A shrinking number of well-known companies are still doing business in Russia, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-lifestyle-ca0aabe1c4a8fb3fbc0baec76a9c5666">hundreds</a>&nbsp;have announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-lifestyle-restaurants-1cb12b1112a4542dde48c962762be3cc">curtail ties</a>.

Burger King restaurants are open, Eli Lilly is supplying drugs, and PepsiCo is selling milk and baby food, but no more soda.

The pace of businesses exiting Russia accelerated over the past week as the deadly violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsened, and as Western governments ratcheted up economic sanctions to punish Russia for its two-week-old invasion. Major oil companies BP and Shell walked away from multibillion-dollar investments. McDonald’s and Starbucks stopped serving customers.

The companies that still have a presence in Russia say they have franchise owners or employees to consider; they don’t want to punish Russians by taking away food or medicine; or they provide software or financial services for Western businesses that aren’t easy to replace.

“It’s a business calculation. On the stay side: How much revenue do they earn in Russia? Do they provide an essential service?” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. “Each day that passes, though, calculations change. Sanctions against Russia are likely to last a long time, along with rising revulsion.”

Some companies in lower-profile industries like agriculture have been able to fly under the radar and avoid the type of social media pressure that had been directed at brands such as McDonald’s, Uniqlo and Starbucks, before they decided to cut ties this week, if only temporarily.

But in this era of hyper-awareness that some customers and even employees have about the positions companies take on social and moral issues, those still doing business with — or in — Russia are putting their reputations on the line.

Take Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo, which drew negative attention after the CEO of its parent company told the Nikkei newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Uniqlo-to-continue-selling-clothes-in-Russia" target="_blank">in a story published</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that the reason to keep nearly 50 Russian stores open was that: “clothing is a necessity of life.” By Thursday, Uniqlo said it would close the stores.

“There’s potentially a big downside of companies to be on the wrong side of this,” Lovely said.

Many large multinationals didn’t flee Russia at the start of the war. But that changed as the invasion led to increasing violence — and more than 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine.

There are now more than 300 companies that have curtailed operations in Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-300-companies-have-withdrawn-russia-some-remain" target="_blank">according to a list</a>&nbsp;maintained by a team at Yale. Apple stopped shipments. Google paused ad sales. Automakers halted production. Hollywood studios ceased releasing films, and Netflix stopped streaming.

Some of these decisions were driven by the need to comply with the sanctions Western governments leveled at Russia; others came because of supply chain issues or the fear of a hit to their reputations. S&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-congress-a187eb7dcbb8e8c7224adb518392bab2">anctions</a>&nbsp;have already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-japan-9fbeb1c66c523f4018abb8ebc6580839">taken a toll</a>&nbsp;on Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-moscow-perm-9789398569c54f5ed3062410845dff06">economy&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-middle-east-global-trade-12ba42660a05c0b3ff533aec4e73bbac">global trade</a>.

Some companies that plan to sever ties with Russia say it isn’t so simple.

Citigroup said Wednesday that selling its 11 Russian bank branches will be difficult because the country’s economy has been cut off from the global financial system. Until then, Citi said it is “operating the business on a more limited basis” and is helping its U.S. and other corporate clients suspend their businesses in Russia.

Likewise, Amazon says its biggest cloud-computing customers in Russia are headquartered elsewhere. The company said Tuesday it has stopped accepting new cloud-computing customers in Russia and that it plans to suspend e-commerce shipments to Russia.

Fast-food companies often have franchising agreements that complicate an exit, because they don’t own those locations.

That helps explain why Restaurant Brands International, owner of Burger King, is keeping its 800 restaurants open in Russia. And why Yum Brands, parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut, announced the closure of 70 company-owned KFCs across Russia, but not the nearly 1,000 franchisee-owned KFCs, or its 50 Pizza Hut locations.

This sometimes applies to hotels as well: Marriott says its Russian hotels are owned by third parties, and it’s evaluating their ability to remain open.

“I think a lot of these companies are expecting a backlash if they’re staying,” said Susanne Wengle, a political science professor and Russia expert at Notre Dame.

McDonald’s action in Russia was easier: it owns most of the 850 restaurants in Russia it will temporarily close.

But there are companies that remain in Russia — whether in whole or in part — and say that it’s because they view their products as essential.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is one of them. “We continue to distribute medicines in Russia as patients with cancer, diabetes and auto-immune diseases everywhere count on us to support them,” said spokesperson Tarsis Lopez, noting that EU and U.S. sanctions do not apply to medicine.

PepsiCo said it will stop selling soda, but that it will continue to supply milk, baby formula and baby food in Russia. And Unilever said it will keep selling “everyday essential” Russian-made food and hygiene products to Russians, but that it will stop exporting and advertising these products.

Tech companies have their own balancing act. Providers of internet-based services like Google, Twitter and Facebook have been mostly reluctant to take actions that could deprive Russian citizens access to information other than what they get from state media. (Russia blocked Facebook and Twitter, however, and then TikTok largely suspended its service in the country.)

The response from industrial food producers has been complicated by Russia’s role as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major exporter&nbsp;</a>of wheat and other commodities.

Bunge, which has assets of $121 million in Russia, said Thursday that its Russian oilseed plant will operate and serve the domestic market, but that it has suspended “any new export business.” Farm equipment maker John Deere said it has stopped machine shipments to Russia; it is monitoring a Russian plant that makes seeding equipment and its dealer network in the country “day-by-day.” Cargill and ADM, other agriculture companies, have not responded to questions.

These companies don’t want the Russian government to seize their assets should they close up shop, said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University.

Other companies point to their employees’ livelihoods in rationalizing decisions to stay, or not completely sever ties.

Starbucks initially expressed concern for its 2,000 Russian employees before reversing course Tuesday. The Kuwaiti company that franchises its 130 Russian stores is closing them, but continuing to pay employees.

British American Tobacco on Wednesday said it would keep making and selling cigarettes in Russia, where it has 2,500 employees, citing a “duty of care” for employees.

