LINCOLN COUNTY- Thirty-three dogs were removed from a residence in Barnard on Monday and the owner was later arrested on requested cruelty to animals charges.

"On Monday, March 21, 2022 the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Barnard, Kansas. As a result of the search warrant, 33 dogs of various ages and breeds were removed from the deplorable conditions they were living in," Sheriff Dustin Florence noted in a news release on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCountyKSSheriff">Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Facebook page</a> today.

Barnard is located in northeastern Lincoln County.

Cruelty to animals charges have been requested for the owner of the dogs, who has not been named. He was being held in the Lincoln County Jail, the release noted. The case has been forwarded to the Lincoln County Attorney's Office.

The sheriff's office thanked several organizations for assisting with the rescue of the dogs, including the Sedgwick County Animal Shelter, All Dogs Bark and Play Rescue, Golden Belt Humane Society, the State of Kansas Animal Facilities inspectors, Solomon Valley Veterinarian Hospital, and a number of volunteers.

"The Sheriff's Office would also add that owning animals is a huge commitment. Dogs, cats and other domestic animals require food, water and shelter at all times, as well as proper medical care. We understand that sometimes the love people have for animals outweighs their abilities to properly care for them; either financially or proper shelter or medically. We encourage anyone who may be struggling to properly care for their animals to reach out before the problem becomes much larger than anyone can handle," Florence wrote in the news release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648075681765.jpeg" alt="Some of the dogs removed from the residence in Barnard. Photo courtesy the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCountyKSSheriff">Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Facebook page</a>" />
 <figcaption>Some of the dogs removed from the residence in Barnard. Photo courtesy the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCountyKSSheriff">Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Facebook page</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POST LINCOLN COUNTY- Thirty-three dogs were removed from a residence in Barnard on Monday and the owner was later arrested on requested cruelty to animals charges."On Monday, March 21, 2022 the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Barnard, Kansas. As a result of the search warrant, 33 dogs of various ages and breeds were removed from the deplorable conditions they were living in," Sheriff Dustin Florence noted in a news release on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCountyKSSheriff">Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Facebook page</a> today.Barnard is located in northeastern Lincoln County.Cruelty to animals charges have been requested for the owner of the dogs, who has not been named. He was being held in the Lincoln County Jail, the release noted. The case has been forwarded to the Lincoln County Attorney's Office.The sheriff's office thanked several organizations for assisting with the rescue of the dogs, including the Sedgwick County Animal Shelter, All Dogs Bark and Play Rescue, Golden Belt Humane Society, the State of Kansas Animal Facilities inspectors, Solomon Valley Veterinarian Hospital, and a number of volunteers."The Sheriff's Office would also add that owning animals is a huge commitment. Dogs, cats and other domestic animals require food, water and shelter at all times, as well as proper medical care. We understand that sometimes the love people have for animals outweighs their abilities to properly care for them; either financially or proper shelter or medically. We encourage anyone who may be struggling to properly care for their animals to reach out before the problem becomes much larger than anyone can handle," Florence wrote in the news release.

Owner faces charges after 33 dogs removed from Kansas home

WICHITA — Robert M. Gates, U.S. secretary of defense from 2006-2011 and former director of the
                        CIA, will kick off Wichita State University’s inaugural Craig W. Barton Speaker Series
                        this spring.
                     

Gates, who grew up in Wichita, will be the featured speaker in the moderated discussion
                        at 6 p.m. April 27, in WSU’s Wiedemann Hall.
                     

The event is free and open to campus and the public. Media are welcome to attend but
                        are asked to take photos for only the first five minutes of the event and to not record
                        any audio or video.
                     

The new speaker series was created as another opportunity to encourage free expression,
                        critical thinking, and the engaging in discourse of various perspectives.
                     

Individuals can reserve their free seat and learn more about the Craig W. Barton Series
 at <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/administration/president/events/barton_speaker_series/index.php">wichita.edu/BartonSeries</a>.

The new speaker series picks up where the <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/free_expression/our_history.php">WSU Forum Board Lecture Series</a> left off. Originally established in 1937 and discontinued in 2002, the series brought
 in over that time more than 500 national and internally known speakers, from poets
 to politicians.

Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense (2006-2011). He is the only secretary
                        of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected President.
                        Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties.
                     

On Gates’ last day in office, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential
                        Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
                     

Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years
                        as an intelligence professional. During that period, he spent nearly nine years on
                        the National Security Council at the White House, serving four presidents of both
                        political parties.
                     

He served as director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. He is the only
                        career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to director. He
                        served as deputy director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as assistant
                        to the president and deputy national security adviser at the White House from Jan.
                        20, 1989, until Nov. 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.
                     

Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal,
                        has three times received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and
                        has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
                     

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648067750308.png" alt="Gates" />
 <figcaption>Gates</figcaption>
 </figure>WSU Strategic CommunicationsWICHITA — Robert M. Gates, U.S. secretary of defense from 2006-2011 and former director of the
 CIA, will kick off Wichita State University’s inaugural Craig W. Barton Speaker Series
 this spring.
 Gates, who grew up in Wichita, will be the featured speaker in the moderated discussion
 at 6 p.m. April 27, in WSU’s Wiedemann Hall.
 The event is free and open to campus and the public. Media are welcome to attend but
 are asked to take photos for only the first five minutes of the event and to not record
 any audio or video.
 The new speaker series was created as another opportunity to encourage free expression,
 critical thinking, and the engaging in discourse of various perspectives.
 Individuals can reserve their free seat and learn more about the Craig W. Barton Series
 at <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/administration/president/events/barton_speaker_series/index.php">wichita.edu/BartonSeries</a>.
 The new speaker series picks up where the <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/free_expression/our_history.php">WSU Forum Board Lecture Series</a> left off. Originally established in 1937 and discontinued in 2002, the series brought
 in over that time more than 500 national and internally known speakers, from poets
 to politicians.
 <h2>Robert M. Gates biography</h2>Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense (2006-2011). He is the only secretary
 of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected President.
 Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties.
 On Gates’ last day in office, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential
 Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
 Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years
 as an intelligence professional. During that period, he spent nearly nine years on
 the National Security Council at the White House, serving four presidents of both
 political parties.
 He served as director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. He is the only
 career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to director. He
 served as deputy director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as assistant
 to the president and deputy national security adviser at the White House from Jan.
 20, 1989, until Nov. 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.
 Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal,
 has three times received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and
 has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

Former Defense Secretary Gates to speak at Wichita State

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-03-23/kansas-is-on-path-to-make-it-easier-to-get-your-seized-property-back-from-police">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — Police can keep seized property “as long as 
necessary,” state statute says, if they believe it could be evidence in a
 trial. A proposed change to state law would require police to give 
items back.

Police hold the power to seize property believed to be
 used in a crime. Some cases stall or charges don’t move forward and 
critics of existing state law said getting back property even when it 
doesn’t link to criminal activity is too hard.

“Many (people) opt 
not to fight the forfeiture and reluctantly give up their property, 
rather than rack up legal bills exceeding the property’s value,” Alieen 
Berquist, community engagement manager for the ACLU of Kansas, wrote in 
testimony to lawmakers.

Berquist said the process gets further 
complicated because people aren’t entitled to legal help when asking for
 their items back and have to fight that legal battle alone. Other 
supporters of the bill worry that property may be seized even if it 
isn’t necessary to a case. The bill was supported by law enforcement and
 passed out of the Senate 40-0 and 122-0 in the House.

The 
legislation also requires law enforcement to file receipts of seized 
property with the judge who approved the search warrant. It clarifies 
what qualifies as a “dangerous drug” and should be destroyed.

The 
bill also adds steps police will take when contacting owners of seized 
weapons and allows them to transfer weapons to firearm dealers. People 
with felonies could be ineligible to own a firearm, but they might 
regain eligibility if they have charges expunged. Navigating that 
process now can be confusing. Lawmakers hope the law change will make 
that clearer.

Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said law 
enforcement is concerned weapons used in crimes end up back on the 
street. He said this bill doesn’t completely address that issue but will
 help.

“This bill does straighten things out and gives law enforcement some parameters that they can work within,” the legislator said.

Other
 bills requiring a conviction or creating a new process for civil asset 
forfeiture were introduced this session. One such bill would prevent 
police from taking money under $200. Both got hearings in committee but 
were not voted on.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_jud_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_jud_1_20220216_34_testimony.html" target="_blank">The 2020 civil asset seizure report by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation</a>
 says a total of $6.2 million in property and money was seized. The 
Kansas Highway patrol seized $3 million in cash, the most of any agency 
listed on that report.

“These provisions,” Berquist said, “could 
go a long way toward protecting the rights of Kansans and preventing 
policing for profit.”

Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice 
and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can 
follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648056220753.png" alt="Supporters of the bill say it could prevent “policing for profit” while clarifying steps law enforcement should take when returning property. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Supporters of the bill say it could prevent “policing for profit” while clarifying steps law enforcement should take when returning property. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-03-23/kansas-is-on-path-to-make-it-easier-to-get-your-seized-property-back-from-police">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — Police can keep seized property “as long as 
necessary,” state statute says, if they believe it could be evidence in a
 trial. A proposed change to state law would require police to give 
items back.Police hold the power to seize property believed to be
 used in a crime. Some cases stall or charges don’t move forward and 
critics of existing state law said getting back property even when it 
doesn’t link to criminal activity is too hard.“Many (people) opt 
not to fight the forfeiture and reluctantly give up their property, 
rather than rack up legal bills exceeding the property’s value,” Alieen 
Berquist, community engagement manager for the ACLU of Kansas, wrote in 
testimony to lawmakers.Berquist said the process gets further 
complicated because people aren’t entitled to legal help when asking for
 their items back and have to fight that legal battle alone. Other 
supporters of the bill worry that property may be seized even if it 
isn’t necessary to a case. The bill was supported by law enforcement and
 passed out of the Senate 40-0 and 122-0 in the House.The 
legislation also requires law enforcement to file receipts of seized 
property with the judge who approved the search warrant. It clarifies 
what qualifies as a “dangerous drug” and should be destroyed.The 
bill also adds steps police will take when contacting owners of seized 
weapons and allows them to transfer weapons to firearm dealers. People 
with felonies could be ineligible to own a firearm, but they might 
regain eligibility if they have charges expunged. Navigating that 
process now can be confusing. Lawmakers hope the law change will make 
that clearer.Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said law 
enforcement is concerned weapons used in crimes end up back on the 
street. He said this bill doesn’t completely address that issue but will
 help.“This bill does straighten things out and gives law enforcement some parameters that they can work within,” the legislator said.Other
 bills requiring a conviction or creating a new process for civil asset 
forfeiture were introduced this session. One such bill would prevent 
police from taking money under $200. Both got hearings in committee but 
were not voted on.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_h_jud_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_h_jud_1_20220216_34_testimony.html" target="_blank">The 2020 civil asset seizure report by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation</a>
 says a total of $6.2 million in property and money was seized. The 
Kansas Highway patrol seized $3 million in cash, the most of any agency 
listed on that report.“These provisions,” Berquist said, “could 
go a long way toward protecting the rights of Kansans and preventing 
policing for profit.”Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice 
and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can 
follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

Kansas on path to make it easier to get seized property back from police

BARTON COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal fire in Hoisington identified the victim as 80-year-old Stanley Jantz, according to Police Chief Kenton Doze.

Just before 8 a.m. Tuesday, crews with Barton County Fire District 2 responded to the fire at a home in the 500 Block of East Third Street in Hoisington, according to Fire Chief Jerry Stricker. Crews learned there was possibly a person still inside the residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;After attacking the fire and venting out the smoke, personnel located Jantz who was deceased.

Cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to Stricker.

BARTON COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal fire in Hoisington identified the victim as 80-year-old Stanley Jantz, according to Police Chief Kenton Doze.Just before 8 a.m. Tuesday, crews with Barton County Fire District 2 responded to the fire at a home in the 500 Block of East Third Street in Hoisington, according to Fire Chief Jerry Stricker. Crews learned there was possibly a person still inside the residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After attacking the fire and venting out the smoke, personnel located Jantz who was deceased.Cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to Stricker.

Police ID man who died in Kansas house fire

HAYS — A Hays man is facing possible first-degree murder charges after an incident that led to the death of his wife Monday.

According to the Ellis County Attorney's Office,&nbsp;Jay Naldo Schumacher was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery, domestic battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult. His bond was set at $150,000.

The alleged victim of the charges was his wife, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/989ac447-b583-44aa-a248-eac2ae7a2623">Karen Schumacher</a>, who died later that day at Hays Medical Center.

In light of the development, , the county attorney's office said in a news release, "the state now alleges that the crime(s) committed now include 1) murder in the first degree under the theory of felony murder — mistreatment of a dependent adult; 2) aggravated battery; 3) domestic battery, and 4) mistreatment of a dependent adult."

The state requested Jay Naldo Schumacher be seen by a judge again to revisit his bond, which was increased to $2 million.

The county attorney's office said it intends on filing charges in the coming days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648133884032.jpeg" alt="Jay Naldo Schumacher / Ellis County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Jay Naldo Schumacher / Ellis County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS — A Hays man is facing possible first-degree murder charges after an incident that led to the death of his wife Monday.According to the Ellis County Attorney's Office,&nbsp;Jay Naldo Schumacher was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery, domestic battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult. His bond was set at $150,000.The alleged victim of the charges was his wife, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/989ac447-b583-44aa-a248-eac2ae7a2623">Karen Schumacher</a>, who died later that day at Hays Medical Center.In light of the development, , the county attorney's office said in a news release, "the state now alleges that the crime(s) committed now include 1) murder in the first degree under the theory of felony murder — mistreatment of a dependent adult; 2) aggravated battery; 3) domestic battery, and 4) mistreatment of a dependent adult."The state requested Jay Naldo Schumacher be seen by a judge again to revisit his bond, which was increased to $2 million.The county attorney's office said it intends on filing charges in the coming days.

Kan. man facing possible murder charges after wife dies in Hays

WASHINGTON — Even though the Internal Revenue Service issues most 
refunds in less than 21 days for taxpayers who filed electronically and 
chose direct deposit, some refunds may take longer.

Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund after the 
IRS receives a return. A manual review may be necessary when a return 
has errors, is incomplete or is affected by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">identity theft</a> or fraud.

Other returns can also take longer to process, including when a return needs a correction to the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">Child Tax Credit</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> amount, includes a claim filed for an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a> or an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents">Additional Child Tax Credit</a>, or includes a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8379.pdf">Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation</a>&nbsp;PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process.

The fastest way to get a tax refund is by filing electronically and 
choosing direct deposit. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can 
find out more on how to open an account at an <a href="https://banks.data.fdic.gov/bankfind-suite/bankfind">FDIC-insured bank</a> or the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.

The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a 
certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. 
Some returns may require additional review and may take longer. Also, 
remember to take into consideration the time it takes for a financial 
institution to post the refund to an account or to receive it by mail.

To check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/check-the-status-of-a-refund-in-just-a-few-clicks-using-the-wheres-my-refund-tool">status of a refund</a>, taxpayers should use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>
 tool on IRS.gov. Information for the most current tax year filed is 
generally available within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt 
of a taxpayer's e-filed return. If they filed a paper return, taxpayers 
should allow four weeks before checking the status.

