WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall cosponsored the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/crapo_brady_irs_guardrails_bill.pdf">TAX GAP REFORM AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) ENFORCEMENT ACT</a>&nbsp;to protect taxpayers against proposals to monitor Americans’ bank account transactions over $600 and provide guardrails against proposals to expand the IRS, according to a media release from his office Thursday.

“Requiring financial institutions to report any transaction over $600 to the IRS is incredibly intrusive, and violates the rights and privacy of the American taxpayer,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “I’m proud to support this bill to hold the IRS accountable and halt them from harassing American taxpayers.”

Key provisions of the Tax Gap Reform and IRS Enforcement Act:

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall cosponsored the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/crapo_brady_irs_guardrails_bill.pdf">TAX GAP REFORM AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) ENFORCEMENT ACT</a>&nbsp;to protect taxpayers against proposals to monitor Americans’ bank account transactions over $600 and provide guardrails against proposals to expand the IRS, according to a media release from his office Thursday.“Requiring financial institutions to report any transaction over $600 to the IRS is incredibly intrusive, and violates the rights and privacy of the American taxpayer,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “I’m proud to support this bill to hold the IRS accountable and halt them from harassing American taxpayers.”Key provisions of the Tax Gap Reform and IRS Enforcement Act:<ul>
 <li>Tax Gap Reform:&nbsp;Requires timely, annually-updated information on tax gap estimates in coordination with the Joint Committee on Taxation.</li><li>Taxpayer Protection:&nbsp;Prevents the IRS from targeting Americans for their political and ideological beliefs, codifies President Biden’s pledge to not increase audits of taxpayers making less than $400,000 per year, and prohibits the establishment of new bank reporting requirements.</li><li>Smarter Enforcement:&nbsp;Requires the IRS to use existing data and tools to improve its corporate audit selection process and increase enforcement against high-income non-filers.</li><li>Closes the Expertise Gap:&nbsp;Creates an IRS enforcement fellowship pilot program to assist with the agency’s most complex audits and case selection decisions. Before hiring thousands of new agents, Congress should test the effectiveness of increasing expertise in a targeted way.</li>
 </ul>

Marshall's legislation stops IRS from monitoring Kansans' bank transactions

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman in Sedgwick County.

Just after 7a.m. Thursday, a citizen discovered an unresponsive woman in the roadway at 9200 E 69th Street North,northeast of Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 Sheriff and Fire personnel responded to the scene to assess the 26-year-old woman. Shortly after arriving, fire personnel pronounced her deceased.&nbsp;

Authorities released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632423736858.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman in Sedgwick County.Just after 7a.m. Thursday, a citizen discovered an unresponsive woman in the roadway at 9200 E 69th Street North,northeast of Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick. Sheriff and Fire personnel responded to the scene to assess the 26-year-old woman. Shortly after arriving, fire personnel pronounced her deceased.&nbsp;Authorities released no additional details.

Sheriff: Woman's body found on rural Kansas road

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police have identified a man killed in an overnight shooting this week on a Kansas City street.

Ernest Gibson, 63, died in the shooting that was reported around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in a residential area several blocks west of the Kansas City Zoo, police said in a news release.

Officers called to the scene found Gibson in the front yard of a home and suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Police said detectives are close to identifying a suspect and hope to soon present a case to prosecutors that would allow charges to be filed.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police have identified a man killed in an overnight shooting this week on a Kansas City street.Ernest Gibson, 63, died in the shooting that was reported around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in a residential area several blocks west of the Kansas City Zoo, police said in a news release.Officers called to the scene found Gibson in the front yard of a home and suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.Police said detectives are close to identifying a suspect and hope to soon present a case to prosecutors that would allow charges to be filed.

Police ID man who died in KC residential area shooting

Temporary increase during pandemic to end Sept. 30

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today announced that Kansas residents who receive food assistance will benefit from a permanent increase in the maximum benefit amount beginning Oct. 1.

“Access to healthy food is a key component of a family’s well-being” Howard said. “This permanent increase helps us address food insecurity, especially among children, which has a positive impact on the overall health of our community”

The change is taking place due to the 2018 Farm Bill that directed USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan which is used to calculate benefits for food assistance. Through this year’s adjustment, the maximum allowable allotment increased to $250 for a household of one. The maximum allotment amounts for households the size of two or more also have increased.

Other annual adjustments also have been made:

Most households will see changes in their benefits for the month of October to reflect the annual adjustments.

Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) temporarily increased food assistance benefits by 15% from March 2021 through September 2021 due to the national public health emergency.

The temporary 15 percent increase ends Sept. 30 and will be replaced with the new amounts. Taken together, food assistance recipients will see a 10 percent increase from pre-March 2021 benefit levels.

The chart shows the Oct. 1 maximum benefits as well as gross income and net income limits for food assistance:

The minimum allotment is $20. All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.

USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through the following:

For more information on the food assistance program, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MjMuNDYzNjQ5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRjZi5rcy5nb3YvUGFnZXMvZGVmYXVsdC5hc3B4In0.EgAhz8itgBI5_Zta088ErAEPy6-bVz4ebzmpdi_VK44/s/1303183450/br/112817868520-l">http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx</a>.

<h2>Temporary increase during pandemic to end Sept. 30</h2>Kansas DCFTOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today announced that Kansas residents who receive food assistance will benefit from a permanent increase in the maximum benefit amount beginning Oct. 1.“Access to healthy food is a key component of a family’s well-being” Howard said. “This permanent increase helps us address food insecurity, especially among children, which has a positive impact on the overall health of our community”The change is taking place due to the 2018 Farm Bill that directed USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan which is used to calculate benefits for food assistance. Through this year’s adjustment, the maximum allowable allotment increased to $250 for a household of one. The maximum allotment amounts for households the size of two or more also have increased.Other annual adjustments also have been made:<ul>
 <li>The gross and net income limits have increased this year</li><li>The maximum excess shelter deduction is increasing from $569 to $597</li><li>The standard utility allowance is increasing from $364 to $392</li><li>The limited utility allowance is increasing from $247 to $286</li><li>The telephone standard is increasing from $35 to $37</li><li>The Standard Medical Deduction remains the same $175</li>
 </ul>Most households will see changes in their benefits for the month of October to reflect the annual adjustments.Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) temporarily increased food assistance benefits by 15% from March 2021 through September 2021 due to the national public health emergency.The temporary 15 percent increase ends Sept. 30 and will be replaced with the new amounts. Taken together, food assistance recipients will see a 10 percent increase from pre-March 2021 benefit levels.The chart shows the Oct. 1 maximum benefits as well as gross income and net income limits for food assistance:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632416921737.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The minimum allotment is $20. All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through the following:<ul>
 <li>gov (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MjMuNDYzNjQ5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmNob29zZW15cGxhdGUuZ292LyJ9.sxOx9InXndR2qJ0Z0YUkB1FHkb9UA67SDtuTNMdTE08/s/1303183450/br/112817868520-l">http://www.choosemyplate.gov/</a>)</li><li>Plan, compare and prepare (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MjMuNDYzNjQ5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vYmxvZ3MudXNkYS5nb3YvMjAxMy8wMy8yOC9oZWFsdGh5LWVhdGluZy1vbi1hLWJ1ZGdldC8ifQ.MBHzCyJ3t8Rl7l8lPKyswhLKJ8xU-sWaoClRY0jFtEM/s/1303183450/br/112817868520-l">http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/03/28/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/</a>)</li><li>Team Nutrition Recipes (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MjMuNDYzNjQ5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mbnMudXNkYS5nb3YvdG4vdGVhbS1udXRyaXRpb24tcmVjaXBlcyJ9.BBFIg0vvg4E6GMiXBcd3eC3hlcN4gXOIbR5H3dkQGIE/s/1303183450/br/112817868520-l">https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition-recipes</a>), which helps find healthy low-cost recipes and create cookbooks and shopping lists.</li>
 </ul>For more information on the food assistance program, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MjMuNDYzNjQ5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRjZi5rcy5nb3YvUGFnZXMvZGVmYXVsdC5hc3B4In0.EgAhz8itgBI5_Zta088ErAEPy6-bVz4ebzmpdi_VK44/s/1303183450/br/112817868520-l">http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx</a>.

