TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed two Republican-backed education bills on Thursday, including one that would have required high school students to pass a civics test to graduate and another that would have allowed districts to incorporate gun safety courses into their curriculums.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the bills this month, but not by large enough margins in either chamber for override attempts to succeed, falling 12 votes short in the House and two shy in the Senate on the civics bill and five votes short in the House and nine shy in the Senate on the gun safety course measure.

It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone who opposed either bill initially might back one or both in an override attempt, or even if attempts would be made. Some Republicans who opposed the bills said they agreed with state Board of Education members who argued that the measures would have infringed upon the board’s constitutional authority to set graduation requirements.

“The Kansas Constitution endows our state Board of Education with the authority to set the curriculum for our public schools,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “We should let the state Board of Education do that job, not the Legislature. This is legislative overreach. I encourage the Legislature to work with the State Board of Education to modify curriculum.”

The civics bill would have required public and private high school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The measure didn’t set a passing grade, leaving that to teachers. Students would have been able to take the test multiple times until they passed.

That bill also would have forced high schools to offer financial literacy courses beginning next year that students would have had to pass in order to graduate starting in the 2024-25 school year.

The legislation drew criticism from Democrats and the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Kansas National Education Association, which pointed out that students already learn about civics in their government classes. The Kansas Association of School Boards, the United School Administrators of Kansas and the Olathe School District told lawmakers that they would rather encourage students to work on civics projects instead of relying on tests.

Republicans supporting the bill argued that a test would require students to learn basic information needed to become engaged citizens. Some also said that passing a civics test should be easy for students who already study the subject in other classes. The bill would have required high schools to submit annual reports tracking how students performed on the test.

Nineteen states require high school students to have taken a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.

The other bill Kelly vetoed would have allowed school districts to offer gun-safety programs and directed the state Board of Education to develop curriculum guidelines, including requiring K-5 courses to be based on the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie the Eagle” program. Although the bill’s backers said the NRA program is well-established, some critics said it has proven to be ineffective in preventing accidental shootings among children.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed two Republican-backed education bills on Thursday, including one that would have required high school students to pass a civics test to graduate and another that would have allowed districts to incorporate gun safety courses into their curriculums.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the bills this month, but not by large enough margins in either chamber for override attempts to succeed, falling 12 votes short in the House and two shy in the Senate on the civics bill and five votes short in the House and nine shy in the Senate on the gun safety course measure.It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone who opposed either bill initially might back one or both in an override attempt, or even if attempts would be made. Some Republicans who opposed the bills said they agreed with state Board of Education members who argued that the measures would have infringed upon the board’s constitutional authority to set graduation requirements.“The Kansas Constitution endows our state Board of Education with the authority to set the curriculum for our public schools,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “We should let the state Board of Education do that job, not the Legislature. This is legislative overreach. I encourage the Legislature to work with the State Board of Education to modify curriculum.”The civics bill would have required public and private high school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The measure didn’t set a passing grade, leaving that to teachers. Students would have been able to take the test multiple times until they passed.That bill also would have forced high schools to offer financial literacy courses beginning next year that students would have had to pass in order to graduate starting in the 2024-25 school year.The legislation drew criticism from Democrats and the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Kansas National Education Association, which pointed out that students already learn about civics in their government classes. The Kansas Association of School Boards, the United School Administrators of Kansas and the Olathe School District told lawmakers that they would rather encourage students to work on civics projects instead of relying on tests.Republicans supporting the bill argued that a test would require students to learn basic information needed to become engaged citizens. Some also said that passing a civics test should be easy for students who already study the subject in other classes. The bill would have required high schools to submit annual reports tracking how students performed on the test.Nineteen states require high school students to have taken a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.The other bill Kelly vetoed would have allowed school districts to offer gun-safety programs and directed the state Board of Education to develop curriculum guidelines, including requiring K-5 courses to be based on the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie the Eagle” program. Although the bill’s backers said the NRA program is well-established, some critics said it has proven to be ineffective in preventing accidental shootings among children.

Governor vetoes bill requiring Kan. students pass civics test

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at Wichita's Cow Town museum and asking the public for help to identify them.

Around midnight on April 16, several individuals were captured on surveillance video inside the museum causing damage to windows and buildings, according to a social media report from police.

They are also believed to be responsible for damages that occurred at Botanica on the same night.

If anyone has information about these individuals, or this case, please contact Detective Meier at 316-268-4254 or dmeier@wichita.gov

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619174296501.png" alt="Image of suspects captured on surveillance cameras from Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image of suspects captured on surveillance cameras from Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at Wichita's Cow Town museum and asking the public for help to identify them.Around midnight on April 16, several individuals were captured on surveillance video inside the museum causing damage to windows and buildings, according to a social media report from police.They are also believed to be responsible for damages that occurred at Botanica on the same night.If anyone has information about these individuals, or this case, please contact Detective Meier at 316-268-4254 or dmeier@wichita.gov

Police: Suspects vandalized Kansas museum

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a car theft in Newton and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Newton Police responded to a report of a car theft in the parking lot at Athletic Park, 700 West First Street in Newton, according to a social media report.

 The car’s owner had been exercising in the park when the suspect approached her. The suspect tried to engage in small talk before saying he wanted to take the victim’s car. The suspect said he had a gun and threatened to harm the victim if she did not cooperate. The victim gave the suspect her keys, and he drove away in the car. 

Police found the car Thursday afternoon in Wichita and arrested a suspect.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a car theft in Newton and have a suspect in custody.Just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Newton Police responded to a report of a car theft in the parking lot at Athletic Park, 700 West First Street in Newton, according to a social media report. The car’s owner had been exercising in the park when the suspect approached her. The suspect tried to engage in small talk before saying he wanted to take the victim’s car. The suspect said he had a gun and threatened to harm the victim if she did not cooperate. The victim gave the suspect her keys, and he drove away in the car. Police found the car Thursday afternoon in Wichita and arrested a suspect.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Suspect took Kan. woman's car at gunpoint 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by James B. Carney, 34, Peyton, Colo., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of SW Valencia Road.

The car left the roadway and overturned in a creek.

Carney was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619122648604.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal crash on Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal crash on Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by James B. Carney, 34, Peyton, Colo., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of SW Valencia Road.The car left the roadway and overturned in a creek.Carney was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

KHP IDs man who died after car lands in creek on I-70

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a December shooting have made an arrest.

Just after 7:30p.m. December 27, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in Dodge City after report of a shooting, according to a media release.

 Upon their arrival, they found a 19-year-old Dodge City man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The shooter later identified as 19-year-old Samuel Paz-Acosta fled the scene before police arrived.

After a 4-month investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for attempted 1st Degree Murder for Paz-Acosta and took him into custody.&nbsp; He is being held in the Ford County Jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619120111005.png" alt="Paz-Acosta -photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Paz-Acosta -photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a December shooting have made an arrest.Just after 7:30p.m. December 27, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in Dodge City after report of a shooting, according to a media release. Upon their arrival, they found a 19-year-old Dodge City man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The shooter later identified as 19-year-old Samuel Paz-Acosta fled the scene before police arrived.After a 4-month investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for attempted 1st Degree Murder for Paz-Acosta and took him into custody.&nbsp; He is being held in the Ford County Jail.&nbsp;

Police arrest teen for December shooting in SW Kansas

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3 p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Hyundai Elantra driven by Robert Edward Benson, 56, Kansas City, Mo., was actively fleeing from Newton Police southbound on Plum Street from 12th Street. 

