LEAVENWORTH—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left a child dead and have three suspects in custody.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police received a report of shots fired near the KARE Pharmacy, 2500 South 4th Street in Leavenworth, according to&nbsp; Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens.

At the scene, police learned that a suspect in the pharmacy parking lot fired multiple shots at a black Volkswagen Jetta.

One shot struck a northbound 4-door sedan driven by a 30-year-old woman and her 6-month-old daughter. The suspect left the scene in a white Dodge Charger, according to Kitchens.

While investigating the scene, Kansas City police informed authorities in Leavenworth that a shooting victim arrived at Children's Mercy Hospital in a black Volkswagen Jetta. Doctors at the hospital pronounced the 12-year-old shooting victim dead.

Investigators located three suspects at a home in the 200 Block of South 12th Street in Leavenworth. Officers arrested a 25-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, according to Kitchens.&nbsp; The man was booked in the Leavenworth County jail and the teens are being held in juvenile detention.&nbsp;

Police are working to determine what led to the shooting. They released no additional details on Thursday afternoon.

LEAVENWORTH—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left a child dead and have three suspects in custody.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police received a report of shots fired near the KARE Pharmacy, 2500 South 4th Street in Leavenworth, according to&nbsp; Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens.At the scene, police learned that a suspect in the pharmacy parking lot fired multiple shots at a black Volkswagen Jetta.One shot struck a northbound 4-door sedan driven by a 30-year-old woman and her 6-month-old daughter. The suspect left the scene in a white Dodge Charger, according to Kitchens.While investigating the scene, Kansas City police informed authorities in Leavenworth that a shooting victim arrived at Children's Mercy Hospital in a black Volkswagen Jetta. Doctors at the hospital pronounced the 12-year-old shooting victim dead.Investigators located three suspects at a home in the 200 Block of South 12th Street in Leavenworth. Officers arrested a 25-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, according to Kitchens.&nbsp; The man was booked in the Leavenworth County jail and the teens are being held in juvenile detention.&nbsp;Police are working to determine what led to the shooting. They released no additional details on Thursday afternoon.

Police: 12-year-old fatally shot in Leavenworth

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-15/gov-kelly-calls-kansas-ban-on-transgender-athletes-a-job-killer-hinting-at-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas —Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is signalling 
she’ll likely reject a bill that’s part of a culture war flash point — 
an effort in Kansas and other states to bar transgender athletes from 
girls’ and women’s sports.

Kelly makes a practice of not 
explicitly threatening vetos, but critical comments this week hint that 
she’s likely to strike the legislation down with her veto pen.

“We
 know that a bill like the trans athlete bill is a job killer,” Kelly 
said this week at an event in Wichita. Businesses and sports 
organizations have been increasingly willing to pull out of states that 
they see as hostile to gay and transgender rights.

A veto would 
set up a showdown with Republicans during the tail end of the Kansas 
legislative session next month. While the plan <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb55/" target="_blank">didn’t pass with enough votes</a> to override a veto, it has powerful supporters who will likely work to secure enough support for an override.

Kelly
 met with business leaders to discuss growing the economy as the 
pandemic wanes. A main focus was attracting people to Kansas with needed
 skills.

After the meeting, Kelly pointed to the outcome in other 
states that passed similar bans on transgender athletes. She said the 
bill would make it harder to attract people and business to Kansas.

“We
 can learn from history,” Kelly said. “Companies are making it very 
clear that they are not interested in this kind of regressive 
legislation that discriminates against anybody.”

The plan would 
bar transgender girls and women — those who were assigned at birth as 
boys but come to identify themselves as female — from competing on 
female sports teams in Kansas public schools and universities. The 
bill’s backers say transgender athletes have an unfair advantage.

Republican Sen. Renee Erickson said the ban would preserve girls’ and women’s sports.

“They
 have a right to a fair and equitable playing field in sports,” she said
 last week. “This isn’t about discriminating against anybody else. It’s 
simply protecting their rights.”

About 30 states have<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/30-states-could-lose-ncaa-championship-sites-if-they-ban-transgender-athletes-1583081" target="_blank"> filed similar bills</a> barring transgender athletes.

The NCAA added to the pushback this week. Its board of governors <a href="https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-board-governors-statement-transgender-participation" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>
 supporting transgender athletes in response to states considering these
 types of laws. It said the organization only selects locations for 
major events that are “safe, healthy and free of discrimination.”

“We
 will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether 
NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and 
respectful of all participants,” the group said.

Wichita is already scheduled to hold NCAA basketball championship events in <a href="https://www.visitwichita.com/event/2022-ncaa-division-i-womens-basketball-championship-regional-rounds/24596/" target="_blank">2022</a> and <a href="https://goshockers.com/news/2020/10/14/athletics-wichita-selected-as-host-for-2025-ncaa-mens-basketball-tourney.aspx" target="_blank">2025</a>. Critics of the transgender athletes bill said those events could be in jeopardy if the ban becomes law.

Republican Senate President Ty Masterson and Erickson fired back and shrugged off the pressure.

“We
 will not back down in defense of fairness in women’s sports,” the two 
lawmakers said in a statement. “We will not sell out decades of progress
 by women for a few days of a basketball tournament.”

