By DANIEL CAUDILL <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-01-19/sedgwick-county-commission-mandates-covid-vaccine-for-county-health-workers">Kansas News Service</a>

About 550 Sedgwick County health employees are now required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The
 Sedgwick County Commission unanimously approved a policy on Wednesday 
that mandates the vaccine for employees of the county health department 
and the county’s COMCARE program.

“The only (county health 
employees) that would not be included in the mandate is if they are 100%
 remote and not interacting with the public or other staff,” said Anna 
Meyerhoff-Cole, deputy chief human resources officer for the county.

The
 policy comes after the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a federal 
vaccine requirement for health care workers at Medicare and 
Medicaid-certified facilities.

Republican Commissioner Jim Howell 
said he didn’t agree with the mandate but feared the county could lose 
Medicare and Medicaid funding if it didn’t accept it.

“There’s the danger of taking $11.8 million in federal money,” he said. “They control us.”

With
 multiple county departments short-staffed, Howell also said he hopes 
the county can find ways to accommodate employees who refuse the 
vaccine.

The policy allows employees to request medical and 
religious exemptions. A recent state law makes it easy for employees to 
file and receive a religious exemption.

County health employees with exemptions must wear a mask while working.

Nonexempt
 employees need to receive either one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by Feb. 28.

The mandate does not require booster shots.

County
 officials said they do not have current vaccination rates for employees
 affected by the new mandate but will collect that information now that 
the policy is in place.

About 53% of Sedgwick County residents 5 and older are fully vaccinated. The CDC <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-onedose-pop-5yr" target="_blank">reports</a> that rate is about 67% for the whole country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642701866347.png" alt="Nadya Faulx / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Nadya Faulx / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By DANIEL CAUDILL <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-01-19/sedgwick-county-commission-mandates-covid-vaccine-for-county-health-workers">Kansas News Service</a>About 550 Sedgwick County health employees are now required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.The
 Sedgwick County Commission unanimously approved a policy on Wednesday 
that mandates the vaccine for employees of the county health department 
and the county’s COMCARE program.“The only (county health 
employees) that would not be included in the mandate is if they are 100%
 remote and not interacting with the public or other staff,” said Anna 
Meyerhoff-Cole, deputy chief human resources officer for the county.The
 policy comes after the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a federal 
vaccine requirement for health care workers at Medicare and 
Medicaid-certified facilities.Republican Commissioner Jim Howell 
said he didn’t agree with the mandate but feared the county could lose 
Medicare and Medicaid funding if it didn’t accept it.“There’s the danger of taking $11.8 million in federal money,” he said. “They control us.”With
 multiple county departments short-staffed, Howell also said he hopes 
the county can find ways to accommodate employees who refuse the 
vaccine.The policy allows employees to request medical and 
religious exemptions. A recent state law makes it easy for employees to 
file and receive a religious exemption.County health employees with exemptions must wear a mask while working.Nonexempt
 employees need to receive either one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson 
vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by Feb. 28.The mandate does not require booster shots.County
 officials said they do not have current vaccination rates for employees
 affected by the new mandate but will collect that information now that 
the policy is in place.About 53% of Sedgwick County residents 5 and older are fully vaccinated. The CDC <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-onedose-pop-5yr" target="_blank">reports</a> that rate is about 67% for the whole country.

Sedgwick Co. mandates COVID vaccine for county health workers

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Over the past month, the highly infectious and transmittable Omicron variant of COVID-19 has significantly increased case rates and demand for testing in the United States and Kansas, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health.

KDHE continues monitoring the spread and impact of Omicron since the first case was confirmed in Kansas in mid-December 2021.

As of January 16, 2022, the daily case rate has been more than 7,800 daily COVID-19 cases, that is a significant increase from about 1,200 cases per day in early December 2021.

Over the same period of time, KDHE saw testing rates increase. This increase in demand for COVID-19 tests has led to longer wait times, delays in turnaround of test results, and decrease in availability of rapid over-the-counter antigen tests.

KDHE is actively working to increase testing availability for all Kansans. Outlined below are a few of the steps KDHE has and continues to take to reduce wait times, improve turnaround times, and increase the number of&nbsp;mass testing&nbsp;sites in Kansas:

Up to date information on testing locations and hours can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rbm93YmVmb3JleW91Z29rcy5jb20_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.JOZWecWNbA8u9yOiukXrL0itdrUC3ssVYKXHFBP9O6c/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">knowbeforeyougoKS.com</a>.

KDHE is taking additional actions to expand testing access:

Additionally, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are now available for free at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3ZpZHRlc3RzLmdvdi8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.Si4u4H1LnnSeuW8KrF4uA-gwWY13DLtCBSEaXfkomMk/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">covidtests.gov</a>. All households are eligible to order 4 free at-home tests, which will typically ship within 7-12 days. The first shipments of tests will begin in late January.

For Kansans with a health insurance plan, over-the-counter tests can be&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbXMuZ292L2hvdy10by1nZXQteW91ci1hdC1ob21lLU9UQy1DT1ZJRC0xOS10ZXN0LWZvci1mcmVlP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.coH5-dT_hG7c-6l-XWRSNsbT1vKqDLChj5s8VWizw1M/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">purchased at no cost or reimbursed</a>&nbsp;through your health plan as of January 15. Check with your health plan for details and keep your receipt to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. For Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, please check with your plan or state agency for information.

KDHE will continue to develop and pursue additional initiatives to increase testing capacity and shorten turnaround times to keep Kansans safe. In the meantime, KDHE continues to urge Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant:

To find a free testing location in your community, or guidance about who should get tested, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rbm93YmVmb3JleW91Z29rcy5jb20_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.Wbm55zkooM3qE6V1e3rOHUi1tsOa78kIZBGYpznh3Ho/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">knowbeforeyougoKS.com</a>.

To learn more about the vaccines, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXN2YWNjaW5lLmdvdj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.fRkgfFujREwVLSAJuQbqiatIuOygTMnRvySg_gJRO1w/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">kansasvaccine.gov</a>.

Find and schedule a vaccination appointment at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy52YWNjaW5lcy5nb3YvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.xVf6dVpZ7dBnOL2l5KPJ6zOyOjzhjmD2RQL20Vc5kgc/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642691511487.png" alt="Drive up Covid testing last month -photo courtesy Johnson Co. Dept. of Health" />
 <figcaption>Drive up Covid testing last month -photo courtesy Johnson Co. Dept. of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Over the past month, the highly infectious and transmittable Omicron variant of COVID-19 has significantly increased case rates and demand for testing in the United States and Kansas, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health.KDHE continues monitoring the spread and impact of Omicron since the first case was confirmed in Kansas in mid-December 2021.As of January 16, 2022, the daily case rate has been more than 7,800 daily COVID-19 cases, that is a significant increase from about 1,200 cases per day in early December 2021.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642615556956.png" alt="Wednesday January 19, 2022 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday January 19, 2022 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Over the same period of time, KDHE saw testing rates increase. This increase in demand for COVID-19 tests has led to longer wait times, delays in turnaround of test results, and decrease in availability of rapid over-the-counter antigen tests.KDHE is actively working to increase testing availability for all Kansans. Outlined below are a few of the steps KDHE has and continues to take to reduce wait times, improve turnaround times, and increase the number of&nbsp;mass testing&nbsp;sites in Kansas:<ul>
 <li>Coordinating with health departments to increase staff at existing sites across the state. The following locations are now open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday:Johnson County – Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KSJohnson County – Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS</li><li>Johnson County – Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS</li><li>Johnson County – Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS</li><li>Adding new testing sites to reduce wait times. KDHE is currently working to add 13 new testing sites, beginning with the following locations:Johnson County – Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS, opening January 19.Johnson County – Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS, opening January 21.Ellis County – Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., Hays, KS, opening January 21.Crawford County – Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E 4th, Pittsburg, KS, opening January 21.</li><li>Johnson County – Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS, opening January 19.</li><li>Johnson County – Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS, opening January 21.</li><li>Ellis County – Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., Hays, KS, opening January 21.</li><li>Crawford County – Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E 4th, Pittsburg, KS, opening January 21.</li><li>Identifying new partner labs to increase testing capacity and reduce test result turnaround times.</li><li>Sourcing indoor locations for mass testing sites to reduce closures due to weather.</li>
 </ul>Up to date information on testing locations and hours can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rbm93YmVmb3JleW91Z29rcy5jb20_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.JOZWecWNbA8u9yOiukXrL0itdrUC3ssVYKXHFBP9O6c/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">knowbeforeyougoKS.com</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642696523736.png" alt="COVID testing in Topeka this week" />
 <figcaption>COVID testing in Topeka this week</figcaption>
 </figure>KDHE is taking additional actions to expand testing access:<ul>
 <li>Community Testing Partners (CTPs):&nbsp;expanding the number and geographic footprint of partners (such as pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals) to ensure broader availability of testing across the state.</li><li>Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs):&nbsp;extending funding for PCR testing through March 2022 for Long Term Care Facilities to ensure they have screening and surveillance testing to protect the most vulnerable.</li><li>K-12 testing:&nbsp;prioritizing antigen testing kits for school districts, sourcing over 520,000 additional antigen test kits, and updating testing protocols to continue to keep Kansas schoolchildren safe.</li>
 </ul>Additionally, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are now available for free at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3ZpZHRlc3RzLmdvdi8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.Si4u4H1LnnSeuW8KrF4uA-gwWY13DLtCBSEaXfkomMk/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">covidtests.gov</a>. All households are eligible to order 4 free at-home tests, which will typically ship within 7-12 days. The first shipments of tests will begin in late January.For Kansans with a health insurance plan, over-the-counter tests can be&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbXMuZ292L2hvdy10by1nZXQteW91ci1hdC1ob21lLU9UQy1DT1ZJRC0xOS10ZXN0LWZvci1mcmVlP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.coH5-dT_hG7c-6l-XWRSNsbT1vKqDLChj5s8VWizw1M/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">purchased at no cost or reimbursed</a>&nbsp;through your health plan as of January 15. Check with your health plan for details and keep your receipt to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. For Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, please check with your plan or state agency for information.KDHE will continue to develop and pursue additional initiatives to increase testing capacity and shorten turnaround times to keep Kansans safe. In the meantime, KDHE continues to urge Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant:<ul>
 <li>Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.</li><li>Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people in Kansas wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status.</li><li>Social distance. People should avoid large gatherings and stay at least 6 feet from others when in public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.</li><li>Stay home. If you have tested positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a sore throat, cough, or fever, avoid spreading the virus by staying isolated. Consult a healthcare provider on your recommended course of treatment.</li>
 </ul>To find a free testing location in your community, or guidance about who should get tested, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rbm93YmVmb3JleW91Z29rcy5jb20_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.Wbm55zkooM3qE6V1e3rOHUi1tsOa78kIZBGYpznh3Ho/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">knowbeforeyougoKS.com</a>.To learn more about the vaccines, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXN2YWNjaW5lLmdvdj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.fRkgfFujREwVLSAJuQbqiatIuOygTMnRvySg_gJRO1w/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">kansasvaccine.gov</a>.Find and schedule a vaccination appointment at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAxMjAuNTIwODA5NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy52YWNjaW5lcy5nb3YvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.xVf6dVpZ7dBnOL2l5KPJ6zOyOjzhjmD2RQL20Vc5kgc/s/1305913448/br/125360826977-l" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>.

