By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and THOMAS BEAUMONT

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — School board candidates opposing mask mandates and lessons about racism in U.S. history won in red states and some politically divided districts but often came up short in their bids to shape policy for school districts over the newest culture war issue.

The mixed results complicate the picture for Republicans who are increasingly looking to the education fight as a galvanizing issue that could help them sway voters. They point to the upset in&nbsp;Virginia&nbsp;by Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won his race for governor Tuesday in the liberal-leaning state after making education grievances a key part of his campaign. Some conservative political action groups said they racked up wins in the school board races where they funneled money.

But across the country, culture and identity fights were less decisive. The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 96 school districts in more than a dozen states where race education and masking were part of the debate. It found that at least one anti-critical race theory or anti-mask candidate prevailed in 35 of the 86 districts in which it has determined winners, or 40%.

“Where they won, they won in really high numbers,” said Doug Kronaizl, a staff writer for Ballotpedia, noting that candidates who won on the issue tended to be concentrated in the same districts. “But overall nationwide they didn’t win that much.”

In&nbsp;Connecticut, a slate of five candidates running in opposition to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the Guilford school system, an overwhelmingly white New Haven suburb of 22,000 where a petition calling for the superintendent’s removal circulated after the district ditched its Indians mascot and doubled down on efforts to address social justice and racism.

“I think that there continues to be a national discussion where the term critical race theory is used inaccurately if not insincerely to attack work that is being done in schools, and that was successful in a lot of races,” said Superintendent Paul Freeman, who said the district doesn’t teach critical race theory.

Technically, it is an academic framework that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people. But in recent months, it has become a catch-all political buzzword for any teaching in schools about race and American history.

“We do not shame or blame the white children in Guilford when we talk about the issues of race or racism in our classrooms, whether historic or contemporary,” Freeman stressed.

Incumbent school board members in Mequon,&nbsp;Wisconsin, a wealthy, Republican-leaning suburb north of Milwaukee, won decisively after a group of parents led a recall effort based largely on their opposition to the district’s hiring of a diversity consultant. All four incumbents were reelected by more than 1,000 votes after a summer-long petition drive that drew the attention of local Republicans.

In Springboro,&nbsp;Ohio, outside Dayton, Frank Catrine, a local Republican activist who is opposed to critical race theory, finished fifth out of eight candidates in a school board race in which all incumbents were reelected. He has argued that diversity and inclusion efforts exclude white students and parents.

“If you want true diversity, you’re open to everybody,” Catrine said. “But if they are only focused on Black people and the LGBTQ community, not everybody is welcome.”

In Washington state, school board candidate Riley Smith said that while knocking on doors in his Democratic-leaning district in Spokane this fall, he encountered very few people interested in discussing race in education.

“This whole critical race theory, anti-masking, that was dominating the national narrative wasn’t really on people’s minds,” said Riley, who beat a vocal opponent of the educational framework for the open seat.

Yael Levin, who leads the Virginia chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group opposed to teaching critical race theory, said some losses were to be expected given the newness of the movement, which she said grew from the pandemic, when remote learning made parents more aware of what their children were being taught. The organization has ballooned to 78 chapters in more than 25 states since it was founded last year.

“This is a very new movement of parents. And it’s a direct result of COVID. So it makes sense that we succeeded in some places and didn’t in others,” Levin said, “but we’re going to keep our movement alive because the attack on our children is not stopping anytime soon.”

In conservative Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, Ben Blankley was among three candidates voted out of office and replaced by a slate of anti-critical race theory candidates who have promised changes in COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the district.

“I kind of figured this would be the end result,” said Blankley, a 38-year-old aerospace engineer with a first-grader in the district. “Regardless of the decisions that we made, I figured there would be a political backlash eventually for a bunch of good people. And so it kind of steeled my resolve to make the best decisions I could with the information that we had knowing that being out of office could be an eventuality because of all of this.”

Across the state, mask mandate opponents were ahead Friday in several races in Johnson County, an increasingly purple Kansas City suburb that voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 despite historically leaning Republican. Some of the winning candidates in the Blue Valley and Olathe districts got a boost from the 1776 Project PAC.

Axios reported the political action committee — named after former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission, which played down America’s role in slavery — was successful in three-fourths of 58 races in seven states. “Victories across the country and this is just the beginning,” the group tweeted.

Money from other conservative PACs flowed into the West Chester,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>, race after board president Chris McCune antagonized critical race theory opponents. McCune, a Republican, initially was ahead in the vote count but has slipped behind a a PAC-backed critical race theory supporter and another candidate as mail-in ballots are counted.

“These allegations from the far right are very challenging and the climate around public education has been very toxic,” said McCune, 48, who works in software sales and whose five children all attend district schools.

1776 Action, which is separate from the similarly named political action committee, sent out mailers and targeted text messages in the West Chester race and another in&nbsp;Iowa. The group, which encourages candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education,” was encouraged by the results.

“This movement to defeat anti-American indoctrination in our schools is only going to grow stronger in 2022," said Adam Waldeck, the group’s president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636223435663.png" alt="From the July 26, 2020 school board meeting-photo courtesy Shawnee Mission Kansas Schools" />
 <figcaption>From the July 26, 2020 school board meeting-photo courtesy Shawnee Mission Kansas Schools</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and THOMAS BEAUMONTMISSION, Kan. (AP) — School board candidates opposing mask mandates and lessons about racism in U.S. history won in red states and some politically divided districts but often came up short in their bids to shape policy for school districts over the newest culture war issue.The mixed results complicate the picture for Republicans who are increasingly looking to the education fight as a galvanizing issue that could help them sway voters. They point to the upset in&nbsp;Virginia&nbsp;by Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won his race for governor Tuesday in the liberal-leaning state after making education grievances a key part of his campaign. Some conservative political action groups said they racked up wins in the school board races where they funneled money.But across the country, culture and identity fights were less decisive. The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 96 school districts in more than a dozen states where race education and masking were part of the debate. It found that at least one anti-critical race theory or anti-mask candidate prevailed in 35 of the 86 districts in which it has determined winners, or 40%.“Where they won, they won in really high numbers,” said Doug Kronaizl, a staff writer for Ballotpedia, noting that candidates who won on the issue tended to be concentrated in the same districts. “But overall nationwide they didn’t win that much.”In&nbsp;Connecticut, a slate of five candidates running in opposition to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the Guilford school system, an overwhelmingly white New Haven suburb of 22,000 where a petition calling for the superintendent’s removal circulated after the district ditched its Indians mascot and doubled down on efforts to address social justice and racism.“I think that there continues to be a national discussion where the term critical race theory is used inaccurately if not insincerely to attack work that is being done in schools, and that was successful in a lot of races,” said Superintendent Paul Freeman, who said the district doesn’t teach critical race theory.Technically, it is an academic framework that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people. But in recent months, it has become a catch-all political buzzword for any teaching in schools about race and American history.“We do not shame or blame the white children in Guilford when we talk about the issues of race or racism in our classrooms, whether historic or contemporary,” Freeman stressed.Incumbent school board members in Mequon,&nbsp;Wisconsin, a wealthy, Republican-leaning suburb north of Milwaukee, won decisively after a group of parents led a recall effort based largely on their opposition to the district’s hiring of a diversity consultant. All four incumbents were reelected by more than 1,000 votes after a summer-long petition drive that drew the attention of local Republicans.In Springboro,&nbsp;Ohio, outside Dayton, Frank Catrine, a local Republican activist who is opposed to critical race theory, finished fifth out of eight candidates in a school board race in which all incumbents were reelected. He has argued that diversity and inclusion efforts exclude white students and parents.“If you want true diversity, you’re open to everybody,” Catrine said. “But if they are only focused on Black people and the LGBTQ community, not everybody is welcome.”In Washington state, school board candidate Riley Smith said that while knocking on doors in his Democratic-leaning district in Spokane this fall, he encountered very few people interested in discussing race in education.“This whole critical race theory, anti-masking, that was dominating the national narrative wasn’t really on people’s minds,” said Riley, who beat a vocal opponent of the educational framework for the open seat.Yael Levin, who leads the Virginia chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group opposed to teaching critical race theory, said some losses were to be expected given the newness of the movement, which she said grew from the pandemic, when remote learning made parents more aware of what their children were being taught. The organization has ballooned to 78 chapters in more than 25 states since it was founded last year.“This is a very new movement of parents. And it’s a direct result of COVID. So it makes sense that we succeeded in some places and didn’t in others,” Levin said, “but we’re going to keep our movement alive because the attack on our children is not stopping anytime soon.”In conservative Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, Ben Blankley was among three candidates voted out of office and replaced by a slate of anti-critical race theory candidates who have promised changes in COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the district.“I kind of figured this would be the end result,” said Blankley, a 38-year-old aerospace engineer with a first-grader in the district. “Regardless of the decisions that we made, I figured there would be a political backlash eventually for a bunch of good people. And so it kind of steeled my resolve to make the best decisions I could with the information that we had knowing that being out of office could be an eventuality because of all of this.”Across the state, mask mandate opponents were ahead Friday in several races in Johnson County, an increasingly purple Kansas City suburb that voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 despite historically leaning Republican. Some of the winning candidates in the Blue Valley and Olathe districts got a boost from the 1776 Project PAC.Axios reported the political action committee — named after former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission, which played down America’s role in slavery — was successful in three-fourths of 58 races in seven states. “Victories across the country and this is just the beginning,” the group tweeted.Money from other conservative PACs flowed into the West Chester,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>, race after board president Chris McCune antagonized critical race theory opponents. McCune, a Republican, initially was ahead in the vote count but has slipped behind a a PAC-backed critical race theory supporter and another candidate as mail-in ballots are counted.“These allegations from the far right are very challenging and the climate around public education has been very toxic,” said McCune, 48, who works in software sales and whose five children all attend district schools.1776 Action, which is separate from the similarly named political action committee, sent out mailers and targeted text messages in the West Chester race and another in&nbsp;Iowa. The group, which encourages candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education,” was encouraged by the results.“This movement to defeat anti-American indoctrination in our schools is only going to grow stronger in 2022," said Adam Waldeck, the group’s president.___