Brian Grimmett of the Kansas News Service contributed to this story.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter and news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618497134666.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-15/gov-kelly-calls-kansas-ban-on-transgender-athletes-a-job-killer-hinting-at-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas —Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is signalling 
she’ll likely reject a bill that’s part of a culture war flash point — 
an effort in Kansas and other states to bar transgender athletes from 
girls’ and women’s sports.Kelly makes a practice of not 
explicitly threatening vetos, but critical comments this week hint that 
she’s likely to strike the legislation down with her veto pen.“We
 know that a bill like the trans athlete bill is a job killer,” Kelly 
said this week at an event in Wichita. Businesses and sports 
organizations have been increasingly willing to pull out of states that 
they see as hostile to gay and transgender rights.A veto would 
set up a showdown with Republicans during the tail end of the Kansas 
legislative session next month. While the plan <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb55/" target="_blank">didn’t pass with enough votes</a> to override a veto, it has powerful supporters who will likely work to secure enough support for an override.Kelly
 met with business leaders to discuss growing the economy as the 
pandemic wanes. A main focus was attracting people to Kansas with needed
 skills.After the meeting, Kelly pointed to the outcome in other 
states that passed similar bans on transgender athletes. She said the 
bill would make it harder to attract people and business to Kansas.“We
 can learn from history,” Kelly said. “Companies are making it very 
clear that they are not interested in this kind of regressive 
legislation that discriminates against anybody.”The plan would 
bar transgender girls and women — those who were assigned at birth as 
boys but come to identify themselves as female — from competing on 
female sports teams in Kansas public schools and universities. The 
bill’s backers say transgender athletes have an unfair advantage.Republican Sen. Renee Erickson said the ban would preserve girls’ and women’s sports.“They
 have a right to a fair and equitable playing field in sports,” she said
 last week. “This isn’t about discriminating against anybody else. It’s 
simply protecting their rights.”About 30 states have<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/30-states-could-lose-ncaa-championship-sites-if-they-ban-transgender-athletes-1583081" target="_blank"> filed similar bills</a> barring transgender athletes.The NCAA added to the pushback this week. Its board of governors <a href="https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-board-governors-statement-transgender-participation" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>
 supporting transgender athletes in response to states considering these
 types of laws. It said the organization only selects locations for 
major events that are “safe, healthy and free of discrimination.”“We
 will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether 
NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and 
respectful of all participants,” the group said.Wichita is already scheduled to hold NCAA basketball championship events in <a href="https://www.visitwichita.com/event/2022-ncaa-division-i-womens-basketball-championship-regional-rounds/24596/" target="_blank">2022</a> and <a href="https://goshockers.com/news/2020/10/14/athletics-wichita-selected-as-host-for-2025-ncaa-mens-basketball-tourney.aspx" target="_blank">2025</a>. Critics of the transgender athletes bill said those events could be in jeopardy if the ban becomes law.Republican Senate President Ty Masterson and Erickson fired back and shrugged off the pressure.“We
 will not back down in defense of fairness in women’s sports,” the two 
lawmakers said in a statement. “We will not sell out decades of progress
 by women for a few days of a basketball tournament.”Brian Grimmett of the Kansas News Service contributed to this story.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter and news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a>.

Kelly calls Kan. ban on trans athletes a 'job killer,' hints at veto

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman shot by police after she allegedly pointed a gun at officers made her first court appearance in the case Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Jennifer Miller, 34 of Wichita, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

On March 31, two police officers were proactively checking the Red Roof Inn, 7335 East Kellogg and Sky Palace, 7321 East Kellogg after numerous calls and complaints over several months involving assaults, burglaries, drugs, stolen cars, underage parties and other things that would constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood and the businesses.

While checking the businesses, the officers saw a stolen Subaru Legacy behind the Red Roof Inn. The car had been reported stolen on March 30. As officers approached the car, they saw Miller enter the car's trunk, grab items and walk toward her room at the Sky Palace.

One officer approached Miller. A second officer arrived to assist and asked Miller for identification. Miller reached into her purse, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both officers, according to Wichita Police Captain Stephens.

One officer pulled his handgun and fired one shot striking Miller in the neck. The officers began life saving measures and called EMS.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

She was released from the hospital April 9 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

Her next court appearance is April 28. She remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman shot by police in Wichita was released from the hospital and is <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">now in jail.</a>

Deputies booked <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">35-year-old Jennifer Miller</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail just after 7p.m. Friday, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">online jail records.</a>

Miller is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, auto theft and felon in possession of a firearm, according to Stephens.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer shooting and have identified the suspect as 35-year-old Jennifer Miller of Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, two police officers were proactively checking the Red Roof Inn, 7335 East Kellogg and Sky Palace, 7321 East Kellogg after numerous calls and complaints over several months involving assaults, burglaries, drugs, stolen cars, underage parties and other things that would constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood and the businesses.

While checking the businesses, the officers saw a stolen Subaru Legacy behind the Red Roof Inn. The car had been reported stolen on Tuesday. As they approached the car, they saw Miller enter the car's trunk, grab items and walk toward her room at the Sky Palace.

One officer approached Miller. A second officer arrived to assist and asked Miller for identification. Miller reached into her purse, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both officers, according to Stephens.

When she is released from the hospital in a couple of days she will be booked on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, auto theft and felon in possession of a firearm, according to Stephens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618056359501.png" alt="Miller photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Miller photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman shot by police after she allegedly pointed a gun at officers made her first court appearance in the case Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Jennifer Miller, 34 of Wichita, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617291763952.png" alt="Photo from the officers body camera released by Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo from the officers body camera released by Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On March 31, two police officers were proactively checking the Red Roof Inn, 7335 East Kellogg and Sky Palace, 7321 East Kellogg after numerous calls and complaints over several months involving assaults, burglaries, drugs, stolen cars, underage parties and other things that would constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood and the businesses.While checking the businesses, the officers saw a stolen Subaru Legacy behind the Red Roof Inn. The car had been reported stolen on March 30. As officers approached the car, they saw Miller enter the car's trunk, grab items and walk toward her room at the Sky Palace.One officer approached Miller. A second officer arrived to assist and asked Miller for identification. Miller reached into her purse, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both officers, according to Wichita Police Captain Stephens.One officer pulled his handgun and fired one shot striking Miller in the neck. The officers began life saving measures and called EMS.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;She was released from the hospital April 9 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.Her next court appearance is April 28. She remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.-----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman shot by police in Wichita was released from the hospital and is <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">now in jail.</a>Deputies booked <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">35-year-old Jennifer Miller</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail just after 7p.m. Friday, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=123228">online jail records.</a>On March 31, two police officers were proactively checking the Red Roof Inn, 7335 East Kellogg and Sky Palace, 7321 East Kellogg after numerous calls and complaints over several months involving assaults, burglaries, drugs, stolen cars, underage parties and other things that would constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood and the businesses.While checking the businesses, the officers saw a stolen Subaru Legacy behind the Red Roof Inn. The car had been reported stolen on March 30. As officers approached the car, they saw Miller enter the car's trunk, grab items and walk toward her room at the Sky Palace.One officer approached Miller. A second officer arrived to assist and asked Miller for identification. Miller reached into her purse, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both officers, according to Wichita Police Captain Stephens.One officer pulled his handgun and fired one shot striking Miller in the neck. The officers began life saving measures and called EMS.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;Miller is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, auto theft and felon in possession of a firearm, according to Stephens.-----SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer shooting and have identified the suspect as 35-year-old Jennifer Miller of Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, two police officers were proactively checking the Red Roof Inn, 7335 East Kellogg and Sky Palace, 7321 East Kellogg after numerous calls and complaints over several months involving assaults, burglaries, drugs, stolen cars, underage parties and other things that would constitute a nuisance to the neighborhood and the businesses.While checking the businesses, the officers saw a stolen Subaru Legacy behind the Red Roof Inn. The car had been reported stolen on Tuesday. As they approached the car, they saw Miller enter the car's trunk, grab items and walk toward her room at the Sky Palace.One officer approached Miller. A second officer arrived to assist and asked Miller for identification. Miller reached into her purse, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at both officers, according to Stephens.One officer pulled his handgun and fired one shot striking Miller in the neck. The officers began life saving measures and called EMS.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617293757915.png" alt="Miller has previous convictions that include ID theft, forgery, theft and flee and elude, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Miller has previous convictions that include ID theft, forgery, theft and flee and elude, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>When she is released from the hospital in a couple of days she will be booked on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, auto theft and felon in possession of a firearm, according to Stephens.

