WASHINGTON (AP) — Moderna announced Monday that U.S. health regulators granted full approval to its COVID-19 vaccine, a shot that’s been given to tens of millions of Americans since its emergency authorization over a year ago.

The action by the Food and Drug Administration means the agency has completed the same rigorous, time-consuming review of Moderna’s shot as dozens of other long-established vaccines.

The decision was bolstered by real-world evidence from the more than 200 million doses administered in the U.S. since the FDA cleared the shot in December 2020. The FDA granted full approval of Pfizer’s vaccine last August.

Public health advocates initially hoped the regulatory distinction would boost public confidence in the shots. But there was no discernable bump in vaccinations after the Pfizer approval, which was heavily promoted by President Joe Biden and other federal officials.

More than 211 million Americans, or 63% of the total population, are fully vaccinated. About 86 million people have gotten a booster dose. Vaccinations peaked last spring at more than 3 million per day, and now average less than 750,000 per day. The pace of vaccinations briefly spiked following news of the omicron variant in December but has since slowed again.

The FDA, like regulators in Europe and elsewhere, initially allowed emergency use of Moderna’s vaccine based on a study that tracked 44,000 people 18 and older for at least two months — the time period when serious side effects typically arise. That’s shorter than the six months of safety data normally required for full approval, so Moderna continued that study. The FDA also kept watch for serious side effects that have proved to be very rare.

In the U.S., Moderna is used only by adults. The company said last fall that FDA had delayed deciding whether to clear the shots for 12- to 17-year-olds as it examined a rare risk of heart inflammation seen mostly in young men and teen boys.

Johnson &amp; Johnson has not yet applied for full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine.

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634902668202.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Moderna announced Monday that U.S. health regulators granted full approval to its COVID-19 vaccine, a shot that’s been given to tens of millions of Americans since its emergency authorization over a year ago.The action by the Food and Drug Administration means the agency has completed the same rigorous, time-consuming review of Moderna’s shot as dozens of other long-established vaccines.The decision was bolstered by real-world evidence from the more than 200 million doses administered in the U.S. since the FDA cleared the shot in December 2020. The FDA granted full approval of Pfizer’s vaccine last August.Public health advocates initially hoped the regulatory distinction would boost public confidence in the shots. But there was no discernable bump in vaccinations after the Pfizer approval, which was heavily promoted by President Joe Biden and other federal officials.More than 211 million Americans, or 63% of the total population, are fully vaccinated. About 86 million people have gotten a booster dose. Vaccinations peaked last spring at more than 3 million per day, and now average less than 750,000 per day. The pace of vaccinations briefly spiked following news of the omicron variant in December but has since slowed again.The FDA, like regulators in Europe and elsewhere, initially allowed emergency use of Moderna’s vaccine based on a study that tracked 44,000 people 18 and older for at least two months — the time period when serious side effects typically arise. That’s shorter than the six months of safety data normally required for full approval, so Moderna continued that study. The FDA also kept watch for serious side effects that have proved to be very rare.In the U.S., Moderna is used only by adults. The company said last fall that FDA had delayed deciding whether to clear the shots for 12- to 17-year-olds as it examined a rare risk of heart inflammation seen mostly in young men and teen boys.Johnson &amp; Johnson has not yet applied for full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine.___AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.___

FDA gives full approval to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division heads to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California for a month-long training rotation to test their unit in an austere environment.

“The Dagger Brigade is excited about our rotation to NTC,” said Col. Brandon Smith Thomas, 2nd ABCT commander. “We look forward to training and building a team of experts to win at the point of contact.”

The brigade has a unique opportunity to partner with the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas, as both units increase their readiness and build interoperability to fight and win against a near-peer adversary. The training allows the units to be tested during large-scale combat operations as they master small unit tactics and brigade offensive and defensive operations.

“Our Soldiers are motivated and ready to support this mission, and the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade,” said Smith. 

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division heads to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California for a month-long training rotation to test their unit in an austere environment.“The Dagger Brigade is excited about our rotation to NTC,” said Col. Brandon Smith Thomas, 2nd ABCT commander. “We look forward to training and building a team of experts to win at the point of contact.”The brigade has a unique opportunity to partner with the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas, as both units increase their readiness and build interoperability to fight and win against a near-peer adversary. The training allows the units to be tested during large-scale combat operations as they master small unit tactics and brigade offensive and defensive operations.“Our Soldiers are motivated and ready to support this mission, and the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade,” said Smith.

Dagger Brigade deploys to National Training Center

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple charges after a weekend arrest.

Just after midnight Sunday morning, police responded to a disturbance at the AMC theater in the 3100 block of N Penstemon in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

&nbsp;Security at the theater informed officers that multiple people reported someone had a weapon inside one of the auditoriums.

Officers contacted a victim who reported witnessing a male "racking" what he believed was a firearm. The man then fired the weapon, which turned out to be an airsoft gun. 

Another victim reported getting into a physical altercation with the male suspect, who then punched the victim in the face and dropped an airsoft gun before running from the theater. Another victim reported being shot by the airsoft gun, causing minor injury.

Police located a 15-year-old boy running in the area, who matched the suspect's description. He was taken into custody. Police also found two airsoft guns. Police booked the teen into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of aggravated battery, simple battery, aggravated criminal threat and resisting arrest, according to Macy.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple charges after a weekend arrest.Just after midnight Sunday morning, police responded to a disturbance at the AMC theater in the 3100 block of N Penstemon in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp;Security at the theater informed officers that multiple people reported someone had a weapon inside one of the auditoriums.Officers contacted a victim who reported witnessing a male "racking" what he believed was a firearm. The man then fired the weapon, which turned out to be an airsoft gun. Another victim reported getting into a physical altercation with the male suspect, who then punched the victim in the face and dropped an airsoft gun before running from the theater. Another victim reported being shot by the airsoft gun, causing minor injury.Police located a 15-year-old boy running in the area, who matched the suspect's description. He was taken into custody. Police also found two airsoft guns. Police booked the teen into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of aggravated battery, simple battery, aggravated criminal threat and resisting arrest, according to Macy.

Kan. teen jailed after airsoft gun incident at movie theater

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kansas man traveling to Washington is being held on charges of threatening President Joe Biden, authorities said.

Scott Merryman, 37, was in the Washington County Detention Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, awaiting a court appearance set for Monday, a detention center official said.

A court filing in the case said Merryman phoned police in Independence, Kansas, on Tuesday and told them that he was going to the nation's capital to see the president.

In a telephone interview with a U.S. Secret Service agent on Wednesday, Merryman said that God told him to go to Washington to cut off “the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation," the filing states.

Merryman denied in the interview that Biden was the serpent, though in a Facebook post he identified the president as the “AntiChrist” and said “he will suffer a fatal head wound.” Merryman added, “I'll deal that blow in Christ's name.”

Another Secret Service agent located Merryman at the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Hagerstown. The agent searched Merryman and found three rounds of ammunition and a spotting scope, but no gun or other weapons, according to the court document.

On Thursday, Merryman called the White House switch board and threatened Biden, the document says.

