By
NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
For families living with dementia, the holidays can be challenging and bittersweet. Festivities can agitate, confuse, and overstimulate people with the disease. Juliette Bradley with the Alzheimer's Association notes that some things you do every year may not need to be the same.

"Change tradition," Bradley said. "It's not horribly important that we have the same tradition every year. It's okay. We need to give ourselves permission to do things differently."

Some of those traditions may actually overstimulate someone with dementia.

"We know that lights and cards and visitors and people and discussion, that can be a little bit too much stimulation," Bradley said. "Like I said, give yourself permission to do things a little bit differently."

If you're the person going into the care situation who is visiting, you need to understand that it won't be like you remember it any more.

"Make sure that you are lowering those expectations," Bradley said. "It's going to make it really easier on that caregiver and on the individual who has Alzheimer's disease, if the expectations are lowered."

If you want to help a caregiver, give them specific suggestions for when and how you can help them, but put it as part of your regular routine. Spending time with the person with the disease so that the caregiver can get time to themselves is one of the best gifts you can give. For more information on Alzheimer's and how to help, go to <a href="https://www.alz.org/">alz.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589816811323.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
For families living with dementia, the holidays can be challenging and bittersweet. Festivities can agitate, confuse, and overstimulate people with the disease. Juliette Bradley with the Alzheimer's Association notes that some things you do every year may not need to be the same."Change tradition," Bradley said. "It's not horribly important that we have the same tradition every year. It's okay. We need to give ourselves permission to do things differently."Some of those traditions may actually overstimulate someone with dementia."We know that lights and cards and visitors and people and discussion, that can be a little bit too much stimulation," Bradley said. "Like I said, give yourself permission to do things a little bit differently."If you're the person going into the care situation who is visiting, you need to understand that it won't be like you remember it any more."Make sure that you are lowering those expectations," Bradley said. "It's going to make it really easier on that caregiver and on the individual who has Alzheimer's disease, if the expectations are lowered."If you want to help a caregiver, give them specific suggestions for when and how you can help them, but put it as part of your regular routine. Spending time with the person with the disease so that the caregiver can get time to themselves is one of the best gifts you can give. For more information on Alzheimer's and how to help, go to <a href="https://www.alz.org/">alz.org</a>.

Embrace changing holidays when dealing with Alzheimer's

By SHAWNA BETHELL <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/24/despite-addictive-news-of-gloom-and-doom-hope-flourishes-around-us/">For the Kansas Reflector</a>

I talked to a friend of mine 
recently. She has always been one of those people who began work around 8
 a.m. and could easily be found editing her final report a good 12 hours
 later, taking a break only to go on an arduous hike to reach her daily 
exercise goals. But now, she said, she’s often ready to go back to bed 
by noon, too tired or indifferent to work or even go on the gentlest 
stroll.

I understand. I often find myself 
ready to hide under the covers by noon and I’m beginning to think it is 
not allergies or illness or even a less-than-quality night’s sleep. It 
is simply world fatigue: too much doom, darkness, drama. Too much news, 
too much social media, too much bickering just to bicker. The world is 
burning and I — who have been an activist all my life — just want to pop
 in a movie and let the flames rise.

But I am beginning to wonder how much
 of the doom is cultivated by major media outlets angling for our 
attention. And as a writer, it pains me to say this.

I do believe our climate is changing.
 I believe we are facing a dangerous pandemic. I don’t dispute these 
events. However it is also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pnas.org/content/116/38/18888">well documented</a> that humans are geared to fixate on the negative. It is theorized that early in our evolution, we had to focus our awareness on danger — the negative aspects of life — because it was necessary for survival. Media outlets can prey on this tendency.

The problem is that a fear-based existence also creates <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apathy">apathy</a>,
 a numbness that eventually prevents us from engaging. I am afraid that 
for the past few years we have been in such a permanent “high alert” 
status, that we have tuned out, out of self-preservation.

A journalist friend <a target="_blank" href="https://www.landdesk.org/p/news-roundup-are-we-doomed">wrote in his newsletter</a>
 over the summer that after researching his work and flying across two 
continents shrouded by smoke, his optimism is finally eroding. I have 
felt the same myself, until recently.

It’s not that I’ve become a Pollyanna
 or that I have my head in the sand. Often, even, I have been called a 
pessimist, though I prefer to think of myself as a realist. I still 
believe that humans will not act for change until they find themselves 
face to face with whatever dread thing is happening. For example, we are
 appalled at images of sea animals dying from masses of plastic in their
 stomachs; however, unless we were on the beach with the suffering 
beast, most of us will continue to buy plastic trinkets.

But my fear is that we are reaching a
 point when even the people who do care and who do act are becoming 
unable to do so. I fear, in our fear-based, media-fed apathy, that we 
will not dredge up the fortitude to make plausible change happen. I am 
afraid we will only ask ourselves, “What’s the point?”

Last night I watched a nature show, 
which I rarely do anymore, and I braced myself. Understanding the issues
 of climate and extinction, I dreaded the feeling of despair I knew 
would come when the show ended and they gave me the dire warning about 
what we are losing. But the warning didn’t come. Instead, the narrator 
explained in a single sentence the richness we still had and the 
opportunities to protect it. It left me hopeful, enamored with our 
natural world and re-invested in its protection. The television 
producers had used a different mental tactic, and it hit its mark.

As a writer and activist, I 
understand the anger and the urge to shock people into action. But I 
have also come to believe it doesn’t work; people revolt against feeling
 guilty.

Of course we need to be informed as 
to the hard realities that exist, because they are real, and we must 
rely on quality journalism for that information. We also need to 
understand that quietly and without fanfare, people across the world are
 doing amazing things. Instead of scrolling for doom, we must acquaint 
ourselves with solutions and share them.

It is true that our world will never 
again look the way it did when any of us were born. Change is happening 
rapidly. But it is possible to work within the parameters we have and 
move forward. That, too, is already happening. It is OK to hope. Let it 
be as contagious as our fear.