The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail when more information is 
needed to process a return. IRS phone and walk-in representatives can 
only research the status of a refund if it has been:

Before filing a return, taxpayers should make IRS.gov their 
first stop to find online tools to help get the information they need to
 file. The tools are easy-to-use and available anytime. Millions of 
people use them to help file and pay taxes, find information about their
 accounts, get answers to tax questions and get <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/top-things-all-taxpayers-need-to-remember-when-filing-their-2021-tax-return">tips on filing a return.</a>

Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? People whose tax 
returns from 2020 have not yet been processed should still file their 
2021 tax returns by the April due date or request an extension to file.

Those filing electronically in this group need their Adjusted Gross 
Income, or AGI, from their most recent tax return. For those waiting on 
their 2020 tax return to be processed, make sure to enter $0 (zero 
dollars) for last year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return</a> for more details.

Also, when self-preparing a tax return and filing electronically, taxpayers must sign <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc255">and validate the electronic tax return</a>
 by entering their prior-year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or prior-year 
Self-Select PIN (SSP). Those who electronically filed last year may have
 created a five digit Self-Select PIN to use as their electronic 
signature. Generally, tax software automatically enters the information 
for returning customers. Taxpayers who are using a software product for 
the first time may have to enter this information.

Taxpayers should review the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">special instructions</a>
 to validate an electronically filed 2021 tax return if their 2020 
return has not been processed or they used the Non-Filers tool in 2021 
to register for an advance Child Tax Credit payment or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — Even though the Internal Revenue Service issues most 
refunds in less than 21 days for taxpayers who filed electronically and 
chose direct deposit, some refunds may take longer.Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund after the 
IRS receives a return. A manual review may be necessary when a return 
has errors, is incomplete or is affected by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">identity theft</a> or fraud.Other returns can also take longer to process, including when a return needs a correction to the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">Child Tax Credit</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a> amount, includes a claim filed for an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a> or an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents">Additional Child Tax Credit</a>, or includes a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8379.pdf">Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation</a>&nbsp;PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process.The fastest way to get a tax refund is by filing electronically and 
choosing direct deposit. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can 
find out more on how to open an account at an <a href="https://banks.data.fdic.gov/bankfind-suite/bankfind">FDIC-insured bank</a> or the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a 
certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. 
Some returns may require additional review and may take longer. Also, 
remember to take into consideration the time it takes for a financial 
institution to post the refund to an account or to receive it by mail.To check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/check-the-status-of-a-refund-in-just-a-few-clicks-using-the-wheres-my-refund-tool">status of a refund</a>, taxpayers should use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>
 tool on IRS.gov. Information for the most current tax year filed is 
generally available within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt 
of a taxpayer's e-filed return. If they filed a paper return, taxpayers 
should allow four weeks before checking the status.The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail when more information is 
needed to process a return. IRS phone and walk-in representatives can 
only research the status of a refund if it has been:<ul>
 <li>21 days or more since it was filed electronically (or since the IRS filing season start date – whichever is later),</li><li>Six weeks or more since a return was mailed, or when</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a> tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS.</li>
 </ul>Before filing a return, taxpayers should make IRS.gov their 
first stop to find online tools to help get the information they need to
 file. The tools are easy-to-use and available anytime. Millions of 
people use them to help file and pay taxes, find information about their
 accounts, get answers to tax questions and get <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/top-things-all-taxpayers-need-to-remember-when-filing-their-2021-tax-return">tips on filing a return.</a><h2>2020 tax returns</h2>Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? People whose tax 
returns from 2020 have not yet been processed should still file their 
2021 tax returns by the April due date or request an extension to file.Those filing electronically in this group need their Adjusted Gross 
Income, or AGI, from their most recent tax return. For those waiting on 
their 2020 tax return to be processed, make sure to enter $0 (zero 
dollars) for last year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return</a> for more details.Also, when self-preparing a tax return and filing electronically, taxpayers must sign <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc255">and validate the electronic tax return</a>
 by entering their prior-year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or prior-year 
Self-Select PIN (SSP). Those who electronically filed last year may have
 created a five digit Self-Select PIN to use as their electronic 
signature. Generally, tax software automatically enters the information 
for returning customers. Taxpayers who are using a software product for 
the first time may have to enter this information.Taxpayers should review the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">special instructions</a>
 to validate an electronically filed 2021 tax return if their 2020 
return has not been processed or they used the Non-Filers tool in 2021 
to register for an advance Child Tax Credit payment or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

IRS: Still waiting for your overdue refund? This might be why

LAWRENCE — Average groundwater levels across western and central Kansas fell by more than a foot in 2021, with the greatest declines in the southwest portion of the state, according to preliminary data compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey.

The KGS, based at the University of Kansas, and the Division of Water Resources of the Kansas Department of Agriculture measure about 1,400 wells every year to monitor the health of the High Plains aquifer and other aquifers in western and central Kansas. Those measurements showed an overall average decline of 1.01 feet last year. Most parts of the region saw below-average precipitation for the year, especially during the summer growing season for agricultural crops.

“The key takeaway is that 2021 started off very dry and, outside of the month of May, which is the last month most folks in western Kansas saw any measurable precipitation, dry conditions continued right into the summer and fall months,” said Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager.

The 2021 decline followed an overall drop of 0.93 feet in 2020, which was another abnormally dry year. Dry years lead to increased pumping demands, primarily for irrigation, which in turn typically cause greater declines in water levels.

“The entire state is currently in some stage of drought and even with recent snowfalls, I bet it remains that way,” Wilson said.

As of the beginning of February, virtually all of Kansas was under some level of drought conditions, based on maps published by National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Southwest Kansas was experiencing extreme to exceptional drought, with widespread moderate to severe drought across the rest of the western and central Kansas regions covered by the groundwater monitoring program.

The High Plains aquifer is a network of water-bearing rock that extends into eight states. In Kansas, the aquifer comprises three components — the Ogallala aquifer, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer and the Equus Beds. Of these, the Ogallala aquifer underlies most of western Kansas and consists mainly of the Ogallala Formation, a geologic unit that formed from sediment eroded off the uplifting Rocky Mountains.

The southwest Kansas portion of the Ogallala has suffered the greatest losses since groundwater levels started dropping in the 1950s. In the drought years between 2010 and 2014, declines averaged about 3 feet per year. Since 2015, levels fell less than a foot each year until 2020, which saw a decline of 1.2 feet. In 2021, the region saw an average drop of nearly 2.2 feet.

In central Kansas, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer underlies an area encompassing Great Bend, Kinsley, Greensburg and Pratt. Farther east, the Equus Beds extends from just north of Wichita toward McPherson and Hutchinson. This area typically sees more precipitation than the western part of the state. Because the aquifer is relatively close to the land surface and sandy soils are abundant, some of this precipitation recharges — or makes its way into — the aquifer. Since 1996, when the state began administrating the water-level monitoring program, water levels in this area have remained relatively stable.

Most of the wells in the network monitored by the KGS and DWR are within the boundaries of the state’s five Groundwater Management Districts (GMDs), which are organized and governed by area landowners and local water users to address water-resources issues.

In Southwest Kansas GMD 3, average groundwater levels dropped 2.17 feet in 2021, the largest decline in the region since 2013, when groundwater levels fell 2.43 feet. The region experienced drops of 1.25 feet in 2020 and 0.80 feet in 2019.

The region saw below-average precipitation in 2021, with widespread areas receiving 50% to 75% of long-term averages.&nbsp;

“Much of southwest Kansas came out of the winter months with already below-normal precipitation levels and, outside of one month, that trend continued through the growing season and into the fall and winter months of 2022,” Wilson said.

GMD 3 includes all or part of Grant, Haskell, Gray, Finney, Stanton, Ford, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Hamilton, Kearny and Meade counties. Most of the wells monitored in the district are drilled into the Ogallala aquifer, except in a few areas where they draw from the deeper Dakota aquifer.

