By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

Following criminal mediation, a Victoria resident was found
guilty Friday of charges including rape, stemming from an incident in a Hays
park in December 2019.

Cody
Schultz was first arrested on December 20, following the report of a sexual assault
of a 14-year-old victim in Massey Park in Hays on Dec. 16.

That arrest
would then lead Hays police to identify him as a suspect in an earlier sexual assault
case, dating to March 2014, involving a different 14-year-old.

Now Schultz faces life in prison after being found guilty
during a bench trial that began immediately after the conclusion of criminal
mediation.

Bruce Gatterman, 24th Judicial District judge in Pawnee
County, served as mediator.

“Through that process, we reached a mediated agreement,”
said Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson. “The essentials of that
agreement were that we would proceed on both cases, that day, to a bench trial
on stipulated facts.”

During a bench trial, facts are presented directly to a
judge, who then issues a ruling.

Chief Judge of the 23rd Judicial District Glen Braun presided
over the trial, finding Schultz guilty on all charges, including rape, aggravated
indecent liberties with a child and electronic solicitation of a child.

Going through the mediation process and bench trial created a
quicker — and less painful — outcome, Anderson said.

“From my perspective, it was a chance to clear those cases
in an efficient manner without needing to put the victims through the stress and
time of two jury trials,” he said. “It also avoids the time and costs that
would have come with trying these two cases, which puts a substantial burden on
the court and on the citizens called for jury duty. “

But the deal also limited sentencing options, Anderson said.

“In essence, the defendant agreed to waive his right to a
jury trial and waive his ability to challenge the evidence,” he said. “In
consideration for this, I am now bound at sentencing to request that the
sentences for non-primary offenses run concurrent to the primary offense.”

But even with the concurrent sentencing, Schultz could serve the
rest of his life behind bars.

“The primary offense has a statutory punishment of (a) life
sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years,” Anderson said. “So,
in other words, I’ve given up the ability to ask for years tacked on to the
back end of a life sentence.”

Sentencing is expected to be scheduled within the next 60
days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577132104050.png" alt="Cody Schultz" />
 <figcaption>Cody Schultz</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostFollowing criminal mediation, a Victoria resident was found
guilty Friday of charges including rape, stemming from an incident in a Hays
park in December 2019.Cody
Schultz was first arrested on December 20, following the report of a sexual assault
of a 14-year-old victim in Massey Park in Hays on Dec. 16.That arrest
would then lead Hays police to identify him as a suspect in an earlier sexual assault
case, dating to March 2014, involving a different 14-year-old.Now Schultz faces life in prison after being found guilty
during a bench trial that began immediately after the conclusion of criminal
mediation.Bruce Gatterman, 24th Judicial District judge in Pawnee
County, served as mediator.“Through that process, we reached a mediated agreement,”
said Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson. “The essentials of that
agreement were that we would proceed on both cases, that day, to a bench trial
on stipulated facts.”During a bench trial, facts are presented directly to a
judge, who then issues a ruling.Chief Judge of the 23rd Judicial District Glen Braun presided
over the trial, finding Schultz guilty on all charges, including rape, aggravated
indecent liberties with a child and electronic solicitation of a child.Going through the mediation process and bench trial created a
quicker — and less painful — outcome, Anderson said.“From my perspective, it was a chance to clear those cases
in an efficient manner without needing to put the victims through the stress and
time of two jury trials,” he said. “It also avoids the time and costs that
would have come with trying these two cases, which puts a substantial burden on
the court and on the citizens called for jury duty. “But the deal also limited sentencing options, Anderson said.“In essence, the defendant agreed to waive his right to a
jury trial and waive his ability to challenge the evidence,” he said. “In
consideration for this, I am now bound at sentencing to request that the
sentences for non-primary offenses run concurrent to the primary offense.”But even with the concurrent sentencing, Schultz could serve the
rest of his life behind bars.“The primary offense has a statutory punishment of (a) life
sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years,” Anderson said. “So,
in other words, I’ve given up the ability to ask for years tacked on to the
back end of a life sentence.”Sentencing is expected to be scheduled within the next 60
days.

Man faces life in prison for rape in western Kansas park

Another component of efforts to revitalize downtown Salina is about to get the green flag.

The Garage, 134 S. Fourth Street, is scheduled to open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, however, a number of community leaders and invited guests were on hand at noon Thursday for a Salina Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and a sneak peek at the automotive museum.

The facility includes 40,000 square feet of museum space, a training center, a library and lounge, a gift shop, a theater, a Turbo Trivia Tower, educational fueling stations, LEGO and Hot Wheels exhibits, driving simulators, welding and painting simulators, a seatbelt convincer ride, a car seat safety program, and curriculum resources.

The facility includes a number of historic automobiles and motorcycles, as well as automotive-related memorabilia, all on loan to the museum by area collectors. Additionally, the south wing of the facility is dedicated to featuring the Kustom Kemps of America Hall of Fame exhibit.

The Garage is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

For admission prices or more information about The Garage, go to <a href="http://thegaragesalina.org">thegaragesalina.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644524626729.jpeg" alt="Those attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony got a sneak peek at the automotive museum. Salina Post photos" />
 <figcaption>Those attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony got a sneak peek at the automotive museum. Salina Post photos</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTAnother component of efforts to revitalize downtown Salina is about to get the green flag.The Garage, 134 S. Fourth Street, is scheduled to open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, however, a number of community leaders and invited guests were on hand at noon Thursday for a Salina Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and a sneak peek at the automotive museum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644524779108.jpeg" alt="The Turbo Trivia Tower at The Garage." />
 <figcaption>The Turbo Trivia Tower at The Garage.</figcaption>
 </figure>The facility includes 40,000 square feet of museum space, a training center, a library and lounge, a gift shop, a theater, a Turbo Trivia Tower, educational fueling stations, LEGO and Hot Wheels exhibits, driving simulators, welding and painting simulators, a seatbelt convincer ride, a car seat safety program, and curriculum resources.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644524869883.jpeg" alt="The Garage also has interactive exhibits, including a welding simulator donated by Salina Area Technical College." />
 <figcaption>The Garage also has interactive exhibits, including a welding simulator donated by Salina Area Technical College.</figcaption>
 </figure>The facility includes a number of historic automobiles and motorcycles, as well as automotive-related memorabilia, all on loan to the museum by area collectors. Additionally, the south wing of the facility is dedicated to featuring the Kustom Kemps of America Hall of Fame exhibit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644525297535.jpeg" alt="The facility also includes a wing for Kustom Kemps vehicles." />
 <figcaption>The facility also includes a wing for Kustom Kemps vehicles.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Garage is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.For admission prices or more information about The Garage, go to <a href="http://thegaragesalina.org">thegaragesalina.org</a>.

New automotive museum set to open in downtown Salina

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas and Wichita State University will split an $11 million gift to provide full-ride scholarships to undergraduates, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

Both schools will get $5.5 million from the estate of Richard “Dick” Smith, who founded the Range Oil Company in Wichita in 1964.

Smith, who graduated from the University of Kansas in 1954 and later graduated from Harvard, died in January 2021, according to the release.

“Dick believed that a college education could have an incomparable impact on the direction an individual’s life could take, “ said his widow, Sondra Langel. “His family and friends join in celebrating the opportunities his scholarships will create for thousands of young Kansas students.”

At Wichita State, undergraduates in any field of study will be eligible for the scholarships. At Kansas, the money will be divided between students studying geology and general scholarships.

Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in geology at Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644493593676.png" alt="Wichita State president&nbsp;Richard D. Muma&nbsp;and University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod join members of the Smith family -photo by Annelise Muret- courtesy Wichita State University" />
 <figcaption>Wichita State president&nbsp;Richard D. Muma&nbsp;and University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod join members of the Smith family -photo by Annelise Muret- courtesy Wichita State University</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas and Wichita State University will split an $11 million gift to provide full-ride scholarships to undergraduates, according to a news release issued Wednesday.Both schools will get $5.5 million from the estate of Richard “Dick” Smith, who founded the Range Oil Company in Wichita in 1964.Smith, who graduated from the University of Kansas in 1954 and later graduated from Harvard, died in January 2021, according to the release.“Dick believed that a college education could have an incomparable impact on the direction an individual’s life could take, “ said his widow, Sondra Langel. “His family and friends join in celebrating the opportunities his scholarships will create for thousands of young Kansas students.”At Wichita State, undergraduates in any field of study will be eligible for the scholarships. At Kansas, the money will be divided between students studying geology and general scholarships.Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in geology at Kansas.

KU, Wichita State split $11 million gift for full-ride scholarships

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-09/a-kansas-principal-shared-a-video-about-speaking-up-against-racism-he-was-ordered-to-apologize">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— A Kansas high school principal was forced to apologize for showing a video about white privilege during an employee meeting.

Tim
 Hamblin, principal at Derby High School, shared a four-minute video 
during a staff in-service day last month that featured Black author Joy 
DeGruy. In it, the author relates a story about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9QBnPK6Yg" target="_blank">being treated differently at a store</a> because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her.

“She
 used her white privilege to educate and make right a situation that was
 wrong,” DeGruy says in the 2011 video. “That’s what you can do every 
single day.”

Members of the Derby High girls basketball team were 
shown the same video in response to race-based comments made toward some
 team members on social media late last year.

Hamblin shared the 
video with staff members in January so they would be aware of what the 
students had seen, he explained in the email.

A teacher who 
attended the meeting told a Derby school board member the video was 
offensive and created a hostile work environment. The board member then 
directed Hamblin to apologize for showing it.

“The point was 
nothing more than to share what some of our kids were dealing with and 
one thing that they would see to try and help them get through it,” 
Hamblin said in the email.

“I apologize to anyone that felt the 
video or its content which reference white privilege made them feel 
uncomfortable, awkward, harassed, or that it created a hostile work 
environment.”

Hamblin declined to comment for this story.

Superintendent
 Heather Bohaty “is aware of the email you’re referencing and didn’t 
have further details or comments to share,” said district spokeswoman 
Katie Carlson in an email.

“The (school) Board as a whole had made
 no directive regarding specific videos or teaching materials of this 
type,” Carlson said.

School board president Michael Blankenship would not say which board member contacted Hamblin.

“This
 email was intended between him and his staff,” Blankenship said in an 
email to KMUW. “We respect the opinions and views of all our staff and 
work to maintain an environment where we support all students and 
staff.”

The episode illustrates an <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">ongoing debate over lessons about racism</a>
 and discrimination in Kansas schools. Critics say schools’ efforts to 
promote diversity can breed white guilt and accelerate racial conflict.

During
 a recent discussion about critical race theory in the Kansas 
Legislature, Rep. Patrick Penn, a Republican from Wichita, decried some 
school districts’ efforts to promote anti-racism.

“They reject 
wholeheartedly the theory or the notion of colorblindness. … They look 
at everything through a racial lens,” Penn said.

Tamara Seyler-James, a parent in the Blue Valley school district, also objected to themes of implicit bias or white privilege.

Public
 schools “drive the conversation exclusively toward the topic of … 
whites behaving badly, as opposed to balancing the equation and stating 
that everybody, no matter their skin color, is human, and is flawed and 
could commit the sin of bias and racism,” Seyler-James said. “I find 
that problematic.”

A conservative majority was elected to the Derby school board in November.

Blankenship, the board president, was one of two parents to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article251170139.html" target="_blank">sue the Derby district</a> over its mask requirement. As one of its first orders of business last month, the Derby board <a href="http://www.derbyinformer.com/news/derby_news/derby-school-board-strips-covid-mask-mandate/article_e010225e-72ec-11ec-ab1f-a34405a0a980.html" target="_blank">eliminated any mask mandates</a>.

In
 a post on his campaign Facebook page in October, Blankenship listed 
“items and issues that have come to my attention by members of our 
community, parents and teachers.”

The list includes “CRT in school
 curriculum / changing or skewing historical facts about the foundation 
of our country” and “parents being limited or prevented in speaking out 
to school board members or meetings.”

In
 the video shared in Derby, DeGruy, who is Black, talks about being in a
 grocery store with her biracial sister-in-law, who looks “whiter than 
most white folks.”

The sister-in-law writes a check for her 
groceries without incident. Immediately after that, DeGruy writes a 
check and is asked for two forms of identification. Then the cashier 
“pulls out the ‘bad check’ book” and searches it for DeGruy’s license.

“I’m
 standing there trying to decide what to do, and it’s really deeply 
humiliating,” DeGruy says in the video. “My sister-in-law walks back 
over, and she steps in, and she says, ‘Excuse me, why are you doing 
this?’”

The sister-in-law points out inconsistencies to the cashier and then to the store manager.

“So
 you see, she used her white privilege,” DeGruy says. “And even though 
Kathleen is half black and half white, she recognizes what that means, 
and she made the statement. She pointed out the injustice and she, as a 
result of that one act, influenced everyone in that space.”

It’s 
unclear which Derby High staff member complained to school board members
 about the video. The board member told Hamblin the employee “feared 
retaliation for sharing their concerns,” he said in the email.

“I 
can guarantee there is not a single member(s) of this staff that can 
produce one piece of evidence I have ever retaliated against anyone as 
the Principal of Derby High School,” he added.

A letter supporting
 Hamblin circulated through Derby High School this week, as some 
teachers gathered signatures in hopes of sharing the letter with school 
board members.

“Mr. Hamblin at no time suggested that we were bad people nor did he call anyone out or try to shame anyone,” the letter says.

