By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Repairs to Missouri River levees damaged by the 2019 flood
have been nearly completed, though some stubborn problems will not be fixed
until after summer.

Colonel Bill Hannan, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ Kansas City office, says the 2019 flood did such extensive damage to
Missouri River levees, some significant levees have yet to be repaired.

“We should have the Corning levee repaired by April, the Holt (County)
10 by May, but the Holt 9 is the one that just due to circumstances,
assessments, the non-federal sponsor requirements that go into repairing these
levees; that one has been awarded,” Hannan tells St. Joseph Post. “The
contractor should start work here soon, but we expect, just because the amount
of damage to this levee system is extensive, repairs will be complete on Holt 9
probably in September.”

That levee has drawn attention from both federal, state, and
local officials. Atchison County authorities have called for a change when the
levee is rebuilt. But, Hannan points out federal law limits the Corps in its
response, authorizing only that the Corps rebuild levees to their pre-flood
condition. Efforts are underway to change the law and allow the Corps more
flexibility to deal with structures which could cause recurring flooding.

Much work has gone into repairing the levee which protects
Rushville and Sugar Lake. The Corps has had to work with the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service to acquire needed easements to repair the levee which
broke in 2019, flooding the area and cutting off the route between St. Joseph
and Atchison, Kansas when it overflowed U.S. 59. Hannan says work to restore
that levee should begin this month or early next month.

Approximately 70% of the repairs to the levees damaged in 2019
has been completed, restoring protection to slightly more than 90% of the
residents and property along the Missouri River in northwest Missouri.

Hannan says the Corps also discovered extensive damage to the
navigation channel when Missouri River levels fell enough this winter to fully
inspect the channel.

“The good news for repairs on navigation is going into this
season we have $74 million total that was allocated to us in this last budget
to work on all 734 miles,” Hannan says. “It’s not everything we need, but it’s
going to be a really good start to get all those priority areas fixed.”

Hannan says the Corps is working with members of Congress and
others in Washington to secure the rest of the money needed to fully restore
the nine-foot navigation channel of the Missouri River.

Hannan says the 2019 flood did more damage to the channel than
the Corps anticipated.

“It turned out to be worse than we thought,” Hannan says. “We
had done some survey and some assessments based on the ’93 and 2011 floods and
how our structures came up to, but once we actually inspected them this winter
during our low-water inspection, it did turn out worse than we expected.”

Hannan says the Corps expects a normal barge season on the
Missouri this year.

