Rita Jan Hartman, of Hays, Kansas, died Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Ascension Via Christi-St Francis Hospital, Wichita. She was born October 11, 1955, in Oakley, Kansas, to James Harley and Mildred Elaine (Eiring) Briard. Rita married Cliff Jamison in 1974 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Studly Kansas; they had 3 children Cherie, Kris, and Jackie.&nbsp;&nbsp;They later divorced, and he preceded her in death in February 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;She later met and married Ray Hartman, who also preceded her in death in May 2021.

Rita was a giving soul who enjoyed sharing her talents and gifts with her friends and family.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a licensed CNA and CMA and worked for many years as a Senior Companion and for the Good Samaritan Society.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a lover of animals and a hobby of hers was microbiology and using her microscope.

She is survived by her daughters: Cherie Pfannenstiel and husband Eric of Munjor, Kansas; Jackie Diaz and husband Elias of Farmington, New Mexico; a son: Kris Jamison and fiancé&nbsp;Krista Tice, Hutchinson, Kansas; stepdaughter: Erica Rae Towne of Hays, Kansas; sisters: Monica Porter of Hays, Kansas; and Roxie Skeers and husband Ed of Oakley, Kansas; grandchildren: Dawson Jamison, Tobias Diaz, Tavius Diaz, Payton and Parker Barnes, and a step grandson: Matthew Towne of Hays.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was preceded by her parents; a sister: Joyce Skeers; and her husband: Ray.

A celebration of life for Rita, Ray and Ray’s sister Alice Hartman will be held on Friday, Aug. 12th, from 4:30-7:30 PM at the Hays VFW.&nbsp;&nbsp;A private joint inurnment of Ray and Rita will be held in the Oakley Cemetery that morning.&nbsp;

Memorials are suggested to the FHSU Senior Companion program in care of the funeral chapel.

Services in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657289765171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rita Jan Hartman, of Hays, Kansas, died Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Ascension Via Christi-St Francis Hospital, Wichita. She was born October 11, 1955, in Oakley, Kansas, to James Harley and Mildred Elaine (Eiring) Briard. Rita married Cliff Jamison in 1974 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Studly Kansas; they had 3 children Cherie, Kris, and Jackie.&nbsp;&nbsp;They later divorced, and he preceded her in death in February 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;She later met and married Ray Hartman, who also preceded her in death in May 2021.Rita was a giving soul who enjoyed sharing her talents and gifts with her friends and family.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a licensed CNA and CMA and worked for many years as a Senior Companion and for the Good Samaritan Society.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was a lover of animals and a hobby of hers was microbiology and using her microscope.She is survived by her daughters: Cherie Pfannenstiel and husband Eric of Munjor, Kansas; Jackie Diaz and husband Elias of Farmington, New Mexico; a son: Kris Jamison and fiancé&nbsp;Krista Tice, Hutchinson, Kansas; stepdaughter: Erica Rae Towne of Hays, Kansas; sisters: Monica Porter of Hays, Kansas; and Roxie Skeers and husband Ed of Oakley, Kansas; grandchildren: Dawson Jamison, Tobias Diaz, Tavius Diaz, Payton and Parker Barnes, and a step grandson: Matthew Towne of Hays.&nbsp;&nbsp;She was preceded by her parents; a sister: Joyce Skeers; and her husband: Ray.A celebration of life for Rita, Ray and Ray’s sister Alice Hartman will be held on Friday, Aug. 12th, from 4:30-7:30 PM at the Hays VFW.&nbsp;&nbsp;A private joint inurnment of Ray and Rita will be held in the Oakley Cemetery that morning.&nbsp;Memorials are suggested to the FHSU Senior Companion program in care of the funeral chapel.Services in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com">keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com</a>

Rita Jan Hartman

Trevor E. McLaughlin, 36, Hays, died 
Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis of 
injuries from an oilfield accident.

He was born October 7, 1985, in Hays the
 son of Craig and Chris (Miller) McLaughlin.&nbsp; On July 21, 2012, he was 
united in marriage to Kara Norris.&nbsp; Trevor worked as a roughneck for 
Murfin Drilling Company and was a member of Cornerstone Southern Baptist
 Church.&nbsp; He enjoyed playing guitar, listening to music, and was an avid
 sports fan.&nbsp; Trevor possessed a generous spirit, fun sense of humor, 
and love for babies.&nbsp; Most of all, he loved his children.

Survivors include his parents: Craig 
and Chris McLaughlin of Hays, wife: Kara McLaughlin of Armour, SD, four 
sons: Taj, Kingston, and Kamden McLaughlin, all of Hays and Tai Riot of 
Ellis, a daughter: Kynleigh McLaughlin of Hays, a brother: Trent 
McLaughlin and wife Amber of Ogallah, a sister: Jessie Meyers and 
husband Alex of Aurora, CO, grandparents: Frank and Deanna Miller of 
Victoria, five uncles: Galen McLaughlin, Mark Wilson, and Monte Wilson, 
all of Hays, Terry Wilson and wife Dana of Hot Springs, AR, and Gerald 
Miller and wife Carla of Dodge City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Charles and Loretta Wilson and two uncles: Dennis McLaughlin and Randy Wilson.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on
 Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church with 
Pastor Gary Simon and Pastor Jason Murray officiating.&nbsp; The family will 
receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church.&nbsp; 

In lieu 
of flowers, memorials may be made payable to:&nbsp; Craig McLaughlin to be 
used for an education fund for Trevor’s children.&nbsp; Services are in care 
of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of 
Trevor may be shared with the family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657024051152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trevor E. McLaughlin, 36, Hays, died 
Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis of 
injuries from an oilfield accident.He was born October 7, 1985, in Hays the
 son of Craig and Chris (Miller) McLaughlin.&nbsp; On July 21, 2012, he was 
united in marriage to Kara Norris.&nbsp; Trevor worked as a roughneck for 
Murfin Drilling Company and was a member of Cornerstone Southern Baptist
 Church.&nbsp; He enjoyed playing guitar, listening to music, and was an avid
 sports fan.&nbsp; Trevor possessed a generous spirit, fun sense of humor, 
and love for babies.&nbsp; Most of all, he loved his children.Survivors include his parents: Craig 
and Chris McLaughlin of Hays, wife: Kara McLaughlin of Armour, SD, four 
sons: Taj, Kingston, and Kamden McLaughlin, all of Hays and Tai Riot of 
Ellis, a daughter: Kynleigh McLaughlin of Hays, a brother: Trent 
McLaughlin and wife Amber of Ogallah, a sister: Jessie Meyers and 
husband Alex of Aurora, CO, grandparents: Frank and Deanna Miller of 
Victoria, five uncles: Galen McLaughlin, Mark Wilson, and Monte Wilson, 
all of Hays, Terry Wilson and wife Dana of Hot Springs, AR, and Gerald 
Miller and wife Carla of Dodge City, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Charles and Loretta Wilson and two uncles: Dennis McLaughlin and Randy Wilson.Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on
 Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church with 
Pastor Gary Simon and Pastor Jason Murray officiating.&nbsp; The family will 
receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church.&nbsp; In lieu 
of flowers, memorials may be made payable to:&nbsp; Craig McLaughlin to be 
used for an education fund for Trevor’s children.&nbsp; Services are in care 
of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of 
Trevor may be shared with the family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trevor E. McLaughlin

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Smithfield Foods will pay restaurants and caterers $42 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the giant meat producer of conspiring to inflate pork prices, which will likely only add to concerns about how the lack of competition in the industry affects meat prices.

Lawyers began notifying companies affected by this latest settlement Tuesday. Previously, Smithfield settled with a different group of pork buyers for $83 million, and JBS agreed to pay the restaurants and caterers $12.75 million in the pork lawsuit. Earlier this year, JBS also said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-prices-beef-markets-394112b62cb6301ff740e3247971eb3d">pay $52.5 million to settle</a>&nbsp;a similar beef price-fixing lawsuit. Neither Smithfield nor JBS admitted any wrongdoing as part of those settlements, and officials at Smithfield's headquarters in Virginia declined to comment on the details of the deal.

Additional&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-fa91f3a79e4eb9aa5e3d0046e4f16d85">price-fixing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;have also been filed against chicken producers. Nearly $200 million of settlements have been approved in those chicken cases.

The restaurant companies that sued accused the meat processors that control more than 70% of pork production of coordinating efforts to limit the supply of hogs and inflate prices between 2009 and this year.

The lawsuit remains pending against other major pork producers, including Hormel, Tyson Foods, Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods, and the Agri Stats database company they allegedly used to share confidential information about price, capacity and demand.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0e87235d52f847e4aae370212843faa7">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;says that the private information in those reports allowed competitors to compare their profits and helped them control the supply and price of pork.

The meat industry argues that supply and demand factors drive prices, not anticompetitive behavior, but the industry's practices have been questioned by the White House, several prominent members of Congress and trade groups.

The Biden administration has announced several efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lifestyle-business-prices-inflation-78335dba9802d7eb727744301d4489df">boost competition</a>&nbsp;in the industry to help reduce food prices including a $1 billion plan to help independent slaughterhouses expand.

The U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture also created a website earlier this year to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to report any concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-c899e1c834f1d7ba272d7c524c5a8e09">anticompetitive behavior</a>&nbsp;in the industry.

A Minnesota federal judge is scheduled to hold a hearing in October to consider whether to approve the Smithfield settlement, but he already gave it preliminary approval in April.

“We look forward to moving for final approval of our settlement with Smithfield and continuing to litigate with the remaining defendants,” one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Blaine Finley, said.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Smithfield Foods will pay restaurants and caterers $42 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the giant meat producer of conspiring to inflate pork prices, which will likely only add to concerns about how the lack of competition in the industry affects meat prices.Lawyers began notifying companies affected by this latest settlement Tuesday. Previously, Smithfield settled with a different group of pork buyers for $83 million, and JBS agreed to pay the restaurants and caterers $12.75 million in the pork lawsuit. Earlier this year, JBS also said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-prices-beef-markets-394112b62cb6301ff740e3247971eb3d">pay $52.5 million to settle</a>&nbsp;a similar beef price-fixing lawsuit. Neither Smithfield nor JBS admitted any wrongdoing as part of those settlements, and officials at Smithfield's headquarters in Virginia declined to comment on the details of the deal.Additional&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-fa91f3a79e4eb9aa5e3d0046e4f16d85">price-fixing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;have also been filed against chicken producers. Nearly $200 million of settlements have been approved in those chicken cases.The restaurant companies that sued accused the meat processors that control more than 70% of pork production of coordinating efforts to limit the supply of hogs and inflate prices between 2009 and this year.The lawsuit remains pending against other major pork producers, including Hormel, Tyson Foods, Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods, and the Agri Stats database company they allegedly used to share confidential information about price, capacity and demand.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0e87235d52f847e4aae370212843faa7">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;says that the private information in those reports allowed competitors to compare their profits and helped them control the supply and price of pork.The meat industry argues that supply and demand factors drive prices, not anticompetitive behavior, but the industry's practices have been questioned by the White House, several prominent members of Congress and trade groups.The Biden administration has announced several efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lifestyle-business-prices-inflation-78335dba9802d7eb727744301d4489df">boost competition</a>&nbsp;in the industry to help reduce food prices including a $1 billion plan to help independent slaughterhouses expand.The U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture also created a website earlier this year to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to report any concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-c899e1c834f1d7ba272d7c524c5a8e09">anticompetitive behavior</a>&nbsp;in the industry.A Minnesota federal judge is scheduled to hold a hearing in October to consider whether to approve the Smithfield settlement, but he already gave it preliminary approval in April.“We look forward to moving for final approval of our settlement with Smithfield and continuing to litigate with the remaining defendants,” one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Blaine Finley, said.

Smithfield Foods settles pork price-fixing lawsuit for $42M

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A registered sex offender entered a guilty plea to&nbsp; murder and sex crimes in connection with his wife's death in 2020.

&nbsp;Just before his trial was to begin, Craig Johnston, 44,&nbsp; pleaded guilty last week to reckless second-degree murder, attempted rape, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;

On October 23, 2020, deputies responded to the report of an injured woman at a home in the 7900 block of West 109th in Sedgwick, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

When they arrived they found 40-year-old Amber Dawn Slankard with critical injuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported her to Via Christi St. Francis and she later died of her injuries.

Deputies transported her husband Craig Johnston to Sheriff Investigations and later booked him on requested charges of Second Degree Murder and violations of the Offender Registration Act, according to Blick.&nbsp;

Johnston has a previous conviction from Illinois in 1997 for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the age of 13-16, according to the Offender Registry. Johnston is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656773771864.png" alt="Johnston-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Johnston-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A registered sex offender entered a guilty plea to&nbsp; murder and sex crimes in connection with his wife's death in 2020.&nbsp;Just before his trial was to begin, Craig Johnston, 44,&nbsp; pleaded guilty last week to reckless second-degree murder, attempted rape, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;On October 23, 2020, deputies responded to the report of an injured woman at a home in the 7900 block of West 109th in Sedgwick, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.When they arrived they found 40-year-old Amber Dawn Slankard with critical injuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported her to Via Christi St. Francis and she later died of her injuries.Deputies transported her husband Craig Johnston to Sheriff Investigations and later booked him on requested charges of Second Degree Murder and violations of the Offender Registration Act, according to Blick.&nbsp;Johnston has a previous conviction from Illinois in 1997 for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the age of 13-16, according to the Offender Registry. Johnston is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, according to the district attorney's office.

Sex offender enters plea in wife's murder at their Kan. home

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A local government in Kansas has agreed to pay $12.5 million to a man and his mother after he spent 23 years in prison for a double murder he did not commit.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, approved the settlement Thursday and said in a statement Friday that it admits no guilt in the wrongful conviction and two life sentences of Lamonte McIntyre in the mid 1990s.