“On
 the contrary, he provided an outlet to discuss an issue that is at the 
forefront of our society right now. Derby has a checkered history 
handling race issues. … Mr. Hamblin has always done his best to help us 
recognize that there is a world outside our bubble of white privilege. 
It is time members of this board do the same.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644504632159.png" alt="In a 2011 video, author Joy DeGruy relates a story about being treated differently at a store because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her. WorldTrustTV / YouTube" />
 <figcaption>In a 2011 video, author Joy DeGruy relates a story about being treated differently at a store because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her. WorldTrustTV / YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-09/a-kansas-principal-shared-a-video-about-speaking-up-against-racism-he-was-ordered-to-apologize">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— A Kansas high school principal was forced to apologize for showing a video about white privilege during an employee meeting.Tim
 Hamblin, principal at Derby High School, shared a four-minute video 
during a staff in-service day last month that featured Black author Joy 
DeGruy. In it, the author relates a story about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9QBnPK6Yg" target="_blank">being treated differently at a store</a> because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her.“She
 used her white privilege to educate and make right a situation that was
 wrong,” DeGruy says in the 2011 video. “That’s what you can do every 
single day.”Members of the Derby High girls basketball team were 
shown the same video in response to race-based comments made toward some
 team members on social media late last year.Hamblin shared the 
video with staff members in January so they would be aware of what the 
students had seen, he explained in the email.A teacher who 
attended the meeting told a Derby school board member the video was 
offensive and created a hostile work environment. The board member then 
directed Hamblin to apologize for showing it.“The point was 
nothing more than to share what some of our kids were dealing with and 
one thing that they would see to try and help them get through it,” 
Hamblin said in the email.“I apologize to anyone that felt the 
video or its content which reference white privilege made them feel 
uncomfortable, awkward, harassed, or that it created a hostile work 
environment.”Hamblin declined to comment for this story.Superintendent
 Heather Bohaty “is aware of the email you’re referencing and didn’t 
have further details or comments to share,” said district spokeswoman 
Katie Carlson in an email.“The (school) Board as a whole had made
 no directive regarding specific videos or teaching materials of this 
type,” Carlson said.School board president Michael Blankenship would not say which board member contacted Hamblin.“This
 email was intended between him and his staff,” Blankenship said in an 
email to KMUW. “We respect the opinions and views of all our staff and 
work to maintain an environment where we support all students and 
staff.”<h2>A larger debate</h2>The episode illustrates an <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">ongoing debate over lessons about racism</a>
 and discrimination in Kansas schools. Critics say schools’ efforts to 
promote diversity can breed white guilt and accelerate racial conflict.During
 a recent discussion about critical race theory in the Kansas 
Legislature, Rep. Patrick Penn, a Republican from Wichita, decried some 
school districts’ efforts to promote anti-racism.“They reject 
wholeheartedly the theory or the notion of colorblindness. … They look 
at everything through a racial lens,” Penn said.Tamara Seyler-James, a parent in the Blue Valley school district, also objected to themes of implicit bias or white privilege.Public
 schools “drive the conversation exclusively toward the topic of … 
whites behaving badly, as opposed to balancing the equation and stating 
that everybody, no matter their skin color, is human, and is flawed and 
could commit the sin of bias and racism,” Seyler-James said. “I find 
that problematic.”A conservative majority was elected to the Derby school board in November.Blankenship, the board president, was one of two parents to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article251170139.html" target="_blank">sue the Derby district</a> over its mask requirement. As one of its first orders of business last month, the Derby board <a href="http://www.derbyinformer.com/news/derby_news/derby-school-board-strips-covid-mask-mandate/article_e010225e-72ec-11ec-ab1f-a34405a0a980.html" target="_blank">eliminated any mask mandates</a>.In
 a post on his campaign Facebook page in October, Blankenship listed 
“items and issues that have come to my attention by members of our 
community, parents and teachers.”The list includes “CRT in school
 curriculum / changing or skewing historical facts about the foundation 
of our country” and “parents being limited or prevented in speaking out 
to school board members or meetings.”<h2>Pointing out injustice</h2>In
 the video shared in Derby, DeGruy, who is Black, talks about being in a
 grocery store with her biracial sister-in-law, who looks “whiter than 
most white folks.”The sister-in-law writes a check for her 
groceries without incident. Immediately after that, DeGruy writes a 
check and is asked for two forms of identification. Then the cashier 
“pulls out the ‘bad check’ book” and searches it for DeGruy’s license.“I’m
 standing there trying to decide what to do, and it’s really deeply 
humiliating,” DeGruy says in the video. “My sister-in-law walks back 
over, and she steps in, and she says, ‘Excuse me, why are you doing 
this?’”The sister-in-law points out inconsistencies to the cashier and then to the store manager.“So
 you see, she used her white privilege,” DeGruy says. “And even though 
Kathleen is half black and half white, she recognizes what that means, 
and she made the statement. She pointed out the injustice and she, as a 
result of that one act, influenced everyone in that space.”It’s 
unclear which Derby High staff member complained to school board members
 about the video. The board member told Hamblin the employee “feared 
retaliation for sharing their concerns,” he said in the email.“I 
can guarantee there is not a single member(s) of this staff that can 
produce one piece of evidence I have ever retaliated against anyone as 
the Principal of Derby High School,” he added.A letter supporting
 Hamblin circulated through Derby High School this week, as some 
teachers gathered signatures in hopes of sharing the letter with school 
board members.“Mr. Hamblin at no time suggested that we were bad people nor did he call anyone out or try to shame anyone,” the letter says.“On
 the contrary, he provided an outlet to discuss an issue that is at the 
forefront of our society right now. Derby has a checkered history 
handling race issues. … Mr. Hamblin has always done his best to help us 
recognize that there is a world outside our bubble of white privilege. 
It is time members of this board do the same.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Kan. principal ordered to apologize for showing video on racism

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 11p.m. April 10, 2021, police were dispatched to the 3600 block of E Harry for a sexual assault report, according to Officer Trevor Macy. 

&nbsp;A 15-year-old reported being sexually assaulted. After police obtained further evidence, police identified 44-year-old Sean Bird as a suspect. 

Just after 6a.m. Tuesday police contacted Bird in the 6100 block of S. Kansas in Wichita and took him into custody. He was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644440453812.png" alt="Bird-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bird-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 11p.m. April 10, 2021, police were dispatched to the 3600 block of E Harry for a sexual assault report, according to Officer Trevor Macy. &nbsp;A 15-year-old reported being sexually assaulted. After police obtained further evidence, police identified 44-year-old Sean Bird as a suspect. Just after 6a.m. Tuesday police contacted Bird in the 6100 block of S. Kansas in Wichita and took him into custody. He was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Police: Kan. man accused in April sex assault of 15-year-old

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators signed off Wednesday on the state’s largest-ever taxpayer-funded incentives to attract thousands of new jobs even though most didn’t know the name of the company or what it plans to make.

The incentives would exceed $1 billion.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb347_04_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure</a>&nbsp;also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-topeka-15b9bbc969b7a90b3191bcab9a337dc5">cuts corporate income tax rates.</a>

The Republican-controlled state Senate approved a bill,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209155020_491513/" target="_blank">31-9,</a>&nbsp;that would create a new incentives program so the state Department of Commerce could offer a single company hundreds of millions of dollars in breaks once this year and once in 2023. The GOP-controlled House approved the measure Tuesday, so it goes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Kelly pushed for permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds in time to lure an unnamed company. Officials said the firm plans a $4 billion project and Kansas is competing against another state that some legislators said is Oklahoma.

“We want to buy these magic beans. We won’t tell you where it’s going to be, what it’s going to be, just that it’s going to be great,” said state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican who voted no.

Officials who know the company’s identity said they were required to sign an agreement not to name it or disclose project details. They said the company expects to make a decision within a few weeks.

Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it can’t offer generous enough incentives.

“This is a tool that will help us be competitive with other states,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-ohio-columbus-intel-corp-9b71a9526ef4a94209cd08f24b1dac02">Ohio recently offered</a>&nbsp;Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-legislature-lansing-57c25b11af716edb69c343546d0246de">Michigan lawmakers in December approved</a>&nbsp;$1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ok-state-wire-ca-state-wire-oklahoma-business-technology-3fb1cea5ce254f839884bd8bcc00a5f0">Electric vehicle maker Canoo</a>&nbsp;has announced plans to open a factory in northeast Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs.

But Wisconsin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-wisconsin-ac021396712acc24be9cfe46119476a2">scaled back incentives</a>&nbsp;for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026.

Kelly’s administration said the facility it’s pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. They’ve said the company will employ 4,000, and other firms supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000 — when the per-person income in Kansas averages less than $32,000.

“I don’t think there’s a state in the country that wishes they were not in our position right now to create these kind of jobs with this kind of economic investment,” said Sen. Rob Olson, a Kansas City-area Republican.