“We know for sure right now we think we’ll have no issues with
the first half of the season, at least for flows, and then second half of the
season, they’ll make that call here in July,” Hannan says. “We will still, I
think, based on the damage to structures that we saw last season and through our
assessments over the winter, there’s a high risk we will have some areas that
we’re going to have to immediately get after and start repairs on that won’t be
meeting that nine-foot depth requirement.” 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616439920718.jpeg" alt="Sandbagging on the Elwood, Kansas, side of the Missouri River saved Elwood and Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard" />
 <figcaption>Sandbagging on the Elwood, Kansas, side of the Missouri River saved Elwood and Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Repairs to Missouri River levees damaged by the 2019 flood
have been nearly completed, though some stubborn problems will not be fixed
until after summer.Colonel Bill Hannan, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ Kansas City office, says the 2019 flood did such extensive damage to
Missouri River levees, some significant levees have yet to be repaired.“We should have the Corning levee repaired by April, the Holt (County)
10 by May, but the Holt 9 is the one that just due to circumstances,
assessments, the non-federal sponsor requirements that go into repairing these
levees; that one has been awarded,” Hannan tells St. Joseph Post. “The
contractor should start work here soon, but we expect, just because the amount
of damage to this levee system is extensive, repairs will be complete on Holt 9
probably in September.”That levee has drawn attention from both federal, state, and
local officials. Atchison County authorities have called for a change when the
levee is rebuilt. But, Hannan points out federal law limits the Corps in its
response, authorizing only that the Corps rebuild levees to their pre-flood
condition. Efforts are underway to change the law and allow the Corps more
flexibility to deal with structures which could cause recurring flooding.Much work has gone into repairing the levee which protects
Rushville and Sugar Lake. The Corps has had to work with the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service to acquire needed easements to repair the levee which
broke in 2019, flooding the area and cutting off the route between St. Joseph
and Atchison, Kansas when it overflowed U.S. 59. Hannan says work to restore
that levee should begin this month or early next month.Approximately 70% of the repairs to the levees damaged in 2019
has been completed, restoring protection to slightly more than 90% of the
residents and property along the Missouri River in northwest Missouri.Hannan says the Corps also discovered extensive damage to the
navigation channel when Missouri River levels fell enough this winter to fully
inspect the channel.“The good news for repairs on navigation is going into this
season we have $74 million total that was allocated to us in this last budget
to work on all 734 miles,” Hannan says. “It’s not everything we need, but it’s
going to be a really good start to get all those priority areas fixed.”Hannan says the Corps is working with members of Congress and
others in Washington to secure the rest of the money needed to fully restore
the nine-foot navigation channel of the Missouri River.Hannan says the 2019 flood did more damage to the channel than
the Corps anticipated.“It turned out to be worse than we thought,” Hannan says. “We
had done some survey and some assessments based on the ’93 and 2011 floods and
how our structures came up to, but once we actually inspected them this winter
during our low-water inspection, it did turn out worse than we expected.”Hannan says the Corps expects a normal barge season on the
Missouri this year.“We know for sure right now we think we’ll have no issues with
the first half of the season, at least for flows, and then second half of the
season, they’ll make that call here in July,” Hannan says. “We will still, I
think, based on the damage to structures that we saw last season and through our
assessments over the winter, there’s a high risk we will have some areas that
we’re going to have to immediately get after and start repairs on that won’t be
meeting that nine-foot depth requirement.”

Repairs to Missouri River levees damaged in flood nearly complete

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas has administered over one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and launched the <a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/8278178">“Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign</a> to share the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This news comes on the heels of Governor Kelly’s announcement that the state will move into Phase 3 and Phase 4 Monday, March 22.

“We administered over one million doses and we'll keep getting vaccines into arms so our kids can get back in the classrooms, Kansans can get back to work, and life can get back to normal”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. 

“With the increased vaccine supply coming to Kansas, we are working to make sure every Kansan gets vaccinated. This vaccine campaign is designed to show every Kansas what the science has proven - that vaccines are safe and will protect all of us from COVID-19."

The <a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/8278178">“Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign</a> will feature broadcast, cable, digital and radio ads. The ads, created by Topeka-based company MB Piland, feature local Kansans who are committed to their community. The campaign will run through the end of June. Ads will also be aired in Spanish.

Reminder: Starting March 22, Kansans in&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.TeIo5dZNq2x6YPzTCW6MJKVYTN4XjZr4EiYeaAd_Xc8/s/1303160919/br/100464677501-l" target="_blank">Phase 3 &amp; 4</a>&nbsp;of the Vaccine Prioritization Plan are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Kansans will not be required to bring medical records or “proof” of their health condition. Instead, they will be asked to abide by the honor system and self-attest that they fall in Phase 3 &amp; 4 based on the following:

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">Click here</a> for more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas and to find a local provider with vaccines available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616439035492.png" alt="Image from the "Roll Up Your Sleeve"campaign" />
 <figcaption>Image from the "Roll Up Your Sleeve"campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas has administered over one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and launched the <a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/8278178">“Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign</a> to share the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This news comes on the heels of Governor Kelly’s announcement that the state will move into Phase 3 and Phase 4 Monday, March 22.“We administered over one million doses and we'll keep getting vaccines into arms so our kids can get back in the classrooms, Kansans can get back to work, and life can get back to normal”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “With the increased vaccine supply coming to Kansas, we are working to make sure every Kansan gets vaccinated. This vaccine campaign is designed to show every Kansas what the science has proven - that vaccines are safe and will protect all of us from COVID-19."The <a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/8278178">“Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign</a> will feature broadcast, cable, digital and radio ads. The ads, created by Topeka-based company MB Piland, feature local Kansans who are committed to their community. The campaign will run through the end of June. Ads will also be aired in Spanish.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610104544544.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Reminder: Starting March 22, Kansans in&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjIuMzc0OTA3NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cua2Fuc2FzdmFjY2luZS5nb3YlMkZEb2N1bWVudENlbnRlciUyRlZpZXclMkYxMjElMkZWYWNjaW5lLVByaW9yaXRpemF0aW9uLVNsaWRlcy1QREYmZGF0YT0wNCU3QzAxJTdDUmVldmVzLk95c3RlciU0MGtzLmdvdiU3QzUzNjY5MTY4NTgxMzQzMmM2ODliMDhkOGVkNWVkNDE3JTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzNzUyMDMzODgzNjI0MjIxOSU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MxMDAwJnNkYXRhPSUyQnNqUXVmOFRwS05kTm84dUhxQWRPMU9NVzRQZWR4eGk0bXVJWSUyQm9rZTdrJTNEJnJlc2VydmVkPTAifQ.TeIo5dZNq2x6YPzTCW6MJKVYTN4XjZr4EiYeaAd_Xc8/s/1303160919/br/100464677501-l" target="_blank">Phase 3 &amp; 4</a>&nbsp;of the Vaccine Prioritization Plan are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Kansans will not be required to bring medical records or “proof” of their health condition. Instead, they will be asked to abide by the honor system and self-attest that they fall in Phase 3 &amp; 4 based on the following:<ul>
 <li>Those aged 16 through 64 with serious medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including:</li><li>Cancer;</li><li>Down Syndrome;</li><li>Certain heart conditions;</li><li>Type 2 diabetes;</li><li>Other serious illnesses;</li><li>And pregnant women.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Those aged 16 through 64 with other medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as:&nbsp;Asthma;Cystic fibrosis;Liver disease;Type 1 diabetes;Neurologic conditions like dementia;And other medical risks.  &nbsp;</li><li>Asthma;</li><li>Cystic fibrosis;</li><li>Liver disease;</li><li>Type 1 diabetes;</li><li>Neurologic conditions like dementia;</li><li>And other medical risks.  &nbsp;</li><li>And other non-health care workers in critical infrastructure who&nbsp;cannot work remotely, including:Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases;Workers performing in-person activities indoors;Utility workers;Social service and government workers not included in previous phases;Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers;Water and wastewater workers;Shelter, housing, and finance workers;And information technology and communication workers.</li><li>Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases;</li><li>Workers performing in-person activities indoors;</li><li>Utility workers;</li><li>Social service and government workers not included in previous phases;</li><li>Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers;</li><li>Water and wastewater workers;</li><li>Shelter, housing, and finance workers;</li><li>And information technology and communication workers.</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">Click here</a> for more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas and to find a local provider with vaccines available.&nbsp;

Kansas begins phase 3 and 4 of vaccination plan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Canadian Pacific Railway’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern means Minneapolis will no longer be the company’s U.S. headquarters, but what impact that will have on its employees in the Twin Cities is still unknown. 

The $25 billion deal in cash and stock was announced Sunday. It creates the first rail network linking the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

Railway officials say Kansas City, Missouri will be designated as the new U.S. headquarters for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, or CPKC. The combined company would operate about 20,000 miles of railway, employ 20,000 people and generate annual revenue of about $8.7 billion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616420049280.png" alt="Photo courtesy Canadian Pacific Railway" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Canadian Pacific Railway</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Canadian Pacific Railway’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern means Minneapolis will no longer be the company’s U.S. headquarters, but what impact that will have on its employees in the Twin Cities is still unknown. The $25 billion deal in cash and stock was announced Sunday. It creates the first rail network linking the United States, Mexico and Canada. Railway officials say Kansas City, Missouri will be designated as the new U.S. headquarters for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, or CPKC. The combined company would operate about 20,000 miles of railway, employ 20,000 people and generate annual revenue of about $8.7 billion.

Merger: Railway's US headquarters will move to Kansas City

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend accident have identified the victims as 46-year-old Anthony Vardys and 47-year-old Tamara L. Vardys both of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Just after 10p.m. Saturday, first responders were dispatched to Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road on a report of an injury accident involving a motorcycle and a truck, according to police Lt. Matt Danielson. Both the motorcycle and the truck were transporting two occupants.

