LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle with his mother as a passenger into a lake has been declared mentally incompetent.

A Douglas County District Court judge ruled Wednesday that Jeremy S. Williams, 22, should receive treatment at Larned State Hospital, according to court records.

He was charged with second-degree attempted murder after a caller reported seeing a car drive into Lone Star Lake on Feb. 25, prosecutors said.

The caller helped Williams’ mother out of the car after she appeared unable to remove herself because of a broken leg, Douglas County Sheriff’s officials said. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure.

Williams’ case will remain pending while he receives treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614442117521.png" alt="Williams photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle with his mother as a passenger into a lake has been declared mentally incompetent.A Douglas County District Court judge ruled Wednesday that Jeremy S. Williams, 22, should receive treatment at Larned State Hospital, according to court records.He was charged with second-degree attempted murder after a caller reported seeing a car drive into Lone Star Lake on Feb. 25, prosecutors said.The caller helped Williams’ mother out of the car after she appeared unable to remove herself because of a broken leg, Douglas County Sheriff’s officials said. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure.Williams’ case will remain pending while he receives treatment.

Judge: Kan. man who tried to drive mom to her death incompetent

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for his actions during a disturbance on Easter Sunday.

Just after 6:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance with a weapon call at an apartment in the 3000 block of West Douglas in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21 -year-old woman at the apartment.&nbsp; As officers entered the apartment, they heard a gunshot from a bedroom.&nbsp; Officers began giving verbal instructions to the individuals inside the room.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Scott Bryant, 21, of Derby exited the room armed with a handgun and complied with instructions given to him.&nbsp; Officers arrested him without further incident and recovered the handgun.

A 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old woman also exited the bedroom.

The investigation revealed the four individuals are all known to each other, and the 19 and 20-year-old women got into an argument with Bryant.&nbsp; He fired the handgun during the disturbance and after the officers arrived.&nbsp; No one was injured in this incident.&nbsp; The gun was reported stolen.

The case will be presented to the City of Wichita prosecutors.

Bryant is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617622838213.png" alt="Bryant-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bryant-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for his actions during a disturbance on Easter Sunday.Just after 6:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance with a weapon call at an apartment in the 3000 block of West Douglas in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers contacted a 21 -year-old woman at the apartment.&nbsp; As officers entered the apartment, they heard a gunshot from a bedroom.&nbsp; Officers began giving verbal instructions to the individuals inside the room.&nbsp; &nbsp;Scott Bryant, 21, of Derby exited the room armed with a handgun and complied with instructions given to him.&nbsp; Officers arrested him without further incident and recovered the handgun.A 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old woman also exited the bedroom.The investigation revealed the four individuals are all known to each other, and the 19 and 20-year-old women got into an argument with Bryant.&nbsp; He fired the handgun during the disturbance and after the officers arrived.&nbsp; No one was injured in this incident.&nbsp; The gun was reported stolen.The case will be presented to the City of Wichita prosecutors.Bryant is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to Davidson.

Kan. man fired stolen handgun during Easter Sunday dispute

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kan., in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner.

As part of a continuing federal investigation of Alonzo Brooks’ death, his body was exhumed and transported to Dover Air Force Base for examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The examiner’s report concludes that the cause of death was homicide.

“We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “This new examination by a team of the world’s best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. 

We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.”

“The FBI’s commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan.

“Our reach is broad, and the strength of our investigative tools are exceptional. We remain dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

The new autopsy focuses on injuries to parts of Brooks’ body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.

Details of the examination are being withheld for investigative purposes.

In 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the FBI reopened the investigation of Brooks’ death, which had been dormant for years. As part of the new investigation, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks’ death.

In the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County said he was unable to determine a cause of death and witnesses’ interviews failed to produce any arrests. The new investigation is focused on determining whether Brooks, an

African-American who was 23 years old when he died, was the victim of a racially motivated killing. Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a house on the outskirts of La Cygne. He was one of only three African-American men at the party, which 100 or more people attended.

Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kan., rode to the party with friends. They left before him and he wound up with no ride home.

When Brooks failed to come home the next day, his family and friends contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.

According to reports at the time, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo.

After Alonzo had been missing for almost a month, a group of his family and friends organized a search. They began on the road near the 

farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. In just under an hour, they found Alonzo’s body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591908849400.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kan., in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner.As part of a continuing federal investigation of Alonzo Brooks’ death, his body was exhumed and transported to Dover Air Force Base for examination by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. The examiner’s report concludes that the cause of death was homicide.“We knew that Alonzo Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “This new examination by a team of the world’s best forensic pathologists and experts establishes it was no accident. Alonzo Brooks was killed. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.”“The FBI’s commitment to justice remains at the forefront of each and every investigation,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan.“Our reach is broad, and the strength of our investigative tools are exceptional. We remain dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding the murder of Alonzo Brooks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”The new autopsy focuses on injuries to parts of Brooks’ body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition.Details of the examination are being withheld for investigative purposes.In 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the FBI reopened the investigation of Brooks’ death, which had been dormant for years. As part of the new investigation, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks’ death.In the initial investigation, a coroner in Linn County said he was unable to determine a cause of death and witnesses’ interviews failed to produce any arrests. The new investigation is focused on determining whether Brooks, anAfrican-American who was 23 years old when he died, was the victim of a racially motivated killing. Brooks was last seen alive in April 2004 during a party at a house on the outskirts of La Cygne. He was one of only three African-American men at the party, which 100 or more people attended.Brooks, who lived in Gardner, Kan., rode to the party with friends. They left before him and he wound up with no ride home.When Brooks failed to come home the next day, his family and friends contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.According to reports at the time, the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies searched areas around the farmhouse, including parts of nearby Middle Creek, but did not find Alonzo.After Alonzo had been missing for almost a month, a group of his family and friends organized a search. They began on the road near the farmhouse and walked the two branches of Middle Creek. In just under an hour, they found Alonzo’s body, partially on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek.

FBI confirms 2004 death of Kan. man was a homicide

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she has no plans to have Kansas issue vaccine passports, which are designed to help inoculated residents travel, shop and dine out more freely.

The Democratic governor also signed into law a largely symbolic&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb63_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">measure</a>&nbsp;approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to require public schools to offer full-time, in-person classes to all students for the rest of the current semester.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-covid-19-pandemic-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-a85f3c32c044912b834aac7e0e1356a0">Almost all</a>&nbsp;of the state’s 286 local school districts already have most students attending in-person classes, according to the State Department of Education.

Vaccine passports verifying people’s immunizations status have become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-new-york-data-privacy-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-f1c7623849d5458bcda3aed67f4c3d90">political flashpoint</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. as they’ve come into use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-can-unvaccinated-return-to-work-dilemma-coronavrius-7e18cdee3a66018c36a6c61d5bc8a4c1">in Israel&nbsp;</a>and under development in Europe. Some Republicans in the U.S. see them as heavy-handed government intrusion.

Kelly said she’s concentrating on making sure people get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I have no interest in vaccine passports,” she told reporters. “We will not be issuing those under my authority.”

New COVID-19 cases have declined sharply in Kansas in recent months. State health department data showed an average of just 195 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since late June 2020.

Kansas added only 354 cases since Friday to its pandemic total, making it 303,227. A review of death certificates also prompted the health department to subtract five deaths from the pandemic total since Friday, dropping it to 4,927.

The measure requiring schools to reopen was pushed by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. He and other GOP lawmakers said remote classes hurt many children both academically and emotionally. Republicans are still criticizing Kelly for ordering all K-12 buildings closed from mid-March 2020 until the end of that spring’s semester.

