SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspect on multiple charges including felony interference with law enforcement following a pursuit on Saturday.

&nbsp;Shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 1997 Ford Crown Victoria near SE 37th Street and SE Colfax Place for speeding, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

The driver, later identified as Anthony L. Marshall III, 29, Topeka, pulled over and the deputy approached the vehicle. While the deputy was speaking to the driver, he learned the driver did not have a driver’s license and he observed a bag of illegal narcotic pills.

While the deputy was continuing the investigation, the driver fled the scene in his vehicle, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit continued and was ended in the 2300 block of SE Highland Avenue when the deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention.

Deputies took Marshall into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, failure to wear a seat belt, no vehicle liability insurance and speeding.

This incident is under investigation. Additional evidence is being sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Additional charges are pending. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645970631480.png" alt="Marshall-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Marshall-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspect on multiple charges including felony interference with law enforcement following a pursuit on Saturday.&nbsp;Shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 1997 Ford Crown Victoria near SE 37th Street and SE Colfax Place for speeding, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver, later identified as Anthony L. Marshall III, 29, Topeka, pulled over and the deputy approached the vehicle. While the deputy was speaking to the driver, he learned the driver did not have a driver’s license and he observed a bag of illegal narcotic pills.While the deputy was continuing the investigation, the driver fled the scene in his vehicle, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit continued and was ended in the 2300 block of SE Highland Avenue when the deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention.Deputies took Marshall into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, failure to wear a seat belt, no vehicle liability insurance and speeding.This incident is under investigation. Additional evidence is being sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Additional charges are pending.

Sheriff: Evidence going to KBI after chase, arrest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine’s embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin’s troops and tanks drove deeper into the country, closing in around the capital.

When asked on Monday if Americans should be worried about nuclear war, President Biden didn't hesitate.

Citing “aggressive statements” by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear war, whether by design or mistake.

The Russian leader is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous,” said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss rapidly unfolding military operations.

Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong resistance from Ukraine defenders. Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. U.S. officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.

Amid the mounting tensions, Western nations said they would tighten sanctions and buy and deliver weapons for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles for shooting down helicopters and other aircraft.

Representatives of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with a Russian delegation at the Belarusian border on Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the Kremlin was ultimately seeking, either in those potential talks on the border or, more broadly, from its war in Ukraine. Western officials believe Putin wants to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.

The fast-moving developments came as scattered fighting was reported in Kyiv. Battles also broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and strategic ports in the country’s south came under assault from Russian forces.

By late Sunday, Russian forces had taken Berdyansk, a Ukrainian city of 100,000 on the Azov Sea coast, according to Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to Zelenskyy’s office. Russian troops also made advances toward Kherson, another city in the south of Ukraine, while Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov that is considered a prime Russian target, is “hanging on,” Arestovich said.

With Russian troops closing in around Kyiv, a city of almost 3 million, the mayor of the capital expressed doubt that civilians could be evacuated. Authorities have been handing out weapons to anyone willing to defend the city. Ukraine is also releasing prisoners with military experience who want to fight, and training people to make firebombs.

In Mariupol, where Ukrainians were trying to fend off attack, a medical team at a city hospital desperately tried to revive a 6-year-old girl in unicorn pajamas who was mortally wounded in Russian shelling.

During the rescue attempt, a doctor in blue medical scrubs, pumping oxygen into the girl, looked directly into the Associated Press video camera capturing the scene.

“Show this to Putin,” he said angrily. “The eyes of this child, and crying doctors.”

Their resuscitation efforts failed, and the girl lay dead on a gurney, her jacket spattered with blood.

Nearly 900 kilometers (560 miles) away, Faina Bystritska was under threat in the city of Chernihiv.

“I wish I had never lived to see this,” said Bystritska, an 87-year-old Jewish survivor of World War II. She said sirens blare almost constantly in the city, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Kyiv.

Chernihiv residents have been told not to switch on any lights “so we don’t draw their attention,” said Bystritska, who has been living in a hallway, away from any windows, so she could better protect herself.

“The window glass constantly shakes, and there is this constant thundering noise,” she said.

Meanwhile, the top official in the European Union outlined plans by the 27-nation bloc to close its airspace to Russian airlines and buy weapons for Ukraine. The EU will also ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The U.S. also stepped up the flow of weapons to Ukraine, announcing it will send Stinger missiles as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. Germany likewise plans to send 500 Stingers and other military supplies.

Also, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly scheduled an emergency session Monday on Russia’s invasion.

Putin, in ordering the nuclear alert, cited not only statements by NATO members but the hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.

“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.

U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear alert level except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that Putin is resorting to the pattern he used in the weeks before the invasion, “which is to manufacture threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression.”

The practical meaning of Putin’s order was not immediately clear. Russia and the United States typically have land- and submarine-based nuclear forces that are on alert and prepared for combat at all times, but nuclear-capable bombers and other aircraft are not.

If Putin is arming or otherwise raising the nuclear combat readiness of his bombers, or if he is ordering more ballistic missile submarines to sea, then the U.S. might feel compelled to respond in kind, said Hans Kristensen, a nuclear analyst at the Federation of American Scientists.

Earlier Sunday, Kyiv was eerily quiet after explosions lit up the morning sky and authorities reported blasts at one airport. A main boulevard was practically deserted as a strict curfew kept people off the streets. Authorities warned that anyone venturing out without a pass would be considered a Russian saboteur.

Terrified residents hunkered down in homes, underground garages and subway stations in anticipation of a full-scale Russian assault. Food and medicine were running low, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

“Right now, the most important question is to defend our country,” Klitschko said.

In downtown Kharkiv, 86-year-old Olena Dudnik said she and her husband were nearly thrown from their bed by the pressure blast of a nearby explosion.

“We are suffering immensely,” she said by phone. “We don’t have much food in the pantry, and I worry the stores aren’t going to have anything either, if they reopen.” She added: “I just want the shooting to stop, people to stop being killed.”

Russia’s failure thus far to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace is a surprising lapse that has given outgunned Ukrainian forces a chance to slow the advance of Russian ground forces. Normally, gaining what the military calls air superiority is one of the first priorities for an invading force.