The criminal complaint calling for his arrest on the federal charges was filed Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643637477568.png" alt="Merryman from a previous arrest in Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Merryman from a previous arrest in Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kansas man traveling to Washington is being held on charges of threatening President Joe Biden, authorities said.Scott Merryman, 37, was in the Washington County Detention Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, awaiting a court appearance set for Monday, a detention center official said.A court filing in the case said Merryman phoned police in Independence, Kansas, on Tuesday and told them that he was going to the nation's capital to see the president.In a telephone interview with a U.S. Secret Service agent on Wednesday, Merryman said that God told him to go to Washington to cut off “the head of the serpent in the heart of the nation," the filing states.Merryman denied in the interview that Biden was the serpent, though in a Facebook post he identified the president as the “AntiChrist” and said “he will suffer a fatal head wound.” Merryman added, “I'll deal that blow in Christ's name.”Another Secret Service agent located Merryman at the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Hagerstown. The agent searched Merryman and found three rounds of ammunition and a spotting scope, but no gun or other weapons, according to the court document.On Thursday, Merryman called the White House switch board and threatened Biden, the document says.The criminal complaint calling for his arrest on the federal charges was filed Friday.

Kan. man jailed for threats to Biden due for court appearance

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — More than 1,000 staff members in the state’s largest school district are in quarantine because of COVID-19, but currently all Wichita schools are open.

The district records show that nearly 14% of the school district’s staff — some 1,033 people — were off because of COVID-19 illnesses or exposure as of Friday. That is up from 912 and 646 in the previous two weeks.

Earlier this month, the district had to temporarily close several schools, including one of its high schools, because of staff shortages as the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus spread, But at the moment, the district is keeping all schools open even as the staff absences set a record for the school year.

Kansas schools are having enough problems finding teachers that the State Board of Education lowered the standards for substitute teachers earlier this month.

Unlike last year when many Kansas school districts turned to remote learning when virus cases soared, this year schools are opting to close schools temporarily because a new law restricts online learning to no more than 40 hours per student.

But there was some encouraging news in the district’s latest numbers because the number of student virus cases declined. The district said 543 students tested positive for the virus between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26. That’s down from 915 the previous week and down from the peak of 1,285 set two weeks ago.

The seven-day rolling average of total daily new cases in Kansas also decreased over the past two weeks, going from 7,928.57 new cases per day on Jan. 14 to 6,008.86 new cases per day on Friday.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — More than 1,000 staff members in the state’s largest school district are in quarantine because of COVID-19, but currently all Wichita schools are open.The district records show that nearly 14% of the school district’s staff — some 1,033 people — were off because of COVID-19 illnesses or exposure as of Friday. That is up from 912 and 646 in the previous two weeks.Earlier this month, the district had to temporarily close several schools, including one of its high schools, because of staff shortages as the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus spread, But at the moment, the district is keeping all schools open even as the staff absences set a record for the school year.Kansas schools are having enough problems finding teachers that the State Board of Education lowered the standards for substitute teachers earlier this month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643392776971.png" alt="Friday Jan. 28, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Jan. 28, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Unlike last year when many Kansas school districts turned to remote learning when virus cases soared, this year schools are opting to close schools temporarily because a new law restricts online learning to no more than 40 hours per student.But there was some encouraging news in the district’s latest numbers because the number of student virus cases declined. The district said 543 students tested positive for the virus between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26. That’s down from 915 the previous week and down from the peak of 1,285 set two weeks ago.The seven-day rolling average of total daily new cases in Kansas also decreased over the past two weeks, going from 7,928.57 new cases per day on Jan. 14 to 6,008.86 new cases per day on Friday.

COVID: Over 1,000 workers out in state's largest school district

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting.

Just after 10:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 200 Block of South 14th Street in Kansas City, according to a media release.&nbsp;

Officers found a boy who was in his early teens with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. His name has not been released. Police have not reported additional details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting.Just after 10:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 200 Block of South 14th Street in Kansas City, according to a media release.&nbsp;Officers found a boy who was in his early teens with a gunshot wound inside a home.&nbsp; Paramedics said the boy died at the scene. His name has not been released. Police have not reported additional details.

Police: Teen killed in weekend Kansas shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating who set another house fire in Topeka.

Just after 11p.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to the fire in a home at 1908 SW Central Park Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.&nbsp;Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the two story house. 

Firefighters performed a primary search and found no occupants. The structure was vacant at the time of the fire. Evidence of transient activity was present at the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss – $22,000.00; all of which is associated with structure loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were not located in the home, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643577903266.png" alt="Photo by&nbsp;Victoria Cassell&nbsp;courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by&nbsp;Victoria Cassell&nbsp;courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating who set another house fire in Topeka.Just after 11p.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to the fire in a home at 1908 SW Central Park Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.&nbsp;Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the two story house. Firefighters performed a primary search and found no occupants. The structure was vacant at the time of the fire. Evidence of transient activity was present at the scene.A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss – $22,000.00; all of which is associated with structure loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were not located in the home, according to Harrison.

Fire Marshal: Kansas house fire intentionally set 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bill that is making its way through the Kansas Legislature would restrict cell phone usage in vehicles in select situations.

"Senate Bill 332 is what we're referring to as a limited hands-free bill that applies to the most inexperienced drivers and vulnerable bystanders who are at risk," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Specifically, it would ban the hand held use of cell phones for drivers under the age of 18 and then for all drivers who drive through a road construction zone when workers are present or a school zone during designated hours."

The school zone provisions would be at a time when a reduced speed limit is enforced.

"Many vehicles do have the capabilities to use Bluetooth to run your cell phone calls through your audio system in your vehicle," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If you don't have that available, there are Bluetooth headsets that you can use. All of those would be legal and allow you to still use your cell phone. We're not banning the use of cell phones, we're just trying to get people to really focus their eyes on the road, have their hands on the wheel in these especially risky areas and for the youngest, most inexperienced drivers."

Advocates for this bill have been working on it for years.

"It's sort of a compromise," Steward said. "It doesn't go as far as a full cell phone ban while driving, which some states have. We've been pragmatic. We've worked as part of a large and diverse coalition in support of this bill and we've been working on it for about two years. We feel like this is a good bill, a bill that we think will have some strong support in the legislature."

The fine for a violation is $60, which although it is less than the national average for such violations, is consistent with other Kansas fines for behavior traffic violations. The bill has passed out of committee, but there is not word yet on when it will make it to the floor of the Kansas Senate.

By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bill that is making its way through the Kansas Legislature would restrict cell phone usage in vehicles in select situations."Senate Bill 332 is what we're referring to as a limited hands-free bill that applies to the most inexperienced drivers and vulnerable bystanders who are at risk," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Specifically, it would ban the hand held use of cell phones for drivers under the age of 18 and then for all drivers who drive through a road construction zone when workers are present or a school zone during designated hours."The school zone provisions would be at a time when a reduced speed limit is enforced."Many vehicles do have the capabilities to use Bluetooth to run your cell phone calls through your audio system in your vehicle," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If you don't have that available, there are Bluetooth headsets that you can use. All of those would be legal and allow you to still use your cell phone. We're not banning the use of cell phones, we're just trying to get people to really focus their eyes on the road, have their hands on the wheel in these especially risky areas and for the youngest, most inexperienced drivers."Advocates for this bill have been working on it for years."It's sort of a compromise," Steward said. "It doesn't go as far as a full cell phone ban while driving, which some states have. We've been pragmatic. We've worked as part of a large and diverse coalition in support of this bill and we've been working on it for about two years. We feel like this is a good bill, a bill that we think will have some strong support in the legislature."The fine for a violation is $60, which although it is less than the national average for such violations, is consistent with other Kansas fines for behavior traffic violations. The bill has passed out of committee, but there is not word yet on when it will make it to the floor of the Kansas Senate.