But Kelly said Monday that with schools open, “It’s sort of a moot point.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she has no plans to have Kansas issue vaccine passports, which are designed to help inoculated residents travel, shop and dine out more freely.The Democratic governor also signed into law a largely symbolic&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb63_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">measure</a>&nbsp;approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to require public schools to offer full-time, in-person classes to all students for the rest of the current semester.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-covid-19-pandemic-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-a85f3c32c044912b834aac7e0e1356a0">Almost all</a>&nbsp;of the state’s 286 local school districts already have most students attending in-person classes, according to the State Department of Education.Vaccine passports verifying people’s immunizations status have become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-new-york-data-privacy-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-f1c7623849d5458bcda3aed67f4c3d90">political flashpoint</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. as they’ve come into use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-can-unvaccinated-return-to-work-dilemma-coronavrius-7e18cdee3a66018c36a6c61d5bc8a4c1">in Israel&nbsp;</a>and under development in Europe. Some Republicans in the U.S. see them as heavy-handed government intrusion.Kelly said she’s concentrating on making sure people get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19.“I have no interest in vaccine passports,” she told reporters. “We will not be issuing those under my authority.”New COVID-19 cases have declined sharply in Kansas in recent months. State health department data showed an average of just 195 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since late June 2020.Kansas added only 354 cases since Friday to its pandemic total, making it 303,227. A review of death certificates also prompted the health department to subtract five deaths from the pandemic total since Friday, dropping it to 4,927.The measure requiring schools to reopen was pushed by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. He and other GOP lawmakers said remote classes hurt many children both academically and emotionally. Republicans are still criticizing Kelly for ordering all K-12 buildings closed from mid-March 2020 until the end of that spring’s semester.But Kelly said Monday that with schools open, “It’s sort of a moot point.”____

Kan. governor: 'No interest' in COVID-19 vaccine passports

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday urged the adoption of a minimum global corporate income tax, an effort to offset any disadvantages that might arise from the Biden administration’s proposed increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate.

Citing a “thirty-year race to the bottom” in which countries have slashed corporate tax rates in an effort to attract multinational businesses, Yellen said the Biden administration would work with other advanced economies in the Group of 20 to set a minimum.

“Competitiveness is about more than how U.S.-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids,” Yellen said in a virtual speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods.”

The speech was Yellen’s highest-profile so far on international affairs, and came just as the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund began in a virtual format.

“It is important to work with other countries to end the pressures of tax competition and corporate tax base erosion,” Yellen said.

President Joe Biden has proposed hiking the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, partially undoing the Trump administration’s cut from 35% in its 2017 tax legislation. Biden also wants to set a minimum U.S. tax on overseas corporate income, and to make it harder for companies to shift earnings offshore. The increase would help pay for the White House’s ambitious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-climate-climate-change-c14bb6ce360a43e6239abfe087758e5c">$2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal</a>.

Also on Monday, Biden said he was “not at all” concerned that a higher corporate tax rate would cause some U.S. companies to relocate overseas, though Yellen’s proposed global minimum corporate tax is intended to prevent that from happening.

“There’s no evidence to that ... that’s bizarre,” Biden said in response to a question from reporters.

According to the Tax Foundation, the Trump administration’s corporate tax reduction lowered the U.S. rate from the highest among the 37 advanced economies in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to the 13th highest. Many analysts have argued, however, that few large U.S. multinationals paid the full tax.

“We have 51 or 52 corporations from the Fortune 500 who haven’t paid a single penny a day for 3 years?” Biden said. “Come on.”

Yellen, meanwhile, downplayed the potential for the Biden administration’s domestic agenda, which also includes a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package approved last month, to spur higher inflation. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, among others, has raised such concerns since the relief bill passed.

“I strongly doubt that it’s going to cause inflationary pressures,” Yellen said, referring to the administration’s infrastructure proposal. “The problem for a very long time has been inflation that’s too low, not inflation that’s too high.”

Yellen also said the United States will step up its efforts at home and overseas to fight climate change, “after sitting on the sidelines for four years.”

Treasury will work to “promote the flow of capital toward climate-aligned investments and away from carbon-intensive investments,” Yellen said. That approach has raised the ire of GOP members of Congress, who say it threatens the ability of the U.S. oil and gas industry to access needed lending.

Yellen also noted that many developing nations are lagging in vaccinating their populations, and have also experienced harsh economic consequences from the pandemic. As many as 150 million people worldwide will fall into extreme poverty this year, Yellen said.

“The result will likely be a deeper and longer-lasting crisis, with mounting problems of indebtedness, more entrenched poverty, and growing inequality,” Yellen said.

The Biden administration supports the creation of $650 billion in new lending capacity at the IMF to address such issues, she said. Many Republicans in Congress oppose the new allotment, arguing that much of the funding would flow to relatively better-off developing countries, such as China.

Yellen acknowledged that the additional credit would be distributed to each IMF member, but argued that “significant resources will go to the poorest countries most in need.” Nations can also donate some of their funds to the hardest-hit countries, which she expects many will do, she added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617646111834.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday urged the adoption of a minimum global corporate income tax, an effort to offset any disadvantages that might arise from the Biden administration’s proposed increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate.Citing a “thirty-year race to the bottom” in which countries have slashed corporate tax rates in an effort to attract multinational businesses, Yellen said the Biden administration would work with other advanced economies in the Group of 20 to set a minimum.“Competitiveness is about more than how U.S.-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids,” Yellen said in a virtual speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods.”The speech was Yellen’s highest-profile so far on international affairs, and came just as the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund began in a virtual format.“It is important to work with other countries to end the pressures of tax competition and corporate tax base erosion,” Yellen said.President Joe Biden has proposed hiking the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, partially undoing the Trump administration’s cut from 35% in its 2017 tax legislation. Biden also wants to set a minimum U.S. tax on overseas corporate income, and to make it harder for companies to shift earnings offshore. The increase would help pay for the White House’s ambitious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-climate-climate-change-c14bb6ce360a43e6239abfe087758e5c">$2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal</a>.Also on Monday, Biden said he was “not at all” concerned that a higher corporate tax rate would cause some U.S. companies to relocate overseas, though Yellen’s proposed global minimum corporate tax is intended to prevent that from happening.“There’s no evidence to that ... that’s bizarre,” Biden said in response to a question from reporters.According to the Tax Foundation, the Trump administration’s corporate tax reduction lowered the U.S. rate from the highest among the 37 advanced economies in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to the 13th highest. Many analysts have argued, however, that few large U.S. multinationals paid the full tax.“We have 51 or 52 corporations from the Fortune 500 who haven’t paid a single penny a day for 3 years?” Biden said. “Come on.”Yellen, meanwhile, downplayed the potential for the Biden administration’s domestic agenda, which also includes a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package approved last month, to spur higher inflation. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, among others, has raised such concerns since the relief bill passed.“I strongly doubt that it’s going to cause inflationary pressures,” Yellen said, referring to the administration’s infrastructure proposal. “The problem for a very long time has been inflation that’s too low, not inflation that’s too high.”Yellen also said the United States will step up its efforts at home and overseas to fight climate change, “after sitting on the sidelines for four years.”Treasury will work to “promote the flow of capital toward climate-aligned investments and away from carbon-intensive investments,” Yellen said. That approach has raised the ire of GOP members of Congress, who say it threatens the ability of the U.S. oil and gas industry to access needed lending.Yellen also noted that many developing nations are lagging in vaccinating their populations, and have also experienced harsh economic consequences from the pandemic. As many as 150 million people worldwide will fall into extreme poverty this year, Yellen said.“The result will likely be a deeper and longer-lasting crisis, with mounting problems of indebtedness, more entrenched poverty, and growing inequality,” Yellen said.The Biden administration supports the creation of $650 billion in new lending capacity at the IMF to address such issues, she said. Many Republicans in Congress oppose the new allotment, arguing that much of the funding would flow to relatively better-off developing countries, such as China.Yellen acknowledged that the additional credit would be distributed to each IMF member, but argued that “significant resources will go to the poorest countries most in need.” Nations can also donate some of their funds to the hardest-hit countries, which she expects many will do, she added.

