RENO COUNTY — A&nbsp; Kansas man riding a bicycle died in an accident just after 8p.m. Thursday in Hutchinson.

A Hyundai Tucson driven by 56-year-old Laurie Hinderliter of Hutchinson was northbound on Severance Street and struck 46-year-old Heath Volkman of Hutchinson on his bicycle at the 10th Street intersection, according to Hutchinson Police Capt. Michael Collins, 

Volkman was pronounced dead at the scene. Hinderliter was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center to be checked out and was later released.

The Hutchinson Police traffic unit continues to investigate the accident.

RENO COUNTY — A&nbsp; Kansas man riding a bicycle died in an accident just after 8p.m. Thursday in Hutchinson.A Hyundai Tucson driven by 56-year-old Laurie Hinderliter of Hutchinson was northbound on Severance Street and struck 46-year-old Heath Volkman of Hutchinson on his bicycle at the 10th Street intersection, according to Hutchinson Police Capt. Michael Collins, Volkman was pronounced dead at the scene. Hinderliter was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center to be checked out and was later released.The Hutchinson Police traffic unit continues to investigate the accident.

Kansas bicyclist killed after struck by SUV in Hutchinson

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for an alleged altercation with a family member.

Just after 9p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the north part of Garden City for a reported battery, according to a media release.

Investigators learned that a suspect identified as21-year-old Joshua Russell of Garden City was at home with a family member when he suddenly became angry and began pushing the family member and damaging property.

 In an attempt to calm him down, the family member drove Russell around town. While driving around town, Russell allegedly punched the family member several times. The family member attempted to get out of the vehicle, but Russell allegedly threatened harm against them if they did not stay. That is when police became involved. 

After arriving back at the residence, Russell exited the vehicle, and the family member was able to drive away and notify police.

Officers searched the area and located Russell hiding outside of his residence and took him Russell into custody without incident.&nbsp;

He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Criminal Damage, according to police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659631330324.png" alt="Russell-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Russell-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for an alleged altercation with a family member.Just after 9p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the north part of Garden City for a reported battery, according to a media release.Investigators learned that a suspect identified as21-year-old Joshua Russell of Garden City was at home with a family member when he suddenly became angry and began pushing the family member and damaging property. In an attempt to calm him down, the family member drove Russell around town. While driving around town, Russell allegedly punched the family member several times. The family member attempted to get out of the vehicle, but Russell allegedly threatened harm against them if they did not stay. That is when police became involved. After arriving back at the residence, Russell exited the vehicle, and the family member was able to drive away and notify police.Officers searched the area and located Russell hiding outside of his residence and took him Russell into custody without incident.&nbsp;He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Criminal Damage, according to police.

SW Kan. man jailed for allegedly kidnapping family member

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman has sued Equifax claiming she was denied a car loan because of a 130-point mistake in her credit report that she says was part of a larger group of credit score errors the ratings agency made this spring due to a coding problem.

The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Atlanta on behalf of Nydia Jenkins and potentially millions of others who applied for credit during a three-week period earlier this year. The Jacksonville, Florida woman was forced to accept another, less favorable loan that was $150 per month more than the one she was turned down for because of the error, according to the lawsuit.

Credit scores provide lenders with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finra.org/investors/personal-finance/how-your-credit-score-impacts-your-financial-future#:~:text=A%20credit%20score%20is%20usually,the%20time%20of%20your%20application.">a picture</a>&nbsp;of how a big a risk a borrower is, and they typically range from 300 to 850 points, with a higher score usually resulting in better terms for people applying for mortgages, auto loans or mortgages. The lawsuit says the errors violated federal law that governs credit reporting agencies.

“In the modern economy, millions of Americans rely on credit to make the most important purchases of their lives, from homes to cars to appliances and everything in between," John Morgan and John Yanchunis, the attorneys representing Jenkins, said in a statement. “We believe that many of the people impacted – some of whom may still be unaware of what happened – suffered severe financial consequences."

The errors occurred over three weeks from mid-March to early April. An analysis Equifax conducted shows that there was no shift in a majority of credit scores, and for those who did experience a change, only a small number would have received a different credit decision, Equifax said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

“While the score may have shifted, a score shift does not necessarily mean that a consumer’s credit decision was negatively impacted," the Equifax statement said.

Equifax said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.equifax.com/newsroom/all-news/-/story/equifax-statement-on-recent-coding-issue/">another statement</a>&nbsp;earlier this week that the problems stemmed from a coding issue that “resulted in the potential miscalculation of certain attributes used in model calculations." In that statement, the firm said less than 300,000 consumers had a score shift of 25 points or more.

“Again, we do not take this issue lightly," Equifax said.

Besides seeking an undisclosed amount of damages “to the fullest extent allowable by law," the lawsuit is asking for an audit to identify which customers' credit scores were affected; money for credit repair services; and the establishment of a fund to reimburse customers for any out-of-pocket expenses they incurred from the errors.

In 2017, hackers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-3e135a3f5b1941a48a9cb9692950d11e">broke into</a>&nbsp;Equifax in a breach that exposed the financial information of 147 million Americans. A federal court in 2020 approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/admin/services/connectedapps.cms.extensions/1.0.0.0/927686a8-4491-4976-bc7b-83cccaa34de0_1033_EFX_Final_Approval_Order_(1.13.2020).pdf">a $380 million settlement</a>&nbsp;of class actions lawsuits, with no finding or judgment of wrongdoing made. The settlement required Equifax to invest a minimum $1 billion over five years on data security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617904996533.jpeg" alt="Image FTC" />
 <figcaption>Image FTC</figcaption>
 </figure>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman has sued Equifax claiming she was denied a car loan because of a 130-point mistake in her credit report that she says was part of a larger group of credit score errors the ratings agency made this spring due to a coding problem.The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Atlanta on behalf of Nydia Jenkins and potentially millions of others who applied for credit during a three-week period earlier this year. The Jacksonville, Florida woman was forced to accept another, less favorable loan that was $150 per month more than the one she was turned down for because of the error, according to the lawsuit.Credit scores provide lenders with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finra.org/investors/personal-finance/how-your-credit-score-impacts-your-financial-future#:~:text=A%20credit%20score%20is%20usually,the%20time%20of%20your%20application.">a picture</a>&nbsp;of how a big a risk a borrower is, and they typically range from 300 to 850 points, with a higher score usually resulting in better terms for people applying for mortgages, auto loans or mortgages. The lawsuit says the errors violated federal law that governs credit reporting agencies.“In the modern economy, millions of Americans rely on credit to make the most important purchases of their lives, from homes to cars to appliances and everything in between," John Morgan and John Yanchunis, the attorneys representing Jenkins, said in a statement. “We believe that many of the people impacted – some of whom may still be unaware of what happened – suffered severe financial consequences."The errors occurred over three weeks from mid-March to early April. An analysis Equifax conducted shows that there was no shift in a majority of credit scores, and for those who did experience a change, only a small number would have received a different credit decision, Equifax said in an emailed statement on Thursday.“While the score may have shifted, a score shift does not necessarily mean that a consumer’s credit decision was negatively impacted," the Equifax statement said.Equifax said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.equifax.com/newsroom/all-news/-/story/equifax-statement-on-recent-coding-issue/">another statement</a>&nbsp;earlier this week that the problems stemmed from a coding issue that “resulted in the potential miscalculation of certain attributes used in model calculations." In that statement, the firm said less than 300,000 consumers had a score shift of 25 points or more.“Again, we do not take this issue lightly," Equifax said.Besides seeking an undisclosed amount of damages “to the fullest extent allowable by law," the lawsuit is asking for an audit to identify which customers' credit scores were affected; money for credit repair services; and the establishment of a fund to reimburse customers for any out-of-pocket expenses they incurred from the errors.In 2017, hackers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-3e135a3f5b1941a48a9cb9692950d11e">broke into</a>&nbsp;Equifax in a breach that exposed the financial information of 147 million Americans. A federal court in 2020 approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/admin/services/connectedapps.cms.extensions/1.0.0.0/927686a8-4491-4976-bc7b-83cccaa34de0_1033_EFX_Final_Approval_Order_(1.13.2020).pdf">a $380 million settlement</a>&nbsp;of class actions lawsuits, with no finding or judgment of wrongdoing made. The settlement required Equifax to invest a minimum $1 billion over five years on data security.___

Equifax issued wrong credit scores for millions of consumers

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities issued a public safety bulletin after a police officer was hospitalized following a traffic stop.

Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, police in Osawatomie conducted a traffic stop in the 800 Block of First Street, according to Police Chief David Stuteville.

During the encounter with suspects an officer became ill and disoriented, exhibiting symptoms consistent with high level opioid exposure.&nbsp; EMS transported the officer to Olathe Medical Center for treatment of potential opioid poisoning.&nbsp;

As of Thursday afternoon, the officer was still receiving treatment and recovering, according to Stuteville.

Police arrested one suspect on requested charges of possession of controlled substances, certain stimulants, DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Upon further investigation, the unknown substance was field tested with a positive result for fentanyl, according to Stuteville. A small dose of only 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Fentanyl may commonly occur through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. Symptoms of exposure include shallow breathing, confusion, lessened alertness and loss of consciousness, according to the police department. Contact emergency services immediately if you suspect an exposure.

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities issued a public safety bulletin after a police officer was hospitalized following a traffic stop.Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, police in Osawatomie conducted a traffic stop in the 800 Block of First Street, according to Police Chief David Stuteville.During the encounter with suspects an officer became ill and disoriented, exhibiting symptoms consistent with high level opioid exposure.&nbsp; EMS transported the officer to Olathe Medical Center for treatment of potential opioid poisoning.&nbsp;As of Thursday afternoon, the officer was still receiving treatment and recovering, according to Stuteville.Police arrested one suspect on requested charges of possession of controlled substances, certain stimulants, DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Upon further investigation, the unknown substance was field tested with a positive result for fentanyl, according to Stuteville. A small dose of only 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Fentanyl may commonly occur through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. Symptoms of exposure include shallow breathing, confusion, lessened alertness and loss of consciousness, according to the police department. Contact emergency services immediately if you suspect an exposure.

Kansas officer exposed to fentanyl during traffic stop

Washington, D.C.—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall went to the Senate floor Thursday and asked for unanimous consent to pass two of bills aimed at halting risky gain-of-function (GoF) research sponsored by the U.S. federal government.

The first bill, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-marshall-legislation-to-halt-viral-gain-of-function-research/" target="_blank">Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act</a>, would place a moratorium on all federal research grants to universities and other organizations conducting GoF research and risky research on potential pandemic pathogens.

The second bill, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/TAM22E15.pdf" target="_blank">SAFE Risky Research Act</a>, would target GoF research taking place in countries of concern. Both pieces of Senator Marshall’s legislation were blocked by Senate Democrats.&nbsp;

While speaking about the Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act, Senator Marshall said in part,

“It is disturbing that one of our top public health agencies directed this risky research to be offshored while encouraging the pause in that exact same research in the U.S…&nbsp;Despite warnings and past lab accidents, our public health agencies like NIH continue to fund the WMD research, often in China nonetheless…&nbsp;Shockingly, Congress has minimal insight into the amount of this research at NIH. There is no transparency into their risk evaluation process… This is a national security issue… We must pause this research until national security experts can help create appropriate risk metrics, guardrails and processes for this research…”

While speaking about the SAFE Risky Research Act, Senator Marshall said in part,

“If my colleagues do not agree with placing a full moratorium on gain of function research, I ask for unanimous consent to adopt the SAFE Risky Research Act, which stops federal funds from being used to conduct risky research with countries that threaten our democracy and public health…&nbsp;This legislation is commonsense. We shouldn’t be collaborating on dangerous research with our adversaries… Given the inherent risk, NIH’s unwillingness to fully cooperate with congressional oversight, and Senate Democrats objection to taking the needed step of placing a complete moratorium on gain of function research, we must at least pass this narrow approach today.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659695496456.png" alt="Senator Marshall showing how the COVID virus evolved through Gain of Function" />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall showing how the COVID virus evolved through Gain of Function</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.—&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall went to the Senate floor Thursday and asked for unanimous consent to pass two of bills aimed at halting risky gain-of-function (GoF) research sponsored by the U.S. federal government. The first bill, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-marshall-legislation-to-halt-viral-gain-of-function-research/" target="_blank">Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act</a>, would place a moratorium on all federal research grants to universities and other organizations conducting GoF research and risky research on potential pandemic pathogens. The second bill, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/TAM22E15.pdf" target="_blank">SAFE Risky Research Act</a>, would target GoF research taking place in countries of concern. Both pieces of Senator Marshall’s legislation were blocked by Senate Democrats.&nbsp;While speaking about the Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act, Senator Marshall said in part,“It is disturbing that one of our top public health agencies directed this risky research to be offshored while encouraging the pause in that exact same research in the U.S…&nbsp;Despite warnings and past lab accidents, our public health agencies like NIH continue to fund the WMD research, often in China nonetheless…&nbsp;Shockingly, Congress has minimal insight into the amount of this research at NIH. There is no transparency into their risk evaluation process… This is a national security issue… We must pause this research until national security experts can help create appropriate risk metrics, guardrails and processes for this research…”While speaking about the SAFE Risky Research Act, Senator Marshall said in part,“If my colleagues do not agree with placing a full moratorium on gain of function research, I ask for unanimous consent to adopt the SAFE Risky Research Act, which stops federal funds from being used to conduct risky research with countries that threaten our democracy and public health…&nbsp;This legislation is commonsense. We shouldn’t be collaborating on dangerous research with our adversaries… Given the inherent risk, NIH’s unwillingness to fully cooperate with congressional oversight, and Senate Democrats objection to taking the needed step of placing a complete moratorium on gain of function research, we must at least pass this narrow approach today.”

🎥Dems block Marshall’s bills to stop risky gain-of-function research 

GREENWOOD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 10p.m. Thursday in Greenwood County.

The patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on U.S 54 twenty miles east of U.S. 77. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle head-on.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available

GREENWOOD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 10p.m. Thursday in Greenwood County.The patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on U.S 54 twenty miles east of U.S. 77. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle head-on.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available

KHP investigating fatal head-on crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities are investigating vandalism at Evergreen Park, 2700 Woodland N, in Wichita.

Just after 12:30a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a black car drove through the park and a passenger in the vehicle threw a mortar shell out the window starting a grass fire on the west side of the park, according to a social media report Wichita Parks and Recreation.

The Fire Department put out the fire. If you recognize this vehicle or have any information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or online at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217&amp;fbclid=IwAR1wwB7lWDpP5WkQvZLOXpbdDEIiU13jeZdA5XXUmUauBldGkTCXKkiMl74" target="_blank">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659651026658.png" alt="Photos Wichita Parks and Rec" />
 <figcaption>Photos Wichita Parks and Rec</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities are investigating vandalism at Evergreen Park, 2700 Woodland N, in Wichita.Just after 12:30a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a black car drove through the park and a passenger in the vehicle threw a mortar shell out the window starting a grass fire on the west side of the park, according to a social media report Wichita Parks and Recreation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659650995987.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Fire Department put out the fire. If you recognize this vehicle or have any information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or online at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217&amp;fbclid=IwAR1wwB7lWDpP5WkQvZLOXpbdDEIiU13jeZdA5XXUmUauBldGkTCXKkiMl74" target="_blank">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217</a>.&nbsp;

Police: Mortar shell started grass fire at Kansas park

SALINE COUNTY —Less than nine months since breaking ground, Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) is thrilled to announce the opening their new exhibit, Pride of the Prairie, on Friday, according to a media release from the park.

