NEW YORK (AP) — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has a book coming this fall that covers his years in the Trump administration and, according to his publisher, offers “unvarnished appraisals of the deals made and characters encountered along the way.” 

<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/broadside-books">Broadside Books, </a>a conservative imprint at HarperCollins Publishers, announced Wednesday that Pompeo’s book was scheduled for November and is currently untitled. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Pompeo “will draw readers deep into the innermost sanctums of government decision-making and reveal the stories and strategic thinking behind key actions regarding North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Mexico, Israel, Afghanistan, support for international religious freedom, and many other countries and issues,” the announcement reads in part.

Pompeo, 58, is a Republican from Kansas who served three terms in Congress before President Donald Trump appointed him director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2017, then secretary of state a year later. He has speculated about a 2024 presidential run, one that might find him in competition with his former boss. Other former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-mike-pompeo-68ec57715adf39f1229213e5d5bd3fa3">Trump officials considered possible candidates&nbsp;</a>— and working on books — include Vice President Mike Pence and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Trump clashed with many of his cabinet officers, including Pompeo’s immediate predecessor at state, Rex Tillerson. But Pompeo remained on good terms with Trump and even broke with precedent for secretaries of state by recording a speech for the 2020 Republican National Convention. He continued to defend him after the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, a time when other officials resigned or distanced themselves, and less than two weeks later sent a tweet promoting Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647123002389.png" alt="Mike Pompeo was a member of the&nbsp;United States House of Representatives&nbsp;from 2011 to 2017, representing&nbsp;Kansas's 4th congressional district." />
 <figcaption>Mike Pompeo was a member of the&nbsp;United States House of Representatives&nbsp;from 2011 to 2017, representing&nbsp;Kansas's 4th congressional district.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has a book coming this fall that covers his years in the Trump administration and, according to his publisher, offers “unvarnished appraisals of the deals made and characters encountered along the way.” <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/broadside-books">Broadside Books, </a>a conservative imprint at HarperCollins Publishers, announced Wednesday that Pompeo’s book was scheduled for November and is currently untitled. Financial terms were not disclosed. Pompeo “will draw readers deep into the innermost sanctums of government decision-making and reveal the stories and strategic thinking behind key actions regarding North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Mexico, Israel, Afghanistan, support for international religious freedom, and many other countries and issues,” the announcement reads in part.Pompeo, 58, is a Republican from Kansas who served three terms in Congress before President Donald Trump appointed him director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2017, then secretary of state a year later. He has speculated about a 2024 presidential run, one that might find him in competition with his former boss. Other former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-mike-pompeo-68ec57715adf39f1229213e5d5bd3fa3">Trump officials considered possible candidates&nbsp;</a>— and working on books — include Vice President Mike Pence and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.Trump clashed with many of his cabinet officers, including Pompeo’s immediate predecessor at state, Rex Tillerson. But Pompeo remained on good terms with Trump and even broke with precedent for secretaries of state by recording a speech for the 2020 Republican National Convention. He continued to defend him after the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, a time when other officials resigned or distanced themselves, and less than two weeks later sent a tweet promoting Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Former Kan. congressman, Secretary of State has book out this fall

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. health officials are beginning to grapple with how to keep the vaccines updated to best protect Americans from the ever-changing coronavirus.

On Wednesday, a panel of vaccine advisers to the Food and Drug Administration spent hours debating key questions for revamping the shots and conducting future booster campaigns. They didn’t reach any firm conclusions.

The questions facing the experts included: How often to update the vaccines against new strains, how effective they should be to warrant approval and whether updates should be coordinated with global health authorities.

Last week, the FDA authorized a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for anyone 50 or older and for some younger people with severely weakened immune systems. It’s an effort to get ahead of another possible surge.

But the FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks acknowledged at the meeting “we simply can’t be boosting people as frequently as we are.” He called the latest booster update a “stopgap” measure to protect vulnerable Americans while regulators decide whether and how to tweak the current vaccines.

Marks cautioned that waning vaccine protection, new variants and colder weather in the fall could raise the risk of more surges.

“Our goal here is to stay ahead of future variants and outbreaks and ensure we do our best to reduce the toll of disease and death due to COVID-19,” said Marks, adding that he expects more meetings of the vaccine panel in coming months.

Some of the key questions the panel discussed:

HOW SHOULD THE U.S. DECIDE WHEN TO LAUNCH FUTURE ROUNDS OF BOOSTER SHOTS?

One area where experts appeared to agree is that vaccines should be judged on their ability to prevent severe disease that leads to hospitalization and death.

“We need to focus on the worst case, which is severe disease, and we need to change strains when we’re losing that battle,” said Dr. Mark Sawyer of the University of California, San Diego.

By that measure, the current vaccines have held up remarkably well.

During the last omicron-driven surge, two vaccine doses were nearly 80% effective against needing a breathing machine or death — and a booster pushed that protection to 94%, federal scientists recently reported.

But only about half of Americans eligible for a third shot have gotten one. And many experts said it was unsustainable to continue asking Americans to get boosted every few months.

A panelist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the 80% protection from severe disease could become the standard for evaluating the vaccines.

“I think we may have to accept that level of protection and then use other alternative ways to protect individuals with therapeutics and other measures,” said Dr. Amanda Cohn, CDC’s chief medical officer.

Presentations at the meeting by government health officials and independent researchers underscored the challenges of predicting when the next major COVID-19 variant might appear.

Trevor Bedford, a disease modeler with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said a major new strain like omicron could emerge anywhere from every 1.5 years to once a decade, based on currently available data. Given that unpredictability, researchers will need methods to quickly determine whether current vaccines work against emerging variants.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR UPDATING VACCINES TO ADDRESS NEW VARIANTS?

All three COVID-19 vaccines now used in the U.S. are based on the original coronavirus version that emerged in late 2019. Updating the vaccines will be a complex task, likely requiring coordination between the FDA, manufacturers and global health authorities.

To speed the vaccines to market, the FDA relied on research shortcuts to judge effectiveness, mainly looking at their early impact on the immune system’s antibody levels. A number of panelists said Wednesday they wanted more rigorous data from studies that track patients over time to see who gets sick or dies.

But that approach would likely be too time consuming.

“We’re looking at a conundrum here in that it’s going to be hard to generate all the data we want in short order when a new variant emerges,” said Dr. Ofer Levy of Harvard Medical School.

A representative for the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority laid out the narrow window that manufacturers could face to reformulate, study and mass produce an updated vaccine by September.

“If you’re not on your way to a clinical trial by the beginning of May, I think it’s going to be very difficult to have enough product across manufacturers to meet demand,” said Robert Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of BARDA.

The process for updating annual flu vaccines offers one possible model, as laid out by a representative from the World Health Organization.

Twice a year, WHO experts recommend updates to flu vaccines to target emerging strains. The FDA then brings those recommendations to its own vaccine panel, which votes on whether they make sense for the U.S., setting the stage for manufacturers to tweak their shots and begin mass production.

But COVID-19 hasn’t yet fallen into a predictable pattern like the flu. And as the coronavirus evolves, different strains may become dominant in different regions of the world.

Several experts said they would need more meetings with more data and proposals from the FDA to decide on a strategy.

“We’ve never been here before. We’re all working together to do the best we can and it’s very complex,” said Oveta Fuller of the University of Michigan’s Medical School.

