KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's air force claimed Saturday to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems, the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow's most modern missiles.

Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a Telegram post that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-e0dc1e20e9dd53528c5381ca5fdee66a">Kinzhal-type ballistic missile</a>&nbsp;had been intercepted in an overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital earlier in the week. It was also the first time Ukraine is known to have used the Patriot defense systems.

“Yes, we shot down the ‘unique’ Kinzhal,” Oleshchuk wrote. “It happened during the night-time attack on May 4 in the skies of the Kyiv region.”

Oleshchuk said the Kh-47 missile was launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from Russian territory and was shot down with a Patriot missile.

The Kinzhal is one of the latest and most advanced Russian weapons. The Russian military says the air-launched ballistic missile has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (about 1,250 miles) and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept.

A combination of hypersonic speed and a heavy warhead allows the Kinzhal to destroy heavily fortified targets, like underground bunkers or mountain tunnels.

The Ukrainian military has previously admitted lacking assets to intercept the Kinzhals.

“They were saying that the Patriot is an outdated American weapon, and Russian weapons are the best in the world," Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on Ukraine's Channel 24 television. "Well, there is confirmation that it effectively works against even a super-hypersonic missile.” Ihnat said.

He said successfully intercepting the Kinzhal was “a slap in the face for Russia.”

Ukraine took its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-4c79f9110899ca1880a61f2d1f328179">first delivery</a>&nbsp;of the Patriot missiles in late April. It has not specified how many of the systems it has or where they have been deployed, but they are known to have been provided by the United States, Germany and the Netherlands.

Germany and the U.S. have acknowledged each sending at least one battery and the Netherlands has said it has provided two launchers, although it is not clear how many are currently in operation.

Ukrainian troops have received the extensive training needed to be able to effectively locate a target with the systems, lock on with radar, and fire. Each battery requires up to 90 personnel to operate and maintain.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he first asked for Patriot systems when visiting the U.S. in August 2021, months before Russia’s full-scale invasion but seven years after Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula.

He has described possessing the system as “a dream” but said he was told in the U.S. at the time that it was impossible.

The Patriot was first deployed by the U.S. in the 1980s. The system costs approximately $4 million per missile, and the launchers cost about $10 million each, according to analysts.

At such a cost, it was widely thought that Ukraine would only use the Patriots against Russian aircraft or hypersonic missiles.

In a Telegram post on Saturday, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said he had thanked U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the ongoing American aid to Ukraine.

Zaluzhnyi said he also briefed Milley “about the situation at the front and preparations” for Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia.

Ukraine has not said when it might launch the counteroffensive, but it is widely anticipated this spring.

In an interview this week with Foreign Affairs magazine, Milley said he would not speculate on if or when it might come, but that with NATO assistance to help train and equip nine brigades' worth of combined arms, armor and mechanized infantry, “the Ukrainians right now have the capability to attack.”

He also said that their capability to defend was “significantly enhanced from what they were just a year ago.”

“I don’t want to suggest that they may or may not conduct an offensive operation in the coming weeks,” he said. “That’ll be up to them. They’ve got a significant amount of planning and coordination and all of that to do, if they were to do an offensive operation. But they’re prepared to do offense or defense.”

In other developments, officials in both Russia and Ukraine said they had carried out another of their regular exchanges of prisoners of war.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it brought three military pilots back to Russia, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said 45 fighters who defended the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol had been returned to Ukraine.

Also on Saturday, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions in its attempt to wrest control of the eastern city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian forces.

Russian troops have been trying to take the city for more than nine months, but Ukrainian forces are still clinging to positions on the western outskirts.

On Saturday, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper quoted military officials as saying that “the enemy used phosphorus and incendiary ammunition in Bakhmut in an attempt to wipe the city off the face of the earth.”

A photo accompanying the newspaper report showed an urban area lit up with fire in multiple places.

The allegations could not be independently verified.

Russian forces have not commented on the claim but have rejected previous accusations from Ukraine that they had used phosphorus.

International law prohibits the use of white phosphorus or other incendiary weapons — munitions designed to set fire to objects or cause burn injuries — in areas where there could be concentrations of civilians.

White phosphorous can also be used for illumination or to create smoke screens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673396092973.png" alt="Ukrainian troops trained at Oklahoma’s Fort Sill Army base operating and maintaining the Patriot missile defense system-Photo U.S. Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>Ukrainian troops trained at Oklahoma’s Fort Sill Army base operating and maintaining the Patriot missile defense system-Photo U.S. Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's air force claimed Saturday to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems, the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow's most modern missiles.Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a Telegram post that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-e0dc1e20e9dd53528c5381ca5fdee66a">Kinzhal-type ballistic missile</a>&nbsp;had been intercepted in an overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital earlier in the week. It was also the first time Ukraine is known to have used the Patriot defense systems.“Yes, we shot down the ‘unique’ Kinzhal,” Oleshchuk wrote. “It happened during the night-time attack on May 4 in the skies of the Kyiv region.”Oleshchuk said the Kh-47 missile was launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from Russian territory and was shot down with a Patriot missile.The Kinzhal is one of the latest and most advanced Russian weapons. The Russian military says the air-launched ballistic missile has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (about 1,250 miles) and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept.A combination of hypersonic speed and a heavy warhead allows the Kinzhal to destroy heavily fortified targets, like underground bunkers or mountain tunnels.The Ukrainian military has previously admitted lacking assets to intercept the Kinzhals.“They were saying that the Patriot is an outdated American weapon, and Russian weapons are the best in the world," Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on Ukraine's Channel 24 television. "Well, there is confirmation that it effectively works against even a super-hypersonic missile.” Ihnat said.He said successfully intercepting the Kinzhal was “a slap in the face for Russia.”Ukraine took its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-4c79f9110899ca1880a61f2d1f328179">first delivery</a>&nbsp;of the Patriot missiles in late April. It has not specified how many of the systems it has or where they have been deployed, but they are known to have been provided by the United States, Germany and the Netherlands.Germany and the U.S. have acknowledged each sending at least one battery and the Netherlands has said it has provided two launchers, although it is not clear how many are currently in operation.Ukrainian troops have received the extensive training needed to be able to effectively locate a target with the systems, lock on with radar, and fire. Each battery requires up to 90 personnel to operate and maintain.Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he first asked for Patriot systems when visiting the U.S. in August 2021, months before Russia’s full-scale invasion but seven years after Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula.He has described possessing the system as “a dream” but said he was told in the U.S. at the time that it was impossible.The Patriot was first deployed by the U.S. in the 1980s. The system costs approximately $4 million per missile, and the launchers cost about $10 million each, according to analysts.At such a cost, it was widely thought that Ukraine would only use the Patriots against Russian aircraft or hypersonic missiles.In a Telegram post on Saturday, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said he had thanked U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the ongoing American aid to Ukraine.Zaluzhnyi said he also briefed Milley “about the situation at the front and preparations” for Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia.Ukraine has not said when it might launch the counteroffensive, but it is widely anticipated this spring.In an interview this week with Foreign Affairs magazine, Milley said he would not speculate on if or when it might come, but that with NATO assistance to help train and equip nine brigades' worth of combined arms, armor and mechanized infantry, “the Ukrainians right now have the capability to attack.”He also said that their capability to defend was “significantly enhanced from what they were just a year ago.”“I don’t want to suggest that they may or may not conduct an offensive operation in the coming weeks,” he said. “That’ll be up to them. They’ve got a significant amount of planning and coordination and all of that to do, if they were to do an offensive operation. But they’re prepared to do offense or defense.”In other developments, officials in both Russia and Ukraine said they had carried out another of their regular exchanges of prisoners of war.The Russian Defense Ministry said it brought three military pilots back to Russia, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said 45 fighters who defended the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol had been returned to Ukraine.Also on Saturday, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions in its attempt to wrest control of the eastern city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian forces.Russian troops have been trying to take the city for more than nine months, but Ukrainian forces are still clinging to positions on the western outskirts.On Saturday, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper quoted military officials as saying that “the enemy used phosphorus and incendiary ammunition in Bakhmut in an attempt to wipe the city off the face of the earth.”A photo accompanying the newspaper report showed an urban area lit up with fire in multiple places.The allegations could not be independently verified.Russian forces have not commented on the claim but have rejected previous accusations from Ukraine that they had used phosphorus.International law prohibits the use of white phosphorus or other incendiary weapons — munitions designed to set fire to objects or cause burn injuries — in areas where there could be concentrations of civilians.White phosphorous can also be used for illumination or to create smoke screens.

