SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a double homicide in Colorado have a suspect in custody in Kansas.

Just before 1:30p.m. Tuesday, deputies located the bodies of a man and woman in the Franktown area of Douglas County, Colorado, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. They asked the public for help to locate 29-year-old Casey Devol.

On Wednesday,&nbsp; the dispatch center in Salina received a "Be on the Look Out"&nbsp; (BOLO) from Douglas County, Colorado regarding homicide suspect Devol, according to a social media report from Salina Police.

He was reportedly armed with multiple guns. 

Cell phone information indicated that the suspect was in Salina near I-70.  Officers responded to the area to search for him.

At 7:40 PM, a Salina officer located Devol near his vehicle parked behind the Super 8 Motel, 120 E. Diamond Drive. Officers and KHP troopers took Devol into custody without incident.&nbsp; Case Agents from Colorado responded to Salina and conducted interviews.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644535104441.png" alt="Devol photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Devol photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a double homicide in Colorado have a suspect in custody in Kansas.Just before 1:30p.m. Tuesday, deputies located the bodies of a man and woman in the Franktown area of Douglas County, Colorado, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. They asked the public for help to locate 29-year-old Casey Devol.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644467448765.png" alt="Photo Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday,&nbsp; the dispatch center in Salina received a "Be on the Look Out"&nbsp; (BOLO) from Douglas County, Colorado regarding homicide suspect Devol, according to a social media report from Salina Police.He was reportedly armed with multiple guns. Cell phone information indicated that the suspect was in Salina near I-70. Officers responded to the area to search for him.At 7:40 PM, a Salina officer located Devol near his vehicle parked behind the Super 8 Motel, 120 E. Diamond Drive. Officers and KHP troopers took Devol into custody without incident.&nbsp; Case Agents from Colorado responded to Salina and conducted interviews.He is waiting for extradition.

Kan. officers used cell phone info to catch double murder suspect 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge declined to lift the expulsion or suspensions handed out to four suburban Kansas City high school students who were disciplined for their involvement in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-missouri-slavery-suburbs-4b17e517b411b8ddc4a417aecc769473">online petition to “start slavery again."</a>

U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough acknowledged in his ruling Tuesday that the four students from Park Hill South High School will likely suffer harm if they aren't allowed to return to the school immediately or ever, in one student's case. But he said their lawsuit was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims if the case went to trial, radio station KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/judge-rules-against-park-hill-south-students-who-circulated-start-slavery-again-petition">reported</a>.

The four ninth-graders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-media-04e4862b1cf870e5929a5b6610afb665">sued the Park Hill school district</a>&nbsp;and several administrators after one was expelled and three others were suspended for 180 days over the online petition.

A district spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it wasn’t clear when the suspended students would be allowed to return to school.

They were on a bus with the freshman football team last September when one of them drafted a petition on Change.org titled “Start Slavery again” as he was joking with a Black student about jobs and slaves.

The student, who is biracial, later shared the petition on the football team's Snapchat group. The three other students all commented favorably on the petition.

Other students reported the petition to school administrators. During an internal investigation, the students admitted their involvement but said the petition was a joke.

In their lawsuit, the students said their First Amendment and due process rights were violated. They contended that racial slurs were common at Park Hill South, “most often in friendly bantering,” and that the instigator of the conversation is Black and was not disciplined.

The students asked to be reinstated and to have the discipline expunged from their school records.

Arthur Benson, the students’ lawyer, said the incident resulted from “youthful bad judgment” that originated among Black and biracial students.

“Three whites boys in similar bad judgment wanted in on the joke, intended only for the freshman players,” Benson said in an email. “This bad judgment was punished as heinous acts that no one now still claims them to be.”

In his order, Bough said that public interest weighed in favor of denying them reinstatement.

He noted that the incident garnered national attention and prompted some parents and teachers to express concern about students' safety.

Although Bough said the 14- and 15-year-old boys didn’t intend the petition to be circulated beyond the team, the petition caused “substantial disruption” at the high school and in the district that justified the discipline.

Benson said he had not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632359737253.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge declined to lift the expulsion or suspensions handed out to four suburban Kansas City high school students who were disciplined for their involvement in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-missouri-slavery-suburbs-4b17e517b411b8ddc4a417aecc769473">online petition to “start slavery again."</a>U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough acknowledged in his ruling Tuesday that the four students from Park Hill South High School will likely suffer harm if they aren't allowed to return to the school immediately or ever, in one student's case. But he said their lawsuit was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims if the case went to trial, radio station KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/judge-rules-against-park-hill-south-students-who-circulated-start-slavery-again-petition">reported</a>.The four ninth-graders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-media-04e4862b1cf870e5929a5b6610afb665">sued the Park Hill school district</a>&nbsp;and several administrators after one was expelled and three others were suspended for 180 days over the online petition.A district spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it wasn’t clear when the suspended students would be allowed to return to school.They were on a bus with the freshman football team last September when one of them drafted a petition on Change.org titled “Start Slavery again” as he was joking with a Black student about jobs and slaves.The student, who is biracial, later shared the petition on the football team's Snapchat group. The three other students all commented favorably on the petition.Other students reported the petition to school administrators. During an internal investigation, the students admitted their involvement but said the petition was a joke.In their lawsuit, the students said their First Amendment and due process rights were violated. They contended that racial slurs were common at Park Hill South, “most often in friendly bantering,” and that the instigator of the conversation is Black and was not disciplined.The students asked to be reinstated and to have the discipline expunged from their school records.Arthur Benson, the students’ lawyer, said the incident resulted from “youthful bad judgment” that originated among Black and biracial students.“Three whites boys in similar bad judgment wanted in on the joke, intended only for the freshman players,” Benson said in an email. “This bad judgment was punished as heinous acts that no one now still claims them to be.”In his order, Bough said that public interest weighed in favor of denying them reinstatement.He noted that the incident garnered national attention and prompted some parents and teachers to express concern about students' safety.Although Bough said the 14- and 15-year-old boys didn’t intend the petition to be circulated beyond the team, the petition caused “substantial disruption” at the high school and in the district that justified the discipline.Benson said he had not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

Judge won't readmit KC-area students involved in slavery petition

By JIM MCLEAN and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-09/controversial-kansas-redistricting-map-is-likely-headed-to-court-after-lawmakers-override-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— The Kansas House voted Wednesday to override Democratic <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-03/kansas-governor-vetoes-gop-redistricting-plan-saying-it-would-carve-up-minority-communities" target="_blank">Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>
 of a controversial congressional redistricting plan, which means the 
map is approved and is likely headed for a court challenge.

The vote in the House followed an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">override in the Senate</a>
 and was the last step needed to bypass the veto and overcome Democratic
 opposition to the plan. Opponents of the congressional map <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-25/kansas-republicans-are-ready-to-advance-new-congressional-maps-democrats-say-it-cheats-voters" target="_blank">argue it is gerrymandered</a> to hurt Democrats and defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the state’s lone Democratic member of Congress.

“Gerrymandering is one thing. Political spite is another,” said Rep. Tom Burroughs, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat.

Now, the plan faces a likely court challenge. Some political watchers had already predicted that before the override succeeded.

Marc
 Elias, a lawyer who represents Democrats in redistricting disputes 
across the country, said he was monitoring the efforts to override 
Kelly’s veto.

“If the Republican Legislature overrides this veto 
and passes a blatantly unconstitutional map, they are going to be sued,”
 Elias said in a Tuesday interview on MSNBC.

The House vote was <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209125929_274055/" target="_blank">mostly along party lines</a>,
 with only one Republican breaking ranks from the GOP. Republicans have 
enough members in the House that even with that loss they garnered the 
two-thirds majority needed to approve the map.

No Republicans rose to defend the map during the debate leading up to the override vote.

After the vote, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, offered a succinct defense.

Republicans have said the changes are needed to ensure the state’s congressional districts are equal in population.

