TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 14,163 to a total of 709,838, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The state reported 52 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,388.

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 14,163 to a total of 709,838, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 52 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,388.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 14,000 new cases, 52 more COVID deaths


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller sees a court challenge in the future if the map that passed out of both houses of the Kansas Legislature regarding Congressional reapportionment ultimately is either not vetoed or is ultimately overridden.

"If the legislature was trying to make a map to avoid any lawsuits over race, this was not the map," Miller said. "One of the things that has surprised me about the process is how much easier they have made to sue them over grounds on race, when it comes to redrawing the maps."

The Voting Rights Act on the federal level makes it illegal for states and local jurisdictions to use maps that deny a minority group an equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. The argument will likely be that dividing Wyandotte County from Johnson County and putting it in the 2nd District is racially motivated. 

"Particularly, when it comes to the kind of allegations that you're seeing with this map about dividing up minority communities in ways that dilute their influence," Miller said. "The state courts, as well, will be an avenue to watch, not just federal courts. The state does have redistricting standards that can play a role in how the legislature does redistrict."

Republicans are arguing that the growth of the population in Wyandotte County makes keeping it with Johnson County mathematically unworkable. More than ten other maps were offered as amendments between the two houses, but only the Ad Astra 2 map survived to a final vote. 

Governor Kelly has not said whether she will veto this map.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643217468153.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller sees a court challenge in the future if the map that passed out of both houses of the Kansas Legislature regarding Congressional reapportionment ultimately is either not vetoed or is ultimately overridden."If the legislature was trying to make a map to avoid any lawsuits over race, this was not the map," Miller said. "One of the things that has surprised me about the process is how much easier they have made to sue them over grounds on race, when it comes to redrawing the maps."The Voting Rights Act on the federal level makes it illegal for states and local jurisdictions to use maps that deny a minority group an equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. The argument will likely be that dividing Wyandotte County from Johnson County and putting it in the 2nd District is racially motivated. "Particularly, when it comes to the kind of allegations that you're seeing with this map about dividing up minority communities in ways that dilute their influence," Miller said. "The state courts, as well, will be an avenue to watch, not just federal courts. The state does have redistricting standards that can play a role in how the legislature does redistrict."Republicans are arguing that the growth of the population in Wyandotte County makes keeping it with Johnson County mathematically unworkable. More than ten other maps were offered as amendments between the two houses, but only the Ad Astra 2 map survived to a final vote. Governor Kelly has not said whether she will veto this map.

KU political science professor expects lawsuit if Ad Astra 2 stands

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a wanted Kansas Tuesday after an incident at a business in Salina.

Just after 2p.m. police were sent to the 24/7 Travel Store, 2239 N. Ninth Street in Salina for the report of a customer throwing credit cards, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 When officers arrived, they found the man, identified as Maurio Williams, 38, of Salina, on the east side of the business.

Williams had active warrants for failure to appear from Saline County District Court and Salina Municipal Court.

When the officers attempted to take Williams into custody, he allegedly shoved one of the officers in the chest and a physical altercation ensued. Williams and the officers ended up on the ground, according to Forrester.

Williams was placed into a bodyguard restraint system for transport. While the restraint was being secured, Williams allegedly spit in the face of one of the officers. 

Williams is jailed on requested charges that include battery of a law enforcement officer and Interference with law enforcement, according to Forrester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643208017495.png" alt="Maurio Williams. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Maurio Williams. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a wanted Kansas Tuesday after an incident at a business in Salina.Just after 2p.m. police were sent to the 24/7 Travel Store, 2239 N. Ninth Street in Salina for the report of a customer throwing credit cards, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. When officers arrived, they found the man, identified as Maurio Williams, 38, of Salina, on the east side of the business.Williams had active warrants for failure to appear from Saline County District Court and Salina Municipal Court.When the officers attempted to take Williams into custody, he allegedly shoved one of the officers in the chest and a physical altercation ensued. Williams and the officers ended up on the ground, according to Forrester.Williams was placed into a bodyguard restraint system for transport. While the restraint was being secured, Williams allegedly spit in the face of one of the officers. Williams is jailed on requested charges that include battery of a law enforcement officer and Interference with law enforcement, according to Forrester.

Wanted Kan. man was throwing credit cards, shoved police officers

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man will stand trial for murder after a toddler used a gun to accidentally kill a teenager in June. 

Shawnee County District Judge David Debenham ruled Monday that prosecutors had enough evidence to try 22-year-old DeJuan Yelverton for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. 

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Yelverton pleaded not guilty to the two charges. He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. Prosecutors allege Yelverton left a gun hanging off the top of a refrigerator. A toddler later got the loaded gun and accidentally shot 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the head.  She died a few days later.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.

&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.

Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. 

She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623976671929.png" alt="Yelverton-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Yelverton-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man will stand trial for murder after a toddler used a gun to accidentally kill a teenager in June. Shawnee County District Judge David Debenham ruled Monday that prosecutors had enough evidence to try 22-year-old DeJuan Yelverton for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Yelverton pleaded not guilty to the two charges. He pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. Prosecutors allege Yelverton left a gun hanging off the top of a refrigerator. A toddler later got the loaded gun and accidentally shot 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the head. She died a few days later.------------SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

Murder trial: Toddlers found gun that killed Kansas girl

NEW YORK (AP) — The COVID-19 booster drive in the U.S. is losing steam, worrying health experts who have pleaded with Americans to get an extra shot to shore up their protection against the highly contagious omicron variant.

Just 40% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the average number of booster shots dispensed per day in the U.S. has plummeted from a peak of 1 million in early December to about 490,000 as of last week.

Also, a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Americans are more likely to see the initial vaccinations — rather than a booster — as essential.

“It’s clear that the booster effort is falling short,” said Jason Schwartz, a vaccine policy expert at Yale University.

Overall, the U.S. vaccination campaign has been sluggish. More than 13 months after it began, just 63% of Americans, or 210 million people, are fully vaccinated with the initial rounds of shots. Mandates that could raise those numbers have been hobbled by legal challenges.

Vaccination numbers are stagnant in states such as Wyoming, Idaho, Mississippi and Alabama, which have been hovering below 50%.

In Wyoming, 44% are fully vaccinated, up just slightly from 41% in September. To boost numbers, the state has been running TV ads with health care workers giving grim accounts of unvaccinated people struggling with COVID-19.

“Certainly we would like to see higher rates. But it would be wrong for anyone to think that the rates we have are due to lack of effort,” Wyoming Health Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said Tuesday.

And in neighboring Idaho, which also has one of the country’s lowest vaccination rates, the number of people getting their first vaccine dose has remained under 1,000 almost every day this year and the number getting booster shots is also declining. Still, officials say they won’t give up.

“I don’t like to use the word ‘resigned,’” said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator of the Idaho Division of Public Health. “I think we just need to keep saying it over and over again, how important it is.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Vermont is a national leader in the percentage of people who have been fully vaccinated and received a booster shot. About 60% of the population over 18 has gotten a booster. But it’s not enough, said Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine.

“I’d love to see that percentage much closer to 90%,” Levine said.

The U.S. and many other nations have been urging adults to get boosters because the vaccine’s protection can wane. Also, research has shown that while the vaccines have proved less effective against omicron,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-29f2895733312cb4b39393fcf3780cc0">boosters can rev up the body’s defenses against the threat</a>.

As for why an estimated 86 million Americans who have been fully vaccinated and are eligible for a booster have not yet gotten one, Schwartz said public confusion is one important reason.

“I think the evidence is now overwhelming that the booster is not simply an optional supplement, but it is a foundational part of protection,” he said. “But clearly that message has been lost.”

The need for all Americans to get boosters initially was debated by scientists, and at first the government recommended only that certain groups of people, such as senior citizens, get additional doses. The arrival of omicron, and additional evidence about falling immunity, showed more clearly a widespread need for boosters.

But the message “has been lost in the sea of changing recommendations and guidance,” Schwartz said.

The AP-NORC Center poll found that 59% of Americans think it is essential that they receive a vaccine to fully participate in public life without feeling at risk of COVID-19 infection. Only 47% say the same about a booster shot.