Culture war fight found mixed success in school board races

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man is charged with two separate killings, and police are trying to determine if he was involved in at least four other homicides in Missouri and Kansas.

Perez Deshay Reed, 25, of Bellefontaine Neighbors, was charged Saturday with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault.

He is suspected of killing a 16-year-old girl, Marnay Haynes, on Sept. 13, and in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Lester Robinson on Sept. 26. He is also accused of a third shooting in St. Louis County that left a person with permanent disabilities.

<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/feds-accuse-st-louis-county-man-of-serial-killings-shootings-from-st-louis-to-kansas/article_e699251c-08b0-5bcf-86fb-486474064c06.html?utm_source=stltoday.com&amp;utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fbreaking&amp;utm_medium=PostUp&amp;utm_content=feaa5696295948078b3afe96afc8d324579f8fa0">The St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>, citing a police affidavit filed in federal court, said Reed could be tied to at least four other homicides and additional shootings. Among them: Police are investigating if Reed killed Damon Irvin and Daja Fairrow, whose bodies were found earlier this month in an apartment complex in Kansas City, Kansas. Charges have not been filed in those killings.

Meanwhile, St. Louis city police said Monday they plan to seek charges against Reed in the recent shooting deaths of 49-year-old Pamela Abercrombie and 24-year-old Casey Ross.

Authorities have not provided a motive for the shootings.

The FBI said that on Friday, officers were watching Reed when he got on an Amtrak train from Kansas City bound for St. Louis. He got off at the first stop, in Independence, and was getting on a bus when he was taken into custody. Reed had a .40-caliber pistol with him that matched the St. Louis area shootings in September, the federal affidavit says.

Reed, in an interview with police, denied hurting anyone, the affidavit stated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636462416961.png" alt="Reed photo St. Louis County Attorney" />
 <figcaption>Reed photo St. Louis County Attorney</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man is charged with two separate killings, and police are trying to determine if he was involved in at least four other homicides in Missouri and Kansas.Perez Deshay Reed, 25, of Bellefontaine Neighbors, was charged Saturday with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault.He is suspected of killing a 16-year-old girl, Marnay Haynes, on Sept. 13, and in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Lester Robinson on Sept. 26. He is also accused of a third shooting in St. Louis County that left a person with permanent disabilities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635889753469.png" alt="Police are investigating if Reed killed Damon Irvin and Daja Fairrow, whose bodies were found earlier this month in an apartment complex in Kansas. photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police are investigating if Reed killed Damon Irvin and Daja Fairrow, whose bodies were found earlier this month in an apartment complex in Kansas. photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/feds-accuse-st-louis-county-man-of-serial-killings-shootings-from-st-louis-to-kansas/article_e699251c-08b0-5bcf-86fb-486474064c06.html?utm_source=stltoday.com&amp;utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fbreaking&amp;utm_medium=PostUp&amp;utm_content=feaa5696295948078b3afe96afc8d324579f8fa0">The St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>, citing a police affidavit filed in federal court, said Reed could be tied to at least four other homicides and additional shootings. Among them: Police are investigating if Reed killed Damon Irvin and Daja Fairrow, whose bodies were found earlier this month in an apartment complex in Kansas City, Kansas. Charges have not been filed in those killings.Meanwhile, St. Louis city police said Monday they plan to seek charges against Reed in the recent shooting deaths of 49-year-old Pamela Abercrombie and 24-year-old Casey Ross.Authorities have not provided a motive for the shootings.The FBI said that on Friday, officers were watching Reed when he got on an Amtrak train from Kansas City bound for St. Louis. He got off at the first stop, in Independence, and was getting on a bus when he was taken into custody. Reed had a .40-caliber pistol with him that matched the St. Louis area shootings in September, the federal affidavit says.Reed, in an interview with police, denied hurting anyone, the affidavit stated.

Serial killer: Man accused of 6 murders in Kansas, Missouri

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Biden administration framed its vaccine mandate for private employers in life-and-death terms Monday in a legal filing that sought to get the requirement back on track after it was halted by a federal court.

Its filing in response to a stay issued over the weekend by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said there is no reason to rush into a ruling on whether the halt should be made permanent because the vaccine mandate won't take effect until Jan. 4. Stopping the mandate from taking effect will only prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and would “cost dozens or even hundreds of lives per day,” lawyers for the Justice and Labor departments said.

As of Sunday, the seven-day rolling average for daily new deaths in the U.S. was 1,151, but it's not clear what role a future vaccine mandate for private businesses would play in reducing that figure.

The mandate would apply to private businesses with more than 100 workers. Employees who do not receive the shots by Jan. 4 would be required to wear a mask and be tested weekly for the coronavirus. Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules issued last week create exemptions for workers citing religious objections and for those who do not interact in-person with coworkers or customers, as well as those who work only outdoors.

More than two dozen Republican state attorneys general, businesses, religious groups and conservative associations sued on the grounds that the federal government does not have the right to make the regulation, partly because COVID-19 is not a workplace-specific danger.

The Biden administration lawyers argued the risks were greater without the mandate than with it: “Petitioners’ asserted injuries, by contrast, are speculative and remote and do not outweigh the interest in protecting employees from a dangerous virus while this case proceeds,” they wrote.

At least 27 states filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules last week. All the states have a Republican governor or attorney general.

Over the weekend, judges on the New Orleans-based federal court paused the rule from taking effect, saying it raises “grave statutory and constitutional issues” and told the federal government to explain why the stay should not be made permanent.

The federal government said in its court filings Monday that the cases should be consolidated and that one of the circuit courts where a legal challenge has been filed should be chosen at random on Nov. 16 to hear it.

Administration lawyers said there is no reason to keep the vaccine mandate on hold while the court where the cases ultimately land remains undetermined. Besides, they argued, no employee will have to get a shot to comply until early December.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre expressed confidence that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate can withstand the legal challenges.

“This is an authority that we believe the Department of Labor has,” Jean-Pierre told told reporters during a news briefing. “We are very confident about it.”

Jean-Pierre said the mandate was about keeping people safe and that Congress had empowered the Labor Department to act with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Vaccine mandates, including those for certain federal employees, contractors and the military, are a key component of the Biden administration's strategy for containing a pandemic that has killed 755,000 people in the U.S.

It has said that widespread vaccinations are the quickest way out of the pandemic. But employers have pushed back, saying they fear the mandate would lead many of their workers to quit.

At a news conference Monday in Concord,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-hampshire">New Hampshire</a>, the president of Keller Companies, a manufacturer of building panels and plastics with 350 employees, described the OSHA rule as a “crushing blow to employers.”

Kathy Garfield, whose family has run the Manchester-based company for three generations, said it brought in a vaccination van to serve employees and gave workers paid time off to get the shots. Only about half have done so.

“We’ve had employees come forward and say if we mandate the vaccine, or this comes to be, they will not get the vaccine and they will not get tested. How can I run a business when I have no talent?” Garfield asked at a news conference with Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican.

She also said it’s difficult to find a place to get the virus test. When they are available, they can cost $200.

“That’s the difference between eating and starving,” Garfield said. “So what are these employees going to do? They’re going to go to another employer with less than 100 employees.”

The administration announced plans for the workplace rule in September and unveiled the plans Nov. 4. Many Republican governors and state attorneys general signaled ahead of time that they would challenge it immediately, as they did with multiple federal lawsuits filed Friday.

The states filed in the most conservative appeals courts in the country, where appointees of former President Donald Trump bolstered Republican-appointed majorities. It was not entirely clear whether the emergency stay issued Saturday by the 5th Circuit applied nationwide or just to the states that filed in that case —&nbsp;Louisiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;and&nbsp;Utah.

