WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the launch 
of an improved identity verification and sign-in process that enables 
more people to securely access and use IRS online tools and 
applications.

Taxpayers using the new mobile-friendly verification procedure can gain entry to existing IRS online services such as the:

Additional IRS applications will transition to the new method over the next year.

"Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their 
information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this 
area, and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online 
applications as secure as possible for people," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving
 the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child
 Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other 
routine tasks online."

The new process can reach more people through the expanded use of 
identity documents and increased help desk assistance for taxpayers who 
encounter a problem when attempting to verify their identity online. 
Developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity initiative (SADI), 
the new process complies with a federal mandate.

To provide verification services, the IRS is using ID.me, a trusted 
technology provider. The new process is one more step the IRS is taking 
to ensure that taxpayer information is provided only to the person who 
legally has a right to the data.

The IRS also integrated this new account-creation process into some 
applications used by tax professionals, including those used to request 
powers of attorney or tax information authorizations online using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/use-tax-pro-account">Tax Pro Account</a> or to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/submit-forms-2848-and-8821-online">submit Forms 2848 and 8821 online</a>.

When accessing the tools listed above, taxpayers will be asked to 
sign in with an ID.me account. People who already have IRS usernames may
 continue to use their credentials from the old system to sign-in until 
summer 2022, but are prompted to create an ID.me account as soon as 
possible. Anyone with an existing ID.me account from the Child Tax 
Credit Update Portal, or from another government agency, can sign in 
with their existing credentials.

To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a 
photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or 
passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a 
computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can 
securely access IRS online services.

Taxpayers who need help verifying their identity or submitting a support ticket can visit the <a href="https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/1500002213102?utm_campaign=IRS-group1&amp;utm_medium=sadi&amp;utm_source=irs-website&amp;utm_content=newsrelease&amp;utm_term=news">ID.me IRS Help Site</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the launch 
of an improved identity verification and sign-in process that enables 
more people to securely access and use IRS online tools and 
applications.Taxpayers using the new mobile-friendly verification procedure can gain entry to existing IRS online services such as the:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)</a> and</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a>.</li>
 </ul>Additional IRS applications will transition to the new method over the next year."Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their 
information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this 
area, and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online 
applications as secure as possible for people," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving
 the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child
 Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other 
routine tasks online."The new process can reach more people through the expanded use of 
identity documents and increased help desk assistance for taxpayers who 
encounter a problem when attempting to verify their identity online. 
Developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity initiative (SADI), 
the new process complies with a federal mandate.To provide verification services, the IRS is using ID.me, a trusted 
technology provider. The new process is one more step the IRS is taking 
to ensure that taxpayer information is provided only to the person who 
legally has a right to the data.The IRS also integrated this new account-creation process into some 
applications used by tax professionals, including those used to request 
powers of attorney or tax information authorizations online using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/use-tax-pro-account">Tax Pro Account</a> or to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/submit-forms-2848-and-8821-online">submit Forms 2848 and 8821 online</a>.<h2>Accessing IRS tools</h2>When accessing the tools listed above, taxpayers will be asked to 
sign in with an ID.me account. People who already have IRS usernames may
 continue to use their credentials from the old system to sign-in until 
summer 2022, but are prompted to create an ID.me account as soon as 
possible. Anyone with an existing ID.me account from the Child Tax 
Credit Update Portal, or from another government agency, can sign in 
with their existing credentials.To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a 
photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or 
passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a 
computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can 
securely access IRS online services.Taxpayers who need help verifying their identity or submitting a support ticket can visit the <a href="https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/1500002213102?utm_campaign=IRS-group1&amp;utm_medium=sadi&amp;utm_source=irs-website&amp;utm_content=newsrelease&amp;utm_term=news">ID.me IRS Help Site</a>.

IRS changes identity verification process for accessing self-help tools

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in the fatal shooting of a man at a Kansas home pleaded guilty this week, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

A jury trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday for Amber Ahrens, 41, Wichita. On June 17, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 1200 block of North Pinecrest in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

 Upon arrival, officers located 53-year-old David Leddy of Wichita in the front of the residence with a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed a disturbance ensued earlier in the day at the home between Leddy and a 19-year-old boy who did not live there.&nbsp; 

During the disturbance, Leddy’s vehicle was damaged, and the 19-year-old was battered.

The 19-year-old’s 41-year-old mother identified as Ahrens and three friends, a 44-year-old female, a 54-year-old male, and a 31-year-old female, later arrived at the home.&nbsp; A disturbance then ensued in front of the house, and shots were fired that struck Leddy.

Ahrens is scheduled for sentencing&nbsp; on February 3, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592415145581.png" alt="Police on the scene&nbsp; of the investigation on June 17 -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene&nbsp; of the investigation on June 17 -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in the fatal shooting of a man at a Kansas home pleaded guilty this week, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.A jury trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday for Amber Ahrens, 41, Wichita. On June 17, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 1200 block of North Pinecrest in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 53-year-old David Leddy of Wichita in the front of the residence with a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594216899431.png" alt="Ahrens-photo Sedgwick Coumty" />
 <figcaption>Ahrens-photo Sedgwick Coumty</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed a disturbance ensued earlier in the day at the home between Leddy and a 19-year-old boy who did not live there.&nbsp; During the disturbance, Leddy’s vehicle was damaged, and the 19-year-old was battered.The 19-year-old’s 41-year-old mother identified as Ahrens and three friends, a 44-year-old female, a 54-year-old male, and a 31-year-old female, later arrived at the home.&nbsp; A disturbance then ensued in front of the house, and shots were fired that struck Leddy.Ahrens is scheduled for sentencing&nbsp; on February 3, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas woman enters plea in killing after her son was battered

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 59-year-old man is charged with threatening Topeka police officers with a knife and hand saw at a hotel. 

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said Wednesday that Norman Kelly, of Topeka, was arrested after a confrontation at the Hotel Topeka at City Center. 

Police say Kelly was banned from the property last week after he was fired. Police were called to the hotel, formerly known as the Capital Plaza, on Saturday after reports that Kelly was armed with a large kitchen knife and a hand saw. Police say he swung the weapons at officers in the parking lot. Police were able to subdue Kelly with Tasers and impact munitions such as bean bags.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636827495920.png" alt="Kelly-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kelly-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 59-year-old man is charged with threatening Topeka police officers with a knife and hand saw at a hotel. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said Wednesday that Norman Kelly, of Topeka, was arrested after a confrontation at the Hotel Topeka at City Center. Police say Kelly was banned from the property last week after he was fired. Police were called to the hotel, formerly known as the Capital Plaza, on Saturday after reports that Kelly was armed with a large kitchen knife and a hand saw. Police say he swung the weapons at officers in the parking lot. Police were able to subdue Kelly with Tasers and impact munitions such as bean bags.

Man charged with threatening Kan. officers with knife, saw

BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved a long-anticipated document on Communion on Wednesday that stops short of calling for withholding the sacrament from politicians such as President Joe Biden who support abortion rights but offers plenty of tacit justification for individual bishops to do so.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ first major statement on Communion in 15 years, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” does not explicitly address the debate over elected officials, abortion and the sacrament that has surrounded the document over the past several months and partly inspired its creation in the first place.

Instead, it gives an overview of church teaching, emphasizing the centrality of the Eucharist in the faith and worship and in part reflecting concern among bishops that many Catholics don’t know or accept such teachings.

It was approved by a 222-8 vote at the conference’s fall assembly in Maryland after receiving only minor revisions in recent days by drafters on the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.

