KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;police detective, who last year sued a sheriff's deputy for running over him in a rural Kiowa County field, has been fatally shot by a police officer in Kansas City after disarming an officer and pointing a gun at another, police said Tuesday.

Lionel Womack was killed during the encounter Monday after police received 911 calls about a man standing in a road pointing at the sky and trying to jump in front of traffic.

“Those officers had no choice — this whole incident took place in 26 seconds," Police Chief Karl Oakman said at a news conference.

When officers arrived, Womack started running toward them in “an aggressive manner," Oakman said, adding that the entire encounter was captured on police body camera and dashcam video.

Womack attempted to get into the passenger side of the police car then ran around the vehicle where he came into contact with an officer. Womack reached toward the back of his pants and the officer — assuming he had a gun — drew his weapon, Oakman said. Womack then got into the driver's seat of the patrol car, and the same officer tried to get him out.

A fight ensued over the officer's weapon, which discharged two shots. Womack successfully disarmed the officer and pointed the weapon at that officer before then pointing it at the other officer, who shot and killed Womack. In the video, one officer can be heard saying to the other, “Man, you just saved my life,” the police chief said.

The two officers received non life-threatening injuries.

“He knows our tactics,” Oakman said. “I think that contributed to his ability to disarm our officer, which made it a very dangerous situation for our officers.”

Womack was hired by the Kansas City, Kansas, police department in 2007, promoted to detective in 2018, and terminated in August 2020 after numerous policy violations and conduct issues, the police chief said.

“We don't know what happened in his life that caused him to spiral like this,” Oakman said.

Lionel Womack came from a law enforcement family. His wife and mother are police officers in Kansas City, Kansas, and his stepfather is a retired police sergeant. Two aunts are city police dispatchers.

His wife, Zee Womack, tearfully told The Associated Press that her husband was killed in the altercation and that at least one of the officers involved knew him. She declined to comment further because she is still employed as a Kansas City police officer, and the investigation is ongoing.

Lionel Womack alleged last year in an excessive force lawsuit that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him on Aug. 15, 2020, in an incident that was captured on dashcam video. The deputy has denied the allegations and said he’s entitled to qualified immunity.

“The family of Lionel Womack thanks the members of the Kansas City community for your outpouring of support after their devastating loss yesterday,” said Michael Kuckelman, the attorney representing him in that lawsuit. “They are asking for privacy and your prayers, as they grieve.”

Police spokesman Thomas Tomasic said “we were all friends with the guy,” adding that everybody knew him and nobody had a problem with him. He said officers didn't know the 911 calls involved Womack until they arrived at the scene.

He denied the shooting was retribution for the civil lawsuit.

“He was a nice guy. He used to always come to the office and talk to us,” Tomasic said. “It is very weird. It is horrible. We don't like to kill anybody. We obviously don't want to kill somebody you work with for however many years.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608224627585.png" alt="Image from the dashcam video / courtesy Attorney Michael Kuckelman" />
 <figcaption>Image from the dashcam video / courtesy Attorney Michael Kuckelman</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;police detective, who last year sued a sheriff's deputy for running over him in a rural Kiowa County field, has been fatally shot by a police officer in Kansas City after disarming an officer and pointing a gun at another, police said Tuesday.Lionel Womack was killed during the encounter Monday after police received 911 calls about a man standing in a road pointing at the sky and trying to jump in front of traffic.“Those officers had no choice — this whole incident took place in 26 seconds," Police Chief Karl Oakman said at a news conference.When officers arrived, Womack started running toward them in “an aggressive manner," Oakman said, adding that the entire encounter was captured on police body camera and dashcam video.Womack attempted to get into the passenger side of the police car then ran around the vehicle where he came into contact with an officer. Womack reached toward the back of his pants and the officer — assuming he had a gun — drew his weapon, Oakman said. Womack then got into the driver's seat of the patrol car, and the same officer tried to get him out.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608219106986.png" alt="Womack-during a brief stay in Pratt Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Womack-during a brief stay in Pratt Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>A fight ensued over the officer's weapon, which discharged two shots. Womack successfully disarmed the officer and pointed the weapon at that officer before then pointing it at the other officer, who shot and killed Womack. In the video, one officer can be heard saying to the other, “Man, you just saved my life,” the police chief said.The two officers received non life-threatening injuries.“He knows our tactics,” Oakman said. “I think that contributed to his ability to disarm our officer, which made it a very dangerous situation for our officers.”Womack was hired by the Kansas City, Kansas, police department in 2007, promoted to detective in 2018, and terminated in August 2020 after numerous policy violations and conduct issues, the police chief said.“We don't know what happened in his life that caused him to spiral like this,” Oakman said.Lionel Womack came from a law enforcement family. His wife and mother are police officers in Kansas City, Kansas, and his stepfather is a retired police sergeant. Two aunts are city police dispatchers.His wife, Zee Womack, tearfully told The Associated Press that her husband was killed in the altercation and that at least one of the officers involved knew him. She declined to comment further because she is still employed as a Kansas City police officer, and the investigation is ongoing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637700587376.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation on Monday-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation on Monday-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Lionel Womack alleged last year in an excessive force lawsuit that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him on Aug. 15, 2020, in an incident that was captured on dashcam video. The deputy has denied the allegations and said he’s entitled to qualified immunity.“The family of Lionel Womack thanks the members of the Kansas City community for your outpouring of support after their devastating loss yesterday,” said Michael Kuckelman, the attorney representing him in that lawsuit. “They are asking for privacy and your prayers, as they grieve.”Police spokesman Thomas Tomasic said “we were all friends with the guy,” adding that everybody knew him and nobody had a problem with him. He said officers didn't know the 911 calls involved Womack until they arrived at the scene.He denied the shooting was retribution for the civil lawsuit.“He was a nice guy. He used to always come to the office and talk to us,” Tomasic said. “It is very weird. It is horrible. We don't like to kill anybody. We obviously don't want to kill somebody you work with for however many years.”

Ex-Kansas officer who sued sheriff's deputy killed by police

Waukesha , WI. (AP) —Prosecutors in Wisconsin on Tuesday charged a man with intentional homicide in the deaths of five people who were killed when an SUV was driven into a Christmas parade that also left 62 people injured, including many children.

Prosecutors said a sixth person, a child, has died and more charges are pending.

Darrell Brooks Jr. was charged with five counts of intentional homicide in the crash Sunday in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Conviction on first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence, Wisconsin’s stiffest penalty.

An 8-year-old boy, Jackson Sparks, died on Tuesday, according to his GoFundMe page. He was walking in the parade along with his brother, who is still hospitalized. The other five people who were killed were adults.

“This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away,” the page’s organizer, Alyssa Albro, wrote.

Brooks made his initial appearance in court Tuesday. He could be heard crying during the proceeding, leaning over with his head nearly in his lap, with his attorney resting a hand on his back.

The city’s livestream video and bystander video captured the chaotic scene when an SUV sped along the parade route and then into the crowd. Several of those injured remain in critical condition.

According to the criminal complaint, witnesses told police that the vehicle “appeared to be intentionally moving side to side,” with no attempt to slow down or stop as it struck multiple people and sent bodies and objects flying.

Brooks ignored several attempts to stop him, according to the criminal complaint.

A detective — wearing police insignia and a neon orange safety vest — stepped in front of Brooks’ vehicle and pounded on the hood, shouting “Stop,” several times but Brooks drove past him, according to the complaint.

A uniformed police officer who saw Brooks’ SUV traveling toward the parade route also tried to get his attention, yelling “Stop, stop the vehicle” several times but was ignored, according to the complaint. Brooks braked at one point, but instead of turning away from the parade route, he turned into the crowd and appeared to rapidly accelerate, the complaint said.

