Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.

Research from multiple countries shows the Pfizer shot and other widely used COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against the highly contagious delta variant, which is spreading rapidly around the world and now accounts for most new U.S. infections.

Two doses of most vaccines are critical to develop high levels of virus-fighting antibodies against all versions of the coronavirus, not just the delta variant -- and most of the world still is desperate to get those initial protective doses as the pandemic continues to rage.

But antibodies naturally wane over time, so studies also are underway to tell if and when boosters might be needed.

On Thursday, Pfizer’s Dr. Mikael Dolsten told The Associated Press that early data from the company’s booster study suggests people’s antibody levels jump five- to 10-fold after a third dose, compared to their second dose months earlier.

In August, Pfizer plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization of a third dose, he said.

Why might that matter for fighting the delta variant? Dolsten pointed to data from Britain and Israel showing the Pfizer vaccine “neutralizes the delta variant very well.” The assumption, he said, is that when antibodies drop low enough, the delta virus eventually could cause a mild infection before the immune system kicks back in.

But FDA authorization would be just a first step -- it wouldn’t automatically mean Americans get offered boosters, cautioned Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Public health authorities would have to decide if they’re really needed, especially since millions of people have no protection.

“The vaccines were designed to keep us out of the hospital” and continue to do so despite the more contagious delta variant, he said. Giving another dose would be “a huge effort while we are at the moment striving to get people the first dose.”

Hours after Pfizer’s announcement, U.S. health officials issued a statement saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need a booster yet.

U.S. health agencies “are engaged in a science-based, rigorous process to consider whether or when a booster might be necessary,” the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a joint statement. That work will include data from the drug companies, “but does not rely on those data exclusively,” and any decision on booster shots would happen only when “the science demonstrates that they are needed,” the agencies said.

Currently only about 48% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated — and some parts of the country have far lower immunization rates, places where the delta variant is surging. On Thursday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, said that’s leading to “two truths” — highly immunized swaths of America are getting back to normal while hospitalizations are rising in other places.

“This rapid rise is troubling,” she said: A few weeks ago the delta variant accounted for just over a quarter of new U.S. cases, but it now accounts for just over 50% — and in some places, such as parts of the Midwest, as much as 80%.

Also Thursday, researchers from France’s Pasteur Institute reported new evidence that full vaccination is critical.

In laboratory tests, blood from several dozen people given their first dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines “barely inhibited” the delta variant, the team reported in the journal Nature. But weeks after getting their second dose, nearly all had what researchers deemed an immune boost strong enough to neutralize the delta variant — even if it was a little less potent than against earlier versions of the virus.

The French researchers also tested unvaccinated people who had survived a bout of the coronavirus, and found their antibodies were four-fold less potent against the new mutant. But a single vaccine dose dramatically boosted their antibody levels — sparking cross-protection against the delta variant and two other mutants, the study found. That supports public health recommendations that COVID-19 survivors get vaccinated rather than relying on natural immunity.

The lab experiments add to real-world data that the delta variant’s mutations aren’t evading the vaccines most widely used in Western countries, but underscore that it’s crucial to get more of the world immunized before the virus evolves even more.

Researchers in Britain found two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, for example, are 96% protective against hospitalization with the delta variant and 88% effective against symptomatic infection. That finding was echoed last weekend by Canadian researchers, while a report from Israel suggested protection against mild delta infection may have dipped lower, to 64%.

Whether the fully vaccinated still need to wear masks in places where the delta variant is surging is a growing question. In the U.S., the CDC maintains that fully vaccinated people don’t need to. Even before the delta variant came along, the vaccines weren’t perfect, but the best evidence suggests that if vaccinated people nonetheless get the coronavirus, they’ll have much milder cases.

“Let me emphasize, if you were vaccinated, you have a very high degree of protection,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, said Thursday.

In the U.S., case rates have been rising for weeks and the rate of hospitalizations has started to tick up, rising 7% from the previous seven-day average, Walensky told reporters Thursday. However, deaths remain down on average, which some experts believe is at least partly due to high vaccination rates in people 65 and older — who are among the most susceptible to severe disease.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604926559777.png" alt="Hours after Pfizer’s announcement, U.S. health officials issued a statement saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need a booster yet.-Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Hours after Pfizer’s announcement, U.S. health officials issued a statement saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need a booster yet.-Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressPfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.Research from multiple countries shows the Pfizer shot and other widely used COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against the highly contagious delta variant, which is spreading rapidly around the world and now accounts for most new U.S. infections.Two doses of most vaccines are critical to develop high levels of virus-fighting antibodies against all versions of the coronavirus, not just the delta variant -- and most of the world still is desperate to get those initial protective doses as the pandemic continues to rage.But antibodies naturally wane over time, so studies also are underway to tell if and when boosters might be needed.On Thursday, Pfizer’s Dr. Mikael Dolsten told The Associated Press that early data from the company’s booster study suggests people’s antibody levels jump five- to 10-fold after a third dose, compared to their second dose months earlier.In August, Pfizer plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization of a third dose, he said.Why might that matter for fighting the delta variant? Dolsten pointed to data from Britain and Israel showing the Pfizer vaccine “neutralizes the delta variant very well.” The assumption, he said, is that when antibodies drop low enough, the delta virus eventually could cause a mild infection before the immune system kicks back in.But FDA authorization would be just a first step -- it wouldn’t automatically mean Americans get offered boosters, cautioned Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Public health authorities would have to decide if they’re really needed, especially since millions of people have no protection.“The vaccines were designed to keep us out of the hospital” and continue to do so despite the more contagious delta variant, he said. Giving another dose would be “a huge effort while we are at the moment striving to get people the first dose.”Hours after Pfizer’s announcement, U.S. health officials issued a statement saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need a booster yet.U.S. health agencies “are engaged in a science-based, rigorous process to consider whether or when a booster might be necessary,” the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a joint statement. That work will include data from the drug companies, “but does not rely on those data exclusively,” and any decision on booster shots would happen only when “the science demonstrates that they are needed,” the agencies said.Currently only about 48% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated — and some parts of the country have far lower immunization rates, places where the delta variant is surging. On Thursday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, said that’s leading to “two truths” — highly immunized swaths of America are getting back to normal while hospitalizations are rising in other places.“This rapid rise is troubling,” she said: A few weeks ago the delta variant accounted for just over a quarter of new U.S. cases, but it now accounts for just over 50% — and in some places, such as parts of the Midwest, as much as 80%.Also Thursday, researchers from France’s Pasteur Institute reported new evidence that full vaccination is critical.In laboratory tests, blood from several dozen people given their first dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines “barely inhibited” the delta variant, the team reported in the journal Nature. But weeks after getting their second dose, nearly all had what researchers deemed an immune boost strong enough to neutralize the delta variant — even if it was a little less potent than against earlier versions of the virus.The French researchers also tested unvaccinated people who had survived a bout of the coronavirus, and found their antibodies were four-fold less potent against the new mutant. But a single vaccine dose dramatically boosted their antibody levels — sparking cross-protection against the delta variant and two other mutants, the study found. That supports public health recommendations that COVID-19 survivors get vaccinated rather than relying on natural immunity.The lab experiments add to real-world data that the delta variant’s mutations aren’t evading the vaccines most widely used in Western countries, but underscore that it’s crucial to get more of the world immunized before the virus evolves even more.Researchers in Britain found two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, for example, are 96% protective against hospitalization with the delta variant and 88% effective against symptomatic infection. That finding was echoed last weekend by Canadian researchers, while a report from Israel suggested protection against mild delta infection may have dipped lower, to 64%.Whether the fully vaccinated still need to wear masks in places where the delta variant is surging is a growing question. In the U.S., the CDC maintains that fully vaccinated people don’t need to. Even before the delta variant came along, the vaccines weren’t perfect, but the best evidence suggests that if vaccinated people nonetheless get the coronavirus, they’ll have much milder cases.“Let me emphasize, if you were vaccinated, you have a very high degree of protection,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, said Thursday.In the U.S., case rates have been rising for weeks and the rate of hospitalizations has started to tick up, rising 7% from the previous seven-day average, Walensky told reporters Thursday. However, deaths remain down on average, which some experts believe is at least partly due to high vaccination rates in people 65 and older — who are among the most susceptible to severe disease.

Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd dose of COVID vaccine

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a violent attack ona woman.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to an assault call at a business in the 3000 block of East Douglas in Wichita, according to Office Charley Davidson.

At the scene, a 55-year-old woman reported going to her car after leaving the business when she was approached by&nbsp;64-year-old Veryl Crawford of Wichita. He pushed her and struck her multiple times with a rock causing serious injuries.&nbsp; Crawford then took the woman's cell phone and wallet and fled on foot.

With the help of an eyewitness, officers located Crawford in the 3200 block of East Chatfield as he was attempting to hide evidence.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police arrested Crawford without incident and booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), according to Davidson.

Crawford has multiple previous felony convictions and is currently on parolee through KDOC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625770977245.png" alt="Crawford has previous convictions for rape, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail." />
 <figcaption>Crawford has previous convictions for rape, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County Jail.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a violent attack ona woman.Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to an assault call at a business in the 3000 block of East Douglas in Wichita, according to Office Charley Davidson.At the scene, a 55-year-old woman reported going to her car after leaving the business when she was approached by&nbsp;64-year-old Veryl Crawford of Wichita. He pushed her and struck her multiple times with a rock causing serious injuries.&nbsp; Crawford then took the woman's cell phone and wallet and fled on foot.With the help of an eyewitness, officers located Crawford in the 3200 block of East Chatfield as he was attempting to hide evidence.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police arrested Crawford without incident and booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a warrant through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), according to Davidson.Crawford has multiple previous felony convictions and is currently on parolee through KDOC.

Police: Wanted Kan. felon attacked woman with a rock

DEXTER, Mo. (AP) — Tyson Foods is recalling almost 4,500 tons of ready-to-eat chicken products after finding the products may be tainted with listeria bacteria. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recall Thursday after two consumers reported falling ill with listeriosis. Further investigation revealed one death besides the two listeriosis cases traced to pre-cooked chicken Tyson produced. Listeriosis is a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. It causes fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Tyson Foods is voluntarily recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken. Tyson has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on this recall, and while there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution.

The affected products were produced at one plant located in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26 of 2020 and April 13 of 2021 and distributed to foodservice and retail customers nationwide and Puerto Rico. They are being recalled as a precaution due to possible exposure to&nbsp;&nbsp;Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’re committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day,” said Scott Brooks, senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance, Tyson Foods. “We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.”

Products Included in this Recall The recall includes&nbsp;Tyson&nbsp;® branded frozen, fully cooked products as well as private label products made for customers. These products were sold to foodservice and retail customers and distributed nationwide. Each package of the affected retail products has the establishment code P-7089.

Only those products listed are being recalled. No other Tyson products are impacted by the recall, including but not limited to any&nbsp;Tyson®&nbsp;brand fresh chicken; frozen, raw chicken products or chicken nuggets.

Consumers with questions should call or text 1-855-382-3101. Customer service representatives will be available beginning Sunday through Friday 8am – 5pm CDT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625525876858.png" alt="The recall includes Tyson ® branded frozen, fully cooked products as well as private label products made for customers. These products were sold to foodservice and retail customers and distributed nationwide.Photo courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>The recall includes Tyson ® branded frozen, fully cooked products as well as private label products made for customers. These products were sold to foodservice and retail customers and distributed nationwide.Photo courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>DEXTER, Mo. (AP) — Tyson Foods is recalling almost 4,500 tons of ready-to-eat chicken products after finding the products may be tainted with listeria bacteria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recall Thursday after two consumers reported falling ill with listeriosis. Further investigation revealed one death besides the two listeriosis cases traced to pre-cooked chicken Tyson produced. Listeriosis is a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. It causes fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.--------Tyson Foods is voluntarily recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken. Tyson has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on this recall, and while there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution. The affected products were produced at one plant located in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26 of 2020 and April 13 of 2021 and distributed to foodservice and retail customers nationwide and Puerto Rico. They are being recalled as a precaution due to possible exposure to&nbsp;&nbsp;Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day,” said Scott Brooks, senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance, Tyson Foods. “We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety.”Products Included in this Recall The recall includes&nbsp;Tyson&nbsp;® branded frozen, fully cooked products as well as private label products made for customers. These products were sold to foodservice and retail customers and distributed nationwide. Each package of the affected retail products has the establishment code P-7089.Only those products listed are being recalled. No other Tyson products are impacted by the recall, including but not limited to any&nbsp;Tyson®&nbsp;brand fresh chicken; frozen, raw chicken products or chicken nuggets.Consumers with questions should call or text 1-855-382-3101. Customer service representatives will be available beginning Sunday through Friday 8am – 5pm CDT.

Tyson Foods recalls almost 4,500 tons of chicken product

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two people with non-life threatening injuries.

Just after 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 2400 block of SW Buchanan Street in Topeka after a caller stated they had been shot at, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The caller left the scene prior to officer’s arrival. A short time later, two people arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle. Both had non-life threatening injuries believed to be consistent with the earlier shooting.

While investigating the shooting, officers located a 20-year-old later identified as Tyzale J. Banks-Hall, 20 of Topeka who was in possession of a stolen firearm.&nbsp;

After further investigation, police arrested Banks-Hall and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of stolen Firearm with value less than $25,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625741227791.png" alt="Banks-Hall-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Banks-Hall-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two people with non-life threatening injuries.Just after 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 2400 block of SW Buchanan Street in Topeka after a caller stated they had been shot at, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The caller left the scene prior to officer’s arrival. A short time later, two people arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle. Both had non-life threatening injuries believed to be consistent with the earlier shooting.While investigating the shooting, officers located a 20-year-old later identified as Tyzale J. Banks-Hall, 20 of Topeka who was in possession of a stolen firearm.&nbsp;After further investigation, police arrested Banks-Hall and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of stolen Firearm with value less than $25,000.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. man used stolen firearm during shooting

A 24-year-old man accused of assaulting his mother has now been charged in the shooting death of a St. Joseph police dog.

Valdez McDonald has been charged with armed criminal action, accused of shooting and killing K-9 Max while fleeing from police June 30th.

McDonald already faces a third-degree assault charge. Authorities accuse him of beating his mother; smashing her head against a wall and hitting her in the back of the head with a 2x4.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Ron Holliday says the maximum sentence for the combined charges would be 19 years in prison.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports the Special Response Team along with several other officers, including K-9 Max, arrived at 5108 Barbra Street late in the evening on June 30, a residence in which an armed subject had barricaded himself.