U.S. Treasury Secretary calls for global income tax

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays Police Department has arrested a 14-year-old Hays Middle School student on a charge of criminal threat for a bomb threat made against the school on March 30.

A threat of a bomb inside of a school at 201 W. 29th was made to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation tip line on March 30.

A quick search by the KBI determined the only school in the state with that address was Hays Middle School.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617650812404.jpeg" alt="Police outside hays Middle School during the March 30 investigation" />
 <figcaption>Police outside hays Middle School during the March 30 investigation</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays Police Department has arrested a 14-year-old Hays Middle School student on a charge of criminal threat for a bomb threat made against the school on March 30.A threat of a bomb inside of a school at 201 W. 29th was made to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation tip line on March 30.A quick search by the KBI determined the only school in the state with that address was Hays Middle School.

Arrest made in Hays Middle School bomb threat

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A driver has died in a fiery crash in Kansas City that also injured two police officers and a firefighter who were attempting to rescue the driver, authorities said.

The crash happened Sunday afternoon on Northwest Roanridge Road after a northbound car missed a curve in the road, flew down an embankment and flipped before catching fire, police said in a news release.

The driver was trapped in the burning wreckage. Police said officers, firefighters and bystanders tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire and rescue the driver, who died at the scene. His name was not immediately released.

Two officers and a firefighter were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the rescue attempt.

Two dogs were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and both were thrown from the car, police said. A German Shepherd died at the scene, and a Jack Russell was rescued and taken the county’s animal control impound.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617649280347.png" alt="A German Shepherd also died at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>A German Shepherd also died at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A driver has died in a fiery crash in Kansas City that also injured two police officers and a firefighter who were attempting to rescue the driver, authorities said.The crash happened Sunday afternoon on Northwest Roanridge Road after a northbound car missed a curve in the road, flew down an embankment and flipped before catching fire, police said in a news release.The driver was trapped in the burning wreckage. Police said officers, firefighters and bystanders tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire and rescue the driver, who died at the scene. His name was not immediately released.Two officers and a firefighter were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the rescue attempt.Two dogs were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and both were thrown from the car, police said. A German Shepherd died at the scene, and a Jack Russell was rescued and taken the county’s animal control impound.

Driver and pet dead in KC crash that injured first responders

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly says a Republican proposal to require graduating Kansas high school students to have passed a civics test violates the state constitution.

Kelly spokesperson Reeves Oyster stopped short of saying Kelly would veto a bill approved by the state Senate last week to require the test.

But she said in email: “The civics bill is an unconstitutional intrusion on the authority of the State Board of Education.”

The state constitution says the elected state board has “general supervision” of public schools, and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled decades ago that the board exercises its power independently laws enacted by the Legislature. The board sets curriculum standards.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature passed a Republican-backed bill Wednesday that would require graduating high school students to have passed a civics test with questions such as, “What is one way Americans can serve their country?”

The GOP-controlled Senate voted 24-15 for the bill and sent it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The Republican-controlled House narrowly approved it in early March.

The measure would require public and private school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The bill does not set a passing grade, leaving that up to teachers. Students would be able to take the test multiple times until they pass.

Supporters say the test would give students basic knowledge to become engaged citizens. Nineteen states require high school students to take a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.

“By providing this test, we are just ensuring that the principles of our government and the foundations of our Constitution are taught in our schools,” said freshman state Sen. Alicia Straub, an Ellinwood Republican.

Kelly has not said whether she will sign the bill, and fellow Democrats opposed it, questioning whether it would be effective in getting young people engaged.

The U.S. citizenship test includes questions that require applicants to name three branches of government, a document that influenced the U.S. Constitution, and who appoints federal judges.

Straub, who led the move to pass the bill in the Senate, said if students are already being taught about the U.S. Constitution and the federal government, they should be able to easily pass the test.

But the Kansas State Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it encroaches on its authority under the state constitution to set graduation requirements. The measure has also faced criticism from some education groups, including the Kansas National Education Association, which says students are already getting a civics education in government and history classes.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said that she has encouraged students to work for campaigns and become poll workers. She pointed to a national program called Civics Unplugged in which high school students are trained to work on civics projects.

“I think there are programs like this that actually will help with the intent of making sure kids know about the civics process, getting them engaged and actually having an experience that will be much more influential than to take a citizenship, the naturalization exam,” Sykes said.

However, Sen. Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said she disagrees with political activism substituting for the knowledge students would have to demonstrate in a civics test.

“We can disagree on politics and culture but if we don’t have a united understanding about where our country came from and its history and how it is structured. We’re going to have difficulties moving forward and getting things done,” Warren said.

During its debate Wednesday, the Senate included an amendment from Democrat Sen. David Haley, of Kansas City, Kansas, requiring the State Board of Education to develop curriculum standards for personal financial literacy classes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583163846371.jpeg" alt="State Senator Alicia Straub, who led the move to pass the bill in the Senate, said if students are already being taught about the U.S. Constitution and the federal government, they should be able to easily pass the test." />
 <figcaption>State Senator Alicia Straub, who led the move to pass the bill in the Senate, said if students are already being taught about the U.S. Constitution and the federal government, they should be able to easily pass the test.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly says a Republican proposal to require graduating Kansas high school students to have passed a civics test violates the state constitution.Kelly spokesperson Reeves Oyster stopped short of saying Kelly would veto a bill approved by the state Senate last week to require the test.But she said in email: “The civics bill is an unconstitutional intrusion on the authority of the State Board of Education.”The state constitution says the elected state board has “general supervision” of public schools, and the Kansas Supreme Court ruled decades ago that the board exercises its power independently laws enacted by the Legislature. The board sets curriculum standards.------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature passed a Republican-backed bill Wednesday that would require graduating high school students to have passed a civics test with questions such as, “What is one way Americans can serve their country?”The GOP-controlled Senate voted 24-15 for the bill and sent it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The Republican-controlled House narrowly approved it in early March.The measure would require public and private school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The bill does not set a passing grade, leaving that up to teachers. Students would be able to take the test multiple times until they pass.Supporters say the test would give students basic knowledge to become engaged citizens. Nineteen states require high school students to take a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.“By providing this test, we are just ensuring that the principles of our government and the foundations of our Constitution are taught in our schools,” said freshman state Sen. Alicia Straub, an Ellinwood Republican.Kelly has not said whether she will sign the bill, and fellow Democrats opposed it, questioning whether it would be effective in getting young people engaged.The U.S. citizenship test includes questions that require applicants to name three branches of government, a document that influenced the U.S. Constitution, and who appoints federal judges.Straub, who led the move to pass the bill in the Senate, said if students are already being taught about the U.S. Constitution and the federal government, they should be able to easily pass the test.But the Kansas State Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it encroaches on its authority under the state constitution to set graduation requirements. The measure has also faced criticism from some education groups, including the Kansas National Education Association, which says students are already getting a civics education in government and history classes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616069152124.png" alt="Senator Dinah Sykes" />
 <figcaption>Senator Dinah Sykes</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said that she has encouraged students to work for campaigns and become poll workers. She pointed to a national program called Civics Unplugged in which high school students are trained to work on civics projects.“I think there are programs like this that actually will help with the intent of making sure kids know about the civics process, getting them engaged and actually having an experience that will be much more influential than to take a citizenship, the naturalization exam,” Sykes said.However, Sen. Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said she disagrees with political activism substituting for the knowledge students would have to demonstrate in a civics test.“We can disagree on politics and culture but if we don’t have a united understanding about where our country came from and its history and how it is structured. We’re going to have difficulties moving forward and getting things done,” Warren said.During its debate Wednesday, the Senate included an amendment from Democrat Sen. David Haley, of Kansas City, Kansas, requiring the State Board of Education to develop curriculum standards for personal financial literacy classes.