Mimicking the savanna grasslands of Africa, the native tall grass prairies of Kansas served as the inspiration for Rolling Hills Zoo’s new African lion experience which encompasses nearly 20,000 sq. ft. This new exhibit doubles the size of the lions’ original outdoor yard and includes a massive visitors’ cave, a new indoor habitat and additional off-exhibit housing.

From inside the immersive rocky cave guests will experience face-to-face encounters with the lion pride from the safety of the cave’s viewing area. A special training window inside the cave will allow guests to be just feet away as animal care staff safely perform daily husbandry with the lions, all part of the exemplary care given to each animal at the zoo.

Another exciting feature of The Pride of the Prairie will be additional housing to introduce a male to the zoo’s pride. This building has four giant viewing windows where guests can observe the lion as it is safely introduced to the pride. In the future this space will serve as a den for a lioness and her cubs during their first few months of life, offering guests a “first look” of the new offspring.

Unlike any other lion habitats in Kansas, The Pride of the Prairie provides a high “cliff like” vantage point for the lions to ascend as they keep a watchful eye on their domain, mimicking behaviors in their native savanna.

The new Pride of the Prairie habitat ensures that Rolling Hills Zoo continues to exceed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ high standard of care for African lions by doubling their outdoor space.

“The support for this project is nothing short of amazing, and I’m really excited to see the Pride of the Prairie enjoyed by zoo visitors and our lions for years to come,” shared Ryan VanZant, RHZ executive director, on the opening of the new lion experience.

The lead gift for the new Pride of the Prairie exhibit was donated by Bill Graves and Martha Graves Reese of the William H. Graves Family Foundation. This gift provided a one-to-one challenge to fully fund the project. Thanks to contributions of literally hundreds of donors, businesses and foundations who stepped up to the challenge, Rolling Hills Zoo’s new Pride of the Prairie exhibit will open to the public in August.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659558468950.jpeg" alt="Experience a different way to view the lions at Rolling Hills Zoo when Pride of the Prairie opens Friday. Photo Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Experience a different way to view the lions at Rolling Hills Zoo when Pride of the Prairie opens Friday. Photo Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Less than nine months since breaking ground, Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) is thrilled to announce the opening their new exhibit, Pride of the Prairie, on Friday, according to a media release from the park.Mimicking the savanna grasslands of Africa, the native tall grass prairies of Kansas served as the inspiration for Rolling Hills Zoo’s new African lion experience which encompasses nearly 20,000 sq. ft. This new exhibit doubles the size of the lions’ original outdoor yard and includes a massive visitors’ cave, a new indoor habitat and additional off-exhibit housing.From inside the immersive rocky cave guests will experience face-to-face encounters with the lion pride from the safety of the cave’s viewing area. A special training window inside the cave will allow guests to be just feet away as animal care staff safely perform daily husbandry with the lions, all part of the exemplary care given to each animal at the zoo.Another exciting feature of The Pride of the Prairie will be additional housing to introduce a male to the zoo’s pride. This building has four giant viewing windows where guests can observe the lion as it is safely introduced to the pride. In the future this space will serve as a den for a lioness and her cubs during their first few months of life, offering guests a “first look” of the new offspring.Unlike any other lion habitats in Kansas, The Pride of the Prairie provides a high “cliff like” vantage point for the lions to ascend as they keep a watchful eye on their domain, mimicking behaviors in their native savanna.The new Pride of the Prairie habitat ensures that Rolling Hills Zoo continues to exceed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ high standard of care for African lions by doubling their outdoor space.“The support for this project is nothing short of amazing, and I’m really excited to see the Pride of the Prairie enjoyed by zoo visitors and our lions for years to come,” shared Ryan VanZant, RHZ executive director, on the opening of the new lion experience.The lead gift for the new Pride of the Prairie exhibit was donated by Bill Graves and Martha Graves Reese of the William H. Graves Family Foundation. This gift provided a one-to-one challenge to fully fund the project. Thanks to contributions of literally hundreds of donors, businesses and foundations who stepped up to the challenge, Rolling Hills Zoo’s new Pride of the Prairie exhibit will open to the public in August.

New lion exhibit opens Friday at Kansas zoo

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities have charged a man accused of taking a weapon with him to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Jerod Thomas Bargar, 36, of Centralia, Missouri, was arrested Wednesday in Osage Beach, Missouri, the U.S. Justice Department said. He was charged with entering a restricted building or grounds with a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds or buildings, along with related misdemeanors.

Bargar is the 23rd Missourian charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article264157891.html">reported</a>. He is not accused of entering the Capitol building.

Federal documents allege Bargar took a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol with him to a rally and then to the Capitol. Bargar did not have a license to carry a weapon in the District of Columbia.

A police officer found the weapon on the ground a few minutes after protesters broke through police lines on the west side of the Capitol, according to court documents.

Authorities traced the pistol to Bargar, who said he lost it after protesters were sprayed with tear gas and he tried to help a woman who had fallen.

It was not immediately clear if Bargar has an attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659648140354.png" alt="Bargar photo Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Bargar photo Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities have charged a man accused of taking a weapon with him to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.Jerod Thomas Bargar, 36, of Centralia, Missouri, was arrested Wednesday in Osage Beach, Missouri, the U.S. Justice Department said. He was charged with entering a restricted building or grounds with a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds or buildings, along with related misdemeanors.Bargar is the 23rd Missourian charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article264157891.html">reported</a>. He is not accused of entering the Capitol building.Federal documents allege Bargar took a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol with him to a rally and then to the Capitol. Bargar did not have a license to carry a weapon in the District of Columbia.A police officer found the weapon on the ground a few minutes after protesters broke through police lines on the west side of the Capitol, according to court documents.Authorities traced the pistol to Bargar, who said he lost it after protesters were sprayed with tear gas and he tried to help a woman who had fallen.It was not immediately clear if Bargar has an attorney.

Man charged with bringing gun to the Capitol on Jan. 6

ANKENY, Iowa (AP)-Three family members killed during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/79dc29d592802e9f3cade5c093aa4559">a shooting last month</a>&nbsp;at an eastern Iowa state park were shot, stabbed and/or strangled, according to autopsy results released Thursday.

Tyler Schmidt, 42, died from a gunshot wound and “multiple sharp force injuries,” while his wife, 42-year-old Sarah Schmidt, died from multiple sharp force injuries, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release. Their 6-year-old daughter, Lula Schmidt, died from a gunshot wound and strangulation, officials said.

All three family members’ deaths have been ruled homicides. The Schmidts’ 9-year-old son, who was with his family on the camping trip, survived the attack without physical injuries, but investigators have not said whether he was in the tent when the attack happened.

The department confirmed Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-iowa-42188f51e0f9ee5fc2ab3512d9949b37">the killer was Anthony Sherwin</a>, 23, of LaVista, Nebraska, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the family was attacked early on the morning of July 22 in their tent at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground. Sherwin was at the park camping with his parents at the time of the attack, according to police and Sherwin's mother.

Investigators said all evidence collected substantiates that Sherwin acted alone, but police have not indicated a motive in the killings. The release said no further information would be released Thursday. Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Department of Public Safety’s division of criminal investigation, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Police who swarmed the park about 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of Des Moines in the wake of the shooting found Sherwin’s body outside the campground but within a wooded area of the park.

Sherwin’s mother, Cecilia Sherwin, told The Associated Press in the days after the shooting that she and her husband were devastated by attack on the Schmidts and by the loss of their son, whom she described as kind, sensitive, an exceptional student and an aspiring businessman.

Cecilia Sherwin said in an email Sunday to the AP that her family had recently made the decision to become gun owners only after a number of recent crimes and disturbances while camping previously.

“Neither I, my husband, nor Anthony had any experience with handguns before this year,” she said. “We took classes and joined a range. Anthony was very responsible and showed no interest in hurting anyone and never hurt an animal in his life.”