Dry conditions were also prevalent in the west-central and northwest portions of the state. Western Kansas GMD 1 experienced a groundwater-level drop of 0.51 feet in 2021, after falling 0.59 in 2020 and 0.14 in 2019. Declines there tend to be small but steady. GMD 1 includes portions of Wallace, Greeley, Wichita, Scott and Lane counties, where the majority of wells are drilled into the Ogallala aquifer.

Northwest Kansas GMD 4 experienced a drop of 0.51 feet in groundwater levels, after a decline of 0.70 feet in 2020 and an increase of 0.60 feet in 2019. GMD 4 covers Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan and parts of Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Graham, Wallace, Logan and Gove counties. Groundwater there is pumped from the Ogallala aquifer and shallow alluvial sources associated with streams.

In contrast to the significant declines observed in western Kansas GMDs, increases and decreases in water levels in Great Bend GMD 5 and Equus Beds GMD 2 in the central part of the state tend to even out over time. Both districts have localized areas of long-term groundwater declines but as a whole have remained relatively stable.

Big Bend GMD 5, centered on the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, experienced a water-level decline of 0.81 feet in 2021, after a decline of 0.69 feet in 2020 and an increase of 1.75 feet in 2019. Precipitation across the region ranged from average to below average in 2021. GMD 5 includes Stafford and Pratt counties and parts of Barton, Pawnee, Edwards, Kiowa, Reno and Rice counties.

Equus Beds GMD 2, a major source of water for Wichita, Hutchinson and surrounding towns, saw the smallest decline of 2021, at 0.13 feet, after experiencing the largest decrease of 2020 at 1.8 feet. Precipitation in the region came in slightly below average for the year. GMD 2 covers portions of Reno, Sedgwick, Harvey and McPherson counties.

The KGS measured 586 wells in western Kansas, and DWR staff from field offices in Stockton, Garden City and Stafford measured 224, 355 and 258 wells, respectively, in western and central Kansas. Most of the wells, spread over 48 counties, are used for irrigation and have been measured for decades with landowners’ permission.

Measurements are taken primarily in January, when water levels are least likely to fluctuate due to seasonal irrigation. The measurement results, available on the KGS Water Well Levels&nbsp;<a href="https://geohydro.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/">website</a>, are provisional and subject to revision based on additional analysis.

The Kansas Geological Survey is a nonregulatory research and service division of KU. KGS researchers study and provide information about the state’s geologic resources and hazards, including groundwater, oil and natural gas, rocks and minerals, and earthquakes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648045034233.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KU News ServiceLAWRENCE — Average groundwater levels across western and central Kansas fell by more than a foot in 2021, with the greatest declines in the southwest portion of the state, according to preliminary data compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey.The KGS, based at the University of Kansas, and the Division of Water Resources of the Kansas Department of Agriculture measure about 1,400 wells every year to monitor the health of the High Plains aquifer and other aquifers in western and central Kansas. Those measurements showed an overall average decline of 1.01 feet last year. Most parts of the region saw below-average precipitation for the year, especially during the summer growing season for agricultural crops.“The key takeaway is that 2021 started off very dry and, outside of the month of May, which is the last month most folks in western Kansas saw any measurable precipitation, dry conditions continued right into the summer and fall months,” said Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager.The 2021 decline followed an overall drop of 0.93 feet in 2020, which was another abnormally dry year. Dry years lead to increased pumping demands, primarily for irrigation, which in turn typically cause greater declines in water levels.“The entire state is currently in some stage of drought and even with recent snowfalls, I bet it remains that way,” Wilson said.As of the beginning of February, virtually all of Kansas was under some level of drought conditions, based on maps published by National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Southwest Kansas was experiencing extreme to exceptional drought, with widespread moderate to severe drought across the rest of the western and central Kansas regions covered by the groundwater monitoring program.The High Plains aquifer is a network of water-bearing rock that extends into eight states. In Kansas, the aquifer comprises three components — the Ogallala aquifer, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer and the Equus Beds. Of these, the Ogallala aquifer underlies most of western Kansas and consists mainly of the Ogallala Formation, a geologic unit that formed from sediment eroded off the uplifting Rocky Mountains.The southwest Kansas portion of the Ogallala has suffered the greatest losses since groundwater levels started dropping in the 1950s. In the drought years between 2010 and 2014, declines averaged about 3 feet per year. Since 2015, levels fell less than a foot each year until 2020, which saw a decline of 1.2 feet. In 2021, the region saw an average drop of nearly 2.2 feet.In central Kansas, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer underlies an area encompassing Great Bend, Kinsley, Greensburg and Pratt. Farther east, the Equus Beds extends from just north of Wichita toward McPherson and Hutchinson. This area typically sees more precipitation than the western part of the state. Because the aquifer is relatively close to the land surface and sandy soils are abundant, some of this precipitation recharges — or makes its way into — the aquifer. Since 1996, when the state began administrating the water-level monitoring program, water levels in this area have remained relatively stable.Most of the wells in the network monitored by the KGS and DWR are within the boundaries of the state’s five Groundwater Management Districts (GMDs), which are organized and governed by area landowners and local water users to address water-resources issues.In Southwest Kansas GMD 3, average groundwater levels dropped 2.17 feet in 2021, the largest decline in the region since 2013, when groundwater levels fell 2.43 feet. The region experienced drops of 1.25 feet in 2020 and 0.80 feet in 2019.The region saw below-average precipitation in 2021, with widespread areas receiving 50% to 75% of long-term averages.&nbsp;“Much of southwest Kansas came out of the winter months with already below-normal precipitation levels and, outside of one month, that trend continued through the growing season and into the fall and winter months of 2022,” Wilson said.GMD 3 includes all or part of Grant, Haskell, Gray, Finney, Stanton, Ford, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Hamilton, Kearny and Meade counties. Most of the wells monitored in the district are drilled into the Ogallala aquifer, except in a few areas where they draw from the deeper Dakota aquifer.Dry conditions were also prevalent in the west-central and northwest portions of the state. Western Kansas GMD 1 experienced a groundwater-level drop of 0.51 feet in 2021, after falling 0.59 in 2020 and 0.14 in 2019. Declines there tend to be small but steady. GMD 1 includes portions of Wallace, Greeley, Wichita, Scott and Lane counties, where the majority of wells are drilled into the Ogallala aquifer.Northwest Kansas GMD 4 experienced a drop of 0.51 feet in groundwater levels, after a decline of 0.70 feet in 2020 and an increase of 0.60 feet in 2019. GMD 4 covers Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan and parts of Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Graham, Wallace, Logan and Gove counties. Groundwater there is pumped from the Ogallala aquifer and shallow alluvial sources associated with streams.In contrast to the significant declines observed in western Kansas GMDs, increases and decreases in water levels in Great Bend GMD 5 and Equus Beds GMD 2 in the central part of the state tend to even out over time. Both districts have localized areas of long-term groundwater declines but as a whole have remained relatively stable.Big Bend GMD 5, centered on the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, experienced a water-level decline of 0.81 feet in 2021, after a decline of 0.69 feet in 2020 and an increase of 1.75 feet in 2019. Precipitation across the region ranged from average to below average in 2021. GMD 5 includes Stafford and Pratt counties and parts of Barton, Pawnee, Edwards, Kiowa, Reno and Rice counties.Equus Beds GMD 2, a major source of water for Wichita, Hutchinson and surrounding towns, saw the smallest decline of 2021, at 0.13 feet, after experiencing the largest decrease of 2020 at 1.8 feet. Precipitation in the region came in slightly below average for the year. GMD 2 covers portions of Reno, Sedgwick, Harvey and McPherson counties.The KGS measured 586 wells in western Kansas, and DWR staff from field offices in Stockton, Garden City and Stafford measured 224, 355 and 258 wells, respectively, in western and central Kansas. Most of the wells, spread over 48 counties, are used for irrigation and have been measured for decades with landowners’ permission.Measurements are taken primarily in January, when water levels are least likely to fluctuate due to seasonal irrigation. The measurement results, available on the KGS Water Well Levels&nbsp;<a href="https://geohydro.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/">website</a>, are provisional and subject to revision based on additional analysis.The Kansas Geological Survey is a nonregulatory research and service division of KU. KGS researchers study and provide information about the state’s geologic resources and hazards, including groundwater, oil and natural gas, rocks and minerals, and earthquakes.