But even though Russian troops are being slowed by Ukrainian resistance, fuel shortages and other logistical problems, a senior U.S. defense official said that will probably change. “We are in day four. The Russians will learn and adapt,” the official said.

The number of casualties from Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II remained unclear amid the confusion.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 14 children. It said an additional 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov gave no figures on Russia’s dead and wounded but said Sunday his country’s losses were “many times” lower than Ukraine’s.

About 368,000 Ukrainians have arrived in neighboring countries since the invasion started Thursday, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

Along with military assistance, the U.S., European Union and Britain also agreed to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-european-union-704b3b6678c5d23bd05482c89a0384d2">selected Russian banks</a>&nbsp;from the SWIFT system, which moves money around thousands of banks and other financial institutions worldwide. They also moved to slap restrictions on Russia’s central bank.

Russia’s economy has taken a pounding since the invasion, with the ruble plunging and the central bank calling for calm to avoid bank runs.

Russia, which massed almost 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders, claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-conflict-updates-today-c489b6f56d84f9483802dc3f142cbc8e">its assault&nbsp;</a>is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have also been hit.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine’s embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin’s troops and tanks drove deeper into the country, closing in around the capital.When asked on Monday if Americans should be worried about nuclear war, President Biden didn't hesitate.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Should Americans be worried about nuclear war?&quot; President Biden: &quot;No.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ZRg15av1l3">pic.twitter.com/ZRg15av1l3</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1498390465602797571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Citing “aggressive statements” by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear war, whether by design or mistake.The Russian leader is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous,” said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss rapidly unfolding military operations.Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong resistance from Ukraine defenders. Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. U.S. officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.Amid the mounting tensions, Western nations said they would tighten sanctions and buy and deliver weapons for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles for shooting down helicopters and other aircraft.Representatives of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with a Russian delegation at the Belarusian border on Monday.It wasn’t immediately clear what the Kremlin was ultimately seeking, either in those potential talks on the border or, more broadly, from its war in Ukraine. Western officials believe Putin wants to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.The fast-moving developments came as scattered fighting was reported in Kyiv. Battles also broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and strategic ports in the country’s south came under assault from Russian forces.By late Sunday, Russian forces had taken Berdyansk, a Ukrainian city of 100,000 on the Azov Sea coast, according to Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to Zelenskyy’s office. Russian troops also made advances toward Kherson, another city in the south of Ukraine, while Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov that is considered a prime Russian target, is “hanging on,” Arestovich said.With Russian troops closing in around Kyiv, a city of almost 3 million, the mayor of the capital expressed doubt that civilians could be evacuated. Authorities have been handing out weapons to anyone willing to defend the city. Ukraine is also releasing prisoners with military experience who want to fight, and training people to make firebombs.In Mariupol, where Ukrainians were trying to fend off attack, a medical team at a city hospital desperately tried to revive a 6-year-old girl in unicorn pajamas who was mortally wounded in Russian shelling.During the rescue attempt, a doctor in blue medical scrubs, pumping oxygen into the girl, looked directly into the Associated Press video camera capturing the scene.“Show this to Putin,” he said angrily. “The eyes of this child, and crying doctors.”Their resuscitation efforts failed, and the girl lay dead on a gurney, her jacket spattered with blood.Nearly 900 kilometers (560 miles) away, Faina Bystritska was under threat in the city of Chernihiv.“I wish I had never lived to see this,” said Bystritska, an 87-year-old Jewish survivor of World War II. She said sirens blare almost constantly in the city, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Kyiv.Chernihiv residents have been told not to switch on any lights “so we don’t draw their attention,” said Bystritska, who has been living in a hallway, away from any windows, so she could better protect herself.“The window glass constantly shakes, and there is this constant thundering noise,” she said.Meanwhile, the top official in the European Union outlined plans by the 27-nation bloc to close its airspace to Russian airlines and buy weapons for Ukraine. The EU will also ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.The U.S. also stepped up the flow of weapons to Ukraine, announcing it will send Stinger missiles as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. Germany likewise plans to send 500 Stingers and other military supplies.Also, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly scheduled an emergency session Monday on Russia’s invasion.Putin, in ordering the nuclear alert, cited not only statements by NATO members but the hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear alert level except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that Putin is resorting to the pattern he used in the weeks before the invasion, “which is to manufacture threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression.”The practical meaning of Putin’s order was not immediately clear. Russia and the United States typically have land- and submarine-based nuclear forces that are on alert and prepared for combat at all times, but nuclear-capable bombers and other aircraft are not.If Putin is arming or otherwise raising the nuclear combat readiness of his bombers, or if he is ordering more ballistic missile submarines to sea, then the U.S. might feel compelled to respond in kind, said Hans Kristensen, a nuclear analyst at the Federation of American Scientists.Earlier Sunday, Kyiv was eerily quiet after explosions lit up the morning sky and authorities reported blasts at one airport. A main boulevard was practically deserted as a strict curfew kept people off the streets. Authorities warned that anyone venturing out without a pass would be considered a Russian saboteur.Terrified residents hunkered down in homes, underground garages and subway stations in anticipation of a full-scale Russian assault. Food and medicine were running low, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.“Right now, the most important question is to defend our country,” Klitschko said.In downtown Kharkiv, 86-year-old Olena Dudnik said she and her husband were nearly thrown from their bed by the pressure blast of a nearby explosion.“We are suffering immensely,” she said by phone. “We don’t have much food in the pantry, and I worry the stores aren’t going to have anything either, if they reopen.” She added: “I just want the shooting to stop, people to stop being killed.”Russia’s failure thus far to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace is a surprising lapse that has given outgunned Ukrainian forces a chance to slow the advance of Russian ground forces. Normally, gaining what the military calls air superiority is one of the first priorities for an invading force.But even though Russian troops are being slowed by Ukrainian resistance, fuel shortages and other logistical problems, a senior U.S. defense official said that will probably change. “We are in day four. The Russians will learn and adapt,” the official said.The number of casualties from Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II remained unclear amid the confusion.Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 14 children. It said an additional 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded.Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov gave no figures on Russia’s dead and wounded but said Sunday his country’s losses were “many times” lower than Ukraine’s.About 368,000 Ukrainians have arrived in neighboring countries since the invasion started Thursday, according to the U.N. refugee agency.Along with military assistance, the U.S., European Union and Britain also agreed to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-european-union-704b3b6678c5d23bd05482c89a0384d2">selected Russian banks</a>&nbsp;from the SWIFT system, which moves money around thousands of banks and other financial institutions worldwide. They also moved to slap restrictions on Russia’s central bank.Russia’s economy has taken a pounding since the invasion, with the ruble plunging and the central bank calling for calm to avoid bank runs.Russia, which massed almost 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders, claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-conflict-updates-today-c489b6f56d84f9483802dc3f142cbc8e">its assault&nbsp;</a>is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have also been hit.___

President Biden: Americans should not worry about nuclear war

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Sunday morning shooting at a home in Lenexa have identified the three who died.