Drafters added a reference to defending “the unborn” along with other vulnerable persons, such as immigrants, older adults and victims of racial injustice. They also bolstered the definition of “scandal” as weakening the resolve of other Catholics to follow church teachings.

The latter revision came in a passage reaffirming a 2006 statement saying it’s a scandal if a Catholic “in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly or obstinately to reject” the church’s doctrines or moral teachings.

The document does not identify Biden or other politicians by name, though it says at one point, “Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.”

It calls on Catholics to examine their conscience and make sure they’re in harmony with church teachings, and says bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to situations “that involve public actions at variance with the visible communion of the church and the moral law.”

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and whose work includes advocacy against abortion, took the document as affirming the importance of “our responsibility for the care of the souls of these politicians.”

Naumann, wearing a facemask with the words “REMEMBER The Unborn,” called for bishops to find common ground where politicians agree with the church’s vision for “the dignity of the human person.” But he also urged them “not to be afraid to fulfill our obligations to let them know how serious” it is to dissent from church teaching.

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, an outspoken critic of the president, asked colleagues to amend the document by quoting the church catechism and the Bible as saying anyone who creates scandal would be better off having a “millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in ... the sea.”

The proposal was met with silence when put to a voice vote and was not adopted.

The conference cannot dictate a blanket policy on denying Communion to politicians; each bishop has authority in his own diocese.

While some bishops have said they would deny the sacrament to Biden, the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, has affirmed that the president is welcome to receive the sacrament there.

Biden has said that Pope Francis, too, told him in a recent private meeting in Rome to continue receiving Communion. While the Vatican has not confirmed that, Biden did subsequently go to Mass and receive Communion at a church in Rome — evidence that Francis did not forbid priests in the Diocese of Rome, which he oversees, from giving Communion to Biden.

The document highlights the centrality of the doctrine of transubstantiation, which says that when a priest celebrates Mass, the bread and wine is transformed into Jesus’ actual body and blood. It says Catholics can perceive this as a reality through faith, even though the elements appear to the senses to be bread and wine.

Some bishops have expressed concern over Catholics’ acceptance of the doctrine, citing a 2019 survey that found most church members don’t believe in transubstantiation. Other researchers have questioned that finding, however, saying that when survey questions are phrased differently, higher numbers of Catholics align with church teaching.

The document also says the sacrament is central to church unity and worship and leads to “personal and moral transformation,” motivating believers to take care of vulnerable people and, in a broader sense, the environment.

Bishops began working on the document after Biden took office, with some citing “confusion” over the president presenting himself as a devout Catholic despite his political stance on abortion.

The Vatican repeatedly sent caution signals to the U.S. bishops as they prepared the document.

The papal ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, on Tuesday urged bishops to listen before they teach, even in situations where some want to clarify “confusion.” And earlier this year, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office urged bishops to go slowly on the document, pursuing dialogue among themselves and with Catholic politicians.

Also during the fall meeting, bishops are launching a broader initiative to promote devotions centered on the Eucharist with plans for a major gathering focused on the sacrament in 2024 in Indianapolis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635513708354.png" alt="President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican earlier this month-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican earlier this month-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved a long-anticipated document on Communion on Wednesday that stops short of calling for withholding the sacrament from politicians such as President Joe Biden who support abortion rights but offers plenty of tacit justification for individual bishops to do so.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ first major statement on Communion in 15 years, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” does not explicitly address the debate over elected officials, abortion and the sacrament that has surrounded the document over the past several months and partly inspired its creation in the first place.Instead, it gives an overview of church teaching, emphasizing the centrality of the Eucharist in the faith and worship and in part reflecting concern among bishops that many Catholics don’t know or accept such teachings.It was approved by a 222-8 vote at the conference’s fall assembly in Maryland after receiving only minor revisions in recent days by drafters on the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.Drafters added a reference to defending “the unborn” along with other vulnerable persons, such as immigrants, older adults and victims of racial injustice. They also bolstered the definition of “scandal” as weakening the resolve of other Catholics to follow church teachings.The latter revision came in a passage reaffirming a 2006 statement saying it’s a scandal if a Catholic “in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly or obstinately to reject” the church’s doctrines or moral teachings.The document does not identify Biden or other politicians by name, though it says at one point, “Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.”It calls on Catholics to examine their conscience and make sure they’re in harmony with church teachings, and says bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to situations “that involve public actions at variance with the visible communion of the church and the moral law.”Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and whose work includes advocacy against abortion, took the document as affirming the importance of “our responsibility for the care of the souls of these politicians.”Naumann, wearing a facemask with the words “REMEMBER The Unborn,” called for bishops to find common ground where politicians agree with the church’s vision for “the dignity of the human person.” But he also urged them “not to be afraid to fulfill our obligations to let them know how serious” it is to dissent from church teaching.Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, an outspoken critic of the president, asked colleagues to amend the document by quoting the church catechism and the Bible as saying anyone who creates scandal would be better off having a “millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in ... the sea.”The proposal was met with silence when put to a voice vote and was not adopted.The conference cannot dictate a blanket policy on denying Communion to politicians; each bishop has authority in his own diocese.While some bishops have said they would deny the sacrament to Biden, the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, has affirmed that the president is welcome to receive the sacrament there.Biden has said that Pope Francis, too, told him in a recent private meeting in Rome to continue receiving Communion. While the Vatican has not confirmed that, Biden did subsequently go to Mass and receive Communion at a church in Rome — evidence that Francis did not forbid priests in the Diocese of Rome, which he oversees, from giving Communion to Biden.The document highlights the centrality of the doctrine of transubstantiation, which says that when a priest celebrates Mass, the bread and wine is transformed into Jesus’ actual body and blood. It says Catholics can perceive this as a reality through faith, even though the elements appear to the senses to be bread and wine.Some bishops have expressed concern over Catholics’ acceptance of the doctrine, citing a 2019 survey that found most church members don’t believe in transubstantiation. Other researchers have questioned that finding, however, saying that when survey questions are phrased differently, higher numbers of Catholics align with church teaching.The document also says the sacrament is central to church unity and worship and leads to “personal and moral transformation,” motivating believers to take care of vulnerable people and, in a broader sense, the environment.Bishops began working on the document after Biden took office, with some citing “confusion” over the president presenting himself as a devout Catholic despite his political stance on abortion.The Vatican repeatedly sent caution signals to the U.S. bishops as they prepared the document.The papal ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, on Tuesday urged bishops to listen before they teach, even in situations where some want to clarify “confusion.” And earlier this year, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office urged bishops to go slowly on the document, pursuing dialogue among themselves and with Catholic politicians.Also during the fall meeting, bishops are launching a broader initiative to promote devotions centered on the Eucharist with plans for a major gathering focused on the sacrament in 2024 in Indianapolis.

Bishops OK Communion document, avoid direct rebuff to Biden

PRATT&nbsp;—&nbsp;Local chapters of nonprofit organizations based or operating in Kansas — that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage — have a special opportunity waiting for them with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission, according to a media release from the agency.

The Commission Big Game Permit program allows eligible organizations a chance to draw one of seven special big game permits, which can then be sold to raise funding for conservation-based projects. The official drawing will take place at the Commission’s Jan. 13 public meeting. 

Applications, which can be obtained from Commission secretary Sheila Kemmis at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Sheila.kemmis@ks.gov" target="_blank">Sheila.kemmis@ks.gov</a>, must be submitted no later than Jan. 1. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One elk, one antelope or up to seven deer permits are issued each year, depending on applicant preference. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder is eligible for.&nbsp;

Once the permit is sold, the cost of the permit, plus 15 percent of the total sale price, is subtracted and kept by the organization, while the remainder is remitted to KDWP with a proposal for a conservation project. 