U.S. Patriot system downs Russian hypersonic missile in Ukraine

KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City-area man to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple felonies including rape, sodomy, kidnapping, robbery and assault of women in Kansas City, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

The judge sentenced Kevin March, 43, to five years on these convictions: Sodomy 1st Degree and two counts of Rape 1st Degree. Those five-year sentences were set to run consecutively for a total of 15 years in prison.

In addition, the judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years on these convictions: four counts of Kidnapping 1st, two counts of Robbery 1st Degree, one count of Assault 1st Degree and four years for three counts of Assault 3rd Degree. Sentences for those 10 counts were set to run concurrently.

The 15-year sentence on the sex charge convictions were set to run consecutively to the 10 years on the other felony convictions. That gives a total sentence of 25 years.

According to court records, unrelated women described to Kansas City police detectives how the defendant in May 2019 and in three incidents in January 2020 tied them up, gagged them, forced them to ingest drugs, forced them to perform sex acts on the defendant and others, assaulted and injured them and stole property from them. Some of the women were bound for hours.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683204690435.png" alt="March-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>March-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City-area man to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple felonies including rape, sodomy, kidnapping, robbery and assault of women in Kansas City, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.The judge sentenced Kevin March, 43, to five years on these convictions: Sodomy 1st Degree and two counts of Rape 1st Degree. Those five-year sentences were set to run consecutively for a total of 15 years in prison.In addition, the judge sentenced the defendant to 10 years on these convictions: four counts of Kidnapping 1st, two counts of Robbery 1st Degree, one count of Assault 1st Degree and four years for three counts of Assault 3rd Degree. Sentences for those 10 counts were set to run concurrently.The 15-year sentence on the sex charge convictions were set to run consecutively to the 10 years on the other felony convictions. That gives a total sentence of 25 years.According to court records, unrelated women described to Kansas City police detectives how the defendant in May 2019 and in three incidents in January 2020 tied them up, gagged them, forced them to ingest drugs, forced them to perform sex acts on the defendant and others, assaulted and injured them and stole property from them. Some of the women were bound for hours.

Kansas City rapist sentenced for series of violent crimes

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mercedes S-class driven by Michael Roy Gaskin, 38, Kansas City, Kansas, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of 57th Street.

The vehicle was traveling erratically.&nbsp; A&nbsp; 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Marina Viramontes, 20, Kansas City, Kansas, braked to avoid a collision.&nbsp; Gaskin lost control of the Mercedes and struck a 2008 Ford F350 driven by&nbsp; Robert Adams Parks McDaniel, 48, Grain Valley, Missouri.&nbsp;

After impact, the Mercedes spun into the median barrier wall.&nbsp; McDaniel lost control of the Ford, struck the barrier wall and the Mercedes. The Mercedes then rolled on top of the wall and struck a bridge Pillar.

EMS transported Gaskin to KU Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. McDaniel and Veramontes were not injured. All three drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mercedes S-class driven by Michael Roy Gaskin, 38, Kansas City, Kansas, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of 57th Street.The vehicle was traveling erratically.&nbsp; A&nbsp; 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Marina Viramontes, 20, Kansas City, Kansas, braked to avoid a collision.&nbsp; Gaskin lost control of the Mercedes and struck a 2008 Ford F350 driven by&nbsp; Robert Adams Parks McDaniel, 48, Grain Valley, Missouri.&nbsp;After impact, the Mercedes spun into the median barrier wall.&nbsp; McDaniel lost control of the Ford, struck the barrier wall and the Mercedes. The Mercedes then rolled on top of the wall and struck a bridge Pillar.EMS transported Gaskin to KU Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. McDaniel and Veramontes were not injured. All three drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after violent 3-vehicle crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three men accused in a murder last weekend in Wichita made their first appearances in court this week.

Adonis&nbsp;Andrews, 47; Jorge Romero, 48 and and Shaun O’Brien, 41, all of Wichita were each charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 4am on April 30, police were dispatched to a shooting that took place in the 2800 block of East Stadium Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Once on the scene officers located a victim identified as 36-year-old Christian Santiago of Wichita in the front passenger seat of a white SUV deceased.

Later that day, police booked 47-year-old Adonis C. Andrews into the Sedgwick County Jail in connection with Santiago's murder.

Investigators also identified Jorge Romero, Jr., as a suspect. Police located him Tuesday in the 1200 block of W Casado Street and made an arrest. Police booked Obrien in connection with the crime on Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;Bond for each of the men is $250,000. 

