IRS.gov and use a Child Tax Credit Update Portal to notify
 IRS of changes in their income, filing status, or number of qualifying 
children; update their direct deposit information; and make other 
changes to ensure they are receiving the right amount as quickly as 
possible.<h2>Other tools coming soon</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.In the next few weeks, the page will also feature other useful new online tools, including:<ul>
 <li>An interactive Child Tax Credit eligibility tool to help 
families determine whether they qualify for the Advance Child Tax Credit
 payments.</li><li>Another tool, the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, will initially 
enable anyone who has been determined to be eligible for advance 
payments unenroll/ to opt out of the advance payment program. Later this
 year, it will allow people to check on the status of their payments, 
make updates to their information, and be available in Spanish. More 
details will be available soon about the online Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal.</li>
 </ul><h2>Child Tax Credit Changes</h2>The American Rescue Plan raised the maximum Child Tax Credit in 2021 
to $3,600 for qualifying children under the age of 6 and to $3,000 per 
child for qualifying children between ages 6 and 17. Before 2021, the 
credit was worth up to $2,000 per eligible child, and 17 year-olds were 
not considered as qualifying children for the credit.The new maximum credit is available to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of:<ul>
 <li>$75,000 or less for singles,</li><li>$112,500 or less for heads of household, and</li><li>$150,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers.</li>
 </ul>For most people, modified AGI is the amount shown on Line 11 of 
their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Above these income thresholds, the 
extra amount above the original $2,000 credit — either $1,000 or $1,600 
per child — is reduced by $50 for every extra $1,000 in modified AGI.In addition, the entire credit is fully refundable for 2021. This means that eligible families
 can get it, even if they owe no federal income tax. Before this year, 
the refundable portion was limited to $1,400 per child.The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations, and others with connections to people with children to 
share this critical information about the Child Tax Credit as well as 
other important benefits. The IRS will be providing in the near future 
additional materials and information that can be easily shared by social
 media, email and other methods.For the most up-to-date information on the Child Tax Credit and advance payments, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021</a>.

IRS: Letters going out to 38M families getting Child Tax Credit payments

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer.

Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.

EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.

Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.

Police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of 18-year-old Easton Palmer&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a>&nbsp;both of Wichita. They have been charged with first degree murder&nbsp; aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801280517.png" alt="Jaron Palmer photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Jaron Palmer photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801567819.png" alt="Elliott photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Elliott photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619547988764.png" alt="Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident." />
 <figcaption>Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619618101953.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of 18-year-old Easton Palmer&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a>&nbsp;both of Wichita. They have been charged with first degree murder&nbsp; aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.---------

Search continues for suspect in murder, robbery of Kan. teen

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal-officer involved shooting that sent also sent a police officer to the hospital.

Just after 10:15p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a check welfare call at a home in the 500 Block of West Carlyle in Wichita, according to Patrol South Commander Captain&nbsp;Wendell Nicholson.

Two women were inside the residence. When police arrived on the scene, they began to take gunfire from a suspect inside the home. One officer was shot multiple times, according to Nicholson. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

As other officers arrived, the suspect continued shooting. The suspect was shot and died on the scene, according to Nicholson.

Police took several witness in for questioning. The FBI and and KBI have also been notified and are assisting with the investigation.&nbsp; Police are expected to provide additional details Sunday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624198277511.png" alt="Police near the scene of the gun battle on Saturday night in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police near the scene of the gun battle on Saturday night in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal-officer involved shooting that sent also sent a police officer to the hospital.Just after 10:15p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a check welfare call at a home in the 500 Block of West Carlyle in Wichita, according to Patrol South Commander Captain&nbsp;Wendell Nicholson.Two women were inside the residence. When police arrived on the scene, they began to take gunfire from a suspect inside the home. One officer was shot multiple times, according to Nicholson. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition.As other officers arrived, the suspect continued shooting. The suspect was shot and died on the scene, according to Nicholson.Police took several witness in for questioning. The FBI and and KBI have also been notified and are assisting with the investigation.&nbsp; Police are expected to provide additional details Sunday afternoon.