Kan. woman shot after pointing gun at officer faces judge

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Roger Marshall of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;is among a handful of conservative U.S. senators who opposed moving forward with a Democratic-sponsored measure for confronting hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Marshall's office said Thursday that an existing federal hate crimes law already prohibits intentionally injuring or trying to injure others based on their race, color, religion or national origin.

The Senate voted 92-6 on Wednesday to have a debate on the proposed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Fellow Kansas Republican Jerry Moran voted to proceed.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, of&nbsp;Missouri, also voted against moving ahead with the debate. Hawley's office did not immediately respond to an email and phone message seeking comment.

The measure is a response to a rise in racist sentiment against Asian Americans, fueled in part by derogatory language about the novel coronavirus' origins in China. The legislation would assign a point person within the Justice Department to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement to respond to such incidents.

Marshall's office said the department already has the authority to do many of the things in the bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618501356906.png" alt="Thursday morning vote count in the United States Senate -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Thursday morning vote count in the United States Senate -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Roger Marshall of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;is among a handful of conservative U.S. senators who opposed moving forward with a Democratic-sponsored measure for confronting hate crimes against Asian Americans.Marshall's office said Thursday that an existing federal hate crimes law already prohibits intentionally injuring or trying to injure others based on their race, color, religion or national origin.The Senate voted 92-6 on Wednesday to have a debate on the proposed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Fellow Kansas Republican Jerry Moran voted to proceed.Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, of&nbsp;Missouri, also voted against moving ahead with the debate. Hawley's office did not immediately respond to an email and phone message seeking comment.The measure is a response to a rise in racist sentiment against Asian Americans, fueled in part by derogatory language about the novel coronavirus' origins in China. The legislation would assign a point person within the Justice Department to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement to respond to such incidents.Marshall's office said the department already has the authority to do many of the things in the bill.

Kansas Senators differ on advancing hate crimes bill

TOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the first COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce meeting on Wednesday to promote equitable vaccine distribution in vulnerable communities across Kansas. By engaging leaders across diverse organizations – including physicians, nurses, community organizers, faith leaders, and researchers -- state and local public health can promote the importance of working together to vaccinate Kansans at highest risk for COVID-19.

“Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates are an urgent issue that must be addressed in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“It’s an issue that affects communities large and small -- urban and rural. The quicker we can get all Kansans vaccinated – the quicker we can get back to school, back to work and back to normal.”

The group is tasked with breaking down barriers about vaccinations, such as access, transportation, language barriers, or misinformation; and providing information and messages that resonate with Kansans who have questions about the vaccine.

The Kelly administration has been developing solutions to improve vaccination rates at high risk for COVID-19 – such as those working in the meat packing industry – as well as in socially vulnerable Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities. In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this effort is spearheaded by Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Coordination and Dr. Ximena Garcia, Special Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Vaccination Equity.

The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity.

Dr. Ximena Garcia will lead the equity Taskforce. To find the video of the first meeting please click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTUuMzg4MzUyNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PVhpYU81eWg4NnJRIn0.xHT_BUcsfR2AcUr0iYFiiyVfCulV5zkfW0Tl8fR4uNU/s/1303160919/br/102208887756-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

The Taskforce is comprised of the following individuals:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618496467327.png" alt="The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the first COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce meeting on Wednesday to promote equitable vaccine distribution in vulnerable communities across Kansas. By engaging leaders across diverse organizations – including physicians, nurses, community organizers, faith leaders, and researchers -- state and local public health can promote the importance of working together to vaccinate Kansans at highest risk for COVID-19.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XiaO5yh86rQ?start=85" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates are an urgent issue that must be addressed in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“It’s an issue that affects communities large and small -- urban and rural. The quicker we can get all Kansans vaccinated – the quicker we can get back to school, back to work and back to normal.”The group is tasked with breaking down barriers about vaccinations, such as access, transportation, language barriers, or misinformation; and providing information and messages that resonate with Kansans who have questions about the vaccine.The Kelly administration has been developing solutions to improve vaccination rates at high risk for COVID-19 – such as those working in the meat packing industry – as well as in socially vulnerable Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities. In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this effort is spearheaded by Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Coordination and Dr. Ximena Garcia, Special Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Vaccination Equity.The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity.Dr. Ximena Garcia will lead the equity Taskforce. To find the video of the first meeting please click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTUuMzg4MzUyNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PVhpYU81eWg4NnJRIn0.xHT_BUcsfR2AcUr0iYFiiyVfCulV5zkfW0Tl8fR4uNU/s/1303160919/br/102208887756-l" target="_blank">here</a>.The Taskforce is comprised of the following individuals:<ul>
 <li>Allison DeGroff – Kansas HealthCare Collaborative</li><li>Andrea Perdomo-Morales – Vibrant Health</li><li>Annette Graham – Central Plains Area Agency on Aging</li><li>Broderick Crawford – NBC Community Development Corporation</li><li>Camille Childers – Wichita State University</li><li>Chris Howell – Office of Native American Affairs</li><li>Dan Leong - Immunize Kansas Coalition</li><li>Connie Satzler – Immunize Kansas Coalition</li><li>David Jordan – United Methodists Health Ministry Fund</li><li>Dorothy Hughes – University of Kansas School of Medicine</li><li>Allen Greiner – Wyandotte County Health Officer</li><li>Shalaunda K. Gray – Interhab</li><li>Ed O’Malley – The Kansas Leadership Center</li><li>Edith Gaines – Shawnee County Health Department</li><li>Erica Andrade – El Centro</li><li>Jennifer Sutherlin – MARC</li><li>Joan Duwve – KDHE</li><li>John Carney – Center for Practical Bioethics</li><li>Judy Bellome – AARP</li><li>Kelly Sommers – Kansas State Nurse Association</li><li>Kenya Cox – Kansas African American Affairs Commission</li><li>Kristi Zukovich – Kansas Health Foundation</li><li>Kristina Simmons – Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Physician</li><li>Mang Sonna – Bethel Neighborhood Center</li><li>Mariana Ramirez – Juntos Center for Advancing Latino Health</li><li>Martha Gabehart – Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns&nbsp;</li><li>Nicole Garner – Unified Government Public Health Department</li><li>Paul Kruz – Wichita Police Department</li><li>Rachel Monger – LeadingAge Kansas</li><li>Tony Carter – Salem Missionary Baptist Church</li><li>Shannon Olsen – Kansas Office of Refugees</li><li>Tarah Remington – AAFP</li><li>Virgil Watson Jr. – South Kansas Medical Center</li><li>Audé Negrete – Kansas Hispanic-Latino American Affairs Commission</li><li>Bruce Chladny – Kansas Association of Counties</li><li>Chad Austin – Kansas Hospital Association</li><li>Melissa Rooker – Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund</li><li>Aaron Dunkel – Kansas Pharmacists Association</li><li>Alice Weingartner – Community Care Network of Kansas</li><li>Ernestor De La Rosa – Kansas Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity &amp; Justice</li><li>Brad Neuenswander – Kansas Department of Education</li><li>Janis DeBoer – KDADS</li><li>Jerry Jones – Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC</li><li>Kate Watson – Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition</li><li>Michelle Ponce – Association of Community Mental Health Center</li><li>Rachelle Colombo – Kansas Medical Society</li>
 </ul>