A memorial to celebrate the lives of the Schmidts was held Tuesday in their hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, drawing about 200 people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658666100699.png" alt="Tyler and Sarah Schmidt lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for a time, where Sarah worked at the University of Kansas. Tyler was an IT software engineer.-Photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Tyler and Sarah Schmidt lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for a time, where Sarah worked at the University of Kansas. Tyler was an IT software engineer.-Photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>ANKENY, Iowa (AP)-Three family members killed during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/79dc29d592802e9f3cade5c093aa4559">a shooting last month</a>&nbsp;at an eastern Iowa state park were shot, stabbed and/or strangled, according to autopsy results released Thursday.Tyler Schmidt, 42, died from a gunshot wound and “multiple sharp force injuries,” while his wife, 42-year-old Sarah Schmidt, died from multiple sharp force injuries, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release. Their 6-year-old daughter, Lula Schmidt, died from a gunshot wound and strangulation, officials said.All three family members’ deaths have been ruled homicides. The Schmidts’ 9-year-old son, who was with his family on the camping trip, survived the attack without physical injuries, but investigators have not said whether he was in the tent when the attack happened.The department confirmed Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-iowa-42188f51e0f9ee5fc2ab3512d9949b37">the killer was Anthony Sherwin</a>, 23, of LaVista, Nebraska, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the family was attacked early on the morning of July 22 in their tent at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground. Sherwin was at the park camping with his parents at the time of the attack, according to police and Sherwin's mother.Investigators said all evidence collected substantiates that Sherwin acted alone, but police have not indicated a motive in the killings. The release said no further information would be released Thursday. Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Department of Public Safety’s division of criminal investigation, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.Police who swarmed the park about 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of Des Moines in the wake of the shooting found Sherwin’s body outside the campground but within a wooded area of the park.Sherwin’s mother, Cecilia Sherwin, told The Associated Press in the days after the shooting that she and her husband were devastated by attack on the Schmidts and by the loss of their son, whom she described as kind, sensitive, an exceptional student and an aspiring businessman.Cecilia Sherwin said in an email Sunday to the AP that her family had recently made the decision to become gun owners only after a number of recent crimes and disturbances while camping previously.“Neither I, my husband, nor Anthony had any experience with handguns before this year,” she said. “We took classes and joined a range. Anthony was very responsible and showed no interest in hurting anyone and never hurt an animal in his life.”A memorial to celebrate the lives of the Schmidts was held Tuesday in their hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, drawing about 200 people.

Autopsy: Former Kan. family killed at Iowa park shot, stabbed, strangled

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a domestic incident that injured a police officer.

On August 1, police responded with Osage County EMS to the 500 block of North 4th street in Carbondale due to reports of a domestic battery, according to a media release.

 Upon arriving to the residence officers made contact with the victim who reported the female suspect had left the scene. During the investigation the woman returned to, and attempted to enter, the residence. When an officer attempted to stop her from entering, she assaulted the officer.

The suspect identified as 27-year-old Ashley RaeAnn Morris was taken into custody on requested charges of Domestic Battery and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer

A second individual at the residence, Aaron Michael Lewis, 29, was also taken into custody on an outstanding Osage County warrant.

EMS checked Morris and the officer. Both suspects are being held in the Osage County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659638328771.png" alt="Lewis-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Lewis-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a domestic incident that injured a police officer.On August 1, police responded with Osage County EMS to the 500 block of North 4th street in Carbondale due to reports of a domestic battery, according to a media release. Upon arriving to the residence officers made contact with the victim who reported the female suspect had left the scene. During the investigation the woman returned to, and attempted to enter, the residence. When an officer attempted to stop her from entering, she assaulted the officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659638227291.png" alt="Morris photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Morris photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect identified as 27-year-old Ashley RaeAnn Morris was taken into custody on requested charges of Domestic Battery and Battery on a Law Enforcement OfficerA second individual at the residence, Aaron Michael Lewis, 29, was also taken into custody on an outstanding Osage County warrant.EMS checked Morris and the officer. Both suspects are being held in the Osage County Jail.

Kansas battery suspect accused of attacking police officer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government declared a public health emergency Thursday to bolster the response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/monkeypox">monkeypox</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/monkeypox">outbreak</a>&nbsp;that has infected more <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html">than 6,600 Americans.</a>

The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.

“We are prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” said Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The declaration by HHS comes as the Biden administration has faced criticism over monkeypox vaccine availability. Clinics in major cities such as New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot vaccine to meet demand, and some have had to stop offering the second dose to ensure supply of first doses.

The White House said it has made more than 1.1 million doses available and has helped to boost domestic diagnostic capacity to 80,000 tests per week.

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing. The people who have gotten sick so far have been primarily men who have sex with men. But health officials emphasize that the virus can infect anyone.

Earlier this week, the Biden administration named top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House coordinators to combat monkeypox.

Thursday's declaration is an important — and overdue — step, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University.

“It signals the U.S. government’s seriousness and purpose, and sounds a global alarm,” he said.

Under the declaration, HHS can draw from emergency funds, hire or reassign staff to deal with the outbreak and take other steps to control the virus.

For example, the announcement should help the federal government to seek more information from state and local health officials about who is becoming infected and who is being vaccinated. That information can be used to better understand how the outbreak is unfolding and how well the vaccine works.

Gostin said the U.S. government has been too cautious and should have declared a nationwide emergency earlier. Public health measures to control outbreaks have increasingly faced legal challenges in recent years, but Gostin didn’t expect that to happen with monkeypox.

“It is a textbook case of a public health emergency,” Gostin said. “It’s not a red or a blue state issue. There is no political opposition to fighting monkeypox.”

A public health emergency can be extended, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.

The urgency in the current response stems from the rapid spread of the virus coupled with the limited availability of the two-dose vaccine called Jynneos, which is considered the main medical weapon against the disease.

The doses, given 28 days apart, are currently being given to people soon after they think they were exposed, as a measure to prevent symptoms.

Becerra announced the emergency declaration during a call with reporters. During the call, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf said regulators are reviewing an approach that would stretch supplies by allowing health professionals to vaccinate up to five people — instead of one — with each vial of Jynneos.

Under this so-called “dose-sparing” approach, physicians and others would use a shallower injection under the skin, instead of the subcutaneous injection currently recommended in the vaccine’s labeling.

Califf said a decision authorizing that approach could come “within days.”

That would require another declaration, to allow the government to alter its guidelines on how to administer the vaccine, officials said.

Health officials pointed to a study published in 2015 that found that Jynneos vaccine administered that way was as effective at stimulating the immune system as when the needle plunger deeper into other tissue.

But experts also have acknowledged they are still gathering information on how well the conventional administration of one or two full doses works against the outbreak.

Others health organizations have made similar declarations.

Last week, the World Health Organization called monkeypox a public health emergency, with cases in more than 70 countries. A global emergency is WHO’s highest level of alert, but the designation does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.

California, Illinois and New York have all made declarations in the last week, as have New York City, San Francisco and San Diego County.

The declaration of a national public health emergency and the naming of a monkeypox czar are “symbolic actions,” said Gregg Gonsalves, a Yale University infectious diseases expert.