Kansas bill would require some hands-free cell phone usage 

The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/policy/advocacy/advocacy-filings/2022/01/ftc-staff-comment-federal-drug-administration-docket-no-fda">comment to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)</a> in response to FDA’s request for comment on its proposed rule on establishing over-the-counter hearing aids.

The
 comment supports the proposed rule, which is likely to promote 
competition and innovation in the market for hearing aids, to the 
benefit of health care consumers. As noted in the proposed rule, tens of
 millions of US consumers suffer hearing loss, resulting in significant 
associated health problems. But most of them lack hearing aids, due at 
least in part to the high cost of buying the devices.

According to
 the staff comment, barriers to access to hearing health care may 
include more than just prices for hearing aids themselves. Restricted 
channels of distribution often limit consumer choice to, for example, 
expensive bundles of hearing aids and extended services that many 
consumers may not want or be likely to use. In addition, a lack of 
pricing transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make “apples to
 apples” comparisons between available models, and between bundles of 
devices and services.

The FTC staff’s comment states the FDA’s 
proposed rule would establish an over-the-counter category of hearing 
aids, streamline regulations, and preempt contrary state laws and 
regulations. As a result, the rule is likely to foster:&nbsp;

In 2017, the FTC held a public <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/2017/04/now-hear-competition-innovation-consumer-protection-issues">workshop</a>
 on competition, innovation, and consumer protection issues in hearing 
healthcare. The record from the workshop supports the FDA’s efforts to 
make hearing products more accessible as a significant way to increase 
competition, reduce prices, and improve access to hearing aids.

The Commission vote approving the comment to the Food and Drug Administration was 4-0.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/policy/advocacy/advocacy-filings/2022/01/ftc-staff-comment-federal-drug-administration-docket-no-fda">comment to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)</a> in response to FDA’s request for comment on its proposed rule on establishing over-the-counter hearing aids.The
 comment supports the proposed rule, which is likely to promote 
competition and innovation in the market for hearing aids, to the 
benefit of health care consumers. As noted in the proposed rule, tens of
 millions of US consumers suffer hearing loss, resulting in significant 
associated health problems. But most of them lack hearing aids, due at 
least in part to the high cost of buying the devices.According to
 the staff comment, barriers to access to hearing health care may 
include more than just prices for hearing aids themselves. Restricted 
channels of distribution often limit consumer choice to, for example, 
expensive bundles of hearing aids and extended services that many 
consumers may not want or be likely to use. In addition, a lack of 
pricing transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make “apples to
 apples” comparisons between available models, and between bundles of 
devices and services.The FTC staff’s comment states the FDA’s 
proposed rule would establish an over-the-counter category of hearing 
aids, streamline regulations, and preempt contrary state laws and 
regulations. As a result, the rule is likely to foster:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>development and entry into the market of lower priced safe and effective hearing aids;</li><li>new channels of distribution; </li><li>increased availability and diversity of lower priced bundles of hearing aids and services; </li><li>development and entry of remote and web-based ancillary tools for hearing aids; and</li><li>increased competition in markets for existing hearing aids.</li>
 </ul>In 2017, the FTC held a public <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/2017/04/now-hear-competition-innovation-consumer-protection-issues">workshop</a>
 on competition, innovation, and consumer protection issues in hearing 
healthcare. The record from the workshop supports the FDA’s efforts to 
make hearing products more accessible as a significant way to increase 
competition, reduce prices, and improve access to hearing aids.The Commission vote approving the comment to the Food and Drug Administration was 4-0.

FTC supports proposed rule establishing over-the-counter hearing aids

KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge sentenced a former nurse in an Independence hospital to 20 years in a prison for the rape of a patient, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

In November, a judge convicted 39-year-old Chukwuemeka U. Emmanuel of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree, after a bench trial.

According to court documents filed Thursday, a patient at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence reported to police that she was raped by her nurse, who police identified as Emmanuel.

 The victim told police the nurse had been cleaning her when the rape occurred.&nbsp; At the time, the patient was being given morphine and other narcotics for pain management. 

The victim said she told the defendant several times that he was hurting her and she asked him to stop. Another nurse at Centerpoint, who told police she is in a relationship with Emmanuel, stated that he called her and told her he was going to Nigeria because he had been accused of a rape. She believed he was in New York or Nigeria.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638409375370.png" alt="Emmanuel-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Emmanuel-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge sentenced a former nurse in an Independence hospital to 20 years in a prison for the rape of a patient, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.In November, a judge convicted 39-year-old Chukwuemeka U. Emmanuel of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree, after a bench trial.According to court documents filed Thursday, a patient at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence reported to police that she was raped by her nurse, who police identified as Emmanuel. The victim told police the nurse had been cleaning her when the rape occurred.&nbsp; At the time, the patient was being given morphine and other narcotics for pain management. The victim said she told the defendant several times that he was hurting her and she asked him to stop. Another nurse at Centerpoint, who told police she is in a relationship with Emmanuel, stated that he called her and told her he was going to Nigeria because he had been accused of a rape. She believed he was in New York or Nigeria.

Ex-nurse sentenced for rape of patient at KC-area hospital

WICHITA– A New Mexico man was sentenced to 156 months in prison for drug trafficking in Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, in September 2021, Eric A. Estrada, 35, of Hobbs, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intention to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

In July 2020, the Kansas Highway Patrol pulled over two vehicles traveling together on Interstate 35 near Emporia for traffic violations. Estrada was driving a Nissan Sentra registered to the person driving the other vehicle, a Nissan Altima. In the Nissan Altima, troopers discovered approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643203068909.png" alt="Estrada from his time in the Butler Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Estrada from his time in the Butler Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA– A New Mexico man was sentenced to 156 months in prison for drug trafficking in Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, in September 2021, Eric A. Estrada, 35, of Hobbs, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intention to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.In July 2020, the Kansas Highway Patrol pulled over two vehicles traveling together on Interstate 35 near Emporia for traffic violations. Estrada was driving a Nissan Sentra registered to the person driving the other vehicle, a Nissan Altima. In the Nissan Altima, troopers discovered approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Man sentenced for trafficking cocaine, meth in Kansas

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/27/ban-on-food-assistance-to-kansans-with-felonies-leads-to-recidivism-advocates-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Despite being 1,230 days
 clean, Andy Hubbard, a self-professed addict and a three-time felon, 
cannot receive food assistance benefits in Kansas.

The state prohibits any persons convicted of a felony drug offense 
from being able to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
benefits. Hubbard offered his journey Wednesday as an example to House 
lawmakers, noting how he would spend many days eating a single meal 
after working a full shift on an empty stomach.

Hunger does not stop drug possession or addiction, but it can incite irrational decisions leading to the opposite, Hubbard said.

