DOUGLAS COUNTY— The human remains recovered southeast of Lawrence in January have been identified as Guy Wayne Collins, 47, who had been listed as a missing adult since July 9, 2021,&nbsp;according to Sheriff's department spokesman George Diepenbrock.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Friday received a lab report from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that stated DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the remains recovered Jan. 31 in the 1700 block of N 1250 Road.

Collins was released from custody in the Douglas County Correctional Facility on July 6, 2021, after he posted bond. His family had contacted the Sheriff’s Office on July 8, 2021, when they learned of his release but had no contact with him. The Sheriff’s Office then had asked for the public’s help in locating Collins.

Several months later on Jan. 31, two residents walking in the 1700 block of North 1250 Road noticed remains near a creek and alerted the Sheriff’s Office. Responding deputies and detectives confirmed the remains were human, and they searched the area and located additional bones near the water. 

A forensic anthropologist assisted in the investigation. At this time, no foul play is suspected in his death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659822014372.png" alt="Guy Wayne Collins was reported missing in July of last year- photo Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Guy Wayne Collins was reported missing in July of last year- photo Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY— The human remains recovered southeast of Lawrence in January have been identified as Guy Wayne Collins, 47, who had been listed as a missing adult since July 9, 2021,&nbsp;according to Sheriff's department spokesman George Diepenbrock.Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Friday received a lab report from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that stated DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the remains recovered Jan. 31 in the 1700 block of N 1250 Road.Collins was released from custody in the Douglas County Correctional Facility on July 6, 2021, after he posted bond. His family had contacted the Sheriff’s Office on July 8, 2021, when they learned of his release but had no contact with him. The Sheriff’s Office then had asked for the public’s help in locating Collins.Several months later on Jan. 31, two residents walking in the 1700 block of North 1250 Road noticed remains near a creek and alerted the Sheriff’s Office. Responding deputies and detectives confirmed the remains were human, and they searched the area and located additional bones near the water. A forensic anthropologist assisted in the investigation. At this time, no foul play is suspected in his death.

Remains found identified as missing Kansas man

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Planned Parenthood quietly opened another abortion clinic in Kansas in the lead up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">a decisive statewide vote in favor of protecting abortion access.</a>

The Wyandotte Health Center in Kansas City, Kansas, had long been in the works but opened with little notice this summer as neighboring Missouri banned nearly all abortions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">June ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.</a>&nbsp;Other nearby&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-health-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-constitutions-022d340cf968be3c28b03f7f96965f09">states</a>&nbsp;took similar actions.

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, highlighted the Kansas City clinic while discussing abortion access in a conference call this week, The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/healthcare/2022/08/05/kansas-new-planned-parenthood-center-kck-abortion-clinic/10240386002/">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday.

“The fact that that gives us one more location in Kansas to see patients to support them is really critical at this moment because we’re realistic that this region cannot support the number of patients who need care," she said after Kansas voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution declaring that it grants no right to abortion.

It brings the number of clinics in the state to five, three of which are operated by Planned Parenthood.

The clinic was supposed to open earlier, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to construction delays, Planned Parenthood Great Plains spokesperson Anamarie Rebori Simmons said in an email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659746544651.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Planned Parenthood quietly opened another abortion clinic in Kansas in the lead up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">a decisive statewide vote in favor of protecting abortion access.</a>The Wyandotte Health Center in Kansas City, Kansas, had long been in the works but opened with little notice this summer as neighboring Missouri banned nearly all abortions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">June ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.</a>&nbsp;Other nearby&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-health-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-constitutions-022d340cf968be3c28b03f7f96965f09">states</a>&nbsp;took similar actions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659746749113.png" alt="Emily Wales photo courtesy Planned Parenthood Great Plains" />
 <figcaption>Emily Wales photo courtesy Planned Parenthood Great Plains</figcaption>
 </figure>Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, highlighted the Kansas City clinic while discussing abortion access in a conference call this week, The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/healthcare/2022/08/05/kansas-new-planned-parenthood-center-kck-abortion-clinic/10240386002/">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday.“The fact that that gives us one more location in Kansas to see patients to support them is really critical at this moment because we’re realistic that this region cannot support the number of patients who need care," she said after Kansas voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution declaring that it grants no right to abortion.It brings the number of clinics in the state to five, three of which are operated by Planned Parenthood.The clinic was supposed to open earlier, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to construction delays, Planned Parenthood Great Plains spokesperson Anamarie Rebori Simmons said in an email.

Another abortion clinic opened in Kansas in lead up to vote

WICHITA—A Kansas man died in a pedestrian accident just after 10p.m. Friday in Wichita.

An SUV driven by a 62-year-old woman was northbound in the 5800 Block of South Broadway and struck 52-year-old Theodore Nance of Wichita who was pushing a lawn mower, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Investigators learned Nance was pushing the lawnmower across Broadway from southwest to northeast and not in a crosswalk. The SUV driver was not injured.

The collision is still under investigation, but there is no indication of impairment or excessive speed at this time, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659809890133.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal accident -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal accident -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA—A Kansas man died in a pedestrian accident just after 10p.m. Friday in Wichita.An SUV driven by a 62-year-old woman was northbound in the 5800 Block of South Broadway and struck 52-year-old Theodore Nance of Wichita who was pushing a lawn mower, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Investigators learned Nance was pushing the lawnmower across Broadway from southwest to northeast and not in a crosswalk. The SUV driver was not injured.The collision is still under investigation, but there is no indication of impairment or excessive speed at this time, according to Macy.

 Kansas man killed pushing lawnmower across street

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday but will continue to isolate at the White House until a second negative test, his doctor said.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Update-8.6.pdf">latest daily update</a>&nbsp;that the president, “in an abundance of caution,” will abide by the "strict isolation measures” in place since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-2e843a971be751e8b8b25575c8bfc60a">“rebound” infection</a>&nbsp;was detected July 30, pending a follow-up negative result.

Biden, 79, came down with the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">a second time</a>&nbsp;three days after he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">emerged from isolation</a>&nbsp;from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">initial bout</a>&nbsp;with COVID-19, reported on July 21. There have been rare rebound cases documented among a small minority of those, who like Biden, were prescribed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">anti-viral medication Paxlovid</a>, which has been proved to reduce the risk of serious illness and death from the virus among those at highest risk.

O’Connor wrote that Biden “continues to feel very well.”

Biden's travel has been on hold as he awaited a negative test. He plans to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/floods-storms-biden-travel-1fab331f7de7eab9d963b2dc1a1f57a9">Kentucky on Monday</a>&nbsp;to view damage from catastrophic flooding and meet with families.

Biden was “doing great,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday when asked about his health during her appearance in Las Vegas at a joint conference of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She said that when she speaks to the president, he tells her to “tell folks I’ve been working eight-plus hours a day.”

During his first go-around with the virus, Biden’s primary symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue and a loose cough, his doctor said at the time. During his rebound case, O’Connor said only Biden’s cough returned and had “almost completely resolved” by Friday.