Democrats
 blasted the override process, charging that Republicans used strong-arm
 tactics and backroom deals to get the votes they needed to override the
 governor.

A Republican senator <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">changed his vote</a> to support the override shortly after a bill he favored was abruptly advanced from a Senate committee Tuesday.

Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, said the map represents “everything that people hate about us.”

“It’s only right by one measurement and that’s politics,” he said.

The
 proposal draws districts for the state’s four seats in the U.S. House 
of Representatives. Kansas lawmakers must draw a new map every 10 years 
to account for population shifts documented in the U.S. Census.

Democrats
 have said the plan dilutes the votes of left-leaning communities and 
people of color in an effort to defeat the state’s one Democratic member
 of Congress.

The plan would split part of Wyandotte County out of
 the 3rd District and replace it with Republican-leaning rural counties 
southwest of the Kansas City area.

The map would also move the 
left-leaning community of Lawrence from the 2nd District into the large,
 conservative 1st District that stretches west to the Colorado border.

Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644446396280.png" alt="Lawmakers leave the Kansas House chamber after voting to override the governor's veto of a redistricting plan. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers leave the Kansas House chamber after voting to override the governor's veto of a redistricting plan. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-09/controversial-kansas-redistricting-map-is-likely-headed-to-court-after-lawmakers-override-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— The Kansas House voted Wednesday to override Democratic <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-03/kansas-governor-vetoes-gop-redistricting-plan-saying-it-would-carve-up-minority-communities" target="_blank">Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>
 of a controversial congressional redistricting plan, which means the 
map is approved and is likely headed for a court challenge.The vote in the House followed an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">override in the Senate</a>
 and was the last step needed to bypass the veto and overcome Democratic
 opposition to the plan. Opponents of the congressional map <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-25/kansas-republicans-are-ready-to-advance-new-congressional-maps-democrats-say-it-cheats-voters" target="_blank">argue it is gerrymandered</a> to hurt Democrats and defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the state’s lone Democratic member of Congress.“Gerrymandering is one thing. Political spite is another,” said Rep. Tom Burroughs, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat.Now, the plan faces a likely court challenge. Some political watchers had already predicted that before the override succeeded.Marc
 Elias, a lawyer who represents Democrats in redistricting disputes 
across the country, said he was monitoring the efforts to override 
Kelly’s veto.“If the Republican Legislature overrides this veto 
and passes a blatantly unconstitutional map, they are going to be sued,”
 Elias said in a Tuesday interview on MSNBC.The House vote was <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209125929_274055/" target="_blank">mostly along party lines</a>,
 with only one Republican breaking ranks from the GOP. Republicans have 
enough members in the House that even with that loss they garnered the 
two-thirds majority needed to approve the map.No Republicans rose to defend the map during the debate leading up to the override vote.After the vote, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, offered a succinct defense.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s a fair map,” Hawkins said.Republicans have said the changes are needed to ensure the state’s congressional districts are equal in population.Democrats
 blasted the override process, charging that Republicans used strong-arm
 tactics and backroom deals to get the votes they needed to override the
 governor.A Republican senator <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">changed his vote</a> to support the override shortly after a bill he favored was abruptly advanced from a Senate committee Tuesday.Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, said the map represents “everything that people hate about us.”“It’s only right by one measurement and that’s politics,” he said.The
 proposal draws districts for the state’s four seats in the U.S. House 
of Representatives. Kansas lawmakers must draw a new map every 10 years 
to account for population shifts documented in the U.S. Census.Democrats
 have said the plan dilutes the votes of left-leaning communities and 
people of color in an effort to defeat the state’s one Democratic member
 of Congress.The plan would split part of Wyandotte County out of
 the 3rd District and replace it with Republican-leaning rural counties 
southwest of the Kansas City area.The map would also move the 
left-leaning community of Lawrence from the 2nd District into the large,
 conservative 1st District that stretches west to the Colorado border.Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;

Kan. redistricting map likely headed to court after veto override

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House insisted Wednesday it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response. But impatient states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mask-mandate-coronavirus-pandemic-kathy-hochul-new-york-02dbddd8616730744eb915c1480a3ef7">Democratic New York</a>, made clear they aren’t waiting for Washington as public frustration grows.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York will end its COVID-19 mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings — but will keep it for schools.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-illinois-899f9fbb9455ad25c82fb82327a7c652">Illinois announced the same</a>.

Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware all disclosed plans to join states that have lifted or never had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schools-mask-mandates-4eb7bc94b57eceb6ada993139e82de93">mask requirements for their schools</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-massachusetts-infectious-diseases-charlie-baker-2583390569b2d3fb517a76553164f720">Massachusetts will follow suit</a>&nbsp;at the end of the month. All but Massachusetts have governors who are Democrats, like President Joe Biden.

Biden, who has long promised to follow to “follow the science” in confronting the pandemic, is hemmed in, waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials, who so far still recommend that nearly all Americans wear masks in most indoor settings.

Defending Biden, press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that while people are tired of masks and “we understand where the emotions of the country are,” the administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence.

“That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data,” she said.

Clearly feeling the pressure, the White House for the first time acknowledged movement in its planning, saying conversations have been under way privately to develop plans for guiding the country away from the emergency phase of the pandemic.

Federal COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said officials are consulting with state and local leaders and public health officials on potential next steps. But as governors and local officials press for clearer federal guidelines for easing or ending restrictions, states, cities and school boards are adopting an awkward patchwork of policies that differ widely from one place to the next.

“We are working on that guidance,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a White House teleconference Wednesday. “As we’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-john-belushi-dan-aykroyd-3f8b5a787a95c8499b2b0a32c34f89a7">encouraged by the current trends</a>, we are not there yet.”

The White House offered no timetable for the review or an indication of what it will recommend. And some critics say that’s not good enough.

“The tragic thing is that these are governors that would probably have followed the White House’s guidance,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner. “They wanted CDC input and asked for it, but without a clear timeline, at some point they had to decide that they couldn’t wait any more. The fault is not theirs, but the CDC’s and by extension, President Biden’s, which, with each passing day, is making itself less and less relevant.”

Asked whether Biden appears to be out of touch with the country, Psaki defended his caution. “As a federal government we have the responsibility to rely on data on science, on the medical experts,” she said.

Pressed on whether Americans should follow less-restrictive state or local rules or the stricter federal guidance, she repeated the White House’s daily counsel: “We would advise any American to follow the CDC guidelines.”

New York’s Hochul and others aren’t waiting. They are ending or easing many broad mandates, though her state will keep masking rules in schools and health facilities.

“Given the declining cases, given the declining hospitalizations, that is why we feel comfortable to lift this, in effect tomorrow,” Hochul said Wednesday.

Even allies of the administration have argued that Biden should at least lay out a roadmap for moving back toward normalcy.

He has been hesitant, aides say, in part because of the sting of his fleeting “declaration of independence” from the virus last summer, which proved premature in the face of the delta and then omicron strains. Now, though, cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 have dropped markedly since they peaked earlier this year amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, and the vast majority of Americans are protected against the virus by effective vaccines and boosters.

Still, more than 2,000 people infected with the virus die in the U.S. each day, and there is concern within the administration about letting up while deaths remain high.

And Psaki noted that many Americans support continued mask-wearing. Some in the White House point to the consternation that was voiced in December after the CDC shortened the isolation time for Americans who test positive.

While Biden and other administration officials emphasize that the threat from the virus is far diminished from a year ago, before the wide roll-out of vaccines and booster shots and the approval of rapid at-home tests and highly effective therapeutics, administration officials acknowledge that most federal guidelines have been slow to keep up.

The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=Risk">“substantial or high transmission” </a>of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.

State and local leaders, nevertheless, have announced plans to ease virus restrictions in the coming weeks as omicron cases fall, citing the protections offered by vaccines as well as the increased availability of at-home testing kits and therapeutics for those who do catch the virus. Many of the restrictions eased last year, only to be reinstated as omicron swept the country.