Bill that mandates civics test might violate Kan. Constitution

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 354 to a total of 303,227, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4927— no new deaths since Friday's report.&nbsp;

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 354 to a total of 303,227, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4927— no new deaths since Friday's report.&nbsp;<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617642274870.png" alt="Monday April 5, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday April 5, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Capitol Police officer killed last week when a man armed with a knife rammed his car into two officers at a barricade outside the Capitol does not appear to have been stabbed, slashed or shot, a police official told The Associated Press on Monday.

Officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force, died Friday after the driver rammed into the barricade near the Capitol. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Noah Green, crashed into the officers and the barrier, then exited the car armed with a knife and lunged at the officers before police fatally shot him, authorities said.

In the chaotic moments after the attack, law enforcement officials initially believed the suspect, who was seen on surveillance video lunging at the officers with a knife, may have stabbed Evans, but that was not the case. Rumors also had swirled around fears that Evans may have been struck by friendly fire when police started shooting at the suspect.

The investigation remains ongoing, but there is no indication that Evans was stabbed, slashed or shot, a U.S. Capitol Police official told the AP. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

Video of the Friday afternoon attack shows the driver emerging from the crashed car with a knife in his hand and advancing toward the officers, Capitol Police acting Chief Yogananda Pittman said.

Investigators are increasingly focused on Green’s mental health as they work to identify any motive for the attack, a U.S. official briefed on the investigation told the AP. Investigators have learned the suspect had been suffering from delusions, paranoia and suicidal thoughts, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing matter and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

In online posts since removed, Green described being under government thought control and said he was being watched. He described himself as a follower of the Nation of Islam and its longtime leader, Louis Farrakhan, and spoke of going through a difficult time when he leaned on his faith. Some of the messages were captured by the group SITE, which tracks online activity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617402625752.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A Capitol Police officer killed last week when a man armed with a knife rammed his car into two officers at a barricade outside the Capitol does not appear to have been stabbed, slashed or shot, a police official told The Associated Press on Monday.Officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force, died Friday after the driver rammed into the barricade near the Capitol. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Noah Green, crashed into the officers and the barrier, then exited the car armed with a knife and lunged at the officers before police fatally shot him, authorities said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617385738948.png" alt="Capitol police at the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WJLA TV" />
 <figcaption>Capitol police at the scene of the investigation photo courtesy WJLA TV</figcaption>
 </figure>In the chaotic moments after the attack, law enforcement officials initially believed the suspect, who was seen on surveillance video lunging at the officers with a knife, may have stabbed Evans, but that was not the case. Rumors also had swirled around fears that Evans may have been struck by friendly fire when police started shooting at the suspect.The investigation remains ongoing, but there is no indication that Evans was stabbed, slashed or shot, a U.S. Capitol Police official told the AP. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.Video of the Friday afternoon attack shows the driver emerging from the crashed car with a knife in his hand and advancing toward the officers, Capitol Police acting Chief Yogananda Pittman said.Investigators are increasingly focused on Green’s mental health as they work to identify any motive for the attack, a U.S. official briefed on the investigation told the AP. Investigators have learned the suspect had been suffering from delusions, paranoia and suicidal thoughts, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing matter and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.In online posts since removed, Green described being under government thought control and said he was being watched. He described himself as a follower of the Nation of Islam and its longtime leader, Louis Farrakhan, and spoke of going through a difficult time when he leaned on his faith. Some of the messages were captured by the group SITE, which tracks online activity.

No indication officer in Capitol attack was stabbed, shot

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 43-year-old Kandy Fairchild of Wichita, according to Deputy Benjamin Blick.

Just after 10 p.m. Sunday deputies were dispatched to a vehicle injury accident involving a pedestrian near the intersection of Broadway and 119th Street South, according to Blick.

During the investigation, deputies learned a northbound Toyota Camry driven by a 23-year-old woman struck 43-year-old Kandy Fairchild of Wichita who was walking in the northbound lane of Broadway.

Fairchild died at the scene, according to Blick. The driver of the Camry and her adult passenger were not injured.&nbsp; Deputies released no additional details early Monday as the investigation continues.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 43-year-old Kandy Fairchild of Wichita, according to Deputy Benjamin Blick.Just after 10 p.m. Sunday deputies were dispatched to a vehicle injury accident involving a pedestrian near the intersection of Broadway and 119th Street South, according to Blick.During the investigation, deputies learned a northbound Toyota Camry driven by a 23-year-old woman struck 43-year-old Kandy Fairchild of Wichita who was walking in the northbound lane of Broadway.Fairchild died at the scene, according to Blick. The driver of the Camry and her adult passenger were not injured.&nbsp; Deputies released no additional details early Monday as the investigation continues.

Sheriff IDs Kan. woman who died in pedestrian accident

Saline County —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest in Salina.

A Wichita man was arrested early Saturday morning after he was observed throwing something out of a vehicle window in north Salina.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, a police&nbsp;officer at the intersection of W. Otis Avenue and N. Ninth Street in Salina observed a northbound 2019 Nissan Sentra with no headlights activated, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle in the 1500 block of N. Ninth Street, but the driver later identified as 31-year-old Terrius Jones failed to pull over and a pursuit ensued at speeds reaching 50 mph, according to Forester.

While pursuing the vehicle, the officer observed the driver throw something from the car in the 200 block of E. Diamond Drive.

The Sentra finally stopped at the intersection of W. Grand Avenue and Barney Street.&nbsp; Officers later located a small plastic baggie containing suspected cocaine in the area where the driver was seen throwing something from the vehicle.

Police arrested&nbsp; Jones and booked him on requested charges that include, Possession of cocaine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Flee and elude, Driving without headlights, Improper driving on laned roadways, Speeding and No turn signal,&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617460288162.jpeg" alt="Jones has previous convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint, aggravated burglary, DUI and other drug use- photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Jones has previous convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint, aggravated burglary, DUI and other drug use- photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Saline County —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest in Salina.A Wichita man was arrested early Saturday morning after he was observed throwing something out of a vehicle window in north Salina.Just after 2a.m. Saturday, a police&nbsp;officer at the intersection of W. Otis Avenue and N. Ninth Street in Salina observed a northbound 2019 Nissan Sentra with no headlights activated, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The officer attempted to stop the vehicle in the 1500 block of N. Ninth Street, but the driver later identified as 31-year-old Terrius Jones failed to pull over and a pursuit ensued at speeds reaching 50 mph, according to Forester.While pursuing the vehicle, the officer observed the driver throw something from the car in the 200 block of E. Diamond Drive.The Sentra finally stopped at the intersection of W. Grand Avenue and Barney Street.&nbsp; Officers later located a small plastic baggie containing suspected cocaine in the area where the driver was seen throwing something from the vehicle.Police arrested&nbsp; Jones and booked him on requested charges that include, Possession of cocaine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Flee and elude, Driving without headlights, Improper driving on laned roadways, Speeding and No turn signal,&nbsp;

Police: Kan. felon threw bag of cocaine from vehicle during chase

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Liberal activists are stepping up calls for corporate America to denounce Republican efforts to tighten state voting laws, and businesses accustomed to cozy political relationships now find themselves in the middle of a growing partisan fight over voting rights.

