By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/10/legislators-governor-agree-to-allocate-154-million-in-federal-stimulus-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and 
legislative leaders unanimously agreed Monday to dedicate $154 million 
in federal stimulus funding to support economic development with 
construction of commercial buildings and to improve resources available 
to low-income students struggling in school.

Members of the State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and 
Democrats from the Senate and House, adopted a recommendation to set 
aside $100 million for expansion of structures needed to expand or 
attract businesses and jobs. The council also directed $50 million at a 
new program of $1,000 per-child grants to be used by families in the way
 most useful to students struggling through the pandemic.

In addition, $4 million was approved to help school districts upgrade internet connections to high-speed broadband services.

The spending plan was recommended by a public-private board known as 
SPARK, or Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas. Two SPARK 
members raised sharp objections to the Kelly administration’s plan to 
support business and education, but were outvoted.

Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as secretary at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said a shortage of commercial space existed in 
some areas of the state. No decisions have been made about which 
communities or businesses would receive the funding, he said.

“It will be a competitive pot of money that businesses, communities 
and others will apply to for their individual projects,” Toland said. 
“This fund would also support economic development infrastructure, 
including the extension of utilities to business and industrial sites.”

Houses Speaker Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Olathe, sought more 
details about how the state would decide which 50,000 students in Kansas
 received $1,000 grants for social and mental health services, tutoring,
 books, school supplies and other educational aids.

Ryckman estimated there were 250,000 students in Kansas receiving 
free or reduce lunch who might be eligible for learning recovery 
assistance.

“How are we going to pick 50,000 students?” Ryckman said. “How do we select those 50,000 parents or families?”

Kelly said established metrics tied to household income would be 
relied upon to identify eligible families, who would be responsible for 
applying for grants.

“The grants will be allocated for the lowest income folks, households
 at the beginning,” the governor said. “We open up the grant process. 
There is a deadline to apply for that. At the end of that deadline, if 
that income level had not applied for all of the grants to use up the 
$50 million, then we would open up to the next higher tier of income.”

She said the state’s COVID-19 recovery office would work on selecting
 a vendor that would provide families with an online portal to gain 
access to approved expenditures.

“We will put up the guardrails to ensure we don’t get scammed here and don’t overpay a vendor,” Kelly said.

The appropriation was drawn from about $1.6 billion in stimulus aid 
sent to Kansas by Congress. In the past, the State Finance Council 
agreed to spend $27 million for coronavirus testing, $30 million to 
enhance salaries of hard-to-fill state jobs and $50 million for 
compensation bonuses to nurses.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641846972902.jpg" alt="The Kansas Finance Council comprised of Gov. Laura Kelly and eight legislative leaders voted to use federal stimulus funding on a $50 million program to help students struggling through the pandemic and $100 million to assist with infrastructure projects to attract or retain jobs. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Finance Council comprised of Gov. Laura Kelly and eight legislative leaders voted to use federal stimulus funding on a $50 million program to help students struggling through the pandemic and $100 million to assist with infrastructure projects to attract or retain jobs. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/10/legislators-governor-agree-to-allocate-154-million-in-federal-stimulus-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and 
legislative leaders unanimously agreed Monday to dedicate $154 million 
in federal stimulus funding to support economic development with 
construction of commercial buildings and to improve resources available 
to low-income students struggling in school.Members of the State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and 
Democrats from the Senate and House, adopted a recommendation to set 
aside $100 million for expansion of structures needed to expand or 
attract businesses and jobs. The council also directed $50 million at a 
new program of $1,000 per-child grants to be used by families in the way
 most useful to students struggling through the pandemic.In addition, $4 million was approved to help school districts upgrade internet connections to high-speed broadband services.The spending plan was recommended by a public-private board known as 
SPARK, or Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas. Two SPARK 
members raised sharp objections to the Kelly administration’s plan to 
support business and education, but were outvoted.Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as secretary at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said a shortage of commercial space existed in 
some areas of the state. No decisions have been made about which 
communities or businesses would receive the funding, he said.“It will be a competitive pot of money that businesses, communities 
and others will apply to for their individual projects,” Toland said. 
“This fund would also support economic development infrastructure, 
including the extension of utilities to business and industrial sites.”Houses Speaker Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Olathe, sought more 
details about how the state would decide which 50,000 students in Kansas
 received $1,000 grants for social and mental health services, tutoring,
 books, school supplies and other educational aids.Ryckman estimated there were 250,000 students in Kansas receiving 
free or reduce lunch who might be eligible for learning recovery 
assistance.“How are we going to pick 50,000 students?” Ryckman said. “How do we select those 50,000 parents or families?”Kelly said established metrics tied to household income would be 
relied upon to identify eligible families, who would be responsible for 
applying for grants.“The grants will be allocated for the lowest income folks, households
 at the beginning,” the governor said. “We open up the grant process. 
There is a deadline to apply for that. At the end of that deadline, if 
that income level had not applied for all of the grants to use up the 
$50 million, then we would open up to the next higher tier of income.”She said the state’s COVID-19 recovery office would work on selecting
 a vendor that would provide families with an online portal to gain 
access to approved expenditures.“We will put up the guardrails to ensure we don’t get scammed here and don’t overpay a vendor,” Kelly said.The appropriation was drawn from about $1.6 billion in stimulus aid 
sent to Kansas by Congress. In the past, the State Finance Council 
agreed to spend $27 million for coronavirus testing, $30 million to 
enhance salaries of hard-to-fill state jobs and $50 million for 
compensation bonuses to nurses.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Legislators, governor agree to allocate $154M in federal stimulus funding

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.

Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.

