FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — At least three major airlines have reported canceling dozens of flights as illnesses largely tied to the omicron variant of COVID-19 take a toll on flight crew numbers during the busy holiday travel season.

Germany-based Lufthansa said Friday that it was canceling a dozen long-haul transatlantic flights over the Christmas holiday period because of a “massive rise” in sick leave among pilots. The cancellations on flights to Houston, Boston and Washington come despite a “large buffer” of additional staff for the period.

The airline says it couldn't speculate on whether COVID-19 infections or quarantines were responsible because it was not informed about the sort of illness. Passengers were booked on other flights.

Lufthansa said in a statement that “we planned a very large buffer for the vacation period. But this was not sufficient due to the high rate of people calling in sick.”

In the U.S., Delta Air Lines, United and Alaska Airlines&nbsp; said they had to cancel dozens of Christmas Eve flights because of staff shortages tied to omicron.

“The nationwide spike in omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” United said in a statement to several news outlets. “As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport.”

The airline said it was canceling over 100 flights and working to rebook as many people as possible.

Delta said it canceled around 90 flights Friday because of the possibility of bad weather and the impact the omicron after it had “exhausted all options and resources — including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying.”

It said in a statement to several outlets that it was trying to get passengers to their destinations quickly.

Alaska Airlines said in a statement that it canceled 17 flights because of Omicron and more cancellations are possible.&nbsp;

The cancellations come as coronavirus cases driven by the new variant further squeeze staffing at hospitals, police departments, supermarkets and other critical operations struggling to maintain a full contingent of front-line workers.

Countries including Spain and the U.K. have reduced the length of COVID-19 quarantines to ease staffing shortages by letting people return to work sooner after testing positive or being exposed to the virus.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian was among those who have called on the Biden administration to take similar steps or risk further disruptions in air travel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640348190954.png" alt="Photo Denver International Airport" />
 <figcaption>Photo Denver International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — At least three major airlines have reported canceling dozens of flights as illnesses largely tied to the omicron variant of COVID-19 take a toll on flight crew numbers during the busy holiday travel season.Germany-based Lufthansa said Friday that it was canceling a dozen long-haul transatlantic flights over the Christmas holiday period because of a “massive rise” in sick leave among pilots. The cancellations on flights to Houston, Boston and Washington come despite a “large buffer” of additional staff for the period.The airline says it couldn't speculate on whether COVID-19 infections or quarantines were responsible because it was not informed about the sort of illness. Passengers were booked on other flights.Lufthansa said in a statement that “we planned a very large buffer for the vacation period. But this was not sufficient due to the high rate of people calling in sick.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640348737573.png" alt="Photo courtesy Wichita Eisenhower National Airport" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Wichita Eisenhower National Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>In the U.S., Delta Air Lines, United and Alaska Airlines&nbsp; said they had to cancel dozens of Christmas Eve flights because of staff shortages tied to omicron.“The nationwide spike in omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” United said in a statement to several news outlets. “As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel some flights and are notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport.”The airline said it was canceling over 100 flights and working to rebook as many people as possible.Delta said it canceled around 90 flights Friday because of the possibility of bad weather and the impact the omicron after it had “exhausted all options and resources — including rerouting and substitutions of aircraft and crews to cover scheduled flying.”It said in a statement to several outlets that it was trying to get passengers to their destinations quickly.Alaska Airlines said in a statement that it canceled 17 flights because of Omicron and more cancellations are possible.&nbsp;The cancellations come as coronavirus cases driven by the new variant further squeeze staffing at hospitals, police departments, supermarkets and other critical operations struggling to maintain a full contingent of front-line workers.Countries including Spain and the U.K. have reduced the length of COVID-19 quarantines to ease staffing shortages by letting people return to work sooner after testing positive or being exposed to the virus.Delta CEO Ed Bastian was among those who have called on the Biden administration to take similar steps or risk further disruptions in air travel.

COVID: Airlines cancel dozens of flights over Christmas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating two more killings, bringing the yearly total to 154.

Police say a man was killed around 11 p.m. Wednesday in an altercation outside of an apartment building on East Linwood. The victim was “cut or otherwise injured,” according to a police spokesman. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police were called to a shooting around 2:45 a.m. on Northeast Ridgeway Avenue. The male victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

People at the scene said the shooting happened as the victim was involved in a disturbance with another man. The suspect fled. A short time later, a person of interest was taken into custody.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating two more killings, bringing the yearly total to 154.Police say a man was killed around 11 p.m. Wednesday in an altercation outside of an apartment building on East Linwood. The victim was “cut or otherwise injured,” according to a police spokesman. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.No arrests have been made.Police were called to a shooting around 2:45 a.m. on Northeast Ridgeway Avenue. The male victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.People at the scene said the shooting happened as the victim was involved in a disturbance with another man. The suspect fled. A short time later, a person of interest was taken into custody.

Kansas City police investigating 2 Wednesday killings

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — Two years after Zach Morrisey was shot to death in a Kansas suburb of Kansas City, his relatives say they’re still waiting for answers.

Morrisey, of Leawood, Kansas, was killed on Dec. 21, 2019. He was shot on the parking lot of a Leawood apartment complex as he was sitting inside a car with a friend. No arrests have been made. Morrisey was 24.

Morrisey’s cousin, Shannon Ross, told&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/unsolved-homicide-from-2019-leaves-family-still-searching-for-answers/" target="_blank">WDAF-TV</a>&nbsp;that the family is frustrated by not knowing what led to the shooting at that moment in time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640099982165.png" alt="Zach Morrisey-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Zach Morrisey-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — Two years after Zach Morrisey was shot to death in a Kansas suburb of Kansas City, his relatives say they’re still waiting for answers.Morrisey, of Leawood, Kansas, was killed on Dec. 21, 2019. He was shot on the parking lot of a Leawood apartment complex as he was sitting inside a car with a friend. No arrests have been made. Morrisey was 24.Morrisey’s cousin, Shannon Ross, told&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/unsolved-homicide-from-2019-leaves-family-still-searching-for-answers/" target="_blank">WDAF-TV</a>&nbsp;that the family is frustrated by not knowing what led to the shooting at that moment in time.

Two years later, still no arrests in Kansas man's death

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man was arrested on multiple requested charges, including possession of methamphetamine, after leading police on a "slow-speed pursuit" through part of the city early this morning.

Just after 1 a.m. Thursday, an officer in the 300 block of S. Fourth Street observed a silver 2006 Nissan Altima with an illegal license plate, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer attempted to stop the Altima, but the driver refused to stop, initiating what Forrester called a "slow-speed pursuit," during which, the driver drove the speed limit and stopped at stop signs.

During the pursuit, the driver was allegedly observed throwing something white from the car in the 300 block of N. Oakdale Avenue. Officers located three chunks of methamphetamine that weighed a total of 18.4 grams, Forrester said.

The car eventually was disabled when stop sticks were deployed at the E. Elm Street/Des Moines Avenue intersection, Forrester said. The driver, identified as Deric Bell, Sr., 30, of Salina, allegedly stopped the car in the middle of the street in the 300 block of N. Columbia Avenue, and fled on foot, Forrester said. A K-9 was deployed and Bell surrendered nearby.

Forrester said Bell was arrested on the following requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, No drug tax stamp, Flee and elude, Interference with a law enforcement officer, Driving while suspended, second conviction, Driving while a habitual violator, No proof of insurance, Illegal vehicle registration and Littering.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640279690050.jpeg" alt="Bell -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Bell -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man was arrested on multiple requested charges, including possession of methamphetamine, after leading police on a "slow-speed pursuit" through part of the city early this morning.Just after 1 a.m. Thursday, an officer in the 300 block of S. Fourth Street observed a silver 2006 Nissan Altima with an illegal license plate, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The officer attempted to stop the Altima, but the driver refused to stop, initiating what Forrester called a "slow-speed pursuit," during which, the driver drove the speed limit and stopped at stop signs.During the pursuit, the driver was allegedly observed throwing something white from the car in the 300 block of N. Oakdale Avenue. Officers located three chunks of methamphetamine that weighed a total of 18.4 grams, Forrester said.The car eventually was disabled when stop sticks were deployed at the E. Elm Street/Des Moines Avenue intersection, Forrester said. The driver, identified as Deric Bell, Sr., 30, of Salina, allegedly stopped the car in the middle of the street in the 300 block of N. Columbia Avenue, and fled on foot, Forrester said. A K-9 was deployed and Bell surrendered nearby.Forrester said Bell was arrested on the following requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, No drug tax stamp, Flee and elude, Interference with a law enforcement officer, Driving while suspended, second conviction, Driving while a habitual violator, No proof of insurance, Illegal vehicle registration and Littering.