After more than a year of a top-down federally driven response, the emerging shift marks a return to the historical norm, where states have typically had the first say in how they handle public health emergencies. The CDC can advise them and issue general guidance for the nation, but in most situations it cannot order them what to do.

While the Biden administration has pushed back strongly against efforts by GOP governors to prohibit mask-wearing requirements, it is indicating that it will take a more flexible approach to jurisdictions that make their own choices.

Policies lifting mask requirements “are going to have to be made at the local level” depending on case rates, Walensky said.

Despite the encouraging reports in the Americas, Western Europe and some other regions, the head of the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-world-health-organization-united-nations-922c5487a71c2fb310c2348c8f0c9d1e">insisted Wednesday that “COVID isn’t finished with us.”</a>

As his agency reported that new infections fell but virus deaths rose worldwide over the past week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a new $23 billion campaign to fund WHO’s efforts to lead a broad rollout of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines around the world.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644461357170.png" alt="The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of&nbsp;“substantial or high transmission”&nbsp;of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties." />
 <figcaption>The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of&nbsp;“substantial or high transmission”&nbsp;of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House insisted Wednesday it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response. But impatient states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mask-mandate-coronavirus-pandemic-kathy-hochul-new-york-02dbddd8616730744eb915c1480a3ef7">Democratic New York</a>, made clear they aren’t waiting for Washington as public frustration grows.Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York will end its COVID-19 mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings — but will keep it for schools.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-illinois-899f9fbb9455ad25c82fb82327a7c652">Illinois announced the same</a>.Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware all disclosed plans to join states that have lifted or never had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schools-mask-mandates-4eb7bc94b57eceb6ada993139e82de93">mask requirements for their schools</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-massachusetts-infectious-diseases-charlie-baker-2583390569b2d3fb517a76553164f720">Massachusetts will follow suit</a>&nbsp;at the end of the month. All but Massachusetts have governors who are Democrats, like President Joe Biden.Biden, who has long promised to follow to “follow the science” in confronting the pandemic, is hemmed in, waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials, who so far still recommend that nearly all Americans wear masks in most indoor settings.Defending Biden, press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that while people are tired of masks and “we understand where the emotions of the country are,” the administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence.“That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data,” she said.Clearly feeling the pressure, the White House for the first time acknowledged movement in its planning, saying conversations have been under way privately to develop plans for guiding the country away from the emergency phase of the pandemic.Federal COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said officials are consulting with state and local leaders and public health officials on potential next steps. But as governors and local officials press for clearer federal guidelines for easing or ending restrictions, states, cities and school boards are adopting an awkward patchwork of policies that differ widely from one place to the next.“We are working on that guidance,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a White House teleconference Wednesday. “As we’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-john-belushi-dan-aykroyd-3f8b5a787a95c8499b2b0a32c34f89a7">encouraged by the current trends</a>, we are not there yet.”The White House offered no timetable for the review or an indication of what it will recommend. And some critics say that’s not good enough.“The tragic thing is that these are governors that would probably have followed the White House’s guidance,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner. “They wanted CDC input and asked for it, but without a clear timeline, at some point they had to decide that they couldn’t wait any more. The fault is not theirs, but the CDC’s and by extension, President Biden’s, which, with each passing day, is making itself less and less relevant.”Asked whether Biden appears to be out of touch with the country, Psaki defended his caution. “As a federal government we have the responsibility to rely on data on science, on the medical experts,” she said.Pressed on whether Americans should follow less-restrictive state or local rules or the stricter federal guidance, she repeated the White House’s daily counsel: “We would advise any American to follow the CDC guidelines.”New York’s Hochul and others aren’t waiting. They are ending or easing many broad mandates, though her state will keep masking rules in schools and health facilities.“Given the declining cases, given the declining hospitalizations, that is why we feel comfortable to lift this, in effect tomorrow,” Hochul said Wednesday.Even allies of the administration have argued that Biden should at least lay out a roadmap for moving back toward normalcy.He has been hesitant, aides say, in part because of the sting of his fleeting “declaration of independence” from the virus last summer, which proved premature in the face of the delta and then omicron strains. Now, though, cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 have dropped markedly since they peaked earlier this year amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, and the vast majority of Americans are protected against the virus by effective vaccines and boosters.Still, more than 2,000 people infected with the virus die in the U.S. each day, and there is concern within the administration about letting up while deaths remain high.And Psaki noted that many Americans support continued mask-wearing. Some in the White House point to the consternation that was voiced in December after the CDC shortened the isolation time for Americans who test positive.While Biden and other administration officials emphasize that the threat from the virus is far diminished from a year ago, before the wide roll-out of vaccines and booster shots and the approval of rapid at-home tests and highly effective therapeutics, administration officials acknowledge that most federal guidelines have been slow to keep up.The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=Risk">“substantial or high transmission” </a>of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.State and local leaders, nevertheless, have announced plans to ease virus restrictions in the coming weeks as omicron cases fall, citing the protections offered by vaccines as well as the increased availability of at-home testing kits and therapeutics for those who do catch the virus. Many of the restrictions eased last year, only to be reinstated as omicron swept the country.After more than a year of a top-down federally driven response, the emerging shift marks a return to the historical norm, where states have typically had the first say in how they handle public health emergencies. The CDC can advise them and issue general guidance for the nation, but in most situations it cannot order them what to do.While the Biden administration has pushed back strongly against efforts by GOP governors to prohibit mask-wearing requirements, it is indicating that it will take a more flexible approach to jurisdictions that make their own choices.Policies lifting mask requirements “are going to have to be made at the local level” depending on case rates, Walensky said.Despite the encouraging reports in the Americas, Western Europe and some other regions, the head of the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-world-health-organization-united-nations-922c5487a71c2fb310c2348c8f0c9d1e">insisted Wednesday that “COVID isn’t finished with us.”</a>As his agency reported that new infections fell but virus deaths rose worldwide over the past week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a new $23 billion campaign to fund WHO’s efforts to lead a broad rollout of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines around the world.___

Biden weighs new virus response as CDC stands firm on masks

THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the case of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl who has been missing for over a year have two suspects in custody, according to the Shelby County Sheriff.

Last week, extended family members contacted law enforcement in Shelby County with concerns that <a href="https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=AttorneyGeneral&amp;prId=1173">Serenity is in danger</a>, according to the sheriff's office.

On Sunday, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 26-year-old Dakota Hill and 21-year-old Catherine McKinney, the girl's mother, according to the Shelby Co. Sheriffs office.

The couple are being held in Thomas County on requested charges of Custodial Interference.&nbsp; Authorities are working to transport them from Kansas to Kentucky.

The Kentucky Attorney General's&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ky.gov/about/Office-Divisions/OVA/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Special Victims Unit</a>&nbsp;is partnering with the Shelby and Bullitt County Sheriff's Departments, Kentucky State Police, and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644455781698.png" alt="Hill-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the case of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl who has been missing for over a year have two suspects in custody, according to the Shelby County Sheriff.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We continue to ask for the public’s help to locate Serenity McKinney. If you have any information, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 1-502-633-2323. <a href="https://t.co/AbSdzNeCEe">pic.twitter.com/AbSdzNeCEe</a>&mdash; Attorney General Daniel Cameron (@kyoag) <a href="https://twitter.com/kyoag/status/1491414849024593920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Last week, extended family members contacted law enforcement in Shelby County with concerns that <a href="https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=AttorneyGeneral&amp;prId=1173">Serenity is in danger</a>, according to the sheriff's office.On Sunday, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 26-year-old Dakota Hill and 21-year-old Catherine McKinney, the girl's mother, according to the Shelby Co. Sheriffs office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644455891096.png" alt="McKinney-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>McKinney-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The couple are being held in Thomas County on requested charges of Custodial Interference.&nbsp; Authorities are working to transport them from Kansas to Kentucky.The Kentucky Attorney General's&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ky.gov/about/Office-Divisions/OVA/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Special Victims Unit</a>&nbsp;is partnering with the Shelby and Bullitt County Sheriff's Departments, Kentucky State Police, and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the case.