Another police officer shot at the vehicle, striking it three times as it entered the parade route.

Brooks had been free on $1,000 bail for a case in Milwaukee County earlier in November in which he’s accused of intentionally striking a woman with his car. Prosecutors said they’re investigating their bail recommendation in that case, calling it inappropriately low.

Cash bail on the latest charges is set at $5 million, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 9:15 a.m.

Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said Brooks, 39, was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier when he drove into the parade route.

“We have a gentleman that has a huge background, via multiple states,” said Waukesha Court Commissioner Kevin Costello.

Brooks has been charged with crimes more than a dozen times since 1999 and had two outstanding cases against him at the time of the parade disaster. That included resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery for the Nov. 2 incident.

Some Republicans were quick to jump on the case as an example of a broken legal system.

Republican Rebecca Kleefisch, a former Wisconsin lieutenant governor who is running for governor in 2022, called the killings “yet another avoidable tragedy that occurred because a violent career criminal was allowed to walk free and terrorize our community.”

And Republican state Rep. Cindi Duchow said she was reintroducing a constitutional amendment that would change the bail process in Wisconsin to allow judges to consider a defendant’s danger to the community when setting bail. Judges currently are only allowed to consider the possibility that defendants might not show up for a court appearance when setting bail.

“He tried to run over his girlfriend with his car — that’s attempted murder,” Duchow said. “If you’re a danger to society, you should have to work hard to get out.”

Thompson, the police chief, said that there was no evidence the bloodshed Sunday was a terrorist attack or that Brooks knew anyone in the parade. Brooks acted alone, the chief said.

NBC News published doorbell camera footage that appeared to capture Brooks’ arrest. It showed Brooks, shivering in just a T-shirt, knocking on a homeowner’s door and asking for help calling for a ride. Moments later, police surrounded the house and shouted, “Hands up!” Brooks, standing on the porch, held up his hands and said, “Whoa whoa whoa!”

Hundreds gathered at a downtown park Monday night in Waukesha, Wisconsin, for a candlelight vigil in honor of those lost and hurt. A pair of clergy solemnly read the names of those who died. Volunteers handed out sandwiches, hot chocolate and candles at the vigil, which was attended by interfaith leaders and elected officials.

“We are parents. We are neighbors. We are hurting. We are angry. We are sad. We are confused. We are thankful. We are all in this together. We are Waukesha Strong,” said a tearful Amanda Medina Roddy with the Waukesha school district.

Mayor Shawn Reilly described the parade as a “Norman Rockwell-type” event that “became a nightmare.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637624207281.png" alt="Brooks-photo&nbsp;Waukesha Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Brooks-photo&nbsp;Waukesha Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Waukesha , WI. (AP) —Prosecutors in Wisconsin on Tuesday charged a man with intentional homicide in the deaths of five people who were killed when an SUV was driven into a Christmas parade that also left 62 people injured, including many children.Prosecutors said a sixth person, a child, has died and more charges are pending.Darrell Brooks Jr. was charged with five counts of intentional homicide in the crash Sunday in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Conviction on first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence, Wisconsin’s stiffest penalty.An 8-year-old boy, Jackson Sparks, died on Tuesday, according to his GoFundMe page. He was walking in the parade along with his brother, who is still hospitalized. The other five people who were killed were adults.“This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away,” the page’s organizer, Alyssa Albro, wrote.Brooks made his initial appearance in court Tuesday. He could be heard crying during the proceeding, leaning over with his head nearly in his lap, with his attorney resting a hand on his back.The city’s livestream video and bystander video captured the chaotic scene when an SUV sped along the parade route and then into the crowd. Several of those injured remain in critical condition.According to the criminal complaint, witnesses told police that the vehicle “appeared to be intentionally moving side to side,” with no attempt to slow down or stop as it struck multiple people and sent bodies and objects flying.Brooks ignored several attempts to stop him, according to the criminal complaint.A detective — wearing police insignia and a neon orange safety vest — stepped in front of Brooks’ vehicle and pounded on the hood, shouting “Stop,” several times but Brooks drove past him, according to the complaint.A uniformed police officer who saw Brooks’ SUV traveling toward the parade route also tried to get his attention, yelling “Stop, stop the vehicle” several times but was ignored, according to the complaint. Brooks braked at one point, but instead of turning away from the parade route, he turned into the crowd and appeared to rapidly accelerate, the complaint said.Another police officer shot at the vehicle, striking it three times as it entered the parade route.Brooks had been free on $1,000 bail for a case in Milwaukee County earlier in November in which he’s accused of intentionally striking a woman with his car. Prosecutors said they’re investigating their bail recommendation in that case, calling it inappropriately low.Cash bail on the latest charges is set at $5 million, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 9:15 a.m.Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said Brooks, 39, was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier when he drove into the parade route.“We have a gentleman that has a huge background, via multiple states,” said Waukesha Court Commissioner Kevin Costello.Brooks has been charged with crimes more than a dozen times since 1999 and had two outstanding cases against him at the time of the parade disaster. That included resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery for the Nov. 2 incident.Some Republicans were quick to jump on the case as an example of a broken legal system.Republican Rebecca Kleefisch, a former Wisconsin lieutenant governor who is running for governor in 2022, called the killings “yet another avoidable tragedy that occurred because a violent career criminal was allowed to walk free and terrorize our community.”And Republican state Rep. Cindi Duchow said she was reintroducing a constitutional amendment that would change the bail process in Wisconsin to allow judges to consider a defendant’s danger to the community when setting bail. Judges currently are only allowed to consider the possibility that defendants might not show up for a court appearance when setting bail.“He tried to run over his girlfriend with his car — that’s attempted murder,” Duchow said. “If you’re a danger to society, you should have to work hard to get out.”Thompson, the police chief, said that there was no evidence the bloodshed Sunday was a terrorist attack or that Brooks knew anyone in the parade. Brooks acted alone, the chief said.NBC News published doorbell camera footage that appeared to capture Brooks’ arrest. It showed Brooks, shivering in just a T-shirt, knocking on a homeowner’s door and asking for help calling for a ride. Moments later, police surrounded the house and shouted, “Hands up!” Brooks, standing on the porch, held up his hands and said, “Whoa whoa whoa!”Hundreds gathered at a downtown park Monday night in Waukesha, Wisconsin, for a candlelight vigil in honor of those lost and hurt. A pair of clergy solemnly read the names of those who died. Volunteers handed out sandwiches, hot chocolate and candles at the vigil, which was attended by interfaith leaders and elected officials.“We are parents. We are neighbors. We are hurting. We are angry. We are sad. We are confused. We are thankful. We are all in this together. We are Waukesha Strong,” said a tearful Amanda Medina Roddy with the Waukesha school district.Mayor Shawn Reilly described the parade as a “Norman Rockwell-type” event that “became a nightmare.”

Child is 6th death in Christmas parade crash; suspect charged

CLEVELAND (AP) — CVS, Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies recklessly distributed massive amounts of pain pills in two Ohio counties, a federal jury said Tuesday in a verdict that could set the tone for U.S. city and county governments that want to hold pharmacies accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis.

Lake and Trumbull counties blamed the three chain pharmacies for not stopping the flood of pills that caused hundreds of overdose deaths and cost each of the two counties about $1 billion, their attorney said.

How much the pharmacies must pay in damages will be decided in the spring by a federal judge.

It was the first time pharmacy companies had completed a trial to defend themselves in a drug crisis that has killed a half-million Americans over the past two decades.