KDHE improves access to and speed of COVID-19 testing

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal motorcycle crash have identified the man who died as 33-year-old Steven Hommertzheim of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Investigators learned Hommertzheim was southbound on a motorcycle in the 3800 Block of Seneca when he collided with a pickup truck that was making a left-hand turn into a private drive from northbound Seneca street.

Hommertzheim was pronounced dead at the scene.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal motorcycle crash have identified the man who died as 33-year-old Steven Hommertzheim of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Investigators learned Hommertzheim was southbound on a motorcycle in the 3800 Block of Seneca when he collided with a pickup truck that was making a left-hand turn into a private drive from northbound Seneca street.Hommertzheim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police ID Kansas man who died in motorcycle, pickup crash

KANSAS CITY —During the frigid Thursday morning Kansas City police officers came on scene of a fully involved residential fire near 25th and Prospect and called the KCMO fire department, according to a social media report.

East Patrol Capt. Jennifer Jones saw the flames erupting from the home. She rushed to the door looking for anyone inside. She saw a man trying to escape the house and pulled him to safety.&nbsp;

He was treated and transported with minor injury. Authorities have not released additional details on cause of the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642697855086.png" alt="Capt. Jennifer Jones-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Capt. Jennifer Jones-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —During the frigid Thursday morning Kansas City police officers came on scene of a fully involved residential fire near 25th and Prospect and called the KCMO fire department, according to a social media report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642697819403.png" alt="Photo KCMO Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCMO Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>East Patrol Capt. Jennifer Jones saw the flames erupting from the home. She rushed to the door looking for anyone inside. She saw a man trying to escape the house and pulled him to safety.&nbsp;He was treated and transported with minor injury. Authorities have not released additional details on cause of the fire.

KC police captain pulls man from burning home

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man who participated in last year's riot at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Wednesday to home detention and probation.

Carey Jon Walden was sentenced to 30 days of home detention, three years’ probation, 60 hours of community service and a $500 fine after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article257441767.html">reported</a>.

“I didn’t see a lot (of) what I saw on TV when I was there," Walden told the judge just before his sentencing. "It was a terrible day, and I’m really ashamed of myself that I was a part of that."

U.S District Judge Dabney Friedrich noted the Walden did not injure anyone, damage property, carry weapons or help plan the events on Jan. 6, 2021.

But she said “He was a willing participant in a riot, or an insurrection, that undermined our democratic electoral process and values,” she said.

Walden. a Navy and Marine Corps veteran, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642690674033.png" alt="Walden -photo courtesy FBI" />
 <figcaption>Walden -photo courtesy FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man who participated in last year's riot at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Wednesday to home detention and probation.Carey Jon Walden was sentenced to 30 days of home detention, three years’ probation, 60 hours of community service and a $500 fine after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article257441767.html">reported</a>.“I didn’t see a lot (of) what I saw on TV when I was there," Walden told the judge just before his sentencing. "It was a terrible day, and I’m really ashamed of myself that I was a part of that."U.S District Judge Dabney Friedrich noted the Walden did not injure anyone, damage property, carry weapons or help plan the events on Jan. 6, 2021.But she said “He was a willing participant in a riot, or an insurrection, that undermined our democratic electoral process and values,” she said.Walden. a Navy and Marine Corps veteran, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.

Kansas City man sentenced for role in U.S. Capitol riot

NEW YORK (AP) —NBC will not be sending its announcers and most hosts to the Beijing Olympics due to continued concerns about rising COVID-19 cases worldwide and China’s strict policy about those who test positive.

It will be the second straight Games for which the broadcast teams will work mostly out of NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, rather than the host city.

“Something significant has changed virtually every day for the last three months, forcing us to adjust our plan numerous times. And I expect that to continue as well as the challenge of doing the Olympics,” said Molly Solomon, the head of NBC’s Olympics production unit.

“With COVID’s changing conditions and China’s zero-tolerance policy, it’s just added a layer of complexity to all of this, so we need to make sure we can provide the same quality experience to the American viewers. That’s why we are split between the two cities.”

NBC Sports spokesman Greg Hughes said in a phone interview the network no longer plans to send announcing teams for Alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding to China. Those had been among the handful of announcers expected to travel, but NBC’s plans changed over the past couple of weeks.

“Our plans will continue to evolve based on the conditions, and we’re going to stay flexible as we move through this,” Hughes said.

NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel is one of 250 people the network already has in Beijing. Most of those are technical staff.

“We are in a closed loop. It is restrictive access, but it does allow us to access the broadcast center and venues,” he said.

Olympic athletes, media and workers will be cut off from the rest of China during the Games, with the only places they can go being competition venues, their accommodations and transportation between the two. China plans to isolate anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 for at least two days, pending a negative result. The country also has a mandatory 21-day isolation period for anyone entering the country who isn’t vaccinated.

USA Today was first to report on NBC’s decision.

Most of NBC’s announcers were stateside for the Summer Games, but the marquee sports of track and field, swimming and gymnastics had announcers in Tokyo.

NBC is expected to be transparent about the fact that its announcers are not onsite.

Prime-time host Mike Tirico will anchor coverage from Beijing from Feb. 3-10 before flying to Los Angeles to host the next three days and the network’s coverage of the Super Bowl. NBC said it would determine over Super Bowl weekend where Tirico would be based for the final week of the Games.

Some reporters from NBC’s sports and news divisions will be based in Beijing during the Games. With Beijing 13 hours ahead of Connecticut, most announcers will be up at night calling the action.

NBC has called action remotely for some sports during past Olympics, including basketball and hockey. Remote coverage became common on all networks during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in 2020 and early last year when fans were not allowed in many arenas and stadiums.