Police: Kan. officer wounded, suspect dead after gun battle

NEOSHO, Mo. (AP) — A Joplin man who shot and killed his son's girlfriend and injured his son during a custody dispute has been sentenced to life in prison.

Rickey Lamb, 62, was sentenced Thursday in the fatal shooting of Sarah Tyminski, 32, two years ago. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joplin-shootings-neosho-57f8446fac9b987f4d96fa21acf3f0dd">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in April to second-degree murder and prosecutors agreed to drop domestic assault and armed criminal action charges.

Lamb's son, Chris Lamb, 37, was seriously injured when the two men exchanged gunfire in June 2019.

The couple had given custody of their two girls to Chris Lamb's parents in a tribal court arrangement but were allowed to visit them on weekends.

Prosecutors said when Rickey Lamb refused to let the couple see their daughters for a weekend, Chris Lamb threatened to take the girls and never let them see their grandparents again.

The father and son gave differing accounts of their confrontation at the couple's home, during which the two men exchanged gunfire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618667520700.png" alt="Lamb photo Newton County" />
 <figcaption>Lamb photo Newton County</figcaption>
 </figure>NEOSHO, Mo. (AP) — A Joplin man who shot and killed his son's girlfriend and injured his son during a custody dispute has been sentenced to life in prison.Rickey Lamb, 62, was sentenced Thursday in the fatal shooting of Sarah Tyminski, 32, two years ago. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joplin-shootings-neosho-57f8446fac9b987f4d96fa21acf3f0dd">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in April to second-degree murder and prosecutors agreed to drop domestic assault and armed criminal action charges.Lamb's son, Chris Lamb, 37, was seriously injured when the two men exchanged gunfire in June 2019.The couple had given custody of their two girls to Chris Lamb's parents in a tribal court arrangement but were allowed to visit them on weekends.Prosecutors said when Rickey Lamb refused to let the couple see their daughters for a weekend, Chris Lamb threatened to take the girls and never let them see their grandparents again.The father and son gave differing accounts of their confrontation at the couple's home, during which the two men exchanged gunfire.

Man who killed son's girlfriend sentenced to life in prison

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the report of a person squirting lighter fluid all over an apartment in a domestic situation at the Jackson Towers Apartments, 1122 SW Jackson Street, according to department spokesman Alan Stahl.

Upon arrival, fire crews found the apartment evacuated, but no fire. The incident commander requested an investigator, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.

After interviewing the victim and collecting evidence at the scene, it was determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the suspect identified as 53-year-old Carl Lester for the crime of Attempted Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Assault.

Police located Lester&nbsp; later in the day and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623979914148.png" alt="Lester-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lester-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the report of a person squirting lighter fluid all over an apartment in a domestic situation at the Jackson Towers Apartments, 1122 SW Jackson Street, according to department spokesman Alan Stahl.Upon arrival, fire crews found the apartment evacuated, but no fire. The incident commander requested an investigator, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.After interviewing the victim and collecting evidence at the scene, it was determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the suspect identified as 53-year-old Carl Lester for the crime of Attempted Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Assault.Police located Lester&nbsp; later in the day and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Fire Marshal: Kan. man squirted lighter fluid all over apartment

WICHITA— A former employee of Lake Afton Public Observatory in Goddard has returned $1,600 in misappropriated funds as part of a plea deal with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.

On June 17, Harold Henderson, 56, of Wichita, returned the funds in the form of a cashier’s check and entered a plea to a single misdemeanor count of giving a worthless check, according to the district attorney's office.

Judge David Dahl sentenced Henderson to time served. Henderson was the director and treasurer for the observatory until 2019, where he was authorized to use a debit card and checkbook to make official purchases for the organization. 