The counties were able to convince the jury that the pharmacies played an outsized role in creating a public nuisance in the way they dispensed pain medication into their communities.

“The law requires pharmacies to be diligent in dealing drugs. This case should be a wake-up call that failure will not be accepted,” said Mark Lanier, an attorney for the counties.

“The jury sounded a bell that should be heard through all pharmacies in America,” Lanier said.

Attorneys for the three pharmacy chains maintained they had policies to stem the flow of pills when their pharmacists had any concerns and would notify authorities about suspicious orders from doctors. They also said it was the doctors who controlled how many pills were being prescribed for legitimate medical needs.

Spokespeople for CVSHealth and Walgreen Co. said the companies disagree with the verdict and will appeal.

“As plaintiffs’ own experts testified, many factors have contributed to the opioid abuse issue, and solving this problem will require involvement from all stakeholders in our health care system and all members of our community,” CVS spokesperson Mike DeAngelis said in a statement.

Walgreen spokesperson Fraser Engerman said the company believes the court erred “in allowing the case to go before a jury on a flawed legal theory that is inconsistent with Ohio law.”

“As we have said throughout this process, we never manufactured or marketed opioids nor did we distribute them to the ‘pill mills’ and internet pharmacies that fueled this crisis,” Engerman said in a statement. “The plaintiffs’ attempt to resolve the opioid crisis with an unprecedented expansion of public nuisance law is misguided and unsustainable.”

Two other chains — Rite Aid and Giant Eagle —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-ohio-lawsuits-cleveland-21762b10e14a24bf0c67a4da04bdf606">already had settled lawsuits</a>&nbsp;with the two Ohio counties.

Lanier said during the trial that the pharmacies were attempting to blame everyone but themselves.

The opioid crisis has overwhelmed courts, social services agencies and law enforcement in Ohio’s blue-collar corner east of Cleveland, leaving behind heartbroken families and babies born to addicted mothers, Lanier told jurors.

Roughly 80 million prescription painkillers were dispensed in Trumbull County alone between 2012 and 2016 — equivalent to 400 for every resident.

In Lake County, some 61 million pills were distributed during that period.

The rise in physicians prescribing pain medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone came at a time when medical groups began recognizing that patients have the right to be treated for pain, Kaspar Stoffelmayr, an attorney for Walgreens, said at the opening of the trial.

The problem, he said, was that “pharmaceutical manufacturers tricked doctors into writing way too many pills.”

The counties said pharmacies should be the last line of defense to prevent the pills from getting into the wrong hands.

They didn’t hire enough pharmacists and technicians or train them to stop that from happening and failed to implement systems that could flag suspicious orders, Lanier said.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland was part of a broader constellation of federal opioid lawsuits — about 3,000 in all — that have been consolidated under the judge’s supervision. Other cases are moving ahead in state courts.

Kevin Roy, chief public policy officer at Shatterproof, an organization that advocates for solutions to addiction, said the verdict could lead pharmacies to follow the path of major distribution companies and some drugmakers that have reached nationwide settlements of opioid cases worth billions.

So far, no pharmacy has reached a nationwide settlement.

“It’s a signal that the public, at least in select places, feels that there’s been exposure and needs to be remedied,” Roy said.

Roy noted that courts have not been consistent on whether public nuisance law applies to such cases. “There’s been a variety of different decisions lately that should give us reason to be cautious about what this really means in the grand scheme,” he said.

It was one of five trials so far this year in the U.S. to test claims brought by governments against parts of the drug industry over the toll of prescription painkillers.

Trials against drugmakers in New York and distribution companies in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-seattle-california-bob-ferguson-opioids-fceeba90ed62557712f5d389d6f29bbc">Washington state</a>&nbsp;are underway now. A trial of claims against distribution companies in West Virginia has wrapped up, but the judge has not yet given a verdict.

Earlier in November, a California judge ruled in favor of top drug manufacturers in a lawsuit with three counties and the city of Oakland. The judge said the governments hadn’t proven that the pharmaceutical companies used deceptive marketing to increase unnecessary opioid prescriptions and create a public nuisance.

Also in November, Oklahoma’s supreme court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-oklahoma-opioids-statutes-health-555d0e67459962416b251c8f15edd326">overturned a 2019 judgment</a>&nbsp;for $465 million in a suit brought by the state against drugmaker Johnson &amp; Johnson.

Other lawsuits have resulted in big settlements or proposed settlements before trials were completed.

The jury’s decision in Cleveland had little effect on the stock of CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. Shares of all three companies rose Tuesday. Shares of CVS and Walgreens are up by 36% and 19% this year, respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580161711151.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLEVELAND (AP) — CVS, Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies recklessly distributed massive amounts of pain pills in two Ohio counties, a federal jury said Tuesday in a verdict that could set the tone for U.S. city and county governments that want to hold pharmacies accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis.Lake and Trumbull counties blamed the three chain pharmacies for not stopping the flood of pills that caused hundreds of overdose deaths and cost each of the two counties about $1 billion, their attorney said.How much the pharmacies must pay in damages will be decided in the spring by a federal judge.It was the first time pharmacy companies had completed a trial to defend themselves in a drug crisis that has killed a half-million Americans over the past two decades.The counties were able to convince the jury that the pharmacies played an outsized role in creating a public nuisance in the way they dispensed pain medication into their communities.“The law requires pharmacies to be diligent in dealing drugs. This case should be a wake-up call that failure will not be accepted,” said Mark Lanier, an attorney for the counties.“The jury sounded a bell that should be heard through all pharmacies in America,” Lanier said.Attorneys for the three pharmacy chains maintained they had policies to stem the flow of pills when their pharmacists had any concerns and would notify authorities about suspicious orders from doctors. They also said it was the doctors who controlled how many pills were being prescribed for legitimate medical needs.Spokespeople for CVSHealth and Walgreen Co. said the companies disagree with the verdict and will appeal.“As plaintiffs’ own experts testified, many factors have contributed to the opioid abuse issue, and solving this problem will require involvement from all stakeholders in our health care system and all members of our community,” CVS spokesperson Mike DeAngelis said in a statement.Walgreen spokesperson Fraser Engerman said the company believes the court erred “in allowing the case to go before a jury on a flawed legal theory that is inconsistent with Ohio law.”“As we have said throughout this process, we never manufactured or marketed opioids nor did we distribute them to the ‘pill mills’ and internet pharmacies that fueled this crisis,” Engerman said in a statement. “The plaintiffs’ attempt to resolve the opioid crisis with an unprecedented expansion of public nuisance law is misguided and unsustainable.”Two other chains — Rite Aid and Giant Eagle —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-ohio-lawsuits-cleveland-21762b10e14a24bf0c67a4da04bdf606">already had settled lawsuits</a>&nbsp;with the two Ohio counties.Lanier said during the trial that the pharmacies were attempting to blame everyone but themselves.The opioid crisis has overwhelmed courts, social services agencies and law enforcement in Ohio’s blue-collar corner east of Cleveland, leaving behind heartbroken families and babies born to addicted mothers, Lanier told jurors.Roughly 80 million prescription painkillers were dispensed in Trumbull County alone between 2012 and 2016 — equivalent to 400 for every resident.In Lake County, some 61 million pills were distributed during that period.The rise in physicians prescribing pain medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone came at a time when medical groups began recognizing that patients have the right to be treated for pain, Kaspar Stoffelmayr, an attorney for Walgreens, said at the opening of the trial.The problem, he said, was that “pharmaceutical manufacturers tricked doctors into writing way too many pills.”The counties said pharmacies should be the last line of defense to prevent the pills from getting into the wrong hands.They didn’t hire enough pharmacists and technicians or train them to stop that from happening and failed to implement systems that could flag suspicious orders, Lanier said.The trial before U.S. District Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland was part of a broader constellation of federal opioid lawsuits — about 3,000 in all — that have been consolidated under the judge’s supervision. Other cases are moving ahead in state courts.Kevin Roy, chief public policy officer at Shatterproof, an organization that advocates for solutions to addiction, said the verdict could lead pharmacies to follow the path of major distribution companies and some drugmakers that have reached nationwide settlements of opioid cases worth billions.So far, no pharmacy has reached a nationwide settlement.“It’s a signal that the public, at least in select places, feels that there’s been exposure and needs to be remedied,” Roy said.Roy noted that courts have not been consistent on whether public nuisance law applies to such cases. “There’s been a variety of different decisions lately that should give us reason to be cautious about what this really means in the grand scheme,” he said.It was one of five trials so far this year in the U.S. to test claims brought by governments against parts of the drug industry over the toll of prescription painkillers.Trials against drugmakers in New York and distribution companies in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-seattle-california-bob-ferguson-opioids-fceeba90ed62557712f5d389d6f29bbc">Washington state</a>&nbsp;are underway now. A trial of claims against distribution companies in West Virginia has wrapped up, but the judge has not yet given a verdict.Earlier in November, a California judge ruled in favor of top drug manufacturers in a lawsuit with three counties and the city of Oakland. The judge said the governments hadn’t proven that the pharmaceutical companies used deceptive marketing to increase unnecessary opioid prescriptions and create a public nuisance.Also in November, Oklahoma’s supreme court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-oklahoma-opioids-statutes-health-555d0e67459962416b251c8f15edd326">overturned a 2019 judgment</a>&nbsp;for $465 million in a suit brought by the state against drugmaker Johnson &amp; Johnson.Other lawsuits have resulted in big settlements or proposed settlements before trials were completed.The jury’s decision in Cleveland had little effect on the stock of CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. Shares of all three companies rose Tuesday. Shares of CVS and Walgreens are up by 36% and 19% this year, respectively.