By TALI ARBEL, Associated. PressA shrinking number of well-known companies are still doing business in Russia, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-lifestyle-ca0aabe1c4a8fb3fbc0baec76a9c5666">hundreds</a>&nbsp;have announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-lifestyle-restaurants-1cb12b1112a4542dde48c962762be3cc">curtail ties</a>.Burger King restaurants are open, Eli Lilly is supplying drugs, and PepsiCo is selling milk and baby food, but no more soda.The pace of businesses exiting Russia accelerated over the past week as the deadly violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsened, and as Western governments ratcheted up economic sanctions to punish Russia for its two-week-old invasion. Major oil companies BP and Shell walked away from multibillion-dollar investments. McDonald’s and Starbucks stopped serving customers.The companies that still have a presence in Russia say they have franchise owners or employees to consider; they don’t want to punish Russians by taking away food or medicine; or they provide software or financial services for Western businesses that aren’t easy to replace.“It’s a business calculation. On the stay side: How much revenue do they earn in Russia? Do they provide an essential service?” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. “Each day that passes, though, calculations change. Sanctions against Russia are likely to last a long time, along with rising revulsion.”Some companies in lower-profile industries like agriculture have been able to fly under the radar and avoid the type of social media pressure that had been directed at brands such as McDonald’s, Uniqlo and Starbucks, before they decided to cut ties this week, if only temporarily.But in this era of hyper-awareness that some customers and even employees have about the positions companies take on social and moral issues, those still doing business with — or in — Russia are putting their reputations on the line.Take Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo, which drew negative attention after the CEO of its parent company told the Nikkei newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Uniqlo-to-continue-selling-clothes-in-Russia" target="_blank">in a story published</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that the reason to keep nearly 50 Russian stores open was that: “clothing is a necessity of life.” By Thursday, Uniqlo said it would close the stores.“There’s potentially a big downside of companies to be on the wrong side of this,” Lovely said.Many large multinationals didn’t flee Russia at the start of the war. But that changed as the invasion led to increasing violence — and more than 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine.There are now more than 300 companies that have curtailed operations in Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-300-companies-have-withdrawn-russia-some-remain" target="_blank">according to a list</a>&nbsp;maintained by a team at Yale. Apple stopped shipments. Google paused ad sales. Automakers halted production. Hollywood studios ceased releasing films, and Netflix stopped streaming.Some of these decisions were driven by the need to comply with the sanctions Western governments leveled at Russia; others came because of supply chain issues or the fear of a hit to their reputations. S&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-congress-a187eb7dcbb8e8c7224adb518392bab2">anctions</a>&nbsp;have already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-japan-9fbeb1c66c523f4018abb8ebc6580839">taken a toll</a>&nbsp;on Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-moscow-perm-9789398569c54f5ed3062410845dff06">economy&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-middle-east-global-trade-12ba42660a05c0b3ff533aec4e73bbac">global trade</a>.Some companies that plan to sever ties with Russia say it isn’t so simple.Citigroup said Wednesday that selling its 11 Russian bank branches will be difficult because the country’s economy has been cut off from the global financial system. Until then, Citi said it is “operating the business on a more limited basis” and is helping its U.S. and other corporate clients suspend their businesses in Russia.Likewise, Amazon says its biggest cloud-computing customers in Russia are headquartered elsewhere. The company said Tuesday it has stopped accepting new cloud-computing customers in Russia and that it plans to suspend e-commerce shipments to Russia.Fast-food companies often have franchising agreements that complicate an exit, because they don’t own those locations.That helps explain why Restaurant Brands International, owner of Burger King, is keeping its 800 restaurants open in Russia. And why Yum Brands, parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut, announced the closure of 70 company-owned KFCs across Russia, but not the nearly 1,000 franchisee-owned KFCs, or its 50 Pizza Hut locations.This sometimes applies to hotels as well: Marriott says its Russian hotels are owned by third parties, and it’s evaluating their ability to remain open.“I think a lot of these companies are expecting a backlash if they’re staying,” said Susanne Wengle, a political science professor and Russia expert at Notre Dame.McDonald’s action in Russia was easier: it owns most of the 850 restaurants in Russia it will temporarily close.But there are companies that remain in Russia — whether in whole or in part — and say that it’s because they view their products as essential.Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is one of them. “We continue to distribute medicines in Russia as patients with cancer, diabetes and auto-immune diseases everywhere count on us to support them,” said spokesperson Tarsis Lopez, noting that EU and U.S. sanctions do not apply to medicine.PepsiCo said it will stop selling soda, but that it will continue to supply milk, baby formula and baby food in Russia. And Unilever said it will keep selling “everyday essential” Russian-made food and hygiene products to Russians, but that it will stop exporting and advertising these products.Tech companies have their own balancing act. Providers of internet-based services like Google, Twitter and Facebook have been mostly reluctant to take actions that could deprive Russian citizens access to information other than what they get from state media. (Russia blocked Facebook and Twitter, however, and then TikTok largely suspended its service in the country.)The response from industrial food producers has been complicated by Russia’s role as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major exporter&nbsp;</a>of wheat and other commodities.Bunge, which has assets of $121 million in Russia, said Thursday that its Russian oilseed plant will operate and serve the domestic market, but that it has suspended “any new export business.” Farm equipment maker John Deere said it has stopped machine shipments to Russia; it is monitoring a Russian plant that makes seeding equipment and its dealer network in the country “day-by-day.” Cargill and ADM, other agriculture companies, have not responded to questions.These companies don’t want the Russian government to seize their assets should they close up shop, said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University.Other companies point to their employees’ livelihoods in rationalizing decisions to stay, or not completely sever ties.Starbucks initially expressed concern for its 2,000 Russian employees before reversing course Tuesday. The Kuwaiti company that franchises its 130 Russian stores is closing them, but continuing to pay employees.British American Tobacco on Wednesday said it would keep making and selling cigarettes in Russia, where it has 2,500 employees, citing a “duty of care” for employees.___

Not all Western companies sever ties to Russia over Ukraine

CLAY CENTER – A Kansas&nbsp; man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison for sex crimes committed between April and November 2018, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Jonathan Moore, 29, was sentenced Thursday in Clay County District Court by Judge John Bosch on one count of criminal sodomy, one count of indecent liberties with a child and one count of sexual exploitation of a child. Bosch sentenced Moore to 109 months in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility. Moore pleaded no contest to the charges on January 10, 2022.

The case was investigated by the Clay Center Police Department, Marysville Police Department, the Topeka Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647136766084.png" alt="Moore-photo Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Moore-photo Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAY CENTER – A Kansas&nbsp; man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison for sex crimes committed between April and November 2018, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.Jonathan Moore, 29, was sentenced Thursday in Clay County District Court by Judge John Bosch on one count of criminal sodomy, one count of indecent liberties with a child and one count of sexual exploitation of a child. Bosch sentenced Moore to 109 months in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility. Moore pleaded no contest to the charges on January 10, 2022.The case was investigated by the Clay Center Police Department, Marysville Police Department, the Topeka Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. &nbsp;

Kan. man sentenced to prison after admitting to child sex crimes

BAGHDAD (AP) — As many as 12 missiles struck Iraq’s northern city of Irbil on Sunday near the U.S. consulate, Iraqi security officials said. A U.S. defense official said missiles had been launched at the city from neighboring Iran.

No injuries were reported. Officials in Iraq and the U.S. gave different accounts of the strike and the damage it caused. A second U.S. official said there was no damage at any U.S. government facility and that there was no indication the target was the consulate building, which is new and currently unoccupied.

An Iraqi official in Baghdad at first said several missiles had hit the U.S. consulate and that it was the target of the attack. Later, Lawk Ghafari, the head of Kurdistan’s foreign media office, said none of the missiles hit the U.S. facility but that areas around the compound had been hit by the missiles.

The U.S. defense official said it was still not certain exactly how many missiles were fired and exactly where they landed. Neither U.S. official was authorized to discuss the event by name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The Iraqi security officials said there were no immediate report of casualties from the attack, which they said occurred shortly after midnight and caused material damage in the area. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

One of the Iraqi officials said the ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, without elaborating. The U.S. officials could not confirm the type of missile.

The second U.S. official said the incident was being investigated by the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government. The U.S. condemned what it called an “outrageous attack against Iraqi sovereignty and display of violence,” the official said in a statement.

The attack came several days after an Israeli strike near Damascus, Syria, killed two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Iran’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack Wednesday and vowed revenge.

On Sunday, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iraqi media acknowledging the attacks in Irbil, without saying where they originated.

Satellite broadcast channel Kurdistan24, which is located near the U.S. consulate, went on air from their studio shortly after the attack, showing shattered glass and debris on their studio floor.

A security statement said Irbil was targeted “with a number of missiles” early Sunday, adding that security forces were investigating the incident and would release more details later.

The attack came as negotiations in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal hit a “pause” over Russian demands about sanctions targeting Moscow over its war on Ukraine.

The top U.S. commander for the Middle East has repeatedly warned about the increasing threats of attacks from Iran and Iranian-back militias on troops and allies in Iraq and Syria.

In an interview with The Associated Press in December, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie said that while U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to a non-combat role, Iran and its proxies still want all American troops to leave the country. As a result, he said, that may trigger more attacks.’

The Biden administration decided last July to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq by Dec. 31, and U.S. forces gradually moved to an advisory role last year. The troops will still provide air support and other military aid for Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State.

The U.S. presence in Iraq has long been a flash point for Tehran, but tensions spiked after a January 2020 U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed a top Iranian general. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, where U.S. troops were stationed. More than 100 service members suffered traumatic brain injuries in the blasts.

More recently, Iranian proxies are believed responsible for an assassination attempt late last year on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

And officials have said they believe Iran was behind the October drone attack at the military outpost in southern Syria where American troops are based. No U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack.

Al-Kadhimi tweeted: “The aggression which targeted the dear city of Irbil and spread fear amongst its inhabitants is an attack on the security of our people.”

Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled region, condemned the attack. In a Facebook post, he said Irbil “will not bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist attack.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569028961864.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BAGHDAD (AP) — As many as 12 missiles struck Iraq’s northern city of Irbil on Sunday near the U.S. consulate, Iraqi security officials said. A U.S. defense official said missiles had been launched at the city from neighboring Iran.No injuries were reported. Officials in Iraq and the U.S. gave different accounts of the strike and the damage it caused. A second U.S. official said there was no damage at any U.S. government facility and that there was no indication the target was the consulate building, which is new and currently unoccupied.An Iraqi official in Baghdad at first said several missiles had hit the U.S. consulate and that it was the target of the attack. Later, Lawk Ghafari, the head of Kurdistan’s foreign media office, said none of the missiles hit the U.S. facility but that areas around the compound had been hit by the missiles.The U.S. defense official said it was still not certain exactly how many missiles were fired and exactly where they landed. Neither U.S. official was authorized to discuss the event by name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The Iraqi security officials said there were no immediate report of casualties from the attack, which they said occurred shortly after midnight and caused material damage in the area. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.One of the Iraqi officials said the ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, without elaborating. The U.S. officials could not confirm the type of missile.The second U.S. official said the incident was being investigated by the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government. The U.S. condemned what it called an “outrageous attack against Iraqi sovereignty and display of violence,” the official said in a statement.The attack came several days after an Israeli strike near Damascus, Syria, killed two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Iran’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack Wednesday and vowed revenge.On Sunday, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iraqi media acknowledging the attacks in Irbil, without saying where they originated.Satellite broadcast channel Kurdistan24, which is located near the U.S. consulate, went on air from their studio shortly after the attack, showing shattered glass and debris on their studio floor.A security statement said Irbil was targeted “with a number of missiles” early Sunday, adding that security forces were investigating the incident and would release more details later.The attack came as negotiations in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal hit a “pause” over Russian demands about sanctions targeting Moscow over its war on Ukraine.The top U.S. commander for the Middle East has repeatedly warned about the increasing threats of attacks from Iran and Iranian-back militias on troops and allies in Iraq and Syria.In an interview with The Associated Press in December, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie said that while U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to a non-combat role, Iran and its proxies still want all American troops to leave the country. As a result, he said, that may trigger more attacks.’The Biden administration decided last July to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq by Dec. 31, and U.S. forces gradually moved to an advisory role last year. The troops will still provide air support and other military aid for Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State.The U.S. presence in Iraq has long been a flash point for Tehran, but tensions spiked after a January 2020 U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed a top Iranian general. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, where U.S. troops were stationed. More than 100 service members suffered traumatic brain injuries in the blasts.More recently, Iranian proxies are believed responsible for an assassination attempt late last year on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.And officials have said they believe Iran was behind the October drone attack at the military outpost in southern Syria where American troops are based. No U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack.Al-Kadhimi tweeted: “The aggression which targeted the dear city of Irbil and spread fear amongst its inhabitants is an attack on the security of our people.”Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled region, condemned the attack. In a Facebook post, he said Irbil “will not bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist attack.”___

Iranian missile attack hits near U.S. Consulate in Iraq

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Kansas woman charged in the death of her baby in a house fire is now facing charges of intimidating a witness. Karlie Mae Phelps, of Shawnee, was charged Thursday with violating a protective order and intimidation of a witness, both misdemeanors. 

The Kansas City Star reports Phelps' attorney entered a not guilty plea for her during a court hearing on Friday. Phelps was charged in February with involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child after her son died in a fire at her home.

The child's father, Nicholas Adam Ecker, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson in the boy's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645917595368.png" alt="Phelps-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Phelps-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Kansas woman charged in the death of her baby in a house fire is now facing charges of intimidating a witness. Karlie Mae Phelps, of Shawnee, was charged Thursday with violating a protective order and intimidation of a witness, both misdemeanors. The Kansas City Star reports Phelps' attorney entered a not guilty plea for her during a court hearing on Friday. Phelps was charged in February with involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child after her son died in a fire at her home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644924205485.png" alt="Ecker-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ecker-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The child's father, Nicholas Adam Ecker, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson in the boy's death.

Mom charged in Kan. toddler’s arson fire death accused of new crime

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed a sentence given to a man who was pleaded guilty to killing a Junction City woman and her unborn child on Christmas Day in 2018. 

The court on Friday upheld the sentence of Dion Jamal Green. 

He pleaded guilty to two counts of felony first-degree murder in the deaths of 31-year-old Jenna Schafer, of Junction City, and her unborn child. He was sentenced to consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years. 

Green challenged the procedures the Geary County District Court used to sentence him. But the court unanimously affirmed the sentences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647122034833.png" alt="Green photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Green photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed a sentence given to a man who was pleaded guilty to killing a Junction City woman and her unborn child on Christmas Day in 2018. The court on Friday upheld the sentence of Dion Jamal Green. He pleaded guilty to two counts of felony first-degree murder in the deaths of 31-year-old Jenna Schafer, of Junction City, and her unborn child. He was sentenced to consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years. Green challenged the procedures the Geary County District Court used to sentence him. But the court unanimously affirmed the sentences.

Court upholds sentence in 2018 Christmas Day killing in Kansas

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — The body of a&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;police officer who was shot along with two other officers earlier this week has been transported to a funeral home after his organs were donated, the Joplin Police Department announced Saturday.

The department escorted Officer Jake Reed's body to the funeral home Friday evening. Many Joplin residents got out of their vehicles to salute the procession as it passed, the department said.

“(Friday) evening Officer Jake Reed continued his service to others as his vital organs were escorted to the airport and flown across the country to give life to others," the statement said.

Reed, 27, and Joplin police Cpl. Benjamin Cooper were fatally shot on Tuesday when they confronted 40-year-old Anthony Felix at a Joplin shopping area. Authorities said Felix then fled in a stolen patrol car, which he eventually crashed.

A third Joplin officer, 53-year-old Rick Hirshey, saw Felix trying to steal another car and positioned his patrol car to stop him, Chief Sloan Rowland said. Felix shot Hirshey through the windshield of his car, authorities said. Hirshey remains hospitalized.

Capt. William Davis, 36, shot and killed Felix shortly after Hirshey was shot.

Cooper, 46, died Tuesday at a hospital. Rowland said Thursday that Reed would not recover from his injuries and that his body was being prepared to donate organs.

Police have not released additional information about Felix or said what prompted the confrontation.

The department announced that separate public visitations and funeral services for Cooper and Reed will be held at the Leggett and Platt Center on the Missouri Southern Campus.

A public visitation for Cooper will be Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the funeral Tuesday at 1 p.m. Reed's visitation will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the funeral on Friday at 1 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646959627467.png" alt="Officer Jake Reed-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Officer Jake Reed-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — The body of a&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;police officer who was shot along with two other officers earlier this week has been transported to a funeral home after his organs were donated, the Joplin Police Department announced Saturday.The department escorted Officer Jake Reed's body to the funeral home Friday evening. Many Joplin residents got out of their vehicles to salute the procession as it passed, the department said.“(Friday) evening Officer Jake Reed continued his service to others as his vital organs were escorted to the airport and flown across the country to give life to others," the statement said.Reed, 27, and Joplin police Cpl. Benjamin Cooper were fatally shot on Tuesday when they confronted 40-year-old Anthony Felix at a Joplin shopping area. Authorities said Felix then fled in a stolen patrol car, which he eventually crashed.A third Joplin officer, 53-year-old Rick Hirshey, saw Felix trying to steal another car and positioned his patrol car to stop him, Chief Sloan Rowland said. Felix shot Hirshey through the windshield of his car, authorities said. Hirshey remains hospitalized.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646959719466.png" alt="Cpl. Benjamin Cooper -courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Cpl. Benjamin Cooper -courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Capt. William Davis, 36, shot and killed Felix shortly after Hirshey was shot.Cooper, 46, died Tuesday at a hospital. Rowland said Thursday that Reed would not recover from his injuries and that his body was being prepared to donate organs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646959490285.png" alt="Felix-photo Joplin PD" />
 <figcaption>Felix-photo Joplin PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Police have not released additional information about Felix or said what prompted the confrontation.The department announced that separate public visitations and funeral services for Cooper and Reed will be held at the Leggett and Platt Center on the Missouri Southern Campus.A public visitation for Cooper will be Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the funeral Tuesday at 1 p.m. Reed's visitation will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the funeral on Friday at 1 p.m.