“We know the lack of food becomes a mental health issue,” he said. 
“Stand up. Say that every Kansan, no matter where they are in this 
journey called life, that they are deserving of access to food.”

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2215/">House Bill 2215</a>,
 under consideration in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice 
Committee, would repeal this ban. The measure would also remove SNAP 
requirements related to drug testing or drug-related convictions.

According to Department for Children and Families estimates, the 
passage of the bill would increase the food assistance caseload by an 
average of 50 per month. The current average monthly caseload for the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is approximately 95,000.

Food assistance benefits paid to individuals are 100% federally 
funded, so benefits paid would have no fiscal effect on the state.

According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, federal
 law has prevented anyone with a state or federal felony drug conviction
 — even a simple possession conviction — from receiving SNAP benefits 
since 1996. Since then, every state but one has exercised the option to 
opt-out of the ban either in whole or in part.

Although Kansas is among the 18 states that have partially opted out 
of the full federal ban, the modified ban implemented in its place is 
among the strictest in the country.

“For an individual to successfully reintegrate into society, it 
requires a person to be able to secure basic needs such as housing, 
employment, food and health care, yet they always seem like the biggest 
hurdles,” said Marquetta Atkins, executive director of Destination 
Innovation Inc., which oversees the juvenile justice program Progeny. 
“Denial of basic needs creates barriers that inhibit people from getting
 back on the right track and becomes a catalyst for recidivism.”

Atkins noted the National Institutes of Health estimates 91% of 
people released from prison face food insecurity. In her work with 
Progeny, she created an emergency fund for young people affected by the 
system to have access to money for basic needs, including food.

Hunger puts youth into survival mode, survival mode leads to 
risk-taking, and those risks typically lead to reincarceration, Atkins 
said.

In a statement to the legislative panel, Black Lives Matter Topeka 
said the policy disproportionately affects communities of color.

“These types of purchases are the way people correct the paths of 
their lives,” the group stated. “For people who have histories of 
chemical use, abuse and dependency, freeing up resources to make these 
types of investments can have transformational impact.”

Steven Greene, with Opportunity Solutions Project, was the only 
person to testify in opposition to the measure. He noted exceptions to 
the law already exist if an individual submits to a drug-testing plan.

Greene said the Opportunity Solutions Project could not support the 
bill for effectively providing blanket assistance without requiring the 
completion of a treatment program.

“We believe it is important for policymakers to consider the 
importance of work and treatment-related requirements as a condition to 
receiving public assistance,” Greene said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643310129356.png" alt="A law banning Kansas drug felons from accessing federal food benefits does not incentivize better behavior, but rather often leads to bad decisions and potentially reincarceration, supporters of a bill to remove the ban said Wednesday. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A law banning Kansas drug felons from accessing federal food benefits does not incentivize better behavior, but rather often leads to bad decisions and potentially reincarceration, supporters of a bill to remove the ban said Wednesday. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/27/ban-on-food-assistance-to-kansans-with-felonies-leads-to-recidivism-advocates-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Despite being 1,230 days
 clean, Andy Hubbard, a self-professed addict and a three-time felon, 
cannot receive food assistance benefits in Kansas.The state prohibits any persons convicted of a felony drug offense 
from being able to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
benefits. Hubbard offered his journey Wednesday as an example to House 
lawmakers, noting how he would spend many days eating a single meal 
after working a full shift on an empty stomach.Hunger does not stop drug possession or addiction, but it can incite irrational decisions leading to the opposite, Hubbard said.“We know the lack of food becomes a mental health issue,” he said. 
“Stand up. Say that every Kansan, no matter where they are in this 
journey called life, that they are deserving of access to food.”<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2215/">House Bill 2215</a>,
 under consideration in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice 
Committee, would repeal this ban. The measure would also remove SNAP 
requirements related to drug testing or drug-related convictions.According to Department for Children and Families estimates, the 
passage of the bill would increase the food assistance caseload by an 
average of 50 per month. The current average monthly caseload for the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is approximately 95,000.Food assistance benefits paid to individuals are 100% federally 
funded, so benefits paid would have no fiscal effect on the state.According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, federal
 law has prevented anyone with a state or federal felony drug conviction
 — even a simple possession conviction — from receiving SNAP benefits 
since 1996. Since then, every state but one has exercised the option to 
opt-out of the ban either in whole or in part.Although Kansas is among the 18 states that have partially opted out 
of the full federal ban, the modified ban implemented in its place is 
among the strictest in the country.“For an individual to successfully reintegrate into society, it 
requires a person to be able to secure basic needs such as housing, 
employment, food and health care, yet they always seem like the biggest 
hurdles,” said Marquetta Atkins, executive director of Destination 
Innovation Inc., which oversees the juvenile justice program Progeny. 
“Denial of basic needs creates barriers that inhibit people from getting
 back on the right track and becomes a catalyst for recidivism.”Atkins noted the National Institutes of Health estimates 91% of 
people released from prison face food insecurity. In her work with 
Progeny, she created an emergency fund for young people affected by the 
system to have access to money for basic needs, including food.Hunger puts youth into survival mode, survival mode leads to 
risk-taking, and those risks typically lead to reincarceration, Atkins 
said.In a statement to the legislative panel, Black Lives Matter Topeka 
said the policy disproportionately affects communities of color.“These types of purchases are the way people correct the paths of 
their lives,” the group stated. “For people who have histories of 
chemical use, abuse and dependency, freeing up resources to make these 
types of investments can have transformational impact.”Steven Greene, with Opportunity Solutions Project, was the only 
person to testify in opposition to the measure. He noted exceptions to 
the law already exist if an individual submits to a drug-testing plan.Greene said the Opportunity Solutions Project could not support the 
bill for effectively providing blanket assistance without requiring the 
completion of a treatment program.“We believe it is important for policymakers to consider the 
importance of work and treatment-related requirements as a condition to 
receiving public assistance,” Greene said.

Advocates: Ban on food aid to Kansans with felonies leads to recidivism

The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission.

Test-takers will be allowed to use their own laptops or tablets but they’ll still have to sit for the test at a monitored testing site or in school, not at home.

The format change is scheduled to roll out internationally next year and in the U.S. in 2024. It will also shave an hour from the current version, bringing the reading, writing and math assessment from three hours to about two.

“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the New York City-based College Board, which administers the SAT and related PSAT. “We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform. We’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible.”

Once essential for college applications, scores from admission tests like the SAT and rival ACT carry less weight today as colleges and universities pay more attention to the sum of student achievements and activities throughout high school.

Amid criticism that the exams favor wealthy, white applicants and disadvantage minority and low-income students, an increasing number of schools have in recent years&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-college-admissions-health-education-harvard-university-69152e6401ae9779ebf251ec05bd0202">adopted test-optional policies</a>, which let students decide whether to include scores with their applications.

The pandemic accelerated the trend as testing sessions were canceled or inaccessible.

Nearly 80% of bachelor’s degree-granting institutions are not requiring test scores from students applying for fall 2022, according to a December tally by the National Center for Fair &amp; Open Testing, a watchdog group that opposes standardized testing. The group, known as FairTest, said at least 1,400 of them have extended the policy through at least the fall 2023 admissions cycle.