When the project is approved, the money is returned to the organization to complete the project. An exception to this procedure would occur if Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is drawn. In that case, KHFH keeps 85 percent of the funds to help pay for processing donated deer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637189811488.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT&nbsp;—&nbsp;Local chapters of nonprofit organizations based or operating in Kansas — that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage — have a special opportunity waiting for them with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission, according to a media release from the agency.The Commission Big Game Permit program allows eligible organizations a chance to draw one of seven special big game permits, which can then be sold to raise funding for conservation-based projects. The official drawing will take place at the Commission’s Jan. 13 public meeting. Applications, which can be obtained from Commission secretary Sheila Kemmis at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Sheila.kemmis@ks.gov" target="_blank">Sheila.kemmis@ks.gov</a>, must be submitted no later than Jan. 1. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.&nbsp;&nbsp; One elk, one antelope or up to seven deer permits are issued each year, depending on applicant preference. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder is eligible for.&nbsp; Once the permit is sold, the cost of the permit, plus 15 percent of the total sale price, is subtracted and kept by the organization, while the remainder is remitted to KDWP with a proposal for a conservation project. When the project is approved, the money is returned to the organization to complete the project. An exception to this procedure would occur if Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is drawn. In that case, KHFH keeps 85 percent of the funds to help pay for processing donated deer.&nbsp;

Applications open for coveted Kansas big game permits 

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/15/kansans-should-focus-on-geography-culture-policy-in-redistricting-forums-advocates-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — While guidelines for 
testimony and the redistricting process remain up in the air, advocates 
for fair maps in Kansas are advising residents to look at past 
frameworks when speaking to lawmakers at upcoming town halls.

House and Senate committees on 
redistricting are set to host four town hall meetings beginning Nov. 22,
 but details remain scarce on what legislators want to hear from 
attendees. All committee members will attend virtually.

Kansans can attend one of the various
 locations set up in cities across the state or join legislators online 
to provide testimony virtually. While the cities are known, the specific
 locations where people can testify in person remain unknown, as is the 
amount of time allocated per person.

With the next set of meetings around the corner, concerns about the process during <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/14/lawrence-redistricting-town-hall-participants-object-to-racial-prison-gerrymandering/">the first round of town halls</a> in August appear to remain.

“We’ve said several times that this 
has not been the most transparent process from the beginning of this 
redistricting process,” said Michael Poppa, executive director of the 
Mainstream Coalition. “We’ll know (the locations) when they decide to 
give them to us, but we can tell you that we … and the partner 
organizations will be reaching out to the community at large to let them
 know that information.”

Representatives of several other 
groups comprising the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition joined Poppa on Monday 
to provide Kansans with a brief overview of the framework and 
expectations for these upcoming town halls. They also addressed 
potential legal action that could arise from the redistricting process 
and the future of Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, currently held by 
Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.

All meetings in the second round will
 take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The town halls will continue as 
planned, despite the Legislature meeting for a special session beginning
 Nov. 22.

Kansans can provide in-person 
testimony for the 2nd District on Nov. 22 in Atchison, Ottawa, 
Independence or on Native American reservations; the 1st District on 
Nov. 23 in Emporia, Great Bend, Liberal or McPherson; the 4th District 
on Nov. 29 in Newton or El Dorado; and the 3rd District on Nov. 30 in 
Bonner Springs or Stilwell.

Those wishing to testify must submit 
written and oral testimony to the Kansas Legislative Research Department
 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting they wish to attend.

Troy Spain, of the Kansas Civic 
Engagement Table, shared three areas of the specific focus of the 
Legislature that those wishing to testify should keep in mind.

“First is geographic similarity,” 
Spain said. “They are going to consider cultural and ethnic boundaries 
and they will look at policy concerns.”

The GOP-controlled Legislature is expected to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/09/senate-president-susan-wagle-embraces-gerrymandering-to-benefit-gop-in-kansas/">redraw boundaries for the 3rd District to give Republicans an advantage</a>. The district contains two of the state’s most populous counties — Johnson and Wyandotte — as well as part of Miami County.

Mary Galligan, of the League of Women
 Voters of Kansas, said new census data indicated the counties would 
exceed the ideal population for congressional districts and would need 
to be partially split to be approved by the Kansas Supreme Court.

“There’s virtually no allowable 
deviation from the ideal congressional district size and for legislative
 districts. The rule of thumb is plus or minus 5%,” Galligan said. “Some
 part of one of those counties or potentially one of the counties is 
going to have to be split off to keep that population as it should be.”

In Kansas, the allowable population 
for a congressional district is 734,470. According to the 2020 census, 
Johnson County is home to 609,863 residents, and Wyandotte County has 
169,245 people.

Legislative districts vary. In Kansas
 House districts, the population can range anywhere from 22,329 to 
24,679. In the Senate, there may be a population of 69,775 to 77,119.

If the maps drawn by the legislative 
committee do not meet these requirements, they are unlikely to receive 
approval from Kansas courts. The state Supreme Court also may become 
involved should there be concerns of gerrymandering, a lawsuit is filed,
 or the panel fails to submit maps, said Sharon Brett, legal director 
for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