McIntyre was 17 in 1994 when he was arrested in Kansas City for the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Doniel Quinn and 34-year-old Donald Ewing.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f0aeacf5fd0e4297a8d7b0ca4cda363e">McIntyre was freed in 2017</a>&nbsp;after a local prosecutor asked the court to vacate his convictions and drop all charges, calling his case an example of “manifest injustice.” Prosecutors presented no physical evidence tying McIntyre to the killings and their case largely hinged on testimony that was allegedly coerced.

The following year, McIntyre and his mother sued the unified government and former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski, who they have accused, along with other police, of framing McIntyre for the killings. Their lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-kansas-7b4c4af7410f67d20fd19cb2e9235aad">sought up to $123 million</a>&nbsp;in damages.

McIntyre and his mother have said Golubski coerced her into sex and then framed her teenage son for the double homicide because she rejected the detective’s later sexual advances. They also allege Golubski abused dozens of Black women for years and many officers were aware of his conduct.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-kansas-city-kansas-4d005737c9046b7d65363a6e82f93493">Federal authorities are investigating Golubski,</a>&nbsp;and the Kansas City, Kansas, police department revealed last October that it had been responding to subpoenas from the FBI since 2019 involving allegations against Golubski.

Golubski has denied the allegations. His attorney, Morgan Roach of Kansas City, did not immediately return phone messages left Friday at his office and on his cellphone seeking comment.

Thursday's settlement also resolves the lawsuit against Golubski, said attorney Cheryl Pilate, who represents McIntyre and his mother.

“Lamonte now hopes to put this painful chapter behind him and move forward with his life,” Pilate said in an email. “Lamonte remains deeply committed to the cause of justice, particularly in Wyandotte County, and will continue to be a voice for those who have suffered wrongful convictions or other injustices.”

In 2020, McIntyre was awarded a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/03a51b0fe56481f586ef8e031d2ffc2c">certificate of innocence</a>&nbsp;and $1.5 million from Kansas after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f6cd02cf633461eb20338733a76d398?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow">the state attorney general's office initially fought his compensation claim</a>. McIntyre now lives in Arizona.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583330843112.png" alt="Lamont McIntyre photo by Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Lamont McIntyre photo by Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A local government in Kansas has agreed to pay $12.5 million to a man and his mother after he spent 23 years in prison for a double murder he did not commit.The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, approved the settlement Thursday and said in a statement Friday that it admits no guilt in the wrongful conviction and two life sentences of Lamonte McIntyre in the mid 1990s.McIntyre was 17 in 1994 when he was arrested in Kansas City for the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Doniel Quinn and 34-year-old Donald Ewing.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f0aeacf5fd0e4297a8d7b0ca4cda363e">McIntyre was freed in 2017</a>&nbsp;after a local prosecutor asked the court to vacate his convictions and drop all charges, calling his case an example of “manifest injustice.” Prosecutors presented no physical evidence tying McIntyre to the killings and their case largely hinged on testimony that was allegedly coerced.The following year, McIntyre and his mother sued the unified government and former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski, who they have accused, along with other police, of framing McIntyre for the killings. Their lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-kansas-7b4c4af7410f67d20fd19cb2e9235aad">sought up to $123 million</a>&nbsp;in damages.McIntyre and his mother have said Golubski coerced her into sex and then framed her teenage son for the double homicide because she rejected the detective’s later sexual advances. They also allege Golubski abused dozens of Black women for years and many officers were aware of his conduct.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-kansas-city-kansas-4d005737c9046b7d65363a6e82f93493">Federal authorities are investigating Golubski,</a>&nbsp;and the Kansas City, Kansas, police department revealed last October that it had been responding to subpoenas from the FBI since 2019 involving allegations against Golubski.Golubski has denied the allegations. His attorney, Morgan Roach of Kansas City, did not immediately return phone messages left Friday at his office and on his cellphone seeking comment.Thursday's settlement also resolves the lawsuit against Golubski, said attorney Cheryl Pilate, who represents McIntyre and his mother.“Lamonte now hopes to put this painful chapter behind him and move forward with his life,” Pilate said in an email. “Lamonte remains deeply committed to the cause of justice, particularly in Wyandotte County, and will continue to be a voice for those who have suffered wrongful convictions or other injustices.”In 2020, McIntyre was awarded a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/03a51b0fe56481f586ef8e031d2ffc2c">certificate of innocence</a>&nbsp;and $1.5 million from Kansas after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f6cd02cf633461eb20338733a76d398?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow">the state attorney general's office initially fought his compensation claim</a>. McIntyre now lives in Arizona.

Kansas wrongful conviction lawsuit reaches $12.5M settlement

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-954_7l48.pdf" target="_blank">The Supreme Court said</a>&nbsp;Thursday the Biden administration can scrap a Trump-era immigration policy that was at the center of efforts to deter asylum-seekers, forcing some to wait in Mexico. Two conservative justices joined their three liberal colleagues in siding with the White House.

The justices’ decision came in a case involving former President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-mexico-united-states-missouri-b0df7cad5c0c5860a01d786cca7c5aa5">“Remain in Mexico”</a>&nbsp;policy, formally know as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/migrant-protection-protocols" target="_blank">Migrant Protection Protocols</a>, which enrolled about 70,000 people after it was launched in 2019.

President Joe Biden suspended the program on his first day in office in January 2021. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-mexico-joe-biden-8aeaa6b2e144bfee1125aa8702815dbe">lower courts</a>&nbsp;ordered it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">reinstated</a>&nbsp;in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mexico-courts-immigration-8d82420a572999b886928244abc0f1b3">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;from Republican-led Texas and Missouri. The current administration has sent far fewer people back to Mexico than did the Trump administration.

The ruling was released on the same day that the court dealt the administration a blow in an important&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">environmental case</a>&nbsp;about the nation’s main anti-air pollution law. That ruling could complicate the administration’s plans to combat climate change.

The heart of the legal fight in the immigration case was about whether U.S. immigration authorities, with far less detention capacity than needed, had to send people to Mexico or whether those authorities had the discretion under federal law to release asylum-seekers into the United States while they awaited their hearings.

After Biden’s suspension of the program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_1029_mpp-termination-memo.pdf" target="_blank">Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas</a>&nbsp;ended it in June 2021. In October, the department produced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_1029_mpp-termination-justification-memo.pdf" target="_blank">additional justifications</a>&nbsp;for the policy’s demise, but that was to no avail in the courts.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that an appeals court “erred in holding that the” federal Immigration and Nationality Act “required the Government to continue implementing MPP.” Joining the majority opinion was fellow conservative Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump-appointee, as well as liberal justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Kavanaugh also wrote separately and noted that in general, when there is insufficient detention capacity, both releasing asylum-seekers into the United States and sending them back to Mexico “are legally permissible options under the immigration statutes.”

Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration expert, said the Biden administration does not need to take any further action to end the policy, but that Texas and Missouri can pursue a challenge over whether the administration followed appropriate procedure in ending the program.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement that the decision was “unfortunate.” He argued it would make “the border crisis worse. But it’s not the end. I’ll keep pressing forward and focus on securing the border and keeping our communities safe in the dozen other immigration suits I’m litigating in court.”

Because of lower court decisions MPP resumed in December, but the administration has registered only 7,259 migrants in the program, about 6 of every 10 of them Nicaraguans. The administration has said it would apply the policy to nationalities that are less likely to be subject to pandemic-era asylum limits. Strained diplomatic relations with Nicaragua makes it extremely difficult for the U.S. to expel people back to their homeland under the pandemic rule, known as Title 42 authority.

U.S. authorities stopped migrants 1.2 million times on the Mexico border from December through May, illustrating the limited impact that “Remain in Mexico” has had under Biden.

Democratic-led states and progressive groups were on the administration’s side in the case. Republican-run states and conservative groups sided with Texas and Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="President Joe Biden suspended the program on his first day in office in January 2021. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-mexico-joe-biden-8aeaa6b2e144bfee1125aa8702815dbe">lower courts</a>&nbsp;ordered it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">reinstated</a>-photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden suspended the program on his first day in office in January 2021. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-mexico-joe-biden-8aeaa6b2e144bfee1125aa8702815dbe">lower courts</a>&nbsp;ordered it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">reinstated</a>-photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-954_7l48.pdf" target="_blank">The Supreme Court said</a>&nbsp;Thursday the Biden administration can scrap a Trump-era immigration policy that was at the center of efforts to deter asylum-seekers, forcing some to wait in Mexico. Two conservative justices joined their three liberal colleagues in siding with the White House.The justices’ decision came in a case involving former President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-mexico-united-states-missouri-b0df7cad5c0c5860a01d786cca7c5aa5">“Remain in Mexico”</a>&nbsp;policy, formally know as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/migrant-protection-protocols" target="_blank">Migrant Protection Protocols</a>, which enrolled about 70,000 people after it was launched in 2019.President Joe Biden suspended the program on his first day in office in January 2021. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-mexico-joe-biden-8aeaa6b2e144bfee1125aa8702815dbe">lower courts</a>&nbsp;ordered it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-mexico-texas-missouri-1eb0b6dd1d0676e33702aec7f07e75ac">reinstated</a>&nbsp;in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mexico-courts-immigration-8d82420a572999b886928244abc0f1b3">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;from Republican-led Texas and Missouri. The current administration has sent far fewer people back to Mexico than did the Trump administration.The ruling was released on the same day that the court dealt the administration a blow in an important&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">environmental case</a>&nbsp;about the nation’s main anti-air pollution law. That ruling could complicate the administration’s plans to combat climate change.The heart of the legal fight in the immigration case was about whether U.S. immigration authorities, with far less detention capacity than needed, had to send people to Mexico or whether those authorities had the discretion under federal law to release asylum-seekers into the United States while they awaited their hearings.After Biden’s suspension of the program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_1029_mpp-termination-memo.pdf" target="_blank">Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas</a>&nbsp;ended it in June 2021. In October, the department produced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_1029_mpp-termination-justification-memo.pdf" target="_blank">additional justifications</a>&nbsp;for the policy’s demise, but that was to no avail in the courts.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that an appeals court “erred in holding that the” federal Immigration and Nationality Act “required the Government to continue implementing MPP.” Joining the majority opinion was fellow conservative Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump-appointee, as well as liberal justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.Kavanaugh also wrote separately and noted that in general, when there is insufficient detention capacity, both releasing asylum-seekers into the United States and sending them back to Mexico “are legally permissible options under the immigration statutes.”Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration expert, said the Biden administration does not need to take any further action to end the policy, but that Texas and Missouri can pursue a challenge over whether the administration followed appropriate procedure in ending the program.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement that the decision was “unfortunate.” He argued it would make “the border crisis worse. But it’s not the end. I’ll keep pressing forward and focus on securing the border and keeping our communities safe in the dozen other immigration suits I’m litigating in court.”Because of lower court decisions MPP resumed in December, but the administration has registered only 7,259 migrants in the program, about 6 of every 10 of them Nicaraguans. The administration has said it would apply the policy to nationalities that are less likely to be subject to pandemic-era asylum limits. Strained diplomatic relations with Nicaragua makes it extremely difficult for the U.S. to expel people back to their homeland under the pandemic rule, known as Title 42 authority.U.S. authorities stopped migrants 1.2 million times on the Mexico border from December through May, illustrating the limited impact that “Remain in Mexico” has had under Biden.Democratic-led states and progressive groups were on the administration’s side in the case. Republican-run states and conservative groups sided with Texas and Missouri.The case is Biden v. Texas, 21-954.

Court: Biden can end Trump-era remain in Mexico policy

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;has been sworn in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">the Supreme Court</a>, shattering a glass ceiling as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-voting-rights-college-admissions-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-75dc3f82758903dc702d86186ff9eedb">the first Black woman</a>&nbsp;on the nation’s highest court.

The 51-year-old Jackson is the court’s 116th justice and she took the place Thursday of the justice she once worked for.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/stephen-breyer">Justice Stephen Breyer’s</a>&nbsp;retirement took effect at noon.

Moments later, joined by her family, Jackson recited the two oaths required of Supreme Court justices, one administered by Breyer and the other by Chief Justice John Roberts.

“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.”

Roberts welcomed Jackson “to the court and our common calling.” The ceremony was streamed live on the court's website.

Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, is joining three other women, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett — the first time four women will serve together on the nine-member court.

Biden nominated Jackson in February, a month after Breyer, 83,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retirement-2f9c1f5da824e3b1ef25964205131fff">announced he would retire</a>&nbsp;at the end of the court's term, assuming his successor had been confirmed. Breyer's earlier-than-usual announcement and the condition he attached was a recognition of the Democrats' tenuous hold on the Senate in an era of hyper-partisanship, especially surrounding federal judgeships.

The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-confirmation-f39263cdbb0c59c8a20a48edf9b6786e">confirmed Jackson's nomination</a>&nbsp;in early April, by a 53-47 mostly party-line vote that included support from three Republicans.

Jackson had been in a sort of judicial limbo since, remaining a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., but not hearing any cases. Biden elevated her to that court from the district judgeship to which she was appointed by President Barack Obama.

Jackson will be able to begin work immediately, but the court will have just finished the bulk of its work until the fall, apart from emergency appeals that occasionally arise. That will give her time to settle in and familiarize herself with the roughly two dozen cases the court already has agreed to hear starting in October as well as hundreds of appeals that will pile up over the summer.