About 1.5 million members of the class of 2021 took the SAT at least once, down from 2.2 million in the previous year. A College Board survey found many students want to take the SAT to preserve the option of submitting the scores and qualifying for certain scholarships.

Rodriguez said the digital version will be delivered in a format more familiar to students who regularly learn and test online at school.

Also, student score reports will not only focus on connecting students with four-year colleges and scholarships, but also provide information about two-year college and workforce training options. That reflects an increase in the number of students who are given the exam during a designated SAT day at school, with some districts requiring students take it. About 60% of students who take the SAT do so at school, Rodriguez said.

“We want to present students with a wider range of information and resources about their post-secondary options,” she said.

Scores will be available in days, rather than weeks, she said. There have been cases through the years of sets of paper exams getting lost in the mail.

“The digital version, I thought, was a lot less stressful than the paper and pencil version. It felt a lot more familiar,” said Natalia Cossio, 16, of Fairfax County, Virginia, who took part in a November pilot after first taking the PSAT on paper.

She said the digital format would solve some logistical issues she’s seen, like students bringing mechanical pencils instead of the required No. 2 variety, or advanced calculators that are not allowed. The digital version includes a basic calculator for the math section.

The College Board said students without a personal or school-issued device will be provided one for test day.

By CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated PressThe SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission.Test-takers will be allowed to use their own laptops or tablets but they’ll still have to sit for the test at a monitored testing site or in school, not at home.The format change is scheduled to roll out internationally next year and in the U.S. in 2024. It will also shave an hour from the current version, bringing the reading, writing and math assessment from three hours to about two.“The digital SAT will be easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the New York City-based College Board, which administers the SAT and related PSAT. “We’re not simply putting the current SAT on a digital platform. We’re taking full advantage of what delivering an assessment digitally makes possible.”Once essential for college applications, scores from admission tests like the SAT and rival ACT carry less weight today as colleges and universities pay more attention to the sum of student achievements and activities throughout high school.Amid criticism that the exams favor wealthy, white applicants and disadvantage minority and low-income students, an increasing number of schools have in recent years&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-college-admissions-health-education-harvard-university-69152e6401ae9779ebf251ec05bd0202">adopted test-optional policies</a>, which let students decide whether to include scores with their applications.The pandemic accelerated the trend as testing sessions were canceled or inaccessible.Nearly 80% of bachelor’s degree-granting institutions are not requiring test scores from students applying for fall 2022, according to a December tally by the National Center for Fair &amp; Open Testing, a watchdog group that opposes standardized testing. The group, known as FairTest, said at least 1,400 of them have extended the policy through at least the fall 2023 admissions cycle.About 1.5 million members of the class of 2021 took the SAT at least once, down from 2.2 million in the previous year. A College Board survey found many students want to take the SAT to preserve the option of submitting the scores and qualifying for certain scholarships.Rodriguez said the digital version will be delivered in a format more familiar to students who regularly learn and test online at school.Also, student score reports will not only focus on connecting students with four-year colleges and scholarships, but also provide information about two-year college and workforce training options. That reflects an increase in the number of students who are given the exam during a designated SAT day at school, with some districts requiring students take it. About 60% of students who take the SAT do so at school, Rodriguez said.“We want to present students with a wider range of information and resources about their post-secondary options,” she said.Scores will be available in days, rather than weeks, she said. There have been cases through the years of sets of paper exams getting lost in the mail.“The digital version, I thought, was a lot less stressful than the paper and pencil version. It felt a lot more familiar,” said Natalia Cossio, 16, of Fairfax County, Virginia, who took part in a November pilot after first taking the PSAT on paper.She said the digital format would solve some logistical issues she’s seen, like students bringing mechanical pencils instead of the required No. 2 variety, or advanced calculators that are not allowed. The digital version includes a basic calculator for the math section.The College Board said students without a personal or school-issued device will be provided one for test day.

College admissions: Does it matter that the SAT is going digital?

SHANNON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to identify human remains found in a rural area of south-central Missouri. The remains discovered January 12 along U.S. 60 near Winona in Shannon County are of a woman who was the victim of a homicide, according a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

&nbsp;An autopsy determined the cause of death was homicide.

Investigators believed the woman was 55-years of age. The patrol also is seeking any additional information that could assist in the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643553088812.png" alt="Left Thigh and Right Thigh Tattoos-photos Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Left Thigh and Right Thigh Tattoos-photos Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>SHANNON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to identify human remains found in a rural area of south-central Missouri. The remains discovered January 12 along U.S. 60 near Winona in Shannon County are of a woman who was the victim of a homicide, according a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.&nbsp;An autopsy determined the cause of death was homicide.Investigators believed the woman was 55-years of age. The patrol also is seeking any additional information that could assist in the investigation.

Human remains found; Police ask for help with homicide investigation


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Continued strong crude oil prices are hitting Kansans at the gas pump this winter.

"Crude oil prices make up 50 to 60% of that price," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Right now, we're looking at crude oil prices at or above $85 a barrel. That's about $20 higher than what we were seeing in November. That's the reason why, over the last couple of months, we've seen a general trend upward at the pumps."

There's no real relief in sight, either, as Omicron has not stopped people from driving.

"OPEC and its allies, as of now, don't plan any kind of dramatic ramp up of oil output," Steward said. "The result will be continued tight supply of oil. As you can imagine, that should keep gas prices fairly high."

As of Saturday, the state average at $3.07 and the national average at $3.36. The world is also watching to see if Russia is aggressive toward Ukraine and how other nations react if that happens.

"Russia is a large supplier of crude oil," Steward said. "Any interruption in supply, or potential interruption in supply, can drive prices upward. Hopefully, things will be resolved peacefully and we don't have to worry about that, but it's definitely something to keep in mind right now."

By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Continued strong crude oil prices are hitting Kansans at the gas pump this winter."Crude oil prices make up 50 to 60% of that price," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Right now, we're looking at crude oil prices at or above $85 a barrel. That's about $20 higher than what we were seeing in November. That's the reason why, over the last couple of months, we've seen a general trend upward at the pumps."There's no real relief in sight, either, as Omicron has not stopped people from driving."OPEC and its allies, as of now, don't plan any kind of dramatic ramp up of oil output," Steward said. "The result will be continued tight supply of oil. As you can imagine, that should keep gas prices fairly high."As of Saturday, the state average at $3.07 and the national average at $3.36. The world is also watching to see if Russia is aggressive toward Ukraine and how other nations react if that happens."Russia is a large supplier of crude oil," Steward said. "Any interruption in supply, or potential interruption in supply, can drive prices upward. Hopefully, things will be resolved peacefully and we don't have to worry about that, but it's definitely something to keep in mind right now."OPEC+ is scheduled to meet Feb. 2.

AAA: Crude oil prices keeping gas above $3 a gallon in Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant sweeping across the country, is driving the daily American death toll higher than during last fall’s delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks.

The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been climbing since mid-November, reaching 2,267 on Thursday and surpassing a September peak of 2,100 when delta was the dominant variant.

Now omicron is estimated to account for nearly all the virus circulating in the nation. And even though it causes less severe disease for most people, the fact that it is more transmissible means more people are falling ill and dying.

“Omicron will push us over a million deaths,” said Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at the University of California, Irvine. “That will cause a lot of soul searching. There will be a lot of discussion about what we could have done differently, how many of the deaths were preventable.”