Keller Anne Ruble, 32, of Denver, received her two doses of the Moderna vaccine but hasn’t gotten her booster. She said she had a bad reaction to the second dose and was in bed for four days with a fever and flu-like symptoms.

“I believe in the power of vaccines, and I know that’s going to protect me,” said Ruble, the owner of a greeting card sending service. But the vaccine “just knocked me out completely and freaked me out about getting the booster.”

She said she does plan to get the booster in the next few weeks and in the meantime wears an N95 mask and tries to stay home.

“I just don’t want to get COVID in general,” she said. “It does scare me.”

Blake Hassler, 26, of Nashville, Tennessee, said he doesn’t plan to get the booster. He received Pfizer’s two doses last year after having a mild case of COVID-19 in 2020. He said he considers himself to be in a low-risk category.

“At this point, we need to focus on prevention of serious illness at the onset of symptoms rather than creating a new shot every six weeks and more divisive mandates,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637084886815.png" alt="President Biden received a booster shot in September -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden received a booster shot in September -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The COVID-19 booster drive in the U.S. is losing steam, worrying health experts who have pleaded with Americans to get an extra shot to shore up their protection against the highly contagious omicron variant.Just 40% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the average number of booster shots dispensed per day in the U.S. has plummeted from a peak of 1 million in early December to about 490,000 as of last week.Also, a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Americans are more likely to see the initial vaccinations — rather than a booster — as essential.“It’s clear that the booster effort is falling short,” said Jason Schwartz, a vaccine policy expert at Yale University.Overall, the U.S. vaccination campaign has been sluggish. More than 13 months after it began, just 63% of Americans, or 210 million people, are fully vaccinated with the initial rounds of shots. Mandates that could raise those numbers have been hobbled by legal challenges.Vaccination numbers are stagnant in states such as Wyoming, Idaho, Mississippi and Alabama, which have been hovering below 50%.In Wyoming, 44% are fully vaccinated, up just slightly from 41% in September. To boost numbers, the state has been running TV ads with health care workers giving grim accounts of unvaccinated people struggling with COVID-19.“Certainly we would like to see higher rates. But it would be wrong for anyone to think that the rates we have are due to lack of effort,” Wyoming Health Department spokeswoman Kim Deti said Tuesday.And in neighboring Idaho, which also has one of the country’s lowest vaccination rates, the number of people getting their first vaccine dose has remained under 1,000 almost every day this year and the number getting booster shots is also declining. Still, officials say they won’t give up.“I don’t like to use the word ‘resigned,’” said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator of the Idaho Division of Public Health. “I think we just need to keep saying it over and over again, how important it is.”At the other end of the spectrum, Vermont is a national leader in the percentage of people who have been fully vaccinated and received a booster shot. About 60% of the population over 18 has gotten a booster. But it’s not enough, said Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine.“I’d love to see that percentage much closer to 90%,” Levine said.The U.S. and many other nations have been urging adults to get boosters because the vaccine’s protection can wane. Also, research has shown that while the vaccines have proved less effective against omicron,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-29f2895733312cb4b39393fcf3780cc0">boosters can rev up the body’s defenses against the threat</a>.ADVERTISEMENTAs for why an estimated 86 million Americans who have been fully vaccinated and are eligible for a booster have not yet gotten one, Schwartz said public confusion is one important reason.“I think the evidence is now overwhelming that the booster is not simply an optional supplement, but it is a foundational part of protection,” he said. “But clearly that message has been lost.”The need for all Americans to get boosters initially was debated by scientists, and at first the government recommended only that certain groups of people, such as senior citizens, get additional doses. The arrival of omicron, and additional evidence about falling immunity, showed more clearly a widespread need for boosters.But the message “has been lost in the sea of changing recommendations and guidance,” Schwartz said.The AP-NORC Center poll found that 59% of Americans think it is essential that they receive a vaccine to fully participate in public life without feeling at risk of COVID-19 infection. Only 47% say the same about a booster shot.Keller Anne Ruble, 32, of Denver, received her two doses of the Moderna vaccine but hasn’t gotten her booster. She said she had a bad reaction to the second dose and was in bed for four days with a fever and flu-like symptoms.“I believe in the power of vaccines, and I know that’s going to protect me,” said Ruble, the owner of a greeting card sending service. But the vaccine “just knocked me out completely and freaked me out about getting the booster.”She said she does plan to get the booster in the next few weeks and in the meantime wears an N95 mask and tries to stay home.“I just don’t want to get COVID in general,” she said. “It does scare me.”Blake Hassler, 26, of Nashville, Tennessee, said he doesn’t plan to get the booster. He received Pfizer’s two doses last year after having a mild case of COVID-19 in 2020. He said he considers himself to be in a low-risk category.“At this point, we need to focus on prevention of serious illness at the onset of symptoms rather than creating a new shot every six weeks and more divisive mandates,” he said.___

COVID-19 vaccine booster drive is faltering in the US

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than 793,000 small SUVs in the U.S. and Canada because water can get into wiring and in rare cases could start a fire. The recall covers Nissan Rogue SUVs from the 2014 through 2016 model years. 

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents that water and salt can enter a wiring connector in the driver’s foot well, causing corrosion. 

The corrosion can increase the risk of a fire. Nissan says it’s working on a fix and expects to have one in the spring. Owners will get an interim notification letter in March and later will be told when to take their Rogues to a dealer for service.

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than 793,000 small SUVs in the U.S. and Canada because water can get into wiring and in rare cases could start a fire. The recall covers Nissan Rogue SUVs from the 2014 through 2016 model years. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents that water and salt can enter a wiring connector in the driver’s foot well, causing corrosion. The corrosion can increase the risk of a fire. Nissan says it’s working on a fix and expects to have one in the spring. Owners will get an interim notification letter in March and later will be told when to take their Rogues to a dealer for service.

Nissan recalls 793K Rogues; wiring trouble raises fire risk

RUSH COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Rush County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a Black 2006 GMC Envoy in connection with the homicide of 61-year-old Leslie Randa of La Crosse on January 21.

 The vehicle has Kansas tag 463HAE&nbsp; and front grill guard is chrome. 

 The SUV was observed in Wichita after Randa was killed, and may still be in the Wichita area. 

If anyone saw this SUV on January 11, or after, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME, or the Rush County Sheriff’s Office at 785-222-2578.

Leslie Randa, 61, was discovered in his home, located at 205 E 5th St in LaCrosse, Kan. Randa was found by a family member who then contacted 911 at 1:39 p.m. on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643198011225.png" alt="Photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSH COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Rush County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a Black 2006 GMC Envoy in connection with the homicide of 61-year-old Leslie Randa of La Crosse on January 21. The vehicle has Kansas tag 463HAE&nbsp; and front grill guard is chrome. The SUV was observed in Wichita after Randa was killed, and may still be in the Wichita area. If anyone saw this SUV on January 11, or after, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME, or the Rush County Sheriff’s Office at 785-222-2578.Leslie Randa, 61, was discovered in his home, located at 205 E 5th St in LaCrosse, Kan. Randa was found by a family member who then contacted 911 at 1:39 p.m. on Friday.

Search continues for SUV connected with Kansas homicide

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republicans who control the Kansas Legislature are close to passing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank">a congressional redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;that marries an eastern Kansas community proud of its “woke” politics to Trump-loving small towns and farms five hours west by car on the expansive and stark plains.

Democratic legislators and some local officials see the worst kind of gerrymandering in the GOP’s intentions for Lawrence, about 40 miles&nbsp; west of Kansas City. The northeast Kansas city of almost 95,000 residents is home to the main University of Kansas campus.

A city that has a penchant for irritating conservatives with liberal politics — it’s trying to move to entirely renewable energy, for example — would be moved into the sprawling 1st Congressional District of western and central Kansas where former President Donald Trump received almost 70% of the vote in 2020.