The driver lost control of the car. It rolled onto the left side, struck two trees and came to a rest on its wheels.

EMS transported&nbsp;Benson to Newton Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3 p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Hyundai Elantra driven by Robert Edward Benson, 56, Kansas City, Mo., was actively fleeing from Newton Police southbound on Plum Street from 12th Street. The driver lost control of the car. It rolled onto the left side, struck two trees and came to a rest on its wheels.EMS transported&nbsp;Benson to Newton Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

Driver hospitalized after crash during Kan. police chase

WICHITA – A Kansas woman was sentenced Wednesday for breaking into a Wichita home and killing her ex-boyfriend's dog&nbsp; with a baseball bat, reportedly in a jealous rage. 

A Sedgwick County District Judge sentenced 32-year-old Hilda Noordhoek of Wichita, to 24 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

On April 22, 2018, a man who lives in southeast Wichita told police someone used a brick to smash a window and enter his house. The thief took a computer along with headphones and the suspect killed his bulldog.&nbsp;A witness told police that Noordhoek killed the pet because she was mad that the man — with whom she was romantically involved — was seeing another woman.

Wichita Police used a license plate reader program and found Noordhoek’s car matched security footage outside the victim’s house. The victim and Noordhoek knew each other.

Last month, Noordhoek pled no contest to burglary, theft, and cruelty to animals. As part of the sentence, the judge ordered Noordhoek to pay $3236.99 in restitution to the victim. The Judge also ordered her to serve a 30-day jail sanction immediately before she begins her probation, which the Judge is required to do under Kansas law as a condition of probation on the cruelty to animals. Noordhoek was ordered to obtain a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations of the psychological evaluation.

The judge also ordered Noordhoek to have no contact with any pets except those she already owns and no unsupervised contact with other people’s pets.

Noordhoek's lack of criminal history placed her most serious charge, burglary, in the "presumptive probation" category under Kansas law. The court ruled that if she violated her probation she would serve 13 months in prison for the burglary with an additional 12 months in jail for the cruelty to animals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619039450167.png" alt="Nordhoek photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Nordhoek photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A Kansas woman was sentenced Wednesday for breaking into a Wichita home and killing her ex-boyfriend's dog&nbsp; with a baseball bat, reportedly in a jealous rage. A Sedgwick County District Judge sentenced 32-year-old Hilda Noordhoek of Wichita, to 24 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.On April 22, 2018, a man who lives in southeast Wichita told police someone used a brick to smash a window and enter his house. The thief took a computer along with headphones and the suspect killed his bulldog.&nbsp;A witness told police that Noordhoek killed the pet because she was mad that the man — with whom she was romantically involved — was seeing another woman.Wichita Police used a license plate reader program and found Noordhoek’s car matched security footage outside the victim’s house. The victim and Noordhoek knew each other.Last month, Noordhoek pled no contest to burglary, theft, and cruelty to animals. As part of the sentence, the judge ordered Noordhoek to pay $3236.99 in restitution to the victim. The Judge also ordered her to serve a 30-day jail sanction immediately before she begins her probation, which the Judge is required to do under Kansas law as a condition of probation on the cruelty to animals. Noordhoek was ordered to obtain a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations of the psychological evaluation.The judge also ordered Noordhoek to have no contact with any pets except those she already owns and no unsupervised contact with other people’s pets.Noordhoek's lack of criminal history placed her most serious charge, burglary, in the "presumptive probation" category under Kansas law. The court ruled that if she violated her probation she would serve 13 months in prison for the burglary with an additional 12 months in jail for the cruelty to animals.

Kansas woman beat ex's dog to death with baseball bat

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Thursday that Navy Fireman 1st Class Harold E. Bates, 27, of Rush Center, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Feb. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Bates was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Bates. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries. In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Bates. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Bates’ remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Bates’ name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Bates will be buried on May 29, 2021, in Larned, Kansas. For family and funeral information, contact the Navy Service Casualty office at (800) 443-9298. <a href="https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeKFEA0">Click here</a> to read more about Harold Bates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619129671852.png" alt="Harold Bates -photo courtesy Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>Harold Bates -photo courtesy Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Thursday that Navy Fireman 1st Class Harold E. Bates, 27, of Rush Center, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Feb. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Bates was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Bates. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries. In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Bates. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Bates’ remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Bates’ name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Bates will be buried on May 29, 2021, in Larned, Kansas. For family and funeral information, contact the Navy Service Casualty office at (800) 443-9298. <a href="https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeKFEA0">Click here</a> to read more about Harold Bates.

Kansas sailor who died at Pearl Harbor identified

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was in Great Bend on Thursday to tour the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. The Governor is touring Kansas medical facilities this week while the state legislature is taking its April recess. Kelly told reporters after the tour what she saw.

"I've been very impressed with the facility here in Great Bend," Kelly said. "Honestly, I had not idea that this existed. The level of service, the comprehensiveness of the services and the clear dedication of the staff who are here shouts out at you as you're walking through the corridors."

The governor used some of her time in Great Bend to make her case for Medicaid expansion. She said her Medicaid proposals would provide more access to quality healthcare for people who do not have health insurance coverage. Kelly also said the expansion of Medicaid is important to rural hospitals like the one here in the Great Bend.

"Medicaid expansion will help this facility and every facility like it just because a lot of these facilities provide millions of dollars worth of uncompensated care," Kelly said. "Hospitals cannot turn somebody away if they show up at the emergency room. They've got to provide the service and care for them."

Kelly said it is important right now for the state legislature to take action on Medicaid. She said the federal government is offering to pay Kansas 350 to 450 million dollars in Rescue Plan money over the next two years if Medicaid is expanded.

The governor noted that she has offered to pair Medicaid expansion with the legalization of medical marijuana. She says the proceeds from medical marijuana could be used to offset the costs for additional Medicaid expenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619117170864.jpeg" alt="Gov. Kelly held a press conference after touring the hospital in Great Bend." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kelly held a press conference after touring the hospital in Great Bend.</figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was in Great Bend on Thursday to tour the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. The Governor is touring Kansas medical facilities this week while the state legislature is taking its April recess. Kelly told reporters after the tour what she saw."I've been very impressed with the facility here in Great Bend," Kelly said. "Honestly, I had not idea that this existed. The level of service, the comprehensiveness of the services and the clear dedication of the staff who are here shouts out at you as you're walking through the corridors."The governor used some of her time in Great Bend to make her case for Medicaid expansion. She said her Medicaid proposals would provide more access to quality healthcare for people who do not have health insurance coverage. Kelly also said the expansion of Medicaid is important to rural hospitals like the one here in the Great Bend."Medicaid expansion will help this facility and every facility like it just because a lot of these facilities provide millions of dollars worth of uncompensated care," Kelly said. "Hospitals cannot turn somebody away if they show up at the emergency room. They've got to provide the service and care for them."Kelly said it is important right now for the state legislature to take action on Medicaid. She said the federal government is offering to pay Kansas 350 to 450 million dollars in Rescue Plan money over the next two years if Medicaid is expanded.The governor noted that she has offered to pair Medicaid expansion with the legalization of medical marijuana. She says the proceeds from medical marijuana could be used to offset the costs for additional Medicaid expenses.