“If there’s an impasse in the 
Legislature like what happened 10 years ago, where no maps were drawn 
and passed into law, a panel of three district court judges will be 
appointed to basically decide what the map should be,” Brett said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637093254375.png" alt="Throughout the redistricting process this year, there has been a lack of transparency, says Michael Poppa of the Mainstream Coalition. His organization is part of the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition, which met Monday to talk about upcoming town halls. (Screen capture of Kansas Fair Maps Coalition webinar by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Throughout the redistricting process this year, there has been a lack of transparency, says Michael Poppa of the Mainstream Coalition. His organization is part of the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition, which met Monday to talk about upcoming town halls. (Screen capture of Kansas Fair Maps Coalition webinar by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/15/kansans-should-focus-on-geography-culture-policy-in-redistricting-forums-advocates-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — While guidelines for 
testimony and the redistricting process remain up in the air, advocates 
for fair maps in Kansas are advising residents to look at past 
frameworks when speaking to lawmakers at upcoming town halls.House and Senate committees on 
redistricting are set to host four town hall meetings beginning Nov. 22,
 but details remain scarce on what legislators want to hear from 
attendees. All committee members will attend virtually.Kansans can attend one of the various
 locations set up in cities across the state or join legislators online 
to provide testimony virtually. While the cities are known, the specific
 locations where people can testify in person remain unknown, as is the 
amount of time allocated per person.With the next set of meetings around the corner, concerns about the process during <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/14/lawrence-redistricting-town-hall-participants-object-to-racial-prison-gerrymandering/">the first round of town halls</a> in August appear to remain.“We’ve said several times that this 
has not been the most transparent process from the beginning of this 
redistricting process,” said Michael Poppa, executive director of the 
Mainstream Coalition. “We’ll know (the locations) when they decide to 
give them to us, but we can tell you that we … and the partner 
organizations will be reaching out to the community at large to let them
 know that information.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637093317158.png" alt="Members of the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition are advising people planning to testify in the upcoming round of virtual town halls to base testimony around past redistricting guidelines as information regarding the process for 2022 remain scarce. (Screen capture of Kansas Fair Maps Coalition webinar by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition are advising people planning to testify in the upcoming round of virtual town halls to base testimony around past redistricting guidelines as information regarding the process for 2022 remain scarce. (Screen capture of Kansas Fair Maps Coalition webinar by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Representatives of several other 
groups comprising the Kansas Fair Maps Coalition joined Poppa on Monday 
to provide Kansans with a brief overview of the framework and 
expectations for these upcoming town halls. They also addressed 
potential legal action that could arise from the redistricting process 
and the future of Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, currently held by 
Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.All meetings in the second round will
 take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The town halls will continue as 
planned, despite the Legislature meeting for a special session beginning
 Nov. 22.Kansans can provide in-person 
testimony for the 2nd District on Nov. 22 in Atchison, Ottawa, 
Independence or on Native American reservations; the 1st District on 
Nov. 23 in Emporia, Great Bend, Liberal or McPherson; the 4th District 
on Nov. 29 in Newton or El Dorado; and the 3rd District on Nov. 30 in 
Bonner Springs or Stilwell.Those wishing to testify must submit 
written and oral testimony to the Kansas Legislative Research Department
 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting they wish to attend.Troy Spain, of the Kansas Civic 
Engagement Table, shared three areas of the specific focus of the 
Legislature that those wishing to testify should keep in mind.“First is geographic similarity,” 
Spain said. “They are going to consider cultural and ethnic boundaries 
and they will look at policy concerns.”The GOP-controlled Legislature is expected to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/09/senate-president-susan-wagle-embraces-gerrymandering-to-benefit-gop-in-kansas/">redraw boundaries for the 3rd District to give Republicans an advantage</a>. The district contains two of the state’s most populous counties — Johnson and Wyandotte — as well as part of Miami County.Mary Galligan, of the League of Women
 Voters of Kansas, said new census data indicated the counties would 
exceed the ideal population for congressional districts and would need 
to be partially split to be approved by the Kansas Supreme Court.“There’s virtually no allowable 
deviation from the ideal congressional district size and for legislative
 districts. The rule of thumb is plus or minus 5%,” Galligan said. “Some
 part of one of those counties or potentially one of the counties is 
going to have to be split off to keep that population as it should be.”In Kansas, the allowable population 
for a congressional district is 734,470. According to the 2020 census, 
Johnson County is home to 609,863 residents, and Wyandotte County has 
169,245 people.Legislative districts vary. In Kansas
 House districts, the population can range anywhere from 22,329 to 
24,679. In the Senate, there may be a population of 69,775 to 77,119.If the maps drawn by the legislative 
committee do not meet these requirements, they are unlikely to receive 
approval from Kansas courts. The state Supreme Court also may become 
involved should there be concerns of gerrymandering, a lawsuit is filed,
 or the panel fails to submit maps, said Sharon Brett, legal director 
for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.“If there’s an impasse in the 
Legislature like what happened 10 years ago, where no maps were drawn 
and passed into law, a panel of three district court judges will be 
appointed to basically decide what the map should be,” Brett said.

Advocates: Geography, culture, policy should be focus of redistricting forums

WASHINGTON —The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Wednesday temporarily <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2">suspended all activities</a> related to the implementation and enforcement of President Joe Biden's mandate requiring private companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccination or COVID-19 testing. On Friday night, a federal court&nbsp; declined to lift its stay on the vaccine mandate.

“While I am pleased with the actions taken by the court and <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2">that OSHA</a> has subsequently suspended President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate for now, I will continue fighting to put a full stop to his efforts to fire Americans for choosing to not get the vaccine,”&nbsp;said Kansas&nbsp;Senator Roger Marshall.

 “Joe Biden’s mandate is slap in the face to so many people, including our essential workers, who answered the call last year. These are real people working to feed their families and pay their mortgages. We are going to do everything in our power to fight for Kansans who are rightfully concerned and uncertain about their futures.”

WASHINGTON —The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Wednesday temporarily <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2">suspended all activities</a> related to the implementation and enforcement of President Joe Biden's mandate requiring private companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccination or COVID-19 testing. On Friday night, a federal court&nbsp; declined to lift its stay on the vaccine mandate.“While I am pleased with the actions taken by the court and <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2">that OSHA</a> has subsequently suspended President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate for now, I will continue fighting to put a full stop to his efforts to fire Americans for choosing to not get the vaccine,”&nbsp;said Kansas&nbsp;Senator Roger Marshall. “Joe Biden’s mandate is slap in the face to so many people, including our essential workers, who answered the call last year. These are real people working to feed their families and pay their mortgages. We are going to do everything in our power to fight for Kansans who are rightfully concerned and uncertain about their futures.”

Sen. Marshall praises OSHA after they suspend enforcement of vaccine mandate 

SEWARD COUNTY—A 5-year-old Kansas boy died in an accident Wednesday in Liberal.

Just before 8a.m., emergency crews responded to reported of an accident involving a juvenile near Prairie View Elementary in the 600 Block of Warren in Liberal, according to a media release from police.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Lizeth Michelle&nbsp;Hernandez-Ibarra, 25, Liberal,&nbsp;was northbound on Warren Street and made a left turn onto Hickory Avenue.&nbsp; The pickup struck 5-year-old Nathaniel Garro&nbsp;Rivera of Liberal in the cross walk.

EMS transported the boy to Southwest Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

SEWARD COUNTY—A 5-year-old Kansas boy died in an accident Wednesday in Liberal.Just before 8a.m., emergency crews responded to reported of an accident involving a juvenile near Prairie View Elementary in the 600 Block of Warren in Liberal, according to a media release from police.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Lizeth Michelle&nbsp;Hernandez-Ibarra, 25, Liberal,&nbsp;was northbound on Warren Street and made a left turn onto Hickory Avenue.&nbsp; The pickup struck 5-year-old Nathaniel Garro&nbsp;Rivera of Liberal in the cross walk.EMS transported the boy to Southwest Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

5-year-old SW Kan. boy dies after struck by pickup near school

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,096 to a total of 452,909, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 20 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,634.

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,096 to a total of 452,909, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 20 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,634.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637172630234.png" alt="Wednesday November 17, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday November 17, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 3,096 new cases, 20 more COVID deaths

PAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three Kansas women on drug distribution charges.

On Tuesday, Jeanna Merie Rader, 39 Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court and was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a controlled substance,&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance, and&nbsp; Driving While Suspended, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department on November 10, 2021 and the subsequent execution of search warrant at Rader’s residence.

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2021. Rader is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff on a $90,000 bond.

On November 12, 2021, Misty and Kristy Perez, both 44 of Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court.

Misty Perez is charged with&nbsp; Conspiracy to Distribute a Stimulant Drug, Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device to distribute a controlled substance, Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sherif on a $50,000&nbsp; bond, according to McNett.

Kristy Perez is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She was released on a supervised bond.

The Perez charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department and the execution of search warrant at Perez’s residence on November 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110575241.png" alt="Rader-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rader-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three Kansas women on drug distribution charges.On Tuesday, Jeanna Merie Rader, 39 Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court and was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a controlled substance,&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance, and&nbsp; Driving While Suspended, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department on November 10, 2021 and the subsequent execution of search warrant at Rader’s residence.A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2021. Rader is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff on a $90,000 bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110622009.png" alt="Misty Perez-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Misty Perez-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 12, 2021, Misty and Kristy Perez, both 44 of Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court.Misty Perez is charged with&nbsp; Conspiracy to Distribute a Stimulant Drug, Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device to distribute a controlled substance, Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sherif on a $50,000&nbsp; bond, according to McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110675457.png" alt="Perez-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Perez-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kristy Perez is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She was released on a supervised bond.The Perez charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department and the execution of search warrant at Perez’s residence on November 8.

