INDEPENDENCE — A Coffeyville man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder in a 2019 shooting death in southeast Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Benjamin Job Mason II, 20, of Coffeyville, was sentenced Tuesday in Montgomery County District Court by Judge F. William Cullins on one count of first-degree murder.

Mason pleaded no contest to the charges on December 20, 2021, for his role in the 2019 shooting death of Kimberly Meeks in Independence. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Independence Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff and U.S. Postal Inspectors.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Gayoso and Stephanie Plaschka of Schmidt’s office.

Office of the Attorney GeneralINDEPENDENCE — A Coffeyville man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder in a 2019 shooting death in southeast Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.Benjamin Job Mason II, 20, of Coffeyville, was sentenced Tuesday in Montgomery County District Court by Judge F. William Cullins on one count of first-degree murder.Mason pleaded no contest to the charges on December 20, 2021, for his role in the 2019 shooting death of Kimberly Meeks in Independence. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Independence Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff and U.S. Postal Inspectors.The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Gayoso and Stephanie Plaschka of Schmidt’s office.

Kan. man sentenced to life for for 2019 shooting death

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old man who killed one person and injured three others when he fired into a party in Wichita has pleaded guilty to murder. 

Markeithen "Red" McClaine pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and three counts of attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors said the July 27, 2019, shooting at an apartment complex killed 20-year-old Airman 1st Class Chancelor Williams, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. 

Prosecutors said McClaine was picking someone up from a party when an argument broke out. Investigators said the car he was in began to drive away, but McClaine got out and fired into the crowd.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old man who killed one person and injured three others when he fired into a party in Wichita has pleaded guilty to murder. Markeithen "Red" McClaine pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and three counts of attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors said the July 27, 2019, shooting at an apartment complex killed 20-year-old Airman 1st Class Chancelor Williams, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. Prosecutors said McClaine was picking someone up from a party when an argument broke out. Investigators said the car he was in began to drive away, but McClaine got out and fired into the crowd.

Man who fired into Wichita party pleads guilty to murder

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/16/house-republican-wants-bonus-pay-for-teachers-to-replace-funding-for-at-risk-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Kristey Williams dueled Tuesday with school board 
lobbyist Mark Tallman over her proposal to create a bonus pay system for
 teachers by redirecting money earmarked for schools with high 
concentrations of low-income families.

<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2690/">House Bill 2690</a>
 would reward teachers in schools where students show 5% gains in 
standardized tests over the previous four years, or maintain a 90% level
 of proficiency. The $5,000 bonuses — or $2,500 for marginal student 
progress — would begin in the 2025-26 school year.

Funding for the merit pay program would come from a $50 million 
annual boost intended to raise the performance of at-risk students. That
 funding source is set to expire in 2024, which would leave a one-year 
gap in funding for public schools.

The Kansas Policy Institute, a longstanding adversary of public 
school funding, was the only supporter of the bill. Opponents include 
the Kansas Association of School Boards, which Tallman represents, as 
well as the teachers union, a coalition of public school advocates, the 
Kansas State Board of Education, and the Kansas PTA.

Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, said the funding for at-risk students is 
supposed to drive achievement. Without those gains, the money is “lost,”
 she said.

“We can’t just keep doing the same thing that we’ve always done, and 
we can’t not expect achievement gains, and we can’t not incentivize or 
reward achievement gains,” Williams said.

She asked Tallman: “What do you think incentivizes schools to increase proficiency?”

Tallman said he doesn’t know a school board or teacher that isn’t concerned about achievement gains.

He offered a historical perspective: When resources for Kansas public
 schools have increased, districts have used those funds to improve 
educational outcomes. When resources declined from 2009-2017, he said, 
achievement measures fell.

Lawmakers in 2018 adopted a plan to increase spending for public 
schools over a five-year period to restore funding to 2009 levels, 
adjusted for inflation. Progress was interrupted by the COVID-19 
pandemic, Tallman said.

Williams claimed that funding actually increased during the timespan 
Tallman referenced — a claim based on KPI’s strategy to conflate 
spending levels before Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration with spending
 levels plus contributions to the state employee retirement fund.

Tallman said the districts that have the biggest needs would see the 
biggest loss under Williams’ plan, including eight districts that would 
lose $300 per pupil. Another 27 districts would lose between $200 and 
$300 per pupil.

“If the answer to better student performance is just better teachers 
or better teaching, why is low performance so disproportionately focused
 on lower-income families and schools with high percentage of these 
kids?” Tallman said. “It seems to us because these kids bring so many 
other factors to school that teaching alone cannot overcome.”

By converting at-risk money into incentives for teachers, Tallman 
said, the Legislature would impose a single strategy for improving 
education outcomes.

“If you take those dollars away, then that teacher may be able to get
 a bonus, but there would be fewer aides or assistants, or one-on-one or
 summer school programs,” Tallman said.

Rep. Susan Estes, a Republican from Wichita, said she was 
disappointed the school boards that Tallman represents have not used 
funding increases to pay teachers what they deserve.

“It’s hard to do your job well when you’re worrying about paying your
 bills,” Estes said. “We have teachers who qualify for free and reduced 
lunches — and that’s shameful.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645040761734.png" alt="Mark Tallman, lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, appears Tuesday before the K-12 Education Budget Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman, lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, appears Tuesday before the K-12 Education Budget Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/16/house-republican-wants-bonus-pay-for-teachers-to-replace-funding-for-at-risk-students/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Kristey Williams dueled Tuesday with school board 
lobbyist Mark Tallman over her proposal to create a bonus pay system for
 teachers by redirecting money earmarked for schools with high 
concentrations of low-income families.<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2690/">House Bill 2690</a>
 would reward teachers in schools where students show 5% gains in 
standardized tests over the previous four years, or maintain a 90% level
 of proficiency. The $5,000 bonuses — or $2,500 for marginal student 
progress — would begin in the 2025-26 school year.Funding for the merit pay program would come from a $50 million 
annual boost intended to raise the performance of at-risk students. That
 funding source is set to expire in 2024, which would leave a one-year 
gap in funding for public schools.The Kansas Policy Institute, a longstanding adversary of public 
school funding, was the only supporter of the bill. Opponents include 
the Kansas Association of School Boards, which Tallman represents, as 
well as the teachers union, a coalition of public school advocates, the 
Kansas State Board of Education, and the Kansas PTA.Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, said the funding for at-risk students is 
supposed to drive achievement. Without those gains, the money is “lost,”
 she said.“We can’t just keep doing the same thing that we’ve always done, and 
we can’t not expect achievement gains, and we can’t not incentivize or 
reward achievement gains,” Williams said.She asked Tallman: “What do you think incentivizes schools to increase proficiency?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645040814779.jpeg" alt="Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, questions Mark Tallman during a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, questions Mark Tallman during a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Tallman said he doesn’t know a school board or teacher that isn’t concerned about achievement gains.He offered a historical perspective: When resources for Kansas public
 schools have increased, districts have used those funds to improve 
educational outcomes. When resources declined from 2009-2017, he said, 
achievement measures fell.Lawmakers in 2018 adopted a plan to increase spending for public 
schools over a five-year period to restore funding to 2009 levels, 
adjusted for inflation. Progress was interrupted by the COVID-19 
pandemic, Tallman said.Williams claimed that funding actually increased during the timespan 
Tallman referenced — a claim based on KPI’s strategy to conflate 
spending levels before Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration with spending
 levels plus contributions to the state employee retirement fund.Tallman said the districts that have the biggest needs would see the 
biggest loss under Williams’ plan, including eight districts that would 
lose $300 per pupil. Another 27 districts would lose between $200 and 
$300 per pupil.“If the answer to better student performance is just better teachers 
or better teaching, why is low performance so disproportionately focused
 on lower-income families and schools with high percentage of these 
kids?” Tallman said. “It seems to us because these kids bring so many 
other factors to school that teaching alone cannot overcome.”By converting at-risk money into incentives for teachers, Tallman 
said, the Legislature would impose a single strategy for improving 
education outcomes.“If you take those dollars away, then that teacher may be able to get
 a bonus, but there would be fewer aides or assistants, or one-on-one or
 summer school programs,” Tallman said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645040847157.jpeg" alt="Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita, questions Mark Tallman during a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita, questions Mark Tallman during a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Susan Estes, a Republican from Wichita, said she was 
disappointed the school boards that Tallman represents have not used 
funding increases to pay teachers what they deserve.“It’s hard to do your job well when you’re worrying about paying your
 bills,” Estes said. “We have teachers who qualify for free and reduced 
lunches — and that’s shameful.”