The driver of the motorcycle sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. American Medical Response transported the driver to a local hospital where he later died from injuries. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The occupants in the other vehicle were not injured. The area surrounding Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road were closed while officers investigated.&nbsp;&nbsp;

TOPEKA—Two people died in an accident just after 10.pm. Saturday in North Topeka.

First responders were dispatched to Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road on a report of an injury accident involving a motorcycle and a truck, according to police Lt. Matt Danielson. Both the motorcycle and the truck were transporting two occupants.

The driver of the motorcycle sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. American Medical Response transported the driver to a local hospital where the victim later died from injuries. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The occupants in the other vehicle were not injured. The area surrounding Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road were closed while officers investigated.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend accident have identified the victims as 46-year-old Anthony Vardys and 47-year-old Tamara L. Vardys both of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Just after 10p.m. Saturday, first responders were dispatched to Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road on a report of an injury accident involving a motorcycle and a truck, according to police Lt. Matt Danielson. Both the motorcycle and the truck were transporting two occupants.The driver of the motorcycle sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. American Medical Response transported the driver to a local hospital where he later died from injuries. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants in the other vehicle were not injured. The area surrounding Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road were closed while officers investigated.&nbsp;&nbsp;--------------TOPEKA—Two people died in an accident just after 10.pm. Saturday in North Topeka.First responders were dispatched to Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road on a report of an injury accident involving a motorcycle and a truck, according to police Lt. Matt Danielson. Both the motorcycle and the truck were transporting two occupants.The driver of the motorcycle sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. American Medical Response transported the driver to a local hospital where the victim later died from injuries. The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants in the other vehicle were not injured. The area surrounding Highway 24 and NE Meriden Road were closed while officers investigated.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

Police ID Kan. man, woman who died after motorcycle, truck crash 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 615 to a total of 300,125, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4850, an increase of 8.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 615 to a total of 300,125, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4850, an increase of 8.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616433091766.png" alt="Monday March 22, KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 22, KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a 5 day search.

On March 15, a 37-year-old Salina woman went to the Salina Police Department lobby to report that her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Barrett, 33, of Salina, had taken her white 1999 GMC Yukon. She told police that she had parked the vehicle in the 500 block of Charles in Salina, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that 

The woman told police that when she went to retrieve the SUV, Barrett pulled her out of the vehicle by her hair and also took her cell phone.

Just before 6am. March 16, police were sent to the 2300 block of Edward Street in regard to a domestic disturbance with the same woman and Barrett, according to Forrester. Barrett was reported to have left on foot carrying a hatchet.

Officers located the stolen Yukon leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The Yukon had a tag that was registered to a 1991 Chevrolet pickup.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle on East Magnolia Road, but it continued east and officer initiated a pursuit in the 2400 block of South Simpson Road. Speeds reached approximately 90 mph and the officer discontinued the pursuit due to road conditions.

Later that morning, Saline County Sheriff's deputies were sent to South Woodward Road and East Farrelly Road -- southeast of Salina -- as the Yukon was reportedly hidden in a tree row at that location.

 Deputies saw Barrett in the driver’s seat and as they approached, he drove away and was able to elude law enforcement personnel as the road conditions were poor due to recent rains.

Just before 6:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp; were sent to the 2300 block of Edward for the report of Barrett lying on the back porch of a residence, according to Forrester, 