Jury holds pharmacies responsible for role in opioid crisis

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing and after asking the public for help to identify a suspect made an arrest.

Just after 11:30p.m. Monday police booked 27-year-old Jeffrey Elam into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20006712">requested charges</a> that include drug possession, failure to to comply and in connection with the stabbing, according to online jail records.

Just after midnight Monday, police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.

When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. 

EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him.

Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637681991929.png" alt="Elam photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Elam photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing and after asking the public for help to identify a suspect made an arrest.Just after 11:30p.m. Monday police booked 27-year-old Jeffrey Elam into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20006712">requested charges</a> that include drug possession, failure to to comply and in connection with the stabbing, according to online jail records.Just after midnight Monday, police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637631064201.png" alt="Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him.Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014.

Kansas sex offender accused of stabbing woman

TOPEKA&nbsp;- On Tuesday afternoon,&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly signed CCR for HB 2001 into law, the bill passed during Kansas’ 2021 Special Session, which requires exemptions and eligibility for unemployment benefits.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.jpCq6wb4wVPEBUhXXICXaxRra2Wu4dtwLz2Ix1PwSEg/s/1303160919/br/121591996305-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here</a>&nbsp;for more information about CCR for HB 2001&nbsp;

In a statement from her office, Governor Laura Kelly said, “I have been clear that I believe it is too late to impose a federal standard. States have been leading the fight against COVID-19 for nearly two years. I know there are Kansans who believe this legislation goes too far, and there are others who believe this legislation doesn’t go far enough. But I was elected to lead, and leadership means seeking compromise.

“This bill is the result of compromise in action. Now that it is signed, we need to turn our attention towards pressing issues like growing our economy and passing my plan to Axe the Food Tax, so we can put money back into everyday Kansans’ pockets.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637699912169.png" alt="<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.jpCq6wb4wVPEBUhXXICXaxRra2Wu4dtwLz2Ix1PwSEg/s/1303160919/br/121591996305-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf">for more information about CCR for HB 2001&nbsp;</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTExMjMuNDkyODgzOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5rc2xlZ2lzbGF0dXJlLm9yZyUyRmxpXzIwMjFzJTJGYjIwMjFzJTJGbWVhc3VyZXMlMkZkb2N1bWVudHMlMkZjY3JiX2hiMjAwMV8wMl8wMDAwLnBkZiZkYXRhPTA0JTdDMDElN0NSZWV2ZXMuT3lzdGVyJTQwa3MuZ292JTdDMGU1YTU3MzIzNGYxNDg3NGJhOWQwOGQ5YWViY2M0M2QlN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NzMyOTQ4MDI0MzI1NzA5JTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzMwMDAmc2RhdGE9MXdRNUpXSDdZcVVxd3hGJTJGa0RKN0Jmc2syaFhUdzNVMUFYM3NISDEzdWRvJTNEJnJlc2VydmVkPTAifQ.jpCq6wb4wVPEBUhXXICXaxRra2Wu4dtwLz2Ix1PwSEg/s/1303160919/br/121591996305-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf">for more information about CCR for HB 2001&nbsp;</a></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;- On Tuesday afternoon,&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly signed CCR for HB 2001 into law, the bill passed during Kansas’ 2021 Special Session, which requires exemptions and eligibility for unemployment benefits.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.jpCq6wb4wVPEBUhXXICXaxRra2Wu4dtwLz2Ix1PwSEg/s/1303160919/br/121591996305-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here</a>&nbsp;for more information about CCR for HB 2001&nbsp;In a statement from her office, Governor Laura Kelly said, “I have been clear that I believe it is too late to impose a federal standard. States have been leading the fight against COVID-19 for nearly two years. I know there are Kansans who believe this legislation goes too far, and there are others who believe this legislation doesn’t go far enough. But I was elected to lead, and leadership means seeking compromise.“This bill is the result of compromise in action. Now that it is signed, we need to turn our attention towards pressing issues like growing our economy and passing my plan to Axe the Food Tax, so we can put money back into everyday Kansans’ pockets.”

Kan. governor signs bill addressing federal COVID vaccine mandates

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man who has been jailed for more than 40 years for three murders was wrongfully convicted in 1979 and will be released, a Missouri judge ruled Tuesday.

Kevin Strickland, 62,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">has always maintained</a>&nbsp;that he was home watching television and had nothing to do with the killings, which happened when he was 18 years old.

Judge James Welsh, a retired Missouri Court of Appeals judge, ruled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-c077050b39526e271b02219c4d9c44d0">a three-day evidentiary hearing</a>&nbsp;requested by a Jackson County prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">who said evidence used to convict Strickland had been recanted or disproven&nbsp;</a>since his 1979 conviction.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt fought efforts led by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and other legal and political leaders to free Strickland. Schmitt, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate, said Strickland was guilty. Gov. Mike Parson declined Strickland’s clemency requests.

Strickland was convicted in the deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, at a home in Kansas City.

The evidentiary hearing focused largely on previous testimony from Cynthia Douglas, the only person to survive the April 25, 1978, shootings. She initially identified Strickland as one of four men who shot the victims and testified to that during his two trials.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-crime-2a8b2cc09dac67051c9c4701a5166d06">But she later said she was pressured by police to choose Strickland and tried for years to alert political and legal experts to help her prove she had identified the wrong man,</a>&nbsp;according to testimony during the hearing from her family, friends and a co-worker. Douglas died in 2015.