A financial audit showed Henderson made several unauthorized transactions totaling $1,604.90 from August 2017 to March 2019.

Henderson was charged in April of this year with misdemeanor theft, but those charges were reduced to giving a worthless check in return for full reimbursement to the observatory. The case was investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department.

Lake Afton Public Observatory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of providing astronomy education to the public. The observatory relies solely on admissions and donations to continue providing educational opportunities to the public.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624030967386.png" alt="Henderson photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Henderson photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA— A former employee of Lake Afton Public Observatory in Goddard has returned $1,600 in misappropriated funds as part of a plea deal with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.On June 17, Harold Henderson, 56, of Wichita, returned the funds in the form of a cashier’s check and entered a plea to a single misdemeanor count of giving a worthless check, according to the district attorney's office.Judge David Dahl sentenced Henderson to time served. Henderson was the director and treasurer for the observatory until 2019, where he was authorized to use a debit card and checkbook to make official purchases for the organization. A financial audit showed Henderson made several unauthorized transactions totaling $1,604.90 from August 2017 to March 2019.Henderson was charged in April of this year with misdemeanor theft, but those charges were reduced to giving a worthless check in return for full reimbursement to the observatory. The case was investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department.Lake Afton Public Observatory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of providing astronomy education to the public. The observatory relies solely on admissions and donations to continue providing educational opportunities to the public.

Former Kan. public observatory director enters  plea deal

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a victim in his late teens has been shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas. Officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday to a shooting call at a home. 

Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police didn’t immediately release the teen’s name or a suspect description. The killing is the 15th homicide of 2021 in the city.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a victim in his late teens has been shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas. Officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday to a shooting call at a home. Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police didn’t immediately release the teen’s name or a suspect description. The killing is the 15th homicide of 2021 in the city.

Police: Boy in late teens dies after shooting in Kansas

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden says that Champ, the older of the family's two dogs, has died “peacefully at home.” The German shepherd was 13.

The president and first lady Jill Biden got Champ from a breeder after Biden was elected vice president in 2008. Since then Champ has been a fixture at both the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory and now the White House. 

The Bidens say in a statement that  Champ “was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.” Champ’s passing leaves the Bidens with their younger German shepherd, Major. The Bidens are expected to bring a cat to the White House sometime soon.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden says that Champ, the older of the family's two dogs, has died “peacefully at home.” The German shepherd was 13.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our family lost our loving companion Champ today. I will miss him. <a href="https://t.co/sePqXBIAsE">pic.twitter.com/sePqXBIAsE</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1406273358187044868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president and first lady Jill Biden got Champ from a breeder after Biden was elected vice president in 2008. Since then Champ has been a fixture at both the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory and now the White House. The Bidens say in a statement that Champ “was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.” Champ’s passing leaves the Bidens with their younger German shepherd, Major. The Bidens are expected to bring a cat to the White House sometime soon.

President Bidens' older dog, Champ, has died

By KATELYNN MCILWAIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/eisenhower-presidential-library-expanding-hours-next-week">Kansas News Service</a>

ABILENE —&nbsp;Starting next week, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and 
Boyhood Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It currently is open during the same hours Wednesday through Saturday because of pandemic restrictions.

“We
 are moving forward,” said Dawn Hammatt, the library and museum’s 
director. “We have a plan in place, and we are really excited to be able
 to do this in a safe and healthy fashion.”

Kansas Sen. Jerry 
Moran has been urging the National Archives of Records Administration to
 allow the library and museum to open beyond its current 25% capacity 
limit for visitors. The agency oversees about a dozen presidential 
libraries.

Last week, the Biden administration announced it would
 lift the federal restrictions, and agencies can now submit their own 
plans for reopening. The National Archives is one of those agencies.

The
 Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has been using transient guest 
tax collections to measure the effect the museum's reduced capacity has 
had on the city. Director Julie Roller Weeks said lodging sales for 
Abilene have dropped from $2.5 million in 2018 to $796,000 this year. 
Its accounting period for 2021 ends in&nbsp; September.