2nd Missouri officer shot by suspect dies, donates organs

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden is authorizing the State Department to provide additional aid to Ukraine of up to $200 million.

The funds would cover weapons as well as military services, education and training as Ukrainians seek to repel a Russian invasion.

The aid is part of broader U.S. support in the form of aid and sanctions. When Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that $1 billion in aid had been provided to Ukraine.

The ongoing warfare has led to additional support with Congress this week approving $13.6 billion in additional aid, a sum that includes $6.5 billion for the costs of sending troops and weapons to Eastern Europe and $6.8 billion for refugees and economic aid.

Biden plans to sign the spending bill with the additional aid when he receives it next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647104629392.png" alt="The funds would cover weapons as well as military services, education and training as Ukrainians seek to repel a Russian invasion-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The funds would cover weapons as well as military services, education and training as Ukrainians seek to repel a Russian invasion-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden is authorizing the State Department to provide additional aid to Ukraine of up to $200 million.The funds would cover weapons as well as military services, education and training as Ukrainians seek to repel a Russian invasion.The aid is part of broader U.S. support in the form of aid and sanctions. When Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that $1 billion in aid had been provided to Ukraine.The ongoing warfare has led to additional support with Congress this week approving $13.6 billion in additional aid, a sum that includes $6.5 billion for the costs of sending troops and weapons to Eastern Europe and $6.8 billion for refugees and economic aid.Biden plans to sign the spending bill with the additional aid when he receives it next week.___

President Biden to authorize another $200M for Ukraine

KANSAS CITY —A suspended Kansas City Police Department officer has been charged with felony Stealing By Deceit for failing to work off-duty shifts he was paid to work, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Brandon D. Sherman, 39, faces a charge of Stealing By Deceit.

According to court records filed Friday, a witness reported to the Kansas City Police Department that security shifts at a business in the 3100 block of Prospect Avenue were not covered. 

Further checks showed the company reported paying more than $5,000 to the defendant for security shifts in January and February. But video surveillance showed he was not at the store for those shifts.

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department initiated this investigation, which was pursued and handled by KCPD's economic crimes unit.&nbsp;The prosecutor's office is grateful for the investigation and cooperation of the KC Police Department regarding this case.&nbsp;&nbsp;The defendant was issued a summons to appear in court.

KANSAS CITY —A suspended Kansas City Police Department officer has been charged with felony Stealing By Deceit for failing to work off-duty shifts he was paid to work, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Brandon D. Sherman, 39, faces a charge of Stealing By Deceit.According to court records filed Friday, a witness reported to the Kansas City Police Department that security shifts at a business in the 3100 block of Prospect Avenue were not covered. Further checks showed the company reported paying more than $5,000 to the defendant for security shifts in January and February. But video surveillance showed he was not at the store for those shifts.The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department initiated this investigation, which was pursued and handled by KCPD's economic crimes unit.&nbsp;The prosecutor's office is grateful for the investigation and cooperation of the KC Police Department regarding this case.&nbsp;&nbsp;The defendant was issued a summons to appear in court.

KCPD officer accused of felony stealing for not working off-duty shifts

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

SkyWest Airlines has given a 90-day notice to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that it will cease its United Express flights at 29 airports across the country, including Hays.

The SkyWest decision also impacts Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts in Salina, Dodge City, and Liberal.

SkyWest has a little more than&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/64397b75-5c55-42ec-95a7-af4d079f95e8">two years left in its EAS contract</a>&nbsp;with USDOT at Hays Regional Airport. It was the sole bidder in 2021 for the three year contract renewal.

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=809">news release</a>&nbsp;from the city of Hays issued late Friday morning, "the decision is not driven by any failure in the USDOT’s Essential Air Service Program (EAS) or the communities.

"Instead, the decision was precipitated by an ongoing national pilot shortage [resulting] in service cuts by all U.S. airlines. SkyWest lacks the pilots needed to meet demand and is reducing flying across its network."

The move is a "hedge against the future" for the airline, according to Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager.

SkyWest "sees scenarios where they just cannot serve the markets they are obligated to serve." Dougherty said. "Knowing that there's a very lengthy process to get out of some EAS markets, they have to file this paperwork right now."&nbsp;&nbsp;

USDOT has issued a hold-in order prohibiting SkyWest from terminating service at the Hays airport until a replacement carrier is selected and begins operations. During the hold-in period, SkyWest is expected to maintain the current daily schedule for regional jet service.

A suspension of scheduled air service is not expected to occur, according to the city news release.

Recently the Hays airport went from 12 SkyWest flights a week to 10 flights a week.&nbsp;

There will be minimal impact on the flight schedule for the next 90 days. The biggest change will actually be the addition of a Chicago flight with a stop in Salina.

"Beginning April 3rd, we will go back to 14 flights a week but we will be tagged with Salina," Dougherty said.

"There will be a morning flight that leaves Hays, stops in Salina, and it goes to Chicago.

"There'll be an afternoon swing-through from Chicago to Salina and Hays and then it goes on to Denver. That will be our Denver outbound flight in the early afternoon. There's a flight early evening that comes back from Denver and spends the night in Hays.&nbsp;

"SkyWest is making these tactical adjustments -&nbsp; and there may need to be more - hoping they can equal the pilots out versus the pilots in, and then get back to normal. They're losing pilots at the top end faster than they can hire on the bottom end."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays will work with the USDOT, which issues the EAS contracts, if it does become necessary to select a replacement carrier, Dougherty added.&nbsp;The DOT ultimately decides who will be the EAS carrier, but takes local input&nbsp; into consideration.

SkyWest flies a CRJ 200 50-passenger jet in and out of Hays. The flight schedule is available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.united.com/en/us">www.united.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We've been told by SkyWest it's their intent to put procedures in place and hire enough pilots to stay ahead of the curve and not have to vacate any EAS markets. But if they do have to vacate EAS markets, they can't do it without this step first.

"Hays is a good market for them. They provide a good product for us. We're hoping they get things straightened out," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609799151484.jpeg" alt="Photo Hays Regional Airport" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hays Regional Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostSkyWest Airlines has given a 90-day notice to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that it will cease its United Express flights at 29 airports across the country, including Hays.The SkyWest decision also impacts Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts in Salina, Dodge City, and Liberal.SkyWest has a little more than&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/64397b75-5c55-42ec-95a7-af4d079f95e8">two years left in its EAS contract</a>&nbsp;with USDOT at Hays Regional Airport. It was the sole bidder in 2021 for the three year contract renewal.According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=809">news release</a>&nbsp;from the city of Hays issued late Friday morning, "the decision is not driven by any failure in the USDOT’s Essential Air Service Program (EAS) or the communities."Instead, the decision was precipitated by an ongoing national pilot shortage [resulting] in service cuts by all U.S. airlines. SkyWest lacks the pilots needed to meet demand and is reducing flying across its network."The move is a "hedge against the future" for the airline, according to Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager.SkyWest "sees scenarios where they just cannot serve the markets they are obligated to serve." Dougherty said. "Knowing that there's a very lengthy process to get out of some EAS markets, they have to file this paperwork right now."&nbsp;&nbsp;USDOT has issued a hold-in order prohibiting SkyWest from terminating service at the Hays airport until a replacement carrier is selected and begins operations. During the hold-in period, SkyWest is expected to maintain the current daily schedule for regional jet service.A suspension of scheduled air service is not expected to occur, according to the city news release.Recently the Hays airport went from 12 SkyWest flights a week to 10 flights a week.&nbsp;There will be minimal impact on the flight schedule for the next 90 days. The biggest change will actually be the addition of a Chicago flight with a stop in Salina."Beginning April 3rd, we will go back to 14 flights a week but we will be tagged with Salina," Dougherty said."There will be a morning flight that leaves Hays, stops in Salina, and it goes to Chicago."There'll be an afternoon swing-through from Chicago to Salina and Hays and then it goes on to Denver. That will be our Denver outbound flight in the early afternoon. There's a flight early evening that comes back from Denver and spends the night in Hays.&nbsp;"SkyWest is making these tactical adjustments -&nbsp; and there may need to be more - hoping they can equal the pilots out versus the pilots in, and then get back to normal. They're losing pilots at the top end faster than they can hire on the bottom end."&nbsp;&nbsp;Hays will work with the USDOT, which issues the EAS contracts, if it does become necessary to select a replacement carrier, Dougherty added.&nbsp;The DOT ultimately decides who will be the EAS carrier, but takes local input&nbsp; into consideration.SkyWest flies a CRJ 200 50-passenger jet in and out of Hays. The flight schedule is available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.united.com/en/us">www.united.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We've been told by SkyWest it's their intent to put procedures in place and hire enough pilots to stay ahead of the curve and not have to vacate any EAS markets. But if they do have to vacate EAS markets, they can't do it without this step first."Hays is a good market for them. They provide a good product for us. We're hoping they get things straightened out," he said.

