KANSAS CITY (AP) — The only eye witnesses to a 1978 triple murder in Kansas City tried to tell prosecutors years before she died that she had identified the wrong shooter, but they told her it was “too late” to recant and that she could be charged with perjury, her sister testified Tuesday.

Cecile “Cookie” Simmons testified on the second day of a hearing that could lead to the release of Kevin Strickland, who has served 43 years in prison for a triple murder that many people, including current Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, believe he did not commit.

In testimony on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">Strickland, who is now 62, strongly denied being involved in the crime</a>, which he has maintained since he was arrested and convicted in 1979.

Peters Baker announced in May that she and several other legal and political leaders believe Strickland was wrongly convicted. In August, she called for Strickland’s exoneration by using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime.

The evidentiary hearing was delayed several times after motions filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Eric Schmidt, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/has%20said%20he%20believes%20Strickland%20is%20guilty">he believes Strickland is guilty</a>.

Simmons’ sister, Cynthia Douglas, was injured but survived the shootings that killed three of her friends at a home in Kansas City on April 25, 1978. Her identification of Strickland, as being at the scene was a primary factor in his conviction.

Simmons said Tuesday that Douglas told her she knew two of four suspects, Vincent Bell, 21, and Kilm Adkins, 19, but did not know the other two suspects.

She picked Strickland, who was 18 at the time, out of a lineup the next day and later told people she was pressured by police to choose him, Simmons testified. Douglas’ mother, sister and a former co-worker gave similar testimony on Monday.

Years later, when Douglas told county prosecutors about her mistaken identification, they told her they were “not going to go back to court” over it and that she could be charged with perjury, according to Simmons.

Simmons said Douglas had nightmares and was sickened by her actions but she never took back her recantation before she died in 2015.

Bell and Adkins later served prison sentences for their roles in the murders. They both have said that Strickland was not involved in the crimes.

“Cindy never got her justice,” Simmons said Tuesday, noting that the two suspects Bell and Adkins identified were never arrested.

During cross-examination from Gregory Goodwin with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Simmons acknowledged she was not with her sister when she contacted various officials.

Douglas’ ex-husband, Ronald Richardson, also testified Tuesday that she told him she had been wrong to identify Strickland. Richardson, who is currently in prison, was with Douglas for 24 years and married to her for 15 years.

Douglas told him she was hesitant to revive Strickland’s case because other families were involved and she was afraid Strickland might retaliate. Richardson told her said Strickland was more likely to be grateful if she recanted her identification, he testified.

Richardson said he and Strickland are imprisoned together but they are not friends and Strickland has never promised him anything for his testimony.

Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug noted Richardson’s lengthy prison record, which started with stealing in 1994 and include convictions for drugs, forgery and sex charges. She also said the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office did not find him credible when he was prosecuted for sex crimes and robbery.

Richardson responded that he didn’t understand what his crimes had to do with Strickland’s case. And he said he watched Douglas suffer for years because she identified the wrong person, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-stricklands-quest-for-freedom-continues-tuesday-in-jackson-county-court" target="_blank">reported</a>.

“I’ve lived with the girl for 24 years, and I’ve seen her slowly deteriorate and I’ve seen the hurt and the pain that the girl went through for 24 years,” Richardson said. “So don’t tell me all the things I did. I broke her heart. With the things I’ve done, I broke the girl’s heart. Y’all broke her spirit.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Strickland-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The only eye witnesses to a 1978 triple murder in Kansas City tried to tell prosecutors years before she died that she had identified the wrong shooter, but they told her it was “too late” to recant and that she could be charged with perjury, her sister testified Tuesday.Cecile “Cookie” Simmons testified on the second day of a hearing that could lead to the release of Kevin Strickland, who has served 43 years in prison for a triple murder that many people, including current Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, believe he did not commit.In testimony on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">Strickland, who is now 62, strongly denied being involved in the crime</a>, which he has maintained since he was arrested and convicted in 1979.Peters Baker announced in May that she and several other legal and political leaders believe Strickland was wrongly convicted. In August, she called for Strickland’s exoneration by using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that allows local prosecutors to challenge convictions if they believe the defendant did not commit the crime.The evidentiary hearing was delayed several times after motions filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Attorney General Eric Schmidt, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/has%20said%20he%20believes%20Strickland%20is%20guilty">he believes Strickland is guilty</a>.Simmons’ sister, Cynthia Douglas, was injured but survived the shootings that killed three of her friends at a home in Kansas City on April 25, 1978. Her identification of Strickland, as being at the scene was a primary factor in his conviction.Simmons said Tuesday that Douglas told her she knew two of four suspects, Vincent Bell, 21, and Kilm Adkins, 19, but did not know the other two suspects.She picked Strickland, who was 18 at the time, out of a lineup the next day and later told people she was pressured by police to choose him, Simmons testified. Douglas’ mother, sister and a former co-worker gave similar testimony on Monday.Years later, when Douglas told county prosecutors about her mistaken identification, they told her they were “not going to go back to court” over it and that she could be charged with perjury, according to Simmons.Simmons said Douglas had nightmares and was sickened by her actions but she never took back her recantation before she died in 2015.Bell and Adkins later served prison sentences for their roles in the murders. They both have said that Strickland was not involved in the crimes.“Cindy never got her justice,” Simmons said Tuesday, noting that the two suspects Bell and Adkins identified were never arrested.During cross-examination from Gregory Goodwin with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Simmons acknowledged she was not with her sister when she contacted various officials.Douglas’ ex-husband, Ronald Richardson, also testified Tuesday that she told him she had been wrong to identify Strickland. Richardson, who is currently in prison, was with Douglas for 24 years and married to her for 15 years.Douglas told him she was hesitant to revive Strickland’s case because other families were involved and she was afraid Strickland might retaliate. Richardson told her said Strickland was more likely to be grateful if she recanted her identification, he testified.Richardson said he and Strickland are imprisoned together but they are not friends and Strickland has never promised him anything for his testimony.Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug noted Richardson’s lengthy prison record, which started with stealing in 1994 and include convictions for drugs, forgery and sex charges. She also said the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office did not find him credible when he was prosecuted for sex crimes and robbery.Richardson responded that he didn’t understand what his crimes had to do with Strickland’s case. And he said he watched Douglas suffer for years because she identified the wrong person, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-stricklands-quest-for-freedom-continues-tuesday-in-jackson-county-court" target="_blank">reported</a>.“I’ve lived with the girl for 24 years, and I’ve seen her slowly deteriorate and I’ve seen the hurt and the pain that the girl went through for 24 years,” Richardson said. “So don’t tell me all the things I did. I broke her heart. With the things I’ve done, I broke the girl’s heart. Y’all broke her spirit.”

Woman says her sister ID'd wrong man in KC triple murder

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Biden administration is relying on infrastructure dollars to help fix the clogged ports and blanket the nation with internet access — but a series of initiatives rolled out on Tuesday show that the urgent pace might not be fast enough to address the immediate needs of an economy coping with a supply chain squeeze and a shift to remote work.

President Joe Biden spoke with the CEOs of Wal-Mart, Target, UPS and FedEx on Tuesday about how to relieve the supply chain challenges as ships are still waiting to dock at some of the country's leading ports. The key problem is that these ports are experiencing record volumes of shipping containers as the economy has recovered from the pandemic.

Biden received updates from the CEOs on how deliveries are being sped up to ensure that store shelves will be well-stocked this holiday season, according to a White House official. Bloomberg News first reported Biden's conversations with the corporate leaders.

Yet the concrete policy steps being discussed by the administration show that there is no quick fix to supply chain issues that are still hurting smaller businesses and causing consumers to face higher prices. Nor can the administration build out a national broadband network fast enough as more Americans are pivoting toward remote work.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted at the White House briefing the $65 billion for broadband access in the the $1 trillion infrastructure package that cleared the House on Friday. She said that jobs would be created and poorer Americans would receive “affordable” internet service, though she did not spell out a precise dollar amount on what the monthly bills could be.