The 5th Circuit order read, “the Mandate is hereby stayed pending further action by this court" but did not specifically state whether it applied only to the five states. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said it applied nationally, but states that filed in different courts asked Monday for clarification.

“Though the Fifth Circuit’s order may be construed to have nationwide effect, it does not make an explicit statement on this point," according to a state filing in the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "To avoid any confusion and to secure full protection of their rights, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court enter a similar order here.”

Alabama,&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;and&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;also asked for a stay Monday in the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, noting the one granted in the New Orleans-based court is temporary. The group of states, businesses and organizations challenging the rule in the St. Louis-based court called for a quick review of their challenge to the workplace rule.

“Thousands of employers and millions of working families will feel its impact immediately. The Court should act swiftly to forestall these illegal and unconstitutional injuries,” the groups said in court papers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636210096288.png" alt="At least 27 states filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules last week. All the states have a Republican governor or attorney general.-White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>At least 27 states filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules last week. All the states have a Republican governor or attorney general.-White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Biden administration framed its vaccine mandate for private employers in life-and-death terms Monday in a legal filing that sought to get the requirement back on track after it was halted by a federal court.Its filing in response to a stay issued over the weekend by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said there is no reason to rush into a ruling on whether the halt should be made permanent because the vaccine mandate won't take effect until Jan. 4. Stopping the mandate from taking effect will only prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and would “cost dozens or even hundreds of lives per day,” lawyers for the Justice and Labor departments said.As of Sunday, the seven-day rolling average for daily new deaths in the U.S. was 1,151, but it's not clear what role a future vaccine mandate for private businesses would play in reducing that figure.The mandate would apply to private businesses with more than 100 workers. Employees who do not receive the shots by Jan. 4 would be required to wear a mask and be tested weekly for the coronavirus. Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules issued last week create exemptions for workers citing religious objections and for those who do not interact in-person with coworkers or customers, as well as those who work only outdoors.More than two dozen Republican state attorneys general, businesses, religious groups and conservative associations sued on the grounds that the federal government does not have the right to make the regulation, partly because COVID-19 is not a workplace-specific danger.The Biden administration lawyers argued the risks were greater without the mandate than with it: “Petitioners’ asserted injuries, by contrast, are speculative and remote and do not outweigh the interest in protecting employees from a dangerous virus while this case proceeds,” they wrote.At least 27 states filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules last week. All the states have a Republican governor or attorney general.Over the weekend, judges on the New Orleans-based federal court paused the rule from taking effect, saying it raises “grave statutory and constitutional issues” and told the federal government to explain why the stay should not be made permanent.The federal government said in its court filings Monday that the cases should be consolidated and that one of the circuit courts where a legal challenge has been filed should be chosen at random on Nov. 16 to hear it.Administration lawyers said there is no reason to keep the vaccine mandate on hold while the court where the cases ultimately land remains undetermined. Besides, they argued, no employee will have to get a shot to comply until early December.White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre expressed confidence that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate can withstand the legal challenges.“This is an authority that we believe the Department of Labor has,” Jean-Pierre told told reporters during a news briefing. “We are very confident about it.”Jean-Pierre said the mandate was about keeping people safe and that Congress had empowered the Labor Department to act with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Vaccine mandates, including those for certain federal employees, contractors and the military, are a key component of the Biden administration's strategy for containing a pandemic that has killed 755,000 people in the U.S.It has said that widespread vaccinations are the quickest way out of the pandemic. But employers have pushed back, saying they fear the mandate would lead many of their workers to quit.At a news conference Monday in Concord,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-hampshire">New Hampshire</a>, the president of Keller Companies, a manufacturer of building panels and plastics with 350 employees, described the OSHA rule as a “crushing blow to employers.”Kathy Garfield, whose family has run the Manchester-based company for three generations, said it brought in a vaccination van to serve employees and gave workers paid time off to get the shots. Only about half have done so.“We’ve had employees come forward and say if we mandate the vaccine, or this comes to be, they will not get the vaccine and they will not get tested. How can I run a business when I have no talent?” Garfield asked at a news conference with Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican.She also said it’s difficult to find a place to get the virus test. When they are available, they can cost $200.“That’s the difference between eating and starving,” Garfield said. “So what are these employees going to do? They’re going to go to another employer with less than 100 employees.”The administration announced plans for the workplace rule in September and unveiled the plans Nov. 4. Many Republican governors and state attorneys general signaled ahead of time that they would challenge it immediately, as they did with multiple federal lawsuits filed Friday.The states filed in the most conservative appeals courts in the country, where appointees of former President Donald Trump bolstered Republican-appointed majorities. It was not entirely clear whether the emergency stay issued Saturday by the 5th Circuit applied nationwide or just to the states that filed in that case —&nbsp;Louisiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;and&nbsp;Utah.The 5th Circuit order read, “the Mandate is hereby stayed pending further action by this court" but did not specifically state whether it applied only to the five states. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said it applied nationally, but states that filed in different courts asked Monday for clarification.“Though the Fifth Circuit’s order may be construed to have nationwide effect, it does not make an explicit statement on this point," according to a state filing in the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "To avoid any confusion and to secure full protection of their rights, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court enter a similar order here.”Alabama,&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;and&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;also asked for a stay Monday in the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, noting the one granted in the New Orleans-based court is temporary. The group of states, businesses and organizations challenging the rule in the St. Louis-based court called for a quick review of their challenge to the workplace rule.“Thousands of employers and millions of working families will feel its impact immediately. The Court should act swiftly to forestall these illegal and unconstitutional injuries,” the groups said in court papers.___

Biden: Vaccine mandate should remain while court cases play out

WASHINGTON (AP) — A suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. officials said Monday.

Yaroslav Vasinskyi was arrested last month after traveling to Poland, according to the Justice Department, which also announced the recovery of $6.1 million in ill-gotten funds from a Russian national who was separately charged and remains sought by the FBI.

Both men are alleged to be affiliated with the prolific Russia-based REvil ransomware gang, whose attacks have compromised tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Victims have included the world’s largest meat processor, JBS SA, and a technology company called Kaseya,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-government-and-politics-technology-business-fc0df4c42f8cd6148bf936ca24bb5cbe">which was hit in a holiday weekend attack last July&nbsp;</a>that the company said affected between 800 and 1,500 businesses that relied on its software.

The coordination of multiple agencies across the Biden administration amounted to perhaps the most high-profile response yet to a blitz of ransomware attacks that officials say continues to threaten national security and the economy. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared to foreshadow Monday’s announcement in an interview with The Associated Press last week, saying that “in the days and weeks to come, you’re going to see more arrests” as well as more seizures of illicit ransomware proceeds.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, she said, “We have been using every tool at our disposal and leveraging every authority we have to hunt down and hold accountable cybercriminals wherever they seek to hide.”

The indictment accuses Vasinskyi, 22, of deploying REvil ransomware, also known as Sodinokibi, a broad range of victims — including the massive Kaseya attack.

Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national, is charged in a separate indictment. He’s accused of conducting roughly 3,000 ransomware attacks on companies and entities across the U.S., including law enforcement agencies and local governments in the state of Texas.

Both indictments were filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, a state where REvil ransomware&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-business-texas-hacking-47e23be2d9d90d67383c1bd6cee5aef7">compromised the computer networks</a>&nbsp;of some two dozen local government agencies in the summer of 2019.

The U.S. is seeking Vasinskyi’s extradition from Poland. Though it successfully seized $6 million in ransomware payments from Polyanin, the FBI is continuing to seek his arrest, and the State Department on Monday announced a $10 million reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of any leaders of the REvil group.

The Treasury Department, meanwhile, announced sanctions against the pair as well as a virtual currency exchange, Chatex, that it said was used to facilitate financial transactions for ransomware gangs.

President Joe Biden commended the government’s actions, saying he was making good on his commitment to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would hold cyber criminals accountable.

He said in a statement that the U.S. was “bringing the full strength of the federal government to disrupt malicious cyber activity and actors” and to “bolster resilience at home.”

The announcement of the criminal charges came hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February, including two last week by Romanian authorities.

The Justice Department has tried multiple ways to address a ransomware scourge that has exploded over the last year with attacks against critical infrastructure and major corporations. Arrests of foreign hackers are significant for the Justice Department, and rare, since many of them operate in the refuge of countries that do not extradite their own citizens to the U.S. for prosecution.

“There’s lots of reasons why people travel, and I can’t get into the specific reasons why Mr. Vasinskyi traveled, but boy are we glad he did,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said Monday.

Even so, ransomware attacks — in which hackers seize and encrypt data and demand often-exorbitant sums to release it to victims — have been hard to curb. Monaco told the AP last week that since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-technology-government-and-politics-russia-df7ef73f02bcba61ad6e628aa95a9f84">Biden’s admonitions to Putin last summer</a>&nbsp;to rein in ransomware gangs, “we have not seen a material change in the landscape.”