Kan. man tossed drugs from car during 'slow-speed pursuit'

TAMPA, Fla (AP) — A federal judge in Florida on Wednesday blocked President Joe Biden’s requirement for federal contractors to receive coronavirus vaccines, adding to a series of legal setbacks for the mandate.

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday wrote that Florida’s lawsuit against the rule demonstrated a “substantial likelihood” that the White House did not have authority to set the requirement.

The preliminary injunction in Florida comes after a federal judge in Georgia this month had already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-joe-biden-mandate-045740388704">blocked enforcement</a>&nbsp;of the rule nationwide. Judges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-missouri-1623e418eebb456af4308a98599b6ac4">Missouri and Kentucky</a>&nbsp;have issued similar rulings.

The decision marks the one of the latest victories for Republican-led states challenging Biden’s vaccine mandates, which the White House argues are necessary to protect Americans during the pandemic. Florida, along with other GOP states, conservative organizations and businesses, have also filed suit against White House vaccine mandates for health care workers and companies with more than 100 employees.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has railed against Biden’s pandemic policies and recently signed legislation that forces businesses to let workers opt out of coronavirus vaccine mandates. DeSantis is running for reelection and is widely considered to be mulling a 2024 presidential run.

The requirement for federal contractors stems from a September executive order issued by Biden in September. Florida sued the following month.

Separately, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-c6433f768499e44a7a2583843afcb453">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday said it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to the White House vaccine requirements for businesses and health care workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635437156930.png" alt="the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-c6433f768499e44a7a2583843afcb453">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday said it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to the White House vaccine requirements for businesses and health care workers-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-c6433f768499e44a7a2583843afcb453">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday said it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to the White House vaccine requirements for businesses and health care workers-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla (AP) — A federal judge in Florida on Wednesday blocked President Joe Biden’s requirement for federal contractors to receive coronavirus vaccines, adding to a series of legal setbacks for the mandate.U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday wrote that Florida’s lawsuit against the rule demonstrated a “substantial likelihood” that the White House did not have authority to set the requirement.The preliminary injunction in Florida comes after a federal judge in Georgia this month had already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-joe-biden-mandate-045740388704">blocked enforcement</a>&nbsp;of the rule nationwide. Judges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-missouri-1623e418eebb456af4308a98599b6ac4">Missouri and Kentucky</a>&nbsp;have issued similar rulings.The decision marks the one of the latest victories for Republican-led states challenging Biden’s vaccine mandates, which the White House argues are necessary to protect Americans during the pandemic. Florida, along with other GOP states, conservative organizations and businesses, have also filed suit against White House vaccine mandates for health care workers and companies with more than 100 employees.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has railed against Biden’s pandemic policies and recently signed legislation that forces businesses to let workers opt out of coronavirus vaccine mandates. DeSantis is running for reelection and is widely considered to be mulling a 2024 presidential run.The requirement for federal contractors stems from a September executive order issued by Biden in September. Florida sued the following month.Separately, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-c6433f768499e44a7a2583843afcb453">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday said it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to the White House vaccine requirements for businesses and health care workers.

Another federal judge blocks Biden contractor vaccine rule

BUTLER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Wednesday night in Andover, according to a media release from the agency.

Preliminary information indicates that&nbsp; just after 10:30 p.m., the Andover Police Department received a 911 call from a citizen reporting a suspicious person inside a self-storage facility at 1009 W. U.S. Highway 54 in Andover.

Four Andover police officers arrived to the area, and they located a man inside one of the storage units. They called him out of the unit to make contact with him. The man was later identified as Nicholas T. Waggoner, 25, of Wichita. Waggoner claimed the storage unit belonged to a family member, but when an officer patted him down he located a severed padlock in his possession.

Officers requested Waggoner’s driver’s license and allowed him to get into a Ford F-150 pickup truck to retrieve it. After he entered the pickup truck, he put the vehicle into reverse and quickly backed up in the direction of officers. One officer fired one round at Waggoner, striking him. The truck then crashed off a steep embankment. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m, according to the KBI.

Officers took Waggoner into custody and administered first-aid. EMS responded to the scene. They transported him to Wesley Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Currently, Waggoner is in serious, but stable condition.

No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Butler County Attorney for review.

This investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640289495816.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Wednesday night in Andover, according to a media release from the agency.Preliminary information indicates that&nbsp; just after 10:30 p.m., the Andover Police Department received a 911 call from a citizen reporting a suspicious person inside a self-storage facility at 1009 W. U.S. Highway 54 in Andover.Four Andover police officers arrived to the area, and they located a man inside one of the storage units. They called him out of the unit to make contact with him. The man was later identified as Nicholas T. Waggoner, 25, of Wichita. Waggoner claimed the storage unit belonged to a family member, but when an officer patted him down he located a severed padlock in his possession.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640289941147.png" alt="Waggoner from an arrest in July in Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Waggoner from an arrest in July in Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers requested Waggoner’s driver’s license and allowed him to get into a Ford F-150 pickup truck to retrieve it. After he entered the pickup truck, he put the vehicle into reverse and quickly backed up in the direction of officers. One officer fired one round at Waggoner, striking him. The truck then crashed off a steep embankment. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m, according to the KBI.Officers took Waggoner into custody and administered first-aid. EMS responded to the scene. They transported him to Wesley Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Currently, Waggoner is in serious, but stable condition.No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Butler County Attorney for review.This investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.

KBI: Officer shot suspect who allegedly drove at police

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.

That total lack of approvals is creating new tensions within the military, even as the vast majority of the armed forces have gotten vaccinated.

The services,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-politics-health-army-258c8ad56b5da7f4549141c5750fabba">urgently trying to keep the coronavirus pandemic in check by getting troops vaccinated,</a>&nbsp;are now besieged with exemption requests they are unlikely to approve. Meanwhile, troops claiming religious reasons for avoiding the shots are perplexed because exemptions are theoretically available, yet seem impossible to obtain.

Caught in the middle are chaplains, who must balance the desire to offer compassionate care and guidance to personnel with the need to explain a complicated process that may well be futile. They also must assess requests from those who may be using religion as an excuse to avoid a vaccine that, while credited with preventing needless deaths, has become politically charged.

“So many of them come in thinking that I make the decision, and if they make this case, that it’s a done deal,” said Maj. A’Shellarien Lang, an Army chaplain for the National Guard. “I don’t make the decision. And so when they find that out, it’s a kind of game-changer in the sense that they know that the process has to continue.”

According to the services, at least 30,000 service members are not yet vaccinated, but several thousand of those have gotten temporary or permanent medical or administrative exemptions approved. Of the remaining — which is likely 20,000 or more — thousands are working their way through the exemptions process, such as for religious reasons, or have flatly refused. That’s about 1.5% of the roughly 1.3 million active duty troops.

Obtaining a religious exemption is rooted in a process that predates the pandemic and has been used for decisions such as whether troops on duty can wear head coverings or beards for religious reasons.

In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel. The final decision is made higher up the chain of command and is also based on whether the person’s vaccine exemption will pose a risk to mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, the health and safety of the force, and military readiness.

Even in the past, few troops have cleared those hurdles to get religious exemptions. And because the pandemic can directly affect the force’s health and readiness, the bar is even higher, so military leaders aren’t surprised by the lack of approved exemptions.