Kansas announces permanent increase to food assistance benefits

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA—Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park sustained $3,000 worth of damage earlier this week, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester 

Sometime between Monday and Wednesday, someone entered the Aquatic Park, 701 Kenwood Park Drive in Salina and damaged six wall panels.&nbsp;

Two of the panels were on the front by the main entrance. One of the panels appeared to be damaged with a blunt object, according to Forrester. The other had light-colored paint or stain on it.

Two panels inside the fence south of the main entrance had an "X" with a circle around it painted on them with the same light-colored paint/stain. Additionally, two panels near the locker rooms had the word "loop" painted on them with the same paint/stain. Total damage was estimated at $3,000.&nbsp;The park is closed until next summer.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA—Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park sustained $3,000 worth of damage earlier this week, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester Sometime between Monday and Wednesday, someone entered the Aquatic Park, 701 Kenwood Park Drive in Salina and damaged six wall panels.&nbsp;Two of the panels were on the front by the main entrance. One of the panels appeared to be damaged with a blunt object, according to Forrester. The other had light-colored paint or stain on it.Two panels inside the fence south of the main entrance had an "X" with a circle around it painted on them with the same light-colored paint/stain. Additionally, two panels near the locker rooms had the word "loop" painted on them with the same paint/stain. Total damage was estimated at $3,000.&nbsp;The park is closed until next summer.

Police: Vandalism reported at Salina aquatic park

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas state Rep. Michael Capps has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts that allege he tried to defraud federal, state and county government organizations out of more than $450,000 in coronavirus relief funding.

 Capps entered the plea Wednesday via video conference from his lawyer’s office during his arraignment hearing. 

The Wichita Republican also agreed to surrender his passport while he awaits trial. Federal prosecutors have said Capps filed forms inflating the number of employees he had at two businesses and a sports foundation, and then applied for loans to pay the non-existent employees. Capps is charged with multiple counts of making a false statement, bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581011016098.png" alt="Rep. Michael Capps" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Michael Capps</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas state Rep. Michael Capps has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts that allege he tried to defraud federal, state and county government organizations out of more than $450,000 in coronavirus relief funding. Capps entered the plea Wednesday via video conference from his lawyer’s office during his arraignment hearing. The Wichita Republican also agreed to surrender his passport while he awaits trial. Federal prosecutors have said Capps filed forms inflating the number of employees he had at two businesses and a sports foundation, and then applied for loans to pay the non-existent employees. Capps is charged with multiple counts of making a false statement, bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

Ex-Kansas legislator pleads not guilty to COVID relief fraud

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing and have made an arrest.

Just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson.

This was not a random incident as Shaw and Petersen were known to each other.&nbsp; Additionally, Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and is currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632327740967.png" alt="Shaw photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Shaw photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal stabbing and have made an arrest.Just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson.This was not a random incident as Shaw and Petersen were known to each other.&nbsp; Additionally, Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and is currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. man's caretaker found him stabbed to death 

WASHINGTON (AP) — With a personal push, President Joe Biden pressed fellow Democrats to hasten work on his big “build back better” agenda, telling them to come up with a final framework and their best topline budget figure as the party labors to bridge its divisions in Congress ahead of crucial voting deadlines.

Biden and Democratic House and Senate lawmakers met for hours of back-to-back-to-back private White House sessions stretching into Wednesday evening, convened at a pivotal juncture for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-5ff8a8f7403e1e8cc27f192d87894d9e">Biden’s $3.5 trillion package</a>&nbsp;as lawmakers struggle to draft details of the ambitious effort. With Republicans solidly opposed, Democratic leaders are counting on the president to galvanize consensus between progressives and centrists in their party.

Biden first conferred with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, then held separate sessions with moderate and progressive senators and representatives. The president listened intently, lawmakers said, but also indicated strongly he wanted progress soon, by next week.

“We’re in good shape,” Pelosi told reporters after returning to the Capitol.

The White House called the meetings “productive and candid” and said follow-up work would be immediately underway. Earlier in the day, press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House realized that with time growing short “there needs to be deeper engagement by the president.”

The intense focus on Biden’s big-money domestic proposal showcases how much is at stake politically for the president and his party in Congress. The administration has suffered setbacks elsewhere, notably with the Afghanistan withdrawal and prolonged COVID-19 crisis, and Democrats are running short of time, anxious to make good on campaign promises.

Congress is racing toward Monday’s deadline for a House vote on the first part of Biden’s plan — a $1 trillion public works measure — which now also serves as a deadline for producing a compromise framework for the broader package.

At one point, Biden told the lawmakers there were plenty of conference rooms at the White House they could use to hunker down this weekend as some suggested they roll up their sleeves and stay to get final details done.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a key centrist who has balked at the $3.5 trillion price tag, said the president told him to come up with a number he could live with.

“He just basically said, ‘Find it,’” Manchin said. ”‘Just work on it, give me a number.’”

“The president is really fired up,” said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, after the evening’s final session.

Meanwhile, the House and Senate remained at a standstill over a separate package to keep the government funded past the Sept. 30 fiscal yearend and to suspend the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-explained-8c9cbcd3d0c4a8fe989a0110f5159f7c">federal debt limit</a>&nbsp;to avert a shutdown and a devastating U.S. default on payments. Senate Republicans are refusing the House-passed bill.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said at a news conference Tuesday that failing to extend the debt limit was “just not something we can contemplate or we should contemplate.”

As for Biden’s big plans, the president and the Democratic lawmakers appeared to have not fully resolved their differences ahead of Monday’s test vote on the smaller public works bill for roads, broadband and public water projects.

Centrist Democrats want swift passage of the slimmer public works bill and have raised concerns about the price tag of Biden’s broader vision, but progressive Democrats are withholding their votes for the $1 trillion measure they view as inadequate unless it’s linked to the bigger package.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, a leader of the centrist coalition who attended one of the White House meetings, said all agreed on doing both — passing the bill Monday and working on the bigger package.

But Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued a statement after another meeting with Biden reiterating that some 50 members plan to vote against the bipartisan measure unless it’s linked to the broader bill. She has said the two bills must move “in tandem” to win the progressive votes.

Beyond the public works measure, Biden’s “build back” agenda is a sweeping overhaul of federal taxes and spending to make what the president views as overdue investments in health care, family services and efforts to fight climate change.

The $3.5 trillion package would impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-personal-taxes-137e00b41f113f85cc241438c780785b">tax hikes on corporations and wealthy Americans</a>&nbsp;earning beyond $400,000 a year and plow that money back into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">federal programs for young and old,</a>&nbsp;along with investments to tackle climate change.