Officers took Barrett into custody. He had the key to the Yukon in his possession. He is being held on&nbsp;requested charges that include Aggravated robbery, Felony theft, Domestic violence battery, Misdemeanor flee and elude, Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving, Felony interference with law enforcement, Speeding making an improper turn and two counts of illegal display of tag.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616431239990.png" alt="Joshua Barrett has four previous convictions for burglary, for theft, criminal damage to property and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Joshua Barrett has four previous convictions for burglary, for theft, criminal damage to property and driving while habitual violator, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a 5 day search. On March 15, a 37-year-old Salina woman went to the Salina Police Department lobby to report that her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Barrett, 33, of Salina, had taken her white 1999 GMC Yukon. She told police that she had parked the vehicle in the 500 block of Charles in Salina, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that The woman told police that when she went to retrieve the SUV, Barrett pulled her out of the vehicle by her hair and also took her cell phone.Just before 6am. March 16, police were sent to the 2300 block of Edward Street in regard to a domestic disturbance with the same woman and Barrett, according to Forrester. Barrett was reported to have left on foot carrying a hatchet.Officers located the stolen Yukon leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The Yukon had a tag that was registered to a 1991 Chevrolet pickup.Officers attempted to stop the vehicle on East Magnolia Road, but it continued east and officer initiated a pursuit in the 2400 block of South Simpson Road. Speeds reached approximately 90 mph and the officer discontinued the pursuit due to road conditions.Later that morning, Saline County Sheriff's deputies were sent to South Woodward Road and East Farrelly Road -- southeast of Salina -- as the Yukon was reportedly hidden in a tree row at that location. Deputies saw Barrett in the driver’s seat and as they approached, he drove away and was able to elude law enforcement personnel as the road conditions were poor due to recent rains.Just before 6:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp; were sent to the 2300 block of Edward for the report of Barrett lying on the back porch of a residence, according to Forrester, Officers took Barrett into custody. He had the key to the Yukon in his possession. He is being held on&nbsp;requested charges that include Aggravated robbery, Felony theft, Domestic violence battery, Misdemeanor flee and elude, Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving, Felony interference with law enforcement, Speeding making an improper turn and two counts of illegal display of tag.

Police arrest Kan. felon after 5 day search, 90mph chase

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — District 34 State Senator Dr. Mark Steffen testified Monday before the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee on Senate Bill 212. The bill's intent is not to require children to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Steffen doesn't believe in that population the reward is worth the risk.

"It protects our children from a vaccine that has a morbidity and mortality profile equal to or higher than the COVID-19 virus itself, for sure in this age group of people," Steffen said.

As of the time of Steffen's testimony on Monday, none of the vaccines approved for adults in the United States have been approved for use in children.

"It's a vaccine that is experimental, a vaccine that is gene manipulative, a technique never used before," Steffen said. "It's long term dangers won't be known for decades."

Steffen wants to be sure that recommendations are policy, rather than mandates as much as possible.

"Don't get me wrong," Steffen said. "Used appropriately, vaccines are a great, great thing. As a physician, I've recommended them to many an individual. Recommend is the key. As a physician myself, I've never once mandated a treatment, nor has any of the other doctors who will show up later, like Dr. Eplee. He's never mandated a treatment plan. The CDC, FDA, NIH and World Health Organization recommend vaccinations for society. Why in the world would we allow Lee Norman to mandate anything?"

Secretary Norman spoke in opposition to the bill, mainly wanting to keep the regulation open-ended so they can adjust as more is learned about vaccines generally.

"I think it's important and we think it's important that vaccines remain in regulation in KAR 28-1-20, rather than listed in statutes, in order to support timely response to changes in ACIP recommendations," Norman said. "A new vaccine may be recommended by the ACIP, or it may be one, because of new findings, where it may be recommended to be removed. In either case, we want to act quickly."

ACIP is the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Any time a new vaccine is to be added to the mandatory list, it needs to be on the list by February to be able to be in arms by August to start school.