The court issued final opinions earlier Thursday after a momentous and rancorous term that included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade’s guarantee of the right to an abortion</a>. One of Thursday’s decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">limited how the Environmental Protection Agency can use the nation’s main anti-air pollution law</a>&nbsp;to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, a blow to the fight against climate change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656606967625.png" alt="Jackson will be able to begin work immediately, but the court will have just finished the bulk of its work until the fall-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Jackson will be able to begin work immediately, but the court will have just finished the bulk of its work until the fall-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;has been sworn in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">the Supreme Court</a>, shattering a glass ceiling as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-voting-rights-college-admissions-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-75dc3f82758903dc702d86186ff9eedb">the first Black woman</a>&nbsp;on the nation’s highest court.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the 116th justice of the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to sit on the nation&#39;s highest court. <a href="https://t.co/FO1jHg1X7u">pic.twitter.com/FO1jHg1X7u</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1542547743037603840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 51-year-old Jackson is the court’s 116th justice and she took the place Thursday of the justice she once worked for.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/stephen-breyer">Justice Stephen Breyer’s</a>&nbsp;retirement took effect at noon.Moments later, joined by her family, Jackson recited the two oaths required of Supreme Court justices, one administered by Breyer and the other by Chief Justice John Roberts.“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.”Roberts welcomed Jackson “to the court and our common calling.” The ceremony was streamed live on the court's website.Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, is joining three other women, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett — the first time four women will serve together on the nine-member court.Biden nominated Jackson in February, a month after Breyer, 83,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retirement-2f9c1f5da824e3b1ef25964205131fff">announced he would retire</a>&nbsp;at the end of the court's term, assuming his successor had been confirmed. Breyer's earlier-than-usual announcement and the condition he attached was a recognition of the Democrats' tenuous hold on the Senate in an era of hyper-partisanship, especially surrounding federal judgeships.The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-confirmation-f39263cdbb0c59c8a20a48edf9b6786e">confirmed Jackson's nomination</a>&nbsp;in early April, by a 53-47 mostly party-line vote that included support from three Republicans.Jackson had been in a sort of judicial limbo since, remaining a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., but not hearing any cases. Biden elevated her to that court from the district judgeship to which she was appointed by President Barack Obama.Jackson will be able to begin work immediately, but the court will have just finished the bulk of its work until the fall, apart from emergency appeals that occasionally arise. That will give her time to settle in and familiarize herself with the roughly two dozen cases the court already has agreed to hear starting in October as well as hundreds of appeals that will pile up over the summer.The court issued final opinions earlier Thursday after a momentous and rancorous term that included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade’s guarantee of the right to an abortion</a>. One of Thursday’s decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">limited how the Environmental Protection Agency can use the nation’s main anti-air pollution law</a>&nbsp;to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, a blow to the fight against climate change.

🎥Jackson sworn in; 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press

At least some U.S. adults may get updated COVID-19 shots this fall, as government advisers voted Tuesday that it’s time to tweak booster doses to better match the most recent virus variants.

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration wrestled with how to modify doses now when there’s no way to know how the rapidly mutating virus will evolve by fall — especially since people who get today’s recommended boosters remain strongly protected against COVID-19′s worst outcomes.

Ultimately the FDA panel voted 19-2 that COVID-19 boosters should contain some version of the super-contagious omicron variant, to be ready for an anticipated fall booster campaign.

“We are going to be behind the eight-ball if we wait longer,” said one adviser, Dr. Mark Sawyer of the University of California, San Diego.

The FDA will have to decide the exact recipe, but expect a combination shot that adds protection against either omicron or some of its newer relatives to the original vaccine.

“None of us has a crystal ball” to know the next threatening variant, said FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks. But “we may at least bring the immune system closer to being able to respond to what’s circulating” now rather than far older virus strains.

It’s not clear who would be offered a tweaked booster — they might be urged only for older adults or those at high risk from the virus. But the FDA is expected to decide on the recipe change within days and then Pfizer and Moderna will have to seek authorization for the appropriately updated doses, time for health authorities to settle on a fall strategy.

Current COVID-19 vaccines have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-england-54d29ae3af5c700f15d704c14ee224b5">saved millions of lives</a>&nbsp;globally. With a booster dose, those used in the U.S. retain strong protection against hospitalization and death but their ability to block infection dropped markedly when omicron appeared. And the omicron mutant that caused the winter surge has been replaced by its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-pandemics-72462053f8d60fd548cf34377864100b">genetically distinct relatives</a>. The two newest omicron cousins, called BA.4 and BA.5, together now make up half of U.S. cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pfizer and Moderna already were brewing boosters that add protection to the first omicron mutant. Their combination shots, what scientists call “bivalent” vaccines, substantially boosted levels of antibodies capable of fighting that variant, more than simply giving another dose of today’s vaccine.

Both companies found the tweaked shots also offered some cross-protection against those worrisome BA.4 and BA.5 mutants, too, but not nearly as much.

Many scientists favor the combination approach because it preserves the original vaccines’ proven benefits, which include some cross-protection against other mutants that have cropped up during the pandemic.

The question facing FDA is the correct recipe change. Both companies said they’d have plenty of omicron-targeted combo shots by October but Moderna said switching to target omicron’s newest relatives might delay its version another month.

Further complicating the decision is that only half of vaccinated Americans have received that all-important first booster. And while the CDC says protection against hospitalization has slipped some for older adults, a second booster that’s recommended for people 50 and older seems to restore it. But only a quarter of those eligible for the additional booster have gotten one.

Marks said that by tweaking the shots, “we’re hoping we can convince people to go get that booster to strengthen their immune response and help prevent another wave.”

The logistics will be challenging. Many Americans haven’t had their first vaccinations yet, including young children who just became eligible — and it’s not clear whether tweaked boosters eventually might lead to a change in the primary vaccine. But the FDA’s advisers said it’s important to go ahead and study updated vaccine recipes in children, too.

And one more complexity: A third company, Novavax, is awaiting FDA authorization of a more traditional kind of COVID-19 vaccine, protein-based shots. Novavax argued Tuesday that a booster of its regular vaccine promises a good immune response against the new omicron mutants without a recipe change.

Advisers to the World Health Organization recently said omicron-tweaked shots would be most beneficial as a booster only, because they should increase the breadth of people’s cross-protection against multiple variants.

“We don’t want the world to lose confidence in vaccines that are currently available,” said Dr. Kanta Subbarao, a virologist who chairs that WHO committee.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated PressAt least some U.S. adults may get updated COVID-19 shots this fall, as government advisers voted Tuesday that it’s time to tweak booster doses to better match the most recent virus variants.Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration wrestled with how to modify doses now when there’s no way to know how the rapidly mutating virus will evolve by fall — especially since people who get today’s recommended boosters remain strongly protected against COVID-19′s worst outcomes.Ultimately the FDA panel voted 19-2 that COVID-19 boosters should contain some version of the super-contagious omicron variant, to be ready for an anticipated fall booster campaign.“We are going to be behind the eight-ball if we wait longer,” said one adviser, Dr. Mark Sawyer of the University of California, San Diego.The FDA will have to decide the exact recipe, but expect a combination shot that adds protection against either omicron or some of its newer relatives to the original vaccine.“None of us has a crystal ball” to know the next threatening variant, said FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks. But “we may at least bring the immune system closer to being able to respond to what’s circulating” now rather than far older virus strains.It’s not clear who would be offered a tweaked booster — they might be urged only for older adults or those at high risk from the virus. But the FDA is expected to decide on the recipe change within days and then Pfizer and Moderna will have to seek authorization for the appropriately updated doses, time for health authorities to settle on a fall strategy.Current COVID-19 vaccines have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-england-54d29ae3af5c700f15d704c14ee224b5">saved millions of lives</a>&nbsp;globally. With a booster dose, those used in the U.S. retain strong protection against hospitalization and death but their ability to block infection dropped markedly when omicron appeared. And the omicron mutant that caused the winter surge has been replaced by its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-pandemics-72462053f8d60fd548cf34377864100b">genetically distinct relatives</a>. The two newest omicron cousins, called BA.4 and BA.5, together now make up half of U.S. cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pfizer and Moderna already were brewing boosters that add protection to the first omicron mutant. Their combination shots, what scientists call “bivalent” vaccines, substantially boosted levels of antibodies capable of fighting that variant, more than simply giving another dose of today’s vaccine.Both companies found the tweaked shots also offered some cross-protection against those worrisome BA.4 and BA.5 mutants, too, but not nearly as much.Many scientists favor the combination approach because it preserves the original vaccines’ proven benefits, which include some cross-protection against other mutants that have cropped up during the pandemic.The question facing FDA is the correct recipe change. Both companies said they’d have plenty of omicron-targeted combo shots by October but Moderna said switching to target omicron’s newest relatives might delay its version another month.Further complicating the decision is that only half of vaccinated Americans have received that all-important first booster. And while the CDC says protection against hospitalization has slipped some for older adults, a second booster that’s recommended for people 50 and older seems to restore it. But only a quarter of those eligible for the additional booster have gotten one.Marks said that by tweaking the shots, “we’re hoping we can convince people to go get that booster to strengthen their immune response and help prevent another wave.”The logistics will be challenging. Many Americans haven’t had their first vaccinations yet, including young children who just became eligible — and it’s not clear whether tweaked boosters eventually might lead to a change in the primary vaccine. But the FDA’s advisers said it’s important to go ahead and study updated vaccine recipes in children, too.And one more complexity: A third company, Novavax, is awaiting FDA authorization of a more traditional kind of COVID-19 vaccine, protein-based shots. Novavax argued Tuesday that a booster of its regular vaccine promises a good immune response against the new omicron mutants without a recipe change.Advisers to the World Health Organization recently said omicron-tweaked shots would be most beneficial as a booster only, because they should increase the breadth of people’s cross-protection against multiple variants.“We don’t want the world to lose confidence in vaccines that are currently available,” said Dr. Kanta Subbarao, a virologist who chairs that WHO committee.___

FDA advisers recommend updating COVID booster shots for fall

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Fifty people died after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer in the sweltering Texas heat, one of the worst tragedies to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S. More than a dozen people had been taken to hospitals, including four children.

A city worker heard a cry for help from the truck on a San Antonio back road shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and discovered the gruesome scene, Police Chief William McManus said. Hours later, body bags lay spread on the ground near the trailer and bodies remained inside as authorities responded.

Forty-six people were found dead at the scene, authorities said. Four more later died after being taken to hospitals, said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, the county’s top elected official,

Among the dead were 39 males and 11 females, he said.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said those who died had “families who were likely trying to find a better life.”

“This is nothing short of a horrific human tragedy,” Nirenberg said.

Attempts to cross the U.S. border from Mexico have claimed thousands of lives in in both countries in recent decades.

President Joe Biden called the latest deaths “horrifying and heartbreaking.” He said initial reports were that smugglers or human traffickers were to blame.

“Exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit is shameful, as is political grandstanding around tragedy, and my administration will continue to do everything possible to stop human smugglers and traffickers from taking advantage of people who are seeking to enter the United States between ports of entry,” he said in a statement.

The home countries of all of the migrants and how long they were abandoned on the side of the road were not immediately known.

Twenty-two were from Mexico, seven from Guatemala and two from Honduras, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the North America department in Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department, said on Twitter.

South Texas has long been the busiest area for illegal border crossings. Migrants ride in vehicles through Border Patrol checkpoints to San Antonio, the closest major city, from which point they disperse across the United States.

Wolff said Tuesday that authorities believe the truck came from Laredo, a border city about 150 miles (241 kilometer) south.

“They had just parked it on the side of the road,” Wolff said. “Apparently had mechanical problems and left it there. The sheriff thinks it came across from Laredo.”

Officials were asking neighboring counties to help with the number of bodies, he said.

San Antonio has been a recurring scene of tragedy and desperation in recent years involving migrants in the back of semitrailers.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-antonio-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-laredo-cc2fe9b212b34619ab7777f2a4a830c9">Ten migrants died in 2017</a>&nbsp;after being trapped inside a truck parked at a San Antonio Walmart. In 2003, the bodies of 19 migrants were found in a sweltering truck southeast of the city. More than 50 migrants were found alive in a trailer in 2018, driven by a man who said he was to be paid $3,000 and was sentenced to more than five years in prison.

“These drivers, they take money from the cartels and so on,” said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes the site of the abandoned truck discovered Monday. “I’m sure many times these trucks end up at their destination successfully. Unfortunately, this has now happened all too often.”

Other incidents have occurred long before migrants reached the U.S. border. In December, more than 50 died when a semitrailer filled with migrants rolled over on a highway in southern Mexico. In October, Mexican authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-united-states-central-america-mexico-8f7660031e45a9a2107e41f4228e4ac9">reported finding 652 migrants packed into six trailers</a>&nbsp;near the U.S. border. They were stopped at a military checkpoint.

The truck discovered Monday was abandoned on the outskirts of San Antonio, next to a railroad track in an area surrounded by auto scrapyards that brush up against a busy freeway.

Officers arrived to find a body on the ground outside the trailer and a partially opened gate to the trailer. Three people were taken into custody, but it was unclear if they were definitively connected with human trafficking, McManus said. The trailer was gone Tuesday morning, and access to the area where it was found remained blocked.

Sixteen people were taken hospitals with heat-related illnesses, with four later dying. At least four were in critical condition, according to the hospitals. Among those were a 23-year-old woman in serious condition and an adolescent male in critical condition at University Hospital in San Antonio, Wolff said.

Those taken to the hospital were hot to the touch and dehydrated, and no water was found in the trailer, said Fire Chief Charles Hood.

“They were suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion,” Hood said. “It was a refrigerated tractor-trailer, but there was no visible working AC unit on that rig.”

Those in the trailer were part of a presumed migrant smuggling attempt into the United States, and the investigation was being led by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, McManus said.

Big rigs emerged as a popular smuggling method in the early 1990s amid a surge in U.S. border enforcement in San Diego and El Paso, Texas.

Before that, people paid small fees to mom-and-pop operators to get them across a largely unguarded border. As crossing became exponentially more difficult after the 2001 terror attacks in the U.S., migrants were led through more perilous terrain and paid thousands of dollars more.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a10655ccefe64f4394518492b7ab114f">Heat poses a serious danger</a>, particularly when temperatures can rise severely inside vehicles. Temperatures in San Antonio on Monday approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

Some advocates drew a link to the Biden administration’s border policies. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, wrote that he had been dreading such a tragedy for months.

“With the border shut as tightly as it is today for migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, people have been pushed into more and more dangerous routes. Truck smuggling is a way up,” he wrote on Twitter.