Kan. Republican wants bonus pay for teachers to replace at-risk student funding

WICHITA (AP) — Police have arrested a man suspected of shooting two people to death in Wichita earlier this week. 

Television station <a href="https://www.kake.com/story/45880775/wichita-man-arrested-in-connection-to-fatal-shooting-in-southeast-wichita">KAKE</a> reports that 20-year-old Brandon Prouse Jr. was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder in the Sunday afternoon shooting deaths of 38-year-old Bonnie Galloway and 30-year-old Connor O'Callaghan.

Both victims were unresponsive and had been shot when they were found by police, who had been called to the Wichita home for reports of a shooting. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645037540218.png" alt="Sedgwick County Detention Facility" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Detention Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA (AP) — Police have arrested a man suspected of shooting two people to death in Wichita earlier this week. Television station <a href="https://www.kake.com/story/45880775/wichita-man-arrested-in-connection-to-fatal-shooting-in-southeast-wichita">KAKE</a> reports that 20-year-old Brandon Prouse Jr. was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder in the Sunday afternoon shooting deaths of 38-year-old Bonnie Galloway and 30-year-old Connor O'Callaghan. Both victims were unresponsive and had been shot when they were found by police, who had been called to the Wichita home for reports of a shooting. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrest man suspected in Kan. double fatal shooting

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,362 to a total of 760,599 since Monday, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state reported 30 additional COVID-19 deaths since Monday for a total of 7,890. UPDATED 12:40 p.m. Wednesday to correct death 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>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,362 to a total of 760,599 since Monday, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported 30 additional COVID-19 deaths since Monday for a total of 7,890. UPDATED 12:40 p.m. Wednesday to correct death figure.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645036201926.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</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: 2,362 new COVID cases, 30 additional deaths

By
NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The State of Kansas is still challenging the federal CMS vaccine mandate, but Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt wants help from Gov. Laura Kelly since the mandate has been allowed to go on while the case continues.

"The problem with that, as we've talked about before, is that, especially in small, rural communities, where there's not a large labor pool and where many of these facilities were already in crisis staffing, they were down substantially because they couldn't find people to work there," Schmidt said. "They've lost more during the pandemic from burnout. If the federal government essentially pushes another group of nurses and workers out of those facilities because either they quit or they are terminated because they won't get the shot, the effect is to close some of those facilities or have to shrink their capacity, neither of which is good for access to care in our rural communities."

Schmidt wants the Kelly administration to apply for a waiver from the requirements for small facilities in crisis settings.

"There's nothing in the specific mandate that talks about waivers," Schmidt said. "There is general authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to, in effect, grant waivers, to provide relief from regulatory requirements, if there are certain findings, such as the requirements are going to result in damaging health care access in particular markets."

Governors in West Virginia, Virginia and Montana have asked CMS for this flexibility. Those states all have Republican governors.

"We know we disagree with the Biden administration and they disagree with us," Schmidt said. "That will have to play out in court in the big picture. Surely, we can agree that in some of these very small communities where the choice is either allow a small number of unvaccinated staff to work or your facility is going to shut down temporarily or permanently and then everybody in a nursing home is out of a place to live, everybody in the community has no access to health care, surely, in those crisis situations, we can agree that the secretary should exercise that discretion and allow more flexibility."

CMS has not appeared to budge on the mandate anywhere at this point.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643166827968.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The State of Kansas is still challenging the federal CMS vaccine mandate, but Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt wants help from Gov. Laura Kelly since the mandate has been allowed to go on while the case continues."The problem with that, as we've talked about before, is that, especially in small, rural communities, where there's not a large labor pool and where many of these facilities were already in crisis staffing, they were down substantially because they couldn't find people to work there," Schmidt said. "They've lost more during the pandemic from burnout. If the federal government essentially pushes another group of nurses and workers out of those facilities because either they quit or they are terminated because they won't get the shot, the effect is to close some of those facilities or have to shrink their capacity, neither of which is good for access to care in our rural communities."Schmidt wants the Kelly administration to apply for a waiver from the requirements for small facilities in crisis settings."There's nothing in the specific mandate that talks about waivers," Schmidt said. "There is general authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to, in effect, grant waivers, to provide relief from regulatory requirements, if there are certain findings, such as the requirements are going to result in damaging health care access in particular markets."Governors in West Virginia, Virginia and Montana have asked CMS for this flexibility. Those states all have Republican governors."We know we disagree with the Biden administration and they disagree with us," Schmidt said. "That will have to play out in court in the big picture. Surely, we can agree that in some of these very small communities where the choice is either allow a small number of unvaccinated staff to work or your facility is going to shut down temporarily or permanently and then everybody in a nursing home is out of a place to live, everybody in the community has no access to health care, surely, in those crisis situations, we can agree that the secretary should exercise that discretion and allow more flexibility."CMS has not appeared to budge on the mandate anywhere at this point.

Schmidt wants Kelly to ask CMS for vaccine mandate waiver

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a
pharmacist with one count of tampering with a consumer product, one count of possession of
Tramadol by deception and subterfuge, one count of possession of Zolpidem by deception and
subterfuge, and one count of possession of oxycodone hydrochloride by deception and subterfuge.


According to court documents, from July 2020 to October 2020, Benjamin Dandurand, 34, of
Shawnee Mission is accused of allegedly using his fingerprint at a pharmacy in Lenexa to remove
oxycodone hydrochloride from a safe. He allegedly removed the controlled substance from the
bottle and replaced it with an alternate liquid substance before returning the bottle to the safe.
Dandurand also allegedly took Tramadol, oxycodone hydrochloride, and Zolpidem from the
pharmacy between September 2020 and October 2020.


The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the
case.


Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting the case.


U.S. Attorney's OfficeKANSAS CITY, Kan. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a
pharmacist with one count of tampering with a consumer product, one count of possession of
Tramadol by deception and subterfuge, one count of possession of Zolpidem by deception and
subterfuge, and one count of possession of oxycodone hydrochloride by deception and subterfuge.
According to court documents, from July 2020 to October 2020, Benjamin Dandurand, 34, of
Shawnee Mission is accused of allegedly using his fingerprint at a pharmacy in Lenexa to remove
oxycodone hydrochloride from a safe. He allegedly removed the controlled substance from the
bottle and replaced it with an alternate liquid substance before returning the bottle to the safe.
Dandurand also allegedly took Tramadol, oxycodone hydrochloride, and Zolpidem from the
pharmacy between September 2020 and October 2020.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the
case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting the case.

Grand jury indicts Kan. pharmacist on multiple drug allegations

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/15/faith-leaders-and-educators-urge-lawmakers-to-reject-bills-undermining-kansas-schools/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A coalition of Kansas faith leaders and education advocates 
are calling on lawmakers to reject legislation currently being drafted 
to ban or restrict teaching about U.S. racial history.

More than 50 people gathered Tuesday on the first floor of the 
Capitol in Topeka to rally against what they considered a concerted 
effort to dismantle diversity and inclusion initiatives at Kansas public
 schools. One such measure would establish a parental bill of rights, 
creating a series of transparency checks to ensure parents have 
knowledge of all material made available in school.

<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2662/">House Bill 2662</a>
 also compromises the affirmative defense for schools and educators if 
somebody charges them with promoting material harmful to minors. The 
House K-12 Education Budget Committee is set for a hearing on the 
measure Wednesday.

“This conversation about race or critical theory, whatever the right 
is calling it, is being used as an excuse to undermine support for 
public schools,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director for Kansas 
Interfaith Action. “We need to reach out to kids from across different 
spectrums, bring them into the conversation and to center the experience
 of people not often centered in our history books.”

A handful of faith leaders, equal rights advocates and teachers 
joined Rieber to describe their view of the Kansas Legislature’s 
approach to education. The consensus was that careless laws are putting 
teachers in the crosshairs of angry parents and pushing some out of the 
field entirely.

Across the country, a discussion surrounding critical race theory — 
an academic framework analyzing the role of systemic racism in American 
society — has led to the passing of laws against its inclusion in 
curriculum, which advocates argue is a thinly veiled attack on all 
diversity policies. Members of the state board of education and local 
school boards have stated that critical race theory is not part of any 
Kansas curriculum.