NEW YORK (AP) —NBC will not be sending its announcers and most hosts to the Beijing Olympics due to continued concerns about rising COVID-19 cases worldwide and China’s strict policy about those who test positive.It will be the second straight Games for which the broadcast teams will work mostly out of NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, rather than the host city.“Something significant has changed virtually every day for the last three months, forcing us to adjust our plan numerous times. And I expect that to continue as well as the challenge of doing the Olympics,” said Molly Solomon, the head of NBC’s Olympics production unit.“With COVID’s changing conditions and China’s zero-tolerance policy, it’s just added a layer of complexity to all of this, so we need to make sure we can provide the same quality experience to the American viewers. That’s why we are split between the two cities.”NBC Sports spokesman Greg Hughes said in a phone interview the network no longer plans to send announcing teams for Alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding to China. Those had been among the handful of announcers expected to travel, but NBC’s plans changed over the past couple of weeks.“Our plans will continue to evolve based on the conditions, and we’re going to stay flexible as we move through this,” Hughes said.NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel is one of 250 people the network already has in Beijing. Most of those are technical staff.“We are in a closed loop. It is restrictive access, but it does allow us to access the broadcast center and venues,” he said.Olympic athletes, media and workers will be cut off from the rest of China during the Games, with the only places they can go being competition venues, their accommodations and transportation between the two. China plans to isolate anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 for at least two days, pending a negative result. The country also has a mandatory 21-day isolation period for anyone entering the country who isn’t vaccinated.USA Today was first to report on NBC’s decision.Most of NBC’s announcers were stateside for the Summer Games, but the marquee sports of track and field, swimming and gymnastics had announcers in Tokyo.NBC is expected to be transparent about the fact that its announcers are not onsite.Prime-time host Mike Tirico will anchor coverage from Beijing from Feb. 3-10 before flying to Los Angeles to host the next three days and the network’s coverage of the Super Bowl. NBC said it would determine over Super Bowl weekend where Tirico would be based for the final week of the Games.Some reporters from NBC’s sports and news divisions will be based in Beijing during the Games. With Beijing 13 hours ahead of Connecticut, most announcers will be up at night calling the action.NBC has called action remotely for some sports during past Olympics, including basketball and hockey. Remote coverage became common on all networks during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in 2020 and early last year when fans were not allowed in many arenas and stadiums.___

NBC will not send announcers to China for Winter Olympics

Kansas' Marshall and Moran join Republican opposition to bill

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-voting-elections-congress-election-2020-ea1282000b96d73298b22bf2092ba57d">Voting legislation</a>&nbsp;that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is vital to protecting democracy collapsed late Wednesday when two senators refused to join their own party in changing Senate rules to overcome a Republican filibuster after a raw, emotional debate.

The outcome was a stinging defeat for President Joe Biden and his party, coming at the tumultuous close to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-economy-6f49a98b7d04d41a4e9eb975c24fddc2">first year in office</a>.

Despite a day of piercing debate and speeches that often carried echoes of an earlier era when the Senate filibuster was deployed by opponents of civil rights legislation, Democrats could not persuade holdout senators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kyrsten-sinema">Kyrsten Sinema</a>&nbsp;of Arizona and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-manchin">Joe Manchin of West Virginia</a>&nbsp;to change the Senate procedures on this one bill and allow a simple majority to advance it.

“I am profoundly disappointed,” Biden said in a statement after the vote.

However, the president said he is “not deterred” and vowed to “explore every measure and use every tool at our disposal to stand up for democracy.”

Voting rights advocates are warning that Republican-led states nationwide are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-voting-elections-congress-election-2020-ea1282000b96d73298b22bf2092ba57d">passing laws&nbsp;</a>making it more difficult for Black Americans and others to vote by consolidating polling locations, requiring certain types of identification and ordering other changes.

Vice President Kamala Harris briefly presided over the Senate, able to break a tie in the 50-50 Senate if needed, but she left before the final vote. The rules change was rejected 52-48, with Manchin and Sinema joining the Republicans including Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall in opposition.

The nighttime voting brought an end, for now, to legislation that has been a top Democratic priority since the party took control of Congress and the White House.

“This is a moral moment,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

The Democrats’ bill, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, would make Election Day a national holiday, ensure access to early voting and mail-in ballots — which have become especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic — and enable the Justice Department to intervene in states with a history of voter interference, among other changes. It has passed the House.

Both Manchin and Sinema say they support the legislation, but Democrats fell far short of the 60 votes needed to push the bill over the Republican filibuster. It failed to advance 51-49 on a largely party-line vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., cast a procedural vote against so the bill could be considered later.

Next, Schumer put forward a rules change for a “talking filibuster” on this one bill. It would require senators to stand at their desks and exhaust the debate before holding a simple majority vote, rather than the current practice that simply allows senators to privately signal their objections.

But that, too, failed because Manchin and Sinema were unwilling to change the Senate rules a party-line vote by Democrats alone.

Emotions were on display during the floor debate.

When Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky whether he would pause for a question, McConnell left the chamber, refusing to respond.

Durbin said he would have asked McConnell, “Does he really believe that there’s no evidence of voter suppression?”

The No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said at one point, “I am not a racist.”

McConnell, who led his party in doing away with the filibuster’s 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees during Donald Trump’s presidency, warned against changing the rules again.

McConnell derided the “fake hysteria” from Democrats over the states’ new voting laws and called the pending bill a federal takeover of election systems. He admonished Democrats in a fiery speech and said doing away with filibuster rules would “break the Senate.”

Manchin drew a roomful of senators for his own speech, upstaging the president’s news conference and defending the filibuster. He said changing to a majority-rule Senate would only add to the “dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart.”

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked across the Capitol for the proceedings. “We want this Senate to act today in a favorable way. But if it don’t, we ain’t giving up,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the highest-ranking Black member of Congress.

Manchin did open the door to a more tailored package of voting law changes, including to the Electoral Count Act, which was tested during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. He said senators from both parties are working on that and it could draw Republican support.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said a bipartisan coalition should work on legislation to ensure voter access, particularly in far-flung areas like her state, and to shore up Americans’ faith in democracy.

“We don’t need, we do not need a repeat of 2020 when by all accounts our last president, having lost the election, sought to change the results,” said Murkowski.

She said the Senate debate had declined to a troubling state: “You’re either a racist or a hypocrite. Really, really? Is that where we are?”

At one point, senators broke out in applause after a spirited debate between Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, among the more experienced lawmakers, and new Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., over the history of the Voting Rights Act.

Sinema sat in her chair throughout much of the day’s the debate, largely glued to her phone, but rose to her feet to deliver her vote against the rules change.

In a statement, Sinema said the outcome “must not be the end of our work to protect our democracy.” But she warned, “these challenges cannot be solved by one party or Washington alone.”

Schumer contended the fight is not over and he ridiculed Republican claims that the new election laws in the states will not end up hurting voter access and turnout, comparing it to Trump’s “big lie” about the 2020 presidential election.

Democrats decided to press ahead despite the potential for high-stakes defeat as Biden is marking his first year in office with his priorities stalling out in the face of solid Republican opposition and the Democrats’ inability to unite around their own goals. They wanted to force senators on the record — even their own party’s holdouts — to show voters where they stand.

Once reluctant himself to change Senate rules, Biden has stepped up his pressure on senators to do just that. But the push from the White House, including Biden’s blistering speech last week in Atlanta comparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-georgia-voting-martin-luther-king-jr-dc4544c23622f35fc95d63afe512554d">opponents to segregationists</a>, is seen as too late.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642677318546.png" alt="Senator Joe Manchin drew a roomful of senators for his own speech, upstaging the president’s news conference and defending the filibuster-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Senator Joe Manchin drew a roomful of senators for his own speech, upstaging the president’s news conference and defending the filibuster-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kansas' Marshall and Moran join Republican opposition to bill</h2>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-voting-elections-congress-election-2020-ea1282000b96d73298b22bf2092ba57d">Voting legislation</a>&nbsp;that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is vital to protecting democracy collapsed late Wednesday when two senators refused to join their own party in changing Senate rules to overcome a Republican filibuster after a raw, emotional debate.The outcome was a stinging defeat for President Joe Biden and his party, coming at the tumultuous close to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-economy-6f49a98b7d04d41a4e9eb975c24fddc2">first year in office</a>.Despite a day of piercing debate and speeches that often carried echoes of an earlier era when the Senate filibuster was deployed by opponents of civil rights legislation, Democrats could not persuade holdout senators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kyrsten-sinema">Kyrsten Sinema</a>&nbsp;of Arizona and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-manchin">Joe Manchin of West Virginia</a>&nbsp;to change the Senate procedures on this one bill and allow a simple majority to advance it.“I am profoundly disappointed,” Biden said in a statement after the vote.However, the president said he is “not deterred” and vowed to “explore every measure and use every tool at our disposal to stand up for democracy.”Voting rights advocates are warning that Republican-led states nationwide are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-voting-elections-congress-election-2020-ea1282000b96d73298b22bf2092ba57d">passing laws&nbsp;</a>making it more difficult for Black Americans and others to vote by consolidating polling locations, requiring certain types of identification and ordering other changes.Vice President Kamala Harris briefly presided over the Senate, able to break a tie in the 50-50 Senate if needed, but she left before the final vote. The rules change was rejected 52-48, with Manchin and Sinema joining the Republicans including Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall in opposition.The nighttime voting brought an end, for now, to legislation that has been a top Democratic priority since the party took control of Congress and the White House.“This is a moral moment,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.The Democrats’ bill, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, would make Election Day a national holiday, ensure access to early voting and mail-in ballots — which have become especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic — and enable the Justice Department to intervene in states with a history of voter interference, among other changes. It has passed the House.Both Manchin and Sinema say they support the legislation, but Democrats fell far short of the 60 votes needed to push the bill over the Republican filibuster. It failed to advance 51-49 on a largely party-line vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., cast a procedural vote against so the bill could be considered later.Next, Schumer put forward a rules change for a “talking filibuster” on this one bill. It would require senators to stand at their desks and exhaust the debate before holding a simple majority vote, rather than the current practice that simply allows senators to privately signal their objections.But that, too, failed because Manchin and Sinema were unwilling to change the Senate rules a party-line vote by Democrats alone.Emotions were on display during the floor debate.When Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky whether he would pause for a question, McConnell left the chamber, refusing to respond.Durbin said he would have asked McConnell, “Does he really believe that there’s no evidence of voter suppression?”The No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said at one point, “I am not a racist.”McConnell, who led his party in doing away with the filibuster’s 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees during Donald Trump’s presidency, warned against changing the rules again.McConnell derided the “fake hysteria” from Democrats over the states’ new voting laws and called the pending bill a federal takeover of election systems. He admonished Democrats in a fiery speech and said doing away with filibuster rules would “break the Senate.”Manchin drew a roomful of senators for his own speech, upstaging the president’s news conference and defending the filibuster. He said changing to a majority-rule Senate would only add to the “dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart.”Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked across the Capitol for the proceedings. “We want this Senate to act today in a favorable way. But if it don’t, we ain’t giving up,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the highest-ranking Black member of Congress.Manchin did open the door to a more tailored package of voting law changes, including to the Electoral Count Act, which was tested during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. He said senators from both parties are working on that and it could draw Republican support.Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said a bipartisan coalition should work on legislation to ensure voter access, particularly in far-flung areas like her state, and to shore up Americans’ faith in democracy.“We don’t need, we do not need a repeat of 2020 when by all accounts our last president, having lost the election, sought to change the results,” said Murkowski.She said the Senate debate had declined to a troubling state: “You’re either a racist or a hypocrite. Really, really? Is that where we are?”At one point, senators broke out in applause after a spirited debate between Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, among the more experienced lawmakers, and new Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., over the history of the Voting Rights Act.Sinema sat in her chair throughout much of the day’s the debate, largely glued to her phone, but rose to her feet to deliver her vote against the rules change.In a statement, Sinema said the outcome “must not be the end of our work to protect our democracy.” But she warned, “these challenges cannot be solved by one party or Washington alone.”Schumer contended the fight is not over and he ridiculed Republican claims that the new election laws in the states will not end up hurting voter access and turnout, comparing it to Trump’s “big lie” about the 2020 presidential election.Democrats decided to press ahead despite the potential for high-stakes defeat as Biden is marking his first year in office with his priorities stalling out in the face of solid Republican opposition and the Democrats’ inability to unite around their own goals. They wanted to force senators on the record — even their own party’s holdouts — to show voters where they stand.Once reluctant himself to change Senate rules, Biden has stepped up his pressure on senators to do just that. But the push from the White House, including Biden’s blistering speech last week in Atlanta comparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-georgia-voting-martin-luther-king-jr-dc4544c23622f35fc95d63afe512554d">opponents to segregationists</a>, is seen as too late.___