Garland did not answer directly when asked if there was evidence that the Russian government was aware of REvil’s activities, but said, “we expect and hope that any government in which one of these ransomware actors is residing will do everything it can to provide that person to us for prosecution.”

The $6.1 million seizure in this case builds on a similar success from months ago.

Federal authorities in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-government-and-politics-8e7f5b297012333480d5e9153f40bd52">seized $2.3 million in cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;from a payment made by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">Colonial Pipeline</a>&nbsp;following a ransomware attack that caused the company to temporarily halt operations, creating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-technology-hacking-business-472c7e4f30649aec2dbf38200521b906">fuel shortages</a>&nbsp;in parts of the country.

Justice Department officials also used Monday’s news conference to urge Congress to create a national standard for the reporting of significant cyber incidents, and to require that that information be shared immediately with federal law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636402127170.png" alt="Attorney General Merrick Garland and other top officials announced charges against Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi and Russian Yevgeniy Polyanin, alleging them to be part of the REvil ransomware gang-image courtesy FBI" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Merrick Garland and other top officials announced charges against Ukrainian Yaroslav Vasinskyi and Russian Yevgeniy Polyanin, alleging them to be part of the REvil ransomware gang-image courtesy FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. officials said Monday.Yaroslav Vasinskyi was arrested last month after traveling to Poland, according to the Justice Department, which also announced the recovery of $6.1 million in ill-gotten funds from a Russian national who was separately charged and remains sought by the FBI.Both men are alleged to be affiliated with the prolific Russia-based REvil ransomware gang, whose attacks have compromised tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Victims have included the world’s largest meat processor, JBS SA, and a technology company called Kaseya,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-government-and-politics-technology-business-fc0df4c42f8cd6148bf936ca24bb5cbe">which was hit in a holiday weekend attack last July&nbsp;</a>that the company said affected between 800 and 1,500 businesses that relied on its software.The coordination of multiple agencies across the Biden administration amounted to perhaps the most high-profile response yet to a blitz of ransomware attacks that officials say continues to threaten national security and the economy. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared to foreshadow Monday’s announcement in an interview with The Associated Press last week, saying that “in the days and weeks to come, you’re going to see more arrests” as well as more seizures of illicit ransomware proceeds.Speaking at a news conference Monday, she said, “We have been using every tool at our disposal and leveraging every authority we have to hunt down and hold accountable cybercriminals wherever they seek to hide.”The indictment accuses Vasinskyi, 22, of deploying REvil ransomware, also known as Sodinokibi, a broad range of victims — including the massive Kaseya attack.Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national, is charged in a separate indictment. He’s accused of conducting roughly 3,000 ransomware attacks on companies and entities across the U.S., including law enforcement agencies and local governments in the state of Texas.Both indictments were filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, a state where REvil ransomware&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-business-texas-hacking-47e23be2d9d90d67383c1bd6cee5aef7">compromised the computer networks</a>&nbsp;of some two dozen local government agencies in the summer of 2019.The U.S. is seeking Vasinskyi’s extradition from Poland. Though it successfully seized $6 million in ransomware payments from Polyanin, the FBI is continuing to seek his arrest, and the State Department on Monday announced a $10 million reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of any leaders of the REvil group.The Treasury Department, meanwhile, announced sanctions against the pair as well as a virtual currency exchange, Chatex, that it said was used to facilitate financial transactions for ransomware gangs.President Joe Biden commended the government’s actions, saying he was making good on his commitment to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would hold cyber criminals accountable.He said in a statement that the U.S. was “bringing the full strength of the federal government to disrupt malicious cyber activity and actors” and to “bolster resilience at home.”The announcement of the criminal charges came hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February, including two last week by Romanian authorities.The Justice Department has tried multiple ways to address a ransomware scourge that has exploded over the last year with attacks against critical infrastructure and major corporations. Arrests of foreign hackers are significant for the Justice Department, and rare, since many of them operate in the refuge of countries that do not extradite their own citizens to the U.S. for prosecution.“There’s lots of reasons why people travel, and I can’t get into the specific reasons why Mr. Vasinskyi traveled, but boy are we glad he did,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said Monday.Even so, ransomware attacks — in which hackers seize and encrypt data and demand often-exorbitant sums to release it to victims — have been hard to curb. Monaco told the AP last week that since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-technology-government-and-politics-russia-df7ef73f02bcba61ad6e628aa95a9f84">Biden’s admonitions to Putin last summer</a>&nbsp;to rein in ransomware gangs, “we have not seen a material change in the landscape.”Garland did not answer directly when asked if there was evidence that the Russian government was aware of REvil’s activities, but said, “we expect and hope that any government in which one of these ransomware actors is residing will do everything it can to provide that person to us for prosecution.”The $6.1 million seizure in this case builds on a similar success from months ago.Federal authorities in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-government-and-politics-8e7f5b297012333480d5e9153f40bd52">seized $2.3 million in cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;from a payment made by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">Colonial Pipeline</a>&nbsp;following a ransomware attack that caused the company to temporarily halt operations, creating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-technology-hacking-business-472c7e4f30649aec2dbf38200521b906">fuel shortages</a>&nbsp;in parts of the country.Justice Department officials also used Monday’s news conference to urge Congress to create a national standard for the reporting of significant cyber incidents, and to require that that information be shared immediately with federal law enforcement.

US charges 2 suspected in major ransomware attacks

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been accused of allowing children in his care to be sexually assaulted by a former landlord in exchange for rent.

A Douglas County judge recently ruled that Cormick Ferrell, 42, of Lawrence should stand trial on two counts of aggravated human trafficking in connection with the alleged assaults that took place between April 2014 and August 2017.&nbsp; The children were 6- and 7-years-old at the time the alleged assaults began.

One of the children testified at the hearing that she told Ferrell about the assaults when she was 8, and he told her to “suck it up” because they needed a place to stay.

Ferrell’s attorney, Branden Smith, said during the hearing that there was no documentation showing that Ferrell received rent assistance in exchange for letting the landlord assault the children.

Ferrell remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. He is also charged with aggravated child endangerment in connection with a third child.

The landlord accused in the assaults, Mark Strand, has also been charged in Douglas County, but he is currently in federal prison for a conviction in an unrelated case. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year for attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636315681821.png" alt="Ferrell-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Ferrell-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been accused of allowing children in his care to be sexually assaulted by a former landlord in exchange for rent.A Douglas County judge recently ruled that Cormick Ferrell, 42, of Lawrence should stand trial on two counts of aggravated human trafficking in connection with the alleged assaults that took place between April 2014 and August 2017.&nbsp; The children were 6- and 7-years-old at the time the alleged assaults began.One of the children testified at the hearing that she told Ferrell about the assaults when she was 8, and he told her to “suck it up” because they needed a place to stay.Ferrell’s attorney, Branden Smith, said during the hearing that there was no documentation showing that Ferrell received rent assistance in exchange for letting the landlord assault the children.Ferrell remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. He is also charged with aggravated child endangerment in connection with a third child.The landlord accused in the assaults, Mark Strand, has also been charged in Douglas County, but he is currently in federal prison for a conviction in an unrelated case. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year for attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Kan. man accused of having children sexually assaulted in exchange for rent

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for two cases including the murder of a Wichita man in 2020.&nbsp;

District Judge David Kaufman sentenced Jeremy Shuflat, 39 of Wichita, to 285 months on one count of murder in the second degree and 61 months on one count of kidnapping for the killing of 28-year-old&nbsp; Zackary Tilson, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The homicide occurred on March 27, 2020 in Sedgwick County.&nbsp; Sheriffs deputies responding to a truck broken down on a bridge near Valley Center discovered Tilson’s body lying under the bridge. The coroner determined Tilson died from multiple stab wounds. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate multiple surveillance videos of Shuflat near the scene. Video recovered from a trailer home in Wichita recorded Tilson leaving with Shuflat the night before the body was discovered. 

Shuflat could also be seen on that video placing a knife in his pocket. Deputies later located a knife near a gas station in Valley Center along with video from the station that recorded Shuflat in the area the knife was found. Testing on the knife indicated the presence of blood and contained DNA matching both Tilson and Shuflat. 

Clothing recovered from a home belonging to a relative of Shuflat’s also contained blood evidence. Shuflat pled guilty in September as part of a plea agreement that dismissed one additional case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585685933852.png" alt="Shuflat-photo Shedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Shuflat-photo Shedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for two cases including the murder of a Wichita man in 2020.&nbsp;District Judge David Kaufman sentenced Jeremy Shuflat, 39 of Wichita, to 285 months on one count of murder in the second degree and 61 months on one count of kidnapping for the killing of 28-year-old&nbsp; Zackary Tilson, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The homicide occurred on March 27, 2020 in Sedgwick County.&nbsp; Sheriffs deputies responding to a truck broken down on a bridge near Valley Center discovered Tilson’s body lying under the bridge. The coroner determined Tilson died from multiple stab wounds. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate multiple surveillance videos of Shuflat near the scene. Video recovered from a trailer home in Wichita recorded Tilson leaving with Shuflat the night before the body was discovered. Shuflat could also be seen on that video placing a knife in his pocket. Deputies later located a knife near a gas station in Valley Center along with video from the station that recorded Shuflat in the area the knife was found. Testing on the knife indicated the presence of blood and contained DNA matching both Tilson and Shuflat. Clothing recovered from a home belonging to a relative of Shuflat’s also contained blood evidence. Shuflat pled guilty in September as part of a plea agreement that dismissed one additional case.