But for the troops and chaplains, it’s been a bit overwhelming.

“It’s just been a lot of interviews, a lot of memos,” Lang said. “I find that my colleagues are stressed just because of the logistics of getting the memo done and having to make sure they’re keeping up with the process. It’s like rapid fire.”

Air Force officials initially said religious exemption requests would be answered in 30 days. But they have gotten more than 4,700 requests — far more than the other military services, and the logistics of the lengthy review process has made it difficult to meet that timeline. The Navy has received about 2,700 religious exemption requests, the Marine Corps has 3,100 and the Army about 1,700. Some that were rejected have been appealed, but there is little data on that.

“We did not expect the surge of requests,” said Air Force Col. Paul Sutter, chief chaplain for religious affairs at Space Force, which is included in the Air Force.

An Air Force reservist who requested a religious exemption said she’s aware of none approved so far, and she is not optimistic. The reservist, who asked that her name be withheld for privacy reasons, said her chaplain was very straightforward, laying out the process and noting the lack of approvals.

Still, she said, she believes “God has a plan for my life.”

Sutter and Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the National Guard’s joint chaplain office, said they tell their chaplains to be impartial as they speak with service members and to follow the process.

“Meet the member where they are. Let them articulate who they are, how they believe and how they live out that faith,” Sutter said he advises chaplains. “We’re just looking for their articulation of their deeply held beliefs. You’re looking for a consistency in how they adhere to those beliefs.”

Lang, who has done more than 50 interviews, said a key question she asks is what service members plan to do if their request is denied — a possibility some don’t expect.

She said some troops believe God doesn’t want them vaccinated and are torn by what they see as a contradiction if God somehow doesn’t ensure they get the exemption.

“If in their heart and their mind, they say this is God’s will for my life, and if the answer is no, it’s going to shatter that faith because there’s no balance. There’s no room for God to say no,” she said. “When I create the space to say what if God says no, then that opens up another whole level of faith conversation.”

The Air Force reservist who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was raised a Christian and is willing to retire if her request isn’t granted, even though it would mean giving up her G.I. Bill tuition benefits that she would get if she stayed another year or more.

“I will have to forfeit that,” said the mother of three children, including a newborn. Forgoing the tuition benefit, which she could transfer to her children, is worth it, she said. “I have no doubt God will provide for me.”

The reservist, whose husband is in the Army and is vaccinated, was pregnant when the vaccine came out, and she was concerned about a possible reaction. Health officials have asserted it is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html" target="_blank">safe for pregnant women, but in some cases the military has granted temporary exemptions to women. The reservist said&nbsp;</a>her opposition is rooted in her faith, including concerns that some vaccines were tested on fetal cell lines developed over decades. The vaccines don’t contain fetal material.

The Vatican has deemed it “morally acceptable” for Catholics to get the shot and other Christian faiths have done the same. But some religious leaders have offered exemption letter templates and voiced support for vaccine avoidance.

The services, in many cases, provided chaplains with interview questions such as whether the service member’s “pattern of conduct” is consistent, whether the member routinely complies with religious practices and whether the member participates in activities “associated with the belief.”

Chaplains also take into account whether service members previously received religious accommodations.

“I don’t really dig into how long they’ve been in church and all of that kind of stuff because it’s really about their current reality of what they really believe,” Lang said. “And in that moment — let’s suppose it’s a political decision, but they wrap it in religiosity — that’s still what they believe in that moment.”

The chaplains said the interviews have had the side benefit of making troops more aware that religious personnel are available and that the meetings are triggering longer conversations about other issues.

“It’s really been a bridge to just some greater ministry,” Lang said.

Chaplains also are reaching out to each other for support. The past two years have been challenging for them as they worked with troops facing a wide range of struggles — from COVID-19 losses, job pressures, racial unrest and protests, and deployments.

“It really has been a major stress on our chaplain corps - just to be there as their chaplain,” said Bazer, a rabbi. “Overall folks are good, but folks are tired. I think our faith gives us that extra strength to keep us going — it’s that spiritual adrenaline push.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635861962000.png" alt="Photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.That total lack of approvals is creating new tensions within the military, even as the vast majority of the armed forces have gotten vaccinated.The services,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-politics-health-army-258c8ad56b5da7f4549141c5750fabba">urgently trying to keep the coronavirus pandemic in check by getting troops vaccinated,</a>&nbsp;are now besieged with exemption requests they are unlikely to approve. Meanwhile, troops claiming religious reasons for avoiding the shots are perplexed because exemptions are theoretically available, yet seem impossible to obtain.Caught in the middle are chaplains, who must balance the desire to offer compassionate care and guidance to personnel with the need to explain a complicated process that may well be futile. They also must assess requests from those who may be using religion as an excuse to avoid a vaccine that, while credited with preventing needless deaths, has become politically charged.“So many of them come in thinking that I make the decision, and if they make this case, that it’s a done deal,” said Maj. A’Shellarien Lang, an Army chaplain for the National Guard. “I don’t make the decision. And so when they find that out, it’s a kind of game-changer in the sense that they know that the process has to continue.”According to the services, at least 30,000 service members are not yet vaccinated, but several thousand of those have gotten temporary or permanent medical or administrative exemptions approved. Of the remaining — which is likely 20,000 or more — thousands are working their way through the exemptions process, such as for religious reasons, or have flatly refused. That’s about 1.5% of the roughly 1.3 million active duty troops.Obtaining a religious exemption is rooted in a process that predates the pandemic and has been used for decisions such as whether troops on duty can wear head coverings or beards for religious reasons.In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel. The final decision is made higher up the chain of command and is also based on whether the person’s vaccine exemption will pose a risk to mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, the health and safety of the force, and military readiness.Even in the past, few troops have cleared those hurdles to get religious exemptions. And because the pandemic can directly affect the force’s health and readiness, the bar is even higher, so military leaders aren’t surprised by the lack of approved exemptions.But for the troops and chaplains, it’s been a bit overwhelming.“It’s just been a lot of interviews, a lot of memos,” Lang said. “I find that my colleagues are stressed just because of the logistics of getting the memo done and having to make sure they’re keeping up with the process. It’s like rapid fire.”Air Force officials initially said religious exemption requests would be answered in 30 days. But they have gotten more than 4,700 requests — far more than the other military services, and the logistics of the lengthy review process has made it difficult to meet that timeline. The Navy has received about 2,700 religious exemption requests, the Marine Corps has 3,100 and the Army about 1,700. Some that were rejected have been appealed, but there is little data on that.“We did not expect the surge of requests,” said Air Force Col. Paul Sutter, chief chaplain for religious affairs at Space Force, which is included in the Air Force.An Air Force reservist who requested a religious exemption said she’s aware of none approved so far, and she is not optimistic. The reservist, who asked that her name be withheld for privacy reasons, said her chaplain was very straightforward, laying out the process and noting the lack of approvals.Still, she said, she believes “God has a plan for my life.”Sutter and Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the National Guard’s joint chaplain office, said they tell their chaplains to be impartial as they speak with service members and to follow the process.“Meet the member where they are. Let them articulate who they are, how they believe and how they live out that faith,” Sutter said he advises chaplains. “We’re just looking for their articulation of their deeply held beliefs. You’re looking for a consistency in how they adhere to those beliefs.”Lang, who has done more than 50 interviews, said a key question she asks is what service members plan to do if their request is denied — a possibility some don’t expect.She said some troops believe God doesn’t want them vaccinated and are torn by what they see as a contradiction if God somehow doesn’t ensure they get the exemption.“If in their heart and their mind, they say this is God’s will for my life, and if the answer is no, it’s going to shatter that faith because there’s no balance. There’s no room for God to say no,” she said. “When I create the space to say what if God says no, then that opens up another whole level of faith conversation.”The Air Force reservist who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was raised a Christian and is willing to retire if her request isn’t granted, even though it would mean giving up her G.I. Bill tuition benefits that she would get if she stayed another year or more.“I will have to forfeit that,” said the mother of three children, including a newborn. Forgoing the tuition benefit, which she could transfer to her children, is worth it, she said. “I have no doubt God will provide for me.”The reservist, whose husband is in the Army and is vaccinated, was pregnant when the vaccine came out, and she was concerned about a possible reaction. Health officials have asserted it is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html" target="_blank">safe for pregnant women, but in some cases the military has granted temporary exemptions to women. The reservist said&nbsp;</a>her opposition is rooted in her faith, including concerns that some vaccines were tested on fetal cell lines developed over decades. The vaccines don’t contain fetal material.The Vatican has deemed it “morally acceptable” for Catholics to get the shot and other Christian faiths have done the same. But some religious leaders have offered exemption letter templates and voiced support for vaccine avoidance.The services, in many cases, provided chaplains with interview questions such as whether the service member’s “pattern of conduct” is consistent, whether the member routinely complies with religious practices and whether the member participates in activities “associated with the belief.”Chaplains also take into account whether service members previously received religious accommodations.“I don’t really dig into how long they’ve been in church and all of that kind of stuff because it’s really about their current reality of what they really believe,” Lang said. “And in that moment — let’s suppose it’s a political decision, but they wrap it in religiosity — that’s still what they believe in that moment.”The chaplains said the interviews have had the side benefit of making troops more aware that religious personnel are available and that the meetings are triggering longer conversations about other issues.“It’s really been a bridge to just some greater ministry,” Lang said.Chaplains also are reaching out to each other for support. The past two years have been challenging for them as they worked with troops facing a wide range of struggles — from COVID-19 losses, job pressures, racial unrest and protests, and deployments.“It really has been a major stress on our chaplain corps - just to be there as their chaplain,” said Bazer, a rabbi. “Overall folks are good, but folks are tired. I think our faith gives us that extra strength to keep us going — it’s that spiritual adrenaline push.”