Migrants — largely from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — have been expelled more than 2 million times under a pandemic-era rule in effect since March 2020 that denies them a chance to seek asylum but encourages repeat attempts because there are no legal consequences for getting caught.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 557 deaths on the southwest border in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, more than double the 247 deaths reported in the previous year and the highest since it began keeping track in 1998. Most are related to heat exposure.

CBP has not published a death tally for this year but said that the Border Patrol performed 14,278 “search-and-rescue missions” in a seven-month period through May, exceeding the 12,833 missions performed during the previous 12-month period and up from 5,071 the year before.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656432366900.png" alt="President Joe Biden says the deaths of migrants who were in the back of a tractor-trailer in Texas is "horrifying and heartbreaking-photo courtesy KSAT-TV" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden says the deaths of migrants who were in the back of a tractor-trailer in Texas is "horrifying and heartbreaking-photo courtesy KSAT-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Fifty people died after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer in the sweltering Texas heat, one of the worst tragedies to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S. More than a dozen people had been taken to hospitals, including four children.A city worker heard a cry for help from the truck on a San Antonio back road shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and discovered the gruesome scene, Police Chief William McManus said. Hours later, body bags lay spread on the ground near the trailer and bodies remained inside as authorities responded.Forty-six people were found dead at the scene, authorities said. Four more later died after being taken to hospitals, said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, the county’s top elected official,Among the dead were 39 males and 11 females, he said.San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said those who died had “families who were likely trying to find a better life.”“This is nothing short of a horrific human tragedy,” Nirenberg said.Attempts to cross the U.S. border from Mexico have claimed thousands of lives in in both countries in recent decades.President Joe Biden called the latest deaths “horrifying and heartbreaking.” He said initial reports were that smugglers or human traffickers were to blame.“Exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit is shameful, as is political grandstanding around tragedy, and my administration will continue to do everything possible to stop human smugglers and traffickers from taking advantage of people who are seeking to enter the United States between ports of entry,” he said in a statement.The home countries of all of the migrants and how long they were abandoned on the side of the road were not immediately known.Twenty-two were from Mexico, seven from Guatemala and two from Honduras, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the North America department in Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department, said on Twitter.South Texas has long been the busiest area for illegal border crossings. Migrants ride in vehicles through Border Patrol checkpoints to San Antonio, the closest major city, from which point they disperse across the United States.Wolff said Tuesday that authorities believe the truck came from Laredo, a border city about 150 miles (241 kilometer) south.“They had just parked it on the side of the road,” Wolff said. “Apparently had mechanical problems and left it there. The sheriff thinks it came across from Laredo.”Officials were asking neighboring counties to help with the number of bodies, he said.San Antonio has been a recurring scene of tragedy and desperation in recent years involving migrants in the back of semitrailers.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-antonio-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-laredo-cc2fe9b212b34619ab7777f2a4a830c9">Ten migrants died in 2017</a>&nbsp;after being trapped inside a truck parked at a San Antonio Walmart. In 2003, the bodies of 19 migrants were found in a sweltering truck southeast of the city. More than 50 migrants were found alive in a trailer in 2018, driven by a man who said he was to be paid $3,000 and was sentenced to more than five years in prison.“These drivers, they take money from the cartels and so on,” said state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat whose district includes the site of the abandoned truck discovered Monday. “I’m sure many times these trucks end up at their destination successfully. Unfortunately, this has now happened all too often.”Other incidents have occurred long before migrants reached the U.S. border. In December, more than 50 died when a semitrailer filled with migrants rolled over on a highway in southern Mexico. In October, Mexican authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-united-states-central-america-mexico-8f7660031e45a9a2107e41f4228e4ac9">reported finding 652 migrants packed into six trailers</a>&nbsp;near the U.S. border. They were stopped at a military checkpoint.The truck discovered Monday was abandoned on the outskirts of San Antonio, next to a railroad track in an area surrounded by auto scrapyards that brush up against a busy freeway.Officers arrived to find a body on the ground outside the trailer and a partially opened gate to the trailer. Three people were taken into custody, but it was unclear if they were definitively connected with human trafficking, McManus said. The trailer was gone Tuesday morning, and access to the area where it was found remained blocked.Sixteen people were taken hospitals with heat-related illnesses, with four later dying. At least four were in critical condition, according to the hospitals. Among those were a 23-year-old woman in serious condition and an adolescent male in critical condition at University Hospital in San Antonio, Wolff said.Those taken to the hospital were hot to the touch and dehydrated, and no water was found in the trailer, said Fire Chief Charles Hood.“They were suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion,” Hood said. “It was a refrigerated tractor-trailer, but there was no visible working AC unit on that rig.”Those in the trailer were part of a presumed migrant smuggling attempt into the United States, and the investigation was being led by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, McManus said.Big rigs emerged as a popular smuggling method in the early 1990s amid a surge in U.S. border enforcement in San Diego and El Paso, Texas.Before that, people paid small fees to mom-and-pop operators to get them across a largely unguarded border. As crossing became exponentially more difficult after the 2001 terror attacks in the U.S., migrants were led through more perilous terrain and paid thousands of dollars more.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a10655ccefe64f4394518492b7ab114f">Heat poses a serious danger</a>, particularly when temperatures can rise severely inside vehicles. Temperatures in San Antonio on Monday approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).Some advocates drew a link to the Biden administration’s border policies. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, wrote that he had been dreading such a tragedy for months.“With the border shut as tightly as it is today for migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, people have been pushed into more and more dangerous routes. Truck smuggling is a way up,” he wrote on Twitter.Migrants — largely from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — have been expelled more than 2 million times under a pandemic-era rule in effect since March 2020 that denies them a chance to seek asylum but encourages repeat attempts because there are no legal consequences for getting caught.U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 557 deaths on the southwest border in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, more than double the 247 deaths reported in the previous year and the highest since it began keeping track in 1998. Most are related to heat exposure.CBP has not published a death tally for this year but said that the Border Patrol performed 14,278 “search-and-rescue missions” in a seven-month period through May, exceeding the 12,833 missions performed during the previous 12-month period and up from 5,071 the year before.

Biden calls 50 migrant deaths in abandoned trailer 'horrifying'

WICHITA – The Kansas Sports Hall of
Fame has announced their induction class of 2022 Monday. 

There will be 10 new members that
will be inducted this year, bringing the total number of people in the Kansas
Sports Hall of Fame to 317.

The Induction Ceremony will take
place on Sunday, October 2nd at the Kansas Star Casino. Tickets go on sale
August 1st on the <a href="https://www.kshof.org/">Kansas Sports Hall of Fame website</a>.

The Induction Class of 2022 includes
the following:

Clint Bowyer – Emporia HS, 1997 | Flint Hills
Technical College 
Began racing motocross in 1985. Won over 200 races in motocross as an amateur.
Began racing street stocks and modified in 1996. Won the Modified championship
in 2000. Won the 2002 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Midwest Championship, Signed
with Richard Childress Racing in 2003. Finished second in NASCAR Xfinity Series
in 2005; finished third in NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2006. Became a full-time
NASCAR Cup Series driver in 2006. Won the 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series
Championship in 2008. NASCAR Truck Series career: three wins, ten top-ten in
fourten races. NASCAR Xfinity Series career: eight wins, 116 top-ten finishes in
181 races. NASCAR Cup Series career: 10 wins, 226 top-ten finishes in 541
races. Retired from racing in 2020. Currently works as a full-time analyst for
Fox NASCAR.

Emily Bloss Carpenter – Wellsville HS, 1997 / Emporia
State, 2001 
All-state basketball selection at Wellsville. Four-year letterwinner in basketball
at Emporia State. All-American selection in 2001. Three-time All-MIAA
selection. Led Lady Hornets to four straight MIAA regular season and tournament
championships and four straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. NCAA
Division II National Player of the Year and MIAA MVP in 2001. Won the Ken B.
Jones Award from the MIAA as the conference’s top female athlete in 2001. Named
NCAA Top VIII Student-Athlete in 2001. Finished Emporia State career as the
school’s all-time leader in points scored and steals and fourth in rebounds.
Also earned All-America honors as part of the Emporia State 1600 relay team in
1998. Three-time Academic All-American selection. Inducted into the Emporia State
Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2012.

Tara Holloway Churchill – Moundridge HS, 1996 | Emporia
State, 2000 
All-state basketball selection at Moundridge. Led Wildcats to a state
championship during her senior season. Four-year letterwinner in basketball at
Emporia State. All-American selection in 2000. NCAA Division II National Player
of the Year and MIAA MVP in 2000. Two-time All-MIAA selection. Finished Emporia
State career as the school’s second all-time leader in points scored, fourth in
rebounds and leader in steals. Led the Hornets to four-straight NCAA Tournament
appearances, three regular season MIAA titles, three MIAA Tournament titles, two
NCAA II Final Four appearances and one NCAA II Elite Eight appearance. Inducted
into the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Elwood “BINGO” DeMoss – Born in Topeka, 1889 
Negro League Baseball player, Played shortstop for the Topeka Giants in 1905.
Also played for the Indianapolis ABC’s before moving on to the Chicago American
Giants. Played second base for Chicago from 1917-1925. Named captain of the
team in 1919, serving in that role for six seasons. Hit over .300 for times
during his career. Coached the Detroit Stars for six seasons as player-manager.
Also served as coach for the Indianapolis ABC’s, Brown Bombers and the Brooklyn
Brown Dodgers. One of three finalists at second base for the Negro League Baseball
Museum Gold Glove Award. Inducted to the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012
and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013

Kendall Gammon – Rose Hill HS, 1988 / Pittsburg
State, 1991 
Three-time All-MIAA football player at Pittsburg State. First-team All-American
selection in 1991. Member of the 1991 NCAA Division II national championship
football team. Won three MIAA titles in football. Played for KSHOF inductee
Chuck Broyles at Pitt State. Drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by
the Pittsburgh Steelers. Played 15 NFL seasons as a long-snapper and lineman
for the Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. Won Super Bowl XXX
with the Steelers. Named to the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. Named to the Pittsburg State
100th Anniversary Team in 2003. Inducted into the Pittsburg State Athletic Hall
of Fame in 2007 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014. 
 
Bill James – Mayetta HS, 1967 / Kansas,
1971 (Contributor) 
Baseball writer, historian and researcher. Wrote and published the Bill
James Baseball Abstract in 1977-98, which presented an in-depth analysis of
baseball statistics from the proceeding season. Wrote several other baseball
books and abstracts including The Baseball Book, the Bill James Historical
Baseball Abstract, The Bill James Handbook. Created new statistical
categories including Runs Created, Win Shares and Major League Equivalency for minor
league players. Coined the team “sabermetrics” for his statistical analysis and
to honor the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR). Served as senior
advisor for baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox from 2002-19, winning
four World Series titles.

Jesse Nelson – Emporia HS, 1970 / Emporia
State, 1974 (Coach) 
Four-year letterwinner in basketball at Emporia State under KSHOF inductee Ron
Slaymaker. Scored 640 points in 98 career games for the Hornets. Named head
coach of Olpe girls basketball in 1978. Finished career as the all-time
winningest coach in Kansas high school basketball history, girls or boys, with 951
wins. Career win percentage of 89.5% (951-111). Won four state championships at
Olpe in 1981, 2010, 2011 and 2021. Made the state tournament 30 times. Named
the 2014 USA Today America’s Girls Basketball Coach National Champion,
2016 McDonald’s All-American head coach and the 2021 National Federation of
High School Associations (NFHS) girls basketball Coach of the Year. Inducted
into the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.

George Toma – Edwardsville (PA) HS 1947
(Contributor) 
Groundskeeper over seven decades in professional sports. Groundskeeper for the Kansas
City Athletics 1957-67; Kansas Cit Royals 1969-99; Kansas City Chiefs 1963-91. Has
worked the grounds for over 50 Super Bowls, two U.S. hosted Olympic games and
37 Pro Bowls. One of four that founded the Sports Turf Managers Association
(STMA) in 1981; namesake of STMA’s George Toma Golden Rake Award, NFL Dan
Reeves Pioneer Award recipient in 2001. Inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers
Hall of Fame in 2012, Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Missouri
Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Gordan Vadakin – Wichita Southeast HS, 1971 /
Wichita State, 1982 (Coach) 
Head bowling coach at Wichita State 1977-2019. Won 18 bowling national
championships at WSU; 11 men’s team titles and seven women’s team titles.
Coaches men’s and/or women’s team to the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships
every year as a coach. Coached nine individual national champions; four men and
five women. Member of the Team USA bowling coaching staff 1991-2008. Namesake
of the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Men’s Coach of the Year
Award. Inducted as a competitor to the Great Plains Bowling Association Hall of
Fame in 2004, the United State Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the
Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012.

Roy Williams – T.C. Roberson (NC) HS, 1968 / North
Carolina, 1972 (Coach) 
Began coaching career at Charles D. Owen (NC) High School in 1973 before being
hired as an assistant coach for KSHOF inductee Dean Smith at the University of
North Carolina in 1978. Helped the Tar Heels win the 1982 NCAA national
championship. Named head coach at the University of Kansas in 1988 where he coached
for 15 years. KU coaches record: 418-101. Won five Big Eight and four Big 12
regular season titles; four NCAA Final Four appearances. Coached KSHOF inductees
Nick Collison, Drew Gooden, Raef LaFrentz and Wayne Simien. Named the head
coach at the University of North Carolina in 2003. Won three NCAA national championships;
made five NCAA Final Four appearances. Career coaching record: 903-264. Only
coach in NCAA history to win 400 or more games at two different schools.
Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2007.