Chloe
 Chaffin, a Washburn University student studying secondary English 
education, said she has always wanted to be a teacher. Stories of 
harassment over curriculum choices are the only thing holding her back 
and other young, aspiring teachers she has engaged with often feel 
similarly, she said.

“As I talk to my professors and students in my program, I often hear 
that our class sizes in the education program are getting smaller and 
smaller, that they aren’t able convince enough students to go into the 
profession, and I believe that bills such as these passing their way 
through the Legislature are a reason why,” Chaffin said.

Michael Rebne, a public school teacher and Roeland Park City Council 
member, said some legislators in the building were trying to villainize 
the teaching profession and that these efforts would hamper students’ 
chances for an equitable future.

“We need to help our students get to the children of this country in 
order to understand why it is so important to continue to fight for 
democracy and freedom,” Rebne said. “We’re here to tell the right-wing 
legislators inside this building that we will not carry their ignorance,
 racism and fear into our schools.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645024703528.png" alt="Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director for Kansas Interfaith Action, speaks out against the parental bill of rights measure during a rally Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. The proposed bill would work to cover up U.S. history, he said. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director for Kansas Interfaith Action, speaks out against the parental bill of rights measure during a rally Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka. The proposed bill would work to cover up U.S. history, he said. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/15/faith-leaders-and-educators-urge-lawmakers-to-reject-bills-undermining-kansas-schools/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A coalition of Kansas faith leaders and education advocates 
are calling on lawmakers to reject legislation currently being drafted 
to ban or restrict teaching about U.S. racial history.More than 50 people gathered Tuesday on the first floor of the 
Capitol in Topeka to rally against what they considered a concerted 
effort to dismantle diversity and inclusion initiatives at Kansas public
 schools. One such measure would establish a parental bill of rights, 
creating a series of transparency checks to ensure parents have 
knowledge of all material made available in school.<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2662/">House Bill 2662</a>
 also compromises the affirmative defense for schools and educators if 
somebody charges them with promoting material harmful to minors. The 
House K-12 Education Budget Committee is set for a hearing on the 
measure Wednesday.“This conversation about race or critical theory, whatever the right 
is calling it, is being used as an excuse to undermine support for 
public schools,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director for Kansas 
Interfaith Action. “We need to reach out to kids from across different 
spectrums, bring them into the conversation and to center the experience
 of people not often centered in our history books.”A handful of faith leaders, equal rights advocates and teachers 
joined Rieber to describe their view of the Kansas Legislature’s 
approach to education. The consensus was that careless laws are putting 
teachers in the crosshairs of angry parents and pushing some out of the 
field entirely.Across the country, a discussion surrounding critical race theory — 
an academic framework analyzing the role of systemic racism in American 
society — has led to the passing of laws against its inclusion in 
curriculum, which advocates argue is a thinly veiled attack on all 
diversity policies. Members of the state board of education and local 
school boards have stated that critical race theory is not part of any 
Kansas curriculum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645024758153.png" alt="About 50 people gathered to oppose legislation that opponents say will undermine the authority of teachers and school boards to properly educate Kansas students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>About 50 people gathered to oppose legislation that opponents say will undermine the authority of teachers and school boards to properly educate Kansas students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Chloe
 Chaffin, a Washburn University student studying secondary English 
education, said she has always wanted to be a teacher. Stories of 
harassment over curriculum choices are the only thing holding her back 
and other young, aspiring teachers she has engaged with often feel 
similarly, she said.“As I talk to my professors and students in my program, I often hear 
that our class sizes in the education program are getting smaller and 
smaller, that they aren’t able convince enough students to go into the 
profession, and I believe that bills such as these passing their way 
through the Legislature are a reason why,” Chaffin said.Michael Rebne, a public school teacher and Roeland Park City Council 
member, said some legislators in the building were trying to villainize 
the teaching profession and that these efforts would hamper students’ 
chances for an equitable future.“We need to help our students get to the children of this country in 
order to understand why it is so important to continue to fight for 
democracy and freedom,” Rebne said. “We’re here to tell the right-wing 
legislators inside this building that we will not carry their ignorance,
 racism and fear into our schools.”

Faith leaders, educators urge Kan. lawmakers to reject 'parental bill of rights'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ordering the release of Trump White House visitor logs to the House committee investigating the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, once more rejecting former President Donald Trump’s claims of executive privilege.

The committee has sought a trove of data from the National Archives, including presidential records that Trump had fought to keep private. The records being released to Congress are visitor logs showing appointment information for individuals who were allowed to enter the White House on the day of the insurrection.

In a letter sent Monday to the National Archives, White House counsel Dana Remus said Biden had considered Trump’s claim that because he was president at the time of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the records should remain private, but decided that it was “not in the best interest of the United States” to do so.

She also noted that as a matter of policy, the Biden administration “voluntarily discloses such visitor logs on a monthly basis,” as did the Obama administration and that the majority of the entries over which Trump asserted the claim would be publicly released under the current policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644692713491.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ordering the release of Trump White House visitor logs to the House committee investigating the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, once more rejecting former President Donald Trump’s claims of executive privilege.The committee has sought a trove of data from the National Archives, including presidential records that Trump had fought to keep private. The records being released to Congress are visitor logs showing appointment information for individuals who were allowed to enter the White House on the day of the insurrection.In a letter sent Monday to the National Archives, White House counsel Dana Remus said Biden had considered Trump’s claim that because he was president at the time of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the records should remain private, but decided that it was “not in the best interest of the United States” to do so.She also noted that as a matter of policy, the Biden administration “voluntarily discloses such visitor logs on a monthly basis,” as did the Obama administration and that the majority of the entries over which Trump asserted the claim would be publicly released under the current policy.

Biden orders release of Trump White House logs to Congress

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two former officers at the Leavenworth Detention Center admitted to smuggling contraband into the prison. Federal prosecutors announced that the officers pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to accept bribes and provide contraband to inmates of a federal prison. 

Prosecutors said 26-year-old Jacqueline Sifuentes, of Laredo, Texas, smuggled methamphetamine, marijuana and tobacco into the prison in exchange for bribes from a federal inmate. And 29-year-old Cheyonte Harris, of Raytown, Missouri, pleaded guilty to smuggle contraband into the prison in exchange for bribes from inmates and their associates. 

They worked at the Leavenworth Detention Center, a privately-run maximum-security federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. They are scheduled to be sentenced May 17.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two former officers at the Leavenworth Detention Center admitted to smuggling contraband into the prison. Federal prosecutors announced that the officers pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to accept bribes and provide contraband to inmates of a federal prison. Prosecutors said 26-year-old Jacqueline Sifuentes, of Laredo, Texas, smuggled methamphetamine, marijuana and tobacco into the prison in exchange for bribes from a federal inmate. And 29-year-old Cheyonte Harris, of Raytown, Missouri, pleaded guilty to smuggle contraband into the prison in exchange for bribes from inmates and their associates. They worked at the Leavenworth Detention Center, a privately-run maximum-security federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. They are scheduled to be sentenced May 17.

Former Kan. prison officers admit to smuggling contraband

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Detectives are investigating after a man was found shot to death Wednesday morning inside an apartment in Kansas City, Kansas. 

Television station WDAF reports that police were called to the apartment around 3:30 a.m. for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the body of a man who had been shot. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the man's name and have not announced any suspects or arrests in the case.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Detectives are investigating after a man was found shot to death Wednesday morning inside an apartment in Kansas City, Kansas. Television station WDAF reports that police were called to the apartment around 3:30 a.m. for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the body of a man who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the man's name and have not announced any suspects or arrests in the case.

Man found fatally shot inside Kansas City, Kansas, apartment

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

A traffic stop in Pawnee County around 10:45 p.m. Monday led to two arrests on multiple charges.

The
 Pawnee County Sheriff's Office K-9 was deployed during the traffic 
stop;  with positive indication, deputies were able to locate four 
ounces of methamphetamine, 1.9 grams of mushrooms and drug 
paraphernalia.  One female was taken into custody.

This 
investigation paved the way for a search warrant Tuesday, resulting
 in the arrest of a male on charges of distribution, possession and 
multiple offender registration violations.