Troops find religious exemption for vaccines unattainable

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jurors on Thursday convicted a suburban Minneapolis police officer of two manslaughter charges in the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-police-coronavirus-pandemic-minneapolis-d88c7d626eebcdea975dc249309a4fa5">Daunte Wright,</a>&nbsp;a Black motorist she shot during a traffic stop after she said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-science-shootings-minnesota-minneapolis-44798cda3cc0f093de20f54dabec4dec">confused her gun for her Taser.</a>

The mostly white jury deliberated for about four days before finding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-minnesota-minneapolis-arrests-ea3f946497f367662842bb08c1b8e242">former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter</a>&nbsp;guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-death-of-george-floyd-police-minneapolis-daunte-wright-2ea180cb1c5fb8ee94c8475daa1b64e0">first-degree and second-degree manslaughter.</a>&nbsp;Potter, 49, faces about seven years in prison on the most serious count under the state’s sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors said they would seek a longer term.

Judge Regina Chu ordered Potter taken into custody and held without bail, and scheduled her to be sentenced on Feb. 18. As she was led away in handcuffs, a man in the courtroom shouted “We love you, Kim!”

Outside the courthouse, dozens of people who had gathered erupted in cheers, hugs and tears of joy as the verdicts were read. Two men jumped up and down holding one another’s shoulders. Other people then began jumping up and down in place and chanting “Guilty, guilty, guilty!”

They chanted “Say his name! Daunte Wright.” Some held yellow signs that said “guilty” in large block letters.

Potter, who testified that she “didn’t want to hurt anybody,” looked down without showing any visible reaction when the verdicts were read. As Chu thanked the jury, Potter made the sign of the cross.

Potter’s attorneys argued against her being held with no bail, saying she was not going to commit another crime or go anywhere.

“It is the Christmas holiday season,” Potter attorney Paul Engh arued. “She’s a devoted Catholic, no less, and there is no point to incarcerate her at this point in time.”

“I cannot treat this case any differently than any other case,” she said.

The time-stamps on the verdicts showed that the jurors agreed on the second count on Tuesday, before they asked the judge that afternoon what to do if they were having difficulty agreeing. The guilty verdict on the more serious first-degree count was reached at 11:40 a.m. Thursday.

Potter, who is white, shot and killed the 20-year-old Wright during an April 11 traffic stop in Brooklyn Center as she and other officers were trying to arrest him on an outstanding warrant for a weapons possession charge. The shooting happened at a time of high tension in the area, with former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin standing trial just miles away for the killing of George Floyd. Potter resigned two days later.

Jurors saw video of the shooting that was captured by police body cameras and dashcams. It showed Potter and an officer she was training, Anthony Luckey, pull over Wright for having expired license plate tags and an air freshener hanging from his rear-view mirror. During the stop, Luckey discovered there was a warrant for Wright’s arrest for not appearing in court on the weapons possession charge, and he, Potter and another officer went to take Wright into custody.

Wright obeyed Luckey’s order to get out of his car, but as Luckey tried to handcuff him, Wright pulled away and got back in. As Luckey held onto Wright, Potter said “I’ll tase ya.” The video then shows Potter holding her gun in her right hand and pointing it at Wright. Again, Potter said, “I’ll tase you,” and then two seconds later: “Taser, Taser, Taser.” One second later, she fired a single bullet into Wright’s chest.

“(Expletive)! I just shot him. ... I grabbed the wrong (expletive) gun,” Potter said. A minute later, she said: “I’m going to go to prison.”

In sometimes tearful testimony, Potter told jurors that she was “sorry it happened.” She said the traffic stop “just went chaotic” and that she shouted her warning about the Taser after she saw a look of fear on the face of Sgt. Mychal Johnson, who was leaning into the passenger-side door of Wright’s car. She also told jurors that she doesn’t remember what she said or everything that happened after the shooting, as much of her memory of those moments “is missing.”

Potter’s lawyers argued that she made a mistake by drawing her gun instead of her Taser. But they also said she would have been justified in using deadly force if she had meant to because Johnson was at risk of being dragged.

Prosecutors sought to raise doubts about Potter’s testimony that she decided to act after seeing fear on Johnson’s face. Prosecutor Erin Eldridge, in cross-examination, pointed out that in an interview with a defense expert Potter said she didn’t know why she decided to draw her Taser. During her closing argument, Eldridge also replayed Potter’s body-camera video that she said never gave a clear view of Johnson’s face during the key moments.

Eldridge also downplayed testimony from some other officers who described Potter as a good person or said they saw nothing wrong in her actions: “The defendant has found herself in trouble and her police family has her back.”

Prosecutors also got Potter to agree that she didn’t plan to use deadly force. They said Potter, an experienced officer with extensive training in Taser use and use of deadly force, acted recklessly and betrayed the badge.

For first-degree manslaughter, prosecutors had to prove that Potter caused Wright’s death while committing a misdemeanor — in this case, the “reckless handling or use of a firearm so as to endanger the safety of another with such force and violence that death or great bodily harm to any person was reasonably foreseeable.”

The second-degree manslaughter charge required prosecutors to prove that Potter caused Wright’s death “by her culpable negligence,” meaning she “caused an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm” to Wright while using or possessing a firearm.

Under Minnesota law, defendants are sentenced only on the most serious conviction if multiple counts involve the same act and the same victim. Prosecutors had said they would seek to prove aggravating factors that merit what’s called an upward departure from sentencing guidelines. In Potter’s case, they alleged that her actions were a danger to others, including her fellow officers, to Wright’s passenger and to the couple whose car was struck by Wright’s after the shooting. They also alleged she abused her authority as a police officer.