Tensions are high as the Biden agenda is a key campaign promise not only from the president but most of the the Democratic lawmakers, including those in the House who face re-election next year.

“It wasn’t a matter of when we get it done, it was how we get it done,” said Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, who was with the moderate group meeting with Biden.

All told, more than 20 lawmakers were invited to confer with Biden, moderates and progressives in separate meetings stretching into the evening, making their best pitches, Manchin and another key centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, among them.

Despite disputes, many Democrats say they expect the final product to align with Biden’s broader vision and eventually have robust party support, even if that version is adjusted or scaled back.

But Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., a leader of the centrist Blue Dog caucus, said the big bill will take more time. “I’m not sure that we’re at a place of closing out just yet,” she said.

While all this is going on, the government faces a shutdown if funding stops on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, at some point in October the U.S. risks defaulting on its accumulated debt load if its borrowing limits are not waived or adjusted.

Rushing to prevent that dire outcome, the Democratic-led House passed the funding-and-debt measure Tuesday night, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-mitch-mcconnell-janet-yellen-eb14f403fb747f6ec0e05ad4f382bc91">Republicans are refusing to give their support</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said since Democrats control the White House and Congress, it’s their problem to find the votes — though he had relied on bipartisan cooperation to approve debt limit measures when Republicans were in charge.

But in the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will be hard-pressed to find 10 Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. Other options to try to pass the debt ceiling package could be procedurally difficult.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632405115581.png" alt="The intense focus on Biden’s big-money domestic proposal showcases how much is at stake politically for the president and his party in Congress.-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>The intense focus on Biden’s big-money domestic proposal showcases how much is at stake politically for the president and his party in Congress.-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With a personal push, President Joe Biden pressed fellow Democrats to hasten work on his big “build back better” agenda, telling them to come up with a final framework and their best topline budget figure as the party labors to bridge its divisions in Congress ahead of crucial voting deadlines.Biden and Democratic House and Senate lawmakers met for hours of back-to-back-to-back private White House sessions stretching into Wednesday evening, convened at a pivotal juncture for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-5ff8a8f7403e1e8cc27f192d87894d9e">Biden’s $3.5 trillion package</a>&nbsp;as lawmakers struggle to draft details of the ambitious effort. With Republicans solidly opposed, Democratic leaders are counting on the president to galvanize consensus between progressives and centrists in their party.Biden first conferred with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, then held separate sessions with moderate and progressive senators and representatives. The president listened intently, lawmakers said, but also indicated strongly he wanted progress soon, by next week.“We’re in good shape,” Pelosi told reporters after returning to the Capitol.The White House called the meetings “productive and candid” and said follow-up work would be immediately underway. Earlier in the day, press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House realized that with time growing short “there needs to be deeper engagement by the president.”The intense focus on Biden’s big-money domestic proposal showcases how much is at stake politically for the president and his party in Congress. The administration has suffered setbacks elsewhere, notably with the Afghanistan withdrawal and prolonged COVID-19 crisis, and Democrats are running short of time, anxious to make good on campaign promises.Congress is racing toward Monday’s deadline for a House vote on the first part of Biden’s plan — a $1 trillion public works measure — which now also serves as a deadline for producing a compromise framework for the broader package.At one point, Biden told the lawmakers there were plenty of conference rooms at the White House they could use to hunker down this weekend as some suggested they roll up their sleeves and stay to get final details done.Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a key centrist who has balked at the $3.5 trillion price tag, said the president told him to come up with a number he could live with.“He just basically said, ‘Find it,’” Manchin said. ”‘Just work on it, give me a number.’”“The president is really fired up,” said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, after the evening’s final session.Meanwhile, the House and Senate remained at a standstill over a separate package to keep the government funded past the Sept. 30 fiscal yearend and to suspend the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-explained-8c9cbcd3d0c4a8fe989a0110f5159f7c">federal debt limit</a>&nbsp;to avert a shutdown and a devastating U.S. default on payments. Senate Republicans are refusing the House-passed bill.Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said at a news conference Tuesday that failing to extend the debt limit was “just not something we can contemplate or we should contemplate.”As for Biden’s big plans, the president and the Democratic lawmakers appeared to have not fully resolved their differences ahead of Monday’s test vote on the smaller public works bill for roads, broadband and public water projects.Centrist Democrats want swift passage of the slimmer public works bill and have raised concerns about the price tag of Biden’s broader vision, but progressive Democrats are withholding their votes for the $1 trillion measure they view as inadequate unless it’s linked to the bigger package.Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, a leader of the centrist coalition who attended one of the White House meetings, said all agreed on doing both — passing the bill Monday and working on the bigger package.But Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued a statement after another meeting with Biden reiterating that some 50 members plan to vote against the bipartisan measure unless it’s linked to the broader bill. She has said the two bills must move “in tandem” to win the progressive votes.Beyond the public works measure, Biden’s “build back” agenda is a sweeping overhaul of federal taxes and spending to make what the president views as overdue investments in health care, family services and efforts to fight climate change.The $3.5 trillion package would impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-personal-taxes-137e00b41f113f85cc241438c780785b">tax hikes on corporations and wealthy Americans</a>&nbsp;earning beyond $400,000 a year and plow that money back into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">federal programs for young and old,</a>&nbsp;along with investments to tackle climate change.Tensions are high as the Biden agenda is a key campaign promise not only from the president but most of the the Democratic lawmakers, including those in the House who face re-election next year.“It wasn’t a matter of when we get it done, it was how we get it done,” said Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, who was with the moderate group meeting with Biden.All told, more than 20 lawmakers were invited to confer with Biden, moderates and progressives in separate meetings stretching into the evening, making their best pitches, Manchin and another key centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, among them.Despite disputes, many Democrats say they expect the final product to align with Biden’s broader vision and eventually have robust party support, even if that version is adjusted or scaled back.But Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., a leader of the centrist Blue Dog caucus, said the big bill will take more time. “I’m not sure that we’re at a place of closing out just yet,” she said.While all this is going on, the government faces a shutdown if funding stops on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, at some point in October the U.S. risks defaulting on its accumulated debt load if its borrowing limits are not waived or adjusted.Rushing to prevent that dire outcome, the Democratic-led House passed the funding-and-debt measure Tuesday night, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-mitch-mcconnell-janet-yellen-eb14f403fb747f6ec0e05ad4f382bc91">Republicans are refusing to give their support</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said since Democrats control the White House and Congress, it’s their problem to find the votes — though he had relied on bipartisan cooperation to approve debt limit measures when Republicans were in charge.But in the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will be hard-pressed to find 10 Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. Other options to try to pass the debt ceiling package could be procedurally difficult.___

Biden presses fellow Dems: Resolve party split on $3.5T plan

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Officials in a suburban Kansas City school district are investigating after a small group of students posted a petition online calling for the return of slavery.

The petition came to light last week after the students at Park Hill South High School posted it during a school-related activity, officials said.

Further details about the number of students involved, the specific language of the petition or what might have prompted it were not being released because it is a discipline issue, district spokeswoman Nicole Kirby said Wednesday.

Jeanette Cowherd, superintendent of the Park Hill School District, said in a letter to the community Wednesday that the district does not tolerate discrimination or harassment and has specific policies addressing any violations, which could result in a suspension or expulsion.