The Kansas House debated the bill Tuesday for four hours and set a final vote for Wednesday. The Senate approved the plan last week. Democrats don’t have the political strength to prevent its passage and might not be able to sustain a possible veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Both parties expect the lines to be settled in court.

Kansas’ new 1st District would not look like its GOP-drawn 1st District cousin&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/north-carolina/" target="_blank">in North Carolina,</a>&nbsp;held together over the north-south length of that state by islands off its Atlantic coast, or the snaky Chicago-area districts that favor Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/illinois/" target="_blank">in Illinois.&nbsp;</a>But it raises eyebrows even among some Republicans who planned to vote for it by having a finger of land extend far into eastern Kansas and end with Lawrence at a small tip.

“It’s a travesty,” said Democratic state Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence, an attorney. “It really disenfranchises my district, my city.”

As for the political divides between Lawrence and western Kansas, Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican and an architect of the GOP plan, said that divide exists now for Lawrence in the 2nd District of eastern Kansas. The 2nd has swaths of conservative rural territory in southeast Kansas. In fact, even some local residents acknowledge that such a divide exists between Lawrence and the less populated areas immediately around it.

“It’s a change in a number,” Masterson said Tuesday. “They were in District No. 2 and they were the most woke place, and they were with other counties in the 2nd that you could argue were the least-woke places. Now it’s District No. 1 with the most woke and the least woke.”

Though red Kansas has a few blue strongholds, Lawrence, home to almost 95,000 people, has a reputation as an especially liberal town.

In 2018, complaints from the then-Republican governor and others prompted the university to take down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/251bb21efd754af7a3f34a01fa9a1665">an altered American flag</a>&nbsp;that was part of an art display. The following year, conservatives were irked by plans for a course called “Angry White Male Studies.” And many residents wanted local officials to resist federal immigration enforcement efforts during the Trump administration.

Democratic legislators and local officials complained about how the GOP map splits the city of Lawrence from the rest of Douglas County and even splits voting precincts. They also argued that Lawrence is oriented toward the Kansas City area, with people commuting there for jobs and fun.

“The map is clearly political gerrymandering in a way that only hurts voters,” said Shannon Portillo, a Douglas County commissioner who represents both part of the city and rural areas.

The change for Lawrence stems from other changes top Republicans proposed that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">make it harder</a>&nbsp;for the lone Kansas Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, to win reelection in her Kansas City-area 3rd District, which has swung back and forth between the two parties for nearly 25 years.

Davids’ current district is overpopulated by nearly 58,000 residents, so Republicans’ map moves part of the Kansas City area — where Davids is the strongest — into the neighboring 2nd District of eastern Kansas. To keep that district close to the ideal population and maintain a safe GOP seat, Democratic voters in Lawrence were moved out of the 2nd.

Republicans contend that the change for Lawrence is just about numbers and complying with mandates established by federal courts that congressional districts be made as equal in population as possible after a decade of population shifts. They argue that the GOP plan achieves that: Each of the four districts hits the target of 734,470 residents, exactly.

“For you over here,” Rep. Steve Huebert, a Wichita-area Republican, told Democrats during the House debate, “who says, ‘Well, that’s not fair,’ that’s the way it works.”

Republican lawmakers argued that the University of Kansas gives Lawrence a common interest with other 1st District communities with universities, most notably Kansas State University in Manhattan, also in northeast Kansas.

When Democrats touted how Lawrence honors diversity, Republicans countered that southwest Kansas has three counties in which non-Hispanic white residents are a minority, largely because of meatpacking plants.

But Highberger and other Lawrence-area lawmakers believe the city’s votes for Democratic candidates and progressive candidates will be swallowed by western Kansas conservatives, causing it to be ignored.

Though initially surprised, western Kansas lawmakers seemed to be taking the change in stride — and supporting the map.

“Rural counties are used to being put places, and you just have to make do with it,” said former Kansas Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty, a former House member who sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republicans who control the Kansas Legislature are close to passing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank">a congressional redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;that marries an eastern Kansas community proud of its “woke” politics to Trump-loving small towns and farms five hours west by car on the expansive and stark plains.Democratic legislators and some local officials see the worst kind of gerrymandering in the GOP’s intentions for Lawrence, about 40 miles&nbsp; west of Kansas City. The northeast Kansas city of almost 95,000 residents is home to the main University of Kansas campus.A city that has a penchant for irritating conservatives with liberal politics — it’s trying to move to entirely renewable energy, for example — would be moved into the sprawling 1st Congressional District of western and central Kansas where former President Donald Trump received almost 70% of the vote in 2020.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643133718889.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas House debated the bill Tuesday for four hours and set a final vote for Wednesday. The Senate approved the plan last week. Democrats don’t have the political strength to prevent its passage and might not be able to sustain a possible veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Both parties expect the lines to be settled in court.Kansas’ new 1st District would not look like its GOP-drawn 1st District cousin&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/north-carolina/" target="_blank">in North Carolina,</a>&nbsp;held together over the north-south length of that state by islands off its Atlantic coast, or the snaky Chicago-area districts that favor Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/illinois/" target="_blank">in Illinois.&nbsp;</a>But it raises eyebrows even among some Republicans who planned to vote for it by having a finger of land extend far into eastern Kansas and end with Lawrence at a small tip.“It’s a travesty,” said Democratic state Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence, an attorney. “It really disenfranchises my district, my city.”As for the political divides between Lawrence and western Kansas, Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican and an architect of the GOP plan, said that divide exists now for Lawrence in the 2nd District of eastern Kansas. The 2nd has swaths of conservative rural territory in southeast Kansas. In fact, even some local residents acknowledge that such a divide exists between Lawrence and the less populated areas immediately around it.“It’s a change in a number,” Masterson said Tuesday. “They were in District No. 2 and they were the most woke place, and they were with other counties in the 2nd that you could argue were the least-woke places. Now it’s District No. 1 with the most woke and the least woke.”Though red Kansas has a few blue strongholds, Lawrence, home to almost 95,000 people, has a reputation as an especially liberal town.In 2018, complaints from the then-Republican governor and others prompted the university to take down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/251bb21efd754af7a3f34a01fa9a1665">an altered American flag</a>&nbsp;that was part of an art display. The following year, conservatives were irked by plans for a course called “Angry White Male Studies.” And many residents wanted local officials to resist federal immigration enforcement efforts during the Trump administration.Democratic legislators and local officials complained about how the GOP map splits the city of Lawrence from the rest of Douglas County and even splits voting precincts. They also argued that Lawrence is oriented toward the Kansas City area, with people commuting there for jobs and fun.“The map is clearly political gerrymandering in a way that only hurts voters,” said Shannon Portillo, a Douglas County commissioner who represents both part of the city and rural areas.The change for Lawrence stems from other changes top Republicans proposed that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">make it harder</a>&nbsp;for the lone Kansas Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, to win reelection in her Kansas City-area 3rd District, which has swung back and forth between the two parties for nearly 25 years.Davids’ current district is overpopulated by nearly 58,000 residents, so Republicans’ map moves part of the Kansas City area — where Davids is the strongest — into the neighboring 2nd District of eastern Kansas. To keep that district close to the ideal population and maintain a safe GOP seat, Democratic voters in Lawrence were moved out of the 2nd.Republicans contend that the change for Lawrence is just about numbers and complying with mandates established by federal courts that congressional districts be made as equal in population as possible after a decade of population shifts. They argue that the GOP plan achieves that: Each of the four districts hits the target of 734,470 residents, exactly.“For you over here,” Rep. Steve Huebert, a Wichita-area Republican, told Democrats during the House debate, “who says, ‘Well, that’s not fair,’ that’s the way it works.”Republican lawmakers argued that the University of Kansas gives Lawrence a common interest with other 1st District communities with universities, most notably Kansas State University in Manhattan, also in northeast Kansas.When Democrats touted how Lawrence honors diversity, Republicans countered that southwest Kansas has three counties in which non-Hispanic white residents are a minority, largely because of meatpacking plants.But Highberger and other Lawrence-area lawmakers believe the city’s votes for Democratic candidates and progressive candidates will be swallowed by western Kansas conservatives, causing it to be ignored.Though initially surprised, western Kansas lawmakers seemed to be taking the change in stride — and supporting the map.“Rural counties are used to being put places, and you just have to make do with it,” said former Kansas Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty, a former House member who sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018.

