TOPEKA – As part of the unemployment extension provisions contained in H.R. 133, the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (Continued Assistance Act), increased the maximum amount of benefits available under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)program from 39 weeks to 50 weeks, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.

The extension of this program is now available. To file for the additional weeks, claimants should log into their unemployment benefits claim portal. PUA expands access to unemployment for those who are unemployed as a direct result of COVID19 and not eligible for or exhausted regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. This includes those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, employees of religious organizations, and those who lack sufficient work history or have been disqualified for state benefits.

Claimants currently receiving PUA benefits who previously exhausted PEUC benefits may only collect PUA if they have exhausted any entitlement to PEUC. Because the Continued Assistance Act also increased the maximum amount of benefits available under the PEUC program, claimants actively filing for PUA with a previous PEUC claim are no longer eligible to receive PUA. 

For claimants who continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, KDOL will provide further instruction by the end of February on how to reopen their PEUC claims. If these claimants later exhaust benefits under the PEUC program and continue to be unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work as a direct result of COVID-19, they may be eligible to resume collection of PUA benefits if the PUA program is still in effect.

Claimants filing for PUA with no previous PEUC claim should continue to file their claims each week for the PUA program as directed. Under federal law, these additional PUA benefits may only be collected for weeks ending on or after Dec. 27, 2020.

The PUA program expires on March 14, 2021. This means that the last payable week for PUA is the week ending March 13, 2021. However, if you receive a PUA payment for the week ending March&nbsp; 13, 2021, and have remaining entitlement on your claim, you may be eligible to participate in a phase-out period and you may continue to collect PUA through the week ending April 10, 2021.

Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 3.9 million weekly claims totaling over $2.6 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs. For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits, go to www.GetKansasBenefits.gov

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610733397386.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – As part of the unemployment extension provisions contained in H.R. 133, the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (Continued Assistance Act), increased the maximum amount of benefits available under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)program from 39 weeks to 50 weeks, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.The extension of this program is now available. To file for the additional weeks, claimants should log into their unemployment benefits claim portal. PUA expands access to unemployment for those who are unemployed as a direct result of COVID19 and not eligible for or exhausted regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. This includes those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, employees of religious organizations, and those who lack sufficient work history or have been disqualified for state benefits.Claimants currently receiving PUA benefits who previously exhausted PEUC benefits may only collect PUA if they have exhausted any entitlement to PEUC. Because the Continued Assistance Act also increased the maximum amount of benefits available under the PEUC program, claimants actively filing for PUA with a previous PEUC claim are no longer eligible to receive PUA. For claimants who continue to be unemployed or partially unemployed, KDOL will provide further instruction by the end of February on how to reopen their PEUC claims. If these claimants later exhaust benefits under the PEUC program and continue to be unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work as a direct result of COVID-19, they may be eligible to resume collection of PUA benefits if the PUA program is still in effect.Claimants filing for PUA with no previous PEUC claim should continue to file their claims each week for the PUA program as directed. Under federal law, these additional PUA benefits may only be collected for weeks ending on or after Dec. 27, 2020.The PUA program expires on March 14, 2021. This means that the last payable week for PUA is the week ending March 13, 2021. However, if you receive a PUA payment for the week ending March&nbsp; 13, 2021, and have remaining entitlement on your claim, you may be eligible to participate in a phase-out period and you may continue to collect PUA through the week ending April 10, 2021.Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 3.9 million weekly claims totaling over $2.6 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs. For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits, go to www.GetKansasBenefits.gov

Kansas extends your pandemic unemployment assistance

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

Just after 7a.m. February 6, a sheriff's sergeant on patrol observed a blue Chevrolet Suburban parked at a business in the 500 block of SE Croco Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian.

A vehicle matching that description had been stolen about one hour prior. As the sergeant observed that the tag on the vehicle matched that of the one stolen, the driver quickly fled from the parking lot southbound on SE Croco Road. 

The driver initiated a brief pursuit that ended when he struck a pole at SE Jane Way and SE Croco Road.

A citizen observed one suspect hiding under a truck in the 400 block of SE Croco Road. A K9 unit tracked and apprehended another suspect 28-year-old Bradley J. Sutton a shed in the 500 block of SE Baldwin Road. During the investigation, it was discovered that another vehicle burglary occurred that morning in the 900 block of NW Menninger Road. 

Deputies located multiple stolen items from that burglary were located during this investigation.

Sutton was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of, flee and elude, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, speeding, driving with a suspended license, burglary to a vehicle and fail to stop at an accident. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612732869736.png" alt="Sutton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sutton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after a weekend arrest.Just after 7a.m. February 6, a sheriff's sergeant on patrol observed a blue Chevrolet Suburban parked at a business in the 500 block of SE Croco Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian.A vehicle matching that description had been stolen about one hour prior. As the sergeant observed that the tag on the vehicle matched that of the one stolen, the driver quickly fled from the parking lot southbound on SE Croco Road. The driver initiated a brief pursuit that ended when he struck a pole at SE Jane Way and SE Croco Road.A citizen observed one suspect hiding under a truck in the 400 block of SE Croco Road. A K9 unit tracked and apprehended another suspect 28-year-old Bradley J. Sutton a shed in the 500 block of SE Baldwin Road. During the investigation, it was discovered that another vehicle burglary occurred that morning in the 900 block of NW Menninger Road. Deputies located multiple stolen items from that burglary were located during this investigation.Sutton was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of, flee and elude, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, speeding, driving with a suspended license, burglary to a vehicle and fail to stop at an accident.