“Without 
(transient guest tax) revenue, we have a smaller marketing budget and 
that ripple is felt throughout the community,” Roller Weeks wrote in an 
email.

The restrictions, though, are not all bad.

“You 
know those things in your office that you say, ‘I'll get to it one 
day?’” Hammatt said. “Well, we've done those things. … and it's been 
fantastic.”

When the pandemic limited in-person visiting, the 
Eisenhower Library and Museum increased its virtual reach. Hammatt said 
it was able to digitize analog pieces for researchers and participate 
with other presidential libraries.

The annual Symphony at Sunset 
concert to commemorate D-Day wasn’t possible under COVID-19, but the 
museum decided to host a virtual Emerging Scholars D-Day Symposium 
instead. It invited scholars such as&nbsp; doctoral candidates to discuss 
their topics of interest.

“What we learned about developing 
virtual programs and engaging with guests in a virtual capacity has been
 astounding, and I am grateful that we were able to learn these things,”
 Hammatt said.

Many museums across the country have experienced 
significant losses during the pandemic. The American Alliance of Museums
 surveyed 1,000 museum directors, and<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/1002077626/a-new-report-shows-museums-had-a-bad-year-but-not-the-worst-possible#:~:text=New%20Study%20Shows%20Museum%20Losses%20During%20The%20Pandemic%20The%20report,40%25%20slump%20in%20operating%20income." target="_blank"> 75% of them reported that operation income&nbsp; decreased by an average of 40%.</a>

Hammatt
 says museums are safe spaces to have difficult conversations. So, as 
the country tries to return to normal, Hammatt also looks forward to 
society entering museums once more -- both virtually and in person.

“Museums
 play a seminal role in the development of our society,” Hammmatt said. 
“It's a place to not only commemorate the past, but more importantly, 
learn and support your society as it moves forward in time.”

Katelynn
 McIlwain is KMUW's Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern. She 
will be a senior this fall at the University of Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624027573119.png" alt="Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By KATELYNN MCILWAIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/eisenhower-presidential-library-expanding-hours-next-week">Kansas News Service</a>ABILENE —&nbsp;Starting next week, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and 
Boyhood Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.It currently is open during the same hours Wednesday through Saturday because of pandemic restrictions.“We
 are moving forward,” said Dawn Hammatt, the library and museum’s 
director. “We have a plan in place, and we are really excited to be able
 to do this in a safe and healthy fashion.”Kansas Sen. Jerry 
Moran has been urging the National Archives of Records Administration to
 allow the library and museum to open beyond its current 25% capacity 
limit for visitors. The agency oversees about a dozen presidential 
libraries.Last week, the Biden administration announced it would
 lift the federal restrictions, and agencies can now submit their own 
plans for reopening. The National Archives is one of those agencies.The
 Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has been using transient guest 
tax collections to measure the effect the museum's reduced capacity has 
had on the city. Director Julie Roller Weeks said lodging sales for 
Abilene have dropped from $2.5 million in 2018 to $796,000 this year. 
Its accounting period for 2021 ends in&nbsp; September.“Without 
(transient guest tax) revenue, we have a smaller marketing budget and 
that ripple is felt throughout the community,” Roller Weeks wrote in an 
email.The restrictions, though, are not all bad.“You 
know those things in your office that you say, ‘I'll get to it one 
day?’” Hammatt said. “Well, we've done those things. … and it's been 
fantastic.”When the pandemic limited in-person visiting, the 
Eisenhower Library and Museum increased its virtual reach. Hammatt said 
it was able to digitize analog pieces for researchers and participate 
with other presidential libraries.The annual Symphony at Sunset 
concert to commemorate D-Day wasn’t possible under COVID-19, but the 
museum decided to host a virtual Emerging Scholars D-Day Symposium 
instead. It invited scholars such as&nbsp; doctoral candidates to discuss 
their topics of interest.“What we learned about developing 
virtual programs and engaging with guests in a virtual capacity has been
 astounding, and I am grateful that we were able to learn these things,”
 Hammatt said.Many museums across the country have experienced 
significant losses during the pandemic. The American Alliance of Museums
 surveyed 1,000 museum directors, and<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/1002077626/a-new-report-shows-museums-had-a-bad-year-but-not-the-worst-possible#:~:text=New%20Study%20Shows%20Museum%20Losses%20During%20The%20Pandemic%20The%20report,40%25%20slump%20in%20operating%20income." target="_blank"> 75% of them reported that operation income&nbsp; decreased by an average of 40%.</a>Hammatt
 says museums are safe spaces to have difficult conversations. So, as 
the country tries to return to normal, Hammatt also looks forward to 
society entering museums once more -- both virtually and in person.“Museums
 play a seminal role in the development of our society,” Hammmatt said. 
“It's a place to not only commemorate the past, but more importantly, 
learn and support your society as it moves forward in time.”Katelynn
 McIlwain is KMUW's Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern. She 
will be a senior this fall at the University of Missouri.