Shawna Bethell is a freelance essayist/journalist covering the people and places of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Before returning home, she wrote for several publications in the southwestern United States.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637788474327.png" alt="A blue jay perched on a bare branch can serve as a symbol of hope during this Thanksgiving season, when so much seems awry in our country and the world. (Shawna Bethell / Courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A blue jay perched on a bare branch can serve as a symbol of hope during this Thanksgiving season, when so much seems awry in our country and the world. (Shawna Bethell / Courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHAWNA BETHELL <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/24/despite-addictive-news-of-gloom-and-doom-hope-flourishes-around-us/">For the Kansas Reflector</a>I talked to a friend of mine 
recently. She has always been one of those people who began work around 8
 a.m. and could easily be found editing her final report a good 12 hours
 later, taking a break only to go on an arduous hike to reach her daily 
exercise goals. But now, she said, she’s often ready to go back to bed 
by noon, too tired or indifferent to work or even go on the gentlest 
stroll.I understand. I often find myself 
ready to hide under the covers by noon and I’m beginning to think it is 
not allergies or illness or even a less-than-quality night’s sleep. It 
is simply world fatigue: too much doom, darkness, drama. Too much news, 
too much social media, too much bickering just to bicker. The world is 
burning and I — who have been an activist all my life — just want to pop
 in a movie and let the flames rise.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>But I am beginning to wonder how much
 of the doom is cultivated by major media outlets angling for our 
attention. And as a writer, it pains me to say this.I do believe our climate is changing.
 I believe we are facing a dangerous pandemic. I don’t dispute these 
events. However it is also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pnas.org/content/116/38/18888">well documented</a> that humans are geared to fixate on the negative. It is theorized that early in our evolution, we had to focus our awareness on danger — the negative aspects of life — because it was necessary for survival. Media outlets can prey on this tendency.The problem is that a fear-based existence also creates <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apathy">apathy</a>,
 a numbness that eventually prevents us from engaging. I am afraid that 
for the past few years we have been in such a permanent “high alert” 
status, that we have tuned out, out of self-preservation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637788535393.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A journalist friend <a target="_blank" href="https://www.landdesk.org/p/news-roundup-are-we-doomed">wrote in his newsletter</a>
 over the summer that after researching his work and flying across two 
continents shrouded by smoke, his optimism is finally eroding. I have 
felt the same myself, until recently.It’s not that I’ve become a Pollyanna
 or that I have my head in the sand. Often, even, I have been called a 
pessimist, though I prefer to think of myself as a realist. I still 
believe that humans will not act for change until they find themselves 
face to face with whatever dread thing is happening. For example, we are
 appalled at images of sea animals dying from masses of plastic in their
 stomachs; however, unless we were on the beach with the suffering 
beast, most of us will continue to buy plastic trinkets.But my fear is that we are reaching a
 point when even the people who do care and who do act are becoming 
unable to do so. I fear, in our fear-based, media-fed apathy, that we 
will not dredge up the fortitude to make plausible change happen. I am 
afraid we will only ask ourselves, “What’s the point?”Last night I watched a nature show, 
which I rarely do anymore, and I braced myself. Understanding the issues
 of climate and extinction, I dreaded the feeling of despair I knew 
would come when the show ended and they gave me the dire warning about 
what we are losing. But the warning didn’t come. Instead, the narrator 
explained in a single sentence the richness we still had and the 
opportunities to protect it. It left me hopeful, enamored with our 
natural world and re-invested in its protection. The television 
producers had used a different mental tactic, and it hit its mark.As a writer and activist, I 
understand the anger and the urge to shock people into action. But I 
have also come to believe it doesn’t work; people revolt against feeling
 guilty.Of course we need to be informed as 
to the hard realities that exist, because they are real, and we must 
rely on quality journalism for that information. We also need to 
understand that quietly and without fanfare, people across the world are
 doing amazing things. Instead of scrolling for doom, we must acquaint 
ourselves with solutions and share them.It is true that our world will never 
again look the way it did when any of us were born. Change is happening 
rapidly. But it is possible to work within the parameters we have and 
move forward. That, too, is already happening. It is OK to hope. Let it 
be as contagious as our fear.Shawna Bethell is a freelance essayist/journalist covering the people and places of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Before returning home, she wrote for several publications in the southwestern United States.

OPINION: Despite news of gloom and doom, hope flourishes 

TOPEKA (AP) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to life in prison for a carjacking and an accident that led to the death of another man. 

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced the sentence Wednesday for Darren Matthew Johnson.

 Johnson was convicted in May of charges that included first-degree murder committed during an inherently dangerous felony and aggravated robbery. 

A short time after the carjacking, police saw the stolen Kia Soul, which sped away before running a red light and colliding head-on with another vehicle. 

The backseat passenger in the Kia, Ricardo Rodriguez, died at the scene.

TOPEKA (AP) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to life in prison for a carjacking and an accident that led to the death of another man. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced the sentence Wednesday for Darren Matthew Johnson. Johnson was convicted in May of charges that included first-degree murder committed during an inherently dangerous felony and aggravated robbery. The carjacking happened in June 22. A short time after the carjacking, police saw the stolen Kia Soul, which sped away before running a red light and colliding head-on with another vehicle. The backseat passenger in the Kia, Ricardo Rodriguez, died at the scene.

Man gets life sentence for carjacking, fatal wreck in Topeka

HAYS — A Kansas man is facing kidnapping charges after an incident in a Hays parking lot.

At around 6:40 p.m. Nov. 16, Hays Police were dispatched to a disturbance in a parking lot in the 2800 block of Vine.

The reporting party said a woman heard a scream and saw a woman on the ground, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. The woman was then reportedly thrown into a car that left the scene.

"By the time the officers got up there, the suspect was gone, but there was a broken cellphone and blood in the parking lot," he said. "When we began investigating, our concern was that it was a domestic disturbance and somebody got hurt, or this was a kidnapping. It turned out to be both."

That evening, he said, officers spoke with the victim and the suspect via phone, but were unable to determine their location.

On Nov. 17, the Kansas Highway Patrol located the suspect vehicle in Russell County and apprehended the suspect, identified as David Keith Mason, 38.

The victim was transported to Hays Medical Center for the treatment of head injuries, Scheibler said.

Mason was arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

"This is a violent domestic incident," Scheibler said. "We'd like to remind the public that there are resources available at Hays Police Department. ... We'll see an increase in domestic violence through the holidays. Please, we encourage you to reach out for help. We're here to help you. These domestic violence-type situations won't get better on their own and they won't go away."

By JAMES BELL Hays PostHAYS — A Kansas man is facing kidnapping charges after an incident in a Hays parking lot.At around 6:40 p.m. Nov. 16, Hays Police were dispatched to a disturbance in a parking lot in the 2800 block of Vine.The reporting party said a woman heard a scream and saw a woman on the ground, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. The woman was then reportedly thrown into a car that left the scene."By the time the officers got up there, the suspect was gone, but there was a broken cellphone and blood in the parking lot," he said. "When we began investigating, our concern was that it was a domestic disturbance and somebody got hurt, or this was a kidnapping. It turned out to be both."That evening, he said, officers spoke with the victim and the suspect via phone, but were unable to determine their location.On Nov. 17, the Kansas Highway Patrol located the suspect vehicle in Russell County and apprehended the suspect, identified as David Keith Mason, 38.The victim was transported to Hays Medical Center for the treatment of head injuries, Scheibler said.Mason was arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, domestic battery and criminal damage to property."This is a violent domestic incident," Scheibler said. "We'd like to remind the public that there are resources available at Hays Police Department. ... We'll see an increase in domestic violence through the holidays. Please, we encourage you to reach out for help. We're here to help you. These domestic violence-type situations won't get better on their own and they won't go away."