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. health officials are beginning to grapple with how to keep the vaccines updated to best protect Americans from the ever-changing coronavirus.On Wednesday, a panel of vaccine advisers to the Food and Drug Administration spent hours debating key questions for revamping the shots and conducting future booster campaigns. They didn’t reach any firm conclusions.The questions facing the experts included: How often to update the vaccines against new strains, how effective they should be to warrant approval and whether updates should be coordinated with global health authorities.Last week, the FDA authorized a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for anyone 50 or older and for some younger people with severely weakened immune systems. It’s an effort to get ahead of another possible surge.But the FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks acknowledged at the meeting “we simply can’t be boosting people as frequently as we are.” He called the latest booster update a “stopgap” measure to protect vulnerable Americans while regulators decide whether and how to tweak the current vaccines.Marks cautioned that waning vaccine protection, new variants and colder weather in the fall could raise the risk of more surges.“Our goal here is to stay ahead of future variants and outbreaks and ensure we do our best to reduce the toll of disease and death due to COVID-19,” said Marks, adding that he expects more meetings of the vaccine panel in coming months.Some of the key questions the panel discussed:HOW SHOULD THE U.S. DECIDE WHEN TO LAUNCH FUTURE ROUNDS OF BOOSTER SHOTS?One area where experts appeared to agree is that vaccines should be judged on their ability to prevent severe disease that leads to hospitalization and death.“We need to focus on the worst case, which is severe disease, and we need to change strains when we’re losing that battle,” said Dr. Mark Sawyer of the University of California, San Diego.By that measure, the current vaccines have held up remarkably well.During the last omicron-driven surge, two vaccine doses were nearly 80% effective against needing a breathing machine or death — and a booster pushed that protection to 94%, federal scientists recently reported.But only about half of Americans eligible for a third shot have gotten one. And many experts said it was unsustainable to continue asking Americans to get boosted every few months.A panelist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that the 80% protection from severe disease could become the standard for evaluating the vaccines.“I think we may have to accept that level of protection and then use other alternative ways to protect individuals with therapeutics and other measures,” said Dr. Amanda Cohn, CDC’s chief medical officer.Presentations at the meeting by government health officials and independent researchers underscored the challenges of predicting when the next major COVID-19 variant might appear.Trevor Bedford, a disease modeler with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said a major new strain like omicron could emerge anywhere from every 1.5 years to once a decade, based on currently available data. Given that unpredictability, researchers will need methods to quickly determine whether current vaccines work against emerging variants.WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR UPDATING VACCINES TO ADDRESS NEW VARIANTS?All three COVID-19 vaccines now used in the U.S. are based on the original coronavirus version that emerged in late 2019. Updating the vaccines will be a complex task, likely requiring coordination between the FDA, manufacturers and global health authorities.To speed the vaccines to market, the FDA relied on research shortcuts to judge effectiveness, mainly looking at their early impact on the immune system’s antibody levels. A number of panelists said Wednesday they wanted more rigorous data from studies that track patients over time to see who gets sick or dies.But that approach would likely be too time consuming.“We’re looking at a conundrum here in that it’s going to be hard to generate all the data we want in short order when a new variant emerges,” said Dr. Ofer Levy of Harvard Medical School.A representative for the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority laid out the narrow window that manufacturers could face to reformulate, study and mass produce an updated vaccine by September.“If you’re not on your way to a clinical trial by the beginning of May, I think it’s going to be very difficult to have enough product across manufacturers to meet demand,” said Robert Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of BARDA.The process for updating annual flu vaccines offers one possible model, as laid out by a representative from the World Health Organization.Twice a year, WHO experts recommend updates to flu vaccines to target emerging strains. The FDA then brings those recommendations to its own vaccine panel, which votes on whether they make sense for the U.S., setting the stage for manufacturers to tweak their shots and begin mass production.But COVID-19 hasn’t yet fallen into a predictable pattern like the flu. And as the coronavirus evolves, different strains may become dominant in different regions of the world.Several experts said they would need more meetings with more data and proposals from the FDA to decide on a strategy.“We’ve never been here before. We’re all working together to do the best we can and it’s very complex,” said Oveta Fuller of the University of Michigan’s Medical School.___

US experts wrestle with how to update COVID-19 vaccines

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Police say a shooting in Mission, Kansas, has left one teen dead and another injured. The Kansas City Star reports the shooting happened just before 9 p.m. Sunday in the Silverwood Apartments parking lot. 

Officers called to the scene found the wounded teens in the parking lot. A teenage boy died at the scene, while a teenage girl was taken to a hospital. 

Police have not released their names. Police say they're searching for a sport utility vehicle seen speeding from the shooting scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649693053515.png" alt="Police are searching for a sport utility vehicle seen speeding from the shooting scene.-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police are searching for a sport utility vehicle seen speeding from the shooting scene.-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Police say a shooting in Mission, Kansas, has left one teen dead and another injured. The Kansas City Star reports the shooting happened just before 9 p.m. Sunday in the Silverwood Apartments parking lot. Officers called to the scene found the wounded teens in the parking lot. A teenage boy died at the scene, while a teenage girl was taken to a hospital. Police have not released their names. Police say they're searching for a sport utility vehicle seen speeding from the shooting scene.

Apartment shooting leaves Kan. teen boy dead, girl injured 

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Sunday in Johnson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol is still working to determine who was driving one of the vehicles.

The KHP reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by Martin Perez Trejo, 28, Kansas City, Mo., and a 2004 Ford F350 were northbound on Interstate 35 just north of 87th Street in the number 2 lane.

The Chevy was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the Ford.

The impact pushed the Ford off the right side of the highway where it overturned ejecting both occupants identified as Tracy B. Kintzelle, 48, Independence, Mo. and William J.&nbsp;Hansett, 33, Leawood.&nbsp;

Perez Trejo was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Medical Examiner's office. 

EMS transported Kintzelle, Hansett and a passenger in the Chevy Jasmine L. Alcala, 27, Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The occupants of the Ford were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Investigators are still working to determine who was driving the F350.

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Sunday in Johnson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol is still working to determine who was driving one of the vehicles.The KHP reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by Martin Perez Trejo, 28, Kansas City, Mo., and a 2004 Ford F350 were northbound on Interstate 35 just north of 87th Street in the number 2 lane.The Chevy was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the Ford.The impact pushed the Ford off the right side of the highway where it overturned ejecting both occupants identified as Tracy B. Kintzelle, 48, Independence, Mo. and William J.&nbsp;Hansett, 33, Leawood.&nbsp;Perez Trejo was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Medical Examiner's office. EMS transported Kintzelle, Hansett and a passenger in the Chevy Jasmine L. Alcala, 27, Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The occupants of the Ford were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Investigators are still working to determine who was driving the F350.

KHP working to determine driver in fatal crash

DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting on Interstate 70 and have made an arrest.

Just after 9p.m. Sunday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office responded to 100 Dakota Drive (Dollar General) in Solomon, Kansas for a report of a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

 The investigators learned that 27-year-old Samantha E. Baum of Topeka, Kansas sustained a single gunshot wound while driving westbound on Interstate 70 near Solomon. 

EMS transported Baum to Salina Regional Health Center where she died, according to the sheriff.

 As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 48-year-old Eric S. Wymore of Beulah, Colorado on requested charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and booked into the Dickinson County Detention Center where he was held without bond pending first appearance in court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649685060267.png" alt="Wymore- photo Dickinson County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Wymore- photo Dickinson County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting on Interstate 70 and have made an arrest.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office responded to 100 Dakota Drive (Dollar General) in Solomon, Kansas for a report of a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office. The investigators learned that 27-year-old Samantha E. Baum of Topeka, Kansas sustained a single gunshot wound while driving westbound on Interstate 70 near Solomon. EMS transported Baum to Salina Regional Health Center where she died, according to the sheriff. As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 48-year-old Eric S. Wymore of Beulah, Colorado on requested charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and booked into the Dickinson County Detention Center where he was held without bond pending first appearance in court.

Suspect in custody after woman dies in shooting on I-70

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is nominating an Obama-era U.S. attorney to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as his administration unveils its formal rule to rein in ghost guns, privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes, six people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Biden is expected to make the announcement nominating Steve Dettlebach, who served as a U.S. attorney in Ohio from 2009 to 2016, at the White House on Monday, the people said. They were not authorized to discuss the nomination publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The administration will also release the finalized version of its ghost gun rule, which comes as the White House and the Justice Department have been under growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the U.S.