🎥 Gov. launches COVID-19 vaccine equity taskforce 

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man on trial for two counts of first degree murder has testified that he didn't kill the two women but suggested that his dead half-brother did.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e9fd844eed84ba1a2999295a675fe04">Kylr Yust</a>&nbsp;took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in connection to the deaths of 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky and 21-year-old Jessica Runions. Yust left a party with Runions before she disappeared in September 2016. Kopetsky had filed a protection order against Yust in April 2007, a month before she was last seen. The women’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a5ab3e00dba34407a798be48a5a012aa">remains were found&nbsp;</a>near each other in a wooded area in 2017.

Yust, 32, testified on Wednesday that he did not kill the women, and suggested that his half-brother, who died by suicide in 2018, was involved in their deaths.

“I didn’t do anything to either of them.” he said.

Yust testified that on May 4, 2007 — the day Kopetsky disappeared — he was at this grandfather’s house and at band practice. He said he believed that his half-brother, Jessep Carter, was going to take Kopetsky to a skate park.

Yust later learned people were searching for Kopetsky and allowed her worried aunt and uncle to look around his apartment to show that Kopetsky wasn’t there, he testified.

In 2018, Carter died by suicide while he was being held in the Jackson County jail on a charge of second-degree arson. Yust testified that he believed Carter, 32, killed himself because Yust pleaded not guilty in Kopetsky’s and Runions’ deaths.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Julie Tolle accused Yust of trying to create an alibi on the day of Kopetsky’s disappearance and said he knew “exactly where” Kopetsky was because he had strangled her to death. Yust denied the accusations.

Tolle also said that Yust had not accused Carter in the killings until Wednesday. He replied that he told his attorney, Molly Hastings, about it years ago and she was representing him for free because she believed him.

Yust defense attorney Sharon Turlington said the state's case lacks concrete proof or physical evidence.

“Somehow Kylr is supposed to have pulled off two murders without leaving a trace,” Turlington said, later saying there is no DNA linking Yust to either crime.

The case went to the jury Wednesday evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1567616156500.png" alt="Yust-photo Cass County" />
 <figcaption>Yust-photo Cass County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man on trial for two counts of first degree murder has testified that he didn't kill the two women but suggested that his dead half-brother did.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2e9fd844eed84ba1a2999295a675fe04">Kylr Yust</a>&nbsp;took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in connection to the deaths of 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky and 21-year-old Jessica Runions. Yust left a party with Runions before she disappeared in September 2016. Kopetsky had filed a protection order against Yust in April 2007, a month before she was last seen. The women’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a5ab3e00dba34407a798be48a5a012aa">remains were found&nbsp;</a>near each other in a wooded area in 2017.Yust, 32, testified on Wednesday that he did not kill the women, and suggested that his half-brother, who died by suicide in 2018, was involved in their deaths.“I didn’t do anything to either of them.” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576707396150.png" alt="Jessica Runions-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Runions-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Yust testified that on May 4, 2007 — the day Kopetsky disappeared — he was at this grandfather’s house and at band practice. He said he believed that his half-brother, Jessep Carter, was going to take Kopetsky to a skate park.Yust later learned people were searching for Kopetsky and allowed her worried aunt and uncle to look around his apartment to show that Kopetsky wasn’t there, he testified.In 2018, Carter died by suicide while he was being held in the Jackson County jail on a charge of second-degree arson. Yust testified that he believed Carter, 32, killed himself because Yust pleaded not guilty in Kopetsky’s and Runions’ deaths.Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Julie Tolle accused Yust of trying to create an alibi on the day of Kopetsky’s disappearance and said he knew “exactly where” Kopetsky was because he had strangled her to death. Yust denied the accusations.Tolle also said that Yust had not accused Carter in the killings until Wednesday. He replied that he told his attorney, Molly Hastings, about it years ago and she was representing him for free because she believed him.Yust defense attorney Sharon Turlington said the state's case lacks concrete proof or physical evidence.“Somehow Kylr is supposed to have pulled off two murders without leaving a trace,” Turlington said, later saying there is no DNA linking Yust to either crime.The case went to the jury Wednesday evening.

Kansas City man testifies he didn't kill 2 women

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led state House on Wednesday advanced a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent.

Lawmakers in a voice vote gave the bill initial approval. It needs another full House vote to move to the Senate for consideration.

Federal law prevents states from moving to daylight saving time permanently, so the Missouri bill would only take effect if Congress changes federal law.

The change would only kick in for Missouri when three neighboring states also decide to permanently switch to daylight saving time. Arkansas and Tennessee are the only two states bordering Missouri to pass similar legislation so far.

In total, 15 states have adopted legislation or a resolution to stop the twice-a-year time shift, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20had%20daylight%20saving,as%20the%20Uniform%20Time%20Act.&amp;text=Federal%20law%20allows%20a%20state,the%20permanent%20observance%20of%20DST." target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures</a>.

Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, humorously emphasized to lawmakers that the switch wouldn’t mean less daylight.

“A yes vote by any means will not change the number of minutes of daylight on any day,” he said.