During negotiations, authorities say McDonald fled out of the back of the residence, armed. He shot K-9 Max during the pursuit. Max was transported to Kansas City for emergency care, but died of his wounds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625596494829.jpeg" alt="McDonald -photo Buchanan County" />
 <figcaption>McDonald -photo Buchanan County</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 24-year-old man accused of assaulting his mother has now been charged in the shooting death of a St. Joseph police dog.Valdez McDonald has been charged with armed criminal action, accused of shooting and killing K-9 Max while fleeing from police June 30th.McDonald already faces a third-degree assault charge. Authorities accuse him of beating his mother; smashing her head against a wall and hitting her in the back of the head with a 2x4.Buchanan County Prosecutor Ron Holliday says the maximum sentence for the combined charges would be 19 years in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625766338329.jpeg" alt="K9 Max." />
 <figcaption>K9 Max.</figcaption>
 </figure>The St. Joseph Police Department reports the Special Response Team along with several other officers, including K-9 Max, arrived at 5108 Barbra Street late in the evening on June 30, a residence in which an armed subject had barricaded himself.During negotiations, authorities say McDonald fled out of the back of the residence, armed. He shot K-9 Max during the pursuit. Max was transported to Kansas City for emergency care, but died of his wounds.

Domestic assault suspect charged with killing police K9

DAWSON COUNTY, NE.—Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person after locating more than 260 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Dawson County.

At approximately 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, a trooper performed a traffic stop on an eastbound Ford Transit Van for driving on the shoulder of I-80 near Lexington at mile marker 238. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from inside the vehicle.

Troopers searched the vehicle and located 262 pounds of marijuana contained in large boxes in the cargo area of the van. The driver, David Hernandez Fuentes, 24, of Ceres, California, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and no drug tax stamp. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625777603233.png" alt="Photo courtesy Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>DAWSON COUNTY, NE.—Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person after locating more than 260 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Dawson County.At approximately 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, a trooper performed a traffic stop on an eastbound Ford Transit Van for driving on the shoulder of I-80 near Lexington at mile marker 238. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from inside the vehicle.Troopers searched the vehicle and located 262 pounds of marijuana contained in large boxes in the cargo area of the van. The driver, David Hernandez Fuentes, 24, of Ceres, California, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and no drug tax stamp. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail.

State troopers find 260 pounds of marijuana in traffic stop

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;man who skipped his sentencing for a debt selling scam that involved millions of dollars.

Joel Tucker, of Prairie Village, pleaded guilty last year to criminal counts of transporting stolen money, bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion.

His attorneys said Thursday that Tucker was in&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;dealing with a critical family situation, The Kansas City Star reported.

U.S. District Court Judge Roseann Ketchmark issued the arrest warrant and set a new sentencing hearing for Tuesday.

Most of Tucker’s charges stem from his selling phony consumer information to debt collectors, who then tried to get consumers to pay debts they didn't owe. In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission obtained a $4 million judgment against Tucker for the same scam.

Tucker's brother, former professional race car driver Scott Tucker, is serving a nearly 17-year sentence in federal prison for running an illegal payday loan operation in Overland Park that federal authorities said exploited more than 2 million borrowers.

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to engaging in two separate fraud schemes related to millions of dollars in false payday loan debt and to tax evasion totaling more than $8 million, according to the United States Attorney's office.

“This well-dressed thief victimized millions of Americans whose personal information was fraudulently sold to debt collectors,” Garrison said. “Some of those victims, in their fear and confusion, actually paid debts they didn’t owe. And by hiding his income and assets then lying about it to federal agents, he victimized every honest citizen who obeys the law and pays their income taxes. His thievery allowed him to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle for a short time, but he won’t be entitled to such luxuries in federal prison.”

“Today, Mr. Tucker admitted he evaded the payment of taxes assessed against him. Despite receiving millions of dollars, Mr. Tucker used such funds to sustain a lavish lifestyle and not fulfill his civic duty,” said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis Field Office. “We are determined at the IRS and Department of Justice to halt tax evasion, and the facts outlined in today’s plea are strong indicators that we can and will find this fraudulent activity.”

Joel Jerome Tucker, 51, Prairie Village, Kansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of transporting stolen money across state lines, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of tax evasion.

Tucker, working through various companies, serviced payday loan businesses. Tucker’s company names changed over the years; the primary company was eData Solutions, LLC. eData, formally registered on July 29, 2009, did not make loans directly to borrowers; it collected loan application information, referred to as leads, and sold those leads to its approximately 70 payday lender clients. As a loan servicer, eData also provided software for payday lenders.&nbsp;

Tucker and the other owners of eData sold the company to the Wyandotte Indian tribe in 2012. However, despite selling his interest in eData, Tucker maintained a file of 7.8 million leads he had acquired through eData, containing detailed customer information (including names, addresses, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, etc.). eData had collected the detailed customer information from online payday loan applications or inquiries to its payday lender clients; the file did not represent loans that were made. In addition, Tucker obtained and retained data regarding defaulted payday loans eData had acquired from a number of different payday lender clients. Tucker used these files to create falsified debt portfolios.

By pleading guilty today, Tucker admitted that he engaged in a fraudulent debt scheme from 2014 to 2016. This scheme involved marketing, distributing, and selling false debt portfolios. Tucker defrauded third party debt collectors and millions of individuals listed as debtors through the sale of falsified debt portfolios. Tucker sold supposed debts which: 1) he didn’t personally own; 2) were not true debts; 3) had already been sold to other buyers; and 4) contained false lenders, false loan dates, false loan amounts, and false payment status. Tucker received as much as $7.3 million from the sale of false debt portfolios.&nbsp;

As part of his fraud scheme, Tucker transferred the proceeds of the fraud scheme across state lines.

Tucker also admitted that he executed a related bankruptcy fraud scheme in 2015. In his bankruptcy fraud scheme, Tucker also sold fraudulent debt, which entered the United States Bankruptcy Courts nationwide. When the United States Bankruptcy Court investigated these purported debts which were presented as claims in bankruptcy cases, Tucker provided false information and testimony to the Bankruptcy Court in order to conceal his scheme.

For tax years 2014 - 2016, neither Tucker personally nor any of his companies filed federal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Tucker told IRS agents that he had no income and was living on borrowed money, including a lot of borrowed money from his mother. In reality, Tucker used nominee bank accounts to conceal income and assets and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal living expenses such as vehicles, chartered jets, travel and entertainment, and a personal residence. Tucker also submitted a form to the IRS in which he omitted listing as an asset his membership in the Vail Mountain Club, for which he received $275,000 in 2016.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Tucker must pay $8,057,079.95 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Tucker also must forfeit to the government $5,000, which is the amount of stolen proceeds transferred across state lines as referenced in the specific count to which he pleaded guilty.&nbsp;