The district also has a policy on civility that prohibits attacks against people based on factors such as race, gender, religion, disability or other personal characteristics.

“I cannot share the specifics of any particular student's discipline but I can tell you that we follow our Board policy when disciplining students,” she wrote.

Kerrie Herren, principal of Park Hill South, said a student notified him of the petition last Thursday and school officials have been working since then to help students and staff who are upset by the incident.

“I think that a large portion of our population is hurt, mad, outraged and confused and want to use it as way to make Park Hill South better," Herren said.

The Park Hill district had a student population of 11,767 this school year, of which about 12.7% were Black. The district instituted an inclusion and equity council with teachers in 2015, which led to student focus groups and eventually a family advisory council on the issue.

Terri Deayon, the district's director of access, inclusion and family engagement, said district and school officials have met with student groups and staff at Park Hill South and at LEAD Innovation Studio, a separate school on the Park Hill South campus that offers a different educational approach to students.

"I wholeheartedly believe we are in a situation that we are going to confront, restore and heal," Deayon said. “We will be better and we will take this and use it as an opportunity to improve.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632359737253.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Officials in a suburban Kansas City school district are investigating after a small group of students posted a petition online calling for the return of slavery.The petition came to light last week after the students at Park Hill South High School posted it during a school-related activity, officials said.Further details about the number of students involved, the specific language of the petition or what might have prompted it were not being released because it is a discipline issue, district spokeswoman Nicole Kirby said Wednesday.Jeanette Cowherd, superintendent of the Park Hill School District, said in a letter to the community Wednesday that the district does not tolerate discrimination or harassment and has specific policies addressing any violations, which could result in a suspension or expulsion.The district also has a policy on civility that prohibits attacks against people based on factors such as race, gender, religion, disability or other personal characteristics.“I cannot share the specifics of any particular student's discipline but I can tell you that we follow our Board policy when disciplining students,” she wrote.Kerrie Herren, principal of Park Hill South, said a student notified him of the petition last Thursday and school officials have been working since then to help students and staff who are upset by the incident.“I think that a large portion of our population is hurt, mad, outraged and confused and want to use it as way to make Park Hill South better," Herren said.The Park Hill district had a student population of 11,767 this school year, of which about 12.7% were Black. The district instituted an inclusion and equity council with teachers in 2015, which led to student focus groups and eventually a family advisory council on the issue.Terri Deayon, the district's director of access, inclusion and family engagement, said district and school officials have met with student groups and staff at Park Hill South and at LEAD Innovation Studio, a separate school on the Park Hill South campus that offers a different educational approach to students."I wholeheartedly believe we are in a situation that we are going to confront, restore and heal," Deayon said. “We will be better and we will take this and use it as an opportunity to improve.”

District: KC-area students posted slavery petition online

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. moved a step closer Wednesday to offering booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to senior citizens and others at high risk from the virus as the Food and Drug Administration signed off on the targeted use of extra shots.

The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger adults with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

However, more regulatory hurdles lie ahead before the dispensing of boosters can begin.

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opened a two-day meeting Wednesday to make their own, more specific recommendations about who should get the extra shots and when. And in their first day of discussions, some experts were so perplexed by the questions surrounding the rationale for boosters that they suggested putting off a decision for a month in hopes of more evidence.

The uncertainties were yet another reminder that the science surrounding boosters is more complicated than the Biden administration suggested when the president and his top aides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-booster-shots-a10daad08f6d47aa5beca0b4da9da9d2">rolled out their plan at the White House&nbsp;</a>last month.

The FDA decision Wednesday was expected after the agency’s own panel of advisers last week overwhelmingly rejected the Biden plan. The panel instead recommended boosters only for those most vulnerable to severe cases of COVID-19.

FDA acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement that the FDA authorization would allow for boosters in health care workers, teachers, grocery workers and those in homeless shelters or prisons.

“As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed,” Woodcock said.

Under the FDA authorization, vaccinated Americans are eligible for a third dose six months after receiving their second Pfizer shot. That’s different than the Biden proposal announced in August, which called for boosters after eight months.

“Today’s FDA decision is a major step forward in our effort to provide Americans with additional protection from COVID-19,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted Wednesday night. “We have been preparing for weeks to administer booster shots to eligible Americans and are ready to do so following CDC’s final recommendation later this week.”

The timing of the FDA decision was highly unusual given that the agency typically takes action before the CDC convenes its own experts.

The CDC panelists heard a series of presentations Wednesday outlining the knotty state of science on boosters. On one hand, the COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. On the other hand, there are signs of more low-grade infections among the vaccinated as immunity wanes.

Ultimately the committee must decide who is considered at high enough risk for an extra dose. Data provided by Pfizer and the Israeli government suggests a strong case for boosters in people 65 and older, but there is less evidence that extra shots provide much benefit for younger people with underlying health conditions.

Several CDC advisers agreed boosters are also important for keeping health care workers on the job.

“We don’t have enough health care workers to take care of the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University. “They just keep coming.”

The CDC has already said it is considering boosters for older people, nursing home residents and front-line health care workers, rather than all adults.

The World Health Organization and other global health advocates are opposed to wealthy nations dispensing a third round of shots when poor countries don’t have enough vaccine for their first doses. And many independent scientists say that the vaccines continue to perform well against the worst effects of COVID-19 and that their ability to curb the overall trajectory of the epidemic is uncertain.

U.S. regulators will decide at a later date on boosters for people who have received the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines. They indicated the Pfizer shots would not be recommended for people who got a different brand of vaccine initially.

The across-the-board rollout of boosters proposed by the White House was supposed to have begun this week. Some questioned whether President Joe Biden had gotten ahead of the science by announcing his plans before government regulators had reached any conclusions.

Despite the resistance in recent days, some top U.S. health officials said they expect boosters to eventually win broader approval in the coming weeks or months. Dr. Anthony Fauci said over the weekend that “this is not the end of the story.”

Other administration officials noted that the FDA decision covers tens of millions of Americans and that seniors and other high-risk groups would have been the first to get boosters even if extra shots had been authorized for the entire population. Seniors were in the first group of Americans eligible for vaccination last December.

The U.S. has already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.