Still, lawmakers in both parties scoffed at being pushed to commit without knowing more. Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita, mockingly suggested that Kansas was landing “a pornographic film production studio” and jobs for adult-film actors and camera crews.

“The problem is, you don’t know what kind of business you are betting your constituents’ tax dollars and futures on,” Carmichael told colleagues during the House’s debate.

The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by a half-percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state’s top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close.

Critics worried that the planned incentives are so rich that lawmakers won’t have room to consider other proposed tax cuts.

Spreadsheets from the House’s GOP leaders showed that Kelly’s proposed incentives could create a budget shortfall by mid-2026. The measure approved by lawmakers is a little less generous, spreads the incentives out over more years and requires legislative leaders to sign off on deals.

Some lawmakers were not impressed by the gloomy projections.

“I’ve never seen a profile that didn’t tank the budget in four or five years,” said state Sen. Jeff Longbine, an eastern Kansas Republican. “The Legislature is required to pass a balanced budget each year, and adjustments are made up and down.”

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators signed off Wednesday on the state’s largest-ever taxpayer-funded incentives to attract thousands of new jobs even though most didn’t know the name of the company or what it plans to make.The incentives would exceed $1 billion.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb347_04_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure</a>&nbsp;also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-topeka-15b9bbc969b7a90b3191bcab9a337dc5">cuts corporate income tax rates.</a>The Republican-controlled state Senate approved a bill,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209155020_491513/" target="_blank">31-9,</a>&nbsp;that would create a new incentives program so the state Department of Commerce could offer a single company hundreds of millions of dollars in breaks once this year and once in 2023. The GOP-controlled House approved the measure Tuesday, so it goes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.Kelly pushed for permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds in time to lure an unnamed company. Officials said the firm plans a $4 billion project and Kansas is competing against another state that some legislators said is Oklahoma.“We want to buy these magic beans. We won’t tell you where it’s going to be, what it’s going to be, just that it’s going to be great,” said state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Kansas City-area Republican who voted no.Officials who know the company’s identity said they were required to sign an agreement not to name it or disclose project details. They said the company expects to make a decision within a few weeks.Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it can’t offer generous enough incentives.“This is a tool that will help us be competitive with other states,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-ohio-columbus-intel-corp-9b71a9526ef4a94209cd08f24b1dac02">Ohio recently offered</a>&nbsp;Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-legislature-lansing-57c25b11af716edb69c343546d0246de">Michigan lawmakers in December approved</a>&nbsp;$1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ok-state-wire-ca-state-wire-oklahoma-business-technology-3fb1cea5ce254f839884bd8bcc00a5f0">Electric vehicle maker Canoo</a>&nbsp;has announced plans to open a factory in northeast Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs.But Wisconsin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-wisconsin-ac021396712acc24be9cfe46119476a2">scaled back incentives</a>&nbsp;for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026.Kelly’s administration said the facility it’s pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. They’ve said the company will employ 4,000, and other firms supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000 — when the per-person income in Kansas averages less than $32,000.“I don’t think there’s a state in the country that wishes they were not in our position right now to create these kind of jobs with this kind of economic investment,” said Sen. Rob Olson, a Kansas City-area Republican.Still, lawmakers in both parties scoffed at being pushed to commit without knowing more. Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita, mockingly suggested that Kansas was landing “a pornographic film production studio” and jobs for adult-film actors and camera crews.“The problem is, you don’t know what kind of business you are betting your constituents’ tax dollars and futures on,” Carmichael told colleagues during the House’s debate.The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by a half-percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state’s top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close.Critics worried that the planned incentives are so rich that lawmakers won’t have room to consider other proposed tax cuts.Spreadsheets from the House’s GOP leaders showed that Kelly’s proposed incentives could create a budget shortfall by mid-2026. The measure approved by lawmakers is a little less generous, spreads the incentives out over more years and requires legislative leaders to sign off on deals.Some lawmakers were not impressed by the gloomy projections.“I’ve never seen a profile that didn’t tank the budget in four or five years,” said state Sen. Jeff Longbine, an eastern Kansas Republican. “The Legislature is required to pass a balanced budget each year, and adjustments are made up and down.”

State of Kan. will  offer $1B-plus in tax breaks to attract mystery firm

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a double homicide in Colorado have a suspect in custody in Kansas.

Just before 1:30p.m. Tuesday, deputies located the bodies of a man and woman in the Franktown area of Douglas County, Colorado, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. They asked the public for help to locate 29-year-old Casey Devol.

On Wednesday,&nbsp; the dispatch center in Salina received a "Be on the Look Out"&nbsp; (BOLO) from Douglas County, Colorado regarding homicide suspect Devol, according to a social media report from Salina Police.

He was reportedly armed with multiple guns. 

Cell phone information indicated that the suspect was in Salina near I-70.  Officers responded to the area to search for him.

At 7:40 PM, a Salina officer located Devol near his vehicle parked behind the Super 8 Motel, 120 E. Diamond Drive. Officers and KHP troopers took Devol into custody without incident.&nbsp; Case Agents from Colorado responded to Salina and conducted interviews.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644535104441.png" alt="Devol photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Devol photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a double homicide in Colorado have a suspect in custody in Kansas.Just before 1:30p.m. Tuesday, deputies located the bodies of a man and woman in the Franktown area of Douglas County, Colorado, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. They asked the public for help to locate 29-year-old Casey Devol.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644467448765.png" alt="Photo Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday,&nbsp; the dispatch center in Salina received a "Be on the Look Out"&nbsp; (BOLO) from Douglas County, Colorado regarding homicide suspect Devol, according to a social media report from Salina Police.He was reportedly armed with multiple guns. Cell phone information indicated that the suspect was in Salina near I-70. Officers responded to the area to search for him.At 7:40 PM, a Salina officer located Devol near his vehicle parked behind the Super 8 Motel, 120 E. Diamond Drive. Officers and KHP troopers took Devol into custody without incident.&nbsp; Case Agents from Colorado responded to Salina and conducted interviews.He is waiting for extradition.

Kan. officers used cell phone info to catch double murder suspect 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge declined to lift the expulsion or suspensions handed out to four suburban Kansas City high school students who were disciplined for their involvement in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-missouri-slavery-suburbs-4b17e517b411b8ddc4a417aecc769473">online petition to “start slavery again."</a>

U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough acknowledged in his ruling Tuesday that the four students from Park Hill South High School will likely suffer harm if they aren't allowed to return to the school immediately or ever, in one student's case. But he said their lawsuit was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims if the case went to trial, radio station KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/judge-rules-against-park-hill-south-students-who-circulated-start-slavery-again-petition">reported</a>.

The four ninth-graders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-media-04e4862b1cf870e5929a5b6610afb665">sued the Park Hill school district</a>&nbsp;and several administrators after one was expelled and three others were suspended for 180 days over the online petition.

A district spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it wasn’t clear when the suspended students would be allowed to return to school.

They were on a bus with the freshman football team last September when one of them drafted a petition on Change.org titled “Start Slavery again” as he was joking with a Black student about jobs and slaves.

The student, who is biracial, later shared the petition on the football team's Snapchat group. The three other students all commented favorably on the petition.

Other students reported the petition to school administrators. During an internal investigation, the students admitted their involvement but said the petition was a joke.

In their lawsuit, the students said their First Amendment and due process rights were violated. They contended that racial slurs were common at Park Hill South, “most often in friendly bantering,” and that the instigator of the conversation is Black and was not disciplined.

