WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agencies. The foreign-made knockoffs are becoming increasingly difficult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus.

These masks are giving first responders “a false sense of security,” said Steve Francis, assistant director for global trade investigations with the Homeland Security Department’s principal investigative arm. He added, “We’ve seen a lot of fraud and other illegal activity.”

Officials could not name the states or the company involved because of the active investigation.

Nearly a year into the pandemic, fraud remains a major problem as scammers seek to exploit hospitals and desperate and weary Americans. Federal investigators say they have seen an increase in phony websites purporting to sell vaccines as well as fake medicine produced overseas and scams involving personal protective equipment. The schemes deliver phony products, unlike fraud earlier in the pandemic that focused more on fleecing customers.

3M, based in Maplewood, Minnesota, is among the largest global producers of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Health-Care-Particulate-Respirator-and-Surgical-Mask-1860-N95-120-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294795990&amp;preselect=3293786499&amp;rt=rud" target="_blank">N95 mask</a>, which has been approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and is considered the gold standard in protection against the coronavirus. The company delivered some 2 billion N95 masks in 2020 as the pandemic soared, but in earlier months of the pandemic, when masks were in short supply, fraudsters starting popped up.

“They’re not coming from authorized distributors,” said Kevin Rhodes, 3M’s vice president and deputy general counsel. “They’re coming from companies really just coming into existence.”

Rhodes encouraged medical facilities and even workers to look on the company’s website for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/worker-health-safety-us/covid19/covid-fraud/" target="_blank">tips on how to spot fakes</a>, namely through packaging or faulty trademarks.

“These products are not tested to see if they make the N95 standards,” he said “They’re not interested in testing them. They’re interested in making as many as they can as cheaply as possible.”

During the pandemic, Homeland Security Investigations has used its 7,000 agents in tandem with border officials, the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI to investigate scams, seize phony products and arrest hundreds of people to help stop fraud. The effort is based at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/about" target="_blank">National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center</a>, a government watchdog aimed at enforcing international trade laws and combating intellectual property theft.

There have been already more than 1,250 raids by law enforcement that resulted in the seizure of 10 million counterfeit 3M masks alone.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f6f7ca233d85ef59cc89396b1e0779ba">The company has filed more than a dozen lawsuits</a>&nbsp;over reports of fraud, counterfeiting and price gouging.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/850d9e6834fc71967af6d3dda65ad874">There are many other reports of fraudulent masks that have reached frontline workers.</a>

In the latest matter, Homeland Security investigators sent an email warning of potential fraud to certain states. The email, viewed by The Associated Press, said 3M N95 mask models 1860 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Health-Care-Particulate-Respirator-and-Surgical-Mask-1860S-Small-N95-120-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294795977&amp;preselect=3293786499&amp;rt=rud" target="_blank">1860S</a>&nbsp;may have been provided by a company called Q2 Solutions and the masks may be fraudulent. The masks have a seal that says “Peru,” which is not used outside of Latin America. The company is based in Miami and has offices around the U.S. and globally. It did not respond to requests for comment.

Officials in Washington state examined their mask supply, which had come from a different company, and discovered that 300,000 masks they had purchased for about $1.4 million were counterfeit. Officials are investigating.

Beth Zborowski of the Washington State Hospital Association said the fraud has the potential to affect 1.9 million masks but they are mostly in stockpile now rather than general circulation.

She said the mask supplier had been vetted and the masks “passed all the physical and visual inspection test.” Zborowski said that for a time, the association could not get the masks directly from 3M, but the company now is expediting its order after learning of the fraud.

Health care workers “have plenty of anxieties on a day-to-day basis. They don’t need to also worry about whether their masks are fake,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593789172033.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agencies. The foreign-made knockoffs are becoming increasingly difficult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus.These masks are giving first responders “a false sense of security,” said Steve Francis, assistant director for global trade investigations with the Homeland Security Department’s principal investigative arm. He added, “We’ve seen a lot of fraud and other illegal activity.”Officials could not name the states or the company involved because of the active investigation.Nearly a year into the pandemic, fraud remains a major problem as scammers seek to exploit hospitals and desperate and weary Americans. Federal investigators say they have seen an increase in phony websites purporting to sell vaccines as well as fake medicine produced overseas and scams involving personal protective equipment. The schemes deliver phony products, unlike fraud earlier in the pandemic that focused more on fleecing customers.3M, based in Maplewood, Minnesota, is among the largest global producers of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Health-Care-Particulate-Respirator-and-Surgical-Mask-1860-N95-120-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294795990&amp;preselect=3293786499&amp;rt=rud" target="_blank">N95 mask</a>, which has been approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and is considered the gold standard in protection against the coronavirus. The company delivered some 2 billion N95 masks in 2020 as the pandemic soared, but in earlier months of the pandemic, when masks were in short supply, fraudsters starting popped up.“They’re not coming from authorized distributors,” said Kevin Rhodes, 3M’s vice president and deputy general counsel. “They’re coming from companies really just coming into existence.”Rhodes encouraged medical facilities and even workers to look on the company’s website for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/worker-health-safety-us/covid19/covid-fraud/" target="_blank">tips on how to spot fakes</a>, namely through packaging or faulty trademarks.“These products are not tested to see if they make the N95 standards,” he said “They’re not interested in testing them. They’re interested in making as many as they can as cheaply as possible.”During the pandemic, Homeland Security Investigations has used its 7,000 agents in tandem with border officials, the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI to investigate scams, seize phony products and arrest hundreds of people to help stop fraud. The effort is based at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/about" target="_blank">National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center</a>, a government watchdog aimed at enforcing international trade laws and combating intellectual property theft.There have been already more than 1,250 raids by law enforcement that resulted in the seizure of 10 million counterfeit 3M masks alone.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f6f7ca233d85ef59cc89396b1e0779ba">The company has filed more than a dozen lawsuits</a>&nbsp;over reports of fraud, counterfeiting and price gouging.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/850d9e6834fc71967af6d3dda65ad874">There are many other reports of fraudulent masks that have reached frontline workers.</a>In the latest matter, Homeland Security investigators sent an email warning of potential fraud to certain states. The email, viewed by The Associated Press, said 3M N95 mask models 1860 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Health-Care-Particulate-Respirator-and-Surgical-Mask-1860S-Small-N95-120-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294795977&amp;preselect=3293786499&amp;rt=rud" target="_blank">1860S</a>&nbsp;may have been provided by a company called Q2 Solutions and the masks may be fraudulent. The masks have a seal that says “Peru,” which is not used outside of Latin America. The company is based in Miami and has offices around the U.S. and globally. It did not respond to requests for comment.Officials in Washington state examined their mask supply, which had come from a different company, and discovered that 300,000 masks they had purchased for about $1.4 million were counterfeit. Officials are investigating.Beth Zborowski of the Washington State Hospital Association said the fraud has the potential to affect 1.9 million masks but they are mostly in stockpile now rather than general circulation.She said the mask supplier had been vetted and the masks “passed all the physical and visual inspection test.” Zborowski said that for a time, the association could not get the masks directly from 3M, but the company now is expediting its order after learning of the fraud.Health care workers “have plenty of anxieties on a day-to-day basis. They don’t need to also worry about whether their masks are fake,” she said.