The U.S. is dispensing around 760,000 vaccinations per day on average, down from a high of 3.4 million a day in mid-April. About 180 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or 64% of those who are eligible.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. moved a step closer Wednesday to offering booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to senior citizens and others at high risk from the virus as the Food and Drug Administration signed off on the targeted use of extra shots.The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger adults with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.However, more regulatory hurdles lie ahead before the dispensing of boosters can begin.Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opened a two-day meeting Wednesday to make their own, more specific recommendations about who should get the extra shots and when. And in their first day of discussions, some experts were so perplexed by the questions surrounding the rationale for boosters that they suggested putting off a decision for a month in hopes of more evidence.The uncertainties were yet another reminder that the science surrounding boosters is more complicated than the Biden administration suggested when the president and his top aides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-booster-shots-a10daad08f6d47aa5beca0b4da9da9d2">rolled out their plan at the White House&nbsp;</a>last month.The FDA decision Wednesday was expected after the agency’s own panel of advisers last week overwhelmingly rejected the Biden plan. The panel instead recommended boosters only for those most vulnerable to severe cases of COVID-19.FDA acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement that the FDA authorization would allow for boosters in health care workers, teachers, grocery workers and those in homeless shelters or prisons.“As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed,” Woodcock said.Under the FDA authorization, vaccinated Americans are eligible for a third dose six months after receiving their second Pfizer shot. That’s different than the Biden proposal announced in August, which called for boosters after eight months.“Today’s FDA decision is a major step forward in our effort to provide Americans with additional protection from COVID-19,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted Wednesday night. “We have been preparing for weeks to administer booster shots to eligible Americans and are ready to do so following CDC’s final recommendation later this week.”The timing of the FDA decision was highly unusual given that the agency typically takes action before the CDC convenes its own experts.The CDC panelists heard a series of presentations Wednesday outlining the knotty state of science on boosters. On one hand, the COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. On the other hand, there are signs of more low-grade infections among the vaccinated as immunity wanes.Ultimately the committee must decide who is considered at high enough risk for an extra dose. Data provided by Pfizer and the Israeli government suggests a strong case for boosters in people 65 and older, but there is less evidence that extra shots provide much benefit for younger people with underlying health conditions.Several CDC advisers agreed boosters are also important for keeping health care workers on the job.“We don’t have enough health care workers to take care of the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University. “They just keep coming.”The CDC has already said it is considering boosters for older people, nursing home residents and front-line health care workers, rather than all adults.The World Health Organization and other global health advocates are opposed to wealthy nations dispensing a third round of shots when poor countries don’t have enough vaccine for their first doses. And many independent scientists say that the vaccines continue to perform well against the worst effects of COVID-19 and that their ability to curb the overall trajectory of the epidemic is uncertain.U.S. regulators will decide at a later date on boosters for people who have received the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines. They indicated the Pfizer shots would not be recommended for people who got a different brand of vaccine initially.The across-the-board rollout of boosters proposed by the White House was supposed to have begun this week. Some questioned whether President Joe Biden had gotten ahead of the science by announcing his plans before government regulators had reached any conclusions.Despite the resistance in recent days, some top U.S. health officials said they expect boosters to eventually win broader approval in the coming weeks or months. Dr. Anthony Fauci said over the weekend that “this is not the end of the story.”Other administration officials noted that the FDA decision covers tens of millions of Americans and that seniors and other high-risk groups would have been the first to get boosters even if extra shots had been authorized for the entire population. Seniors were in the first group of Americans eligible for vaccination last December.The U.S. has already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.The U.S. is dispensing around 760,000 vaccinations per day on average, down from a high of 3.4 million a day in mid-April. About 180 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or 64% of those who are eligible.___

FDA OKs extra shots of Pfizer COVID vaccine for seniors, others at high risk

MEADE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Meade County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Neil&nbsp;Peters-Krahn, 53, Montezuma, Kan. was northbound on Road 26 nine miles east of Kansas 23.

The driver failed to yield at U.S. 54. A&nbsp; westbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Victor Manuel Campos-Ramirez, Victor Manuel, 59, Los Angeles, CA., struck the Dodge Ram.

Peters-Krahn was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported Campos-Ramirez to the hospital in Meade. Peters-Krahn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

MEADE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Meade County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Neil&nbsp;Peters-Krahn, 53, Montezuma, Kan. was northbound on Road 26 nine miles east of Kansas 23.The driver failed to yield at U.S. 54. A&nbsp; westbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Victor Manuel Campos-Ramirez, Victor Manuel, 59, Los Angeles, CA., struck the Dodge Ram.Peters-Krahn was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported Campos-Ramirez to the hospital in Meade. Peters-Krahn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after crash with a semi

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday asked a state appeals court to intervene in the case of a Kansas City man who Jackson County prosecutors have said was wrongfully convicted of a triple murder more than 40 years ago.

Last week, Judge Kevin Harrell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-d13bceef618a479e8cd02b991fe1c8d9">denied a motion</a>&nbsp;from Schmitt's office asking that he and other Jackson County judges be removed from presiding over a hearing that would determine if Kevin Strickland will be exonerated of the 1998 murders in Kansas City.

In Wednesday's motion, Schmitt is asking the appeals court to remove the judges and move the hearing out of Jackson County, KCTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/missouri-attorney-general-argues-kevin-strickland-case-needs-to-be-moved-out-of-jackson-county/article_d73d7c14-1bec-11ec-8065-3bdccbd6edeb.html?block_id=991162">reported</a>.

Schmitt, who has said he believes Strickland is guilty, has argued that judges in the 16th Circuit Court have shown bias in Strickland's favor.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in May that she and other legal and political leaders believe Strickland is innocent. She said two men who admitted guilt in the shootings have said Strickland wasn't with them, and the only witness who identified him as the killer recanted her statement before she died.

Peters Baker used a new law that took effect in August to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">petition for a hearing during which she would argue Strickland should be exonerated.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Strickland photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday asked a state appeals court to intervene in the case of a Kansas City man who Jackson County prosecutors have said was wrongfully convicted of a triple murder more than 40 years ago.Last week, Judge Kevin Harrell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-d13bceef618a479e8cd02b991fe1c8d9">denied a motion</a>&nbsp;from Schmitt's office asking that he and other Jackson County judges be removed from presiding over a hearing that would determine if Kevin Strickland will be exonerated of the 1998 murders in Kansas City.In Wednesday's motion, Schmitt is asking the appeals court to remove the judges and move the hearing out of Jackson County, KCTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/missouri-attorney-general-argues-kevin-strickland-case-needs-to-be-moved-out-of-jackson-county/article_d73d7c14-1bec-11ec-8065-3bdccbd6edeb.html?block_id=991162">reported</a>.Schmitt, who has said he believes Strickland is guilty, has argued that judges in the 16th Circuit Court have shown bias in Strickland's favor.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in May that she and other legal and political leaders believe Strickland is innocent. She said two men who admitted guilt in the shootings have said Strickland wasn't with them, and the only witness who identified him as the killer recanted her statement before she died.Peters Baker used a new law that took effect in August to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">petition for a hearing during which she would argue Strickland should be exonerated.</a>

AG appeals ruling on judges in Kansas City triple-murder

The
 Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling nearly $5 
million to people who lost money to a cramming scheme that added charges
 to their home phone bills without their permission.

The refunds stem from money the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2016/05/company-placed-crammed-charges-consumers-phone-bills-settles-ftc">FTC collected from a group of defendants</a>
 who admitted that they violated a 1999 FTC settlement order that 
prohibited them from unauthorized billing. For years, the defendants, 
Billing Services Group (BSG), operated as a phone billing aggregator, 
passing charges from third parties to telephone companies so that those 
charges could be placed on consumers’ landline telephone bills. The 
defendants admitted that they did not vet the charges before processing 
them and did not investigate consumer complaints about unauthorized 
charges.

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a>The
 FTC will be sending 86,752 checks averaging about $56 each. People who 
receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days, as indicated 
on the check. Recipients who have questions about their checks can call 
the refund administrator, Epiq, at 800-591-4238. The FTC never requires 
people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund 
check.