Pressure is mounting on leading companies in&nbsp;Texas, Arizona and other states, particularly after&nbsp;Major League Baseball’s decision Friday to move the 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.civicalliance.com/votingaccess/" target="_blank">joint statement&nbsp;</a>from executives at nearly 200 companies, including HP, Microsoft, PayPal, Target, Twitter, Uber and Under Armour, took aim at state legislation “threatening to make voting more difficult” and said “elections are not improved” when lawmakers impose new barriers to voting.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas joined GOP colleagues nationwide Wednesday trying to tighten voting laws, advancing a measure Wednesday that would make it harder for churches, civic groups, neighbors and candidates to collect and return absentee ballots for voters.

The state Senate approved, 28-12,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2183_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>that would make it a felony for someone to deliver more than five absentee ballots for other people to election officials. Candidates would be limited to delivering ballots for immediate family members.

The nationwide outcry comes a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-legislature-bills-state-elections-voting-rights-b2b014cc81894a50fc513168a5f1d0b8">Georgia Republicans enacted an overhaul of the state’s election law</a>&nbsp;that critics argue is an attempt to suppress Democratic votes.

Other companies have, somewhat belatedly, joined the chorus of critics.

Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Co., two of Georgia’s best-known brands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-legislature-boycotts-voting-rights-elections-adaa1758fb58df19a12cd05c453840b0">this past week called the new law “unacceptable,”</a>&nbsp;although they had a hand in writing it. That only angered Republicans, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and several U.S. senators, who accused the companies of cowering from unwarranted attacks from the left.

The fight has thrust corporate America into a place it often tries to avoid — the center of a partisan political fight. But under threat of boycott and bad publicity, business leaders are showing a new willingness to enter the fray on an issue not directly related to their bottom line, even if it means alienating Republican allies.

“We want to hold corporations accountable for how they show up when voting rights are under attack,” said Marc Banks, an NAACP spokesman. “Corporations have a part to play, because when they do show up and speak, people listen.”

Civil rights groups have sued to block the new Georgia law, which was passed after Democrats flipped the once-reliably Republican state in an election that Donald Trump falsely claimed was rife with fraud. Some activists have called for consumer boycotts of Delta, Coca-Cola and others. They dismiss business leaders’ assertions that they helped water down the bill to ease earlier, more restrictive proposals; those leaders, they argue, should have tried to block the plan altogether.

In Texas, the NAACP, League of Women Voters and League of United Latin American Citizens, among other organizations, are urging corporations in the state to speak out against a slate of Republican-backed voting proposals. “Democracy is good for business,” the campaign says.

Nine organizations took out full-page ads in The Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News, the state’s leading newspapers, urging corporate opposition to the plan. The Texas proposal would limit some early voting hours, bar counties from setting up drive-thru voting and prohibit local officials from proactively sending applications for mail ballots before voters request them.

Unlike their Georgia-based counterparts, American Airlines and Dell Technologies didn’t wait for the Texas measure to pass. “To make American’s stance clear: We are strongly opposed to this bill and others like it,” American said in a statement.

Arizona, which Biden flipped from Trump in November, hasn’t seen high-profile corporate players engage yet. But 30-plus groups sent a joint letter to Allstate Insurance, CVS Health and Farmers’ Insurance, among others, urging their public opposition to proposed voting restrictions. Emily Kirkland, executive director of Progress Arizona, a progressive group that signed the letter, said there’s been no response yet.

Other groups are demanding that corporations focus on Washington, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-voting-voting-rights-legislation-elections-8d54d5b9640115463b3f198603d62272">congressional Democrats are pushing measures intended to make it easier for Americans to vote</a>, regardless of state laws. Among the changes, Democrats would enact automatic voter registration nationally and standardize access to early and mail voting.

Democrats also want to restore parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that require the federal government to approve all election procedures in states and locales with a history of discrimination. The Supreme Court struck down those provisions, which applied to Georgia and Arizona, among other states, in 2013.

Corporate giants were mostly quiet when Trump falsely claimed he lost because of fraud. Business leaders largely maintained that caution as Republican state lawmakers used Trump’s lie to justify a flood of new bills to make it more cumbersome to vote.

The reticence was a stark contrast to how chambers of commerce reacted six years ago when Republican-run states pushed “religious freedom” measures. Indiana, under then-Gov. Mike Pence, the future vice president, saw immediate corporate backlash. After North Carolina passed a “bathroom bill” limiting LGBTQ rights in 2016, PayPal scuttled expansion plans there and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0a2fd6cffbc64f518a977f2b3e78c2e9">NBA moved its all-star game</a>&nbsp;from Charlotte.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e6c7a15d2e16452c8dcbc2756fd67b44">An AP analysis in 2017</a>&nbsp;found the reaction would eventually cost North Carolina at least $3.76 billion in lost business.

Then, Georgia’s corporate lobbying groups — with Delta’s and Coca-Cola’s backing — took no such chances, speaking out forcefully against Georgia conservatives’ version of a “religious freedom” bill. Lawmakers passed it anyway but Kemp’s predecessor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/47afea6183b845a4ba7a5a2c72010dfa">Republican Nathan Deal, vetoed it amid the chamber outcry</a>.

Some Republicans dispute the comparison. Brian Robinson, a former top Deal aide who was part of the business coalition that publicly opposed the religious freedom bill, argued that measure “was clearly discriminatory” against LGBTQ citizens, while the nearly 100-page election bill is less clear-cut and is being misrepresented by Democrats and their allies.

Companies are reacting to “Twitter mobs demanding reaction to their false narrative,” he said.

National Republicans reacted even more harshly. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a former and potentially future presidential candidate, slammed Delta with the hashtag “#WokeCorporateHypocrites.”

Still, Delta and Coca-Cola’s response to the Georgia voting fight is standing as a cautionary tale for other businesses.

Ed Bastian, the airline’s chief executive, initially released a statement noting the business lobby’s role in altering the bill as it moved through the General Assembly. Officials at the Atlanta Metro Chamber, where Bastian currently serves as president, detailed how corporate lobbyists spent weeks at the Capitol on mitigating provisions.

Some Georgia Republicans wanted to roll back the state’s no-excuse absentee voting law, end automatic voter registration and ban Sunday early voting used heavily by Black churches. They also wanted to require photocopies of state IDs to receive and submit absentee ballots, while banning “drop boxes” as ballot collection receptacles.

The final law preserved no-excuse absentee voting and automatic registration. The new ID requirement for absentee ballots allows a voter to write their state ID number, rather than produce a photocopy, and the legislature included funding for free state IDs. The law also codifies in-person early voting on weekends, although it allows counties to choose whether to be open for voting for up to two Sundays. And it made drop boxes of mail ballots a permanent fixture in Georgia, but limited the number.

Business leaders’ philosophy, according to Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan, was “basically, Republicans are going to pass something, so they might as well try to keep from being awful.”

But by Wednesday, the same day 72 Black business executives published a letter in The New York Times urging corporate leaders to speak out, Bastian was more direct. He sent a companywide memo declaring the law “unacceptable” and “based on a lie” — though he didn’t mention Trump.