Mother, boyfriend of missing 4-year-old arrested in Kansas

With Valentine's Day looming, romance is in the air. If you 
decide to seek love via a dating app, be careful and watch for the 
scammers who only love your money. Scammers are using people to funnel 
stolen money out of the country. This con may look like a classic 
romance scam, but victims are tricked into illegal activity and can be 
prosecuted.

You join a dating app and start messaging with someone who looks 
amazing. They are the complete package: good-looking, successful, kind… 
and, most importantly, really into you, too! After chatting for a little
 while, your new love interest suggests that you chat on text or email, 
rather than through the app. If you do that, you may notice that they 
also delete their dating profile.

Everything seems great, but soon your new beau has some unusual – but
 seemingly harmless – requests. They want you to receive money for them 
and wire it overseas. They may claim to be helping a loved one battling 
COVID-19, doing a business deal, or representing a charitable 
organization. If you refuse, your amorous new beau may suddenly get 
hostile, threaten you or grow distant.

It turns out that the money they want you to receive is actually 
stolen. After stealing it, scammers send the money through someone in 
the United States or Canada to make it harder for authorities to trace. 
Money laundering and wire fraud are illegal! Although the “money mule” 
is a victim, too, they may still face prosecution.

For more information Find more information in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17057-online-romance-scams-a-bbb-study-on-how-scammers-use-impersonation-blackmail-and-trickery-to-steal-from-unsuspecting-daters" target="_blank">this romance scams study from BBB</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">these romance scam tips</a>.

Learn more about money mule scams on the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-money-mule-schemes-exploiting-the-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigations website</a> and the <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2020/awareness-sensibilisation-eng.htm" target="_blank">Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre</a>.

If you’ve been the victim of scam, please report it on the <a href="https://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others to stay alert and avoid similar scams.

Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB's Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBWith Valentine's Day looming, romance is in the air. If you 
decide to seek love via a dating app, be careful and watch for the 
scammers who only love your money. Scammers are using people to funnel 
stolen money out of the country. This con may look like a classic 
romance scam, but victims are tricked into illegal activity and can be 
prosecuted.How the scam works:You join a dating app and start messaging with someone who looks 
amazing. They are the complete package: good-looking, successful, kind… 
and, most importantly, really into you, too! After chatting for a little
 while, your new love interest suggests that you chat on text or email, 
rather than through the app. If you do that, you may notice that they 
also delete their dating profile.Everything seems great, but soon your new beau has some unusual – but
 seemingly harmless – requests. They want you to receive money for them 
and wire it overseas. They may claim to be helping a loved one battling 
COVID-19, doing a business deal, or representing a charitable 
organization. If you refuse, your amorous new beau may suddenly get 
hostile, threaten you or grow distant.It turns out that the money they want you to receive is actually 
stolen. After stealing it, scammers send the money through someone in 
the United States or Canada to make it harder for authorities to trace. 
Money laundering and wire fraud are illegal! Although the “money mule” 
is a victim, too, they may still face prosecution.Protect yourself from this scam:<ul>
 <li>Do your research. Many scammers steal photos from 
the internet to use in their dating profiles. You can do a reverse image
 lookup using a website, like <a href="https://images.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Images</a>,
 to see if the photos on a profile are stolen from somewhere else. You 
can also search online for a profile name, email, or phone number to see
 what adds up and what doesn’t. Scammers most often pose as men and 
target women in their 50s and 60s. </li><li>Ask specific questions about details given in a profile. A scammer may stumble over remembering details or making a story fit. </li><li>Never send money or sensitive personal information to someone you’ve never met in person.
 Cut off contact if someone starts asking you for financial or 
personally identifiable information (PII), like your credit card number 
or government ID numbers. </li><li>Be very suspicious of requests to wire money or use a pre-paid debit card. These are scammers’ favorite ways to send payments because, like cash, once the money is gone, it can’t be recovered.</li>
 </ul>For more information Find more information in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17057-online-romance-scams-a-bbb-study-on-how-scammers-use-impersonation-blackmail-and-trickery-to-steal-from-unsuspecting-daters" target="_blank">this romance scams study from BBB</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">these romance scam tips</a>.Learn more about money mule scams on the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-money-mule-schemes-exploiting-the-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigations website</a> and the <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2020/awareness-sensibilisation-eng.htm" target="_blank">Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre</a>.If you’ve been the victim of scam, please report it on the <a href="https://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others to stay alert and avoid similar scams.Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB's Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;

Scam alert: Romance scam tricks victims into laundering money

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accidental shooting have identified the victim as 14-year-old Forever Latham of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to a check shots call at a home in the 1200 block of East Alta in Wichita, according to Macy.

&nbsp;At the home, police located Latham who had a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

Investigators learned the boy was inside of a bedroom handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking him.&nbsp; Other teenagers and adult family members were at the home at the time of the incident and were not hurt.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accidental shooting have identified the victim as 14-year-old Forever Latham of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to a check shots call at a home in the 1200 block of East Alta in Wichita, according to Macy.&nbsp;At the home, police located Latham who had a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.Investigators learned the boy was inside of a bedroom handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking him.&nbsp; Other teenagers and adult family members were at the home at the time of the incident and were not hurt.

Police ID Kansas teen who died in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON — As part of ongoing efforts to provide additional help 
for people during this period, the IRS announced today the suspension of
 more than a dozen additional letters, including the mailing of 
automated collection notices normally issued when a taxpayer owes 
additional tax, and the IRS has no record of a taxpayer filing a tax 
return.

These mailings include balance due notices and unfiled tax return 
notices. The IRS entered this filing season with several million 
original and amended returns filed by individuals and businesses that 
have not been processed due to challenges of the historic pandemic and 
is taking this step to help avoid confusion for taxpayers and tax 
professionals.

“IRS employees are committed to doing everything possible with our 
limited resources to help people during this period,” said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are working hard, long hours pushing 
creative paths forward in an effort to be part of the solution, rather 
than the problem. Our employees continue to expend every effort to 
balance a confluence of multiple, unprecedented demands − including 
successfully starting the filing season, working our inventory of 
unprocessed tax returns as well as looking for additional ways to 
minimize burden for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.

“Our efforts are not limited to suspension of these additional 
letters and the possibility of similar actions going forward. We have 
redeployed and reallocated resources throughout the IRS and have 
implemented innovative strategies in an ongoing effort to provide a 
meaningful reduction in our inventories,” Rettig said.

These automatic notices have been temporarily stopped until the 
backlog is worked through. The IRS will continue to assess the inventory
 of prior year returns to determine the appropriate time to resume the 
notices.

Some taxpayers and tax professionals may still receive these notices 
during the next few weeks. Generally, there is no need to call or 
respond to the notice as the IRS continues to process prior year tax 
returns as quickly as possible.

However, if a taxpayer or tax professional believes a notice is 
accurate, they should act to rectify the situation for the well-being of
 the taxpayer. For example, the IRS cautions people with a balance due 
that interest and penalties can continue to accrue. In addition, IRS 
employees may in select circumstances issue notices to particular 
taxpayers to resolve specific compliance issues.

The IRS does not have the authority to stop all notices as many are 
legally required to be issued within a certain timeframe. The IRS will 
continue to assess other changes and system modifications that the IRS 
may be able to implement to assist taxpayers on an array of issues. The 
IRS will continue to make information available to taxpayers throughout 
the filing season.

The IRS encourages those who have a filing requirement and have yet 
to file a prior year tax return or to pay any tax due to promptly do so 
as interest and penalties will continue to accrue. Visit IRS.gov for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">payment options</a>.