The plan involves careful logistics that would take time to implement. Each state would receive at least $100 million to help lay fiberoptic cables and ensure its citizens can access the internet. This process would occur as jobseekers are increasingly requesting remote work where they can work from home on their computers.

“The president wants us to get it right,” Raimondo said. “And if it takes a little longer to lay the groundwork for fiber and broadband, then we’re going to do that.”

Similarly, the administration announced plans on Tuesday to identify and pay for possible upgrades to U.S. ports within the next 90 days — hoping to ultimately tamp down the inflation being caused by ships waiting to dock and a shortage of truck drivers to haul goods.

As the U.S. emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the economic recovery has been hampered by congested and aging ports. The mix of inflation and the potential for empty store shelves during holiday shopping has created a sense of frustration for many Americans and hurt President Joe Biden and Democrats politically.

Senior administration officials said Tuesday that the Transportation Department would allow port authorities to redirect any leftover money from grant projects to address the supply chain issues. For example, the Georgia Ports Authority will use $8 million to convert its inland facilities for the port of Savannah into container yards, freeing up dock space and speeding the flow of goods to their final destinations.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the forthcoming plans, which come on the heels of the House backing the bipartisan infrastructure package late Friday. The package includes $17 billion to improve coastal and land-based ports that can help to tackle the challenges in the longer term.

Biden's team is moving straight ahead in promoting the possible benefits from the broader infrastructure package, though they've largely shied away from claiming that Americans could see clear and demonstrable changes to their lives before the 2022 midterm elections. The focus, instead, has been on how the spending on roads, bridges and broadband will help the U.S. economy compete against the rest of the world.

The president in remarks to Democratic supporters on Tuesday signaled that he will look to remind voters in the months ahead of the infrastructure win. He noted “the last president” promised to pursue legislation but failed to deliver.

“So it was left to us,” Biden said at the virtual event hosted by the Democratic National Committee. “We got the job done.”

Administration officials said the ports initiatives being announced Tuesday would make the supply chain faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly in the medium to longer term.

Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday. It's part of a broader effort to show that the administration will tackle the inflation that has left Americans feeling more pessimistic about the economy. Updated figures for the consumer price index will be released Wednesday, with the previous report showing prices were 5.4% higher than a year ago.

The Baltimore trip is designed to highlight the types of investments that the administration believes will help unclog the supply chain. The port in Baltimore is adding container cranes and adding a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. The administration has also approved grants so that the Howard Street Tunnel — a train artery that opened in 1895 — can be expanded to ferry double-stacked containers on railcars.

The Biden administration earlier helped broker an agreement to increase the hours of operation at the Port of Los Angeles, but it's been difficult to immediately fix this challenge.

Additional steps include launching a $240 million grant program in the next 45 days to modernize ports and marine highways. Within 60 days, the government wants to identify repair projects and opportunities to deepen harbors for larger ships that can be a guide for more than $4 billion in construction by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The government will also look over the next 90 days at which ports of entry should be upgraded and expanded as part of a $3.4 billion investment. It also plans within 90 days to open the first round of more than $475 million in grants for ports made possible through the newly passed infrastructure package.

The Transportation Department intends to publish a playbook for states on freight movement and issue guidance on best practices, so that the value of the infrastructure investments can be maximized. There will also be a request for information by the Transportation Department to improve data collection and sharing to improve the efficiency and transparency of the supply chain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636510961577.png" alt="Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday-photos courtesy Port of Baltimore" />
 <figcaption>Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday-photos courtesy Port of Baltimore</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — The Biden administration is relying on infrastructure dollars to help fix the clogged ports and blanket the nation with internet access — but a series of initiatives rolled out on Tuesday show that the urgent pace might not be fast enough to address the immediate needs of an economy coping with a supply chain squeeze and a shift to remote work.President Joe Biden spoke with the CEOs of Wal-Mart, Target, UPS and FedEx on Tuesday about how to relieve the supply chain challenges as ships are still waiting to dock at some of the country's leading ports. The key problem is that these ports are experiencing record volumes of shipping containers as the economy has recovered from the pandemic.Biden received updates from the CEOs on how deliveries are being sped up to ensure that store shelves will be well-stocked this holiday season, according to a White House official. Bloomberg News first reported Biden's conversations with the corporate leaders.Yet the concrete policy steps being discussed by the administration show that there is no quick fix to supply chain issues that are still hurting smaller businesses and causing consumers to face higher prices. Nor can the administration build out a national broadband network fast enough as more Americans are pivoting toward remote work.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted at the White House briefing the $65 billion for broadband access in the the $1 trillion infrastructure package that cleared the House on Friday. She said that jobs would be created and poorer Americans would receive “affordable” internet service, though she did not spell out a precise dollar amount on what the monthly bills could be.The plan involves careful logistics that would take time to implement. Each state would receive at least $100 million to help lay fiberoptic cables and ensure its citizens can access the internet. This process would occur as jobseekers are increasingly requesting remote work where they can work from home on their computers.“The president wants us to get it right,” Raimondo said. “And if it takes a little longer to lay the groundwork for fiber and broadband, then we’re going to do that.”Similarly, the administration announced plans on Tuesday to identify and pay for possible upgrades to U.S. ports within the next 90 days — hoping to ultimately tamp down the inflation being caused by ships waiting to dock and a shortage of truck drivers to haul goods.As the U.S. emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the economic recovery has been hampered by congested and aging ports. The mix of inflation and the potential for empty store shelves during holiday shopping has created a sense of frustration for many Americans and hurt President Joe Biden and Democrats politically.Senior administration officials said Tuesday that the Transportation Department would allow port authorities to redirect any leftover money from grant projects to address the supply chain issues. For example, the Georgia Ports Authority will use $8 million to convert its inland facilities for the port of Savannah into container yards, freeing up dock space and speeding the flow of goods to their final destinations.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the forthcoming plans, which come on the heels of the House backing the bipartisan infrastructure package late Friday. The package includes $17 billion to improve coastal and land-based ports that can help to tackle the challenges in the longer term.Biden's team is moving straight ahead in promoting the possible benefits from the broader infrastructure package, though they've largely shied away from claiming that Americans could see clear and demonstrable changes to their lives before the 2022 midterm elections. The focus, instead, has been on how the spending on roads, bridges and broadband will help the U.S. economy compete against the rest of the world.The president in remarks to Democratic supporters on Tuesday signaled that he will look to remind voters in the months ahead of the infrastructure win. He noted “the last president” promised to pursue legislation but failed to deliver.“So it was left to us,” Biden said at the virtual event hosted by the Democratic National Committee. “We got the job done.”Administration officials said the ports initiatives being announced Tuesday would make the supply chain faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly in the medium to longer term.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636511034475.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday. It's part of a broader effort to show that the administration will tackle the inflation that has left Americans feeling more pessimistic about the economy. Updated figures for the consumer price index will be released Wednesday, with the previous report showing prices were 5.4% higher than a year ago.The Baltimore trip is designed to highlight the types of investments that the administration believes will help unclog the supply chain. The port in Baltimore is adding container cranes and adding a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. The administration has also approved grants so that the Howard Street Tunnel — a train artery that opened in 1895 — can be expanded to ferry double-stacked containers on railcars.The Biden administration earlier helped broker an agreement to increase the hours of operation at the Port of Los Angeles, but it's been difficult to immediately fix this challenge.Additional steps include launching a $240 million grant program in the next 45 days to modernize ports and marine highways. Within 60 days, the government wants to identify repair projects and opportunities to deepen harbors for larger ships that can be a guide for more than $4 billion in construction by the Army Corps of Engineers.The government will also look over the next 90 days at which ports of entry should be upgraded and expanded as part of a $3.4 billion investment. It also plans within 90 days to open the first round of more than $475 million in grants for ports made possible through the newly passed infrastructure package.The Transportation Department intends to publish a playbook for states on freight movement and issue guidance on best practices, so that the value of the infrastructure investments can be maximized. There will also be a request for information by the Transportation Department to improve data collection and sharing to improve the efficiency and transparency of the supply chain.