Both subjects are being held at the Pawnee County jail on $100,000 bonds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645025367639.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>A traffic stop in Pawnee County around 10:45 p.m. Monday led to two arrests on multiple charges.The
 Pawnee County Sheriff's Office K-9 was deployed during the traffic 
stop; with positive indication, deputies were able to locate four 
ounces of methamphetamine, 1.9 grams of mushrooms and drug 
paraphernalia. One female was taken into custody.This 
investigation paved the way for a search warrant Tuesday, resulting
 in the arrest of a male on charges of distribution, possession and 
multiple offender registration violations.Both subjects are being held at the Pawnee County jail on $100,000 bonds.

Pawnee Co. traffic stop ends with arrests and meth & mushrooms seized

WASHINGTON
 — With phone volumes continuing at historic levels, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers IRS.gov, should be the first stop for 
taxpayers seeking information and help with their federal taxes.

Available around the clock, IRS.gov has a variety of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">online tools, applications, and resources</a> available to help people prepare and file their taxes or help with refund tracking. Research tools like the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a> and answers for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</a> provide in-depth answers on many tax subjects.

Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> to prepare and electronically file their returns. They can also set up <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> for their refunds, which is the fastest way to get their money.

IRS Free File software products are part of a 20-year partnership 
with leading tax software providers who make their online tax 
preparation products available for free with the IRS. Free File is 
available to any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. 
This represents about 70% of taxpayers.

IRS Free File is free when eligible taxpayers go through <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS.gov/freefile</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>,
 the electronic version of paper IRS tax forms, are available to all 
taxpayers earning any income amount. They're most useful for those who 
are comfortable preparing and filing their own taxes online.

<a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>
 is also available for members of the military and qualifying veterans. 
This Department of Defense program generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns. Users can also set up direct deposit for their refunds.

Find answers with the Interactive Tax Assistant

The Interactive Tax Assistant answers general tax law questions, 
including helping to determine if a type of income is taxable or if 
someone is eligible to claim certain credits and deductions. With 
changes to income and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a> for many in 2021, tax <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a> can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket.

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that 
prevents criminals from filing a fraudulent tax return using another 
taxpayer's Social Security number. The IP PIN is known only to the 
taxpayer and the IRS, and helps the IRS verify the taxpayer's identity 
when they file their electronic or paper tax return.

The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)</a>
 program offers free basic tax return preparation, electronic filing, 
and direct deposit of refunds to qualified taxpayers. The program is 
free for:

The <a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> program also offers free tax help for taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/">VITA/TCE Site Locator</a> can help eligible taxpayers find the nearest community-based VITA/TCE site staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers.

IRS.gov offers a searchable directory that helps taxpayers <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">find qualified local tax professionals</a> in their area. The list can be sorted by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/things-taxpayers-should-remember-when-searching-for-a-tax-preparer">tips for choosing a tax preparer</a> and how to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-dont-be-victim-to-ghost-tax-return-preparers">avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers</a> are important starting points before hiring a tax professional.

Taxpayers can securely access their individual Online Account to view
 important information they can use to file an accurate return. This 
includes:

Taxpayers can make a payment from their bank account through their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">IRS Direct Pay</a>.
 In Online Account, they can view up to 5 years of their payment history
 and any pending or scheduled payments. Taxpayers can see their 
different payment options on IRS.gov which include: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">Electronic Funds Withdrawal</a> (during e-filing), <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">credit or debit card</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-with-cash">or cash</a> at a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-with-cash-at-a-retail-partner">participating retail store</a>.

Taxpayers can meet their tax obligation in monthly installments by setting up a payment plan on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">IRS.gov/paymentplan</a> in a matter of minutes. Setup fees may apply for some types of plans. An <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise">offer in compromise</a>
 is a way for a taxpayer to settle their tax debt for less than the full
 amount. A pre-qualifier tool is available online. If the IRS determines
 a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may temporarily delay collection until 
the taxpayer's financial condition improves.

Taxpayers can receive the most up-to-date information about their tax
 refund using the Where's My Refund?&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov and on the official
 IRS mobile app, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a>.

The IRS2Go app offers great mobile features

Users can check the status of an income tax refund within 24 hours 
after the IRS accepts their electronically filed return, or about four 
weeks after mailing a paper return.

The IRS2Go app also provides easy access to mobile-friendly payment 
options like IRS Direct Pay, offering a free, secure way to pay directly
 from a bank account. It can locate free tax help, connect to IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">social media accounts</a> and can generate login <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">security codes</a> for certain IRS online services, allowing the retrieval of codes through IRS2Go instead of using text messages.

The Outreach Connection page provides information for groups inside 
and outside the tax community. Subscribers to Outreach Connection can 
keep clients, employees, customers, constituents, partners and even 
families connected to tax-related useful information and materials for 
tax topics and issues that affect them.

This release is part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>,
 a series of news releases designed to help taxpayers get the 
information they need to file an accurate tax return. Additional help is
 available in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>, on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — With phone volumes continuing at historic levels, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers IRS.gov, should be the first stop for 
taxpayers seeking information and help with their federal taxes.Available around the clock, IRS.gov has a variety of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">online tools, applications, and resources</a> available to help people prepare and file their taxes or help with refund tracking. Research tools like the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a> and answers for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</a> provide in-depth answers on many tax subjects.<h2>Prepare and file taxes online for free</h2>Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> to prepare and electronically file their returns. They can also set up <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> for their refunds, which is the fastest way to get their money.IRS Free File software products are part of a 20-year partnership 
with leading tax software providers who make their online tax 
preparation products available for free with the IRS. Free File is 
available to any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. 
This represents about 70% of taxpayers.IRS Free File is free when eligible taxpayers go through <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS.gov/freefile</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>,
 the electronic version of paper IRS tax forms, are available to all 
taxpayers earning any income amount. They're most useful for those who 
are comfortable preparing and filing their own taxes online.<a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>
 is also available for members of the military and qualifying veterans. 
This Department of Defense program generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns. Users can also set up direct deposit for their refunds.<h2>Find answers with the Interactive Tax Assistant</h2>The Interactive Tax Assistant answers general tax law questions, 
including helping to determine if a type of income is taxable or if 
someone is eligible to claim certain credits and deductions. With 
changes to income and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a> for many in 2021, tax <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a> can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket.<h2>Get an Identity Protection PIN</h2>An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that 
prevents criminals from filing a fraudulent tax return using another 
taxpayer's Social Security number. The IP PIN is known only to the 
taxpayer and the IRS, and helps the IRS verify the taxpayer's identity 
when they file their electronic or paper tax return.<h2>Locate local free tax preparation</h2>The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)</a>
 program offers free basic tax return preparation, electronic filing, 
and direct deposit of refunds to qualified taxpayers. The program is 
free for:<ul>
 <li>People who generally make $58,000 or less</li><li>Those with disabilities</li><li>Taxpayers with English as a second language</li>
 </ul>The <a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> program also offers free tax help for taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/">VITA/TCE Site Locator</a> can help eligible taxpayers find the nearest community-based VITA/TCE site staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers.<h2>Find a local tax professional</h2>IRS.gov offers a searchable directory that helps taxpayers <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">find qualified local tax professionals</a> in their area. The list can be sorted by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/things-taxpayers-should-remember-when-searching-for-a-tax-preparer">tips for choosing a tax preparer</a> and how to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-dont-be-victim-to-ghost-tax-return-preparers">avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers</a> are important starting points before hiring a tax professional.<h2>Online Account can help</h2>Taxpayers can securely access their individual Online Account to view
 important information they can use to file an accurate return. This 
includes:<ul>
 <li>Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payment amounts: Total amounts of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">advance Child Tax Credit payments</a> and Economic Impact Payments needed to complete an accurate return are found on the Tax Records page.</li><li>Adjusted gross income: Taxpayers can find their 
AGI from their most recently filed tax return. This helps if they use a 
different tax software or tax preparer this year. </li><li>Estimated tax payment amounts: The total of any 
estimated tax payments made during the year or refunds applied as a 
credit can be found on the Account Balance page, and a record of each 
payment appears under Payment Activity.</li><li>Communication preference: Individuals can update 
their communication preferences. They can request personalized email 
notifications for new digital notices and go paperless for certain 
notices from the IRS.</li><li>Tax transcripts: Taxpayers can view, print or 
download a tax transcript after the IRS has processed the return, which 
can show return and/or account data. They can also find changes or 
transactions made after they filed their original return.</li>
 </ul><h2>Make a tax payment</h2>Taxpayers can make a payment from their bank account through their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">IRS Direct Pay</a>.
 In Online Account, they can view up to 5 years of their payment history
 and any pending or scheduled payments. Taxpayers can see their 
different payment options on IRS.gov which include: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">Electronic Funds Withdrawal</a> (during e-filing), <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">credit or debit card</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-with-cash">or cash</a> at a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-with-cash-at-a-retail-partner">participating retail store</a>.<h2>Set up a payment plan</h2>Taxpayers can meet their tax obligation in monthly installments by setting up a payment plan on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">IRS.gov/paymentplan</a> in a matter of minutes. Setup fees may apply for some types of plans. An <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise">offer in compromise</a>
 is a way for a taxpayer to settle their tax debt for less than the full
 amount. A pre-qualifier tool is available online. If the IRS determines
 a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may temporarily delay collection until 
the taxpayer's financial condition improves.<h2>Track refunds with Where's My Refund?</h2>Taxpayers can receive the most up-to-date information about their tax
 refund using the Where's My Refund?&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov and on the official
 IRS mobile app, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a>.<h2>The IRS2Go app offers great mobile features</h2>Users can check the status of an income tax refund within 24 hours 
after the IRS accepts their electronically filed return, or about four 
weeks after mailing a paper return.The IRS2Go app also provides easy access to mobile-friendly payment 
options like IRS Direct Pay, offering a free, secure way to pay directly
 from a bank account. It can locate free tax help, connect to IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">social media accounts</a> and can generate login <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">security codes</a> for certain IRS online services, allowing the retrieval of codes through IRS2Go instead of using text messages.<h2>IRS Outreach Connection</h2>The Outreach Connection page provides information for groups inside 
and outside the tax community. Subscribers to Outreach Connection can 
keep clients, employees, customers, constituents, partners and even 
families connected to tax-related useful information and materials for 
tax topics and issues that affect them.This release is part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>,
 a series of news releases designed to help taxpayers get the 
information they need to file an accurate tax return. Additional help is
 available in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>, on IRS.gov.