Deputies arrest suspect in stolen SUV after crash

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged child abuse.

On Saturday, Wesley Medical Center in Wichita contacted Dodge City Police regarding child abuse involving a five-month-old baby from Dodge City, according to a media release.

The child was being treated at the hospital for multiple brain bleeds believed to have been sustained at his Dodge City home. 

A subsequent investigation by detectives resulted in an arrest warrant issued for the baby's father on the alleged charge of abuse of a child and aggravated battery. 

Police have released no additional details.

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged child abuse.On Saturday, Wesley Medical Center in Wichita contacted Dodge City Police regarding child abuse involving a five-month-old baby from Dodge City, according to a media release.The child was being treated at the hospital for multiple brain bleeds believed to have been sustained at his Dodge City home. A subsequent investigation by detectives resulted in an arrest warrant issued for the baby's father on the alleged charge of abuse of a child and aggravated battery. Police have released no additional details.

Police: Father of 5-month-old SW Kan. baby accused of abuse

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a home burglary.

Just before 3a.m. February 4, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 400 block of North Minnesota Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. Upon arrival, officers contacted the 50-year-old homeowner, who reported seeing someone inside the vacant home.

Officers searched the residence and located 31-year-old Andrew Hastings and 35-year-old Brandon Kennedy in the attic.&nbsp; They were arrested without incident.&nbsp; During the investigation, officers recovered some of the owner’s property inside a red Toyota Sienna associated with the suspects.&nbsp; Hastings was also found to be in possession of a prohibited weapon.

&nbsp;Hastings of Wichita is being held on requested charges of burglary, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal damage to property, and three city of Wichita outstanding warrants.&nbsp; Kennedy on is being held on requested charges of burglary and criminal damage to property, according to Wheeler.

Additionally, Hastings and Kennedy have previously been arrested for felony crimes.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612534632425.png" alt="Kennedy-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kennedy-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a home burglary.Just before 3a.m. February 4, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 400 block of North Minnesota Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. Upon arrival, officers contacted the 50-year-old homeowner, who reported seeing someone inside the vacant home.Officers searched the residence and located 31-year-old Andrew Hastings and 35-year-old Brandon Kennedy in the attic.&nbsp; They were arrested without incident.&nbsp; During the investigation, officers recovered some of the owner’s property inside a red Toyota Sienna associated with the suspects.&nbsp; Hastings was also found to be in possession of a prohibited weapon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612534604231.png" alt="Hastings photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hastings photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Hastings of Wichita is being held on requested charges of burglary, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal damage to property, and three city of Wichita outstanding warrants.&nbsp; Kennedy on is being held on requested charges of burglary and criminal damage to property, according to Wheeler.Additionally, Hastings and Kennedy have previously been arrested for felony crimes.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police find 2 Kan. burglary suspects hiding in home's attic

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas House member who’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-94b1c3706dc3a2d9b8daf5e8cc50b716">due to get a public warning</a>&nbsp;from colleagues about his behavior before he took office has rejoined the Democratic Party.

Rep. Aaron Coleman of Kansas City, Kansas, confirmed Monday that he returned to the party last week, about three weeks after registering unaffiliated. Coleman had switched to unaffiliated after the House’s top Democrat, Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, refused to give him any committee assignments.

But Coleman said Monday: “I was elected as a Democrat. I ran as a Democrat. I vote with the Democrats.”

The 20-year-old Coleman was accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-elections-topeka-d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">abusive behavior</a>&nbsp;toward girls and young women before he took office last month and of telling an aide to Sawyer last year that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_spc_select_investigating_committee_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_spc_select_investigating_committee_1_20210122_08_testimony.html" target="_blank">he would physically harm</a>&nbsp;the legislative leader.

Those allegations led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-a8396d22a454fb712cce1bf40193e8c7">a complaint&nbsp;</a>from fellow House Democrats, along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-topeka-elections-fd91a21ee706c19194c7d302a2315d28">a now-deleted tweet</a>&nbsp;criticizing Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly that said, “People will realize one day when I call a hit out on you it’s real.”

Coleman told a House committee reviewing the complaint that the tweet was inappropriate, and he apologized to Sawyer for “inappropriate conduct.”

The committee is drafting a letter warning Coleman about his past conduct and spelling out its expectations for his future behavior.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612808257648.png" alt="Photo courtesy Rep. Aaron Coleman" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Rep. Aaron Coleman</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas House member who’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-94b1c3706dc3a2d9b8daf5e8cc50b716">due to get a public warning</a>&nbsp;from colleagues about his behavior before he took office has rejoined the Democratic Party.Rep. Aaron Coleman of Kansas City, Kansas, confirmed Monday that he returned to the party last week, about three weeks after registering unaffiliated. Coleman had switched to unaffiliated after the House’s top Democrat, Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, refused to give him any committee assignments.But Coleman said Monday: “I was elected as a Democrat. I ran as a Democrat. I vote with the Democrats.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604624233968.png" alt="Photo courtesy Aaron Coleman" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Aaron Coleman</figcaption>
 </figure>The 20-year-old Coleman was accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-elections-topeka-d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">abusive behavior</a>&nbsp;toward girls and young women before he took office last month and of telling an aide to Sawyer last year that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_spc_select_investigating_committee_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_spc_select_investigating_committee_1_20210122_08_testimony.html" target="_blank">he would physically harm</a>&nbsp;the legislative leader.Those allegations led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-a8396d22a454fb712cce1bf40193e8c7">a complaint&nbsp;</a>from fellow House Democrats, along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-topeka-elections-fd91a21ee706c19194c7d302a2315d28">a now-deleted tweet</a>&nbsp;criticizing Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly that said, “People will realize one day when I call a hit out on you it’s real.”Coleman told a House committee reviewing the complaint that the tweet was inappropriate, and he apologized to Sawyer for “inappropriate conduct.”The committee is drafting a letter warning Coleman about his past conduct and spelling out its expectations for his future behavior.