What’s important is that the government is taking the necessary steps to control the outbreak and — if it comes to that — to have a plan for how to deal with monkeypox if it becomes endemic, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655678482994.png" alt="Monkeypox Photo Credit: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network-CDC" />
 <figcaption>Monkeypox Photo Credit: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network-CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government declared a public health emergency Thursday to bolster the response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/monkeypox">monkeypox</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/monkeypox">outbreak</a>&nbsp;that has infected more <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html">than 6,600 Americans.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659646384899.png" alt="Monkeypox cases by state-August 3, 2022 CDC image" />
 <figcaption>Monkeypox cases by state-August 3, 2022 CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659646434549.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.“We are prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” said Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services.The declaration by HHS comes as the Biden administration has faced criticism over monkeypox vaccine availability. Clinics in major cities such as New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot vaccine to meet demand, and some have had to stop offering the second dose to ensure supply of first doses.The White House said it has made more than 1.1 million doses available and has helped to boost domestic diagnostic capacity to 80,000 tests per week.The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing. The people who have gotten sick so far have been primarily men who have sex with men. But health officials emphasize that the virus can infect anyone.Earlier this week, the Biden administration named top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House coordinators to combat monkeypox.Thursday's declaration is an important — and overdue — step, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University.“It signals the U.S. government’s seriousness and purpose, and sounds a global alarm,” he said.Under the declaration, HHS can draw from emergency funds, hire or reassign staff to deal with the outbreak and take other steps to control the virus.For example, the announcement should help the federal government to seek more information from state and local health officials about who is becoming infected and who is being vaccinated. That information can be used to better understand how the outbreak is unfolding and how well the vaccine works.Gostin said the U.S. government has been too cautious and should have declared a nationwide emergency earlier. Public health measures to control outbreaks have increasingly faced legal challenges in recent years, but Gostin didn’t expect that to happen with monkeypox.“It is a textbook case of a public health emergency,” Gostin said. “It’s not a red or a blue state issue. There is no political opposition to fighting monkeypox.”A public health emergency can be extended, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.The urgency in the current response stems from the rapid spread of the virus coupled with the limited availability of the two-dose vaccine called Jynneos, which is considered the main medical weapon against the disease.The doses, given 28 days apart, are currently being given to people soon after they think they were exposed, as a measure to prevent symptoms.Becerra announced the emergency declaration during a call with reporters. During the call, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf said regulators are reviewing an approach that would stretch supplies by allowing health professionals to vaccinate up to five people — instead of one — with each vial of Jynneos.Under this so-called “dose-sparing” approach, physicians and others would use a shallower injection under the skin, instead of the subcutaneous injection currently recommended in the vaccine’s labeling.Califf said a decision authorizing that approach could come “within days.”That would require another declaration, to allow the government to alter its guidelines on how to administer the vaccine, officials said.Health officials pointed to a study published in 2015 that found that Jynneos vaccine administered that way was as effective at stimulating the immune system as when the needle plunger deeper into other tissue.But experts also have acknowledged they are still gathering information on how well the conventional administration of one or two full doses works against the outbreak.Others health organizations have made similar declarations.Last week, the World Health Organization called monkeypox a public health emergency, with cases in more than 70 countries. A global emergency is WHO’s highest level of alert, but the designation does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.California, Illinois and New York have all made declarations in the last week, as have New York City, San Francisco and San Diego County.The declaration of a national public health emergency and the naming of a monkeypox czar are “symbolic actions,” said Gregg Gonsalves, a Yale University infectious diseases expert.What’s important is that the government is taking the necessary steps to control the outbreak and — if it comes to that — to have a plan for how to deal with monkeypox if it becomes endemic, he said.

US declares public health emergency over monkeypox outbreak

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 for another day in what is reported to be a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.

White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor says in a letter Thursday that the president “feels well but continues to cough."

Biden is working from the executive residence and hosted a roundtable with business and labor leaders to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs and the deficit, fight inflation, and bolster domestic manufacturing. After Biden tested positive on Saturday, he canceled plans to travel and hold in-person events. 

&nbsp;The 79-year-old Biden first tested positive on July 21. He was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid and he had originally ended his isolation on July 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659643956275.png" alt="&nbsp;President virtually hosted an Inflation Reduction Act roundtable with business and labor leaders on Thursday-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President virtually hosted an Inflation Reduction Act roundtable with business and labor leaders on Thursday-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 for another day in what is reported to be a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659643337414.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor says in a letter Thursday that the president “feels well but continues to cough."Biden is working from the executive residence and hosted a roundtable with business and labor leaders to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs and the deficit, fight inflation, and bolster domestic manufacturing. After Biden tested positive on Saturday, he canceled plans to travel and hold in-person events. &nbsp;The 79-year-old Biden first tested positive on July 21. He was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid and he had originally ended his isolation on July 27.

President Biden continues to test positive for COVID

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Roger Marshall asked questions during a U.S. Senate hearing on the federal government’s involvement with gain-of-function (GoF) research projects in China, according to a statement from Marshall's office.

Senator Marshall’s opening statement and questions centered on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, efforts to push GoF research out of the United States and into China through EcoHealth Alliance.&nbsp;

“In 2021, Dr. Fauci said, almost prophetically, he worried about ‘unregulated’ laboratories, perhaps outside of the United States, doing work ‘sloppily’ and leading to an inadvertent pandemic… Clearly the U.S. government and Dr. Fauci knew that viral GoF was concerning… But while Fauci encouraged U.S. scientists to pause their GoF studies, Fauci offshored the paused research to China. In 2012, Fauci gave a new grant to Peter Daszak’s EcoHealth Alliance for influenza research in China. In 2014, Fauci gave another new grant to Daszak for SARS research in China. Daszak partnered with who? The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)… This is a bipartisan, national security issue and together we must immediately pause all viral gain-of-function research…”

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Roger Marshall asked questions during a U.S. Senate hearing on the federal government’s involvement with gain-of-function (GoF) research projects in China, according to a statement from Marshall's office.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgM9CrFr8g0?start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Senator Marshall’s opening statement and questions centered on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, efforts to push GoF research out of the United States and into China through EcoHealth Alliance.&nbsp;Marshall said in part,“In 2021, Dr. Fauci said, almost prophetically, he worried about ‘unregulated’ laboratories, perhaps outside of the United States, doing work ‘sloppily’ and leading to an inadvertent pandemic… Clearly the U.S. government and Dr. Fauci knew that viral GoF was concerning… But while Fauci encouraged U.S. scientists to pause their GoF studies, Fauci offshored the paused research to China. In 2012, Fauci gave a new grant to Peter Daszak’s EcoHealth Alliance for influenza research in China. In 2014, Fauci gave another new grant to Daszak for SARS research in China. Daszak partnered with who? The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)… This is a bipartisan, national security issue and together we must immediately pause all viral gain-of-function research…”

🎥Marshall connects Dr. Fauci to gain-of-function research in China

WASHINGTON — With identity thieves continuing to target the tax community, Internal Revenue Service <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners today urged tax professionals to learn the signs of data theft so they can react quickly to protect clients.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry – working together 
as the Security Summit – reminded tax professionals that they should 
contact the IRS immediately when there's an identity theft issue while 
also contacting insurance or cybersecurity experts to assist them with 
determining the cause and extent of the loss.

"Tax pros must be vigilant to protect their systems from identity 
thieves who continue to look for ways to steal data," said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Practitioners can take simple steps to 
remain on the lookout for signs of data and identity theft. It's 
critical for tax pros to watch out for these details and to quickly take
 action when tell-tale signs emerge. This can be critical to protect 
their business as well as their clients against identity theft."

This is the third in a summer series of five Security Summit news 
releases aimed at raising awareness among tax professionals about data 
security. The special Protect Your Client; Protect Yourself campaign is 
designed to help protect against tax-related identity theft by 
increasing attention on basic security steps that tax professionals and 
others should take to protect sensitive information.

One common concern the IRS hears from tax professionals is that they did not immediately recognize the signs of data theft.

Summit partners are urging tax professionals to watch out for these critical signs:

Tax professionals should also watch for warning signs when clients report they've received:

These are just a few examples. Tax pros should ensure they have 
the highest security possible and react quickly if they sense or see 
something amiss.