It is believed the suspects and the victim are known to each other and this was not a random incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682974954685.png" alt="Andrews has a previous conviction for criminal threat and three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Andrews has a previous conviction for criminal threat and three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three men accused in a murder last weekend in Wichita made their first appearances in court this week.Adonis&nbsp;Andrews, 47; Jorge Romero, 48 and and Shaun O’Brien, 41, all of Wichita were each charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683119668766.png" alt="Romero-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Romero-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 4am on April 30, police were dispatched to a shooting that took place in the 2800 block of East Stadium Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Once on the scene officers located a victim identified as 36-year-old Christian Santiago of Wichita in the front passenger seat of a white SUV deceased.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683134301504.png" alt="Obrien-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Obrien-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Later that day, police booked 47-year-old Adonis C. Andrews into the Sedgwick County Jail in connection with Santiago's murder.Investigators also identified Jorge Romero, Jr., as a suspect. Police located him Tuesday in the 1200 block of W Casado Street and made an arrest. Police booked Obrien in connection with the crime on Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;Bond for each of the men is $250,000. It is believed the suspects and the victim are known to each other and this was not a random incident.&nbsp;---------

3 suspects charged in Kansas murder investigation

PYATT, Ark. (AP) — Federal and state wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help in catching whoever might be responsible for the deaths of four bald eagles in Arkansas' Marion County earlier this year.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month put up a $5,000 reward for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of those who killed the federally protected birds discovered Feb. 13 near Pyatt, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/may/04/investigation-into-the-killing-of-four-bald/?news-arkansas%20(news-arkansas)">reported.</a>

A joint investigation by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the birds were shot between mid-January and mid-February. In addition to the eagles, authorities found red-tailed hawks, a domestic dog and white-tailed deer in the vicinity that had also been shot and killed.

“There’s, I think, evidence that somebody probably shot (the birds) from the road, but I don’t even know that they’re 100% certain of that,” said Rob Finley, the Arkansas Game and Fish commissioner for the area where the eagles were killed. “I know that they did set up a little bit of an operation to see if ... the people ever came back, but never did.”

Finley said that is when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the lead on the investigation.

Bald eagles are federally protected and if killed, violators could face up to a $250,000 fine and up to two years in federal prison if convicted. While protected, bald eagles are no longer considered endangered. They were removed from the endangered list in 2007.

“The bald eagles do migrate in and out of the state quite a bit now,” Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Randy Zellers said. “We do have nesting bald eagles in the state. But we (also) see an influx of bald eagles every winter, primarily with the waterfowl migration. When the waterfowl come south, a lot of eagles will follow them down (to prey on).”

Anyone with information about the bald eagles killed in Marion County should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (501) 513-4470 or the Arkansas Game &amp; Fish Commission at (833) 356-0824.

PYATT, Ark. (AP) — Federal and state wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help in catching whoever might be responsible for the deaths of four bald eagles in Arkansas' Marion County earlier this year.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month put up a $5,000 reward for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of those who killed the federally protected birds discovered Feb. 13 near Pyatt, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/may/04/investigation-into-the-killing-of-four-bald/?news-arkansas%20(news-arkansas)">reported.</a>A joint investigation by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the birds were shot between mid-January and mid-February. In addition to the eagles, authorities found red-tailed hawks, a domestic dog and white-tailed deer in the vicinity that had also been shot and killed.“There’s, I think, evidence that somebody probably shot (the birds) from the road, but I don’t even know that they’re 100% certain of that,” said Rob Finley, the Arkansas Game and Fish commissioner for the area where the eagles were killed. “I know that they did set up a little bit of an operation to see if ... the people ever came back, but never did.”Finley said that is when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the lead on the investigation.Bald eagles are federally protected and if killed, violators could face up to a $250,000 fine and up to two years in federal prison if convicted. While protected, bald eagles are no longer considered endangered. They were removed from the endangered list in 2007.“The bald eagles do migrate in and out of the state quite a bit now,” Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Randy Zellers said. “We do have nesting bald eagles in the state. But we (also) see an influx of bald eagles every winter, primarily with the waterfowl migration. When the waterfowl come south, a lot of eagles will follow them down (to prey on).”Anyone with information about the bald eagles killed in Marion County should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (501) 513-4470 or the Arkansas Game &amp; Fish Commission at (833) 356-0824.

US seeks help to find out who shot 4 bald eagles 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a body was found in the Missouri River just east of the 7th Street Bridge.

Just before 6:30p.m. Friday, police responded after a fisherman reported what he believed was someone in the river, according to a media release. First responders found the body of a deceased man. Fire and rescue assisted in recovering the body.

Police released no additional details Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683399840606.png" alt="-File photo courtesy KCK Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>-File photo courtesy KCK Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a body was found in the Missouri River just east of the 7th Street Bridge.Just before 6:30p.m. Friday, police responded after a fisherman reported what he believed was someone in the river, according to a media release. First responders found the body of a deceased man. Fire and rescue assisted in recovering the body.Police released no additional details Saturday.

Police in Kansas recover body of man in river

By ADAM GOLDSTEIN <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/17/state-ag-officials-push-for-on-time-farm-bill-to-fund-slew-of-programs/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Rural bank executives and crop insurance agents testified at a Thursday Senate hearing in support of a modernized crop insurance market that helps upstart producers manage growing risks, and supports food security.&nbsp;

The witnesses told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry that crop insurance represents one of the most important financial tools in the agricultural producer’s toolbox. They added that efforts to weaken it or tie it to climate provisions in the farm bill would undercut the economies of rural America that depend on it.&nbsp;

“I would submit that it’s the only viable risk management tool that our farmers have today,” said William Cole, chairman of the Crop Insurance Professionals Association. “It’s the underpinning of all of our rural communities, to a certain extent.”

The federal crop insurance program,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-commodity-policy/title-xi-crop-insurance-program-provisions/">contained in Title XI of the farm bill,</a>&nbsp;helps make insurance coverage available to farmers from private sector insurers to mitigate potential financial consequences of adverse growing and market conditions.&nbsp;

The finance leaders argued that crop insurance premiums should be lowered to encourage greater participation, which would consequently decrease risk for all producers. They said that given farmers and ranchers are financially invested in the safety net, a strong crop insurance program is more economically efficient to American taxpayers than ad-hoc disaster relief.&nbsp;

The witnesses also testified in favor of increasing the payment limits and efficiency of the Department of Agriculture’s guaranteed loan programs to keep up with rising farm operating expenses. They said that with rising interest rates, tax exemptions and loan flexibility will be key for farmers to meet their financial obligations.&nbsp;

The program offers insurance coverage for most field crops, many specialty crops, certain livestock and animals, and grazing lands. Outlays are estimated to be close to $53.5 billion between 2018 and 2023 by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/reports/audit/federal-crop-insurance-corporationrisk-management-agencys-financial-statements-6">USDA Office of the Inspector General.</a>&nbsp;This number does not account for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023aof-Campiche.pdf">more than $90 billion in ad-hoc emergency aid</a>&nbsp;the USDA delivered to farmers in that same five-year period, mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

The agency’s farm credit and guaranteed loan programs are located in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RS22131.pdf">Title V of the farm bill,</a>&nbsp;and are designed to help farmers access the financial credit they need to grow and sustain their farming operations, via direct loans and loan guarantees.&nbsp;

The 2018 farm bill expires at the end of September 2023, was projected to cost&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45525">$867 billion over 10 years when enacted</a>, and has cost roughly $428 billion over the past five years. Baseline spending for the coming farm bill is projected at $1.5 trillion over the next 10 fiscal years, according to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files?file=2023-02/51317-2023-02-usda.pdf">Congressional Budget Office.</a>

Ag business leaders defend crop insurance

The agriculture business leaders on the panel unanimously agreed on the need to maintain a robust crop insurance program, so producers can obtain lines of credit to expand operations, and maintain a functional safety net amid outdated reference prices for Title I commodity programs.&nbsp;

“I think it’s extremely important to note that the coverage does not just help farmers recover after a natural disaster,” Cole said. “It means so much more than that.”