WICHITA – The Kansas Sports Hall of
Fame has announced their induction class of 2022 Monday. There will be 10 new members that
will be inducted this year, bringing the total number of people in the Kansas
Sports Hall of Fame to 317.The Induction Ceremony will take
place on Sunday, October 2nd at the Kansas Star Casino. Tickets go on sale
August 1st on the <a href="https://www.kshof.org/">Kansas Sports Hall of Fame website</a>.The Induction Class of 2022 includes
the following:Clint Bowyer – Emporia HS, 1997 | Flint Hills
Technical College 
Began racing motocross in 1985. Won over 200 races in motocross as an amateur.
Began racing street stocks and modified in 1996. Won the Modified championship
in 2000. Won the 2002 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Midwest Championship, Signed
with Richard Childress Racing in 2003. Finished second in NASCAR Xfinity Series
in 2005; finished third in NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2006. Became a full-time
NASCAR Cup Series driver in 2006. Won the 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series
Championship in 2008. NASCAR Truck Series career: three wins, ten top-ten in
fourten races. NASCAR Xfinity Series career: eight wins, 116 top-ten finishes in
181 races. NASCAR Cup Series career: 10 wins, 226 top-ten finishes in 541
races. Retired from racing in 2020. Currently works as a full-time analyst for
Fox NASCAR.Emily Bloss Carpenter – Wellsville HS, 1997 / Emporia
State, 2001 
All-state basketball selection at Wellsville. Four-year letterwinner in basketball
at Emporia State. All-American selection in 2001. Three-time All-MIAA
selection. Led Lady Hornets to four straight MIAA regular season and tournament
championships and four straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. NCAA
Division II National Player of the Year and MIAA MVP in 2001. Won the Ken B.
Jones Award from the MIAA as the conference’s top female athlete in 2001. Named
NCAA Top VIII Student-Athlete in 2001. Finished Emporia State career as the
school’s all-time leader in points scored and steals and fourth in rebounds.
Also earned All-America honors as part of the Emporia State 1600 relay team in
1998. Three-time Academic All-American selection. Inducted into the Emporia State
Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2012.Tara Holloway Churchill – Moundridge HS, 1996 | Emporia
State, 2000 
All-state basketball selection at Moundridge. Led Wildcats to a state
championship during her senior season. Four-year letterwinner in basketball at
Emporia State. All-American selection in 2000. NCAA Division II National Player
of the Year and MIAA MVP in 2000. Two-time All-MIAA selection. Finished Emporia
State career as the school’s second all-time leader in points scored, fourth in
rebounds and leader in steals. Led the Hornets to four-straight NCAA Tournament
appearances, three regular season MIAA titles, three MIAA Tournament titles, two
NCAA II Final Four appearances and one NCAA II Elite Eight appearance. Inducted
into the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.Elwood “BINGO” DeMoss – Born in Topeka, 1889 
Negro League Baseball player, Played shortstop for the Topeka Giants in 1905.
Also played for the Indianapolis ABC’s before moving on to the Chicago American
Giants. Played second base for Chicago from 1917-1925. Named captain of the
team in 1919, serving in that role for six seasons. Hit over .300 for times
during his career. Coached the Detroit Stars for six seasons as player-manager.
Also served as coach for the Indianapolis ABC’s, Brown Bombers and the Brooklyn
Brown Dodgers. One of three finalists at second base for the Negro League Baseball
Museum Gold Glove Award. Inducted to the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012
and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013Kendall Gammon – Rose Hill HS, 1988 / Pittsburg
State, 1991 
Three-time All-MIAA football player at Pittsburg State. First-team All-American
selection in 1991. Member of the 1991 NCAA Division II national championship
football team. Won three MIAA titles in football. Played for KSHOF inductee
Chuck Broyles at Pitt State. Drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by
the Pittsburgh Steelers. Played 15 NFL seasons as a long-snapper and lineman
for the Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. Won Super Bowl XXX
with the Steelers. Named to the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. Named to the Pittsburg State
100th Anniversary Team in 2003. Inducted into the Pittsburg State Athletic Hall
of Fame in 2007 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014. 
 
Bill James – Mayetta HS, 1967 / Kansas,
1971 (Contributor) 
Baseball writer, historian and researcher. Wrote and published the Bill
James Baseball Abstract in 1977-98, which presented an in-depth analysis of
baseball statistics from the proceeding season. Wrote several other baseball
books and abstracts including The Baseball Book, the Bill James Historical
Baseball Abstract, The Bill James Handbook. Created new statistical
categories including Runs Created, Win Shares and Major League Equivalency for minor
league players. Coined the team “sabermetrics” for his statistical analysis and
to honor the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR). Served as senior
advisor for baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox from 2002-19, winning
four World Series titles.Jesse Nelson – Emporia HS, 1970 / Emporia
State, 1974 (Coach) 
Four-year letterwinner in basketball at Emporia State under KSHOF inductee Ron
Slaymaker. Scored 640 points in 98 career games for the Hornets. Named head
coach of Olpe girls basketball in 1978. Finished career as the all-time
winningest coach in Kansas high school basketball history, girls or boys, with 951
wins. Career win percentage of 89.5% (951-111). Won four state championships at
Olpe in 1981, 2010, 2011 and 2021. Made the state tournament 30 times. Named
the 2014 USA Today America’s Girls Basketball Coach National Champion,
2016 McDonald’s All-American head coach and the 2021 National Federation of
High School Associations (NFHS) girls basketball Coach of the Year. Inducted
into the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.George Toma – Edwardsville (PA) HS 1947
(Contributor) 
Groundskeeper over seven decades in professional sports. Groundskeeper for the Kansas
City Athletics 1957-67; Kansas Cit Royals 1969-99; Kansas City Chiefs 1963-91. Has
worked the grounds for over 50 Super Bowls, two U.S. hosted Olympic games and
37 Pro Bowls. One of four that founded the Sports Turf Managers Association
(STMA) in 1981; namesake of STMA’s George Toma Golden Rake Award, NFL Dan
Reeves Pioneer Award recipient in 2001. Inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers
Hall of Fame in 2012, Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Missouri
Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.Gordan Vadakin – Wichita Southeast HS, 1971 /
Wichita State, 1982 (Coach) 
Head bowling coach at Wichita State 1977-2019. Won 18 bowling national
championships at WSU; 11 men’s team titles and seven women’s team titles.
Coaches men’s and/or women’s team to the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships
every year as a coach. Coached nine individual national champions; four men and
five women. Member of the Team USA bowling coaching staff 1991-2008. Namesake
of the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Men’s Coach of the Year
Award. Inducted as a competitor to the Great Plains Bowling Association Hall of
Fame in 2004, the United State Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the
Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012.Roy Williams – T.C. Roberson (NC) HS, 1968 / North
Carolina, 1972 (Coach) 
Began coaching career at Charles D. Owen (NC) High School in 1973 before being
hired as an assistant coach for KSHOF inductee Dean Smith at the University of
North Carolina in 1978. Helped the Tar Heels win the 1982 NCAA national
championship. Named head coach at the University of Kansas in 1988 where he coached
for 15 years. KU coaches record: 418-101. Won five Big Eight and four Big 12
regular season titles; four NCAA Final Four appearances. Coached KSHOF inductees
Nick Collison, Drew Gooden, Raef LaFrentz and Wayne Simien. Named the head
coach at the University of North Carolina in 2003. Won three NCAA national championships;
made five NCAA Final Four appearances. Career coaching record: 903-264. Only
coach in NCAA history to win 400 or more games at two different schools.
Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2007.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame names 2022 inductees

Velma Mona Garvert passed into her heavenly home on June 25, 2022, at the
 Silverleaf Group Home in Plano, Texas, at the age of 91. She was born on
 November 3, 1930, in Palco, Kansas, to Frank and Elizabeth (Desmarteau) 
Marcotte. Velma was united in marriage to Donald Garvert and the couple 
was blessed with six children: Terrance (Terry), Mark, Randall (Randy), 
Donna, Roger, and Kay.
 Velma grew up in Rooks County where she graduated from Palco High 
School in 1948. Following high school she entered the workforce for a 
short stent at the Stockton Bank. She met and later married Donald 
Garvert on October 12, 1953, in Plainville at the catholic church and the
 couple moved to Fort Riley and Georgia before returning to Rooks County
 after Donald’s honorable military discharge. Velma had a competitive 
side, she enjoyed golf, entering her baked goods in competitions, any 
activity with her kids or grandchildren as well as rooting for the 
K-State sports. She loved to polka dance and later in her life she 
picked up painting and writing poetry and became very accomplished with 
her Christmas Card creations that were worthy of being on a Hallmark 
shelf. It was known by her friends and family, Velma was the life of the
 party. She would show up with a contagious smile and ready for a little
 mischief. Above all she was firm in her beliefs and raised up her 
children in a Godly home. She belonged to the Sacred Heart Church of 
Plainville, belonged to the D of I, and became a member of the St. 
Francis of Assisi when she moved to Texas in 2011. 
 Velma’s beauty and warmth radiated so brightly from her heart to 
everyone she met. She will be remembered for her tender care, her smile
 as bright as sunshine, and always there to help when needed. Her 
beautiful spirit will endure forever. We mourn the years that she will 
not have and we celebrate the time that was hers and the life that she 
lived. 
 She is survived by her children, Terrance (Linda) Garvert of 
Plymouth, MN, Mark (Sharon) Garvert of Olathe, KS, Randall (Janet) 
Garvert of Broomfield, CO, Donna Ruder of Frisco, TX, Roger (Anita) 
Garvert of Naperville, IL, Kay (Kevin) Czerwinski of Plover, WI; 
thirteen grandchildren, Brooks Garvert, Remington Garvert, Marissa Bunn,
 Mary Finkbone, Katy Czerwinski, Brannon Garvert, Meg Garvert, Cheyenne 
Garvert, Lindsay Kershner, Bryanne Keblis, Anthony Garvert, Jessica Day,
 Stacie Shea; and seven great-grandchildren, Pippa, Colby, Brodie, 
Charlie, Ronald, Cecilia, and Vincent.
 Velma is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth 
Marcotte; husband, Donald Garvert; siblings, Henry Marcotte, Elsie 
Arpin, Adelore Marcotte; and son-in-law, Ron Ruder.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022, at 
the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville at 10:30 AM. Visitation 
will be on Thursday from 2 PM until 8 PM with a Vigil Service and Rosary
 starting at 7PM at the funeral home.
 Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and may be sent in care of 
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656347571339.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Velma Mona Garvert passed into her heavenly home on June 25, 2022, at the
 Silverleaf Group Home in Plano, Texas, at the age of 91. She was born on
 November 3, 1930, in Palco, Kansas, to Frank and Elizabeth (Desmarteau) 
Marcotte. Velma was united in marriage to Donald Garvert and the couple 
was blessed with six children: Terrance (Terry), Mark, Randall (Randy), 
Donna, Roger, and Kay.
 Velma grew up in Rooks County where she graduated from Palco High 
School in 1948. Following high school she entered the workforce for a 
short stent at the Stockton Bank. She met and later married Donald 
Garvert on October 12, 1953, in Plainville at the catholic church and the
 couple moved to Fort Riley and Georgia before returning to Rooks County
 after Donald’s honorable military discharge. Velma had a competitive 
side, she enjoyed golf, entering her baked goods in competitions, any 
activity with her kids or grandchildren as well as rooting for the 
K-State sports. She loved to polka dance and later in her life she 
picked up painting and writing poetry and became very accomplished with 
her Christmas Card creations that were worthy of being on a Hallmark 
shelf. It was known by her friends and family, Velma was the life of the
 party. She would show up with a contagious smile and ready for a little
 mischief. Above all she was firm in her beliefs and raised up her 
children in a Godly home. She belonged to the Sacred Heart Church of 
Plainville, belonged to the D of I, and became a member of the St. 
Francis of Assisi when she moved to Texas in 2011. 
 Velma’s beauty and warmth radiated so brightly from her heart to 
everyone she met. She will be remembered for her tender care, her smile
 as bright as sunshine, and always there to help when needed. Her 
beautiful spirit will endure forever. We mourn the years that she will 
not have and we celebrate the time that was hers and the life that she 
lived. 
 She is survived by her children, Terrance (Linda) Garvert of 
Plymouth, MN, Mark (Sharon) Garvert of Olathe, KS, Randall (Janet) 
Garvert of Broomfield, CO, Donna Ruder of Frisco, TX, Roger (Anita) 
Garvert of Naperville, IL, Kay (Kevin) Czerwinski of Plover, WI; 
thirteen grandchildren, Brooks Garvert, Remington Garvert, Marissa Bunn,
 Mary Finkbone, Katy Czerwinski, Brannon Garvert, Meg Garvert, Cheyenne 
Garvert, Lindsay Kershner, Bryanne Keblis, Anthony Garvert, Jessica Day,
 Stacie Shea; and seven great-grandchildren, Pippa, Colby, Brodie, 
Charlie, Ronald, Cecilia, and Vincent.
 Velma is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth 
Marcotte; husband, Donald Garvert; siblings, Henry Marcotte, Elsie 
Arpin, Adelore Marcotte; and son-in-law, Ron Ruder.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022, at 
the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville at 10:30 AM. Visitation 
will be on Thursday from 2 PM until 8 PM with a Vigil Service and Rosary
 starting at 7PM at the funeral home.
 Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the 
Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and may be sent in care of 
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.&nbsp;