The maximum for 1st-degree manslaughter is 15 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640284022434.png" alt="Potter -Hennepin County, Minn., Sheriff " />
 <figcaption>Potter -Hennepin County, Minn., Sheriff </figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jurors on Thursday convicted a suburban Minneapolis police officer of two manslaughter charges in the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-police-coronavirus-pandemic-minneapolis-d88c7d626eebcdea975dc249309a4fa5">Daunte Wright,</a>&nbsp;a Black motorist she shot during a traffic stop after she said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-science-shootings-minnesota-minneapolis-44798cda3cc0f093de20f54dabec4dec">confused her gun for her Taser.</a>The mostly white jury deliberated for about four days before finding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-minnesota-minneapolis-arrests-ea3f946497f367662842bb08c1b8e242">former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter</a>&nbsp;guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-death-of-george-floyd-police-minneapolis-daunte-wright-2ea180cb1c5fb8ee94c8475daa1b64e0">first-degree and second-degree manslaughter.</a>&nbsp;Potter, 49, faces about seven years in prison on the most serious count under the state’s sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors said they would seek a longer term.Judge Regina Chu ordered Potter taken into custody and held without bail, and scheduled her to be sentenced on Feb. 18. As she was led away in handcuffs, a man in the courtroom shouted “We love you, Kim!”Outside the courthouse, dozens of people who had gathered erupted in cheers, hugs and tears of joy as the verdicts were read. Two men jumped up and down holding one another’s shoulders. Other people then began jumping up and down in place and chanting “Guilty, guilty, guilty!”ADVERTISEMENTThey chanted “Say his name! Daunte Wright.” Some held yellow signs that said “guilty” in large block letters.Potter, who testified that she “didn’t want to hurt anybody,” looked down without showing any visible reaction when the verdicts were read. As Chu thanked the jury, Potter made the sign of the cross.Potter’s attorneys argued against her being held with no bail, saying she was not going to commit another crime or go anywhere.“It is the Christmas holiday season,” Potter attorney Paul Engh arued. “She’s a devoted Catholic, no less, and there is no point to incarcerate her at this point in time.”Chu rejected their arguments.“I cannot treat this case any differently than any other case,” she said.The time-stamps on the verdicts showed that the jurors agreed on the second count on Tuesday, before they asked the judge that afternoon what to do if they were having difficulty agreeing. The guilty verdict on the more serious first-degree count was reached at 11:40 a.m. Thursday.Potter, who is white, shot and killed the 20-year-old Wright during an April 11 traffic stop in Brooklyn Center as she and other officers were trying to arrest him on an outstanding warrant for a weapons possession charge. The shooting happened at a time of high tension in the area, with former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin standing trial just miles away for the killing of George Floyd. Potter resigned two days later.Jurors saw video of the shooting that was captured by police body cameras and dashcams. It showed Potter and an officer she was training, Anthony Luckey, pull over Wright for having expired license plate tags and an air freshener hanging from his rear-view mirror. During the stop, Luckey discovered there was a warrant for Wright’s arrest for not appearing in court on the weapons possession charge, and he, Potter and another officer went to take Wright into custody.Wright obeyed Luckey’s order to get out of his car, but as Luckey tried to handcuff him, Wright pulled away and got back in. As Luckey held onto Wright, Potter said “I’ll tase ya.” The video then shows Potter holding her gun in her right hand and pointing it at Wright. Again, Potter said, “I’ll tase you,” and then two seconds later: “Taser, Taser, Taser.” One second later, she fired a single bullet into Wright’s chest.“(Expletive)! I just shot him. ... I grabbed the wrong (expletive) gun,” Potter said. A minute later, she said: “I’m going to go to prison.”In sometimes tearful testimony, Potter told jurors that she was “sorry it happened.” She said the traffic stop “just went chaotic” and that she shouted her warning about the Taser after she saw a look of fear on the face of Sgt. Mychal Johnson, who was leaning into the passenger-side door of Wright’s car. She also told jurors that she doesn’t remember what she said or everything that happened after the shooting, as much of her memory of those moments “is missing.”Potter’s lawyers argued that she made a mistake by drawing her gun instead of her Taser. But they also said she would have been justified in using deadly force if she had meant to because Johnson was at risk of being dragged.Prosecutors sought to raise doubts about Potter’s testimony that she decided to act after seeing fear on Johnson’s face. Prosecutor Erin Eldridge, in cross-examination, pointed out that in an interview with a defense expert Potter said she didn’t know why she decided to draw her Taser. During her closing argument, Eldridge also replayed Potter’s body-camera video that she said never gave a clear view of Johnson’s face during the key moments.Eldridge also downplayed testimony from some other officers who described Potter as a good person or said they saw nothing wrong in her actions: “The defendant has found herself in trouble and her police family has her back.”Prosecutors also got Potter to agree that she didn’t plan to use deadly force. They said Potter, an experienced officer with extensive training in Taser use and use of deadly force, acted recklessly and betrayed the badge.For first-degree manslaughter, prosecutors had to prove that Potter caused Wright’s death while committing a misdemeanor — in this case, the “reckless handling or use of a firearm so as to endanger the safety of another with such force and violence that death or great bodily harm to any person was reasonably foreseeable.”The second-degree manslaughter charge required prosecutors to prove that Potter caused Wright’s death “by her culpable negligence,” meaning she “caused an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm” to Wright while using or possessing a firearm.Under Minnesota law, defendants are sentenced only on the most serious conviction if multiple counts involve the same act and the same victim. Prosecutors had said they would seek to prove aggravating factors that merit what’s called an upward departure from sentencing guidelines. In Potter’s case, they alleged that her actions were a danger to others, including her fellow officers, to Wright’s passenger and to the couple whose car was struck by Wright’s after the shooting. They also alleged she abused her authority as a police officer.The maximum for 1st-degree manslaughter is 15 years.___

Jury: Ex-police officer who pulled gun instead of Taser found guilty

COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide that took place Wednesday night at the Cowley State Fishing Lake, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Cowley State Fishing Lake. Deputies responded to the Lake and conducted an extensive search with the reporting party in order to locate the victim.

At approximately 8 p.m., they discovered 37-year-old Joel Leon-Santos, of Arkansas City, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Sheriff’s deputies and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted life-saving measures but Leon-Santos died from his injuries. The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

Also assisting with this case is the Winfield Police Department and the Arkansas City Police Department. An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640275108046.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide that took place Wednesday night at the Cowley State Fishing Lake, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Cowley State Fishing Lake. Deputies responded to the Lake and conducted an extensive search with the reporting party in order to locate the victim.At approximately 8 p.m., they discovered 37-year-old Joel Leon-Santos, of Arkansas City, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. Sheriff’s deputies and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol attempted life-saving measures but Leon-Santos died from his injuries. The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.Also assisting with this case is the Winfield Police Department and the Arkansas City Police Department. An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.

KBI: Homicide investigation at Cowley State Fishing Lake

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Heading into Christmas travel, gas prices in Kansas continue to be around the $3 a gallon mark.

"Right now, we've been experiencing a little bit of a decline in gas prices over the past four to six weeks," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Here in Kansas, we're at $2.97 a gallon. That's down 2 cents from a week ago and down eight cents from where we were a month ago."

"Nationally, we're at $3.29 a gallon, on average," Steward said.

If you're traveling, most places both in Kansas and in the region are a little less expensive than at home with Kansas City, KS at $2.94, Manhattan at $2.96, Topeka at $2.95 and Wichita at $2.96.

"As usual, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, those are actually the four cheapest gas price states in the country," Steward said. "If you're traveling around here, you'll be getting a little bit of a benefit in your wallet when you go to fill up the tank."

Gray County, Texas in the Panhandle east of Amarillo is the least expensive county in the least expensive state at $2.63 a gallon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637673365192.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Heading into Christmas travel, gas prices in Kansas continue to be around the $3 a gallon mark."Right now, we've been experiencing a little bit of a decline in gas prices over the past four to six weeks," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Here in Kansas, we're at $2.97 a gallon. That's down 2 cents from a week ago and down eight cents from where we were a month ago.""Nationally, we're at $3.29 a gallon, on average," Steward said.If you're traveling, most places both in Kansas and in the region are a little less expensive than at home with Kansas City, KS at $2.94, Manhattan at $2.96, Topeka at $2.95 and Wichita at $2.96."As usual, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, those are actually the four cheapest gas price states in the country," Steward said. "If you're traveling around here, you'll be getting a little bit of a benefit in your wallet when you go to fill up the tank."Gray County, Texas in the Panhandle east of Amarillo is the least expensive county in the least expensive state at $2.63 a gallon.