Under federal statutes, Tucker is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625777725263.png" alt="Tucker photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Tucker photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;man who skipped his sentencing for a debt selling scam that involved millions of dollars.Joel Tucker, of Prairie Village, pleaded guilty last year to criminal counts of transporting stolen money, bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion.His attorneys said Thursday that Tucker was in&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;dealing with a critical family situation, The Kansas City Star reported.U.S. District Court Judge Roseann Ketchmark issued the arrest warrant and set a new sentencing hearing for Tuesday.Most of Tucker’s charges stem from his selling phony consumer information to debt collectors, who then tried to get consumers to pay debts they didn't owe. In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission obtained a $4 million judgment against Tucker for the same scam.Tucker's brother, former professional race car driver Scott Tucker, is serving a nearly 17-year sentence in federal prison for running an illegal payday loan operation in Overland Park that federal authorities said exploited more than 2 million borrowers.-----KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to engaging in two separate fraud schemes related to millions of dollars in false payday loan debt and to tax evasion totaling more than $8 million, according to the United States Attorney's office.“This well-dressed thief victimized millions of Americans whose personal information was fraudulently sold to debt collectors,” Garrison said. “Some of those victims, in their fear and confusion, actually paid debts they didn’t owe. And by hiding his income and assets then lying about it to federal agents, he victimized every honest citizen who obeys the law and pays their income taxes. His thievery allowed him to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle for a short time, but he won’t be entitled to such luxuries in federal prison.”“Today, Mr. Tucker admitted he evaded the payment of taxes assessed against him. Despite receiving millions of dollars, Mr. Tucker used such funds to sustain a lavish lifestyle and not fulfill his civic duty,” said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis Field Office. “We are determined at the IRS and Department of Justice to halt tax evasion, and the facts outlined in today’s plea are strong indicators that we can and will find this fraudulent activity.”Joel Jerome Tucker, 51, Prairie Village, Kansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of transporting stolen money across state lines, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of tax evasion.Tucker, working through various companies, serviced payday loan businesses. Tucker’s company names changed over the years; the primary company was eData Solutions, LLC. eData, formally registered on July 29, 2009, did not make loans directly to borrowers; it collected loan application information, referred to as leads, and sold those leads to its approximately 70 payday lender clients. As a loan servicer, eData also provided software for payday lenders.&nbsp;Tucker and the other owners of eData sold the company to the Wyandotte Indian tribe in 2012. However, despite selling his interest in eData, Tucker maintained a file of 7.8 million leads he had acquired through eData, containing detailed customer information (including names, addresses, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, etc.). eData had collected the detailed customer information from online payday loan applications or inquiries to its payday lender clients; the file did not represent loans that were made. In addition, Tucker obtained and retained data regarding defaulted payday loans eData had acquired from a number of different payday lender clients. Tucker used these files to create falsified debt portfolios.By pleading guilty today, Tucker admitted that he engaged in a fraudulent debt scheme from 2014 to 2016. This scheme involved marketing, distributing, and selling false debt portfolios. Tucker defrauded third party debt collectors and millions of individuals listed as debtors through the sale of falsified debt portfolios. Tucker sold supposed debts which: 1) he didn’t personally own; 2) were not true debts; 3) had already been sold to other buyers; and 4) contained false lenders, false loan dates, false loan amounts, and false payment status. Tucker received as much as $7.3 million from the sale of false debt portfolios.&nbsp;As part of his fraud scheme, Tucker transferred the proceeds of the fraud scheme across state lines.Tucker also admitted that he executed a related bankruptcy fraud scheme in 2015. In his bankruptcy fraud scheme, Tucker also sold fraudulent debt, which entered the United States Bankruptcy Courts nationwide. When the United States Bankruptcy Court investigated these purported debts which were presented as claims in bankruptcy cases, Tucker provided false information and testimony to the Bankruptcy Court in order to conceal his scheme.For tax years 2014 - 2016, neither Tucker personally nor any of his companies filed federal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Tucker told IRS agents that he had no income and was living on borrowed money, including a lot of borrowed money from his mother. In reality, Tucker used nominee bank accounts to conceal income and assets and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal living expenses such as vehicles, chartered jets, travel and entertainment, and a personal residence. Tucker also submitted a form to the IRS in which he omitted listing as an asset his membership in the Vail Mountain Club, for which he received $275,000 in 2016.Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Tucker must pay $8,057,079.95 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Tucker also must forfeit to the government $5,000, which is the amount of stolen proceeds transferred across state lines as referenced in the specific count to which he pleaded guilty.&nbsp;Under federal statutes, Tucker is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Kansas man skips sentencing for debt selling scam

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Thursday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by Heath L. Moore, 27, Leavenworth, was eastbound on U.S. 24 in Basehor.

The pickup rear-ended a 2002 Chevy Tracker driven by Marvin&nbsp;Giron-Ardon, 48, Kansas City, Kansas, who was slowing to make a left turn on 174th Street.

Giron-Ardon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy identified as Marco&nbsp;Tulio, 40, Kansas City, Kansas, to KU Medical Center. Moore was not wearing a seat belt, complained of pain but was not transported for treatment, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Thursday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by Heath L. Moore, 27, Leavenworth, was eastbound on U.S. 24 in Basehor.The pickup rear-ended a 2002 Chevy Tracker driven by Marvin&nbsp;Giron-Ardon, 48, Kansas City, Kansas, who was slowing to make a left turn on 174th Street.Giron-Ardon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy identified as Marco&nbsp;Tulio, 40, Kansas City, Kansas, to KU Medical Center. Moore was not wearing a seat belt, complained of pain but was not transported for treatment, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dead, 1 injured after rear-end crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday said the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on Aug. 31, saying “speed is safety” as the United States seeks to end the nearly 20-year war.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?513249-1/president-biden-us-military-operations-afghanistan-end-september">Click here to </a>watch the President's comments

“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation build,” Biden said in a speech to update his administration’s ongoing efforts to wind down the U.S. war in Afghanistan. “Afghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future.”

Biden also amplified the justification of his decision to end U.S. military operations even as the Taliban make rapid advances in significant swaths of the country.

The effort to further explain his thinking on Afghanistan comes as the administration in recent days has repeatedly sought to frame ending the conflict as a decision that Biden made after concluding it’s an “unwinnable war” and one that “does not have a military solution.”

“How many more, how many more thousands of American daughters and sons are you willing to risk?” Biden said to those calling for the U.S. to extend the military operation. He added, “I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan, with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome.”

Biden said he didn’t trust the Taliban but trusted the capacity of the Afghan military to defend the government.

Before his speech, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden administration officials always anticipated an “uptick” in violence and greater turmoil as the U.S. withdrawal moved forward. She added that prolonging U.S. military involvement, considering former President Donald Trump had already agreed to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 2021, would have led to an escalation of attacks on American troops.

“The question fundamentally facing him was after 20 years was he going to commit more American troops to a civil war in Afghanistan,” Psaki said.

Biden said it was “highly unlikely” that one government will control Afghanistan after the U.S. pullout, and urged the Afghan government to reach a deal with the Taliban.

The president added that there is no “mission accomplished” moment as the U.S. war comes to an end.