Some skeptics questioned whether permanently adopting daylight saving time will mean school children have to wait for morning buses in the dark.

Similar measures for years have failed to pass Missouri’s Legislature.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led state House on Wednesday advanced a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent.Lawmakers in a voice vote gave the bill initial approval. It needs another full House vote to move to the Senate for consideration.Federal law prevents states from moving to daylight saving time permanently, so the Missouri bill would only take effect if Congress changes federal law.The change would only kick in for Missouri when three neighboring states also decide to permanently switch to daylight saving time. Arkansas and Tennessee are the only two states bordering Missouri to pass similar legislation so far.In total, 15 states have adopted legislation or a resolution to stop the twice-a-year time shift, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/daylight-savings-time-state-legislation.aspx#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20had%20daylight%20saving,as%20the%20Uniform%20Time%20Act.&amp;text=Federal%20law%20allows%20a%20state,the%20permanent%20observance%20of%20DST." target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures</a>.Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, humorously emphasized to lawmakers that the switch wouldn’t mean less daylight.“A yes vote by any means will not change the number of minutes of daylight on any day,” he said.Some skeptics questioned whether permanently adopting daylight saving time will mean school children have to wait for morning buses in the dark.Similar measures for years have failed to pass Missouri’s Legislature.

Missouri needs Kan. help to make daylight saving permanent

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire have made an arrest.

Just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the fire in a home at 229 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the single story residence.&nbsp;Three occupants were able to escape prior to the fire departments arrival.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set.&nbsp; Authorities arrested 30-year old Austen Burris and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.

The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; all of which is associated with structural loss. Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618437420592.png" alt="Burris photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Burris photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire have made an arrest.Just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the fire in a home at 229 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the single story residence.&nbsp;Three occupants were able to escape prior to the fire departments arrival.A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set.&nbsp; Authorities arrested 30-year old Austen Burris and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.The estimated dollar loss – $1,000.00; all of which is associated with structural loss. Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin

Man accused of setting fire at Kansas home

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has crossed the threshold of vaccinating more than 1 million people as a third highly contagious variant is detected in the state.

That means 35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot, according to state data released Wednesday.

The state hit the mark one day after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a particularly contagious variant of COVID-19 that is sweeping through Brazil has been detected for the first time in Kansas. The agency said it is investigating how someone in Sedgwick County became infected with the P.1 variant and whether others may have been exposed.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-4617202b57a470bcdd83f446b969d096">Earlier this month, </a>the South African variant was identified for the first time in Kansas in someone from Finney County. Another variant first identified in the United Kingdom also has been found in several Kansas counties.

Lee Norman, secretary of health and environment, urged Kansans in a statement to wear masks, physically distance and get vaccinated. The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 601 from Monday to Wednesday to 305,320 and the number of deaths increased by 14 to 4,944.

Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, said the identification of the Brazilian variant shows the importance of getting tested for the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618481198163.png" alt="35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot." />
 <figcaption>35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot.</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has crossed the threshold of vaccinating more than 1 million people as a third highly contagious variant is detected in the state.That means 35% of the state’s 2.9 million residents have received at least one shot, according to state data released Wednesday.The state hit the mark one day after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a particularly contagious variant of COVID-19 that is sweeping through Brazil has been detected for the first time in Kansas. The agency said it is investigating how someone in Sedgwick County became infected with the P.1 variant and whether others may have been exposed.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-4617202b57a470bcdd83f446b969d096">Earlier this month, </a>the South African variant was identified for the first time in Kansas in someone from Finney County. Another variant first identified in the United Kingdom also has been found in several Kansas counties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618425843921.png" alt="Wednesday April 14, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday April 14, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Lee Norman, secretary of health and environment, urged Kansans in a statement to wear masks, physically distance and get vaccinated. The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 601 from Monday to Wednesday to 305,320 and the number of deaths increased by 14 to 4,944.Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, said the identification of the Brazilian variant shows the importance of getting tested for the virus.

More than 1 million get at least 1 vaccine dose in Kansas

An economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.

Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.

“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.

The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.

Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.

Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.

“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”

Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.

“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”

Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

Popular COVID relief program can help farmers as well as business owners

WASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.

The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.

The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.

For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes nearly 2 million payments with a value of more than $3.4 billion.</li><li>More than 320,000 payments, with a total value of $450 million, 
went to Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries who receive Compensation and
 Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments but who don't normally file a tax 
return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool last year.</li><li>Nearly 850,000 payments, with a total value of nearly $1.6 billion,
 went to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who recently filed a
 tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This batch also includes additional ongoing 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. This batch included more than 
700,000&nbsp;of these "plus-up" payments, with a total value of more than 
$1.2 billion.</li><li>Another 72,000 payments went to Social Security beneficiaries who 
didn't file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool
 last year.</li><li>Overall, this fifth batch of payments contains nearly 1.2 million 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of just under $2 billion) 
and nearly 800,000 paper check payments (with a total value of over $1.4
 billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: Fifth batch of stimulus checks sent to Veterans Affairs beneficiaries

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri prosecutor said she'd work with local police in response to concerns raised by the House speaker about a resigning lawmaker's contact with a child.

Emails obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday show House Speaker Rob Vescovo and the House Ethics Committee leader last week went to the Jackson County prosecutor to share concerns about fellow Republican Rep. Rick Roeber.

After his November election last year, Roeber’s adult children told Vescovo that he sexually and physically abused them when they were young.

The House launched an investigation and on Tuesday House leaders said they found the allegations credible. Roeber announced his resignation plans Tuesday without mentioning the claims against him.

As part of the investigation, lawmakers found out that Roeber has weekend visitations with a child around 12 years old.

In response, Vescovo and Ethics Committee Chairman Travis Fitzwater on April 6 wrote to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asking her to notify local law enforcement who can check on the child.

“Given the severity of the allegations raised by Representative Roeber's children, we are concerned for the safety of this minor child,” Vescovo and Fitzwater wrote.

Baker in response said she takes the allegations “very seriously." She wrote that she contacted the chief of police in Lee's Summit, where Roeber lives, and will “work with him to devise a plan.”

Baker's spokesman declined to comment further. Roeber did not immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Wednesday.

Roeber in his letter of resignation said he needs to move out of state to be closer to family, citing that as the reason for his departure from the Legislature. He said he plans to move after he marries his fiancé.