Dettlebach’s confirmation is likely to be an uphill battle for the Biden administration. Biden had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-gun-politics-susan-collins-angus-king-lisa-murkowski-e0d6522c455c86bd5d877307c4d5b19c">withdraw the nomination</a>&nbsp;of his first ATF nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after the nomination stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.

Both Republican and Democratic administrations have failed to get nominees for the ATF position through the politically fraught process since the director’s position was made confirmable in 2006. Since then, only one nominee, former U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones, has been confirmed. Jones made it through the Senate in 2013 but only after a six-month struggle. Jones was acting director when President Barack Obama nominated him in January 2013.

The Biden administration’s plan was first reported by Politico.

For nearly a year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-gun-politics-gun-violence-violence-edc7a2c8dc505915a8ad841616d40ebe">the ghost gun rule has been making its way</a>&nbsp;through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.

On Sunday, the Senate’s top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, implored the administration to move faster.

“It’s high time for a ghost gun exorcism before the proliferation peaks, and before more people get hurt — or worse,” Schumer said in a statement. “My message is a simple one: No more waiting on these proposed federal rules.” Ghost guns are “too easy to build, too hard to trace and too dangerous to ignore.”

Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don’t contact the government about the guns because they can’t be traced.

The rule is expected to change the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun.

In its proposed rule released last May, the ATF said it was also seeking to require manufacturers and dealers who sell ghost gun parts to be licensed by the federal government and require federally licensed firearms dealers to add a serial number to any unserialized guns they plan to sell.

The rule would also require firearms dealers to run background checks before they sell ghost gun kits that contain parts needed to assemble a firearm.

For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.

Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.

The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.

Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 unserialized firearms since January.

A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is nominating an Obama-era U.S. attorney to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as his administration unveils its formal rule to rein in ghost guns, privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes, six people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.Biden is expected to make the announcement nominating Steve Dettlebach, who served as a U.S. attorney in Ohio from 2009 to 2016, at the White House on Monday, the people said. They were not authorized to discuss the nomination publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The administration will also release the finalized version of its ghost gun rule, which comes as the White House and the Justice Department have been under growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the U.S.Dettlebach’s confirmation is likely to be an uphill battle for the Biden administration. Biden had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-gun-politics-susan-collins-angus-king-lisa-murkowski-e0d6522c455c86bd5d877307c4d5b19c">withdraw the nomination</a>&nbsp;of his first ATF nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after the nomination stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.Both Republican and Democratic administrations have failed to get nominees for the ATF position through the politically fraught process since the director’s position was made confirmable in 2006. Since then, only one nominee, former U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones, has been confirmed. Jones made it through the Senate in 2013 but only after a six-month struggle. Jones was acting director when President Barack Obama nominated him in January 2013.The Biden administration’s plan was first reported by Politico.For nearly a year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-gun-politics-gun-violence-violence-edc7a2c8dc505915a8ad841616d40ebe">the ghost gun rule has been making its way</a>&nbsp;through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.On Sunday, the Senate’s top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, implored the administration to move faster.“It’s high time for a ghost gun exorcism before the proliferation peaks, and before more people get hurt — or worse,” Schumer said in a statement. “My message is a simple one: No more waiting on these proposed federal rules.” Ghost guns are “too easy to build, too hard to trace and too dangerous to ignore.”Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don’t contact the government about the guns because they can’t be traced.The rule is expected to change the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun.In its proposed rule released last May, the ATF said it was also seeking to require manufacturers and dealers who sell ghost gun parts to be licensed by the federal government and require federally licensed firearms dealers to add a serial number to any unserialized guns they plan to sell.The rule would also require firearms dealers to run background checks before they sell ghost gun kits that contain parts needed to assemble a firearm.For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 unserialized firearms since January.A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.

President Biden to release final version of ghost gun rules

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The medical technician who drew blood from New Hampshire Rep. Peter Schmidt after he broke his leg in February was registered with the state, thanks to a 2014 law enacted after a traveling medical technician infected dozens of people with hepatitis C.

But by the time Schmidt was back on his feet, colleagues had hijacked his bill aimed at improving the registry. House lawmakers passed a bill last month eliminating the registration requirement altogether, and Schmidt is now urging senators to reject it.

“Please do not pass this, this is a terrible idea,” Schmidt said. “I think we need to continue to register these medical technicians, otherwise we are opening ourselves up to a potential repeat of the Exeter experience.”

New Hampshire created the Board of Registration for Medical Technicians in response to David Kwiatkowski, who is serving 39 years in prison for stealing painkillers and replacing them with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood.

At the time, officials hoped the board would become a model for other states, but that hasn’t happened. And those who want to ditch it say it creates unnecessary bureaucracy at a time when health care facilities are struggling to hire workers.

“The actions of one bad actor, however heinous, are not reason to require thousands of technicians to register and pay fees,” said Rep. Carol McGuire, R-Epsom, when the House passed the bill last month.

But Linda Ficken, a Kansas woman who contracted hepatitis C from Kwiatkowski in 2011, said she believes any medical worker with access to drugs should be registered and should undergo frequent drug testing.

“Every time I go into the hospital, I can’t help but wonder, is this a repeat?” she said. “Cured or not, the thoughts and anxiety are still there.”

Despite being fired numerous times over drug allegations, Kwiatkowski had worked in 18 hospitals in seven states before being hired in at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire. After his arrest in 2012, 46 people in four states were diagnosed with the same strain of the hepatitis C virus he carries, including one who died in Kansas.

In all, 32 patients were infected in New Hampshire, seven in Maryland, six in Kansas and one in Pennsylvania. Kwiatkowski also worked in Michigan, New York, Arizona and Georgia.

The case highlighted the fact that medical technicians aren’t as closely regulated as nurses or doctors, whose misconduct and discipline are tracked via a nationwide database. While some states require certain technicians to be licensed, four of the states where he worked didn’t license any of them at the time of his arrest, including New Hampshire.

The registry New Hampshire eventually created applies to all health care workers who are not otherwise already licensed or registered and have access to both patients and drugs. Hospitals are required to report disciplinary actions to the board, which also investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action.

The board has struggled to maintain a quorum, however, and hasn’t met in more than a year, said Lindsey Courtney, director of the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.

“We’re greatly concerned the state is not meeting its obligation to protect the public,” she said at a public hearing.

Courtney, who isn’t taking a position on eliminating the board, supported Schmidt’s original proposal to convert it to an advisory panel that would make recommendations to her office. There are currently 1,691 registered technicians, and although complaints are rare, the board has taken action in a handful of cases each year.

Schmidt said his goal was to shift some of the administrative burden from the board to the larger agency. He hopes the Senate will either kill the amended bill or return to his original idea.

While hospitals are on the front lines of preventing and responding to drug diversion, partnering with public health, licensing and law enforcement agencies is essential, said Dr. Matthew Crist, a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He said the CDC isn’t aware of outbreaks in recent years related to drug diversion and is cautiously optimistic given that health care facilities have improved security around controlled drugs, and many state licensing agencies have taken steps to improve communication across state lines.

In the decade before Kwiatkowski’s arrests, similar hepatitis C outbreaks had been traced to other hospital technicians in Texas, Colorado and Florida, and CDC officials said at the time that the Kwiatkowski case highlighted a problem that was a growing concern across the public health system.

Even though other states didn’t follow New Hampshire’s lead, the registry likely has deterred people like Kwiatkowski from coming to the state in the first place, said state Sen. Tom Sherman, D-Rye, who led the bipartisan effort to create the board.