“The mission was accomplished in that we got Osama bin Laden and terrorism is not emanating from that part of the world,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625770012997.png" alt="Biden said he didn’t trust the Taliban but trusted the capacity of the Afghan military to defend the government-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Biden said he didn’t trust the Taliban but trusted the capacity of the Afghan military to defend the government-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday said the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on Aug. 31, saying “speed is safety” as the United States seeks to end the nearly 20-year war.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?513249-1/president-biden-us-military-operations-afghanistan-end-september">Click here to </a>watch the President's comments“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation build,” Biden said in a speech to update his administration’s ongoing efforts to wind down the U.S. war in Afghanistan. “Afghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future.”Biden also amplified the justification of his decision to end U.S. military operations even as the Taliban make rapid advances in significant swaths of the country.The effort to further explain his thinking on Afghanistan comes as the administration in recent days has repeatedly sought to frame ending the conflict as a decision that Biden made after concluding it’s an “unwinnable war” and one that “does not have a military solution.”“How many more, how many more thousands of American daughters and sons are you willing to risk?” Biden said to those calling for the U.S. to extend the military operation. He added, “I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan, with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome.”Biden said he didn’t trust the Taliban but trusted the capacity of the Afghan military to defend the government.Before his speech, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden administration officials always anticipated an “uptick” in violence and greater turmoil as the U.S. withdrawal moved forward. She added that prolonging U.S. military involvement, considering former President Donald Trump had already agreed to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 2021, would have led to an escalation of attacks on American troops.“The question fundamentally facing him was after 20 years was he going to commit more American troops to a civil war in Afghanistan,” Psaki said.Biden said it was “highly unlikely” that one government will control Afghanistan after the U.S. pullout, and urged the Afghan government to reach a deal with the Taliban.The president added that there is no “mission accomplished” moment as the U.S. war comes to an end.“The mission was accomplished in that we got Osama bin Laden and terrorism is not emanating from that part of the world,” he said.

🎥 Pres. Biden: U.S. war in Afghanistan will end in August 

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-07-08/covids-delta-comeback-in-southeast-kansas-has-health-officials-pleading-people-to-get-vaccinated">Kansas News Service</a>

Just a few weeks before COVID-19 vaccines became available, Teddi Van Kam got sick from the virus.

The
 director of the Crawford County health department, in far southeast 
Kansas, was laid out for four weeks. As the pandemic became increasingly
 dire in her community, she was too sick to work.

“I was scared,” Van Kam said. “I couldn’t breathe.”

By the time she recovered, the vaccines were available. She got her shot and went back to tackling the pandemic.

And she became a vaccine evangelist. But lately, converts have become hard to find. A year and a half into the outbreak, <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">less than half</a> of Crawford County residents are fully inoculated with a potentially life-saving vaccine.

“You wish you could convey to them how bad this could be,” Van Kam said, “but you have to be careful how you do those things.”

Now,
 she faces a new challenge: convincing vaccine-hesitant, pandemic-weary 
people in her community that the danger remains, that things are getting
 scarier.

“It’s hard,” Van Kam said, “to protect people that don’t want to be protected.”

The more contagious Delta variant is already fueling outbreaks among unvaccinated people in southwest Missouri that are <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-06-30/delta-variant-fuels-missouri-coronavirus-outbreaks-rise-in-cases" target="_blank">filling up</a> hospital wards, <a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2021/07/02/missouri-requests-federal-aid-delta-variant-vaccine-struggles-grow-springfield-covid-coxhealth-mercy/7831239002/" target="_blank">straining resources</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SDECoxHealth/status/1412748655644213249?s=20" target="_blank">claiming lives</a>.

As
 cases begin to spike in neighboring parts of Kansas, Van Kam and other 
public health officials are trying to find ways to reinvigorate 
vaccination campaigns before the new variant overwhelms local health 
care systems.

The Delta variant has quickly become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Kansas.

In
 early May, the state department of health reported that it found this 
new variant in 3% of all the positive COVID tests that it analyzed. One 
month later, Delta appeared in roughly half of those tests.

The latest figures now show the Delta variant is responsible for <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">92%</a> of all positive COVID tests being sequenced by the state department of health in Kansas.

Scientists believe this variant is roughly <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01696-3" target="_blank">60% more contagious</a> than the Alpha variant — the previously dominant version, which was already more infectious than the original strain. <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/06/30/1011684609/moderna-says-studies-show-its-vaccine-is-effective-against-the-delta-variant" target="_blank">Recent studies</a>
 have shown that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly 
effective at protecting people from the Delta variant and other variants
 of concern.

But <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">fewer than 40%</a>
 of Kansans have received their full dose of any vaccine, according to 
state data. And vaccinations have slowed to a crawl statewide.

Since peaking <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">near 40,000</a> daily doses in the early spring, the state is now giving out less than 5,000 vaccinations per day.

In
 rural areas, part of the challenge is refocusing community attention on
 the dangers of the pandemic after weeks of low COVID case numbers 
prompted people to lower their guard.

For example, Neosho County in southeast Kansas reported <a href="https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/195313919_3996095033772825_4303522014862979114_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&amp;ccb=1-3&amp;_nc_sid=730e14&amp;_nc_ohc=ZqQxN_dnQIsAX8pL1Vf&amp;_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&amp;oh=384289d9547009d213d4314a1b18bc9b&amp;oe=60EB3399" target="_blank">zero</a>
 active COVID-19 cases early last month for the first time in more than a
 year. Christy Hoerle, an epidemiology nurse with the county health 
department in Chanute, said that understandably led to a shift in how 
closely some people in the community were paying attention to the need 
for vaccinations.

“When the (COVID case) numbers went down,” Hoerle said, “it’s kind of like it’s up and gone.”

Hoerle
 said the county of roughly 16,000 people went two or three weeks 
without administering hardly any first-dose vaccination shots. This 
week, Neosho County reported 17 active cases, and the Delta variant is 
the most common strain.

But Hoerle said many people still don’t realize the new risks the strain brings.

“I
 don't think in our small little rural area...that people totally 
understand the difference in the variants,” she said. “So education is 
going to be key.”

In addition to posting county COVID case 
updates every few days on social media, the Neosho health department 
recently put a release in the local newspaper explaining how the Delta 
variant’s high rate of transmission endangers the community and how 
increasing the vaccination rate could limit that spread.

“I
 want people to understand that we can stop this,” Hoerle said. “Let's 
get it stopped before we get back to where we were at a year ago.”

Next door in Crawford County, the Delta 
variant has gained a similar foothold. In mid-May, the county of nearly 
40,000 people reported only three new COVID cases.

“We were thrilled,” Van Kam said. “That entire month, we were in single digits.”

Soon after, the Delta variant began to fuel <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/as-covid-19-cases-spike-in-southwestern-missouri-officials-are-urging-vaccinations-before-july-4/article_90a7064a-eda0-53da-aabb-210bfc9fd516.html" target="_blank">new outbreaks</a>
 in nearby Joplin, Missouri, where Van Kam said many Crawford County 
residents commute for work. Last week, the southeast Kansas county 
recorded 51 new COVID cases, most of them infected with the Delta 
strain.

Crawford County has seen a handful of cases among 
people who were vaccinated. But those people had only mild symptoms. Van
 Kam said all of the recent COVID hospitalizations have been 
unvaccinated people.

“The vaccine works because it keeps you out of the hospital,” she said. “It keeps you from dying.”

She said the county has seen interest in vaccinations start to inch up as the Delta variant grabs more headlines.

For
 most of the people who are choosing to get their first shot now, Van 
Kam said the tipping point came down to one of three things: learning 
how contagious the Delta variant is; being pushed by family members to 
get vaccinated; or finally feeling confident in the safety of the 
vaccine after months of widespread inoculations.

To build 
on that momentum, the county began promoting a new video message on area
 television stations that features a local emergency physician 
explaining how the Delta variant is different from previous strains. Van
 Kam’s team developed new social media campaigns urging residents to get
 vaccinated and plans to offer COVID shots at the upcoming county fair.

But
 even with the more contagious variant spreading, Van Kam said she still
 sees vaccine resistance in her community, particularly among people 
ages 25 to 45.

Her advice for other rural counties who haven’t seen a rise in Delta variant cases in their backyards yet? Get ready now.