Government investigating massive counterfeit N95 mask scam

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference&nbsp; Wednesday afternoon to give an update regarding COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.

The governor reported the state is expected to receive 82,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week.&nbsp; That is slightly more than sent to Kansas this week.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,934 to a total of 284,894, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,303, an increase of 106.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a>&nbsp;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 – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference&nbsp; Wednesday afternoon to give an update regarding COVID-19 information for the state of Kansas.The governor reported the state is expected to receive 82,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week.&nbsp; That is slightly more than sent to Kansas this week.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F224775592686157%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,934 to a total of 284,894, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,303, an increase of 106.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a>&nbsp;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/2021/2/1612980256134.png" alt="Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥  Governor on battle against COVID-19 in Kansas

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has relented on not playing the national anthem before home games this season. 

The move came shortly after the NBA reiterated its “longstanding league policy” to include the anthem. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he intends to introduce a bill in the Texas Senate that will ensure the national anthem is played at all events that receive public funding. He says the bill has broad support.

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Tuesday he decided before this season began not to play the national anthem before the team’s home games.

The Mavericks played their first 10 regular-season home games without fans. The club had fans for the first time in Monday’s 127-122 win over Minnesota. Dallas is allowing 1,500 vaccinated essential workers to attend games for free.

Cuban didn’t elaborate on his decision not to play the anthem, saying nobody had noticed. The Athletic first reported that Dallas had dropped the anthem.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, “Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit.”

Cuban was outspoken against critics of NBA players and coaches kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner” when the 2019-20 season resumed in the bubble in Florida last summer.

The pregame national anthem is a staple of American sports at both the professional and collegiate level, but is far less commonplace at pro sporting events in other countries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612966901542.png" alt="Photo courtesy KTLA" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KTLA</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has relented on not playing the national anthem before home games this season. The move came shortly after the NBA reiterated its “longstanding league policy” to include the anthem. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he intends to introduce a bill in the Texas Senate that will ensure the national anthem is played at all events that receive public funding. He says the bill has broad support.DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Tuesday he decided before this season began not to play the national anthem before the team’s home games.The Mavericks played their first 10 regular-season home games without fans. The club had fans for the first time in Monday’s 127-122 win over Minnesota. Dallas is allowing 1,500 vaccinated essential workers to attend games for free.Cuban didn’t elaborate on his decision not to play the anthem, saying nobody had noticed. The Athletic first reported that Dallas had dropped the anthem.NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, “Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit.”Cuban was outspoken against critics of NBA players and coaches kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner” when the 2019-20 season resumed in the bubble in Florida last summer.The pregame national anthem is a staple of American sports at both the professional and collegiate level, but is far less commonplace at pro sporting events in other countries.

Team relents on anthem after NBA reiterates policy

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspicious death have identified the victim as 19-year-old James E. Anderson of Topeka.

Just before 12:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a call for service involving a possible shooting in the 2300 block of SE Bellview Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers located a victim who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, later identified as Anderson, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612985492402.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspicious death have identified the victim as 19-year-old James E. Anderson of Topeka.Just before 12:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a call for service involving a possible shooting in the 2300 block of SE Bellview Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers located a victim who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, later identified as Anderson, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Police ID Kan. teen who died in suspicious shooting

By LUCY PETERSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/10/kansas-lawmakers-consider-license-plates-for-military-service-cancer-research-educators-sorority/">Kansas Reflector</a>

New,
 distinctive Kansas license plates could raise awareness, and in some 
cases money, for military service veterans, cancer research, educators 
and a historically Black sorority.

The
 Kansas House Transportation Committee heard testimony Tuesday for four 
bills that would allow for the production of the distinctive Kansas 
license plates.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2015_00_0000.pdf">One House bill</a>
 would provide license plates for current and veteran members who were 
honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force 
and Coast Guard. Individuals eligible for the license plates would be 
exempt from a $500 issuance fee for the distinctive plate.

“Many
 veterans, like my dad, feel forgotten by our government,” said Rep. 
Aaron Coleman, D-Kansas City, in testimony during the hearing. “These 
distinctive plates are a great way to show respect and let our veterans 
know that we haven’t forgotten about them.”

A similar version of the bill went through the House Veterans Committee in 2019 and was passed to the Senate, but failed.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2166_00_0000.pdf">A second bill</a>
 would create distinctive license plates in honor of Braden’s Hope for 
Childhood Cancer, an organization that raises awareness and research 
funds for studies of types of childhood cancers.&nbsp;

Anyone
 would be able to apply for a Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer license
 plate and would need to pay an additional annual fee, which will be 
established by the organization, of anywhere between $25-100.&nbsp;

Braden’s
 Hope founder Deliece Hofen said during the hearing the license plates 
would support ongoing childhood cancer research and would raise an 
estimated $12,500 each year for research and potential therapies. Hofen 
founded the organization after her son, Braden, was diagnosed with stage
 IV neuroblastoma when he was 3 years old.

“I
 see this as not just being something to honor your son or to 
acknowledge your family but as an education tool out there for other 
people to realize,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence. “Also, if 
they know your story, they can have hope.”

Kansas Educators Support Foundation founder Erica Shook gave testimony for a <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2169_00_0000.pdf">bill that would establish a Proud Educator distinctive license plate</a>
 and provide funds to the Kansas Educator Support Fund. The organization
 was founded in 2019 and aims to address educator shortages, job 
satisfaction and resources available for Kansas educators.

The proceeds from the license plates will fund twice-a-year grants to first-year teachers in Kansas.

“One
 challenge for first-year teachers is simply preparing one’s first 
classroom for students with little to no budget for supplies and no hope
 of a full paycheck for a month or two after school begins,” Shook said.
 “Knowing this, I set out to find a way to alleviate any part of this 
stress in whatever manner I could.”

The
 amount of money disbursed in the grants will be based upon how many 
Proud Educator license plates are sold, Shook said. Rep. Les Mason, 
R-McPherson, worked with Shook to create a bill for a Proud Educator 
license plate twice in the past, and urged the committee to recommend 
the new bill for passage in written testimony.

Current
 and former members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority — an international
 service organization founded at Howard University in 1908 and the 
oldest Greek-letter organization established by Black college-educated 
women — provided testimony in Tuesday’s meeting in support of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2194_00_0000.pdf">a distinctive Alpha Kappa Alpha Kansas license plate</a>.

Representatives
 from the sorority urged the committee to make Kansas one of more than 
25 states that have Alpha Kappa Alpha license plates.

“It
 is our hope that Kansas will join in with these other states and allow 
members of this well-established organization to purchase this plate and
 show their strong pride in their organization, support of its programs 
and their pride as citizens of the great state of Kansas,” said Rep. 
Gail Finney, D-Wichita.

There are nine Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters in Kansas and more than 1,500 members of the sorority, Finney said.