Sherman, a gastroenterologist who is running for governor, played a key role in discovering Kwiatkowski’s misconduct when he and his colleagues noticed a cluster of hepatitis C cases among their patients and realized they all had been treated in Exeter Hospital’s cardiac catherization lab. He’s now urging his fellow senators to consider “the price of doing an experiment to see what happens if we get rid of the board.”

“People died because of that outbreak,” he said. “This was a very carefully thought-out solution that has worked. To take it away now means we just don’t learn from history.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576200677174.png" alt="In May 2010, David Kwiatkowski worked at Hays Medical Center. According to the original statement from the United State's Attorney, while Kwiatkowski was working there, a physician told him he had Hepatitis C. At least six patients who were treated at Hays during the time he worked there were found to be infected with a strain of Hepatitis C that has been genetically linked to the strain with which he is infected. One of the patients underwent cardiac catheterization on June 7 and July 12, 2010. A medical examiner has concluded that Hepatitis C played a role in contributing to that patient’s death." />
 <figcaption>In May 2010, David Kwiatkowski worked at Hays Medical Center. According to the original statement from the United State's Attorney, while Kwiatkowski was working there, a physician told him he had Hepatitis C. At least six patients who were treated at Hays during the time he worked there were found to be infected with a strain of Hepatitis C that has been genetically linked to the strain with which he is infected. One of the patients underwent cardiac catheterization on June 7 and July 12, 2010. A medical examiner has concluded that Hepatitis C played a role in contributing to that patient’s death.</figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The medical technician who drew blood from New Hampshire Rep. Peter Schmidt after he broke his leg in February was registered with the state, thanks to a 2014 law enacted after a traveling medical technician infected dozens of people with hepatitis C.But by the time Schmidt was back on his feet, colleagues had hijacked his bill aimed at improving the registry. House lawmakers passed a bill last month eliminating the registration requirement altogether, and Schmidt is now urging senators to reject it.“Please do not pass this, this is a terrible idea,” Schmidt said. “I think we need to continue to register these medical technicians, otherwise we are opening ourselves up to a potential repeat of the Exeter experience.”New Hampshire created the Board of Registration for Medical Technicians in response to David Kwiatkowski, who is serving 39 years in prison for stealing painkillers and replacing them with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood.At the time, officials hoped the board would become a model for other states, but that hasn’t happened. And those who want to ditch it say it creates unnecessary bureaucracy at a time when health care facilities are struggling to hire workers.“The actions of one bad actor, however heinous, are not reason to require thousands of technicians to register and pay fees,” said Rep. Carol McGuire, R-Epsom, when the House passed the bill last month.But Linda Ficken, a Kansas woman who contracted hepatitis C from Kwiatkowski in 2011, said she believes any medical worker with access to drugs should be registered and should undergo frequent drug testing.“Every time I go into the hospital, I can’t help but wonder, is this a repeat?” she said. “Cured or not, the thoughts and anxiety are still there.”Despite being fired numerous times over drug allegations, Kwiatkowski had worked in 18 hospitals in seven states before being hired in at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire. After his arrest in 2012, 46 people in four states were diagnosed with the same strain of the hepatitis C virus he carries, including one who died in Kansas.In all, 32 patients were infected in New Hampshire, seven in Maryland, six in Kansas and one in Pennsylvania. Kwiatkowski also worked in Michigan, New York, Arizona and Georgia.The case highlighted the fact that medical technicians aren’t as closely regulated as nurses or doctors, whose misconduct and discipline are tracked via a nationwide database. While some states require certain technicians to be licensed, four of the states where he worked didn’t license any of them at the time of his arrest, including New Hampshire.The registry New Hampshire eventually created applies to all health care workers who are not otherwise already licensed or registered and have access to both patients and drugs. Hospitals are required to report disciplinary actions to the board, which also investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action.The board has struggled to maintain a quorum, however, and hasn’t met in more than a year, said Lindsey Courtney, director of the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.“We’re greatly concerned the state is not meeting its obligation to protect the public,” she said at a public hearing.Courtney, who isn’t taking a position on eliminating the board, supported Schmidt’s original proposal to convert it to an advisory panel that would make recommendations to her office. There are currently 1,691 registered technicians, and although complaints are rare, the board has taken action in a handful of cases each year.Schmidt said his goal was to shift some of the administrative burden from the board to the larger agency. He hopes the Senate will either kill the amended bill or return to his original idea.While hospitals are on the front lines of preventing and responding to drug diversion, partnering with public health, licensing and law enforcement agencies is essential, said Dr. Matthew Crist, a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.He said the CDC isn’t aware of outbreaks in recent years related to drug diversion and is cautiously optimistic given that health care facilities have improved security around controlled drugs, and many state licensing agencies have taken steps to improve communication across state lines.In the decade before Kwiatkowski’s arrests, similar hepatitis C outbreaks had been traced to other hospital technicians in Texas, Colorado and Florida, and CDC officials said at the time that the Kwiatkowski case highlighted a problem that was a growing concern across the public health system.Even though other states didn’t follow New Hampshire’s lead, the registry likely has deterred people like Kwiatkowski from coming to the state in the first place, said state Sen. Tom Sherman, D-Rye, who led the bipartisan effort to create the board.Sherman, a gastroenterologist who is running for governor, played a key role in discovering Kwiatkowski’s misconduct when he and his colleagues noticed a cluster of hepatitis C cases among their patients and realized they all had been treated in Exeter Hospital’s cardiac catherization lab. He’s now urging his fellow senators to consider “the price of doing an experiment to see what happens if we get rid of the board.”“People died because of that outbreak,” he said. “This was a very carefully thought-out solution that has worked. To take it away now means we just don’t learn from history.”

Decade after hepatitis outbreak, medical registry might end

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.

On March 24, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.

Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.

If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648080074670.png" alt="Reed photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.On March 24, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

Search continues for dangerous Kan. inmate released by mistake

THOMAS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Hyundia Elantra driven by 12-year-0ld Jarett J.&nbsp;Adelman of Colby was northbound on Country Club Drive just north of Veterans Memorial Drive.

The driver lost control of the car as it accelerated swiftly. The car left the roadway to the right, struck a dirt embankment, went airborne, overturned counterclockwise and came to a rest on its passenger side in the middle of County Club Drive.

EMS transported Adelman and passengers 27-year-old Brandon L. Butters and 11-year-old Janiya&nbsp;Valdez Castell both of Colby to Citizen's Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

THOMAS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Thomas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Hyundia Elantra driven by 12-year-0ld Jarett J.&nbsp;Adelman of Colby was northbound on Country Club Drive just north of Veterans Memorial Drive.The driver lost control of the car as it accelerated swiftly. The car left the roadway to the right, struck a dirt embankment, went airborne, overturned counterclockwise and came to a rest on its passenger side in the middle of County Club Drive.EMS transported Adelman and passengers 27-year-old Brandon L. Butters and 11-year-old Janiya&nbsp;Valdez Castell both of Colby to Citizen's Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

3 injured after rollover crash with 12-year-old Kansas driver

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded all 
taxpayers – particularly those who are identity theft victims – of an 
important step they should take to protect themselves from tax fraud.

Some identity thieves use taxpayers' information to file fraudulent 
tax returns. By requesting Identity Protection PINs from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">Get an IP PIN</a> tool on IRS.gov, taxpayers can prevent thieves from claiming tax refunds in their names.

Identity Protection PINs and how to get one

An IP PIN is a six-digit number the IRS assigns to an individual to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number">Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)</a>&nbsp;on
 federal income tax returns. The IP PIN protects the taxpayer's account,
 even if they're no longer required to file a tax return, by rejecting 
any e-filed return without the taxpayer's IP PIN

Taxpayers can go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">IRS.gov/getanippin</a>
 to complete a thorough authentication check. Once authentication is 
complete, an IP PIN will be provided online immediately. A new IP PIN is
 generated every year for added security. Once an individual is enrolled
 in the IP PIN program, there's no way to opt-out.