“It’s out there,” Van Kam said. “And it's probably not going to miss anybody.”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625757172719.png" alt="A drive-thru COVID vaccination site in March. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A drive-thru COVID vaccination site in March. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-07-08/covids-delta-comeback-in-southeast-kansas-has-health-officials-pleading-people-to-get-vaccinated">Kansas News Service</a>Just a few weeks before COVID-19 vaccines became available, Teddi Van Kam got sick from the virus.The
 director of the Crawford County health department, in far southeast 
Kansas, was laid out for four weeks. As the pandemic became increasingly
 dire in her community, she was too sick to work.“I was scared,” Van Kam said. “I couldn’t breathe.”By the time she recovered, the vaccines were available. She got her shot and went back to tackling the pandemic.And she became a vaccine evangelist. But lately, converts have become hard to find. A year and a half into the outbreak, <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">less than half</a> of Crawford County residents are fully inoculated with a potentially life-saving vaccine.“You wish you could convey to them how bad this could be,” Van Kam said, “but you have to be careful how you do those things.”Now,
 she faces a new challenge: convincing vaccine-hesitant, pandemic-weary 
people in her community that the danger remains, that things are getting
 scarier.“It’s hard,” Van Kam said, “to protect people that don’t want to be protected.”The more contagious Delta variant is already fueling outbreaks among unvaccinated people in southwest Missouri that are <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-06-30/delta-variant-fuels-missouri-coronavirus-outbreaks-rise-in-cases" target="_blank">filling up</a> hospital wards, <a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2021/07/02/missouri-requests-federal-aid-delta-variant-vaccine-struggles-grow-springfield-covid-coxhealth-mercy/7831239002/" target="_blank">straining resources</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SDECoxHealth/status/1412748655644213249?s=20" target="_blank">claiming lives</a>. As
 cases begin to spike in neighboring parts of Kansas, Van Kam and other 
public health officials are trying to find ways to reinvigorate 
vaccination campaigns before the new variant overwhelms local health 
care systems.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625757238664.png" alt="The Delta variant, represented by the pink bars in this graph, became the dominant COVID variant found in Kansas in June. KDHE" />
 <figcaption>The Delta variant, represented by the pink bars in this graph, became the dominant COVID variant found in Kansas in June. KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>A new threatThe Delta variant has quickly become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Kansas.In
 early May, the state department of health reported that it found this 
new variant in 3% of all the positive COVID tests that it analyzed. One 
month later, Delta appeared in roughly half of those tests.The latest figures now show the Delta variant is responsible for <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">92%</a> of all positive COVID tests being sequenced by the state department of health in Kansas.Scientists believe this variant is roughly <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01696-3" target="_blank">60% more contagious</a> than the Alpha variant — the previously dominant version, which was already more infectious than the original strain. <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/06/30/1011684609/moderna-says-studies-show-its-vaccine-is-effective-against-the-delta-variant" target="_blank">Recent studies</a>
 have shown that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly 
effective at protecting people from the Delta variant and other variants
 of concern.But <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">fewer than 40%</a>
 of Kansans have received their full dose of any vaccine, according to 
state data. And vaccinations have slowed to a crawl statewide.Since peaking <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">near 40,000</a> daily doses in the early spring, the state is now giving out less than 5,000 vaccinations per day.In
 rural areas, part of the challenge is refocusing community attention on
 the dangers of the pandemic after weeks of low COVID case numbers 
prompted people to lower their guard.For example, Neosho County in southeast Kansas reported <a href="https://scontent.fmci1-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/195313919_3996095033772825_4303522014862979114_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&amp;ccb=1-3&amp;_nc_sid=730e14&amp;_nc_ohc=ZqQxN_dnQIsAX8pL1Vf&amp;_nc_ht=scontent.fmci1-4.fna&amp;oh=384289d9547009d213d4314a1b18bc9b&amp;oe=60EB3399" target="_blank">zero</a>
 active COVID-19 cases early last month for the first time in more than a
 year. Christy Hoerle, an epidemiology nurse with the county health 
department in Chanute, said that understandably led to a shift in how 
closely some people in the community were paying attention to the need 
for vaccinations.“When the (COVID case) numbers went down,” Hoerle said, “it’s kind of like it’s up and gone.”Hoerle
 said the county of roughly 16,000 people went two or three weeks 
without administering hardly any first-dose vaccination shots. This 
week, Neosho County reported 17 active cases, and the Delta variant is 
the most common strain.But Hoerle said many people still don’t realize the new risks the strain brings.“I
 don't think in our small little rural area...that people totally 
understand the difference in the variants,” she said. “So education is 
going to be key.”In addition to posting county COVID case 
updates every few days on social media, the Neosho health department 
recently put a release in the local newspaper explaining how the Delta 
variant’s high rate of transmission endangers the community and how 
increasing the vaccination rate could limit that spread.“I
 want people to understand that we can stop this,” Hoerle said. “Let's 
get it stopped before we get back to where we were at a year ago.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625757274671.png" alt="Since peaking near 40,000 daily doses in the early spring, Kansas is now giving out less than 5,000 vaccinations per day. Roughly 60% of the state's population remains unvaccinated. KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Since peaking near 40,000 daily doses in the early spring, Kansas is now giving out less than 5,000 vaccinations per day. Roughly 60% of the state's population remains unvaccinated. KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>Not overNext door in Crawford County, the Delta 
variant has gained a similar foothold. In mid-May, the county of nearly 
40,000 people reported only three new COVID cases.“We were thrilled,” Van Kam said. “That entire month, we were in single digits.”Soon after, the Delta variant began to fuel <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/as-covid-19-cases-spike-in-southwestern-missouri-officials-are-urging-vaccinations-before-july-4/article_90a7064a-eda0-53da-aabb-210bfc9fd516.html" target="_blank">new outbreaks</a>
 in nearby Joplin, Missouri, where Van Kam said many Crawford County 
residents commute for work. Last week, the southeast Kansas county 
recorded 51 new COVID cases, most of them infected with the Delta 
strain.Crawford County has seen a handful of cases among 
people who were vaccinated. But those people had only mild symptoms. Van
 Kam said all of the recent COVID hospitalizations have been 
unvaccinated people.“The vaccine works because it keeps you out of the hospital,” she said. “It keeps you from dying.”She said the county has seen interest in vaccinations start to inch up as the Delta variant grabs more headlines.For
 most of the people who are choosing to get their first shot now, Van 
Kam said the tipping point came down to one of three things: learning 
how contagious the Delta variant is; being pushed by family members to 
get vaccinated; or finally feeling confident in the safety of the 
vaccine after months of widespread inoculations.To build 
on that momentum, the county began promoting a new video message on area
 television stations that features a local emergency physician 
explaining how the Delta variant is different from previous strains. Van
 Kam’s team developed new social media campaigns urging residents to get
 vaccinated and plans to offer COVID shots at the upcoming county fair.But
 even with the more contagious variant spreading, Van Kam said she still
 sees vaccine resistance in her community, particularly among people 
ages 25 to 45.Her advice for other rural counties who haven’t seen a rise in Delta variant cases in their backyards yet? Get ready now.“It’s out there,” Van Kam said. “And it's probably not going to miss anybody.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.

COVID's delta comeback in Kan. has officials pleading for vaccinations

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo.—A&nbsp; man died in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Callaway County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Snapper Riding Mower driven by Leland W. Schweiss, 87, Holts Summit, was backing up and began to slide down a hill at 1650 Country Road 390.