Surveillance videos led to Kan. man's conviction in fatal stabbing

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a Kansas felon after a pursuit through Salina ended in a stolen-vehicle crash and a severed power pole on Saturday night.

Just after 7a.m. Friday, police were sent to the 100 block of Fairdale Road for the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Michelle Peck, 41, of Salina, reported that her 2015 Nissan Armada valued at $25,000 was stolen from a driveway. A key fob had been left in the unlocked SUV.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer observed the stolen SUV in the 1900 block of N. Ninth Street in Salina. When the officer attempted to stop the SUV, it sped away and a pursuit that included numerous side streets and Interstate 70 was underway.

The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Dustin Cole of Salina ultimately lost control of the SUV and crashed&nbsp; into two power poles at the  southeast corner of the Roach Street and E. Prescott Road intersection. 

The SUV also struck two boats on the property of Sankey Auto Center, Inc. The boats were a 1999 Pro Weld flat-bottom boat and a 2001 Bass Tracker 175.

Cole fled on foot and headed north across the old Smoky Hill River channel. He was captured by a Kansas Highway Patrol lieutenant in the 800 block of Elmhurst Boulevard, Forrester said. Cole allegedly was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cole is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property, Felony obstruction, Felony flee and elude, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Multiple traffic violations. Authorities did not arrest a woman passenger in the SUV.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636248194079.jpeg" alt="The SUV severed a power pole.&nbsp;Photo by Jerry Hinrikus for Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The SUV severed a power pole.&nbsp;Photo by Jerry Hinrikus for Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Police arrested a Kansas felon after a pursuit through Salina ended in a stolen-vehicle crash and a severed power pole on Saturday night.Just after 7a.m. Friday, police were sent to the 100 block of Fairdale Road for the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.Michelle Peck, 41, of Salina, reported that her 2015 Nissan Armada valued at $25,000 was stolen from a driveway. A key fob had been left in the unlocked SUV.At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer observed the stolen SUV in the 1900 block of N. Ninth Street in Salina. When the officer attempted to stop the SUV, it sped away and a pursuit that included numerous side streets and Interstate 70 was underway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636390924931.png" alt="Cole has three previous drug related convictions and convictions for obstruction and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Cole has three previous drug related convictions and convictions for obstruction and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Dustin Cole of Salina ultimately lost control of the SUV and crashed&nbsp; into two power poles at the southeast corner of the Roach Street and E. Prescott Road intersection. The SUV also struck two boats on the property of Sankey Auto Center, Inc. The boats were a 1999 Pro Weld flat-bottom boat and a 2001 Bass Tracker 175.Cole fled on foot and headed north across the old Smoky Hill River channel. He was captured by a Kansas Highway Patrol lieutenant in the 800 block of Elmhurst Boulevard, Forrester said. Cole allegedly was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cole is being held on requested charges of possession of stolen property, Felony obstruction, Felony flee and elude, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Multiple traffic violations. Authorities did not arrest a woman passenger in the SUV.

Police: Kan. felon crashed stolen SUV into boats, power pole

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Sunday shooting and have identified the victim as 16-year-old Brandi Williams.

Just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 900 block of N Volutsia in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. Once on scene, officers located Williams unresponsive in the front yard of a home. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. 

Another victim, an 18-year-old girl, was located with non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries and later released.

Officers learned that multiple people, adults and juveniles, were at a gathering at the home when an argument started between the two girls and two boys, according to Macy.

During the argument, the boys produced firearms and began firing in the direction of the two girls. As a result, Williams and the 18-year-old girl were both struck by gunfire.

Officers located the boys and taken into custody. They have been identified as a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. After interviews, they were both booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on murder charges, according to Macy.

“While we have another sad and tragic life lost too soon, we’ve been highlighting the increase in juvenile crime for the last fifteen months.” Said Wichita Police Chief Gordon&nbsp; Ramsay. “Families and community members must take note of this disturbing trend and be as involved as possible to help keep our youth safe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636386789329.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting Sunday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Sunday shooting and have identified the victim as 16-year-old Brandi Williams.Just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 900 block of N Volutsia in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. Once on scene, officers located Williams unresponsive in the front yard of a home. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. Another victim, an 18-year-old girl, was located with non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries and later released.Officers learned that multiple people, adults and juveniles, were at a gathering at the home when an argument started between the two girls and two boys, according to Macy.During the argument, the boys produced firearms and began firing in the direction of the two girls. As a result, Williams and the 18-year-old girl were both struck by gunfire.Officers located the boys and taken into custody. They have been identified as a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. After interviews, they were both booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on murder charges, according to Macy.“While we have another sad and tragic life lost too soon, we’ve been highlighting the increase in juvenile crime for the last fifteen months.” Said Wichita Police Chief Gordon&nbsp; Ramsay. “Families and community members must take note of this disturbing trend and be as involved as possible to help keep our youth safe.”

Police ID Kansas girl killed, arrest 14- and 16-year-olds for murder

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.

Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.

On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636384979230.png" alt="Barber-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Barber-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a stabbing last month have a suspect in custody.Shortly after midnight on October 9 police responded to a stabbing that at a residence in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Aa 31-year-old man had suffered a stab wound during an argument with a suspect who fled the area. EMS transported the victim to the hospital in St. Joseph, according to Wilson.On Saturday afternoon, police located the suspect identified as 52-year-old David W. Barber in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison and took him into custody on a District Court warrant for aggravated battery. During that arrest, officers found he was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Wilson.

Police catch suspect wanted for stabbing at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A trial began Monday for a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer accused of involuntary manslaughter in a 2019 shooting — the first time that a white officer from the city has been criminally accused of killing a black man.

Officer Eric J. DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-police-donald-trump-mo-state-wire-kansas-city-97ef60a6995d4052c96f00f7d23a9cf2">also is charged with armed criminal action</a>&nbsp;in the death of Cameron Lamb, 26, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard when he was shot on Dec. 3, 2019. The killing was often evoked in protests last year against racial injustice in Kansas City.

Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs will preside over the bench trial, which is expected to last a week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article255540531.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.

Lamb’s killing was among several cases cited by a group of civil rights organizations in a petition urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the Kansas City Police Department. The indictment in the case came days after Lamb’s death garnered renewed attention stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/william-barr-donald-trump-mo-state-wire-racial-injustice-politics-033bd654df2deb5ece62af601d47b5df">his family’s meeting with then-President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2020.

In the past year, prosecutors have brought criminal charges against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-michael-brown-kansas-city-fd9a8f99323ae247843e5a335fa9b275">five white Kansas City police officers&nbsp;</a>for allegedly using excessive force against black people. DeValkenaere is the only officer charged in an on-duty killing.

Officers investigating a crash reported a red pickup chasing a purple Ford Mustang. A police helicopter located the truck driven by Lamb and followed it to his driveway.

DeValkenaere and another detective, Troy Schwalm, arrived at the home to investigate the crash. Before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the truck’s steering wheel and his cellphone in his right hand, prosecutors said.

DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at Schwalm. After the shooting, officers found Lamb inside the vehicle with his left arm and head hanging out of the driver’s side window. On the ground near his left hand was a handgun.

Schwalm later told the grand jury that he did not see Lamb with a weapon, prosecutors have said.

Meanwhile, medical records show that Lamb is right-handed and did not have full use of his left hand as a result of an injury sustained four years earlier, prosecutors said. DeValkenaere’s lawyers have previously said that Lamb pulled a gun with his left hand.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has said DeValkenaere’s conduct during the shooting was “reckless” and violated the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Her office alleged the detectives, who were in plainclothes, did not ask for permission to walk onto the property and did not have a warrant.