Click <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-continues-work-to-help-taxpayers-suspends-mailing-of-additional-letters">HERE</a> for more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — As part of ongoing efforts to provide additional help 
for people during this period, the IRS announced today the suspension of
 more than a dozen additional letters, including the mailing of 
automated collection notices normally issued when a taxpayer owes 
additional tax, and the IRS has no record of a taxpayer filing a tax 
return.These mailings include balance due notices and unfiled tax return 
notices. The IRS entered this filing season with several million 
original and amended returns filed by individuals and businesses that 
have not been processed due to challenges of the historic pandemic and 
is taking this step to help avoid confusion for taxpayers and tax 
professionals.“IRS employees are committed to doing everything possible with our 
limited resources to help people during this period,” said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are working hard, long hours pushing 
creative paths forward in an effort to be part of the solution, rather 
than the problem. Our employees continue to expend every effort to 
balance a confluence of multiple, unprecedented demands − including 
successfully starting the filing season, working our inventory of 
unprocessed tax returns as well as looking for additional ways to 
minimize burden for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.“Our efforts are not limited to suspension of these additional 
letters and the possibility of similar actions going forward. We have 
redeployed and reallocated resources throughout the IRS and have 
implemented innovative strategies in an ongoing effort to provide a 
meaningful reduction in our inventories,” Rettig said.These automatic notices have been temporarily stopped until the 
backlog is worked through. The IRS will continue to assess the inventory
 of prior year returns to determine the appropriate time to resume the 
notices.Some taxpayers and tax professionals may still receive these notices 
during the next few weeks. Generally, there is no need to call or 
respond to the notice as the IRS continues to process prior year tax 
returns as quickly as possible.However, if a taxpayer or tax professional believes a notice is 
accurate, they should act to rectify the situation for the well-being of
 the taxpayer. For example, the IRS cautions people with a balance due 
that interest and penalties can continue to accrue. In addition, IRS 
employees may in select circumstances issue notices to particular 
taxpayers to resolve specific compliance issues.The IRS does not have the authority to stop all notices as many are 
legally required to be issued within a certain timeframe. The IRS will 
continue to assess other changes and system modifications that the IRS 
may be able to implement to assist taxpayers on an array of issues. The 
IRS will continue to make information available to taxpayers throughout 
the filing season.The IRS encourages those who have a filing requirement and have yet 
to file a prior year tax return or to pay any tax due to promptly do so 
as interest and penalties will continue to accrue. Visit IRS.gov for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">payment options</a>.Click <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-continues-work-to-help-taxpayers-suspends-mailing-of-additional-letters">HERE</a> for more.

IRS suspends mailing of some notices due to backlogs

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who has insisted for more than 20 years that he was wrongly convicted as a teenager of killing his mother has been granted parole.

Attorneys for 37-year-old Michael Politte confirmed Tuesday that he had been given parole, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article258190203.html#storylink=cpy">Kansas City Star reported.</a>&nbsp;He is set to be released April 23 from the Jefferson City Correctional Center.

Politte was 14 years old in 1998 when, according to his lawyers, he found the burning body of his mother, Rita Politte, on the floor of their home in the eastern Missouri town of Hopewell as he and a friend, who said they awoke to smoke, scrambled to escape.

Investigators said the fire was started with gasoline and determined that Rita Politte had also suffered blunt force head trauma. The investigation focused on her teenage son as the main suspect and four years later, he was convicted as an adult of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The Midwest Innocence Project and the MacArthur Justice Center, which both work to overturn wrongful convictions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-missouri-c11bb1934a7b50779da9776d2221a49c">have sought to exonerate Politte,</a>&nbsp;saying he was convicted based on debunked science and a biased investigation.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jefferson-city-missouri-8c18acad73cd26d834e535ebbca6cf1b">petition by Politte's attorneys</a>&nbsp;last year seeking his release from prison faulted investigators who determined that the teen had gasoline on his shoes, which was the only physical evidence they said linked him to the crime. The findings were based on now-discredited fire investigation techniques, and the state has conceded that Politte did not have gas on his shoes, the attorneys said.

The petition said investigators ignored other potential suspects, including Politte’s father, who was going through a difficult divorce with Rita Politte at the time of her killing.

Michael Politte's attorneys said Tuesday that his parole will not curtail their efforts to get him exonerated.

"We will continue to litigate in court to overturn his conviction,” his lawyers said in a statement. “His release on parole means he can now continue this fight from home with his sisters.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644424817527.png" alt="Politte-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Politte-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who has insisted for more than 20 years that he was wrongly convicted as a teenager of killing his mother has been granted parole.Attorneys for 37-year-old Michael Politte confirmed Tuesday that he had been given parole, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article258190203.html#storylink=cpy">Kansas City Star reported.</a>&nbsp;He is set to be released April 23 from the Jefferson City Correctional Center.Politte was 14 years old in 1998 when, according to his lawyers, he found the burning body of his mother, Rita Politte, on the floor of their home in the eastern Missouri town of Hopewell as he and a friend, who said they awoke to smoke, scrambled to escape.Investigators said the fire was started with gasoline and determined that Rita Politte had also suffered blunt force head trauma. The investigation focused on her teenage son as the main suspect and four years later, he was convicted as an adult of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.The Midwest Innocence Project and the MacArthur Justice Center, which both work to overturn wrongful convictions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-missouri-c11bb1934a7b50779da9776d2221a49c">have sought to exonerate Politte,</a>&nbsp;saying he was convicted based on debunked science and a biased investigation.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jefferson-city-missouri-8c18acad73cd26d834e535ebbca6cf1b">petition by Politte's attorneys</a>&nbsp;last year seeking his release from prison faulted investigators who determined that the teen had gasoline on his shoes, which was the only physical evidence they said linked him to the crime. The findings were based on now-discredited fire investigation techniques, and the state has conceded that Politte did not have gas on his shoes, the attorneys said.The petition said investigators ignored other potential suspects, including Politte’s father, who was going through a difficult divorce with Rita Politte at the time of her killing.Michael Politte's attorneys said Tuesday that his parole will not curtail their efforts to get him exonerated."We will continue to litigate in court to overturn his conviction,” his lawyers said in a statement. “His release on parole means he can now continue this fight from home with his sisters.”

Man convicted at 14 of killing his mom gets parole

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the shooting death last year of a 12-year-old boy outside a Leavenworth pharmacy. 

The Kansas City Star reports that 26-year-old Darvon Deshawn Thomas entered the plea Tuesday in Leavenworth County District Court, admitting to his role in the April death of 12-year-old Brian Henderson, of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Prosecutors say the boy was not the intended target, but simply in the backseat of a car with someone meeting Thomas to sell a gun when the deal went bad and someone with Thomas began shooting. Two teens allegedly with Thomas during the shooting are also standing trial. Thomas is set to be sentenced in March.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618591549655.png" alt="Thomas" />
 <figcaption>Thomas</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the shooting death last year of a 12-year-old boy outside a Leavenworth pharmacy. The Kansas City Star reports that 26-year-old Darvon Deshawn Thomas entered the plea Tuesday in Leavenworth County District Court, admitting to his role in the April death of 12-year-old Brian Henderson, of Kansas City, Missouri. Prosecutors say the boy was not the intended target, but simply in the backseat of a car with someone meeting Thomas to sell a gun when the deal went bad and someone with Thomas began shooting. Two teens allegedly with Thomas during the shooting are also standing trial. Thomas is set to be sentenced in March.

Kan. man enters plea in killing of 12-year-old outside pharmacy

RILEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) on Wednesday shared additional information related to the homicide and officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday, Feb. 5 in Manhattan.

Tremelle R. Montgomery, 19, of Fort Riley, was released from Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka on Wednesday, and then immediately transported to the Riley County Jail. He was booked into jail at around 3:40 p.m. for first-degree murder, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder related to the shooting where Joshua Wardi was killed.