“I
 was born and raised in North Carolina where we are the first in 
flight,” said Dorothy Hines, a member of the sorority and an assistant 
professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies and 
the Department of Education at the University of Kansas. “Today, the 
House Transportation Committee has the opportunity to be among the first
 20 states in the nation who have passed legislation for an Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority Incorporated license plate.”

Individuals who purchase the license plate would pay between $25-100 in royalties to Alpha Kappa Alpha each year.

Lucy Peterson is a junior at the University of Kansas studying journalism, political science, and French. She has worked in several roles at the University Daily Kansan, KU’s student publication. She is from Denver, Colorado.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612978404747.png" alt="Rep. Barbara Ballard praised the creation of a new license plate as an educational tool for Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. (September 2020 photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Barbara Ballard praised the creation of a new license plate as an educational tool for Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. (September 2020 photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By LUCY PETERSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/10/kansas-lawmakers-consider-license-plates-for-military-service-cancer-research-educators-sorority/">Kansas Reflector</a>New,
 distinctive Kansas license plates could raise awareness, and in some 
cases money, for military service veterans, cancer research, educators 
and a historically Black sorority.The
 Kansas House Transportation Committee heard testimony Tuesday for four 
bills that would allow for the production of the distinctive Kansas 
license plates.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2015_00_0000.pdf">One House bill</a>
 would provide license plates for current and veteran members who were 
honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force 
and Coast Guard. Individuals eligible for the license plates would be 
exempt from a $500 issuance fee for the distinctive plate.“Many
 veterans, like my dad, feel forgotten by our government,” said Rep. 
Aaron Coleman, D-Kansas City, in testimony during the hearing. “These 
distinctive plates are a great way to show respect and let our veterans 
know that we haven’t forgotten about them.”A similar version of the bill went through the House Veterans Committee in 2019 and was passed to the Senate, but failed.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2166_00_0000.pdf">A second bill</a>
 would create distinctive license plates in honor of Braden’s Hope for 
Childhood Cancer, an organization that raises awareness and research 
funds for studies of types of childhood cancers.&nbsp;Anyone
 would be able to apply for a Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer license
 plate and would need to pay an additional annual fee, which will be 
established by the organization, of anywhere between $25-100.&nbsp;Braden’s
 Hope founder Deliece Hofen said during the hearing the license plates 
would support ongoing childhood cancer research and would raise an 
estimated $12,500 each year for research and potential therapies. Hofen 
founded the organization after her son, Braden, was diagnosed with stage
 IV neuroblastoma when he was 3 years old.“I
 see this as not just being something to honor your son or to 
acknowledge your family but as an education tool out there for other 
people to realize,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence. “Also, if 
they know your story, they can have hope.”Kansas Educators Support Foundation founder Erica Shook gave testimony for a <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2169_00_0000.pdf">bill that would establish a Proud Educator distinctive license plate</a>
 and provide funds to the Kansas Educator Support Fund. The organization
 was founded in 2019 and aims to address educator shortages, job 
satisfaction and resources available for Kansas educators.The proceeds from the license plates will fund twice-a-year grants to first-year teachers in Kansas.“One
 challenge for first-year teachers is simply preparing one’s first 
classroom for students with little to no budget for supplies and no hope
 of a full paycheck for a month or two after school begins,” Shook said.
 “Knowing this, I set out to find a way to alleviate any part of this 
stress in whatever manner I could.”The
 amount of money disbursed in the grants will be based upon how many 
Proud Educator license plates are sold, Shook said. Rep. Les Mason, 
R-McPherson, worked with Shook to create a bill for a Proud Educator 
license plate twice in the past, and urged the committee to recommend 
the new bill for passage in written testimony.Current
 and former members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority — an international
 service organization founded at Howard University in 1908 and the 
oldest Greek-letter organization established by Black college-educated 
women — provided testimony in Tuesday’s meeting in support of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2194_00_0000.pdf">a distinctive Alpha Kappa Alpha Kansas license plate</a>.Representatives
 from the sorority urged the committee to make Kansas one of more than 
25 states that have Alpha Kappa Alpha license plates.“It
 is our hope that Kansas will join in with these other states and allow 
members of this well-established organization to purchase this plate and
 show their strong pride in their organization, support of its programs 
and their pride as citizens of the great state of Kansas,” said Rep. 
Gail Finney, D-Wichita.There are nine Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters in Kansas and more than 1,500 members of the sorority, Finney said.“I
 was born and raised in North Carolina where we are the first in 
flight,” said Dorothy Hines, a member of the sorority and an assistant 
professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies and 
the Department of Education at the University of Kansas. “Today, the 
House Transportation Committee has the opportunity to be among the first
 20 states in the nation who have passed legislation for an Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority Incorporated license plate.”Individuals who purchase the license plate would pay between $25-100 in royalties to Alpha Kappa Alpha each year.Lucy Peterson is a junior at the University of Kansas studying journalism, political science, and French. She has worked in several roles at the University Daily Kansan, KU’s student publication. She is from Denver, Colorado.

Kan. lawmakers consider new honorary license plate styles

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have made an arrest.

On August 8, officers filed a report for rape in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A&nbsp; 22-year-old woman reported a 26-year-old man known to her was the suspect. 

On Tuesday afternoon, police arrested Dylan Fain, 26, of Junction City in connection with the crime. Fain was issued a total bond of $50,000.00 and is no longer in custody, according to the RCPD.

Police released no additional details on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612970249954.png" alt="Fain from an earlier arrest in Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Fain from an earlier arrest in Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and have made an arrest.On August 8, officers filed a report for rape in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A&nbsp; 22-year-old woman reported a 26-year-old man known to her was the suspect. On Tuesday afternoon, police arrested Dylan Fain, 26, of Junction City in connection with the crime. Fain was issued a total bond of $50,000.00 and is no longer in custody, according to the RCPD.Police released no additional details on Wednesday.

Kansas man arrested for alleged August rape

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,934 to a total of 284,894, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,303, an increase of 106.

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,934 to a total of 284,894, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,303, an increase of 106.<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/2021/2/1612980256134.png" alt="Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

JEWELL COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and continue to search for a suspect.

Just before 10a.m. Tuesday, a suspect described as a white male approximately 6-foot tall, medium build wearing all black, carrying a black rifle entered the Guaranty State Bank 121 South Main in Burr Oak, Kansas, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.

The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash into rural Jewell County. He was driving a silver, flatbed believed to have been stolen from a Jewell County resident.

There was a multi-agency search for the suspect. He is believed to have fled the county.

Just before 5 p.m. the Jewell County Dispatch received a call about a pick up behind some cedar trees near 20 Road and Ash in North West Jewell County. This was the vehicle deputies were trying to locate from the robbery.