According to Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez, the victims are 20-year-old John M. Williamson of Lenexa 22-year-old Sara M. Beck and 37-year-old Dustin J. Johnson both of Belton, Missouri.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday police responded to a reported shooting at a&nbsp; home in the 8400 Block of Laurelwood Street.

Officers found three who had been shot. One victim was dead. EMS transported two other victims to the hospital where they died, according to Chavez.

Police have not reported what led to the shooting.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Three people died after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. 

The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where they later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. This is the first homicide reported in Lenexa since last May.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Two people died and a third person was injured after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. 

Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. 

The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where one later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. And the condition of the victim that survived the shooting also wasn’t released Sunday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646085402627.png" alt="Police at a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Sunday morning shooting at a home in Lenexa have identified the three who died.According to Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez, the victims are 20-year-old John M. Williamson of Lenexa 22-year-old Sara M. Beck and 37-year-old Dustin J. Johnson both of Belton, Missouri.Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday police responded to a reported shooting at a&nbsp; home in the 8400 Block of Laurelwood Street.Officers found three who had been shot. One victim was dead. EMS transported two other victims to the hospital where they died, according to Chavez. Police have not reported what led to the shooting.-------------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Three people died after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where they later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. This is the first homicide reported in Lenexa since last May.--------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Two people died and a third person was injured after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where one later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. And the condition of the victim that survived the shooting also wasn’t released Sunday morning.

Police ID three who died after shooting at Kansas home

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.

Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.

The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.

“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”

To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.

Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.

“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646067073620.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

Kan. seeks public scrutiny of 36 broadband infrastructure projects

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has permanently blocked a Kansas law prohibiting out-of-state groups from mailing advance ballot applications to voters who request them, ordering the state to pay the attorney fees of two national nonprofit groups who sued contending it disenfranchises voters.

U.S. District Judge Kathrn Vratil declared those provisions in the law violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and permanently enjoined the state from enforcing them.

The stipulated order — which the state agreed not to appeal — partially resolves the lawsuit brought by VoteAmerica and the Voter Participation Center. The court sided with the voting rights groups on claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association and overbreadth of the law.

In January, Vratil granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-voting-rights-kansas-a710c84d95b7c2273e216596eab846bc">a preliminary injunction against the new law</a>&nbsp;before it took effect.

The law that is the focus of the litigation was one of two voting laws that were passed last year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603417995976.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has permanently blocked a Kansas law prohibiting out-of-state groups from mailing advance ballot applications to voters who request them, ordering the state to pay the attorney fees of two national nonprofit groups who sued contending it disenfranchises voters.U.S. District Judge Kathrn Vratil declared those provisions in the law violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and permanently enjoined the state from enforcing them.The stipulated order — which the state agreed not to appeal — partially resolves the lawsuit brought by VoteAmerica and the Voter Participation Center. The court sided with the voting rights groups on claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association and overbreadth of the law.In January, Vratil granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-voting-rights-kansas-a710c84d95b7c2273e216596eab846bc">a preliminary injunction against the new law</a>&nbsp;before it took effect.The law that is the focus of the litigation was one of two voting laws that were passed last year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Judge blocks Kansas law on mailed ballot applications

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/27/johnson-county-teachers-push-back-against-avalanche-of-k-12-education-reform-bills/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OLATHE — Prairie Trail Middle 
School teacher Kelly Ruiz despairs about the bundle of bills under 
consideration by the Kansas Legislature based on the premise of 
educational malfeasance in K-12 public schools.

Republican House and Senate members have demonstrated interest in 
shifting more public tax dollars to private schools, highlighting 
struggles of public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
denouncing teachers for allegedly advancing critical race theory, 
raising the possibility to labeling as offensive or removing library 
materials, weakening student vaccination programs, imposing broad 
mandates on publication of curriculum materials to an online database 
and imposing a parental bill of rights.

“We have to stop the legislation,” Ruiz said during a forum Saturday 
in Olathe. “It undermines what we do in the classroom. It disrespects 
and disregards us as professionals. Trust us. We know what saves kids. 
We know what inspires kids.”

Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican who chairs the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, and Sen. Molly Baumgardner, the Republican 
chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, have been working on the 
bulk of bills some educators find objectionable. Much of that 
legislative agenda is expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 
second half of the annual session that starts Tuesday.

“There is one central question that I try to circle back to when 
considering importing policy as chair of the House’s K-12 Education 
Budget Committee: What is best for kids?” Williams said. “With that 
central theme of kids first, or kids before systems, our committee has 
heard four bills providing more school choice, both public and private 
choices.”

In the November school board elections in Johnson County, issues of 
critical race theory, mask mandates during the pandemic and transparency
 of school district officials were prominent themes raised by candidates
 and disgruntled parents.

Annie Goodson, a Blue Valley West High School teacher, said during 
the forum she was concerned about willingness of young teachers to stick
 with education careers given challenges posed by COVID-19 and eagerness
 of politicians to leave a heavy footprint on an education system in 
Kansas serving about 500,000 students.

“They’re entering a pretty hostile atmosphere right now,” Goodson said.

Olathe third-grade teacher Jeremie Tharp, who is in her 18th year as 
an educator, said assertions public school teachers were lazy, biased or
 in the profession to indoctrinate children were wrong.

She said she’d sacrificed parts of her own young family — a 
third-grade son and sixth-grade daughter — to place her in a better 
position to impact the lives of students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. 
At times, she said, it’s not clear she has the stamina to push through 
to the next year.