Kansas lawmaker facing warning rejoins Democratic Party

BUTLER COUNTY —An El Dorado Correctional Facility resident, Jordan McClintock, 30, died Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 The cause of death is pending an autopsy.&nbsp; Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Correction, the death is under investigation by the department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

McClintock was serving a 130-month sentence for multiple convictions for Criminal Damage to Property in 2010, Possession of opiates in 2011 and 2015, Burglary in 2015, Theft in 2012, and Aggravated Battery in 2013.

El Dorado Correctional Facility is an all-male facility housing all custody levels with a current population of 1561 residents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612806685682.png" alt="McClintock-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>McClintock-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —An El Dorado Correctional Facility resident, Jordan McClintock, 30, died Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.&nbsp; Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Correction, the death is under investigation by the department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.McClintock was serving a 130-month sentence for multiple convictions for Criminal Damage to Property in 2010, Possession of opiates in 2011 and 2015, Burglary in 2015, Theft in 2012, and Aggravated Battery in 2013.El Dorado Correctional Facility is an all-male facility housing all custody levels with a current population of 1561 residents.

Death of 30-year-old Kan. inmate under investigation

Barton County —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of drug activities and have located and arrested a wanted suspect.

Just before 10a.m. Sunday, a Sheriff's deputy stopped a white Chevy Malibu in Great Bend for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

During the course of the investigation, deputies became suspicious of illegal drug activity and a canine officer was called to the scene to assist. Deputies found methamphetamine, prescription drugs and paraphernalia. They also arrested Garrett Buckbee, 24, of Ellinwood. 

Buckbee was also being sought in relation to a search warrant that was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 2, 2021 in Great Bend and a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear.

Buckbee is being held on a $300,000 bond on requested charges of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of stimulants, distribution of prescription medication, criminal use of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as the Barton County District Court warrant, according to Bellendir.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612811815348.jpeg" alt="Buckbee has a previous drug conviction and was listed as an absconder, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Buckbee has a previous drug conviction and was listed as an absconder, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of drug activities and have located and arrested a wanted suspect.Just before 10a.m. Sunday, a Sheriff's deputy stopped a white Chevy Malibu in Great Bend for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.During the course of the investigation, deputies became suspicious of illegal drug activity and a canine officer was called to the scene to assist. Deputies found methamphetamine, prescription drugs and paraphernalia. They also arrested Garrett Buckbee, 24, of Ellinwood. Buckbee was also being sought in relation to a search warrant that was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 2, 2021 in Great Bend and a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear.Buckbee is being held on a $300,000 bond on requested charges of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of stimulants, distribution of prescription medication, criminal use of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as the Barton County District Court warrant, according to Bellendir.&nbsp;

Sheriff's deputies catch wanted Kansas drug suspect

SALINA – The Diocese of Dodge City announced on February 8th that Bishop John Brungardt has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor, according to a media release from the Diocese of Salina.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation. Bishop Brungardt denies the allegation.

Bishop Brungardt has willingly asked to be placed on a leave of absence during the&nbsp;investigation.

&nbsp;The Congregation for Bishops has appointed Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke the&nbsp;temporary Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dodge City, effective immediately.

Bishop&nbsp;Vincke remains as the Bishop of Salina in addition to his role as Apostolic Administrator of the&nbsp;Diocese of Dodge City.

Chancery officials answered the following questions about Bishop Brungardt’s absence:

Q. What kind of authority does an apostolic administrator have? A. An apostolic administrator is equivalent in canon law to the diocesan bishop and has,&nbsp;essentially, the same authority as a diocesan bishop.

Q. How long will Bishop Brungardt be on leave? A. The length of leave will be determined by the results of the investigation, along with the&nbsp;decision of the Holy Father.

Q. Is the see of the Diocese of Dodge City currently vacant? A. Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Vincke apostolic administrator sede plena, meaning that the see is still full. Bishop Brungardt remains the Bishop of Dodge City.

Q. How do I reach Bishop Vincke with any questions or concerns? A. To contact Bishop Vincke regarding matters related to the Diocese of Dodge City, please&nbsp;send correspondence through U.S. Mail to:

Bishop Jerry Vincke Apostolic Administrator of Diocese of Dodge City 103 N. Ninth Salina, KS 67401