Big business’s mistake, Jordan said, was “thinking there was ever any version that wouldn’t end up like this.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Liberal activists are stepping up calls for corporate America to denounce Republican efforts to tighten state voting laws, and businesses accustomed to cozy political relationships now find themselves in the middle of a growing partisan fight over voting rights.Pressure is mounting on leading companies in&nbsp;Texas, Arizona and other states, particularly after&nbsp;Major League Baseball’s decision Friday to move the 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.civicalliance.com/votingaccess/" target="_blank">joint statement&nbsp;</a>from executives at nearly 200 companies, including HP, Microsoft, PayPal, Target, Twitter, Uber and Under Armour, took aim at state legislation “threatening to make voting more difficult” and said “elections are not improved” when lawmakers impose new barriers to voting.Republican lawmakers in Kansas joined GOP colleagues nationwide Wednesday trying to tighten voting laws, advancing a measure Wednesday that would make it harder for churches, civic groups, neighbors and candidates to collect and return absentee ballots for voters.The state Senate approved, 28-12,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2183_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>that would make it a felony for someone to deliver more than five absentee ballots for other people to election officials. Candidates would be limited to delivering ballots for immediate family members.The nationwide outcry comes a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-legislature-bills-state-elections-voting-rights-b2b014cc81894a50fc513168a5f1d0b8">Georgia Republicans enacted an overhaul of the state’s election law</a>&nbsp;that critics argue is an attempt to suppress Democratic votes.Other companies have, somewhat belatedly, joined the chorus of critics.Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Co., two of Georgia’s best-known brands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-legislature-boycotts-voting-rights-elections-adaa1758fb58df19a12cd05c453840b0">this past week called the new law “unacceptable,”</a>&nbsp;although they had a hand in writing it. That only angered Republicans, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and several U.S. senators, who accused the companies of cowering from unwarranted attacks from the left.The fight has thrust corporate America into a place it often tries to avoid — the center of a partisan political fight. But under threat of boycott and bad publicity, business leaders are showing a new willingness to enter the fray on an issue not directly related to their bottom line, even if it means alienating Republican allies.“We want to hold corporations accountable for how they show up when voting rights are under attack,” said Marc Banks, an NAACP spokesman. “Corporations have a part to play, because when they do show up and speak, people listen.”Civil rights groups have sued to block the new Georgia law, which was passed after Democrats flipped the once-reliably Republican state in an election that Donald Trump falsely claimed was rife with fraud. Some activists have called for consumer boycotts of Delta, Coca-Cola and others. They dismiss business leaders’ assertions that they helped water down the bill to ease earlier, more restrictive proposals; those leaders, they argue, should have tried to block the plan altogether.In Texas, the NAACP, League of Women Voters and League of United Latin American Citizens, among other organizations, are urging corporations in the state to speak out against a slate of Republican-backed voting proposals. “Democracy is good for business,” the campaign says.Nine organizations took out full-page ads in The Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News, the state’s leading newspapers, urging corporate opposition to the plan. The Texas proposal would limit some early voting hours, bar counties from setting up drive-thru voting and prohibit local officials from proactively sending applications for mail ballots before voters request them.Unlike their Georgia-based counterparts, American Airlines and Dell Technologies didn’t wait for the Texas measure to pass. “To make American’s stance clear: We are strongly opposed to this bill and others like it,” American said in a statement.Arizona, which Biden flipped from Trump in November, hasn’t seen high-profile corporate players engage yet. But 30-plus groups sent a joint letter to Allstate Insurance, CVS Health and Farmers’ Insurance, among others, urging their public opposition to proposed voting restrictions. Emily Kirkland, executive director of Progress Arizona, a progressive group that signed the letter, said there’s been no response yet.Other groups are demanding that corporations focus on Washington, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-voting-voting-rights-legislation-elections-8d54d5b9640115463b3f198603d62272">congressional Democrats are pushing measures intended to make it easier for Americans to vote</a>, regardless of state laws. Among the changes, Democrats would enact automatic voter registration nationally and standardize access to early and mail voting.Democrats also want to restore parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that require the federal government to approve all election procedures in states and locales with a history of discrimination. The Supreme Court struck down those provisions, which applied to Georgia and Arizona, among other states, in 2013.Corporate giants were mostly quiet when Trump falsely claimed he lost because of fraud. Business leaders largely maintained that caution as Republican state lawmakers used Trump’s lie to justify a flood of new bills to make it more cumbersome to vote.The reticence was a stark contrast to how chambers of commerce reacted six years ago when Republican-run states pushed “religious freedom” measures. Indiana, under then-Gov. Mike Pence, the future vice president, saw immediate corporate backlash. After North Carolina passed a “bathroom bill” limiting LGBTQ rights in 2016, PayPal scuttled expansion plans there and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0a2fd6cffbc64f518a977f2b3e78c2e9">NBA moved its all-star game</a>&nbsp;from Charlotte.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e6c7a15d2e16452c8dcbc2756fd67b44">An AP analysis in 2017</a>&nbsp;found the reaction would eventually cost North Carolina at least $3.76 billion in lost business.Then, Georgia’s corporate lobbying groups — with Delta’s and Coca-Cola’s backing — took no such chances, speaking out forcefully against Georgia conservatives’ version of a “religious freedom” bill. Lawmakers passed it anyway but Kemp’s predecessor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/47afea6183b845a4ba7a5a2c72010dfa">Republican Nathan Deal, vetoed it amid the chamber outcry</a>.Some Republicans dispute the comparison. Brian Robinson, a former top Deal aide who was part of the business coalition that publicly opposed the religious freedom bill, argued that measure “was clearly discriminatory” against LGBTQ citizens, while the nearly 100-page election bill is less clear-cut and is being misrepresented by Democrats and their allies.Companies are reacting to “Twitter mobs demanding reaction to their false narrative,” he said.National Republicans reacted even more harshly. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a former and potentially future presidential candidate, slammed Delta with the hashtag “#WokeCorporateHypocrites.”Still, Delta and Coca-Cola’s response to the Georgia voting fight is standing as a cautionary tale for other businesses.Ed Bastian, the airline’s chief executive, initially released a statement noting the business lobby’s role in altering the bill as it moved through the General Assembly. Officials at the Atlanta Metro Chamber, where Bastian currently serves as president, detailed how corporate lobbyists spent weeks at the Capitol on mitigating provisions.Some Georgia Republicans wanted to roll back the state’s no-excuse absentee voting law, end automatic voter registration and ban Sunday early voting used heavily by Black churches. They also wanted to require photocopies of state IDs to receive and submit absentee ballots, while banning “drop boxes” as ballot collection receptacles.The final law preserved no-excuse absentee voting and automatic registration. The new ID requirement for absentee ballots allows a voter to write their state ID number, rather than produce a photocopy, and the legislature included funding for free state IDs. The law also codifies in-person early voting on weekends, although it allows counties to choose whether to be open for voting for up to two Sundays. And it made drop boxes of mail ballots a permanent fixture in Georgia, but limited the number.Business leaders’ philosophy, according to Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan, was “basically, Republicans are going to pass something, so they might as well try to keep from being awful.”But by Wednesday, the same day 72 Black business executives published a letter in The New York Times urging corporate leaders to speak out, Bastian was more direct. He sent a companywide memo declaring the law “unacceptable” and “based on a lie” — though he didn’t mention Trump.Big business’s mistake, Jordan said, was “thinking there was ever any version that wouldn’t end up like this.”___

Pressure mounts on corporations to denounce GOP voting bills

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have arrested the victim's uncle.

Just before 9 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a walk-in shooting call at an area hospital, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located a 45-year-old victim who had a gunshot to his arm.&nbsp; He was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed 63-year-old Ernest Coburn and his nephew got into an argument at Coburn's home in the 2400 block of North Beacon Hill.&nbsp; The victim and his 44-year-old girlfriend were leaving in the girls's 2013 Buick Enclave when Coburn pulled out a handgun and began firing shots at the vehicle, striking the vehicle and his nephew.