Tharp keeps a “smile file” of notes from parents and students that 
document how she made a difference even when things didn’t go as 
planned.

“It is where Hudson told me I am his most favorite teacher of all, 
and Everly said that every day when she walks into class, the thing she 
likes most is me. It’s where Maggie wrote that in my classroom is the 
only place she feels like she is home and can rest, and Avery told me I 
was her best friend.”

Matthew Shulman, a social studies teacher at Blue Valley Northwest 
High School, said the quest of some politicians to be confrontational 
with public school educators would result in quality people turning away
 from the profession or prompting experienced teachers to resign.

“Instead of pushing people away,” he said, “we need to somehow find a way to support our teachers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646059763448.png" alt="Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Budget Committee, is a proponent of substantive reform of the state’s public education system serving about 500,000 students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Budget Committee, is a proponent of substantive reform of the state’s public education system serving about 500,000 students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/27/johnson-county-teachers-push-back-against-avalanche-of-k-12-education-reform-bills/">Kansas Reflector</a>OLATHE — Prairie Trail Middle 
School teacher Kelly Ruiz despairs about the bundle of bills under 
consideration by the Kansas Legislature based on the premise of 
educational malfeasance in K-12 public schools.Republican House and Senate members have demonstrated interest in 
shifting more public tax dollars to private schools, highlighting 
struggles of public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
denouncing teachers for allegedly advancing critical race theory, 
raising the possibility to labeling as offensive or removing library 
materials, weakening student vaccination programs, imposing broad 
mandates on publication of curriculum materials to an online database 
and imposing a parental bill of rights.“We have to stop the legislation,” Ruiz said during a forum Saturday 
in Olathe. “It undermines what we do in the classroom. It disrespects 
and disregards us as professionals. Trust us. We know what saves kids. 
We know what inspires kids.”Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican who chairs the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, and Sen. Molly Baumgardner, the Republican 
chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, have been working on the 
bulk of bills some educators find objectionable. Much of that 
legislative agenda is expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 
second half of the annual session that starts Tuesday.“There is one central question that I try to circle back to when 
considering importing policy as chair of the House’s K-12 Education 
Budget Committee: What is best for kids?” Williams said. “With that 
central theme of kids first, or kids before systems, our committee has 
heard four bills providing more school choice, both public and private 
choices.”In the November school board elections in Johnson County, issues of 
critical race theory, mask mandates during the pandemic and transparency
 of school district officials were prominent themes raised by candidates
 and disgruntled parents.Annie Goodson, a Blue Valley West High School teacher, said during 
the forum she was concerned about willingness of young teachers to stick
 with education careers given challenges posed by COVID-19 and eagerness
 of politicians to leave a heavy footprint on an education system in 
Kansas serving about 500,000 students.“They’re entering a pretty hostile atmosphere right now,” Goodson said.Olathe third-grade teacher Jeremie Tharp, who is in her 18th year as 
an educator, said assertions public school teachers were lazy, biased or
 in the profession to indoctrinate children were wrong.She said she’d sacrificed parts of her own young family — a 
third-grade son and sixth-grade daughter — to place her in a better 
position to impact the lives of students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. 
At times, she said, it’s not clear she has the stamina to push through 
to the next year.Tharp keeps a “smile file” of notes from parents and students that 
document how she made a difference even when things didn’t go as 
planned.“It is where Hudson told me I am his most favorite teacher of all, 
and Everly said that every day when she walks into class, the thing she 
likes most is me. It’s where Maggie wrote that in my classroom is the 
only place she feels like she is home and can rest, and Avery told me I 
was her best friend.”Matthew Shulman, a social studies teacher at Blue Valley Northwest 
High School, said the quest of some politicians to be confrontational 
with public school educators would result in quality people turning away
 from the profession or prompting experienced teachers to resign.“Instead of pushing people away,” he said, “we need to somehow find a way to support our teachers.”

Kan. teachers push back against avalanche of school reform bills

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 479 to a total of 766,045, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,946.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 479 to a total of 766,045, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,946.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646071427970.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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 (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>.

KDHE: The latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Three homes under construction were destroyed in a Monday morning fire in Johnson County.

Just before 4:30a.m., crews responded to a&nbsp;house fire in the 11100 Block of West 172nd Terrace, according to the Overland Park Fire Department.

First arriving units found heavy fire coming from a 2-story, single family home under construction. The fire spread to other homes under construction on both sides, according to Overland Park Fire Deparatment.

A second alarm was called which brought fire crews from Overland Park and Olathe.

The homes were in the framing stage and had no fire protection measures in place. Tremendous thermal columns and a south wind spread flaming embers to the adjoining house to the north.&nbsp; Radiant heat likely ignited the house to the south, according to Overland Park Fire officials.

Firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides and flowed water onto a fourth occupied home to the north to protect it from falling embers. The occupants were evacuated. The fire destroyed three homes under construction. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646055509100.png" alt="Photos courtesy Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Three homes under construction were destroyed in a Monday morning fire in Johnson County.Just before 4:30a.m., crews responded to a&nbsp;house fire in the 11100 Block of West 172nd Terrace, according to the Overland Park Fire Department.First arriving units found heavy fire coming from a 2-story, single family home under construction. The fire spread to other homes under construction on both sides, according to Overland Park Fire Deparatment.A second alarm was called which brought fire crews from Overland Park and Olathe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646056463658.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The homes were in the framing stage and had no fire protection measures in place. Tremendous thermal columns and a south wind spread flaming embers to the adjoining house to the north.&nbsp; Radiant heat likely ignited the house to the south, according to Overland Park Fire officials.Firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides and flowed water onto a fourth occupied home to the north to protect it from falling embers. The occupants were evacuated. The fire destroyed three homes under construction. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Homes under construction destroyed in Kansas fire

MARION COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an accident that occurred just before 4a.m. Sunday in Marion County released additional details Monday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php">Jonathan Medina</a>, 19, Lyons, was northbound on Indigo Road at 130th.

At the county correction line, the Toyota traveled off the embankment and rolled.

Two passengers, also member of of the Tabor College Football team identified as 22-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a>&nbsp;a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and 23-year-old<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php">&nbsp;Johnethon Aviles,&nbsp;</a>a junior from Paso Robles, California were pronounced dead at the scene. They were tranported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.