Police: Domestic disturbance leads to Kan. man's kidnapping arrest 

WICHITA, Kan. — A judge in Sedgwick County Tuesday sentenced a Wichita woman to the Hard 50 for her role in fatal 2019 stabbing.

Micaela Spencer, 27, was convicted in September of premeditated first-degree murder.

Spencer was one of two people found guilty in the death of William Callison.

Callison was stabbed to death in May of 2019 and was found inside a recreational vehicle attached to a stolen trailer by law enforcement investigating an auto theft.

Spencer and Royce Thomas were found inside the trailer.

Thomas was already sentanced to 54 years in prison and is currently serving the sentence&nbsp;at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

WICHITA, Kan. — A judge in Sedgwick County Tuesday sentenced a Wichita woman to the Hard 50 for her role in fatal 2019 stabbing.Micaela Spencer, 27, was convicted in September of premeditated first-degree murder.Spencer was one of two people found guilty in the death of William Callison.Callison was stabbed to death in May of 2019 and was found inside a recreational vehicle attached to a stolen trailer by law enforcement investigating an auto theft.Spencer and Royce Thomas were found inside the trailer.Thomas was already sentanced to 54 years in prison and is currently serving the sentence&nbsp;at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

Judge sentences Wichita woman to Hard 50 for role in stabbing death

By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — All three men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery were convicted of murder Wednesday. 

The jury reached its decision after more than 10 hours of deliberations following a trial in which prosecutors argued that the defendants provoked a confrontation with Arbery and defense attorneys said their clients were acting in self-defense. 

Father and son Greg and Travis McMichael grabbed guns and jumped in a pickup truck to pursue the 25-year-old Black man after seeing him running in their neighborhood outside the Georgia port city of Brunswick in February 2020. 

Their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan joined the pursuit in his own pickup and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery.

By RUSS BYNUM Associated PressBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — All three men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery were convicted of murder Wednesday. The jury reached its decision after more than 10 hours of deliberations following a trial in which prosecutors argued that the defendants provoked a confrontation with Arbery and defense attorneys said their clients were acting in self-defense. Father and son Greg and Travis McMichael grabbed guns and jumped in a pickup truck to pursue the 25-year-old Black man after seeing him running in their neighborhood outside the Georgia port city of Brunswick in February 2020. Their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan joined the pursuit in his own pickup and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

All three defendants found guilty of Arbery murder

By
NICK GOSNELL<a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch
Post</a>


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt clarified Wednesday that those who have a religious reason not to be vaccinated don't have to explain why in Kansas.

"There have been some employers, particularly some public sector employers that have required employees to complete a questionnaire providing details about their religious faith and maybe even supporting materials about the nature of the faith and why it speaks to the issue of vaccine mandates," Schmidt said. "That is now illegal in Kansas. It was always suspect, as a matter of religious freedom, but now state law specifically prohibits employers from inquiring about the sincerity of an employee's claim of a religious exemption from vaccine mandates."

There's now no reason for an employer to keep any kind of records about an employee's faith beyond the paperwork required to prove the request was made.

"Any time there is a claim for a public benefit that involves an assertion of religious faith, it presents the question of how to determine whether the faith is genuine," Schmidt said. "In this case, the legislature has made crystal clear that there is to be no discretionary judgment call by employers, whether public or private. It's enough that the employee makes the assertion. That assertion then has to be respected."

This action by the legislature was pushback against the many vaccine mandate fronts on which the federal government has asserted authority.

"This very muddled situation that the Biden administration has caused with its multifaceted, inconsistent vaccine mandates, has to allow for accommodation of medical exemptions and accomodation of religious exemptions. The procedures for both of those being claimed have to be simple and straightforward. Employers are relieved from being in the business of having to pass judgment on an employee's religious faith or their medical condition. That's now clearly the work of a healthcare provider, a doctor, not of the employer. I think this provides clarity to everybody."

Under the new law, employees aggrieved by an employer’s violation of the law may file a complaint with the Kansas Department of Labor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="Kansas AG Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas AG Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL<a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch
Post</a> 
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt clarified Wednesday that those who have a religious reason not to be vaccinated don't have to explain why in Kansas."There have been some employers, particularly some public sector employers that have required employees to complete a questionnaire providing details about their religious faith and maybe even supporting materials about the nature of the faith and why it speaks to the issue of vaccine mandates," Schmidt said. "That is now illegal in Kansas. It was always suspect, as a matter of religious freedom, but now state law specifically prohibits employers from inquiring about the sincerity of an employee's claim of a religious exemption from vaccine mandates."There's now no reason for an employer to keep any kind of records about an employee's faith beyond the paperwork required to prove the request was made."Any time there is a claim for a public benefit that involves an assertion of religious faith, it presents the question of how to determine whether the faith is genuine," Schmidt said. "In this case, the legislature has made crystal clear that there is to be no discretionary judgment call by employers, whether public or private. It's enough that the employee makes the assertion. That assertion then has to be respected."This action by the legislature was pushback against the many vaccine mandate fronts on which the federal government has asserted authority."This very muddled situation that the Biden administration has caused with its multifaceted, inconsistent vaccine mandates, has to allow for accommodation of medical exemptions and accomodation of religious exemptions. The procedures for both of those being claimed have to be simple and straightforward. Employers are relieved from being in the business of having to pass judgment on an employee's religious faith or their medical condition. That's now clearly the work of a healthcare provider, a doctor, not of the employer. I think this provides clarity to everybody."Under the new law, employees aggrieved by an employer’s violation of the law may file a complaint with the Kansas Department of Labor.

Schmidt: 'No discretionary judgment call' on religious exemptions

TOPEKA (AP) — A Kansas health advisor says the coronavirus pandemic is starting to worsen in Kansas again as families prepare to gather over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that health advisor Marci Nielsen blames less mask use and more indoor gatherings. 

Nielsen said the state is now seeing more than 1,000 cases a day. Nielsen told the governor’s Safer Classrooms Workgroup on Tuesday that the state’s vaccination rate for youth ages 12-17 has consistently been about seven percentage points below the national rate. 