The KBI is processing all evidence as the search for the suspect continues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612977424382.png" alt="Guaranty State Bank in Burr Oak -google image" />
 <figcaption>Guaranty State Bank in Burr Oak -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>JEWELL COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery and continue to search for a suspect.Just before 10a.m. Tuesday, a suspect described as a white male approximately 6-foot tall, medium build wearing all black, carrying a black rifle entered the Guaranty State Bank 121 South Main in Burr Oak, Kansas, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash into rural Jewell County. He was driving a silver, flatbed believed to have been stolen from a Jewell County resident.There was a multi-agency search for the suspect. He is believed to have fled the county.Just before 5 p.m. the Jewell County Dispatch received a call about a pick up behind some cedar trees near 20 Road and Ash in North West Jewell County. This was the vehicle deputies were trying to locate from the robbery.The KBI is processing all evidence as the search for the suspect continues.

Suspect used rifle during Kansas bank robbery

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — Wildlife officials are seeking the public’s help in finding the person who shot and injured a bald eagle, which later had to be euthanized.

The protected raptor was reported injured Friday when the U.S. Forest Service called Conservation Agent Jaymes Hall about the bird having been spotted in Missouri's southern Washington County.

Hall said he found the injured bird and managed with help from other law enforcement to capture it and take it to the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, which specializes in rehabilitating and propagating birds of prey.

“As I approached it, I realized it wasn’t able to fly at all,” Hall said. “Most of the time, the calls I get about injured eagles, they’re actually just sitting there, eating something or hanging out in an open field uninjured. This was the first eagle I’ve ever had to handle, injured.”

A veterinarian at the sanctuary who performed surgery Saturday on the eagle to try to save it found two gunshot wounds that were inoperable and had to euthanize the bird.

Officials believe the eagle was most likely shot on Feb. 3 or Feb. 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612972631633.png" alt="Photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Conservation" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Conservation</figcaption>
 </figure>POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — Wildlife officials are seeking the public’s help in finding the person who shot and injured a bald eagle, which later had to be euthanized.The protected raptor was reported injured Friday when the U.S. Forest Service called Conservation Agent Jaymes Hall about the bird having been spotted in Missouri's southern Washington County.Hall said he found the injured bird and managed with help from other law enforcement to capture it and take it to the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, which specializes in rehabilitating and propagating birds of prey.“As I approached it, I realized it wasn’t able to fly at all,” Hall said. “Most of the time, the calls I get about injured eagles, they’re actually just sitting there, eating something or hanging out in an open field uninjured. This was the first eagle I’ve ever had to handle, injured.”A veterinarian at the sanctuary who performed surgery Saturday on the eagle to try to save it found two gunshot wounds that were inoperable and had to euthanize the bird.Officials believe the eagle was most likely shot on Feb. 3 or Feb. 4.

Wildlife officials: Someone shot bald eagle

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man who allegedly killed a Kansas teenager by dragging her several miles as he tried to steal the SUV she was in has been charged with first-degree murder.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=294355">Kevin Michael James Palmer, 34, of Wichita</a>, was also charged Tuesday with felony stealing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2021/02/09/american-airlines-plane-makes-emergency-landing-in-springfield-mo/">Brianna Ibarra</a>, 13, was sitting in a running SUV Saturday waiting for her family to pick up food when Palmer jumped in and drove away, according to officer Charley Davidson.

She became tangled in a seat belt when she tried to escape as the vehicle was moving and was dragged several miles.

Police arrested Palmer after he tried to run away from the vehicle.&nbsp; First responders pronounced her dead at the scene.

Palmer is being<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=294355"> held on a $500,000 bond </a>and is scheduled for another hearing on February 18, according to the district attorney.

Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said&nbsp; the girl's death is "one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my over 28-years of law enforcement."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612732717380.png" alt="Palmer has nearly a dozen previous felony convictions that include theft, burglary, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, driving while suspended and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Sedgwick County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Palmer has nearly a dozen previous felony convictions that include theft, burglary, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, driving while suspended and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Sedgwick County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man who allegedly killed a Kansas teenager by dragging her several miles as he tried to steal the SUV she was in has been charged with first-degree murder.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=294355">Kevin Michael James Palmer, 34, of Wichita</a>, was also charged Tuesday with felony stealing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2021/02/09/american-airlines-plane-makes-emergency-landing-in-springfield-mo/">Brianna Ibarra</a>, 13, was sitting in a running SUV Saturday waiting for her family to pick up food when Palmer jumped in and drove away, according to officer Charley Davidson.She became tangled in a seat belt when she tried to escape as the vehicle was moving and was dragged several miles.Police arrested Palmer after he tried to run away from the vehicle.&nbsp; First responders pronounced her dead at the scene.Palmer is being<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=294355"> held on a $500,000 bond </a>and is scheduled for another hearing on February 18, according to the district attorney.Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said&nbsp; the girl's death is "one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my over 28-years of law enforcement."

Man charged in death of Kan. girl dragged by stolen SUV

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats muscled past Republicans on portions of President Joe Biden’s pandemic plan, including a proposed $130 billion in additional relief to help the nation’s schools reopen and a gradual increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Democrats on the Education and Labor Committee say schools won’t be able to reopen safely until they get an infusion of federal funding to repair building ventilation systems, buy protective equipment and take other steps recommended by federal health officials. The plan faces opposition from Republicans who want to tie new school funding to reopening.

The panel met Tuesday to craft its portion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package</a>&nbsp;that tracks with Biden’s plan for battling the pandemic and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-inflation-janet-yellen-bill-clinton-6d7e097c4ea3752671822dda742d489e">reviving a still staggering economy</a>. Democrats hope to rush the bill to Biden for his signature by mid-March, using a special budget-related process allowing certain legislation to be approved by a simple majority.

Rep. Bobby Scott, chair of the Education and Labor Committee, dismissed complaints from Republicans who objected to use of the process.

“We must address the urgent needs of the people now,” said Scott, D-Va., “The multiple crises affecting our communities will grow worse every day if we do not act. We must recognize that we cannot afford to prioritize process over the urgent needs of people across this country.”

House Republicans attempted dozens of changes to the legislation at a hearing that stretched late into the evening. They proposed amendments to limit funding only to schools offering in-person instruction, or to steer aid to families if their schools continued operating online. On the wage increase, they sought to exempt small businesses or certain rural areas. It appeared all of the amendments would be defeated.

Biden has made reopening most of the nation’s K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office a key goal. The issue has become increasingly heated as some school districts face gridlock with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-teaching-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-d51f2ebe1504cfe36eb5ea8467567389">teachers who have refused to support reopening</a>&nbsp;until their demands are met. Biden’s plan for $130 billion in school funding is in addition to more than $8 billion from previous relief packages.

In a tweak to Biden’s plan, the Democratic proposal would require schools to reserve at least 20% of the funding for efforts to address learning loss, including after-school programs and summer classes. The bill also matches Biden’s proposed $40 billion for colleges and universities but, unlike the White House plan, makes private colleges eligible for relief.

Democrats also tucked in a new limit on for-profit colleges that the party has pushed for years. The proposal would prevent for-profit colleges from accepting more than 90% of their overall funding from federal sources. An existing federal law includes that cap for some federal sources but excludes funding from the GI Bill and other veterans programs.