3 SW Kansas women charged with drug distribution 

TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Wednesday Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.

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

“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”

All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:

“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,”&nbsp;said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment.&nbsp;“Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”

Available data right now show that all three of the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.RrkAXw4ABRUBUNyhR2rmLHg8hvADpcyQex1KnOkqnuE%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=wolJtCztmeQjSWkQ4GJQklR1gDbEJbE0KKNAYglvS8o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States</a>&nbsp;continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjIuNDc3NTM3NjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2RjLmdvdiUyRmNvcm9uYXZpcnVzJTJGMjAxOS1uY292JTJGdmFjY2luZXMlMkZlZmZlY3RpdmVuZXNzJTJGd29yay5odG1sJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1BoaWxsaXAuR3JpZmZpbiU0MGtzLmdvdiU3QzgzMzRjMTY1NGEyNzQwOGVkOTdmMDhkOTk0ZmQyZDljJTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzNzcwNDYzNzM5NzE5NzE1NiU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MxMDAwJnNkYXRhPUd4Y01vR3RJUVFmOSUyQmxueHluQmpjTzY4SHU2a0dFemM2ZXFYeW9Ma2ZRVSUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.BawDTyMuYcOtJr_yrql19LTzEOi3EQavicttlorMDjw%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=AzQTDvAo4lvulrnhpPskKrHdsNNyaSpNZy4oo9N60WI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">highly effective</a>&nbsp;in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.CSo7J6ScuSUU9mnblLeHdqTqzvbo_gYj28oNTyXVqdI%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321940316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=DuNrNswYki5Z%2BpG1QDNFn5Qh3RurRoyKsR9R5OGCxzM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Delta variant</a>. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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._khF6jbbL5MZ6LtJIb3LyeAjvxouXZOQHPUtn6MBNR0/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609526323922.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Wednesday Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for KDHE</a>&nbsp;information&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:<ul>
 <li>The patient is at least 18 years old&nbsp;and&nbsp;has met the 6-month time period following the primary vaccination series for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or it has been at least 2 months since their Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.</li><li>The patient’s assessment of risk exposure may include, but is not limited to, those who work with the public or live with someone who works with the public, live or work with someone at high risk of severe impact of COVID, live in geographic areas that have been heavily impacted by COVID, reside in&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Yv-HmT5Jp_OpuJxfE4kaBifBi6YCqw5_KrC52mEfEIY/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">high transmission areas</a>, live in congregate setting, experience social inequity or other risk conditions as assessed by the individual. Currently, there is a high risk of community transmission in all Kansas counties.&nbsp;Vaccine providers should allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure.</li>
 </ul>“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,”&nbsp;said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment.&nbsp;“Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”Available data right now show that all three of the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjIuNDc3NTM3NjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2RjLmdvdiUyRmNvcm9uYXZpcnVzJTJGMjAxOS1uY292JTJGdmFjY2luZXMlMkZkaWZmZXJlbnQtdmFjY2luZXMuaHRtbCZkYXRhPTA0JTdDMDElN0NQaGlsbGlwLkdyaWZmaW4lNDBrcy5nb3YlN0M4MzM0YzE2NTRhMjc0MDhlZDk3ZjA4ZDk5NGZkMmQ5YyU3Q2RjYWU4MTAxYzkyZDQ4MGNiYzQzYzY3NjFjY2NjYzVhJTdDMCU3QzAlN0M2Mzc3MDQ2MzczOTcxODcxODclN0NVbmtub3duJTdDVFdGcGJHWnNiM2Q4ZXlKV0lqb2lNQzR3TGpBd01EQWlMQ0pRSWpvaVYybHVNeklpTENKQlRpSTZJazFoYVd3aUxDSlhWQ0k2TW4wJTNEJTdDMTAwMCZzZGF0YT1YZjMxMGF4dWd0VWglMkZrdlAlMkZjZ3ptNTlYRWVjNzNOeEp1V0hvdTl1QW13QSUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.RrkAXw4ABRUBUNyhR2rmLHg8hvADpcyQex1KnOkqnuE%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=wolJtCztmeQjSWkQ4GJQklR1gDbEJbE0KKNAYglvS8o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States</a>&nbsp;continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.BawDTyMuYcOtJr_yrql19LTzEOi3EQavicttlorMDjw%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=AzQTDvAo4lvulrnhpPskKrHdsNNyaSpNZy4oo9N60WI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">highly effective</a>&nbsp;in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.CSo7J6ScuSUU9mnblLeHdqTqzvbo_gYj28oNTyXVqdI%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321940316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=DuNrNswYki5Z%2BpG1QDNFn5Qh3RurRoyKsR9R5OGCxzM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Delta variant</a>. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTExMTcuNDg5OTA3ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy52YWNjaW5lcy5nb3YlMkYmZGF0YT0wNCU3QzAxJTdDUmVldmVzLk95c3RlciU0MGtzLmdvdiU3Q2E0MzI0OWY4Yjg4NDQ1ZWMyYzJlMDhkOWE5MzFiYWZmJTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzNzcyNjg1MzMyMTk1MDI2OSU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MzMDAwJnNkYXRhPUh5V0FhRlRGcHE1VSUyQnRRT1FyR2NDVEtZNXVtOEhRYUtjbm5RTWJrWEY1dyUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0._khF6jbbL5MZ6LtJIb3LyeAjvxouXZOQHPUtn6MBNR0/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>.

KDHE: COVID-19 booster shots now available to all adults

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a multi-state crime spree that included a stop in Great Bend have made an arrest.

Just before 3a.m. Oct. 14, police discovered broken glass from the front door of as Mind Sculpt Games, 4908 10th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

The investigation yielded several security videos which showed that on Oct. 13, at 11:33 p.m., a man broke the glass front door and entered the store. The suspect also broke several glass cases inside of the store and removed items from the cases and shelves. He entered and exited the store several times with merchandise before finally leaving the area at approximately 12:22 a.m, according to police.

The owners of Mind Sculpt Games had been in contact with other business owners since this incident occurred and investigators later learned that similar stores, not only in Kansas, but also throughout Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas had been victims of similar incidents. Through further investigation, the additional cases also yielded information that connected the suspect to these surrounding incidents between&nbsp; Sept. 21 and Oct. 14.&nbsp;

With assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Tulsa, Oklahoma PD, and the Van Alstyen, Texas PD, the suspect was identified as Nicholas Garrison, age 23.&nbsp; It was determined that he was driving a Chevy Cruze.