For daily administrative inquiries, please contact Rev. Ted Stoecklein, vicar general, or Sr.&nbsp;Janice Grochowsky, chancellor. For matters related to the Diocese of Dodge City, please send&nbsp;to the Chancery of the Diocese of Dodge City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612817171854.jpeg" alt="Bishop John Brungardt, Dodge City (Photo by Diocese of Dodge City)" />
 <figcaption>Bishop John Brungardt, Dodge City (Photo by Diocese of Dodge City)</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA – The Diocese of Dodge City announced on February 8th that Bishop John Brungardt has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor, according to a media release from the Diocese of Salina. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation. Bishop Brungardt denies the allegation.Bishop Brungardt has willingly asked to be placed on a leave of absence during the&nbsp;investigation.&nbsp;The Congregation for Bishops has appointed Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke the&nbsp;temporary Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dodge City, effective immediately.Bishop&nbsp;Vincke remains as the Bishop of Salina in addition to his role as Apostolic Administrator of the&nbsp;Diocese of Dodge City.Chancery officials answered the following questions about Bishop Brungardt’s absence:Q. What kind of authority does an apostolic administrator have? A. An apostolic administrator is equivalent in canon law to the diocesan bishop and has,&nbsp;essentially, the same authority as a diocesan bishop.Q. How long will Bishop Brungardt be on leave? A. The length of leave will be determined by the results of the investigation, along with the&nbsp;decision of the Holy Father.Q. Is the see of the Diocese of Dodge City currently vacant? A. Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Vincke apostolic administrator sede plena, meaning that the see is still full. Bishop Brungardt remains the Bishop of Dodge City.Q. How do I reach Bishop Vincke with any questions or concerns? A. To contact Bishop Vincke regarding matters related to the Diocese of Dodge City, please&nbsp;send correspondence through U.S. Mail to:Bishop Jerry Vincke Apostolic Administrator of Diocese of Dodge City 103 N. Ninth Salina, KS 67401For daily administrative inquiries, please contact Rev. Ted Stoecklein, vicar general, or Sr.&nbsp;Janice Grochowsky, chancellor. For matters related to the Diocese of Dodge City, please send&nbsp;to the Chancery of the Diocese of Dodge City.

KBI investigates child sex abuse allegation against Kan. bishop 

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Three men have been injured — one critically — in a house fire in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, officials there said.

The blaze in Shawnee was reported around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Shawnee Mission Fire Department.

According to a fire department spokesman, the man who was critically injured had lit a cigarette in his room, where the fire started. The man’s son and grandson suffered smoke inhalation while trying to put the fire out, fire officials said.

All three men were taken to the University of Kansas Hospital, where the son and grandson were later listed in stable condition. The older man remained in critical condition late Sunday, officials said.

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Three men have been injured — one critically — in a house fire in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, officials there said.The blaze in Shawnee was reported around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Shawnee Mission Fire Department.According to a fire department spokesman, the man who was critically injured had lit a cigarette in his room, where the fire started. The man’s son and grandson suffered smoke inhalation while trying to put the fire out, fire officials said.All three men were taken to the University of Kansas Hospital, where the son and grandson were later listed in stable condition. The older man remained in critical condition late Sunday, officials said.

Firefighters: 3 injured in Kansas house fire 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who ran onto the field during the Super Bowl has been charged with trespassing. Authorities say 31-year-old Yuri Andrade scampered onto the field Sunday night in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Andrade was wearing shorts and a pink leotard or swimsuit. He was eventually tackled on about the 3-yard-line by security personnel and escorted out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. 

Hillsborough County jail records show Andrade posted $500 bail and was released early Monday. The records did not indicate if Andrade has an attorney to speak for him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612809471083.png" alt="Andrade photo&nbsp; Hillsborough Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Andrade photo&nbsp; Hillsborough Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who ran onto the field during the Super Bowl has been charged with trespassing. Authorities say 31-year-old Yuri Andrade scampered onto the field Sunday night in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">OK, this just happened at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperBowl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperBowl</a>. <a href="https://t.co/GrnItnHy4S">pic.twitter.com/GrnItnHy4S</a>&mdash; Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/1358609353285259267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Andrade was wearing shorts and a pink leotard or swimsuit. He was eventually tackled on about the 3-yard-line by security personnel and escorted out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Hillsborough County jail records show Andrade posted $500 bail and was released early Monday. The records did not indicate if Andrade has an attorney to speak for him.

Man charged after run on field during Super Bowl 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1398 to a total of 282,960, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4197 an increase of 96

<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 1398 to a total of 282,960, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4197 an increase of 96<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/2021/2/1612809873940.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;asking the public for assistance in locating and checking the welfare of a woman seen walking in the southeast portion of Salina.

The woman is described as in her 20-30 years in age, dark hair, wearing a dark and light long sleeve top, light colored pants and black socks, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Investigators believe the woman may have been in some type of medical distress. Police have checked area hospitals and shelters but have not learned her identity.

Just after 8:30p.m. January 31, she was seen at the Eaglecrest Assisted Living, 1501 East Magnolia Road in Salina.

On that same date, she was also possibly in the 1600 block of Eaglecrest Avenue; 2300 block of Katie Court; area of Magnolia Road and Shalimar Drive and the 2300 block of Shalimar Drive.

Just after 8:30a.m. February 1, she was seen in the area of area of South Ohio Street/Belmont Boulevard/Wayne Avenue and possibly near the Labor Building, 2055 South Ohio Street.

From the Labor Building, investigators believe she may have proceeded west across South Ohio Street or east into the neighborhood, according to Forrester.

Police asked that citizens in the area check their personal or business surveillance systems to see whether images of the woman show up.