Republicans blasted the legislation in its entirety, saying schools have already received billions in aid and are safe to reopen. They cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that social distancing and wearing a mask significantly reduce the spread of the virus in school settings.

“Students are falling behind, and mental health issues are on the rise. We know the costs of keeping schools closed are high. So why are schools still closed?” said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the ranking Republican on the Education and Labor Committee. “Unfortunately, this bill is full of partisan policies disguised as COVID relief measures.”

The lawmakers’ dispute reflected the complexities and frustrations of the national debate over reopening schools. Republicans proposed several variations of the same idea: to limit funding to schools that don’t reopen. Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-N.C., sought to block funding from schools unless they bring at least high-needs students back to the classroom.

“We need to stop the excuses,” Murphy said. “We need to stop all the nonsense. We need to get our kids back in school. Stop ruining their futures and stop playing games.”

Scott countered that schools can’t make changes needed to reopen safely unless they get the funding in Biden’s plan.

Republicans also signaled a fight over standardized testing, backing a proposed change to prevent relief funding from being used on academic assessments. Republicans say states should be exempt from federally required tests this spring because of the pandemic, while some Democrats say it’s necessary to identify and help students who have fallen behind.

The $350 billion portion of the bill before the committee also includes Biden’s plan to raise the minimum wage from $7.25, where is has been since 2009. The proposal calls for gradual increases that would reach $15 over five years. It faces an uphill climb, however, and even Biden has said it likely won’t survive.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Tuesday that Democrats were trying to overcome a potential procedural obstacle that could prevent them from including the wage increase in the COVID-19 relief bill.

“We’re trying to work as well as we can with the parliamentarian to get minimum wage to happen,” Schumer said.

Under Senate rules, provisions cannot be included in the special procedure Democrats are using if the language’s impact on the budget is only secondary to its main thrust. It is up to the chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian to determine that, though it would be possible for Democrats to vote to ignore that ruling. The fast-track process Democrats are using would let them prevent a GOP filibuster.

The minimum wage boost faces other significant challenges, including opposition from Republicans and a wariness by some Democrats arguing it would hurt small businesses, especially during a pandemic.

Also on Tuesday, Biden met with five business leaders, including the heads of JPMorgan Chase, Walmart, Gap, Lowe’s and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Biden said the meeting was a chance to find common ground with the business community.

“We’re going to talk about the state of the economy, the recovery package. We’re going talk a little bit, God willing, about infrastructure down the road, and also about the minimum wage,” Biden said at the start of the meeting.

The president said he has been “exchanging correspondence and telephone calls with Republicans to see if we can follow up beyond where we are with members of House and Senate,” even as Congress is moving forward with a budgetary process that will enable them to pass the relief package along party lines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612905317024.png" alt="The Democratic proposal would require schools to reserve at least 20% of the funding for efforts to address learning loss, including after-school programs and summer classes. Photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>The Democratic proposal would require schools to reserve at least 20% of the funding for efforts to address learning loss, including after-school programs and summer classes. Photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats muscled past Republicans on portions of President Joe Biden’s pandemic plan, including a proposed $130 billion in additional relief to help the nation’s schools reopen and a gradual increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.Democrats on the Education and Labor Committee say schools won’t be able to reopen safely until they get an infusion of federal funding to repair building ventilation systems, buy protective equipment and take other steps recommended by federal health officials. The plan faces opposition from Republicans who want to tie new school funding to reopening.The panel met Tuesday to craft its portion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package</a>&nbsp;that tracks with Biden’s plan for battling the pandemic and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-inflation-janet-yellen-bill-clinton-6d7e097c4ea3752671822dda742d489e">reviving a still staggering economy</a>. Democrats hope to rush the bill to Biden for his signature by mid-March, using a special budget-related process allowing certain legislation to be approved by a simple majority.Rep. Bobby Scott, chair of the Education and Labor Committee, dismissed complaints from Republicans who objected to use of the process.“We must address the urgent needs of the people now,” said Scott, D-Va., “The multiple crises affecting our communities will grow worse every day if we do not act. We must recognize that we cannot afford to prioritize process over the urgent needs of people across this country.”House Republicans attempted dozens of changes to the legislation at a hearing that stretched late into the evening. They proposed amendments to limit funding only to schools offering in-person instruction, or to steer aid to families if their schools continued operating online. On the wage increase, they sought to exempt small businesses or certain rural areas. It appeared all of the amendments would be defeated.Biden has made reopening most of the nation’s K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office a key goal. The issue has become increasingly heated as some school districts face gridlock with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-teaching-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-d51f2ebe1504cfe36eb5ea8467567389">teachers who have refused to support reopening</a>&nbsp;until their demands are met. Biden’s plan for $130 billion in school funding is in addition to more than $8 billion from previous relief packages.In a tweak to Biden’s plan, the Democratic proposal would require schools to reserve at least 20% of the funding for efforts to address learning loss, including after-school programs and summer classes. The bill also matches Biden’s proposed $40 billion for colleges and universities but, unlike the White House plan, makes private colleges eligible for relief.Democrats also tucked in a new limit on for-profit colleges that the party has pushed for years. The proposal would prevent for-profit colleges from accepting more than 90% of their overall funding from federal sources. An existing federal law includes that cap for some federal sources but excludes funding from the GI Bill and other veterans programs.Republicans blasted the legislation in its entirety, saying schools have already received billions in aid and are safe to reopen. They cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that social distancing and wearing a mask significantly reduce the spread of the virus in school settings.“Students are falling behind, and mental health issues are on the rise. We know the costs of keeping schools closed are high. So why are schools still closed?” said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the ranking Republican on the Education and Labor Committee. “Unfortunately, this bill is full of partisan policies disguised as COVID relief measures.”The lawmakers’ dispute reflected the complexities and frustrations of the national debate over reopening schools. Republicans proposed several variations of the same idea: to limit funding to schools that don’t reopen. Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-N.C., sought to block funding from schools unless they bring at least high-needs students back to the classroom.“We need to stop the excuses,” Murphy said. “We need to stop all the nonsense. We need to get our kids back in school. Stop ruining their futures and stop playing games.”Scott countered that schools can’t make changes needed to reopen safely unless they get the funding in Biden’s plan.Republicans also signaled a fight over standardized testing, backing a proposed change to prevent relief funding from being used on academic assessments. Republicans say states should be exempt from federally required tests this spring because of the pandemic, while some Democrats say it’s necessary to identify and help students who have fallen behind.The $350 billion portion of the bill before the committee also includes Biden’s plan to raise the minimum wage from $7.25, where is has been since 2009. The proposal calls for gradual increases that would reach $15 over five years. It faces an uphill climb, however, and even Biden has said it likely won’t survive.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Tuesday that Democrats were trying to overcome a potential procedural obstacle that could prevent them from including the wage increase in the COVID-19 relief bill.“We’re trying to work as well as we can with the parliamentarian to get minimum wage to happen,” Schumer said.Under Senate rules, provisions cannot be included in the special procedure Democrats are using if the language’s impact on the budget is only secondary to its main thrust. It is up to the chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian to determine that, though it would be possible for Democrats to vote to ignore that ruling. The fast-track process Democrats are using would let them prevent a GOP filibuster.The minimum wage boost faces other significant challenges, including opposition from Republicans and a wariness by some Democrats arguing it would hurt small businesses, especially during a pandemic.Also on Tuesday, Biden met with five business leaders, including the heads of JPMorgan Chase, Walmart, Gap, Lowe’s and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Biden said the meeting was a chance to find common ground with the business community.“We’re going to talk about the state of the economy, the recovery package. We’re going talk a little bit, God willing, about infrastructure down the road, and also about the minimum wage,” Biden said at the start of the meeting.The president said he has been “exchanging correspondence and telephone calls with Republicans to see if we can follow up beyond where we are with members of House and Senate,” even as Congress is moving forward with a budgetary process that will enable them to pass the relief package along party lines.___

Dems attempt to push through school funding, wage increase

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.