During the hearing, attorneys for the Missouri Attorney General’s office argued that Strickland’s advocates had not provided any kind of paper trail that proved Douglas tried to recant her identification of Strickland, saying the theory was based on “hearsay, upon hearsay, upon hearsay,”

Two other men convicted in the killings later insisted that Strickland wasn’t at the crime scene, The Kansas City Star reported. They named two other suspects, who were never charged.

During his testimony, Strickland denied suggestions that he offered Douglas $300 to “keep her mouth shut,” and said he had never visited the house where the murders occurred before they happened.

Strickland is Black, and his first trial ended in a hung jury when the only Black juror, a woman, held out for acquittal. After his second trial in 1979, he was convicted by an all-white jury of one count of capital murder and two counts of second-degree murder.

In May, Peters Baker announced that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/06e726b7ef07be53ba7bdb6088282548" target="_blank">review of the case led her to believe that Strickland was innocent.</a>

In June, the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear Strickland’s petition.

In August, Peters Baker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">used a new state law</a>&nbsp;to seek the evidentiary hearing in Jackson County, where Strickland was convicted. The law allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime. It was the first time — and so far the only time — that a prosecutor has used the law to fight a previous conviction.

The hearing was delayed several times by motions filed by Schmitt’s office, one of which successfully argued to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-a99cc2a98fff1d85e2e2179961a9a4a6">all judges in the 16th Circuit, which includes Jackson County, recused from the hearings,</a>&nbsp;citing a letter in which the circuit’s presiding judge said he agreed Strickland should be exonerated. Welsh was then appointed to preside over the hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Strickland-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man who has been jailed for more than 40 years for three murders was wrongfully convicted in 1979 and will be released, a Missouri judge ruled Tuesday.Kevin Strickland, 62,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">has always maintained</a>&nbsp;that he was home watching television and had nothing to do with the killings, which happened when he was 18 years old.Judge James Welsh, a retired Missouri Court of Appeals judge, ruled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-c077050b39526e271b02219c4d9c44d0">a three-day evidentiary hearing</a>&nbsp;requested by a Jackson County prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">who said evidence used to convict Strickland had been recanted or disproven&nbsp;</a>since his 1979 conviction.Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt fought efforts led by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and other legal and political leaders to free Strickland. Schmitt, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate, said Strickland was guilty. Gov. Mike Parson declined Strickland’s clemency requests.Strickland was convicted in the deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, at a home in Kansas City.The evidentiary hearing focused largely on previous testimony from Cynthia Douglas, the only person to survive the April 25, 1978, shootings. She initially identified Strickland as one of four men who shot the victims and testified to that during his two trials.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-crime-2a8b2cc09dac67051c9c4701a5166d06">But she later said she was pressured by police to choose Strickland and tried for years to alert political and legal experts to help her prove she had identified the wrong man,</a>&nbsp;according to testimony during the hearing from her family, friends and a co-worker. Douglas died in 2015.During the hearing, attorneys for the Missouri Attorney General’s office argued that Strickland’s advocates had not provided any kind of paper trail that proved Douglas tried to recant her identification of Strickland, saying the theory was based on “hearsay, upon hearsay, upon hearsay,”Two other men convicted in the killings later insisted that Strickland wasn’t at the crime scene, The Kansas City Star reported. They named two other suspects, who were never charged.During his testimony, Strickland denied suggestions that he offered Douglas $300 to “keep her mouth shut,” and said he had never visited the house where the murders occurred before they happened.Strickland is Black, and his first trial ended in a hung jury when the only Black juror, a woman, held out for acquittal. After his second trial in 1979, he was convicted by an all-white jury of one count of capital murder and two counts of second-degree murder.In May, Peters Baker announced that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/06e726b7ef07be53ba7bdb6088282548" target="_blank">review of the case led her to believe that Strickland was innocent.</a>In June, the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear Strickland’s petition.In August, Peters Baker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">used a new state law</a>&nbsp;to seek the evidentiary hearing in Jackson County, where Strickland was convicted. The law allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime. It was the first time — and so far the only time — that a prosecutor has used the law to fight a previous conviction.The hearing was delayed several times by motions filed by Schmitt’s office, one of which successfully argued to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-a99cc2a98fff1d85e2e2179961a9a4a6">all judges in the 16th Circuit, which includes Jackson County, recused from the hearings,</a>&nbsp;citing a letter in which the circuit’s presiding judge said he agreed Strickland should be exonerated. Welsh was then appointed to preside over the hearing.

Judge will free KC man wrongfully convicted in 1979 triple-killing

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas widow says she's still waiting for answers, more than 40 days after her husband was fatally struck in a hit-and-run accident outside of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Steven and Laurie Hickle of Wichita left the stadium early on Oct. 10 during a rain delay in the Chiefs game. He was struck by two hit-and-run drivers while trying to cross Blue Ridge Cutoff.

Laurie Hickle said that her last conversation with Kansas City police was several weeks ago when they told her they found one of the vehicles that struck her 66-year-old husband.

Hickle said she is frustrated that the drivers who may have been responsible for her husband’s death have failed to step forward or cooperated with police.

Police spokeswoman Capt. Leslie Foreman said investigators are making some progress in this case, but still need the public’s assistance.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas widow says she's still waiting for answers, more than 40 days after her husband was fatally struck in a hit-and-run accident outside of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.Steven and Laurie Hickle of Wichita left the stadium early on Oct. 10 during a rain delay in the Chiefs game. He was struck by two hit-and-run drivers while trying to cross Blue Ridge Cutoff.Laurie Hickle said that her last conversation with Kansas City police was several weeks ago when they told her they found one of the vehicles that struck her 66-year-old husband.Hickle said she is frustrated that the drivers who may have been responsible for her husband’s death have failed to step forward or cooperated with police.Police spokeswoman Capt. Leslie Foreman said investigators are making some progress in this case, but still need the public’s assistance.

Widow waiting for answers after hit-and-run near Arrowhead stadium

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


HUTCHINSON — There are multiple reasons that Kansas First District Congressman
 Tracey Mann voted against the latest spending package backed by the 
Biden administration.

"It's $1.75 trillion, which makes it one of 
the largest spending bills in the history of the country," Mann said. 
"It starts a lot of new programs. It's bad for the oil and gas industry.
 This bill spends $80 billion to hire almost 80,000 more IRS agents. It 
does not have the Hyde Amendment, which, you know, for decades has been 
our policy, that we do not have taxpayer funded abortions. That language
 is not included. This bill is bad, bad, bad, for the country and for 
the Big First. It's not something I could support."

Mann also isn't sure that the price tag is really what the administration is claiming, either.

"There's
 a group that scores it, meaning they are determining what it would cost
 and that's $1.75 trillion," Mann said. "But, a lot of the new programs 
and things that get started are only for a couple of years. Then they 
have to get reauthorized. If you look at this bill over the next 10 
years, I think, more than likely, it would cost more like $4 trillion 
than $1.75 trillion. This just further adds to our $30 trillion debt we 
already have. This spending is not sustainable."

For Mann and many Republicans, it is fundamental to keep government in its lane.

"Big
 picture, there's an inverse relationship between freedom and the size 
of government," Mann said. "When government grows, freedom shrinks and 
when government shrinks, freedom grows. We have seen an expansive growth
 of government, in spending and in intrusion in our lives. Things like 
vaccine mandates, which I strongly oppose. These things are not good for
 our individual freedoms and liberties going forward."