Fifty-four percent of all Kansans are fully vaccinated, which puts Kansas in the bottom half of all states and territories.

TOPEKA (AP) — A Kansas health advisor says the coronavirus pandemic is starting to worsen in Kansas again as families prepare to gather over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that health advisor Marci Nielsen blames less mask use and more indoor gatherings. Nielsen said the state is now seeing more than 1,000 cases a day. Nielsen told the governor’s Safer Classrooms Workgroup on Tuesday that the state’s vaccination rate for youth ages 12-17 has consistently been about seven percentage points below the national rate. Fifty-four percent of all Kansans are fully vaccinated, which puts Kansas in the bottom half of all states and territories.

Kansas health official: COVID cases rising ahead of holiday

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,943 to a total of 461,163, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 30 additional COVID-19-related&nbsp; deaths for a total of 6,773.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;(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, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,943 to a total of 461,163, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 30 additional COVID-19-related&nbsp; deaths for a total of 6,773.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637776813786.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;(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: 3,000 new cases, 30 new COVID-related deaths

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA — A Salina teen
 was arrested on multiple requested charges that included theft and 
battery after an alleged incident Tuesday afternoon in central Salina.

Officers
 were sent to the 500 block of Sunset Drive for the report of a 
disturbance. When they arrived, they found Lucas Bolen, 18, Salina, 
being held down by two people, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said
 this morning.

Donald Abbott, an employee of Callabresi Heating 
&amp; Cooling, reported that he observed Bolen inside a 2012 Chevrolet 
G2500 van belonging to Callabresi. When Abbott confronted Bolen about 
being in the van, Bolen allegedly punched him in the face, Forrester 
said. Additionally, Bolen allegedly stole a $20 screwdriver from the 
van.

Bolen was arrested on requested charges of vehicle burglary, theft, and battery, Forrester said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637775502749.png" alt="Lucas Bolen. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Lucas Bolen. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA — A Salina teen
 was arrested on multiple requested charges that included theft and 
battery after an alleged incident Tuesday afternoon in central Salina.Officers
 were sent to the 500 block of Sunset Drive for the report of a 
disturbance. When they arrived, they found Lucas Bolen, 18, Salina, 
being held down by two people, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said
 this morning.Donald Abbott, an employee of Callabresi Heating 
&amp; Cooling, reported that he observed Bolen inside a 2012 Chevrolet 
G2500 van belonging to Callabresi. When Abbott confronted Bolen about 
being in the van, Bolen allegedly punched him in the face, Forrester 
said. Additionally, Bolen allegedly stole a $20 screwdriver from the 
van.Bolen was arrested on requested charges of vehicle burglary, theft, and battery, Forrester said.Abbott was not injured, he added.

Police: Kan. teen punched man after being caught in van

SALINA — An outdoor wood-burning furnace is being blamed for a house fire east of Salina early Tuesday morning. 

Saline
 County Sheriff Roger Soldan said Wednesday that deputies and 
firefighters from Rural Fire District No. 5 were dispatched at 5:02 a.m.
 to a house fire at 2708 S. Holmes Road. The owner of the house, Dustin 
Vance, 42, awoke to smoke in the house and called 911.

A 
wood-burning furnace on the outside of the house had caught the siding 
on fire. While most of the damage was from smoke, a bit of fire did get 
into the house via a window and cause some damage, Soldan said. Total 
damage was estimated at $15,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637773873132.jpeg" alt="Smoke rises from the siding on the house. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Smoke rises from the siding on the house. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA — An outdoor wood-burning furnace is being blamed for a house fire east of Salina early Tuesday morning. Saline
 County Sheriff Roger Soldan said Wednesday that deputies and 
firefighters from Rural Fire District No. 5 were dispatched at 5:02 a.m.
 to a house fire at 2708 S. Holmes Road. The owner of the house, Dustin 
Vance, 42, awoke to smoke in the house and called 911.A 
wood-burning furnace on the outside of the house had caught the siding 
on fire. While most of the damage was from smoke, a bit of fire did get 
into the house via a window and cause some damage, Soldan said. Total 
damage was estimated at $15,000.No one was reported injured.

Wood-burning furnace blamed for Kansas house fire

SALINA — A 75-year-old Salina man was arrested Monday on multiple warrants that included rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Wednesday morning that Larry James Gregg, 75, Salina, was arrested on multiple warrants connected to a case from September in which two females, ages 14 and 18, reported Gregg had allegedly sexually assaulted them. The two, who are related to Gregg, reported that the alleged incidents took place in Salina seven to 10 years ago, Forrester said.

The warrants for Gregg's arrest included four counts of rape and four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Forrester said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637772114563.png" alt="Larry James Gregg / Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Larry James Gregg / Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA — A 75-year-old Salina man was arrested Monday on multiple warrants that included rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Wednesday morning that Larry James Gregg, 75, Salina, was arrested on multiple warrants connected to a case from September in which two females, ages 14 and 18, reported Gregg had allegedly sexually assaulted them. The two, who are related to Gregg, reported that the alleged incidents took place in Salina seven to 10 years ago, Forrester said.The warrants for Gregg's arrest included four counts of rape and four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Forrester said.

75-year-old Kan. man arrested on suspicion of rape, indecent liberties

TOPEKA, Kan. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing a false return.&nbsp;

According to court documents, Randall Brammell, 65, of Berryton owned and operated Brammell Construction Company and Lawn Mowing. He pleaded guilty to submitting a false 2016 income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service after failing to inform his tax preparer about a substantial number of business checks made out to him personally that he cashed instead of depositing into his business bank account. As a result, the gross income of his business that year was underreported by $139,918.&nbsp;

“Mr. Brammell admitted that he knowingly filed a false income tax return with the IRS. IRS-Criminal Investigation takes all tax crimes very seriously. Those who file honest, accurate returns can be assured that we will investigate and hold accountable those who don’t,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, St. Louis Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation.&nbsp;

Brammell is scheduled to be sentenced February 16, 2022 and faces a maximum of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;

The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation.&nbsp;

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting the case.&nbsp;

TOPEKA, Kan. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing a false return.&nbsp;According to court documents, Randall Brammell, 65, of Berryton owned and operated Brammell Construction Company and Lawn Mowing. He pleaded guilty to submitting a false 2016 income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service after failing to inform his tax preparer about a substantial number of business checks made out to him personally that he cashed instead of depositing into his business bank account. As a result, the gross income of his business that year was underreported by $139,918.&nbsp;“Mr. Brammell admitted that he knowingly filed a false income tax return with the IRS. IRS-Criminal Investigation takes all tax crimes very seriously. Those who file honest, accurate returns can be assured that we will investigate and hold accountable those who don’t,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, St. Louis Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation.&nbsp;Brammell is scheduled to be sentenced February 16, 2022 and faces a maximum of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation.&nbsp;Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting the case.&nbsp;

 Kansas man pleads guilty to income tax fraud 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the U.S. job market is rebounding rapidly from last year's coronavirus recession. 