The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to release a full report on the investigation of Roeber next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608046618254.png" alt="Roeber announced his plans to resign Tuesday.&nbsp; He represents part of Jackson County, including much of Lee’s Summit in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2020. Prior to his legislative duties, Roeber served as a project manager for Sprint for 20 years, as well as a chaplain for KC Rescue Mission." />
 <figcaption>Roeber announced his plans to resign Tuesday.&nbsp; He represents part of Jackson County, including much of Lee’s Summit in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2020. Prior to his legislative duties, Roeber served as a project manager for Sprint for 20 years, as well as a chaplain for KC Rescue Mission.</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri prosecutor said she'd work with local police in response to concerns raised by the House speaker about a resigning lawmaker's contact with a child.Emails obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday show House Speaker Rob Vescovo and the House Ethics Committee leader last week went to the Jackson County prosecutor to share concerns about fellow Republican Rep. Rick Roeber.After his November election last year, Roeber’s adult children told Vescovo that he sexually and physically abused them when they were young.The House launched an investigation and on Tuesday House leaders said they found the allegations credible. Roeber announced his resignation plans Tuesday without mentioning the claims against him.As part of the investigation, lawmakers found out that Roeber has weekend visitations with a child around 12 years old.In response, Vescovo and Ethics Committee Chairman Travis Fitzwater on April 6 wrote to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asking her to notify local law enforcement who can check on the child.“Given the severity of the allegations raised by Representative Roeber's children, we are concerned for the safety of this minor child,” Vescovo and Fitzwater wrote.Baker in response said she takes the allegations “very seriously." She wrote that she contacted the chief of police in Lee's Summit, where Roeber lives, and will “work with him to devise a plan.”Baker's spokesman declined to comment further. Roeber did not immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Wednesday.Roeber in his letter of resignation said he needs to move out of state to be closer to family, citing that as the reason for his departure from the Legislature. He said he plans to move after he marries his fiancé.The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to release a full report on the investigation of Roeber next week.

Prosecutor reviews abuse claims against KC-area lawmaker

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Tucked away in the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Headquarters building in Salina is a room that is a beehive of activity.

From that room, communications specialists with KHP's Troop M provide dispatch services for most of the state 24/7. The site in Salina dispatches for KHP for the entire state with the exception of the Turnpike and the state capitol.

"The police officers that are there, they have their own dispatch center as well, however at midnight and overnight, we take over operations for them," said Lieutenant Alex Taylor, who oversees the central communications operations for Troop M.

While much of their communications are over the radio, the dispatchers also field thousands of telephone calls from other law enforcement agencies and the public, including calls to the Kansas State Department of Education's school safety hotline.

With all of that, the communications specialists keep quite busy.

Since Jan. 1, the communications specialists have handled more than 4,317,000 radio transmissions and phone calls, Taylor noted. In 2020, they dealt with 309,103 incidents from across the state, he added.

Brian Walter, a public service administrator who has worked for the KHP for 19 years, reiterated that the communications specialists stay busy.

"Just on one day of this month (March 2021), for a 24-hour period, we averaged 980 phone calls," Walter said.

The Salina dispatch center employees 49 people, including seven supervisors. Taylor noted, however, that the dispatch center also has 13 open positions.

Some of the communications specialists have been with KHP for more than 20 years, while others have been with the dispatch center for only a few years.

"You know, it's not uncommon to have people who do this for a career and want to be here for 10 to 20 or longer years," Taylor said.

"The unique thing about KHP is that it is very much like a family here," Taylor added. "There is a lot of commitment here and a lot of unspoken things that keep people drawn to this, plus, you don't come into this profession without wanting to help people. And there is a purpose behind it, and I think people see that and they value that greatly."

Derek Lathan, a Communications Specialist II, said he came to the KHP because he was unhappy where he was and needed a different job.

"I kind of just ended up here and ran with it," he said.

That decision proved to be a good one, as Lathan has now been with the KHP for 22 years. When asked what he liked best about his job, he replied, "All of it."

"From the start it's always been intriguing to me. I like the camaraderie with the troopers and the one-on-ones with them. Running the traffic, the end-of-the-day result, especially if you've spent most of the day trying to hunt down information on a subject or incident," he said.

Lathan also said he enjoyed being a part of the finished process from start to finish.

"I hate it when a car chase starts at shift change and you lose out on it at shift change because it is time for you to go home," Lathan said and laughed.

"It's just great being on this side of law enforcement rather than being on the uniform side of it, and I did try that out also, but I just wasn't physically cut out for it. I got a little bit of an injury so I came back to dispatch and haven't looked back since," he said.

Lathan said that the most challenging part of his job has been learning the troop areas.

"I was born and raised here in Salina," Lathan explained. "We dispatch the entire state for the highway patrol from here. For me it was learning a lot of areas that I'd never been to or never frequented a lot."

Now that he's learned the areas, they seem familiar to him when he does happen to travel there, he said.

For Nikki Miles, the path to a career as a KHP communications specialist, began with a suggestion from a former supervisor.

"Actually, I had never heard of the highway patrol. I was working at Raytheon Aircraft in the administrative office and my supervisor used to be a dispatcher. Our department was getting laid off and she said 'I think you'd be really good at dispatching.' And I'm like, 'really? What does a dispatcher do?'" Miles said and laughed.

The woman explained to Miles about dispatching, but Miles said that initially, she was reluctant to pursue a dispatching job because it sounded stressful and she saw herself as being soft-spoken. But the idea stuck in her head, and when she saw an ad for a dispatcher opening with KHP, she applied. That was nearly 20 years ago and she is now a Communications Specialist II!

Over the years, Miles, like other dispatchers, has had a chance to meet some of the troopers with whom she communicates over the radio or by telephone. She said the troopers never look like she imagines they do while she is talking with them over the radio, but their voices are the same.

"I think it was the first time I ever met a trooper, they had come in and they were standing behind me, and I could tell by just them talking," who they were, Miles said.

Dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol is both challenging and rewarding, Miles said. While some days are stressful, others are not; and for those stressful days, there is support and the dispatcher team in place to help.

"We seem to be a pretty good group. Like if we have a critical incident or something major is going on, the teamwork is there and that's comforting to know that you've got people behind your back helping you out," Miles said. "The teamwork is just awesome."

Megan Rogers, a Communications Specialist I, who has been with KHP for a little over a year, said she had always wanted to be a dispatcher.

"I love that we help people. They call in and we can get them the help that they need as fast as we can," Rogers said. "We can help them with day-to-day road conditions, weather conditions, that sort of thing, and also in their worst moments when they're in an accident or someone's hurt, we can get them help."

And while the job isn't what Rogers thought it would be, she wouldn't trade it.