Velma Mona Garvert

Betty J. Nickols passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Citizens 
Medical Center in Colby, KS, at the age of 91. She was born October 28, 
1930, in Rexford, KS to Walter Leroy Keefer &amp; Nellie Lois (Wilcox) 
Keefer.
 Betty was born and raised in Rexford, where she attended Rexford 
Consolidated Schools through her freshman year and transferred to 
Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, KS, to graduate there in 1948.
 She took "normal training" in H.S. to prepare her to further her 
education at Fort Hays State University (formerly known as Fort Hays 
Teacher College) earning her teacher certification.
 On March 13, 1949, Betty was united in marriage to Joel T. Nickols 
at the home of Betty’s parents on the farm just outside Rexford. A 
daughter, Debbie and son, Tom were born to their union. They later took a
 foster daughter, Renee, who quickly became part of the family. 
 Betty taught school for two years before her children were born and 
went back to that profession periodically through her life when there 
was a need. At the age of 72 she taught her last full-time year in the 
Golden Plains music department.
 She also worked many years with Pioneer Girls Clubs where she 
traveled first as Regional Representative and later, 11½ states as South
 Central Area Director. Her job was to help churches begin the girls’ 
club programs and to conduct ladies training seminars across those 
states as well as supervise camping programs in CO, MO, AZ &amp; TX. She
 directed two of those camps in MO &amp; CO, building many lifetime 
friendships in the process.
 During this time, Betty &amp; husband, Joel, purchased the big red 
barn on Rexford Main Street for her to use as an office and fun place 
for family gatherings. They were soon approached about using the 
building as a Senior Citizen Center, and it became a dual-purpose 
facility. Seniors In Action, Inc. with Betty as Director, became the 
third Center in Thomas County to be partially funded by mill levy. One 
of the first groups to be formed within this organization was the Red 
Barn Gang with Betty at the piano, and this popular kitchen band 
continued to travel and entertain until her health no longer permitted.
 In 1983, Betty became part of the founding board of Shepherd’s 
Staff, with headquarters in her hometown of Rexford. She served with 
them as Executive Director until March of 2004 when she left them to 
form Second Chance @ Life. This is where she served until her death in 
the ministry of Christian counsel &amp; encouragement to a wide circle 
of hurting people.
 Betty was a member of Rexford Community Church and served in many 
capacities there through the years. Her interests centered around her 
family, her church, her music, and her many friends.
 Survivors include a brother Bob Keefer and wife, Opal, of Colorado 
Springs, CO; her children Debbie, of Budd Lake, NJ; Tom &amp; wife, 
Vicki, of Colby, KS; Foster daughter Renee &amp; husband, Peter, of 
Palisade, CO; Grandchildren: Aubrey (Nickols) Hodges and husband, Brian,
 of Rexford, KS; Joey Nickols and wife, Jill, of Colby, KS; Tahverle 
Carroll and husband, Logan, of Denver, CO; Great- granddaughter, Ainsley
 Dawn, of Colby, Great-grandson, Landon Thomas of Colby, 
Great-granddaughter, Blakely, and great grandson, Rip, of Denver; 
nieces: Daria (Wilson) McClung, Anne (Monte) Antisdale, and Cynthia 
(Butch) Eversole– and a host of friends whom she loved. Betty was 
preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Joel and infant 
Great-granddaughter Addison Dawn Nickols.
 Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the 
United Methodist Church of Colby at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be 
Monday, June 27, 2022 at the church from 5:00-7:00 PM. Burial in 
Rexford Cemetery.

 Memorial Contributions may be made to the Betty 
Nickols Memorial Fund.  Condolence can be left at www.paulsfh.com.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656082011410.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Betty J. Nickols passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Citizens 
Medical Center in Colby, KS, at the age of 91. She was born October 28, 
1930, in Rexford, KS to Walter Leroy Keefer &amp; Nellie Lois (Wilcox) 
Keefer.
 Betty was born and raised in Rexford, where she attended Rexford 
Consolidated Schools through her freshman year and transferred to 
Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, KS, to graduate there in 1948.
 She took "normal training" in H.S. to prepare her to further her 
education at Fort Hays State University (formerly known as Fort Hays 
Teacher College) earning her teacher certification.
 On March 13, 1949, Betty was united in marriage to Joel T. Nickols 
at the home of Betty’s parents on the farm just outside Rexford. A 
daughter, Debbie and son, Tom were born to their union. They later took a
 foster daughter, Renee, who quickly became part of the family. 
 Betty taught school for two years before her children were born and 
went back to that profession periodically through her life when there 
was a need. At the age of 72 she taught her last full-time year in the 
Golden Plains music department.
 She also worked many years with Pioneer Girls Clubs where she 
traveled first as Regional Representative and later, 11½ states as South
 Central Area Director. Her job was to help churches begin the girls’ 
club programs and to conduct ladies training seminars across those 
states as well as supervise camping programs in CO, MO, AZ &amp; TX. She
 directed two of those camps in MO &amp; CO, building many lifetime 
friendships in the process.
 During this time, Betty &amp; husband, Joel, purchased the big red 
barn on Rexford Main Street for her to use as an office and fun place 
for family gatherings. They were soon approached about using the 
building as a Senior Citizen Center, and it became a dual-purpose 
facility. Seniors In Action, Inc. with Betty as Director, became the 
third Center in Thomas County to be partially funded by mill levy. One 
of the first groups to be formed within this organization was the Red 
Barn Gang with Betty at the piano, and this popular kitchen band 
continued to travel and entertain until her health no longer permitted.
 In 1983, Betty became part of the founding board of Shepherd’s 
Staff, with headquarters in her hometown of Rexford. She served with 
them as Executive Director until March of 2004 when she left them to 
form Second Chance @ Life. This is where she served until her death in 
the ministry of Christian counsel &amp; encouragement to a wide circle 
of hurting people.
 Betty was a member of Rexford Community Church and served in many 
capacities there through the years. Her interests centered around her 
family, her church, her music, and her many friends.
 Survivors include a brother Bob Keefer and wife, Opal, of Colorado 
Springs, CO; her children Debbie, of Budd Lake, NJ; Tom &amp; wife, 
Vicki, of Colby, KS; Foster daughter Renee &amp; husband, Peter, of 
Palisade, CO; Grandchildren: Aubrey (Nickols) Hodges and husband, Brian,
 of Rexford, KS; Joey Nickols and wife, Jill, of Colby, KS; Tahverle 
Carroll and husband, Logan, of Denver, CO; Great- granddaughter, Ainsley
 Dawn, of Colby, Great-grandson, Landon Thomas of Colby, 
Great-granddaughter, Blakely, and great grandson, Rip, of Denver; 
nieces: Daria (Wilson) McClung, Anne (Monte) Antisdale, and Cynthia 
(Butch) Eversole– and a host of friends whom she loved. Betty was 
preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Joel and infant 
Great-granddaughter Addison Dawn Nickols.
 Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the 
United Methodist Church of Colby at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be 
Monday, June 27, 2022 at the church from 5:00-7:00 PM. Burial in 
Rexford Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Betty 
Nickols Memorial Fund. Condolence can be left at www.paulsfh.com.&nbsp;

Betty J. Nickols

Debbie Ann (Sander) Wallace passed away on June 22, 2022, at the young 
age of 52 after her battle with cancer in Hays, Kansas. She was born to 
Delbert and Rita (Baxter) Sander on October 22, 1969, in Plainville, 
Kansas. She was blessed with three children: Deven, Dylan, and Dayton.
 Debbie grew up in Stockton where she graduated with the class of 
1988. She then furthered her education at Manhattan Vo Tech and was a 
member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She went to work for KDOT as an 
engineering recruiter and worked there until her untimely passing. She 
was a proud and involved mother to her three children and was always 
supporting them in whatever venture they wanted to pursue. Debbie 
enjoyed time with her friends, family, her boyfriend Jeff Albert and his
 grandkids. She loved adventures with Jeff and her friends; spending 
time outside, attending K-State football games or looking for new places
 to eat. Debbie spent time at home perfecting her no-bake cookies and 
French toast recipes, while watching movies (particularly Hallmark), and
 loving on her dogs.
 She was a devoted follower of Christ and through the hardest times 
she would lean further into her faith with daily devotionals, bible 
study, and prayer. Her unwavering faith and will to live for her friends
 and family was unmatched. May we take every day as a blessing, learn to
 cherish the ties that bind and the time we have with the people we 
love.
 Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Delbert and Rita Sander 
of Stockton; children, Deven Wallace of Overland Park, Dylan Wallace of 
Manhattan and Dayton Wallace of Plainville; brother, Doug Sander (Mikki)
 of Olathe and sister, Danette Kerns (Butch) of Plainville.
 A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 2 PM 
at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Visitation will be held on
 Friday from 5 PM until 8PM at the funeral home with family receiving 
friends from 5 PM until 6 PM.
 Memorials are suggested to the Debbie Wallace Children’s Education 
Fund and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 
2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.

Online condolences can be left for the 
family at www.plumeroverlease.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656081898223.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Debbie Ann (Sander) Wallace passed away on June 22, 2022, at the young 
age of 52 after her battle with cancer in Hays, Kansas. She was born to 
Delbert and Rita (Baxter) Sander on October 22, 1969, in Plainville, 
Kansas. She was blessed with three children: Deven, Dylan, and Dayton.
 Debbie grew up in Stockton where she graduated with the class of 
1988. She then furthered her education at Manhattan Vo Tech and was a 
member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She went to work for KDOT as an 
engineering recruiter and worked there until her untimely passing. She 
was a proud and involved mother to her three children and was always 
supporting them in whatever venture they wanted to pursue. Debbie 
enjoyed time with her friends, family, her boyfriend Jeff Albert and his
 grandkids. She loved adventures with Jeff and her friends; spending 
time outside, attending K-State football games or looking for new places
 to eat. Debbie spent time at home perfecting her no-bake cookies and 
French toast recipes, while watching movies (particularly Hallmark), and
 loving on her dogs.
 She was a devoted follower of Christ and through the hardest times 
she would lean further into her faith with daily devotionals, bible 
study, and prayer. Her unwavering faith and will to live for her friends
 and family was unmatched. May we take every day as a blessing, learn to
 cherish the ties that bind and the time we have with the people we 
love.
 Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Delbert and Rita Sander 
of Stockton; children, Deven Wallace of Overland Park, Dylan Wallace of 
Manhattan and Dayton Wallace of Plainville; brother, Doug Sander (Mikki)
 of Olathe and sister, Danette Kerns (Butch) of Plainville.
 A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 2 PM 
at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Visitation will be held on
 Friday from 5 PM until 8PM at the funeral home with family receiving 
friends from 5 PM until 6 PM.
 Memorials are suggested to the Debbie Wallace Children’s Education 
Fund and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 
2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663. Online condolences can be left for the 
family at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Debbie Ann (Sander) Wallace

WASHINGTON — National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins today released her statutorily mandated <a href="http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/ObjectivesReport2023">midyear report to Congress</a>.
 The report expresses concern about continuing delays in the processing 
of paper-filed tax returns and the consequent impact on taxpayer 
refunds. At the end of May, the agency had a backlog of 21.3 million 
unprocessed paper tax returns, an increase of 1.3 million over the same 
time last year.

"The IRS has said it is aiming to crush the backlogged inventory this
 year, and I hope it succeeds," Collins wrote. "Unfortunately, at this 
point the backlog is still crushing the IRS, its employees, and most 
importantly, taxpayers. As such, the agency is continuing to explore 
additional processing strategies."

The report points out that the significant majority of individual 
taxpayers receive refunds. "At the end of the day, a typical taxpayer 
cares most about receiving his or her refund timely," Collins wrote. 
"Particularly for lower income taxpayers who receive Earned Income Tax 
Credit benefits, tax refunds may constitute a significant percentage of 
their household income for the year. Thus, these processing delays are 
creating unprecedented financial difficulties for millions of taxpayers 
and outright hardships for many."

Among business taxpayers, many have been waiting extended periods to 
receive Employee Tax Retention Credits for which they are eligible, in 
addition to their regular refunds.

Key taxpayer challenges this year have included return processing 
delays, correspondence processing delays, and difficulty reaching the 
IRS by phone.

More than 90% of individual income taxpayers e-file their returns, 
yet last year, about 17 million taxpayers filed their returns on paper. 
Some choose to file on paper. Some have no choice because they encounter
 e-filing barriers, such as when they are required to file a tax form or
 schedule the IRS cannot accept electronically. Before the pandemic, the
 IRS typically delivered refunds to paper-filers within four to six 
weeks. Over the past year, refund delays on paper-filed returns have 
generally exceeded six months, with delays of 10 months or more common 
for many taxpayers.

The report says the IRS has failed to make progress in eliminating 
its paper backlog because "its pace of processing paper tax returns has 
not kept up with new receipts." During the month of May, the IRS 
processed an average of about 205,000 individual income tax returns 
(Forms 1040) per week. Its Form 1040 backlog at the end of May stood at 
8.2 million, with millions more paper tax returns not yet classified or 
expected to arrive before the extended filing deadline of October 15. 
The report says the IRS would have to process well over 500,000 Forms 
1040 per week – more than double its current pace – to eliminate the 
backlog this year. "The math is daunting," the report says.

The IRS has publicly committed to reducing its paper tax return 
backlog to a "healthy" level by the end of the year, but it has not 
provided a definition of "healthy." "Historically, the IRS has paid 
refunds resulting from paper-filed returns within four to six weeks," 
Collins wrote. "From a taxpayer perspective, returning to a 
four-to-six-week refund delivery period is a reasonable definition of 
'healthy.'"

Largely because of the likelihood that the IRS will carry a large 
inventory of unprocessed paper tax returns into the 2023 filing season, 
Collins issued a Taxpayer Advocate Directive (TAD) in March directing 
the IRS to implement 2-D barcoding or other scanning technology to 
automate the transcription of paper tax returns. "Today, the digits on 
every paper return must be manually keystroked into IRS systems by an 
employee," Collins wrote. "In the year 2022, that doesn't just seem crazy. It is crazy." The IRS's response to the TAD is due on June 27, 2022.

The report credits the IRS with taking recent steps to address the 
backlog but notes "missed opportunities" to have acted earlier. "The 
IRS's paper processing delays were evident more than a year ago, and the
 IRS could have addressed them more aggressively at that time," Collins 
wrote. "Had the IRS taken steps a year ago to reassign current employees
 to processing functions, it could have reduced the inventory backlog 
carried into this filing season and accelerated the payment of refunds 
to millions of taxpayers. Had the IRS implemented 2-D barcoding, optical
 character recognition or similar technology in time for the 2022 filing
 season, it could have reduced the need for employees to engage in the 
highly manual task of transcribing paper tax returns. Had the IRS 
quickly used some of the $1.5 billion of additional funds provided by 
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which was enacted 15 months
 ago, to hire and train additional employees, it could have worked 
through the backlog, answered more taxpayer telephone calls and 
otherwise improved taxpayer service."