Jobless claims dropped by 71,000 to 199,000, the lowest since mid-November 1969. 

The drop was much bigger than economists expected. 

The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly ups and downs, also dropped — by 21,000 to just over 252,000, the lowest since mid-March 2020 when the pandemic slammed the economy. 

Seasonal adjustments around the Thanksgiving holiday contributed significantly to the bigger-than-expected drop.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the U.S. job market is rebounding rapidly from last year's coronavirus recession. Jobless claims dropped by 71,000 to 199,000, the lowest since mid-November 1969. The drop was much bigger than economists expected. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly ups and downs, also dropped — by 21,000 to just over 252,000, the lowest since mid-March 2020 when the pandemic slammed the economy. Seasonal adjustments around the Thanksgiving holiday contributed significantly to the bigger-than-expected drop.

US jobless claims hit 52-year low after seasonal adjustments

By MATT PIKE <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Thanksgiving is drawing near and food safety is top of mind, not only for people preparing the meal, but also their pets.

Veterinarian
 Melanie Barnes with Friends of the Animal Shelter says that as you work
 to prepare your meal this holiday, as your pets wander around the 
kitchen, you should be sure to keep their safety in mind.

"Thanksgiving
 is coming up, and if your pets are around in the kitchen like mine are 
and yours are, just make sure we're keeping their health and safety top 
of mind," Barnes tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Barnes says that salmonella can drastically affect your pets’ health.

"Making
 sure you're using good hand hygiene and washing your hands before 
turning around and petting your pet or giving love to your pet, or even 
giving them a treat," Barnes says.

Barnes adds one other big concern for pets along with salmonella is E coli.

Barnes
 says that Thanksgiving is filled with those fatty rich foods, like 
turkey and gravy, and while they aren't truly toxic to pets, they still 
could have negative effects. 

"Just the rich fatty foods, pets 
don't break down fatty acids like we do, both cats and dogs and other 
pets," Barnes explains.  "So that can yield to a lot of GI diseases, 
upset tummies, things like pancreatitis, which is inflammation of your 
pancreas," Barnes says.

Inflammation of the pancreas could not 
only be painful for the pet and cost you lots of money in treatment, in 
some cases it could also be deadly.

Some foods around your home may not be good for your pets, and others can be very toxic for them.  

Barnes
 says to be sure to do your own research to know what foods your animals
 can and cannot have, because you might be surprised by what foods that 
aren’t appropriate for pets.

"There are numerous ones that you 
think are not toxic to us, but grapes and raisins are probably one of 
the top ones that are probably in the house, especially if you have kids
 because kids love grapes mind you, and they're very easy to roll off of
 the plate, onto the floor," Barnes says.

Barnes also says as more
 people try to eat healthy and turn to sugar-free foods, but those foods
 are not safe for pets, because they contain Xylitol which is toxic to 
pets.

By MATT PIKE <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Thanksgiving is drawing near and food safety is top of mind, not only for people preparing the meal, but also their pets.Veterinarian
 Melanie Barnes with Friends of the Animal Shelter says that as you work
 to prepare your meal this holiday, as your pets wander around the 
kitchen, you should be sure to keep their safety in mind."Thanksgiving
 is coming up, and if your pets are around in the kitchen like mine are 
and yours are, just make sure we're keeping their health and safety top 
of mind," Barnes tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Barnes says that salmonella can drastically affect your pets’ health."Making
 sure you're using good hand hygiene and washing your hands before 
turning around and petting your pet or giving love to your pet, or even 
giving them a treat," Barnes says.Barnes adds one other big concern for pets along with salmonella is E coli.Barnes
 says that Thanksgiving is filled with those fatty rich foods, like 
turkey and gravy, and while they aren't truly toxic to pets, they still 
could have negative effects. "Just the rich fatty foods, pets 
don't break down fatty acids like we do, both cats and dogs and other 
pets," Barnes explains. "So that can yield to a lot of GI diseases, 
upset tummies, things like pancreatitis, which is inflammation of your 
pancreas," Barnes says.Inflammation of the pancreas could not 
only be painful for the pet and cost you lots of money in treatment, in 
some cases it could also be deadly.Some foods around your home may not be good for your pets, and others can be very toxic for them. Barnes
 says to be sure to do your own research to know what foods your animals
 can and cannot have, because you might be surprised by what foods that 
aren’t appropriate for pets."There are numerous ones that you 
think are not toxic to us, but grapes and raisins are probably one of 
the top ones that are probably in the house, especially if you have kids
 because kids love grapes mind you, and they're very easy to roll off of
 the plate, onto the floor," Barnes says.Barnes also says as more
 people try to eat healthy and turn to sugar-free foods, but those foods
 are not safe for pets, because they contain Xylitol which is toxic to 
pets.Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Think about your pets as you prepare this year's Thanksgiving feast

<a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — That Thanksgiving meal is costing a lot more this 
year than last and it's not just the turkey that will cost more.

Thanks
 to inflation, nearly every ingredient in your holiday meal is more 
expensive, according to the American Farm Bureau's annual Thanksgiving 
dinner cost survey.

The average cost of this year’s classic 
Thanksgiving feast for 10 is more than $5 per person at $53.31. It's the
 most the Thanksgiving meal has cost in the survey's 36 years and is up 
14% from the $46.90 in 2020.&nbsp;

Last year's meal was the cheapest in
 more than a decade as families skipped large gatherings and opted for 
smaller meals amid the <a href="https://usatoday.com/news/coronavirus">pandemic</a>. But the price tag is also up 9% from a more normal-sized holiday meal in 2019.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — That Thanksgiving meal is costing a lot more this 
year than last and it's not just the turkey that will cost more.Thanks
 to inflation, nearly every ingredient in your holiday meal is more 
expensive, according to the American Farm Bureau's annual Thanksgiving 
dinner cost survey.The average cost of this year’s classic 
Thanksgiving feast for 10 is more than $5 per person at $53.31. It's the
 most the Thanksgiving meal has cost in the survey's 36 years and is up 
14% from the $46.90 in 2020.&nbsp;Last year's meal was the cheapest in
 more than a decade as families skipped large gatherings and opted for 
smaller meals amid the <a href="https://usatoday.com/news/coronavirus">pandemic</a>. But the price tag is also up 9% from a more normal-sized holiday meal in 2019.&nbsp;

Thanksgiving dinner cost jumps 14%

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/23/redistricting-committees-urged-to-avoid-temptation-of-drawing-convoluted-maps/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Atchison County resident
 John Settich is convinced the boundary of the 2nd congressional 
district in Kansas is a politically grotesque distortion.