If the tax pro or their firm are the victim of data theft,&nbsp;immediately:

Find more information at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/data-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — With identity thieves continuing to target the tax community, Internal Revenue Service <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners today urged tax professionals to learn the signs of data theft so they can react quickly to protect clients.The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry – working together 
as the Security Summit – reminded tax professionals that they should 
contact the IRS immediately when there's an identity theft issue while 
also contacting insurance or cybersecurity experts to assist them with 
determining the cause and extent of the loss."Tax pros must be vigilant to protect their systems from identity 
thieves who continue to look for ways to steal data," said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Practitioners can take simple steps to 
remain on the lookout for signs of data and identity theft. It's 
critical for tax pros to watch out for these details and to quickly take
 action when tell-tale signs emerge. This can be critical to protect 
their business as well as their clients against identity theft."This is the third in a summer series of five Security Summit news 
releases aimed at raising awareness among tax professionals about data 
security. The special Protect Your Client; Protect Yourself campaign is 
designed to help protect against tax-related identity theft by 
increasing attention on basic security steps that tax professionals and 
others should take to protect sensitive information.One common concern the IRS hears from tax professionals is that they did not immediately recognize the signs of data theft.Summit partners are urging tax professionals to watch out for these critical signs:<ul>
 <li>Client e-filed returns rejected because client's Social Security number was already used on another return.</li><li>More e-file acknowledgements received than returns the tax pro filed.</li><li>Clients responded to emails the tax pro didn't send.</li><li>Slow or unexpected computer or network responsiveness such as:
	Software or actions take longer to process than usual,Computer cursor moves or changes numbers without touching the mouse or keyboard,Unexpectedly locked out of a network or computer.</li><li>Software or actions take longer to process than usual,</li><li>Computer cursor moves or changes numbers without touching the mouse or keyboard,</li><li>Unexpectedly locked out of a network or computer.</li>
 </ul>Tax professionals should also watch for warning signs when clients report they've received:<ul>
 <li>IRS Authentication letters (5071C, 6331C, 4883C, 5747C) even though they haven't filed a return.</li><li>A refund even though they haven't filed a return.</li><li>A tax transcript they didn't request.</li><li>Emails or calls from the tax pro that they didn't initiate.</li><li>A notice that someone created an IRS online account for the taxpayer without their consent.</li><li>A notice the taxpayer wasn't expecting that:
	Someone accessed their IRS online account,The IRS disabled their online account,Balance due or other notices from the IRS that are not correct based on return filed or if a return had not been filed.</li><li>Someone accessed their IRS online account,</li><li>The IRS disabled their online account,</li><li>Balance due or other notices from the IRS that are not correct based on return filed or if a return had not been filed.</li>
 </ul>These are just a few examples. Tax pros should ensure they have 
the highest security possible and react quickly if they sense or see 
something amiss.If the tax pro or their firm are the victim of data theft,&nbsp;immediately:<ul>
 <li>Report it to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/stakeholder-liaison-local-contacts">local IRS Stakeholder Liaison</a>Liaisons will notify IRS Criminal Investigation and others within 
the agency on the practitioner's behalf. Speed is critical. If reported 
quickly, the IRS can take steps to block fraudulent returns in the 
clients' names and will assist tax pros through the process.
	</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Email the Federation of Tax Administrators at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:statealert@taxadmin.org">StateAlert@taxadmin.org</a>Get information on how to report victim information to the states. 
Most states require that the state attorney general be notified of data 
breaches. This notification process may involve multiple offices.
	</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Be pro-active with clients that could have been impacted 
and suggest appropriate actions, such as obtaining an IP PIN or 
completing a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit if applicable. See the
 early Security Summit reminder about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit-identity-protection-pins-provide-an-important-defense-against-tax-related-identity-theft">the importance of IP PINs</a>.</li>
 </ul>Find more information at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/data-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.<h2>Additional resources</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">Publication 5293, Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals</a>PDF, provides an overview resources about how to avoid data theft.</li><li>Tax professionals can also get help with security recommendations by reviewing IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>PDF, and&nbsp;the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> pages for tax pros.</li><li>Tax pros should also review <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2016/NIST.IR.7621r1.pdf">Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals</a>PDF&nbsp;by the National Institute of Standards and Technology</li><li>Also, tax professionals should stay connected to the IRS through subscriptions to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/join-e-news-for-tax-professionals">e-News for Tax Professionals</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">Social Media</a>.</li><li>For more information, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/boost-security-immunity-fight-against-identity-theft">Boost Security Immunity: Fight Against Identity Theft.</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS: Tell-tell signs of identity theft revealed

NEW YORK (AP) — Democrats displayed a newfound sense of optimism about the election-year political climate Wednesday after voters in traditionally conservative Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly backed a measure</a>&nbsp;protecting abortion rights.

(Click below to watch the Task Force meeting)

At the White House, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;hailed the vote in Kansas as the direct result of outrage at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's decision</a>&nbsp;in June to repeal a woman's constitutional right to obtain an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>.

Republicans and the high court “don't have a clue about the power of American women,” Biden said. “Last night in Kansas, they found out.”

On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., boasted of the political winds “blowing at Democrats.”

“Last night in the American heartland, the people of Kansas sent an unmistakable message to the Republican extremists,” he said. “If it’s gong to happen in Kansas, it’s going to happen in a whole lot of states.”

With three months until the November&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">election</a>, the optimism may be premature. But it represents a much-needed break for a party that has spent the better part of the past year reeling from crisis to crisis, including the botched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-dd43bcc58bd17668b1cf4ae79997142b">withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-consumer-spending-prices-1c912833f8e24c6ca151f0d5d89332f7">rising prices</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-baton-rouge-camarillo-493e75d92489a7412493397871a83cb4">gasoline</a>&nbsp;and other goods. Those developments have contributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-b6d1751b2554555f7246f9e914b87c59">Biden's low approval ratings</a>, leaving Democrats without a unifying leader in a position to rally voters before the election, with control of Congress at stake.

The Kansas vote, however, suggests that threats to abortion rights may energize Democrats in a way few political leaders can. And it comes at a moment when the party is gaining momentum on other fronts, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-sports-congress-e499871130fa9881beb0618ebddfe88c">legislative package</a>&nbsp;to reduce prescription drug prices, combat climate change and raise taxes on corporations.

The challenge for Democrats will be to maintain the energy for several more months and defy trends that typically trip up the party in power.

In recent history, the party controlling the White House almost always suffers deep losses in the first midterm election of a new presidency. Also, an overwhelming majority of voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction amid inflation and other economic concerns.

Even with abortion-related momentum, many Democratic strategists privately expect to lose the House majority and believe the Senate is essentially a coin flip.

The day after the Kansas vote, Democratic strategists on the front lines of key midterm contests described a complicated political reality on abortion.

Abortion rights supporters surged to the polls in Kansas, where abortion was quite literally on the ballot. By a roughly 20-percentage point margin, they rejected a measure that would have changed the state constitution to allow state lawmakers to impose restrictions on abortion — or even a ban. The early August primary turnout was on par with a governor's general election contest.

But few elections this fall will feature such clear stakes for abortion rights. Just four states — California, Michigan, Vermont and Kentucky — are expected to feature a Kansas-style abortion referendum on the November ballot, according to the pro-Democratic group EMILY's List.

In the majority of states, Democrats must convince voters they can protect abortion access only by defeating anti-abortion Republican candidates at the state and federal level. While that is true in most cases, it's much more complicated to run against a candidate than a single-issue ballot measure, according to Democratic pollster Molly Murphy.

“The optimist would say, when voters know that abortion is on the ballot, they are motivated to turn out,” Murphy said. “That’s the messaging challenge that we are going to face. Will voters believe that a legal right to abortion is at stake here in this country in their vote for Congress, Senate, governor, state house — all of those things — and be as motivated to show up to vote?”

“Republicans are going to do everything they can to deflect and not engage on this," she added, noting the GOP's heavy focus on inflation, gas prices and immigration.

Indeed, as Democrats celebrated on Wednesday, the Republican reaction to the abortion vote was decidedly muted.

The Kansas vote was “a huge disappointment for pro-life Kansans and Americans nationwide," said Mallory Carroll, of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Republican strategist Christine Matthews warned that the Kansas vote could have “an energizing effect for abortion rights supporters.”

“Success breeds success,” she said. "It will encourage the belief that turning out and activating can make a difference and that is particularly important with younger voters and those less inclined to participate. It’s a momentum-shifter.”