Mann 
believes if the election were held now, Republicans would retake control
 of the House, but it remains to be seen what will change between now 
and next November.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611836622184.jpeg" alt="Rep. Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL<a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a> 
HUTCHINSON — There are multiple reasons that Kansas First District Congressman
 Tracey Mann voted against the latest spending package backed by the 
Biden administration."It's $1.75 trillion, which makes it one of 
the largest spending bills in the history of the country," Mann said. 
"It starts a lot of new programs. It's bad for the oil and gas industry.
 This bill spends $80 billion to hire almost 80,000 more IRS agents. It 
does not have the Hyde Amendment, which, you know, for decades has been 
our policy, that we do not have taxpayer funded abortions. That language
 is not included. This bill is bad, bad, bad, for the country and for 
the Big First. It's not something I could support."Mann also isn't sure that the price tag is really what the administration is claiming, either."There's
 a group that scores it, meaning they are determining what it would cost
 and that's $1.75 trillion," Mann said. "But, a lot of the new programs 
and things that get started are only for a couple of years. Then they 
have to get reauthorized. If you look at this bill over the next 10 
years, I think, more than likely, it would cost more like $4 trillion 
than $1.75 trillion. This just further adds to our $30 trillion debt we 
already have. This spending is not sustainable."For Mann and many Republicans, it is fundamental to keep government in its lane."Big
 picture, there's an inverse relationship between freedom and the size 
of government," Mann said. "When government grows, freedom shrinks and 
when government shrinks, freedom grows. We have seen an expansive growth
 of government, in spending and in intrusion in our lives. Things like 
vaccine mandates, which I strongly oppose. These things are not good for
 our individual freedoms and liberties going forward."Mann 
believes if the election were held now, Republicans would retake control
 of the House, but it remains to be seen what will change between now 
and next November.

Kan. congressman concerned about spending, government intrusion

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a> is getting reports of a seasonal spin on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">social media ad scams</a>. This time, scammers are targeting holiday shoppers with themed advent calendars.

As you scroll through your social media feed, you come across a 
themed advent calendar that looks fun and unique. Judging by the 
comments on the post, many people have already purchased the item and 
love it. The post links you to a website where you can make your 
purchase. Everything looks normal and the price is reasonable, so you 
place an order. Your credit card is charged, but as the days turn into 
weeks, you start wondering if you’ll ever receive the calendar.&nbsp;

In most cases, your calendar never arrives because it never existed. One consumer told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>:
 “I&nbsp;saw an ad on Facebook for a Healing Crystal Advent Calendar. I read 
the reviews below the ad and a lot of people were excited. The website 
looked professional, ordering was noneventful, and I received a 
confirmation email and tracking information.” Unfortunately, the 
calendar never arrived. “So I began some investigative work. What I 
found demonstrated to me that this was a fraudulent company. There were 
several Facebook posts and comments from people stating they were 
scammed.”&nbsp;

If you’re among the "lucky" few who do receive a product from a scam 
site, it could be a far cry from what you saw online. Another consumer 
had this experience: “I ordered 2 alcohol advent calendars (bourbon and 
whiskey) for $49.99 each. Each calendar was to contain 24 wax-sealed 
drams. They actually contained 4 empty plastic bottles and some small 
charms.” Victims who reached out to customer service to resolve the 
issue report receiving no answer. &nbsp;

Read more tips on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">social media ad scams</a>.

Avoid scams this holiday season by reading <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">BBB’s Holiday Tips</a>. You can find more tips by reading <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips for smart shopping online</a> and visiting <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.

If you’ve come across a social media scam recently, report it at <a href="http://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others spot a scam before it’s too late.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBB<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a> is getting reports of a seasonal spin on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">social media ad scams</a>. This time, scammers are targeting holiday shoppers with themed advent calendars.<h2>How the Scam Works</h2>As you scroll through your social media feed, you come across a 
themed advent calendar that looks fun and unique. Judging by the 
comments on the post, many people have already purchased the item and 
love it. The post links you to a website where you can make your 
purchase. Everything looks normal and the price is reasonable, so you 
place an order. Your credit card is charged, but as the days turn into 
weeks, you start wondering if you’ll ever receive the calendar.&nbsp;In most cases, your calendar never arrives because it never existed. One consumer told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>:
 “I&nbsp;saw an ad on Facebook for a Healing Crystal Advent Calendar. I read 
the reviews below the ad and a lot of people were excited. The website 
looked professional, ordering was noneventful, and I received a 
confirmation email and tracking information.” Unfortunately, the 
calendar never arrived. “So I began some investigative work. What I 
found demonstrated to me that this was a fraudulent company. There were 
several Facebook posts and comments from people stating they were 
scammed.”&nbsp;If you’re among the "lucky" few who do receive a product from a scam 
site, it could be a far cry from what you saw online. Another consumer 
had this experience: “I ordered 2 alcohol advent calendars (bourbon and 
whiskey) for $49.99 each. Each calendar was to contain 24 wax-sealed 
drams. They actually contained 4 empty plastic bottles and some small 
charms.” Victims who reached out to customer service to resolve the 
issue report receiving no answer. &nbsp; <h2>How to Avoid Social Media Ad Scams</h2><ul>
 <li>Research before you buy. It can be tempting to buy 
something on social media on a whim, especially if it isn’t too 
expensive, but resist the urge. Do a search for the business before you 
click “buy” to make sure they have a legitimate website and contact 
information. Even if the website has professional looking photos and 
good customer reviews, it could still be a fake. Check <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a> to see if others have been scammed by similar companies. </li><li>Don’t fall for deals that are too good to be true. If an ad promises an intricate advent calendar containing valuable gifts for an extremely low price, it probably is too good to be true. </li><li>Search for consumer complaints. Do an online search
 of the product and business names along with the words “complaints,” 
“scams,” or “reviews” and see what you come up with. If you find reports
 of others who were scammed or didn’t receive what they were promised, 
steer clear.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>Read more tips on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">social media ad scams</a>.Avoid scams this holiday season by reading <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">BBB’s Holiday Tips</a>. You can find more tips by reading <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips for smart shopping online</a> and visiting <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.If you’ve come across a social media scam recently, report it at <a href="http://www.BBB.org/ScamTracker">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others spot a scam before it’s too late.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Watch out for social media advent calendar scams

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man after an arrest following a 4-hour standoff at a Kansas home.

Just before 1p.m. Monday,&nbsp;the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving several calls about erratic driving near SE 15th Street and SE Adams Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Eakis.

The suspect reportedly rammed at least one vehicle. Responding police officers located a vehicle matching the same description parked in the driveway of a residence at 108 SW Hampton Street.

Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect later identified as Steven M. Rule, Jr. 36, of Topeka, but he barricaded himself inside the home.

Officers negotiated with the Rule for more than four hours. Just before 6p.m., police took him into custody. Rule is being held on requested charges of that include an&nbsp;outstanding felony warrant, according to Eakis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637677406183.png" alt="Rule has over a dozen. previous convictions that include theft, burglary, aggravated battery, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correction- photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rule has over a dozen. previous convictions that include theft, burglary, aggravated battery, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correction- photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man after an arrest following a 4-hour standoff at a Kansas home.Just before 1p.m. Monday,&nbsp;the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving several calls about erratic driving near SE 15th Street and SE Adams Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Eakis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637677286560.png" alt="Police at the scene of the standoff on Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the standoff on Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect reportedly rammed at least one vehicle. Responding police officers located a vehicle matching the same description parked in the driveway of a residence at 108 SW Hampton Street.Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect later identified as Steven M. Rule, Jr. 36, of Topeka, but he barricaded himself inside the home.Officers negotiated with the Rule for more than four hours. Just before 6p.m., police took him into custody. Rule is being held on requested charges of that include an&nbsp;outstanding felony warrant, according to Eakis.

Police arrest wanted Kansas felon after 4-hour standoff

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from the strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India, and the United Kingdom.