White House rushes with infrastructure fixes for US economy

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas are pushing to enact new state laws before Thanksgiving to protect workers financially if they refuse to comply with federal mandates to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Top GOP legislative leaders called Tuesday for lawmakers to have a special session to consider proposals making it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions from vaccine mandates and providing unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for refusing to get inoculated. Both proposals emerged from a legislative committee meeting Tuesday and come in response to vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">announced in September</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-kansas-topeka-86d570bbf1eb4376a5e7b519c4cb4903">went public with her opposition</a>&nbsp;to the Democratic president’s mandates, but she also said she didn’t think a special session is warranted. Lawmakers can force one if two-thirds of them sign a petition, and Republicans have big enough majorities. Lawmakers adjourned for the year in May and aren’t scheduled to reconvene until January.

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, suggested starting a special session Nov. 22, just three days before Thanksgiving, to address “all this garbage” from the Biden administration. The committee on vaccine mandates plans to have a hearing and could vote Friday on the two proposals, allowing quicker action should lawmakers have a special session.

“Kansans should not be forced to choose between their personal beliefs and their jobs,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said in a statement.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who hopes to unseat Kelly in the governors’ race next year, has brought Kansas into two federal lawsuits against Biden mandates. One mandate says employees of private companies with 100 or more workers must get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 tests.

Conservative Republican lawmakers pushed last month for a special session, but the effort didn’t gain much traction. Top GOP leaders’ alternative was forming the committee on vaccine mandates; Masterson is a member, and on Tuesday it endorsed having a special session as soon as possible.

“What changed is, we now have a plan,” said Rep. Stephen Owens, a conservative Hesston Republican, another committee member.

In committee hearings last month, critics of the vaccine mandates urged lawmakers not to put off action until January because deadlines to get inoculated would have passed. Both proposals before the committee Tuesday came from Masterson.

The first would prevent employers from second-guessing workers if they sought a religious exemption to a vaccine mandate by asserting that getting inoculated violated sincerely held religious beliefs.

Sen. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said such a provision could be more lenient than longstanding state policies granting religious exemptions from other other vaccines required by the state, such as those for chickenpox, mumps or hepatitis for K-12 students. He said Masterson’s alternative for COVID-19 vaccines “looks like anything goes.”

“You don’t have to even have a good faith belief, a religious belief. If you just assert you do, then you get a free ride,” Miller said.

But Masterson said employers — and the state — have no business trying to judge the validity of a person’s religious beliefs.

“I would contend that no one has that ability — that is the fundamental contention of freedom of religion,” Masterson said.

The other proposal would revise state laws on unemployment. One says people don’t get benefits if they didn’t have “good cause” to leave their jobs or if they were “discharged.” The law also requires people to seek “suitable” work to keep getting benefits.

Kelly said last week that issues about benefits for people who left or lost a job after refusing to get vaccinated would be settled case by case.

Under the proposal, people wouldn’t lose benefits for refusing to take jobs requiring a COVID-19 vaccine, and they couldn’t be denied benefits if they lost a job after refusing to get inoculated against COVID-19.

But the influential Kansas Chamber of Commerce immediately worried that the measure could result in the state paying out hundreds of millions of dollars in additional benefits. Employers pay taxes to help finance the benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630703364773.png" alt="Senate President Ty Masterson outlined proposals during a meeting of a joint legislative committee looking for ways for Kansas to resist COVID-19 vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>&nbsp; photo by Sherman Smith" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Ty Masterson outlined proposals during a meeting of a joint legislative committee looking for ways for Kansas to resist COVID-19 vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">imposed by President Joe Biden.</a>&nbsp; photo by Sherman Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas are pushing to enact new state laws before Thanksgiving to protect workers financially if they refuse to comply with federal mandates to get vaccinated against COVID-19.Top GOP legislative leaders called Tuesday for lawmakers to have a special session to consider proposals making it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions from vaccine mandates and providing unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for refusing to get inoculated. Both proposals emerged from a legislative committee meeting Tuesday and come in response to vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">announced in September</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Governor Laura Kelly&#39;s statement addressing the new federal vaccine mandate: <a href="https://t.co/lAFAs3pQLK">pic.twitter.com/lAFAs3pQLK</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1456627100593659906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-kansas-topeka-86d570bbf1eb4376a5e7b519c4cb4903">went public with her opposition</a>&nbsp;to the Democratic president’s mandates, but she also said she didn’t think a special session is warranted. Lawmakers can force one if two-thirds of them sign a petition, and Republicans have big enough majorities. Lawmakers adjourned for the year in May and aren’t scheduled to reconvene until January.Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, suggested starting a special session Nov. 22, just three days before Thanksgiving, to address “all this garbage” from the Biden administration. The committee on vaccine mandates plans to have a hearing and could vote Friday on the two proposals, allowing quicker action should lawmakers have a special session.“Kansans should not be forced to choose between their personal beliefs and their jobs,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said in a statement.Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who hopes to unseat Kelly in the governors’ race next year, has brought Kansas into two federal lawsuits against Biden mandates. One mandate says employees of private companies with 100 or more workers must get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 tests.Conservative Republican lawmakers pushed last month for a special session, but the effort didn’t gain much traction. Top GOP leaders’ alternative was forming the committee on vaccine mandates; Masterson is a member, and on Tuesday it endorsed having a special session as soon as possible.“What changed is, we now have a plan,” said Rep. Stephen Owens, a conservative Hesston Republican, another committee member.In committee hearings last month, critics of the vaccine mandates urged lawmakers not to put off action until January because deadlines to get inoculated would have passed. Both proposals before the committee Tuesday came from Masterson.The first would prevent employers from second-guessing workers if they sought a religious exemption to a vaccine mandate by asserting that getting inoculated violated sincerely held religious beliefs.Sen. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said such a provision could be more lenient than longstanding state policies granting religious exemptions from other other vaccines required by the state, such as those for chickenpox, mumps or hepatitis for K-12 students. He said Masterson’s alternative for COVID-19 vaccines “looks like anything goes.”“You don’t have to even have a good faith belief, a religious belief. If you just assert you do, then you get a free ride,” Miller said.But Masterson said employers — and the state — have no business trying to judge the validity of a person’s religious beliefs.“I would contend that no one has that ability — that is the fundamental contention of freedom of religion,” Masterson said.The other proposal would revise state laws on unemployment. One says people don’t get benefits if they didn’t have “good cause” to leave their jobs or if they were “discharged.” The law also requires people to seek “suitable” work to keep getting benefits.Kelly said last week that issues about benefits for people who left or lost a job after refusing to get vaccinated would be settled case by case.Under the proposal, people wouldn’t lose benefits for refusing to take jobs requiring a COVID-19 vaccine, and they couldn’t be denied benefits if they lost a job after refusing to get inoculated against COVID-19.But the influential Kansas Chamber of Commerce immediately worried that the measure could result in the state paying out hundreds of millions of dollars in additional benefits. Employers pay taxes to help finance the benefits.

Kan. lawmakers consider special session to act against vaccine mandates 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 26-year-old man who stabbed a Wichita psychiatrist more than 160 times and then ran over him with a car has been sentenced to life in prison. 

Umar Dutt was sentenced Tuesday for first-degree murder in the death of 57-year-old Dr. Achutha Reddy in September 2017. Dutt pleaded guilty in September. Prosecutors said police found Reddy's body behind Holistic Psychiatric Services clinic, where Dutt was a client of Reddy's. 