Kelly touts Medicaid expansion after touring Great Bend hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/victims-anti-asian-attacks-reflect-0632beaa1726f17dcabb672c224ad86a">hate crimes&nbsp;</a>against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden's agenda has stalled.

Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) were the original sponsors of the legislation,&nbsp;the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act&nbsp;(Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act), which was included as an amendment to the&nbsp;COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also voted for the measure and said  Moran's amendment was the a reason he supported the final version.

The measure would expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and provide support for local law enforcement in response to thousands of reported violent incidents in the past year. Police have seen a noted uptick in such crimes, including the February death of an 84-year-old man who was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco, a young family that was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year and the killing of six Asian women in shootings last month in Atlanta.

The names of the six women killed in Georgia are listed in the bill, which passed the Senate on a 94-1 vote. The House is expected to consider similar legislation in the coming weeks.

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, the legislation’s lead sponsor, said the measure is incredibly important to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, “who have often felt very invisible in our country, always seen as foreign, always seen as the other.” She said the message of the legislation is as important as its content and substance.

Hirono, the first Asian American woman in the Senate, said the attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable consequence” of racist and inflammatory language that has been used against Asians during the pandemic, including slurs used by former President Donald Trump.

Illinois. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs during a 2004 attack in Iraq, said she had been asked what country she was from while wearing her U.S. military uniform. Duckworth, the first member of Congress born in Thailand, said there is more work to be done, but the bill's passage tells the community that “we will stand with you and we will protect you.”

It’s unclear whether the bipartisan bill is a sign of things to come in the Senate, where Republicans and Democrats have fundamental differences and often struggle to work together. Under an agreement struck by Senate leaders at the start of the year, Republicans and Democrats pledged to at least try to debate bills and see if they could reach agreement through the legislative process. The hate crimes legislation is the first byproduct of that agreement. Some said it doesn't need to be the last.

Hirono said it is her “sincere hope that we can channel and sustain the bipartisan work done on this important piece of legislation” to a larger bill that would change policing laws, which Senate Republicans are negotiating with House Democrats. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said ahead of the vote that he hopes the bipartisan example of the hate crimes bill will extend to an infrastructure package that has so far divided the parties.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the legislation shows that the chamber can work in a bipartisan fashion, and he aims to make that happen as much as possible. “That doesn’t mean we forgo our principles. It doesn’t mean we cut back on the boldness that is needed," he said. "It means we try to work with our Republican colleagues wherever we can.”

But unlike many of the larger, more controversial policy issues Democrats hope to tackle in their new majority, efforts to combat the rising violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have almost universal backing. More than 3,000 incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based reporting center for such crimes, and its partner advocacy groups since mid-March 2020.

Republicans said last week that they agreed with the premise of the legislation and signaled they were willing to back it with minor changes, an unusual sign of comity amid frequent standstills in the polarized Senate. Hirono worked closely with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to incorporate some additional Republican and bipartisan provisions, including better reporting of hate crimes nationally and grant money for states to set up hate crime hotlines.

The revised bill would also replace language in the original legislation that called for “guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic.” The legislation would require the government to issue guidance aimed at “raising awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic” to address some GOP concerns about policing speech.

Republicans agreed to back the bill after the Senate also voted on and rejected a series of GOP amendments, including efforts to prevent discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions and reporting about restrictions on religious exercise during the pandemic.

Only one Republican, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, voted against the bill. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on why he opposed it.

Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced a similar bill in the House, which she says is expected to be considered in May.

“For more than a year, Asian Americans all across our nation have been screaming out for help," Meng said, and the Senate showed that “they heard our pleas.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619125459935.png" alt="The&nbsp;Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act&nbsp;would help combat the recent surge in hate crimes.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The&nbsp;Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act&nbsp;would help combat the recent surge in hate crimes.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/victims-anti-asian-attacks-reflect-0632beaa1726f17dcabb672c224ad86a">hate crimes&nbsp;</a>against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden's agenda has stalled. Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) were the original sponsors of the legislation,&nbsp;the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act&nbsp;(Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act), which was included as an amendment to the&nbsp;COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also voted for the measure and said Moran's amendment was the a reason he supported the final version.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ke1hUnakmIU?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The measure would expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and provide support for local law enforcement in response to thousands of reported violent incidents in the past year. Police have seen a noted uptick in such crimes, including the February death of an 84-year-old man who was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco, a young family that was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year and the killing of six Asian women in shootings last month in Atlanta.The names of the six women killed in Georgia are listed in the bill, which passed the Senate on a 94-1 vote. The House is expected to consider similar legislation in the coming weeks.Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, the legislation’s lead sponsor, said the measure is incredibly important to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, “who have often felt very invisible in our country, always seen as foreign, always seen as the other.” She said the message of the legislation is as important as its content and substance.Hirono, the first Asian American woman in the Senate, said the attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable consequence” of racist and inflammatory language that has been used against Asians during the pandemic, including slurs used by former President Donald Trump.Illinois. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs during a 2004 attack in Iraq, said she had been asked what country she was from while wearing her U.S. military uniform. Duckworth, the first member of Congress born in Thailand, said there is more work to be done, but the bill's passage tells the community that “we will stand with you and we will protect you.”It’s unclear whether the bipartisan bill is a sign of things to come in the Senate, where Republicans and Democrats have fundamental differences and often struggle to work together. Under an agreement struck by Senate leaders at the start of the year, Republicans and Democrats pledged to at least try to debate bills and see if they could reach agreement through the legislative process. The hate crimes legislation is the first byproduct of that agreement. Some said it doesn't need to be the last.Hirono said it is her “sincere hope that we can channel and sustain the bipartisan work done on this important piece of legislation” to a larger bill that would change policing laws, which Senate Republicans are negotiating with House Democrats. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said ahead of the vote that he hopes the bipartisan example of the hate crimes bill will extend to an infrastructure package that has so far divided the parties.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the legislation shows that the chamber can work in a bipartisan fashion, and he aims to make that happen as much as possible. “That doesn’t mean we forgo our principles. It doesn’t mean we cut back on the boldness that is needed," he said. "It means we try to work with our Republican colleagues wherever we can.”But unlike many of the larger, more controversial policy issues Democrats hope to tackle in their new majority, efforts to combat the rising violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have almost universal backing. More than 3,000 incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based reporting center for such crimes, and its partner advocacy groups since mid-March 2020.Republicans said last week that they agreed with the premise of the legislation and signaled they were willing to back it with minor changes, an unusual sign of comity amid frequent standstills in the polarized Senate. Hirono worked closely with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to incorporate some additional Republican and bipartisan provisions, including better reporting of hate crimes nationally and grant money for states to set up hate crime hotlines.The revised bill would also replace language in the original legislation that called for “guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic.” The legislation would require the government to issue guidance aimed at “raising awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic” to address some GOP concerns about policing speech.Republicans agreed to back the bill after the Senate also voted on and rejected a series of GOP amendments, including efforts to prevent discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions and reporting about restrictions on religious exercise during the pandemic.Only one Republican, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, voted against the bill. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on why he opposed it.Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced a similar bill in the House, which she says is expected to be considered in May.“For more than a year, Asian Americans all across our nation have been screaming out for help," Meng said, and the Senate showed that “they heard our pleas.”