Officers located Coburn at his home on Beacon Hill and he was arrested without incident. He is being held on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and criminal damage to property, according to Davidson.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617567833859.png" alt="Coburn photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Coburn photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have arrested the victim's uncle.Just before 9 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a walk-in shooting call at an area hospital, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located a 45-year-old victim who had a gunshot to his arm.&nbsp; He was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed 63-year-old Ernest Coburn and his nephew got into an argument at Coburn's home in the 2400 block of North Beacon Hill.&nbsp; The victim and his 44-year-old girlfriend were leaving in the girls's 2013 Buick Enclave when Coburn pulled out a handgun and began firing shots at the vehicle, striking the vehicle and his nephew.Officers located Coburn at his home on Beacon Hill and he was arrested without incident. He is being held on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and criminal damage to property, according to Davidson.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

Police: Kan. man shot nephew during weekend dispute

WASHINGTON – Unclaimed income tax refunds worth more than $1.3 
billion await an estimated 1.3 million taxpayers who did not file a 2017
 Form 1040 federal income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue 
Service.

"The IRS wants to help taxpayers who are due refunds but haven't 
filed their 2017 tax returns yet," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. 
"Time is quickly running out for these taxpayers. There's only a 
three-year window to claim these refunds, and the window closes on May 
17. We want to help people get these refunds, but they will need to 
quickly file a 2017 tax return."

The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential refunds for 2017 to 
be $865 — that is, half of the refunds are more than $865 and half are 
less.

In cases where a federal income tax return was not filed, the law 
provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity to claim
 a tax refund. If they do not file a tax return within three years, the 
money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2017 tax returns, 
the window closes May 17, 2021, for most taxpayers. The law requires 
taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is 
postmarked by that date.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2017 tax refund that their checks
 may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2018 and 2019. In 
addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the 
IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support
 or past due federal debts, such as student loans.

By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just 
their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2017. Many low- and 
moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
 (EITC). For 2017, the credit was worth as much as $6,318. The EITC 
helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain 
thresholds. The thresholds for 2017 were:

Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2017 Form
 1040, 1040-A and 1040-EZ) and instructions are available on the 
IRS.gov&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">Forms and Publications</a> page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (<a href="tel:800-829-3676">800-829-3676</a>).

Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years
 2017, 2018 or 2019 should request copies from their employer, bank or 
other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their 
employer or other payer can order a free wage and income transcript at 
IRS.gov using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a>
 tool. Alternatively, they can file Form 4506-T to request a wage and 
income transcript. A wage and income transcript shows data from 
information returns received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, 
Form 5498 and IRA contribution information. Taxpayers can use the 
information from the transcript to file their tax return.

The IRS reminds first-time filers and those who usually don't have a 
federal filing requirement that they must file a 2020 tax return to 
claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a>,
 if they were eligible but did not receive the first or second Economic 
Impact Payment (EIP), or received less than the full amounts. The IRS 
offers free options to prepare and file a return at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/how-to-file">How to File</a>
 on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who received the full amounts of both EIPs cannot
 claim the RRC and should not include any information about the payments
 on their 2020 tax return.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON – Unclaimed income tax refunds worth more than $1.3 
billion await an estimated 1.3 million taxpayers who did not file a 2017
 Form 1040 federal income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue 
Service."The IRS wants to help taxpayers who are due refunds but haven't 
filed their 2017 tax returns yet," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. 
"Time is quickly running out for these taxpayers. There's only a 
three-year window to claim these refunds, and the window closes on May 
17. We want to help people get these refunds, but they will need to 
quickly file a 2017 tax return."The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential refunds for 2017 to 
be $865 — that is, half of the refunds are more than $865 and half are 
less.In cases where a federal income tax return was not filed, the law 
provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity to claim
 a tax refund. If they do not file a tax return within three years, the 
money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2017 tax returns, 
the window closes May 17, 2021, for most taxpayers. The law requires 
taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is 
postmarked by that date.The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2017 tax refund that their checks
 may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2018 and 2019. In 
addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the 
IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support
 or past due federal debts, such as student loans.By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just 
their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2017. Many low- and 
moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
 (EITC). For 2017, the credit was worth as much as $6,318. The EITC 
helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain 
thresholds. The thresholds for 2017 were:<ul>
 <li>$48,340 ($53,930 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>$45,007 ($50,597 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>$39,617 ($45,207 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>$15,010 ($20,600 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.</li>
 </ul>Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2017 Form
 1040, 1040-A and 1040-EZ) and instructions are available on the 
IRS.gov&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">Forms and Publications</a> page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (<a href="tel:800-829-3676">800-829-3676</a>).Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years
 2017, 2018 or 2019 should request copies from their employer, bank or 
other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their 
employer or other payer can order a free wage and income transcript at 
IRS.gov using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a>
 tool. Alternatively, they can file Form 4506-T to request a wage and 
income transcript. A wage and income transcript shows data from 
information returns received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, 
Form 5498 and IRA contribution information. Taxpayers can use the 
information from the transcript to file their tax return.<h2>First-time filers and EIP eligible</h2>The IRS reminds first-time filers and those who usually don't have a 
federal filing requirement that they must file a 2020 tax return to 
claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a>,
 if they were eligible but did not receive the first or second Economic 
Impact Payment (EIP), or received less than the full amounts. The IRS 
offers free options to prepare and file a return at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/how-to-file">How to File</a>
 on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who received the full amounts of both EIPs cannot
 claim the RRC and should not include any information about the payments
 on their 2020 tax return.

IRS: $1.3B in refunds waiting for 2017 tax returns to be filed

WASHINGTON (AP) — A surge in hiring in the United States last month —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-employers-add-916k-jobs-march-7fb625eacadc17dc03fb5353e3143200">916,000 added jobs</a>, the most since August — coincides with growing confidence that a blistering pace of job growth will continue as vaccinations increase and federal aid fuels economic growth.

The most optimistic economists even predict that between now and year’s end, the nation could produce as many as 10 million more jobs and restore the labor market to its pre-pandemic level.

Maybe so. Yet even in normal times, it would be hard to regain all those jobs so quickly. And these aren’t normal times.

Many people who’ve been thrown out of the labor force remain fearful of the coronavirus and reluctant to take face-to-face service jobs. Millions of women are still caring for children attending school online — and can’t take jobs because they can’t find or afford child care.

Extended unemployment aid has meant that some employers might have to pay more to attract workers, which they may feel unable to do. And some people will need new skills before they can land a job to replace the one they lost.

While few doubt that the trillions in federal money flowing through the economy will help accelerate hiring, the challenges are sure to endure. Here’s a look at some of them:

For now, a sizable majority of Americans remain unvaccinated. And after weeks of sharp declines, the number of daily infections is creeping back up. Recruiters say that trend is discouraging some of the unemployed from taking jobs.

“People are afraid to come to work — there is some of that,” said Tammy Browning, president of KellyOCG, a staffing agency.

Eventually, ongoing vaccinations ought to gradually reduce such fears, although a portion of Americans remain hesitant to get vaccinated. Browning also suggested that employers will need to become more creative about making workers feel comfortable on the job. Many of her firm’s clients are manufacturing companies. On many hot factory floors, their employees have to wear masks and gloves for eight or more hours a day.

Companies should consider providing more break times, Browning said, and allow workers to remove their masks outside or in socially distant break rooms.

As a single mother, Jennifer Knapp of Augusta, Maine, worries about what a return to work would mean for her and her children’s health. A year ago, Knapp, 44, lost her job as a receptionist at a hotel and spa, a place she described as a “hub of germs.”

“There is work out there, if you want to put yourself at risk,” she said.

But the open jobs she sees are typically temporary and offer low pay. Right now, Knapp is living off savings, child support payments from her ex-husband and unemployment aid. Like many parents, she’d like to find a work-from-home job, ideally in her field of psychology and social work.

“The goal,” she said, “is to get back out there and work, as long as my kids are doing OK.”