Gus Barker, a witness and the president and CEO of First Community Bank in Newell, Iowa, said that bank regulators insist borrowers have crop insurance to repay their loans, and it allows producers to qualify for operating loans with extremely tight margins and high risk.&nbsp;

James Korin, the president of NAU Country Insurance in Ramsey, Minnesota, said that it is more efficient for taxpayers to put money into the crop insurance program, where the farmer is shouldering some of the cost, than in ad-hoc aid.&nbsp;

Jason Meador, head of Rural Community Insurance Services, said that crop insurance is currently farmers’ “first line of defense” against climate change, and has a track record of delivering assistance in a predictable and timely fashion compared to ad-hoc aid.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Korin and Meador both said integration of climate-related practices in the program must be incentive-based, “actuarially sound,” and funded separately from the broader crop insurance program.&nbsp;

“It is important that the formula provides enough return to cover our costs, and a reasonable long-term rate of return on the billions of dollars of capital we invest,” Korin said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota asked what would happen if Congress attempted to weaken crop insurance through cuts.

“Without the safety net for our farmers and ranchers, grocery shelves could quickly empty after a bad growing season across America’s heartland,” Korin said.&nbsp;

“It’s so important to our small rural communities, not just the farmers relying on it,” Cole said. “These vendors here rely on it heavily — the tractor dealerships, the seed and chemical dealerships.”&nbsp;

Republican Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas asked the panelists about the importance of crop insurance for producers in the face of high interest rates and inflation.

Phillip D. Morgan, a witness and the CEO of Southern AgCredit, said that as producers see their balance sheets decline with high input costs, the safety net crop insurance provides is a guarantee that they will be able to keep farming into the future.

Democrats on the committee asked panelists for their perspectives on the state of the agricultural economy and its structures, amid recent external shocks like bank failures and the risk of a national default if the debt ceiling is not raised.&nbsp;

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York asked if recent banking disruptions — fueled by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/business/bank-failures-svb-first-republic-signature.html">three of the largest bank collapses in U.S. history</a>&nbsp;— pose a risk to rural lenders and creditors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Korin said that the change in the banking industry has “no doubt” affected the cost of capital for NAU Country Insurance, which has seen reinsurance costs go up 40%.

Jase Wagner, the president and CEO of Compeer Financial in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, said that financial risk to farmers from these bank failures is “not real acute right now.” Still, he said the aftershocks are something his company is monitoring with its district bank, AgriBank, to minimize risk for newer producers.&nbsp;

Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, the chair of the committee, asked how the availability of credit and interest rates on farm loans would be affected if the country were to default on its debts.&nbsp;

Morgan said that the rapid hikes in interest rates from the Federal Reserve have farm operators looking at operating loan interest rates twice that of the previous year, and could worsen. He said that while producers will feel the impacts of those cost increases, NAU Country Insurance is “well-equipped” to weather potential adversity.&nbsp;

Wagner added that the risk-free rate, linked to the cost for a bank to borrow money, would be adversely impacted by a default. He said the impacts would compound across loans for inputs like fertilizer and seed, and make it harder for producers to pay them off.

Barker said that his organization is pushing a bill in Congress that would exempt taxes on the interest of all rural agricultural loans and real estate in towns of 2,500 people or fewer, which would lower already-high rates by a measure of 1.5 to 2.5 percentage points.&nbsp;

“So it’s safe to say that no one thinks that the U.S. defaulting is a good idea for farmers and ranchers,” Stabenow asked, eliciting nods and chuckles from the panelists.

The panelists also angled to increase loan payment limits on Farm Service Agency loans in Title V, noting that they have not kept pace with current prices.&nbsp;

Morgan cited that the cost of building a modern poultry house in Louisiana or Mississippi is up 37% from three years ago. He said that the Farm Credit Council supports an increase to a $3.5 million limit for a building loan, which is currently at just over $2 million, and a $3 million limit for an operating loan.&nbsp;

Wagner said that in some cases, younger producers may get help from outside parties on the land loan, but not the operating loan, and with the rising costs of input and land, “you hit that limit real quickly.”&nbsp;