The students asked to be reinstated and to have the discipline expunged from their school records.

Arthur Benson, the students’ lawyer, said the incident resulted from “youthful bad judgment” that originated among Black and biracial students.

“Three whites boys in similar bad judgment wanted in on the joke, intended only for the freshman players,” Benson said in an email. “This bad judgment was punished as heinous acts that no one now still claims them to be.”

In his order, Bough said that public interest weighed in favor of denying them reinstatement.

He noted that the incident garnered national attention and prompted some parents and teachers to express concern about students' safety.

Although Bough said the 14- and 15-year-old boys didn’t intend the petition to be circulated beyond the team, the petition caused “substantial disruption” at the high school and in the district that justified the discipline.

Benson said he had not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632359737253.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal judge declined to lift the expulsion or suspensions handed out to four suburban Kansas City high school students who were disciplined for their involvement in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-missouri-slavery-suburbs-4b17e517b411b8ddc4a417aecc769473">online petition to “start slavery again."</a>U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough acknowledged in his ruling Tuesday that the four students from Park Hill South High School will likely suffer harm if they aren't allowed to return to the school immediately or ever, in one student's case. But he said their lawsuit was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims if the case went to trial, radio station KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/judge-rules-against-park-hill-south-students-who-circulated-start-slavery-again-petition">reported</a>.The four ninth-graders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-media-04e4862b1cf870e5929a5b6610afb665">sued the Park Hill school district</a>&nbsp;and several administrators after one was expelled and three others were suspended for 180 days over the online petition.A district spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment and it wasn’t clear when the suspended students would be allowed to return to school.They were on a bus with the freshman football team last September when one of them drafted a petition on Change.org titled “Start Slavery again” as he was joking with a Black student about jobs and slaves.The student, who is biracial, later shared the petition on the football team's Snapchat group. The three other students all commented favorably on the petition.Other students reported the petition to school administrators. During an internal investigation, the students admitted their involvement but said the petition was a joke.In their lawsuit, the students said their First Amendment and due process rights were violated. They contended that racial slurs were common at Park Hill South, “most often in friendly bantering,” and that the instigator of the conversation is Black and was not disciplined.The students asked to be reinstated and to have the discipline expunged from their school records.Arthur Benson, the students’ lawyer, said the incident resulted from “youthful bad judgment” that originated among Black and biracial students.“Three whites boys in similar bad judgment wanted in on the joke, intended only for the freshman players,” Benson said in an email. “This bad judgment was punished as heinous acts that no one now still claims them to be.”In his order, Bough said that public interest weighed in favor of denying them reinstatement.He noted that the incident garnered national attention and prompted some parents and teachers to express concern about students' safety.Although Bough said the 14- and 15-year-old boys didn’t intend the petition to be circulated beyond the team, the petition caused “substantial disruption” at the high school and in the district that justified the discipline.Benson said he had not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

Judge won't readmit KC-area students involved in slavery petition

By JIM MCLEAN and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-09/controversial-kansas-redistricting-map-is-likely-headed-to-court-after-lawmakers-override-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— The Kansas House voted Wednesday to override Democratic <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-03/kansas-governor-vetoes-gop-redistricting-plan-saying-it-would-carve-up-minority-communities" target="_blank">Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>
 of a controversial congressional redistricting plan, which means the 
map is approved and is likely headed for a court challenge.

The vote in the House followed an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">override in the Senate</a>
 and was the last step needed to bypass the veto and overcome Democratic
 opposition to the plan. Opponents of the congressional map <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-25/kansas-republicans-are-ready-to-advance-new-congressional-maps-democrats-say-it-cheats-voters" target="_blank">argue it is gerrymandered</a> to hurt Democrats and defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the state’s lone Democratic member of Congress.

“Gerrymandering is one thing. Political spite is another,” said Rep. Tom Burroughs, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat.

Now, the plan faces a likely court challenge. Some political watchers had already predicted that before the override succeeded.

Marc
 Elias, a lawyer who represents Democrats in redistricting disputes 
across the country, said he was monitoring the efforts to override 
Kelly’s veto.

“If the Republican Legislature overrides this veto 
and passes a blatantly unconstitutional map, they are going to be sued,”
 Elias said in a Tuesday interview on MSNBC.

The House vote was <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209125929_274055/" target="_blank">mostly along party lines</a>,
 with only one Republican breaking ranks from the GOP. Republicans have 
enough members in the House that even with that loss they garnered the 
two-thirds majority needed to approve the map.

No Republicans rose to defend the map during the debate leading up to the override vote.

After the vote, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, offered a succinct defense.

Republicans have said the changes are needed to ensure the state’s congressional districts are equal in population.

Democrats
 blasted the override process, charging that Republicans used strong-arm
 tactics and backroom deals to get the votes they needed to override the
 governor.

A Republican senator <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">changed his vote</a> to support the override shortly after a bill he favored was abruptly advanced from a Senate committee Tuesday.

Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, said the map represents “everything that people hate about us.”

“It’s only right by one measurement and that’s politics,” he said.

The
 proposal draws districts for the state’s four seats in the U.S. House 
of Representatives. Kansas lawmakers must draw a new map every 10 years 
to account for population shifts documented in the U.S. Census.

Democrats
 have said the plan dilutes the votes of left-leaning communities and 
people of color in an effort to defeat the state’s one Democratic member
 of Congress.

The plan would split part of Wyandotte County out of
 the 3rd District and replace it with Republican-leaning rural counties 
southwest of the Kansas City area.

The map would also move the 
left-leaning community of Lawrence from the 2nd District into the large,
 conservative 1st District that stretches west to the Colorado border.

Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644446396280.png" alt="Lawmakers leave the Kansas House chamber after voting to override the governor's veto of a redistricting plan. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers leave the Kansas House chamber after voting to override the governor's veto of a redistricting plan. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-09/controversial-kansas-redistricting-map-is-likely-headed-to-court-after-lawmakers-override-a-veto">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— The Kansas House voted Wednesday to override Democratic <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-03/kansas-governor-vetoes-gop-redistricting-plan-saying-it-would-carve-up-minority-communities" target="_blank">Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>
 of a controversial congressional redistricting plan, which means the 
map is approved and is likely headed for a court challenge.The vote in the House followed an <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">override in the Senate</a>
 and was the last step needed to bypass the veto and overcome Democratic
 opposition to the plan. Opponents of the congressional map <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-01-25/kansas-republicans-are-ready-to-advance-new-congressional-maps-democrats-say-it-cheats-voters" target="_blank">argue it is gerrymandered</a> to hurt Democrats and defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the state’s lone Democratic member of Congress.“Gerrymandering is one thing. Political spite is another,” said Rep. Tom Burroughs, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat.Now, the plan faces a likely court challenge. Some political watchers had already predicted that before the override succeeded.Marc
 Elias, a lawyer who represents Democrats in redistricting disputes 
across the country, said he was monitoring the efforts to override 
Kelly’s veto.“If the Republican Legislature overrides this veto 
and passes a blatantly unconstitutional map, they are going to be sued,”
 Elias said in a Tuesday interview on MSNBC.The House vote was <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220209125929_274055/" target="_blank">mostly along party lines</a>,
 with only one Republican breaking ranks from the GOP. Republicans have 
enough members in the House that even with that loss they garnered the 
two-thirds majority needed to approve the map.No Republicans rose to defend the map during the debate leading up to the override vote.After the vote, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, offered a succinct defense.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s a fair map,” Hawkins said.Republicans have said the changes are needed to ensure the state’s congressional districts are equal in population.Democrats
 blasted the override process, charging that Republicans used strong-arm
 tactics and backroom deals to get the votes they needed to override the
 governor.A Republican senator <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-02-08/kansas-senate-overrides-the-governors-veto-of-republican-redistricting-plan" target="_blank">changed his vote</a> to support the override shortly after a bill he favored was abruptly advanced from a Senate committee Tuesday.Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, said the map represents “everything that people hate about us.”“It’s only right by one measurement and that’s politics,” he said.The
 proposal draws districts for the state’s four seats in the U.S. House 
of Representatives. Kansas lawmakers must draw a new map every 10 years 
to account for population shifts documented in the U.S. Census.Democrats
 have said the plan dilutes the votes of left-leaning communities and 
people of color in an effort to defeat the state’s one Democratic member
 of Congress.The plan would split part of Wyandotte County out of
 the 3rd District and replace it with Republican-leaning rural counties 
southwest of the Kansas City area.The map would also move the 
left-leaning community of Lawrence from the 2nd District into the large,
 conservative 1st District that stretches west to the Colorado border.Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.&nbsp;