EMS transported Medina to Wesley Medical Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

MARION COUNTY—The Tabor College college community is mouring the death of students <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a> a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php"> Johnethon Aviles, </a>a junior from Paso Robles, Califorina.

The students were involved in a Sunday car accident south of Hillsboro and near Indigo Road and 130th, according to the school's web site.

A third passenger,<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php"> Jonathan Medina</a>, a freshman from Riverside, California, was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment of injuries from the accident.

“The Tabor College community is devastated by the tragic loss of Christopher Castillo, Johnethon Aviles, and of the significant injuries sustained by Jonathan Medina,” President David Janzen said. “We extend our prayers to the Castillo, Aviles and Medina families, asking for comfort, peace, and God’s presence during this unimaginable time.”

The Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement have not released details on what caused the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646046476459.png" alt="Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles -photo courtesy Tabor College" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles -photo courtesy Tabor College</figcaption>
 </figure>MARION COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an accident that occurred just before 4a.m. Sunday in Marion County released additional details Monday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eFfBQszUWVc?start=1378" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php">Jonathan Medina</a>, 19, Lyons, was northbound on Indigo Road at 130th.At the county correction line, the Toyota traveled off the embankment and rolled.Two passengers, also member of of the Tabor College Football team identified as 22-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a>&nbsp;a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and 23-year-old<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php">&nbsp;Johnethon Aviles,&nbsp;</a>a junior from Paso Robles, California were pronounced dead at the scene. They were tranported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.EMS transported Medina to Wesley Medical Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.--------MARION COUNTY—The Tabor College college community is mouring the death of students <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a> a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php"> Johnethon Aviles, </a>a junior from Paso Robles, Califorina. The students were involved in a Sunday car accident south of Hillsboro and near Indigo Road and 130th, according to the school's web site.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646046613824.png" alt="Jonathan Medina-photo courtesy Tabor College" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Medina-photo courtesy Tabor College</figcaption>
 </figure>A third passenger,<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php"> Jonathan Medina</a>, a freshman from Riverside, California, was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment of injuries from the accident.“The Tabor College community is devastated by the tragic loss of Christopher Castillo, Johnethon Aviles, and of the significant injuries sustained by Jonathan Medina,” President David Janzen said. “We extend our prayers to the Castillo, Aviles and Medina families, asking for comfort, peace, and God’s presence during this unimaginable time.”The Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement have not released details on what caused the crash.

KHP updates details of crash that killed 2 Tabor College football players

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">the 500 million free COVID-19 tests</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/" target="_blank">recently made available to the public&nbsp;</a>still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test.

Wild demand swings have been a subplot in the pandemic, from vaccines to hand sanitizer, along with tests. On the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-usps-government-covid-tests-64a4e2cc86c501187a5bb401c1552188">White House test giveaway</a>&nbsp;in January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/" target="_blank">COVIDtests.gov</a>&nbsp;received over 45 million orders. Now officials say fewer than 100,000 orders a day are coming in for the packages of four free rapid tests per household, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

Still, the White House sees the program as a step toward a deeper, yet more elastic, testing infrastructure that will accommodate demand surges and remain on standby when cases wane. “We totally intend to sustain this market,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response team, told The Associated Press. “We know the market is volatile and will come up and down with surges in variants.”

The White House says Americans have placed 68 million orders for packages of tests, which leaves about 46% of the stock of tests still available to be ordered.

Testing will become more important with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-87d7bdc811ba6521e32017072d5ea180">mask requirements now easing</a>, say some independent experts. “If infection control is still our priority, testing is central,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner and commentator on the pandemic. “Four tests per household for one family will only last you one time. There should be enough tests for families to test twice a week.”

Inglesby maintains that the pieces are falling into place to accommodate that.

Private insurers are now required to cover eight free rapid tests per person, per month. Medicare coverage will start in the spring. The administration has also been making free at-home tests available through libraries, clinics and other community venues. Capacity for the more accurate PCR tests performed by labs has been built up. The White House recently put out a request to industry for ideas on how to sustain and expand domestic testing for the rest of this year.

Wen says people still need a guide for when to test and how often. “Right now it is still unclear,” she said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">President Joe Biden’s pivot to testing came under duress</a>&nbsp;as the omicron variant gained force just before Christmas. Tests were frustratingly hard to come by, and expensive. The White House is sensitive to criticism that help may have come too late.

“There is no question some people found out they were positive from taking one of these tests and were able to keep other people from getting infected,” said Tim Manning, supply coordinator for the COVID-19 response team.

Around mid-December, with omicron projections grimmer by the day, White House officials began discussing how to make free tests available for anyone who wanted one. But if the government started siphoning up tests on the market, that would just make the shortage worse.

“A critical thing to us was that anything we did had to be done in a way did not create a shortage at retail to the general public,” Manning said.

The White House enlisted the Pentagon and parts of the Health and Human Services Department that had worked on the Trump administration’s vaccine development effort to distribute vaccines. Logistics experts scoured the globe for available tests. The Postal Service was designated to take the orders and deliver them.

That part proved to be a good call, said Hana Schank, an expert on government technology projects with the New America think-tank. The Postal Service already had a database of every address in the land, and the means to deliver.

“At the federal level the only people who have a database connected to a fulfillment engine would be the Post Office,” she said.

The project took less than a month to get ready, Manning said. “We said this is not online retail,” he said. “This is emergency response, so we have go to as fast as possible.”

To make sure it wasn’t just the tech savvy who would end up getting free tests, the administration targeted a share of deliveries to people in low-income areas. The White House worked with service organizations to get the word out.

“We prioritized the processing of orders to the highest social vulnerability zip codes in the country,” testing adviser Inglesby said.

One of the service groups was the National Association of Community Health Workers, whose members help people navigate the health care system. Executive director Denise Smith said the group was able to use its website to link more than 630,000 people to COVIDtests.gov.

Overall about 20% to 25% of the tests have gone to people in distressed areas, officials said.

Now that demand is way down, it’s unclear what will happen to the White House giveaway program. Allowing repeat orders is one possibility.

Smith says groups like hers should get any surplus. “We know where the people are,” she said.