Democrats have long tried without much success to energize supporters by focusing on abortion. But the Supreme Court's decision clarified the stakes as never before. Absent a new federal law,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-health-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-constitutions-022d340cf968be3c28b03f7f96965f09">abortion rights now fall to the states</a>, and in 12 states led by Republicans, abortion has already been banned or heavily restricted. Many more are expected to follow.

Republican strategists acknowledge that swing state candidates will have to tread carefully on the issue.

In Georgia, GOP Senate nominee Herschel Walker, for example, worried some Washington Republicans by quickly declaring his opposition to abortion rights even in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. Such a position, thought to be extreme in past years, is somewhat common among Republican candidates in 2022.

Republicans in other states have largely sought to avoid clarifying their position.

The Senate Democrats campaign arm recently established a website, GOPOnAbortion.com, to highlight Republican candidates' outspoken opposition to abortion rights. While Democratic candidates from New York to Washington state are already running ads on abortion, the issue is expected to play a bigger role in some races than others.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who leads the group dedicated to protecting the Senate's Democratic majority, predicted that abortion would likely matter most as a political issue in Senate races in Nevada, New Hampshire and Arizona — all states in which polling suggests strong support for abortion rights. Suburban women and younger voters are most likely to be motivated by the issue.

“There's a great deal of anger," Peters said of the backlash against the Roe reversal. "There’s an energy I haven’t seen before."

The Kansas vote suggests that such energy could extend well beyond a handful of states.

Polling shows that relatively few Americans wanted to see Roe overturned.

More Americans disapprove than approve of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 53% to 30%, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-congress-government-and-politics-fc8c68d1c4dd29ef0a364050013b8cf4">Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>&nbsp;from July conducted about three weeks after the ruling. Just over half of those surveyed said they felt angry or sad about the ruling, the poll found.

In Wisconsin, the leading Democratic Senate candidate, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, noted that the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe was the biggest fundraising day of his entire campaign.

"People are motivated and energetic in ways that I’ve never seen before," he said in an interview. “I can only assume that that intensity will increase all the way to November.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659554746286.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden delivered remarks Wednesday on reproductive rights at a meeting of his interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden delivered remarks Wednesday on reproductive rights at a meeting of his interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Democrats displayed a newfound sense of optimism about the election-year political climate Wednesday after voters in traditionally conservative Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly backed a measure</a>&nbsp;protecting abortion rights.(Click below to watch the Task Force meeting)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1122681391937356%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1616" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>At the White House, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;hailed the vote in Kansas as the direct result of outrage at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's decision</a>&nbsp;in June to repeal a woman's constitutional right to obtain an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>.Republicans and the high court “don't have a clue about the power of American women,” Biden said. “Last night in Kansas, they found out.”On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., boasted of the political winds “blowing at Democrats.”“Last night in the American heartland, the people of Kansas sent an unmistakable message to the Republican extremists,” he said. “If it’s gong to happen in Kansas, it’s going to happen in a whole lot of states.”With three months until the November&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">election</a>, the optimism may be premature. But it represents a much-needed break for a party that has spent the better part of the past year reeling from crisis to crisis, including the botched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-dd43bcc58bd17668b1cf4ae79997142b">withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-consumer-spending-prices-1c912833f8e24c6ca151f0d5d89332f7">rising prices</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-baton-rouge-camarillo-493e75d92489a7412493397871a83cb4">gasoline</a>&nbsp;and other goods. Those developments have contributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-b6d1751b2554555f7246f9e914b87c59">Biden's low approval ratings</a>, leaving Democrats without a unifying leader in a position to rally voters before the election, with control of Congress at stake.The Kansas vote, however, suggests that threats to abortion rights may energize Democrats in a way few political leaders can. And it comes at a moment when the party is gaining momentum on other fronts, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-sports-congress-e499871130fa9881beb0618ebddfe88c">legislative package</a>&nbsp;to reduce prescription drug prices, combat climate change and raise taxes on corporations.The challenge for Democrats will be to maintain the energy for several more months and defy trends that typically trip up the party in power.In recent history, the party controlling the White House almost always suffers deep losses in the first midterm election of a new presidency. Also, an overwhelming majority of voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction amid inflation and other economic concerns.Even with abortion-related momentum, many Democratic strategists privately expect to lose the House majority and believe the Senate is essentially a coin flip.The day after the Kansas vote, Democratic strategists on the front lines of key midterm contests described a complicated political reality on abortion.Abortion rights supporters surged to the polls in Kansas, where abortion was quite literally on the ballot. By a roughly 20-percentage point margin, they rejected a measure that would have changed the state constitution to allow state lawmakers to impose restrictions on abortion — or even a ban. The early August primary turnout was on par with a governor's general election contest.But few elections this fall will feature such clear stakes for abortion rights. Just four states — California, Michigan, Vermont and Kentucky — are expected to feature a Kansas-style abortion referendum on the November ballot, according to the pro-Democratic group EMILY's List.In the majority of states, Democrats must convince voters they can protect abortion access only by defeating anti-abortion Republican candidates at the state and federal level. While that is true in most cases, it's much more complicated to run against a candidate than a single-issue ballot measure, according to Democratic pollster Molly Murphy.“The optimist would say, when voters know that abortion is on the ballot, they are motivated to turn out,” Murphy said. “That’s the messaging challenge that we are going to face. Will voters believe that a legal right to abortion is at stake here in this country in their vote for Congress, Senate, governor, state house — all of those things — and be as motivated to show up to vote?”“Republicans are going to do everything they can to deflect and not engage on this," she added, noting the GOP's heavy focus on inflation, gas prices and immigration.Indeed, as Democrats celebrated on Wednesday, the Republican reaction to the abortion vote was decidedly muted.The Kansas vote was “a huge disappointment for pro-life Kansans and Americans nationwide," said Mallory Carroll, of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.Republican strategist Christine Matthews warned that the Kansas vote could have “an energizing effect for abortion rights supporters.”“Success breeds success,” she said. "It will encourage the belief that turning out and activating can make a difference and that is particularly important with younger voters and those less inclined to participate. It’s a momentum-shifter.”Democrats have long tried without much success to energize supporters by focusing on abortion. But the Supreme Court's decision clarified the stakes as never before. Absent a new federal law,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-health-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-constitutions-022d340cf968be3c28b03f7f96965f09">abortion rights now fall to the states</a>, and in 12 states led by Republicans, abortion has already been banned or heavily restricted. Many more are expected to follow.Republican strategists acknowledge that swing state candidates will have to tread carefully on the issue.In Georgia, GOP Senate nominee Herschel Walker, for example, worried some Washington Republicans by quickly declaring his opposition to abortion rights even in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. Such a position, thought to be extreme in past years, is somewhat common among Republican candidates in 2022.Republicans in other states have largely sought to avoid clarifying their position.The Senate Democrats campaign arm recently established a website, GOPOnAbortion.com, to highlight Republican candidates' outspoken opposition to abortion rights. While Democratic candidates from New York to Washington state are already running ads on abortion, the issue is expected to play a bigger role in some races than others.Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who leads the group dedicated to protecting the Senate's Democratic majority, predicted that abortion would likely matter most as a political issue in Senate races in Nevada, New Hampshire and Arizona — all states in which polling suggests strong support for abortion rights. Suburban women and younger voters are most likely to be motivated by the issue.“There's a great deal of anger," Peters said of the backlash against the Roe reversal. "There’s an energy I haven’t seen before."The Kansas vote suggests that such energy could extend well beyond a handful of states.Polling shows that relatively few Americans wanted to see Roe overturned.More Americans disapprove than approve of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 53% to 30%, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-congress-government-and-politics-fc8c68d1c4dd29ef0a364050013b8cf4">Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>&nbsp;from July conducted about three weeks after the ruling. Just over half of those surveyed said they felt angry or sad about the ruling, the poll found.In Wisconsin, the leading Democratic Senate candidate, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, noted that the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe was the biggest fundraising day of his entire campaign."People are motivated and energetic in ways that I’ve never seen before," he said in an interview. “I can only assume that that intensity will increase all the way to November.”___