If anyone has any information about this person, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. The point of contact is Salina Investigations, Forrester noted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612803312142.jpeg" alt="The woman as seen from a Ring doorbell camera-image courtesy Salina Police" />
 <figcaption>The woman as seen from a Ring doorbell camera-image courtesy Salina Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;asking the public for assistance in locating and checking the welfare of a woman seen walking in the southeast portion of Salina.The woman is described as in her 20-30 years in age, dark hair, wearing a dark and light long sleeve top, light colored pants and black socks, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.Investigators believe the woman may have been in some type of medical distress. Police have checked area hospitals and shelters but have not learned her identity.Just after 8:30p.m. January 31, she was seen at the Eaglecrest Assisted Living, 1501 East Magnolia Road in Salina.On that same date, she was also possibly in the 1600 block of Eaglecrest Avenue; 2300 block of Katie Court; area of Magnolia Road and Shalimar Drive and the 2300 block of Shalimar Drive.Just after 8:30a.m. February 1, she was seen in the area of area of South Ohio Street/Belmont Boulevard/Wayne Avenue and possibly near the Labor Building, 2055 South Ohio Street.From the Labor Building, investigators believe she may have proceeded west across South Ohio Street or east into the neighborhood, according to Forrester.Police asked that citizens in the area check their personal or business surveillance systems to see whether images of the woman show up.If anyone has any information about this person, please contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210. The point of contact is Salina Investigations, Forrester noted.

Police want to ID Kan. woman who may be in distress 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident have identified the victim as 32-year-old Jared Browning of Wichita.

Just after 1:30 a.m., police responded to a rollover crash at Central and Zoo Boulevard, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; 

Upon arrival, officers located a 2000 GMC Yukon lying on its roof.&nbsp; Browning had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed Browning was driving the Yukon westbound on Central and turned to go north on Zoo Boulevard. He lost control of the Yukon. It struck a curb and overturned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Davidson.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident have identified the victim as 32-year-old Jared Browning of Wichita.Just after 1:30 a.m., police responded to a rollover crash at Central and Zoo Boulevard, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located a 2000 GMC Yukon lying on its roof.&nbsp; Browning had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed Browning was driving the Yukon westbound on Central and turned to go north on Zoo Boulevard. He lost control of the Yukon. It struck a curb and overturned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Davidson.

Police: Speed a factor in crash that killed Kan. man

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.

A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. 

Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612803694450.png" alt="Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Wright during a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives in July -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The office of Texas Republican Congressman Ron Wright, who had battled health challenges over the past year including lung cancer treatment, has died more than two weeks after contracting COVID-19. He is the first sitting member of congress to die after diagnosed with the virus. A member-elect from Louisiana died in December from COVID-19.A spokesman says the 67-year-old Wright died Sunday. His office says the congressman and his wife, Susan, had been admitted at a Dallas hospital the previous two weeks after contracting COVID-19. Wright announced in January that he had tested positive for the virus. Wright represented Texas' 6th Congressional District and was first elected in 2018.

First member of Congress dies after battle with COVID-19

SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Saline County.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said a 2001 Volkswagen Golf driven by Nicolas Rush, 19, of Salina, was westbound in the 1800 block of East Old Highway 40.

The driver lost control on the icy road. The car traveled into the north ditch, struck a power pole and rolled onto the drivers side.

EMS transported Rush to Salina Regional Health Center. Soldan did not report seat belt usage information or have an update on the driver's condition Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612800259370.jpeg" alt="The car severed the&nbsp; power pole-&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The car severed the&nbsp; power pole-&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Saline County.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said a 2001 Volkswagen Golf driven by Nicolas Rush, 19, of Salina, was westbound in the 1800 block of East Old Highway 40.The driver lost control on the icy road. The car traveled into the north ditch, struck a power pole and rolled onto the drivers side.EMS transported Rush to Salina Regional Health Center. Soldan did not report seat belt usage information or have an update on the driver's condition Monday.

Kan. man hospitalized after car severs power pole in crash

KANSAS CITY(AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 38-year-old man with fatally shooting another man and wounding a woman last week in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said Keaire Martin has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and several other charges in connection with Thursday’s shooting.

Officers found the victims of the shooting Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 8100 block of Lydia Avenue. Dionte Harris, 39, was found dead in the basement. The woman, who hasn’t been identified, was found upstairs with gunshot wounds to her head, chest and arm, and she was in critical condition.

Court documents say Martin told police that he went to confront the victims because they stole money from him the day before. It wasn’t immediately clear if Martin had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612735576135.png" alt="Martin photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 38-year-old man with fatally shooting another man and wounding a woman last week in Kansas City, Missouri.The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said Keaire Martin has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and several other charges in connection with Thursday’s shooting.Officers found the victims of the shooting Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 8100 block of Lydia Avenue. Dionte Harris, 39, was found dead in the basement. The woman, who hasn’t been identified, was found upstairs with gunshot wounds to her head, chest and arm, and she was in critical condition.Martin was arrested Friday.Court documents say Martin told police that he went to confront the victims because they stole money from him the day before. It wasn’t immediately clear if Martin had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

Suspect charged in fatal shooting at KC home

When the coronavirus forced churches to close their doors and give up Sunday collections, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte turned to the federal government’s signature small business relief program for more than $8 million.

The diocese’s headquarters, churches and schools landed the help even though they had roughly $100 million of their own cash and short-term investments available last spring, financial records show. When the cash catastrophe church leaders feared didn’t materialize, those assets topped $110 million by the summer.

“I am gratified to report the overall good financial health of the diocese despite the many difficulties presented by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bishop Peter Jugis wrote in the diocese’s audited financial report released last fall.