First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641833217883.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

Police in KCK investigate first homicide of 2022

By Scott Edger&nbsp; Little Apple Post&nbsp;

Following nine years of flat funding, Riley County Community Corrections and its sister agencies around the state are in crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riley&nbsp;County&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Corrections&nbsp;Director Shelly Williams&nbsp;told the&nbsp;Board of the&nbsp;Board of Commissioners&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;that&nbsp;her agency needs&nbsp;its&nbsp;direct support and action in order to fulfill&nbsp;its&nbsp;mandated mission.&nbsp;

Riley County Community Corrections provides supervision of moderate to high-risk adult felony and juvenile offenders in Riley and Clay Counties.&nbsp;

There are&nbsp;about 115 adult offenders currently registered with Riley County community corrections, according to Williams, with about 70 of those being&nbsp;for person felonies.&nbsp;

Kansas has a trifurcated system of community supervision. Three different entities&nbsp;currently&nbsp;fulfill roles within the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas judicial branch&nbsp;provides&nbsp;support services and, while the County&nbsp;funds operations and provide space,&nbsp;the&nbsp;workers are state employees.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Department of Corrections operates jails and runs the parole system, again with state employees funded through&nbsp;the&nbsp;DOC&nbsp;budget.&nbsp;

For&nbsp;this fiscal year, the Kansas legislature appropriated roughly $10.8 million for judicial branch pay increases and $4.3 million for its support officer&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;

The DOC provides Community Corrections with&nbsp;funding and oversight,&nbsp;however&nbsp;individual offices are&nbsp;county agencies&nbsp;and staffed with&nbsp;county employees.&nbsp;

This year governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order&nbsp;shortly&nbsp;before Thanksgiving that allocated just over $500,000 for&nbsp;parole officer pay increases fiscal year 2022,&nbsp;and almost $1&nbsp;million for 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Williams, Community&nbsp;Corrections agencies did not receive any of&nbsp;the approved&nbsp;new funding.&nbsp;

“Those salary increases for the other agencies impact Community Corrections’ ability to maintain its own workforce,” she said, “and as a result public safety is, and will be negatively impacted.”&nbsp;

She&nbsp;also pointed out that for at least the last nine years funding for&nbsp;community corrections has remained essentially flat.&nbsp;Community Corrections funding comes out of the&nbsp;state's&nbsp;general fund -&nbsp;competing against roads and schools and every other line item.&nbsp;

Williams said that when agencies are underfunded and understaffed, caseloads become too large to adequately supervise high risk offenders and “intensive supervision is at risk.”&nbsp;

The offenders her agency supervises in the community have serious criminal histories and over 53&nbsp;percent have both mental health and substance use issues,&nbsp;according to Williams.&nbsp;She said it simply comes down to having enough staff to do effective work.&nbsp;

“Community Corrections officers do not have enough time to spend with these offenders doing the difficult work of changing offender behavior,” she said. “Underfunded agencies cannot afford to dedicate staff time to programming targeted teaching.”&nbsp;

Williams asked commissioners to use whatever influence or connections they may have&nbsp;two&nbsp;influence legislation to better compensate community corrections personnel, and hopefully maintain and attract&nbsp;employees.&nbsp;

“The inability to recruit and maintain skilled staff means less experience and specialized officers,” Williams said, “and less means more... more crime,&nbsp;more victims,&nbsp;more jail confinement,&nbsp;more future recidivism.”&nbsp;

Williams said agencies around the state are working closely with the&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Corrections,&nbsp;Jeff Zmuda,&nbsp;who is advocating strongly for&nbsp;increased&nbsp;funding for Community Corrections.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641838863936.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Scott Edger&nbsp; Little Apple Post&nbsp;Following nine years of flat funding, Riley County Community Corrections and its sister agencies around the state are in crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;Riley&nbsp;County&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Corrections&nbsp;Director Shelly Williams&nbsp;told the&nbsp;Board of the&nbsp;Board of Commissioners&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;that&nbsp;her agency needs&nbsp;its&nbsp;direct support and action in order to fulfill&nbsp;its&nbsp;mandated mission.&nbsp;Riley County Community Corrections provides supervision of moderate to high-risk adult felony and juvenile offenders in Riley and Clay Counties.&nbsp;There are&nbsp;about 115 adult offenders currently registered with Riley County community corrections, according to Williams, with about 70 of those being&nbsp;for person felonies.&nbsp;Kansas has a trifurcated system of community supervision. Three different entities&nbsp;currently&nbsp;fulfill roles within the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas judicial branch&nbsp;provides&nbsp;support services and, while the County&nbsp;funds operations and provide space,&nbsp;the&nbsp;workers are state employees.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Department of Corrections operates jails and runs the parole system, again with state employees funded through&nbsp;the&nbsp;DOC&nbsp;budget.&nbsp;For&nbsp;this fiscal year, the Kansas legislature appropriated roughly $10.8 million for judicial branch pay increases and $4.3 million for its support officer&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;The DOC provides Community Corrections with&nbsp;funding and oversight,&nbsp;however&nbsp;individual offices are&nbsp;county agencies&nbsp;and staffed with&nbsp;county employees.&nbsp;This year governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order&nbsp;shortly&nbsp;before Thanksgiving that allocated just over $500,000 for&nbsp;parole officer pay increases fiscal year 2022,&nbsp;and almost $1&nbsp;million for 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Williams, Community&nbsp;Corrections agencies did not receive any of&nbsp;the approved&nbsp;new funding.&nbsp;“Those salary increases for the other agencies impact Community Corrections’ ability to maintain its own workforce,” she said, “and as a result public safety is, and will be negatively impacted.”&nbsp;She&nbsp;also pointed out that for at least the last nine years funding for&nbsp;community corrections has remained essentially flat.&nbsp;Community Corrections funding comes out of the&nbsp;state's&nbsp;general fund -&nbsp;competing against roads and schools and every other line item.&nbsp;Williams said that when agencies are underfunded and understaffed, caseloads become too large to adequately supervise high risk offenders and “intensive supervision is at risk.”&nbsp;The offenders her agency supervises in the community have serious criminal histories and over 53&nbsp;percent have both mental health and substance use issues,&nbsp;according to Williams.&nbsp;She said it simply comes down to having enough staff to do effective work.&nbsp;“Community Corrections officers do not have enough time to spend with these offenders doing the difficult work of changing offender behavior,” she said. “Underfunded agencies cannot afford to dedicate staff time to programming targeted teaching.”&nbsp;Williams asked commissioners to use whatever influence or connections they may have&nbsp;two&nbsp;influence legislation to better compensate community corrections personnel, and hopefully maintain and attract&nbsp;employees.&nbsp;“The inability to recruit and maintain skilled staff means less experience and specialized officers,” Williams said, “and less means more... more crime,&nbsp;more victims,&nbsp;more jail confinement,&nbsp;more future recidivism.”&nbsp;Williams said agencies around the state are working closely with the&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Corrections,&nbsp;Jeff Zmuda,&nbsp;who is advocating strongly for&nbsp;increased&nbsp;funding for Community Corrections.&nbsp;

Community Corrections in Kansas in crisis

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 13,557 to a total of 579,619 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The state reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,114.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 13,557 to a total of 579,619 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,114.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641839812688.png" alt="Monday January 10, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Monday January 10, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 13,500 new cases, 18 more COVID deaths

SHAWNEE COUNTY—A 7-year-old boy died from injuries in a fire at a Kansas home on Monday.

Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to a house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.

Before their arrival, fire crews were advised there were possibly residents trapped in the home. They immediately found the home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor. 

Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued a 7-year-old boy and an adult female, according to Stahl.

 American Medical Response (AMR) transported them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The boy later died, according to Stahl.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no other homes were damaged.

After the fire was out, AMR transported a third resident of the home to the hospital to treat non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth occupant was able to escape the fire before the arrival of fire crews and had no injuries.

The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal are working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641835732799.png" alt="Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—A 7-year-old boy died from injuries in a fire at a Kansas home on Monday.Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to a house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.Before their arrival, fire crews were advised there were possibly residents trapped in the home. They immediately found the home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor. Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued a 7-year-old boy and an adult female, according to Stahl. American Medical Response (AMR) transported them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The boy later died, according to Stahl.Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no other homes were damaged.After the fire was out, AMR transported a third resident of the home to the hospital to treat non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth occupant was able to escape the fire before the arrival of fire crews and had no injuries.The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal are working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been released.

7-year-old dies from injuries in Kansas house fire

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for allegedly driving in reverse across Salina on Saturday evening.

Just after 7:30p.m., patrol officers were alerted to the report of a Chevrolet Camaro driving in reverse westbound on E. Crawford Street near Marymount Road, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;

An officer located the Camaro headed north on Ninth Street and attempted to stop it in the 100 block of N. Ninth Street. The Camaro, however, continued and eventually turned west on Park Street before pulling over in the 700 block of Park Street, facing the wrong way on the street, according to Forrester.

The driver, identified as Anthony Sustaita, 24, of Salina, was arrested on the following requested charges of misdemeanor flee and elude, reckless driving, and driving while suspended or revoked. Sustaita told police that the Camaro was having mechanical issues and he had to drive it in reverse

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641743153558.jpeg" alt="Sustaita-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Sustaita-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for allegedly driving in reverse across Salina on Saturday evening.Just after 7:30p.m., patrol officers were alerted to the report of a Chevrolet Camaro driving in reverse westbound on E. Crawford Street near Marymount Road, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;An officer located the Camaro headed north on Ninth Street and attempted to stop it in the 100 block of N. Ninth Street. The Camaro, however, continued and eventually turned west on Park Street before pulling over in the 700 block of Park Street, facing the wrong way on the street, according to Forrester.The driver, identified as Anthony Sustaita, 24, of Salina, was arrested on the following requested charges of misdemeanor flee and elude, reckless driving, and driving while suspended or revoked. Sustaita told police that the Camaro was having mechanical issues and he had to drive it in reverse

Police: Man arrested for driving Camaro in reverse across Salina

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend bar shooting in Topeka.

Just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a Topeka Police officer was flagged down by the staff of 45th Street Bar, 4601 SW Topeka Blvd. about a disturbance occurring inside. As the officer pulled into the bar, he observed numerous patrons running out of the business and yelling, “Shots fired," according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

The officer requested emergency back up to his location. As those officers were arriving, they observed a security officer detaining an individual at gunpoint outside in the parking lot. The individual was taken into custody without incident. 

Officers were then told by people leaving the business that there was a male victim shot. 

The officers located an individual who was suffering injuries that resulted from a fight inside, but not from being shot. The individual did not wish to file a report and was uncooperative. Officers talked to several patrons, but no additional victims were located. Officers did recover a handgun near where the individual that was taken into custody.

During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the subject in their custody, later identified as 29-year-old William Kevon Elmore of Topeka had been involved in an altercation while inside the business. 

During the incident, the Elmore fired a gun and was later detained outside by security. Police transported Elmore to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked him on requested charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm within City Limits.

Later in the day, officers were called to a local hospital in reference a victim who had arrived suffering from not life threatening gunshot wound. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been at the 45th Street Bar when the altercation took place.

The victim was shot during the incident and ran out from the establishment and later went to the hospital for treatment. As a result of Sunday's investigation, an additional requested charge of Aggravated Battery was added to Elmore, who remains in custody. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641820851923.png" alt="Elmore-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Elmore-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend bar shooting in Topeka.Just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a Topeka Police officer was flagged down by the staff of 45th Street Bar, 4601 SW Topeka Blvd. about a disturbance occurring inside. As the officer pulled into the bar, he observed numerous patrons running out of the business and yelling, “Shots fired," according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.The officer requested emergency back up to his location. As those officers were arriving, they observed a security officer detaining an individual at gunpoint outside in the parking lot. The individual was taken into custody without incident. Officers were then told by people leaving the business that there was a male victim shot. The officers located an individual who was suffering injuries that resulted from a fight inside, but not from being shot. The individual did not wish to file a report and was uncooperative. Officers talked to several patrons, but no additional victims were located. Officers did recover a handgun near where the individual that was taken into custody.During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the subject in their custody, later identified as 29-year-old William Kevon Elmore of Topeka had been involved in an altercation while inside the business. During the incident, the Elmore fired a gun and was later detained outside by security. Police transported Elmore to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked him on requested charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm within City Limits.Later in the day, officers were called to a local hospital in reference a victim who had arrived suffering from not life threatening gunshot wound. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been at the 45th Street Bar when the altercation took place.The victim was shot during the incident and ran out from the establishment and later went to the hospital for treatment. As a result of Sunday's investigation, an additional requested charge of Aggravated Battery was added to Elmore, who remains in custody.

Kansas man jailed after shooting during weekend bar fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.

Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.

The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.

MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.

The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.

It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.

WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?

To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.

It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.

Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.

Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.

The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.

IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREE

Starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?

White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.

“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635437156930.png" alt="According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE TESTS?Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.WHEN WILL THE TEST KITS BE DELIVERED?The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.WHICH HOME TEST WILL I GET?It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.WHY IS BIDEN BUYING THESE TEST KITS?It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.HOW MUCH WILL THE PROGRAM COST?The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREEStarting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

Where are the COVID-19 tests that President Biden promised?