Although the program is still in its infancy, analyst Lindsey Dawson of the Kaiser Family Foundation believes its legacy may lie in familiarizing more people with testing. “It may get someone comfortable with utilizing the tests, thinking about how they might use testing in their lives,” she said.

Savita Sharaf, a retiree from the Maryland suburbs outside the nation’s capital, said she ordered her free tests around the middle of January and got them in early February. She’s tried to conserve them, for added peace of mind. In the stores, she couldn’t find tests for less than $25.

“I’m so relieved because I can immediately test myself,” Sharaf said. “If we had a high vaccination rate, it would be a little easier to say let up on this program. But I feel we have to watch for the next month or two, to see what happens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642104330616.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">the 500 million free COVID-19 tests</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/" target="_blank">recently made available to the public&nbsp;</a>still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test.Wild demand swings have been a subplot in the pandemic, from vaccines to hand sanitizer, along with tests. On the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-usps-government-covid-tests-64a4e2cc86c501187a5bb401c1552188">White House test giveaway</a>&nbsp;in January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/" target="_blank">COVIDtests.gov</a>&nbsp;received over 45 million orders. Now officials say fewer than 100,000 orders a day are coming in for the packages of four free rapid tests per household, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.Still, the White House sees the program as a step toward a deeper, yet more elastic, testing infrastructure that will accommodate demand surges and remain on standby when cases wane. “We totally intend to sustain this market,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response team, told The Associated Press. “We know the market is volatile and will come up and down with surges in variants.”The White House says Americans have placed 68 million orders for packages of tests, which leaves about 46% of the stock of tests still available to be ordered.Testing will become more important with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-87d7bdc811ba6521e32017072d5ea180">mask requirements now easing</a>, say some independent experts. “If infection control is still our priority, testing is central,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner and commentator on the pandemic. “Four tests per household for one family will only last you one time. There should be enough tests for families to test twice a week.”Inglesby maintains that the pieces are falling into place to accommodate that.Private insurers are now required to cover eight free rapid tests per person, per month. Medicare coverage will start in the spring. The administration has also been making free at-home tests available through libraries, clinics and other community venues. Capacity for the more accurate PCR tests performed by labs has been built up. The White House recently put out a request to industry for ideas on how to sustain and expand domestic testing for the rest of this year.Wen says people still need a guide for when to test and how often. “Right now it is still unclear,” she said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">President Joe Biden’s pivot to testing came under duress</a>&nbsp;as the omicron variant gained force just before Christmas. Tests were frustratingly hard to come by, and expensive. The White House is sensitive to criticism that help may have come too late.“There is no question some people found out they were positive from taking one of these tests and were able to keep other people from getting infected,” said Tim Manning, supply coordinator for the COVID-19 response team.Around mid-December, with omicron projections grimmer by the day, White House officials began discussing how to make free tests available for anyone who wanted one. But if the government started siphoning up tests on the market, that would just make the shortage worse.“A critical thing to us was that anything we did had to be done in a way did not create a shortage at retail to the general public,” Manning said.The White House enlisted the Pentagon and parts of the Health and Human Services Department that had worked on the Trump administration’s vaccine development effort to distribute vaccines. Logistics experts scoured the globe for available tests. The Postal Service was designated to take the orders and deliver them.That part proved to be a good call, said Hana Schank, an expert on government technology projects with the New America think-tank. The Postal Service already had a database of every address in the land, and the means to deliver.“At the federal level the only people who have a database connected to a fulfillment engine would be the Post Office,” she said.The project took less than a month to get ready, Manning said. “We said this is not online retail,” he said. “This is emergency response, so we have go to as fast as possible.”To make sure it wasn’t just the tech savvy who would end up getting free tests, the administration targeted a share of deliveries to people in low-income areas. The White House worked with service organizations to get the word out.“We prioritized the processing of orders to the highest social vulnerability zip codes in the country,” testing adviser Inglesby said.One of the service groups was the National Association of Community Health Workers, whose members help people navigate the health care system. Executive director Denise Smith said the group was able to use its website to link more than 630,000 people to COVIDtests.gov.Overall about 20% to 25% of the tests have gone to people in distressed areas, officials said.Now that demand is way down, it’s unclear what will happen to the White House giveaway program. Allowing repeat orders is one possibility.Smith says groups like hers should get any surplus. “We know where the people are,” she said.Although the program is still in its infancy, analyst Lindsey Dawson of the Kaiser Family Foundation believes its legacy may lie in familiarizing more people with testing. “It may get someone comfortable with utilizing the tests, thinking about how they might use testing in their lives,” she said.Savita Sharaf, a retiree from the Maryland suburbs outside the nation’s capital, said she ordered her free tests around the middle of January and got them in early February. She’s tried to conserve them, for added peace of mind. In the stores, she couldn’t find tests for less than $25.“I’m so relieved because I can immediately test myself,” Sharaf said. “If we had a high vaccination rate, it would be a little easier to say let up on this program. But I feel we have to watch for the next month or two, to see what happens.”

Nearly half of President Biden's free COVID tests still unclaimed

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Johnson County woman faces charges related to a house fire that killed a baby in suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, Kansas.

&nbsp;Karlie Phelps, 28, is scheduled to appear in court Monday after her arrest Friday on requested charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child. The child was born on 2020, court records show.

The case involves the death of an baby who died in a deadly house fire Feb. 13 in Shawnee, Kansas, television station FOX4 reported. Firefighters battling the flames found the child's body inside the home.

Police later arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Adam Ecker, the father of the child, on charges of with first-degree murder, aggravated arson and other crimes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645917595368.png" alt="Phelps-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Phelps-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Johnson County woman faces charges related to a house fire that killed a baby in suburban&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, Kansas.&nbsp;Karlie Phelps, 28, is scheduled to appear in court Monday after her arrest Friday on requested charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child. The child was born on 2020, court records show.The case involves the death of an baby who died in a deadly house fire Feb. 13 in Shawnee, Kansas, television station FOX4 reported. Firefighters battling the flames found the child's body inside the 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>Police later arrested 28-year-old Nicholas Adam Ecker, the father of the child, on charges of with first-degree murder, aggravated arson and other crimes.

Kansas woman due in court for fire that killed baby

WASHINGTON (AP)— The U.S. for the first time has approved the direct delivery of Stinger missiles to Ukraine as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday.