Eisenhower Presidential Library expanding hours next week

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.

The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.

Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.

Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.

The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

Abuse claim substantiated against previously cleared Kan. priest

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. 

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. 

The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584542151826.png" alt="Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

Pandemic stress: US-Canada border restrictions extended 

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is beginning to evict tenants who are behind on rent in advance of the expiration of a federal moratorium that some experts predict will bring a tide of people being forced from homes nationwide.

Johnson County Magistrate Judge Daniel Vokins said during a Zoom eviction hearing this week that he doesn’t think the moratorium, which was issued last year by the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and expires at the end of the month, is enforceable.

Eric Dunn, director of litigation for the National Housing Law Project, said he has heard of judges elsewhere — including in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina — ignoring the CDC moratorium, but couldn’t say whether it’s been a widespread practice.

The federal moratorium has kept many tenants owing back rent housed. More than 4 million people nationally say they fear being evicted or foreclosed upon in the months following its expiration, census data&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cdce22f5ae976032e9e6fa89831c0a93">shows</a>. Making matters worse, the tens of billions of dollars in federal emergency rental assistance that was supposed to solve the problem has not reached most tenants.

“We thought 2021 was going to be better and it is turning out to be just as bad,” said Denise Wall, 31, of the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, who applied for rental aid in March but is still trying to find out whether she qualifies.

She lost her job as a cook as the pandemic started and was out of work for nearly a year before beginning another job in April as a medical courier, picking up and delivering tests. Vokins set her case for trial on July 2.

“This wasn’t anything any of us asked for,” she said in a Friday interview at her apartment, where she and her wife have been collecting boxes as they look for a new place to live. Her wife’s three sons also live with them part of the time.

Vokins noted in moving forward on evictions that a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-79828ed76da5d7745ffddb8ba9e48655">last month</a>&nbsp;found the CDC exceeded its authority when it imposed the moratorium last year. He said the ruling means that “any current or future moratorium order issued by the CDC is not valid.”

Kansas also had its own eviction moratorium, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-42c48b2916c4e62d7c3582e8932e3eb9">expired</a>&nbsp;at the end of last month. Vokins said that means that “the eviction laws prior to the pandemic in March 2020 is the current law today.”

Casey Johnson, an attorney for the non-profit law firm Kansas Legal Services, noted the federal ruling was issued in the 6th Circuit and wasn’t binding in Kansas, which is in the 10th Circuit.

“Basically he’s choosing to accept that ruling even though he doesn’t have to,” Johnson said.

Vokins encouraged renters and landlords to work together to obtain emergency rental funds but said he would only pause court proceedings if both sides agreed to the delay.