At the end of May 2021, the IRS had an additional 15.8 million 
returns that had been suspended during processing and required manual 
review by IRS employees. The suspended returns consisted largely 
of&nbsp;e-filed returns on which taxpayers claimed Recovery Rebate Credit 
amounts that differed from the allowable amounts shown on IRS records. 
As of May 2022, the IRS had reduced the number of suspended returns to 
5.4 million.&nbsp;The report credits the IRS with developing procedures to 
reduce delays among suspended returns, in part by automating the review 
process. However, e-filed returns suspended during processing did not 
generally result in extended refund delays.&nbsp;By contrast, unprocessed 
paper-filed tax returns have resulted in refund delays of six to 10 
months or longer.

When a taxpayer receives a notice and is requested to respond or 
chooses to respond, the taxpayer must generally do so by mail. Through 
May 21, the IRS processed 5million taxpayer responses to proposed 
adjustments. It took an average of 251 days to do so – more than eight 
months. That is more than triple the processing time of 74 days in 
fiscal year 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic year. "When a math error 
or similar notice is generated in connection with a paper-filed tax 
return," the report says, "the combination of the return processing 
delay and the correspondence processing delay may mean that the taxpayer
 must wait well over a year to get the issue resolved and receive the 
refund due."

There are currently over 336,000 taxpayers who could not file their 
returns or receive their refunds because identity thieves had already 
filed a return using their identifying information. These taxpayers must
 submit affidavits and other documentation to substantiate their 
identities. They now generally must wait at least a year to receive 
their refunds. The IRS website states: "[D]ue to extenuating 
circumstances caused by the pandemic our identity theft inventories have
 increased and on average it is taking about 360 days to resolve 
identity theft cases."

During the 2022 filing season, the IRS received about 73 million 
telephone calls. Only one out of 10 calls reached an IRS employee. 
Compared with the 2021 filing season, IRS employees answered less than 
half as many calls, but the percentage of calls answered remained about 
the same because they also received less than half as many calls. The 
time the average taxpayer spent waiting on hold rose from 20 minutes to 
29 minutes. A comparison of telephone service during the 2021 and 2022 
filing seasons is shown in Figure 2.

"The combination of more than 21 million unprocessed paper tax 
returns, more than 14 million math error notices, eight-month backlogs 
in processing taxpayer correspondence, and extraordinary difficulty 
reaching the IRS by phone made this filing season particularly 
challenging," Collins wrote.

As required by law, the Advocate's report identifies TAS's key 
objectives for the upcoming fiscal year. The report describes 14 
systemic advocacy objectives, six case advocacy and other business 
objectives, and three research objectives. In light of the challenges 
taxpayers have been facing over the last two years, Collins wrote that 
TAS will be placing heavy emphasis on working with the IRS to improve 
the processing of tax returns and taxpayer service generally. Among the 
objectives the report identifies are the following:

IRS Responses to National Taxpayer Advocate Administrative Recommendations

The National Taxpayer Advocate is required by statute to submit a 
year-end report to Congress that, among other things, makes 
administrative recommendations to resolve taxpayer problems. 
Section&nbsp;7803(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code authorizes the National 
Taxpayer Advocate to submit administrative recommendations to the 
Commissioner and requires the IRS to respond within three months. Under 
this authority, the National Taxpayer Advocate annually transmits to the
 Commissioner all administrative recommendations proposed in her 
year-end report for response.

The National Taxpayer Advocate made 88 administrative recommendations
 in her 2021 year-end report and then submitted them to the Commissioner
 for response. The IRS has agreed to implement 61 (or 69%) of the 
recommendations in full or in part.

The IRS's responses are published on the TAS website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/arc-recommendations-tracker/">National Taxpayer Advocate’s Annual Report to Congress Tracker</a>.

The National Taxpayer Advocate is required by statute to submit two 
annual reports to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate 
Committee on Finance. The statute requires these reports to be submitted
 directly to the Committees without any prior review or comment from the
 Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
IRS Oversight Board, any other officer or employee of the Department of 
the Treasury, or the Office of Management and Budget. The first report 
must identify the objectives of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate for 
the fiscal year beginning in that calendar year. The second report must 
include a discussion of the ten most serious problems encountered by 
taxpayers, identify the ten tax issues most frequently litigated in the 
courts, and make administrative and legislative recommendations to 
resolve taxpayer problems.

The National Taxpayer Advocate blogs about key issues in tax administration. Visit <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/subscribe-to-tas/">TAS Subscriptions</a> to subscribe. Past blogs from the National Taxpayer Advocate can be found at <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/taxnews-information/blogs-nta/">Most Recent NTA Blogs</a>. For media inquiries, please contact TAS Media Relations at <a href="mailto:TAS.media@irs.gov">tas.media@irs.gov</a> or call the media line at <a href="tel:202-317-6802">202-317-6802</a>.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization
 within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. The 
local taxpayer advocate's number is in local directories and at <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/">Contact Us</a>. Taxpayers can also call TAS toll-free at <a href="tel:877-777-4778">877-777-4778</a>.
 TAS can help those who need assistance in resolving an IRS problem, if 
the problem is causing financial difficulty, or those who believe an IRS
 system or procedure isn't working as it should. This service is free. <a href="http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/">We're your voice</a> at the IRS has more information about TAS and taxpayer rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Get updates on tax topics at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YourVoiceAtIRS">facebook.com/YourVoiceAtIRS</a>, <a href="https://www.twitter.com/YourVoiceAtIRS">Twitter.com/YourVoiceatIRS</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/tasnta">YouTube.com/TASNTA</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins today released her statutorily mandated <a href="http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/ObjectivesReport2023">midyear report to Congress</a>.
 The report expresses concern about continuing delays in the processing 
of paper-filed tax returns and the consequent impact on taxpayer 
refunds. At the end of May, the agency had a backlog of 21.3 million 
unprocessed paper tax returns, an increase of 1.3 million over the same 
time last year."The IRS has said it is aiming to crush the backlogged inventory this
 year, and I hope it succeeds," Collins wrote. "Unfortunately, at this 
point the backlog is still crushing the IRS, its employees, and most 
importantly, taxpayers. As such, the agency is continuing to explore 
additional processing strategies."The report points out that the significant majority of individual 
taxpayers receive refunds. "At the end of the day, a typical taxpayer 
cares most about receiving his or her refund timely," Collins wrote. 
"Particularly for lower income taxpayers who receive Earned Income Tax 
Credit benefits, tax refunds may constitute a significant percentage of 
their household income for the year. Thus, these processing delays are 
creating unprecedented financial difficulties for millions of taxpayers 
and outright hardships for many."Among business taxpayers, many have been waiting extended periods to 
receive Employee Tax Retention Credits for which they are eligible, in 
addition to their regular refunds.Key taxpayer challenges this year have included return processing 
delays, correspondence processing delays, and difficulty reaching the 
IRS by phone.<h2>Backlog of Unprocessed Paper Tax Returns</h2>More than 90% of individual income taxpayers e-file their returns, 
yet last year, about 17 million taxpayers filed their returns on paper. 
Some choose to file on paper. Some have no choice because they encounter
 e-filing barriers, such as when they are required to file a tax form or
 schedule the IRS cannot accept electronically. Before the pandemic, the
 IRS typically delivered refunds to paper-filers within four to six 
weeks. Over the past year, refund delays on paper-filed returns have 
generally exceeded six months, with delays of 10 months or more common 
for many taxpayers.The report says the IRS has failed to make progress in eliminating 
its paper backlog because "its pace of processing paper tax returns has 
not kept up with new receipts." During the month of May, the IRS 
processed an average of about 205,000 individual income tax returns 
(Forms 1040) per week. Its Form 1040 backlog at the end of May stood at 
8.2 million, with millions more paper tax returns not yet classified or 
expected to arrive before the extended filing deadline of October 15. 
The report says the IRS would have to process well over 500,000 Forms 
1040 per week – more than double its current pace – to eliminate the 
backlog this year. "The math is daunting," the report says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656095062622.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The IRS has publicly committed to reducing its paper tax return 
backlog to a "healthy" level by the end of the year, but it has not 
provided a definition of "healthy." "Historically, the IRS has paid 
refunds resulting from paper-filed returns within four to six weeks," 
Collins wrote. "From a taxpayer perspective, returning to a 
four-to-six-week refund delivery period is a reasonable definition of 
'healthy.'"Largely because of the likelihood that the IRS will carry a large 
inventory of unprocessed paper tax returns into the 2023 filing season, 
Collins issued a Taxpayer Advocate Directive (TAD) in March directing 
the IRS to implement 2-D barcoding or other scanning technology to 
automate the transcription of paper tax returns. "Today, the digits on 
every paper return must be manually keystroked into IRS systems by an 
employee," Collins wrote. "In the year 2022, that doesn't just seem crazy. It is crazy." The IRS's response to the TAD is due on June 27, 2022.The report credits the IRS with taking recent steps to address the 
backlog but notes "missed opportunities" to have acted earlier. "The 
IRS's paper processing delays were evident more than a year ago, and the
 IRS could have addressed them more aggressively at that time," Collins 
wrote. "Had the IRS taken steps a year ago to reassign current employees
 to processing functions, it could have reduced the inventory backlog 
carried into this filing season and accelerated the payment of refunds 
to millions of taxpayers. Had the IRS implemented 2-D barcoding, optical
 character recognition or similar technology in time for the 2022 filing
 season, it could have reduced the need for employees to engage in the 
highly manual task of transcribing paper tax returns. Had the IRS 
quickly used some of the $1.5 billion of additional funds provided by 
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which was enacted 15 months
 ago, to hire and train additional employees, it could have worked 
through the backlog, answered more taxpayer telephone calls and 
otherwise improved taxpayer service."At the end of May 2021, the IRS had an additional 15.8 million 
returns that had been suspended during processing and required manual 
review by IRS employees. The suspended returns consisted largely 
of&nbsp;e-filed returns on which taxpayers claimed Recovery Rebate Credit 
amounts that differed from the allowable amounts shown on IRS records. 
As of May 2022, the IRS had reduced the number of suspended returns to 
5.4 million.&nbsp;The report credits the IRS with developing procedures to 
reduce delays among suspended returns, in part by automating the review 
process. However, e-filed returns suspended during processing did not 
generally result in extended refund delays.&nbsp;By contrast, unprocessed 
paper-filed tax returns have resulted in refund delays of six to 10 
months or longer.<h2>Correspondence Processing Delays</h2>When a taxpayer receives a notice and is requested to respond or 
chooses to respond, the taxpayer must generally do so by mail. Through 
May 21, the IRS processed 5million taxpayer responses to proposed 
adjustments. It took an average of 251 days to do so – more than eight 
months. That is more than triple the processing time of 74 days in 
fiscal year 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic year. "When a math error 
or similar notice is generated in connection with a paper-filed tax 
return," the report says, "the combination of the return processing 
delay and the correspondence processing delay may mean that the taxpayer
 must wait well over a year to get the issue resolved and receive the 
refund due."There are currently over 336,000 taxpayers who could not file their 
returns or receive their refunds because identity thieves had already 
filed a return using their identifying information. These taxpayers must
 submit affidavits and other documentation to substantiate their 
identities. They now generally must wait at least a year to receive 
their refunds. The IRS website states: "[D]ue to extenuating 
circumstances caused by the pandemic our identity theft inventories have
 increased and on average it is taking about 360 days to resolve 
identity theft cases."<h2>Telephone Challenges</h2>During the 2022 filing season, the IRS received about 73 million 
telephone calls. Only one out of 10 calls reached an IRS employee. 
Compared with the 2021 filing season, IRS employees answered less than 
half as many calls, but the percentage of calls answered remained about 
the same because they also received less than half as many calls. The 
time the average taxpayer spent waiting on hold rose from 20 minutes to 
29 minutes. A comparison of telephone service during the 2021 and 2022 
filing seasons is shown in Figure 2.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656095062622.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"The combination of more than 21 million unprocessed paper tax 
returns, more than 14 million math error notices, eight-month backlogs 
in processing taxpayer correspondence, and extraordinary difficulty 
reaching the IRS by phone made this filing season particularly 
challenging," Collins wrote.<h2>TAS Objectives for FY 2023</h2>As required by law, the Advocate's report identifies TAS's key 
objectives for the upcoming fiscal year. The report describes 14 
systemic advocacy objectives, six case advocacy and other business 
objectives, and three research objectives. In light of the challenges 
taxpayers have been facing over the last two years, Collins wrote that 
TAS will be placing heavy emphasis on working with the IRS to improve 
the processing of tax returns and taxpayer service generally. Among the 
objectives the report identifies are the following:<ul>
 <li>Automating the processing of paper tax returns. On
 March 29, as noted above, Collins issued a Taxpayer Advocate Directive 
(TAD) directing the IRS to implement scanning technology by the start of
 the 2023 filing season so that paper tax returns can be machine-read 
and employees will not have to keystroke each digit on the return into 
IRS systems. After obtaining an extension for responding, the IRS's 
answer to the TAD is now due on Monday, June 27. IRS leaders have