The IRS may automatically assign an IP PIN if the IRS determines the 
taxpayer's a victim of tax-related identity theft. The taxpayer will 
receive a notification confirming the tax-related ID theft incident 
along with an assigned IP PIN for future tax-return filings.

Taxpayers will either receive a notice with their new IP PIN every 
year in early January for the next filing season or they must retrieve 
their IP PIN by going to IRS.gov.

Tax-related identity theft and how to handle it

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a taxpayer's 
stolen SSN to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. In the 
vast majority of tax-related identity theft cases, the IRS identifies a 
suspicious tax return and pulls the suspicious return for review. The 
IRS then sends a letter to the taxpayer and won't process the tax return
 until the taxpayer responds.

Depending on the situation, the taxpayer will receive one of three letters asking them to verify their identity:

If the taxpayer receives any of these letters, they don't need to file an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/when-to-file-an-identity-theft-affidavit">Identity Theft Affidavit</a> (Form 14039). Instead, they should follow the instructions in the letter.

If a taxpayer hasn't heard from the IRS but suspects tax-related identity theft, they should complete and submit a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf">Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit</a>&nbsp;PDF. Signs of possible tax-related identity theft include:

The IRS will work to verify the legitimate taxpayer, clear the 
fraudulent return from the taxpayer's account and, generally, place a 
special marker on the account that will generate an IP PIN each year for
 the taxpayer who is a confirmed victim.

For information about tax-related identity theft, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-irs-id-theft-victim-assistance-works">IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance: How It Works</a> on IRS.gov. The <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/">Federal Trade Commission</a> website also includes information about tax-related identity theft.

Signs of non-tax-related identity theft; no need to file form 14039

Non-tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen or 
lost personal identifiable information (PII) to open credit cards, 
obtain mortgages, buy a car or open other accounts without their 
victim's knowledge.

Potential evidence of non-tax-related identity theft can include:

Victims of non-tax-related identity theft don't need to report these incidents to the IRS but should take steps to <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/">protect against the type of identity theft they've experienced</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded all 
taxpayers – particularly those who are identity theft victims – of an 
important step they should take to protect themselves from tax fraud.Some identity thieves use taxpayers' information to file fraudulent 
tax returns. By requesting Identity Protection PINs from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">Get an IP PIN</a> tool on IRS.gov, taxpayers can prevent thieves from claiming tax refunds in their names.<h2>Identity Protection PINs and how to get one</h2>An IP PIN is a six-digit number the IRS assigns to an individual to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number">Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)</a>&nbsp;on
 federal income tax returns. The IP PIN protects the taxpayer's account,
 even if they're no longer required to file a tax return, by rejecting 
any e-filed return without the taxpayer's IP PINTaxpayers should request an IP PIN:<ul>
 <li>If they want to protect their SSN or ITIN with the IRS,</li><li>If they want to protect their dependent's SSN or ITIN with the IRS,</li><li>If they think their SSN, ITIN or personal information was exposed by theft or fraudulent acts or</li><li>If they suspect or confirm they're a victim of identity theft.</li>
 </ul>Taxpayers can go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">IRS.gov/getanippin</a>
 to complete a thorough authentication check. Once authentication is 
complete, an IP PIN will be provided online immediately. A new IP PIN is
 generated every year for added security. Once an individual is enrolled
 in the IP PIN program, there's no way to opt-out.The IRS may automatically assign an IP PIN if the IRS determines the 
taxpayer's a victim of tax-related identity theft. The taxpayer will 
receive a notification confirming the tax-related ID theft incident 
along with an assigned IP PIN for future tax-return filings.Taxpayers will either receive a notice with their new IP PIN every 
year in early January for the next filing season or they must retrieve 
their IP PIN by going to IRS.gov.<h2>Tax-related identity theft and how to handle it</h2>Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a taxpayer's 
stolen SSN to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. In the 
vast majority of tax-related identity theft cases, the IRS identifies a 
suspicious tax return and pulls the suspicious return for review. The 
IRS then sends a letter to the taxpayer and won't process the tax return
 until the taxpayer responds.Depending on the situation, the taxpayer will receive one of three letters asking them to verify their identity:<ul>
 <li>Letter 5071C, asks them to use an online tool to verify their identity and tell the IRS if they filed the return in question.</li><li>Letter 4883C, asks the taxpayer to call the IRS to verify their identity and tell the IRS if they filed the return.</li><li>For those who have been a victim of a data breach, they may receive
 Letter 5747C and be asked to verify their identity in-person at a 
Taxpayer Assistance Center.</li>
 </ul>If the taxpayer receives any of these letters, they don't need to file an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/when-to-file-an-identity-theft-affidavit">Identity Theft Affidavit</a> (Form 14039). Instead, they should follow the instructions in the letter.<h2>When to file an Identity Theft Affidavit</h2>If a taxpayer hasn't heard from the IRS but suspects tax-related identity theft, they should complete and submit a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf">Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit</a>&nbsp;PDF. Signs of possible tax-related identity theft include:<ul>
 <li>A taxpayer can't e-file their tax return because a duplicate tax
 return was filed using their Social Security number. (Check that 
there's no error in the SSN, such as transposed numbers.)</li><li>A taxpayer can't e-file because a dependent's Social Security 
number or ITIN was already used by someone on another return without the
 taxpayer's knowledge or permission. (Also check that the SSN or ITIN is
 correct and be sure the dependent hasn't filed a separate tax return.)</li><li>A taxpayer receives a tax transcript in the mail they did not request.</li><li>A taxpayer receives a notice from a tax preparation software 
company confirming an online account was created in their name, and they
 did not create one.</li><li>A taxpayer receives a notice from their tax preparation software 
company that their existing online account was accessed or disabled when
 they took no action.</li><li>A taxpayer receives an IRS notice informing them that they owe 
additional tax, or their refund was offset to a balance due, or that 
they have had collection actions taken against them for a year they did 
not earn any income or file a tax return.</li><li>The IRS sends a taxpayer a notice indicating that the taxpayer 
received wages or other income from an employer for whom they didn't 
work.</li><li>The taxpayer was assigned an Employer Identification Number (EIN), but they did not request or apply for an EIN.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will work to verify the legitimate taxpayer, clear the 
fraudulent return from the taxpayer's account and, generally, place a 
special marker on the account that will generate an IP PIN each year for
 the taxpayer who is a confirmed victim.For information about tax-related identity theft, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-irs-id-theft-victim-assistance-works">IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance: How It Works</a> on IRS.gov. The <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/">Federal Trade Commission</a> website also includes information about tax-related identity theft.<h2>Signs of non-tax-related identity theft; no need to file form 14039</h2>Non-tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen or 
lost personal identifiable information (PII) to open credit cards, 
obtain mortgages, buy a car or open other accounts without their 
victim's knowledge.Potential evidence of non-tax-related identity theft can include:<ul>
 <li>An individual receives balance due bills from companies with 
whom they didn't conduct business, magazine subscriptions they didn't 
order, notifications of a mortgage statement and/or credit cards for 
which they didn't apply.</li><li>An individual receives notices of unemployment benefits for which they didn't apply.</li><li>An individual receives a Notice CP 01E, Employment Identity Theft.</li><li>An individual receives a Form W-2 or 1099 from a corporation or 
employer from whom they did not receive the income reported and they 
have not received a notice or letter from the IRS questioning them about
 that income.</li><li>A taxpayer can't e-file because a dependent's SSN or ITIN was 
already used by someone who is known to the taxpayer but is not the 
parent or legal guardian, and the taxpayer did not provide permission 
for that person to claim the dependent. For additional information about
 this issue, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1819.pdf">Publication 1819, Divorce and non-custodial, separated, or never married parents</a>&nbsp;PDF.</li>
 </ul>Victims of non-tax-related identity theft don't need to report these incidents to the IRS but should take steps to <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/">protect against the type of identity theft they've experienced</a>.