Gas prices still around $3 a gallon heading to Christmas in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Thursday authorized the second pill against COVID-19, providing another easy-to-use medication to battle the rising tide of omicron infections.

The Food and Drug Administration authorization of Merck’s molnupiravir comes one day after the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">cleared a competing drug</a>&nbsp;from Pfizer. That pill, Paxlovid, is likely to become the first-choice treatment against the virus, thanks to its superior benefits and milder side effects.

As a result, Merck’s pill is expected to have a smaller role against the pandemic than predicted just a few weeks ago. Its ability to head off severe COVID-19 is much smaller than initially announced and the drug label will warn of serious safety issues, including the potential for birth defects.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized Merck’s drug for adults with early symptoms of COVID-19 who face the highest risks of hospitalization, including older people and those with conditions like obesity and heart disease. The U.K. first authorized the pill in early November.

Known as molnupiravir, the Merck drug will carry a warning against use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use birth control during treatment and for a few days after while men should use birth control for at least three months after their final dose, the FDA said.

The restrictions were expected after an FDA advisory panel only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-medication-6932faff66f9295417b2b1f5e02a2165">narrowly endorsed</a>&nbsp;the drug last month, warning that its use would have to be strictly tailored to patients who can benefit the most.

The Pfizer pill works differently and doesn’t carry the same risks. Additionally, Pfizer’s drug was roughly three times more effective in testing, reducing hospitalization and death by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-1662719827498fa2b1a4f168c7723688">nearly 90% among high-risk patients,</a>&nbsp;compared with 30% for Merck’s.

Some experts question whether there will be much of a role for the Merck drug in the U.S.

“To the extent that there’s an ample supply of Pfizer’s pill, I think it won’t be used,” said Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic, referring to the Merck drug. “There would be no reason, given it has less efficacy and a higher risk of side effects.”

For now, the FDA decision provides another potential option against the virus that has killed more than 800,000 Americans, even as health officials brace for record-setting cases, hospitalizations and deaths driven by the omicron variant. Antiviral pills, including Merck’s, are expected to be effective against omicron because they don’t target the spike protein where most of the variant’s worrisome mutations reside.

The FDA based its decision on results showing nearly 7% of patients taking the drug ended up in the hospital and one died at the end of 30 days. That compared with 10% of patients hospitalized who were taking the placebo and nine deaths.

Federal officials have agreed to purchase enough of the drug to treat 3.1 million people.

The U.S. will pay about $700 for each course of Merck’s drug, which requires patients to take four pills twice a day for five days. A review by Harvard University and King’s College London estimated it costs about $18 to make each 40-pill course of treatment.

Merck’s drug inserts tiny errors into the coronavirus’ genetic code to slow its reproduction. That genetic effect has raised concerns that the drug could cause mutations in human fetuses and even spur more virulent strains of the virus. But FDA scientists said the variant risk is largely theoretical because people take the drug for such a short period of time.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Thursday authorized the second pill against COVID-19, providing another easy-to-use medication to battle the rising tide of omicron infections.The Food and Drug Administration authorization of Merck’s molnupiravir comes one day after the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">cleared a competing drug</a>&nbsp;from Pfizer. That pill, Paxlovid, is likely to become the first-choice treatment against the virus, thanks to its superior benefits and milder side effects.As a result, Merck’s pill is expected to have a smaller role against the pandemic than predicted just a few weeks ago. Its ability to head off severe COVID-19 is much smaller than initially announced and the drug label will warn of serious safety issues, including the potential for birth defects.The Food and Drug Administration authorized Merck’s drug for adults with early symptoms of COVID-19 who face the highest risks of hospitalization, including older people and those with conditions like obesity and heart disease. The U.K. first authorized the pill in early November.Known as molnupiravir, the Merck drug will carry a warning against use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use birth control during treatment and for a few days after while men should use birth control for at least three months after their final dose, the FDA said.The restrictions were expected after an FDA advisory panel only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-medication-6932faff66f9295417b2b1f5e02a2165">narrowly endorsed</a>&nbsp;the drug last month, warning that its use would have to be strictly tailored to patients who can benefit the most.The Pfizer pill works differently and doesn’t carry the same risks. Additionally, Pfizer’s drug was roughly three times more effective in testing, reducing hospitalization and death by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-1662719827498fa2b1a4f168c7723688">nearly 90% among high-risk patients,</a>&nbsp;compared with 30% for Merck’s.Some experts question whether there will be much of a role for the Merck drug in the U.S.“To the extent that there’s an ample supply of Pfizer’s pill, I think it won’t be used,” said Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic, referring to the Merck drug. “There would be no reason, given it has less efficacy and a higher risk of side effects.”For now, the FDA decision provides another potential option against the virus that has killed more than 800,000 Americans, even as health officials brace for record-setting cases, hospitalizations and deaths driven by the omicron variant. Antiviral pills, including Merck’s, are expected to be effective against omicron because they don’t target the spike protein where most of the variant’s worrisome mutations reside.The FDA based its decision on results showing nearly 7% of patients taking the drug ended up in the hospital and one died at the end of 30 days. That compared with 10% of patients hospitalized who were taking the placebo and nine deaths.Federal officials have agreed to purchase enough of the drug to treat 3.1 million people.The U.S. will pay about $700 for each course of Merck’s drug, which requires patients to take four pills twice a day for five days. A review by Harvard University and King’s College London estimated it costs about $18 to make each 40-pill course of treatment.Merck’s drug inserts tiny errors into the coronavirus’ genetic code to slow its reproduction. That genetic effect has raised concerns that the drug could cause mutations in human fetuses and even spur more virulent strains of the virus. But FDA scientists said the variant risk is largely theoretical because people take the drug for such a short period of time.

FDA approves 2nd at home treatment against COVID-19

ELK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two men were shot and killed outside a home in Longton, Kansas early Thursday morning, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Elk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on Thursday, Dec. 23, at approximately 12:10 a.m. The caller reported that a man had shot two other men at 205 W. 5th&nbsp;St. in Longton.

At approximately 12:40 a.m., the Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicated that Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton, a 57-year-old white male from Longton (who has not been identified pending notification of his kin), and three other men were at an outdoor gathering at a residence. While they were outside, Lyle W. Miller, 41, of Longton, arrived at the gathering. After a short time, Miller pulled a pistol from his waist and shot Smith and the 57-year-old man at close range. Miller then fled the area to a nearby residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.

When deputies from the Elk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene both Smith and the 57-year-old man were pronounced dead.

Deputies determined Miller had entered the residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.&nbsp; Law enforcement surrounded the house. 

They made frequent announcements to Miller attempting to convince him to exit the home. No response occurred, so at approximately 5:50 a.m., a robot was sent inside. It located what seemed to be a deceased male in the attic. Tactical teams made entry into the house and confirmed that Miller was dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

ELK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two men were shot and killed outside a home in Longton, Kansas early Thursday morning, according to a media release from the KBI.The Elk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on Thursday, Dec. 23, at approximately 12:10 a.m. The caller reported that a man had shot two other men at 205 W. 5th&nbsp;St. in Longton.At approximately 12:40 a.m., the Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.The preliminary investigation indicated that Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton, a 57-year-old white male from Longton (who has not been identified pending notification of his kin), and three other men were at an outdoor gathering at a residence. While they were outside, Lyle W. Miller, 41, of Longton, arrived at the gathering. After a short time, Miller pulled a pistol from his waist and shot Smith and the 57-year-old man at close range. Miller then fled the area to a nearby residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.When deputies from the Elk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene both Smith and the 57-year-old man were pronounced dead.Deputies determined Miller had entered the residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.&nbsp; Law enforcement surrounded the house. They made frequent announcements to Miller attempting to convince him to exit the home. No response occurred, so at approximately 5:50 a.m., a robot was sent inside. It located what seemed to be a deceased male in the attic. Tactical teams made entry into the house and confirmed that Miller was dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

KBI: 2 dead after shooting outside Kansas home

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged arson fire at a home in Topeka.

Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a domestic violence call in the 2600 block of SE Minnesota Avenue, according to Police Lt. Aaron Jones.

 Upon arrival they noticed smoke coming from the house. All occupants were able to vacate the residence safely.

The Topeka Fire Department responded as officers continued to gather information about the domestic incident and attempted to locate 31-year-old Rudz Descartes of Topeka, involved in the domestic incident.

Just before 7:30 a.m., an officer located the Descartes near 28th and SE Adams. He resisted arrest and battered a police officer while being taken into custody. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

The estimated dollar loss from the fire is $7,500.00 of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $2,500.00 is associated with contents loss, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

&nbsp;Descartes is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal Threat (Domestic Violence, Violation of a Protection Order, Arson, Felony Obstruction, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640210781672.png" alt="Descartes-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Descartes-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged arson fire at a home in Topeka.Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a domestic violence call in the 2600 block of SE Minnesota Avenue, according to Police Lt. Aaron Jones. Upon arrival they noticed smoke coming from the house. All occupants were able to vacate the residence safely.The Topeka Fire Department responded as officers continued to gather information about the domestic incident and attempted to locate 31-year-old Rudz Descartes of Topeka, involved in the domestic incident.Just before 7:30 a.m., an officer located the Descartes near 28th and SE Adams. He resisted arrest and battered a police officer while being taken into custody. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.The estimated dollar loss from the fire is $7,500.00 of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $2,500.00 is associated with contents loss, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.&nbsp;Descartes is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal Threat (Domestic Violence, Violation of a Protection Order, Arson, Felony Obstruction, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer

Kan. man accused of setting fire during domestic dispute

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday proposed giving Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year a one-time rebate of $250, dropping the idea on a skeptical Republican-controlled Legislature as she faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-elections-4d59c1a0e5c3a27410a547966ec3f8c1">a tough reelection race.</a>

The governor had given no public hints that she was considering such a proposal, and she’s already called for eliminating the state’s high-for-the-U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">sales tax on groceries.</a>&nbsp;Her successful 2018 campaign for governor emphasized her opposition as a state senator to an earlier and nationally notorious experiment in slashing state income taxes under GOP Gov. Sam Brownback that was followed by persistent budget shortfalls.

But Kelly said Kansas can afford one-time rebates because the payments won’t permanently reduce state revenues. The state budget is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-topeka-kansas-state-governments-0317bd2622cae9f317d5a002ec3469ea">dramatically better shape</a>&nbsp;than it was before lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">repealed most</a>&nbsp;of the Brownback-era tax cuts in 2017, with tax collections exceeding expectations for all but three months since then.

The governor’s statement on the proposal touted her management of the state’s finances and efforts to attract business development, which are likely to be prominent themes in her reelection campaign.

“We can return money to taxpayers,” Kelly said in her statement, adding that the “significant savings for every family” would be delivered by next summer — just months before the November general election.

Kelly’s plan would provide $250 to individual tax filers and $500 to married couples filing jointly. The rebates would go to 1.2 million Kansas residents, costing the state about $445 million. People would get the rebate even if they didn’t owe taxes for the year, Kelly’s office said.

The Legislature would have to approve the plan after convening Jan. 10 for its next annual session. GOP lawmakers are expected to have their own proposals for cutting income taxes permanently.

Republicans were immediately skeptical of Kelly’s plan, both because of its timing and because the tax relief would not continue after next year. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. said they prefer permanent tax cuts.

Republicans are confident that they can unseat Kelly next year, banking on frustration with Democratic President Joe Biden’s policies energizing conservatives and causing other GOP-leaning voters to vote against Kelly. Masterson, an Andover Republican, said Kelly’s latest plan show she had an “election year revelation.”

Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said: “Kansans are smart, they can see right through Laura Kelly’s attempt to throw $250 their way right before her election.”

Republicans also were skeptical because Kelly has vetoed three GOP proposals to cut income taxes, each time suggesting that Republicans were fiscally irresponsible and trying to repeat the Brownback tax experiment. GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-personal-taxes-elections-gun-politics-laws-f3dd335006fc321a08bc1716b211e418">overrode Kelly’s veto</a>&nbsp;of individual and corporate income tax cuts worth roughly $95 million a year.

And Kelly has repeatedly called for caution amid monthly revenue surpluses. After tax collections exceeded expectations by 3.1% in November — even after fiscal forecasters boosted their projections — Kelly said, “While our state revenue numbers continue to be encouraging, maintaining fiscal responsibility is paramount moving forward.”

While top Democratic lawmakers promised strong support, it wasn’t immediately clear if Kelly’s proposal had universal support among members of her party.

Jonathan Cole, a liberal Manhattan community activist,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cole4kansas/status/1473688113402855439" target="_blank">almost immediately tweeted</a>&nbsp;that the proposal is “horrible politics.”

“What a perfect opportunity to have Republicans attack you for ‘buying’ votes,” he said.

Meanwhile, eliminating the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries has broad, bipartisan support. The proposal would cost the state roughly $450 million a year in revenues — but Kansas’ tax on groceries is the second only to Mississippi’s among U.S. states.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/assets/docs/Research/Rates/sales.pdf" target="_blank">Only six states</a>&nbsp;tax groceries at the same rate as other consumer goods, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators.

The presumed GOP nominee for governor next year, state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, called for reducing or eliminating the tax on groceries last month, a few days before Kelly formally unveiled the plan she’d been working on. Schmidt’s campaign manager, C.J. Grover, accused Kelly on Wednesday of attempting an “election-year makeover.”

But Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said Kelly’s proposal on income taxes will “give Kansas families a leg up.”

Her House counterpart, Rep. Tom Sawyer, of Wichita, said with the state’s financially healthy, “We need to make sure hard-working families benefit as soon as possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607368689953.jpeg" alt="Senate President Ty Masterson -photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Ty Masterson -photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday proposed giving Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year a one-time rebate of $250, dropping the idea on a skeptical Republican-controlled Legislature as she faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-elections-4d59c1a0e5c3a27410a547966ec3f8c1">a tough reelection race.</a>The governor had given no public hints that she was considering such a proposal, and she’s already called for eliminating the state’s high-for-the-U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">sales tax on groceries.</a>&nbsp;Her successful 2018 campaign for governor emphasized her opposition as a state senator to an earlier and nationally notorious experiment in slashing state income taxes under GOP Gov. Sam Brownback that was followed by persistent budget shortfalls.But Kelly said Kansas can afford one-time rebates because the payments won’t permanently reduce state revenues. The state budget is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-topeka-kansas-state-governments-0317bd2622cae9f317d5a002ec3469ea">dramatically better shape</a>&nbsp;than it was before lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">repealed most</a>&nbsp;of the Brownback-era tax cuts in 2017, with tax collections exceeding expectations for all but three months since then.The governor’s statement on the proposal touted her management of the state’s finances and efforts to attract business development, which are likely to be prominent themes in her reelection campaign.“We can return money to taxpayers,” Kelly said in her statement, adding that the “significant savings for every family” would be delivered by next summer — just months before the November general election.Kelly’s plan would provide $250 to individual tax filers and $500 to married couples filing jointly. The rebates would go to 1.2 million Kansas residents, costing the state about $445 million. People would get the rebate even if they didn’t owe taxes for the year, Kelly’s office said.The Legislature would have to approve the plan after convening Jan. 10 for its next annual session. GOP lawmakers are expected to have their own proposals for cutting income taxes permanently.Republicans were immediately skeptical of Kelly’s plan, both because of its timing and because the tax relief would not continue after next year. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. said they prefer permanent tax cuts.Republicans are confident that they can unseat Kelly next year, banking on frustration with Democratic President Joe Biden’s policies energizing conservatives and causing other GOP-leaning voters to vote against Kelly. Masterson, an Andover Republican, said Kelly’s latest plan show she had an “election year revelation.”Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said: “Kansans are smart, they can see right through Laura Kelly’s attempt to throw $250 their way right before her election.”Republicans also were skeptical because Kelly has vetoed three GOP proposals to cut income taxes, each time suggesting that Republicans were fiscally irresponsible and trying to repeat the Brownback tax experiment. GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-personal-taxes-elections-gun-politics-laws-f3dd335006fc321a08bc1716b211e418">overrode Kelly’s veto</a>&nbsp;of individual and corporate income tax cuts worth roughly $95 million a year.And Kelly has repeatedly called for caution amid monthly revenue surpluses. After tax collections exceeded expectations by 3.1% in November — even after fiscal forecasters boosted their projections — Kelly said, “While our state revenue numbers continue to be encouraging, maintaining fiscal responsibility is paramount moving forward.”While top Democratic lawmakers promised strong support, it wasn’t immediately clear if Kelly’s proposal had universal support among members of her party.Jonathan Cole, a liberal Manhattan community activist,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cole4kansas/status/1473688113402855439" target="_blank">almost immediately tweeted</a>&nbsp;that the proposal is “horrible politics.”“What a perfect opportunity to have Republicans attack you for ‘buying’ votes,” he said.Meanwhile, eliminating the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries has broad, bipartisan support. The proposal would cost the state roughly $450 million a year in revenues — but Kansas’ tax on groceries is the second only to Mississippi’s among U.S. states.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/assets/docs/Research/Rates/sales.pdf" target="_blank">Only six states</a>&nbsp;tax groceries at the same rate as other consumer goods, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators.The presumed GOP nominee for governor next year, state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, called for reducing or eliminating the tax on groceries last month, a few days before Kelly formally unveiled the plan she’d been working on. Schmidt’s campaign manager, C.J. Grover, accused Kelly on Wednesday of attempting an “election-year makeover.”But Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said Kelly’s proposal on income taxes will “give Kansas families a leg up.”Her House counterpart, Rep. Tom Sawyer, of Wichita, said with the state’s financially healthy, “We need to make sure hard-working families benefit as soon as possible.”___