Settich, professor of political science at Benedictine College, said 
that when he worked for Congressman Bill Roy in the 1970s the 2nd 
District was a reasonable block of contiguous counties in northeast 
Kansas. Today, the district stretches from Nebraska to Oklahoma and runs
 along the Missouri line.

The Kansas Legislature’s work to redraw congressional and legislative
 boundaries in 2022 is an opportunity to return the 2nd District to good
 form, he said.

“Too often in too many states, including Kansas, the Legislature 
starts and ends with the political results and redraws lines as little 
or as much as they might to assure results that preserve the existing 
political order,” Settich said. “I hope that you will resist that 
temptation.”

Settich said during a remote meeting of the House and Senate 
redistricting committees Monday that shifting census demographics on 
population, race, income, education and occupation should guide 
lawmakers. The state’s maps shouldn’t be formed based on electoral data 
of party registration and votes cast, he said.

The Republican-controlled Legislature is expected to lean toward 
adoption of boundaries in the four congressional districts favorable to 
winning each of the partisan elections. The GOP holds the 1st, 2nd and 
4th districts, winning all the seats in 2020 by comfortable margins. 
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the Democrat elected in the 3rd District 
centered on the Kansas City area, is a target of map makers.

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican, serves the 2nd District that 
covers Atchison, Leavenworth, Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa and Pittsburg.

Edward Acosta, a former Johnson County resident now living in 
Lawrence, said he was wary of the potential of distorting the 2nd and 
3rd districts to advantage candidates of one political party over 
another.

“The 3rd congressional district should be maintained as compact as 
possible. It should not be diluted with another district which is 
overwhelmingly of the other party,” Acosta said.

Changes to the congressional boundaries must occur given population 
changes in the four districts between the 2010 and 2020 census counts. 
During that decade, the rural 1st District of western Kansas lost 12,500
 people and the 2nd District dwindled by fewer than 300. The 4th 
District anchored by Wichita gained 18,500 people and the 3rd District 
substantially grew with addition of 78,900 people.

The underlying goal of redistricting is to bring population totals of
 the four districts into balance. The same principle is applied to 
mapping the 125 Kansas House and 40 Kansas Senate districts.

Steven Clay, of Leavenworth, said state lawmakers ought to 
reconfigure the Kansas Senate district map so Leavenworth County wasn’t 
split in half.

“The current shape of Senate District 3 and Senate District 5 
violates the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court rulings on 
redistricting by splitting&nbsp;Leavenworth County, a historically and 
culturally distinct community of interest with its own policy concerns,”
 Clay said.

Carol Sanders, of Caney, said she was disappointed the city of 
Independence was split in half by Kansas House boundaries. The oddball 
design of District 11 includes a narrow strip leading away from 
Independence to pick up a portion of Coffeyville.

“Keep Independence in one district, Coffeyville in the other and 
don’t create convoluted boundaries such as we have now,” she said.

Ottawa resident Darrell McCune was thinking along those lines by 
advocating for retention of a map that since 2012 placed the entire city
 of Ottawa in a single Kansas House district. In the previous decade, 
Ottawa had been fractured among three districts of the Kansas House.

The joint legislative committee is scheduled to conduct online 
hearings Tuesday and Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 to gather input from residents 
of the three other congressional districts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637764322909.png" alt="Caney resident Carol Sanders recommended the Kansas Legislature draw new Kansas Senate district boundaries that avoid splitting Independence in half to include a portion of Coffeyville. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Caney resident Carol Sanders recommended the Kansas Legislature draw new Kansas Senate district boundaries that avoid splitting Independence in half to include a portion of Coffeyville. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/23/redistricting-committees-urged-to-avoid-temptation-of-drawing-convoluted-maps/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Atchison County resident
 John Settich is convinced the boundary of the 2nd congressional 
district in Kansas is a politically grotesque distortion.Settich, professor of political science at Benedictine College, said 
that when he worked for Congressman Bill Roy in the 1970s the 2nd 
District was a reasonable block of contiguous counties in northeast 
Kansas. Today, the district stretches from Nebraska to Oklahoma and runs
 along the Missouri line.The Kansas Legislature’s work to redraw congressional and legislative
 boundaries in 2022 is an opportunity to return the 2nd District to good
 form, he said.“Too often in too many states, including Kansas, the Legislature 
starts and ends with the political results and redraws lines as little 
or as much as they might to assure results that preserve the existing 
political order,” Settich said. “I hope that you will resist that 
temptation.”Settich said during a remote meeting of the House and Senate 
redistricting committees Monday that shifting census demographics on 
population, race, income, education and occupation should guide 
lawmakers. The state’s maps shouldn’t be formed based on electoral data 
of party registration and votes cast, he said.The Republican-controlled Legislature is expected to lean toward 
adoption of boundaries in the four congressional districts favorable to 
winning each of the partisan elections. The GOP holds the 1st, 2nd and 
4th districts, winning all the seats in 2020 by comfortable margins. 
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the Democrat elected in the 3rd District 
centered on the Kansas City area, is a target of map makers.U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican, serves the 2nd District that 
covers Atchison, Leavenworth, Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa and Pittsburg.Edward Acosta, a former Johnson County resident now living in 
Lawrence, said he was wary of the potential of distorting the 2nd and 
3rd districts to advantage candidates of one political party over 
another.“The 3rd congressional district should be maintained as compact as 
possible. It should not be diluted with another district which is 
overwhelmingly of the other party,” Acosta said.Changes to the congressional boundaries must occur given population 
changes in the four districts between the 2010 and 2020 census counts. 
During that decade, the rural 1st District of western Kansas lost 12,500
 people and the 2nd District dwindled by fewer than 300. The 4th 
District anchored by Wichita gained 18,500 people and the 3rd District 
substantially grew with addition of 78,900 people.The underlying goal of redistricting is to bring population totals of
 the four districts into balance. The same principle is applied to 
mapping the 125 Kansas House and 40 Kansas Senate districts.Steven Clay, of Leavenworth, said state lawmakers ought to 
reconfigure the Kansas Senate district map so Leavenworth County wasn’t 
split in half.“The current shape of Senate District 3 and Senate District 5 
violates the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court rulings on 
redistricting by splitting&nbsp;Leavenworth County, a historically and 
culturally distinct community of interest with its own policy concerns,”
 Clay said.Carol Sanders, of Caney, said she was disappointed the city of 
Independence was split in half by Kansas House boundaries. The oddball 
design of District 11 includes a narrow strip leading away from 
Independence to pick up a portion of Coffeyville.“Keep Independence in one district, Coffeyville in the other and 
don’t create convoluted boundaries such as we have now,” she said.Ottawa resident Darrell McCune was thinking along those lines by 
advocating for retention of a map that since 2012 placed the entire city
 of Ottawa in a single Kansas House district. In the previous decade, 
Ottawa had been fractured among three districts of the Kansas House.The joint legislative committee is scheduled to conduct online 
hearings Tuesday and Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 to gather input from residents 
of the three other congressional districts.