Identity stolen? Request an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man serving a 25-year prison sentence for rigging computers to win lottery jackpots has had his parole revoked after he got into trouble in prison just before his scheduled release.

Eddie Tipton was approved for release by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa">Iowa</a>&nbsp;Board of Parole on Jan. 20 because of good behavior. He had served nearly five years of his 25-year sentence. The board reversed its decision and rescinded his parole on March 10.

“He incurred a major discipline or major report within the institution after we granted the parole but before he was physically released,” said Iowa Board of Parole Chairman Andrew Boettger.

The Iowa Department of Corrections notified the board of the incident, the board reviewed it and “based on the nature of the discipline decided to rescind the parole grant," Boettger said.

Boettger declined to specify what Tipton did before his release to deserve disciplinary action. A spokesman for Department of Corrections referred questions to Boettger. The prison system spokesman also denied a request to talk with Tipton at the state medium security prison for men in Clarinda.

Tipton had worked for an organization in Urbandale, Iowa, that provided random number drawing computers to several states with lotteries. Investigators said he installed code on lottery computers that allowed him to predict the winning numbers on specific days. He, his brother Tommy Tipton of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas">Texas</a>, and others played the numbers he predicted and claimed winnings.

Eddie Tipton pleaded guilty in 2017 to ongoing criminal conduct and was ordered to repay $2.2 million in ill-gotten winnings from lotteries in Kansas, Colorado,&nbsp;Wisconsin and&nbsp;Oklahoma. Court documents indicate he still owes most of the money. He shared some of the restitution obligation with his brother, who collected some of the winnings.

An Iowa jury also convicted Eddie Tipton of attempting to take $16.5 million from a rigged Iowa Lottery game in December 2010, but the Iowa Supreme Court in 2017 overruled the decision, saying the state took too long to prosecute him.

Tipton, like all non-violent offenders with no mandatory minimum sentence, will come up for review again in a year and corrections officials could recommend him for parole again before that, Boettger said.

In Iowa, non-violent offenders with no mandatory minimum sentence are eligible for parole immediately. Typically the prison system evaluates when they're ready for consideration and makes a recommendation to the parole board, which does its own evaluation and determines whether the person is ready to transition to work release or parole and “has been rehabilitated and is ready to live a law-abiding life,” Boettger said.

Parole board documents indicate Tipton would have been allowed to move to Texas, where he has family including his brother.

At his 2017 Iowa sentencing hearing, Tipton told the judge he wrote software containing code that allowed him to predict winning numbers on certain dates. He gave those numbers to others who won lottery prizes and shared the winnings with him.

It’s not clear what happened to the money Tipton and his associates won between 2005 and 2011. Out of the seven known winning tickets that netted more than $2.2 million, Eddie Tipton claimed to have ended up with only $351,000.

Tipton, 59, has filed a lawsuit in state court claiming he was placed under duress to plead guilty. He also alleges that Iowa officials charged him for restitution in states for which it has no jurisdiction, and he says he can’t pay. A trial is set for Aug. 17.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566940541907.png" alt="Tipton-photo Iowa Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Tipton-photo Iowa Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man serving a 25-year prison sentence for rigging computers to win lottery jackpots has had his parole revoked after he got into trouble in prison just before his scheduled release.Eddie Tipton was approved for release by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa">Iowa</a>&nbsp;Board of Parole on Jan. 20 because of good behavior. He had served nearly five years of his 25-year sentence. The board reversed its decision and rescinded his parole on March 10.“He incurred a major discipline or major report within the institution after we granted the parole but before he was physically released,” said Iowa Board of Parole Chairman Andrew Boettger.The Iowa Department of Corrections notified the board of the incident, the board reviewed it and “based on the nature of the discipline decided to rescind the parole grant," Boettger said.Boettger declined to specify what Tipton did before his release to deserve disciplinary action. A spokesman for Department of Corrections referred questions to Boettger. The prison system spokesman also denied a request to talk with Tipton at the state medium security prison for men in Clarinda.Tipton had worked for an organization in Urbandale, Iowa, that provided random number drawing computers to several states with lotteries. Investigators said he installed code on lottery computers that allowed him to predict the winning numbers on specific days. He, his brother Tommy Tipton of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas">Texas</a>, and others played the numbers he predicted and claimed winnings.Eddie Tipton pleaded guilty in 2017 to ongoing criminal conduct and was ordered to repay $2.2 million in ill-gotten winnings from lotteries in Kansas, Colorado,&nbsp;Wisconsin and&nbsp;Oklahoma. Court documents indicate he still owes most of the money. He shared some of the restitution obligation with his brother, who collected some of the winnings.An Iowa jury also convicted Eddie Tipton of attempting to take $16.5 million from a rigged Iowa Lottery game in December 2010, but the Iowa Supreme Court in 2017 overruled the decision, saying the state took too long to prosecute him.Tipton, like all non-violent offenders with no mandatory minimum sentence, will come up for review again in a year and corrections officials could recommend him for parole again before that, Boettger said.In Iowa, non-violent offenders with no mandatory minimum sentence are eligible for parole immediately. Typically the prison system evaluates when they're ready for consideration and makes a recommendation to the parole board, which does its own evaluation and determines whether the person is ready to transition to work release or parole and “has been rehabilitated and is ready to live a law-abiding life,” Boettger said.Parole board documents indicate Tipton would have been allowed to move to Texas, where he has family including his brother.At his 2017 Iowa sentencing hearing, Tipton told the judge he wrote software containing code that allowed him to predict winning numbers on certain dates. He gave those numbers to others who won lottery prizes and shared the winnings with him.It’s not clear what happened to the money Tipton and his associates won between 2005 and 2011. Out of the seven known winning tickets that netted more than $2.2 million, Eddie Tipton claimed to have ended up with only $351,000.Tipton, 59, has filed a lawsuit in state court claiming he was placed under duress to plead guilty. He also alleges that Iowa officials charged him for restitution in states for which it has no jurisdiction, and he says he can’t pay. A trial is set for Aug. 17.

Parole revoked for man convicted of lottery scam in Kansas

KANSAS CITY – Four Kansas City-area men have been indicted for their role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dmitry Cattell, 22, Joseph Burgess, 21, and Jordon Simmer, 20, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Kelton Hill, 22, of Parkville, Mo., were charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.&nbsp; That indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrests of all four defendants on Thursday, April 7. They remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on April 12, 2022.

The federal indictment alleges that all four defendants have participated in a conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl since Sept. 12, 2019.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, the indictment charges Cattell and Simmer with aiding and abetting each other to distribute fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person, on May 18, 2020. The victim of the fatal overdose is not identified in court documents.

Cattell is also charged with two counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Cattell allegedly was in possession of a Taurus handgun on Nov. 10, 2020.

Simmer, Burgess, and Hill each are also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

KANSAS CITY – Four Kansas City-area men have been indicted for their role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death, according to the United State's Attorney.Dmitry Cattell, 22, Joseph Burgess, 21, and Jordon Simmer, 20, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Kelton Hill, 22, of Parkville, Mo., were charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.&nbsp; That indictment was unsealed and made public following the arrests of all four defendants on Thursday, April 7. They remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on April 12, 2022.The federal indictment alleges that all four defendants have participated in a conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl since Sept. 12, 2019.In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, the indictment charges Cattell and Simmer with aiding and abetting each other to distribute fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person, on May 18, 2020. The victim of the fatal overdose is not identified in court documents.Cattell is also charged with two counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. Cattell allegedly was in possession of a Taurus handgun on Nov. 10, 2020.Simmer, Burgess, and Hill each are also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

4 indicted for KC-area fentanyl conspiracy that led to death

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The Kansas board that licenses health care providers raised concerns Friday about a letter that a physician-legislator sent to doctors suggesting that they prescribe ivermectin and other medications that aren’t approved to treat the virus.