GOP map ties ‘woke’ Kansas enclave to Trump-loving areas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — No charges will be filed against police officers who shot and killed an apparently suicidal teenager in Grandview last year, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office said.

The officers shot 17-year-old Lantz Stephenson Jr. several times at a park on May 16 after he pointed a BB gun that looked like a weapon at them, investigators said.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a letter Jan. 7 that the officers’ actions “were within the scope of their legal authority" as Missouri law enforcement officers.

Baker's letter, based in part on an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said Stephenson called police dispatchers to say he had a gun and wanted to get in a “shoot out” with police.

When officers arrived, Stephenson advanced toward them with what looked like a weapon and refused commands to put it down, prompting officers to fire, according to the letter.

Paramedics who arrived after the shooting asked Stephenson if he was attempting suicide and he nodded that he was, the letter said. He later died during surgery at a hospital.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643197196812.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation- photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation- photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — No charges will be filed against police officers who shot and killed an apparently suicidal teenager in Grandview last year, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office said.The officers shot 17-year-old Lantz Stephenson Jr. several times at a park on May 16 after he pointed a BB gun that looked like a weapon at them, investigators said.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a letter Jan. 7 that the officers’ actions “were within the scope of their legal authority" as Missouri law enforcement officers.Baker's letter, based in part on an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said Stephenson called police dispatchers to say he had a gun and wanted to get in a “shoot out” with police.When officers arrived, Stephenson advanced toward them with what looked like a weapon and refused commands to put it down, prompting officers to fire, according to the letter.Paramedics who arrived after the shooting asked Stephenson if he was attempting suicide and he nodded that he was, the letter said. He later died during surgery at a hospital.

No charges against KC-area officers who fatally shot suicidal teen

The
 Federal Trade Commission is returning more than $3.7 million to 
consumers who lost money because of unfair and deceptive loan servicing 
practices by online lender Avant, LLC.

The FTC <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/04/online-lending-company-agrees-settle-ftc-charges-it-engaged">sued Avant in April 2019</a>,
 alleging that the company falsely advertised that it would accept 
payments by credit or debit cards, when in fact it did not. This often 
resulted in customers being charged additional interest on their loans 
as they tried to arrange a different form of payment. The FTC also 
alleged that the company withdrew money from customers’ bank accounts or
 charged their credit cards without authorization, failed to properly 
and timely credit payments made by check, provided deceptive payoff 
quotes to customers, and tried to collect more money than the quoted 
payoff amount.

<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a>The FTC is sending checks to 17,367 consumers who were harmed by Avant’s practices. The average payment amount is $216. People who receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days, as indicated on the check.

Recipients who have questions about their refund, as well as 
consumers who believe they are eligible for a refund but did not receive
 a check, should call the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, at 
877-625-9420. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide 
account information to get a refund.

The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/federal.trade.commission#!/vizhome/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a> provide
 a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions led to 
more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the country, but 
the United States Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the FTC lacks 
authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court 
going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is returning more than $3.7 million to 
consumers who lost money because of unfair and deceptive loan servicing 
practices by online lender Avant, LLC.The FTC <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/04/online-lending-company-agrees-settle-ftc-charges-it-engaged">sued Avant in April 2019</a>,
 alleging that the company falsely advertised that it would accept 
payments by credit or debit cards, when in fact it did not. This often 
resulted in customers being charged additional interest on their loans 
as they tried to arrange a different form of payment. The FTC also 
alleged that the company withdrew money from customers’ bank accounts or
 charged their credit cards without authorization, failed to properly 
and timely credit payments made by check, provided deceptive payoff 
quotes to customers, and tried to collect more money than the quoted 
payoff amount.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase"></a>The FTC is sending checks to 17,367 consumers who were harmed by Avant’s practices. The average payment amount is $216. People who receive checks should deposit or cash them within 90 days, as indicated on the check.Recipients who have questions about their refund, as well as 
consumers who believe they are eligible for a refund but did not receive
 a check, should call the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, at 
877-625-9420. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide 
account information to get a refund.The FTC’s <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/federal.trade.commission#!/vizhome/Refunds_15797958402020/RefundsbyCase">interactive dashboards for refund data(link is external)</a> provide
 a state-by-state breakdown of FTC refunds. In 2020, FTC actions led to 
more than $483 million in refunds to consumers across the country, but 
the United States Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the FTC lacks 
authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court 
going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: $4M sent to victims of unfair practices by online lender

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that all 
third-round Economic Impact Payments have been issued and reminds people
 how to claim any remaining stimulus payment they're entitled to on 
their 2021 income tax return as part of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.

Parents of a child born in 2021 – or parents and guardians who added a
 new qualifying child to their family in 2021 – did not receive a 
third-round Economic Impact Payment for that child and may be eligible 
to receive up to $1,400 for the child by claiming the Recovery Rebate 
Credit.

While some payments of the Economic Impact Payments from 2021 may 
still be in the mail, including, supplemental payments for people who 
earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 tax returns but 
are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their recently 
processed 2020 tax returns. The IRS is no longer issuing payments as 
required by law. Through December 31, the IRS issued more than 175 
million third-round payments totaling over $400 billion to individuals 
and families across the country while simultaneously managing an 
extended filing season in 2021.

Third-round Economic Impact Payments were advance payments of the 
2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. In late January, the IRS began issuing 
Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact Payment, to recipients of the 
third-round Economic Impact Payment. This letter will help Economic 
Impact Payment recipients determine if they are entitled to and should 
claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns when they 
file in 2022.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law on March 11, 
2021, authorized a third round of Economic Impact Payments and required 
them to be issued by December 31, 2021. The IRS began issuing these 
payments on March 12, 2021 and continued through the end of the year.

Eligible parents of children born in 2021 and families that added 
qualifying dependents in 2021 should claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit; most other eligible people already received the full amount and 
won’t need to claim a credit on their tax return

The third-round Economic Impact Payment was an advance payment of the
 tax year 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The amount of the third-round 
Economic Impact Payment was based on the income and number of dependents
 listed on an individual's 2019 or 2020 income tax return. The amount of
 the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit is based on the income and number of 
dependents listed on an individual's 2021 income tax return.

Families and individuals in the following circumstances, among 
others, may not have received the full amount of their third-round 
Economic Impact Payment because their circumstances in 2021 were 
different than they were in 2020. These families and individuals may be 
eligible to receive more money by claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit on their 2021 income tax return:

Individuals must claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their 
2021 income tax return in order to get this money; the IRS will not 
automatically calculate the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS began 
accepting 2021 income tax returns on January 24.

Most other eligible people already received the full amount of their 
credit in advance and don't need to include any information about this 
payment when they file their 2021 tax return. The IRS issued additional 
payments – called "Plus-Up" Payments – to individuals who initially 
received a third-round Economic Impact Payment based on information on 
their 2019 tax return and were eligible for a larger amount based on 
information on their 2020 tax return.

Avoid processing delays when claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit

The IRS strongly encourages people to have all the information they 
need to file an accurate return to avoid processing delays. If the 
return includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review 
while the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund.

To claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, individuals will need to 
know the total amount of their third-round Economic Impact Payment, 
including any Plus-Up Payments, they received. People can view the total
 amount of their third-round Economic Impact Payments through their 
individual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>.
 The IRS will also send Letter 6475 through March to those who were 
issued third-round payments confirming the total amount for tax year 
2021. For married individuals filing a joint return with their spouse, 
each spouse will need to log into their own Online Account or review 
their own letter for their portion of their couple's total payment.

The IRS urges recipients of stimulus payments to carefully review 
their tax return before filing. Having this payment information 
available while preparing the tax return will help individuals determine
 if they are eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit for 
missing third-round stimulus payments. If eligible for the credit, they 
must file a 2021 tax return. Using the total amount of the third 
payments from the individual's online account or Letter 6475 when filing
 a tax return can reduce errors and avoid delays in processing while the
 IRS corrects the tax return.