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is flush with cash, making Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican lawmakers eager to cut taxes, but the annual legislative session set to open Monday is also shadowed by redistricting, election-year politics and COVID-19.

GOP supermajorities in both chambers mean lawmakers expect to consider tightening election laws during their 90 scheduled days in session. Also on tap is a debate over what’s taught in public schools about race and U.S. history.

And legislators are likely to debate legalizing marijuana for medical use — something Kelly and other Democrats support — because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">some Republicans have warmed</a>&nbsp;to the idea of at least allowing a highly regulated version.

Kelly wants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">to eliminate the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;so that a family buying $200 worth of groceries a week would save $676 a year. Lowering or ending the tax has bipartisan support, but lawmakers might consider alternatives, such as lowering the tax on all consumer goods.

The governor also has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.

Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, said other ideas are on the table, too, including lowering taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits.

Kansas is in strong shape financially, on pace after months of surplus tax collections to end June with about $3 billion in cash reserves.

Tyson wants to require teachers to post lesson plans online that list reading materials. She said her goal is to enable parents to research those materials so they have a chance to voice any objections.

She and other Republicans also expect a debate on banning critical race theory in public schools. They say many parents became alarmed when they monitored online classes earlier in the pandemic.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">Critical race theory</a>&nbsp;argues that racism is systemic in the U.S. and its institutions maintain white people’s dominance. However, the term has come to cover broader diversity initiatives that conservatives oppose.

The state school board said last year that critical race theory is not part of Kansas’ academic standards. Kelly has called the issue a “nothing burger” and told The Associated Press it has been “conjured up” by people “who have a track record of being sort of anti-public education.”

Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said he worries that lawmakers would enable “the most racist parents” to harass teachers and administrators.

GOVERNOR’S RACE, OTHER CONTESTS SHAPE POLICY

Kelly sells herself as a bipartisan problem solver and she’s almost certain to tout big legislative victories in appealing later this year to the moderate GOP and independent voters she needs to win another term. She faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-bob-dole-joe-biden-health-kansas-81c2305849fc6d9e1097ed4a20466f9e">a tough race</a>&nbsp;with three-term Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the presumed Republican nominee.

The election gives Republicans an incentive to ditch Kelly’s proposals and pass GOP ones instead to raise questions about her effectiveness.

Meanwhile, all 125 Kansas House seats are on the ballot in November.

CAN LAWMAKERS AVOID ANOTHER REDISTRICTING IMPASSE?

Election-year politics are intensified by the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political boundaries. Kansas must account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-kansas-17f2a5e8643e76f33c0a8af22b78c10a">shifts in population</a>&nbsp;and make districts as equal in population as possible.

Redistricting has national implications as Republicans seek to regain a U.S. House majority, putting a spotlight on the Kansas City-area district held by the only Kansas Democrat in Congress, Rep. Sharice Davids. Her district is overpopulated and Democrats fear that Republicans will draw out Democratic neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas, to hurt her politically.

But to reshape Davids’ district, Republicans must avoid the internal struggle they saw 10 years ago over new legislative districts. The debate grew so contentious that no redistricting plan cleared the Legislature. Three federal judges drew all boundaries; the state had to push back its June candidate filing deadline, and there were far more incumbent-on-incumbent races than lawmakers would have allowed.

REPUBLICANS CONSIDER TIGHTER ELECTION LAWS

GOP lawmakers in Kansas last year joined counterparts in other states in tightening election laws.

Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said he’ll push for legislation this year aimed at making it easier to remove inactive voters from registration lists. Counties can’t remove people from registration lists until they’ve failed to vote in two federal elections.

And legislation to tighten voting laws have carried over from last year’s annual session, including a bill to shorten the deadline for returning mail-in ballots.

GOP CONTINUES PUSH OVER VACCINES, VIRUS MANDATES

The days leading up to the session’s opening saw a surge in new COVID-19 cases in Kansas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-infectious-diseases-kansas-city-989fb124d926e2253ffca07ad499bd70">hospitals stressed again.</a>

Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-kansas-topeka-b1f211f1561aa92265a5acd42a645fcc">declared a new emergency&nbsp;</a>Thursday and issued executive orders that eased state licensing rules to make it easier for hospitals and nursing homes to add staff quickly. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep it in effect past 15 days.

But for GOP lawmakers the biggest pandemic issue was following up on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-religion-822d31ed5cd6cdca053f21f4a9a965d9">legislation enacted during a November special session</a>&nbsp;to make it easier for workers to refuse to comply with vaccine mandates. Some conservatives want to bar private employers from imposing mandates, but others acknowledge the issue is tough because they’ve normally argued for less government regulation of businesses.

Some conservatives would also like to strip the state health department of its power to require new vaccines for school attendance without going through the Legislature.