Kansas City’s Fraternal Order of Police has denounced the charges and accused Baker of “abusing her authority for political gain.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619745438017.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Dec. 2019 shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Dec. 2019 shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A trial began Monday for a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer accused of involuntary manslaughter in a 2019 shooting — the first time that a white officer from the city has been criminally accused of killing a black man.Officer Eric J. DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-police-donald-trump-mo-state-wire-kansas-city-97ef60a6995d4052c96f00f7d23a9cf2">also is charged with armed criminal action</a>&nbsp;in the death of Cameron Lamb, 26, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard when he was shot on Dec. 3, 2019. The killing was often evoked in protests last year against racial injustice in Kansas City.Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs will preside over the bench trial, which is expected to last a week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article255540531.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.Lamb’s killing was among several cases cited by a group of civil rights organizations in a petition urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the Kansas City Police Department. The indictment in the case came days after Lamb’s death garnered renewed attention stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/william-barr-donald-trump-mo-state-wire-racial-injustice-politics-033bd654df2deb5ece62af601d47b5df">his family’s meeting with then-President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2020.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592994941014.png" alt="DeValkenaere-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>In the past year, prosecutors have brought criminal charges against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-michael-brown-kansas-city-fd9a8f99323ae247843e5a335fa9b275">five white Kansas City police officers&nbsp;</a>for allegedly using excessive force against black people. DeValkenaere is the only officer charged in an on-duty killing.Officers investigating a crash reported a red pickup chasing a purple Ford Mustang. A police helicopter located the truck driven by Lamb and followed it to his driveway.DeValkenaere and another detective, Troy Schwalm, arrived at the home to investigate the crash. Before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the truck’s steering wheel and his cellphone in his right hand, prosecutors said.DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at Schwalm. After the shooting, officers found Lamb inside the vehicle with his left arm and head hanging out of the driver’s side window. On the ground near his left hand was a handgun.Schwalm later told the grand jury that he did not see Lamb with a weapon, prosecutors have said.Meanwhile, medical records show that Lamb is right-handed and did not have full use of his left hand as a result of an injury sustained four years earlier, prosecutors said. DeValkenaere’s lawyers have previously said that Lamb pulled a gun with his left hand.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has said DeValkenaere’s conduct during the shooting was “reckless” and violated the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Her office alleged the detectives, who were in plainclothes, did not ask for permission to walk onto the property and did not have a warrant.Kansas City’s Fraternal Order of Police has denounced the charges and accused Baker of “abusing her authority for political gain.”

White Kansas City officer on trial in black man's 2019 death

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday announced that she will&nbsp; introduce a bill in the Kansas Legislature to “Axe the Food Tax,” and eliminate the state sales tax on food in Kansas, according to a media release from her office.

“I’m pleased to introduce a plan that will ‘Axe the Food Tax’ and end the state sales tax on food,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“For too long, Kansans have been paying more for groceries than people in almost every other state. This legislation will save the average Kansas family $500 dollars or more a year on their grocery bill; and thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions we made before and during the pandemic, we can cut the food sales tax and keep Kansas’ budget intact.

“This tax cut will put money back in Kansans’ pockets and create real savings for those who need it most.”

Kansas is one of seven states in the nation that fully taxes groceries. Kansas’ food sales tax rate is 6.5%, the second-highest rate in the country. Under Governor Kelly’s proposed bill, a Kansas family of 4 will save an average of $500 or more on their grocery bill every year.

The bill is possible thanks to the Kelly administration’s commitment to fiscally responsible budget practices over the past three years, causing Kansas’ revenues to come in ahead of estimates, every month, for over a year.

“This bill will not only support our families, but also our&nbsp;many&nbsp;hardworking businesses&nbsp;by keeping Kansans&nbsp;from going across the border&nbsp;to&nbsp;buy their groceries,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said.&nbsp;“Under Governor Kelly’s leadership, Kansas is riding a record-breaking upward trajectory in economic development. This announcement will continue that momentum,&nbsp;building a stronger economy for Kansans now and into the future.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“With record investment and an ever-strengthening economy, our state is in a prime position to create more opportunity for a better future for Kansas families,”&nbsp;Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes said.&nbsp;“Without exception, this opportunity is hindered by the alarmingly high tax on food sales. Eliminating this regressive tax will reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for children, all while providing families further financial flexibility to save for a home, education, and emergencies. We have the means to provide direct relief to all Kansans in every corner of the state, and Senate Democrats are prepared to fight alongside Governor Kelly to get this done, once and for all.”

“Taxing a family’s grocery bill is one of the most widespread and unfair things a state can ask of its residents – a fact that’s been recognized since the tax on food was first put in place in the 1930s. And yet it’s a tax that is paid by every person in Kansas,”&nbsp;House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer said.&nbsp;“Over the years, the tax on food has been increased 10 times – from an initial 2 percent to 6.5 percent today. Throughout that time, there has been much talk about the unfairness of this tax, but until now, it’s been all talk. Thanks to Governor Kelly’s fiscal responsibility, the Kansas economy is booming, and Kansans will finally get the tax relief they deserve.”

The Governor’s bill will be introduced during the 2022 Legislative session. During Monday’s announcement, Governor Kelly called on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get a clean bill through the legislature and onto her desk as quickly as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636397666116.png" alt="Governor Kelly called on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get a clean bill through the legislature and onto her desk as quickly as possible." />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly called on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get a clean bill through the legislature and onto her desk as quickly as possible.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday announced that she will&nbsp; introduce a bill in the Kansas Legislature to “Axe the Food Tax,” and eliminate the state sales tax on food in Kansas, according to a media release from her office.“I’m pleased to introduce a plan that will ‘Axe the Food Tax’ and end the state sales tax on food,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“For too long, Kansans have been paying more for groceries than people in almost every other state. This legislation will save the average Kansas family $500 dollars or more a year on their grocery bill; and thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions we made before and during the pandemic, we can cut the food sales tax and keep Kansas’ budget intact.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636395054777.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“This tax cut will put money back in Kansans’ pockets and create real savings for those who need it most.”Kansas is one of seven states in the nation that fully taxes groceries. Kansas’ food sales tax rate is 6.5%, the second-highest rate in the country. Under Governor Kelly’s proposed bill, a Kansas family of 4 will save an average of $500 or more on their grocery bill every year.The bill is possible thanks to the Kelly administration’s commitment to fiscally responsible budget practices over the past three years, causing Kansas’ revenues to come in ahead of estimates, every month, for over a year.“This bill will not only support our families, but also our&nbsp;many&nbsp;hardworking businesses&nbsp;by keeping Kansans&nbsp;from going across the border&nbsp;to&nbsp;buy their groceries,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said.&nbsp;“Under Governor Kelly’s leadership, Kansas is riding a record-breaking upward trajectory in economic development. This announcement will continue that momentum,&nbsp;building a stronger economy for Kansans now and into the future.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“With record investment and an ever-strengthening economy, our state is in a prime position to create more opportunity for a better future for Kansas families,”&nbsp;Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes said.&nbsp;“Without exception, this opportunity is hindered by the alarmingly high tax on food sales. Eliminating this regressive tax will reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for children, all while providing families further financial flexibility to save for a home, education, and emergencies. We have the means to provide direct relief to all Kansans in every corner of the state, and Senate Democrats are prepared to fight alongside Governor Kelly to get this done, once and for all.”“Taxing a family’s grocery bill is one of the most widespread and unfair things a state can ask of its residents – a fact that’s been recognized since the tax on food was first put in place in the 1930s. And yet it’s a tax that is paid by every person in Kansas,”&nbsp;House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer said.&nbsp;“Over the years, the tax on food has been increased 10 times – from an initial 2 percent to 6.5 percent today. Throughout that time, there has been much talk about the unfairness of this tax, but until now, it’s been all talk. Thanks to Governor Kelly’s fiscal responsibility, the Kansas economy is booming, and Kansans will finally get the tax relief they deserve.”The Governor’s bill will be introduced during the 2022 Legislative session. During Monday’s announcement, Governor Kelly called on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get a clean bill through the legislature and onto her desk as quickly as possible.

Kan. Governor: Axe the state sales tax on your groceries

HARVEY COUNTY —A Kansas man died following a weekend accident while doing maintenance on a large recreational vehicle.

Robert Brooks, 66, of Wichita, was doing maintenance repairs on an RV with another individual in the 6600 block of S. Anderson Road., south of Newton, according to statement from Harvey County officials.

The RV was partially lifted off the ground with a floor jack and wheel chocks. Brooks was working underneath the RV. The RV became unstable, rolled forward off the safety equipment and onto Brooks.

The other individual called 911. The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and Newton Fire/EMS were dispatched at 5:30 p.m. Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office determined the incident to be accidental. No foul play is suspected.

HARVEY COUNTY —A Kansas man died following a weekend accident while doing maintenance on a large recreational vehicle.Robert Brooks, 66, of Wichita, was doing maintenance repairs on an RV with another individual in the 6600 block of S. Anderson Road., south of Newton, according to statement from Harvey County officials.The RV was partially lifted off the ground with a floor jack and wheel chocks. Brooks was working underneath the RV. The RV became unstable, rolled forward off the safety equipment and onto Brooks.The other individual called 911. The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and Newton Fire/EMS were dispatched at 5:30 p.m. Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.The Sheriff’s Office determined the incident to be accidental. No foul play is suspected.

Kan. man dies when RV falls on him while doing maintenance

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,929 to a total of 442,232, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 39 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,530.

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,929 to a total of 442,232, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 39 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,530.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636394699932.png" alt="Monday November 8, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday November 8, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 1,900 new cases, 39 more COVID deaths

COWLEY COUNTY—Two people died in accident just before 12:30p.m. Sunday in Cowley County.