The Get My Payment application will no longer be available as of January 29, 2022, and individuals are encouraged to access <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a> to view their first-, second-, and third-round Economic Impact Payment amounts under Tax Records.

File electronically, and choose direct deposit

The amount of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit will reduce the amount 
of tax owed for 2021, or, if it's more than the tax owed, it will be 
included as part of the individual's 2021 tax refund. Individuals will 
receive their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit included in their refund after
 the 2021 tax return is processed. The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit will 
not be issued separately from the tax refund.

To avoid processing delays, the IRS urges people to file a complete 
and accurate tax return. Filing electronically allows tax software to 
figure credits and deductions, including the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions</a> can also help.

The fastest and most secure way for eligible individuals to get their
 2021 tax refund that will include their allowable 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>.

Anyone with income of $73,000 or less, including those who don't have
 a tax return filing requirement, can file their federal tax return 
electronically for free through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> program. The fastest and most secure way to get a tax refund is to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a>
 and have it direct deposited —&nbsp;contactless and free — into the 
individual's financial account. Bank accounts, many prepaid debit cards,
 and several mobile apps can be used for direct deposit when taxpayers 
provide a routing and account number.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a> has details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">free VITA or TCE tax preparation sites</a> in communities or finding a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">trusted tax professional</a>.

Claim 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit for missing first- or second-round Economic Impact Payments

All first- and second-round Economic Impact Payments have been 
issued. The first- and second-round Economic Impact Payments were an 
advance payment of tax year 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. People who 
didn't qualify for a first- and second- Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery 
Rebate Credit on a 2020 income tax return. Individuals will need to file
 a 2020 tax return if they have not filed yet or amend their 2020 income
 tax return if it's already been processed.

If the individual's 2020 income tax return has not yet been fully 
processed, the individual should not file a second return. Some returns 
need special handling to correct errors or credit amounts, which can 
delay processing. The IRS is having to correct significantly more errors
 on 2020 tax returns than in previous years. If the IRS corrects the 
credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send a letter with an 
explanation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that all 
third-round Economic Impact Payments have been issued and reminds people
 how to claim any remaining stimulus payment they're entitled to on 
their 2021 income tax return as part of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.Parents of a child born in 2021 – or parents and guardians who added a
 new qualifying child to their family in 2021 – did not receive a 
third-round Economic Impact Payment for that child and may be eligible 
to receive up to $1,400 for the child by claiming the Recovery Rebate 
Credit.While some payments of the Economic Impact Payments from 2021 may 
still be in the mail, including, supplemental payments for people who 
earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 tax returns but 
are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their recently 
processed 2020 tax returns. The IRS is no longer issuing payments as 
required by law. Through December 31, the IRS issued more than 175 
million third-round payments totaling over $400 billion to individuals 
and families across the country while simultaneously managing an 
extended filing season in 2021.Third-round Economic Impact Payments were advance payments of the 
2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. In late January, the IRS began issuing 
Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact Payment, to recipients of the 
third-round Economic Impact Payment. This letter will help Economic 
Impact Payment recipients determine if they are entitled to and should 
claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns when they 
file in 2022.The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law on March 11, 
2021, authorized a third round of Economic Impact Payments and required 
them to be issued by December 31, 2021. The IRS began issuing these 
payments on March 12, 2021 and continued through the end of the year.<h2>Eligible parents of children born in 2021 and families that added 
qualifying dependents in 2021 should claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit; most other eligible people already received the full amount and 
won’t need to claim a credit on their tax return</h2>The third-round Economic Impact Payment was an advance payment of the
 tax year 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The amount of the third-round 
Economic Impact Payment was based on the income and number of dependents
 listed on an individual's 2019 or 2020 income tax return. The amount of
 the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit is based on the income and number of 
dependents listed on an individual's 2021 income tax return.Families and individuals in the following circumstances, among 
others, may not have received the full amount of their third-round 
Economic Impact Payment because their circumstances in 2021 were 
different than they were in 2020. These families and individuals may be 
eligible to receive more money by claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit on their 2021 income tax return:<ul>
 <li>Parents of a child born in 2021 who claim the child as a 
dependent on their 2021 income tax return may be eligible to receive a 
2021 Recovery Rebate Credit of up to $1,400 for this child.
	All eligible parents of qualifying children born or welcomed 
through adoption or foster care in 2021 are also encouraged to claim the
 child tax credit — worth up to $3,600 per child born in 2021 — on their
 2021 income tax return.</li><li>All eligible parents of qualifying children born or welcomed 
through adoption or foster care in 2021 are also encouraged to claim the
 child tax credit — worth up to $3,600 per child born in 2021 — on their
 2021 income tax return.</li><li>Families who added a dependent – such as a parent, a nephew or 
niece, or a grandchild – on their 2021 income tax return who was not 
listed as a dependent on their 2020 income tax return may be eligible to
 receive a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit of up to $1,400 for this 
dependent.</li><li>Single filers who had incomes above $80,000 in 2020 but less than 
this amount in 2021; married couples who filed a joint return and had 
incomes above $160,000 in 2020 but less than this amount in 2021; and 
head of household filers who had incomes above $120,000 in 2020 but less
 than this amount in 2021 may be eligible for a 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit of up to $1,400 per person.</li><li>Single filers who had incomes between $75,000 and $80,000 in 2020 
but had lower incomes in 2021; married couples who filed a joint return 
and had incomes between $150,000 and $160,000 in 2020 but had lower 
incomes in 2021; and head of household filers who had incomes between 
$112,500 and $120,000 in 2020 but had lower incomes in 2021 may be 
eligible for a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.</li>
 </ul>Individuals must claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their 
2021 income tax return in order to get this money; the IRS will not 
automatically calculate the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS began 
accepting 2021 income tax returns on January 24.Most other eligible people already received the full amount of their 
credit in advance and don't need to include any information about this 
payment when they file their 2021 tax return. The IRS issued additional 
payments – called "Plus-Up" Payments – to individuals who initially 
received a third-round Economic Impact Payment based on information on 
their 2019 tax return and were eligible for a larger amount based on 
information on their 2020 tax return.<h2>Avoid processing delays when claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit</h2>The IRS strongly encourages people to have all the information they 
need to file an accurate return to avoid processing delays. If the 
return includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review 
while the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund.To claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, individuals will need to 
know the total amount of their third-round Economic Impact Payment, 
including any Plus-Up Payments, they received. People can view the total
 amount of their third-round Economic Impact Payments through their 
individual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>.
 The IRS will also send Letter 6475 through March to those who were 
issued third-round payments confirming the total amount for tax year 
2021. For married individuals filing a joint return with their spouse, 
each spouse will need to log into their own Online Account or review 
their own letter for their portion of their couple's total payment.The IRS urges recipients of stimulus payments to carefully review 
their tax return before filing. Having this payment information 
available while preparing the tax return will help individuals determine
 if they are eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit for 
missing third-round stimulus payments. If eligible for the credit, they 
must file a 2021 tax return. Using the total amount of the third 
payments from the individual's online account or Letter 6475 when filing
 a tax return can reduce errors and avoid delays in processing while the
 IRS corrects the tax return.The Get My Payment application will no longer be available as of January 29, 2022, and individuals are encouraged to access <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a> to view their first-, second-, and third-round Economic Impact Payment amounts under Tax Records.<h2>File electronically, and choose direct deposit</h2>The amount of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit will reduce the amount 
of tax owed for 2021, or, if it's more than the tax owed, it will be 
included as part of the individual's 2021 tax refund. Individuals will 
receive their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit included in their refund after
 the 2021 tax return is processed. The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit will 
not be issued separately from the tax refund.To avoid processing delays, the IRS urges people to file a complete 
and accurate tax return. Filing electronically allows tax software to 
figure credits and deductions, including the 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions</a> can also help.The fastest and most secure way for eligible individuals to get their
 2021 tax refund that will include their allowable 2021 Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>.Anyone with income of $73,000 or less, including those who don't have
 a tax return filing requirement, can file their federal tax return 
electronically for free through the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> program. The fastest and most secure way to get a tax refund is to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a>
 and have it direct deposited —&nbsp;contactless and free — into the 
individual's financial account. Bank accounts, many prepaid debit cards,
 and several mobile apps can be used for direct deposit when taxpayers 
provide a routing and account number.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a> has details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">free VITA or TCE tax preparation sites</a> in communities or finding a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">trusted tax professional</a>.<h2>Claim 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit for missing first- or second-round Economic Impact Payments</h2>All first- and second-round Economic Impact Payments have been 
issued. The first- and second-round Economic Impact Payments were an 
advance payment of tax year 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. People who 
didn't qualify for a first- and second- Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery 
Rebate Credit on a 2020 income tax return. Individuals will need to file
 a 2020 tax return if they have not filed yet or amend their 2020 income
 tax return if it's already been processed.If the individual's 2020 income tax return has not yet been fully 
processed, the individual should not file a second return. Some returns 
need special handling to correct errors or credit amounts, which can 
delay processing. The IRS is having to correct significantly more errors
 on 2020 tax returns than in previous years. If the IRS corrects the 
credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send a letter with an 
explanation.<h2>More information</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account Information</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-questions-and-answers">2021 Recovery Rebate Credit Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-frequently-asked-questions">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS: All COVID relief payments issued, but some can claim tax credit

MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A man who pleaded guilty to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026496a05084124bd4c08111eaa9a83">stuffing his wife’s body in a freezer</a>&nbsp;more than six years ago has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Larry Dinwiddie, 59, of Marshfield, Mo., was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty in November to second-degree murder in the death of Cynthia Dinwiddie,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kfvs12.com/2022/01/24/judge-sentences-marshfield-mo-man-killing-wife-stuffing-body-freezer/">television station KYTV reported</a>.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped a count of abandoning a corpse. Investigators have said they found the body of his wife, Cynthia, locked in a freezer in an abandoned storage unit in November 2019 and that her body had been there since 2015.

Investigators have said her death resulted from domestic violence. Dinwiddie admitted to killing his wife with a hammer during an argument, according to court records. He never reported her missing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574898507140.png" alt="Dinwiddie-photo Marshall Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Dinwiddie-photo Marshall Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A man who pleaded guilty to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026496a05084124bd4c08111eaa9a83">stuffing his wife’s body in a freezer</a>&nbsp;more than six years ago has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.Larry Dinwiddie, 59, of Marshfield, Mo., was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty in November to second-degree murder in the death of Cynthia Dinwiddie,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kfvs12.com/2022/01/24/judge-sentences-marshfield-mo-man-killing-wife-stuffing-body-freezer/">television station KYTV reported</a>.In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped a count of abandoning a corpse. Investigators have said they found the body of his wife, Cynthia, locked in a freezer in an abandoned storage unit in November 2019 and that her body had been there since 2015.Investigators have said her death resulted from domestic violence. Dinwiddie admitted to killing his wife with a hammer during an argument, according to court records. He never reported her missing.

Man who stuffed wife's body in freezer sentenced to prison

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent assault and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to a residence in the 6500 Block of SW 26th Ct. in Topeka in reference to an assault. At the home officers located an adult victim suffering from serious injuries after having been assaulted by a family member.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., an officer located the suspect later identified as&nbsp;Colby Fincham, 31 of Topeka, sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart located at 2600 NW Rochester Road. 

Fincham refused to get out of his car, so numerous officers were utilized to safely handle the situation. After just under an hour of communicating with him, he complied with commands and was taken into custody. 

Police transported Fincham to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and he is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Burglary, Violation of a PFA, Stalking, Theft, Criminal Damage, Interference and Possession of Cocaine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643110970677.png" alt="Fincham photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Fincham photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent assault and have a suspect in custody.Just after 7:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to a residence in the 6500 Block of SW 26th Ct. in Topeka in reference to an assault. At the home officers located an adult victim suffering from serious injuries after having been assaulted by a family member.The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.Shortly after 9:00 p.m., an officer located the suspect later identified as&nbsp;Colby Fincham, 31 of Topeka, sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart located at 2600 NW Rochester Road. Fincham refused to get out of his car, so numerous officers were utilized to safely handle the situation. After just under an hour of communicating with him, he complied with commands and was taken into custody. Police transported Fincham to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and he is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Burglary, Violation of a PFA, Stalking, Theft, Criminal Damage, Interference and Possession of Cocaine.

Kansas man accused of violent attack, stalking 

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press

Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered the Kansas agency that oversees foster care to investigate the death of a 17-year-old who was restrained face down for more than 30 minutes last fall at a Wichita juvenile intake center after his foster father called begging for help because the teen was hallucinating.

“This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to ensure something like this never happens again,” Kelly said in a written statement calling for the Kansas Department for Children and Families to review the case of Cedric Lofton and see if policies needed to be changed.

Her comments come one week after Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett expressed concerns about the handling of Lofton’s case when he announced that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-kansas-a51f619b8b196987e74b046ac399680c">wouldn’t file any criminal charges</a>. He said he struggled with whether an involuntary manslaughter charge was justified, but concluded that the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-topeka-legislature-gun-politics-6f61a926a56353a4b22ffecf90c46be3">“stand-your-ground” law</a>&nbsp;prevented him from pursuing it because staff members were protecting themselves.

Kelly also said she was looking forward to hearing recommendations from Bennett, the Legislature and advocates on ways to clarify or modify the law.

DCF spokesman Mike Deines didn’t immediately respond to an email request from The Associated Press seeking comment.

According to Bennett’s report, Lofton’s mental health got markedly worse after the teen attended his grandmother’s funeral. Lofton’s family expressed concern to the foster father that Cedric “was having either a mental breakdown and, or he was having an onset of schizophrenia.”

And one of his foster brothers later told investigators that Lofton had complained that there were kids in his class at school that were robots who were trying to kill him, the report said.

At the urging of the case manager, the foster father drove Lofton to a mental health provider, but he walked away. When Lofton returned home in the pre-dawn hours of on Sept. 24, the case worker told the foster father to not let the teen into the house and to call police.

Bennett wrote in his report: “Whether the State of Kansas should accept a foster care system that responds to a foster father’s expression of concern that his foster son is in mental distress by telling the man, don’t let him in the house and call the police -- is a legitimate question. A question, in fact, that may well demand answers.”

Police who arrived at the home spent nearly an hour trying to convince Lofton to go to a hospital for mental health treatment. But Lofton refused, telling officers he was concerned about people trying to kill him, the report said.

When officers tried to escort the 5-foot-10, 135-pound Lofton to the patrol car, Lofton struck and kicked at them, the report said. They ultimately restrained him in something called the WRAP, a device comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.

A sergeant said in an interview that he believed Lofton was too combative to take to the hospital. But at least one officer involved can be heard saying on a body camera recording that he thought the teen should have been taken there and not to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.

Once at the center, Lofton scuffled with staff after the WRAP restraint was removed.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-72306786c90addb96280d1738d931ad8">Surveillance video&nbsp;</a>released Friday shows him punching one of the juvenile detention employees in the head.

Bennett’s report said staff shackled Lofton’s ankles and put him on his stomach on the floor. His report said Cedric was “mumbling” at times, repeated that he was Jesus and saying staff should kill themselves and that he would “hex” them. Staff noticed he wasn’t breathing after they called to arrange for Lofton to be taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but Lofton died two days later.