Barker said that while his organization “could live with those numbers,” they would like to keep it indexed with inflation to keep up in the future.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1561988751962.png" alt="The finance leaders argued that crop insurance premiums should be lowered to encourage greater participation- file photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The finance leaders argued that crop insurance premiums should be lowered to encourage greater participation- file photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By ADAM GOLDSTEIN <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/17/state-ag-officials-push-for-on-time-farm-bill-to-fund-slew-of-programs/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Rural bank executives and crop insurance agents testified at a Thursday Senate hearing in support of a modernized crop insurance market that helps upstart producers manage growing risks, and supports food security.&nbsp;The witnesses told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry that crop insurance represents one of the most important financial tools in the agricultural producer’s toolbox. They added that efforts to weaken it or tie it to climate provisions in the farm bill would undercut the economies of rural America that depend on it.&nbsp;“I would submit that it’s the only viable risk management tool that our farmers have today,” said William Cole, chairman of the Crop Insurance Professionals Association. “It’s the underpinning of all of our rural communities, to a certain extent.”The federal crop insurance program,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-commodity-policy/title-xi-crop-insurance-program-provisions/">contained in Title XI of the farm bill,</a>&nbsp;helps make insurance coverage available to farmers from private sector insurers to mitigate potential financial consequences of adverse growing and market conditions.&nbsp;The finance leaders argued that crop insurance premiums should be lowered to encourage greater participation, which would consequently decrease risk for all producers. They said that given farmers and ranchers are financially invested in the safety net, a strong crop insurance program is more economically efficient to American taxpayers than ad-hoc disaster relief.&nbsp;The witnesses also testified in favor of increasing the payment limits and efficiency of the Department of Agriculture’s guaranteed loan programs to keep up with rising farm operating expenses. They said that with rising interest rates, tax exemptions and loan flexibility will be key for farmers to meet their financial obligations.&nbsp;The program offers insurance coverage for most field crops, many specialty crops, certain livestock and animals, and grazing lands. Outlays are estimated to be close to $53.5 billion between 2018 and 2023 by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/reports/audit/federal-crop-insurance-corporationrisk-management-agencys-financial-statements-6">USDA Office of the Inspector General.</a>&nbsp;This number does not account for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023aof-Campiche.pdf">more than $90 billion in ad-hoc emergency aid</a>&nbsp;the USDA delivered to farmers in that same five-year period, mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;The agency’s farm credit and guaranteed loan programs are located in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RS22131.pdf">Title V of the farm bill,</a>&nbsp;and are designed to help farmers access the financial credit they need to grow and sustain their farming operations, via direct loans and loan guarantees.&nbsp;The 2018 farm bill expires at the end of September 2023, was projected to cost&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45525">$867 billion over 10 years when enacted</a>, and has cost roughly $428 billion over the past five years. Baseline spending for the coming farm bill is projected at $1.5 trillion over the next 10 fiscal years, according to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files?file=2023-02/51317-2023-02-usda.pdf">Congressional Budget Office.</a><h2>Ag business leaders defend crop insurance</h2>The agriculture business leaders on the panel unanimously agreed on the need to maintain a robust crop insurance program, so producers can obtain lines of credit to expand operations, and maintain a functional safety net amid outdated reference prices for Title I commodity programs.&nbsp;“I think it’s extremely important to note that the coverage does not just help farmers recover after a natural disaster,” Cole said. “It means so much more than that.”Gus Barker, a witness and the president and CEO of First Community Bank in Newell, Iowa, said that bank regulators insist borrowers have crop insurance to repay their loans, and it allows producers to qualify for operating loans with extremely tight margins and high risk.&nbsp;James Korin, the president of NAU Country Insurance in Ramsey, Minnesota, said that it is more efficient for taxpayers to put money into the crop insurance program, where the farmer is shouldering some of the cost, than in ad-hoc aid.&nbsp;Jason Meador, head of Rural Community Insurance Services, said that crop insurance is currently farmers’ “first line of defense” against climate change, and has a track record of delivering assistance in a predictable and timely fashion compared to ad-hoc aid.&nbsp;&nbsp;Korin and Meador both said integration of climate-related practices in the program must be incentive-based, “actuarially sound,” and funded separately from the broader crop insurance program.&nbsp;“It is important that the formula provides enough return to cover our costs, and a reasonable long-term rate of return on the billions of dollars of capital we invest,” Korin said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota asked what would happen if Congress attempted to weaken crop insurance through cuts.“Without the safety net for our farmers and ranchers, grocery shelves could quickly empty after a bad growing season across America’s heartland,” Korin said.&nbsp;“It’s so important to our small rural communities, not just the farmers relying on it,” Cole said. “These vendors here rely on it heavily — the tractor dealerships, the seed and chemical dealerships.”&nbsp;Republican Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas asked the panelists about the importance of crop insurance for producers in the face of high interest rates and inflation.Phillip D. Morgan, a witness and the CEO of Southern AgCredit, said that as producers see their balance sheets decline with high input costs, the safety net crop insurance provides is a guarantee that they will be able to keep farming into the future.<h2>Democrats worry about ag economy</h2>Democrats on the committee asked panelists for their perspectives on the state of the agricultural economy and its structures, amid recent external shocks like bank failures and the risk of a national default if the debt ceiling is not raised.&nbsp;Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York asked if recent banking disruptions — fueled by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/business/bank-failures-svb-first-republic-signature.html">three of the largest bank collapses in U.S. history</a>&nbsp;— pose a risk to rural lenders and creditors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Korin said that the change in the banking industry has “no doubt” affected the cost of capital for NAU Country Insurance, which has seen reinsurance costs go up 40%.Jase Wagner, the president and CEO of Compeer Financial in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, said that financial risk to farmers from these bank failures is “not real acute right now.” Still, he said the aftershocks are something his company is monitoring with its district bank, AgriBank, to minimize risk for newer producers.&nbsp;Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, the chair of the committee, asked how the availability of credit and interest rates on farm loans would be affected if the country were to default on its debts.&nbsp;Morgan said that the rapid hikes in interest rates from the Federal Reserve have farm operators looking at operating loan interest rates twice that of the previous year, and could worsen. He said that while producers will feel the impacts of those cost increases, NAU Country Insurance is “well-equipped” to weather potential adversity.&nbsp;Wagner added that the risk-free rate, linked to the cost for a bank to borrow money, would be adversely impacted by a default. He said the impacts would compound across loans for inputs like fertilizer and seed, and make it harder for producers to pay them off.Barker said that his organization is pushing a bill in Congress that would exempt taxes on the interest of all rural agricultural loans and real estate in towns of 2,500 people or fewer, which would lower already-high rates by a measure of 1.5 to 2.5 percentage points.&nbsp;“So it’s safe to say that no one thinks that the U.S. defaulting is a good idea for farmers and ranchers,” Stabenow asked, eliciting nods and chuckles from the panelists.<h2>Increasing loan limits&nbsp;</h2>The panelists also angled to increase loan payment limits on Farm Service Agency loans in Title V, noting that they have not kept pace with current prices.&nbsp;Morgan cited that the cost of building a modern poultry house in Louisiana or Mississippi is up 37% from three years ago. He said that the Farm Credit Council supports an increase to a $3.5 million limit for a building loan, which is currently at just over $2 million, and a $3 million limit for an operating loan.&nbsp;Wagner said that in some cases, younger producers may get help from outside parties on the land loan, but not the operating loan, and with the rising costs of input and land, “you hit that limit real quickly.”&nbsp;Barker said that while his organization “could live with those numbers,” they would like to keep it indexed with inflation to keep up in the future.

Rural lenders, crop insurance agents push for bolstered safety net at farm bill hearing

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's Interstate 70 will be expanded to three lanes across the state as part of a roughly $50 billion state budget approved Friday by lawmakers.

Republican lawmakers took up GOP Gov. Mike Parson's January call to pour money into I-70 this year, and they went even further than he initially requested.

Instead of targeting only the most congested areas of the highway in urban areas as Parson proposed, the Legislature went big and set aside $2.8 billion to complete lane expansions from St. Louis to Kansas City.

“This represents the single greatest investment into our transportation network in the state's history,” Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.

The governor appears likely to sign off on the highway plan. Parson's spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, in a Friday email said funding for the project is “well spent money.”

The budget also prioritizes funding for pre-K and childcare, which influential business groups have said is needed to give parents and guardians the ability to work and hopefully ease Missouri's workforce shortage.

Lawmakers set aside $78 million for childcare subsidies and another $56 million to expand access to pre-K, which Parson had requested.

Kansas City Democratic Sen. Lauren Arthur said the extra money will help ensure “more safe options available for parents.”