"It's not what I thought, honestly, but it's way better," Rogers said. "I love my job. I love what I do. I love the environment. I love everybody that I work with. I think it's awesome!"

Rogers said that she considered dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol a career choice, not just another job.

Like Rogers, the ability to help is important to Maggie Studt, a Communications Specialist who has been with the KHP for six and a half years.

"I kind of wanted to help keep the roads or Kansas a little bit safer and I knew I couldn't be a trooper, so this was a way that I could do that," Studt said. "I thought it was kind of interesting, something different that was out of my box. I had always done office work and I wanted to try something different."

While Taylor and a number of the communications specialists reiterated that no two days are the same, there are some steps that are taken daily, Taylor explained.

The communications specialists work on three shifts: daytime, evening, and midnight. The calls and incidents, however don't take a break for the shift changes, so it is imperative that communications specialists beginning their shift communicate with those going off-shift, Taylor said.

"The incoming dispatcher first meets with the dispatcher he/she is relieving to find out whether there are any calls that are ongoing," he said.

Likewise, as troopers go on and off duty, they are required to call in and check out with dispatch, Taylor added.

Once the incoming dispatchers are up-to-speed on current activity, they log into all of the various criminal justice information systems that they will need during their shifts, as well as the system they use to keep track of every call and the events that occur during it.

"From there, they have a phone line that is constantly getting calls, not only from troopers, but also from citizens across the state for their needs," Taylor said. "It's a dispatcher's job to determine exactly what those needs are and then relay them to the appropriate people. Throughout all this time, they're also receiving traffic calls or calls of accidents from other counties and other agencies, and they're multitasking and managing the processes of where do these calls need to go? How do they need to be routed? Which ones are of highest priority and urgency? Obviously looking at human life as the No. 1 priority and the goal is to preserve that."

Dispatching isn't for everyone. Likewise, everyone isn't qualified to be a dispatcher.

For those who are interested in dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol, there are a number of steps to complete, according to Nicole Ascher, a staff development specialist with Troop M.

"It takes a couple of months just to get through all the steps and make sure everything is clear in the background," Taylor added.

1. Employment application submitted. Those applications can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansashighwaypatrol.org/">kansashighwaypatrol.org</a>.

9. Background investigation (process typically takes four-six weeks to complete)

10. Psychological exam and interview (process typically takes one-two weeks to complete)

12. Newly hired communications specialists undergo at least one week of classroom training and at least eight-12 weeks of on-the-job training to become proficient dispatchers.

Once someone is hired as a communications specialist, he or she is assigned a "home troop."

"This is assigned to you partly by what's needed. It's also based off of your skill set and what's demonstrated through your basic class," Taylor explained. "We evaluate you during that time. If you're having a harder time, we may put you on a troop that's a little more forgiving or has a little bit less activity. Whereas, if you come in with some experience, maybe you've been a dispatcher before for another agency and you come in, we may put you on a busier troop."

Taylor said there are tests involved to make sure a communications specialist knows "who the troopers are who are working that area, the roads that are in those areas, the chain of command that is in those areas, and so forth. Once you complete it, then you're given some time on that troop."

"From here, there's seven different troops that are dispatched all from this location, and so there's seven different locations you could learn to work. You don't ever take a troop unless you've learned that area," he said.

Ideally, there are two dispatchers per troop working at the same time, however, other dispatchers who are proficient in multiple troop areas can also help out when needed, Taylor said.

"The nice thing about centralized dispatch like we are is the fact that if there is only one person on a troop, another person from another troop can help out. If there's a major incident, everybody works as a team. Everybody pitches in because there are so many steps that happen, like for a pursuit or for a fatality accident or an injury accident. There are so many calls that need to be made, so many messages that need to be sent. There's a lot of help down there," Taylor said.