He entered the building and began assaulting Reddy, who escaped before Dutt caught up with him in the alley. Prosecutors said Dutt stabbed Reddy 165 times and ran him over with a car.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632260560803.png" alt="Dutt photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Dutt photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 26-year-old man who stabbed a Wichita psychiatrist more than 160 times and then ran over him with a car has been sentenced to life in prison. Umar Dutt was sentenced Tuesday for first-degree murder in the death of 57-year-old Dr. Achutha Reddy in September 2017. Dutt pleaded guilty in September. Prosecutors said police found Reddy's body behind Holistic Psychiatric Services clinic, where Dutt was a client of Reddy's. He entered the building and began assaulting Reddy, who escaped before Dutt caught up with him in the alley. Prosecutors said Dutt stabbed Reddy 165 times and ran him over with a car.

Life in prison for man who stabbed, ran over Kansas doctor

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax 
year 2022 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, 
including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-45.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-45</a>&nbsp;PDF provides details about these annual adjustments.

Highlights of changes in Revenue Procedure 2021-45:

The tax year 2022 adjustments described below generally apply to tax returns filed in 2023.

The tax items for tax year 2022 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax 
year 2022 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, 
including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-45.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-45</a>&nbsp;PDF provides details about these annual adjustments.<h2>Highlights of changes in Revenue Procedure 2021-45:</h2>The tax year 2022 adjustments described below generally apply to tax returns filed in 2023.The tax items for tax year 2022 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts:<ul>
 <li>The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for 
tax year 2022 rises to $25,900 up $800 from the prior year. For single 
taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard 
deduction rises to $12,950 for 2022, up $400, and for heads of 
households, the standard deduction will be $19,400 for tax year 2022, up
 $600. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The personal exemption for tax year 2022 remains at 0, as it was 
for 2021, this elimination of the personal exemption was a provision in 
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Marginal Rates: For tax year 2022, the top tax 
rate remains 37% for individual single taxpayers with incomes greater 
than $539,900 ($647,850 for married couples filing jointly).
	The other rates are: 
	35%, for incomes over $215,950 ($431,900 for married couples filing jointly); 
	32% for incomes over $170,050 ($340,100 for married couples filing jointly); 
	24% for incomes over $89,075 ($178,150 for married couples filing jointly); 
	22% for incomes over $41,775 ($83,550 for married couples filing jointly); 
	12% for incomes over $10,275 ($20,550 for married couples filing jointly). 
	The lowest rate is 10% for incomes of single individuals with incomes 
of $10,275 or less ($20,550 for married couples filing jointly). 
	&nbsp;
	</li><li>For 2022, as in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there is no limitation 
on itemized deductions, as that limitation was eliminated by the Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The Alternative Minimum Tax exemption amount for tax year 2022 is 
$75,900 and begins to phase out at $539,900 ($118,100 for married 
couples filing jointly for whom the exemption begins to phase out at 
$1,079,800). The 2021 exemption amount was $73,600 and began to phase 
out at $523,600 ($114,600 for married couples filing jointly for whom 
the exemption began to phase out at $1,047,200). 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The tax year 2022 maximum Earned Income Tax Credit amount is $6,935
 for qualifying taxpayers who have three or more qualifying children, up
 from $6,728 for tax year 2021. The revenue procedure contains a table 
providing maximum EITC amount for other categories, income thresholds 
and phase-outs. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, the monthly limitation for the qualified 
transportation fringe benefit and the monthly limitation for qualified 
parking increases to $280. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For the taxable years beginning in 2022, the dollar limitation for 
employee salary reductions for contributions to health flexible spending
 arrangements increases to $2,850. For cafeteria plans that permit the 
carryover of unused amounts, the maximum carryover amount is $570, an 
increase of $20 from taxable years beginning in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, participants who have self-only coverage in a 
Medical Savings Account, the plan must have an annual deductible that is
 not less than $2,450, up $50 from tax year 2021; but not more than 
$3,700, an increase of $100 from tax year 2021. For self-only coverage, 
the maximum out-of-pocket expense amount is $4,950, up $150 from 2021. 
For tax year 2022, for family coverage, the annual deductible is not 
less than $4,950, up from $4,800 in 2021; however, the deductible cannot
 be more than $7,400, up $250 from the limit for tax year 2021. For 
family coverage, the out-of-pocket expense limit is $9,050 for tax year 
2022, an increase of $300 from tax year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The modified adjusted gross income amount used by joint filers to 
determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit provided in 
§&nbsp;25A(d)(2) is not adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 2020. The Lifetime Learning Credit is phased out for 
taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $80,000 
($160,000 for joint returns). 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, the foreign earned income exclusion is $112,000 up from $108,700 for tax year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Estates of decedents who die during 2022 have a basic exclusion 
amount of $12,060,000, up from a total of $11,700,000 for estates of 
decedents who died in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The annual exclusion for gifts increases to $16,000 for calendar year 2022, up from $15,000 for calendar year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The maximum credit allowed for adoptions for tax year 2022 is the 
amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $14,890, up from $14,440 for
 2021.</li>
 </ul>

IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for coming tax year

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is facing a staffing shortage in its Department of Transportation that could slow the clearing of highways in winter storms, the agency said Tuesday.

The department said it is about 30% short of being fully staffed with snowplow operators across the state. The agency said the staffing shortage is worse this year than it has been in the past.

Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz said the staffing shortage means that with inclement weather, some highways might not be cleared as quickly as they have been in the past. She said she’s warning motorists now so they can plan ahead or alter travel plans when the state faces winter storms.

She said the department also plans to shift its crews to the regions affected worst by storms and to pretreat highways and bridges whenever possible. She said snowplow operators work 12-hour shifts already.

Lorenz said the department also will deploy all employees with commercial driver’s licenses and hire seasonal employees to help clear highways.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is facing a staffing shortage in its Department of Transportation that could slow the clearing of highways in winter storms, the agency said Tuesday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto%2F%3Ffbid%3D247184180778163%26set%3Da.222814903215091&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="489" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The department said it is about 30% short of being fully staffed with snowplow operators across the state. The agency said the staffing shortage is worse this year than it has been in the past.Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz said the staffing shortage means that with inclement weather, some highways might not be cleared as quickly as they have been in the past. She said she’s warning motorists now so they can plan ahead or alter travel plans when the state faces winter storms.She said the department also plans to shift its crews to the regions affected worst by storms and to pretreat highways and bridges whenever possible. She said snowplow operators work 12-hour shifts already.Lorenz said the department also will deploy all employees with commercial driver’s licenses and hire seasonal employees to help clear highways.

KDOT alert: Clearing roads from snow will be slow this winter

While 2021 is quickly winding down, scams targeting
 the public continue to cause trouble. Consumers should watch out for 
any fraudulent schemes aimed at swiping their cash and stealing personal
 information. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a Naughty List with the top 12 scams of Christmas that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard during this season.Many of the scams on this list are facilitated 
through emails and social media platforms, however the latter is where 
most people are vulnerable. Exercise caution when coming across social 
media ads about discounted items, event promotions, job opportunities 
and donation requests, as well as direct messages from strangers. If you
 are asked to make a payment or donation by wire or e-transfer, through 
third parties, by prepaid debit or gift cards, treat this as a red flag.

Be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer and our tips to avoid them:

1.&nbsp;Misleading Social Media Ads: As
 you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale
 from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a 
charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam
 Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never 
receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up 
for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the
 one advertised. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbbscamtrackerriskreport/" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to 
Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework 
and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile
 on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> and read the reviews.&nbsp;Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">misleading ads</a>. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24189-bbb-tip-read-the-fine-print-before-signing-up-for-a-free-trial-offer" target="_blank">free trial offers</a>, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams" target="_blank">counterfeit goods</a>.2.&nbsp;Social Media Gift Exchanges: 
Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no 
different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging 
bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another 
twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get 
to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." There is
 even a twist about "Secret Santa Dog" where you buy a $10 gift for your
 "secret dog."&nbsp;In all of these versions, participants unwittingly 
share their personal information, along with those of their family 
members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping 
gifts or money to unknown individuals. And-- it's an illegal pyramid 
scheme.Read more about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal" target="_blank">social media gift exhange</a>.3.&nbsp;Holiday Apps: Apple's App Store
 and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can 
video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live 
reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish
 lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused 
children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may 
play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see 
what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can 
sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee.
 Free apps can also contain malware.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18957-bbb-tip-is-that-santa-app-safe-better-check-it-twice" target="_blank">holiday apps</a>.4.&nbsp;Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">Scam Tracker</a>
 about a con claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has 
been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which 
explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their 
accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent 
the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited 
calls, emails, and texts.