The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling nearly $5 
million to people who lost money to a cramming scheme that added charges
 to their home phone bills without their permission.The refunds stem from money the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2016/05/company-placed-crammed-charges-consumers-phone-bills-settles-ftc">FTC collected from a group of defendants</a>
 who admitted that they violated a 1999 FTC settlement order that 
prohibited them from unauthorized billing. For years, the defendants, 
Billing Services Group (BSG), operated as a phone billing aggregator, 
passing charges from third parties to telephone companies so that those 
charges could be placed on consumers’ landline telephone bills. The 
defendants admitted that they did not vet the charges before processing 
them and did not investigate consumer complaints about unauthorized 
charges.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a>The
 FTC will be sending 86,752 checks averaging about $56 each. People who 
receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days, as indicated 
on the check. Recipients who have questions about their checks can call 
the refund administrator, Epiq, at 800-591-4238. The FTC never requires 
people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund 
check.The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a>
 provide a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions
 led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the 
country, but recently the United States Supreme Court ruled the FTC 
lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal 
court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC sends nearly $5 million to victims of phone bill scheme

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state education official said Wednesday that a Kansas middle school student has died of COVID-19.

The child’s death would be the first reported COVID-19 death of someone aged 10 to 17 in Kansas and only the third reported for someone under 18.

(Click below to listen to Education Commissioner Randy Watson's comments on the student's death)

Education Commissioner Randy Watson disclosed the death during a Zoom meeting of a task force on COVID-19 safety measures in public schools appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly.

“On an extremely sad note, I was just informed ... that we did have a student, a middle school student, pass away of COVID just in the last maybe day,” Watson told the group but he provided no further details.

The State Department of Education referred questions to the Department of Health and Environment, but its spokesperson did not immediately return messages seeking more details.

Meanwhile, the health department reported 11 new COVID-19 clusters at schools. The department’s data showed 72 active school outbreaks across Kansas, with 537 cases and one hospitalization.

The heath department’s presentation to the governor’s workgroup noted the “drastic increase in outbreaks this week (is) likely due in part to improved reporting.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A state education official said Wednesday that a Kansas middle school student has died of COVID-19.The child’s death would be the first reported COVID-19 death of someone aged 10 to 17 in Kansas and only the third reported for someone under 18.(Click below to listen to Education Commissioner Randy Watson's comments on the student's death)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4_jcurOTJek?start=1567" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Education Commissioner Randy Watson disclosed the death during a Zoom meeting of a task force on COVID-19 safety measures in public schools appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly.“On an extremely sad note, I was just informed ... that we did have a student, a middle school student, pass away of COVID just in the last maybe day,” Watson told the group but he provided no further details.The State Department of Education referred questions to the Department of Health and Environment, but its spokesperson did not immediately return messages seeking more details.Meanwhile, the health department reported 11 new COVID-19 clusters at schools. The department’s data showed 72 active school outbreaks across Kansas, with 537 cases and one hospitalization.The heath department’s presentation to the governor’s workgroup noted the “drastic increase in outbreaks this week (is) likely due in part to improved reporting.”

🎥  Education official: Kan. middle school student died of COVID-19

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has awarded new contracts 
to three private-sector collection agencies for collection of overdue 
tax debts. The new contracts begin Thursday following today's expiration
 of the old contracts.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, taxpayers with unpaid tax bills may be contacted by one of the following three agencies:

CBE Group, Inc. 
PO Box 2217 
Waterloo, IA 50704 
800-910-5837

Coast Professional, Inc. 
PO Box 526 
Albion, NY 14411 
888-928-0510

ConServe 
PO Box 307 
Fairport, NY 14450 
844-853-4875

Notification by IRS and the private collection agencies

The IRS will always notify a taxpayer before transferring their account to a private collection agency (PCA).

The private collectors will identify themselves as contractors 
collecting taxes on behalf of the IRS. Employees of these collection 
agencies must follow the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection 
Practices Act, and like IRS employees, must be courteous and must 
respect taxpayer rights.

Private firms are not authorized to take enforcement actions against 
taxpayers. Only IRS employees can take these actions, such as filing a 
notice of Federal Tax Lien or issuing a levy.

The private firms are authorized to discuss payment options, 
including setting up payment agreements with taxpayers. But as with 
cases assigned to IRS employees, any tax payment must be made directly 
to the IRS. A payment should never be sent to the private firm or anyone
 besides the IRS or the U.S. Treasury. Checks should only be made 
payable to the United States Treasury. To find out more about available 
payment options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.

The IRS established the Private Debt Collection program in 2016, as 
authorized under federal law, and contracted with several agencies to 
collect certain unpaid tax debts on the government's behalf. To learn 
more about the private debt collection program, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection">Private Debt Collection</a> page. Additional information can be found at the following links:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has awarded new contracts 
to three private-sector collection agencies for collection of overdue 
tax debts. The new contracts begin Thursday following today's expiration
 of the old contracts.Beginning Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, taxpayers with unpaid tax bills may be contacted by one of the following three agencies:CBE Group, Inc. 
PO Box 2217 
Waterloo, IA 50704 
800-910-5837Coast Professional, Inc. 
PO Box 526 
Albion, NY 14411 
888-928-0510ConServe 
PO Box 307 
Fairport, NY 14450 
844-853-4875<h2>Notification by IRS and the private collection agencies</h2>The IRS will always notify a taxpayer before transferring their account to a private collection agency (PCA).<ul>
 <li>First, the IRS will send a letter to the taxpayer and their tax 
representative informing them that their account was assigned to a PCA 
and giving the name and contact information for the PCA. This mailing 
will include a copy of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4518.pdf">Publication 4518, What You Can Expect When the IRS Assigns Your Account to a Private Collection Agency</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Following IRS notification, the PCA will send its own letter to the
 taxpayer and their representative confirming the account transfer. To 
protect the taxpayer's privacy and security, both the IRS letter and the
 PCA's letter will contain information that will help taxpayers identify
 the tax amount owed and assure taxpayers that future collection agency 
calls they may receive are legitimate.</li>
 </ul><h2>How it works</h2>The private collectors will identify themselves as contractors 
collecting taxes on behalf of the IRS. Employees of these collection 
agencies must follow the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection 
Practices Act, and like IRS employees, must be courteous and must 
respect taxpayer rights.Private firms are not authorized to take enforcement actions against 
taxpayers. Only IRS employees can take these actions, such as filing a 
notice of Federal Tax Lien or issuing a levy.<h2>Payment options</h2>The private firms are authorized to discuss payment options, 
including setting up payment agreements with taxpayers. But as with 
cases assigned to IRS employees, any tax payment must be made directly 
to the IRS. A payment should never be sent to the private firm or anyone
 besides the IRS or the U.S. Treasury. Checks should only be made 
payable to the United States Treasury. To find out more about available 
payment options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.<h2>More information</h2>The IRS established the Private Debt Collection program in 2016, as 
authorized under federal law, and contracted with several agencies to 
collect certain unpaid tax debts on the government's behalf. To learn 
more about the private debt collection program, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection">Private Debt Collection</a> page. Additional information can be found at the following links:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection-accounts-assigned-to-private-collection-agencies">Private Debt Collection – Accounts Assigned to Private Collection Agencies</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection-faqs-0">Questions and answers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuONAnr38Bk">Private Collection of Overdue Taxes YouTube Video</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4518.pdf">Publication 4518, What You Can Expect When the IRS Assigns Your Account to a Private Collection Agency</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp40-notice">Understanding Your CP40 Notice</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights">Taxpayer Bill of Rights</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS announces new private-sector collection agencies

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A suburban Kansas City man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his wife last year.

Larnell McDonald, 64. was sentenced Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the killing of 44-year-old Kimah McDonald.