Moran, Marshall vote to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure that would have banned transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports. The Democratic governor's action Thursday thwarted an effort by conservative Republican lawmakers to make Kansas the latest state with a GOP-controlled legislature to enact such a ban, with more than 20 considering it. 

On Wednesday, the Missouri House voted to ban transgender girls&nbsp; from playing on girls' sports teams. The measure would apply to public K-12 schools and might also apply to colleges and universities.

Gov. Kelly's veto of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">Senate Bill 55</a> was widely expected because she had labeled the bill “regressive” and suggested it would hurt the state's ability to recruit businesses.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">Click here to read</a> Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ltPvqBui_YRWUlx-bTgL-ol7QRl8y6b9vbYUjbNAjKk/s/1303160919/br/103993987883-l" target="_blank">Senate Bill 55</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">"The Fairness in women's sports act"</a>

“This legislation sends a devastating message that Kansas is not welcoming to all children and their families, including those who are transgender - who are already at a higher risk of bullying, discrimination, and suicide," the governor wrote in a statement from her office.

“As Kansans, we should be focused on how to include all students in extracurricular activities rather than how to exclude those who may be different than us. Kansas is an inclusive state and our laws should reflect our values. This law does not do that."

“This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation, than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.?

Conservative Republican lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override a veto when they pushed it to passage earlier this month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619115491204.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly during a tour on Thursday of the University of Kansas Hospital campus in Great Bend- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly during a tour on Thursday of the University of Kansas Hospital campus in Great Bend- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure that would have banned transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports. The Democratic governor's action Thursday thwarted an effort by conservative Republican lawmakers to make Kansas the latest state with a GOP-controlled legislature to enact such a ban, with more than 20 considering it. On Wednesday, the Missouri House voted to ban transgender girls&nbsp; from playing on girls' sports teams. The measure would apply to public K-12 schools and might also apply to colleges and universities.Gov. Kelly's veto of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">Senate Bill 55</a> was widely expected because she had labeled the bill “regressive” and suggested it would hurt the state's ability to recruit businesses.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">Click here to read</a> Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ltPvqBui_YRWUlx-bTgL-ol7QRl8y6b9vbYUjbNAjKk/s/1303160919/br/103993987883-l" target="_blank">Senate Bill 55</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">"The Fairness in women's sports act"</a>“This legislation sends a devastating message that Kansas is not welcoming to all children and their families, including those who are transgender - who are already at a higher risk of bullying, discrimination, and suicide," the governor wrote in a statement from her office.“As Kansans, we should be focused on how to include all students in extracurricular activities rather than how to exclude those who may be different than us. Kansas is an inclusive state and our laws should reflect our values. This law does not do that."“This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation, than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.?Conservative Republican lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override a veto when they pushed it to passage earlier this month.

Kansas governor vetoes ban for transgender school athletes

WASHINGTON (AP) — A decades-long movement to reshape the American political map took a further step Thursday as the House of Representatives approved a bill to make the nation’s capital the 51st state.

Approval came by a 216-208 vote along strict party lines. Republicans oppose the idea given that the new state would be overwhelmingly Democratic — and the proposal faces a far tougher road in the Senate, where even full Democratic support isn’t guaranteed.

The legislation proposes creating a 51st state with one representative and two senators, while a tiny sliver of land including the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall would remain as a federal district. Instead of the District of Columbia, the new state would be known as Washington, Douglass Commonwealth — named after famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who lived in Washington from 1877 until his death in 1895.

An identical statehood bill passed the House in 2020, but died in the then-Republican-controlled Senate. Now, with the 2020 elections leaving Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republican senators may resort to a filibuster to stymie the statehood bill.

The Senate is split 50/50 with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaker. But it takes 60 senators to break a concerted filibuster attempt. Senate Democrats could vote to tweak the filibuster rules and slip the statehood issue through a loophole — but that would require total unity and some moderate Democrats have expressed opposition to that strategy.

Perennial swing vote and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia had already publicly stated that he will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster. Manchin is also one of a handful of Democratic Senators who has not openly supported the D.C. statehood initiative.

For now, though, Democrats and statehood advocates are celebrating their House victory.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tied the statehood issue to America’s ongoing reckoning over police brutality and longstanding issues of racial injustice.

“This vote comes at a critical time when Americans nationwide are eager to deliver on the promise of liberty and justice for all,” Bowser said in a statement. “For centuries, an incremental approach to equality in America has delayed this promise for too many. Now is the time for bold action.”

Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer called the measure “flatly unconstitutional.”

“It won’t withstand judicial scrutiny, but it will cause massive confusion for years as it’s reviewed by the courts,” Comer said in a statement. “Democrats are pushing D.C. statehood to pack the U.S. Senate with two progressive senators so they can end the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, enact the Green New Deal, and create the socialist utopia the Squad dreams about.”

The bill received strong support from the White House, which has called Washington’s current status “an affront to the democratic values on which our Nation was founded.”

During Thursday floor debate, a succession of Republican representatives decried it as a cynical and unconstitutional power-grab. The country’s founding fathers, “never wanted D.C. to be a state and then specifically framed the constitution to say so,” said Georgia Republican Rep. Jody Hice.

But Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly pointed out that Kentucky was once a part of Virginia, and was carved out as a state by Congress.

Connolly argued that the federal district was a theoretical concept when first conceived, not a community with a higher population than two U.S. states.

“When the constitution was written, this place didn’t exist,” he said. “When people say this is not about race and partisanship, you can be sure it’s about race and partisanship.”

During a March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-race-and-ethnicity-muriel-bowser-district-of-columbia-2269e23ae0912ddb37af9e432b49b91d">hearing by the House oversight committee,</a>&nbsp;GOP representatives claimed D.C. was unfit for statehood and proposed a variety of alternatives that included absolving Washingtonians from federal taxes and “retroceding” most of D.C. back into Maryland.

Opponents also contend that Congress lacks the authority to change D.C.’s status, despite every state other than the original 13 being admitted to the union via congressional vote.

Zack Smith, a legal fellow at the Heritage Institute, a conservative think tank, said the measure becoming law would unleash a wave of lawsuits.

“You’re basically looking at a lot of litigation,” Smith told The Associated Press. “Every legislative act of this new state would be called into question. ... Things would be in a state of flux for years.”