🎥 Abortion vote in Kansas sparks hope for Dems in midterms

McPHERSON – A Kansas woman entered a no-contest plea to charges of second-degree reckless murder and battery on a law enforcement officer in connection with the death of a McPherson man in 2020, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Tina Nicole Brown, 35, entered the plea Wednesday in McPherson County District Court.&nbsp;

The charges stemmed from an investigation into the death of Kelly G. Peterson in February 2020 when police received a 911 call from someone who reported finding a man dead inside a mobile home in the 100 block of South Kelly drive, in McPherson. First responders found Peterson and&nbsp; EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Judge John B. Klenda accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for November 1 at 10 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659625268274.png" alt="Brown-photo McPherson Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo McPherson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>McPHERSON – A Kansas woman entered a no-contest plea to charges of second-degree reckless murder and battery on a law enforcement officer in connection with the death of a McPherson man in 2020, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Tina Nicole Brown, 35, entered the plea Wednesday in McPherson County District Court.&nbsp; The charges stemmed from an investigation into the death of Kelly G. Peterson in February 2020 when police received a 911 call from someone who reported finding a man dead inside a mobile home in the 100 block of South Kelly drive, in McPherson. First responders found Peterson and&nbsp; EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp; Judge John B. Klenda accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for November 1 at 10 a.m.

Kan. woman enters plea in death of victim found in mobile home

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted Thursday in Russia of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison following a politically charged trial that came amid soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine and could lead to a high-stakes prisoner exchange between the two world powers.

The 31-year-old Griner, a two-time U.S. Olympic champion and a eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury listened with a blank expression as an interpreter translated the verdict by Judge Anna Sotnikova. The judge also fined 1 million rubles (about $16,700) fine.

U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the verdict and sentence as “unacceptable.”

“I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” Biden said, adding that he would continue to work to bring home Griner and Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction.

Earlier in the session, with a conviction all but certain, an emotional Griner made a final appeal to the court for leniency. She said she had no intention to break the law by bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them,” Griner said, her voice cracking. “I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home.”

Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.

If she does not go free, attention will turn to the possibility of a high-stakes prisoner swap that was proposed last week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his Russian counterpart.

Griner said she made “an honest mistake” in bringing the vape cartridges into Russia, adding: “I hope in your ruling it does not end my life.”

Griner said Yekaterinburg, a city east of the Ural Mountains, had become her “second home.”

“I had no idea that the team, the cities, the fans, my teammates would make such a great impression on me over the 6 1/2 years that I spent here,” she said. “I remember vividly coming out of the gym and all the little girls that were in the stands there waiting on me, and that’s what kept making me come back here.”

Prosecutor Nikolai Vlasenko insisted that Griner packed the cannabis oil deliberately, and he asked the court to hand Briner a fine of 1 million rubles (about $16,700) in addition to the prison sentence.

Lawyers for the Phoenix Mercury center and two-time Olympic gold medalist have sought to bolster Griner's contention that she had no criminal intent and that the canisters ended up in her luggage by mistake. They presented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russian-trial-1db9fad8b028b0158e46625b1a4af1bd">character witnesses</a>&nbsp;from the Yekaterinburg team that she plays for in the WNBA offseason and written testimony from a doctor who said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-trial-medical-cannabis-371fa5bc6b77c97a445414193cd637c6">prescribed her cannabis</a>&nbsp;for pain treatment from injuries sustained in her basketball career.

Her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, argued that Griner used the cannabis only in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal.

She emphasized that Griner was packing in haste after a grueling flight and suffering from the consequences of COVID-19. Blagovolina also pointed out that the analysis of cannabis found in Griner's possession was flawed and violated legal procedures.

Blagovolina asked the court to acquit Griner, noting that she had no past criminal record and hailing her role in "the development of Russian basketball."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646510097872.png" alt="Griner, 31, is one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury" />
 <figcaption>Griner, 31, is one of the most recognizable players in women’s basketball, has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star and three-time Big 12 Player of the year at Baylor-photo courtesy Phoenix Mercury</figcaption>
 </figure>KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted Thursday in Russia of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison following a politically charged trial that came amid soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine and could lead to a high-stakes prisoner exchange between the two world powers.The 31-year-old Griner, a two-time U.S. Olympic champion and a eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury listened with a blank expression as an interpreter translated the verdict by Judge Anna Sotnikova. The judge also fined 1 million rubles (about $16,700) fine.U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the verdict and sentence as “unacceptable.”“I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” Biden said, adding that he would continue to work to bring home Griner and Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction.Earlier in the session, with a conviction all but certain, an emotional Griner made a final appeal to the court for leniency. She said she had no intention to break the law by bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg.“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them,” Griner said, her voice cracking. “I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home.”Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.If she does not go free, attention will turn to the possibility of a high-stakes prisoner swap that was proposed last week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his Russian counterpart.Griner said she made “an honest mistake” in bringing the vape cartridges into Russia, adding: “I hope in your ruling it does not end my life.”Griner said Yekaterinburg, a city east of the Ural Mountains, had become her “second home.”“I had no idea that the team, the cities, the fans, my teammates would make such a great impression on me over the 6 1/2 years that I spent here,” she said. “I remember vividly coming out of the gym and all the little girls that were in the stands there waiting on me, and that’s what kept making me come back here.”Prosecutor Nikolai Vlasenko insisted that Griner packed the cannabis oil deliberately, and he asked the court to hand Briner a fine of 1 million rubles (about $16,700) in addition to the prison sentence.Lawyers for the Phoenix Mercury center and two-time Olympic gold medalist have sought to bolster Griner's contention that she had no criminal intent and that the canisters ended up in her luggage by mistake. They presented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russian-trial-1db9fad8b028b0158e46625b1a4af1bd">character witnesses</a>&nbsp;from the Yekaterinburg team that she plays for in the WNBA offseason and written testimony from a doctor who said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-russia-trial-medical-cannabis-371fa5bc6b77c97a445414193cd637c6">prescribed her cannabis</a>&nbsp;for pain treatment from injuries sustained in her basketball career.Her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, argued that Griner used the cannabis only in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal.She emphasized that Griner was packing in haste after a grueling flight and suffering from the consequences of COVID-19. Blagovolina also pointed out that the analysis of cannabis found in Griner's possession was flawed and violated legal procedures.Blagovolina asked the court to acquit Griner, noting that she had no past criminal record and hailing her role in "the development of Russian basketball."Another defense attorney, Alexander Boykov, emphasized Griner's role in taking her Yekaterinburg team to win multiple championships, noting that she was loved and admired by her teammates. He told the judge that a conviction would undermine Russia's efforts to develop national sports and make Moscow's call to depoliticize sports sound shallow.Boykov added that even after her arrest, Griner won the sympathy of both her guards and prison inmates, who supported her by shouting, “Brittney, everything will be OK!” when she went on walks at the jail.Before her trial began in July, the State Department designated her as “wrongfully detained,” moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government’s chief hostage negotiator.Then last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-antony-blinken-sergey-lavrov-paul-whelan-54d694915c7c6c7222d2bb8893f93b04">in an extraordinary move</a>, Blinken spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, urging him to accept a deal under which Griner and Whelan would go free.The Lavrov-Blinken call marked the highest-level known contact between Washington and Moscow since Russia sent troops into Ukraine more than five months ago. The direct outreach over Griner is at odds with U.S. efforts to isolate the Kremlin.People familiar with the proposal say it envisions trading Griner and Whelan for the notorious arms trader Viktor Bout, who is serving a prison sentence in the United States. It underlines the public pressure that the White House has faced to get Griner released.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that Russia has made a “bad faith” response to the U.S. government’s offer, a counteroffer that American officials don’t regard as serious. She declined to elaborate.Russian officials have scoffed at U.S. statements about the case, saying they show a disrespect for Russian law. They remained poker-faced, urging Washington to discuss the issue through “quiet diplomacy without releases of speculative information.”