The shooting happened Aug. 16, 2020, when police were called to the McDonald home in Independence for a domestic dispute. Arriving officers heard a gunshot as they approached the home and later found Kimah McDonald in a bedroom dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Larnell McDonald said he and his estranged wife were arguing when he pointed a gun at her and insisted the gun accidentally fired.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632321782467.png" alt="McDonald photo Jackson Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>McDonald photo Jackson Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A suburban Kansas City man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his wife last year.Larnell McDonald, 64. was sentenced Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the killing of 44-year-old Kimah McDonald.The shooting happened Aug. 16, 2020, when police were called to the McDonald home in Independence for a domestic dispute. Arriving officers heard a gunshot as they approached the home and later found Kimah McDonald in a bedroom dead from a gunshot wound to the head.Larnell McDonald said he and his estranged wife were arguing when he pointed a gun at her and insisted the gun accidentally fired.

Kansas City man sentenced in wife's killing 

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

On Tuesday, the Saline County sheriff's office first reported finding a body&nbsp;near the intersection of S. Halstead Road and W. McReynolds Road. In a news release Tuesday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan noted that the&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Response Team had been called in. On Wednesday, Soldan said that the case was being investigated as a homicide.

On September 17, Manuel Medina-Castro and members of his immediate family arrived at the Saline County Jail.

Manuel Medina-Castro’s family members reported a vehicle, which Manuel had borrowed from a family member, contained a significant amount of what appeared to be blood and a spent shell casing.

Salina Police Department Detectives responded to the 2500 block of Ambassador Drive, Salina, Kansas, and located the vehicle borrowed by Manuel Medina-Castrol. They also observed a substantial amount of what appeared to be blood inside of the family member’s vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and residence. The subsequent search revealed evidence to indicate a violent crime had occurred, a firearm was recovered, and it was believed someone had been grievously injured.

On September 17, 2021, Manuel Medina-Castro, a 27-year-old resident of Salina was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,&nbsp;Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and&nbsp;Felony Damage to property

Since September 17, 2021, investigators from the Salina Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Saline County Sheriff’s Office have conducted a joint investigation to locate and identify a potential victim.

On Tuesday law enforcement developed information that the victim may be located in the 3100 block of West McReynolds Road, in rural Saline County. During the search of that area, a deceased person was located. Law enforcement is waiting on confirmation of the identity of the victim along with the autopsy results. The autopsy has been scheduled. Notification of the next-of-kin is pending.

On September 22, 2021, the Salina Police Department is requesting the an additional charge of Murder; Second Degree for Manuel Medina-Castro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631972405111.jpeg" alt="Medina-Castro, Manuel.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Medina-Castro, Manuel.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure> By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostOn Tuesday, the Saline County sheriff's office first reported finding a body&nbsp;near the intersection of S. Halstead Road and W. McReynolds Road. In a news release Tuesday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan noted that the&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Response Team had been called in. On Wednesday, Soldan said that the case was being investigated as a homicide.On September 17, Manuel Medina-Castro and members of his immediate family arrived at the Saline County Jail.Manuel Medina-Castro’s family members reported a vehicle, which Manuel had borrowed from a family member, contained a significant amount of what appeared to be blood and a spent shell casing.Salina Police Department Detectives responded to the 2500 block of Ambassador Drive, Salina, Kansas, and located the vehicle borrowed by Manuel Medina-Castrol. They also observed a substantial amount of what appeared to be blood inside of the family member’s vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and residence. The subsequent search revealed evidence to indicate a violent crime had occurred, a firearm was recovered, and it was believed someone had been grievously injured.On September 17, 2021, Manuel Medina-Castro, a 27-year-old resident of Salina was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,&nbsp;Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and&nbsp;Felony Damage to propertySince September 17, 2021, investigators from the Salina Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Saline County Sheriff’s Office have conducted a joint investigation to locate and identify a potential victim.On Tuesday law enforcement developed information that the victim may be located in the 3100 block of West McReynolds Road, in rural Saline County. During the search of that area, a deceased person was located. Law enforcement is waiting on confirmation of the identity of the victim along with the autopsy results. The autopsy has been scheduled. Notification of the next-of-kin is pending.On September 22, 2021, the Salina Police Department is requesting the an additional charge of Murder; Second Degree for Manuel Medina-Castro.

Suspect accused after man's body found in rural Saline. Co.

MANHATTAN — Investigators from the Manhattan Fire Department have determined that improperly disposed of smoking materials caused the house fire that occurred on Tuesday evening at 3341 Effingham Drive in Mahattan, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes. T

The building is a two-story single-family dwelling and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.&nbsp; Six pets were rescued from the fire and two of them succumbed to injuries at the scene.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $60,000 to contents and $260,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Michele Ulmer of the same address.&nbsp;

Manhattan—Authorities are working to determine the cause a house fire in Manhattan.&nbsp;

Just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, fire crews were dispatched to 3341 Effingham Drive for a report of a house on fire, according to assistant Chief Sam Dameron.

Upon arrival, crews found a two-story single-family home with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the structure. Five dogs and one cat were rescued from the home. Two pets succumbed to their injuries at the scene.&nbsp; 

The fire reached a second alarm before it was contained within 40 minutes.&nbsp; The building is a two-story single-family dwelling and was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The residents were displaced from the building due to damage.&nbsp;

 Loss is estimated at $60,000 to contents and $260,000 to the structure.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632274029672.png" alt="Tuesday evening fire-photo Manhattan Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Tuesday evening fire-photo Manhattan Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — Investigators from the Manhattan Fire Department have determined that improperly disposed of smoking materials caused the house fire that occurred on Tuesday evening at 3341 Effingham Drive in Mahattan, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes. T The building is a two-story single-family dwelling and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.&nbsp; Six pets were rescued from the fire and two of them succumbed to injuries at the scene.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $60,000 to contents and $260,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Michele Ulmer of the same address.&nbsp;Manhattan—Authorities are working to determine the cause a house fire in Manhattan.&nbsp;Just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, fire crews were dispatched to 3341 Effingham Drive for a report of a house on fire, according to assistant Chief Sam Dameron.Upon arrival, crews found a two-story single-family home with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the structure. Five dogs and one cat were rescued from the home. Two pets succumbed to their injuries at the scene.&nbsp; The fire reached a second alarm before it was contained within 40 minutes.&nbsp; The building is a two-story single-family dwelling and was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The residents were displaced from the building due to damage.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $60,000 to contents and $260,000 to the structure.&nbsp;

Update: Investigators determine cause of 2-alarm Kan. house fire 

DEL RIO, Texas (AP) — Three hours after being freed from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-mexico-texas-caribbean-united-states-ac7f598bafd44b3f95b786d2d800f3ce">giant migrant camp&nbsp;</a>under an international bridge, Mackenson Veillard stood outside a gas station and took stock of his sudden good fortune as he and pregnant wife waited for a Greyhound bus to take them to a cousin in San Antonio.

The couple camped with thousands for a week under the bridge in Del Rio, Texas, sleeping on concrete and getting by on bread and bottled water.

“I felt so stressed,” Veillard, 25, said this week. “But now, I feel better. It’s like I’m starting a new life.”

Many Haitian migrants in Del Rio are being released in the United States, according to two U.S. officials, undercutting the Biden administration’s public statements that the thousands in the camp faced immediate expulsion to Haiti.