"It's a good profession," Taylor added. "It's got good ethics and morals behind it. And it's a service-oriented position. For those people that really want to be a part of something bigger than just themselves, this is a good place to work."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618432306934.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch center is arranged with groupings of workstation pods. Each grouping of pods is assigned a certain area of the state, and from that, individual dispatchers are assigned particular KHP troops." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch center is arranged with groupings of workstation pods. Each grouping of pods is assigned a certain area of the state, and from that, individual dispatchers are assigned particular KHP troops.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTucked away in the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Headquarters building in Salina is a room that is a beehive of activity.From that room, communications specialists with KHP's Troop M provide dispatch services for most of the state 24/7. The site in Salina dispatches for KHP for the entire state with the exception of the Turnpike and the state capitol."The police officers that are there, they have their own dispatch center as well, however at midnight and overnight, we take over operations for them," said Lieutenant Alex Taylor, who oversees the central communications operations for Troop M.While much of their communications are over the radio, the dispatchers also field thousands of telephone calls from other law enforcement agencies and the public, including calls to the Kansas State Department of Education's school safety hotline.With all of that, the communications specialists keep quite busy.Since Jan. 1, the communications specialists have handled more than 4,317,000 radio transmissions and phone calls, Taylor noted. In 2020, they dealt with 309,103 incidents from across the state, he added.Brian Walter, a public service administrator who has worked for the KHP for 19 years, reiterated that the communications specialists stay busy."Just on one day of this month (March 2021), for a 24-hour period, we averaged 980 phone calls," Walter said.The Salina dispatch center employees 49 people, including seven supervisors. Taylor noted, however, that the dispatch center also has 13 open positions.<h2>From a few years to many</h2>Some of the communications specialists have been with KHP for more than 20 years, while others have been with the dispatch center for only a few years."You know, it's not uncommon to have people who do this for a career and want to be here for 10 to 20 or longer years," Taylor said."The unique thing about KHP is that it is very much like a family here," Taylor added. "There is a lot of commitment here and a lot of unspoken things that keep people drawn to this, plus, you don't come into this profession without wanting to help people. And there is a purpose behind it, and I think people see that and they value that greatly."Derek Lathan, a Communications Specialist II, said he came to the KHP because he was unhappy where he was and needed a different job."I kind of just ended up here and ran with it," he said.That decision proved to be a good one, as Lathan has now been with the KHP for 22 years. When asked what he liked best about his job, he replied, "All of it.""From the start it's always been intriguing to me. I like the camaraderie with the troopers and the one-on-ones with them. Running the traffic, the end-of-the-day result, especially if you've spent most of the day trying to hunt down information on a subject or incident," he said.Lathan also said he enjoyed being a part of the finished process from start to finish."I hate it when a car chase starts at shift change and you lose out on it at shift change because it is time for you to go home," Lathan said and laughed."It's just great being on this side of law enforcement rather than being on the uniform side of it, and I did try that out also, but I just wasn't physically cut out for it. I got a little bit of an injury so I came back to dispatch and haven't looked back since," he said.Lathan said that the most challenging part of his job has been learning the troop areas."I was born and raised here in Salina," Lathan explained. "We dispatch the entire state for the highway patrol from here. For me it was learning a lot of areas that I'd never been to or never frequented a lot."Now that he's learned the areas, they seem familiar to him when he does happen to travel there, he said.For Nikki Miles, the path to a career as a KHP communications specialist, began with a suggestion from a former supervisor."Actually, I had never heard of the highway patrol. I was working at Raytheon Aircraft in the administrative office and my supervisor used to be a dispatcher. Our department was getting laid off and she said 'I think you'd be really good at dispatching.' And I'm like, 'really? What does a dispatcher do?'" Miles said and laughed.The woman explained to Miles about dispatching, but Miles said that initially, she was reluctant to pursue a dispatching job because it sounded stressful and she saw herself as being soft-spoken. But the idea stuck in her head, and when she saw an ad for a dispatcher opening with KHP, she applied. That was nearly 20 years ago and she is now a Communications Specialist II!Over the years, Miles, like other dispatchers, has had a chance to meet some of the troopers with whom she communicates over the radio or by telephone. She said the troopers never look like she imagines they do while she is talking with them over the radio, but their voices are the same."I think it was the first time I ever met a trooper, they had come in and they were standing behind me, and I could tell by just them talking," who they were, Miles said.Dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol is both challenging and rewarding, Miles said. While some days are stressful, others are not; and for those stressful days, there is support and the dispatcher team in place to help."We seem to be a pretty good group. Like if we have a critical incident or something major is going on, the teamwork is there and that's comforting to know that you've got people behind your back helping you out," Miles said. "The teamwork is just awesome."<h2>A love for the job and for helping</h2>Megan Rogers, a Communications Specialist I, who has been with KHP for a little over a year, said she had always wanted to be a dispatcher."I love that we help people. They call in and we can get them the help that they need as fast as we can," Rogers said. "We can help them with day-to-day road conditions, weather conditions, that sort of thing, and also in their worst moments when they're in an accident or someone's hurt, we can get them help."And while the job isn't what Rogers thought it would be, she wouldn't trade it."It's not what I thought, honestly, but it's way better," Rogers said. "I love my job. I love what I do. I love the environment. I love everybody that I work with. I think it's awesome!"Rogers said that she considered dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol a career choice, not just another job.Like Rogers, the ability to help is important to Maggie Studt, a Communications Specialist who has been with the KHP for six and a half years."I kind of wanted to help keep the roads or Kansas a little bit safer and I knew I couldn't be a trooper, so this was a way that I could do that," Studt said. "I thought it was kind of interesting, something different that was out of my box. I had always done office work and I wanted to try something different."<h2>No typical day</h2>While Taylor and a number of the communications specialists reiterated that no two days are the same, there are some steps that are taken daily, Taylor explained.The communications specialists work on three shifts: daytime, evening, and midnight. The calls and incidents, however don't take a break for the shift changes, so it is imperative that communications specialists beginning their shift communicate with those going off-shift, Taylor said."The incoming dispatcher first meets with the dispatcher he/she is relieving to find out whether there are any calls that are ongoing," he said.Likewise, as troopers go on and off duty, they are required to call in and check out with dispatch, Taylor added.Once the incoming dispatchers are up-to-speed on current activity, they log into all of the various criminal justice information systems that they will need during their shifts, as well as the system they use to keep track of every call and the events that occur during it."From there, they have a phone line that is constantly getting calls, not only from troopers, but also from citizens across the state for their needs," Taylor said. "It's a dispatcher's job to determine exactly what those needs are and then relay them to the appropriate people. Throughout all this time, they're also receiving traffic calls or calls of accidents from other counties and other agencies, and they're multitasking and managing the processes of where do these calls need to go? How do they need to be routed? Which ones are of highest priority and urgency? Obviously looking at human life as the No. 1 priority and the goal is to preserve that."<h2>Becoming a KHP communications specialist</h2>Dispatching isn't for everyone. Likewise, everyone isn't qualified to be a dispatcher.For those who are interested in dispatching for the Kansas Highway Patrol, there are a number of steps to complete, according to Nicole Ascher, a staff development specialist with Troop M."It takes a couple of months just to get through all the steps and make sure everything is clear in the background," Taylor added.Those steps are as follows.1. Employment application submitted. Those applications can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansashighwaypatrol.org/">kansashighwaypatrol.org</a>.2. Typing test3. Panel interview4. Conditional offer of employment5. Vision test6. Hearing exam7. Physical requirements review8. Fingerprints9. Background investigation (process typically takes four-six weeks to complete)10. Psychological exam and interview (process typically takes one-two weeks to complete)11. Final offer of employment12. Newly hired communications specialists undergo at least one week of classroom training and at least eight-12 weeks of on-the-job training to become proficient dispatchers.<h2>Area assignments</h2>Once someone is hired as a communications specialist, he or she is assigned a "home troop.""This is assigned to you partly by what's needed. It's also based off of your skill set and what's demonstrated through your basic class," Taylor explained. "We evaluate you during that time. If you're having a harder time, we may put you on a troop that's a little more forgiving or has a little bit less activity. Whereas, if you come in with some experience, maybe you've been a dispatcher before for another agency and you come in, we may put you on a busier troop."Taylor said there are tests involved to make sure a communications specialist knows "who the troopers are who are working that area, the roads that are in those areas, the chain of command that is in those areas, and so forth. Once you complete it, then you're given some time on that troop.""From here, there's seven different troops that are dispatched all from this location, and so there's seven different locations you could learn to work. You don't ever take a troop unless you've learned that area," he said.Ideally, there are two dispatchers per troop working at the same time, however, other dispatchers who are proficient in multiple troop areas can also help out when needed, Taylor said."The nice thing about centralized dispatch like we are is the fact that if there is only one person on a troop, another person from another troop can help out. If there's a major incident, everybody works as a team. Everybody pitches in because there are so many steps that happen, like for a pursuit or for a fatality accident or an injury accident. There are so many calls that need to be made, so many messages that need to be sent. There's a lot of help down there," Taylor said."It's a good profession," Taylor added. "It's got good ethics and morals behind it. And it's a service-oriented position. For those people that really want to be a part of something bigger than just themselves, this is a good place to work."