Public K-12 schools will get $3.6 billion in primary funding, as well as the minimum amount required to provide busing to all students. Public colleges and universities will get a 7% funding hike.

Lawmakers also expanded a grant program to ensure K-12 teachers make at least $38,000 a year. Previously, the state asked local schools to chip in 30% of the cost to raise teacher pay to that minimum. Beginning in July, the state will foot the bill to hike pay to that level.

Lawmakers ultimately decided to keep public funding for libraries and government spending on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, despite a controversial push by the House to zero-out those programs.

Other major programs in the upcoming budget include $171 million to raise pay for workers who care for people with developmental disabilities and a 20% pay raise for Missouri State Highway Patrol officers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683324000146.png" alt="Friday May 5 traffic on I-70 in Kansas City-image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>Friday May 5 traffic on I-70 in Kansas City-image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's Interstate 70 will be expanded to three lanes across the state as part of a roughly $50 billion state budget approved Friday by lawmakers.Republican lawmakers took up GOP Gov. Mike Parson's January call to pour money into I-70 this year, and they went even further than he initially requested.Instead of targeting only the most congested areas of the highway in urban areas as Parson proposed, the Legislature went big and set aside $2.8 billion to complete lane expansions from St. Louis to Kansas City.“This represents the single greatest investment into our transportation network in the state's history,” Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.The governor appears likely to sign off on the highway plan. Parson's spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, in a Friday email said funding for the project is “well spent money.”The budget also prioritizes funding for pre-K and childcare, which influential business groups have said is needed to give parents and guardians the ability to work and hopefully ease Missouri's workforce shortage.Lawmakers set aside $78 million for childcare subsidies and another $56 million to expand access to pre-K, which Parson had requested.Kansas City Democratic Sen. Lauren Arthur said the extra money will help ensure “more safe options available for parents.”Public K-12 schools will get $3.6 billion in primary funding, as well as the minimum amount required to provide busing to all students. Public colleges and universities will get a 7% funding hike.Lawmakers also expanded a grant program to ensure K-12 teachers make at least $38,000 a year. Previously, the state asked local schools to chip in 30% of the cost to raise teacher pay to that minimum. Beginning in July, the state will foot the bill to hike pay to that level.Lawmakers ultimately decided to keep public funding for libraries and government spending on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, despite a controversial push by the House to zero-out those programs.Other major programs in the upcoming budget include $171 million to raise pay for workers who care for people with developmental disabilities and a 20% pay raise for Missouri State Highway Patrol officers.

Lawmakers send Mo. governor $2.8B to expand Interstate 70

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Relatives are demanding justice for a 6-year-old boy who was killed outside his Kansas home in a drive-by shooting that police said doesn't appear to be random.

Kansas City, Kansas, police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand confirmed Friday that the boy was Sir’Antonio Brown and said there was no new information to share about the search for suspects.

“I just want the people that did this brought to justice," his godmother, Shyneisha Hill, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2023/05/05/kck-police-continue-investigation-into-shooting-6-year-old-boy/">KCTV-TV</a>. "Sir deserves justice. No 6-year-old deserves that. No child deserves that. No parent deserves what my cousin is going through.”

One or more shooters opened fire on Sir on Wednesday as he played in the front yard of a home, killing him. Police announced Thursday that they had found the vehicle used in the attack and asked for tips.

Chartrand told The Associated Press that police believe that the suspects came to the neighborhood with the intention of targeting someone, although she didn't know the reason behind it.

“This wasn’t like they were just joyriding in the area without intent to basically shoot and kill somebody. That’s what they came to do," Chartrand said. "Unfortunately, Sir, was there and he was the one that was shot and killed.”

She said that sometimes a stray bullet fired in a shootout a block away claims the life of a child. But she said this was different.

“When they pulled up and let loose with gunfire, they saw that child there. We don’t believe that there’s any way that they didn’t," she said. "And they shot anyway, showing no regard for his life, much less whoever it was that they were intending to be shooting at.”

The loss was reverberating around the community. Sir's kindergarten teacher, Amanda Mynatt, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kck-family-teacher-remember-sir-antonio-brown-6-year-old-killed-in-shooting-as-loving-energetic">KSHB-TV</a>&nbsp;that she joked that Sir was her “school son.”

"He was so charismatic, he never sat still, he would be doing cartwheels across the carpet, and everyone loved him,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683336213432.png" alt="Sir’Antonio Brown -photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Sir’Antonio Brown -photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Relatives are demanding justice for a 6-year-old boy who was killed outside his Kansas home in a drive-by shooting that police said doesn't appear to be random.Kansas City, Kansas, police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand confirmed Friday that the boy was Sir’Antonio Brown and said there was no new information to share about the search for suspects.“I just want the people that did this brought to justice," his godmother, Shyneisha Hill, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2023/05/05/kck-police-continue-investigation-into-shooting-6-year-old-boy/">KCTV-TV</a>. "Sir deserves justice. No 6-year-old deserves that. No child deserves that. No parent deserves what my cousin is going through.”One or more shooters opened fire on Sir on Wednesday as he played in the front yard of a home, killing him. Police announced Thursday that they had found the vehicle used in the attack and asked for tips.Chartrand told The Associated Press that police believe that the suspects came to the neighborhood with the intention of targeting someone, although she didn't know the reason behind it.“This wasn’t like they were just joyriding in the area without intent to basically shoot and kill somebody. That’s what they came to do," Chartrand said. "Unfortunately, Sir, was there and he was the one that was shot and killed.”She said that sometimes a stray bullet fired in a shootout a block away claims the life of a child. But she said this was different.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683195327042.png" alt="Police located the vehicle used during the shooting -photo KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Police located the vehicle used during the shooting -photo KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>“When they pulled up and let loose with gunfire, they saw that child there. We don’t believe that there’s any way that they didn’t," she said. "And they shot anyway, showing no regard for his life, much less whoever it was that they were intending to be shooting at.”The loss was reverberating around the community. Sir's kindergarten teacher, Amanda Mynatt, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kck-family-teacher-remember-sir-antonio-brown-6-year-old-killed-in-shooting-as-loving-energetic">KSHB-TV</a>&nbsp;that she joked that Sir was her “school son.”"He was so charismatic, he never sat still, he would be doing cartwheels across the carpet, and everyone loved him,” she said.

'No child deserves that,' says godmother of slain Kan. 6-year-old

WASHINGTON —In 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements to promote the health and safety of individuals and the efficiency of workplaces, protecting vital sectors of our economy and vulnerable populations, according to the White House web site.

Since January 2021, COVID-19 deaths have declined by 95%, and hospitalizations are down nearly 91%. Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Following a whole-of-government effort that led to a record number of nearly 270 million Americans receiving at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place.