On February 8, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a search warrant in the 3500 block of SW Kerry Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Officers found 45-year-old Chad D. Askins and 39-year-old Sari A. Fields both of Topeka located inside the home. They also located and seized multiple firearms, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized. 

Askins, a convicted felon, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, SWAT Team, Crime Scene Unit, Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Rossville Police Department were the members of the Shawnee County Drug Enforcement Task Force involved with this investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612956879586.png" alt="Askins has previous convictions for drugs for or more for DUI and&nbsp; had been out of prison since June of 2019, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. " />
 <figcaption>Askins has previous convictions for drugs for or more for DUI and&nbsp; had been out of prison since June of 2019, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. </figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.On February 8, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a search warrant in the 3500 block of SW Kerry Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Officers found 45-year-old Chad D. Askins and 39-year-old Sari A. Fields both of Topeka located inside the home. They also located and seized multiple firearms, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized. Askins, a convicted felon, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Christian.The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, SWAT Team, Crime Scene Unit, Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Rossville Police Department were the members of the Shawnee County Drug Enforcement Task Force involved with this investigation.

Swat team helps seize multiple firearms, arrest Kansas man

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A virulent strain of the coronavirus that first appeared in Kansas in a Fort Hays State University athlete hasn’t spread widely among the student’s friends, although wastewater samples in the community have raised concerns, health officials say.

Officials sent a mobile lab to Hays after the variant that is wreaking havoc in the United Kingdom was detected last week during routine testing of athletes at the school, said Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, Tuesday during a webcast with doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.

But he said only one of the 200 contacts or potential contacts of the student-athlete who were tested were positive for COVID-19. Officials are trying to determine whether that person has the same strain as the student-athlete. The results are expected later this week.

“On balance, I think everything came out pretty well,” Norman said. “Of course there is a long time before we can breath a sigh of relief in this particular county. And we are still doing more testing.”

Norman said the variant was uncovered one week after sewage samples tested in Ellis County, where the university is located, showed an uptick in genomic fragments of the virus. The state has been testing sewage samples for months to get a sense for where the virus is spreading.

“It is an early indicator when the wastewater starts up ticking in terms of the amount of viral particles then we can look in a more detailed manner in that community,” he said.

He said the state had doubled its genomic sequencing capability and will be testing about3 50 samples from all over the state every week.

He said the state has been seeing the number of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations fall in recent weeks as the vaccine rollout gets underway. As of Monday, the health department reported that 8% of the state’s population had been vaccinated. Almost 304,000 doses had been administered, or 73% of the 413,000 doses sent to Kansas by the federal government.

But Norman said the real number of vaccinations is actually higher and blamed the problem in part on what he described as a clunky system for inputting data.

“We know that, for example, six counties account for about 100,000 of the doses that have been given,” he said. “And I want to emphasize have been given that are just not recorded in our data systems yet.”

Norman said 82% of residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in the state had received at least their first round of vaccine. He said the federal government had begun shipping vaccines directly to several dozen retail pharmacies in the state this week, although not in large amounts so far.

But he said that for a normal summer, where people could safely attend weddings and other large community gatherings, the amount of vaccine will need to increase dramatically.

With multiple new vaccines on the horizon, that won’t remain a problem indefinitely, said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System.

“If we boil it down, people are mad, people are angry,” Stites said. “But the real problem is there is just not enough vaccine and as we ramp up the next problem is going to be the logistics to give that much vaccine and get it all entered into the database, which we’ve got to clean up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612878873265.png" alt="Virus variant map image GSAID" />
 <figcaption>Virus variant map image GSAID</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A virulent strain of the coronavirus that first appeared in Kansas in a Fort Hays State University athlete hasn’t spread widely among the student’s friends, although wastewater samples in the community have raised concerns, health officials say.Officials sent a mobile lab to Hays after the variant that is wreaking havoc in the United Kingdom was detected last week during routine testing of athletes at the school, said Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, Tuesday during a webcast with doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.But he said only one of the 200 contacts or potential contacts of the student-athlete who were tested were positive for COVID-19. Officials are trying to determine whether that person has the same strain as the student-athlete. The results are expected later this week.“On balance, I think everything came out pretty well,” Norman said. “Of course there is a long time before we can breath a sigh of relief in this particular county. And we are still doing more testing.”Norman said the variant was uncovered one week after sewage samples tested in Ellis County, where the university is located, showed an uptick in genomic fragments of the virus. The state has been testing sewage samples for months to get a sense for where the virus is spreading.“It is an early indicator when the wastewater starts up ticking in terms of the amount of viral particles then we can look in a more detailed manner in that community,” he said.He said the state had doubled its genomic sequencing capability and will be testing about3 50 samples from all over the state every week.He said the state has been seeing the number of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations fall in recent weeks as the vaccine rollout gets underway. As of Monday, the health department reported that 8% of the state’s population had been vaccinated. Almost 304,000 doses had been administered, or 73% of the 413,000 doses sent to Kansas by the federal government.But Norman said the real number of vaccinations is actually higher and blamed the problem in part on what he described as a clunky system for inputting data.“We know that, for example, six counties account for about 100,000 of the doses that have been given,” he said. “And I want to emphasize have been given that are just not recorded in our data systems yet.”Norman said 82% of residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in the state had received at least their first round of vaccine. He said the federal government had begun shipping vaccines directly to several dozen retail pharmacies in the state this week, although not in large amounts so far.But he said that for a normal summer, where people could safely attend weddings and other large community gatherings, the amount of vaccine will need to increase dramatically.With multiple new vaccines on the horizon, that won’t remain a problem indefinitely, said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System.“If we boil it down, people are mad, people are angry,” Stites said. “But the real problem is there is just not enough vaccine and as we ramp up the next problem is going to be the logistics to give that much vaccine and get it all entered into the database, which we’ve got to clean up.”

No evidence of wide spread of virus variant so far in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs placed outside linebackers coach Britt Reid on administrative leave while an investigation continues into a crash that injured two children. 