Charges have not yet been determined related to the subsequent officer-involved shooting incident.

The investigation is ongoing. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Riley County Attorney for his determination of charges.

Nothing further will be released at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644236764866.png" alt="KBI on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>KBI on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) on Wednesday shared additional information related to the homicide and officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday, Feb. 5 in Manhattan.Tremelle R. Montgomery, 19, of Fort Riley, was released from Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka on Wednesday, and then immediately transported to the Riley County Jail. He was booked into jail at around 3:40 p.m. for first-degree murder, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder related to the shooting where Joshua Wardi was killed.Charges have not yet been determined related to the subsequent officer-involved shooting incident.The investigation is ongoing. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Riley County Attorney for his determination of charges.Nothing further will be released at this time.

KBI updates officer-involved shooting, homicide in Manhattan

"American Pickers" is returning to Kansas, planning to film episodes of The History Channel television series in April.


"American Pickers" is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The
History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable
antiques. They are always excited to find sizable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories
behind them.


As they hit the backroads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten
relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give
historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the
way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something
they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.


Show producers will be following all COVID guidelines and
protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC.&nbsp;

"American Pickers" is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. 

If you or
someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the
better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location and description of the
collection with photos to: <a href="mailto:americanpickers@cineflix.com">americanpickers@cineflix.com</a> or call (646) 493-2184

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644437416399.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News release"American Pickers" is returning to Kansas, planning to film episodes of The History Channel television series in April.
"American Pickers" is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The
History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable
antiques. They are always excited to find sizable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories
behind them.
As they hit the backroads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten
relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give
historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the
way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something
they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.
Show producers will be following all COVID guidelines and
protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC.&nbsp;"American Pickers" is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or
someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the
better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location and description of the
collection with photos to: <a href="mailto:americanpickers@cineflix.com">americanpickers@cineflix.com</a> or call (646) 493-2184
facebook: @GotAPick

'American Pickers' looking for Kansas filming locations

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/09/kansas-medical-officers-warn-declining-covid-19-caseload-doesnt-mean-people-are-in-the-clear/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — While COVID-19 case 
numbers are beginning to decline in Kansas hospitals, officials are 
issuing a warning to stay vigilant and follow the pillars of infection 
prevention.

Hospital administrators reported on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/712320636599906">University of Kansas Health System briefing</a>
 Wednesday that they are seeing improvements across the board with 
additional bandwidth for non-COVID patients. Still, they are reminding 
people to remain on guard as the ebbs and flows of the pandemic remain 
uncertain.

Richard Watson, the co-founder of Motient, which assists the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment in connecting rural hospitals when 
transferring patients, said beds are beginning to clear up. Transfers 
remain well behind pre-pandemic speeds, however.

“Patients are waiting 10-plus hours for transport, as opposed to what
 we usually see if it were normal capacity, where it would be one to two
 hours with time-critical diseases being less than an hour to move 
patients,” Watson said. “This is an unbelievably exceptional moment we 
have, and while there is a good trend all across the board, we don’t 
think that this is letting up next week or the week after.”

Since the onset of the pandemic, KDHE has recorded 748,520 COVID-19 
cases, 7,725 deaths and 18,562 hospitalizations. Currently, 33% of 
Intensive Care Unit beds are available statewide, an improvement from 
21% just a month ago.

A major factor is the number of long-haul COVID-19 patients, said Stephen Stites, chief medical officer at the health system.

“That’s a whole group of folks we’re not talking a lot about yet, but
 we’re going to be talking about for years to come because there are a 
lot of people who are going to suffer or are suffering for a very long 
time,” Stites said.

For those fully vaccinated and boosted, administrators said letting 
your guard down when around others who are taking similar precautionary 
measures may be all right in specific situations. Still, unpredictable 
mutations and warning signs from countries like the United Kingdom have 
administrators concerned spring could bring another surge.

James Alexander, chief medical officer for St. Catherine Hospital in 
Garden City, said in times where hospitals are struggling, it is 
paramount the public pick up the slack to ensure they are not 
overwhelmed.

“I have a concern about this little glitch where omicron wasn’t ‘as 
bad’ as delta, but who knows what’s next,” Alexander said. “Maybe we’ll 
have another delta. That’s my concern, and so we just have to educate 
communities.”

Issues extend beyond high case numbers and limited beds. For example,
 Lisa Hays, chief medical officer of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, said 
they have had difficulties with the supply chain, particularly Styrofoam
 cups for patients.

“Our emergency management manager had to do a Costco run and buy up as many Styrofoam cups as he could,” Hays said.

Robert Freelove, chief medical officer of Salina Regional Health 
Center, said they have encountered struggles in the PCR testing supply 
chain.

“We’ve had to send more tests out to reference labs, and there’s a 
lag there of three to five days to get some of those results back,” 
Freelove said. “So, while it does look like our case rate has dropped 
some, it’s hard to tell for sure because of that lag.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644437145082.png" alt="While COVID-19 cases are starting to decline, Richard Watson said hospital transfers are still taking up to 10 hours, rather than the one or two hours patients usually face. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from University of Kansas Health System Facebook)" />
 <figcaption>While COVID-19 cases are starting to decline, Richard Watson said hospital transfers are still taking up to 10 hours, rather than the one or two hours patients usually face. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from University of Kansas Health System Facebook)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/09/kansas-medical-officers-warn-declining-covid-19-caseload-doesnt-mean-people-are-in-the-clear/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — While COVID-19 case 
numbers are beginning to decline in Kansas hospitals, officials are 
issuing a warning to stay vigilant and follow the pillars of infection 
prevention.Hospital administrators reported on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/712320636599906">University of Kansas Health System briefing</a>
 Wednesday that they are seeing improvements across the board with 
additional bandwidth for non-COVID patients. Still, they are reminding 
people to remain on guard as the ebbs and flows of the pandemic remain 
uncertain.Richard Watson, the co-founder of Motient, which assists the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment in connecting rural hospitals when 
transferring patients, said beds are beginning to clear up. Transfers 
remain well behind pre-pandemic speeds, however.“Patients are waiting 10-plus hours for transport, as opposed to what
 we usually see if it were normal capacity, where it would be one to two
 hours with time-critical diseases being less than an hour to move 
patients,” Watson said. “This is an unbelievably exceptional moment we 
have, and while there is a good trend all across the board, we don’t 
think that this is letting up next week or the week after.”Since the onset of the pandemic, KDHE has recorded 748,520 COVID-19 
cases, 7,725 deaths and 18,562 hospitalizations. Currently, 33% of 
Intensive Care Unit beds are available statewide, an improvement from 
21% just a month ago.A major factor is the number of long-haul COVID-19 patients, said Stephen Stites, chief medical officer at the health system.“That’s a whole group of folks we’re not talking a lot about yet, but
 we’re going to be talking about for years to come because there are a 
lot of people who are going to suffer or are suffering for a very long 
time,” Stites said.For those fully vaccinated and boosted, administrators said letting 
your guard down when around others who are taking similar precautionary 
measures may be all right in specific situations. Still, unpredictable 
mutations and warning signs from countries like the United Kingdom have 
administrators concerned spring could bring another surge.James Alexander, chief medical officer for St. Catherine Hospital in 
Garden City, said in times where hospitals are struggling, it is 
paramount the public pick up the slack to ensure they are not 
overwhelmed.“I have a concern about this little glitch where omicron wasn’t ‘as 
bad’ as delta, but who knows what’s next,” Alexander said. “Maybe we’ll 
have another delta. That’s my concern, and so we just have to educate 
communities.”Issues extend beyond high case numbers and limited beds. For example,
 Lisa Hays, chief medical officer of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, said 
they have had difficulties with the supply chain, particularly Styrofoam
 cups for patients.“Our emergency management manager had to do a Costco run and buy up as many Styrofoam cups as he could,” Hays said.Robert Freelove, chief medical officer of Salina Regional Health 
Center, said they have encountered struggles in the PCR testing supply 
chain.“We’ve had to send more tests out to reference labs, and there’s a 
lag there of three to five days to get some of those results back,” 
Freelove said. “So, while it does look like our case rate has dropped 
some, it’s hard to tell for sure because of that lag.”