IRS offers filing season Tax Time Guide

KANSAS CITY —A man who took a running vehicle from a KC-area driveway with two young children inside the vehicle has been charged with felonies, including kidnapping, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Mitchell S. Green, 42, faces two counts of Child Kidnapping and Tampering With a Motor Vehicle.

According to court records, the defendant on Sunday afternoon got into running vehicle parked in the driveway of a Lee's Summit residence. He drove off in the Red Edge with two children under the age of 4 in the vehicle. 

The mother told police she ran inside the residence to get baby wipes and took her keys. But the vehicle was already running. She turned and saw a man driving away in the vehicle. 

She ran after and tried to stop it. Then she called police. Police issued an Amber Alert and a resident alerted police about the suspect. Independence police located and stopped the vehicle &nbsp;in the area of Interstate 70 and Little Blue Parkway. Questioned by investigators, the suspect admitted to taking the car and that the car was not his. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644924046602.png" alt="Green-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Green-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A man who took a running vehicle from a KC-area driveway with two young children inside the vehicle has been charged with felonies, including kidnapping, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Mitchell S. Green, 42, faces two counts of Child Kidnapping and Tampering With a Motor Vehicle.According to court records, the defendant on Sunday afternoon got into running vehicle parked in the driveway of a Lee's Summit residence. He drove off in the Red Edge with two children under the age of 4 in the vehicle. The mother told police she ran inside the residence to get baby wipes and took her keys. But the vehicle was already running. She turned and saw a man driving away in the vehicle. She ran after and tried to stop it. Then she called police. Police issued an Amber Alert and a resident alerted police about the suspect. Independence police located and stopped the vehicle &nbsp;in the area of Interstate 70 and Little Blue Parkway. Questioned by investigators, the suspect admitted to taking the car and that the car was not his. &nbsp;&nbsp;He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.

Suspect in KC-area Amber Alert charged with kidnapping 

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;With tax season in full swing, the Internal Revenue 
Service, state tax agencies and tax industry today warned tax 
professionals of new email scams that attempt to steal their tax 
software preparation credentials.

The Security Summit partners warned these scams serve as a reminder that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 remain prime targets for thieves. These thieves try to steal client 
data and tax preparers' identities in an attempt to file fraudulent tax 
returns for refunds.

The latest phishing email uses the IRS logo and a variety of subject 
lines such as "Action Required: Your account has now been put on hold." 
The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from a "tax 
preparation application provider." One such variation offers an "unusual
 activity report" and a solution link for the recipient to restore their
 account.

"Scams continue to evolve, and this one is especially sinister since 
it threatens tax professional's accounts," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Tax professionals must remain vigilant in identifying and 
staying clear of these IRS impersonation emails. A little extra care can
 protect the tax professionals and their clients."

Emails claiming "Your account has been put on hold" are scams

The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from tax 
software providers. The scam email will send users to a website that 
shows the logos of several popular tax software preparation providers. 
Clicking on one of these logos requests tax preparer account 
credentials.

The IRS warns tax pros not to respond or take any of the steps 
outlined in the email. Similar emails include malicious links or 
attachments that are set up to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">steal information</a>&nbsp;PDF or to download malware onto the tax professional's computer.

In this case, if recipients enter their credentials into the pop up 
window, thieves can use this information to file fraudulent returns by 
using credentials that were provided by the tax professional.

An example of this type of bogus email states:

ALL preparers are required to apply security feature to their Tax Pro account towards 2021 Tax Returns processing.

You have failed to apply new update before expiry date

You are restore and update your acc|ount immediately.

Please Click Here to update your acc|ount now.

Failure to update your account within the next 24hours will lead to 
you account being terminated and be barred from filing tax returns 
claims for 2021 tax season Your access will be restored once you have 
updated your details.

Tax professionals who clicked on one of the URLs and then entered
 in their account information should contact their tax software 
preparation provider's support hotline.

Tax professionals who get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">scam email</a> should save the email as a file and then send it as an attachment to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>. They should also notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">www.tigta.gov</a> to report the IRS impersonation scam. Both TIGTA and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation">IRS Criminal Investigation division</a> are aware of this scam.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together in the Security Summit initiative – have taken numerous steps 
since 2015 to protect taxpayers, businesses and the tax system from 
identity thieves. Summit partners continue to warn people to watch out 
for common scams and schemes this tax season.

For additional information and help, tax professionals should review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>&nbsp;PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;With tax season in full swing, the Internal Revenue 
Service, state tax agencies and tax industry today warned tax 
professionals of new email scams that attempt to steal their tax 
software preparation credentials.The Security Summit partners warned these scams serve as a reminder that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 remain prime targets for thieves. These thieves try to steal client 
data and tax preparers' identities in an attempt to file fraudulent tax 
returns for refunds.The latest phishing email uses the IRS logo and a variety of subject 
lines such as "Action Required: Your account has now been put on hold." 
The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from a "tax 
preparation application provider." One such variation offers an "unusual
 activity report" and a solution link for the recipient to restore their
 account."Scams continue to evolve, and this one is especially sinister since 
it threatens tax professional's accounts," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Tax professionals must remain vigilant in identifying and 
staying clear of these IRS impersonation emails. A little extra care can
 protect the tax professionals and their clients."<h2>Emails claiming "Your account has been put on hold" are scams</h2>The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from tax 
software providers. The scam email will send users to a website that 
shows the logos of several popular tax software preparation providers. 
Clicking on one of these logos requests tax preparer account 
credentials.The IRS warns tax pros not to respond or take any of the steps 
outlined in the email. Similar emails include malicious links or 
attachments that are set up to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">steal information</a>&nbsp;PDF or to download malware onto the tax professional's computer.In this case, if recipients enter their credentials into the pop up 
window, thieves can use this information to file fraudulent returns by 
using credentials that were provided by the tax professional.An example of this type of bogus email states:<h2>Your account has now been put on hold</h2>ALL preparers are required to apply security feature to their Tax Pro account towards 2021 Tax Returns processing.You have failed to apply new update before expiry dateYou are restore and update your acc|ount immediately.Please Click Here to update your acc|ount now.ImportantFailure to update your account within the next 24hours will lead to 
you account being terminated and be barred from filing tax returns 
claims for 2021 tax season Your access will be restored once you have 
updated your details.Sincerely,IRS.gov eServicesTax professionals who clicked on one of the URLs and then entered
 in their account information should contact their tax software 
preparation provider's support hotline.Tax professionals who get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">scam email</a> should save the email as a file and then send it as an attachment to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>. They should also notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">www.tigta.gov</a> to report the IRS impersonation scam. Both TIGTA and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation">IRS Criminal Investigation division</a> are aware of this scam.The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together in the Security Summit initiative – have taken numerous steps 
since 2015 to protect taxpayers, businesses and the tax system from 
identity thieves. Summit partners continue to warn people to watch out 
for common scams and schemes this tax season.For additional information and help, tax professionals should review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>&nbsp;PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

Latest spearphishing scams target tax professionals

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp;&nbsp;a shooting in the parking lot of a Dillons store arrested an 18-year-old from Oklahoma.

Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on February 10, police responded to a shooting call at 21st and Maize Road. Wichita Fire Department personnel were at the Dillon’s store at that location when they located a a man identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Iman Foye of Muskogee, Oklahoma with a gunshot wound, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Foye directed them to another victim, a 21-year-old man who was in the parking lot between two vehicles with multiple gunshot wounds.

Both Foye and the 21-year-old were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. Foye was released from the hospital on Feb. 13 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery and criminal use of weapons.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 21-year-old male remains hospitalized.

Investigators learned that shortly after 2:00 p.m. on the 10th, one of the involved vehicles backed into a parking stall on the east side of the parking lot. A man then exited the vehicle, removed something from the trunk, then re-entered the car. Later, the other vehicle backed into a stall next to the first one. Shortly after that, gunfire was exchanged between the two cars, and three men exited the cars. It was initially believed that three men fled into the neighborhood to the east, while one remained by the vehicles.

However, it has since been discovered that only two fled into the neighborhood, and one remained by the vehicles, according to Davidson. Foye&nbsp; is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644948108306.png" alt="Foye photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Foye photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp;&nbsp;a shooting in the parking lot of a Dillons store arrested an 18-year-old from Oklahoma.Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on February 10, police responded to a shooting call at 21st and Maize Road. Wichita Fire Department personnel were at the Dillon’s store at that location when they located a a man identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Iman Foye of Muskogee, Oklahoma with a gunshot wound, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Foye directed them to another victim, a 21-year-old man who was in the parking lot between two vehicles with multiple gunshot wounds.Both Foye and the 21-year-old were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. Foye was released from the hospital on Feb. 13 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery and criminal use of weapons.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 21-year-old male remains hospitalized.Investigators learned that shortly after 2:00 p.m. on the 10th, one of the involved vehicles backed into a parking stall on the east side of the parking lot. A man then exited the vehicle, removed something from the trunk, then re-entered the car. Later, the other vehicle backed into a stall next to the first one. Shortly after that, gunfire was exchanged between the two cars, and three men exited the cars. It was initially believed that three men fled into the neighborhood to the east, while one remained by the vehicles.However, it has since been discovered that only two fled into the neighborhood, and one remained by the vehicles, according to Davidson. Foye&nbsp; is no longer in custody.

Kansas teen in parking lot gun fight moved from hospital to jail

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-15/kansas-lawmakers-want-schools-to-post-class-lessons-online-as-a-tool-against-critical-race-theory">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— In the battle over critical race theory and 
how to teach about topics like racism or history in Kansas schools, 
conservative activists and lawmakers have a new clarion call: curriculum
 transparency.

They want schools to be more open about what 
they’re teaching, and they want districts to put classroom and training 
materials online for the public to see. They also want more oversight of
 materials centered on race, gender or sexuality, or other topics they 
think are inappropriate for youngsters.

A proposed <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2662_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Parents’ Bill of Rights</a>
 would require Kansas school districts to create an “academic 
transparency portal” on their websites to post information on learning 
materials and activities.

If approved, Kansas K-12 schools and 
libraries would no longer be exempt from obscenity laws, opening them to
 potential criminal charges if they distribute material found to be 
harmful to minors. It also would shield teachers who refuse to teach 
against their religious or philosophical beliefs.

“People have 
seen the news stories, and I think parents are saying, ‘Wait a second, 
is this happening in my kid’s classroom, too?’” said Rodney Penn, 
founder of a Salina-based parent group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/990859254309004/" target="_blank">Kansas Parents Involved in Education</a>.

“And they realize they don’t know, and they don’t know how to find out,” Penn said.

Opponents
 of curriculum transparency bills, including teachers’ unions and 
free-speech groups, say schools welcome and encourage parental 
involvement.

“Schools are some of the most overseen areas in the 
country. We have school boards. We have superintendents. We have PTA 
meetings. There’s an entire infrastructure of transparency and 
visibility already created,” said James Tager, research director for the
 free speech group <a href="https://pen.org/" target="_blank">PEN America</a>.

“We
 see these laws really as more teacher intimidation and surveillance of 
teachers,” Tager said. “This is essentially creating new means to 
pressure teachers to change their curricula not in ways that serve 
children, but in ways that reflect political biases and partisan 
actions.”

In a <a href="https://twitter.com/realchrisrufo/status/1479512380400803843" target="_blank">series of tweets</a> last month, Christopher Rufo of the conservative <a href="https://www.manhattan-institute.org/" target="_blank">Manhattan Institute</a>
 said pivoting from critical race theory to curriculum transparency is a
 “rhetorically-advantageous position.” Since then, measures echoing a <a href="https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-parents-bill-rights-defend-parents-role-education" target="_blank">proposal from conservative Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley</a> have been introduced in at least a dozen states.

“By
 moving to curriculum transparency, we will … bait the Left into 
opposing ‘transparency,’ which will raise the question: what are they 
trying to hide?” Rufo tweeted.

Some parents in the Shawnee Mission school district near Kansas City <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">protested a teacher training program called Deep Equity</a>.
 They say it is rooted in the tenets of critical race theory – the idea 
that slavery, Jim Crow and systemic racism are key to understanding 
American history and culture.

One parent told the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee last month that she was barred from viewing 
program materials because they were copyright protected.

District 
spokesman David Smith said Deep Equity training sessions weren’t 
recorded, and materials presented during them aren’t district property. 
But parents who ask could view workbooks or other materials the district
 has.

“Sometimes people, rather than speaking with their teacher 
or principal or somebody in the central office, they will go to somebody
 outside of the system and complain,” Smith said. “And that creates the 
appearance of a problem when, in fact, it doesn’t exist.”

Republican
 Kansas state Rep. Susan Estes, a former teacher, said it used to be 
easier for parents to keep track of what their children were learning in
 school. As materials shift from traditional textbooks to multimedia 
lessons or training sessions, that gets harder.

“So much of what 
is happening that parents are concerned about is happening 
conversationally in the classroom,” Estes said. “So a parent is really 
left in the dark, and never should be left in the dark.”

Opponents
 of curriculum transparency laws say teaching is an organic process that
 can’t be captured in lesson plans or lists of materials.

For example, the Blue Valley school district posts a <a href="https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34459" target="_blank">list of novels</a>
 approved for high school English classes, along with teachers’ 
rationale and some curriculum standards covered by those lessons. But 
once students are in a classroom talking about a novel, it’s hard to say
 what direction a discussion will take.

Brent Lewis, president of 
United Teachers of Wichita, said requiring detailed lesson plans as much
 as a year ahead of time would be not only impractical, but bad for 
students.

“If you wanted to do harm to the education of our 
children, you would make teachers provide one-size-fits-all instruction 
like this, instead of allowing us to adapt and meet the needs of 
individual students,” he said.