D.C. has long chafed under its relationship with Congress, which has the power to essentially veto or alter any local laws. Its population is larger than that of Wyoming or Vermont and its estimated 712,000 residents pay federal taxes, vote for president and serve in the armed forces, but they have no voting representation in Congress.

The limitations of D.C.’s reality were put in stark relief last summer during a series of protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and against general police brutality. After a night of widespread vandalism, President Donald Trump usurped D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s authority and called in a massive multiagency federal force to downtown. The law enforcement forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/15be4e293cdebe72c10304fe0ec668e4">cleared peaceful protesters</a>&nbsp;from a public street so&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-mn-state-wire-09f54acd0aadf861ea3aadc5b79c0fd8">Trump could pose for a photo outside a church</a>.

Ravi Perry, head of Howard University’s political science department, said the events of last summer were a crucial turning point for the perception of the D.C. statehood push, intertwining the issue with the country’s ascendant racial justice movement. As recently as 2018, nationwide polls had shown the majority of Americans to be lukewarm at best on the topic, but those poll numbers changed dramatically in the past two years, he said.

“People have started to see D.C. statehood as the racial justice issue that it is,” said Perry, who is also on the board of the pro-statehood group D.C. Vote. “There’s been a major sea change, and a lot of that has been motivated by Trumpism.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619110134245.png" alt="Photo courtesy DC Mayor Muriel Bowser" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy DC Mayor Muriel Bowser</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A decades-long movement to reshape the American political map took a further step Thursday as the House of Representatives approved a bill to make the nation’s capital the 51st state.Approval came by a 216-208 vote along strict party lines. Republicans oppose the idea given that the new state would be overwhelmingly Democratic — and the proposal faces a far tougher road in the Senate, where even full Democratic support isn’t guaranteed.The legislation proposes creating a 51st state with one representative and two senators, while a tiny sliver of land including the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall would remain as a federal district. Instead of the District of Columbia, the new state would be known as Washington, Douglass Commonwealth — named after famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who lived in Washington from 1877 until his death in 1895.An identical statehood bill passed the House in 2020, but died in the then-Republican-controlled Senate. Now, with the 2020 elections leaving Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republican senators may resort to a filibuster to stymie the statehood bill.The Senate is split 50/50 with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaker. But it takes 60 senators to break a concerted filibuster attempt. Senate Democrats could vote to tweak the filibuster rules and slip the statehood issue through a loophole — but that would require total unity and some moderate Democrats have expressed opposition to that strategy.Perennial swing vote and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia had already publicly stated that he will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster. Manchin is also one of a handful of Democratic Senators who has not openly supported the D.C. statehood initiative.For now, though, Democrats and statehood advocates are celebrating their House victory.D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tied the statehood issue to America’s ongoing reckoning over police brutality and longstanding issues of racial injustice.“This vote comes at a critical time when Americans nationwide are eager to deliver on the promise of liberty and justice for all,” Bowser said in a statement. “For centuries, an incremental approach to equality in America has delayed this promise for too many. Now is the time for bold action.”Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer called the measure “flatly unconstitutional.”“It won’t withstand judicial scrutiny, but it will cause massive confusion for years as it’s reviewed by the courts,” Comer said in a statement. “Democrats are pushing D.C. statehood to pack the U.S. Senate with two progressive senators so they can end the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, enact the Green New Deal, and create the socialist utopia the Squad dreams about.”The bill received strong support from the White House, which has called Washington’s current status “an affront to the democratic values on which our Nation was founded.”During Thursday floor debate, a succession of Republican representatives decried it as a cynical and unconstitutional power-grab. The country’s founding fathers, “never wanted D.C. to be a state and then specifically framed the constitution to say so,” said Georgia Republican Rep. Jody Hice.But Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly pointed out that Kentucky was once a part of Virginia, and was carved out as a state by Congress.Connolly argued that the federal district was a theoretical concept when first conceived, not a community with a higher population than two U.S. states.“When the constitution was written, this place didn’t exist,” he said. “When people say this is not about race and partisanship, you can be sure it’s about race and partisanship.”During a March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-race-and-ethnicity-muriel-bowser-district-of-columbia-2269e23ae0912ddb37af9e432b49b91d">hearing by the House oversight committee,</a>&nbsp;GOP representatives claimed D.C. was unfit for statehood and proposed a variety of alternatives that included absolving Washingtonians from federal taxes and “retroceding” most of D.C. back into Maryland.Opponents also contend that Congress lacks the authority to change D.C.’s status, despite every state other than the original 13 being admitted to the union via congressional vote.Zack Smith, a legal fellow at the Heritage Institute, a conservative think tank, said the measure becoming law would unleash a wave of lawsuits.“You’re basically looking at a lot of litigation,” Smith told The Associated Press. “Every legislative act of this new state would be called into question. ... Things would be in a state of flux for years.”D.C. has long chafed under its relationship with Congress, which has the power to essentially veto or alter any local laws. Its population is larger than that of Wyoming or Vermont and its estimated 712,000 residents pay federal taxes, vote for president and serve in the armed forces, but they have no voting representation in Congress.The limitations of D.C.’s reality were put in stark relief last summer during a series of protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and against general police brutality. After a night of widespread vandalism, President Donald Trump usurped D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s authority and called in a massive multiagency federal force to downtown. The law enforcement forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/15be4e293cdebe72c10304fe0ec668e4">cleared peaceful protesters</a>&nbsp;from a public street so&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-mn-state-wire-09f54acd0aadf861ea3aadc5b79c0fd8">Trump could pose for a photo outside a church</a>.Ravi Perry, head of Howard University’s political science department, said the events of last summer were a crucial turning point for the perception of the D.C. statehood push, intertwining the issue with the country’s ascendant racial justice movement. As recently as 2018, nationwide polls had shown the majority of Americans to be lukewarm at best on the topic, but those poll numbers changed dramatically in the past two years, he said.“People have started to see D.C. statehood as the racial justice issue that it is,” said Perry, who is also on the board of the pro-statehood group D.C. Vote. “There’s been a major sea change, and a lot of that has been motivated by Trumpism.”

House votes to make nation’s capital the 51st state

NEW YORK (AP) — How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?

Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed.

“We only have information for as long as the vaccines have been studied,” said Deborah Fuller, a vaccine researcher at the University of Washington. “We have to study the vaccinated population and start to see, at what point do people become vulnerable again to the virus?”

So far, Pfizer’s ongoing trial indicates the company’s two-dose vaccine remains highly effective for at least six months, and likely longer. People who got Moderna’s vaccine also still had notable levels of virus-fighting antibodies six months after the second required shot.

Antibodies also don’t tell the whole story. To fight off intruders like viruses, our immune systems also have another line of defense called B and T cells, some of which can hang around long after antibody levels dwindle. If they encounter the same virus in the future, those battle-tested cells could potentially spring into action more quickly.

Even if they don’t prevent illness entirely, they could help blunt its severity. But exactly what role such “memory” cells might play with the coronavirus -- and for how long -- isn’t yet known.

While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland.