Abortion is usually a major issue facing lawmakers, but not this year. Abortion opponents are waiting for an Aug. 2 statewide vote on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-constitutions-kansas-topeka-2b65563a5637dda6d6707822154dece5">proposed anti-abortion amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution that would allow legislators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">to restrict abortion</a>&nbsp;as much as the federal courts permit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615497611380.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp; has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp; has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is flush with cash, making Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican lawmakers eager to cut taxes, but the annual legislative session set to open Monday is also shadowed by redistricting, election-year politics and COVID-19.GOP supermajorities in both chambers mean lawmakers expect to consider tightening election laws during their 90 scheduled days in session. Also on tap is a debate over what’s taught in public schools about race and U.S. history.And legislators are likely to debate legalizing marijuana for medical use — something Kelly and other Democrats support — because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">some Republicans have warmed</a>&nbsp;to the idea of at least allowing a highly regulated version.Here’s a look at some key issues:REVENUE SURPLUS FUELS PUSH FOR TAX CUTSKelly wants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">to eliminate the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;so that a family buying $200 worth of groceries a week would save $676 a year. Lowering or ending the tax has bipartisan support, but lawmakers might consider alternatives, such as lowering the tax on all consumer goods.The governor also has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, said other ideas are on the table, too, including lowering taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits.Kansas is in strong shape financially, on pace after months of surplus tax collections to end June with about $3 billion in cash reserves.CRITICAL RACE THEORY ARGUMENT HEATS UPTyson wants to require teachers to post lesson plans online that list reading materials. She said her goal is to enable parents to research those materials so they have a chance to voice any objections.She and other Republicans also expect a debate on banning critical race theory in public schools. They say many parents became alarmed when they monitored online classes earlier in the pandemic.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">Critical race theory</a>&nbsp;argues that racism is systemic in the U.S. and its institutions maintain white people’s dominance. However, the term has come to cover broader diversity initiatives that conservatives oppose.The state school board said last year that critical race theory is not part of Kansas’ academic standards. Kelly has called the issue a “nothing burger” and told The Associated Press it has been “conjured up” by people “who have a track record of being sort of anti-public education.”Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said he worries that lawmakers would enable “the most racist parents” to harass teachers and administrators.GOVERNOR’S RACE, OTHER CONTESTS SHAPE POLICYKelly sells herself as a bipartisan problem solver and she’s almost certain to tout big legislative victories in appealing later this year to the moderate GOP and independent voters she needs to win another term. She faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-bob-dole-joe-biden-health-kansas-81c2305849fc6d9e1097ed4a20466f9e">a tough race</a>&nbsp;with three-term Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the presumed Republican nominee.The election gives Republicans an incentive to ditch Kelly’s proposals and pass GOP ones instead to raise questions about her effectiveness.Meanwhile, all 125 Kansas House seats are on the ballot in November.CAN LAWMAKERS AVOID ANOTHER REDISTRICTING IMPASSE?Election-year politics are intensified by the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political boundaries. Kansas must account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-kansas-17f2a5e8643e76f33c0a8af22b78c10a">shifts in population</a>&nbsp;and make districts as equal in population as possible.Redistricting has national implications as Republicans seek to regain a U.S. House majority, putting a spotlight on the Kansas City-area district held by the only Kansas Democrat in Congress, Rep. Sharice Davids. Her district is overpopulated and Democrats fear that Republicans will draw out Democratic neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas, to hurt her politically.But to reshape Davids’ district, Republicans must avoid the internal struggle they saw 10 years ago over new legislative districts. The debate grew so contentious that no redistricting plan cleared the Legislature. Three federal judges drew all boundaries; the state had to push back its June candidate filing deadline, and there were far more incumbent-on-incumbent races than lawmakers would have allowed.REPUBLICANS CONSIDER TIGHTER ELECTION LAWSGOP lawmakers in Kansas last year joined counterparts in other states in tightening election laws.Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said he’ll push for legislation this year aimed at making it easier to remove inactive voters from registration lists. Counties can’t remove people from registration lists until they’ve failed to vote in two federal elections.And legislation to tighten voting laws have carried over from last year’s annual session, including a bill to shorten the deadline for returning mail-in ballots.GOP CONTINUES PUSH OVER VACCINES, VIRUS MANDATESThe days leading up to the session’s opening saw a surge in new COVID-19 cases in Kansas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-infectious-diseases-kansas-city-989fb124d926e2253ffca07ad499bd70">hospitals stressed again.</a>Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-kansas-topeka-b1f211f1561aa92265a5acd42a645fcc">declared a new emergency&nbsp;</a>Thursday and issued executive orders that eased state licensing rules to make it easier for hospitals and nursing homes to add staff quickly. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep it in effect past 15 days.But for GOP lawmakers the biggest pandemic issue was following up on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-religion-822d31ed5cd6cdca053f21f4a9a965d9">legislation enacted during a November special session</a>&nbsp;to make it easier for workers to refuse to comply with vaccine mandates. Some conservatives want to bar private employers from imposing mandates, but others acknowledge the issue is tough because they’ve normally argued for less government regulation of businesses.Some conservatives would also like to strip the state health department of its power to require new vaccines for school attendance without going through the Legislature.ABORTION IS ON MANY MINDSAbortion is usually a major issue facing lawmakers, but not this year. Abortion opponents are waiting for an Aug. 2 statewide vote on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-constitutions-kansas-topeka-2b65563a5637dda6d6707822154dece5">proposed anti-abortion amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution that would allow legislators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">to restrict abortion</a>&nbsp;as much as the federal courts permit.____

Taxes, vaxes and maps: Kansas lawmakers set to open session

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged&nbsp; threat at a store in Topeka.

Just before noon Sunday, officers were called to Walmart, 1301 SW 37th Street on a report of a suspicious device. Employees located a cylinder object with electrical wires coming out of it on top of one of the vending machines near the west entrance, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Officers arrived and located the item and contacted a member of the police Bomb unit who responded to the scene. 

Walmart personnel decided to evacuate the building while officers investigated.

The investigation determined that the item was not a device and was rendered safe. Officers on the scene did detain a female as a person of interest and are currently still investigating. Walmart reopened the business once the scene was cleared by officers. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641759762387.png" alt="&nbsp;Walmart ats 1301 SW 37th Street in Topeka-google image" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Walmart ats 1301 SW 37th Street in Topeka-google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged&nbsp; threat at a store in Topeka.Just before noon Sunday, officers were called to Walmart, 1301 SW 37th Street on a report of a suspicious device. Employees located a cylinder object with electrical wires coming out of it on top of one of the vending machines near the west entrance, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Officers arrived and located the item and contacted a member of the police Bomb unit who responded to the scene. Walmart personnel decided to evacuate the building while officers investigated.The investigation determined that the item was not a device and was rendered safe. Officers on the scene did detain a female as a person of interest and are currently still investigating. Walmart reopened the business once the scene was cleared by officers.

Store evacuated, Kan. woman questioned about suspicious device 

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms.

The current explosion of omicron-fueled coronavirus infections in the U.S. is causing a breakdown in basic functions and services — the latest illustration of how COVID-19 keeps upending life more than two years into the pandemic.

“This really does, I think, remind everyone of when COVID-19 first appeared and there were such major disruptions across every part of our normal life,” said Tom Cotter, director of emergency response and preparedness at the global health nonprofit Project HOPE. “And the unfortunate reality is, there’s no way of predicting what will happen next until we get our vaccination numbers — globally — up.”

First responders, hospitals, schools and government agencies have employed an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep the public safe, but they are worried how much longer they can keep it up.

In Kansas’ Johnson County, paramedics are working 80 hours a week. Ambulances have frequently been forced to alter their course when the hospitals they’re heading to tell them they’re too overwhelmed to help, confusing the patients’ already anxious family members driving behind them. When the ambulances arrive at hospitals, some of their emergency patients end up in waiting rooms because there are no beds.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Hospital, said when the leader of a rural hospital had no place to send its dialysis patients this week, the hospital’s staff consulted a textbook and “tried to put in some catheters and figure out how to do it.”