Regulators are still studying the prevalence and virulence of rebound cases, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May warned doctors that it has been reported to occur within two days to eight days after initially testing negative for the virus.

“Limited information currently available from case reports suggests that persons treated with Paxlovid who experience COVID-19 rebound have had mild illness; there are no reports of severe disease,” the agency said at the time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659805343197.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden during a bill signing event Friday- White House photo.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden during a bill signing event Friday- White House photo.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday but will continue to isolate at the White House until a second negative test, his doctor said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659803915239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Kevin O'Connor wrote in his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Update-8.6.pdf">latest daily update</a>&nbsp;that the president, “in an abundance of caution,” will abide by the "strict isolation measures” in place since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-2e843a971be751e8b8b25575c8bfc60a">“rebound” infection</a>&nbsp;was detected July 30, pending a follow-up negative result.Biden, 79, came down with the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">a second time</a>&nbsp;three days after he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">emerged from isolation</a>&nbsp;from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">initial bout</a>&nbsp;with COVID-19, reported on July 21. There have been rare rebound cases documented among a small minority of those, who like Biden, were prescribed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">anti-viral medication Paxlovid</a>, which has been proved to reduce the risk of serious illness and death from the virus among those at highest risk.O’Connor wrote that Biden “continues to feel very well.”Biden's travel has been on hold as he awaited a negative test. He plans to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/floods-storms-biden-travel-1fab331f7de7eab9d963b2dc1a1f57a9">Kentucky on Monday</a>&nbsp;to view damage from catastrophic flooding and meet with families.Biden was “doing great,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday when asked about his health during her appearance in Las Vegas at a joint conference of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She said that when she speaks to the president, he tells her to “tell folks I’ve been working eight-plus hours a day.”During his first go-around with the virus, Biden’s primary symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue and a loose cough, his doctor said at the time. During his rebound case, O’Connor said only Biden’s cough returned and had “almost completely resolved” by Friday.Regulators are still studying the prevalence and virulence of rebound cases, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May warned doctors that it has been reported to occur within two days to eight days after initially testing negative for the virus.“Limited information currently available from case reports suggests that persons treated with Paxlovid who experience COVID-19 rebound have had mild illness; there are no reports of severe disease,” the agency said at the time.___

Biden tests negative for COVID, will continue to work in isolation

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police have arrested a man in connection with an early-morning stabbing incident in Junction City that left one woman dead and one man injured. 

Authorities responded to a call about 2:30 a.m. Saturday and discovered a man suffering from a stab wound. He was transported to Geary Community Hospital, where he is listed in serious but stable condition. Police later learned that 30-year-old Stacy Subotich of Fort Riley had been transported to Irwin Army Hospital, where she died from stab wounds.

The suspect 21-year-old Jalen Thomas of Junction City drove himself to Geary Community Hospital to be treated for a non-life threatening stab wound. He was arrested on suspicion of second degree murder, aggravated battery, domestic battery and aggravated assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659810364644.png" alt="Thomas-photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police have arrested a man in connection with an early-morning stabbing incident in Junction City that left one woman dead and one man injured. Authorities responded to a call about 2:30 a.m. Saturday and discovered a man suffering from a stab wound. He was transported to Geary Community Hospital, where he is listed in serious but stable condition. Police later learned that 30-year-old Stacy Subotich of Fort Riley had been transported to Irwin Army Hospital, where she died from stab wounds.The suspect 21-year-old Jalen Thomas of Junction City drove himself to Geary Community Hospital to be treated for a non-life threatening stab wound. He was arrested on suspicion of second degree murder, aggravated battery, domestic battery and aggravated assault.

Suspect in deadly Kan. stabbing drove himself to the hospital

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a person of interest.

Just before 11p.m. August 4, 2022, police were dispatched to St. Francis Hospital in Topeka in response to the report of an individual who had arrived suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Investigators determined that the incident took place in the 600 block of SW Roosevelt Street in Topeka

The Topeka Police Department is looking to speak with 31-year-old Dylan Dean Thomas of Topeka in reference to this Aggravated Battery investigation.

In March, police arrested him in connection with a non-life threatening shooting in 500 Block of NE Grattan in Topeka.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Dylan Dean Thomas contact&nbsp; the Topeka Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648214947885.png" alt="Thomas-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a person of interest.Just before 11p.m. August 4, 2022, police were dispatched to St. Francis Hospital in Topeka in response to the report of an individual who had arrived suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Investigators determined that the incident took place in the 600 block of SW Roosevelt Street in TopekaThe Topeka Police Department is looking to speak with 31-year-old Dylan Dean Thomas of Topeka in reference to this Aggravated Battery investigation.In March, police arrested him in connection with a non-life threatening shooting in 500 Block of NE Grattan in Topeka.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Dylan Dean Thomas contact&nbsp; the Topeka Police Department.

Police ask for help to locate Kansas shooting suspect 

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's nowhere near the $4 trillion proposal President Joe Biden first launched to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">rebuild America's public infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-preschool-community-college-tax-rate-9e352e3dea44997725edb279751abab3">family support systems</a>&nbsp;but the compromise package of inflation-fighting health care, climate change and deficit reduction strategies appears on track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-government-and-politics-c8e87f1c559a09114355330e1af21143">toward Senate votes this weekend</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">The estimated $740 billion proposal,</a>&nbsp;struck by two top negotiators, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and holdout Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-manchin">Joe Manchin</a>, the conservative West Virginia Democrat, includes some hard-fought party priorities. But the final touches came this week from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who put her handiwork on the latest revisions.

What's in, and out, of the Democrats' “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” as it stands now:

Launching a long-sought goal, the bill would allow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/medicare">the Medicare program</a>&nbsp;to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, saving the federal government some $288 billion over the 10-year budget window.

Those new revenues would be put back into lower costs for seniors on medications, including a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for older adults buying prescriptions from pharmacies.

The money would also be used to provide free vaccinations for seniors, who now are among the few not guaranteed free access, according to a summary document.

The bill would extend the subsidies provided during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the COVID-19 pandemic</a>&nbsp;to help some Americans who buy health insurance on their own.

Under earlier pandemic relief, the extra help was set to expire this year. But the bill would allow the assistance to keep going for three more years, lowering insurance premiums for people who are purchasing their own health care policies.

‘SINGLE BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE CHANGE IN U.S. HISTORY'

The bill would invest nearly $374 billion over the decade in climate change-fighting strategies including investments in renewable energy production and tax rebates for consumers to buy new or used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric vehicles</a>.

It's broken down to include $60 billion for a clean energy manufacturing tax credit and $30 billion for a production tax credit for wind and solar, seen as ways to boost and support the industries that can help curb the country's dependence on fossil fuels. The bill also gives tax credits for nuclear power and carbon capture technology that oil companies such as Exxon Mobil have invested millions of dollars to advance.

The bill would impose a new fee on excess methane emissions from oil and gas drilling while giving fossil fuel companies access to more leases on federal lands and waters.