GOP skeptical of Kan. governor's proposed $250 tax rebates

PITTSBURGH, PA (AP) — Police say a man suspected of shoplifting at a store where he worked in Pittsburgh is wanted for homicide in Texas. Officers were called to the Family Dollar store on Wednesday night to assist with the termination of 22-year-old Joseph Tedder of Hutchinson, Kansas. 

But Tedder fled the scene. Police say they soon learned Tedder was wanted in connection with a homicide in early November in Austin, Texas, that stemmed from a drug deal. 

Authorities tracked Tedder to a Pittsburgh home and he was taken into custody. He's awaiting arraignment and an extradition hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640264599102.png" alt="Tedder-photo&nbsp;Allegheny County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Tedder-photo&nbsp;Allegheny County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSBURGH, PA (AP) — Police say a man suspected of shoplifting at a store where he worked in Pittsburgh is wanted for homicide in Texas. Officers were called to the Family Dollar store on Wednesday night to assist with the termination of 22-year-old Joseph Tedder of Hutchinson, Kansas. But Tedder fled the scene. Police say they soon learned Tedder was wanted in connection with a homicide in early November in Austin, Texas, that stemmed from a drug deal. Authorities tracked Tedder to a Pittsburgh home and he was taken into custody. He's awaiting arraignment and an extradition hearing.

Kansas man jailed in Pennsylvania wanted for Texas homicide

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to two Biden administration policies covering vaccine requirements for millions of workers, policies that affect large employers and health care workers.

The high court’s announcement Wednesday that it will hear arguments in the cases Jan. 7 comes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">amid rising coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;and is an extraordinarily fast timeline. The court had not been scheduled to hear cases again until Jan. 10.

A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-880d2052bb4127fb40bcaaca98514753">ruled 2-1 on Friday</a>&nbsp;that the vaccine or testing regime for workers at larger companies could take effect. The plan requires workers at larger companies to be vaccinated or wear face masks and get tested weekly. The requirement could affect some 84 million U.S. workers.

Republican-led states, conservative organizations and businesses had challenged the requirement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published the rule in early November. The rule was to go into effect Jan. 4.

The high court also will hear arguments over a rule published Nov. 5 by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid that applies to a wide range of health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. It requires their workers to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 and be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4. It was projected to affect more than 17 million workers in about 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers.

Decisions by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as well as a federal judge in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-new-orleans-17a164134a3ea6a615f1ac12a288b6f5">have the mandate blocked in about half of states</a>.

In a statement Wednesday evening after the court announced it would hear arguments, the White House defended its policies and said that especially with the rise of the coronavirus’ omicron variant, “it is critical to protect workers with vaccination requirements and testing protocols that are urgently needed.”

“We are confident in the legal authority for both policies and (the Justice Department) will vigorously defend both at the Supreme Court,” the statement said.

The high court’s decision to quickly hold arguments on the requirements was unusual. Both issues arrived at the court on an emergency basis, and the court usually quickly decides emergency applications without the more typical full briefing and oral argument.

But the court has also been criticized recently for how it handles the process, which has been called the court’s “shadow docket.” Justice Samuel Alito&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-courts-us-supreme-court-samuel-alito-211dd5411c74746ede15d3b861420e60">pushed back in September</a>&nbsp;against that criticism, saying it was unwarranted.

The Supreme Court announced earlier this year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-us-supreme-court-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-512e90426518f23b69a4e90a24eff19f">all the justices have been vaccinated</a>. Because of the coronavirus, however, the court is not open to the public. Lawyers arguing cases must test negative COVID-19 and journalists observing arguments must also have a negative test.

Also brewing in lower courts are challenges to the Biden administration’s requirement that federal contractors receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to two Biden administration policies covering vaccine requirements for millions of workers, policies that affect large employers and health care workers.The high court’s announcement Wednesday that it will hear arguments in the cases Jan. 7 comes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">amid rising coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;and is an extraordinarily fast timeline. The court had not been scheduled to hear cases again until Jan. 10.A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-880d2052bb4127fb40bcaaca98514753">ruled 2-1 on Friday</a>&nbsp;that the vaccine or testing regime for workers at larger companies could take effect. The plan requires workers at larger companies to be vaccinated or wear face masks and get tested weekly. The requirement could affect some 84 million U.S. workers.Republican-led states, conservative organizations and businesses had challenged the requirement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published the rule in early November. The rule was to go into effect Jan. 4.The high court also will hear arguments over a rule published Nov. 5 by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid that applies to a wide range of health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. It requires their workers to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 and be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4. It was projected to affect more than 17 million workers in about 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers.Decisions by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as well as a federal judge in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-new-orleans-17a164134a3ea6a615f1ac12a288b6f5">have the mandate blocked in about half of states</a>.In a statement Wednesday evening after the court announced it would hear arguments, the White House defended its policies and said that especially with the rise of the coronavirus’ omicron variant, “it is critical to protect workers with vaccination requirements and testing protocols that are urgently needed.”“We are confident in the legal authority for both policies and (the Justice Department) will vigorously defend both at the Supreme Court,” the statement said.The high court’s decision to quickly hold arguments on the requirements was unusual. Both issues arrived at the court on an emergency basis, and the court usually quickly decides emergency applications without the more typical full briefing and oral argument.But the court has also been criticized recently for how it handles the process, which has been called the court’s “shadow docket.” Justice Samuel Alito&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-courts-us-supreme-court-samuel-alito-211dd5411c74746ede15d3b861420e60">pushed back in September</a>&nbsp;against that criticism, saying it was unwarranted.The Supreme Court announced earlier this year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-us-supreme-court-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-512e90426518f23b69a4e90a24eff19f">all the justices have been vaccinated</a>. Because of the coronavirus, however, the court is not open to the public. Lawyers arguing cases must test negative COVID-19 and journalists observing arguments must also have a negative test.Also brewing in lower courts are challenges to the Biden administration’s requirement that federal contractors receive COVID-19 vaccinations.