This information led to Garrison being stopped in the red Chevy Cruze in Bedford, TX and placed under arrest for the multi-jurisdictional crime spree. Upon further investigation, numerous stolen property items of sports trading cards, rare merchandise and gaming items were located and recovered as evidence. All stolen property items were connected back to the multi-state investigation, with the total loss in damages and property stolen exceeding $200,000 combined among all of the stores involved.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637160664427.png" alt="Garrison was held in Tarrant County, Texas and is being extradited to Illinois, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Garrison was held in Tarrant County, Texas and is being extradited to Illinois, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a multi-state crime spree that included a stop in Great Bend have made an arrest.Just before 3a.m. Oct. 14, police discovered broken glass from the front door of as Mind Sculpt Games, 4908 10th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.The investigation yielded several security videos which showed that on Oct. 13, at 11:33 p.m., a man broke the glass front door and entered the store. The suspect also broke several glass cases inside of the store and removed items from the cases and shelves. He entered and exited the store several times with merchandise before finally leaving the area at approximately 12:22 a.m, according to police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634217259761.jpeg" alt="Security camera image from Mind Sculpt in Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image from Mind Sculpt in Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>The owners of Mind Sculpt Games had been in contact with other business owners since this incident occurred and investigators later learned that similar stores, not only in Kansas, but also throughout Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas had been victims of similar incidents. Through further investigation, the additional cases also yielded information that connected the suspect to these surrounding incidents between&nbsp; Sept. 21 and Oct. 14.&nbsp;With assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Tulsa, Oklahoma PD, and the Van Alstyen, Texas PD, the suspect was identified as Nicholas Garrison, age 23.&nbsp; It was determined that he was driving a Chevy Cruze.This information led to Garrison being stopped in the red Chevy Cruze in Bedford, TX and placed under arrest for the multi-jurisdictional crime spree. Upon further investigation, numerous stolen property items of sports trading cards, rare merchandise and gaming items were located and recovered as evidence. All stolen property items were connected back to the multi-state investigation, with the total loss in damages and property stolen exceeding $200,000 combined among all of the stores involved.The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

Suspect in 5-state crime spree including Kansas arrested in Texas

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Treasury from enforcing a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibited states from using the pandemic relief funds to offset new tax cuts.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler ruled Monday in Alabama that Congress exceeded its power in putting the so-called tax mandate on states. He entered a final judgement in favor of 13 states that had filed a lawsuit and instructed the Treasury Department not to enforce the provision. The judge left the rest of the law in place.

The American Rescue Plan steered $195 billion in flexible relief funds to states but specified that states could not use it as a means to cut taxes by using the federal relief dollars to offset the revenue reduction.

The judge described the tax-cut restrictions as “a federal invasion of State sovereignty” that was “unconstitutionally ambiguous” — leaving states guessing as to whether their tax cuts would trigger a repayment of federal funds.

“The Tax Mandate’s restriction on direct or indirect state tax cuts pressures States into adopting a particular — and federally preferred — tax policy,” Coogler wrote. That “may disincentive” states “from considering any tax reductions for fear of forfeiting ARPA funds,”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alabama-us-news-courts-a680c1ebdda96708a13aed98b55386dc">The lawsuit was filed</a>&nbsp;by Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshal called that tax-cut restrictions “an unprecedented and unconstitutional assault on state sovereignty by the federal government.”

Officials from other states on Tuesday also praised the ruling.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said the decision “ensures our citizens aren’t stuck with an unforeseen bill from the feds years from now.”

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said it “clears the way” for the state to pursue a sales tax cut on groceries “without fear of federal reprisal.”

Justice Department lawyers representing the Treasury Department argued the money should be used for its intended purpose — pandemic recovery.

“Congress did not provide Rescue Plan funds for States to replace purposeful decreases in net tax revenue; it provided the money to help States economically recover from the pandemic in ways they otherwise could not,” federal lawyers wrote in an August court filing.

Federal government lawyers added, “states are free to cut all the taxes they want, as long as they do not use the federal aid to ‘offset’ any decreased revenue.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627053425831.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Treasury from enforcing a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibited states from using the pandemic relief funds to offset new tax cuts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WE WON! Last night a federal court agreed with KS and held unconstitutional the Biden administration&#39;s attempt to block states from reducing our own state-level taxes just because the state accepted federal COVID relief money! <a href="https://t.co/4AMhLkk3QW">https://t.co/4AMhLkk3QW</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1460736031637098502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler ruled Monday in Alabama that Congress exceeded its power in putting the so-called tax mandate on states. He entered a final judgement in favor of 13 states that had filed a lawsuit and instructed the Treasury Department not to enforce the provision. The judge left the rest of the law in place.The American Rescue Plan steered $195 billion in flexible relief funds to states but specified that states could not use it as a means to cut taxes by using the federal relief dollars to offset the revenue reduction.The judge described the tax-cut restrictions as “a federal invasion of State sovereignty” that was “unconstitutionally ambiguous” — leaving states guessing as to whether their tax cuts would trigger a repayment of federal funds.“The Tax Mandate’s restriction on direct or indirect state tax cuts pressures States into adopting a particular — and federally preferred — tax policy,” Coogler wrote. That “may disincentive” states “from considering any tax reductions for fear of forfeiting ARPA funds,”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alabama-us-news-courts-a680c1ebdda96708a13aed98b55386dc">The lawsuit was filed</a>&nbsp;by Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshal called that tax-cut restrictions “an unprecedented and unconstitutional assault on state sovereignty by the federal government.”Officials from other states on Tuesday also praised the ruling.West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said the decision “ensures our citizens aren’t stuck with an unforeseen bill from the feds years from now.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631615956936.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said it “clears the way” for the state to pursue a sales tax cut on groceries “without fear of federal reprisal.”Justice Department lawyers representing the Treasury Department argued the money should be used for its intended purpose — pandemic recovery.“Congress did not provide Rescue Plan funds for States to replace purposeful decreases in net tax revenue; it provided the money to help States economically recover from the pandemic in ways they otherwise could not,” federal lawyers wrote in an August court filing.Federal government lawyers added, “states are free to cut all the taxes they want, as long as they do not use the federal aid to ‘offset’ any decreased revenue.”___

Federal judge agrees with Kan., blocks tax cut rule in American Rescue Plan 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who threatened two Democratic U.S. congressmen was sentenced Tuesday to 2.5 years in federal prison.

Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri was sentenced for threatening Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City and Rep. Steven Cohen of Tennessee. He pleaded guilty in June to two counts of threatening to injure federal officials.

Hubert called Cleaver's office in January. He called Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur and suggested putting a noose around his neck, federal officials said.

Hubert called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. in May 2019 and threatened to put a noose around his neck and drag him behind a pickup truck. He said he was offended by a comment Cohen made about former President Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors have said Hubert made similar threats starting in 2014 to minorities, groups advocating for minorities and certain religious beliefs and to members of the Democratic party. His targets included former President Barack Obama, the Missouri Democratic Party and the Council of American-Islamic Relations.

Before he was arrested, Hubert ignored several directions from law enforcement agencies to stop the threats, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614858198513.png" alt="Hubert is being held in the Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hubert is being held in the Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who threatened two Democratic U.S. congressmen was sentenced Tuesday to 2.5 years in federal prison.Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri was sentenced for threatening Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City and Rep. Steven Cohen of Tennessee. He pleaded guilty in June to two counts of threatening to injure federal officials.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564430219299.png" alt="Rep. Emanuel Cleaver-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Emanuel Cleaver-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Hubert called Cleaver's office in January. He called Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur and suggested putting a noose around his neck, federal officials said.Hubert called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. in May 2019 and threatened to put a noose around his neck and drag him behind a pickup truck. He said he was offended by a comment Cohen made about former President Donald Trump.Federal prosecutors have said Hubert made similar threats starting in 2014 to minorities, groups advocating for minorities and certain religious beliefs and to members of the Democratic party. His targets included former President Barack Obama, the Missouri Democratic Party and the Council of American-Islamic Relations.Before he was arrested, Hubert ignored several directions from law enforcement agencies to stop the threats, prosecutors said.

Man sentenced for threatening Kansas City-area congressman

The FBI’s Crimes Against Children division is asking for help to identify “John Doe 45,” an unknown man who may have critical information on the identity of an infant victim in a sexual exploitation investigation, according to the FBI office in Kansas City.

A video depicting John Doe 45 is believed to have been produced between January 2019 and April 2019, according to a<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-45" target="_blank">&nbsp;news release</a>.