The week, the White House announced that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, according to a statement from the White House. May 11, is the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

 Additionally, HHS and DHS announced Monday that they will start the process to end their vaccination requirements for Head Start educators, CMS-certified healthcare facilities, and certain noncitizens at the land border. In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided.

The Administration’s vaccination requirements helped ensure the safety of workers in critical workforces including those in the healthcare and education sectors, protecting themselves and the populations they serve, and strengthening their ability to provide services without disruptions to operations. 

The Federal government successfully implemented requirements for its workforce in a way that increased vaccination to achieve 98% compliance, reflecting employees who had received at least one dose of a vaccine or had a pending or approved exception or extension request filed by January 2022. 

The administration also put in place vaccination requirements for certain international travelers to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow our healthcare system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations.

The COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives. We have successfully marshalled a response to make historic investments in broadly accessible vaccines, tests, and treatments to help us combat COVID-19. 

While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666730504896.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —In 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced COVID-19 vaccination requirements to promote the health and safety of individuals and the efficiency of workplaces, protecting vital sectors of our economy and vulnerable populations, according to the White House web site.Since January 2021, COVID-19 deaths have declined by 95%, and hospitalizations are down nearly 91%. Globally, COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Following a whole-of-government effort that led to a record number of nearly 270 million Americans receiving at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place.The week, the White House announced that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, according to a statement from the White House. May 11, is the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Additionally, HHS and DHS announced Monday that they will start the process to end their vaccination requirements for Head Start educators, CMS-certified healthcare facilities, and certain noncitizens at the land border. In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided.The Administration’s vaccination requirements helped ensure the safety of workers in critical workforces including those in the healthcare and education sectors, protecting themselves and the populations they serve, and strengthening their ability to provide services without disruptions to operations. The Federal government successfully implemented requirements for its workforce in a way that increased vaccination to achieve 98% compliance, reflecting employees who had received at least one dose of a vaccine or had a pending or approved exception or extension request filed by January 2022. The administration also put in place vaccination requirements for certain international travelers to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow our healthcare system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations.The COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives. We have successfully marshalled a response to make historic investments in broadly accessible vaccines, tests, and treatments to help us combat COVID-19. While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary.

Biden will end all COVID vaccination requirements 

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-coronation-live-updates-d0566e3fa36e01e67e642061d3f9014e">was crowned</a>&nbsp;Saturday at Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony built on ancient traditions at a time when the British monarchy faces an uncertain future.

Click below to watch a livestream that began at&nbsp;4a.m. CDT Saturday

Trumpets sounded inside the medieval abbey and the congregation shouted “God save King Charles” as the ceremony began in front of more than 2,000 guests, including world leaders, aristocrats and celebrities. Outside, thousands of troops, tens of thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged along a route that the king traveled from Buckingham Palace in a gilt-trimmed, horse-drawn carriage.

It was the final mile of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-coronation-charles-camilla-a799d9bc8baf93778aff362fcde0c80d">seven-decade journey</a>&nbsp;for Charles from heir to monarch.

To the royal family and government, the occasion — code-named Operation Golden Orb — is a display of heritage, tradition and spectacle unmatched around the world.

The rite was expected to by watched by millions, though the awe and reverence the ceremony was designed to evoke are largely gone — and many greeted the day with apathy.

Some even met it with disdain. Republican protesters gathered outside to holler “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-coronation-opponents-republican-protest-6aab62a8c337568386914e6374a709be">Not my king</a>&nbsp;” for a celebration of an institution they say stands for privilege and inequality, in a country of deepening poverty and fraying social ties. A handful were arrested.

As guests arrived, the church buzzed with excitement and was abloom with fragrant flowers and colorful hats. Among them were U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, eight current and former British prime ministers as well as Judi Dench, Emma Thompson and Lionel Richie.

Thousands of people from across the U.K. and around the world camped overnight along a 1.3-mile (2-kilometer) route that the king and his wife, Camilla, traveled to reach the abbey.

At a traditional Anglican service slightly tweaked for modern times, Charles, clad in crimson and cream robes, swore on a Bible that he is a “true Protestant.”

But for the first time, a preface was added to the coronation oath to say the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely," and the epistle from the King James Bible was read by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Britain's first Hindu leader.

A gospel choir performed a newly composed “Alleluia,” and, for the first time, female clergy took part in the ceremony.

For 1,000 years and more, British monarchs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-britain-crown-monarchy-d0f34a0b5489f673844c7d1c8135db86">have been crowned in grandiose ceremonies</a>&nbsp;that confirm their right to rule.

These days, the king no longer has executive or political power, and the service is purely ceremonial since Charles automatically became king upon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">death of his mother</a>, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.

The king remains the U.K.’s head of state and a symbol of national identity — and Charles will have to work to unite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-coronation-diversity-racism-d32740c5a8844ada2d12cd8d8ca1c3ab">multicultural nation</a>&nbsp;and keep the monarchy relevant at at time when support for it is waning, especially among younger people.

The anti-monarchy group Republic said six of its members, including its chief executive, were arrested as they arrived at a protest. Police have said they will have have a “low tolerance” for people seeking to disrupt the day, sparking criticism that they are clamping down on free speech.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-uk-cost-of-living-crisis-4dd114614a9f5c9645d04f5aac8ce2e2">A cost-of-living crisis</a>&nbsp;is also making everyone in the U.K. poorer, raising questions about the cost of all the pomp.

Charles has sought to lead a smaller, less expensive royal machine for the 21st century. So this will be a shorter affair than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7c2cf637844ccc0e018ee45e5ac8b44f">Elizabeth's three-hour coronation</a>.

In 1953, Westminster Abbey was fitted with temporary stands to boost the seating capacity to more than 8,000, aristocrats wore crimson robes and coronets, and the coronation procession meandered 5 miles (8 kilometers) through central London so an estimated 3 million people could cheer for the glamorous 27-year-old queen.

Organizers this time shortened the procession route, trimmed the coronation service to less than two hours and sent out 2,300 invitations to world royalty, heads of state, public servants, key workers and local heroes. There were judges in wigs, soldiers with gleaming medals attached to red tunics and members of the House of Lords in their red robes.

Heir to the throne Prince William, his wife, Kate, and their three children were all in attendance. William’s younger brother Prince Harry, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4bafacae1a15e7030eb337e74e904732">publicly sparred with the family</a>, arrived alone. His wife Meghan and their children remained at home in California.

Built around the theme “Called to Serve,” the coronation service began with one of the youngest members of the congregation — a boy chorister — greeting the king. Charles responded by saying, "I come not to be served but to serve.”

The moment is meant to underscore the importance of young people — and is a new addition in a service laden with the rituals through which power has been passed down to new monarchs throughout the centuries.