The average daily death toll is now at the same level as last February, when the country was slowly coming off its all-time high of 3,300 a day.

More Americans are taking precautionary measures against the virus than before the omicron surge, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-will-coronavirus-pandemic-end-poll-3eae1f01412794b152934501f4b2c30f">AP-NORC poll this week</a>. But many people, fatigued by crisis, are returning to some level of normality with hopes that vaccinations or prior infections will protect them.

Omicron symptoms are often milder, and some infected people show none, researchers agree. But like the flu, it can be deadly, especially for people who are older, have other health problems or who are unvaccinated.

“Importantly, ‘milder’ does not mean ‘mild,’” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said this week during a White House briefing.

Until recently, Chuck Culotta was a healthy middle-aged man who ran a power-washing business in Milford, Delaware. As the omicron wave was ravaging the Northeast, he felt the first symptoms before Christmas and tested positive on Christmas Day. He died less than a week later, on Dec. 31, nine days short of his 51st birthday.

He was unvaccinated, said his brother, Todd, because he had questions about the long-term effects of the vaccine.

“He just wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do — yet,” said Todd Culotta, who got his shots during the summer.

At one urban hospital in Kansas, 50 COVID-19 patients have died this month and more than 200 are being treated. University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, posted a video from its morgue showing bagged bodies in a refrigeration unit and a worker marking one white body bag with the word “COVID.”

“This is real,” said Ciara Wright, the hospital’s decedent affairs coordinator. “Our concerns are, ‘Are the funeral homes going to come fast enough?’ We do have access to a refrigerated truck. We don’t want to use it if we don’t have to.”

Dr. Katie Dennis, a pathologist who does autopsies for the health system, said the morgue has been at or above capacity almost every day in January, “which is definitely unusual.”

With more than 878,000 deaths, the United States has the largest COVID-19 toll of any nation.

During the coming week, almost every U.S. state will see a faster increase in deaths, although deaths have peaked in a few states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Maryland, Alaska and Georgia, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19forecasthub.org/" target="_blank">the COVID-19 Forecast Hub.</a>

New hospital admissions have started to fall for all age groups, according to CDC data, and a drop in deaths is expected to follow.

“In a pre-pandemic world, during some flu seasons, we see 10,000 or 15,000 deaths. We see that in the course of a week sometimes with COVID,” said Nicholas Reich, who aggregates coronavirus projections for the hub in collaboration with the CDC.

“The toll and the sadness and suffering is staggering and very humbling,” said Reich, a professor of biostatistics at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

— The White House said Friday that about 60 million households ordered 240 million home-test kits under a new government program to expand testing opportunities. The government also said it has shipped tens of millions of masks to convenient locations around the country, including deliveries Friday to community centers in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

— The national drugstore chain Walgreens is among pharmacies receiving the government-provided masks. The chain has started offering N95 masks for free at several stores, as long as supplies last. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/images/adaptive/pdf/covid/mask_stores.pdf" target="_blank">company’s website</a>&nbsp;lists locations in the Midwest for the initial wave of stores offering masks, but Walgreens said more stores will offer them soon.

— The leading organization for state and local public health officials has called on governments to stop conducting widespread contact tracing, saying it’s no longer necessary. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials urged governments to focus contact tracing efforts on high-risk, vulnerable populations such as people in homeless shelters and nursing homes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639778741791.png" alt="Hospital-photo courtesy University of Kansas Health System" />
 <figcaption>Hospital-photo courtesy University of Kansas Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant sweeping across the country, is driving the daily American death toll higher than during last fall’s delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks.The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been climbing since mid-November, reaching 2,267 on Thursday and surpassing a September peak of 2,100 when delta was the dominant variant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643392776971.png" alt="KDHE reported 134 additional COVID deaths" />
 <figcaption>KDHE reported 134 additional COVID deaths</figcaption>
 </figure>Now omicron is estimated to account for nearly all the virus circulating in the nation. And even though it causes less severe disease for most people, the fact that it is more transmissible means more people are falling ill and dying.“Omicron will push us over a million deaths,” said Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at the University of California, Irvine. “That will cause a lot of soul searching. There will be a lot of discussion about what we could have done differently, how many of the deaths were preventable.”The average daily death toll is now at the same level as last February, when the country was slowly coming off its all-time high of 3,300 a day.More Americans are taking precautionary measures against the virus than before the omicron surge, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-will-coronavirus-pandemic-end-poll-3eae1f01412794b152934501f4b2c30f">AP-NORC poll this week</a>. But many people, fatigued by crisis, are returning to some level of normality with hopes that vaccinations or prior infections will protect them.Omicron symptoms are often milder, and some infected people show none, researchers agree. But like the flu, it can be deadly, especially for people who are older, have other health problems or who are unvaccinated.“Importantly, ‘milder’ does not mean ‘mild,’” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said this week during a White House briefing.Until recently, Chuck Culotta was a healthy middle-aged man who ran a power-washing business in Milford, Delaware. As the omicron wave was ravaging the Northeast, he felt the first symptoms before Christmas and tested positive on Christmas Day. He died less than a week later, on Dec. 31, nine days short of his 51st birthday.He was unvaccinated, said his brother, Todd, because he had questions about the long-term effects of the vaccine.“He just wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do — yet,” said Todd Culotta, who got his shots during the summer.At one urban hospital in Kansas, 50 COVID-19 patients have died this month and more than 200 are being treated. University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, posted a video from its morgue showing bagged bodies in a refrigeration unit and a worker marking one white body bag with the word “COVID.”“This is real,” said Ciara Wright, the hospital’s decedent affairs coordinator. “Our concerns are, ‘Are the funeral homes going to come fast enough?’ We do have access to a refrigerated truck. We don’t want to use it if we don’t have to.”Dr. Katie Dennis, a pathologist who does autopsies for the health system, said the morgue has been at or above capacity almost every day in January, “which is definitely unusual.”With more than 878,000 deaths, the United States has the largest COVID-19 toll of any nation.During the coming week, almost every U.S. state will see a faster increase in deaths, although deaths have peaked in a few states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Maryland, Alaska and Georgia, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19forecasthub.org/" target="_blank">the COVID-19 Forecast Hub.</a>New hospital admissions have started to fall for all age groups, according to CDC data, and a drop in deaths is expected to follow.“In a pre-pandemic world, during some flu seasons, we see 10,000 or 15,000 deaths. We see that in the course of a week sometimes with COVID,” said Nicholas Reich, who aggregates coronavirus projections for the hub in collaboration with the CDC.“The toll and the sadness and suffering is staggering and very humbling,” said Reich, a professor of biostatistics at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.In other developments:— The White House said Friday that about 60 million households ordered 240 million home-test kits under a new government program to expand testing opportunities. The government also said it has shipped tens of millions of masks to convenient locations around the country, including deliveries Friday to community centers in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.— The national drugstore chain Walgreens is among pharmacies receiving the government-provided masks. The chain has started offering N95 masks for free at several stores, as long as supplies last. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/images/adaptive/pdf/covid/mask_stores.pdf" target="_blank">company’s website</a>&nbsp;lists locations in the Midwest for the initial wave of stores offering masks, but Walgreens said more stores will offer them soon.— The leading organization for state and local public health officials has called on governments to stop conducting widespread contact tracing, saying it’s no longer necessary. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials urged governments to focus contact tracing efforts on high-risk, vulnerable populations such as people in homeless shelters and nursing homes.___

Omicron drives US deaths higher than in fall's delta wave

As he struggled to survive the 2020 Democratic primary, Joe Biden made a striking pledge before voting began in heavily African American, must-win South Carolina: His first Supreme Court appointment would be a Black woman.