A late addition pushed by Sinema and other Democrats in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado would designate $4 billion to combat a mega-drought in the West, including conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin, which nearly 40 million American rely on for drinking water.

For consumers, there are tax breaks as incentives to go green. One is a 10-year consumer tax credit for renewable energy investments in wind and solar. There are tax breaks for buying electric vehicles, including a $4,000 tax credit for purchase of used electric vehicles and $7,500 for new ones.

In all, Democrats believe the strategy could put the country on a path to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, and “would represent the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far.”

The biggest revenue-raiser in the bill is a new 15% minimum tax on corporations that earn more than $1 billion in annual profits.

It's a way to clamp down on some 200 U.S. companies that avoid paying the standard 21% corporate tax rate, including some that end up paying no taxes at all.

The new corporate minimum tax would kick in after the 2022 tax year and raise some $258 billion over the decade.

The revenue would have been $313 billion, but Sinema insisted on one change to the 15% corporate minimum, allowing a depreciation deduction used by manufacturing industries. That shaves about $55 billion off the total revenue.

Money is also raised by boosting the IRS to go after tax cheats. The bill proposes an $80 billion investment in taxpayer services, enforcement and modernization, which is projected to raise $203 billion in new revenue — a net gain of $124 billion over the decade.

The bill sticks with Biden's original pledge not to raise taxes on families or businesses making less than $400,000 a year.

The lower drug prices for seniors are paid for with savings from Medicare's negotiations with the drug companies.

To win over Sinema, Democrats dropped plans to close a tax loophole long enjoyed by wealthier Americans — the so-called “carried interest,” which under current law taxes wealthy hedge fund managers and others at a 20% rate.

The left has for years sought to boost the carried interest tax rate, hiked to 37% in the original bill, more in line with upper-income earners. Sinema wouldn't allow it.

Keeping the tax break for the wealthy deprives the party of $14 billion in revenue they were counting on to help pay for the package.

In its place, Democrats, with Sinema's nod, will impose a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, raising some $74 billion over the decade.

With some $740 billion in new revenue and around $433 billion in new investments, the bill promises to put the difference toward deficit reduction.

Federal deficits spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic when federal spending soared and tax revenues fell as the nation's economy churned through shutdowns, closed offices and other massive changes.

The nation has seen deficits rise and fall in recent years. But overall federal budgeting is on an unsustainable path,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">according to the Congressional Budget Office</a>, which put out a new report this week on long-term projections.

This latest package after 18 months of start-stop negotiations leaves behind many of Biden's more ambitious goals.

While Congress did pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill</a>&nbsp;for highways, broadband and other investments that Biden signed into law last year, the president's and the party's other key priorities have slipped away.

Among them is a continuation of a $300 monthly child tax credit that was sending money directly to families during the pandemic and is believed to have widely reduced child poverty.

Also gone, for now, are plans for free pre-kindergarten and community college, as well as the nation's first paid family leave program that would have provided up to $4,000 a month for births, deaths and other pivotal needs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659790911065.png" alt="The Senate is expected to pass the legislation this weekend-photo Senate Majority Leader's office" />
 <figcaption>The Senate is expected to pass the legislation this weekend-photo Senate Majority Leader's office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — It's nowhere near the $4 trillion proposal President Joe Biden first launched to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">rebuild America's public infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-preschool-community-college-tax-rate-9e352e3dea44997725edb279751abab3">family support systems</a>&nbsp;but the compromise package of inflation-fighting health care, climate change and deficit reduction strategies appears on track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-government-and-politics-c8e87f1c559a09114355330e1af21143">toward Senate votes this weekend</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">The estimated $740 billion proposal,</a>&nbsp;struck by two top negotiators, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and holdout Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-manchin">Joe Manchin</a>, the conservative West Virginia Democrat, includes some hard-fought party priorities. But the final touches came this week from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who put her handiwork on the latest revisions.What's in, and out, of the Democrats' “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” as it stands now:LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTSLaunching a long-sought goal, the bill would allow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/medicare">the Medicare program</a>&nbsp;to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, saving the federal government some $288 billion over the 10-year budget window.Those new revenues would be put back into lower costs for seniors on medications, including a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for older adults buying prescriptions from pharmacies.The money would also be used to provide free vaccinations for seniors, who now are among the few not guaranteed free access, according to a summary document.HELP PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCEThe bill would extend the subsidies provided during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the COVID-19 pandemic</a>&nbsp;to help some Americans who buy health insurance on their own.Under earlier pandemic relief, the extra help was set to expire this year. But the bill would allow the assistance to keep going for three more years, lowering insurance premiums for people who are purchasing their own health care policies.‘SINGLE BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE CHANGE IN U.S. HISTORY'The bill would invest nearly $374 billion over the decade in climate change-fighting strategies including investments in renewable energy production and tax rebates for consumers to buy new or used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric vehicles</a>.It's broken down to include $60 billion for a clean energy manufacturing tax credit and $30 billion for a production tax credit for wind and solar, seen as ways to boost and support the industries that can help curb the country's dependence on fossil fuels. The bill also gives tax credits for nuclear power and carbon capture technology that oil companies such as Exxon Mobil have invested millions of dollars to advance.The bill would impose a new fee on excess methane emissions from oil and gas drilling while giving fossil fuel companies access to more leases on federal lands and waters.A late addition pushed by Sinema and other Democrats in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado would designate $4 billion to combat a mega-drought in the West, including conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin, which nearly 40 million American rely on for drinking water.For consumers, there are tax breaks as incentives to go green. One is a 10-year consumer tax credit for renewable energy investments in wind and solar. There are tax breaks for buying electric vehicles, including a $4,000 tax credit for purchase of used electric vehicles and $7,500 for new ones.In all, Democrats believe the strategy could put the country on a path to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, and “would represent the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far.”HOW TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS?The biggest revenue-raiser in the bill is a new 15% minimum tax on corporations that earn more than $1 billion in annual profits.It's a way to clamp down on some 200 U.S. companies that avoid paying the standard 21% corporate tax rate, including some that end up paying no taxes at all.The new corporate minimum tax would kick in after the 2022 tax year and raise some $258 billion over the decade.The revenue would have been $313 billion, but Sinema insisted on one change to the 15% corporate minimum, allowing a depreciation deduction used by manufacturing industries. That shaves about $55 billion off the total revenue.Money is also raised by boosting the IRS to go after tax cheats. The bill proposes an $80 billion investment in taxpayer services, enforcement and modernization, which is projected to raise $203 billion in new revenue — a net gain of $124 billion over the decade.The bill sticks with Biden's original pledge not to raise taxes on families or businesses making less than $400,000 a year.The lower drug prices for seniors are paid for with savings from Medicare's negotiations with the drug companies.WHAT'S CHANGED IN RECENT DAYS?To win over Sinema, Democrats dropped plans to close a tax loophole long enjoyed by wealthier Americans — the so-called “carried interest,” which under current law taxes wealthy hedge fund managers and others at a 20% rate.The left has for years sought to boost the carried interest tax rate, hiked to 37% in the original bill, more in line with upper-income earners. Sinema wouldn't allow it.Keeping the tax break for the wealthy deprives the party of $14 billion in revenue they were counting on to help pay for the package.In its place, Democrats, with Sinema's nod, will impose a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, raising some $74 billion over the decade.EXTRA MONEY TO PAY DOWN DEFICITSWith some $740 billion in new revenue and around $433 billion in new investments, the bill promises to put the difference toward deficit reduction.Federal deficits spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic when federal spending soared and tax revenues fell as the nation's economy churned through shutdowns, closed offices and other massive changes.The nation has seen deficits rise and fall in recent years. But overall federal budgeting is on an unsustainable path,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-economic-growth-government-finance-gross-domestic-product-a8e2856c81e717f922bd0bc2808a5c08">according to the Congressional Budget Office</a>, which put out a new report this week on long-term projections.WHAT'S LEFT BEHINDThis latest package after 18 months of start-stop negotiations leaves behind many of Biden's more ambitious goals.While Congress did pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill</a>&nbsp;for highways, broadband and other investments that Biden signed into law last year, the president's and the party's other key priorities have slipped away.Among them is a continuation of a $300 monthly child tax credit that was sending money directly to families during the pandemic and is believed to have widely reduced child poverty.Also gone, for now, are plans for free pre-kindergarten and community college, as well as the nation's first paid family leave program that would have provided up to $4,000 a month for births, deaths and other pivotal needs.___