Redistricting committees urged to avoid temptation of drawing convoluted maps

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — The jury is deliberating for a second day Wednesday&nbsp; in the trial of three white man charged with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in coastal Georgia.&nbsp;

It spent about six hours deliberating Tuesday before adjourning without a verdict. Jurors are weighing murder charges against father and son Greg and Travis McMichael and their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan. 

The McMichaels said they suspected Arbery was a burglar when they chased him past their home in February 2020. Bryan joined the chase and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael killing Arbery with a shotgun. Travis McMichael testified he fired in self defense.

By RUSS BYNUM Associated PressBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — The jury is deliberating for a second day Wednesday&nbsp; in the trial of three white man charged with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in coastal Georgia.&nbsp;It spent about six hours deliberating Tuesday before adjourning without a verdict. Jurors are weighing murder charges against father and son Greg and Travis McMichael and their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan. The McMichaels said they suspected Arbery was a burglar when they chased him past their home in February 2020. Bryan joined the chase and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael killing Arbery with a shotgun. Travis McMichael testified he fired in self defense.

Jury deliberations in Arbery death continue a 2nd day

By JOHN ANTCZAK Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — NASA has launched a spacecraft on a mission to smash into an asteroid and test whether it would be possible to knock a speeding space rock off course if one were to threaten Earth. 

The spacecraft is called DART, for Double Asteroid Redirection Test. It lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. If all goes well, in September 2022 it will slam head-on into Dimorphos, an asteroid 525 feet across, at 15,000 mph. 

The asteroid is no danger to Earth, just a good target for testing out the potentially planet-saving technology.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637763623579.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN ANTCZAK Associated PressLOS ANGELES (AP) — NASA has launched a spacecraft on a mission to smash into an asteroid and test whether it would be possible to knock a speeding space rock off course if one were to threaten Earth. The spacecraft is called DART, for Double Asteroid Redirection Test. It lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. If all goes well, in September 2022 it will slam head-on into Dimorphos, an asteroid 525 feet across, at 15,000 mph. The asteroid is no danger to Earth, just a good target for testing out the potentially planet-saving technology.

NASA launches spacecraft to test asteroid defense concept

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man who has spent his entire 27-year law enforcement career with the Topeka Police Department will now lead it. 

City Manager Brent Trout on Tuesday introduced Bryan Wheeles as the new police chief, effective immediately. He has served as interim chief since January, when Bill Cochran retired. The following month, Cochran took a newly created job as Trout's chief of staff. 

Wheeles will earn an annual salary of $145,754. He joined the department in 1994 and was named deputy chief in 2017.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man who has spent his entire 27-year law enforcement career with the Topeka Police Department will now lead it. City Manager Brent Trout on Tuesday introduced Bryan Wheeles as the new police chief, effective immediately. He has served as interim chief since January, when Bill Cochran retired. The following month, Cochran took a newly created job as Trout's chief of staff. Wheeles will earn an annual salary of $145,754. He joined the department in 1994 and was named deputy chief in 2017.

Veteran officer to lead Topeka Police Department

IRS online portal now available in Spanish

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service this week launched a new 
Spanish-language version of the Child Tax Credit Update Portal (CTC-UP).
 This tool is designed to help families quickly and easily make changes 
to the monthly Child Tax Credit payments they are receiving from the 
IRS.

Families who are already receiving monthly payments use the CTC-UP to
 update their accounts. Now, all the features that have only been 
available in English are also available in Spanish. Updates made by 
11:59 pm Eastern Time on Nov. 29 will be reflected in the last monthly 
payment for 2021, scheduled for Dec. 15.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families began 
receiving monthly payments starting in July. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. Payments are based 
on returns filed for 2019 or 2020, including those who registered online
 with the IRS. 
&nbsp; 
Available only on IRS.gov, CTC-UP allows families to verify their eligibility for the payments and then, if they choose to:

Be sure to make any changes by 11:59 pm ET on Nov. 29. To access the portal, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

Families are typically receiving half of their total CTC in advance 
monthly payments during 2021. They can claim the rest of the credit when
 they file their 2021 federal income tax return next year. To help them 
do that, early in 2022, families will receive Letter 6419 documenting 
any advance payments issued to them during 2021 and the number of 
qualifying children used to calculate the advance payments.

Non-filers can get lump-sum next year; community partners can help

The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
learn about the expanded Child Tax Credit. While it’s now too late to 
sign up for advance payments of the CTC during 2021, it’s not too late 
for eligible families to get the full benefit of the credit.

To do that, any eligible family who missed out on this year’s monthly
 payments can still get a lump-sum payment by filing a 2021 federal 
income tax return next year. This includes families who don’t normally 
need to file a return with the IRS.