(Click below to hear the President's plan for naming a new Supreme Court Justice.)

On Thursday, with his poll numbers reaching new lows and his party panicking about the midterm elections, Biden turned again to the Democratic Party's most steadfast voters and reiterated his vow to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer with the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

The striking promise is a reflection of Black women's critical role in the Democratic Party and the growing influence of Black women in society. It's also a recognition that Black women have been marginalized in American politics for centuries and the time has come to right the imbalance of a court made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries, a change Biden said Thursday is “long overdue.”

Black women are the most loyal Democrats — 93% of them voted for Biden in the 2020 presidential election, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate.

And it's Black women's reliability as Democratic voters that makes it so important for the party to respond to their priorities and keep them in the fold, said Nadia Brown, a professor of government at Georgetown University. “Democrats know Black women are going to turn out for them so they have everything to lose if they don’t do this."

Black women turned out to vote for Biden in greater numbers than for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and they were vital in Biden’s wins in states like Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Overall, they made up 12% of Biden’s voters and reached even higher percentages in heavily African American states like Georgia, where they represented 35% of his support. In that state, which Biden won by just over 12,000 votes, he earned the backing of 95% of Black women.

Biden, in particular, owes Black voters, and especially women, a debt from the primaries. His campaign was on life support before South Carolina's primary in late February 2020, when he secured the endorsement of Rep. James Clyburn, the kingmaker of the state's Democratic political orbit, by pledging to select a Black woman for the Supreme Court.

“His campaign was struggling,” Clyburn recalled on Thursday, citing Biden’s three straight losses in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. “This was quite frankly do or die for him, and I urged him to come out publicly for putting an African American woman on the Supreme Court.”

Biden already made a fundamentally important statement about the importance of Black women in his coalition by selecting Kamala Harris as his vice president. But putting a Black woman on the court is another historic step. Republican Ronald Reagan, in his 1980 presidential campaign, vowed to put the first woman on the Supreme Court and nominated Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once in office.

But Biden’s pledge also responds to issues Black women care about, said Glynda Carr, president of Higher Heights For America PAC, which advocates for Black women in politics. “Black women are very in tune with knowing the court is important to our daily lives,” said Carr, citing big cases on voting rights and abortion.

The decision isn’t just a win for Black women but for all voters concerned with ensuring that government reflects the actual population, said Tom Bonier, a Democratic data analyst. As such, he said, it should rally Democrats of all races.

“To the extent that Biden, at this point, is suffering from lower approval ratings, part of his challenge is just reassembling his coalition and reminding those voters who sent him to the White House why that vote mattered,” Bonier said.

Biden's early discussions about a successor to Breyer have focused on U.S. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss White House deliberations.

Childs is a favorite of Clyburn. The House majority whip said Thursday that she had “everything I think it takes to be a great justice.”

The robust roster of Black women for the Supreme Court is a testament to their growing professional progress over the past few decades, experts say. Black women — like women of all races — have been increasingly likely to earn college degrees over the past two decades. Although they still lag in other crucial categories such as pay, the court seat is another milestone.

“We could not have imagined the sheer number of overqualified women a few decades ago,” Brown said.

The nomination of a Black woman is also significant for Black men, said Adrianne Shropshire of BlackPAC, a political organization that tries to elect more Black Democrats. That's in part because the current sole African American on the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas, is a conservative Republican whose decisions often go against the desires of the heavily Democratic Black community.

While Black men are not quite as Democratic as Black women, they still overwhelmingly back the party — 87% voted for Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast.

Still, Shropshire warned, a Supreme Court appointment is only one step in ensuring Black voters are motivated in 2022 and beyond.

“For Black folks in the country, the thing that looms largest is, are their daily lives changed?” Shropshire said. “For the president — and the vice president — it is going to be more than this appointment.”

“I don’t think it’s helpful for people to say, ‘Well, the one thing we got is a nomination on the Supreme Court,’” Shropshire added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624401128658.png" alt="President Biden already made a fundamentally important statement about the importance of Black women in his coalition by selecting Kamala Harris as his vice president-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden already made a fundamentally important statement about the importance of Black women in his coalition by selecting Kamala Harris as his vice president-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Associated PressAs he struggled to survive the 2020 Democratic primary, Joe Biden made a striking pledge before voting began in heavily African American, must-win South Carolina: His first Supreme Court appointment would be a Black woman.(Click below to hear the President's plan for naming a new Supreme Court Justice.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F460338765647933%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=445" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>On Thursday, with his poll numbers reaching new lows and his party panicking about the midterm elections, Biden turned again to the Democratic Party's most steadfast voters and reiterated his vow to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer with the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.The striking promise is a reflection of Black women's critical role in the Democratic Party and the growing influence of Black women in society. It's also a recognition that Black women have been marginalized in American politics for centuries and the time has come to right the imbalance of a court made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries, a change Biden said Thursday is “long overdue.”Black women are the most loyal Democrats — 93% of them voted for Biden in the 2020 presidential election, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate.And it's Black women's reliability as Democratic voters that makes it so important for the party to respond to their priorities and keep them in the fold, said Nadia Brown, a professor of government at Georgetown University. “Democrats know Black women are going to turn out for them so they have everything to lose if they don’t do this."Black women turned out to vote for Biden in greater numbers than for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and they were vital in Biden’s wins in states like Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Overall, they made up 12% of Biden’s voters and reached even higher percentages in heavily African American states like Georgia, where they represented 35% of his support. In that state, which Biden won by just over 12,000 votes, he earned the backing of 95% of Black women.Biden, in particular, owes Black voters, and especially women, a debt from the primaries. His campaign was on life support before South Carolina's primary in late February 2020, when he secured the endorsement of Rep. James Clyburn, the kingmaker of the state's Democratic political orbit, by pledging to select a Black woman for the Supreme Court.“His campaign was struggling,” Clyburn recalled on Thursday, citing Biden’s three straight losses in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. “This was quite frankly do or die for him, and I urged him to come out publicly for putting an African American woman on the Supreme Court.”Biden already made a fundamentally important statement about the importance of Black women in his coalition by selecting Kamala Harris as his vice president. But putting a Black woman on the court is another historic step. Republican Ronald Reagan, in his 1980 presidential campaign, vowed to put the first woman on the Supreme Court and nominated Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once in office.But Biden’s pledge also responds to issues Black women care about, said Glynda Carr, president of Higher Heights For America PAC, which advocates for Black women in politics. “Black women are very in tune with knowing the court is important to our daily lives,” said Carr, citing big cases on voting rights and abortion.The decision isn’t just a win for Black women but for all voters concerned with ensuring that government reflects the actual population, said Tom Bonier, a Democratic data analyst. As such, he said, it should rally Democrats of all races.“To the extent that Biden, at this point, is suffering from lower approval ratings, part of his challenge is just reassembling his coalition and reminding those voters who sent him to the White House why that vote mattered,” Bonier said.Biden's early discussions about a successor to Breyer have focused on U.S. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss White House deliberations.Childs is a favorite of Clyburn. The House majority whip said Thursday that she had “everything I think it takes to be a great justice.”The robust roster of Black women for the Supreme Court is a testament to their growing professional progress over the past few decades, experts say. Black women — like women of all races — have been increasingly likely to earn college degrees over the past two decades. Although they still lag in other crucial categories such as pay, the court seat is another milestone.“We could not have imagined the sheer number of overqualified women a few decades ago,” Brown said.The nomination of a Black woman is also significant for Black men, said Adrianne Shropshire of BlackPAC, a political organization that tries to elect more Black Democrats. That's in part because the current sole African American on the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas, is a conservative Republican whose decisions often go against the desires of the heavily Democratic Black community.While Black men are not quite as Democratic as Black women, they still overwhelmingly back the party — 87% voted for Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast.Still, Shropshire warned, a Supreme Court appointment is only one step in ensuring Black voters are motivated in 2022 and beyond.“For Black folks in the country, the thing that looms largest is, are their daily lives changed?” Shropshire said. “For the president — and the vice president — it is going to be more than this appointment.”“I don’t think it’s helpful for people to say, ‘Well, the one thing we got is a nomination on the Supreme Court,’” Shropshire added.