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644954681095.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-15/kansas-lawmakers-want-schools-to-post-class-lessons-online-as-a-tool-against-critical-race-theory">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— In the battle over critical race theory and 
how to teach about topics like racism or history in Kansas schools, 
conservative activists and lawmakers have a new clarion call: curriculum
 transparency.They want schools to be more open about what 
they’re teaching, and they want districts to put classroom and training 
materials online for the public to see. They also want more oversight of
 materials centered on race, gender or sexuality, or other topics they 
think are inappropriate for youngsters.A proposed <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2662_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Parents’ Bill of Rights</a>
 would require Kansas school districts to create an “academic 
transparency portal” on their websites to post information on learning 
materials and activities.If approved, Kansas K-12 schools and 
libraries would no longer be exempt from obscenity laws, opening them to
 potential criminal charges if they distribute material found to be 
harmful to minors. It also would shield teachers who refuse to teach 
against their religious or philosophical beliefs.“People have 
seen the news stories, and I think parents are saying, ‘Wait a second, 
is this happening in my kid’s classroom, too?’” said Rodney Penn, 
founder of a Salina-based parent group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/990859254309004/" target="_blank">Kansas Parents Involved in Education</a>.“And they realize they don’t know, and they don’t know how to find out,” Penn said.Opponents
 of curriculum transparency bills, including teachers’ unions and 
free-speech groups, say schools welcome and encourage parental 
involvement.“Schools are some of the most overseen areas in the 
country. We have school boards. We have superintendents. We have PTA 
meetings. There’s an entire infrastructure of transparency and 
visibility already created,” said James Tager, research director for the
 free speech group <a href="https://pen.org/" target="_blank">PEN America</a>.“We
 see these laws really as more teacher intimidation and surveillance of 
teachers,” Tager said. “This is essentially creating new means to 
pressure teachers to change their curricula not in ways that serve 
children, but in ways that reflect political biases and partisan 
actions.”In a <a href="https://twitter.com/realchrisrufo/status/1479512380400803843" target="_blank">series of tweets</a> last month, Christopher Rufo of the conservative <a href="https://www.manhattan-institute.org/" target="_blank">Manhattan Institute</a>
 said pivoting from critical race theory to curriculum transparency is a
 “rhetorically-advantageous position.” Since then, measures echoing a <a href="https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-parents-bill-rights-defend-parents-role-education" target="_blank">proposal from conservative Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley</a> have been introduced in at least a dozen states.“By
 moving to curriculum transparency, we will … bait the Left into 
opposing ‘transparency,’ which will raise the question: what are they 
trying to hide?” Rufo tweeted.Some parents in the Shawnee Mission school district near Kansas City <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">protested a teacher training program called Deep Equity</a>.
 They say it is rooted in the tenets of critical race theory – the idea 
that slavery, Jim Crow and systemic racism are key to understanding 
American history and culture.One parent told the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee last month that she was barred from viewing 
program materials because they were copyright protected.District 
spokesman David Smith said Deep Equity training sessions weren’t 
recorded, and materials presented during them aren’t district property. 
But parents who ask could view workbooks or other materials the district
 has.“Sometimes people, rather than speaking with their teacher 
or principal or somebody in the central office, they will go to somebody
 outside of the system and complain,” Smith said. “And that creates the 
appearance of a problem when, in fact, it doesn’t exist.”Republican
 Kansas state Rep. Susan Estes, a former teacher, said it used to be 
easier for parents to keep track of what their children were learning in
 school. As materials shift from traditional textbooks to multimedia 
lessons or training sessions, that gets harder.“So much of what 
is happening that parents are concerned about is happening 
conversationally in the classroom,” Estes said. “So a parent is really 
left in the dark, and never should be left in the dark.”Opponents
 of curriculum transparency laws say teaching is an organic process that
 can’t be captured in lesson plans or lists of materials.For example, the Blue Valley school district posts a <a href="https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34459" target="_blank">list of novels</a>
 approved for high school English classes, along with teachers’ 
rationale and some curriculum standards covered by those lessons. But 
once students are in a classroom talking about a novel, it’s hard to say
 what direction a discussion will take.Brent Lewis, president of 
United Teachers of Wichita, said requiring detailed lesson plans as much
 as a year ahead of time would be not only impractical, but bad for 
students.“If you wanted to do harm to the education of our 
children, you would make teachers provide one-size-fits-all instruction 
like this, instead of allowing us to adapt and meet the needs of 
individual students,” he said.Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Critical race theory: Kan. lawmakers class lessons posted online

KANSAS CITY— A California man was subdued by several passengers and flight attendants when he tried to open the exit door on an American Airlines flight en route to Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon, forcing the plane to land at Kansas City International Airport, according to the United State's Attorney.

Juan Remberto Rivas, 50, was charged with one count of assaulting and intimidating a flight attendant and thereby interfering in the performance of the flight attendant’s duties. Rivas remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Rivas was a passenger aboard American Airlines flight 1775 traveling nonstop from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, D.C., which was diverted to Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo., at approximately 2:28 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.

According to an affidavit filed in support of Tuesday's federal criminal complaint, Rivas created a disturbance on the plane that escalated when he walked up to the cockpit area. Rivas grabbed some plastic silverware, removed the napkin wrapped around it, and placed the plastic silverware in his shirt sleeve and was holding it like a shank. A flight attendant told federal agents he felt threatened by the knife. Rivas then grabbed a small champagne bottle by the neck of the bottle and attempted to break the bottle on the counter. He began kicking and shoving the service cart into one of the flight attendants.&nbsp;

Rivas, who is about six-feet, three-inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds, allegedly grabbed the handles used to manipulate the forward starboard aircraft exit door. Rivas positioned one foot on the aircraft door, the affidavit says, and began pulling hard on the handle with one hand, at first, and then both of his hands. A flight attendant grabbed a coffee pot and hit Rivas twice in the head with it. Several passengers came forward to assist the flight attendants, the affidavit says. One of the passengers, a police officer, began to struggle with Rivas and pulled him away from the door. A passenger punched Rivas in the jaw and another passenger grabbed his neck and pulled him to the floor. Passengers and flight attendants restrained Rivas until they could secure his hands and feet with zip ties and duct tape.

Rivas received medical treatment for a laceration on his head. Flight attendants told investigators they did not serve any alcohol to Rivas during the flight.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644939476993.png" alt="Image of the altercation on the flight from the video courtesy @soccermouaz KMBC-TV" />
 <figcaption>Image of the altercation on the flight from the video courtesy @soccermouaz KMBC-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— A California man was subdued by several passengers and flight attendants when he tried to open the exit door on an American Airlines flight en route to Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon, forcing the plane to land at Kansas City International Airport, according to the United State's Attorney.Juan Remberto Rivas, 50, was charged with one count of assaulting and intimidating a flight attendant and thereby interfering in the performance of the flight attendant’s duties. Rivas remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement regarding a diverted flight to <a href="https://twitter.com/KCIAirport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KCIAirport</a> earlier today, from FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub. <a href="https://t.co/ql5cQRpbZM">pic.twitter.com/ql5cQRpbZM</a>&mdash; FBI Kansas City (@FBIKansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIKansasCity/status/1493011499098517510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Rivas was a passenger aboard American Airlines flight 1775 traveling nonstop from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, D.C., which was diverted to Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo., at approximately 2:28 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.According to an affidavit filed in support of Tuesday's federal criminal complaint, Rivas created a disturbance on the plane that escalated when he walked up to the cockpit area. Rivas grabbed some plastic silverware, removed the napkin wrapped around it, and placed the plastic silverware in his shirt sleeve and was holding it like a shank. A flight attendant told federal agents he felt threatened by the knife. Rivas then grabbed a small champagne bottle by the neck of the bottle and attempted to break the bottle on the counter. He began kicking and shoving the service cart into one of the flight attendants.&nbsp;Rivas, who is about six-feet, three-inches tall and weighs about 240 pounds, allegedly grabbed the handles used to manipulate the forward starboard aircraft exit door. Rivas positioned one foot on the aircraft door, the affidavit says, and began pulling hard on the handle with one hand, at first, and then both of his hands. A flight attendant grabbed a coffee pot and hit Rivas twice in the head with it. Several passengers came forward to assist the flight attendants, the affidavit says. One of the passengers, a police officer, began to struggle with Rivas and pulled him away from the door. A passenger punched Rivas in the jaw and another passenger grabbed his neck and pulled him to the floor. Passengers and flight attendants restrained Rivas until they could secure his hands and feet with zip ties and duct tape.Rivas received medical treatment for a laceration on his head. Flight attendants told investigators they did not serve any alcohol to Rivas during the flight.

Man charged for wild altercation on flight diverted to Kansas City

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers was in a familiar spot earlier this month when Republican legislators sent him a bill that would have banned anti-racist teachings in schools. For the 66th time since taking office in 2019, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wisconsin-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-legislature-8db54c00be82e0183ac6badc2d4c0804">pulled out his veto pen</a>.

The rejection was the latest reminder of the crucial role Evers and a select group of fellow Democratic governors play in some of the most politically divided states. They are the only backstop against a wave of GOP-backed legislation targeting everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-d42fda272f2276b9a3e340763752a609">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;and school curricula to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-2020-voting-voting-rights-health-3f46e438bf9368d9b3535824e8c6c911">access to voting</a>.