Democrats' $740 billion package: What included, what's out?

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Overland Park on Sunday have a suspect identified as 24-year-old Zarrell Finley of Kansas City in custody

Just before 4:30p.m. July 31, police responded to report of a shooting at a gas station in the 8600 Block of College Boulevard, according to a media release from Overland Park police.

They found&nbsp; 26-year-old Shaquille Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

On Friday, the FBI Fugitive task force arrested Finley and transported him to the Jackson County detention center. He is awaiting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;This case will be presented to Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659716103003.png" alt="Finley-photo from an April arrest in Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Finley-photo from an April arrest in Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Overland Park on Sunday have a suspect identified as 24-year-old Zarrell Finley of Kansas City in custody<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659349398024.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 4:30p.m. July 31, police responded to report of a shooting at a gas station in the 8600 Block of College Boulevard, according to a media release from Overland Park police.They found&nbsp; 26-year-old Shaquille Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.On Friday, the FBI Fugitive task force arrested Finley and transported him to the Jackson County detention center. He is awaiting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;This case will be presented to Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.---

FBI Fugitive task force makes arrest in Kansas gas station killing

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged sexual assault by a massage therapist and have made an arrest.

On May 23, police received a report from a 38-year-old woman that a male massage therapist had sexually assaulted her during a massage at an East Wichita massage establishment, according to Office Trevor Macy.

 The suspect was identified as 32-year-old Zachary Sample of Belle Plaine who was an employee of the business at that time. 

Two additional victims – a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman – reported being sexually assaulted by Sample during the month of May.

After extensive follow-up by detectives, a warrant was issued for Sample’s arrest through the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police located and arrested Sample on the warrant Thursday night.

 He was booked on three charges of sexual battery.&nbsp;The massage establishment where the crimes were alleged to have happened has cooperated with the investigation and Sample is no longer employed there, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659732152030.png" alt="Sample-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sample-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged sexual assault by a massage therapist and have made an arrest.On May 23, police received a report from a 38-year-old woman that a male massage therapist had sexually assaulted her during a massage at an East Wichita massage establishment, according to Office Trevor Macy. The suspect was identified as 32-year-old Zachary Sample of Belle Plaine who was an employee of the business at that time. Two additional victims – a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman – reported being sexually assaulted by Sample during the month of May.After extensive follow-up by detectives, a warrant was issued for Sample’s arrest through the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police located and arrested Sample on the warrant Thursday night. He was booked on three charges of sexual battery.&nbsp;The massage establishment where the crimes were alleged to have happened has cooperated with the investigation and Sample is no longer employed there, according to Macy.

Police: 3 women accuse Kan. massage therapist of sexual battery 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating vandalism that included political messages the day before election day at two churches in Lawrence including Victory Bible Church in the 1900 Block of Massachusetts Street have made an arrest.

According to a social media report from the Lawrence Police Department,&nbsp; investigators worked to identify the suspects caught on tape.&nbsp;

Police obtained a search warrant that was issued Friday morning and made an arrest. Police have not released a suspect name

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659730408764.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating vandalism that included political messages the day before election day at two churches in Lawrence including Victory Bible Church in the 1900 Block of Massachusetts Street have made an arrest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659730436213.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>According to a social media report from the Lawrence Police Department,&nbsp; investigators worked to identify the suspects caught on tape.&nbsp;Police obtained a search warrant that was issued Friday morning and made an arrest. Police have not released a suspect name

Police make arrest in ‘Value Them Both’ church vandalism

The Hays school board voted Friday morning to prohibit clothing promoting satanism in its dress codes for all schools in the district.

The language was included in student handbooks, which were approved in a meeting Friday morning before the board's annual retreat.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e153a0fc-fe06-4de4-b5c7-d6f0d57fa59b">Parent Mary Turner, who said she is a longtime member of the Satanic Temple, spoke against the prohibition at a school meeting in July.</a>

She alleged the language in the policy infringed on her children's right of freedom of religion.

The original elementary and middle school handbook dress code language was as follows.

Items of apparel that are considered distracting, unsafe, offensive, revealing, or suggestive (direct or indirect reference to alcohol, drugs, sex, profanity, gang affiliation, Satanism, tobacco, etc.) should not be worn.

After the discussion in July, the USD 489 administration brought the elementary and middle school handbooks back to the school board with the word satanism removed.

The high school handbook hand never specifically addressed satanism.

Board member Curt Vajnar read the definitions of satanism and evil from the dictionary and then said he could not support the handbooks with the words satanism removed from the prohibited items in the dress code.

"I know we are every child every day, but I think we are twisting that," he said. "Every child means this district is going to provide the best opportunity for a good education that day.

"It doesn't give them every right they want. If that was true, I want my kid to be the starting pitcher at the WAC tournament, and I want my other kid to be the starting quarterback at the first home football game."

Vajnar, who is former longtime teacher in the district, said the board is putting more stress on teachers and administrators.

Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she does not support satanism. However, she said she thought barring expression of satanism as a religion in schools could expose the district to a lawsuit.

&nbsp;"The way it looks to me," she said, "there has not been a district that has won a lawsuit."

Board attorney Bill Jeter said he thought the district would subject itself to liability if it prohibited satanism in the dress code.

Board vice president Ken Brooks said, "What you're saying is that if someone comes and complains, we've got to live in fear and change everything every time someone comes and complains."

Wellbrock said, "Back to I want my kid to be a starting pitcher, that's not a policy. That is not a protected right in our court system."

She added, "I need everyone to understand. I do not worship the devil, and supporting this is not me trying to say we need to convert our kids. That's not what I'm saying."