Read more about c<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23491-bbb-scam-alert-compromised-account-think-twice-before-you-panic" target="_blank">ompromised accounts scams</a>.

5.&nbsp;Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings
 good cheer like the word 'FREE'. Scammers have been known to take 
advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting 
personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these 
emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and 
promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their 
business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send 
text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner
 for a prize.

If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do 
not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened 
the email, do not click on any links.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">gift card scams</a>.

6.&nbsp;Temporary Holiday Jobs: 
Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of 
holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday 
employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the 
need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These 
jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility
 of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers
 need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and 
personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for 
opportunities that seem too good to be true.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14438-bbb-tips-for-avoiding-job-scams-this-holiday-season" target="_blank">holiday job scams</a>.

7.&nbsp;Look-Alike Websites: The 
holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains.
 Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike 
websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, 
making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are 
uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover
 over them to see where they reroute.

Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19251-scam-alert-dont-lose-money-to-fake-lookalike-websites" target="_blank">look-alike websites</a>.

8.&nbsp;Fake Charities: Typically, 40% 
of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of 
the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had 
to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are
 now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to lookout 
for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in 
need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. 
Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they 
do today. Verify a charity at BBB's <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">give.org</a> or on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23282-bbb-scam-alert-fake-charities-trick-would-be-instagram-influencers" target="_blank">fake charities</a>.9.&nbsp;Fake Shipping Notifications: 
More consumers are making purchases online, there is also an increase in
 the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and 
carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with
 links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private 
information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to 
trick people into paying new shipping fees.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16460-scam-alert-fake-text-delivery-scam" target="_blank">delivery and package scams</a>.

10.&nbsp;Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events:
 This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday markets 
or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event 
pages, social media posts, and emails, charging admission for what used 
to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. 
Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In
 the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is 
free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18892-bbb-tip-holiday-pop-up-shops" target="_blank">pop up holiday shops</a>.

11.&nbsp;Top Holiday Wishlist Items: 
Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and
 electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This 
year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game 
consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when 
considering to purchase these high-value items from individuals through 
social sites.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">holiday hot toy scams</a>.12.&nbsp;Puppy Scams: Many families, 
especially those with children, may be considering to add a furry friend
 to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet 
scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person 
before making a purchase.&nbsp;Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>.&nbsp;For general information on how to avoid scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>. &nbsp;For more advice, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips on online shopping</a>. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB ScamTracker</a>.

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">Read more BBB Holiday Tips at BBB.org/holiday.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBWhile 2021 is quickly winding down, scams targeting
 the public continue to cause trouble. Consumers should watch out for 
any fraudulent schemes aimed at swiping their cash and stealing personal
 information. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a Naughty List with the top 12 scams of Christmas that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard during this season.Many of the scams on this list are facilitated 
through emails and social media platforms, however the latter is where 
most people are vulnerable. Exercise caution when coming across social 
media ads about discounted items, event promotions, job opportunities 
and donation requests, as well as direct messages from strangers. If you
 are asked to make a payment or donation by wire or e-transfer, through 
third parties, by prepaid debit or gift cards, treat this as a red flag.<h2>Be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer and our tips to avoid them:</h2>1.&nbsp;Misleading Social Media Ads: As
 you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale
 from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a 
charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam
 Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never 
receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up 
for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the
 one advertised. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbbscamtrackerriskreport/" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to 
Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework 
and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile
 on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> and read the reviews.&nbsp;Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">misleading ads</a>. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24189-bbb-tip-read-the-fine-print-before-signing-up-for-a-free-trial-offer" target="_blank">free trial offers</a>, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams" target="_blank">counterfeit goods</a>.2.&nbsp;Social Media Gift Exchanges: 
Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no 
different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging 
bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another 
twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get 
to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." There is
 even a twist about "Secret Santa Dog" where you buy a $10 gift for your
 "secret dog."&nbsp;In all of these versions, participants unwittingly 
share their personal information, along with those of their family 
members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping 
gifts or money to unknown individuals. And-- it's an illegal pyramid 
scheme.Read more about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal" target="_blank">social media gift exhange</a>.3.&nbsp;Holiday Apps: Apple's App Store
 and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can 
video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live 
reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish
 lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused 
children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may 
play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see 
what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can 
sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee.
 Free apps can also contain malware.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18957-bbb-tip-is-that-santa-app-safe-better-check-it-twice" target="_blank">holiday apps</a>.4.&nbsp;Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">Scam Tracker</a>
 about a con claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has 
been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which 
explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their 
accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent 
the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited 
calls, emails, and texts.Read more about c<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23491-bbb-scam-alert-compromised-account-think-twice-before-you-panic" target="_blank">ompromised accounts scams</a>.5.&nbsp;Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings
 good cheer like the word 'FREE'. Scammers have been known to take 
advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting 
personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these 
emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and 
promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their 
business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send 
text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner
 for a prize.If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do 
not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened 
the email, do not click on any links.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">gift card scams</a>.6.&nbsp;Temporary Holiday Jobs: 
Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of 
holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday 
employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the 
need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These 
jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility
 of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers
 need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and 
personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for 
opportunities that seem too good to be true.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14438-bbb-tips-for-avoiding-job-scams-this-holiday-season" target="_blank">holiday job scams</a>.7.&nbsp;Look-Alike Websites: The 
holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains.
 Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike 
websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, 
making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are 
uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover
 over them to see where they reroute.Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19251-scam-alert-dont-lose-money-to-fake-lookalike-websites" target="_blank">look-alike websites</a>.8.&nbsp;Fake Charities: Typically, 40% 
of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of 
the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had 
to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are
 now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to lookout 
for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in 
need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. 
Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they 
do today. Verify a charity at BBB's <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">give.org</a> or on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23282-bbb-scam-alert-fake-charities-trick-would-be-instagram-influencers" target="_blank">fake charities</a>.9.&nbsp;Fake Shipping Notifications: 
More consumers are making purchases online, there is also an increase in
 the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and 
carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with
 links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private 
information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to 
trick people into paying new shipping fees.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16460-scam-alert-fake-text-delivery-scam" target="_blank">delivery and package scams</a>.10.&nbsp;Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events:
 This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday markets 
or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event 
pages, social media posts, and emails, charging admission for what used 
to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. 
Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In
 the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is 
free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18892-bbb-tip-holiday-pop-up-shops" target="_blank">pop up holiday shops</a>.11.&nbsp;Top Holiday Wishlist Items: 
Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and
 electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This 
year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game 
consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when 
considering to purchase these high-value items from individuals through 
social sites.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">holiday hot toy scams</a>.12.&nbsp;Puppy Scams: Many families, 
especially those with children, may be considering to add a furry friend
 to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet 
scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person 
before making a purchase.&nbsp;Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>.&nbsp;For general information on how to avoid scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>. &nbsp;For more advice, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips on online shopping</a>. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB ScamTracker</a>.<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">Read more BBB Holiday Tips at BBB.org/holiday.</a>

The Naughty List: BBB's 12 Scams of Christmas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to take a rapid COVID-19 test after a lawmaker who attended one of her public events tested positive. Kelly spokesperson Sam Coleman said the governor planned to take the test Wednesday afternoon even though she’s had no symptoms and likely is not infected. 