Medical facilities have been hit by a “double whammy,” he said. The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Hospital rose from 40 on Dec. 1 to 139 on Friday. At the same time, more than 900 employees have been sickened with COVID-19 or are awaiting test results — 7% of the hospital’s 13,500-person workforce.

“What my hope is and what we’re going to cross our fingers around is that as it peaks ... maybe it’ll have the same rapid fall we saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-africa-johannesburg-south-africa-f4b59ecde3029295f7b96f2d0ff44042">in South Africa</a>,” Stites said, referring to the swiftness with which the number of cases fell in that country. “We don’t know that. That’s just hope.”

The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more readily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus. However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Still, its easy transmissibility has led to skyrocketing cases in the U.S., which is affecting businesses, government offices and public services alike.

In downtown Boise, Idaho, customers were queued up outside a pharmacy before it opened Friday morning and before long, the line wound throughout the large drugstore. Pharmacies have been slammed by staffing shortages, either because employees are out sick or have left altogether.

Pharmacy technician Anecia Mascorro said that prior to the pandemic, the Sav-On Pharmacy where she works always had prescriptions ready for the next day. Now, it’s taking a lot longer to fill the hundreds of orders that are pouring in.

“The demand is crazy — everybody’s not getting their scripts fast enough so they keep transferring to us,” Mascorro said.

In Los Angeles, more than 800 police and fire personnel were sidelined because of the virus as of Thursday, causing slightly longer ambulance and fire response times.

In New York City, officials have had to delay or scale back trash and subway services because of a virus-fueled staffing hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said about one-fifth of subway operators and conductors — 1,300 people — have been absent in recent days. Almost one-fourth of the city sanitation department’s workers were out sick Thursday, Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said.

“Everybody’s working ’round the clock, 12-hour shifts,” Grayson said.

The city’s fire department also has adjusted for higher absences. Officials said Thursday that 28% of EMS workers were out sick, compared with about 8% to 10% on a normal day. Twice as many firefighters as usual were also absent.

In contrast, the police department saw its sick rate fall over the past week, officials said.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, two checkpoints at the airport’s busiest terminal were shut down because not enough Transportation Security Administration agents showed up for work, according to statements from airport and TSA officials.

Meanwhile, schools from coast to coast tried to maintain in-person instruction despite massive teacher absences. In Chicago, a tense standoff between the school district and teachers union over remote learning and COVID-19 safety protocols led to classes being canceled over the past three days. In San Francisco, nearly 900 educators and aides called in sick Thursday.

In Hawaii, where public schools are under one statewide district, 1,600 teachers and staff were absent Wednesday because of illness or pre-arranged vacation or leave. The state’s teachers union criticized education officials for not better preparing for the ensuing void. Osa Tui Jr., head of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said counselors and security guards were being pulled to go “babysit a classroom.”

“That is very inappropriate,” Tui said at a news conference. “To have this model where there are so many teachers out and for the department to say, ‘Send your kid’ to a classroom that doesn’t have a teacher, what’s the point of that?”

In New Haven, Connecticut, where hundreds of teachers have been out each day this week, administrators have helped to cover classrooms. Some teachers say they appreciate that, but that it can be confusing for students, adding to the physical and mental stress they’re already feeling because of the pandemic.

“We’ve already been tested so much. How much can the rubber band stretch here?” asked Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You&#39;re likely aware of how many new cases we are seeing right now. 📈❗️Hopefully things will improve, but until further notice our staff will be under surge protocol for follow-up communication and contact tracing. If you have pressing questions contact info@ldchealth.org. <a href="https://t.co/gebYXOBhvZ">pic.twitter.com/gebYXOBhvZ</a>&mdash; Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health (@LDCHEALTH) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDCHEALTH/status/1479194134200164361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The current explosion of omicron-fueled coronavirus infections in the U.S. is causing a breakdown in basic functions and services — the latest illustration of how COVID-19 keeps upending life more than two years into the pandemic.“This really does, I think, remind everyone of when COVID-19 first appeared and there were such major disruptions across every part of our normal life,” said Tom Cotter, director of emergency response and preparedness at the global health nonprofit Project HOPE. “And the unfortunate reality is, there’s no way of predicting what will happen next until we get our vaccination numbers — globally — up.”First responders, hospitals, schools and government agencies have employed an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep the public safe, but they are worried how much longer they can keep it up.In Kansas’ Johnson County, paramedics are working 80 hours a week. Ambulances have frequently been forced to alter their course when the hospitals they’re heading to tell them they’re too overwhelmed to help, confusing the patients’ already anxious family members driving behind them. When the ambulances arrive at hospitals, some of their emergency patients end up in waiting rooms because there are no beds.Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Hospital, said when the leader of a rural hospital had no place to send its dialysis patients this week, the hospital’s staff consulted a textbook and “tried to put in some catheters and figure out how to do it.”Medical facilities have been hit by a “double whammy,” he said. The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Hospital rose from 40 on Dec. 1 to 139 on Friday. At the same time, more than 900 employees have been sickened with COVID-19 or are awaiting test results — 7% of the hospital’s 13,500-person workforce.“What my hope is and what we’re going to cross our fingers around is that as it peaks ... maybe it’ll have the same rapid fall we saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-africa-johannesburg-south-africa-f4b59ecde3029295f7b96f2d0ff44042">in South Africa</a>,” Stites said, referring to the swiftness with which the number of cases fell in that country. “We don’t know that. That’s just hope.”The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more readily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus. However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.Still, its easy transmissibility has led to skyrocketing cases in the U.S., which is affecting businesses, government offices and public services alike.In downtown Boise, Idaho, customers were queued up outside a pharmacy before it opened Friday morning and before long, the line wound throughout the large drugstore. Pharmacies have been slammed by staffing shortages, either because employees are out sick or have left altogether.Pharmacy technician Anecia Mascorro said that prior to the pandemic, the Sav-On Pharmacy where she works always had prescriptions ready for the next day. Now, it’s taking a lot longer to fill the hundreds of orders that are pouring in.“The demand is crazy — everybody’s not getting their scripts fast enough so they keep transferring to us,” Mascorro said.In Los Angeles, more than 800 police and fire personnel were sidelined because of the virus as of Thursday, causing slightly longer ambulance and fire response times.In New York City, officials have had to delay or scale back trash and subway services because of a virus-fueled staffing hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said about one-fifth of subway operators and conductors — 1,300 people — have been absent in recent days. Almost one-fourth of the city sanitation department’s workers were out sick Thursday, Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said.“Everybody’s working ’round the clock, 12-hour shifts,” Grayson said.The city’s fire department also has adjusted for higher absences. Officials said Thursday that 28% of EMS workers were out sick, compared with about 8% to 10% on a normal day. Twice as many firefighters as usual were also absent.In contrast, the police department saw its sick rate fall over the past week, officials said.At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, two checkpoints at the airport’s busiest terminal were shut down because not enough Transportation Security Administration agents showed up for work, according to statements from airport and TSA officials.Meanwhile, schools from coast to coast tried to maintain in-person instruction despite massive teacher absences. In Chicago, a tense standoff between the school district and teachers union over remote learning and COVID-19 safety protocols led to classes being canceled over the past three days. In San Francisco, nearly 900 educators and aides called in sick Thursday.In Hawaii, where public schools are under one statewide district, 1,600 teachers and staff were absent Wednesday because of illness or pre-arranged vacation or leave. The state’s teachers union criticized education officials for not better preparing for the ensuing void. Osa Tui Jr., head of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said counselors and security guards were being pulled to go “babysit a classroom.”“That is very inappropriate,” Tui said at a news conference. “To have this model where there are so many teachers out and for the department to say, ‘Send your kid’ to a classroom that doesn’t have a teacher, what’s the point of that?”In New Haven, Connecticut, where hundreds of teachers have been out each day this week, administrators have helped to cover classrooms. Some teachers say they appreciate that, but that it can be confusing for students, adding to the physical and mental stress they’re already feeling because of the pandemic.“We’ve already been tested so much. How much can the rubber band stretch here?” asked Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers.