Superintendent Ron Wilson said removing satanism from the policy would not change the implementation of the policy.

"It's all about what disrupts our educational operations," Wilson said. "If someone wears a satanism shirt that somehow is causing a disruption in our school day, they will be asked to remove that shirt. It is not going to change anything we do. We were just trying not to highlight a specific religion."

Brooks said, "If there hadn't been that complaint that night, we would have all approved it as is and there wouldn't have been any controversy at all."

Vajnar said, "Some fights are worth fighting."

Board president Craig Pallister, who is a former principal at Hays Middle School, said he could have added 300 items to the prohibited dress code list.

"We live in a society right now where everyone is trying to push their values," he said. "Everyone who walks in the door or emails me has their own set of values that they are trying to set for the school district. Not very many of them are able to say it's because it's good for kids."

Five of the seven board members voted for the prohibition with board members Wellbrock and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp voting against.

Zampieri-Lillpopp supported removing the satanism prohibition from the handbooks at the meeting in July. She was late to the meeting Friday and only arrived in time to vote on the measure.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board voted Friday morning to prohibit clothing promoting satanism in its dress codes for all schools in the district.The language was included in student handbooks, which were approved in a meeting Friday morning before the board's annual retreat.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e153a0fc-fe06-4de4-b5c7-d6f0d57fa59b">Parent Mary Turner, who said she is a longtime member of the Satanic Temple, spoke against the prohibition at a school meeting in July.</a>She alleged the language in the policy infringed on her children's right of freedom of religion.The original elementary and middle school handbook dress code language was as follows.Items of apparel that are considered distracting, unsafe, offensive, revealing, or suggestive (direct or indirect reference to alcohol, drugs, sex, profanity, gang affiliation, Satanism, tobacco, etc.) should not be worn.After the discussion in July, the USD 489 administration brought the elementary and middle school handbooks back to the school board with the word satanism removed.The high school handbook hand never specifically addressed satanism.Board member Curt Vajnar read the definitions of satanism and evil from the dictionary and then said he could not support the handbooks with the words satanism removed from the prohibited items in the dress code."I know we are every child every day, but I think we are twisting that," he said. "Every child means this district is going to provide the best opportunity for a good education that day."It doesn't give them every right they want. If that was true, I want my kid to be the starting pitcher at the WAC tournament, and I want my other kid to be the starting quarterback at the first home football game."Vajnar, who is former longtime teacher in the district, said the board is putting more stress on teachers and administrators.Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she does not support satanism. However, she said she thought barring expression of satanism as a religion in schools could expose the district to a lawsuit.&nbsp;"The way it looks to me," she said, "there has not been a district that has won a lawsuit."Board attorney Bill Jeter said he thought the district would subject itself to liability if it prohibited satanism in the dress code.Board vice president Ken Brooks said, "What you're saying is that if someone comes and complains, we've got to live in fear and change everything every time someone comes and complains."Wellbrock said, "Back to I want my kid to be a starting pitcher, that's not a policy. That is not a protected right in our court system."She added, "I need everyone to understand. I do not worship the devil, and supporting this is not me trying to say we need to convert our kids. That's not what I'm saying." Superintendent Ron Wilson said removing satanism from the policy would not change the implementation of the policy."It's all about what disrupts our educational operations," Wilson said. "If someone wears a satanism shirt that somehow is causing a disruption in our school day, they will be asked to remove that shirt. It is not going to change anything we do. We were just trying not to highlight a specific religion."Brooks said, "If there hadn't been that complaint that night, we would have all approved it as is and there wouldn't have been any controversy at all."Vajnar said, "Some fights are worth fighting."Board president Craig Pallister, who is a former principal at Hays Middle School, said he could have added 300 items to the prohibited dress code list."We live in a society right now where everyone is trying to push their values," he said. "Everyone who walks in the door or emails me has their own set of values that they are trying to set for the school district. Not very many of them are able to say it's because it's good for kids." Five of the seven board members voted for the prohibition with board members Wellbrock and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp voting against.Zampieri-Lillpopp supported removing the satanism prohibition from the handbooks at the meeting in July. She was late to the meeting Friday and only arrived in time to vote on the measure.

Hays school board votes to prohibit satanism in dress code

BUTLER COUNTY—A pilot and two passengers avoided injury after a small plane crash just before 11a.m. Friday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1979 Cessna 182 Q piloted by Alexander&nbsp;Luinstra, 22, Benton,&nbsp; was northbound after taking off from Stearman Field. 

The aircraft suddenly lost power and its altitude dropped rapidly. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a plowed field and landed on its wheels. 

The nose of the aircraft struck the ground and the aircraft flipped forward, landing on its top at&nbsp;Southwest Meadowlark Road between Southwest 30th Street and Southwest 40th Street.

Luinstra and two passsengers were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659723073816.png" alt="The nose of the aircraft struck the ground and the aircraft flipped forward-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The nose of the aircraft struck the ground and the aircraft flipped forward-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—A pilot and two passengers avoided injury after a small plane crash just before 11a.m. Friday in Butler County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1979 Cessna 182 Q piloted by Alexander&nbsp;Luinstra, 22, Benton,&nbsp; was northbound after taking off from Stearman Field. The aircraft suddenly lost power and its altitude dropped rapidly. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a plowed field and landed on its wheels. The nose of the aircraft struck the ground and the aircraft flipped forward, landing on its top at&nbsp;Southwest Meadowlark Road between Southwest 30th Street and Southwest 40th Street.Luinstra and two passsengers were not injured.

Kan. pilot, 2 passengers avoid injury after small plane crash

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after midnight Friday morning in Butler County.

Emergency crews responded to the report of a vehicle crash in the 12000 block of SW 120th south and east of Augusta, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

&nbsp;The vehicle left the roadway and entered Four-Mile Creek. After the crash, the 17-year-old male driver from Andover was able to exit the vehicle.

First responders located the wrecked vehicle in the 13000 block of SW 120th partially submerged in Four-Mile Creek with only the rear wheels visible above the water with a passenger still inside.

Divers from the Augusta Department of Safety located 18-year-old Ethan Babcock of Andover in the partially submerged vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is on-going and alcohol may have been a factor, according to Cundiff.

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after midnight Friday morning in Butler County.Emergency crews responded to the report of a vehicle crash in the 12000 block of SW 120th south and east of Augusta, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.&nbsp;The vehicle left the roadway and entered Four-Mile Creek. After the crash, the 17-year-old male driver from Andover was able to exit the vehicle.First responders located the wrecked vehicle in the 13000 block of SW 120th partially submerged in Four-Mile Creek with only the rear wheels visible above the water with a passenger still inside.Divers from the Augusta Department of Safety located 18-year-old Ethan Babcock of Andover in the partially submerged vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is on-going and alcohol may have been a factor, according to Cundiff.

Sheriff IDs Kansas teen who died after vehicle lands in creek

By PAUL WISEMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added an astonishing 528,000 jobs last month 
despite flashing warning signs of an economic downturn, easing fears of a
 recession and handing President Joe Biden some good news heading into 
the midterm elections.