The exact timing of delivery is not known, but officials say the U.S. is currently working on the logistics of the shipment. The officials agreed to discuss the development only if not quoted by name.

The decision comes on the heels of Germany’s announcement that it will send 500 Stinger missiles and other weapons and supplies to Ukraine.

The high-speed Stingers are very accurate and are used to shoot down helicopters and other aircraft. Ukrainian officials have been asking for more of the powerful weapons.

Estonia has also been providing Ukraine with Stingers since January, and in order to do that had to get U.S. permission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646012413412.png" alt="&nbsp;U.S. Paratroopers train alongside Polish Allies last week-photos courtesy 82nd Airborne Division" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;U.S. Paratroopers train alongside Polish Allies last week-photos courtesy 82nd Airborne Division</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— The U.S. for the first time has approved the direct delivery of Stinger missiles to Ukraine as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday.The exact timing of delivery is not known, but officials say the U.S. is currently working on the logistics of the shipment. The officials agreed to discuss the development only if not quoted by name.The decision comes on the heels of Germany’s announcement that it will send 500 Stinger missiles and other weapons and supplies to Ukraine.The high-speed Stingers are very accurate and are used to shoot down helicopters and other aircraft. Ukrainian officials have been asking for more of the powerful weapons.Estonia has also been providing Ukraine with Stingers since January, and in order to do that had to get U.S. permission.___

US to send anti-aircraft Stinger missiles to Ukraine

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today 
that the fastest and easiest way to check on tax refunds is by using the
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp; tool on IRS.gov or through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a> mobile app.

This year, more than ever before, those who don't normally have to 
file a tax return may wish to do so to get child-related tax credits 
that were expanded by the American Rescue Plan. These include the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5585.pdf">Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit</a>&nbsp;PDF.

Filing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> is the safest and fastest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund. Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;to
 start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed 
return is received or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a paper 
return.

The tool's tracker displays progress through three phases:

Most tax refunds are issued within 21 days, however, some may take longer. There are several reasons this can happen:

The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return.

Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit

Due to changes to the tax law made by the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2029/text">Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act)</a>, the IRS can't issue <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/how-to-work-with-a-tax-professional-to-claim-the-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</a> or <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 (ACTC)</a>
 refunds before mid-February. This includes the entire refund, not just 
the part that's related to the credit claimed on a tax return.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a> are updated for most early EITC/ACTC filers with an estimated deposit date by February 19, if they file their taxes early.

If a filer claimed the EITC or the ACTC, they can expect to get their refund March 1 if:

Some taxpayers mistakenly believe they can expedite their refund by 
ordering a tax transcript, calling the IRS or calling their tax 
preparer. Ordering a tax transcript will not help a taxpayer get their 
refund faster or find out when they'll get their refund. The information
 available on Where's My Refund? is the same information available to 
IRS telephone assistors.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools at IRS.gov. 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/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>&nbsp;PDF.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today 
that the fastest and easiest way to check on tax refunds is by using the
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp; tool on IRS.gov or through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a> mobile app.This year, more than ever before, those who don't normally have to 
file a tax return may wish to do so to get child-related tax credits 
that were expanded by the American Rescue Plan. These include the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5585.pdf">Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit</a>&nbsp;PDF.<h2>Refund updates</h2>Filing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> is the safest and fastest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund. Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;to
 start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed 
return is received or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a paper 
return.The tool's tracker displays progress through three phases:<ol>
 <li>Return Received,</li><li>Refund Approved and</li><li>Refund Sent.</li>
 </ol><h2>Refund timing</h2>Most tax refunds are issued within 21 days, however, some may take longer. There are several reasons this can happen:<ul>
 <li>The return includes a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.</li><li>The time between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank posting it
 to an account may vary since many banks do not process payments on 
weekends or holidays.</li><li>The return may require additional review.</li><li>The return may include errors or be incomplete.</li><li>The return could be affected by identity theft or fraud.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return.<h2>Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit</h2>Due to changes to the tax law made by the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2029/text">Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act)</a>, the IRS can't issue <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/how-to-work-with-a-tax-professional-to-claim-the-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</a> or <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 (ACTC)</a>
 refunds before mid-February. This includes the entire refund, not just 
the part that's related to the credit claimed on a tax return.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a> are updated for most early EITC/ACTC filers with an estimated deposit date by February 19, if they file their taxes early.If a filer claimed the EITC or the ACTC, they can expect to get their refund March 1 if:<ul>
 <li>They <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file their return online</a>,</li><li>They choose to get their refund by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> and</li><li>No issues were found with their return.</li>
 </ul><h2>Ignore refund myths</h2>Some taxpayers mistakenly believe they can expedite their refund by 
ordering a tax transcript, calling the IRS or calling their tax 
preparer. Ordering a tax transcript will not help a taxpayer get their 
refund faster or find out when they'll get their refund. The information
 available on Where's My Refund? is the same information available to 
IRS telephone assistors.Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and 
easy-to-use tools at IRS.gov. 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/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>&nbsp;PDF.

Where's my tax refund? How to track the status of your check

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who broke in to a Kansas City home was shot and killed by someone inside the home.

Kansas City police department spokeswoman Capt. Leslie Foreman said the shooting was reported around 9:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in the 3800 block of Northwest 85th Terrace,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article258849738.html">according&nbsp;</a>to the Kansas City Star.

A resident of the home told officers that he shot the armed man after he had broken into the house. The man died at the scene.

Foreman said investigators will work to determine whether the intruder and the resident knew each other. Police are also trying to determine if there is any connection between the shooting and a disturbance that was reported a short time before it not far away.

Police said the person who shot the intruder is cooperating with investigators.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who broke in to a Kansas City home was shot and killed by someone inside the home.Kansas City police department spokeswoman Capt. Leslie Foreman said the shooting was reported around 9:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in the 3800 block of Northwest 85th Terrace,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article258849738.html">according&nbsp;</a>to the Kansas City Star.A resident of the home told officers that he shot the armed man after he had broken into the house. The man died at the scene.Foreman said investigators will work to determine whether the intruder and the resident knew each other. Police are also trying to determine if there is any connection between the shooting and a disturbance that was reported a short time before it not far away.Police said the person who shot the intruder is cooperating with investigators.