The driver was ejected when the mower overturned. The mower continued to roll and landed on top of him.

Schweiss was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner's office. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported no additional details.

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo.—A&nbsp; man died in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Callaway County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Snapper Riding Mower driven by Leland W. Schweiss, 87, Holts Summit, was backing up and began to slide down a hill at 1650 Country Road 390.The driver was ejected when the mower overturned. The mower continued to roll and landed on top of him.Schweiss was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner's office. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported no additional details.

87-year-old man dies after riding mower lands on him

SIBLEY, Mo. (AP) — Sheriff’s deputies in suburban Kansas City are investigating the shooting death of a man in Sibley and say a woman has been arrested in the case.

The shooting happened Wednesday evening near the Homer’s Landing area, killing a 29-year-old man, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities have not released the names of the victim or woman arrested and have not released any details of the shooting.

Sibley is a village of about 400 people located a little more than 21 miles (33.8 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.

SIBLEY, Mo. (AP) — Sheriff’s deputies in suburban Kansas City are investigating the shooting death of a man in Sibley and say a woman has been arrested in the case.The shooting happened Wednesday evening near the Homer’s Landing area, killing a 29-year-old man, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities have not released the names of the victim or woman arrested and have not released any details of the shooting.Sibley is a village of about 400 people located a little more than 21 miles (33.8 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.

Deputies: Woman arrested for KC-area man's killing

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged aggravated battery in Manhattan involving a skateboard.

Just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police filed a report for aggravated battery near the intersection of N. 5th Street and Leavenworth Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 53-year-old man reported an unknown male suspect hit him in the head multiple times with a skateboard. 

The victim sustained injuries to his head but declined EMS. 

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged aggravated battery in Manhattan involving a skateboard.Just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police filed a report for aggravated battery near the intersection of N. 5th Street and Leavenworth Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 53-year-old man reported an unknown male suspect hit him in the head multiple times with a skateboard. The victim sustained injuries to his head but declined EMS. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police: 53-year-old Kan. man attacked with skateboard

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Wednesday that he will ask the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a historic 2019 ruling</a>&nbsp;declaring access to abortion a “fundamental right” under the state constitution.

Schmidt filed a notice Tuesday that he plans to appeal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-courts-ff4c5436e06fea121e773dd042bdc176">an April lower court ruling&nbsp;</a>striking down a a Kansas law banning a common second-trimester abortion procedure as “unconstitutional and unenforceable.” Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson’s decision was the first on abortion from a lower court since the 2019 decision from the state’s highest court.

Kansas has been unable to enforce its ban on what the law calls “dismemberment abortion” since it was enacted in 2015 because of a lawsuit from two abortion providers. The Supreme Court’s decision came in that lawsuit, but the justices returned the case to district court for further review of the ban.

The Republican-controlled Legislature earlier this year approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision. Voters will decide whether to approve it in the August 2022 primary election.

Schmidt, a Republican, criticized the 2019 decision as having “breathtaking” implications for state courts being able to “defeat democracy” on public policy issues. Schmidt is running for governor in 2022.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Wednesday that he will ask the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a historic 2019 ruling</a>&nbsp;declaring access to abortion a “fundamental right” under the state constitution.Schmidt filed a notice Tuesday that he plans to appeal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-courts-ff4c5436e06fea121e773dd042bdc176">an April lower court ruling&nbsp;</a>striking down a a Kansas law banning a common second-trimester abortion procedure as “unconstitutional and unenforceable.” Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson’s decision was the first on abortion from a lower court since the 2019 decision from the state’s highest court.Kansas has been unable to enforce its ban on what the law calls “dismemberment abortion” since it was enacted in 2015 because of a lawsuit from two abortion providers. The Supreme Court’s decision came in that lawsuit, but the justices returned the case to district court for further review of the ban.The Republican-controlled Legislature earlier this year approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision. Voters will decide whether to approve it in the August 2022 primary election.Schmidt, a Republican, criticized the 2019 decision as having “breathtaking” implications for state courts being able to “defeat democracy” on public policy issues. Schmidt is running for governor in 2022.

Kansas AG to appeal ruling blocking ban on abortion procedure

TOKYO (AP) — Fans were banned from the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics which will open in two weeks, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said after meeting with IOC and Japanese organizers on Thursday.

The ban came hours after a state of emergency in the capital starting from Monday, declared by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to contain rising COVID-19 cases.

The twin decisions have turned the Olympics into a made-for-TV event in a decision pushed by the Japanese government and supported by the International Olympic Committee.

“Many people were looking forward to watching the games at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” Koike said after the meeting.

Fans from aboard were banned months ago, and the new measures will clear venues around Tokyo — indoor and outdoor — of any fans at all.

The emergency declaration made for a rude arrival in Japan for IOC President Thomas Bach, who landed in Tokyo on Thursday just hours before the new measures were announced. He was to spend three days in self-isolation at the five-star hotel that lodges IOC members.

Suga said the state of emergency would go into effect on Monday and last through Aug. 22. This means the Olympics, opening on July 23 and running through Aug. 8, will be held entirely under emergency measures. The Paralympics open on Aug. 24.

“Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.

Suga, who had long favored fans, hinted at a no-fan Olympics in announcing the state of emergency.

“I have already said I won’t hesitate to have no spectators,” he added.

Just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC allowed venues to be filled to 50% of capacity but crowds not to exceed 10,000. The state of emergency has forced a late turnaround, which was always an option if infections got worse.

“We will have to consider the option of no spectators,” Marukawa said in opening remarks with the IOC and others as they went into meetings to discuss a ban on fans.

The main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the games on TV from home.

“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.

The present state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 896 new cases on Thursday, up from 673 a week earlier. It’s the 19th straight day that cases have topped the mark set seven days prior. New cases on Wednesday hit 920, the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.

The no-fan atmosphere will include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium, which is traditionally the most watched event during the Olympics.

“It’s not too late. Cancel or postpone it,” said Yukio Edano, the head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party to Suga’s LDP

The uptick in infections has also forced the Tokyo city government to pull the Olympic torch relay off capital streets, allowing it to run only on remote islands off the Tokyo coast. It’s unclear how the torch will enter the stadium for the opening ceremony.

“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, said.

He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics, with summer vacations approaching.

Omi has repeatedly called for a ban on spectators, and has said it’s “abnormal” to hold the Olympics during a pandemic.

Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.

“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose $3 billion to $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.

About 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians are expected to enter Japan, with tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, sponsors, broadcasters, and media also entering. The IOC says more than 80% of resident of the Olympic Village will be vaccinated.

Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared with 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan is set to place Tokyo under a state of emergency that would last through the Olympics, fearing an ongoing COVID-19 surge will multiply during the Games.

At a meeting with experts Thursday morning, government officials proposed a plan to issue a state of emergency in Tokyo from next Monday to Aug. 22. The Summer Olympics, already delayed a year by the pandemic, begin July 23 and close Aug. 8.

The Games already will take place without foreign spectators, but the planned six-week state of emergency likely ends chances of a local audience. A decision about fans is expected later Thursday when local organizers meet with the International Olympic Committee and other representatives.