Nearly 2.5 million women lost jobs and stopped looking for work during the pandemic. In most cases, experts say, it was because so many children were suddenly stuck at home, going to school online, and their parents lacked available or affordable child care. Better child care options or more flexible work schedules would be needed to fully reverse that trend.

Some such change is becoming evident as schools and child care centers reopen. About 500,000 women returned to the labor force in March and found jobs. The improvement could continue in the coming months: Jed Kolko, chief economist at Indeed, the job listings website, says job openings at child care centers are growing, a sign that more of these centers are back in business.

Recruiters also say flexible or hybrid work schedules, along with benefits for part-time workers, may be critical in attracting job seekers, especially women. More companies could provide on-site child care.

“I think it is going to require some systemic changes by employers,” said Karen Fichuk, chief executive of Randstad North America, a recruiting firm.

Recruiters say the $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit that was provided by President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID aid package, on top of regular state jobless benefits that average about $340 a week, might have made it harder for some employers to find workers. For some job seekers, especially those fearful of the virus, part-time or temporary jobs at restaurants or stores that may pay less than their unemployment aid, aren’t much of an alternative.

Economic research suggests that unemployment benefits generally don’t deter workers from taking jobs: A study by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jpmorganchase.com/content/dam/jpmc/jpmorgan-chase-and-co/institute/pdf/Institute-UI-Research-Brief-ADA.pdf" target="_blank">JPMorgan Chase Institute found</a>&nbsp;that last year’s federal unemployment payment didn’t discourage recipients from working. But the new $300-a-week federal supplement is set to last six months — longer than the previous payment did.

“It’s a much more attractive benefit now,” said Julia Pollak, an economist at ZipRecruiter. “It would be foolish to think that wouldn’t have any effect.”

Economists have calculated that roughly half the unemployed are earning more from benefits than they did at their former jobs.

Another factor is that jobless benefits normally require the unemployed to document their efforts to seek a job in order to remain eligible. But during the pandemic, most states have suspended this requirement. That means there is less incentive to job hunt.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A surge in hiring in the United States last month —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-employers-add-916k-jobs-march-7fb625eacadc17dc03fb5353e3143200">916,000 added jobs</a>, the most since August — coincides with growing confidence that a blistering pace of job growth will continue as vaccinations increase and federal aid fuels economic growth.The most optimistic economists even predict that between now and year’s end, the nation could produce as many as 10 million more jobs and restore the labor market to its pre-pandemic level.Maybe so. Yet even in normal times, it would be hard to regain all those jobs so quickly. And these aren’t normal times.Many people who’ve been thrown out of the labor force remain fearful of the coronavirus and reluctant to take face-to-face service jobs. Millions of women are still caring for children attending school online — and can’t take jobs because they can’t find or afford child care.Extended unemployment aid has meant that some employers might have to pay more to attract workers, which they may feel unable to do. And some people will need new skills before they can land a job to replace the one they lost.While few doubt that the trillions in federal money flowing through the economy will help accelerate hiring, the challenges are sure to endure. Here’s a look at some of them:___HEALTH FEARSFor now, a sizable majority of Americans remain unvaccinated. And after weeks of sharp declines, the number of daily infections is creeping back up. Recruiters say that trend is discouraging some of the unemployed from taking jobs.“People are afraid to come to work — there is some of that,” said Tammy Browning, president of KellyOCG, a staffing agency.Eventually, ongoing vaccinations ought to gradually reduce such fears, although a portion of Americans remain hesitant to get vaccinated. Browning also suggested that employers will need to become more creative about making workers feel comfortable on the job. Many of her firm’s clients are manufacturing companies. On many hot factory floors, their employees have to wear masks and gloves for eight or more hours a day.Companies should consider providing more break times, Browning said, and allow workers to remove their masks outside or in socially distant break rooms.As a single mother, Jennifer Knapp of Augusta, Maine, worries about what a return to work would mean for her and her children’s health. A year ago, Knapp, 44, lost her job as a receptionist at a hotel and spa, a place she described as a “hub of germs.”“There is work out there, if you want to put yourself at risk,” she said.But the open jobs she sees are typically temporary and offer low pay. Right now, Knapp is living off savings, child support payments from her ex-husband and unemployment aid. Like many parents, she’d like to find a work-from-home job, ideally in her field of psychology and social work.“The goal,” she said, “is to get back out there and work, as long as my kids are doing OK.”___NEED FOR CHILD CARENearly 2.5 million women lost jobs and stopped looking for work during the pandemic. In most cases, experts say, it was because so many children were suddenly stuck at home, going to school online, and their parents lacked available or affordable child care. Better child care options or more flexible work schedules would be needed to fully reverse that trend.Some such change is becoming evident as schools and child care centers reopen. About 500,000 women returned to the labor force in March and found jobs. The improvement could continue in the coming months: Jed Kolko, chief economist at Indeed, the job listings website, says job openings at child care centers are growing, a sign that more of these centers are back in business.Recruiters also say flexible or hybrid work schedules, along with benefits for part-time workers, may be critical in attracting job seekers, especially women. More companies could provide on-site child care.“I think it is going to require some systemic changes by employers,” said Karen Fichuk, chief executive of Randstad North America, a recruiting firm.___EXTENDED JOBLESS AIDRecruiters say the $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit that was provided by President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID aid package, on top of regular state jobless benefits that average about $340 a week, might have made it harder for some employers to find workers. For some job seekers, especially those fearful of the virus, part-time or temporary jobs at restaurants or stores that may pay less than their unemployment aid, aren’t much of an alternative.Economic research suggests that unemployment benefits generally don’t deter workers from taking jobs: A study by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jpmorganchase.com/content/dam/jpmc/jpmorgan-chase-and-co/institute/pdf/Institute-UI-Research-Brief-ADA.pdf" target="_blank">JPMorgan Chase Institute found</a>&nbsp;that last year’s federal unemployment payment didn’t discourage recipients from working. But the new $300-a-week federal supplement is set to last six months — longer than the previous payment did.“It’s a much more attractive benefit now,” said Julia Pollak, an economist at ZipRecruiter. “It would be foolish to think that wouldn’t have any effect.”Economists have calculated that roughly half the unemployed are earning more from benefits than they did at their former jobs.Another factor is that jobless benefits normally require the unemployed to document their efforts to seek a job in order to remain eligible. But during the pandemic, most states have suspended this requirement. That means there is less incentive to job hunt.Browning said her firm is advising clients to pay more and offer other benefits, including bonuses, to offset the extended jobless aid. Six months ago, a client raised the hourly rate for a temporary position by $4 an hour. The proportion of jobs filled, she said, jumped from 35% to 98%.“You really have to encourage people to come back to work,” Browning said, “and that means pay at the level the market is demanding.”___NEED FOR NEW SKILLSFor some of the unemployed, their old job appears gone for good. In some cases, their former employers have learned to operate with fewer workers. Landing a job will require finding work in a new occupation or industry — perhaps only after obtaining job training. This takes time.Many economists expect more companies to help reskill workers themselves, particularly if they become desperate to hire. Should the unemployment rate keep declining, businesses might have little choice.“When the economy is running hot, businesses begin to increase training and take risks on someone they might not have hired in the past,” said Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody’s Analytics.___OPTIMISM NEEDEDFor millions of Americans, the past year has meant demoralizing job losses — sometimes multiple layoffs — and fruitless job searches, leading many to give up on finding work.As an example, the number of people who said they want a job but were too discouraged to look for one in the past month didn’t change in March. That was true even though several job search websites report that job postings have risen sharply in recent weeks.For discouraged workers, Pollak said, it can take time to regain confidence.“There are many job seekers who haven’t yet realized how rapidly the conditions in the labor market have changed,” she said. “Many searched for work earlier during the pandemic, when it was most difficult and frustrating to do so, and are now discouraged.”