“I have to prevent some really bad things from happening,” Evers said in an interview. “It is a bit lonely, but I know I’m representing the people of Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin is one of four states emerging as top priorities for Democrats in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/midterm-elections">an election year</a>&nbsp;when the party is facing fierce political headwinds. In those states — Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — Republicans control the state Legislatures and Democratic-held governorships are on the ballot in the fall.

If the governorships switch parties, a flood of GOP legislation that has so far been blocked would likely become law. That’s especially concerning for Democrats when it comes to voting rights. The four incumbents — Evers, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf — have vetoed more than a dozen bills aimed at restricting voting.

Those moves were particularly important in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, all narrowly divided states that could decide the 2024 presidential election. If Republicans win the governor’s race in any of those states, they will almost certainly approve voting restrictions that have so far been rejected.

In Wisconsin, for example, the Legislature is fast-tracking a host of bills changing election administration and voting rules, all of which Evers is expected to veto but that other Republican candidates for governor support.

Governors also have an important role in the mechanics of presidential elections — under federal law, the electors they say reflect the winners of their state get extra weight in any congressional fight over certifying the choice of the next president. That means in more extreme scenarios, GOP governors may seek to reject Democratic electors in a presidential race, a step&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-electoral-college-elections-0ee1ccae092c21bc8e8c3ace90208cac">then-President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;pressed some Republicans to take in 2020.

Many GOP candidates running for governor this year have expressed support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-donald-trump-technology-49a24edd6d10888dbad61689c24b05a5">Trump’s lie that the last election was stolen</a>. In Wisconsin last week, state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, a conspiracy theorist who was disciplined by Republican leadership over false election claims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wisconsin-elections-media-election-2020-52fa80d33c56621f3a35c845b2a75553">filed paperwork</a>&nbsp;to run for governor.

Federal and state election officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barr-no-widespread-election-fraud-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d">Trump’s own attorney general</a>&nbsp;have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former president’s allegations of fraud were also roundly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-pennsylvania-elections-talk-radio-433b6efe72720d8648221f405c2111f9">rejected by courts</a>, including by judges Trump appointed.

Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, the head of the Democratic Governors Association, said the four governors are “standing in the breach against Republican state legislatures’ attacks on voting rights.”

Cooper, who also contends with a Republican legislature, said the governors are “protecting the foundation of our democracy.”

Republicans argue that Democrats are being obstructionist and simply refusing to work with the party that controls the legislatures in their states.

“An inability to work effectively with their legislature, regardless of party control, will ultimately be viewed by voters as a failure of leadership,” said Phil Cox, a Republican strategist and former executive director of the Republican Governors Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641933594915.png" alt="Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a candidate for governor in 2022, and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking re-election. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a candidate for governor in 2022, and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking re-election. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated PressWisconsin Gov. Tony Evers was in a familiar spot earlier this month when Republican legislators sent him a bill that would have banned anti-racist teachings in schools. For the 66th time since taking office in 2019, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-wisconsin-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-legislature-8db54c00be82e0183ac6badc2d4c0804">pulled out his veto pen</a>.The rejection was the latest reminder of the crucial role Evers and a select group of fellow Democratic governors play in some of the most politically divided states. They are the only backstop against a wave of GOP-backed legislation targeting everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-d42fda272f2276b9a3e340763752a609">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;and school curricula to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-2020-voting-voting-rights-health-3f46e438bf9368d9b3535824e8c6c911">access to voting</a>.“I have to prevent some really bad things from happening,” Evers said in an interview. “It is a bit lonely, but I know I’m representing the people of Wisconsin.”Wisconsin is one of four states emerging as top priorities for Democrats in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/midterm-elections">an election year</a>&nbsp;when the party is facing fierce political headwinds. In those states — Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — Republicans control the state Legislatures and Democratic-held governorships are on the ballot in the fall.If the governorships switch parties, a flood of GOP legislation that has so far been blocked would likely become law. That’s especially concerning for Democrats when it comes to voting rights. The four incumbents — Evers, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf — have vetoed more than a dozen bills aimed at restricting voting.Those moves were particularly important in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, all narrowly divided states that could decide the 2024 presidential election. If Republicans win the governor’s race in any of those states, they will almost certainly approve voting restrictions that have so far been rejected.In Wisconsin, for example, the Legislature is fast-tracking a host of bills changing election administration and voting rules, all of which Evers is expected to veto but that other Republican candidates for governor support.Governors also have an important role in the mechanics of presidential elections — under federal law, the electors they say reflect the winners of their state get extra weight in any congressional fight over certifying the choice of the next president. That means in more extreme scenarios, GOP governors may seek to reject Democratic electors in a presidential race, a step&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-electoral-college-elections-0ee1ccae092c21bc8e8c3ace90208cac">then-President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;pressed some Republicans to take in 2020.Many GOP candidates running for governor this year have expressed support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-donald-trump-technology-49a24edd6d10888dbad61689c24b05a5">Trump’s lie that the last election was stolen</a>. In Wisconsin last week, state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, a conspiracy theorist who was disciplined by Republican leadership over false election claims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wisconsin-elections-media-election-2020-52fa80d33c56621f3a35c845b2a75553">filed paperwork</a>&nbsp;to run for governor.Federal and state election officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barr-no-widespread-election-fraud-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d">Trump’s own attorney general</a>&nbsp;have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former president’s allegations of fraud were also roundly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-pennsylvania-elections-talk-radio-433b6efe72720d8648221f405c2111f9">rejected by courts</a>, including by judges Trump appointed.Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, the head of the Democratic Governors Association, said the four governors are “standing in the breach against Republican state legislatures’ attacks on voting rights.”Cooper, who also contends with a Republican legislature, said the governors are “protecting the foundation of our democracy.”Republicans argue that Democrats are being obstructionist and simply refusing to work with the party that controls the legislatures in their states.“An inability to work effectively with their legislature, regardless of party control, will ultimately be viewed by voters as a failure of leadership,” said Phil Cox, a Republican strategist and former executive director of the Republican Governors Association.Democrats aren’t limiting their work this year to protecting their position in the four states in question. They are also hoping to pick up Republican-held seats in states like Georgia, Massachusetts and Maryland.But the DGA is stepping up its opposition research efforts on Republican candidates in Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. And the Democratic candidates themselves are sitting on sizable campaign accounts.At the end of 2021, Evers had about $10 million while Josh Shapiro, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, had $13 million, according to state campaign records. In Kansas, Kelly is expected to have a more difficult bid for reelection than in 2018, when she won in a three-way race. She had $2 million at the end of last year.And in Michigan, Whitmer was sitting on $10 million. An independent expenditure group affiliated with the DGA also ran a pro-Whitmer ad in Michigan worth roughly $200,000 during December and January.Whitmer has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-legislature-60cd10512a22d8167e9f12a3ca589282">vetoed multiple bills</a>&nbsp;that would make it harder to vote, rejecting nine such measures in October alone.“Gov. Whitmer is the backstop in a world where, if Republicans were to control legislative chambers and the governor’s office in any of these states, stripping voting rights would just automatically become law,” said Patrick Schuh, Michigan director of the Democratic-leaning voter access advocacy group America Votes.One measure would have tacked on extra identification requirements for absentee ballot requests and blocked the state’s top election official from sending vote-by-mail requests out widely. Republicans have been forced to try to end-run Whitmer by attempting a ballot initiative, one that Schuh’s group hopes to counter with its own.In Pennsylvania, Wolf&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pa-state-wire-business-bills-elections-government-and-politics-8400bdb8742fe7a04b3b469c7136b498">blocked similar efforts</a>, vetoing a massive bill that also would have reduced the days drop boxes for absentee ballots would be open. Wolf, finishing his second four-year term, is not seeking reelection, but Shapiro supports his vetoes.Those Democrats have some advantages that could help them politically this year, including robust budget surpluses, state revenue that outperformed dire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;forecasts and billions in federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">COVID-19 relief</a>&nbsp;and incoming infrastructure money.In Wisconsin, Evers has plans for the state’s largest budget surplus, $3 billion, including child care tax credits for working families and similar credits for full-time volunteer caregivers for the elderly and homebound, moves he sees as smart use of extra money at a time of need. With the flatness of low expectations, the mild-mannered former state school superintendent said he hopes Republicans “take a look at it.”“I think the Republicans will be hard-pressed to say no to this. But they’ve done it before,” Evers said. “Whatever the number I’ve vetoed, it’s paltry compared to the number I’m going to.”___