As the pandemic began to unfold, scores of Catholic dioceses across the U.S. received aid through the Paycheck Protection Program while sitting on well over $10 billion in cash, short-term investments or other available funds, an Associated Press investigation has found. And despite the broad economic downturn, these assets have grown in many dioceses.

Yet even with that financial safety net, the 112 dioceses that shared their financial statements, along with the churches and schools they oversee, collected at least $1.5 billion in taxpayer-backed aid. A majority of these dioceses reported enough money on hand to cover at least six months of operating expenses, even without any new income.

The financial resources of several dioceses rivaled or exceeded those available to publicly traded companies like Shake Shack and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, whose early participation in the program triggered outrage. Federal officials responded by emphasizing the money was intended for those who lacked the cushion that cash and other liquidity provide. Shake Shack and Ruth's Chris joined many corporations in returning the funds.

Overall, the nation's nearly 200 dioceses, where bishops and cardinals govern, and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion. That makes the Roman Catholic Church perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the paycheck program, according to AP's analysis of data the U.S. Small Business Administration released following a public-records lawsuit by news organizations. The agency for months had shared only partial information, making a more precise analysis impossible.

Already one of the largest federal aid efforts ever, the SBA reopened the Paycheck Protection Program last month with a new infusion of nearly $300 billion. In making the announcement, the agency’s administrator at the time, Jovita Carranza, hailed the program for serving “as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses.”

Church officials have said their employees were as worthy of help as workers at Main Street businesses, and that without it they would have had to slash jobs and curtail their charitable mission as demand for food pantries and social services spiked. They point out the program’s rules didn’t require them to exhaust their stores of cash and other funds before applying.

But new financial statements several dozen dioceses have posted for 2020 show that their available resources remained robust or improved during the pandemic’s hard, early months. The pattern held whether a diocese was big or small, urban or rural, East or West, North or South.

In Kentucky, funds available to the Archdiocese of Louisville, its parishes and other organizations grew from at least $153 million to at least $157 million during the fiscal year that ended in June, AP found. Those same offices and organizations received at least $17 million in paycheck money. “The Archdiocese’s operations have not been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak,” according to its financial statement.

In Illinois, the Archdiocese of Chicago had more than $1 billion in cash and investments in its headquarters and cemetery division as of May, while the faithful continued to donate “more than expected,” according to a review by the independent ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service. Chicago’s parishes, schools and ministries accumulated at least $77 million in paycheck protection funds.

Up the interstate from Charlotte in North Carolina, the Raleigh Diocese collected at least $11 million in aid. Yet during the fiscal year that ended in June, overall offerings were down just 5% and the assets available to the diocese, its parishes and schools increased by about $21 million to more than $170 million, AP found. In another measure of fiscal health, the diocese didn’t make an emergency draw on its $10 million line of credit.

Catholic leaders in dioceses including Charlotte, Chicago, Louisville and Raleigh said their parishes and schools, like many other businesses and nonprofits, suffered financially when they closed to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Some dioceses reported that their hardest-hit churches saw income drop by 40% or more before donations began to rebound months later, and schools took hits when fundraisers were canceled and families had trouble paying tuition. As revenues fell, dioceses said, wage cuts and a few dozen layoffs were necessary in some offices.

Catholic researchers at Georgetown University who surveyed the nation’s bishops last summer found such measures weren’t frequent. In comparison, a survey by the investment bank Goldman Sachs found 42% of small business owners had cut staff or salaries, and that 33% had spent their personal savings to stay open.

Church leaders have questioned why AP focused on their faith following a story last July, when New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote that reporters “invented a story when none existed and sought to bash the Church.”

By using a special exemption that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dab8261c68c93f24c0bfc1876518b3f6">church lobbied to include</a>&nbsp;in the paycheck program, Catholic entities amassed at least $3 billion — roughly the same as the combined total of recipients from the other faiths that rounded out the top five, AP found. Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Jewish faith-based recipients also totaled at least $3 billion. Catholics account for about 20% of the U.S. religious population, while members of those four faiths represent about 25%, according to the Pew Research Center.

Catholic institutions also received many times more than other major nonprofits with charitable missions and national reach, such as the United Way, Goodwill Industries and Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America. Overall, Catholic recipients got roughly twice as much as 40 of the largest, most well-known charities in America combined, AP found.

The complete picture is certainly even more lopsided. So many Catholic entities received help that reporters could not identify them all, even after spending hundreds of hours hand-checking tens of thousands of records in federal data.

The Vatican referred questions about the paycheck program to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which said it does not speak on behalf of dioceses.

Presented with AP’s findings, bishops conference spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi responded with a broad statement that the Paycheck Protection Program was “designed to protect the jobs of Americans from all walks of life, regardless of whether they work for for-profit or nonprofit employers, faith-based or secular.”

The AP’s assessment of church finances is among the most comprehensive to date. It draws largely from audited financial statements posted online by the central offices of 112 of the country’s nearly 200 dioceses.

The church isn’t required to share its financials. As a result, the analysis doesn’t include cash, short-term assets and lines of credit held by some of the largest dioceses, including those serving New York City and other major metropolitan areas.

The analysis focused on available assets because federal officials cited those metrics when clarifying eligibility for the paycheck program. Therefore, the $10 billion AP identified doesn’t count important financial pillars of the U.S. church. Among those are its thousands of real estate properties and most of the funds that parishes and schools hold. Also excluded is the money — estimated at $9.5 billion in a 2019 study by the Delaware-based wealth management firm Wilmington Trust — held by charitable foundations created to help dioceses oversee donations.