Two other tenants who appeared before Vokins on Thursday said they were seeking the federal rental aid. A third tenant who couldn’t get his sound to work and only was able to communicate with thumbs up and thumbs down hand motions sent an email to the court later in the day saying that he also had applied.

Kansas is now distributing $200 million in federal rental assistance. The Kansas Housing Resources Corp., the state’s housing finance agency, which is responsible for distributing the money in every community except Wichita, has distributed $5.5 million so far to help 956 of the 7,780 households that have applied.

The state received another $20 million in rental assistance last year and handed out $17 million of it, said Emily Sharp, a spokeswoman for the agency.

“The second round of funding has much more stringent federal guidelines, so it is much more difficult for us to award that funding because quite honestly the applicants have more hoops to jump through,” Sharp said. Besides rent, that money also can go toward utilities and internet expenses.

Luke Demaree, an attorney for Fox Run Apartments, said apartment staff is in constant contact with the agency but can’t get details on who is approved or when to expect the money.

“If this was something that was working it would be very, very beneficial to us and we would like nothing more than to have rents caught up,” he said. “We would like nothing more than that, but at the same time, that is not what we see happening.”

Karen Nations, who also represented landlords at the hearing, said the moratorium has been difficult.

“Landlords have been struggling to pay their bills, and people have taken advantage of the moratorium,” she said, adding that some who can afford to pay their rent are not. “It is a very tricky balancing act to get the mortgage paid if you’re not getting your rent.”

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is beginning to evict tenants who are behind on rent in advance of the expiration of a federal moratorium that some experts predict will bring a tide of people being forced from homes nationwide.Johnson County Magistrate Judge Daniel Vokins said during a Zoom eviction hearing this week that he doesn’t think the moratorium, which was issued last year by the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and expires at the end of the month, is enforceable.Eric Dunn, director of litigation for the National Housing Law Project, said he has heard of judges elsewhere — including in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina — ignoring the CDC moratorium, but couldn’t say whether it’s been a widespread practice.The federal moratorium has kept many tenants owing back rent housed. More than 4 million people nationally say they fear being evicted or foreclosed upon in the months following its expiration, census data&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cdce22f5ae976032e9e6fa89831c0a93">shows</a>. Making matters worse, the tens of billions of dollars in federal emergency rental assistance that was supposed to solve the problem has not reached most tenants.“We thought 2021 was going to be better and it is turning out to be just as bad,” said Denise Wall, 31, of the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, who applied for rental aid in March but is still trying to find out whether she qualifies.She lost her job as a cook as the pandemic started and was out of work for nearly a year before beginning another job in April as a medical courier, picking up and delivering tests. Vokins set her case for trial on July 2.“This wasn’t anything any of us asked for,” she said in a Friday interview at her apartment, where she and her wife have been collecting boxes as they look for a new place to live. Her wife’s three sons also live with them part of the time.Vokins noted in moving forward on evictions that a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-79828ed76da5d7745ffddb8ba9e48655">last month</a>&nbsp;found the CDC exceeded its authority when it imposed the moratorium last year. He said the ruling means that “any current or future moratorium order issued by the CDC is not valid.”Kansas also had its own eviction moratorium, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-42c48b2916c4e62d7c3582e8932e3eb9">expired</a>&nbsp;at the end of last month. Vokins said that means that “the eviction laws prior to the pandemic in March 2020 is the current law today.”Casey Johnson, an attorney for the non-profit law firm Kansas Legal Services, noted the federal ruling was issued in the 6th Circuit and wasn’t binding in Kansas, which is in the 10th Circuit.“Basically he’s choosing to accept that ruling even though he doesn’t have to,” Johnson said.Vokins encouraged renters and landlords to work together to obtain emergency rental funds but said he would only pause court proceedings if both sides agreed to the delay.Two other tenants who appeared before Vokins on Thursday said they were seeking the federal rental aid. A third tenant who couldn’t get his sound to work and only was able to communicate with thumbs up and thumbs down hand motions sent an email to the court later in the day saying that he also had applied.Kansas is now distributing $200 million in federal rental assistance. The Kansas Housing Resources Corp., the state’s housing finance agency, which is responsible for distributing the money in every community except Wichita, has distributed $5.5 million so far to help 956 of the 7,780 households that have applied.The state received another $20 million in rental assistance last year and handed out $17 million of it, said Emily Sharp, a spokeswoman for the agency.“The second round of funding has much more stringent federal guidelines, so it is much more difficult for us to award that funding because quite honestly the applicants have more hoops to jump through,” Sharp said. Besides rent, that money also can go toward utilities and internet expenses.Luke Demaree, an attorney for Fox Run Apartments, said apartment staff is in constant contact with the agency but can’t get details on who is approved or when to expect the money.“If this was something that was working it would be very, very beneficial to us and we would like nothing more than to have rents caught up,” he said. “We would like nothing more than that, but at the same time, that is not what we see happening.”Karen Nations, who also represented landlords at the hearing, said the moratorium has been difficult.“Landlords have been struggling to pay their bills, and people have taken advantage of the moratorium,” she said, adding that some who can afford to pay their rent are not. “It is a very tricky balancing act to get the mortgage paid if you’re not getting your rent.”