GOP, two Democrats help kill voting rights bill in the Senate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas school paraeducator for alleged sex crimes involving a student.

On Tuesday, police arrested 32-year-old Daniel Alonzo-Hernandez of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. He is accused&nbsp; unlawful sexual relations; teacher with student.&nbsp;

On Tuesday a former Wichita high school student reported that as a 17-year-old she was involved in a consensual sexual relationship with a 32-year-old para-educator later identified as Alonzo-Hernandez, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police arrested and booked him on a requested charge involving sex with the student. He is no longer in custody.

Alonzo-Hernandez is a paraeducator at Wichita South High School, according to online records and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to USD 259.

Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642615381537.png" alt="Alonso-Hernandez-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Alonso-Hernandez-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas school paraeducator for alleged sex crimes involving a student.On Tuesday, police arrested 32-year-old Daniel Alonzo-Hernandez of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. He is accused&nbsp; unlawful sexual relations; teacher with student.&nbsp;On Tuesday a former Wichita high school student reported that as a 17-year-old she was involved in a consensual sexual relationship with a 32-year-old para-educator later identified as Alonzo-Hernandez, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police arrested and booked him on a requested charge involving sex with the student. He is no longer in custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642615486972.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alonzo-Hernandez is a paraeducator at Wichita South High School, according to online records and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to USD 259.Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;

Para-educator at Kansas school accused of sex with student

WASHINGTON — With filing season beginning January 24, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminded taxpayers about several key items to keep in 
mind when filing their federal income tax returns this year.

Given the unprecedented circumstances around the pandemic and unique 
challenges for this tax season, the IRS offers a 5-point checklist that 
can help many people speed tax return processing and refund delivery 
while avoiding delays.

1. File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays. Taxpayers should electronically file and choose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;as
 soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. 
Taxpayers have many choices, including using a trusted tax professional.
 For those using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">e-file,</a>
 the software helps individuals avoid mistakes by doing the math. It 
guides people through each section of their tax return using a 
question-and-answer format.

2. For an accurate return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">collect all documents</a> before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate. In
 addition to collecting W-2s, Form 1099s and other income-related 
statements, it is important people have their advance Child Tax Credit 
and Economic Impact Payment information on hand when filing.

Both letters – 6419 and 6475 – include important information 
that can help people file an accurate 2021 tax return. If a return 
includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review while 
the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this 
information when preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors
 and avoid delays in processing.

3. Avoid lengthy phone delays; use online resources before calling the IRS. Phone demand on IRS assistance lines remains at record highs. To avoid lengthy delays, the IRS urges people to use IRS.gov to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">get answers to tax questions</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">check a refund status</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">pay taxes</a>. There's no wait time or appointment needed — <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tools">online tools</a> and resources are available 24 hours a day.

Additionally, the IRS has several ways for taxpayers to stay up to date on important tax information:

4. Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? Special tip to help with e-filing a 2021 tax return: In order to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">validate and successfully submit an electronically filed tax return to the IRS</a>,
 taxpayers need their Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, from their most 
recent tax return. For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be 
processed, here's a special tip to ensure the tax return is accepted by 
the IRS for processing. Make sure to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last 
year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. For those who used a Non-Filer tool 
in 2021 to register for an advance Child Tax Credit or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021, they should enter $1 as their prior year AGI. 
Everyone else should enter their prior year's AGI from last year's 
return. Remember, if using the same tax preparation software as last year, this field will auto-populate.

5.&nbsp;Free resources are available to help taxpayers file. During
 this challenging year, the IRS reminds taxpayers there are many options
 for free help, including many resources on IRS.gov. For those looking 
to avoid the delays with a paper tax return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is an option. With Free File, leading tax software providers make their
 online products available for free as part of a 20-year partnership 
with the Internal Revenue Service. This year, there are eight products 
in English and two in Spanish. IRS Free File is available to any person 
or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. Qualified taxpayers can 
also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through
 the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — With filing season beginning January 24, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminded taxpayers about several key items to keep in 
mind when filing their federal income tax returns this year.Given the unprecedented circumstances around the pandemic and unique 
challenges for this tax season, the IRS offers a 5-point checklist that 
can help many people speed tax return processing and refund delivery 
while avoiding delays.1. File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays. Taxpayers should electronically file and choose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>&nbsp;as
 soon as they have everything they need to file an accurate return. 
Taxpayers have many choices, including using a trusted tax professional.
 For those using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">e-file,</a>
 the software helps individuals avoid mistakes by doing the math. It 
guides people through each section of their tax return using a 
question-and-answer format.2. For an accurate return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">collect all documents</a> before preparing a tax return; make sure stimulus payment and advance Child Tax Credit information is accurate. In
 addition to collecting W-2s, Form 1099s and other income-related 
statements, it is important people have their advance Child Tax Credit 
and Economic Impact Payment information on hand when filing.<ul>
 <li>Advance CTC letter 6419: In late December 2021,
 and continuing into January, the IRS started sending letters to people 
who received advance CTC payments. The letter says, "2021 Total Advance 
Child Tax Credit (AdvCTC) Payments" near the top and, "Letter 6419" on 
the bottom righthand side of the page. Here's what people need to know:

	The letter contains important information that can help ensure the tax return is accurate.People who received advance CTC payments can also check the amount of the payments they received by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a>&nbsp;available on IRS.gov.Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.</li><li>The letter contains important information that can help ensure the tax return is accurate.</li><li>People who received advance CTC payments can also check the amount of the payments they received by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a>&nbsp;available on IRS.gov.</li><li>Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.</li><li>Third Economic Impact Payment letter 6475: In late
 January 2022, the IRS will begin issuing letters to people who received
 a third payment in late January 2021. The letter says, "Your Third 
Economic Impact Payment" near the top and, "Letter 6475" on the bottom 
righthand side of the page. Here's what people need to know:
	Most eligible people already received their stimulus payments. 
This letter will help individuals determine if they are eligible to 
claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a> for missing stimulus payments.People who are eligible for RRC must file a 2021 tax return to claim their remaining stimulus amount.People can also use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a>&nbsp;to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.</li><li>Most eligible people already received their stimulus payments. 
This letter will help individuals determine if they are eligible to 
claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a> for missing stimulus payments.</li><li>People who are eligible for RRC must file a 2021 tax return to claim their remaining stimulus amount.</li><li>People can also use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a>&nbsp;to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.</li>
 </ul>Both letters – 6419 and 6475 – include important information 
that can help people file an accurate 2021 tax return. If a return 
includes errors or is incomplete, it may require further review while 
the IRS corrects the error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this 
information when preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors
 and avoid delays in processing.3. Avoid lengthy phone delays; use online resources before calling the IRS. Phone demand on IRS assistance lines remains at record highs. To avoid lengthy delays, the IRS urges people to use IRS.gov to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions">get answers to tax questions</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">check a refund status</a> or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">pay taxes</a>. There's no wait time or appointment needed — <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/tools">online tools</a> and resources are available 24 hours a day.Additionally, the IRS has several ways for taxpayers to stay up to date on important tax information:<ul>
 <li>Follow the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">IRS' official social media accounts</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/e-news-subscriptions">email subscription lists</a> to stay current on the latest tax topics and alerts.</li><li>Download the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go mobile app</a>, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/irsvideos">IRS YouTube videos</a>,
 or follow the IRS on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for the 
latest updates on tax changes, scam alerts, initiatives, products and 
services.</li><li>Taxpayers can also get information in their preferred language. The
 IRS translates tax resources into several languages and currently has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages">basic tax information in 20 languages</a>. People can also file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-lep">Schedule LEP, Request for Change in Language Preference</a>, to receive written communications from the IRS in their preferred language.</li>
 </ul>4. Waiting on a 2020 tax return to be processed? Special tip to help with e-filing a 2021 tax return: In order to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/electronic-filing-pin-request">validate and successfully submit an electronically filed tax return to the IRS</a>,
 taxpayers need their Adjusted Gross Income, or AGI, from their most 
recent tax return. For those waiting on their 2020 tax return to be 
processed, here's a special tip to ensure the tax return is accepted by 
the IRS for processing. Make sure to enter $0 (zero dollars) for last 
year's AGI on the 2021 tax return. For those who used a Non-Filer tool 
in 2021 to register for an advance Child Tax Credit or third Economic 
Impact Payment in 2021, they should enter $1 as their prior year AGI. 
Everyone else should enter their prior year's AGI from last year's 
return. Remember, if using the same tax preparation software as last year, this field will auto-populate.5.&nbsp;Free resources are available to help taxpayers file. During
 this challenging year, the IRS reminds taxpayers there are many options
 for free help, including many resources on IRS.gov. For those looking 
to avoid the delays with a paper tax return, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>
 is an option. With Free File, leading tax software providers make their
 online products available for free as part of a 20-year partnership 
with the Internal Revenue Service. This year, there are eight products 
in English and two in Spanish. IRS Free File is available to any person 
or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. Qualified taxpayers can 
also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through
 the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs</a>.

Top 5 things to remember when filing income tax returns in 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first year in office that he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-ap-fact-check-0e06b60ce6f610114913aa31f89c56bc">“outperformed” expectations</a>&nbsp;in dealing with it.

Facing sagging poll numbers and a stalled legislative agenda, Biden conceded he would likely have to pare back his “build back better” recovery package and instead settle for “big chunks” of his signature economic plan. He promised to further attack inflation and the pandemic and blamed Republicans for uniting in opposition to his proposals rather than offering ideas of their own.

This is a perilous time for Biden: The nation is gripped by a disruptive new surge of virus cases, and inflation is at a level not seen in a generation. Democrats are bracing for a potential midterm rout if he can’t turn things around.

Biden insisted that voters will come to embrace a more positive view of his tenure — and of his beleaguered party — in time. His appeal to voters for patience came with a pledge to spend more time outside Washington to make the case to them directly.

Biden also addressed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antony-blinken-jen-psaki-vladimir-putin-sergey-lavrov-congress-1df536e9a832830dc3bae2e89aef4116">brewing crisis</a>&nbsp;on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.

The president said his “guess” is Russia may move further but he believes President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want full-blown war. He declared Russia would pay a “dear price” if Putin launches a military incursion.

“He has to do something,” Biden said of Putin. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”

Biden suggested a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from some corners.

“President Biden basically gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a ‘minor incursion,’” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated in a subsequent statement that that wasn’t necessarily about tanks and troops.

“President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she said.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-9c1fea07322a2891add2ecc7d1c9e6de">held forth for 1 hour and 50 minutes in</a>&nbsp;the East Room of the White House, appearing to relish the opportunity to parry questions from two dozen journalists with doses of wit and a few flashes of anger. At several points, he looked at his watch, smiled and kept calling on reporters.

He fielded questions about inflation, nuclear talks with Iran, voting rights, political division, Vice President Kamala Harris’ place on the 2024 ticket, trade with China and the competency of government. Those questions showed the multitude of challenges confronting the president, each of them as much a risk as an opportunity to prove himself.

The president began by reeling off early progress in fighting the virus and showcasing quick passage of an ambitious bipartisan roads-and-bridges infrastructure deal. But his economic, voting rights, police reform and immigration agenda have all been thwarted in a barely Democratic-controlled Senate, while inflation has emerged as an economic threat to the nation and a political risk for Biden.

Despite his faltering approval numbers, Biden claimed to have “probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen” in a country still coping with the coronavirus.

“After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.

“Some people may call what’s happening now ’the new normal,″ he added, his voice rising. “I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”

On his nearly $2 trillion economic agenda that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has blocked from moving forward, Biden said he’ll pass the parts of the package that can net sufficient votes. This likely means not extending the expanded child tax credit or providing financial support to community colleges, Biden said.

“I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now, come back and fight for the rest,” he said, later adding that he would apply the same strategy to his voting reform agenda.

The social spending bill was once viewed as a catch-all home for various progressive priorities, but now Democrats are sensing a need to deliver a solid accomplishment to voters in the midterm year and are beginning to come to terms with a slimmed-down package that can overcome Manchin’s reticence.

The White House and congressional Democratic leaders are expected to refocus their attention on it beginning next week, after the all-but-certain collapse of the Democrats’ push on voting rights legislation. Talks to craft a new bill that meets Manchin’s demands and can garner the virtually unanimous Democratic support needed to pass Congress will likely take weeks.

The Democrats’ goal is to have a package — or be on the cusp of one — that Biden can highlight in his March 1 State of the Union address.

If Biden seemed to have one set of regrets so far, it was his inability because of the coronavirus to connect with more Americans outside the capital. He noted that this challenge was most acutely felt by Black voters who wanted him to push more aggressively on expanding access to voting.

“I don’t get a chance to look people in the eye because of both COVID and things that are happening in Washington,” he said.

Speaking as Democrats were mounting a doomed effort to change Senate rules to pass the voting measure, Biden said he still hoped that it would pass in some form and wasn’t prepared yet to discuss possible executive actions on the issue. The vote spotlighted the constraints on Biden’s influence barely a week after he delivered an impassioned speech in Atlanta suggesting opponents of the measures were taking a historical stance alongside segregationists and exhorting senators to action.

Still, he said he understood that civil rights groups were anxious and frustrated about the lack of action, particularly Black voters who question why he didn’t press the issue harder and earlier.

There are at least 19 Republican-backed laws in states that make it harder to vote, and Jan. 6 insurrection supporters are filling local election posts and running for office.

It was Biden’s seventh solo news conference as president. The ongoing threat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;was evident in the setup of Wednesday’s gathering: A limited number of reporters were allowed to attend and all had to have been tested for the virus and wear masks.

The president used the event to pay heed to growing anxiety about rising prices. Staring down an inflation rate that has gone from 1.7% at his inauguration to 7%, he called on the Federal Reserve to lessen its monetary boosting of the economy by raising interest rates, which would in theory help to reduce inflation.

“Given the strength of our economy, and the pace of recent price increases, it’s important to recalibrate the support that is now necessary,” Biden said. “Now, we need to get inflation under control.”

Despite it all, Biden said he’s convinced the country is still with him — even if they don’t tell that to pollsters.