Kan. redistricting map likely headed to court after veto override

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House insisted Wednesday it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response. But impatient states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mask-mandate-coronavirus-pandemic-kathy-hochul-new-york-02dbddd8616730744eb915c1480a3ef7">Democratic New York</a>, made clear they aren’t waiting for Washington as public frustration grows.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York will end its COVID-19 mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings — but will keep it for schools.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-illinois-899f9fbb9455ad25c82fb82327a7c652">Illinois announced the same</a>.

Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware all disclosed plans to join states that have lifted or never had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schools-mask-mandates-4eb7bc94b57eceb6ada993139e82de93">mask requirements for their schools</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-massachusetts-infectious-diseases-charlie-baker-2583390569b2d3fb517a76553164f720">Massachusetts will follow suit</a>&nbsp;at the end of the month. All but Massachusetts have governors who are Democrats, like President Joe Biden.

Biden, who has long promised to follow to “follow the science” in confronting the pandemic, is hemmed in, waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials, who so far still recommend that nearly all Americans wear masks in most indoor settings.

Defending Biden, press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that while people are tired of masks and “we understand where the emotions of the country are,” the administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence.

“That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data,” she said.

Clearly feeling the pressure, the White House for the first time acknowledged movement in its planning, saying conversations have been under way privately to develop plans for guiding the country away from the emergency phase of the pandemic.

Federal COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said officials are consulting with state and local leaders and public health officials on potential next steps. But as governors and local officials press for clearer federal guidelines for easing or ending restrictions, states, cities and school boards are adopting an awkward patchwork of policies that differ widely from one place to the next.

“We are working on that guidance,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a White House teleconference Wednesday. “As we’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-john-belushi-dan-aykroyd-3f8b5a787a95c8499b2b0a32c34f89a7">encouraged by the current trends</a>, we are not there yet.”

The White House offered no timetable for the review or an indication of what it will recommend. And some critics say that’s not good enough.

“The tragic thing is that these are governors that would probably have followed the White House’s guidance,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner. “They wanted CDC input and asked for it, but without a clear timeline, at some point they had to decide that they couldn’t wait any more. The fault is not theirs, but the CDC’s and by extension, President Biden’s, which, with each passing day, is making itself less and less relevant.”

Asked whether Biden appears to be out of touch with the country, Psaki defended his caution. “As a federal government we have the responsibility to rely on data on science, on the medical experts,” she said.

Pressed on whether Americans should follow less-restrictive state or local rules or the stricter federal guidance, she repeated the White House’s daily counsel: “We would advise any American to follow the CDC guidelines.”

New York’s Hochul and others aren’t waiting. They are ending or easing many broad mandates, though her state will keep masking rules in schools and health facilities.

“Given the declining cases, given the declining hospitalizations, that is why we feel comfortable to lift this, in effect tomorrow,” Hochul said Wednesday.

Even allies of the administration have argued that Biden should at least lay out a roadmap for moving back toward normalcy.

He has been hesitant, aides say, in part because of the sting of his fleeting “declaration of independence” from the virus last summer, which proved premature in the face of the delta and then omicron strains. Now, though, cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 have dropped markedly since they peaked earlier this year amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, and the vast majority of Americans are protected against the virus by effective vaccines and boosters.

Still, more than 2,000 people infected with the virus die in the U.S. each day, and there is concern within the administration about letting up while deaths remain high.

And Psaki noted that many Americans support continued mask-wearing. Some in the White House point to the consternation that was voiced in December after the CDC shortened the isolation time for Americans who test positive.

While Biden and other administration officials emphasize that the threat from the virus is far diminished from a year ago, before the wide roll-out of vaccines and booster shots and the approval of rapid at-home tests and highly effective therapeutics, administration officials acknowledge that most federal guidelines have been slow to keep up.

The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=Risk">“substantial or high transmission” </a>of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.

State and local leaders, nevertheless, have announced plans to ease virus restrictions in the coming weeks as omicron cases fall, citing the protections offered by vaccines as well as the increased availability of at-home testing kits and therapeutics for those who do catch the virus. Many of the restrictions eased last year, only to be reinstated as omicron swept the country.

After more than a year of a top-down federally driven response, the emerging shift marks a return to the historical norm, where states have typically had the first say in how they handle public health emergencies. The CDC can advise them and issue general guidance for the nation, but in most situations it cannot order them what to do.

While the Biden administration has pushed back strongly against efforts by GOP governors to prohibit mask-wearing requirements, it is indicating that it will take a more flexible approach to jurisdictions that make their own choices.

Policies lifting mask requirements “are going to have to be made at the local level” depending on case rates, Walensky said.

Despite the encouraging reports in the Americas, Western Europe and some other regions, the head of the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-world-health-organization-united-nations-922c5487a71c2fb310c2348c8f0c9d1e">insisted Wednesday that “COVID isn’t finished with us.”</a>