Links to online tools, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful resources are available on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS’ special advance CTC 2021 page</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>IRS online portal now available in Spanish</h2>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service this week launched a new 
Spanish-language version of the Child Tax Credit Update Portal (CTC-UP).
 This tool is designed to help families quickly and easily make changes 
to the monthly Child Tax Credit payments they are receiving from the 
IRS.Families who are already receiving monthly payments use the CTC-UP to
 update their accounts. Now, all the features that have only been 
available in English are also available in Spanish. Updates made by 
11:59 pm Eastern Time on Nov. 29 will be reflected in the last monthly 
payment for 2021, scheduled for Dec. 15.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families began 
receiving monthly payments starting in July. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. Payments are based 
on returns filed for 2019 or 2020, including those who registered online
 with the IRS. 
&nbsp; 
Available only on IRS.gov, CTC-UP allows families to verify their eligibility for the payments and then, if they choose to:<ul>
 <li>Switch from receiving a paper check to direct deposit;</li><li>Change the account where their payment is direct deposited;</li><li>Update their mailing address;</li><li>Stop monthly payments and</li><li>Reflect significant changes in their income that could potentially raise or lower their monthly payments.</li>
 </ul>Be sure to make any changes by 11:59 pm ET on Nov. 29. To access the portal, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.Families are typically receiving half of their total CTC in advance 
monthly payments during 2021. They can claim the rest of the credit when
 they file their 2021 federal income tax return next year. To help them 
do that, early in 2022, families will receive Letter 6419 documenting 
any advance payments issued to them during 2021 and the number of 
qualifying children used to calculate the advance payments.<h2>Non-filers can get lump-sum next year; community partners can help</h2>The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
learn about the expanded Child Tax Credit. While it’s now too late to 
sign up for advance payments of the CTC during 2021, it’s not too late 
for eligible families to get the full benefit of the credit.To do that, any eligible family who missed out on this year’s monthly
 payments can still get a lump-sum payment by filing a 2021 federal 
income tax return next year. This includes families who don’t normally 
need to file a return with the IRS.Links to online tools, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful resources are available on the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS’ special advance CTC 2021 page</a>.

Deadline looms for changes to Child Tax Credit payments

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to life in prison for a carjacking and an accident that led to the death of another man. 

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced the sentence Wednesday for Darren Matthew Johnson. Johnson was convicted in May of charges that included first-degree murder committed during an inherently dangerous felony and aggravated robbery. 

The carjacking happened in June 22. A short time after the carjacking, police saw the stolen Kia Soul, which sped away before running a red light and colliding head-on with another vehicle. The backseat passenger in the Kia, Ricardo Rodriguez, died at the scene.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to life in prison for a carjacking and an accident that led to the death of another man. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced the sentence Wednesday for Darren Matthew Johnson. Johnson was convicted in May of charges that included first-degree murder committed during an inherently dangerous felony and aggravated robbery. The carjacking happened in June 22. A short time after the carjacking, police saw the stolen Kia Soul, which sped away before running a red light and colliding head-on with another vehicle. The backseat passenger in the Kia, Ricardo Rodriguez, died at the scene.

Kan. man gets life sentence for carjacking, fatal wreck

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes have moved him to a jail in Kansas.

On November 17, U.S. Marshals arrested Cameron J. Johnson, 19, Atchison, in Kansas City Missouri on an Atchison District Court warrant for indecent liberties with a child, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service had been assisting Atchison Police detectives locating Johnson. Atchison Police had initiated an investigation on October 18 that focused on a victim under the age of 16 which led to the warrant for Johnson. 

He was taken to the Jackson County Missouri jail on November 17, and transported to the Atchison County Jail on Monday. He is being held on a bond set at $75,000, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637681768810.png" alt="Johnson-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes have moved him to a jail in Kansas.On November 17, U.S. Marshals arrested Cameron J. Johnson, 19, Atchison, in Kansas City Missouri on an Atchison District Court warrant for indecent liberties with a child, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The U.S. Marshal’s Service had been assisting Atchison Police detectives locating Johnson. Atchison Police had initiated an investigation on October 18 that focused on a victim under the age of 16 which led to the warrant for Johnson. He was taken to the Jackson County Missouri jail on November 17, and transported to the Atchison County Jail on Monday. He is being held on a bond set at $75,000, according to Wilson.

U.S. Marshals track down Kansas child sex crime suspect

An attempted armed robbery that<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a85cb89d-fdb7-4661-a879-dda6994afc71">&nbsp;forced Hays High School to be locked down Friday afternoon</a>&nbsp;has led to three arrests, while one juvenile suspect remains at large.

Police were first alerted to the situation after the report of an armed robbery in the 1700 block of Volga at 2:05 p.m.

The victim reported a knock on the door and at the door found two males wearing hoodies and bandanas at the doorway, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.

"They asked if a person lived there," he said. "She responded, then they pulled out a gun and told to get on the ground."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637718477690.png" alt="Herrman photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Herrman photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAn attempted armed robbery that<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a85cb89d-fdb7-4661-a879-dda6994afc71">&nbsp;forced Hays High School to be locked down Friday afternoon</a>&nbsp;has led to three arrests, while one juvenile suspect remains at large.Police were first alerted to the situation after the report of an armed robbery in the 1700 block of Volga at 2:05 p.m.The victim reported a knock on the door and at the door found two males wearing hoodies and bandanas at the doorway, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637718358577.png" alt="Buchholz-photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Buchholz-photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>"They asked if a person lived there," he said. "She responded, then they pulled out a gun and told to get on the ground."She instead closed and locked the door and called the police."Officers responded over there and began investigating," Scheibler said. "Patrol began searching the area and the investigation division, lead by Detective David Gillan."Due to the closeness of the incident, he said the request was made to Hays High to lock the building to outside visitors, while the school day continued inside."I think it's important for the community to know that the school district has a good plan in place. They were able to secure the building and inside the building, you wouldn't notice anything different. But you weren't getting inside that building and I felt good about that. And patrol division came over there when we released they released in my class but at the scheduled time and job division stood by in the parking lot just to make people feel comfortable.. ... But good there's a good staff out there and the community should feel good knowing that school district has a good plan in place."Meanwhile, a delayed report of another burglary was made to the department."We got another report of house burglary ... in the 500 block of West 24th St.," Scheibler said.&nbsp; "Officers went over there and learned that earlier in the day, neighbors had heard pounding coming from the house. When they came around the corner they saw two suspects running from the house and saw them get into a silver SUV and drive off."Arriving officers found the door of that residence had been kicked in, he said.Investigators determined, the incidents were related."Based on the investigation we believe two adults and two juveniles conspired together to go to several locations in town and either steal property from empty houses or rob people of their property," Scheibler said.Over the weekend, three of the four were arrested on numerous charges, related to the incidents.Abigail Christine Buchholz, 24, Hays, was&nbsp;arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary aggravated endangering a child and contributing to a child's misconduct,&nbsp;interference with a law enforcement officer, and other charges.Ashton R. Herrman, 18, Hays, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, aggravated endangering a child,&nbsp;contributing to a child's misconduct, conspiracy to commit burglary and interference with a law enforcement officer.One minor was also arrested, and the search is ongoing for the fourth suspect, also believed to be a minor."I'm very pleased with the Investigation Division," Scheibler said. "They took it with the limited information that we had. And they were able to piece this together and quickly identify four people who were not only prepared, but had committed violent crimes in our community."It happened on Saturday, and within 24 hours, some of these people were in jail. We had limited information to go on, So I'm very, very pleased with their work."