Pilot shortage: 4 Kansas airports to lose SkyWest service

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2022/03/10/congress-hates-changing-the-clocks-just-like-everyone-else/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON – Republicans and 
Democrats in Congress can agree on sleep, or more precisely, the 
inconvenience of losing or gaining an hour of it each year thanks to 
going on and off daylight saving time.

“I believe that any justifications 
for springing forward and falling back are either outdated or are 
outweighed by the serious health and economic impacts we now know are 
associated with the time changes,” U.S. House Energy and Commerce 
Committee Chair Frank Pallone of New Jersey said this week.

As Americans prepare to adjust their 
clocks this weekend for daylight saving time, lawmakers at an Energy and
 Commerce subcommittee hearing on Wednesday assembled a panel of experts
 to discuss the health, energy, and economic impacts of the shift twice a
 year.&nbsp;

Congress would have to authorize a 
change in federal law to allow permanent daylight saving time, but it’s 
not clear there is the momentum to do that.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa">Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday</a>,
 which means clocks in most of the U.S. will be turned forward one hour 
and there will be more light at the end of the day. Daylight saving time
 will end on Nov. 6.

“Darkness kills and sunshine saves,” Steve Calandrillo, a law professor from the University of Washington, said at the hearing.

He advocated for a permanent change 
to daylight saving time, arguing that having one more hour of sunlight 
in the evening would reduce crime, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615292/">decrease fatal car accidents</a>, save energy and improve heath.&nbsp;

He said a biannual clock switch “wreaks havoc with our sleep cycles, notably causing a <a target="_blank" href="https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/heart-health/why-daylight-saving-time-could-increase-your-heart-attack-risk">24 percent increase in heart attacks</a> in the week after we ‘spring forward’ in March.”

A <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15003579/">study</a> by researchers at Rutgers found that nearly 350 lives would be saved by moving to permanent daylight saving time year round.

Some lawmakers couldn’t decide if 
they wanted daylight saving time or standard time, but they all agreed 
that it was archaic for the United States to keep switching back and 
forth.&nbsp;

Lawmakers from Florida were adamant 
that an extra hour of daylight would be beneficial for health, the 
economy, and for schools. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/623/all-info#:~:text=Introduced%20in%20Senate%20(03%2F09%2F2021)&amp;text=This%20bill%20makes%20daylight%20saving,standard%20time%20for%20those%20areas.">has introduced legislation</a> that would make daylight saving time permanent, and similar legislation is pending in the House.

“Coming from the Sunshine State, we 
value sunshine for our quality of life, recreation, and our tourism 
economy,” Rep. Darren Soto, a Florida Democrat, said.

Daylight saving time was used as an 
energy-saving measure during various points in U.S. history, such as 
World War I, and has become a permanent fixture since the energy crisis 
of the 1970s.&nbsp;

Under federal law, states can opt out and remain on standard time, but are not allowed to change to daylight saving time.&nbsp;

In the last four years, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx">18 states </a>have
 enacted or passed measures to provide for year-round daylight saving 
time, but without congressional approval, they can’t adopt those 
changes.&nbsp;

Iowa’s state House <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/house-passes-year-round-daylight-saving-time-proposal/">recently</a> passed a bill that would put the state on daylight saving time, pending federal action.

Two states have passed measures to stay on standard time — Arizona and Hawaii.&nbsp;

Rep. Debbie
 Lesko, an Arizona Republican, said her state has been on standard time 
for nearly 40 years. She asked one of the witnesses, Dr. Beth Malow, a professor
 of neurology and pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 
Nashville, Tennessee, if she knew of any studies on the health benefits 
for Arizonans who are used to living on standard time.&nbsp;

Malow, who is also the director of 
the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, said she was not aware of any, but 
advocated for a permanent standard time.

“Please don’t mess with Arizona, 
we’ve been doing this for 40 years,” Lesko said to her colleagues. 
“Anytime you change anything to Arizona, Arizonans will be upset.”&nbsp;

Rep. Fred Upton, a Michigan 
Republican, said he believed it should be up to the states if they want 
to move to daylight saving time, but he also expressed frustration for 
having the hearing in the first place. He said he believed the panel 
should be focusing on America’s energy independence after Russia’s 
attack on Ukraine.&nbsp;

A handful of Republicans on the panel
 agreed and argued that they should be focusing their time on helping 
Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

Rep. Bob Latta, an Ohio Republican, 
said the last time he got a complaint from his constituents about 
daylight saving time was in 2020 and said that his constituents were 
worried about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“Other things we should be talking about is American energy independence,” Latta said.

Reps. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican, raised similar points.&nbsp;

The top GOP lawmaker on the panel, 
Gus Bilirakis of Florida, discussed the health effects of switching back
 and forth and said he is concerned about children going to school in 
the dark if Congress did move to make daylight saving time permanent.&nbsp;

Calandrillo said that as a parent of 
four young children, he did also not want them to go to school in the 
dark and suggested that schools start later, so children can get 
adequate sleep.&nbsp;

Bilirakis agreed and said that he 
felt his kids going to school around 7 a.m. was “too early,” and was 
open to the idea of giving schools flexibility to change their start 
times.

Malow agreed
 that starting school later could help children, particularly teens who 
are going through puberty, which can affect their sleep schedules.&nbsp;

“Bright light in the morning is a piece of the puzzle that will help our kids get more sleep,” she said.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, asked Malow to explain the effect sleep deprivation has on overall health.&nbsp;