“It’s going to be somewhere in the middle of that very wide range,” she said.

Variants are another reason we might need an additional shot.

The current vaccines are designed to work against a particular spike protein on the coronavirus, said Mehul Suthar of the Emory Vaccine Center. If the virus mutates enough over time, vaccines might need to be updated to boost their effectiveness.

So far, the vaccines appear protective against the notable variants that have emerged, though somewhat less so on the one first detected in South Africa.

If it turns out we need another shot, a single dose could extend protection of the current shots or contain vaccination for one or more variants.

The need for follow-up shots will also depend partly on the success of the vaccination push globally, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

By CANDICE CHOI, Associated PressNEW YORK (AP) — How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed.“We only have information for as long as the vaccines have been studied,” said Deborah Fuller, a vaccine researcher at the University of Washington. “We have to study the vaccinated population and start to see, at what point do people become vulnerable again to the virus?”So far, Pfizer’s ongoing trial indicates the company’s two-dose vaccine remains highly effective for at least six months, and likely longer. People who got Moderna’s vaccine also still had notable levels of virus-fighting antibodies six months after the second required shot.Antibodies also don’t tell the whole story. To fight off intruders like viruses, our immune systems also have another line of defense called B and T cells, some of which can hang around long after antibody levels dwindle. If they encounter the same virus in the future, those battle-tested cells could potentially spring into action more quickly.Even if they don’t prevent illness entirely, they could help blunt its severity. But exactly what role such “memory” cells might play with the coronavirus -- and for how long -- isn’t yet known.While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland.“It’s going to be somewhere in the middle of that very wide range,” she said.Variants are another reason we might need an additional shot.The current vaccines are designed to work against a particular spike protein on the coronavirus, said Mehul Suthar of the Emory Vaccine Center. If the virus mutates enough over time, vaccines might need to be updated to boost their effectiveness.So far, the vaccines appear protective against the notable variants that have emerged, though somewhat less so on the one first detected in South Africa.If it turns out we need another shot, a single dose could extend protection of the current shots or contain vaccination for one or more variants.The need for follow-up shots will also depend partly on the success of the vaccination push globally, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

Experts unsure how long protection from COVID vaccine lasts

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.

Just before 2a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to the fire at a home&nbsp; at 1119 SW Clay Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and heavy flames coming from the two story wood frame residential structure. &nbsp;Radiant heat did cause damage to a neighboring structure, and residents the that home able to escape without injuries.

The home where the fire started was vacant at the time of the fire. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set, according to Harrison.

The estimated dollar loss – $5,500.00; of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $500.00 associated with contents loss from the structure of fire origin. An additional $5,000.00 in structural loss was estimated to the neighboring property suffering radiant heat damage.

Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin.

Any individuals with information about the circumstances of this fire are being asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (785)234-0007 or Toll Free at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619110505793.png" alt="Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.Just before 2a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to the fire at a home&nbsp; at 1119 SW Clay Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and heavy flames coming from the two story wood frame residential structure. &nbsp;Radiant heat did cause damage to a neighboring structure, and residents the that home able to escape without injuries.The home where the fire started was vacant at the time of the fire. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be intentionally set, according to Harrison.The estimated dollar loss – $5,500.00; of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $500.00 associated with contents loss from the structure of fire origin. An additional $5,000.00 in structural loss was estimated to the neighboring property suffering radiant heat damage.Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin.Any individuals with information about the circumstances of this fire are being asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (785)234-0007 or Toll Free at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

Intentionally set Kan. house fire spreads to neighbor's home

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council approved the public art portion of the law enforcement center project.

"We were really impressed with Mr. Warren," said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper. "This is a project that he normally wouldn't take on. It's way below the size and scope of the projects that he usually takes on here, much grander projects. His father was a former police chief and so, it kind of touched his heart being able to do a sculpture for us and honoring fallen officers. That's why he's chosen to take on this project."

Thomas Jay Warren has over 30 years full-time professional sculpting experience and is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society. His work for Hutchinson will be unique to the city.

"The sculpture will be life-size, but kneeling, so that you're basically at eye-level with the officer," said Justin Combs, Director of Parks and Facilities.

The sculpture will incorporate the city's official patch and the equipment on the officer's duty belt, molded from originals and reproduced on the figure. The city approved $50,000 for the project Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619103250750.jpeg" alt="Rendering of the Sculpture" />
 <figcaption>Rendering of the Sculpture</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council approved the public art portion of the law enforcement center project."We were really impressed with Mr. Warren," said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper. "This is a project that he normally wouldn't take on. It's way below the size and scope of the projects that he usually takes on here, much grander projects. His father was a former police chief and so, it kind of touched his heart being able to do a sculpture for us and honoring fallen officers. That's why he's chosen to take on this project."Thomas Jay Warren has over 30 years full-time professional sculpting experience and is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society. His work for Hutchinson will be unique to the city."The sculpture will be life-size, but kneeling, so that you're basically at eye-level with the officer," said Justin Combs, Director of Parks and Facilities.The sculpture will incorporate the city's official patch and the equipment on the officer's duty belt, molded from originals and reproduced on the figure. The city approved $50,000 for the project Tuesday.

Hutchinson approves sculpture for law enforcement center

SALINE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two men hunting for mushrooms found a human skull near Salina.

According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan,&nbsp;hunters found only the top part of&nbsp; a skull.&nbsp;

 After an extensive search of the area, authorities found no other evidence&nbsp; that would help identify the person. The piece of skull has been sent to the lab for DNA testing, according to Soldan.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two men hunting for mushrooms found a human skull near Salina.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were sent to Dry Creek north of West Magnolia Road after two men hunting for mushrooms on the east side of the tree line along the creek bed reported finding a human skull, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

 The skull appeared to have been there for quite some time.

Deputies secured the scene and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's crime scene unit was called in to investigate. KBI personnel were to be on site Wednesday.&nbsp;

SALINE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two men hunting for mushrooms found a human skull near Salina.According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan,&nbsp;hunters found only the top part of&nbsp; a skull.&nbsp; After an extensive search of the area, authorities found no other evidence&nbsp; that would help identify the person. The piece of skull has been sent to the lab for DNA testing, according to Soldan.--------SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating after two men hunting for mushrooms found a human skull near Salina.Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were sent to Dry Creek north of West Magnolia Road after two men hunting for mushrooms on the east side of the tree line along the creek bed reported finding a human skull, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The skull appeared to have been there for quite some time.Deputies secured the scene and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's crime scene unit was called in to investigate. KBI personnel were to be on site Wednesday.&nbsp;

Update: Hunters find portion of human skull in rural Saline Co.

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the coronavirus vaccine at least once over the past month and several for four straight weeks, state date shows.

“It is kind of stalling. Some people just don’t want it,” said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural northwest Kansas’ Decatur County, where only about 29% of the county’s 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.

Her county is among six that have rejected allocations for all four weeks. Thirty-three other counties paused shipments from the state for one week, 26 for two weeks and 16 for three weeks. Only 24 counties, mostly the larger ones such as Shawnee, Johnson and Sedgwick, haven’t turned down any shipments.