Groundwater levels fall across western and central Kansas

By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration has made a formal determination that Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine. 

Blinken says the assessment was based on a "careful review" of public and intelligence sources since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month. America's top diplomat says the United States will share that information with allies, partners and international institutions tasked with investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Blinken made the announcement Wednesday in a statement released as he was traveling to Brussels with President Joe Biden for an emergency summit of NATO leaders.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648062692938.jpeg" alt="Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic WriterWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration has made a formal determination that Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine. Blinken says the assessment was based on a "careful review" of public and intelligence sources since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month. America's top diplomat says the United States will share that information with allies, partners and international institutions tasked with investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Blinken made the announcement Wednesday in a statement released as he was traveling to Brussels with President Joe Biden for an emergency summit of NATO leaders.

US finds Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state, has died of cancer, her family said Wednesday. She was 84. 

President Bill Clinton chose Albright as America's top diplomat in 1996, and she served in that capacity for the last four years of the Clinton administration. 

At the time, she was the highest-ranking woman in the history of U.S. government. She was not in the line of succession for the presidency, however, because she was a native of Czechoslovakia. 

In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Albright the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, saying her life was an inspiration to all Americans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648062507079.png" alt="Albright" />
 <figcaption>Albright</figcaption>
 </figure>The Associated PressWASHINGTON — Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state, has died of cancer, her family said Wednesday. She was 84. President Bill Clinton chose Albright as America's top diplomat in 1996, and she served in that capacity for the last four years of the Clinton administration. At the time, she was the highest-ranking woman in the history of U.S. government. She was not in the line of succession for the presidency, however, because she was a native of Czechoslovakia. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Albright the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, saying her life was an inspiration to all Americans.

Madeleine Albright, 1st female US secretary of state, dies

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 265 to a total of 769,598 the state health department reported Wednesday.

The state reported 48 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,198 and 87 new hospitalizations since Friday.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648061695063.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 265 to a total of 769,598 the state health department reported Wednesday.The state reported 48 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,198 and 87 new hospitalizations since Friday.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection&nbsp;(e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

45 new COVID deaths, 87 hospitalizations in Kan. since Monday

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

Just after 1p.m. February 10,&nbsp;deputies were sent to check the welfare of a man in the 200 block of east 86th Street South in Haysville after a property owner noticed him lying next to their home, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

When deputies arrived to check on the man later&nbsp;identified as Vennie Kongvongsay, 23 of Wichita, they discovered he was deceased and had suffered a gunshot wound.&nbsp;

On March 22, 2022, deputies arrested Jim Sanchez, 27 of Wichita and Justinlee Welch, 25 of Wichita of requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery and Kidnapping in connection with the death of Kongvongsay.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648042514446.png" alt="Sanchez-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Sanchez-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and have made an arrest.Just after 1p.m. February 10,&nbsp;deputies were sent to check the welfare of a man in the 200 block of east 86th Street South in Haysville after a property owner noticed him lying next to their home, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.When deputies arrived to check on the man later&nbsp;identified as Vennie Kongvongsay, 23 of Wichita, they discovered he was deceased and had suffered a gunshot wound.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648042287561.png" alt="Welch-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Welch-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On March 22, 2022, deputies arrested Jim Sanchez, 27 of Wichita and Justinlee Welch, 25 of Wichita of requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery and Kidnapping in connection with the death of Kongvongsay.

Sheriff: 2 arrested for kidnapping, murder of Kansas man

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —The Kansas House passed a bill Wednesday that changes a few important policy points when it comes to how cities can choose whether or not to enforce federal immigration law and the usage of local identification cards. The bill was originally introduced at the request of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

"The bill does two things," Schmidt said. "It says that local governments, governing bodies, the political branches of local government may not adopt ordinances that instruct their local police department to not cooperate or communicate with federal authorities, especially on immigration matters. The discretion would still lie, but it would lie with the law enforcement officials, it wouldn't lie with the local politicians. Number two, it says that if a local government, city or county, issues their own government identification card, they can do that and they can use them locally for whatever they want, but those cards may not be used to satisfy the requirements of any state law for identification."

This law was proposed after the Kansas City Kansas and Wyandotte County Unified Government decided to enact local ID policy.

"They made the deliberate decision they are going to issue Kansas City, Kansas ID cards to illegal aliens, to people who are not lawfully in the country, undocumented people, whatever you want to call them," Schmidt said. "You want to make clear that if that card is taken outside of Kansas City and used somewhere else, that people don't look at that and are misled that it's a proof of lawful presence."

The Kansas House passed the bill 84 to 38. The bill now goes to the Kansas Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON,
Kan. —The Kansas House passed a bill Wednesday that changes a few important policy points when it comes to how cities can choose whether or not to enforce federal immigration law and the usage of local identification cards. The bill was originally introduced at the request of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt."The bill does two things," Schmidt said. "It says that local governments, governing bodies, the political branches of local government may not adopt ordinances that instruct their local police department to not cooperate or communicate with federal authorities, especially on immigration matters. The discretion would still lie, but it would lie with the law enforcement officials, it wouldn't lie with the local politicians. Number two, it says that if a local government, city or county, issues their own government identification card, they can do that and they can use them locally for whatever they want, but those cards may not be used to satisfy the requirements of any state law for identification."This law was proposed after the Kansas City Kansas and Wyandotte County Unified Government decided to enact local ID policy."They made the deliberate decision they are going to issue Kansas City, Kansas ID cards to illegal aliens, to people who are not lawfully in the country, undocumented people, whatever you want to call them," Schmidt said. "You want to make clear that if that card is taken outside of Kansas City and used somewhere else, that people don't look at that and are misled that it's a proof of lawful presence."The Kansas House passed the bill 84 to 38. The bill now goes to the Kansas Senate.

Schmidt explains so-called 'sanctuary city' bill that passed KS House

WASHINGTON (AP) —Vice President Kamala Harris will announce an action plan to stop racial discrimination in the appraisal of home values, according to senior Biden administration officials.

The plan contains 21 steps to improve oversight and accountability, including a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal industry. Appraisers help to determine the value of a home so that buyers can receive a mortgage.

The Biden administration officials insisted on anonymity to discuss the administration’s action plan ahead of Wednesday’s announcement.

Multiple reports, including a September&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210920-home-appraisals" target="_blank">analysis by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac</a>, show that appraisers are more likely to undervalue homes in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. This form of discrimination widens the racial wealth gap and makes it harder for many Americans from disadvantaged backgrounds to move up the economic ladder.

One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-0884c92233ccdb05199efc15f7655c7a">Black homeowner in Indianapolis</a>&nbsp;found the appraised value of her home went from $125,000 to $259,000 after she declined to state her race in her application and removed all family photos and African American art in the home.

As part of the action plan, the government will expand the complaint hotline for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. There also will be appraisal bias training in homebuyer education classes and efforts to ensure that the computer systems used to value homes do not perpetuate racial biases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624025620777.png" alt="photo by David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>photo by David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Vice President Kamala Harris will announce an action plan to stop racial discrimination in the appraisal of home values, according to senior Biden administration officials.The plan contains 21 steps to improve oversight and accountability, including a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal industry. Appraisers help to determine the value of a home so that buyers can receive a mortgage.The Biden administration officials insisted on anonymity to discuss the administration’s action plan ahead of Wednesday’s announcement.Multiple reports, including a September&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210920-home-appraisals" target="_blank">analysis by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac</a>, show that appraisers are more likely to undervalue homes in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. This form of discrimination widens the racial wealth gap and makes it harder for many Americans from disadvantaged backgrounds to move up the economic ladder.One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-0884c92233ccdb05199efc15f7655c7a">Black homeowner in Indianapolis</a>&nbsp;found the appraised value of her home went from $125,000 to $259,000 after she declined to state her race in her application and removed all family photos and African American art in the home.As part of the action plan, the government will expand the complaint hotline for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. There also will be appraisal bias training in homebuyer education classes and efforts to ensure that the computer systems used to value homes do not perpetuate racial biases.