(Click below to watch the&nbsp; President's comments on the jobs report)

Unemployment dropped another notch, from 
3.6% to 3.5%, matching the more than 50-year low reached just before the
 pandemic took hold.

The economy has now recovered all 22 million jobs lost in March and April 2020 when COVID-19 slammed the U.S.

The
 red-hot numbers reported Friday by the Labor Department are certain to 
intensify the debate over whether the U.S. is in a recession.

“Recession
 — what recession?’’ wrote Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch 
Ratings. “The U.S. economy is creating new jobs at an annual rate of 6 
million — that’s three times faster than what we normally see 
historically in a good year."

Economists had expected only 250,000
 new jobs last month, in a drop-off from June’s revised 398,000. 
Instead, July proved to be the best month since February.

The 
strong figures are welcome news for the Biden administration and the 
Democrats at a time when many voters are worried about the economy.

Inflation
 is raging at its highest level in more than 40 years, and the economy 
has contracted for two quarters in a row, which is the common — but 
informal — definition of a recession and does not take into account a 
host of other factors economists consider, such as the job picture.

At
 the White House, Biden credited the job growth to his policies, even as
 he acknowledged the pain being inflicted by inflation. He emphasized 
the addition of 642,000 manufacturing jobs during his watch.

“Instead
 of workers begging employers for work, we’re seeing employers have to 
compete for American workers," the president said.

Biden has 
boosted job growth through his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package 
and $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law last year. Republican 
lawmakers and some leading economists, however, say the administration's
 spending has contributed to high inflation.

The president has 
received some other good economic news in recent weeks, as gasoline 
prices have steadily fallen after averaging slightly more than $5 a 
gallon in June.

On Wall Street, stocks dropped after the 
employment report came out. While a strong job market is a good thing, 
it also makes it more likely that the Federal Reserve will continue 
raising interest rates to cool the economy.

“The strength of the 
labor market in the face of ... rate-tightening from the Fed already 
this year clearly shows that the Fed has more work to do,” said Charlie 
Ripley, senior investment strategist at Allianz Investment Management. 
“Overall, today’s report should put the notion of a near-term recession 
on the back burner for now.″

The Labor Department also reported 
that hourly earnings posted a healthy 0.5% gain last month and are up 
5.2% over the past year. But that is not enough to keep up with 
inflation, and many Americans are having to scrimp to pay for groceries,
 gasoline, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-health-prices-shopping-f0b630ffa0143399181e518be521e9d5">even school supplies</a>.

Job growth was especially strong last month in the health care industry and at hotels and restaurants.

The
 number of Americans saying they had jobs rose by 179,000, while the 
number saying they were unemployed fell by 242,000. But 61,000 Americans
 dropped out of the labor force in July, trimming the share of those 
working or looking for work to 62.1% from 62.2% in June.

New Yorker Karen Smalls, 46, started looking for work three weeks ago as a member of the support staff for social workers.

“I
 didn’t realize how good the job market is right now,’’ she said after 
finishing her fifth interview this week. “You look at the news and see 
all these bad reports ... but the job market is amazing right now.’’

A
 single mother, she is weighing several offers, looking for one that is 
close to home and pays enough to let her take care of her two children.

Two
 years ago, the pandemic brought economic life to a near standstill as 
companies shut down and millions of people stayed home or were thrown 
out of work. The U.S. plunged into a deep, two-month recession.

But
 massive government aid — and the Fed's decision to slash interest rates
 and pour money into financial markets — fueled a surprisingly quick 
recovery. Caught off guard by the strength of the rebound, factories, 
shops, ports and freight yards were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">overwhelmed with orders</a> and scrambled to bring back the workers they furloughed when COVID-19 hit.

The
 result has been shortages of employees and supplies, delayed shipments 
and high inflation. In June, consumer prices were up 9.1% from a year 
earlier, the biggest increase since 1981.

The Fed has raised its 
benchmark short-term interest rate four times this year in a bid to tame
 inflation, with more increases ahead.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh
 conceded that businesses and consumers are worried about inflation but 
added: “Companies are still growing, and they’re looking for employees. 
And that’s a good sign.’’

In a report filled with mostly good 
news, the Labor Department did note that 3.9 million people were working
 part time for economic reasons in July, up by 303,000 from June. 
Department economists said that reflected an increase in the number of 
people whose hours were cut because of slack business.

Some employers are also reporting signs of slack in the job market.

Aaron
 Sanandres, CEO and co-founder Untuckit, an online clothing company with
 nearly 90 stores, noticed that in the past few weeks that it has been a
 bit easier filling jobs at the corporate headquarters in New York and 
part-time roles at the stores.

“We have had a plethora of 
candidates,” Sanandres said. He also said the labor market has been 
loosening up for engineers, probably as a result of some layoffs at 
technology companies.

Simona Mocuta, chief economist at State 
Street Global Advisors, was among those stunned by the strong hiring 
numbers when other indicators show an economy losing momentum.

Mocuta
 said it is possible that hiring rose so sharply last month because job 
candidates, seeing signs of an impending slowdown, are now more willing 
to accept jobs they would have balked at earlier in the year. Conditions
 may now be “shifting in employers’ favor,’’ she said.

Whatever the reason for it, the employment data released Friday shows an astonishingly strong and resilient job market.

”Underestimate
 the U.S. labor market at your own peril,'' said Nick Bunker, head of 
economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. “Yes, output growth might be
 slowing and the economic outlook has some clouds on the horizon. But 
employers are still champing at the bit to hire more workers. That 
demand may fade, but it’s still red-hot right now.''