Tokyo is currently under less-stringent measures that focus on shortened hours for bars and restaurants but have proven less effective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to formally announce the emergency plans later Thursday, hours after IOC President Thomas Bach was to land in Tokyo. Bach must self-isolate for three days in the IOC’s five-star hotel in the Japanese capital before heading to Hiroshima, where heavy rain is threatening flooding.

The upcoming emergency will be the fourth for Tokyo since the pandemic began and is a last-minute change of plan made late Wednesday after a meeting with experts who warned strongly against the government’s soft approach.

A main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the Games on TV from home.

Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on May 13. The figure is in line with experts’ earlier estimate that daily cases in Tokyo could hit 1,000 before the Games and could spike into thousands in August.

Kazuhiro Tateta, a Toho University infectious diseases expert, noted an earlier state of emergency in the spring came too late to prevent hospitals in Osaka from overflowing with patients and said another delay should not be allowed.

Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, noted that two-thirds of Japan’s cases are from the Tokyo region and “our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas.”

Experts also noted cases among younger, unvaccinated people are rising as Japan’s inoculation drive loses steam due to supply uncertainty.

TOKYO (AP) — Fans were banned from the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics which will open in two weeks, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said after meeting with IOC and Japanese organizers on Thursday.The ban came hours after a state of emergency in the capital starting from Monday, declared by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to contain rising COVID-19 cases.The twin decisions have turned the Olympics into a made-for-TV event in a decision pushed by the Japanese government and supported by the International Olympic Committee.“Many people were looking forward to watching the games at the venues, but I would like everyone to fully enjoy watching the games on TV at home,” Koike said after the meeting.Fans from aboard were banned months ago, and the new measures will clear venues around Tokyo — indoor and outdoor — of any fans at all.The emergency declaration made for a rude arrival in Japan for IOC President Thomas Bach, who landed in Tokyo on Thursday just hours before the new measures were announced. He was to spend three days in self-isolation at the five-star hotel that lodges IOC members.Suga said the state of emergency would go into effect on Monday and last through Aug. 22. This means the Olympics, opening on July 23 and running through Aug. 8, will be held entirely under emergency measures. The Paralympics open on Aug. 24.“Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.Suga, who had long favored fans, hinted at a no-fan Olympics in announcing the state of emergency.“I have already said I won’t hesitate to have no spectators,” he added.Just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC allowed venues to be filled to 50% of capacity but crowds not to exceed 10,000. The state of emergency has forced a late turnaround, which was always an option if infections got worse.“We will have to consider the option of no spectators,” Marukawa said in opening remarks with the IOC and others as they went into meetings to discuss a ban on fans.The main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the games on TV from home.“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.The present state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 896 new cases on Thursday, up from 673 a week earlier. It’s the 19th straight day that cases have topped the mark set seven days prior. New cases on Wednesday hit 920, the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.The no-fan atmosphere will include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium, which is traditionally the most watched event during the Olympics.“It’s not too late. Cancel or postpone it,” said Yukio Edano, the head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party to Suga’s LDPThe uptick in infections has also forced the Tokyo city government to pull the Olympic torch relay off capital streets, allowing it to run only on remote islands off the Tokyo coast. It’s unclear how the torch will enter the stadium for the opening ceremony.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, said.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics, with summer vacations approaching.Omi has repeatedly called for a ban on spectators, and has said it’s “abnormal” to hold the Olympics during a pandemic.Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose $3 billion to $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.About 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians are expected to enter Japan, with tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, sponsors, broadcasters, and media also entering. The IOC says more than 80% of resident of the Olympic Village will be vaccinated.Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared with 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.___TOKYO (AP) — Japan is set to place Tokyo under a state of emergency that would last through the Olympics, fearing an ongoing COVID-19 surge will multiply during the Games.At a meeting with experts Thursday morning, government officials proposed a plan to issue a state of emergency in Tokyo from next Monday to Aug. 22. The Summer Olympics, already delayed a year by the pandemic, begin July 23 and close Aug. 8.The Games already will take place without foreign spectators, but the planned six-week state of emergency likely ends chances of a local audience. A decision about fans is expected later Thursday when local organizers meet with the International Olympic Committee and other representatives.Tokyo is currently under less-stringent measures that focus on shortened hours for bars and restaurants but have proven less effective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is to formally announce the emergency plans later Thursday, hours after IOC President Thomas Bach was to land in Tokyo. Bach must self-isolate for three days in the IOC’s five-star hotel in the Japanese capital before heading to Hiroshima, where heavy rain is threatening flooding.The upcoming emergency will be the fourth for Tokyo since the pandemic began and is a last-minute change of plan made late Wednesday after a meeting with experts who warned strongly against the government’s soft approach.A main focus of the emergency is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving alcohol to close. A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the Games on TV from home.“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last week and its highest since 1,010 on May 13. The figure is in line with experts’ earlier estimate that daily cases in Tokyo could hit 1,000 before the Games and could spike into thousands in August.Kazuhiro Tateta, a Toho University infectious diseases expert, noted an earlier state of emergency in the spring came too late to prevent hospitals in Osaka from overflowing with patients and said another delay should not be allowed.Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, noted that two-thirds of Japan’s cases are from the Tokyo region and “our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas.”Experts also noted cases among younger, unvaccinated people are rising as Japan’s inoculation drive loses steam due to supply uncertainty.Just 15% of Japanese are fully vaccinated, low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain. Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 infections and nearly 14,900 deaths.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, told reporters.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching. “The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.-------------TOKYO (AP) — Surging COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.The pandemic-delayed Olympics open in just over two weeks on July 23.IOC President Thomas Bach is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday, when he will be greeted by the rising cases as he self-isolates for three days in the International Olympic Committee’s five-star hotel in the capital.A new state of emergency could lead to a ban even on local fans. That decision on fans is expected Friday when local organizers meet with the IOC and others.The present quasi-state of emergency ends Sunday. Tokyo reported 920 new cases on Wednesday, up from 714 last Wednesday. It is the highest total since 1,010 were reported on May 13.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with key ministers to discuss virus measures and reportedly is considering reinstating a state of emergency in the capital until Aug. 22. The Olympics end on Aug. 8.Suga did not confirm the report but noted Tokyo’s upsurge and vowed “to do everything we can to prevent the further spread of the infections.”Suga said he would make a final decision Thursday after consulting with a panel of experts.Fans from abroad were banned from attending the Olympics months ago. But just two weeks ago, organizers and the IOC decided to allow venues to be filed to 50% of capacity but not to exceed 10,000.The soaring cases are likely to mean that venues will be without any fans, although sponsors and others may have access. The no-fan atmosphere could include the opening ceremony at the $1.4 billion National Stadium.“The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, told reporters.He urged authorities to quickly take tough measures ahead of the Olympics with summer vacations approaching.“The period from July to September is the most critical time for Japan’s COVID-19 measures,” Omi said.Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that she expects the government to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo, a fourth for the capital since the pandemic began early last year.Separately, a government COVID-19 advisory panel met Wednesday and expressed concerns about the ongoing resurgence of the infections.“Two-thirds of the infections in the capital region are from Tokyo, and our concern is the spread of the infections to neighboring areas,” said Ryuji Wakita, director-general of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement of 15 months stalled the IOC’s income flow. It gets almost 75% of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose between $3 billion and $4 billion if the Olympics were canceled.Nationwide, Japan has had about 810,000 cases and nearly 14,900 deaths. Only 15% of the Japanese are fully vaccinated, still low compared to 47.4% in the United States and almost 50% in Britain.