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated PressGov. Laura Kelly has ordered the Kansas agency that oversees foster care to investigate the death of a 17-year-old who was restrained face down for more than 30 minutes last fall at a Wichita juvenile intake center after his foster father called begging for help because the teen was hallucinating.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cxlFYiAFil4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to ensure something like this never happens again,” Kelly said in a written statement calling for the Kansas Department for Children and Families to review the case of Cedric Lofton and see if policies needed to be changed.Her comments come one week after Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett expressed concerns about the handling of Lofton’s case when he announced that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-kansas-a51f619b8b196987e74b046ac399680c">wouldn’t file any criminal charges</a>. He said he struggled with whether an involuntary manslaughter charge was justified, but concluded that the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-topeka-legislature-gun-politics-6f61a926a56353a4b22ffecf90c46be3">“stand-your-ground” law</a>&nbsp;prevented him from pursuing it because staff members were protecting themselves.Kelly also said she was looking forward to hearing recommendations from Bennett, the Legislature and advocates on ways to clarify or modify the law.DCF spokesman Mike Deines didn’t immediately respond to an email request from The Associated Press seeking comment.According to Bennett’s report, Lofton’s mental health got markedly worse after the teen attended his grandmother’s funeral. Lofton’s family expressed concern to the foster father that Cedric “was having either a mental breakdown and, or he was having an onset of schizophrenia.”And one of his foster brothers later told investigators that Lofton had complained that there were kids in his class at school that were robots who were trying to kill him, the report said.At the urging of the case manager, the foster father drove Lofton to a mental health provider, but he walked away. When Lofton returned home in the pre-dawn hours of on Sept. 24, the case worker told the foster father to not let the teen into the house and to call police.Bennett wrote in his report: “Whether the State of Kansas should accept a foster care system that responds to a foster father’s expression of concern that his foster son is in mental distress by telling the man, don’t let him in the house and call the police -- is a legitimate question. A question, in fact, that may well demand answers.”Police who arrived at the home spent nearly an hour trying to convince Lofton to go to a hospital for mental health treatment. But Lofton refused, telling officers he was concerned about people trying to kill him, the report said.When officers tried to escort the 5-foot-10, 135-pound Lofton to the patrol car, Lofton struck and kicked at them, the report said. They ultimately restrained him in something called the WRAP, a device comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.A sergeant said in an interview that he believed Lofton was too combative to take to the hospital. But at least one officer involved can be heard saying on a body camera recording that he thought the teen should have been taken there and not to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.Once at the center, Lofton scuffled with staff after the WRAP restraint was removed.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-72306786c90addb96280d1738d931ad8">Surveillance video&nbsp;</a>released Friday shows him punching one of the juvenile detention employees in the head.Bennett’s report said staff shackled Lofton’s ankles and put him on his stomach on the floor. His report said Cedric was “mumbling” at times, repeated that he was Jesus and saying staff should kill themselves and that he would “hex” them. Staff noticed he wasn’t breathing after they called to arrange for Lofton to be taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but Lofton died two days later.

Kan. governor calls for investigation into teen's custody death

The Biden administration has officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday. But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated.

In early November, OSHA announced a vaccine-or-test mandate for companies with at least 100 employees. The rule __ which would have impacted more than 80 million U.S. workers __ was originally set to go into effect on Jan. 4.

But numerous states and business groups challenged the rule in court. On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court halted the plan. In a 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority concluded that OSHA had overstepped its authority.

“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress,″ the court’s majority wrote. ”Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here."

The justices left in place a vaccine mandate for health care providers who receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. That rule affects 10.4 million workers.

OSHA indicated that the rule could return in some form. While it is no longer an enforceable standard, it remains a proposed rule, OSHA said. In the meantime, the agency said it will prioritize the health care mandate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642678724173.png" alt="The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday. But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday. But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Business WriterThe Biden administration has officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday. But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated.In early November, OSHA announced a vaccine-or-test mandate for companies with at least 100 employees. The rule __ which would have impacted more than 80 million U.S. workers __ was originally set to go into effect on Jan. 4.But numerous states and business groups challenged the rule in court. On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court halted the plan. In a 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority concluded that OSHA had overstepped its authority.“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress,″ the court’s majority wrote. ”Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here."The justices left in place a vaccine mandate for health care providers who receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. That rule affects 10.4 million workers.OSHA indicated that the rule could return in some form. While it is no longer an enforceable standard, it remains a proposed rule, OSHA said. In the meantime, the agency said it will prioritize the health care mandate.

Biden administration officially withdraws vaccine rule

It's not because we're getting tons more care — it's because prices rise so fast

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-24/yes-more-and-more-of-your-paycheck-goes-to-health-care-in-kansas-and-missouri-heres-why">Kansas News Service</a>

People expect a lower cost of living in the middle of the country. 
It’s one of the perks of picking, say, Wichita over Washington, D.C.

But when it comes to health care, <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/washington-arlington-alexandria-dc-va-vs-wichita-ks" target="_blank">not even choosing a cheaper part of the country</a> can shield you from the pain of American medical prices.

Kansas
 and Missouri count among the five states where people with work-based 
insurance face average premiums and deductibles topping $9,000 a year.

In Missouri, deductibles are so high that economists at the <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/about-us" target="_blank">Commonwealth Fund</a> consider the average middle-income earner there underinsured.

Why underinsured? Because when deductibles add up to 5% or more of a person’s income, they start skipping out on health care.

“And when people do get care, they often accumulate a lot of medical 
debt,” economist Sara Collins said. “That has financial ramifications 
for families.”

Collins is vice president at the Commonwealth Fund,
 where she directs its program on insurance coverage and access to 
health care.

In a new report, the organization dug into a federal survey of more than 40,000 employers.

Families
 in Kansas who get their insurance through work pay 36% of the premiums 
themselves. In Missouri, 33%. The average American family pays 29%.

“It’s
 really hard to imagine how we continue to allow this to happen,” 
Wichita physician Justin Moore said after reading the new research. 
“Every incentive in health care … is aligned to increase the amount of 
money that we take out of people’s pockets.”

Moore is medical 
director of the Kansas Business Group on Health – an insurance-buying 
coalition that brings together 35 very different businesses.

Some 
have just a few hundred employees. Others have tens of thousands. Yet 
all wrestle with how to curb what seems like the unstoppable rise of 
medical and insurance prices so that they can provide affordable 
prescriptions and quality health care to employees.

It’s one of the country’s most pressing puzzles. <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2021/oct/testimony-current-status-employer-health-insurance-coverage-united-states" target="_blank">More than half</a> of Americans not old enough for Medicare get health insurance through work.

A recent study by the <a href="https://healthcostinstitute.org/images/pdfs/HCCI_2019_Health_Care_Cost_and_Utilization_Report.pdf" target="_blank">Health Care Cost Institute</a> found spending per person with employer health insurance grew more than 20% over five years.

That’s
 nearly three times the pace of broader economic inflation. And most of 
this increase isn’t attributable to people getting more care and 
medications.

Instead, two-thirds of the problem comes simply from price hikes.

Imagine walking into a grocery store. You fill your cart with what feels like about $50 worth of groceries.

Only,
 you’re scared to walk to the front of the store and pay, because you 
know the total might actually come to $100 or $200. If you’re unlucky, 
maybe $500.

Even worse, you won’t get to return that gallon of milk to the shelves once you see on the bill that they priced it at $20.

That’s American health care. It’s hard to know what to expect.