Kansas judge: CDC eviction moratorium unenforceable

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.

The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.

Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.

Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.

The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.

According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.

For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.

James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”

The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.

Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.

According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.

The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.

“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”

In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.

And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

Study: Kan., Texas bases lead Army posts in risk of sex assault

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.

This tool, an update of last year's IRS Non-filers tool, is also 
designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file income tax
 returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments
 (also known as stimulus checks) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit 
for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they 
may have missed.

Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov.

"We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.

Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.

Public-private partnership plays vital role

Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.

The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.

Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited 
electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.

The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:

The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.

The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a person's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.

The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.

To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.

For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.This tool, an update of last year's IRS Non-filers tool, is also 
designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file income tax
 returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments
 (also known as stimulus checks) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit 
for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they 
may have missed.Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov."We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.<h2>No action needed by most families</h2>Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.<h2>Public-private partnership plays vital role</h2>Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.<h2>Watch out for scams</h2>The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited 
electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.<h2>Other tools coming soon</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:<ul>
 <li>An interactive Child Tax Credit eligibility assistant to help 
families determine whether they qualify for the Advance Child Tax Credit
 payments.</li><li>Another tool, the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, will initially 
enable anyone who has been determined to be eligible for advance 
payments to see that they are eligible and unenroll/opt out of the 
advance payment program. Later, it will allow people to check on the 
status of their payments, make updates to their information and be 
available in Spanish.</li>
 </ul><h2>Community partners can help</h2>The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.<h2>About the Advance Child Tax Credit</h2>The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a person's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

IRS unveils online tool to help some families register for Child Tax Credit payments

SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and asking the public's&nbsp;help in identifying a suspect.

Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, police responded to a welfare check call in the 1600 block of South Emporia in Wichita of an unconscious person inside a White 2008 Lexus ES350, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

 Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Brock Beat of Wichita, who was unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and had no apparent injuries.

Through further investigation into the death, detectives learned of a history of drug use by Beat, and it is believed drugs are a factor in his death.&nbsp; 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623948377758.png" alt="Police are working to ID this individual seen on security cameras who had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street." />
 <figcaption>Police are working to ID this individual seen on security cameras who had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and asking the public's&nbsp;help in identifying a suspect.Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, police responded to a welfare check call in the 1600 block of South Emporia in Wichita of an unconscious person inside a White 2008 Lexus ES350, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Brock Beat of Wichita, who was unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and had no apparent injuries.Through further investigation into the death, detectives learned of a history of drug use by Beat, and it is believed drugs are a factor in his death.&nbsp; Detectives also learned the individual seen on security cameras had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street.&nbsp; Detectives would like to speak to the individual as they continue to investigate the case.&nbsp;