The team has said Reid, who is head coach Andy Reid's son, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash last Thursday that injured two young children near the team’s training complex next to Arrowhead Stadium. 

A 5-year-old girl, identified by the Chiefs as Ariel Young, remained in critical condition on Tuesday. The Chiefs said the team has contacted the girl's family and is offering support and resources to them. Andy Reid said this week that Britt underwent surgery after the crash.&nbsp;

Friends have established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a> page to raise funds to pay the medical expenses for Ariel.

Andy Reid said Sunday night that his “heart bleeds” for those injured in the crash involving his son.

The crash occurred&nbsp; two days before the Chiefs were due to leave for the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. A vehicle had run out of gas on a highway entrance ramp and another vehicle had parked nearby to assist when the younger Reid’s pickup truck struck the left front of the first car before hitting the rear of the second car.

Britt Reid told police he had “two or three drinks” and had a prescription for Adderall when the accident occurred, according to a search warrant filed late Thursday night.&nbsp;

Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.

He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.

Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.

After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.

His father refused to say the traffic accident near Arrowhead Stadium last week had anything to do with the outcome of the Super Bowl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612570726901.png" alt="Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs placed outside linebackers coach Britt Reid on administrative leave while an investigation continues into a crash that injured two children. The team has said Reid, who is head coach Andy Reid's son, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash last Thursday that injured two young children near the team’s training complex next to Arrowhead Stadium. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612784011749.png" alt="Ariel Young photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ariel Young photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>A 5-year-old girl, identified by the Chiefs as Ariel Young, remained in critical condition on Tuesday. The Chiefs said the team has contacted the girl's family and is offering support and resources to them. Andy Reid said this week that Britt underwent surgery after the crash.&nbsp;Friends have established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a> page to raise funds to pay the medical expenses for Ariel. Andy Reid said Sunday night that his “heart bleeds” for those injured in the crash involving his son.The crash occurred&nbsp; two days before the Chiefs were due to leave for the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. A vehicle had run out of gas on a highway entrance ramp and another vehicle had parked nearby to assist when the younger Reid’s pickup truck struck the left front of the first car before hitting the rear of the second car.Britt Reid told police he had “two or three drinks” and had a prescription for Adderall when the accident occurred, according to a search warrant filed late Thursday night.&nbsp;Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.His father refused to say the traffic accident near Arrowhead Stadium last week had anything to do with the outcome of the Super Bowl.

Chiefs assistant Britt Reid placed on leave; child in critical condition

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former University of Kansas Medical Center administrator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud in a scheme that saw him embezzle more than $500,000 from the institution, federal prosecutors for Kansas said.

Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, 49, of Lenexa, was the administrative officer for the occupational therapy education department at KUMC in Kansas City from 2009 through 2015, when he stole more than $500,000 for his personal use, federal prosecutors said Tuesday in a news release.

Investigators said Ahlers deposited the funds into a KUMC Credit Union account that allowed him to avoid the oversight he would have had if he had deposited the money into a state-controlled bank account. Ahlers also created invoices outside of the normal system, which prevented others within KUMC from learning about the credit union account and Ahlers’ use of it for personal gain, investigators said.

Because Ahlers failed to include embezzled funds on his federal tax returns, he also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612904961409.png" alt="Ahlers photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Ahlers photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former University of Kansas Medical Center administrator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud in a scheme that saw him embezzle more than $500,000 from the institution, federal prosecutors for Kansas said.Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, 49, of Lenexa, was the administrative officer for the occupational therapy education department at KUMC in Kansas City from 2009 through 2015, when he stole more than $500,000 for his personal use, federal prosecutors said Tuesday in a news release.Investigators said Ahlers deposited the funds into a KUMC Credit Union account that allowed him to avoid the oversight he would have had if he had deposited the money into a state-controlled bank account. Ahlers also created invoices outside of the normal system, which prevented others within KUMC from learning about the credit union account and Ahlers’ use of it for personal gain, investigators said.Because Ahlers failed to include embezzled funds on his federal tax returns, he also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return, prosecutors said.Ahlers is set to be sentenced on May 13.

Prosecutors: Ex-KUMC employee embezzled more than $500K

PHILLIPS COUNTY —Authorities say a man drowned Tuesday in Phillips County.

The 67-year-old Agra, Kansas, resident fell through the ice at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, according to a social media report from the Phillips County Sheriff's Department.

The Phillipsburg Fire Department, Kirwin Fire Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks assisted to help recover the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612922790967.png" alt="First responders on the scene Tuesday photo courtesy Phillips County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene Tuesday photo courtesy Phillips County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY —Authorities say a man drowned Tuesday in Phillips County.The 67-year-old Agra, Kansas, resident fell through the ice at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, according to a social media report from the Phillips County Sheriff's Department.The Phillipsburg Fire Department, Kirwin Fire Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks assisted to help recover the victim.

Kansas man drowns after fall through ice

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who authorities accuse of attacking a police officer is now facing five charges. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Monday that he charged 22-year-old Justin Reed of Topeka with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, two counts of interference with law enforcement and two drug charges. 

Authorities say an officer who was responding to an unrelated call on Thursday was attacked by a man who rode by on a bicycle. Investigators say the attacker tried unsuccessfully to grab the officer's gun. A bystander helped pull the man off the officer, who was not seriously injured.

SHAWNEE COUNTY– A Topeka Police officer was charged and attacked by a suspect Thursday morning while responding to an unrelated call for service.

Just after 9:00 a.m. the officer was dispatched to a home in the 200 block of SE 34th St. to investigate a possible unwanted subject, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

When the officer arrived on scene at a boarded up home, a man unrelated to the original call came riding by on a bicycle.&nbsp; Police Sgt. Scott Scurlock says the bicyclist tried to get the officer's attention. 

Scurlock says when the officer asked the man to wait, the suspect charged the officer, knocked him over and punched him several times. During the tussle, the man tried unsuccessfully to grab the officer's gun.&nbsp;

A community member immediately stepped in to assist the officer. The suspect later identified as 22-year-old Justin Reed was then taken into custody. The officer was not seriously hurt in the attack, according to Spiker.

“The Topeka Police Department is very grateful to the citizen who assisted during the incident. Above and beyond that, we have all been profoundly moved by the widespread community outpouring of support and concern that we received afterwards,” said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles. “I am very proud of the brave work that our police officers do every day to keep us safe.”

As a result of the investigation Reed was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges including Aggravated battery on LEO, Interference with LEO, Robbery and Possession of marijuana.