“I don’t believe the polls,” he said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first year in office that he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-business-ap-fact-check-0e06b60ce6f610114913aa31f89c56bc">“outperformed” expectations</a>&nbsp;in dealing with it.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F486629802833516%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=6" 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>Facing sagging poll numbers and a stalled legislative agenda, Biden conceded he would likely have to pare back his “build back better” recovery package and instead settle for “big chunks” of his signature economic plan. He promised to further attack inflation and the pandemic and blamed Republicans for uniting in opposition to his proposals rather than offering ideas of their own.This is a perilous time for Biden: The nation is gripped by a disruptive new surge of virus cases, and inflation is at a level not seen in a generation. Democrats are bracing for a potential midterm rout if he can’t turn things around.Biden insisted that voters will come to embrace a more positive view of his tenure — and of his beleaguered party — in time. His appeal to voters for patience came with a pledge to spend more time outside Washington to make the case to them directly.Biden also addressed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antony-blinken-jen-psaki-vladimir-putin-sergey-lavrov-congress-1df536e9a832830dc3bae2e89aef4116">brewing crisis</a>&nbsp;on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.The president said his “guess” is Russia may move further but he believes President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want full-blown war. He declared Russia would pay a “dear price” if Putin launches a military incursion.“He has to do something,” Biden said of Putin. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”Biden suggested a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from some corners.“President Biden basically gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a ‘minor incursion,’” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated in a subsequent statement that that wasn’t necessarily about tanks and troops.“President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she said.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-9c1fea07322a2891add2ecc7d1c9e6de">held forth for 1 hour and 50 minutes in</a>&nbsp;the East Room of the White House, appearing to relish the opportunity to parry questions from two dozen journalists with doses of wit and a few flashes of anger. At several points, he looked at his watch, smiled and kept calling on reporters.He fielded questions about inflation, nuclear talks with Iran, voting rights, political division, Vice President Kamala Harris’ place on the 2024 ticket, trade with China and the competency of government. Those questions showed the multitude of challenges confronting the president, each of them as much a risk as an opportunity to prove himself.The president began by reeling off early progress in fighting the virus and showcasing quick passage of an ambitious bipartisan roads-and-bridges infrastructure deal. But his economic, voting rights, police reform and immigration agenda have all been thwarted in a barely Democratic-controlled Senate, while inflation has emerged as an economic threat to the nation and a political risk for Biden.Despite his faltering approval numbers, Biden claimed to have “probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen” in a country still coping with the coronavirus.“After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.“Some people may call what’s happening now ’the new normal,″ he added, his voice rising. “I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”On his nearly $2 trillion economic agenda that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has blocked from moving forward, Biden said he’ll pass the parts of the package that can net sufficient votes. This likely means not extending the expanded child tax credit or providing financial support to community colleges, Biden said.“I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now, come back and fight for the rest,” he said, later adding that he would apply the same strategy to his voting reform agenda.The social spending bill was once viewed as a catch-all home for various progressive priorities, but now Democrats are sensing a need to deliver a solid accomplishment to voters in the midterm year and are beginning to come to terms with a slimmed-down package that can overcome Manchin’s reticence.The White House and congressional Democratic leaders are expected to refocus their attention on it beginning next week, after the all-but-certain collapse of the Democrats’ push on voting rights legislation. Talks to craft a new bill that meets Manchin’s demands and can garner the virtually unanimous Democratic support needed to pass Congress will likely take weeks.The Democrats’ goal is to have a package — or be on the cusp of one — that Biden can highlight in his March 1 State of the Union address.If Biden seemed to have one set of regrets so far, it was his inability because of the coronavirus to connect with more Americans outside the capital. He noted that this challenge was most acutely felt by Black voters who wanted him to push more aggressively on expanding access to voting.“I don’t get a chance to look people in the eye because of both COVID and things that are happening in Washington,” he said.Speaking as Democrats were mounting a doomed effort to change Senate rules to pass the voting measure, Biden said he still hoped that it would pass in some form and wasn’t prepared yet to discuss possible executive actions on the issue. The vote spotlighted the constraints on Biden’s influence barely a week after he delivered an impassioned speech in Atlanta suggesting opponents of the measures were taking a historical stance alongside segregationists and exhorting senators to action.Still, he said he understood that civil rights groups were anxious and frustrated about the lack of action, particularly Black voters who question why he didn’t press the issue harder and earlier.There are at least 19 Republican-backed laws in states that make it harder to vote, and Jan. 6 insurrection supporters are filling local election posts and running for office.It was Biden’s seventh solo news conference as president. The ongoing threat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;was evident in the setup of Wednesday’s gathering: A limited number of reporters were allowed to attend and all had to have been tested for the virus and wear masks.The president used the event to pay heed to growing anxiety about rising prices. Staring down an inflation rate that has gone from 1.7% at his inauguration to 7%, he called on the Federal Reserve to lessen its monetary boosting of the economy by raising interest rates, which would in theory help to reduce inflation.“Given the strength of our economy, and the pace of recent price increases, it’s important to recalibrate the support that is now necessary,” Biden said. “Now, we need to get inflation under control.”Despite it all, Biden said he’s convinced the country is still with him — even if they don’t tell that to pollsters.“I don’t believe the polls,” he said.

🎥 Biden says nation weary from COVID but he's doing his best to deal with it

The
 Federal Trade Commission ordered more than 20 marketers nationwide to 
immediately stop making baseless claims that their products and supposed
 therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19. In cease-and-desist demands 
sent to these marketers, the agency noted that violators could be hit 
with monetary penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act 
passed by Congress last year.

The cease-and-desist demands are the latest action in the FTC’s 
continued fight against fraudsters attempting to take advantage of 
ongoing coronavirus concerns, including those related to the Omicron 
variant.

“Americans are still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
scammers are still taking advantage of them by making false claims about
 cures and treatments,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau
 of Consumer Protection. “Our efforts to stamp out those claims will 
continue in 2022, and any marketers not heeding our cease-and-desist 
demands can expect to face consequences, including civil penalties”

This is the eleventh set of warning letters issued by the FTC. The Commission has previously sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters">similar health-related letters to 405 companies and individuals</a>.
 Most of the demands announced today were sent to companies using social
 media platforms to sell their products, and in those instances the 
agency also notified the platform of its demand.

Several of the letters announced today call out products and 
“treatments” the FTC has warned companies about previously, including 
peptide therapy, herbal remedies, ivermectin, and supplements. Others 
concern less-common products and therapies deceptively promoted to 
prevent or treat COVID-19. For example, letters went to companies 
claiming that “imprinted filtered water,” nasal irrigation, and even 
seaweed extract can fight coronavirus. However, currently there is no 
scientific evidence that any of these products can prevent or treat 
COVID-19 generally or any specific variant.

In the health-related letters, the FTC states that one or more of the
 efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they 
are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC 
Act. The demands order the recipients to immediately stop making all 
claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify 
the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.

The letters warn the recipients of the FTC’s authority to seek civil 
penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act. Violators who make
 deceptive claims related to the treatment, cure, or prevention of 
COVID-19 are subject to penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.

The actions announced today involved the companies and individuals 
listed below. Marketers are grouped based on the type of therapy, 
product, or service they pitched related to COVID-19.

Peptide Therapies/Vitamin Drips and Injections/Skin Care Therapies:

Supplements, Vitamins, Botanicals, Protease Inhibitors, Ivermectin, and Seaweed Extract:

The Commission also sent cease-and-desist demands to four multi-level
 marketing companies, advising them to them to remove and address claims
 that they or their participants are making about their products’ 
ability to treat or prevent coronavirus disease or about the earnings 
people who have recently lost income can make.

This is the third set of letters to MLMs the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from COVID-19 scams. The letters refer the companies to the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/business-guidance-concerning-multi-level-marketing">agency’s guidance for MLMs</a>,
 remind them that they are responsible for the claims made by their 
participants and representatives, advise the recipients that they and 
their participants must immediately cease making all claims that are 
false or misleading, and inform them that they must notify
 the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.

The FTC sent the letters to the four companies listed below. The recipients are grouped based on the types of claims made.

Other COVID-related FTC Enforcement Actions

In October 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/10/ftc-sues-utah-based-company-falsely-claiming-its-nasal-sprays-can">the FTC sued Xlear, Inc., a Utah-based company, for violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act,</a>
 alleging that it falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an 
effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19. In its lawsuit against 
Xlear, Inc. and its owner, the FTC is asking a federal court to impose 
monetary penalties on the defendants and bar them from continuing to 
make such false and unsupported claims.

In April 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-directed-30-more-marketers-stop-making-unsupported-claims">the FTC announced that 30 marketers nationwide had stopped making unsubstantiated claims</a>
 that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19. The 
marketers removed these claims after receiving FTC warning letters 
citing the agency’s new civil penalty authority under the COVID-19 
Consumer Protection Act.

Also that month, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/first-action-under-covid-19-consumer-protection-act-ftc-seeks">FTC charged St. Louis-based chiropractor Eric Anthony Nepute and his company Quickwork LLC</a>
 with violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the FTC Act, by
 deceptively marketing products containing vitamin D and zinc as 
scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. It was the first 
case the agency has brought under the new law.

In November 2020, a federal court in Ohio has issued a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/ftc_v_unknown_-_tro_with_attachment_a.pdf">temporary restraining order</a> against
 25 counterfeit websites that allegedly have been playing on consumers’ 
COVID-19 pandemic fears to trick them into paying for Clorox and Lysol 
products that the defendants never deliver.