In addition, dioceses can rely on a well-funded support system that includes help from wealthier dioceses, the bishops conference and other Catholic organizations. Canon law, the legal code the Vatican uses to govern the global church, notes that richer dioceses may assist poorer ones, and the AP found instances where they did.

In their financial statements, the 112 dioceses acknowledged having at least $4.5 billion in liquid or otherwise available assets. To reach its $10 billion total, AP also included funding that dioceses had opted to designate for special projects instead of general expenses; excess cash that parishes and their affiliates deposit with their diocese’s savings and loan; and lines of credit dioceses typically have with outside banks.

Some church officials said AP was misreading their financial books and therefore overstating available assets. They insisted that money their bishop or his advisers had set aside for special projects couldn’t be repurposed during an emergency, although financial statements posted by multiple dioceses stated the opposite.

For its analysis, AP consulted experts in church finance and church law. One was the Rev. James Connell, an accountant for 15 years before joining the priesthood and becoming an administrator in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. Connell, also a canon lawyer who is now retired from his position with the archdiocese, said AP’s findings convinced him that Catholic entities did not need government aid — especially when thousands of small businesses were permanently closing.

“Was it want or need?” Connell asked. “Need must be present, not simply the want. Justice and love of neighbor must include the common good.”

Connell was not alone among the faithful concerned by the church’s pursuit of taxpayer money. Parishioners in several cities have questioned church leaders who received government money for Catholic schools they then closed.

Elsewhere, a pastor in a Western state told AP that he refused to apply even after diocesan officials repeatedly pressed him. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of his diocese’s policy against talking to reporters and concerns about possible retaliation.

The pastor had been saving, much like leaders of other parishes. When the pandemic hit, he used that money, trimmed expenses and told his diocese’s central finance office that he had no plans to seek the aid. Administrators followed up several times, the pastor said, with one high-ranking official questioning why he was “leaving free money on the table.”

The pastor said he felt a “sound moral conviction” that the money was meant more for shops and restaurants that, without it, might close forever.

As the weeks passed last spring, the pastor said his church managed just fine. Parishioners were so happy with new online Masses and his other outreach initiatives, he said, they boosted their contributions beyond 2019 levels.

“We didn’t need it,” the pastor said, “and intentionally wanted to leave the money for those small business owners who did.”

Months after the pandemic first walloped the economy, the 112 dioceses that release financial statements began sharing updates. Among the 47 dioceses that have thus far, the pandemic’s impact was far from crippling.

The 47 dioceses that have posted financials for the fiscal year that ended in June had a median 6% increase in the amount of cash, short-term investments and other funds that they and their affiliates could use for unanticipated or general expenses, AP found. In all, 38 dioceses grew those resources, while nine reported declines.

Finances in Raleigh and 10 other dioceses that took government assistance were stable enough that they did not have to dip into millions they had available through outside lines of credit.

“This crisis has tested us,” Russell Elmayan, Raleigh’s chief financial officer, told the diocese’s magazine website in July, “but we are hopeful that the business acumen of our staff and lay counselors, together with the strategic financial reserves built over time, will help our parishes and schools continue to weather this unprecedented event.” Raleigh officials did not answer direct questions from AP.

The 47 dioceses acknowledged a smaller amount of readily available assets than AP counted, though by their own accounting that grew as well.

The improving financial outlook is due primarily to parishioners who found ways to continue donating and U.S. stock markets that were rebounding to new highs. But when the markets were first plunging, officials in several dioceses said, they had to stretch available assets because few experts were forecasting a rapid recovery.

In Louisville, Charlotte and other dioceses, church leaders said they offered loans or grants to needy parishes and schools, or offset the monthly charges they assess their parishes. In Raleigh, for example, the headquarters used $3 million it had set aside for liability insurance and also tapped its internal deposit and loan fund.

Church officials added that the pandemic’s full toll will probably be seen in a year or two, because some key sources of revenue are calculated based on income that parishes and schools generate.

“We believe that we will not know all of the long-term negative impacts on parish, school and archdiocesan finances for some time,” Louisville Archdiocese spokeswoman Cecelia Price wrote in response to questions.

At the nine dioceses that recorded declines in liquid or other short-term assets, the drops typically were less than 10%, and not always clearly tied to the pandemic.

The financial wherewithal of some larger dioceses is underscored by the fact that, like publicly traded companies, they can raise capital by selling bonds to investors.

One was Chicago, where analysts with the Moody’s ratings agency calculated that the $1 billion in cash and investments held by the archdiocese headquarters and cemeteries division could cover about 631 days of operating expenses.

Church officials in Chicago asserted that those dollars were needed to cover substantial expenses while parishioner donations slumped. Without paycheck support, “parishes and schools would have been forced to cut many jobs, as the archdiocese, given its liabilities, could not have closed such a funding gap,” spokeswoman Paula Waters wrote.

Moody’s noted in its May report that while giving was down, federal aid had compensated for that and helped leave the archdiocese “well positioned to weather this revenue loss over the next several months.” Among the reasons for the optimism: “a unique credit strength” that under church law allows the archbishop to tax parish revenue virtually at will.

In a separate Moody’s report on New Orleans, which filed for bankruptcy in May while facing multiple clergy abuse lawsuits, the ratings agency wrote in July that the archdiocese did so while having “significant financial reserves, with spendable cash and investments of over $160 million.”