Haitians have been freed on a “very, very large scale” in recent days, one official said Tuesday. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and thus spoke on condition of anonymity, put the figure in the thousands.

Many have been released with notices to appear at an immigration office within 60 days, an outcome that requires less processing time from Border Patrol agents than ordering an appearance in immigration court and points to the speed at which authorities are moving.

The releases come despite a massive effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/port-au-prince-haiti-c01b09afb49c4586fdd718031d32402a">expel Haitians on flights</a>&nbsp;under pandemic-related authority that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum. A third U.S. official not authorized to discuss operations said there were seven daily flights to Haiti planned starting Wednesday.

Ten flights arrived in Haiti from Sunday to Tuesday in planes designed for 135 passengers, according to Haitian officials, who didn’t provide a complete count but said six of those flights carried 713 migrants combined.

The camp held more than 14,000 people over the weekend, according to some estimates. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, during a visit Tuesday to Del Rio, said the county’s top official told him the most recent tally was about 8,600 migrants. U.S. authorities have declined to say how many have been released in the U.S. in recent days.

The Homeland Security Department has been busing Haitians from Del Rio, a town of 35,000 people, to El Paso, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley along the Texas border, and this week added flights to Tucson, Arizona, the official said. They are processed by the Border Patrol at those locations.

Criteria for deciding who is flown to Haiti and who is released in the U.S. is a mystery but two officials said single adults were a priority. If previous handling of asylum-seekers is any guide, the administration is more likely to release those deemed vulnerable, including pregnant women, families with young children and those with medical issues.

The Biden administration exempts unaccompanied children from expulsion flights on humanitarian grounds.

Wilgens Jean and his wife Junia Michel waited in Del Rio this week for relatives to send the $439 in bus fare to get to Springfield, Ohio, where Jean’s brother lives. Michel, who is pregnant, huddled under the little shade the parking lot had to offer from the brutal heat. Her only request was for sunscreen that she softly rubbed on her pregnant belly.

On the concrete in front of them lay two backpacks and a black garbage bag which held everything the couple owns. The pair left in Haiti in April and were in the Del Rio camp for five days. Jean said because his wife is expecting, they were released from the camp on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="Migrants at the Texas border this week- photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Migrants at the Texas border this week- photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>DEL RIO, Texas (AP) — Three hours after being freed from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-mexico-texas-caribbean-united-states-ac7f598bafd44b3f95b786d2d800f3ce">giant migrant camp&nbsp;</a>under an international bridge, Mackenson Veillard stood outside a gas station and took stock of his sudden good fortune as he and pregnant wife waited for a Greyhound bus to take them to a cousin in San Antonio.The couple camped with thousands for a week under the bridge in Del Rio, Texas, sleeping on concrete and getting by on bread and bottled water.“I felt so stressed,” Veillard, 25, said this week. “But now, I feel better. It’s like I’m starting a new life.”Many Haitian migrants in Del Rio are being released in the United States, according to two U.S. officials, undercutting the Biden administration’s public statements that the thousands in the camp faced immediate expulsion to Haiti.Haitians have been freed on a “very, very large scale” in recent days, one official said Tuesday. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and thus spoke on condition of anonymity, put the figure in the thousands.Many have been released with notices to appear at an immigration office within 60 days, an outcome that requires less processing time from Border Patrol agents than ordering an appearance in immigration court and points to the speed at which authorities are moving.The releases come despite a massive effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/port-au-prince-haiti-c01b09afb49c4586fdd718031d32402a">expel Haitians on flights</a>&nbsp;under pandemic-related authority that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum. A third U.S. official not authorized to discuss operations said there were seven daily flights to Haiti planned starting Wednesday.Ten flights arrived in Haiti from Sunday to Tuesday in planes designed for 135 passengers, according to Haitian officials, who didn’t provide a complete count but said six of those flights carried 713 migrants combined.The camp held more than 14,000 people over the weekend, according to some estimates. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, during a visit Tuesday to Del Rio, said the county’s top official told him the most recent tally was about 8,600 migrants. U.S. authorities have declined to say how many have been released in the U.S. in recent days.The Homeland Security Department has been busing Haitians from Del Rio, a town of 35,000 people, to El Paso, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley along the Texas border, and this week added flights to Tucson, Arizona, the official said. They are processed by the Border Patrol at those locations.Criteria for deciding who is flown to Haiti and who is released in the U.S. is a mystery but two officials said single adults were a priority. If previous handling of asylum-seekers is any guide, the administration is more likely to release those deemed vulnerable, including pregnant women, families with young children and those with medical issues.The Biden administration exempts unaccompanied children from expulsion flights on humanitarian grounds.Wilgens Jean and his wife Junia Michel waited in Del Rio this week for relatives to send the $439 in bus fare to get to Springfield, Ohio, where Jean’s brother lives. Michel, who is pregnant, huddled under the little shade the parking lot had to offer from the brutal heat. Her only request was for sunscreen that she softly rubbed on her pregnant belly.On the concrete in front of them lay two backpacks and a black garbage bag which held everything the couple owns. The pair left in Haiti in April and were in the Del Rio camp for five days. Jean said because his wife is expecting, they were released from the camp on Monday.“I entered by crossing the river,” Jean said. “Immigration gave me a ticket.”The system is a “black box,” said Wade McMullen, an attorney with the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, who was in Del Rio. “Right now, we have no official access to understand what processes are under way, what protections are being provided for the migrants.”Accounts of wide-scale releases — some observed at the Del Rio bus station by Associated Press journalists -- are at odds with statements Monday by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who traveled to Del Rio to promise swift action.“If you come to the United States illegally, you will be returned, your journey will not succeed, and you will be endangering your life and your family’s life,” he said at a news conference.Homeland Security, asked to comment on releases in the United States, said Wednesday that migrants who are not immediately expelled to Haiti may be detained or released with a notice to appear in immigration court or report to an immigration office, depending on available custody space.“The Biden Administration has reiterated that our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey,” the department said in a statement. “Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion.”Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-immigration-mexico-texas-haiti-b7c55977dcb543262aae0e4ac0acd115">Mexico has begun busing and flying Haitian migrants away from the U.S. border,</a>&nbsp;signaling a new level of support for the United States as the camp presented President Joe Biden with a humanitarian and increasingly political challenge.The White House is facing sharp bipartisan condemnation. Republicans say Biden administration policies led Haitians to believe they would get asylum. Democrats are expressing outrage after images went viral this week of Border Patrol agents on horseback using aggressive tactics against the migrants.Immigrants have described a screening process at the camp where individuals are given a colored tickets for four categories: single men; single women; pregnant women; and families with young children, McMullen said. The vast majority of immigrants he and other advocates have interviewed and who have been released into the U.S. have been families with young children and pregnant women.About 200 migrants were released on Monday in Del Rio. About 50 of them, mostly Haitian and many pregnant or with small children, boarded a bus to Houston, from where they would fly to destinations across the country. The Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition advocacy group arranged the charter bus and supplied sack lunches of a sandwich and cookies.After an initial stay with family in San Antonio, Veillard eventually hopes to get to New York City to live with his sister. He will take any job he can find to support his growing family.Veillard and his wife left Haiti four years ago and had been living in Brazil until they began their journey to the United States in June, much of it on foot.“I don’t know how I’m going to feel tomorrow but now I feel lucky,” he said.___