The Kansas Board of Healing Arts said that the “unprecedented” letter from Kansas Sen. Mark Steffen carried no legal or regulatory weight but has caused “confusion and concern” in the Kansas medical community, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;reports.

Steffen, who is an anesthesiologist, said that health care providers will be shielded from the board’s “interference” in the letter that he sent last week on Senate stationery. The Hutchinson Republican said previously that the board is investigating him.

In the letter, he cites the recent Senate passage of a measure that specifically authorizes doctors to prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, among other drugs, to treat COVID-19. But the proposal remains bogged down in negotiations with the House.

The board wrote in response that nothing in state or federal law prohibits the off-label prescribing of FDA approved drugs. But it said doctor are bound to follow the standard of care, which is determined by what a reasonable physician would do in a situation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644349412329.png" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson -photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson -photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The Kansas board that licenses health care providers raised concerns Friday about a letter that a physician-legislator sent to doctors suggesting that they prescribe ivermectin and other medications that aren’t approved to treat the virus.The Kansas Board of Healing Arts said that the “unprecedented” letter from Kansas Sen. Mark Steffen carried no legal or regulatory weight but has caused “confusion and concern” in the Kansas medical community, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;reports.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649271532204.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steffen, who is an anesthesiologist, said that health care providers will be shielded from the board’s “interference” in the letter that he sent last week on Senate stationery. The Hutchinson Republican said previously that the board is investigating him.In the letter, he cites the recent Senate passage of a measure that specifically authorizes doctors to prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, among other drugs, to treat COVID-19. But the proposal remains bogged down in negotiations with the House.The board wrote in response that nothing in state or federal law prohibits the off-label prescribing of FDA approved drugs. But it said doctor are bound to follow the standard of care, which is determined by what a reasonable physician would do in a situation.

Board: Kan. physician-legislator's COVID directive has no weight

<a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>

ABILENE — A project is underway to preserve President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home.

The
 home, on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum 
complex, is closed to public tours until the structural preservation 
work is completed in the fall.

"The home was built in 1887, and like other aging houses, it needs some attention," the library noted in a news release.

"These
 repairs are necessary for the preservation of this historic home and 
our ability to continue sharing this history. We are excited to complete
 this project and once again open the home for guests," said Dawn 
Hammatt, director.

While the house is closed, interested persons 
will be able to take a virtual tour via a video that was created in 
anticipation of its closing. The short video, A Window to the Past: Life
 inside the Eisenhower Boyhood Home, provides a guided tour of 
Eisenhower's boyhood home and offers a glimpse into daily life growing 
up in the very heart of America.

The video is available for viewing on the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/about-us/boyhood-home#preservation">website</a> and on the facility's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/IkeLibrary/featured">YouTube channel</a>.

Additionally, interested persons can follow the project's progress on the <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/about-us/boyhood-home#preservation">website</a>.

About the Eisenhower Presidential Library The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum&nbsp;is one of 15 Presidential Libraries operated by the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDSYWqCMuAbhWAWum_hXCIh2TBIafcA9lKRC4_zFwrzwpWJp0tXTUsOg3te-d5X8GxuUjAEBDJQe63oJHg1TLujQ==&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">National Archives and Records Administration</a>.
 Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the 
American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical 
materials, support research, and create interactive programs and 
exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the 
Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the 
generous support of the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDMKtuiro23H-kNWI-NKMA_h75FHyGL6ba6OwXBJpx_GcFWAS3oXSB7tfZx0aqtUNBPya2q76IEBbgl1HozcEnOHF4e78tXWTo&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDRPj5I7eV2kEPNrR1_4-9Hj9_E9ypASMzv_ytRhc4VuWbDIyQwK-QgAyCn0admXRVbsFKZgU6yOy-JlGwWsAVTi_ESmTRbUJg&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649605285182.jpeg" alt="Structural preservation work has begun on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home. Photo courtesy Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home website" />
 <figcaption>Structural preservation work has begun on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home. Photo courtesy Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home website</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>ABILENE — A project is underway to preserve President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home.The
 home, on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum 
complex, is closed to public tours until the structural preservation 
work is completed in the fall."The home was built in 1887, and like other aging houses, it needs some attention," the library noted in a news release."These
 repairs are necessary for the preservation of this historic home and 
our ability to continue sharing this history. We are excited to complete
 this project and once again open the home for guests," said Dawn 
Hammatt, director.While the house is closed, interested persons 
will be able to take a virtual tour via a video that was created in 
anticipation of its closing. The short video, A Window to the Past: Life
 inside the Eisenhower Boyhood Home, provides a guided tour of 
Eisenhower's boyhood home and offers a glimpse into daily life growing 
up in the very heart of America.The video is available for viewing on the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/about-us/boyhood-home#preservation">website</a> and on the facility's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/IkeLibrary/featured">YouTube channel</a>.Additionally, interested persons can follow the project's progress on the <a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/about-us/boyhood-home#preservation">website</a>.About the Eisenhower Presidential Library The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum&nbsp;is one of 15 Presidential Libraries operated by the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDSYWqCMuAbhWAWum_hXCIh2TBIafcA9lKRC4_zFwrzwpWJp0tXTUsOg3te-d5X8GxuUjAEBDJQe63oJHg1TLujQ==&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">National Archives and Records Administration</a>.
 Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the 
American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical 
materials, support research, and create interactive programs and 
exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the 
Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the 
generous support of the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDMKtuiro23H-kNWI-NKMA_h75FHyGL6ba6OwXBJpx_GcFWAS3oXSB7tfZx0aqtUNBPya2q76IEBbgl1HozcEnOHF4e78tXWTo&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010pgDEYaphSjuvIa0PDpxGLam5uyUrHJIfm1kKjyaThpEtdxWLg2WHGAQzXp8WPvDRPj5I7eV2kEPNrR1_4-9Hj9_E9ypASMzv_ytRhc4VuWbDIyQwK-QgAyCn0admXRVbsFKZgU6yOy-JlGwWsAVTi_ESmTRbUJg&amp;c=kIoTtJ97VLTYBlYqy2zH6MkX9gtOn50oDiKRXEZns2ps9RSiVZKsdw==&amp;ch=w6BZ2yb4bIHTgzVOL6y3yOhSy9zWHBPNO_L6uSeZtdRB15CpFlpP2A==" target="_blank">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eisenhower boyhood home preservation project begins

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-1500-books-have-been-banned-public-schools-and-us-house-panel-asks-why">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — A U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee panel on 
Thursday examined why thousands of books, predominantly written by 
marginalized authors, have been banned from public schools, and the 
impact of those actions on students and teachers.

“Most books being targeted for censorship are books that introduce 
ideas about diversity or our common humanity, books that teach children 
to recognize and respect humanity in one another,” said the chair of the
 Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Rep. Jamie Raskin.

Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, cited a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/#conclusion">report</a>&nbsp;by
 PEN America — an organization that advocates for the protection of free
 speech — that found from July 2021 to the end of March this year, more 
than 1,500 books were banned&nbsp;in 86 school districts in 26 states.

The report found that of the banned books, 467 — or 41% —&nbsp; contained 
main or secondary characters of color; 247, or 22%, addressed racism; 
and 379, or 33%, of books contained LGBTQ+ themes.

Raskin held up a children’s book that administrators have tried to 
remove from school libraries. The book was written by Ruby Bridges, a 
civil rights icon who was the first Black child to desegregate an 
all-white Louisiana school. Bridges, who was 6 years old at the time, 
was a witness at the hearing.