The symbolic peak of the two-hour service came halfway through when Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the solid gold St. Edward’s Crown on the monarch’s head. Trumpets sounded and gun salutes were fired across the U.K.

In another change, Charles has scrapped the traditional moment at the end of the service when nobles were asked to kneel and pledge their loyalty to the king.

Instead, Welby will invite everyone in the abbey to swear “true allegiance” to the monarch. He'll invite people watching on television to pay homage, too — though that part of the ceremony has been toned down after some criticized it as a tone-deaf effort to demand public support for Charles. Welby will now suggest people at home take a “moment of quiet reflection” or say “God Save the King.”

The public’s response to Charles, though, during the service and along the parade route, is key, said George Gross, a visiting research fellow at King’s College, London and an expert on coronations.

“None of this matters if the public don’t show up,’’ Gross said. ‘’If they don’t care, then the whole thing doesn’t really work. It is all about this interaction.’’

And today's public is very different from the audience that saw Elizabeth crowned.

Almost 20% of the population now come from ethnic minority groups, compared with less than 1% in the 1950s. More than 300 languages are spoken in British schools, and less than half of the population describe themselves as Christian.

Although organizers say the coronation remains a “sacred Anglican service,” the ceremony will for the first time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-sikh-muslims-jews-christians-7ada0db9dd055d1f924165d4b84c48c7">include the active participation of other faiths</a>, including representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh traditions.

LONDON (AP) — The United Kingdom's royal family turns the page on a new chapter Saturday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-britain-crown-monarchy-d0f34a0b5489f673844c7d1c8135db86">the coronation</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-coronation-charles-camilla-a799d9bc8baf93778aff362fcde0c80d">King Charles III</a>&nbsp;— a spectacle that echoes medieval times but features modern flourishes.

Click below to watch a livestream that begins&nbsp;4a.m. CDT Saturday

The pomp,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-coronation-ceremonial-roles-farmer-2462b58ff2e8bba0abfa3bf5ecfa080c">pageantry</a>&nbsp;and symbolism date back more than 1,000 years, but the crowning of this king will feature new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-kingdom-king-charles-iii-royalty-c4ef73e7590c0d3647fdf40469aa0388">twists on the tradition</a>&nbsp;and changes from the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronation-king-charles-queen-elizabeth-cd8a5071914fdb2a1bcde67c5fe9c3c4">70 years ago</a>.

Plans for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey call for a more toned-down affair than the last one, even though royals from other nations, heads of state and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-family-harry-meghan-4bafacae1a15e7030eb337e74e904732">most of Charles' family</a>&nbsp;will be there, and the monarch plans to wear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/caroline-de-guitaut-national-95912098ff0c4f859b1cfc8397aa3444">the same vestments</a>&nbsp;as Elizabeth did.

Here are some things to know about the coronation:

WHY HAVE THE CORONATION IF CHARLES IS ALREADY KING?

Charles automatically ascended to the throne when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-health-update-b2578aa91c3fef9c5d6ad4a557bf63e4">Elizabeth died Sept. 8</a>, and he was officially proclaimed the United Kingdom's monarch two days later in an ascension ceremony broadcast for the first time on television.

Charles said he was “deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.”

There is no legal requirement for a coronation, and other European monarchies have done away with the ceremonies.

But the deeply religious and regalia-heavy event is a more formal confirmation of his role as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-coronation-parliament-speakers-coach-077c71b57815a241a75068d9789b06d9">head of state</a>&nbsp;and titular head of the Church of England and was intended to show the king's authority was derived from God.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-service-d30f336a0700c14b5fa7fbaacc995d54">the service</a>&nbsp;conducted by the church's spiritual leader, the archbishop of Canterbury, Charles will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-oil-coronation-jerusalem-6a66a419f294c3f6265b117c66cf4086">anointed with oil</a>, receive the traditional symbols of the monarch — including the orb and scepter — and have the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-king-charles-iii-europe-london-f29b0d48f224dbc2b947938e7ef901c7">St. Edwards Crown</a>&nbsp;placed on his head for the first time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-coronation-queen-camilla-3f2937d8a9ce210397f1eb64263e1a86">Charles’ wife</a>, Camilla, will be crowned as queen consort.

WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST CORONATION?

The coronation ceremony dates back to the medieval period, and much of it remains unchanged.

Westminster Abbey has been the setting of the ritual since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066.

Elizabeth II's coronation in June 1953 was the first to be televised live. The broadcast in black and white drew an audience of tens of millions in the U.K. and was later played to a worldwide audience. In the age of streaming and social media, people will be able to watch Charles' crowning live — and in vivid reds, blues and golds — from virtually anywhere on the planet and post their hot takes with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-crown-jewels-90276e03632ac50aa10f3b91e464ac06">crown emoji</a>&nbsp;created for the occasion.

Charles has said he plans to slim down the monarchy. His coronation is expected to reflect that with a ceremony shorter than his mother's three-hour extravaganza and no more than 2,800 guests in the audience — far fewer than the 8,000 who assembled to see Elizabeth crowned.

In a nod to the change in the religious makeup of the United Kingdom, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religious leaders will play a role at the coronation. That reflects&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-sikh-muslims-jews-christians-7ada0db9dd055d1f924165d4b84c48c7">Charles' vow to be “the defender of faiths,”</a>&nbsp;as opposed to the “defender of the faith.”

The procession after the ceremony also will be decidedly shorter than the 5-mile (8 kilometer) route that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/90276e03632ac50aa10f3b91e464ac06">Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, took</a>&nbsp;around London in 1953. Charles and Camilla plan to take a more modern set of horse-drawn wheels for the 1.3-mile (2-kilometer) route from Buckingham Palace to the abbey. Once crowned, they will step back in time and retrace the journey in the 260-year-old carriage — notorious for its rough ride — used in every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.

A hundred heads of state are expected to attend along with royalty ranging from Japan's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-business-naruhito-japan-36d8a43b744aa69ffae49df6c5be8b36">Crown Prince Akishino</a>&nbsp;and his wife, Kiko, to Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

The U.S. will keep alive its streak of a president never attending a British royal coronation, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-coronation-jill-biden-united-kingdom-cf70740ce8f67f0be13dcf1f6517d3fb">first lady Jill Biden is set to attend</a>.

William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, is expected to kneel before his father and pledge his loyalty in what's known as the Homage of Royal Blood.

His younger brother, Prince Harry, the disgruntled Duke of Sussex, is not expected to take part in the service. His explosive memoir “Spare,” which became a bestseller early this year, made unflattering claims about the royal family.

Until three weeks ago, there was a question of whether Harry and his wife, Meghan, would attend the crowning after leveling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-harry-book-details-ce879703cbc92372e4736313c6cab941">charges of racism and media manipulation</a>&nbsp;at the royal family.