The man is described as a white male with brown hair, a mustache and a beard between the age of 30 and 40. John Doe 45 could be heard speaking English in the video.

&nbsp;If you know the identity of this individual, please submit a tip at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb?amp=1" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637098019177.png" alt="FBI poster" />
 <figcaption>FBI poster</figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI’s Crimes Against Children division is asking for help to identify “John Doe 45,” an unknown man who may have critical information on the identity of an infant victim in a sexual exploitation investigation, according to the FBI office in Kansas City.A video depicting John Doe 45 is believed to have been produced between January 2019 and April 2019, according to a<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-45" target="_blank">&nbsp;news release</a>.The man is described as a white male with brown hair, a mustache and a beard between the age of 30 and 40. John Doe 45 could be heard speaking English in the video.&nbsp;If you know the identity of this individual, please submit a tip at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb?amp=1" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

FBI asks for help to ID ‘John Doe 45′ in child sex investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) —Challenges to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers will be consolidated in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel dominated by judges appointed by Republicans.

The Cincinnati-based court was selected Tuesday in a random drawing using ping-pong balls, a process employed when challenges to certain federal agency actions are filed in multiple courts.

The selection could be good news for those challenging the administration’s vaccine requirement, which includes officials in 27 Republican-led states, employers and several conservative and business organizations. They argue the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to impose the mandate.

The challenges, along with some from unions that said the vaccine mandate didn’t go far enough, were made this month in 12 circuit courts. Under an arcane system, it was up to the clerk of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation to select a ping-pong ball from a bin to choose where the cases would be heard.

It was a favorable outcome for Republicans. Eleven of the 16 full-time judges in the 6th Circuit were appointed by Republican presidents. Accounting for one of the Republican-appointed judges, Helene White, who often sides with judges appointed by Democrats and adding senior judges who are semi-retired but still hear cases, the split is 19-9 in favor of Republicans. Six of the full-time judges were appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Another court where a majority of judges were nominated by Republicans, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a ruling that put the mandate on hold.

It’s not clear whether the court that will hear the case will act as the 5th Circuit did and side quickly with the Republican challengers. But legal experts have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the politicization of both federal and state courts, raising questions about whether justice is fairly administered or dispensed through a partisan lens.

Allison Orr Larsen, a professor at William &amp; Mary Law School, coauthored a study published this year that found growing partisanship in federal judicial decisions. For decades, the study found that rulings on cases in which all judges in a circuit weighed in generally were not decided along party lines based on the presidents who appointed the judges.

“We did see a concerning spike starting in 2018 that led us to wring our hands,” Larsen said in an interview.

The increasing partisanship in a branch of government that is supposed to be blind to partisan politics was seen in judges appointed by presidents of both parties, but Larsen said it’s not clear why that was or whether it will last.

Some of the federal courts moved to the right when Donald Trump was president and Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate, which confirms judicial nominees. Trump appointed 54 judges to the circuit courts, which are one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, including filling one seat twice. That represents nearly 30% of the seats on the circuit courts, where cases are most often considered by three-judge panels.

Trump’s appointees flipped the 11th Circuit in the South to Republican control and expanded the GOP-appointed majorities in the 5th, 6th and 8th Circuits in the Midwest and South. Biden’s three appointees switched the New York-based 2nd Circuit to Democratic control.

Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups mostly filed their challenges in circuit courts dominated by conservative judges, while the unions went to circuits with more judges nominated by Democratic presidents.

In all, 34 objections have been filed in all 11 regional circuits plus the one for the District of Columbia. That’s where the ping-pong balls came in to play.

Under federal law, cases challenging federal agency actions get consolidated upon the agency’s request if they are filed in multiple circuit courts. Each circuit where a challenge is filed within the first 10 days of the agency taking action has an equal chance of being selected.

It was up to the judicial panel’s clerk, John W. Nichols, to select a ping-pong ball from a bin, according to a Tuesday court filing by the panel. The office denied a request by The Associated Press to allow media access to the drawing.

Previously this year, the lottery had been used to assign just two cases. One involved fallout from a National Labor Relations Board ruling on an anti-union Twitter message by Tesla founder Elon Musk where objectors filed in two circuits. The other was over orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in which objectors filed in three.

The employer vaccine mandate is higher profile and further reaching. It calls for businesses with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19. Exemptions are provided for religious reasons and for those who work at home or only outdoors.

Because it’s an unusual rule from the workplace safety agency, there is no consensus among lawyers on how the challenges will go. OSHA has issued just 10 emergency rules in the half century since it was formed. Of the six challenged in court, only one survived intact.

The Biden administration has insisted it’s on strong legal footing. It also has the backing of the American Medical Association, which filed papers in support of the mandate.

“The AMA’s extensive review of the medical literature demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved by FDA are safe and effective, and the widespread use of those vaccines is the best way to keep COVID-19 from spreading within workplaces,” the group said in its filing.

Among those challenging the rule is a consortium of construction contractors. They say they want their workers vaccinated, but that a requirement only on larger companies is just pushing vaccine-hesitant workers to take jobs with companies that have fewer than 100 employees.

“Crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive,” said Scott Casabona, president of Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance.

Officials with the workplace safety agency say they’re considering extending the mandate to smaller employers.

A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit extended the stay of the OSHA rule in an opinion released last Friday, expressing skepticism that the agency had authority to implement the vaccine requirement. The 6th Circuit could modify, revoke or extend the stay.

It had not yet been determined which judges from the 6th Circuit will be on a three-judge panel to hear the case or whether it will be considered by all the judges.