Biden administration to release plan to stop bias in home appraisals

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The University of Missouri-Kansas City has agreed to pay a former professor $625,000 to settle a lawsuit he filed after he said he was fired for blowing the whistle on a scandal involving UMKC's business school rankings .

The payment will settle a lawsuit against the school brought by former UMKC professor Richard Arend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article259616504.html#storylink=cpy">Kansas City Star reported&nbsp;</a>Tuesday. The university also issued a statement with Arend giving him credit for bringing to light that the business school knowingly submitted false data to the Princeton Review, which then ranked UMKC higher than it deserved.

The scandal was first reported by the Star in 2014, with the help of Arend serving as a whistleblower. Arend was fired from UMKC in 2016 for misconduct, which Arend said amounted to retaliation for exposing the false rankings.

In 2015, auditors found that officials with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-city-business-schools-missouri-university-of-missouri-6f7e9571bbde415f8027485c98578f46">used false data when applying for rankings</a>. Days later, the Princeton Review stripped the school’s Top 25 our rankings issued in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

As part of their settlement, UMKC and Arend agreed to make no comments beyond their joint statement. Arend is now a professor at the University of Southern Maine.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The University of Missouri-Kansas City has agreed to pay a former professor $625,000 to settle a lawsuit he filed after he said he was fired for blowing the whistle on a scandal involving UMKC's business school rankings .The payment will settle a lawsuit against the school brought by former UMKC professor Richard Arend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article259616504.html#storylink=cpy">Kansas City Star reported&nbsp;</a>Tuesday. The university also issued a statement with Arend giving him credit for bringing to light that the business school knowingly submitted false data to the Princeton Review, which then ranked UMKC higher than it deserved.The scandal was first reported by the Star in 2014, with the help of Arend serving as a whistleblower. Arend was fired from UMKC in 2016 for misconduct, which Arend said amounted to retaliation for exposing the false rankings.In 2015, auditors found that officials with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-city-business-schools-missouri-university-of-missouri-6f7e9571bbde415f8027485c98578f46">used false data when applying for rankings</a>. Days later, the Princeton Review stripped the school’s Top 25 our rankings issued in 2011, 2012 and 2013.As part of their settlement, UMKC and Arend agreed to make no comments beyond their joint statement. Arend is now a professor at the University of Southern Maine.

UMKC to pay ex-professor fired amid business school scandal

WASHINGTON (AP) —Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers the company announced Wednesday -- and if regulators agree it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.

Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters under 6. The company also is seeking to have larger-dose shots cleared for older children and teens in the U.S.

The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination. Competitor Pfizer currently offers kid-sized doses for school-age children and full-strength shots for those 12 and older.

But parents have anxiously awaited protection for younger tots, disappointed by setbacks and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-coronavirus-vaccine-c283d0644db46578f18b0b1aa1bfb9a0">confusion&nbsp;</a>over which shots might work and when. Pfizer is testing even smaller doses for children under 5 but had to add a third shot to its study when two didn’t prove strong enough. Those results are expected by early April.

Vaccinating the littlest “has been somewhat of a moving target over the last couple of months,” Dr. Bill Muller of Northwestern University, an investigator in Moderna’s pediatric studies, said in an interview before the company released its findings. “There’s still, I think, a lingering urgency to try to get that done as soon as possible.”

The younger the child, the smaller the dose being tested. Moderna said a quarter of the dose it uses for adults worked well for youngsters under age 6.

Moderna enrolled about 6,900 tots in a study of the 25-microgram doses. Early data showed after two shots, youngsters developed virus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as young adults getting regular-strength shots, the company said in a press release.

Moderna said the small doses were safe, and the main side effects were mild fevers like those associated with other commonly used pediatric vaccines.

Once Moderna submits the data to the FDA, regulators will debate whether to authorize emergency use of the small doses for tots. If so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will decide whether to recommend them.

While COVID-19 generally isn’t as dangerous to youngsters as to adults, some do become severely ill. The CDC says about 400 children younger than 5 have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic’s start. The omicron variant hit children especially hard, with those under 5 hospitalized at higher rates than at the peak of the previous delta surge, the CDC found.

COVID-19 vaccines in general don’t prevent infection with the omicron mutant as well as they fended off earlier variants -- but they do still offer strong protection against severe illness.

Moderna reported that same trend in the trial of children under 6, conducted during the omicron surge. While there were no severe illnesses, the vaccine proved just under 44% effective at preventing any infection in babies up to age 2, and nearly 38% effective in the preschoolers.

Moderna said also said Wednesday it will ask the Food and Drug Administration to clear larger doses for older children.

While other countries already have allowed Moderna’s shots to be used in children as young as 6, the U.S. has limited its vaccine to adults. A Moderna request to expand its shots to 12- to 17-year-olds has been stalled for months.

The company said Wednesday that, armed with additional evidence, it is updating its FDA application for teen shots and requesting a green light for 6- to 11-year-olds, too.

Moderna says its original adult dose -- two 100-microgram shots -- is safe and effective in 12- to 17-year-olds. For elementary-age kids, it’s using half the adult dose.

But the FDA never ruled on Moderna’s application for teen shots because of concern about a very rare side effect. Heart inflammation sometimes occurs in teens and young adults, mostly males, after receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Moderna is getting extra scrutiny because its shots are a far higher dose than Pfizer’s.

The risk also seems linked to puberty, and regulators in Canada, Europe and elsewhere recently expanded Moderna vaccinations to kids as young as 6.

“That concern has not been seen in the younger children,” said Northwestern’s Muller.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634902668202.jpeg" alt="The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination.-photo courtesy Moderna&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination.-photo courtesy Moderna&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers the company announced Wednesday -- and if regulators agree it could mean a chance to finally start vaccinating the littlest kids by summer.Moderna said in the coming weeks it would ask regulators in the U.S. and Europe to authorize two small-dose shots for youngsters under 6. The company also is seeking to have larger-dose shots cleared for older children and teens in the U.S.The nation’s 18 million children under 5 are the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination. Competitor Pfizer currently offers kid-sized doses for school-age children and full-strength shots for those 12 and older.But parents have anxiously awaited protection for younger tots, disappointed by setbacks and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-coronavirus-vaccine-c283d0644db46578f18b0b1aa1bfb9a0">confusion&nbsp;</a>over which shots might work and when. Pfizer is testing even smaller doses for children under 5 but had to add a third shot to its study when two didn’t prove strong enough. Those results are expected by early April.Vaccinating the littlest “has been somewhat of a moving target over the last couple of months,” Dr. Bill Muller of Northwestern University, an investigator in Moderna’s pediatric studies, said in an interview before the company released its findings. “There’s still, I think, a lingering urgency to try to get that done as soon as possible.”The younger the child, the smaller the dose being tested. Moderna said a quarter of the dose it uses for adults worked well for youngsters under age 6.Moderna enrolled about 6,900 tots in a study of the 25-microgram doses. Early data showed after two shots, youngsters developed virus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as young adults getting regular-strength shots, the company said in a press release.Moderna said the small doses were safe, and the main side effects were mild fevers like those associated with other commonly used pediatric vaccines.Once Moderna submits the data to the FDA, regulators will debate whether to authorize emergency use of the small doses for tots. If so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will decide whether to recommend them.While COVID-19 generally isn’t as dangerous to youngsters as to adults, some do become severely ill. The CDC says about 400 children younger than 5 have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic’s start. The omicron variant hit children especially hard, with those under 5 hospitalized at higher rates than at the peak of the previous delta surge, the CDC found.COVID-19 vaccines in general don’t prevent infection with the omicron mutant as well as they fended off earlier variants -- but they do still offer strong protection against severe illness.Moderna reported that same trend in the trial of children under 6, conducted during the omicron surge. While there were no severe illnesses, the vaccine proved just under 44% effective at preventing any infection in babies up to age 2, and nearly 38% effective in the preschoolers.Moderna said also said Wednesday it will ask the Food and Drug Administration to clear larger doses for older children.While other countries already have allowed Moderna’s shots to be used in children as young as 6, the U.S. has limited its vaccine to adults. A Moderna request to expand its shots to 12- to 17-year-olds has been stalled for months.The company said Wednesday that, armed with additional evidence, it is updating its FDA application for teen shots and requesting a green light for 6- to 11-year-olds, too.Moderna says its original adult dose -- two 100-microgram shots -- is safe and effective in 12- to 17-year-olds. For elementary-age kids, it’s using half the adult dose.But the FDA never ruled on Moderna’s application for teen shots because of concern about a very rare side effect. Heart inflammation sometimes occurs in teens and young adults, mostly males, after receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Moderna is getting extra scrutiny because its shots are a far higher dose than Pfizer’s.The risk also seems linked to puberty, and regulators in Canada, Europe and elsewhere recently expanded Moderna vaccinations to kids as young as 6.“That concern has not been seen in the younger children,” said Northwestern’s Muller.___

Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot works in babies, toddlers

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A detention hearing for a 16-year-old arrested in connection with the fatal shooting at Towne East Square&nbsp; was held Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Judge Patrick Walters ruled&nbsp;the 16-year-old&nbsp; accused in the killing of 14-year-old Trenjvious Hutton of Wichita will remain in custody in the Juvenile Detention Facility until his initial appearance on April 18, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. David Miller was appointed as his attorney. 

Just after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a shooting at Towne East Mall, 7700 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita.

 Upon arrival, officers entered the mall and located 14-year-old Trenjvious Hutton inside who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

The investigation revealed, Hutton was involved in a physical altercation with several individuals known to him stemming from an ongoing dispute. During the altercation a 16-year-old suspect pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking Hutton. The suspect then fled on foot.

Witnesses provided officers with a description of the suspect which allowed arriving officers to quickly locate him in the area and make an arrest, according to Ditch.

 A 17-year-old boy with the suspect was detained, questioned, and released. Additionally, officers also recovered two handguns during the investigation.

The 16-year-old shooting suspect is being held on a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Ditch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647654687490.png" alt="Police were dispatched to what was originally believed to be an active shooter at the mall -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police were dispatched to what was originally believed to be an active shooter at the mall -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A detention hearing for a 16-year-old arrested in connection with the fatal shooting at Towne East Square&nbsp; was held Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Judge Patrick Walters ruled&nbsp;the 16-year-old&nbsp; accused in the killing of 14-year-old Trenjvious Hutton of Wichita will remain in custody in the Juvenile Detention Facility until his initial appearance on April 18, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. David Miller was appointed as his attorney. Just after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a shooting at Towne East Mall, 7700 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers entered the mall and located 14-year-old Trenjvious Hutton inside who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased on scene.The investigation revealed, Hutton was involved in a physical altercation with several individuals known to him stemming from an ongoing dispute. During the altercation a 16-year-old suspect pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking Hutton. The suspect then fled on foot.Witnesses provided officers with a description of the suspect which allowed arriving officers to quickly locate him in the area and make an arrest, according to Ditch. A 17-year-old boy with the suspect was detained, questioned, and released. Additionally, officers also recovered two handguns during the investigation.The 16-year-old shooting suspect is being held on a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder, according to Ditch.

Judge makes ruling on 16-year-old in Kansas mall killing 

With coronavirus cases rising in parts of Europe and Asia, scientists worry that an extra-contagious version of the omicron variant may soon push cases up in the United States too.

Experts are also keeping their eyes on another mutant: a rare delta-omicron hybrid that they say doesn’t pose much of a threat right now but shows how wily the coronavirus can be.

The U.S. will likely see an uptick in cases caused by the omicron descendant BA.2 starting in the next few weeks, according to Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute.

“It’s inevitable we will see a BA.2 wave here,” he said.

One reason? After about two months of falling COVID-19 cases, pandemic restrictions have been lifted across the U.S. Many people are taking off their masks and returning to indoor spaces like restaurants and theaters.

And the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" target="_blank">the share caused by BA.2 is up significantly.</a>&nbsp;The CDC reported Tuesday that the variant accounted for about 35% of new infections last week. In the Northeast, it was about half.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, told ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend that he also thinks the U.S. will likely face an “uptick” similar to what’s happening in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, where BA.2 is the dominant strain. He said he doesn’t think it will be a “surge.”

The U.K. has “had the same situation as we’ve had now,” Fauci said. “They have BA.2. They have a relaxation of some restrictions such as indoor masking and there’s a waning of immunity” from vaccines and past infections.

Keri Althoff, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, cautioned that CDC case counts underestimate the true numbers because some people are no longer getting tested and others are testing at home and not reporting the results. Also, she said, not every specimen is genetically sequenced to determine the variant.

It’s clear, she said, “BA.2 is coming onto the scene.”

One reason the variant has gained ground, scientists say,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-world-health-organization-public-health-7e4cd2f5f6cd2ec87393b3cc9ce41c9c">is that it’s about 30% more contagious than the original omicron</a>. In rare cases, research shows it can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection — although it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease.

Vaccines appear just as effective against both types of omicron, but breakthrough infections are possible. And experts point out that vaccination rates are lower in the U.S. than the U.K. About 74% of those 12 and older are fully vaccinated in the U.S, compared with 86% in the U.K.

”We need to emphasize that we’re not protected in this country compared to peer countries,” Topol said.

Still, not all experts are equally concerned about a BA.2-related rise in U.S. cases. Dr. James Musser, head of genomic medicine and infectious diseases at Houston Methodist, said the variant has so far only caused about 1% to 3% of cases in his medical system. Cases there have usually tracked closely with what’s happening in the U.K.

He called BA.2 “something we’re keeping an eye on,” but said, “I’m not losing sleep” over it.

That’s how many scientists view the other variant that some in the public are calling “deltacron,” a hybrid containing genetic information from both delta and omicron.

Earlier this month, Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said the hybrid has been detected at “very low levels” in France, the Netherlands and Denmark. And two recent studies, which have not yet been peer-reviewed, point to a tiny number of cases in the U.S.

Much remains unknown about the hybrid. There’s no evidence it causes more severe disease, and it doesn’t look like it’s infecting many people. CDC researchers identified 9 samples, seven from the mid-Atlantic region in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.19.484981v1.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">study released Monday</a>&nbsp;that hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed. Topol, who was not involved in the research, said there’s no evidence it has the potential to spread.

It’s common for coronaviruses to shuffle gene segments, said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. With two variants circulating at the same time, people may get double infections, and a “progeny virus” could emerge.

Given the virus’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-dc99bc9f769dd6d7cb669e3d185c6261">ability to spawn new mutants</a>&nbsp;— and the rise of BA.2 — experts say people should get vaccinated if they’re not and keep their masks handy.

“Keep your guard up,” Topol said. “This is not over.”