As his agency reported that new infections fell but virus deaths rose worldwide over the past week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a new $23 billion campaign to fund WHO’s efforts to lead a broad rollout of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines around the world.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644461357170.png" alt="The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of&nbsp;“substantial or high transmission”&nbsp;of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties." />
 <figcaption>The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of&nbsp;“substantial or high transmission”&nbsp;of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing growing pressure to ease up on pandemic restrictions, the White House insisted Wednesday it is making plans for a less-disruptive phase of the national virus response. But impatient states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mask-mandate-coronavirus-pandemic-kathy-hochul-new-york-02dbddd8616730744eb915c1480a3ef7">Democratic New York</a>, made clear they aren’t waiting for Washington as public frustration grows.Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York will end its COVID-19 mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings — but will keep it for schools.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-illinois-899f9fbb9455ad25c82fb82327a7c652">Illinois announced the same</a>.Earlier this week, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware all disclosed plans to join states that have lifted or never had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schools-mask-mandates-4eb7bc94b57eceb6ada993139e82de93">mask requirements for their schools</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-massachusetts-infectious-diseases-charlie-baker-2583390569b2d3fb517a76553164f720">Massachusetts will follow suit</a>&nbsp;at the end of the month. All but Massachusetts have governors who are Democrats, like President Joe Biden.Biden, who has long promised to follow to “follow the science” in confronting the pandemic, is hemmed in, waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials, who so far still recommend that nearly all Americans wear masks in most indoor settings.Defending Biden, press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that while people are tired of masks and “we understand where the emotions of the country are,” the administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence.“That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data,” she said.Clearly feeling the pressure, the White House for the first time acknowledged movement in its planning, saying conversations have been under way privately to develop plans for guiding the country away from the emergency phase of the pandemic.Federal COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said officials are consulting with state and local leaders and public health officials on potential next steps. But as governors and local officials press for clearer federal guidelines for easing or ending restrictions, states, cities and school boards are adopting an awkward patchwork of policies that differ widely from one place to the next.“We are working on that guidance,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a White House teleconference Wednesday. “As we’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-john-belushi-dan-aykroyd-3f8b5a787a95c8499b2b0a32c34f89a7">encouraged by the current trends</a>, we are not there yet.”The White House offered no timetable for the review or an indication of what it will recommend. And some critics say that’s not good enough.“The tragic thing is that these are governors that would probably have followed the White House’s guidance,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner. “They wanted CDC input and asked for it, but without a clear timeline, at some point they had to decide that they couldn’t wait any more. The fault is not theirs, but the CDC’s and by extension, President Biden’s, which, with each passing day, is making itself less and less relevant.”Asked whether Biden appears to be out of touch with the country, Psaki defended his caution. “As a federal government we have the responsibility to rely on data on science, on the medical experts,” she said.Pressed on whether Americans should follow less-restrictive state or local rules or the stricter federal guidance, she repeated the White House’s daily counsel: “We would advise any American to follow the CDC guidelines.”New York’s Hochul and others aren’t waiting. They are ending or easing many broad mandates, though her state will keep masking rules in schools and health facilities.“Given the declining cases, given the declining hospitalizations, that is why we feel comfortable to lift this, in effect tomorrow,” Hochul said Wednesday.Even allies of the administration have argued that Biden should at least lay out a roadmap for moving back toward normalcy.He has been hesitant, aides say, in part because of the sting of his fleeting “declaration of independence” from the virus last summer, which proved premature in the face of the delta and then omicron strains. Now, though, cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 have dropped markedly since they peaked earlier this year amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, and the vast majority of Americans are protected against the virus by effective vaccines and boosters.Still, more than 2,000 people infected with the virus die in the U.S. each day, and there is concern within the administration about letting up while deaths remain high.And Psaki noted that many Americans support continued mask-wearing. Some in the White House point to the consternation that was voiced in December after the CDC shortened the isolation time for Americans who test positive.While Biden and other administration officials emphasize that the threat from the virus is far diminished from a year ago, before the wide roll-out of vaccines and booster shots and the approval of rapid at-home tests and highly effective therapeutics, administration officials acknowledge that most federal guidelines have been slow to keep up.The CDC continues to recommend indoor mask wearing in places of <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=Risk">“substantial or high transmission” </a>of the virus, which as of Wednesday was all of the U.S. but 14 rural counties.State and local leaders, nevertheless, have announced plans to ease virus restrictions in the coming weeks as omicron cases fall, citing the protections offered by vaccines as well as the increased availability of at-home testing kits and therapeutics for those who do catch the virus. Many of the restrictions eased last year, only to be reinstated as omicron swept the country.After more than a year of a top-down federally driven response, the emerging shift marks a return to the historical norm, where states have typically had the first say in how they handle public health emergencies. The CDC can advise them and issue general guidance for the nation, but in most situations it cannot order them what to do.While the Biden administration has pushed back strongly against efforts by GOP governors to prohibit mask-wearing requirements, it is indicating that it will take a more flexible approach to jurisdictions that make their own choices.Policies lifting mask requirements “are going to have to be made at the local level” depending on case rates, Walensky said.Despite the encouraging reports in the Americas, Western Europe and some other regions, the head of the World Health Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-world-health-organization-united-nations-922c5487a71c2fb310c2348c8f0c9d1e">insisted Wednesday that “COVID isn’t finished with us.”</a>As his agency reported that new infections fell but virus deaths rose worldwide over the past week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a new $23 billion campaign to fund WHO’s efforts to lead a broad rollout of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines around the world.___

Biden weighs new virus response as CDC stands firm on masks

THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the case of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl who has been missing for over a year have two suspects in custody, according to the Shelby County Sheriff.

Last week, extended family members contacted law enforcement in Shelby County with concerns that <a href="https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=AttorneyGeneral&amp;prId=1173">Serenity is in danger</a>, according to the sheriff's office.

On Sunday, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 26-year-old Dakota Hill and 21-year-old Catherine McKinney, the girl's mother, according to the Shelby Co. Sheriffs office.

The couple are being held in Thomas County on requested charges of Custodial Interference.&nbsp; Authorities are working to transport them from Kansas to Kentucky.

The Kentucky Attorney General's&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ky.gov/about/Office-Divisions/OVA/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Special Victims Unit</a>&nbsp;is partnering with the Shelby and Bullitt County Sheriff's Departments, Kentucky State Police, and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644455781698.png" alt="Hill-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the case of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl who has been missing for over a year have two suspects in custody, according to the Shelby County Sheriff.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We continue to ask for the public’s help to locate Serenity McKinney. If you have any information, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 1-502-633-2323. <a href="https://t.co/AbSdzNeCEe">pic.twitter.com/AbSdzNeCEe</a>&mdash; Attorney General Daniel Cameron (@kyoag) <a href="https://twitter.com/kyoag/status/1491414849024593920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Last week, extended family members contacted law enforcement in Shelby County with concerns that <a href="https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=AttorneyGeneral&amp;prId=1173">Serenity is in danger</a>, according to the sheriff's office.On Sunday, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 26-year-old Dakota Hill and 21-year-old Catherine McKinney, the girl's mother, according to the Shelby Co. Sheriffs office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644455891096.png" alt="McKinney-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>McKinney-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The couple are being held in Thomas County on requested charges of Custodial Interference.&nbsp; Authorities are working to transport them from Kansas to Kentucky.The Kentucky Attorney General's&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ky.gov/about/Office-Divisions/OVA/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Special Victims Unit</a>&nbsp;is partnering with the Shelby and Bullitt County Sheriff's Departments, Kentucky State Police, and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the case.

Mother, boyfriend of missing 4-year-old arrested in Kansas

With Valentine's Day looming, romance is in the air. If you 
decide to seek love via a dating app, be careful and watch for the 
scammers who only love your money. Scammers are using people to funnel 
stolen money out of the country. This con may look like a classic 
romance scam, but victims are tricked into illegal activity and can be 
prosecuted.

You join a dating app and start messaging with someone who looks 
amazing. They are the complete package: good-looking, successful, kind… 
and, most importantly, really into you, too! After chatting for a little
 while, your new love interest suggests that you chat on text or email, 
rather than through the app. If you do that, you may notice that they 
also delete their dating profile.

Everything seems great, but soon your new beau has some unusual – but
 seemingly harmless – requests. They want you to receive money for them 
and wire it overseas. They may claim to be helping a loved one battling 
COVID-19, doing a business deal, or representing a charitable 
organization. If you refuse, your amorous new beau may suddenly get 
hostile, threaten you or grow distant.

It turns out that the money they want you to receive is actually 
stolen. After stealing it, scammers send the money through someone in 
the United States or Canada to make it harder for authorities to trace. 
Money laundering and wire fraud are illegal! Although the “money mule” 
is a victim, too, they may still face prosecution.

For more information Find more information in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17057-online-romance-scams-a-bbb-study-on-how-scammers-use-impersonation-blackmail-and-trickery-to-steal-from-unsuspecting-daters" target="_blank">this romance scams study from BBB</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">these romance scam tips</a>.