Omicron explosion spurs nationwide breakdown of services

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's
 tax season will start on Monday, January 24, 2022, when the tax agency 
will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.

The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers allows the
 IRS time to perform programming and testing that is critical to 
ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. Updated programming helps ensure that
 eligible people can claim the proper amount of the Child Tax Credit 
after comparing their 2021 advance credits and claim any remaining 
stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 tax
 return.

"Planning for the nation's filing season process is a massive 
undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several
 months to prepare," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The pandemic 
continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are 
important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund
 don't face processing delays. Filing electronically with direct deposit
 and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. 
And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact 
Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make 
sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid 
delays."

The IRS encourages everyone to have all the information they need in 
hand to make sure they file a complete and accurate return. Having an 
accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later
 IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received 
advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American 
Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of 
these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing 
special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received 
on IRS.gov.

Like last year, there will be individuals filing tax returns who, 
even though they are not required to file, need to file a 2021 return to
 claim a Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the tax credit from the 2021 
stimulus payments or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.
 People who don't normally file also could receive other credits.

The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to 
file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By 
law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the
 same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of 
April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of 
Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or 
Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 
2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those 
states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, 
October 17, 2022, to file.

Awaiting processing of previous tax returns? People can still file 2021 returns

Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on critical 
areas affected by the pandemic, including processing of tax returns from
 last year and record levels of phone calls coming in.

"In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and 
enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This 
is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me," Rettig 
said. "IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do
 everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will 
continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as 
possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees 
and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our 
employees do more in 2022 – and beyond."

The IRS continues to reduce the inventory of prior-year individual 
tax returns that have not been fully processed. As of December 3, 2021, 
the IRS has processed nearly 169 million tax returns. All paper and 
electronic individual 2020 refund returns received prior to April 2021 
have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require 
further review.

Taxpayers generally will not need to wait for their 2020 return to be
 fully processed to file their 2021 tax returns and can file when they 
are ready.

The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. 
Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader 
pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 
million calls from January 1 – May 17, more than four times more calls 
than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety 
of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free assistance</a>
 at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly 
locations across the country to the availability of the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> program.

"Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," 
Rettig said. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online 
account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested 
in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way 
for taxpayers to get the information they need."

Last year's average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 
million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be 
filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional 
April tax deadline.

Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund
 within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct 
deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges 
taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays 
in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever 
possible.

By law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax
 Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February, though 
eligible people may file their returns beginning on January 24. The law 
provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds 
from being issued.

Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual 
review, which delays the processing, if our systems detect a possible 
error or missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or 
fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers,
 but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS 
employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than the 
normal 21 days to issue any related refund. In those cases where IRS is 
able to correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an 
explanation to the taxpayer.

File electronically and choose direct deposit

To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with
 direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to
 file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. 
Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can 
reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.

Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once 
they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their 
employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has 
incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and 
instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the 
software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file 
their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions 
are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions,
 visit the IRS website at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">IRS.gov/forms</a>.

IRS Free File will open January 14 when participating providers will 
accept completed returns and hold them until they can be filed 
electronically with the IRS. Many commercial tax preparation software 
companies and tax professionals will also be accepting and preparing tax
 returns before January 24 to submit the returns when the IRS systems 
open.

The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns 
electronically to minimize errors and for faster refunds – as well 
having all the information they need to file an accurate return to avoid
 delays. The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File program</a>
 allows taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2021 to file their taxes 
electronically for free using software provided by commercial tax filing
 companies. More information will be available on Free File later this 
week.

In addition to IRS Free File, the IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly</a> programs free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.&nbsp;

Watch for IRS letters about advance Child Tax Credit payments and third Economic Impact Payments

The IRS started sending Letter 6419, 2021 advance Child Tax Credit, 
in late December 2021 and continues to do so into January. The letter 
contains important information that can help ensure the return is 
accurate. People who received the advance CTC payments can also check 
the amount of the payments they received by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> 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.

The IRS will begin issuing Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact 
Payment, to individuals who received a third payment in 2021 in late 
January. While most eligible people already received their stimulus 
payments, this letter will help individuals determine if they are 
eligible to claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return 
to claim their remaining stimulus amount. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.

Both letters include important information that can help people file 
an accurate 2021 tax return. If the 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.

The fastest way for eligible individuals to get their 2021 tax refund
 that will include their allowable Child Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <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>.

To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:

Organize and gather 2021 tax records including Social Security 
numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer 
Identification Numbers, and this year's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01a-notice">Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers</a> valid for calendar year 2022.

Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on
 reconciling advance payments of the Child Tax Credit or claiming a 
Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. There is no need 
to call.

Set up or log in securely at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS.gov/account</a> to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.

Make final estimated <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">tax payments</a> for 2021 by Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to help avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties.

Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app 
to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account 
numbers. Learn how to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's
 tax season will start on Monday, January 24, 2022, when the tax agency 
will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers allows the
 IRS time to perform programming and testing that is critical to 
ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. Updated programming helps ensure that
 eligible people can claim the proper amount of the Child Tax Credit 
after comparing their 2021 advance credits and claim any remaining 
stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 tax
 return."Planning for the nation's filing season process is a massive 
undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several
 months to prepare," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The pandemic 
continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are 
important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund
 don't face processing delays. Filing electronically with direct deposit
 and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. 
And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact 
Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make 
sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid 
delays."The IRS encourages everyone to have all the information they need in 
hand to make sure they file a complete and accurate return. Having an 
accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later
 IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received 
advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American 
Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of 
these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing 
special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received 
on IRS.gov.Like last year, there will be individuals filing tax returns who, 
even though they are not required to file, need to file a 2021 return to
 claim a Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the tax credit from the 2021 
stimulus payments or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.
 People who don't normally file also could receive other credits.<h2>April 18 tax filing deadline for most</h2>The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to 
file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By 
law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the
 same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of 
April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of 
Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or 
Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 
2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those 
states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, 
October 17, 2022, to file.<h2>Awaiting processing of previous tax returns? People can still file 2021 returns</h2>Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on critical 
areas affected by the pandemic, including processing of tax returns from
 last year and record levels of phone calls coming in."In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and 
enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This 
is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me," Rettig 
said. "IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do
 everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will 
continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as 
possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees 
and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our 
employees do more in 2022 – and beyond."The IRS continues to reduce the inventory of prior-year individual 
tax returns that have not been fully processed. As of December 3, 2021, 
the IRS has processed nearly 169 million tax returns. All paper and 
electronic individual 2020 refund returns received prior to April 2021 
have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require 
further review.Taxpayers generally will not need to wait for their 2020 return to be
 fully processed to file their 2021 tax returns and can file when they 
are ready.<h2>Key information to help taxpayers</h2>The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. 
Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader 
pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 
million calls from January 1 – May 17, more than four times more calls 
than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety 
of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free assistance</a>
 at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly 
locations across the country to the availability of the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> program."Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," 
Rettig said. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online 
account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested 
in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way 
for taxpayers to get the information they need."Last year's average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 
million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be 
filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional 
April tax deadline.Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund
 within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct 
deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges 
taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays 
in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever 
possible.By law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax
 Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February, though 
eligible people may file their returns beginning on January 24. The law 
provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds 
from being issued.Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual 
review, which delays the processing, if our systems detect a possible 
error or missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or 
fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers,
 but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS 
employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than the 
normal 21 days to issue any related refund. In those cases where IRS is 
able to correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an 
explanation to the taxpayer.<h2>File electronically and choose direct deposit</h2>To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with
 direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to
 file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. 
Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can 
reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once 
they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their 
employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has 
incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and 
instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the 
software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file 
their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions 
are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions,
 visit the IRS website at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">IRS.gov/forms</a>.<h2>Free File available January 14</h2>IRS Free File will open January 14 when participating providers will 
accept completed returns and hold them until they can be filed 
electronically with the IRS. Many commercial tax preparation software 
companies and tax professionals will also be accepting and preparing tax
 returns before January 24 to submit the returns when the IRS systems 
open.The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns 
electronically to minimize errors and for faster refunds – as well 
having all the information they need to file an accurate return to avoid
 delays. The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File program</a>
 allows taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2021 to file their taxes 
electronically for free using software provided by commercial tax filing
 companies. More information will be available on Free File later this 
week.In addition to IRS Free File, the IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly</a> programs free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.&nbsp;<h2>Watch for IRS letters about advance Child Tax Credit payments and third Economic Impact Payments</h2>The IRS started sending Letter 6419, 2021 advance Child Tax Credit, 
in late December 2021 and continues to do so into January. The letter 
contains important information that can help ensure the return is 
accurate. People who received the advance CTC payments can also check 
the amount of the payments they received by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> 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.The IRS will begin issuing Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact 
Payment, to individuals who received a third payment in 2021 in late 
January. While most eligible people already received their stimulus 
payments, this letter will help individuals determine if they are 
eligible to claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return 
to claim their remaining stimulus amount. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.Both letters include important information that can help people file 
an accurate 2021 tax return. If the 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.The fastest way for eligible individuals to get their 2021 tax refund
 that will include their allowable Child Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <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>.<h2>Tips to make filing easier</h2>To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:Organize and gather 2021 tax records including Social Security 
numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer 
Identification Numbers, and this year's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01a-notice">Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers</a> valid for calendar year 2022.Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on
 reconciling advance payments of the Child Tax Credit or claiming a 
Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. There is no need 
to call.Set up or log in securely at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS.gov/account</a> to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.Make final estimated <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">tax payments</a> for 2021 by Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to help avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties.Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app 
to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account 
numbers. Learn how to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.File a complete and accurate return electronically when ready and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.<h2>Key filing season dates</h2>There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year's filing season:<ul>
 <li>January 14: IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can 
begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be
 transmitted to the IRS starting January 24. Tax software companies also
 are accepting tax filings in advance. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 18: Due date for tax year 2021 fourth quarter estimated tax payment. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 24: IRS begins 2022 tax season. Individual 2021 tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 28: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
 to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – 
including the option to use prior-year income to qualify. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>April 18: Due date to file 2021 tax return or 
request extension and pay tax owed due to Emancipation Day holiday in 
Washington, D.C., even for those who live outside the area. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>April 19: Due date to file 2021 tax return or 
request extension and pay tax owed for those who live in MA or ME due to
 Patriots' Day holiday 
	&nbsp;</li><li>October 17: Due date to file for those requesting an extension on their 2021 tax returns</li>
 </ul><h2>Planning ahead</h2>It's never too early to get ready for the tax-filing season ahead. For more tips and resources, check out the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">Get Ready</a> page on IRS.gov.Cover image courtesy Pixabay