The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gas prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.

Biden has scrambled to reshape much of his economic agenda around the issue of inflation, saying that his recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure package will reduce price pressures by making it more efficient and cheaper to transport goods.

Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration for inflation hitting a 31-year high in October.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into the administration over inflation in a floor speech last week, saying the victims of higher prices were middle class Americans.

“The three biggest drivers of the staggering 6.2% inflation rate we logged last month were housing, transportation, and food,” the Kentucky senator said. “Those aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials, and they take up a much bigger share of families’ budgets from the middle class on down.”

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency stockpile to preserve access to oil in case of natural disasters, national security issues and other events. Maintained by the Energy Department, the reserves are stored in caverns created in salt domes along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts. There are roughly 605 million barrels of sweet and sour petroleum in the reserve.

“As we come out of an unprecedented global economic shutdown, oil supply has not kept up with demand, forcing working families and businesses to pay the price,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “This action underscores the president’s commitment to using the tools available to bring down costs for working families and to continue our economic recovery.”

The Biden administration has argued that the supply of oil has not kept pace with demand as the global economy emerged from the pandemic, and the reserve is the right tool to help ease the problem.

Americans used an average of 20.7 million barrels a day during September, according to the Energy Information Administration. That means that the release nearly equals about two-and-a-half days of additional supply.

The decision comes after weeks of diplomatic negotiations and the release will be taken in parallel with other nations. Japan and South Korea are also participating.

The U.S. Department of Energy will make the oil available from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two ways; 32 million barrels will be released in the next few months and will return to the reserve in the years ahead, the White House said. Another 18 barrels will be part of a sale of oil that Congress had previously authorized.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday evening that the White House would also keep tabs on the oil companies, too.

“We will continue to press oil companies who have made record profits and are overseeing what we consider to be price gouging out there when there’s a supply of oil or the price of oil is coming down and the price of gas is not coming down,” Psaki said. “It does not take an economic expert to know that’s a problem.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637673559812.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from the strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India, and the United Kingdom.The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gas prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.Biden has scrambled to reshape much of his economic agenda around the issue of inflation, saying that his recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure package will reduce price pressures by making it more efficient and cheaper to transport goods.Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration for inflation hitting a 31-year high in October.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into the administration over inflation in a floor speech last week, saying the victims of higher prices were middle class Americans.“The three biggest drivers of the staggering 6.2% inflation rate we logged last month were housing, transportation, and food,” the Kentucky senator said. “Those aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials, and they take up a much bigger share of families’ budgets from the middle class on down.”The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency stockpile to preserve access to oil in case of natural disasters, national security issues and other events. Maintained by the Energy Department, the reserves are stored in caverns created in salt domes along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts. There are roughly 605 million barrels of sweet and sour petroleum in the reserve.“As we come out of an unprecedented global economic shutdown, oil supply has not kept up with demand, forcing working families and businesses to pay the price,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “This action underscores the president’s commitment to using the tools available to bring down costs for working families and to continue our economic recovery.”The Biden administration has argued that the supply of oil has not kept pace with demand as the global economy emerged from the pandemic, and the reserve is the right tool to help ease the problem.Americans used an average of 20.7 million barrels a day during September, according to the Energy Information Administration. That means that the release nearly equals about two-and-a-half days of additional supply.The decision comes after weeks of diplomatic negotiations and the release will be taken in parallel with other nations. Japan and South Korea are also participating.The U.S. Department of Energy will make the oil available from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two ways; 32 million barrels will be released in the next few months and will return to the reserve in the years ahead, the White House said. Another 18 barrels will be part of a sale of oil that Congress had previously authorized.White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday evening that the White House would also keep tabs on the oil companies, too.“We will continue to press oil companies who have made record profits and are overseeing what we consider to be price gouging out there when there’s a supply of oil or the price of oil is coming down and the price of gas is not coming down,” Psaki said. “It does not take an economic expert to know that’s a problem.”

US to release 50M barrels of oil from reserve to ease gas prices

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas approved a measure Monday night to make it easy for workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide unemployment benefits to people fired for refusing the shots.

Gov. Laura Kelly said she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the bill,</a>&nbsp;angering some fellow Democrats in the GOP-controlled Legislature. Most Democratic lawmakers opposed it, arguing that it was a symbolic measure that won’t provide any real protections for workers who refuse to get vaccinated in the face of federal mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>

The bill would require employers to grant a religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for any worker who seeks one in writing, without second-guessing that employee. Republican leaders initially were divided over whether it was necessary to also promise fired workers unemployment, but House leaders who’d resisted came around during negotiations with the Senate.

The votes were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122225505_281018/" target="_blank">24-11</a>&nbsp;in the Senate and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122231322_718097/" target="_blank">77-34</a>&nbsp;in the House. Republican legislators had forced Kelly to call the one-day special session to consider ways for Kansas to push back against Biden’s mandates. The full Legislature had been out of session since May and wasn’t set to reconvene until January, but many GOP lawmakers believed that vaccine-refusing workers couldn’t wait for help until then.

“Many of us here tonight wanted a lot more, but this is a victory for liberty and the patriots standing tall across Kansas,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a conservative Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee.

During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican seeking to oust Kelly in next year’s governor’s race, has brought Kansas into three multi-state lawsuits.

“We have to stay focused on the priority, which is protecting those people right now that could be losing their jobs,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and one of the negotiators.

Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, but a few GOP lawmakers joined most Democrats in voting against the measure. Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat who was among the negotiators, called it a “sham” that will mislead vaccine-resistant workers who want some protection from Biden’s policies.

“The courts are going to take care of the mandates, I expect,” Miller said. “If the mandates are found to be legal, I expect that these actions will be found to be illegal.”

Kansas’ special legislative session comes as Republican governors, state attorneys general and lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-states-suing-employer-vaccine-mandates-f4300ed015ed716a1054949cf199a25a">are pursuing ways</a>&nbsp;to push back against the Biden mandates. Iowa enacted a law last month extending unemployment benefits to workers who refuse to get vaccinated, and provisions in the Kansas legislation were inspired by measures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-state-legislature-florida-ca8e97649fb4f4ff586cc39fb052dc44?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=Twitter">enacted last week in Florida.</a>

One question is whether such state laws can be enforced because federal law is supreme.

Supporters argued that the Kansas measure would stand because it wouldn’t conflict with Biden’s mandates, which allow for religious exemptions. But some business owners and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, often influential with Republicans, were skeptical. They worried that businesses would be caught between conflicting state and federal mandates.

“You’re going to make a wrong decision, no matter what,” said Alan Rupe, a Wichita attorney who represents companies in employment law cases.

The Kansas chamber also opposed provisions that said if employers don’t grant a religious exemption to workers who ask for them, they could be fined up to $50,000 per violation.

“What business owner wants to raise their hand in the air and say, ‘Fine me’?” said Eric Stafford, a chamber lobbyist.

Meanwhile, Republicans faced pressure from anti-mandate activists to prohibit mandates from private employers. However, the House did not consider the idea, and Masterson said it could get a full vetting starting in January.

Evon Smith, a registered nurse who left her job in Topeka in October because she didn’t think she would get a religious exemption, said it’s important to hold employers accountable. She was at the Statehouse on Monday.

“I should be able to state that I don’t want this shot because of God,” she said. “That should be the end of it.”

The measure says religious exemptions would cover beliefs that aren’t tied to a belief in God but simply a strong moral objection.

Critics predicted abuses. Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said the policy would allow people with political objections to falsely claim religious ones.