	indicated they are not likely to implement 2-D barcoding, but 
Collins has strongly urged them to implement a plan to achieve 
automation of paper processing in time for the next filing season. 
"Doing so is critical," Collins wrote. "It is unacceptable that the 
agency is still paying thousands of employees to keystroke the data from
 millions of tax returns, digit by digit, into IRS systems – creating 
the current processing backlog and producing an error rate in 
transcribing individual returns last year of 22 percent."
	</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Reducing barriers to e-filing tax returns. Some
 taxpayers still prefer to file paper tax returns. However, many paper 
filers, perhaps the majority, would prefer to e-file their returns but 
are not able to do so. Among the barriers: some taxpayers must file IRS 
forms or schedules that the IRS does not accept through its e-file 
system; some taxpayers must include attachments (e.g., 
appraisals or disclosure statements) that cannot be filed by their tax 
software packages; some software packages block returns from e-file if 
the taxpayer overrides certain entries; IRS systems reject certain 
returns during the e-file process and require affected taxpayers to mail
 their returns instead; and some taxpayers live in areas of the country 
without broadband internet access or lack computer access and thus face 
greater difficulty in preparing and e-filing their returns. The report 
says the IRS must reduce e-filing barriers, so that more taxpayers can 
e-file and there will be fewer paper tax returns to transcribe or scan.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Improving the IRS's hiring and training processes. In
 FY 2022, Congress increased the IRS's overall budget by almost 6% and 
the taxpayer services portion of the budget by nearly nine percent. Many
 of the IRS's challenges stem from inadequate staffing, including 
limited staffing in Submission Processing and telephone call centers. 
The report says that hiring and adequately training new employees will 
enhance the taxpayer experience.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Improving telephone service. Some taxpayer
 issues may be resolved through technology channels, and enhancing those
 channels must be a priority. But some issues are best resolved through a
 conversation, and some taxpayers are not comfortable with technology. 
The report says it is critical that taxpayers be able to reach the IRS 
by phone. As discussed above, IRS employees were only able to answer 10%
 of taxpayer telephone calls this filing season. "If a private company 
failed to answer nine out of 10 customer calls, customers would go 
elsewhere," Collins wrote. "That, of course, is not an option for U.S. 
taxpayers, so it is critical that the IRS increase staffing in its 
telephone call centers to handle the volume of calls it receives."</li>
 </ul><h2>IRS Responses to National Taxpayer Advocate Administrative Recommendations</h2>The National Taxpayer Advocate is required by statute to submit a 
year-end report to Congress that, among other things, makes 
administrative recommendations to resolve taxpayer problems. 
Section&nbsp;7803(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code authorizes the National 
Taxpayer Advocate to submit administrative recommendations to the 
Commissioner and requires the IRS to respond within three months. Under 
this authority, the National Taxpayer Advocate annually transmits to the
 Commissioner all administrative recommendations proposed in her 
year-end report for response.The National Taxpayer Advocate made 88 administrative recommendations
 in her 2021 year-end report and then submitted them to the Commissioner
 for response. The IRS has agreed to implement 61 (or 69%) of the 
recommendations in full or in part.The IRS's responses are published on the TAS website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/arc-recommendations-tracker/">National Taxpayer Advocate’s Annual Report to Congress Tracker</a>.The National Taxpayer Advocate is required by statute to submit two 
annual reports to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate 
Committee on Finance. The statute requires these reports to be submitted
 directly to the Committees without any prior review or comment from the
 Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
IRS Oversight Board, any other officer or employee of the Department of 
the Treasury, or the Office of Management and Budget. The first report 
must identify the objectives of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate for 
the fiscal year beginning in that calendar year. The second report must 
include a discussion of the ten most serious problems encountered by 
taxpayers, identify the ten tax issues most frequently litigated in the 
courts, and make administrative and legislative recommendations to 
resolve taxpayer problems.The National Taxpayer Advocate blogs about key issues in tax administration. Visit <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/subscribe-to-tas/">TAS Subscriptions</a> to subscribe. Past blogs from the National Taxpayer Advocate can be found at <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/taxnews-information/blogs-nta/">Most Recent NTA Blogs</a>. For media inquiries, please contact TAS Media Relations at <a href="mailto:TAS.media@irs.gov">tas.media@irs.gov</a> or call the media line at <a href="tel:202-317-6802">202-317-6802</a>.<h2>About the Taxpayer Advocate Service</h2>The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization
 within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. The 
local taxpayer advocate's number is in local directories and at <a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/">Contact Us</a>. Taxpayers can also call TAS toll-free at <a href="tel:877-777-4778">877-777-4778</a>.
 TAS can help those who need assistance in resolving an IRS problem, if 
the problem is causing financial difficulty, or those who believe an IRS
 system or procedure isn't working as it should. This service is free. <a href="http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/">We're your voice</a> at the IRS has more information about TAS and taxpayer rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Get updates on tax topics at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YourVoiceAtIRS">facebook.com/YourVoiceAtIRS</a>, <a href="https://www.twitter.com/YourVoiceAtIRS">Twitter.com/YourVoiceatIRS</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/tasnta">YouTube.com/TASNTA</a>.

Advocate to Congress: Concerns about refund delays, poor service at IRS

Karen Louise Sunderland, age 80 years, of Great Bend, KS passed away 
on Thursday morning June 16, 2022, at Azria Health Woodhaven Care Center 
in Great Bend. &nbsp;Karen was born on October 1, 1941, in Hutchinson, KS to 
Raymond T. and Mary Louise (Alexander) Mullenix. 

Karen was raised in 
Bushton, KS and graduated from Bushton High School in 1960. &nbsp;Later, she 
became a Nurse’s Aide in Wichita, KS working there and also at CKMC 
hospital in Great Bend for several years. &nbsp;On March 10, 1977 Karen and 
Guy Sunderland were united in marriage in Great Bend. The blended family
 of Guy’s three daughters and Karen’s son grew larger when their only 
child together, Mandi Kay, was born May 15, 1978. The family lived in 
Dodge City, KS and Tulsa, OK before returning to Great Bend permanently.


 Karen became an active volunteer in the community, especially for the 
Central Kansas Dream Center and Soup Kitchen. She was also known for 
mentoring high school students and others with her faith and Bible 
studies. Karen was quick to respond to anyone who wanted to hear a 
comforting scripture, including her sisters who admired her vast 
knowledge and understanding of the Bible. &nbsp;Known as the “best cook in 
the family”, Karen loved making collages and was talented in many kinds 
of crafts. She always enjoyed fishing with her husband, Guy. &nbsp;Above all,
 Karen loved God, family, and life as a Christian woman. As everyone has
 struggles and hardships, Karen faced more than her share, yet 
she&nbsp;remained strong in her faith and touched so many lives with her 
kind, loving heart.

Karen is survived by two daughters: Desiree Werth of Holyrood, KS 
and&nbsp;Dawn Lang of Great Bend, KS; seven grandchildren: Briana Feist, 
Sarah Tisdale, &nbsp;Ashley, Keshia, &amp; Sydney Werth, Jotni Pankey and 
Kialy Giesking; &nbsp;nine great-grandchildren; four sisters: Shirley R. 
Jeter of Kingfisher, OK, Trudy M. Magee of Bloomington, IL, &nbsp;Nora J. 
Anderson of Bloomington, IN, and&nbsp;Deanna S. Harris of Overland Park, KS; 
Also one very special brother-in-law; &nbsp;Ed Harris of Overland Park, KS; 
many nieces and nephews. &nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents, her 
husband of 40 years, Guy L. Sunderland, two daughters: Sue Ann Murray 
and Mandi K. Alexander (Sept 2002), and one son, Brian Brueggemann (Oct,
 2016).

According to Karen and Guy’s wishes, she has been interred with Guy 
at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Dodge, KS. &nbsp;Memorial donations 
are designated to either the Central Kansas Dream Center, 2100 Broadway 
Avenue, Great Bend, KS 67530 or the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Ft. 
Dodge, Kansas. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Karen spent the last 4 years of her life making the Great Bend Health
 &amp; Rehab, later becoming Azria Health, her home. After Guy’s 
passing, Karen sold their home and chose this facility on her own. She 
enjoyed many friends there, including caring staff and families. The 
activities were the highlight of her day. Bingo was rarely missed! 
&nbsp;Karen’s sisters want to extend our gratitude and appreciation for all 
the hard work, extended hours, phone calls, patience, and good care 
given to Karen. We are so glad she was “home” in her final days. Thank 
you!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656004948340.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Karen Louise Sunderland, age 80 years, of Great Bend, KS passed away 
on Thursday morning June 16, 2022, at Azria Health Woodhaven Care Center 
in Great Bend. &nbsp;Karen was born on October 1, 1941, in Hutchinson, KS to 
Raymond T. and Mary Louise (Alexander) Mullenix. Karen was raised in 
Bushton, KS and graduated from Bushton High School in 1960. &nbsp;Later, she 
became a Nurse’s Aide in Wichita, KS working there and also at CKMC 
hospital in Great Bend for several years. &nbsp;On March 10, 1977 Karen and 
Guy Sunderland were united in marriage in Great Bend. The blended family
 of Guy’s three daughters and Karen’s son grew larger when their only 
child together, Mandi Kay, was born May 15, 1978. The family lived in 
Dodge City, KS and Tulsa, OK before returning to Great Bend permanently.
 Karen became an active volunteer in the community, especially for the 
Central Kansas Dream Center and Soup Kitchen. She was also known for 
mentoring high school students and others with her faith and Bible 
studies. Karen was quick to respond to anyone who wanted to hear a 
comforting scripture, including her sisters who admired her vast 
knowledge and understanding of the Bible. &nbsp;Known as the “best cook in 
the family”, Karen loved making collages and was talented in many kinds 
of crafts. She always enjoyed fishing with her husband, Guy. &nbsp;Above all,
 Karen loved God, family, and life as a Christian woman. As everyone has
 struggles and hardships, Karen faced more than her share, yet 
she&nbsp;remained strong in her faith and touched so many lives with her 
kind, loving heart.Karen is survived by two daughters: Desiree Werth of Holyrood, KS 
and&nbsp;Dawn Lang of Great Bend, KS; seven grandchildren: Briana Feist, 
Sarah Tisdale, &nbsp;Ashley, Keshia, &amp; Sydney Werth, Jotni Pankey and 
Kialy Giesking; &nbsp;nine great-grandchildren; four sisters: Shirley R. 
Jeter of Kingfisher, OK, Trudy M. Magee of Bloomington, IL, &nbsp;Nora J. 
Anderson of Bloomington, IN, and&nbsp;Deanna S. Harris of Overland Park, KS; 
Also one very special brother-in-law; &nbsp;Ed Harris of Overland Park, KS; 
many nieces and nephews. &nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents, her 
husband of 40 years, Guy L. Sunderland, two daughters: Sue Ann Murray 
and Mandi K. Alexander (Sept 2002), and one son, Brian Brueggemann (Oct,
 2016).According to Karen and Guy’s wishes, she has been interred with Guy 
at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Dodge, KS. &nbsp;Memorial donations 
are designated to either the Central Kansas Dream Center, 2100 Broadway 
Avenue, Great Bend, KS 67530 or the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Ft. 
Dodge, Kansas. &nbsp;&nbsp;Karen spent the last 4 years of her life making the Great Bend Health
 &amp; Rehab, later becoming Azria Health, her home. After Guy’s 
passing, Karen sold their home and chose this facility on her own. She 
enjoyed many friends there, including caring staff and families. The 
activities were the highlight of her day. Bingo was rarely missed! 
&nbsp;Karen’s sisters want to extend our gratitude and appreciation for all 
the hard work, extended hours, phone calls, patience, and good care 
given to Karen. We are so glad she was “home” in her final days. Thank 
you!

Karen Louise Sunderland

October 22, 1969
 -
 June 22, 2022

An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.

Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Debbie-Wallace?obId=25202632#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656004788899.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>October 22, 1969
 -
 June 22, 2022An obituary is pending with Plumer Overlease Funeral Homes.Click <a href="https://www.plumeroverlease.com/obituaries/Debbie-Wallace?obId=25202632#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Debbie Wallace

Margaret Lee Pierson, 74, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2022, in 
Ellsworth. She was born October 20, 1947, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to 
Richard and Ruth (Geschke) Bates. Margaret married Larry Houk on March 
9, 1963. After Larry’s passing June 12, she later married Jerry Pierson 
on August 24, 1972. Margaret was a longtime employee of the United 
States Postal Service where she had many positions including mail 
carrier for many years. She loved to fish, play bingo, and spend time 
with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Margaret is survived by her son Larry Houk, Jr. (Dani) of 
Ellsworth; daughters, Shamarie Farthing (Chris) of Ellsworth and Christy
 Pierson of Salina; grandchildren, Katie Ranker (Joe) of Ellsworth, 
Kourtney Strobel (Chas) of Plymouth, MN, Kitsy Krehbiel (Colter) of 
Marquette, Kylie Pierson of Wichita Falls, TX, Kori Pierson of Salina, 
and Sam Farthing (Kaitlyn) of Hays; and great grandchildren, Henri, 
John, Abel, Kadence, Beckham, Lane, Kelli, Korbin, Kreighton, and Aria. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Ann Bates; 
husbands, Larry Houk and Jerry Pierson; and companion Bud Tiemeyer.

Cremation has taken place and no public services are planned at this time.

Margaret Lee Pierson, 74, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2022, in 
Ellsworth. She was born October 20, 1947, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to 
Richard and Ruth (Geschke) Bates. Margaret married Larry Houk on March 
9, 1963. After Larry’s passing June 12, she later married Jerry Pierson 
on August 24, 1972. Margaret was a longtime employee of the United 
States Postal Service where she had many positions including mail 
carrier for many years. She loved to fish, play bingo, and spend time 
with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.Margaret is survived by her son Larry Houk, Jr. (Dani) of 
Ellsworth; daughters, Shamarie Farthing (Chris) of Ellsworth and Christy
 Pierson of Salina; grandchildren, Katie Ranker (Joe) of Ellsworth, 
Kourtney Strobel (Chas) of Plymouth, MN, Kitsy Krehbiel (Colter) of 
Marquette, Kylie Pierson of Wichita Falls, TX, Kori Pierson of Salina, 
and Sam Farthing (Kaitlyn) of Hays; and great grandchildren, Henri, 
John, Abel, Kadence, Beckham, Lane, Kelli, Korbin, Kreighton, and Aria. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Ann Bates; 
husbands, Larry Houk and Jerry Pierson; and companion Bud Tiemeyer.Cremation has taken place and no public services are planned at this time.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the 
Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, 
Ellsworth, KS 67439.&nbsp;