“Health
 care costs are so random across the country,” Collins said. “There’s 
not a lot of relationship between prices and what it actually costs to 
deliver a service.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643124695745.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>It's not because we're getting tons more care — it's because prices rise so fast</h2>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-24/yes-more-and-more-of-your-paycheck-goes-to-health-care-in-kansas-and-missouri-heres-why">Kansas News Service</a>People expect a lower cost of living in the middle of the country. 
It’s one of the perks of picking, say, Wichita over Washington, D.C.But when it comes to health care, <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/washington-arlington-alexandria-dc-va-vs-wichita-ks" target="_blank">not even choosing a cheaper part of the country</a> can shield you from the pain of American medical prices.Kansas
 and Missouri count among the five states where people with work-based 
insurance face average premiums and deductibles topping $9,000 a year.In Missouri, deductibles are so high that economists at the <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/about-us" target="_blank">Commonwealth Fund</a> consider the average middle-income earner there underinsured.Why underinsured? Because when deductibles add up to 5% or more of a person’s income, they start skipping out on health care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643124775767.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“And when people do get care, they often accumulate a lot of medical 
debt,” economist Sara Collins said. “That has financial ramifications 
for families.”Collins is vice president at the Commonwealth Fund,
 where she directs its program on insurance coverage and access to 
health care.In a new report, the organization dug into a federal survey of more than 40,000 employers.Families
 in Kansas who get their insurance through work pay 36% of the premiums 
themselves. In Missouri, 33%. The average American family pays 29%.“It’s
 really hard to imagine how we continue to allow this to happen,” 
Wichita physician Justin Moore said after reading the new research. 
“Every incentive in health care … is aligned to increase the amount of 
money that we take out of people’s pockets.”Moore is medical 
director of the Kansas Business Group on Health – an insurance-buying 
coalition that brings together 35 very different businesses.Some 
have just a few hundred employees. Others have tens of thousands. Yet 
all wrestle with how to curb what seems like the unstoppable rise of 
medical and insurance prices so that they can provide affordable 
prescriptions and quality health care to employees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308401778.png" alt="This story is part of the series, Bills of Health. Do you have a medical bill from Kansas that you want to share with a reporter? Email celia@kcur.org." />
 <figcaption>This story is part of the series, Bills of Health. Do you have a medical bill from Kansas that you want to share with a reporter? Email celia@kcur.org.</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s one of the country’s most pressing puzzles. <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2021/oct/testimony-current-status-employer-health-insurance-coverage-united-states" target="_blank">More than half</a> of Americans not old enough for Medicare get health insurance through work.A recent study by the <a href="https://healthcostinstitute.org/images/pdfs/HCCI_2019_Health_Care_Cost_and_Utilization_Report.pdf" target="_blank">Health Care Cost Institute</a> found spending per person with employer health insurance grew more than 20% over five years.That’s
 nearly three times the pace of broader economic inflation. And most of 
this increase isn’t attributable to people getting more care and 
medications.Instead, two-thirds of the problem comes simply from price hikes. <h2>The disconnect between prices and costs</h2>Imagine walking into a grocery store. You fill your cart with what feels like about $50 worth of groceries.Only,
 you’re scared to walk to the front of the store and pay, because you 
know the total might actually come to $100 or $200. If you’re unlucky, 
maybe $500.Even worse, you won’t get to return that gallon of milk to the shelves once you see on the bill that they priced it at $20.That’s American health care. It’s hard to know what to expect.“Health
 care costs are so random across the country,” Collins said. “There’s 
not a lot of relationship between prices and what it actually costs to 
deliver a service.”A study by the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-25/employers-compared-notes-on-secret-prices-at-kansas-hospitals-to-boost-their-leverage-on-costs" target="_blank">RAND Corporation</a>
 think tank suggests some Kansas City hospitals rank among the most 
expensive in the country. RAND looked at prices paid by employer health 
plans that volunteered the information.When the Kansas Health Institute <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-06-29/kansas-knows-what-hospitals-get-paid-but-says-it-cant-tell-a-group-that-compares-prices-nationally" target="_blank">analyzed the same data</a>, it found something else interesting: Prices vary widely within Kansas. A visit to the emergency room that costs $150 in south-central Kansas can cost $700 in the Kansas City area.Yes, the cost of labor varies across the state, a partial explanation.But
 the institute says Medicare, for example, would only pay 10% more for 
those services in Kansas City compared to what it would pay in 
south-central Kansas. (Medicare factors in regional cost differences.) <h2>How businesses cope</h2>The
 health care industry takes home more each year at a rate much faster 
than growth in the national per-capita gross domestic product, the 
Health Care Cost Institute found.Insurance companies, 
brokers/consultants, pharmacy benefit managers and other insurance 
administrators hired to help employers navigate the health industry and 
strike good deals struggle to beat back the increases.Investigative journalists have <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/25/613685732/why-your-health-insurer-doesnt-care-about-your-big-bills" target="_blank">uncovered evidence</a> that they sometimes contribute to the problem. Just one reason: Higher bills can mean higher profits.And
 so as medical prices and insurance premiums go up, employers pass more 
of the cost to workers, and simultaneously suppress worker wages.Premiums and deductibles in Kansas and Missouri now typically add up to around 12% of median income.The
 situation is bad for the middle class, but low-income earners have it 
worse. The Commonwealth study found they shell out far more for their 
premiums than higher earners.Some companies raise deductibles in 
an effort to slow the growing premiums. In its own surveys, the Kansas 
Business Group on Health sometimes sees family deductibles as high as 
$12,000 to $17,000 per year.“We’re seeing this steady trend 
toward higher deductibles,” Moore said. And “companies are contributing 
fairly little to things like flexible spending accounts or health care 
spending accounts.”Collins has more bad news for the typical worker.“They’re not only spending more on their premiums and their deductible,” she said, “their wages are being held down.”That is, employers don’t necessarily pass their entire annual increase in health care spending directly to
 employees. They foot part of the increase themselves, too. But this 
cuts into the same pot of money that might otherwise have gone toward 
pay raises.This tradeoff hasn’t panned out well for Americans.Researchers
 from Harvard and Stanford universities who dug into more than a 
decade’s worth of credit reports from across the U.S. found <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2782187" target="_blank">medical debt</a> has become the top source of work for collections agencies.It accounted for more than all other kinds of debt in collections combined.In a 2020 survey, Commonwealth found <a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/aug/looming-crisis-health-coverage-2020-biennial" target="_blank">more than 40%</a> of underinsured people skipped or delayed medical care or medications for fear of the bills. <h2>Proposals on the table</h2>Policymakers
 and politicians debate a wide range of solutions, but party politics, 
ideological disagreements and lobbyists with deep pockets make passing 
any reform more than tricky.It took Congress years to legislate against the health industry phenomenon known as “<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-01-07/getting-health-care-in-kansas-your-odds-may-be-worse-here-that-youll-get-a-surprise-bill" target="_blank">surprise bills</a>” – and that was a bipartisan issue with a significant public outcry for action.The Biden administration packed a raft of health care measures into its now-stalled Build Back Better Act.This
 includes continuing the temporary pandemic-related expansion of 
insurance marketplace subsidies that passed Congress last year and that 
led to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/18/obamacare-enrollment-hits-record-high-after-biden-makes-changes.html" target="_blank">record-high enrollment</a>
 in marketplace plans. It also includes temporarily offering private 
health coverage to certain low-income earners who would qualify for 
Medicaid if they didn’t live in states like Kansas that don’t allow them
 to.But some of the ideas on the table don’t tackle the underlying and longer-term problem, Collins said: Prices.“You’re
 still left paying for these prices that don’t really coincide with the 
cost of delivery,” she said. “That’s a much bigger issue in terms of the
 country being able to afford health care generally.”Some policymakers propose rolling out state or federal <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/glossary/public-option/" target="_blank">public health insurance options</a>
 available to people beyond those who already qualify for Medicare or 
Medicaid. A few states have just recently passed laws to that end.Meanwhile, a small number of Kansas companies have begun trekking down other paths in search of savings.Some have joined coalitions that negotiate prescription drug prices directly to cut <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-08-13/kansas-investigates-obscure-but-powerful-part-of-the-drug-supply-chain-pharmacy-middlemen" target="_blank">pharmacy middlemen</a> out of the cost equation. Others have hired middlemen that import drugs from abroad for much less than Americans normally pay.Still others turned their backs on brokers who receive <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/health-insurance-brokers-cost-commissions-bonuses" target="_blank">undisclosed perks</a>
 — ranging from fancy vacations to cold cash — from insurance companies 
for hawking their wares. Some employers opted instead for brokers who 
shun conflicts of interest.A third bucket of strategies involves 
cutting insurance companies out of the equation by contracting directly 
with primary care doctors to see employees (often for a monthly fee), or
 setting rates directly with hospitals.Absent solutions at the state and federal level, Moore says businesses need to rock the boat on their own.“In
 the short term, I think that’s where it is,” he said. “Employers 
looking past their traditional relationship with an insurance company, a
 broker, a pharmacy benefit manager. And just looking for solutions.”Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service. 
You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.