“When we’re not sleeping well, it has
 a whole host of ramifications,” Malow said. “Obesity, diabetes, heart 
disease, even cancer and Alzheimer’s disease is linked to either sleep 
loss or that circadian misalignment.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646948814561.png" alt="Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin)" />
 <figcaption>Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2022/03/10/congress-hates-changing-the-clocks-just-like-everyone-else/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON – Republicans and 
Democrats in Congress can agree on sleep, or more precisely, the 
inconvenience of losing or gaining an hour of it each year thanks to 
going on and off daylight saving time.“I believe that any justifications 
for springing forward and falling back are either outdated or are 
outweighed by the serious health and economic impacts we now know are 
associated with the time changes,” U.S. House Energy and Commerce 
Committee Chair Frank Pallone of New Jersey said this week.As Americans prepare to adjust their 
clocks this weekend for daylight saving time, lawmakers at an Energy and
 Commerce subcommittee hearing on Wednesday assembled a panel of experts
 to discuss the health, energy, and economic impacts of the shift twice a
 year.&nbsp;Congress would have to authorize a 
change in federal law to allow permanent daylight saving time, but it’s 
not clear there is the momentum to do that.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa">Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday</a>,
 which means clocks in most of the U.S. will be turned forward one hour 
and there will be more light at the end of the day. Daylight saving time
 will end on Nov. 6.“Darkness kills and sunshine saves,” Steve Calandrillo, a law professor from the University of Washington, said at the hearing.He advocated for a permanent change 
to daylight saving time, arguing that having one more hour of sunlight 
in the evening would reduce crime, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615292/">decrease fatal car accidents</a>, save energy and improve heath.&nbsp;He said a biannual clock switch “wreaks havoc with our sleep cycles, notably causing a <a target="_blank" href="https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/heart-health/why-daylight-saving-time-could-increase-your-heart-attack-risk">24 percent increase in heart attacks</a> in the week after we ‘spring forward’ in March.”A <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15003579/">study</a> by researchers at Rutgers found that nearly 350 lives would be saved by moving to permanent daylight saving time year round.<h2>Stop switching</h2>Some lawmakers couldn’t decide if 
they wanted daylight saving time or standard time, but they all agreed 
that it was archaic for the United States to keep switching back and 
forth.&nbsp;Lawmakers from Florida were adamant 
that an extra hour of daylight would be beneficial for health, the 
economy, and for schools. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/623/all-info#:~:text=Introduced%20in%20Senate%20(03%2F09%2F2021)&amp;text=This%20bill%20makes%20daylight%20saving,standard%20time%20for%20those%20areas.">has introduced legislation</a> that would make daylight saving time permanent, and similar legislation is pending in the House.“Coming from the Sunshine State, we 
value sunshine for our quality of life, recreation, and our tourism 
economy,” Rep. Darren Soto, a Florida Democrat, said.Daylight saving time was used as an 
energy-saving measure during various points in U.S. history, such as 
World War I, and has become a permanent fixture since the energy crisis 
of the 1970s.&nbsp;Under federal law, states can opt out and remain on standard time, but are not allowed to change to daylight saving time.&nbsp;In the last four years, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx">18 states </a>have
 enacted or passed measures to provide for year-round daylight saving 
time, but without congressional approval, they can’t adopt those 
changes.&nbsp;Iowa’s state House <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/house-passes-year-round-daylight-saving-time-proposal/">recently</a> passed a bill that would put the state on daylight saving time, pending federal action.Two states have passed measures to stay on standard time — Arizona and Hawaii.&nbsp;Rep. Debbie
 Lesko, an Arizona Republican, said her state has been on standard time 
for nearly 40 years. She asked one of the witnesses, Dr. Beth Malow, a professor
 of neurology and pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 
Nashville, Tennessee, if she knew of any studies on the health benefits 
for Arizonans who are used to living on standard time.&nbsp;Malow, who is also the director of 
the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, said she was not aware of any, but 
advocated for a permanent standard time.“Please don’t mess with Arizona, 
we’ve been doing this for 40 years,” Lesko said to her colleagues. 
“Anytime you change anything to Arizona, Arizonans will be upset.”&nbsp;<h2>Republicans object to topic</h2>Rep. Fred Upton, a Michigan 
Republican, said he believed it should be up to the states if they want 
to move to daylight saving time, but he also expressed frustration for 
having the hearing in the first place. He said he believed the panel 
should be focusing on America’s energy independence after Russia’s 
attack on Ukraine.&nbsp;A handful of Republicans on the panel
 agreed and argued that they should be focusing their time on helping 
Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.Rep. Bob Latta, an Ohio Republican, 
said the last time he got a complaint from his constituents about 
daylight saving time was in 2020 and said that his constituents were 
worried about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.“Other things we should be talking about is American energy independence,” Latta said.Reps. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican, raised similar points.&nbsp;The top GOP lawmaker on the panel, 
Gus Bilirakis of Florida, discussed the health effects of switching back
 and forth and said he is concerned about children going to school in 
the dark if Congress did move to make daylight saving time permanent.&nbsp;Calandrillo said that as a parent of 
four young children, he did also not want them to go to school in the 
dark and suggested that schools start later, so children can get 
adequate sleep.&nbsp;Bilirakis agreed and said that he 
felt his kids going to school around 7 a.m. was “too early,” and was 
open to the idea of giving schools flexibility to change their start 
times.Malow agreed
 that starting school later could help children, particularly teens who 
are going through puberty, which can affect their sleep schedules.&nbsp;“Bright light in the morning is a piece of the puzzle that will help our kids get more sleep,” she said.Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, asked Malow to explain the effect sleep deprivation has on overall health.&nbsp;“When we’re not sleeping well, it has
 a whole host of ramifications,” Malow said. “Obesity, diabetes, heart 
disease, even cancer and Alzheimer’s disease is linked to either sleep 
loss or that circadian misalignment.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Congress hates changing the clocks just like everyone else

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by Independence police officers.

The shooting occurred Friday night after a police pursuit and traffic crash, patrol spokesman Sgt. Bill Lowe said.

The incident began when Independence police responding to a disturbance call saw a white sedan speeding away from the scene, Lowe said.

Officers pursued the vehicle but ended the chase a short time after it began. Lowe said the suspect’s car crashed into another vehicle. When officers approached the suspect’s vehicle, they saw a rifle inside and fired toward the suspect, Lowe said.

Lowe said two other people in the suspect’s vehicle were hospitalized. The driver of the car hit by the suspect vehicle was not injured.

The investigation is continuing. No names have been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647096578590.png" alt="Crime scene investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Crime scene investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by Independence police officers.The shooting occurred Friday night after a police pursuit and traffic crash, patrol spokesman Sgt. Bill Lowe said.The incident began when Independence police responding to a disturbance call saw a white sedan speeding away from the scene, Lowe said.Officers pursued the vehicle but ended the chase a short time after it began. Lowe said the suspect’s car crashed into another vehicle. When officers approached the suspect’s vehicle, they saw a rifle inside and fired toward the suspect, Lowe said.The man was hit and died at the scene.Lowe said two other people in the suspect’s vehicle were hospitalized. The driver of the car hit by the suspect vehicle was not injured.The investigation is continuing. No names have been released.

Man dead after officer-involved shooting near Kansas City

KANSAS CITY (AP) — With COVID-19 case numbers plummeting, Emily Safrin did something she hadn’t done since the pandemic began two years ago: She put her fears aside and went to a concert.

The fully vaccinated and boosted restaurant server planned to keep her mask on, but as the reggaeton star Bad Bunny took the stage and the energy in the crowd soared, she ripped it off. Soon after, she was strolling unmasked in a trendy Portland neighborhood with friends.

Two years after the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">declared COVID-19 a pandemic</a>, changing the world overnight, relief and hope are creeping back in after a long, dark period of loss, fear and deep uncertainty about the future.

“Everyone was supposed to be vaccinated or have a negative test, and I said, ‘What the heck, I’m just gonna live my life,’” Safrin said of her concert experience. “It was overwhelming, to be honest, but it also felt great to be able to just feel a little bit normal again.”

The world is finally emerging from a brutal stretch of winter dominated by the highly contagious omicron variant, bringing a sense of relief on the two-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic.

It was March 11, 2020 when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-michael-pence-religion-travel-virus-outbreak-52e12ca90c55b6e0c398d134a2cc286e">WHO issued its declaration</a>, driving home the severity of the threat faced by a virus that at that point had wreaked havoc primarily in Italy and China. The U.S. had 38 confirmed coronavirus deaths and 1,300 cases nationwide on that date,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wa-state-wire-seattle-ny-state-wire-nyc-wire-virus-outbreak-e27307edc5b133a67f3ba2036a97dc27">but reality was starting to sink in</a>: stocks tanked, classrooms started closing and people began donning masks. In a matter of hours, the NBA was canceling games, Chicago’s huge St. Patrick’s Day parade was scuttled and late-night comedians began filming from empty studios — or even their homes.

Since then, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-69e8cbaebb653a0f1cb65ffe33d9afbd">6 million people have died globally</a>, nearly 1 million in the U.S. Millions have been thrown out of work,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-video-612978076768">students have endured three school years of disruptions</a>. The emergence of the vaccine in December 2021 saved countless lives but political divisions, hesitancy and inequality in health systems have kept millions of people around the world from getting inoculated,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid19-how-will-it-end-2423873745c89f6a887cb117d8a0d7f2">prolonging the pandemic.</a>

Hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 have plummeted 80% in the last six weeks across the U.S. since a mid-January pandemic peak, dropping to the lowest levels since July 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case counts have followed the same trend line to the lowest counts since last summer as well. Even the death tally, which typically lags behind cases and hospitalizations, has slowed significantly in the last month.

In its latest pandemic report, the WHO said infections and deaths are down across the globe, with only one region — the Western Pacific — seeing a rise in cases. The Middle East and Africa saw cases drop by 46% and 40%, respectively.

Another positive: The omicron wave and vaccinations&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3vMZ7RN" target="_blank">have left enough people with protection</a>&nbsp;against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less disruption to society, experts say.

Nowhere is the shift in the pandemic more apparent than in the nation’s hospitals, where critical care units were overflowing with desperately ill patients just months ago.