The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the selection of the court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637084886815.png" alt="President Biden received his COVID booster shot earlier this month-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden received his COVID booster shot earlier this month-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Challenges to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers will be consolidated in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel dominated by judges appointed by Republicans.The Cincinnati-based court was selected Tuesday in a random drawing using ping-pong balls, a process employed when challenges to certain federal agency actions are filed in multiple courts.The selection could be good news for those challenging the administration’s vaccine requirement, which includes officials in 27 Republican-led states, employers and several conservative and business organizations. They argue the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to impose the mandate.The challenges, along with some from unions that said the vaccine mandate didn’t go far enough, were made this month in 12 circuit courts. Under an arcane system, it was up to the clerk of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation to select a ping-pong ball from a bin to choose where the cases would be heard.It was a favorable outcome for Republicans. Eleven of the 16 full-time judges in the 6th Circuit were appointed by Republican presidents. Accounting for one of the Republican-appointed judges, Helene White, who often sides with judges appointed by Democrats and adding senior judges who are semi-retired but still hear cases, the split is 19-9 in favor of Republicans. Six of the full-time judges were appointed by former President Donald Trump.Another court where a majority of judges were nominated by Republicans, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a ruling that put the mandate on hold.It’s not clear whether the court that will hear the case will act as the 5th Circuit did and side quickly with the Republican challengers. But legal experts have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the politicization of both federal and state courts, raising questions about whether justice is fairly administered or dispensed through a partisan lens.Allison Orr Larsen, a professor at William &amp; Mary Law School, coauthored a study published this year that found growing partisanship in federal judicial decisions. For decades, the study found that rulings on cases in which all judges in a circuit weighed in generally were not decided along party lines based on the presidents who appointed the judges.“We did see a concerning spike starting in 2018 that led us to wring our hands,” Larsen said in an interview.The increasing partisanship in a branch of government that is supposed to be blind to partisan politics was seen in judges appointed by presidents of both parties, but Larsen said it’s not clear why that was or whether it will last.Some of the federal courts moved to the right when Donald Trump was president and Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate, which confirms judicial nominees. Trump appointed 54 judges to the circuit courts, which are one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, including filling one seat twice. That represents nearly 30% of the seats on the circuit courts, where cases are most often considered by three-judge panels.Trump’s appointees flipped the 11th Circuit in the South to Republican control and expanded the GOP-appointed majorities in the 5th, 6th and 8th Circuits in the Midwest and South. Biden’s three appointees switched the New York-based 2nd Circuit to Democratic control.Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups mostly filed their challenges in circuit courts dominated by conservative judges, while the unions went to circuits with more judges nominated by Democratic presidents.In all, 34 objections have been filed in all 11 regional circuits plus the one for the District of Columbia. That’s where the ping-pong balls came in to play.Under federal law, cases challenging federal agency actions get consolidated upon the agency’s request if they are filed in multiple circuit courts. Each circuit where a challenge is filed within the first 10 days of the agency taking action has an equal chance of being selected.It was up to the judicial panel’s clerk, John W. Nichols, to select a ping-pong ball from a bin, according to a Tuesday court filing by the panel. The office denied a request by The Associated Press to allow media access to the drawing.Previously this year, the lottery had been used to assign just two cases. One involved fallout from a National Labor Relations Board ruling on an anti-union Twitter message by Tesla founder Elon Musk where objectors filed in two circuits. The other was over orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in which objectors filed in three.The employer vaccine mandate is higher profile and further reaching. It calls for businesses with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19. Exemptions are provided for religious reasons and for those who work at home or only outdoors.Because it’s an unusual rule from the workplace safety agency, there is no consensus among lawyers on how the challenges will go. OSHA has issued just 10 emergency rules in the half century since it was formed. Of the six challenged in court, only one survived intact.The Biden administration has insisted it’s on strong legal footing. It also has the backing of the American Medical Association, which filed papers in support of the mandate.“The AMA’s extensive review of the medical literature demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved by FDA are safe and effective, and the widespread use of those vaccines is the best way to keep COVID-19 from spreading within workplaces,” the group said in its filing.Among those challenging the rule is a consortium of construction contractors. They say they want their workers vaccinated, but that a requirement only on larger companies is just pushing vaccine-hesitant workers to take jobs with companies that have fewer than 100 employees.“Crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive,” said Scott Casabona, president of Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance.Officials with the workplace safety agency say they’re considering extending the mandate to smaller employers.A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit extended the stay of the OSHA rule in an opinion released last Friday, expressing skepticism that the agency had authority to implement the vaccine requirement. The 6th Circuit could modify, revoke or extend the stay.It had not yet been determined which judges from the 6th Circuit will be on a three-judge panel to hear the case or whether it will be considered by all the judges.The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the selection of the court.___

GOP-majority court chosen to consider Biden vaccine mandate

HARTVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Some people might describe Hartville, Missouri, as being in the middle of nowhere, but the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday announced that it's the closest town to the middle of the nation.

The hamlet of about 600 people in the Missouri Ozarks is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the center of the U.S. population distribution, according to the Census Bureau.

The town is the type of place where families have been farming for generations, everybody knows each other and people stay for the “small-town living,” said Sabrina Gilliland, 38, a paralegal for the local prosecutor, who lives on a family farm with her four children, cattle, pigs and chickens.

Gilliland joked that her mother is “related to half the people in the town.” The four-block center of Hartville has a diner, barbershop, gas station and hair salon.

Pastor Melvin Moon, a Hartville City Council member, is hopeful the new designation brings tourists to the area known for Civil War history, antique shops and rivers popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Census Bureau will present a plaque to the town next spring.

“We are truly the heart of America,” Moon said. “This small town represents what’s great about America still: People are neighbors, people take time for each other and they help each other.”

Bypassed by interstate highways and railroads, the town doesn't have a big tax base or large industry. The local school, a nursing home, the gas station and the Dollar General store are the largest employers. There used to be a lot of farmers in the area, but it's hard to make a living that way now, Moon said.

“So you have to want to live here," he said.

The nation's population center is calculated every 10 years after the once-a-decade census shows where people are living. The heart of America has been located in Missouri since 1980. Previously located in Plato, Missouri, in the neighboring county, it moved only 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) southwest from 2010 to 2020. It is the smallest distance shift in 100 years and the second-smallest in U.S. history.

It also was the southernmost shift in history, said Deirdre Bishop, the Census Bureau's chief of geography.

“That pull came from the growth in the southeast, in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas," Bishop said.

The center is actually still closer to Plato than Hartville, but the Census Bureau likely wanted to keep it moving “since it is so tied up in our national psyche with expansion and progress," said Alex Zakrewsky, who is principal planner for Middlesex County, New Jersey, and has predicted the location after past censuses.

“Hartville also has the additional symbolic value of its name," Zakrewsky said.

To calculate the center of the U.S., the Census Bureau figures out which spot would be “the balance point” if the 50 states were located on an imaginary, flat surface with weights of identical size — each representing the location of one person — placed on it.

Zakrewsky said he wonders if the center of the U.S. is going to move a lot farther west by 2030 since California, the nation's most populous state, is losing residents.

“I sometimes speculate that Hartville may be the centroid’s terminus," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637147911368.png" alt="Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>HARTVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Some people might describe Hartville, Missouri, as being in the middle of nowhere, but the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday announced that it's the closest town to the middle of the nation.The hamlet of about 600 people in the Missouri Ozarks is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the center of the U.S. population distribution, according to the Census Bureau.The town is the type of place where families have been farming for generations, everybody knows each other and people stay for the “small-town living,” said Sabrina Gilliland, 38, a paralegal for the local prosecutor, who lives on a family farm with her four children, cattle, pigs and chickens.Gilliland joked that her mother is “related to half the people in the town.” The four-block center of Hartville has a diner, barbershop, gas station and hair salon.Pastor Melvin Moon, a Hartville City Council member, is hopeful the new designation brings tourists to the area known for Civil War history, antique shops and rivers popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Census Bureau will present a plaque to the town next spring.“We are truly the heart of America,” Moon said. “This small town represents what’s great about America still: People are neighbors, people take time for each other and they help each other.”Bypassed by interstate highways and railroads, the town doesn't have a big tax base or large industry. The local school, a nursing home, the gas station and the Dollar General store are the largest employers. There used to be a lot of farmers in the area, but it's hard to make a living that way now, Moon said.“So you have to want to live here," he said.The nation's population center is calculated every 10 years after the once-a-decade census shows where people are living. The heart of America has been located in Missouri since 1980. Previously located in Plato, Missouri, in the neighboring county, it moved only 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) southwest from 2010 to 2020. It is the smallest distance shift in 100 years and the second-smallest in U.S. history.It also was the southernmost shift in history, said Deirdre Bishop, the Census Bureau's chief of geography.“That pull came from the growth in the southeast, in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas," Bishop said.The center is actually still closer to Plato than Hartville, but the Census Bureau likely wanted to keep it moving “since it is so tied up in our national psyche with expansion and progress," said Alex Zakrewsky, who is principal planner for Middlesex County, New Jersey, and has predicted the location after past censuses.“Hartville also has the additional symbolic value of its name," Zakrewsky said.To calculate the center of the U.S., the Census Bureau figures out which spot would be “the balance point” if the 50 states were located on an imaginary, flat surface with weights of identical size — each representing the location of one person — placed on it.Zakrewsky said he wonders if the center of the U.S. is going to move a lot farther west by 2030 since California, the nation's most populous state, is losing residents.“I sometimes speculate that Hartville may be the centroid’s terminus," he said.