“Opposition to the public health is the religion,” he said. “Trumpism is the religion.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637665078992.png" alt="During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them." />
 <figcaption>During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA and ANDY TSUBASA FIELDTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas approved a measure Monday night to make it easy for workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide unemployment benefits to people fired for refusing the shots.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KUbMd1qHHG4?start=4145" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Gov. Laura Kelly said she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2001_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the bill,</a>&nbsp;angering some fellow Democrats in the GOP-controlled Legislature. Most Democratic lawmakers opposed it, arguing that it was a symbolic measure that won’t provide any real protections for workers who refuse to get vaccinated in the face of federal mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>The bill would require employers to grant a religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for any worker who seeks one in writing, without second-guessing that employee. Republican leaders initially were divided over whether it was necessary to also promise fired workers unemployment, but House leaders who’d resisted came around during negotiations with the Senate.The votes were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122225505_281018/" target="_blank">24-11</a>&nbsp;in the Senate and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2021s/b2021s/measures/vote_view/je_20211122231322_718097/" target="_blank">77-34</a>&nbsp;in the House. Republican legislators had forced Kelly to call the one-day special session to consider ways for Kansas to push back against Biden’s mandates. The full Legislature had been out of session since May and wasn’t set to reconvene until January, but many GOP lawmakers believed that vaccine-refusing workers couldn’t wait for help until then.“Many of us here tonight wanted a lot more, but this is a victory for liberty and the patriots standing tall across Kansas,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a conservative Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee.During negotiations between Monday evening between the House and Senate, GOP senators dropped a proposal from conservatives in their chamber to prohibit private employers from imposing their own vaccine requirements, whether or not Biden’s mandates survive the federal lawsuits challenging them. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican seeking to oust Kelly in next year’s governor’s race, has brought Kansas into three multi-state lawsuits.“We have to stay focused on the priority, which is protecting those people right now that could be losing their jobs,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and one of the negotiators.Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, but a few GOP lawmakers joined most Democrats in voting against the measure. Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat who was among the negotiators, called it a “sham” that will mislead vaccine-resistant workers who want some protection from Biden’s policies.ADVERTISEMENT“The courts are going to take care of the mandates, I expect,” Miller said. “If the mandates are found to be legal, I expect that these actions will be found to be illegal.”Kansas’ special legislative session comes as Republican governors, state attorneys general and lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-states-suing-employer-vaccine-mandates-f4300ed015ed716a1054949cf199a25a">are pursuing ways</a>&nbsp;to push back against the Biden mandates. Iowa enacted a law last month extending unemployment benefits to workers who refuse to get vaccinated, and provisions in the Kansas legislation were inspired by measures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-state-legislature-florida-ca8e97649fb4f4ff586cc39fb052dc44?utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=Twitter">enacted last week in Florida.</a>One question is whether such state laws can be enforced because federal law is supreme.Supporters argued that the Kansas measure would stand because it wouldn’t conflict with Biden’s mandates, which allow for religious exemptions. But some business owners and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, often influential with Republicans, were skeptical. They worried that businesses would be caught between conflicting state and federal mandates.“You’re going to make a wrong decision, no matter what,” said Alan Rupe, a Wichita attorney who represents companies in employment law cases.The Kansas chamber also opposed provisions that said if employers don’t grant a religious exemption to workers who ask for them, they could be fined up to $50,000 per violation.“What business owner wants to raise their hand in the air and say, ‘Fine me’?” said Eric Stafford, a chamber lobbyist.Meanwhile, Republicans faced pressure from anti-mandate activists to prohibit mandates from private employers. However, the House did not consider the idea, and Masterson said it could get a full vetting starting in January.Evon Smith, a registered nurse who left her job in Topeka in October because she didn’t think she would get a religious exemption, said it’s important to hold employers accountable. She was at the Statehouse on Monday.“I should be able to state that I don’t want this shot because of God,” she said. “That should be the end of it.”The measure says religious exemptions would cover beliefs that aren’t tied to a belief in God but simply a strong moral objection.Critics predicted abuses. Rabbi Moti Rieber, the executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said the policy would allow people with political objections to falsely claim religious ones.“Opposition to the public health is the religion,” he said. “Trumpism is the religion.”

🎥 Kansas GOP lawmakers OK helping workers defy COVID mandates

WASHINGTON
 —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will
 remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2022. The
 rates will be:

Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.

Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the
 federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment 
rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate 
for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.

The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during October 2021 to take effect November 
1, 2021, based on daily compounding.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-24.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-50, dated December 13, 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will
 remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2022. The
 rates will be:<ul>
 <li>3% for overpayments (two (2) percent in the case of a corporation),</li><li>0.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000,</li><li>3% for underpayments, and</li><li>5% for large corporate underpayments.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is 
determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, 
the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate 
plus 3 percentage points.Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the
 federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment 
rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate 
for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 
percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of
 tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term 
rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal 
short-term rate determined during October 2021 to take effect November 
1, 2021, based on daily compounding.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-21-24.pdf">Revenue Ruling 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-50, dated December 13, 2021.

Interest rates remain the same for the first quarter of 2022

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man was killed Monday and two Kansas City, Kansas, police officers were injured in an altercation, authorities said.

Police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand said police responded around 2:30 p.m. to the city’s Coronado neighborhood after receiving a report that someone was standing in a road looking at the sky and jumping in front of traffic.

She said an altercation ensued and a gun was discharged. She said it wasn’t immediately clear who fired the weapon or whether it went off intentionally or accidentally.

She said the man who had been the focus of the police call died at a hospital. She said two officers also were taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

No other details were immediately released, including the name of the man who died. Chartrand said police and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.

Police are urging anyone who saw what happened before or during the shooting to come forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637671310842.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation photo courtesy -KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation photo courtesy -KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man was killed Monday and two Kansas City, Kansas, police officers were injured in an altercation, authorities said.Police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand said police responded around 2:30 p.m. to the city’s Coronado neighborhood after receiving a report that someone was standing in a road looking at the sky and jumping in front of traffic.She said an altercation ensued and a gun was discharged. She said it wasn’t immediately clear who fired the weapon or whether it went off intentionally or accidentally.She said the man who had been the focus of the police call died at a hospital. She said two officers also were taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.No other details were immediately released, including the name of the man who died. Chartrand said police and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.Police are urging anyone who saw what happened before or during the shooting to come forward.

Man killed, 2 Kansas police officers injured in altercation

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after executing a search warrant at a home in Great Bend.

Just after 3 p.m. November 19, deputies executed a search warrant at 205 Frey Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637600946750.jpeg" alt="Photos Barton Co. Sheriff's office" />
 <figcaption>Photos Barton Co. Sheriff's office</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after executing a search warrant at a home in Great Bend.Just after 3 p.m. November 19, deputies executed a search warrant at 205 Frey Street in Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. The search warrant was part of an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. At least one fentanyl overdose was reported in the county. Detectives believe this location was connected to the overdose case.Deputies arrived at the scene, securing the residence without incident. During the course of the search, detectives located a substantial amount of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl as well as firearms and US currency.The Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637601162314.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Raul Rivera, age 40 of Great Bend, was booked on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a weapon. His bond is set at $100,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637667423802.png" alt="Heredia photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Heredia photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Julio Heredia, age 28 of Great Bend, was arrested and booked on requested charges of distribution of fentanyl and criminal possession of a firearm. Bond was also set at $100,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637667290589.png" alt="Garay-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Garay-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Miguel Garay, age 44 of Great Bend, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine as well as a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant. He is also being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.All three suspects remain incarcerated as of Monday morning.The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Police Dept., The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sterling Police Department.