Biden's high court pledge shows growing power of Black women

By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/government/2022-01-27/kansas-lawmaker-calls-for-hearings-on-stand-your-ground-laws-following-wichita-teens-death">Kansas News Service</a>

Stand Your Ground laws in Kansas could be getting a second look this legislative session.

The law is under renewed scrutiny after Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett cited it in his decision to <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-01-18/no-criminal-charges-in-death-of-wichita-teen-who-died-in-custody" target="_blank">not press charges in the death of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton</a>, who died while in custody.

Kansas Rep. Jo Ella Hoye is calling for hearings into the law in hopes of passing a bill this session clarifying its intent.

“Right
 now Kansans, they don’t have the right to justice in many of these 
situations,” she said, “and there … are too many tragedies, and we need 
to come to the table and hear those stories.”

In Lofton’s case, 
Bennett said he wouldn’t press criminal charges in the teen’s death, 
saying the workers at the county’s juvenile center were acting in 
self-defense, and following policy, when Lofton was killed.

“Should
 not have happened, but these folks are protected by Kansas law,” 
Bennett said at a news conference last week. “Same as anyone else would 
be, and that’s where I’m at.”

Hoye, a Democrat, said that that was not the original intent of the bill.

“The way this bill stands, it’s dangerous,” she said.

Before
 her election in 2020, Hoye was a volunteer for Moms Demand Action for 
Gun Sense in America, according to her website. Hoye represents parts of
 northeast Kansas.

She said the legislature needs to hold hearings
 on the state’s current law with testimony from district attorneys, as 
well as families who have been affected by the law. Hoye said it’s 
likely a bill could pass this session, but that can take some time.

“We don’t want to re-create something else that doesn’t work either,” she said.

Gov.
 Laura Kelly said in a statement earlier this week that she looked 
forward to hearing the legislature’s recommendations on the law. Kelly 
has asked the Department for Children and Families to investigate 
Lofton’s case and determine whether the foster care system responded 
properly.

“This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to 
ensure something like this never happens again,” Kelly said in the 
statement.

Elected officials in Wichita and Sedgwick County are also looking at policy changes <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-01-25/sedgwick-county-wichita-create-taskforce-looking-into-teens-death-while-in-custody" target="_blank">through a joint taskforce</a> to change policies at the city and county level.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642880340757.png" alt="Cedric Lofton as seen in the video released by Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Cedric Lofton as seen in the video released by Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>By KYLIE CAMERON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/government/2022-01-27/kansas-lawmaker-calls-for-hearings-on-stand-your-ground-laws-following-wichita-teens-death">Kansas News Service</a>Stand Your Ground laws in Kansas could be getting a second look this legislative session.The law is under renewed scrutiny after Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett cited it in his decision to <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-01-18/no-criminal-charges-in-death-of-wichita-teen-who-died-in-custody" target="_blank">not press charges in the death of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton</a>, who died while in custody.Kansas Rep. Jo Ella Hoye is calling for hearings into the law in hopes of passing a bill this session clarifying its intent.“Right
 now Kansans, they don’t have the right to justice in many of these 
situations,” she said, “and there … are too many tragedies, and we need 
to come to the table and hear those stories.”In Lofton’s case, 
Bennett said he wouldn’t press criminal charges in the teen’s death, 
saying the workers at the county’s juvenile center were acting in 
self-defense, and following policy, when Lofton was killed.“Should
 not have happened, but these folks are protected by Kansas law,” 
Bennett said at a news conference last week. “Same as anyone else would 
be, and that’s where I’m at.”Hoye, a Democrat, said that that was not the original intent of the bill.“The way this bill stands, it’s dangerous,” she said.Before
 her election in 2020, Hoye was a volunteer for Moms Demand Action for 
Gun Sense in America, according to her website. Hoye represents parts of
 northeast Kansas.She said the legislature needs to hold hearings
 on the state’s current law with testimony from district attorneys, as 
well as families who have been affected by the law. Hoye said it’s 
likely a bill could pass this session, but that can take some time.“We don’t want to re-create something else that doesn’t work either,” she said.Gov.
 Laura Kelly said in a statement earlier this week that she looked 
forward to hearing the legislature’s recommendations on the law. Kelly 
has asked the Department for Children and Families to investigate 
Lofton’s case and determine whether the foster care system responded 
properly.“This situation is tragic, and we must find a way to 
ensure something like this never happens again,” Kelly said in the 
statement.Elected officials in Wichita and Sedgwick County are also looking at policy changes <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-01-25/sedgwick-county-wichita-create-taskforce-looking-into-teens-death-while-in-custody" target="_blank">through a joint taskforce</a> to change policies at the city and county level.

Kan. lawmaker calls for hearings on ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws following teen’s death

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of sexual assaults and have<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20000550"> made an arrest.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643404495160.png" alt="Montoya-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Montoya-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of sexual assaults and have<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20000550"> made an arrest.</a>Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on December 31, police were dispatched to the 1000 block of N Topeka in Wichita for a rape report, according to Officer Trevor Macy.On arrival, they located a 54-year-old woman who reported being battered and forced to have sexual intercourse with an unknown male she had met earlier that day after she had asked him for a ride.&nbsp;On January 22, officers were dispatched to the area of 13th and Ohio in Wichita for an assault call. On arrival, officers located a 63-year-old female victim who reported being battered and sexually assaulted by an unknown male after obtaining a ride from him, according to Macy.Investigators were able to identify&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20000550">40-year-old Marlon Montoya </a>of Wichita as the suspect in these cases. Police located Montoya in the 1000 block of E MacArthur on January 27th and took him into custody. He was transported to the Sedgwick County <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20000550">Jail and booked </a>on requested charges of two counts of rape, two counts of sodomy, two counts of criminal threat, one count of aggravated assault, one count of battery, and a warrant for a probation violation, according to Macy.