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission ordered more than 20 marketers nationwide to 
immediately stop making baseless claims that their products and supposed
 therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19. In cease-and-desist demands 
sent to these marketers, the agency noted that violators could be hit 
with monetary penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act 
passed by Congress last year.The cease-and-desist demands are the latest action in the FTC’s 
continued fight against fraudsters attempting to take advantage of 
ongoing coronavirus concerns, including those related to the Omicron 
variant.“Americans are still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
scammers are still taking advantage of them by making false claims about
 cures and treatments,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau
 of Consumer Protection. “Our efforts to stamp out those claims will 
continue in 2022, and any marketers not heeding our cease-and-desist 
demands can expect to face consequences, including civil penalties”This is the eleventh set of warning letters issued by the FTC. The Commission has previously sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/enforcement/warning-letters">similar health-related letters to 405 companies and individuals</a>.
 Most of the demands announced today were sent to companies using social
 media platforms to sell their products, and in those instances the 
agency also notified the platform of its demand.Several of the letters announced today call out products and 
“treatments” the FTC has warned companies about previously, including 
peptide therapy, herbal remedies, ivermectin, and supplements. Others 
concern less-common products and therapies deceptively promoted to 
prevent or treat COVID-19. For example, letters went to companies 
claiming that “imprinted filtered water,” nasal irrigation, and even 
seaweed extract can fight coronavirus. However, currently there is no 
scientific evidence that any of these products can prevent or treat 
COVID-19 generally or any specific variant.In the health-related letters, the FTC states that one or more of the
 efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they 
are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC 
Act. The demands order the recipients to immediately stop making all 
claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify 
the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.The letters warn the recipients of the FTC’s authority to seek civil 
penalties under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act. Violators who make
 deceptive claims related to the treatment, cure, or prevention of 
COVID-19 are subject to penalties of up to $43,792 per violation.The actions announced today involved the companies and individuals 
listed below. Marketers are grouped based on the type of therapy, 
product, or service they pitched related to COVID-19.Infoceuticals, Imprinted Filtered Water:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-ashnu-technologies">AshNu Technologies Inc.</a> (infopathy.com) (North York, Ontario, Canada)</li>
 </ul>IV Ozone and Vitamin C and D Therapy:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-pretty-healthy">Pretty Healthy</a> (New York, New York)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-ivita-drip">Vita Drip Therapy</a>, ivitadriptherapy.com (Rock Springs, Wyoming; Liberal, Kansas)</li>
 </ul>Low-dose Immunotherapy Treatments:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letters-peine-osteopathic">Peine Osteopathic</a> (Boise, Idaho)</li>
 </ul>Nasal Irrigation Therapy:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-rhinosystems">Martin R. Hoke, RhinoSystems, Inc.</a> (Brooklyn, Ohio)</li>
 </ul>Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-integrative-pain-wellness-center">Integrative Pain and Wellness Center</a> (Southlake, Texas)</li>
 </ul>Peptide Therapies/Vitamin Drips and Injections/Skin Care Therapies:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-gapin-institute">Dr. Tracy Gapin and Gapin Institute</a> (Sarasota, Florida)</li>
 </ul>Supplements, Vitamins, Botanicals, Protease Inhibitors, Ivermectin, and Seaweed Extract:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-krystal-anesthesia">Krystal Anesthesia &amp; Pain Specialists</a> (Arlington, Texas and Holly Lake Ranch, Texas)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-todos-medical">Todos Medical</a> (Rehovot, Israel) and Alchemist's Kitchen (New York, New York)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-seaweed-co">Seaweed &amp; Co.</a> (Whitley Bay, United Kingdom)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-foraged-faith">Foraged with Faith</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-green-star-products">Green Star Products</a> (Victor, Montana)&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-armored-nutrition">Armored Nutrition</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-sava-holistic-health">Sava Holistic Health</a> (East Hampton, Connecticut)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-sunshine-health-food">Sunshine Health Foods &amp; Wellness Center</a> (Titusville, Florida)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-terramune-health-llc">TerraMune Health, LLC</a> (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-austin-compounding-pharmacy">Austin Compounding Pharmacy</a> (Austin, Texas)</li>
 </ul>Herbal Remedies, Teas, and Juices: <ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-wei-fast-patch-hawaii">Wei FAST Patch Hawaii</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-angelica-kokkalis-han-institute">Dr. Angelica Kokkalis, The Han Institute</a> (West Lafayette, Indiana)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-wei-laboratories-inc">Wei Laboratories, Inc.</a> (Santa Clara, California)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-goodstuff-juices">Good Stuff Juices</a> (Greenville, North Carolina)</li>
 </ul>Multi-Level Marketing Companies:The Commission also sent cease-and-desist demands to four multi-level
 marketing companies, advising them to them to remove and address claims
 that they or their participants are making about their products’ 
ability to treat or prevent coronavirus disease or about the earnings 
people who have recently lost income can make.This is the third set of letters to MLMs the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from COVID-19 scams. The letters refer the companies to the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/business-guidance-concerning-multi-level-marketing">agency’s guidance for MLMs</a>,
 remind them that they are responsible for the claims made by their 
participants and representatives, advise the recipients that they and 
their participants must immediately cease making all claims that are 
false or misleading, and inform them that they must notify
 the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have 
taken to address the agency’s concerns.The FTC sent the letters to the four companies listed below. The recipients are grouped based on the types of claims made.Product Claims:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-amplifei">AmpLIFEi</a> (Greenwood, Indiana)</li><li><a href="https://edit.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-blackoxygen-organics-usa">BlackOxygen Organics USA</a> (Sheridan, Wyoming)</li><li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-enagic-usa-inc">Enagic USA, Inc.</a> (Torrance, California)</li>
 </ul>Earnings Claims:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/warning-letters/letter-family-first-life-llc">Family First Life, LLC</a> (Uncasville, Connecticut)</li>
 </ul>Other COVID-related FTC Enforcement ActionsIn October 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/10/ftc-sues-utah-based-company-falsely-claiming-its-nasal-sprays-can">the FTC sued Xlear, Inc., a Utah-based company, for violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act,</a>
 alleging that it falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an 
effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19. In its lawsuit against 
Xlear, Inc. and its owner, the FTC is asking a federal court to impose 
monetary penalties on the defendants and bar them from continuing to 
make such false and unsupported claims.In April 2021, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-directed-30-more-marketers-stop-making-unsupported-claims">the FTC announced that 30 marketers nationwide had stopped making unsubstantiated claims</a>
 that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19. The 
marketers removed these claims after receiving FTC warning letters 
citing the agency’s new civil penalty authority under the COVID-19 
Consumer Protection Act. Also that month, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/first-action-under-covid-19-consumer-protection-act-ftc-seeks">FTC charged St. Louis-based chiropractor Eric Anthony Nepute and his company Quickwork LLC</a>
 with violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the FTC Act, by
 deceptively marketing products containing vitamin D and zinc as 
scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. It was the first 
case the agency has brought under the new law.In November 2020, a federal court in Ohio has issued a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/ftc_v_unknown_-_tro_with_attachment_a.pdf">temporary restraining order</a> against
 25 counterfeit websites that allegedly have been playing on consumers’ 
COVID-19 pandemic fears to trick them into paying for Clorox and Lysol 
products that the defendants never deliver.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC sends cease-and-desist demands to 400+ claiming to treat COVID

KANSAS CITY —A 29-year-old Kansas man has been charged in connection with a fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, Kansas City, Kan.. faces Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old Mackenzie Hopkins deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. 

The child remains in critical condition. A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to the defendant. 

Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a male in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the suspect to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter. Escalante-Corchado &nbsp;is being held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642597745010.png" alt="Escalante-Corchado-photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Escalante-Corchado-photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A 29-year-old Kansas man has been charged in connection with a fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, Kansas City, Kan.. faces Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642630099420.png" alt="Photo of Mackenzie Hopkins and her daughter <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-mackenzie-hopkins?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=sms&amp;utm_source=customer">courtesy GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Mackenzie Hopkins and her daughter <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-mackenzie-hopkins?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=sms&amp;utm_source=customer">courtesy GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old Mackenzie Hopkins deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. The child remains in critical condition. A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to the defendant. Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a male in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the suspect to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter. Escalante-Corchado &nbsp;is being held without bond.

4-year-old girl found bludgeoned, mom killed in Kansas City

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

A 26-year-old serial sexual offender will serve the rest of
his life in prison for a violent attack on a Hays woman in 2019.

Tre Carrasco was sentenced to 96 years in prison Wednesday
in Ellis County District Court by 20th Judicial District Court Judge
Steve Johnson.

In December, Carrasco pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and
one count of aggravated battery.

The sentence will run concurrently to a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8745153c-5b12-45b8-b2e5-0e1c4a42a045">136-year prison</a>
sentence Carrasco received after he was convicted on 11 counts stemming from an
attempted kidnapping and violent sexual assault of an Aurora, Colo., woman in February 2019,
three days after the assault in Hays.

According to Ellis County court documents, on Feb. 3, 2019, Carrasco
held a gun to the neck of a 19-year-old Hays woman and threatened to kill her
while he raped her.

If the case went to trial and he was convicted on the three
Ellis County charges, Carrasco could have faced 1,306 months or more than 108 years
in jail.

Carrasco and his defense believe his prison sentence in Colorado could
be reduced to 96 years.

Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson elected to agree, as
part of the plea agreement, to a downward departure sentence, matching the 96
years.

The plea agreement also states that if his Colorado
conviction is reduced or voided, he will be returned to Kansas to serve out the
remainder of his sentence.