Kan. docs: Declining COVID caseload doesn’t mean people are in the clear

TOPEKA —Kansas legislators completed an override of Governor Laura Kelly's veto of a controversial congressional redistricting map.

(Click below to listen to portions of the debate on Wednesday)

On Wednesday afternoon, member of the Kansas House voted 85-37 to override the veto. The Senate vote Tuesday was 27-11 giving Republican leaders the two-thirds majority they needed.

The new map splits the state’s portion of the Kansas City area into two congressional districts, costing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;some of the territory in her 3rd District.

The map also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moves the liberal northeast Kansas community of Lawrence,</a>&nbsp;home to the main University of Kansas campus, from the 2nd District of eastern Kansas into the 1st District of central and western Kansas with conservative communities six or more hours away by car.

In a statement from her office when she issued the veto Governor Kelly stated, “The process of drawing districts each decade is the core to ensuring that all Kansans have the opportunity to participate in their government and have their voices heard. The courts and the Legislature have established case law and criteria on how to draw Kansas districts fairly and constitutionally.&nbsp; &nbsp;

-The Associated Press contributed to this report

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644433454226.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Representative Barbara Ballard of Lawrence expressed her opposition to the veto override during the debate Wednesday morning in the House.- image Kansas Legislature YouTube" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Representative Barbara Ballard of Lawrence expressed her opposition to the veto override during the debate Wednesday morning in the House.- image Kansas Legislature YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas legislators completed an override of Governor Laura Kelly's veto of a controversial congressional redistricting map.(Click below to listen to portions of the debate on Wednesday)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xbLwFz3tAfE?start=1432" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On Wednesday afternoon, member of the Kansas House voted 85-37 to override the veto. The Senate vote Tuesday was 27-11 giving Republican leaders the two-thirds majority they needed.The new map splits the state’s portion of the Kansas City area into two congressional districts, costing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;some of the territory in her 3rd District.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The map also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moves the liberal northeast Kansas community of Lawrence,</a>&nbsp;home to the main University of Kansas campus, from the 2nd District of eastern Kansas into the 1st District of central and western Kansas with conservative communities six or more hours away by car.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">If Kansas Republicans override the Governor&#39;s veto and enact an unconstitutional map, Kansas will be sued. <a href="https://t.co/hTZvJtjiKL">pic.twitter.com/hTZvJtjiKL</a>&mdash; Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) <a href="https://twitter.com/marceelias/status/1491417742821707781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a statement from her office when she issued the veto Governor Kelly stated, “The process of drawing districts each decade is the core to ensuring that all Kansans have the opportunity to participate in their government and have their voices heard. The courts and the Legislature have established case law and criteria on how to draw Kansas districts fairly and constitutionally.&nbsp; &nbsp;-The Associated Press contributed to this report

🎥Kan. legislators kill governor's veto of congressional map

MANHATTAN —Business owners are looking for answers after two recent shooting incidents in the Aggieville district of Manhattan, including one last weekend where a Fort Riley man died and another Fort Riley man was transported to a Topeka hospital.&nbsp;

Dennis Cook, Executive Director of the Aggieville Business Association, said there have been discussions with the leadership including the commanding general of Fort Riley and the acting director of the Riley County Police Department. "I think the consensus so far is, number one, we don't look at this as a Fort Riley situation at all. They've got 15,000 soldiers and these are two incidents of somebody from Fort Riley, yes, but that's a pretty broad stroke to paint."

Cook said the Aggieville Business Association is supportive of Fort Riley and the service men and women who defend the country. He noted that the feedback he has received from them is that Aggieville wasn't the spark that caused the incidents. "This is a couple people who made some really poor decisions but that doesn't mean we don't take a look at what we can proactively do. " Cook added officials are still trying to figure that out.&nbsp;

Cook said there have been discussions about having a sit-down meeting&nbsp; with Aggieville business leaders, city and police, "to all talk about it together. The thing we hit on most is being more visible and being more open, and out there in a more protect and serve attitude so that people can feel safe down here."

Cook noted that they are talking about bringing back the courtesy patrol where there would be uniformed officers from Fort Riley in Aggieville. In the past with the courtesy patrol those officers would walk with Riley County police to be visible so soldiers knew that they were dealing with not just local officers, but military officers were nearby as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644236423354.png" alt="Police tape in Aggieville after a fatal weekend shooting photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police tape in Aggieville after a fatal weekend shooting photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —Business owners are looking for answers after two recent shooting incidents in the Aggieville district of Manhattan, including one last weekend where a Fort Riley man died and another Fort Riley man was transported to a Topeka hospital.&nbsp;Dennis Cook, Executive Director of the Aggieville Business Association, said there have been discussions with the leadership including the commanding general of Fort Riley and the acting director of the Riley County Police Department. "I think the consensus so far is, number one, we don't look at this as a Fort Riley situation at all. They've got 15,000 soldiers and these are two incidents of somebody from Fort Riley, yes, but that's a pretty broad stroke to paint."Cook said the Aggieville Business Association is supportive of Fort Riley and the service men and women who defend the country. He noted that the feedback he has received from them is that Aggieville wasn't the spark that caused the incidents. "This is a couple people who made some really poor decisions but that doesn't mean we don't take a look at what we can proactively do. " Cook added officials are still trying to figure that out.&nbsp;Cook said there have been discussions about having a sit-down meeting&nbsp; with Aggieville business leaders, city and police, "to all talk about it together. The thing we hit on most is being more visible and being more open, and out there in a more protect and serve attitude so that people can feel safe down here."Cook noted that they are talking about bringing back the courtesy patrol where there would be uniformed officers from Fort Riley in Aggieville. In the past with the courtesy patrol those officers would walk with Riley County police to be visible so soldiers knew that they were dealing with not just local officers, but military officers were nearby as well.

Business leaders in Manhattan address crime in Aggieville

BY JARED STRONG <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/carroll-superintendent-no-litter-boxes-schools">States Newsroom</a>

CARROLL, Iowa — There are no litter boxes in the restrooms of the Carroll Community 
School District, its superintendent stressed, despite internet rumors 
that some schools are installing them for children who “identify” as 
cats.

“Staff members are not encouraging or accommodating anyone behaving 
or identifying as a cat or any other animal,” Superintendent Casey 
Berlau said Tuesday in a note to parents in the western Iowa district. 
“It is very unfortunate that this rumor has been spread over the last 
several weeks.”

His exasperated note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/06/08/iowa-bans-divisive-concepts-from-diversity-trainings-school-curriculum/">curriculum about race</a> is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/bill-would-charge-teachers-administrators-with-serious-misdemeanor-for-obscene-content/">criminal prosecution</a>. Iowa lawmakers are also considering a requirement to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=89&amp;ba=HF2177">surveil teachers with cameras</a>.

The latest notion that schools would supply litter boxes for students
 who consider themselves cats is apparently rooted in an increasingly 
tolerant student culture for those that openly question their sexual 
identities and gender preferences.

“WARNING RANT!!!!” wrote Carroll resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in
 a now-deleted Monday post of which Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained 
screenshots. “So 2 middle school kids are allowed to identify as cats 
and go to school? &amp; Now some schools are also allowing litter 
boxes??!!”

Loew did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

Her post elicited comments from a former Carroll school board 
president, Jen Munson, that “I warned people during the election about 
this type of stuff” and from an area resident, Tristan Hinners, who 
claimed that Des Moines has students who say they are a dog and a 
falcon.

“The one that identifies as a dog has to be taken outside to use the 
bathroom by a teacher..,” she wrote, “and the falcon screeches up and 
down the hallways.”

Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, is aware 
of the swirling claims but said: “We have real education issues to deal 
with here. Litter box rumor control isn’t one of them.”

Berlau wrote that Carroll is not alone in Iowa in dispelling rumors of litter boxes in bathrooms. Indeed, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/23/us/politics/michigan-litter-box-school.html">schools in other states</a> have been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions.

“This issue gains negative attention because of its outrageousness,” Berlau wrote in his note to parents.

He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/02/09/carroll-superintendent-no-litter-boxes-in-schools/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644438968621.png" alt="Unfounded rumors of cat litter boxes in school restrooms prompted a note to parents from one Iowa superintendent. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)" />
 <figcaption>Unfounded rumors of cat litter boxes in school restrooms prompted a note to parents from one Iowa superintendent. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY JARED STRONG <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/carroll-superintendent-no-litter-boxes-schools">States Newsroom</a>CARROLL, Iowa — There are no litter boxes in the restrooms of the Carroll Community 
School District, its superintendent stressed, despite internet rumors 
that some schools are installing them for children who “identify” as 
cats.“Staff members are not encouraging or accommodating anyone behaving 
or identifying as a cat or any other animal,” Superintendent Casey 
Berlau said Tuesday in a note to parents in the western Iowa district. 
“It is very unfortunate that this rumor has been spread over the last 
several weeks.”His exasperated note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/06/08/iowa-bans-divisive-concepts-from-diversity-trainings-school-curriculum/">curriculum about race</a> is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/bill-would-charge-teachers-administrators-with-serious-misdemeanor-for-obscene-content/">criminal prosecution</a>. Iowa lawmakers are also considering a requirement to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=89&amp;ba=HF2177">surveil teachers with cameras</a>.The latest notion that schools would supply litter boxes for students
 who consider themselves cats is apparently rooted in an increasingly 
tolerant student culture for those that openly question their sexual 
identities and gender preferences.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644439063249.png" alt="A screenshot of a now-deleted Facebook post." />
 <figcaption>A screenshot of a now-deleted Facebook post.</figcaption>
 </figure>“WARNING RANT!!!!” wrote Carroll resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in
 a now-deleted Monday post of which Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained 
screenshots. “So 2 middle school kids are allowed to identify as cats 
and go to school? &amp; Now some schools are also allowing litter 
boxes??!!”Loew did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.Her post elicited comments from a former Carroll school board 
president, Jen Munson, that “I warned people during the election about 
this type of stuff” and from an area resident, Tristan Hinners, who 
claimed that Des Moines has students who say they are a dog and a 
falcon.“The one that identifies as a dog has to be taken outside to use the 
bathroom by a teacher..,” she wrote, “and the falcon screeches up and 
down the hallways.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644439096211.png" alt="A screenshot of a now-deleted Facebook post." />
 <figcaption>A screenshot of a now-deleted Facebook post.</figcaption>
 </figure>Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, is aware 
of the swirling claims but said: “We have real education issues to deal 
with here. Litter box rumor control isn’t one of them.”Berlau wrote that Carroll is not alone in Iowa in dispelling rumors of litter boxes in bathrooms. Indeed, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/23/us/politics/michigan-litter-box-school.html">schools in other states</a> have been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions.“This issue gains negative attention because of its outrageousness,” Berlau wrote in his note to parents.He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/02/09/carroll-superintendent-no-litter-boxes-in-schools/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

No, there are no litter boxes in Iowa schools for students identifying as cats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans who have never filed a tax return will need to do so this year in order to claim what's coming to them under the enhanced child tax credit.

Previously, only people who earned enough money to owe income taxes could qualify for the full credit.

But as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, President Joe Biden expanded the program, increasing the payments to up to $3,600 annually for each child aged 5 or under and $3,000 for those who are ages 6 to 17.

The monthly payments have amounted to $300 for each child 5 and younger and $250 for those between 5 and 17.

The government began to send the payments out — an overall $93 billion — on a monthly basis starting last July. Now, there are an additional six months' worth of payments waiting to be claimed. And some families haven't collected any of the benefits they're due yet. In all, an estimated $193 billion is yet to be claimed.

The only way to receive that money is to file a tax return.

Some questions and answers about who's eligible for the credit and how to get it:

More than 36 million families received the advanced payments in December alone, which marked the last month that advanced monthly payments were sent to households. Families qualify for the full credit if their 2021 adjusted gross income was at or below $150,000 for married couples filing a joint return, or $75,000 for single-filer parents.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY AND WHAT IF I DON'T OWE TAXES?

Whether or not a family owes tax money or has filed taxes before, they will need to file a return to get all or the rest of their money.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644421639295.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris during a virtual child tax credit event Tuesday-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris during a virtual child tax credit event Tuesday-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans who have never filed a tax return will need to do so this year in order to claim what's coming to them under the enhanced child tax credit.Previously, only people who earned enough money to owe income taxes could qualify for the full credit.But as part of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, President Joe Biden expanded the program, increasing the payments to up to $3,600 annually for each child aged 5 or under and $3,000 for those who are ages 6 to 17.The monthly payments have amounted to $300 for each child 5 and younger and $250 for those between 5 and 17.The government began to send the payments out — an overall $93 billion — on a monthly basis starting last July. Now, there are an additional six months' worth of payments waiting to be claimed. And some families haven't collected any of the benefits they're due yet. In all, an estimated $193 billion is yet to be claimed.The only way to receive that money is to file a tax return.Some questions and answers about who's eligible for the credit and how to get it:WHO GETS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT?More than 36 million families received the advanced payments in December alone, which marked the last month that advanced monthly payments were sent to households. Families qualify for the full credit if their 2021 adjusted gross income was at or below $150,000 for married couples filing a joint return, or $75,000 for single-filer parents.HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY AND WHAT IF I DON'T OWE TAXES?Whether or not a family owes tax money or has filed taxes before, they will need to file a return to get all or the rest of their money.Eligible families that didn’t receive any advance child tax credit payments during 2021 can still claim the full amount of the child tax credit on their federal tax return. Those families that are unsure of whether they've received payments, or potentially received paper checks that went uncashed, can visit the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, to see how much of the credit they should have received.Additionally, families that received payments should have received a "Letter 6419, 2021 advance CTC" notice, which includes information on the amount of advance payments families have received and tax information for filing purposes.However, the IRS has said that some people may have received incorrect information on their forms. The portal can help people who want to confirm the correct amount they should have received. Despite any inconsistencies in documentation, the IRS advises that taxpayers should keep the letter, and any other IRS communications about advance payments, with their tax records.WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FILE?The IRS urges individuals to file their taxes electronically to process forms quicker, and provides links on the agency website to free filing sites like GetYourRefund.org, which helps families earning less than about $66,000 a year file their taxes for free. The organization partners with IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and provides free help in English and Spanish. Another option is MyFreeTaxes.com, which provides virtual assistance to people who make $58,000 or less to file their federal and state taxes for free. That service is offered through the United Way.The IRS also has a tool to help individuals identify other free file sites that offer tax filing help.WHAT IF I LIVE OUTSIDE THE 50 STATES?While the coronavirus relief package included child tax credit benefits for residents of Puerto Rico, they were not eligible to receive the advance monthly payments. Instead, Puerto Rican residents can receive the full amount of child tax credit that they are eligible for by filing a federal income tax return this year. Additionally, residents of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands may be eligible for the full child tax credit payments, but they will need to contact their local U.S. territory tax agency.WHO CAN HELP ME SORT THIS OUT?The IRS has launched a website, called ChildTaxCredit.gov, which lists criteria that filers must meet in order to receive the full credit. Additionally, the federal agency will begin offering walk-in assistance with IRS volunteers in limited locations for individuals who need help filing their taxes, beginning Feb. 12.Thirty-five tax assistance centers around the country will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of the next four months.The tax filing deadline is April 18.