Coleman said the governor decided to take the test after learning that the lawmaker who tested positive attended a news conference Monday at a north Topeka grocery. 

Kelly held the event to outline a proposal for eliminating the state’s sales tax on food. Kelly was masked during most of the event and when she was interacting with others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636561324355.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly shaking hands with those in attendance during her Monday "Axe the Food Tax" press conference at a Topeka grocery store.- image courtesy Governor's office" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly shaking hands with those in attendance during her Monday "Axe the Food Tax" press conference at a Topeka grocery store.- image courtesy Governor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to take a rapid COVID-19 test after a lawmaker who attended one of her public events tested positive. Kelly spokesperson Sam Coleman said the governor planned to take the test Wednesday afternoon even though she’s had no symptoms and likely is not infected. Coleman said the governor decided to take the test after learning that the lawmaker who tested positive attended a news conference Monday at a north Topeka grocery. Kelly held the event to outline a proposal for eliminating the state’s sales tax on food. Kelly was masked during most of the event and when she was interacting with others.

Kansas governor to get COVID test after lawmaker's infection

HUTCHINSON — She was accused of a crime she did not commit and went through jail time and a trial that lasted for years. Now Amanda Knox is an advocate for those who are wrongly accused. Knox was the last speaker for the Dillon Lecture Series for 2021. Knox says she was practically convicted before the case could go through the legal system.

"I was arrested five days after the crime was discovered, before really any evidence was really available," Knox said. "I think what’s really telling about that is that the prosecution and the detectives sort of decided upon a theory before they actually had any evidence. And that is how this whole case unfolded."

Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned.

"One of the major obstacles to getting a wrongful conviction overturned is just the sense of they don't exist," Knox said. "And if they do exist they are so, so rare that all these claims of innocence could not possibly be based on reality."

Knox also says that her case was an early onset of how crimes, criminals and victims are perceived today.

"I realized from very early on in my case that it was an early sign of where we were going to be heading in terms of tribalism and in terms of echo chambers," Knox said. "It really all comes down to a rather adversarial mindset that is beset with confirmation bias."&nbsp;

And it's not just one side of the spectrum, according to Knox.

"It’s not to say that there are good people on this side and bad people on this side, which is how it is often portrayed," Knox said. "Instead, it’s these facts are meaningful to me and prove my point, and these facts are inconvenient for me so I'm not going to acknowledge them. And that happens on both sides of issues."

Knox, who is a journalist, says the media coverage of criminal cases needs to be narrowed down to the areas of factual information and portray what is in the public interest. She also praised her friends and family who stuck by her during her eight-year ordeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636491945304.jpeg" alt="Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned." />
 <figcaption>Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Rod ZookHutch PostHUTCHINSON — She was accused of a crime she did not commit and went through jail time and a trial that lasted for years. Now Amanda Knox is an advocate for those who are wrongly accused. Knox was the last speaker for the Dillon Lecture Series for 2021. Knox says she was practically convicted before the case could go through the legal system."I was arrested five days after the crime was discovered, before really any evidence was really available," Knox said. "I think what’s really telling about that is that the prosecution and the detectives sort of decided upon a theory before they actually had any evidence. And that is how this whole case unfolded."Knox now spends her time supporting those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes. She says it is hard to get wrongful conviction cases overturned."One of the major obstacles to getting a wrongful conviction overturned is just the sense of they don't exist," Knox said. "And if they do exist they are so, so rare that all these claims of innocence could not possibly be based on reality."Knox also says that her case was an early onset of how crimes, criminals and victims are perceived today."I realized from very early on in my case that it was an early sign of where we were going to be heading in terms of tribalism and in terms of echo chambers," Knox said. "It really all comes down to a rather adversarial mindset that is beset with confirmation bias."&nbsp;And it's not just one side of the spectrum, according to Knox."It’s not to say that there are good people on this side and bad people on this side, which is how it is often portrayed," Knox said. "Instead, it’s these facts are meaningful to me and prove my point, and these facts are inconvenient for me so I'm not going to acknowledge them. And that happens on both sides of issues."Knox, who is a journalist, says the media coverage of criminal cases needs to be narrowed down to the areas of factual information and portray what is in the public interest. She also praised her friends and family who stuck by her during her eight-year ordeal.

Wrongfully-convicted: Amanda Knox speaks at lecture series

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspect on multiple charges after police found him in a bank.

Just after 9p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a possible burglary at the Communication Federal Credit Union, 1015 SW Wanamaker in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived on scene and found a suspect later identified as 28-year-old Martin Sommers still inside the bank. A perimeter was established as was communication with the suspect. Police took Sommers into custody without further incident.

The 1000 block of SW Wanamaker was shut down from approximately 9:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m, according to Trimble.

Police brought Sommers to the Law Enforcement Center for interviews and then booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Criminal Damage, Criminal Trespass and Raising a False Alarm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636466590146.png" alt="Sommers-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sommers-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspect on multiple charges after police found him in a bank.Just after 9p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a possible burglary at the Communication Federal Credit Union, 1015 SW Wanamaker in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found a suspect later identified as 28-year-old Martin Sommers still inside the bank. A perimeter was established as was communication with the suspect. Police took Sommers into custody without further incident.The 1000 block of SW Wanamaker was shut down from approximately 9:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m, according to Trimble.Police brought Sommers to the Law Enforcement Center for interviews and then booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Criminal Damage, Criminal Trespass and Raising a False Alarm.

Police: Burglary suspect was hiding inside Kan. credit union

TOPEKA— Police have located the missing 74-year-old Kansas man. Robert Currie was found in Derby, Kansas and is safe, according to Lt. Matt Danielson.

TOPEKA – Law enforcement authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 74-year-old Robert Currie, according to Topeka Police.

He was last seen at 10:00a.m. Tuesday and is believed to be driving a 2005 red Ford F150 bearing Kansas license plate 082-AJD.

He is described as a white male approximately 5-foot7 and 170 pounds with blue eyes, grey hair. 

Anyone with information regarding Robert Currie’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center at 785-251-2200, email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636514015498.png" alt="Currie-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Currie-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— Police have located the missing 74-year-old Kansas man. Robert Currie was found in Derby, Kansas and is safe, according to Lt. Matt Danielson.--------TOPEKA – Law enforcement authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 74-year-old Robert Currie, according to Topeka Police.He was last seen at 10:00a.m. Tuesday and is believed to be driving a 2005 red Ford F150 bearing Kansas license plate 082-AJD.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636514158361.png" alt="Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 9.13.00 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 9.13.00 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>He is described as a white male approximately 5-foot7 and 170 pounds with blue eyes, grey hair. Anyone with information regarding Robert Currie’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center at 785-251-2200, email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the

Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas man found safe

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.

David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.

Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.

Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636487390305.png" alt="Everson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Everson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595470452421.png" alt="Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

Man charged in killing of Kansas City woman pushing a stroller

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a one-year old boy.

Just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a medical call involving an unresponsive child the 2400 block of SW 10th Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The Topeka Fire Department and American Medical Response also responded to the scene. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene. AMR transported the child to a local hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.

Authorities released no additional details Tuesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636496999939.png" alt="Police on the scene of the death investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the death investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a one-year old boy.Just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a medical call involving an unresponsive child the 2400 block of SW 10th Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The Topeka Fire Department and American Medical Response also responded to the scene. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene. AMR transported the child to a local hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.Authorities released no additional details Tuesday afternoon.

 Police investigate death of one-year-old Kansas boy

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple charges after an arrest.&nbsp;

Police officers had been alerted that a 1996 Chrysler mini-van reported stolen to Kansas City Missouri Police was in the Atchison, Kansas area, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, officers located the van near 4th and Main in Atchison and it was occupied by 20-year-old&nbsp; Kala Woods of Stover Missouri.