Julie Kim, chief nursing officer at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California, gets emotional when she recalls the bleakest days of the pandemic when doctors and nurses worked around the clock and didn’t go home because they were afraid of bringing the virus back with them.

At one point&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-understanding-the-outbreak-ca-state-wire-health-7fd65b99e565ee80f82dee0873a6d2d9">during the summer 2020 spike</a>, there were 250 COVID-19 patients in the hospital licensed for 320 beds and the hospital had to use offices for overflow bed space.

The pandemic has eased to the point that as of Tuesday, there were just four COVID-19 patients at the hospital, Kim said, and medical staff feels more prepared to treat the disease with the knowledge gained in those darkest days. Still, many are traumatized by the raw memories of the past two years and will never be the same, she said.

“It’s hard to use the word ‘normal,’ because I don’t think we will ever get back to a pre-COVID state. We are adapting and we are moving forward,” Kim said. “This has had a toll on many of us. Some people are moving forward and some people are still having a hard time dealing with it all.”

Mask mandates, vaccine requirements and other COVID-19 measures are being eliminated everywhere. The last statewide mask mandate in the U.S., in Hawaii, will end in two weeks.

But health experts are also urging some caution.

Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious-disease physician and epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, said it’s certainly good news that the U.S. seems to be at the tail end of a peak. But he cautioned against any victory declarations, especially with the potential of another variant lurking around the corner.

“We have new variants emerge and those new variants fuel large waves, epidemic waves,” Ko said. “The big question is, are they going to be as mild or less severe as omicron? Are they going to be potentially more severe? Unfortunately, I can’t predict that.”

In Portland, people are heading back to movie theaters, concerts and gyms after a long, dark winter and bars and restaurants are filling up once more. Safrin said many customers are telling her it’s their first time dining inside in months.

Kalani Pa, who owns an Anytime Fitness franchise with his wife in the Portland suburbs, said the past two years almost drove him out of business — but with Oregon’s mask mandate ending Friday, his small gym is suddenly coming to life again. The franchise signed three new members on one day alone this week and a coffee shop opened this week next to the gym in a space that sat vacant for months, driving up foot traffic.

“Sometimes things have got to get worse before they get better,” Pa said before rushing off to give a tour to a new member.

Jaclyn Chavira remembers the fear on peoples’ faces as they lined up by the thousands in Los Angeles to be tested during the late 2020 surge, which triggered an astonishing 250,000 infections and more than 3,000 deaths a day across the U.S. at the peak.

Infections raced out of control for weeks and some days the line of cars at the Dodger Stadium test site, one of the largest in the nation, stretched for nearly two miles.

At the height of the omicron surge, Chavira’s nonprofit called CORE did 94,000 tests a week at 10 sites in Los Angeles County. Last week, they conducted about 3,400 and most of them were for work or travel requirements — not because the person was sick, she said.

“You can sense the relief,” said Chavira.

Not everyone, however, is ready to dive back in. Many remember last year when mask rules eased and COVID-19 seemed to be loosening its grip only to come roaring back as the delta and omicron variants took hold.

Amber Pierce, who works in a Portland bar-restaurant, was out of work for almost a year due to COVID-related layoffs and narrowly dodged an infection herself when the virus swept through her workplace. A regular customer died during this winter’s peak, she said.

She still wears a mask even when outdoors and was eating pizza outside on a recent day only because her brother was visiting for the first time in more than a year.

“I’m going to make sure that there’s not a spike once those masks come off and everyone starts, you know, feeling comfortable,” she said, as she applied hand sanitizer.

“It’s still the anxiety of it,” she said. “Either way, it’s going to hit you whether you get really sick or not.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647058235139.png" alt="In its latest pandemic report, the WHO said infections and deaths are down across the globe, with only one region — the Western Pacific — seeing a rise in cases-photo courtesy Denver International Airport" />
 <figcaption>In its latest pandemic report, the WHO said infections and deaths are down across the globe, with only one region — the Western Pacific — seeing a rise in cases-photo courtesy Denver International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — With COVID-19 case numbers plummeting, Emily Safrin did something she hadn’t done since the pandemic began two years ago: She put her fears aside and went to a concert.The fully vaccinated and boosted restaurant server planned to keep her mask on, but as the reggaeton star Bad Bunny took the stage and the energy in the crowd soared, she ripped it off. Soon after, she was strolling unmasked in a trendy Portland neighborhood with friends.Two years after the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">declared COVID-19 a pandemic</a>, changing the world overnight, relief and hope are creeping back in after a long, dark period of loss, fear and deep uncertainty about the future.“Everyone was supposed to be vaccinated or have a negative test, and I said, ‘What the heck, I’m just gonna live my life,’” Safrin said of her concert experience. “It was overwhelming, to be honest, but it also felt great to be able to just feel a little bit normal again.”The world is finally emerging from a brutal stretch of winter dominated by the highly contagious omicron variant, bringing a sense of relief on the two-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic.It was March 11, 2020 when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-michael-pence-religion-travel-virus-outbreak-52e12ca90c55b6e0c398d134a2cc286e">WHO issued its declaration</a>, driving home the severity of the threat faced by a virus that at that point had wreaked havoc primarily in Italy and China. The U.S. had 38 confirmed coronavirus deaths and 1,300 cases nationwide on that date,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wa-state-wire-seattle-ny-state-wire-nyc-wire-virus-outbreak-e27307edc5b133a67f3ba2036a97dc27">but reality was starting to sink in</a>: stocks tanked, classrooms started closing and people began donning masks. In a matter of hours, the NBA was canceling games, Chicago’s huge St. Patrick’s Day parade was scuttled and late-night comedians began filming from empty studios — or even their homes.Since then, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-69e8cbaebb653a0f1cb65ffe33d9afbd">6 million people have died globally</a>, nearly 1 million in the U.S. Millions have been thrown out of work,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-video-612978076768">students have endured three school years of disruptions</a>. The emergence of the vaccine in December 2021 saved countless lives but political divisions, hesitancy and inequality in health systems have kept millions of people around the world from getting inoculated,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid19-how-will-it-end-2423873745c89f6a887cb117d8a0d7f2">prolonging the pandemic.</a>The situation is improving, however.Hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 have plummeted 80% in the last six weeks across the U.S. since a mid-January pandemic peak, dropping to the lowest levels since July 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case counts have followed the same trend line to the lowest counts since last summer as well. Even the death tally, which typically lags behind cases and hospitalizations, has slowed significantly in the last month.In its latest pandemic report, the WHO said infections and deaths are down across the globe, with only one region — the Western Pacific — seeing a rise in cases. The Middle East and Africa saw cases drop by 46% and 40%, respectively.Another positive: The omicron wave and vaccinations&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3vMZ7RN" target="_blank">have left enough people with protection</a>&nbsp;against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less disruption to society, experts say.Nowhere is the shift in the pandemic more apparent than in the nation’s hospitals, where critical care units were overflowing with desperately ill patients just months ago.Julie Kim, chief nursing officer at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California, gets emotional when she recalls the bleakest days of the pandemic when doctors and nurses worked around the clock and didn’t go home because they were afraid of bringing the virus back with them.At one point&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-understanding-the-outbreak-ca-state-wire-health-7fd65b99e565ee80f82dee0873a6d2d9">during the summer 2020 spike</a>, there were 250 COVID-19 patients in the hospital licensed for 320 beds and the hospital had to use offices for overflow bed space.The pandemic has eased to the point that as of Tuesday, there were just four COVID-19 patients at the hospital, Kim said, and medical staff feels more prepared to treat the disease with the knowledge gained in those darkest days. Still, many are traumatized by the raw memories of the past two years and will never be the same, she said.“It’s hard to use the word ‘normal,’ because I don’t think we will ever get back to a pre-COVID state. We are adapting and we are moving forward,” Kim said. “This has had a toll on many of us. Some people are moving forward and some people are still having a hard time dealing with it all.”Mask mandates, vaccine requirements and other COVID-19 measures are being eliminated everywhere. The last statewide mask mandate in the U.S., in Hawaii, will end in two weeks.But health experts are also urging some caution.Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious-disease physician and epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, said it’s certainly good news that the U.S. seems to be at the tail end of a peak. But he cautioned against any victory declarations, especially with the potential of another variant lurking around the corner.“We have new variants emerge and those new variants fuel large waves, epidemic waves,” Ko said. “The big question is, are they going to be as mild or less severe as omicron? Are they going to be potentially more severe? Unfortunately, I can’t predict that.”In Portland, people are heading back to movie theaters, concerts and gyms after a long, dark winter and bars and restaurants are filling up once more. Safrin said many customers are telling her it’s their first time dining inside in months.Kalani Pa, who owns an Anytime Fitness franchise with his wife in the Portland suburbs, said the past two years almost drove him out of business — but with Oregon’s mask mandate ending Friday, his small gym is suddenly coming to life again. The franchise signed three new members on one day alone this week and a coffee shop opened this week next to the gym in a space that sat vacant for months, driving up foot traffic.“Sometimes things have got to get worse before they get better,” Pa said before rushing off to give a tour to a new member.Demand for testing is down, too.Jaclyn Chavira remembers the fear on peoples’ faces as they lined up by the thousands in Los Angeles to be tested during the late 2020 surge, which triggered an astonishing 250,000 infections and more than 3,000 deaths a day across the U.S. at the peak.Infections raced out of control for weeks and some days the line of cars at the Dodger Stadium test site, one of the largest in the nation, stretched for nearly two miles.At the height of the omicron surge, Chavira’s nonprofit called CORE did 94,000 tests a week at 10 sites in Los Angeles County. Last week, they conducted about 3,400 and most of them were for work or travel requirements — not because the person was sick, she said.“You can sense the relief,” said Chavira.Not everyone, however, is ready to dive back in. Many remember last year when mask rules eased and COVID-19 seemed to be loosening its grip only to come roaring back as the delta and omicron variants took hold.Amber Pierce, who works in a Portland bar-restaurant, was out of work for almost a year due to COVID-related layoffs and narrowly dodged an infection herself when the virus swept through her workplace. A regular customer died during this winter’s peak, she said.She still wears a mask even when outdoors and was eating pizza outside on a recent day only because her brother was visiting for the first time in more than a year.“I’m going to make sure that there’s not a spike once those masks come off and everyone starts, you know, feeling comfortable,” she said, as she applied hand sanitizer.“It’s still the anxiety of it,” she said. “Either way, it’s going to hit you whether you get really sick or not.”___