A car was southbound on 75th Road and hit a combine just south of the 102nd Road intersection, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.&nbsp; The car went underneath the combine and caught fire.

The driver and a passenger in the car, a man and woman died, according to Faletti. Authorities have not identified them. He did believe they are from Kansas. Officials in Sedgwick County will conduct an autopsy Monday. The driver of the combine was not hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636390431252.png" alt="The Cowley County Sheriff said investigators believe the victims are from Kansas- Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The Cowley County Sheriff said investigators believe the victims are from Kansas- Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Two people died in accident just before 12:30p.m. Sunday in Cowley County.A car was southbound on 75th Road and hit a combine just south of the 102nd Road intersection, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.&nbsp; The car went underneath the combine and caught fire.The driver and a passenger in the car, a man and woman died, according to Faletti. Authorities have not identified them. He did believe they are from Kansas. Officials in Sedgwick County will conduct an autopsy Monday. The driver of the combine was not hurt.

Sheriff: 2 dead after car, combine crash and fire on Kan. highway

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers, including 
those who received stimulus payments or advance Child Tax Credit 
payments, to take important steps this fall to help them file their 
federal tax returns in 2022.

Planning ahead can help people file an accurate return and avoid processing delays that can slow tax refunds.

This is the first in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">special page</a>, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to prepare to file a 2021 tax return next year.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc305">Organized tax records</a>
 make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier. It helps 
avoid errors that lead to processing and refund delays. Individuals 
should have all their tax information available before filing to ensure 
the return is complete and accurate. They should notify the IRS if their
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/address-changes">address changes</a> and notify the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/">Social Security Administration</a> of a legal name change.

Remember, most income is taxable. Recordkeeping for individuals includes:

Income documents can help individuals determine if they're 
eligible for deductions or credits. Additionally, people who need to 
reconcile their advance payments of the Child Tax Credit and Premium Tax
 Credit will need their related 2021 information. Those who received 
third Economic Impact Payments and think they qualify for an additional 
amount will need their stimulus payment and plus-up amounts to figure 
and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.

Taxpayers should also keep end of year documents including:

Online Account securely provides tax account information on IRS.gov; helps provide important filing information

Taxpayers who access Online Account can securely gain entry to the 
Child Tax Credit Update Portal to see their payment dates and amounts. 
Taxpayers will need this information to reconcile their advance Child 
Tax Credit payments with the Child Tax Credit they can claim when they 
file their 2021 tax returns.

Eligible individuals claiming a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit can log 
in to their online account to see their Economic Impact Payment amounts 
so they can accurately claim the credit when they file.

Individuals who have not set up an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a>
 yet should act soon to create an account. People who have already set 
up an Online Account should make sure they can still log in 
successfully.

Taxpayers with questions about how to create an account or how to reset their username or password can find help at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools</a>.
 Individuals should act now if they need to create an account. If 
they're unable to verify their identity online, there's a mail option 
they can use, but that takes longer.

Taxpayers who have an Online Account may:

Taxpayers should make sure they've withheld enough tax

Individuals may want to consider <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">adjusting their withholding</a>
 if they owed taxes or received a large refund the previous year. 
Changing withholding can help avoid a tax bill or let individuals keep 
more money each payday. Life changes – getting married or divorced, 
welcoming a child or taking on a second job – may also be reasons to 
change withholding. Taxpayers might think about completing a new Form 
W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, each year and when personal or 
financial situations change.

People also need to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">consider estimated tax payments</a>. Individuals who receive a substantial amount of non-wage income like self-employment income, investment income, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/are-my-social-security-or-railroad-retirement-tier-i-benefits-taxable">taxable Social Security benefits</a>
 and in some instances, pension and annuity income should make quarterly
 estimated tax payments. The last payment for 2021 is due on Jan. 18, 
2022.

Individuals can log in to their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a> to make a payment online or go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.

ITINs need to be renewed only if expired and if needed on a U.S. federal tax return

If an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) was not 
included on a U.S. federal tax return at least once for tax years 2018, 
2019 and 2020, the ITIN will expire on Dec. 31, 2021.

As a reminder, ITINs with middle digits 70 through 88 have expired. 
In addition, ITINs with middle digits 90 through 99, IF assigned before 
2013, have expired. Individuals who previously submitted a renewal 
application that was approved, do not need to renew again.

Want a faster refund? Getting banked speeds tax refunds with direct deposit

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a> gives individuals access to their refund faster than a paper check. Those without a bank account can learn how to open an account at an <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a> or through the National <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.

Veterans should see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.

Volunteer to help eligible taxpayers file their returns

The IRS and its community partners are preparing for the upcoming 
filing season and are looking for people around the country to become 
IRS-certified volunteers. Join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 
(VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA/TCE 
volunteers provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. 
With many people experiencing financial changes this year, additional 
volunteers are needed to assist them.

Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers">IRS.gov/volunteers</a> to learn more and sign up. After signing up, more information about attending a virtual orientation will be provided.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers, including 
those who received stimulus payments or advance Child Tax Credit 
payments, to take important steps this fall to help them file their 
federal tax returns in 2022.Planning ahead can help people file an accurate return and avoid processing delays that can slow tax refunds.This is the first in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">special page</a>, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to prepare to file a 2021 tax return next year.<h2>Gather and organize tax records</h2><a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc305">Organized tax records</a>
 make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier. It helps 
avoid errors that lead to processing and refund delays. Individuals 
should have all their tax information available before filing to ensure 
the return is complete and accurate. They should notify the IRS if their
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/address-changes">address changes</a> and notify the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/">Social Security Administration</a> of a legal name change.Remember, most income is taxable. Recordkeeping for individuals includes:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2">Forms W-2</a> from employer(s)</li><li>Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies and other payers including <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc418">unemployment compensation</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc404">dividends</a>, distributions from a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc410">pension, annuity or retirement plan</a></li><li>Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2 or other income statement for workers in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center">gig economy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-int">Form 1099-INT</a> for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc403">interest received</a></li><li>Other income documents and records of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/virtual-currencies">virtual currency</a> transactions</li>
 </ul>Income documents can help individuals determine if they're 
eligible for deductions or credits. Additionally, people who need to 
reconcile their advance payments of the Child Tax Credit and Premium Tax
 Credit will need their related 2021 information. Those who received 
third Economic Impact Payments and think they qualify for an additional 
amount will need their stimulus payment and plus-up amounts to figure 
and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.<h2>Taxpayers should also keep end of year documents including:</h2><ul>
 <li>Letter 6419, 2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments, to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-h-reconciling-your-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-on-your-2021-tax-return">reconcile</a> advance Child Tax Credit payments</li><li>Letter 6475, Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment, to determine eligibility to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-economic-impact-payment-topic-h-reconciling-on-your-2021-tax-return">claim</a> the Recovery Rebate Credit</li><li>Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/premium-tax-credit-claiming-the-credit-and-reconciling-advance-credit-payments">reconcile</a> advance Premium Tax Credits for Marketplace coverage</li>
 </ul><h2>Online Account securely provides tax account information on IRS.gov; helps provide important filing information</h2>Taxpayers who access Online Account can securely gain entry to the 
Child Tax Credit Update Portal to see their payment dates and amounts. 
Taxpayers will need this information to reconcile their advance Child 
Tax Credit payments with the Child Tax Credit they can claim when they 
file their 2021 tax returns.Eligible individuals claiming a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit can log 
in to their online account to see their Economic Impact Payment amounts 
so they can accurately claim the credit when they file.Individuals who have not set up an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a>
 yet should act soon to create an account. People who have already set 
up an Online Account should make sure they can still log in 
successfully.Taxpayers with questions about how to create an account or how to reset their username or password can find help at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools</a>.
 Individuals should act now if they need to create an account. If 
they're unable to verify their identity online, there's a mail option 
they can use, but that takes longer.Taxpayers who have an Online Account may:<ul>
 <li>View the amounts of their Economic Impact Payments</li><li>Access Child Tax Credit Update Portal for information about their advance Child Tax Credit payments</li><li>Approve or reject authorization requests from their tax professional</li><li>Update their email address and opt-out/in for selected paper notice preferences</li>
 </ul><h2>Taxpayers should make sure they've withheld enough tax</h2>Individuals may want to consider <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">adjusting their withholding</a>
 if they owed taxes or received a large refund the previous year. 
Changing withholding can help avoid a tax bill or let individuals keep 
more money each payday. Life changes – getting married or divorced, 
welcoming a child or taking on a second job – may also be reasons to 
change withholding. Taxpayers might think about completing a new Form 
W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, each year and when personal or 
financial situations change.People also need to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">consider estimated tax payments</a>. Individuals who receive a substantial amount of non-wage income like self-employment income, investment income, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/are-my-social-security-or-railroad-retirement-tier-i-benefits-taxable">taxable Social Security benefits</a>
 and in some instances, pension and annuity income should make quarterly
 estimated tax payments. The last payment for 2021 is due on Jan. 18, 
2022.Individuals can log in to their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a> to make a payment online or go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>.<h2>ITINs need to be renewed only if expired and if needed on a U.S. federal tax return</h2>If an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) was not 
included on a U.S. federal tax return at least once for tax years 2018, 
2019 and 2020, the ITIN will expire on Dec. 31, 2021.As a reminder, ITINs with middle digits 70 through 88 have expired. 
In addition, ITINs with middle digits 90 through 99, IF assigned before 
2013, have expired. Individuals who previously submitted a renewal 
application that was approved, do not need to renew again.<h2>Want a faster refund? Getting banked speeds tax refunds with direct deposit</h2><a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a> gives individuals access to their refund faster than a paper check. Those without a bank account can learn how to open an account at an <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a> or through the National <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.Veterans should see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.<h2>Volunteer to help eligible taxpayers file their returns</h2>The IRS and its community partners are preparing for the upcoming 
filing season and are looking for people around the country to become 
IRS-certified volunteers. Join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 
(VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA/TCE 
volunteers provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. 
With many people experiencing financial changes this year, additional 
volunteers are needed to assist them.Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers">IRS.gov/volunteers</a> to learn more and sign up. After signing up, more information about attending a virtual orientation will be provided.