These numbers, however, do not include doses that have been supplied by federal programs to pharmacies and other providers

In rural south-central Kansas’ Barber County, which has turned down vaccine doses from the state for two of the past four weeks, Danielle Farr said she has no plans to be vaccinated. The 32-year-old said she got COVID-19 last year, along with her 5- and 12-year-old sons and her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. They never were tested for active infections, but blood tests detected antibodies for the virus in all four of them.

“I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60, 70 years. I totally and fully believe in that,” said Farr, who works at an accounting firm. “Now a vaccine that was rushed in six, seven months, I’m just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body.”

That kind of resistance is concerning health care officials, who insist the vaccines in use are safe, because just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated. The percentage is far from where the state needs to get to reach a level of herd immunity that would make it difficult for the virus to spread.

“We need to twist some arms and get some arms to be able to give some of that vaccine,” said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, during a morning briefing Wednesday.

Marci Nielsen, a special advisor to Gov. Laura Kelly, said the state is planning to target “robust communications” at communities with lower rates to reach its goals. She noted that there was no time to spare in a written statement.

“Variants continue to be a concern and the slowing of vaccine uptake will delay the ability to reach herd immunity in Kansas, and across the nation,” she said.

But the effort is far from easy. Cheyenne County, which has about 2,800 residents and is located along the state’s western border with Colorado, also has turned down new doses for four weeks.

“You are not going to force people. We’ve got it out there. If they want it they can get on the list, and we will give it to them,” said Shawna Blanka, the spokeswoman for the 16-bed Cheyenne County Hospital, before reiterating: “It is not something you can force upon people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617126228958.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the coronavirus vaccine at least once over the past month and several for four straight weeks, state date shows.“It is kind of stalling. Some people just don’t want it,” said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural northwest Kansas’ Decatur County, where only about 29% of the county’s 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.Her county is among six that have rejected allocations for all four weeks. Thirty-three other counties paused shipments from the state for one week, 26 for two weeks and 16 for three weeks. Only 24 counties, mostly the larger ones such as Shawnee, Johnson and Sedgwick, haven’t turned down any shipments.These numbers, however, do not include doses that have been supplied by federal programs to pharmacies and other providersIn rural south-central Kansas’ Barber County, which has turned down vaccine doses from the state for two of the past four weeks, Danielle Farr said she has no plans to be vaccinated. The 32-year-old said she got COVID-19 last year, along with her 5- and 12-year-old sons and her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. They never were tested for active infections, but blood tests detected antibodies for the virus in all four of them.“I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60, 70 years. I totally and fully believe in that,” said Farr, who works at an accounting firm. “Now a vaccine that was rushed in six, seven months, I’m just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body.”That kind of resistance is concerning health care officials, who insist the vaccines in use are safe, because just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated. The percentage is far from where the state needs to get to reach a level of herd immunity that would make it difficult for the virus to spread.“We need to twist some arms and get some arms to be able to give some of that vaccine,” said Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, during a morning briefing Wednesday.Marci Nielsen, a special advisor to Gov. Laura Kelly, said the state is planning to target “robust communications” at communities with lower rates to reach its goals. She noted that there was no time to spare in a written statement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619024571924.png" alt="Wednesday April 21, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday April 21, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Variants continue to be a concern and the slowing of vaccine uptake will delay the ability to reach herd immunity in Kansas, and across the nation,” she said.But the effort is far from easy. Cheyenne County, which has about 2,800 residents and is located along the state’s western border with Colorado, also has turned down new doses for four weeks.“You are not going to force people. We’ve got it out there. If they want it they can get on the list, and we will give it to them,” said Shawna Blanka, the spokeswoman for the 16-bed Cheyenne County Hospital, before reiterating: “It is not something you can force upon people.”

Most Kansas counties turn down vaccine over past month

NEOSHO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities made several arrests Wednesday following an eight-month long joint investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

With assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for individuals related to the distribution of methamphetamine. Then&nbsp; arrest warrants were executed as a part of “Operation Spring Cleaning" in&nbsp;Chanute, Kan., and in the surrounding Neosho, Allen and Montgomery counties.

Those arrested were booked into the Neosho County and Allen County Jails for drug-related crimes including the suspected distribution of methamphetamine, and the possession of controlled substances.&nbsp;

During the execution of one of the arrest warrants at&nbsp;804 N. Garfield, in&nbsp;Chanute, Kan., suspicious explosive devices were located. The ATF and KHP Hazardous Device Unit responded to assist with the safe removal of these devices and aid in the investigation.

Name,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Age,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; City,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Charge&nbsp;(*Listed charge may be the most serious of several charges)

Shadow McKinney, 28, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school, and Distribution of methamphetamine&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kerry Wilson, 41, Chanute, (6 Counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school

Anna Stockenbrand, 31, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school

Dedra Bright, 36, Cherryville, Distribution of methamphetamine

Gina Perez, 37, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school

Michael Naff, 35, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school

Ellen Fisher, 34, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine

Quintin Obermiller, 30, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine

Markus K. Steeves, 47, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of school property, Criminal use of an explosive

Pending arrests connected to this operation:

Kevin Pratt, 45, Iola, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school

Jessica Rogers, 39, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine

Timothy J. Mishler, 30, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine

The joint operation represented a coordinated law enforcement effort to reduce the accessibility of illegal drugs impacting Southeast Kansas. This investigation is ongoing.

The cases will be prosecuted by Neosho County Attorney Linus A. Thuston, Allen County Attorney Jerry Hathaway, and Assistant Allen County Attorney Jacqie Spradling.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619043819595.png" alt="Michael Naff photo Allen County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Michael Naff photo Allen County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>NEOSHO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities made several arrests Wednesday following an eight-month long joint investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.With assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for individuals related to the distribution of methamphetamine. Then&nbsp; arrest warrants were executed as a part of “Operation Spring Cleaning" in&nbsp;Chanute, Kan., and in the surrounding Neosho, Allen and Montgomery counties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619044014479.png" alt="Gina Perez photo Allen County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Gina Perez photo Allen County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Those arrested were booked into the Neosho County and Allen County Jails for drug-related crimes including the suspected distribution of methamphetamine, and the possession of controlled substances.&nbsp;During the execution of one of the arrest warrants at&nbsp;804 N. Garfield, in&nbsp;Chanute, Kan., suspicious explosive devices were located. The ATF and KHP Hazardous Device Unit responded to assist with the safe removal of these devices and aid in the investigation.Arrested during this operation were:Name,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Age,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; City,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Charge&nbsp;(*Listed charge may be the most serious of several charges)Shadow McKinney, 28, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school, and Distribution of methamphetamine&nbsp;&nbsp;Kerry Wilson, 41, Chanute, (6 Counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a schoolAnna Stockenbrand, 31, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a schoolDedra Bright, 36, Cherryville, Distribution of methamphetamineGina Perez, 37, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a schoolMichael Naff, 35, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619043891748.png" alt="Fisher photo Allen County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Fisher photo Allen County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellen Fisher, 34, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamineQuintin Obermiller, 30, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamineMarkus K. Steeves, 47, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of school property, Criminal use of an explosivePending arrests connected to this operation:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619087859955.png" alt="Kevin Pratt photo from a previous arrest in Wilson Co." />
 <figcaption>Kevin Pratt photo from a previous arrest in Wilson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kevin Pratt, 45, Iola, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a schoolJessica Rogers, 39, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamineTimothy J. Mishler, 30, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamineThe joint operation represented a coordinated law enforcement effort to reduce the accessibility of illegal drugs impacting Southeast Kansas. This investigation is ongoing.The cases will be prosecuted by Neosho County Attorney Linus A. Thuston, Allen County Attorney Jerry Hathaway, and Assistant Allen County Attorney Jacqie Spradling.&nbsp;

KBI: Multiple suspects jailed in 'Operation Spring Cleaning'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced new employer tax credits and other steps to encourage people reluctant to be inoculated to get the COVID-19 vaccine as his administration tries to overcome diminishing demand for the shots. The moves came as Biden celebrated reaching his latest goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.