Learn more about money mule scams on the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-money-mule-schemes-exploiting-the-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigations website</a> and the <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2020/awareness-sensibilisation-eng.htm" target="_blank">Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre</a>.

If you’ve been the victim of scam, please report it on the <a href="https://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others to stay alert and avoid similar scams.

Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB's Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBWith Valentine's Day looming, romance is in the air. If you 
decide to seek love via a dating app, be careful and watch for the 
scammers who only love your money. Scammers are using people to funnel 
stolen money out of the country. This con may look like a classic 
romance scam, but victims are tricked into illegal activity and can be 
prosecuted.How the scam works:You join a dating app and start messaging with someone who looks 
amazing. They are the complete package: good-looking, successful, kind… 
and, most importantly, really into you, too! After chatting for a little
 while, your new love interest suggests that you chat on text or email, 
rather than through the app. If you do that, you may notice that they 
also delete their dating profile.Everything seems great, but soon your new beau has some unusual – but
 seemingly harmless – requests. They want you to receive money for them 
and wire it overseas. They may claim to be helping a loved one battling 
COVID-19, doing a business deal, or representing a charitable 
organization. If you refuse, your amorous new beau may suddenly get 
hostile, threaten you or grow distant.It turns out that the money they want you to receive is actually 
stolen. After stealing it, scammers send the money through someone in 
the United States or Canada to make it harder for authorities to trace. 
Money laundering and wire fraud are illegal! Although the “money mule” 
is a victim, too, they may still face prosecution.Protect yourself from this scam:<ul>
 <li>Do your research. Many scammers steal photos from 
the internet to use in their dating profiles. You can do a reverse image
 lookup using a website, like <a href="https://images.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Images</a>,
 to see if the photos on a profile are stolen from somewhere else. You 
can also search online for a profile name, email, or phone number to see
 what adds up and what doesn’t. Scammers most often pose as men and 
target women in their 50s and 60s. </li><li>Ask specific questions about details given in a profile. A scammer may stumble over remembering details or making a story fit. </li><li>Never send money or sensitive personal information to someone you’ve never met in person.
 Cut off contact if someone starts asking you for financial or 
personally identifiable information (PII), like your credit card number 
or government ID numbers. </li><li>Be very suspicious of requests to wire money or use a pre-paid debit card. These are scammers’ favorite ways to send payments because, like cash, once the money is gone, it can’t be recovered.</li>
 </ul>For more information Find more information in <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17057-online-romance-scams-a-bbb-study-on-how-scammers-use-impersonation-blackmail-and-trickery-to-steal-from-unsuspecting-daters" target="_blank">this romance scams study from BBB</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">these romance scam tips</a>.Learn more about money mule scams on the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-money-mule-schemes-exploiting-the-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigations website</a> and the <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/features-vedette/2020/awareness-sensibilisation-eng.htm" target="_blank">Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre</a>.If you’ve been the victim of scam, please report it on the <a href="https://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others to stay alert and avoid similar scams.Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB's Standards for Trust</a>.&nbsp;

Scam alert: Romance scam tricks victims into laundering money

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accidental shooting have identified the victim as 14-year-old Forever Latham of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to a check shots call at a home in the 1200 block of East Alta in Wichita, according to Macy.

&nbsp;At the home, police located Latham who had a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

Investigators learned the boy was inside of a bedroom handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking him.&nbsp; Other teenagers and adult family members were at the home at the time of the incident and were not hurt.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accidental shooting have identified the victim as 14-year-old Forever Latham of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to a check shots call at a home in the 1200 block of East Alta in Wichita, according to Macy.&nbsp;At the home, police located Latham who had a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.Investigators learned the boy was inside of a bedroom handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, striking him.&nbsp; Other teenagers and adult family members were at the home at the time of the incident and were not hurt.

Police ID Kansas teen who died in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON — As part of ongoing efforts to provide additional help 
for people during this period, the IRS announced today the suspension of
 more than a dozen additional letters, including the mailing of 
automated collection notices normally issued when a taxpayer owes 
additional tax, and the IRS has no record of a taxpayer filing a tax 
return.

These mailings include balance due notices and unfiled tax return 
notices. The IRS entered this filing season with several million 
original and amended returns filed by individuals and businesses that 
have not been processed due to challenges of the historic pandemic and 
is taking this step to help avoid confusion for taxpayers and tax 
professionals.

“IRS employees are committed to doing everything possible with our 
limited resources to help people during this period,” said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are working hard, long hours pushing 
creative paths forward in an effort to be part of the solution, rather 
than the problem. Our employees continue to expend every effort to 
balance a confluence of multiple, unprecedented demands − including 
successfully starting the filing season, working our inventory of 
unprocessed tax returns as well as looking for additional ways to 
minimize burden for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.

“Our efforts are not limited to suspension of these additional 
letters and the possibility of similar actions going forward. We have 
redeployed and reallocated resources throughout the IRS and have 
implemented innovative strategies in an ongoing effort to provide a 
meaningful reduction in our inventories,” Rettig said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — As part of ongoing efforts to provide additional help 
for people during this period, the IRS announced today the suspension of
 more than a dozen additional letters, including the mailing of 
automated collection notices normally issued when a taxpayer owes 
additional tax, and the IRS has no record of a taxpayer filing a tax 
return.These mailings include balance due notices and unfiled tax return 
notices. The IRS entered this filing season with several million 
original and amended returns filed by individuals and businesses that 
have not been processed due to challenges of the historic pandemic and 
is taking this step to help avoid confusion for taxpayers and tax 
professionals.“IRS employees are committed to doing everything possible with our 
limited resources to help people during this period,” said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are working hard, long hours pushing 
creative paths forward in an effort to be part of the solution, rather 
than the problem. Our employees continue to expend every effort to 
balance a confluence of multiple, unprecedented demands − including 
successfully starting the filing season, working our inventory of 
unprocessed tax returns as well as looking for additional ways to 
minimize burden for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.“Our efforts are not limited to suspension of these additional 
letters and the possibility of similar actions going forward. We have 
redeployed and reallocated resources throughout the IRS and have 
implemented innovative strategies in an ongoing effort to provide a 
meaningful reduction in our inventories,” Rettig said.These automatic notices have been temporarily stopped until the 
backlog is worked through. The IRS will continue to assess the inventory
 of prior year returns to determine the appropriate time to resume the 
notices.Some taxpayers and tax professionals may still receive these notices 
during the next few weeks. Generally, there is no need to call or 
respond to the notice as the IRS continues to process prior year tax 
returns as quickly as possible.However, if a taxpayer or tax professional believes a notice is 
accurate, they should act to rectify the situation for the well-being of
 the taxpayer. For example, the IRS cautions people with a balance due 
that interest and penalties can continue to accrue. In addition, IRS 
employees may in select circumstances issue notices to particular 
taxpayers to resolve specific compliance issues.The IRS does not have the authority to stop all notices as many are 
legally required to be issued within a certain timeframe. The IRS will 
continue to assess other changes and system modifications that the IRS 
may be able to implement to assist taxpayers on an array of issues. The 
IRS will continue to make information available to taxpayers throughout 
the filing season.The IRS encourages those who have a filing requirement and have yet 
to file a prior year tax return or to pay any tax due to promptly do so 
as interest and penalties will continue to accrue. Visit IRS.gov for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">payment options</a>.Click <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-continues-work-to-help-taxpayers-suspends-mailing-of-additional-letters">HERE</a> for more.