Josh Boak in Washington, Anne D'Innocenzio in New York and Courtney Bonnell in London contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659729356814.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Unsplash&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Unsplash&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL WISEMAN Associated PressWASHINGTON — U.S. employers added an astonishing 528,000 jobs last month 
despite flashing warning signs of an economic downturn, easing fears of a
 recession and handing President Joe Biden some good news heading into 
the midterm elections.(Click below to watch the&nbsp; President's comments on the jobs report)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F457415589324342%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Unemployment dropped another notch, from 
3.6% to 3.5%, matching the more than 50-year low reached just before the
 pandemic took hold.The economy has now recovered all 22 million jobs lost in March and April 2020 when COVID-19 slammed the U.S.The
 red-hot numbers reported Friday by the Labor Department are certain to 
intensify the debate over whether the U.S. is in a recession.“Recession
 — what recession?’’ wrote Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch 
Ratings. “The U.S. economy is creating new jobs at an annual rate of 6 
million — that’s three times faster than what we normally see 
historically in a good year."Economists had expected only 250,000
 new jobs last month, in a drop-off from June’s revised 398,000. 
Instead, July proved to be the best month since February.The 
strong figures are welcome news for the Biden administration and the 
Democrats at a time when many voters are worried about the economy.Inflation
 is raging at its highest level in more than 40 years, and the economy 
has contracted for two quarters in a row, which is the common — but 
informal — definition of a recession and does not take into account a 
host of other factors economists consider, such as the job picture.At
 the White House, Biden credited the job growth to his policies, even as
 he acknowledged the pain being inflicted by inflation. He emphasized 
the addition of 642,000 manufacturing jobs during his watch.“Instead
 of workers begging employers for work, we’re seeing employers have to 
compete for American workers," the president said.Biden has 
boosted job growth through his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package 
and $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law last year. Republican 
lawmakers and some leading economists, however, say the administration's
 spending has contributed to high inflation.The president has 
received some other good economic news in recent weeks, as gasoline 
prices have steadily fallen after averaging slightly more than $5 a 
gallon in June.On Wall Street, stocks dropped after the 
employment report came out. While a strong job market is a good thing, 
it also makes it more likely that the Federal Reserve will continue 
raising interest rates to cool the economy.“The strength of the 
labor market in the face of ... rate-tightening from the Fed already 
this year clearly shows that the Fed has more work to do,” said Charlie 
Ripley, senior investment strategist at Allianz Investment Management. 
“Overall, today’s report should put the notion of a near-term recession 
on the back burner for now.″The Labor Department also reported 
that hourly earnings posted a healthy 0.5% gain last month and are up 
5.2% over the past year. But that is not enough to keep up with 
inflation, and many Americans are having to scrimp to pay for groceries,
 gasoline, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-health-prices-shopping-f0b630ffa0143399181e518be521e9d5">even school supplies</a>.Job growth was especially strong last month in the health care industry and at hotels and restaurants.The
 number of Americans saying they had jobs rose by 179,000, while the 
number saying they were unemployed fell by 242,000. But 61,000 Americans
 dropped out of the labor force in July, trimming the share of those 
working or looking for work to 62.1% from 62.2% in June.New Yorker Karen Smalls, 46, started looking for work three weeks ago as a member of the support staff for social workers.“I
 didn’t realize how good the job market is right now,’’ she said after 
finishing her fifth interview this week. “You look at the news and see 
all these bad reports ... but the job market is amazing right now.’’A
 single mother, she is weighing several offers, looking for one that is 
close to home and pays enough to let her take care of her two children.Two
 years ago, the pandemic brought economic life to a near standstill as 
companies shut down and millions of people stayed home or were thrown 
out of work. The U.S. plunged into a deep, two-month recession.But
 massive government aid — and the Fed's decision to slash interest rates
 and pour money into financial markets — fueled a surprisingly quick 
recovery. Caught off guard by the strength of the rebound, factories, 
shops, ports and freight yards were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">overwhelmed with orders</a> and scrambled to bring back the workers they furloughed when COVID-19 hit.The
 result has been shortages of employees and supplies, delayed shipments 
and high inflation. In June, consumer prices were up 9.1% from a year 
earlier, the biggest increase since 1981.The Fed has raised its 
benchmark short-term interest rate four times this year in a bid to tame
 inflation, with more increases ahead.Labor Secretary Marty Walsh
 conceded that businesses and consumers are worried about inflation but 
added: “Companies are still growing, and they’re looking for employees. 
And that’s a good sign.’’In a report filled with mostly good 
news, the Labor Department did note that 3.9 million people were working
 part time for economic reasons in July, up by 303,000 from June. 
Department economists said that reflected an increase in the number of 
people whose hours were cut because of slack business.Some employers are also reporting signs of slack in the job market.Aaron
 Sanandres, CEO and co-founder Untuckit, an online clothing company with
 nearly 90 stores, noticed that in the past few weeks that it has been a
 bit easier filling jobs at the corporate headquarters in New York and 
part-time roles at the stores.“We have had a plethora of 
candidates,” Sanandres said. He also said the labor market has been 
loosening up for engineers, probably as a result of some layoffs at 
technology companies.Simona Mocuta, chief economist at State 
Street Global Advisors, was among those stunned by the strong hiring 
numbers when other indicators show an economy losing momentum.Mocuta
 said it is possible that hiring rose so sharply last month because job 
candidates, seeing signs of an impending slowdown, are now more willing 
to accept jobs they would have balked at earlier in the year. Conditions
 may now be “shifting in employers’ favor,’’ she said.Whatever the reason for it, the employment data released Friday shows an astonishingly strong and resilient job market.”Underestimate
 the U.S. labor market at your own peril,'' said Nick Bunker, head of 
economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. “Yes, output growth might be
 slowing and the economic outlook has some clouds on the horizon. But 
employers are still champing at the bit to hire more workers. That 
demand may fade, but it’s still red-hot right now.''Josh Boak in Washington, Anne D'Innocenzio in New York and Courtney Bonnell in London contributed to this story.

🎥'What recession?': US employers add 528,000 jobs in July

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again Friday in his battle against a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug. The White House reported the rebound case on July 30.

White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor says in a letter Friday that the president “feels well and his cough has almost completely resolved."

Biden is working from the executive residence and&nbsp;signed two bills Friday that will hold those who commit fraud under COVID-19 small business relief programs accountable. After Biden tested positive on Saturday, he canceled plans to travel and hold in-person events.

&nbsp;The 79-year-old Biden originally tested positive on July 21. He was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid and he had ended his isolation on July 27 before the rebound last Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659721899991.png" alt="President Biden spoke before signing two bills that will hold those who commit fraud under COVID-19 small business relief programs accountable.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden spoke before signing two bills that will hold those who commit fraud under COVID-19 small business relief programs accountable.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again Friday in his battle against a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug. The White House reported the rebound case on July 30.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659721525511.png" alt="Biden " />
 <figcaption>Biden </figcaption>
 </figure>White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor says in a letter Friday that the president “feels well and his cough has almost completely resolved."Biden is working from the executive residence and&nbsp;signed two bills Friday that will hold those who commit fraud under COVID-19 small business relief programs accountable. After Biden tested positive on Saturday, he canceled plans to travel and hold in-person events.&nbsp;The 79-year-old Biden originally tested positive on July 21. He was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid and he had ended his isolation on July 27 before the rebound last Saturday.

Doctor: Biden tests positive for COVID for 7th day in a row

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged sex crimes.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a suspect identified as&nbsp;Luis Martinez, 31, of Topeka, allegedly battered a 37-year-old woman and forced her to stay in a room for an extended period of time.

Police located him already in custody in Pottawatomie County, arrested him on a warrant and transported him to the Riley County jail. 

Martinez is being held on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated criminal sodomy, and aggravated kidnapping on a $75,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659710997182.png" alt="Martinez-photo Pottawatomie County" />
 <figcaption>Martinez-photo Pottawatomie County</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged sex crimes.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a suspect identified as&nbsp;Luis Martinez, 31, of Topeka, allegedly battered a 37-year-old woman and forced her to stay in a room for an extended period of time.Police located him already in custody in Pottawatomie County, arrested him on a warrant and transported him to the Riley County jail. Martinez is being held on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated criminal sodomy, and aggravated kidnapping on a $75,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

Police: Kan. man jailed for alleged violent attack on a woman

CEDAR COUNTY, NE —The Nebraska State Patrol has arrested a suspect in connection with four homicides that occurred in Laurel early Thursday morning. The investigation included two scenes on Elm Street in Laurel. Each scene included a residence with a fire, according to a media release from the patrol.