Stimulus, Child Tax Credit and more: Tips on making 2022 tax filing easier

WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden hailed Congress’ passage of his $1 trillion infrastructure package as a “monumental step forward for the nation." This, after fractious fellow Democrats resolved a months-long standoff in their ranks to finally seal the deal. 

The package is a historic investment by any measure, one that Biden compares in its breadth to the building of the interstate highway system in the last century or the transcontinental railroad the century before. 

Approval of the bill sends it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose party got a cold shoulder from voters in this past week’s off-year elections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636210096288.png" alt="President Biden held a press briefing early Saturday to celebrate passage of the bill- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden held a press briefing early Saturday to celebrate passage of the bill- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden hailed Congress’ passage of his $1 trillion infrastructure package as a “monumental step forward for the nation." This, after fractious fellow Democrats resolved a months-long standoff in their ranks to finally seal the deal. The package is a historic investment by any measure, one that Biden compares in its breadth to the building of the interstate highway system in the last century or the transcontinental railroad the century before. Approval of the bill sends it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose party got a cold shoulder from voters in this past week’s off-year elections.According to a statement from the White House, the legislation will:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Deliver clean water to all American families and eliminate the nation’s lead service lines.&nbsp;Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We passed an infrastructure bill tonight that will be huge for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KS03?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KS03</a>. For folks who sit in traffic on US 69, who worry about their home being flooded, or who can’t get online to go to class or work. We got it done: bipartisan, paid for, and ready to be signed into law. <a href="https://t.co/k1Pqz0L9sV">pic.twitter.com/k1Pqz0L9sV</a>&mdash; Rep. Sharice Davids (@RepDavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDavids/status/1456826486749601793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will invest $55 billion to expand access to clean drinking water for households, businesses, schools, and child care centers all across the country. From rural towns to struggling cities, the legislation will invest in water infrastructure and eliminate lead service pipes, including in Tribal Nations and disadvantaged communities that need it most.Ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet.&nbsp;Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. Yet, by one definition, more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds – a particular problem in rural communities throughout the country. And, according to the latest OECD data, among 35 countries studied, the United States has the second highest broadband costs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will deliver $65 billion to help ensure that every American has access to reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment. The legislation will also help lower prices for internet service and help close the digital divide, so that more Americans can afford internet access. Repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users.&nbsp;In the United States, 1 in 5 miles of highways and major roads, and 45,000 bridges, are in poor condition. The legislation will reauthorize surface transportation programs for five years and invest $110 billion in additional funding to repair our roads and bridges and support major, transformational projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal makes the single largest investment in repairing and reconstructing our nation’s bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system. It will rebuild the most economically significant bridges in the country as well as thousands of smaller bridges. The legislation also includes the first ever Safe Streets and Roads for All program to support projects to reduce traffic fatalities, which claimed more than 20,000 lives in the first half of 2021.Improve transportation options for millions of Americans and reduce greenhouse emissions through the largest investment in public transit in U.S. history.&nbsp;America’s public transit infrastructure is inadequate – with a multibillion-dollar repair backlog, representing more than 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars, 200 stations, and thousands of miles of track, signals, and power systems in need of replacement.&nbsp;Communities of color are twice as likely to take public transportation and many of these communities lack sufficient public transit options. The transportation sector in the United States is now the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;The legislation includes $39 billion of new investment to modernize transit, in addition to continuing the existing transit programs for five years as part of surface transportation reauthorization.&nbsp; In total, the new investments and reauthorization in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal provide $89.9 billion in guaranteed funding for public transit over the next five years — the largest Federal investment in public transit in history. The legislation will expand public transit options across every state in the country, replace thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero emission vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities.Upgrade our nation’s airports and ports to strengthen our supply chains and prevent disruptions that have caused inflation. This will improve U.S. competitiveness, create more and better jobs at these hubs, and reduce emissions.&nbsp;Decades of neglect and underinvestment in our infrastructure have left the links in our goods movement supply chains struggling to keep up with our strong economic recovery from the pandemic. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will make the fundamental changes that are long overdue for our nation’s ports and airports so this will not happen again. The United States built modern aviation, but our airports lag far behind our competitors. According to some rankings, no U.S. airports rank in the top 25 of airports worldwide. Our ports and waterways need repair and reimagination too.&nbsp;The legislation invests $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways and $25 billion in airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs, reduce congestion and emissions near ports and airports, and drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies. Modern, resilient, and sustainable port, airport, and freight infrastructure will strengthen our supply chains and support U.S. competitiveness by removing bottlenecks and expediting commerce and reduce the environmental impact on neighboring communities.Make the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak.&nbsp;U.S. passenger rail lags behind the rest of the world in reliability, speed, and coverage. China already has 22,000 miles of high-speed rail, and is planning to double that by 2035. The legislation positions rail to play a central role in our transportation and economic future, investing $66 billion in additional rail funding to eliminate the Amtrak maintenance backlog, modernize the Northeast Corridor, and bring world-class rail service to areas outside the northeast and mid-Atlantic.&nbsp;This is the largest investment in passenger rail since Amtrak’s creation, 50 years ago and will create safe, efficient, and climate-friendly alternatives for moving people and freight.Build a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers.&nbsp;U.S. market share of plug-in EV sales is only one-third the size of the Chinese EV market. That needs to change. The legislation will invest $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers in the United States. This is a critical step in the President’s strategy to fight the climate crisis and it will create good U.S. manufacturing jobs. The legislation will provide funding for deployment of EV chargers along highway corridors to facilitate long-distance travel and within communities to provide convenient charging where people live, work, and shop. This investment will support the President’s goal of building a nationwide network of 500,000 EV chargers to accelerate the adoption of EVs, reduce emissions, improve air quality, and create good-paying jobs across the country.Upgrade our power infrastructure to deliver clean, reliable energy across the country and deploy cutting-edge energy technology to achieve a zero-emissions future.&nbsp;According to the Department of Energy, power outages cost the U.S. economy up to $70 billion annually. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal’s more than $65 billion investment includes the largest investment in clean energy transmission and grid in American history. It will upgrade our power infrastructure, by building thousands of miles of new, resilient transmission lines to facilitate the expansion of renewables and clean energy, while lowering costs. And it will fund new programs to support the development, demonstration, and deployment of cutting-edge clean energy technologies to accelerate our transition to a zero-emission economy.&nbsp; Make our infrastructure resilient against the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events.&nbsp;Millions of Americans feel the effects of climate change each year when their roads wash out, power goes down, or schools get flooded. Last year alone, the United States faced 22 extreme weather and climate-related disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each – a cumulative price tag of nearly $100 billion. People of color are more likely to live in areas most vulnerable to flooding and other climate change-related weather events.&nbsp;The legislation makes our communities safer and our infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change and cyber-attacks, with an investment of over $50 billion to protect against droughts, heat, floods and wildfires, in addition to a major investment in weatherization. The legislation is the largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history. Deliver the largest investment in tackling legacy pollution in American history by cleaning up Superfund and brownfield sites, reclaiming abandoned mines, and capping orphaned oil and gas wells.&nbsp;In thousands of rural and urban communities around the country, hundreds of thousands of former industrial and energy sites are now idle – sources of blight and pollution. Proximity to a Superfund site can lead to elevated levels of lead in children’s blood. The bill will invest $21 billion clean up Superfund and brownfield sites, reclaim abandoned mine land and cap orphaned oil and gas wells. These projects will remediate environmental harms, address the legacy pollution that harms the public health of communities, create good-paying union jobs, and advance long overdue environmental justice This investment will benefit communities of color as, it has been found that 26% of Black Americans and 29% of Hispanic Americans live within 3 miles of a Superfund site, a higher percentage than for Americans overall.