Armed man who broke into KC home is shot,  killed by resident

GEARY COUNTY —The question of what a live-kill beef processing plant would mean for Geary County was explored during a public meeting on Saturday at the C. L. Hoover Opera House. 

It was hosted by&nbsp; Concerned Citizens for Sensible Economic Development With Open Communications, who are opposed to the project.&nbsp; There was a sizable turnout for the event where expert speakers who have done research on the topic spoke, and the public was allowed to ask questions and offer their input.

Here are some of&nbsp; the facts presented for the proposed plant following research by retired architect Mike Blaske.

--1,000 head of cattle per day would be killed

--160 million gallons of water would be needed per year.

--10 thousand-300 gallons of blood per day would have to be disposed of each day.

--There would be large scale truck traffic with each truck holding about 40 head of cattle.

--Bones and animal waste would have to be disposed of as well.

--This would not be considered a particularly large plant.

A keynote speaker, Don Stull,&nbsp; referred to the Foote Cattle Company as the entity considering this project. There have not been any final decisions made on proceeding with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blaske said, "I think that this is something that needs an awful lot of thought before a facility of this kind is brought in to our community."

Blaske said there have been attempts to ask the question how would this facility desal with&nbsp; the issues listed and the only answer received&nbsp; is that there is new technology. Whether it works or is in place anywhere at a slaughter plant where it could be checked was not available.&nbsp;

Blaske noted that the concerned citizens group are a little bit frustrated that they have not been getting open communication. There are nondisclosure agreements that have been signed by local leaders prohibiting&nbsp; them from talking about the project. Blaske called for better information. He also commented that he didn't understand putting a packing plant in the middle of westward growth in Junction City. The proposed location is just north of I-70 and would be on the southwest edge of the city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645925677485.jpeg" alt="Approximately 200 people attended the meeting on Saturday" />
 <figcaption>Approximately 200 people attended the meeting on Saturday</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —The question of what a live-kill beef processing plant would mean for Geary County was explored during a public meeting on Saturday at the C. L. Hoover Opera House. It was hosted by&nbsp; Concerned Citizens for Sensible Economic Development With Open Communications, who are opposed to the project.&nbsp; There was a sizable turnout for the event where expert speakers who have done research on the topic spoke, and the public was allowed to ask questions and offer their input.Here are some of&nbsp; the facts presented for the proposed plant following research by retired architect Mike Blaske.--There would be 300 employees.--1,000 head of cattle per day would be killed--160 million gallons of water would be needed per year.--10 thousand-300 gallons of blood per day would have to be disposed of each day.--There would be large scale truck traffic with each truck holding about 40 head of cattle.--Bones and animal waste would have to be disposed of as well.--Water and air pollution could occur.--This would not be considered a particularly large plant.A keynote speaker, Don Stull,&nbsp; referred to the Foote Cattle Company as the entity considering this project. There have not been any final decisions made on proceeding with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Blaske said, "I think that this is something that needs an awful lot of thought before a facility of this kind is brought in to our community."Blaske said there have been attempts to ask the question how would this facility desal with&nbsp; the issues listed and the only answer received&nbsp; is that there is new technology. Whether it works or is in place anywhere at a slaughter plant where it could be checked was not available.&nbsp;Blaske noted that the concerned citizens group are a little bit frustrated that they have not been getting open communication. There are nondisclosure agreements that have been signed by local leaders prohibiting&nbsp; them from talking about the project. Blaske called for better information. He also commented that he didn't understand putting a packing plant in the middle of westward growth in Junction City. The proposed location is just north of I-70 and would be on the southwest edge of the city.On&nbsp; the subject of odor, Blaske contacted five slaughterhouses and businesses in their communities where he gathered opinions on the smell of a facility both pro and con, ranging from odors to the need for jobs. There was information volunteered that local townspeople are no longer the workforce of these slaughterhouses. The hourly wage was pretty good and the interior of slaughter houses were not pretty. There was huge turnover of employees the first two or three years. He also noted that he learned slaughterhouses are not good neighbors and should not be located in or near a city, and instead belong in isolated locations away from a town. New workers were also transient non-English speaking people, in a lot of instances it led to crime, and is an issue for hospitals because when they treat the workers the hospitals do not get reimbursed.Retired KU anthropology professor Don Stull, has done research on the meat and poultry industry in multiple communities in three states and Canada. "In most cases the choice to bring in a packing plant was made by state and local officials&nbsp; before the general public even knew their town was under consideration. The people of Junction City are fortunate to be able to consider the consequences of the proposed meat plant and express&nbsp; their views before the final decision is made."Stull noted that meat and poultry companies deliver jobs. "But many places pursue economic development without considering the larger issues of community development. They equate development with jobs and see economic development as the sole means for community maintenance and improvement. " Stull added unless economic development results in improved quality of life it can be detrimental. "Jobs like lunches are rarely free."Stull said work on the line in a packing house is physically demanding, is dangerous, you do not need to speak English, have a high school diploma or have previous work experience to work on a packing house floor. "This helps explain why the meat and poultry industry relies heavily on immigrants and refugees." He added that low wages and disagreeable working conditions encourage employee turnover, there are greater demands on roads and highways,&nbsp; and this plant would be much smaller than others, for example, in Dodge City or Garden City.Stull noted, "There are many things the citizens and leaders of Junction City need to know before they can make an informed decision about whether to support or oppose the proposed packing plant." Information is needed on topics ranging from potential labor sources, wages, support the company will provide to the community, tax abatements and other concessions the company may ask from Junction City and Geary County.Questions from the public ranged from opposition to low wages to a desire for city and county leaders to consider the quality of life issues and be more transparent with the community.&nbsp; There was one observation about the negativity, noting that a lot of things were slanted. There was a positive reference to OSHA that 97% of meat packing plants are insured, they have 401K's, and language classes. One comment referred to Junction City not being a friendly place for larger businesses or corporations to locate. Another was that everyone should do their homework and bring the proposal to a vote. It was asked how would the city take care of water and waste disposal needs. There was also an observation that in general property values go down the closer you are to a slaughterhouse or feed yard.There were petitions in the lobby of the Opera House and yard signs available for distribution to those opposed to the project. Approximately 200 people attended the meeting.