Once fire suppression efforts were complete at a residence at 503 Elm Street, NSP Crime Scene Investigators were able to examine the scene. Investigators located three deceased victims at that location, each with suspected gunshot wounds. The victims have been identified as Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55. All three were residents of the home.

One deceased victim was located at 209 Elm Street, also with suspected gunshot wounds. That victim has been identified as Michele Ebeling, 53. She was a resident at that home.

Physical evidence located at both scenes led investigators to identify a suspect as Jason Jones, 42, who is a resident of Laurel. Investigators developed information to believe that Jones was inside his home at 206 Elm Street in Laurel. The NSP SWAT Team was activated, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Jones. Following repeated attempts to have Jones exit the home voluntarily, the SWAT Team made entry into the home and located Jones in a bedroom, with severe burns.

Jones was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln for treatment of his burn injuries. He is in custody at the hospital.

The investigation remains ongoing. Several agencies have been involved in the response and investigation, including the volunteer fire departments of Laurel, Wayne, and Beldon, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cedar County Attorney, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Laurel Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.

CEDAR COUNTY, NE —The Nebraska State Patrol, working with several public safety partners, is investigating the deaths of four people, at two different scenes in Laurel, Nebraska, according to a release from the patrol.

The first incident occurred shortly after 3:00 a.m. Thursday, when an explosion was reported at a residence in the 200 block of&nbsp;Elm Street in Laurel. Local volunteer firefighters responded and located an individual inside the home. That victim was found to be deceased. At that point, the Laurel Police Department and Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded and requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol.

As investigators were on scene at the first residence, a second fire was reported a few blocks away, at a residence in the 500 block of Elm Street.&nbsp;Fire crews and law enforcement responded immediately. Three individuals were located deceased inside the residence.

At this time there are no identified suspects, however, NSP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle that was seen leaving Laurel shortly after the second fire. That vehicle is described as a silver sedan that was seen traveling westbound out of Laurel on Highway 20. According to a witness report, the vehicle was driven by a black male, and may have picked up a passenger before leaving Laurel. Fire investigators believe that anyone inside either residence at the time of the fires may have suffered burns.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659643660427.png" alt="Investigators on the scene Thursday photo courtesy KCAU TV" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene Thursday photo courtesy KCAU TV</figcaption>
 </figure>CEDAR COUNTY, NE —The Nebraska State Patrol has arrested a suspect in connection with four homicides that occurred in Laurel early Thursday morning. The investigation included two scenes on Elm Street in Laurel. Each scene included a residence with a fire, according to a media release from the patrol.Once fire suppression efforts were complete at a residence at 503 Elm Street, NSP Crime Scene Investigators were able to examine the scene. Investigators located three deceased victims at that location, each with suspected gunshot wounds. The victims have been identified as Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55. All three were residents of the home.One deceased victim was located at 209 Elm Street, also with suspected gunshot wounds. That victim has been identified as Michele Ebeling, 53. She was a resident at that home.Physical evidence located at both scenes led investigators to identify a suspect as Jason Jones, 42, who is a resident of Laurel. Investigators developed information to believe that Jones was inside his home at 206 Elm Street in Laurel. The NSP SWAT Team was activated, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Jones. Following repeated attempts to have Jones exit the home voluntarily, the SWAT Team made entry into the home and located Jones in a bedroom, with severe burns.Jones was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln for treatment of his burn injuries. He is in custody at the hospital.The investigation remains ongoing. Several agencies have been involved in the response and investigation, including the volunteer fire departments of Laurel, Wayne, and Beldon, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cedar County Attorney, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Laurel Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.----------CEDAR COUNTY, NE —The Nebraska State Patrol, working with several public safety partners, is investigating the deaths of four people, at two different scenes in Laurel, Nebraska, according to a release from the patrol.The first incident occurred shortly after 3:00 a.m. Thursday, when an explosion was reported at a residence in the 200 block of&nbsp;Elm Street in Laurel. Local volunteer firefighters responded and located an individual inside the home. That victim was found to be deceased. At that point, the Laurel Police Department and Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded and requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol.As investigators were on scene at the first residence, a second fire was reported a few blocks away, at a residence in the 500 block of Elm Street.&nbsp;Fire crews and law enforcement responded immediately. Three individuals were located deceased inside the residence.At this time there are no identified suspects, however, NSP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle that was seen leaving Laurel shortly after the second fire. That vehicle is described as a silver sedan that was seen traveling westbound out of Laurel on Highway 20. According to a witness report, the vehicle was driven by a black male, and may have picked up a passenger before leaving Laurel. Fire investigators believe that anyone inside either residence at the time of the fires may have suffered burns.Anyone with information about either incident, or about the vehicle, is urged to contact the Nebraska State Patrol at 402-479-4921. This is an active investigation. Additional details will be released when possible.------CEDAR COUNTY, NE —The Nebraska State Patrol is able to release new information and urges public vigilance as the investigation into four deaths in Laurel continues, according to a media release from the patrol.After fire suppression efforts were successful this afternoon at the scene in the 500 block of Elm Street in Laurel, investigators have been able to examine the crime scene and now identify that gunfire is suspected to have played a part in the incidents at both homes. Fire investigators also believe that the fire in the 500 block of Elm Street may have started around the same time as the reported explosion in the 200 block of Elm Street. However, indications of that fire weren’t visible outside the home for hours. Both incidents are now believed to have occurred shortly after 3:00 a.m. Thursday.Based on that time frame, NSP is requesting anyone that may have seen anything out-of-the-ordinary in Laurel between midnight and 4:00 a.m. to report it immediately. Tips can be reported to 402-479-4921.Additionally, based on this focused time frame of the fires, investigators now believe the previously sought silver sedan reported by a member of the public may have left Laurel much later after the incidents than previously thought.---------LAUREL, Neb. (AP) — An unknown number of people were found dead Thursday in two homes in a small community in northeastern Nebraska, and schools and most businesses went on lockdown as a precaution at the recommendation of police, officials said.Cody Thomas, a spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol, said he didn't know how many people were found dead or how anyone died, but that fire “was involved” at both houses. He said state investigators were headed to Laurel and would likely take the lead in investigating what happened.Most businesses, a senior center and schools voluntarily went on lockdown at the recommendation of police, said Lori Hansen, a clerical assistant at the Laurel City Hall. She said she had no other information about what was happening at the police scenes.“We've been listening to TV to try to find out what's going on," she said.A woman who answered the phone at the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office said she had no information about the deaths and that she was the only person in the office.Laurel is home to fewer than 1,000 people and is located about 100 miles northwest of Omaha.The patrol plans to hold a news conference later Thursday to discuss its findings.