2 years into pandemic, world takes cautious steps forward

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged people to stay resolute against ongoing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts">scams and schemes</a>
 by properly securing computers, tablets and phones. Solid cybersecurity
 protection and scam recognition is vital to reduce the threat of 
identity theft inside and outside the tax system.

The IRS works closely with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>,
 a partnership with state tax agencies and the private-sector tax 
industry, to help protect taxpayer information and defend against 
identity theft. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/taxes-security-together">Taxpayers</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 can take steps to help in this effort by doing things like minimizing 
cybersecurity footprints and recognizing common scams and schemes.

Below are 10 tips to help minimize exposure to fraud and identity theft:

The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text 
messages or social media channels to request personal or financial 
information. Generally, the IRS first mails a paper bill to a person who
 owes taxes. In some special situations, the IRS will call or come to a 
home or business.

People should be alert to scammers posing as the IRS to steal personal information. There are <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-know-its-really-the-irs-calling-or-knocking-on-your-door">ways to know</a> if it's really the IRS calling or knocking on someone's door.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get
 help when it's needed at home, at work or on the go.

This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged people to stay resolute against ongoing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts">scams and schemes</a>
 by properly securing computers, tablets and phones. Solid cybersecurity
 protection and scam recognition is vital to reduce the threat of 
identity theft inside and outside the tax system.The IRS works closely with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>,
 a partnership with state tax agencies and the private-sector tax 
industry, to help protect taxpayer information and defend against 
identity theft. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/taxes-security-together">Taxpayers</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 can take steps to help in this effort by doing things like minimizing 
cybersecurity footprints and recognizing common scams and schemes.Below are 10 tips to help minimize exposure to fraud and identity theft:<ul>
 <li>Safeguard personal data. Provide a Social Security number, for example, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">only when necessary</a>.
 Only offer personal information or conduct financial transactions on 
sites that have been verified as reputable, encrypted websites. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Protect personal information. Treat personal 
information like cash – don't hand it out to just anyone. Social 
Security numbers, credit card numbers, bank and even utility account 
numbers can be used to help steal a person's money or open new accounts. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Use strong passwords. Use a password phrase or 
series of words that will be easy for you to remember. Use at least 10 
characters; 12 is ideal for most home users. Mix letters, numbers and 
special characters. Try to be unpredictable – don't use names, 
birthdates or common words. Don't use the same password for many 
accounts and avoid sharing them. Keep passwords in a secure place or use
 password management tools. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Set password and encryption protections for wireless networks.
 If a home or business Wi-Fi is unsecured, it allows any computer within
 range to access the wireless network and potentially steal information 
from connected devices. Whenever it is an option for a 
password-protected account, users should also opt for a multi-factor 
authentication process. Multi-factor authentication is critical to 
protecting your password. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid phishing scams. The easiest way for criminals to steal sensitive data is simply to ask for it. IRS urges people to learn to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/suspicious-emails-and-identity-theft">recognize phishing emails</a>,
 calls or texts that pose as familiar organizations such as banks, 
credit card companies or even the IRS. Keep sensitive data safe and:
	Be aware that an unsolicited email with a request to download 
an attachment or click on a URL could appear to come from someone that 
you know like a friend, work colleague or tax professional if their 
email has been spoofed or compromised.Don't assume internet advertisements, pop-up ads or emails are 
from reputable companies. If an ad or offer looks too good to be true, 
take a moment to check out the company behind it.Never download "security" software from a pop-up ad. A pervasive 
ploy is a pop-up ad that indicates it has detected a virus on the 
computer. The download most likely will install some type of malware. 
Reputable security software companies do not advertise in this manner. 
		&nbsp;</li><li>Be aware that an unsolicited email with a request to download 
an attachment or click on a URL could appear to come from someone that 
you know like a friend, work colleague or tax professional if their 
email has been spoofed or compromised.</li><li>Don't assume internet advertisements, pop-up ads or emails are 
from reputable companies. If an ad or offer looks too good to be true, 
take a moment to check out the company behind it.</li><li>Never download "security" software from a pop-up ad. A pervasive 
ploy is a pop-up ad that indicates it has detected a virus on the 
computer. The download most likely will install some type of malware. 
Reputable security software companies do not advertise in this manner. 
		&nbsp;</li><li>Use security software. An anti-virus program 
should provide protection from viruses, Trojans, spyware and adware. The
 IRS urges everyone to use an anti-virus program and always keep it up 
to date. Set security software to update automatically so it can be 
updated as threats emerge. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Educate those less experienced about online safety. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-security-summit-partners-remind-families-to-make-online-safety-a-priority-during-national-cybersecurity-month">Children and those with less online experience</a>
 may not be fully aware of the perils of opening suspicious web pages, 
emails or documents. Teens and younger users can put themselves at risk 
by leaving a trail of personal information for con artists to follow. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Back up files. No system is completely secure. 
Copy important files, including federal and state tax returns, onto 
removable discs or back-up drives and cloud storage. Store discs, drives
 and any paper copies in secure, locked locations. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Know the risk of public Wi-Fi. Connection to 
public Wi-Fi is convenient and often free, but it may not be safe. 
Hackers and cybercriminals can easily steal personal information from 
these networks. Always use a virtual private network when connecting to 
public Wi-Fi. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Review ID Theft Central. Designed to improve online access to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">information on identity theft</a>, it serves taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.</li>
 </ul>The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text 
messages or social media channels to request personal or financial 
information. Generally, the IRS first mails a paper bill to a person who
 owes taxes. In some special situations, the IRS will call or come to a 
home or business.People should be alert to scammers posing as the IRS to steal personal information. There are <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-know-its-really-the-irs-calling-or-knocking-on-your-door">ways to know</a> if it's really the IRS calling or knocking on someone's door.Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get
 help when it's needed at home, at work or on the go.This news release is part of a series called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax</a>.Cover image courtesy Pixabay