“The truth is that rarely do children of color or immigrants see 
themselves in these textbooks we are forced to use,” Bridges said. “I 
write because I want them to understand the contributions their 
ancestors have made to our great country, whether that contribution was 
made as slaves or volunteers.”

Her book, “This Is Your Time,” is being reviewed for possible removal
 in a school district in Texas. Books written about her story have been 
banned in classrooms in Pennsylvania.

The hearing began with testimony from several high school students.

Olivia Pituch and Christina Ellis, of York, Pennsylvania, said it is 
important for students to see books written by authors who are people of
 color, LGBTQ+, Black and Indigenous, and with characters from 
marginalized groups.

Pituch, who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, said that if she 
had been able to have access to books with queer representation, she 
would have “been able to embrace and love myself a lot earlier on.”

“I deserve to walk into my school library and find a book with someone like me,” she said.

Ellis, who is Black, said that books that center on characters who 
are people of color also benefit white students, so those students are 
educated about different cultures.

She talked about how growing up, classmates would make fun of the 
Caribbean food she brought from&nbsp; home and how her classmates and 
sometimes teachers would touch her hair.

“Books that highlight our differences, and that teach others how to 
address diversity, are crucial,” she said. “Books can help kids educate 
themselves on various cultures and ways of life.”

Mindy Freeman, a parent from Pennsylvania, said a book called “George
 (Now Melissa)” was able to help her daughter, in fourth grade at the 
time, understand what she was going through as a transgender girl. 
Freeman said her daughter’s access to an age-appropriate book provided 
her the support and visibility she needed.

“No book made my child become transgender any more than a book could have turned her eyes from brown to blue,” Freedman said.

Republicans on the panel, Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Andy Biggs of 
Arizona, focused on freedom of speech on college campuses, and argued 
that these places were not welcoming to conservatives.

Biggs asked the Republican witness, Jonathan Pidluzny, what action 
should be taken so that conservatives are not barred from speaking on 
college campuses. Pidluzny is the vice president of academic affairs for
 the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, which is an organization 
that supports free speech across universities.

“We need to learn to tolerate the speech we abhor,” Pidluzny said.

Two Republicans, Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida and ranking member 
Nancy Mace of South Carolina, asked witnesses about district decisions 
about school curriculum and school administrators’ decisions to ban 
books.

“Taxpayers should have the ability to review that material because they pay for it,” Donalds said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649428729081.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-1500-books-have-been-banned-public-schools-and-us-house-panel-asks-why">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — A U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee panel on 
Thursday examined why thousands of books, predominantly written by 
marginalized authors, have been banned from public schools, and the 
impact of those actions on students and teachers.“Most books being targeted for censorship are books that introduce 
ideas about diversity or our common humanity, books that teach children 
to recognize and respect humanity in one another,” said the chair of the
 Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Rep. Jamie Raskin.Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, cited a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/#conclusion">report</a>&nbsp;by
 PEN America — an organization that advocates for the protection of free
 speech — that found from July 2021 to the end of March this year, more 
than 1,500 books were banned&nbsp;in 86 school districts in 26 states.The report found that of the banned books, 467 — or 41% —&nbsp; contained 
main or secondary characters of color; 247, or 22%, addressed racism; 
and 379, or 33%, of books contained LGBTQ+ themes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649428794909.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Raskin held up a children’s book that administrators have tried to 
remove from school libraries. The book was written by Ruby Bridges, a 
civil rights icon who was the first Black child to desegregate an 
all-white Louisiana school. Bridges, who was 6 years old at the time, 
was a witness at the hearing.“The truth is that rarely do children of color or immigrants see 
themselves in these textbooks we are forced to use,” Bridges said. “I 
write because I want them to understand the contributions their 
ancestors have made to our great country, whether that contribution was 
made as slaves or volunteers.”Her book, “This Is Your Time,” is being reviewed for possible removal
 in a school district in Texas. Books written about her story have been 
banned in classrooms in Pennsylvania.<h2>High school students speak out</h2>The hearing began with testimony from several high school students.Olivia Pituch and Christina Ellis, of York, Pennsylvania, said it is 
important for students to see books written by authors who are people of
 color, LGBTQ+, Black and Indigenous, and with characters from 
marginalized groups.Pituch, who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, said that if she 
had been able to have access to books with queer representation, she 
would have “been able to embrace and love myself a lot earlier on.”“I deserve to walk into my school library and find a book with someone like me,” she said.Ellis, who is Black, said that books that center on characters who 
are people of color also benefit white students, so those students are 
educated about different cultures.She talked about how growing up, classmates would make fun of the 
Caribbean food she brought from&nbsp; home and how her classmates and 
sometimes teachers would touch her hair.“Books that highlight our differences, and that teach others how to 
address diversity, are crucial,” she said. “Books can help kids educate 
themselves on various cultures and ways of life.”Mindy Freeman, a parent from Pennsylvania, said a book called “George
 (Now Melissa)” was able to help her daughter, in fourth grade at the 
time, understand what she was going through as a transgender girl. 
Freeman said her daughter’s access to an age-appropriate book provided 
her the support and visibility she needed.“No book made my child become transgender any more than a book could have turned her eyes from brown to blue,” Freedman said.<h2>Freedom of speech on campus</h2>Republicans on the panel, Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Andy Biggs of 
Arizona, focused on freedom of speech on college campuses, and argued 
that these places were not welcoming to conservatives.Biggs asked the Republican witness, Jonathan Pidluzny, what action 
should be taken so that conservatives are not barred from speaking on 
college campuses. Pidluzny is the vice president of academic affairs for
 the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, which is an organization 
that supports free speech across universities.“We need to learn to tolerate the speech we abhor,” Pidluzny said.Two Republicans, Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida and ranking member 
Nancy Mace of South Carolina, asked witnesses about district decisions 
about school curriculum and school administrators’ decisions to ban 
books.“Taxpayers should have the ability to review that material because they pay for it,” Donalds said.He, along with Mace, argued that there were other ways that students 
could get books, such as buying them or going to a public library.“They can get a book from a lot of different places,” Mace said. “Is 
there anything that prevents a kid from going to a public library?”Two of the witnesses, Samantha Hull, a librarian from Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, and Jessica Berg, a teacher from Loudoun County, 
Virginia, said not every student has the financial means to buy books or
 has adequate access to transportation to visit public libraries to read
 books where they see themselves represented.Berg said visceral attacks on education from Republicans almost 
caused her to quit her job. She said she has received death threats from
 members of her own community as well as continued questioning of her 
expertise.“Books … offer a mirror to readers so they can see themselves 
reflected in some way, be it their gender, race, culture, identity or 
experience, and it makes them feel less alone in the world,” she said. 
“When I think about the books frequently being challenged, the only 
connection I see between them is that they are the books that give voice
 to the most marginalized in our society.”Mace agreed that history, especially “problematic chapters in our 
history,” should be taught in schools, but said books dealing with adult
 topics expose young kids to inappropriate topics.“We should be teaching critical thinking skills,” Mace said, adding 
that she’s disturbed by reports of colleges “stifling speech to coddle 
young adults.”<h2>Tennessee book banning</h2>Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, held up a graphic 
novel about the Holocaust that was the latest book to be banned in 
Tennessee classrooms, “Maus.” She said with the rise in white 
nationalism, antisemitism and racism, books like “Maus” are now more 
important than ever.“We know that bigotry is learned,” Wasserman Schultz said, adding that “we also know it can be unlearned.”She asked Hall what removing books like “Maus” and ones that have diverse characters does to students.“It’s my opinion when books are removed … students are erased,” Hall 
said. “They feel their identities are not valued in the school and 
outside the school.”Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., did not ask any of the witnesses 
questions but expressed the fear of discrimination her two Muslim sons 
might face growing up.“Our children, they just simply want to exist as they are,” she said.