Johnson presided over the case because both 23rd
Judicial District Chief Judge Glenn Braun and District Judge Tom Drees recused
themselves.

“Ninety-six years pretty much ensures he spends the rest of his life behind bars," Johnson said.

In a statement to Hays Post, Ellis County Attorney Robert
Anderson said, “Knowing that this defendant was sentenced to serve 136-years to
life in Colorado, I was comfortable agreeing to what we agreed to do. Even if
the defendant is successful at getting his time reduced in Colorado, and even
if he earns all possible good time, according to my calculation, he wouldn’t be
eligible for parole on this sentence until he is 105 years old. The reality is
that he will die in the Colorado prison system. This was a great result for
this case. Hopefully, the survivor of these horrific crimes can begin to heal
now that this is behind her.”

Carrasco has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to
an incident in Hays in 2008 when he was 13 years old.

He has prior convictions for forced sexual assault when he
was 16-year-old. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013.

Shorty after, he was released Carrasco committed the February 2019 attacks in Hays and Aurora.

Anderson said authorities are working to get Carrasco transferred back
to Colorado, which could happen within a few days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621008411168.png" alt="Carrasco-photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Carrasco-photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostA 26-year-old serial sexual offender will serve the rest of
his life in prison for a violent attack on a Hays woman in 2019.Tre Carrasco was sentenced to 96 years in prison Wednesday
in Ellis County District Court by 20th Judicial District Court Judge
Steve Johnson.In December, Carrasco pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and
one count of aggravated battery.The sentence will run concurrently to a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8745153c-5b12-45b8-b2e5-0e1c4a42a045">136-year prison</a>
sentence Carrasco received after he was convicted on 11 counts stemming from an
attempted kidnapping and violent sexual assault of an Aurora, Colo., woman in February 2019,
three days after the assault in Hays.According to Ellis County court documents, on Feb. 3, 2019, Carrasco
held a gun to the neck of a 19-year-old Hays woman and threatened to kill her
while he raped her.If the case went to trial and he was convicted on the three
Ellis County charges, Carrasco could have faced 1,306 months or more than 108 years
in jail.Carrasco and his defense believe his prison sentence in Colorado could
be reduced to 96 years.Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson elected to agree, as
part of the plea agreement, to a downward departure sentence, matching the 96
years.The plea agreement also states that if his Colorado
conviction is reduced or voided, he will be returned to Kansas to serve out the
remainder of his sentence.Johnson presided over the case because both 23rd
Judicial District Chief Judge Glenn Braun and District Judge Tom Drees recused
themselves.“Ninety-six years pretty much ensures he spends the rest of his life behind bars," Johnson said.In a statement to Hays Post, Ellis County Attorney Robert
Anderson said, “Knowing that this defendant was sentenced to serve 136-years to
life in Colorado, I was comfortable agreeing to what we agreed to do. Even if
the defendant is successful at getting his time reduced in Colorado, and even
if he earns all possible good time, according to my calculation, he wouldn’t be
eligible for parole on this sentence until he is 105 years old. The reality is
that he will die in the Colorado prison system. This was a great result for
this case. Hopefully, the survivor of these horrific crimes can begin to heal
now that this is behind her.”Carrasco has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to
an incident in Hays in 2008 when he was 13 years old.He has prior convictions for forced sexual assault when he
was 16-year-old. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013.Shorty after, he was released Carrasco committed the February 2019 attacks in Hays and Aurora.Anderson said authorities are working to get Carrasco transferred back
to Colorado, which could happen within a few days.

Kan. sex offender will spend "the rest of his life behind bars'

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/19/kansas-lawmakers-test-positive-for-covid-19-worry-about-lax-safety-at-statehouse/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democrats in the Kansas House are worried about lax health 
safety protocols, relocated COVID-19 testing, and the confirmed and 
rumored infections of legislators and staff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629772219.png" alt="A sign directing visitors to wear a mask before entering the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians clinic on the fourth floor of the Statehouse has been ripped from the door. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A sign directing visitors to wear a mask before entering the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians clinic on the fourth floor of the Statehouse has been ripped from the door. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/19/kansas-lawmakers-test-positive-for-covid-19-worry-about-lax-safety-at-statehouse/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democrats in the Kansas House are worried about lax health 
safety protocols, relocated COVID-19 testing, and the confirmed and 
rumored infections of legislators and staff.Few lawmakers regularly wear a mask at the Statehouse, despite 
record-setting numbers of hospitalizations and escalating death totals 
from COVID-19.The Kansas Department for Health and Environment on Wednesday 
reported 128 more deaths from COVID-19, along with 151 hospitalizations 
and 39,326 cases since Friday.“Leadership doesn’t seem to care,” said Rep. John Carmichael, 
D-Wichita. “They have thrown in the towel on preventing the spread of 
this disease in the Kansas Legislature, and I fear that within days 
we’ll have a hard time finding a quorum around this place.”Alexis Simmons, a spokeswoman for House Democrats, confirmed that 
three members of the caucus have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 
start of the session. They declined to be identified. Two more, Rep. 
Heather Meyer, D-Overland Park, and Rep. Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said
 they tested positive shortly before the start of the session.Woodard and Meyer both said they are fully vaccinated and boosted. 
Meyer stayed away from the Statehouse during the first week of the 
session.“I hear my constituents say they are tired, and my former colleagues 
in health care talk about how concerned they are about this surge,” 
Meyer said. “At this point, we are all exhausted and overwhelmed by the 
pandemic, which is why it’s important for everyone to step up their 
game, and continue to do all that we can to help stop the spread because
 we won’t beat this virus if we don’t work together.”Woodard said he tested positive before New Year’s Eve and was 
asymptomatic. He expressed frustration about the lack of concern for 
COVID-19 he has seen so far this session.On Tuesday, Woodard said, he asked a Republican lawmaker if they had COIVD-19. The response: COVID’s not real.“It’s so frustrating because folks from our caucus are wearing masks 
and taking precautions, while science-deniers walk around the building,”
 Woodard said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629838140.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly poses for a photo with members of her education advisory group on Friday in front of the Brown v. Board mural at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly poses for a photo with members of her education advisory group on Friday in front of the Brown v. Board mural at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Lawmakers from both parties can be seen without a mask in hallways 
and any given committee hearing. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly left the 
State of the State speech without a mask last week and posed for 
maskless pictures with a group of education advisers on Friday.Even the acting health secretary, Janet Stanek, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-abandons-efforts-to-trace-contacts-for-covid-19-infections/">didn’t wear a mask</a> when she appeared before Senate and House panels this week.Carmichael said Stanek must have learned from the fate of former health secretary Lee Norman, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/19/lee-norman-steps-down-as-kansas-health-secretary-months-after-internal-dispute/">who was fired for speaking beyond politically calculated talking points</a> provided by the governor’s office.“The governor started out doing the right things,” Carmichael said. 
“She met with political opposition. She had to compromise. But what 
she’s doing now is setting a poor example.”Few legislators have been forthcoming about their illnesses, and 
medical privacy issues make it difficult to verify the many rumors of 
infected lawmakers. Several committees abruptly canceled hearings on 
Wednesday, with staff and lawmakers absent from the Statehouse.Eric Turek, spokesman for House Republicans, wouldn’t say how many members have tested positive.“We’re not going to disclose personal health information of any of our members,” Turek said.A spokeswoman for Senate Democrats said there were no known cases of 
COVID-19 among caucus members. A spokesman for Senate Republicans didn’t
 respond to an inquiry for this story.Tom Day, director of Legislative Administrative Services, said 
testing at the Statehouse is available for legislators and staff. 
Between 12-15 people are being tested per day, he said, and two have 
tested positive in the past five work days. A courier picks up the 
samples at 10 a.m. and delivers them to a lab at Wichita State 
University.Last year, testing was conducted near the entry of the building on 
the ground floor, in a room typically used by lobbyists for luncheons. 
This year, testing was moved to the fifth floor, Day said, “because we 
had no other place to do it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642629875680.png" alt="Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, says leadership doesn’t seem to care about preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the Statehouse this year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, says leadership doesn’t seem to care about preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the Statehouse this year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Carmichael said he was troubled by the decision to move testing to a 
location where someone who is sick would have to pass through Capitol, 
ride in an enclosed elevator and enter an office where several people 
work.“How many people are legislators and their staff going to pass the virus to just going to get their test?” Carmichael asked.People are obviously tired of the necessary precautions to preserve 
the public health, Carmichael said. He understands that people are 
frustrated that the pandemic hasn’t gone away.“But that doesn’t mean that the risk is less,” Carmichael said. 
“People who think that just because omicron is apparently less virulent 
or is less severe in its symptoms are running a tremendous risk. Because
 if they end up being the person who does have a deadly case of omicron,
 they will be just as dead as someone who died of delta or some other 
variant.“And so our fatigue has taken over and overruled our common sense. 
And I have to admit that I slip up myself too. You know, it’s been a 
long time, and we all want this to be over with, but just hoping and 
wishing and saying it’s been long enough doesn’t stop the virus.”