By LAURA UNGAR, Associated PressWith coronavirus cases rising in parts of Europe and Asia, scientists worry that an extra-contagious version of the omicron variant may soon push cases up in the United States too.Experts are also keeping their eyes on another mutant: a rare delta-omicron hybrid that they say doesn’t pose much of a threat right now but shows how wily the coronavirus can be.The U.S. will likely see an uptick in cases caused by the omicron descendant BA.2 starting in the next few weeks, according to Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute.“It’s inevitable we will see a BA.2 wave here,” he said.One reason? After about two months of falling COVID-19 cases, pandemic restrictions have been lifted across the U.S. Many people are taking off their masks and returning to indoor spaces like restaurants and theaters.And the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" target="_blank">the share caused by BA.2 is up significantly.</a>&nbsp;The CDC reported Tuesday that the variant accounted for about 35% of new infections last week. In the Northeast, it was about half.Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, told ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend that he also thinks the U.S. will likely face an “uptick” similar to what’s happening in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, where BA.2 is the dominant strain. He said he doesn’t think it will be a “surge.”The U.K. has “had the same situation as we’ve had now,” Fauci said. “They have BA.2. They have a relaxation of some restrictions such as indoor masking and there’s a waning of immunity” from vaccines and past infections.Keri Althoff, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, cautioned that CDC case counts underestimate the true numbers because some people are no longer getting tested and others are testing at home and not reporting the results. Also, she said, not every specimen is genetically sequenced to determine the variant.It’s clear, she said, “BA.2 is coming onto the scene.”One reason the variant has gained ground, scientists say,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-world-health-organization-public-health-7e4cd2f5f6cd2ec87393b3cc9ce41c9c">is that it’s about 30% more contagious than the original omicron</a>. In rare cases, research shows it can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection — although it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease.Vaccines appear just as effective against both types of omicron, but breakthrough infections are possible. And experts point out that vaccination rates are lower in the U.S. than the U.K. About 74% of those 12 and older are fully vaccinated in the U.S, compared with 86% in the U.K.”We need to emphasize that we’re not protected in this country compared to peer countries,” Topol said.Still, not all experts are equally concerned about a BA.2-related rise in U.S. cases. Dr. James Musser, head of genomic medicine and infectious diseases at Houston Methodist, said the variant has so far only caused about 1% to 3% of cases in his medical system. Cases there have usually tracked closely with what’s happening in the U.K.He called BA.2 “something we’re keeping an eye on,” but said, “I’m not losing sleep” over it.That’s how many scientists view the other variant that some in the public are calling “deltacron,” a hybrid containing genetic information from both delta and omicron.Earlier this month, Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said the hybrid has been detected at “very low levels” in France, the Netherlands and Denmark. And two recent studies, which have not yet been peer-reviewed, point to a tiny number of cases in the U.S.Much remains unknown about the hybrid. There’s no evidence it causes more severe disease, and it doesn’t look like it’s infecting many people. CDC researchers identified 9 samples, seven from the mid-Atlantic region in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.19.484981v1.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">study released Monday</a>&nbsp;that hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed. Topol, who was not involved in the research, said there’s no evidence it has the potential to spread.It’s common for coronaviruses to shuffle gene segments, said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. With two variants circulating at the same time, people may get double infections, and a “progeny virus” could emerge.Given the virus’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-dc99bc9f769dd6d7cb669e3d185c6261">ability to spawn new mutants</a>&nbsp;— and the rise of BA.2 — experts say people should get vaccinated if they’re not and keep their masks handy.“Keep your guard up,” Topol said. “This is not over.”___

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US

WASHINGTON — The FCC Enforcement Bureau today warned three more voice service providers that are apparently transmitting illegal robocalls on their networks that they have 48 hours to stop facilitating this traffic or face all their traffic being blocked by other providers.  The investigation into one of the providers, thinQ, was bolstered by findings from the Office of North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has made clear to such network participants that they must meet their obligations to protect consumers from scams or lose access to other networks.  The FCC has carefully constructed the tools necessary to take swift and impactful action against bad actors – this means not only possible fines when violations occur, but also business consequences for those removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database.  

“There are far too many phone companies that count illegal robocallers among their clients, and that’s bad business,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “It is illegal to allow these junk calls to flood consumers’ phones, and there are consequences for phone companies that do not take immediate action to stop participating in these schemes.”

Today’s letters to thinQ Technologies, Airespring, and Hello Hello Miami mean that more than a dozen voice service providers have now received cease-and-desist letters.  To date, all recipients have quickly responded and committed to take actions to stop the flow of robocalls on their networks.  That said, the FCC and its partners remain vigilant in monitoring these – and all – providers’ efforts to ensure unyielding compliance with consumer protection requirements going forward.

FCC investigations found that thinQ, Airespring, and Hello Hello Miami were apparently facilitating illegal robocall traffic on their networks.  These investigations relied in part on information collected by the Traceback Consortium which, having been made aware of suspicious activity, traced the illegal robocall traffic to these providers.  In addition, in the case of thinQ, the North Carolina Department of Justice identified that company as a source of illegal robocall traffic. 

 Chairwoman Rosenworcel added: “I want to thank Attorney General Stein and his team for their continued focus on protecting North Carolinians from robocall scams.  Ours is a model partnership for combating robocalls.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — The FCC Enforcement Bureau today warned three more voice service providers that are apparently transmitting illegal robocalls on their networks that they have 48 hours to stop facilitating this traffic or face all their traffic being blocked by other providers. The investigation into one of the providers, thinQ, was bolstered by findings from the Office of North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has made clear to such network participants that they must meet their obligations to protect consumers from scams or lose access to other networks. The FCC has carefully constructed the tools necessary to take swift and impactful action against bad actors – this means not only possible fines when violations occur, but also business consequences for those removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database. “There are far too many phone companies that count illegal robocallers among their clients, and that’s bad business,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “It is illegal to allow these junk calls to flood consumers’ phones, and there are consequences for phone companies that do not take immediate action to stop participating in these schemes.”Today’s letters to thinQ Technologies, Airespring, and Hello Hello Miami mean that more than a dozen voice service providers have now received cease-and-desist letters. To date, all recipients have quickly responded and committed to take actions to stop the flow of robocalls on their networks. That said, the FCC and its partners remain vigilant in monitoring these – and all – providers’ efforts to ensure unyielding compliance with consumer protection requirements going forward.FCC investigations found that thinQ, Airespring, and Hello Hello Miami were apparently facilitating illegal robocall traffic on their networks. These investigations relied in part on information collected by the Traceback Consortium which, having been made aware of suspicious activity, traced the illegal robocall traffic to these providers. In addition, in the case of thinQ, the North Carolina Department of Justice identified that company as a source of illegal robocall traffic. Chairwoman Rosenworcel added: “I want to thank Attorney General Stein and his team for their continued focus on protecting North Carolinians from robocall scams. Ours is a model partnership for combating robocalls.”

FTC to robocallers: Remove illegal traffic or be disconnected

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today revised its 
frequently asked questions (FAQs) on 2020 unemployment compensation 
exclusion.

This Fact Sheet (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2022-21.pdf">FS-2022-21</a>&nbsp;PDF)&nbsp;updates the 2020 unemployment compensation exclusion frequently-asked-questions (FAQs). These updates are:

These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today revised its 
frequently asked questions (FAQs) on 2020 unemployment compensation 
exclusion.This Fact Sheet (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2022-21.pdf">FS-2022-21</a>&nbsp;PDF)&nbsp;updates the 2020 unemployment compensation exclusion frequently-asked-questions (FAQs). These updates are:<ul>
 <li>Question 6, Topic A: Eligibility (NEW)</li><li>Questions 1, 2, 4, Topic D: Amended Return (Form 1040-X)</li><li>Question 2, Topic E: Impact to Income, Credits, and Deductions</li><li>Question 1, 8, 9, Topic G: Receiving a Refund, Letter, or Notice</li><li>Question 1, Topic I: Post Unemployment Compensation Exclusion Adjustment</li><li>Question 1, Topic J: Economic Impact Payment</li>
 </ul>These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.