Moody’s said the archdiocese’s “very good” liquid assets would let it operate 336 days without additional income. Those assets prompted clergy abuse victims to ask a federal judge to dismiss the bankruptcy filing, arguing the archdiocese’s primary reason for seeking the legal protection was to minimize payouts to them.

The archdiocese, along with its parishes and schools, collected more than $26 million in paycheck money. New Orleans Archdiocesan officials didn’t respond to written questions.

Without special treatment, the Catholic Church would not have received nearly so much under the Paycheck Protection Program.

After Congress let nonprofits and religious organizations participate in the first place, Catholic officials lobbied the Trump Administration for a second break. Religious organizations were freed from the so-called affiliation rule that typically disqualifies applicants with more than 500 workers.

Without that break, many dioceses would have missed out because — between their head offices, parishes, schools and other affiliates — their employee count would exceed the limit.

Among those lobbying, federal records show, was the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Parishes, schools and ministries there collected at least $80 million in paycheck aid, at a time when the headquarters reported $658 million in available funds heading into the fiscal year when the coronavirus arrived.

Catholic officials in the U.S. needed the special exception for at least two reasons.

Church law says dioceses, parishes and schools are affiliated, something the Los Angeles Archdiocese acknowledged “proved to be an obstacle” to receiving funds because its parishes operate “under the authority of the diocesan bishop.” Dioceses, parishes, schools and other Catholic entities also routinely assert to the Internal Revenue Service that they are affiliated so they can maintain their federal income tax exemption.

While some Catholic officials insisted their affiliates are separate and financially independent, AP found many instances of borrowing and spending among them when dioceses were faced with prior cash crunches. In Philadelphia, for example, the archdiocese received at least $18 million from three affiliates, including a seminary, to fund a compensation program for clergy sex abuse survivors, according to 2019 financial statements.

Cardinals and bishops have broad authority over parishes and the pastors who run them. Church law requires parishes to submit annual financial reports and bishops may require parishes to deposit surplus money with internal banks administered by the diocese.

“The parishioners cannot hire or fire the pastor; that is for the bishop to do,” said Connell, the priest, former accountant and canon lawyer. “Each parish functions as a wholly owned subsidiary or division of a larger corporation, the diocese.”

Bishops acknowledged a concerted effort to tap paycheck funds in a survey by Catholic researchers at Georgetown University. When asked what they had done to address the pandemic’s financial fallout, 95% said their central offices helped parishes apply for paycheck and other aid — the leading response. That topped encouraging parishioners to donate electronically.

After Congress approved the paycheck program, three high-ranking officials in New Hampshire’s Manchester Diocese sent an urgent memo to parishes, schools and affiliated organizations urging them to refrain from layoffs or furloughs until completing their applications. “We are all in this together,” the memo read, adding that diocesan officials were working expeditiously to provide “step by step instructions.”

Paycheck Protection Program funds came through low-interest bank loans, worth up to $10 million each, that the federal government would forgive so long as recipients used the money to cover about two months of wages and operating expenses.

After an initial $659 billion last spring, Congress added another $284 billion in December. With the renewal came new requirements intended to ensure that funds go to businesses that lost money due to the pandemic. Lawmakers also downsized the headcount for applicants to 300 or fewer employees.

In other federal small business loan programs, government help is treated as a last resort.

Applicants must show they couldn’t get credit elsewhere. And those with enough available funds must pay more of their own way to reduce taxpayer subsidies.

Congress didn’t include these tests in the Paycheck Protection Program. To speed approvals, lenders weren’t required to do their usual screening and instead relied on applicants’ self-certifications of need.

The looser standards helped create a run on the first $349 billion in paycheck funding. Small business owners complained that they were shut out, yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6c5942eec36cc43b25ad5df5afebcfbd">dozens of companies</a>&nbsp;healthy enough to be traded on stock exchanges scored quick approval.

As blowback built in April, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned at a news briefing that there would be “severe consequences” for applicants who improperly tapped the program.

“We want to make sure this money is available to small businesses that need it, people who have invested their entire life savings,” Mnuchin said. Program guidelines evolved to stress that participants with access to significant cash probably could not get the assistance “in good faith.”

Mnuchin’s Treasury Department said it would audit loans exceeding $2 million, although federal officials have not said whether they would hold religious organizations and other nonprofits to the same standard of need as businesses.

The headquarters and major departments for more than 40 dioceses received more than $2 million. Every diocese that responded to questions said it would seek to have the government cover the loans, rather than repay the funds.

One diocese receiving a loan over $2 million was Boston. According to the archdiocese’s website, its central ministries office received about $3 million, while its parishes and schools collected about $32 million more.

The archdiocese — along with its parishes, schools and cemeteries — had roughly $200 million in available funds in June 2019, according to its audited financial report. When that fiscal year ended several months into the pandemic, available funds had increased to roughly $233 million.

Nevertheless, spokesman Terrence Donilon cited “ongoing economic pressure” in saying the archdiocese will seek forgiveness for last year’s loans and will apply for additional, new funds during the current round.

Beyond its growing available funds, the archdiocese and its affiliates benefit from other sources of funding. The archdiocese’s “Inspiring Hope” campaign, announced in January, has raised at least $150 million.

And one of its supporting charities — the Catholic Schools Foundation, where Cardinal Sean O’Malley is board chairman — counted more than $33 million in cash and other funds that could be “used for general operations” as of the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year, according to its financial statement.