Officers arrested her on requested charges of possession of stolen property.&nbsp;Woods was also accused of criminal damage to property in connection to damage to a vehicle tire following a dispute in the 900 block South 4th that had occurred around 11p.m. Monday, according to Wilson. Woods was taken to the County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636469263291.png" alt="Woods-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Woods-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on multiple charges after an arrest.&nbsp;Police officers had been alerted that a 1996 Chrysler mini-van reported stolen to Kansas City Missouri Police was in the Atchison, Kansas area, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, officers located the van near 4th and Main in Atchison and it was occupied by 20-year-old&nbsp; Kala Woods of Stover Missouri.Officers arrested her on requested charges of possession of stolen property.&nbsp;Woods was also accused of criminal damage to property in connection to damage to a vehicle tire following a dispute in the 900 block South 4th that had occurred around 11p.m. Monday, according to Wilson. Woods was taken to the County Jail.

Police: Woman jailed in Kansas for driving stolen van

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1986 Mercury Cougar driven by Scott J.&nbsp;Compitello, 46, Hill City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Sylvan Grove.

The car rear-ended the trailer of a 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Stephan Ray Fulk Sr., 48, Hamton, Arkansas, who was stopped on the shoulder of the interstate.

Compitello was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Parson's Funeral Home. Fulk, Sr. and a passenger in the semi were not injured. Compitello was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1986 Mercury Cougar driven by Scott J.&nbsp;Compitello, 46, Hill City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Sylvan Grove.The car rear-ended the trailer of a 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Stephan Ray Fulk Sr., 48, Hamton, Arkansas, who was stopped on the shoulder of the interstate.Compitello was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Parson's Funeral Home. Fulk, Sr. and a passenger in the semi were not injured. Compitello was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after car rear-ends stopped semi on I-70

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad">Kansas News Service</a>

HUTCHINSON&nbsp;— By 8 p.m. on a Friday, David Gorges has 
already clocked 48 stressful hours counseling and guarding inmates at 
the state prison in town.

His work week isn’t over. He’s working security at The Alley, an arcade and bowling alley in Hutchinson.

He takes on extra work so he can be debt-free when he retires, though he said he is close to paying off his farm.

“I don’t go out and drive a Corvette,” Gorges said. “My wife doesn’t 
have a Cadillac Escalade, or anything like that. We live a humble 
lifestyle. We don’t go on these lavish trips out of state. We just 
believe in good hard work.”

He needs the extra job because his checks from the Kansas Department of Corrections aren't big enough.

The
 state prison system finds itself in a crisis to find enough people to 
take on relatively low pay for the grueling and often dangerous work of 
correctional officers and the other jobs needed to run places like the 
Hutchinson Correctional Facility. 

Prison administrators and union
 officials say it’s never been so hard to get people to take on these 
jobs. If you think it’s hard these days to find somebody to flip burgers
 or swing a hammer, just try to find somebody willing to walk a 
cellblock.

The state has 405 uniformed vacancies with another 119 
people on extended leave. Prisons are expected to lose another 75 
workers by the end of the year. The Kansas Juvenile Complex is missing 
31% of its uniformed staff and KDOC's entire Emporia office quit for 
jobs elsewhere.

KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda told a committee of 
state lawmakers that other jobs offer more flexible hours and remote 
work. Prisons can’t.

“We’re not alone in those challenges,” he 
said. “Job markets for all employers are as competitive as any of us 
have seen in recent memory.”

So the department relies on mandatory overtime and adding job responsibilities to the few people it can keep.

Gorges
 is a corrections counselor and spends his shift helping inmates find 
jobs, housing or anything else they need. He then heads to the 
cellblocks as a corrections officer, even if he has more counseling work
 to do.

“You hunker down and make it happen,” Gorges said. “Failure is not an option.”

Gage Sears, who was a corrections officer in 2019, said mandatory overtime was like getting “punched in the stomach.” <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-27/indoor-temperatures-break-100-at-kansas-prisons-without-air-conditioning" target="_blank">The Hutchinson Correctional Facility didn't have air conditioning,</a> so he might spend his shift in sweltering heat before being told to stay longer.

“You’d
 be completely drained by the end of (a shift), and it didn’t matter if 
you were exhausted or tired,” Sears said. “They call and say, ‘Hey, you 
have to stay for four more hours.' And even if you tried to plead your 
case, most of the time that didn’t matter.”

He stopped making 
plans after work because he knew he would likely be called to stay 
longer. Sears said people could volunteer for overtime, which he and 
others did, but that was because they needed the extra money to pay 
bills. Some staff would finish one eight-hour shift and volunteer for 
another.

Sears said he felt unsafe at work because he would 
usually supervise cellblocks of inmates by himself because the 
department didn't have enough officers to work at one time.

A 
corrections officer was sent to the hospital after an incident with an 
inmate last week. The department said the officer is in stable condition
 and they are investigating the incident.

Sarah LaFrenz, union 
president for the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said a single 
officer was watching over 100 inmates. She said the employee quickly 
became unconscious and, if not for inmates stepping in to help, the 
officer could have been killed.

“This is a real time example of 
how bad outcomes happen,” LaFrenz said. “The department of corrections …
 (is) heartbroken and disturbed and very upset about all of this. But 
there has to be real, meaningful change to how these facilities are 
managed.”

KDOC's staffing shortages are especially bad at the El 
Dorado Correctional Facility. Inmates are under a modified lockdown 
schedule that keeps higher security residents inside their cells for 23 
hours a day.

Sherrick Sims, an inmate at El Dorado, said this means less time to talk with his children.

“Under
 a different schedule I used to call and just check on them and talk to 
them, even if it is for just a few minutes to let them know, “Hey, daddy
 is thinking of you. How your schooling [and] grades going, ya know?'” 
he said in a phone interview from the prison. “You miss a lot. … I like 
to at least try to call them so that way they know I tried.”

Sims 
spoke with the Kansas News Service during his hour outside of his cell. 
He only had time for a shower and to make a few phone calls before most 
of his time had run out. He passes the time reading, reviewing his case 
or watching TV.

The lockdown makes even the stagnancy of prison 
even more painfully boring. Programs that prisoners usually have access 
to aren’t available during a modified lockdown.

Sims said inmates feel like an afterthought.

“You feel like you’re being mistreated,” he said. “You’re cooped up. It gives you this anger.”

Lawmakers
 want to use federal COVID-19 relief funds for bonuses to keep and hire 
staff to address immediate staffing problems. But they also asked Zmuda 
to present a plan to the Legislature to address long-standing staffing 
issues.

Starting pay for both adult and juvenile corrections officers is $18.26 an hour while parole officers start at $17.39.

Andy
 Potter, founder of One Voice United, a group that advocates for 
corrections officers, said solutions need to be more comprehensive than 
just pay increases. He said this issue is a nationwide crisis because 
the work is being devalued.

Potter says higher pay helps, but 
improved benefits and better working conditions are also needed. He said
 corrections work can be dangerous, and benefits packages need to be 
generous enough to encourage people to apply.

“If the industry 
isn’t going to invest in the individual, then it’s very difficult for 
individuals to come into this with any level of forward investment on 
their part as well,” he said.

Sedgwick County lost eight intensive
 supervision officers, or 11% of the staff, and the turnover rate for 
community corrections in Kansas is three times higher than the national 
average.

Michael Scribner, president of Teamsters Local 696, the 
union that represents juvenile corrections officers, wants to see 
starting pay increase by almost $7 an hour.

“Businesses and the 
government (aren’t) willing to pay the amount of money they need to pay 
to fully staff their facilities,” Scribner said. “It's a dangerous thing
 whenever you don’t have the staffing to do the job and you're 
overworking the staff that you have, it's a recipe for disaster.”

For Gorges, a pay increase is welcomed, but until that happens, he'll be at the bowling alley on the weekends.

“I
 would much rather be home with my family. Much rather,” Gorges said. “I
 love my wife and my kids immensely. I would rather spend time with them
 than be here.”

Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice and 
social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can follow 
him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636485981012.png" alt="David Gorges is still working late Friday night even after putting in a full week at the Kansas Department of Corrections. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>David Gorges is still working late Friday night even after putting in a full week at the Kansas Department of Corrections. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad">Kansas News Service</a>HUTCHINSON&nbsp;— By 8 p.m. on a Friday, David Gorges has 
already clocked 48 stressful hours counseling and guarding inmates at 
the state prison in town.His work week isn’t over. He’s working security at The Alley, an arcade and bowling alley in Hutchinson.He takes on extra work so he can be debt-free when he retires, though he said he is close to paying off his farm.“I don’t go out and drive a Corvette,” Gorges said. “My wife doesn’t 
have a Cadillac Escalade, or anything like that. We live a humble 
lifestyle. We don’t go on these lavish trips out of state. We just 
believe in good hard work.”He needs the extra job because his checks from the Kansas Department of Corrections aren't big enough.The
 state prison system finds itself in a crisis to find enough people to 
take on relatively low pay for the grueling and often dangerous work of 
correctional officers and the other jobs needed to run places like the 
Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Prison administrators and union
 officials say it’s never been so hard to get people to take on these 
jobs. If you think it’s hard these days to find somebody to flip burgers
 or swing a hammer, just try to find somebody willing to walk a 
cellblock.The state has 405 uniformed vacancies with another 119 
people on extended leave. Prisons are expected to lose another 75 
workers by the end of the year. The Kansas Juvenile Complex is missing 
31% of its uniformed staff and KDOC's entire Emporia office quit for 
jobs elsewhere.KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda told a committee of 
state lawmakers that other jobs offer more flexible hours and remote 
work. Prisons can’t.“We’re not alone in those challenges,” he 
said. “Job markets for all employers are as competitive as any of us 
have seen in recent memory.”So the department relies on mandatory overtime and adding job responsibilities to the few people it can keep.Gorges
 is a corrections counselor and spends his shift helping inmates find 
jobs, housing or anything else they need. He then heads to the 
cellblocks as a corrections officer, even if he has more counseling work
 to do.“You hunker down and make it happen,” Gorges said. “Failure is not an option.”<h2>More O.T.</h2>Gage Sears, who was a corrections officer in 2019, said mandatory overtime was like getting “punched in the stomach.” <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-27/indoor-temperatures-break-100-at-kansas-prisons-without-air-conditioning" target="_blank">The Hutchinson Correctional Facility didn't have air conditioning,</a> so he might spend his shift in sweltering heat before being told to stay longer.“You’d
 be completely drained by the end of (a shift), and it didn’t matter if 
you were exhausted or tired,” Sears said. “They call and say, ‘Hey, you 
have to stay for four more hours.' And even if you tried to plead your 
case, most of the time that didn’t matter.”He stopped making 
plans after work because he knew he would likely be called to stay 
longer. Sears said people could volunteer for overtime, which he and 
others did, but that was because they needed the extra money to pay 
bills. Some staff would finish one eight-hour shift and volunteer for 
another.Sears said he felt unsafe at work because he would 
usually supervise cellblocks of inmates by himself because the 
department didn't have enough officers to work at one time.A 
corrections officer was sent to the hospital after an incident with an 
inmate last week. The department said the officer is in stable condition
 and they are investigating the incident.Sarah LaFrenz, union 
president for the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said a single 
officer was watching over 100 inmates. She said the employee quickly 
became unconscious and, if not for inmates stepping in to help, the 
officer could have been killed.“This is a real time example of 
how bad outcomes happen,” LaFrenz said. “The department of corrections …
 (is) heartbroken and disturbed and very upset about all of this. But 
there has to be real, meaningful change to how these facilities are 
managed.”KDOC's staffing shortages are especially bad at the El 
Dorado Correctional Facility. Inmates are under a modified lockdown 
schedule that keeps higher security residents inside their cells for 23 
hours a day.Sherrick Sims, an inmate at El Dorado, said this means less time to talk with his children.“Under
 a different schedule I used to call and just check on them and talk to 
them, even if it is for just a few minutes to let them know, “Hey, daddy
 is thinking of you. How your schooling [and] grades going, ya know?'” 
he said in a phone interview from the prison. “You miss a lot. … I like 
to at least try to call them so that way they know I tried.”Sims 
spoke with the Kansas News Service during his hour outside of his cell. 
He only had time for a shower and to make a few phone calls before most 
of his time had run out. He passes the time reading, reviewing his case 
or watching TV.The lockdown makes even the stagnancy of prison 
even more painfully boring. Programs that prisoners usually have access 
to aren’t available during a modified lockdown.Sims said inmates feel like an afterthought.“You feel like you’re being mistreated,” he said. “You’re cooped up. It gives you this anger.”<h2>Looking for a fix</h2>Lawmakers
 want to use federal COVID-19 relief funds for bonuses to keep and hire 
staff to address immediate staffing problems. But they also asked Zmuda 
to present a plan to the Legislature to address long-standing staffing 
issues.Starting pay for both adult and juvenile corrections officers is $18.26 an hour while parole officers start at $17.39.Andy
 Potter, founder of One Voice United, a group that advocates for 
corrections officers, said solutions need to be more comprehensive than 
just pay increases. He said this issue is a nationwide crisis because 
the work is being devalued.Potter says higher pay helps, but 
improved benefits and better working conditions are also needed. He said
 corrections work can be dangerous, and benefits packages need to be 
generous enough to encourage people to apply.“If the industry 
isn’t going to invest in the individual, then it’s very difficult for 
individuals to come into this with any level of forward investment on 
their part as well,” he said.Sedgwick County lost eight intensive
 supervision officers, or 11% of the staff, and the turnover rate for 
community corrections in Kansas is three times higher than the national 
average.Michael Scribner, president of Teamsters Local 696, the 
union that represents juvenile corrections officers, wants to see 
starting pay increase by almost $7 an hour.“Businesses and the 
government (aren’t) willing to pay the amount of money they need to pay 
to fully staff their facilities,” Scribner said. “It's a dangerous thing
 whenever you don’t have the staffing to do the job and you're 
overworking the staff that you have, it's a recipe for disaster.”For Gorges, a pay increase is welcomed, but until that happens, he'll be at the bowling alley on the weekends.“I
 would much rather be home with my family. Much rather,” Gorges said. “I
 love my wife and my kids immensely. I would rather spend time with them
 than be here.”Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice and 
social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can follow 
him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

Kansas prison officials have never seen a staffing crisis this bad 

WASHINGTON (AP) —Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.

Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.

Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.

While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.

Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to nearly 96%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to nearly 96%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.A median of 11 months after their last Pfizer vaccination, trial participants were given either a third dose or a dummy shot. Researchers tracked any infections that occurred at least a week later, and so far have counted five cases of symptomatic COVID-19 among booster recipients compared to 109 cases among people who got dummy shots.The Biden administration had originally envisioned boosters for all adults, but faced a stinging setback in September when the FDA’s scientific advisers rejected extra Pfizer doses for everyone. The panel wasn’t convinced that young healthy people needed another dose, particularly when most of the world’s population remains unvaccinated.Still, under today’s policies about 2 of every 3 vaccinated adults is expected to qualify within the next few months -- and many who don’t nonetheless can score an extra shot because most vaccine providers don’t check qualifications.The current rules: People who initially received Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations are eligible for a booster six months later if they’re 65 or older, or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of underlying health problems or their job or living conditions. Because the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine hasn’t proven as effective as its two-dose competitors, any J&amp;J recipient can get a booster at least two months later.And regardless of the initial vaccination, the U.S. has cleared getting a booster of a different company’s vaccine, what’s called mixing and matching.If the FDA authorizes Pfizer boosters for all adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will make recommendations for how to use them.Globally, boosters also are a hodge-podge. Some countries restrict them to older or medically fragile people while others have few restrictions. Israel, for example, has authorized Pfizer boosters for anyone 12 and older.___