The circumstances of this attack remain under investigation. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612474840434.png" alt="Reed-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who authorities accuse of attacking a police officer is now facing five charges. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Monday that he charged 22-year-old Justin Reed of Topeka with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, two counts of interference with law enforcement and two drug charges. Authorities say an officer who was responding to an unrelated call on Thursday was attacked by a man who rode by on a bicycle. Investigators say the attacker tried unsuccessfully to grab the officer's gun. A bystander helped pull the man off the officer, who was not seriously injured.-----------SHAWNEE COUNTY– A Topeka Police officer was charged and attacked by a suspect Thursday morning while responding to an unrelated call for service.Just after 9:00 a.m. the officer was dispatched to a home in the 200 block of SE 34th St. to investigate a possible unwanted subject, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.When the officer arrived on scene at a boarded up home, a man unrelated to the original call came riding by on a bicycle.&nbsp; Police Sgt. Scott Scurlock says the bicyclist tried to get the officer's attention. Scurlock says when the officer asked the man to wait, the suspect charged the officer, knocked him over and punched him several times. During the tussle, the man tried unsuccessfully to grab the officer's gun.&nbsp;A community member immediately stepped in to assist the officer. The suspect later identified as 22-year-old Justin Reed was then taken into custody. The officer was not seriously hurt in the attack, according to Spiker.“The Topeka Police Department is very grateful to the citizen who assisted during the incident. Above and beyond that, we have all been profoundly moved by the widespread community outpouring of support and concern that we received afterwards,” said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles. “I am very proud of the brave work that our police officers do every day to keep us safe.”As a result of the investigation Reed was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges including Aggravated battery on LEO, Interference with LEO, Robbery and Possession of marijuana.The circumstances of this attack remain under investigation.

Bicycle rider charged in attack on Kansas police officer

WASHINGTON — With some areas seeing mail delays, the Internal Revenue
 Service reminds taxpayers to double-check to make sure they have all of
 their tax documents, including Forms W-2 and 1099, before filing a tax 
return.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that many of these forms may be available online. When other options aren't available, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154">taxpayers who haven't received a W-2 or Form 1099</a>
 should contact the employer, payer or issuing agency directly to 
request the missing documents before filing their 2020 federal tax 
return. This also applies for those who received an incorrect W-2 or 
Form 1099.

Those who don't get a response, are unable to reach the 
employer/payer/issuing agency or cannot otherwise get copies or 
corrected copies of their Forms W-2 or 1099 must still file their tax 
return on time by the April 15 deadline (or October 15 if requesting an 
automatic extension). They may need to use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4852">Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-r">Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.</a> to avoid filing an incomplete or amended return.

If the taxpayer doesn't receive the missing or corrected form in time
 to file their tax return by the April deadline, they may estimate the 
wages or payments made to them, as well as any taxes withheld. Use Form 
4852 to report this information on their federal tax return.

If the taxpayer receives the missing or corrected Form W-2 or Form 
1099-R after filing their return and the information differs from their 
previous estimate, they must file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040x">Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return</a>. For additional information on filing an amended return, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308">Topic No. 308</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/should-i-file-an-amended-return">Should I File an Amended Return?</a>

Taxpayers should allow enough time for tax records to arrive in the 
mail before filing their 2020 tax return. In a normal year, most 
taxpayers should have received income documents near the end of January,
 including:

Incorrect Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits

Millions of Americans received unemployment compensation in 2020, 
many of them for the first time. This compensation is taxable and must 
be included as gross income on their tax return.

Taxpayers who receive an incorrect <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-offers-guidance-to-taxpayers-on-identity-theft-involving-unemployment-benefits">Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits</a>
 they did not receive should contact the issuing state agency to request
 a revised Form 1099-G showing they did not receive these benefits. 
Taxpayers who are unable to obtain a timely, corrected form from states 
should still file an accurate tax return, reporting only the income they
 received.

IRS tax help is available 24 hours a day on IRS.gov, the official IRS
 website, where people can find answers to tax questions and resolve tax
 issues online. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">Let Us Help You</a> page helps answer most tax questions, and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf">IRS Services Guide &nbsp;PDF</a>links to other important IRS services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — With some areas seeing mail delays, the Internal Revenue
 Service reminds taxpayers to double-check to make sure they have all of
 their tax documents, including Forms W-2 and 1099, before filing a tax 
return.The IRS reminds taxpayers that many of these forms may be available online. When other options aren't available, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154">taxpayers who haven't received a W-2 or Form 1099</a>
 should contact the employer, payer or issuing agency directly to 
request the missing documents before filing their 2020 federal tax 
return. This also applies for those who received an incorrect W-2 or 
Form 1099.Those who don't get a response, are unable to reach the 
employer/payer/issuing agency or cannot otherwise get copies or 
corrected copies of their Forms W-2 or 1099 must still file their tax 
return on time by the April 15 deadline (or October 15 if requesting an 
automatic extension). They may need to use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4852">Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-r">Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.</a> to avoid filing an incomplete or amended return.If the taxpayer doesn't receive the missing or corrected form in time
 to file their tax return by the April deadline, they may estimate the 
wages or payments made to them, as well as any taxes withheld. Use Form 
4852 to report this information on their federal tax return.If the taxpayer receives the missing or corrected Form W-2 or Form 
1099-R after filing their return and the information differs from their 
previous estimate, they must file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040x">Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return</a>. For additional information on filing an amended return, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308">Topic No. 308</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/should-i-file-an-amended-return">Should I File an Amended Return?</a>Taxpayers should allow enough time for tax records to arrive in the 
mail before filing their 2020 tax return. In a normal year, most 
taxpayers should have received income documents near the end of January,
 including:<ul>
 <li>Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement</li><li>Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income</li><li>Form 1099-INT, Interest Income</li><li>Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation</li><li>Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments;&nbsp;like unemployment compensation or state tax refund</li>
 </ul><h2>Incorrect Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits</h2>Millions of Americans received unemployment compensation in 2020, 
many of them for the first time. This compensation is taxable and must 
be included as gross income on their tax return.Taxpayers who receive an incorrect <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-offers-guidance-to-taxpayers-on-identity-theft-involving-unemployment-benefits">Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits</a>
 they did not receive should contact the issuing state agency to request
 a revised Form 1099-G showing they did not receive these benefits. 
Taxpayers who are unable to obtain a timely, corrected form from states 
should still file an accurate tax return, reporting only the income they
 received.<h2>Use IRS.gov</h2>IRS tax help is available 24 hours a day on IRS.gov, the official IRS
 website, where people can find answers to tax questions and resolve tax
 issues online. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">Let Us Help You</a> page helps answer most tax questions, and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf">IRS Services Guide &nbsp;PDF</a>links to other important IRS services.

Double-check for missing or incorrect Forms W-2, 1099 before filing taxes

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home burglary and have suspects in custody.

Just before 3a.m. February 6, police responded to the 400 block of East Plaza Avenue for an aggravated burglary and battery that had just occurred, according to a media release.

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home burglary and have suspects in custody.Just before 3a.m. February 6, police responded to the 400 block of East Plaza Avenue for an aggravated burglary and battery that had just occurred, according to a media release.When officers arrived, all suspects had fled the scene. Police learned that that four juvenile boys and one juvenile girl ages 13-15 entered the victim's home without consent and stole items from the residence while the homeowner slept. The homeowner awoke and confronted one of the boys. However, the boy struck the homeowner and, after a short struggle, was able to get away. Through investigation, police were able to identify and locate all five suspects and place them under arrest. &nbsp;All are being held in the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Garden City on requested charges that of Aggravated burglary, theft, and battery.