With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated and roughly 28 million vaccine doses being delivered each week, demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country.

In a White House speech on Wednesday, Biden acknowledged entering a “new phase” in the federal vaccination effort that relies on increased outreach to Americans to get their shots, both to protect them and their communities.

“Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your co-worker’s life, the grocery store clerk or the delivery person helping you and your neighbors get through the crisis,” Biden said. “That’s why you should get vaccinated.”

Over the past week, the pace of inoculation in the U.S. has slowed slightly. That is partly a reflection of disruptions from the “pause” in administration of the Johnson &amp; Johnson shot for a safety review, but also of softening interest for vaccines in many places even as eligibility has been opened to all those older than 16.

As the vaccination program progresses, the administration believes it will only get more difficult to sustain the current pace of about 3 million shots per day. Roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose.

Surveys have shown that vaccine hesitancy has declined since the rollout of the shots, but administration officials believe they have to make getting vaccinated easier and more appealing, particularly for younger Americans who are less at risk from the virus and do not feel the same urgency to get a shot. That means providing incentives and encouragement to get vaccinated, as well as reducing the friction surrounding the vaccination process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619027369469.png" alt="President Biden said Wednesday that roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose of vaccine -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden said Wednesday that roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose of vaccine -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced new employer tax credits and other steps to encourage people reluctant to be inoculated to get the COVID-19 vaccine as his administration tries to overcome diminishing demand for the shots. The moves came as Biden celebrated reaching his latest goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated and roughly 28 million vaccine doses being delivered each week, demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country.In a White House speech on Wednesday, Biden acknowledged entering a “new phase” in the federal vaccination effort that relies on increased outreach to Americans to get their shots, both to protect them and their communities.“Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your co-worker’s life, the grocery store clerk or the delivery person helping you and your neighbors get through the crisis,” Biden said. “That’s why you should get vaccinated.”Over the past week, the pace of inoculation in the U.S. has slowed slightly. That is partly a reflection of disruptions from the “pause” in administration of the Johnson &amp; Johnson shot for a safety review, but also of softening interest for vaccines in many places even as eligibility has been opened to all those older than 16.As the vaccination program progresses, the administration believes it will only get more difficult to sustain the current pace of about 3 million shots per day. Roughly 130 million Americans have yet to receive one dose.Surveys have shown that vaccine hesitancy has declined since the rollout of the shots, but administration officials believe they have to make getting vaccinated easier and more appealing, particularly for younger Americans who are less at risk from the virus and do not feel the same urgency to get a shot. That means providing incentives and encouragement to get vaccinated, as well as reducing the friction surrounding the vaccination process.Biden announced a tax credit for small businesses to provide paid leave for those getting vaccinated or potentially needing to take time off to recover from side effects. Paid for through the $1.9 trillion virus relief package passed last month, the tax change would provide a credit of up to $511 per day, per employee for businesses with fewer than 500 workers to ensure that those workers or businesses don’t suffer a penalty by getting vaccinated.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618481198163.png" alt="Vaccinations at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City-photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Health" />
 <figcaption>Vaccinations at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City-photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>The White House is urging larger employers, which have more resources, to provide the same benefits to their workers, and educate them about the shots and encourage them to get vaccinated.“We’re calling on every employer, large and small, in every state, give employees the time off they need with pay to get vaccinated,” Biden said.According to the White House, just 43% of working adults have received at least one shot.As Biden celebrated the vaccine milestone, there is a different reality in the states.In Iowa, nearly half of the counties are not accepting new doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the state’s allotment because demand has fallen off. In Florida, Palm Beach County plans to close mass vaccination clinics at the end of May with thousands of available vaccine slots unclaimed. In rural West Virginia, a vaccine clinic at a casino/race track parking garage is opening shots to out-of-state residents to address lagging demand. The hope is that people from Washington, D.C., make the hour’s drive to get vaccinated. In Arizona, a plan collapsed that would have opened a federally run vaccine site in Tucson; demand is slipping and county officials preferred more targeted, mobile locations.Asked about the dip in vaccinations, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said “fluctuation is not uncommon” and that “what we want to do is continue to encourage Americans to continue to get vaccinated.”“The pace of vaccination isn’t linear,” Becerra said, adding that “we are on a pretty good pace.”Through its partnership with more than 40,000 retail pharmacies, the White House says more than 90% of Americans now live within 5 miles of a vaccination site. The administration is encouraging state and local efforts to bring vaccines directly to people, whether through initiatives reaching the homebound or clinics at large employment sites.Many states have also begun to open up vaccination sites to walk-in appointments, reducing reliance on often-cumbersome reservation systems.Maximizing the number of Americans vaccinated in the coming months is critical for the White House, which is aiming to restore a semblance of normalcy around the July Fourth holiday and even more so by the beginning of the next school year.Administration officials have been careful to avoid predicting when the country will have vaccinated enough people to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/when-do-we-reach-herd-immunity-explained-8da12b3d4f6e33c0c6562f29f81ca52a">herd immunity</a>&nbsp;— when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. The U.S. is on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult by the end of May and for every American by July, but administering the shots will be another matter.With its stockpile secure and demand dropping at home, the president spoke again of sharing excess doses with allies.Biden said he talked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for about 30 minutes on Wednesday. “We helped a little bit there, we’re going to try to help some more,” Biden said, referring to his decision last month to share about 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with Canada. “But there’s other countries as well that I’m confident we can help, including in Central America. But it’s in process.”He added. “We don’t have enough to be confident to send it abroad now. But I expect we’re going to be able to do that.”Biden set his goal of 200 million shots last month after meeting his 100 million-in-100 days goal just over a month ago. That original benchmark was announced Dec. 8, days before the U.S. had even one authorized vaccine, let alone the three that have now received emergency authorization. Still, it was generally seen within reach, if optimistic.By the time Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, the U.S. had already administered 20 million shots at a rate of about 1 million per day, bringing complaints at the time that Biden’s goal was not ambitious enough. Biden quickly revised it upward to 150 million doses in his first 100 days.—-