By NICK GOSNELLHutch Post<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3jqMYUs364?start=2034" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — District 34 State Senator Dr. Mark Steffen testified Monday before the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee on Senate Bill 212. The bill's intent is not to require children to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Steffen doesn't believe in that population the reward is worth the risk."It protects our children from a vaccine that has a morbidity and mortality profile equal to or higher than the COVID-19 virus itself, for sure in this age group of people," Steffen said.As of the time of Steffen's testimony on Monday, none of the vaccines approved for adults in the United States have been approved for use in children."It's a vaccine that is experimental, a vaccine that is gene manipulative, a technique never used before," Steffen said. "It's long term dangers won't be known for decades."Steffen wants to be sure that recommendations are policy, rather than mandates as much as possible."Don't get me wrong," Steffen said. "Used appropriately, vaccines are a great, great thing. As a physician, I've recommended them to many an individual. Recommend is the key. As a physician myself, I've never once mandated a treatment, nor has any of the other doctors who will show up later, like Dr. Eplee. He's never mandated a treatment plan. The CDC, FDA, NIH and World Health Organization recommend vaccinations for society. Why in the world would we allow Lee Norman to mandate anything?"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616423873913.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary Norman spoke in opposition to the bill, mainly wanting to keep the regulation open-ended so they can adjust as more is learned about vaccines generally."I think it's important and we think it's important that vaccines remain in regulation in KAR 28-1-20, rather than listed in statutes, in order to support timely response to changes in ACIP recommendations," Norman said. "A new vaccine may be recommended by the ACIP, or it may be one, because of new findings, where it may be recommended to be removed. In either case, we want to act quickly."ACIP is the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Any time a new vaccine is to be added to the mandatory list, it needs to be on the list by February to be able to be in arms by August to start school.

🎥  Kan. legislators debate COVID vaccine for children

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of an accident that involved a pair of police vehicles.

While investigating a fatal Saturday night street racing accident in Wichita, officers were blocking traffic on Greenwich with patrol cars so the critical accident team could process the fatal accident scene, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Police observed a 28-year-old man driving a 2000 blue Ford F-250 northbound on Greenwich at a high rate of speed. An Eastborough officer assisting in blocking traffic flashed her flashlight to get the driver’s attention but was unsuccessful.

The F-250 side-swiped an occupied Wichita police F-350 truck and an unoccupied Wichita Police Ford Explorer patrol vehicle, causing the F-250 to overturn, according to Davidson.

The driver and his 35-year-old female passenger sustained only minor injuries. No officers were injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this accident, according to officer Davidson.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of an accident that involved a pair of police vehicles.While investigating a fatal Saturday night street racing accident in Wichita, officers were blocking traffic on Greenwich with patrol cars so the critical accident team could process the fatal accident scene, according to officer Charley Davidson.Police observed a 28-year-old man driving a 2000 blue Ford F-250 northbound on Greenwich at a high rate of speed. An Eastborough officer assisting in blocking traffic flashed her flashlight to get the driver’s attention but was unsuccessful.The F-250 side-swiped an occupied Wichita police F-350 truck and an unoccupied Wichita Police Ford Explorer patrol vehicle, causing the F-250 to overturn, according to Davidson.The driver and his 35-year-old female passenger sustained only minor injuries. No officers were injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this accident, according to officer Davidson.

Alcohol a factor after Kan. police vehicles struck during investigation

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the 
next batch of Economic Impact Payments will be issued to taxpayers this 
week, with many of these coming by paper check or prepaid debit card.

For taxpayers receiving direct deposit, this batch of payments began 
processing on Friday and will have an official pay date of Wednesday, 
March 24, with some people seeing these in their accounts earlier, 
potentially as provisional or pending deposits. A large number of this 
latest batch of payments will also be mailed, so taxpayers who do not 
receive a direct deposit by March 24 should watch the mail carefully in 
the coming weeks for a paper check or a prepaid debit card, known as an 
Economic Impact Payment Card, or EIP Card.

No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). People can check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled.

"The IRS continues to send the third round of stimulus payments in 
record time," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Since this new set of
 payments will include more mailed payments, we urge people to carefully
 watch their mail for a check or debit card in the coming weeks."

Following enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, the 
IRS moved quickly to start delivering the third round of Economic Impact
 Payments. The IRS initiated the first batch of the $1,400 stimulus 
payments, mostly by direct deposit, on March 12.

Today marks the second batch of payments, with additional payments 
anticipated on a weekly basis going forward. The vast majority of 
taxpayers receiving EIPs will receive it by direct deposit. In addition,
 the IRS and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service leveraged data in their 
systems to convert many payments to direct deposits that otherwise would
 have been sent as paper checks or debit cards. This accelerated the 
disbursement of these payments by weeks.

Watch the mail for paper checks, EIP Cards

Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the third EIP may 
be different than earlier stimulus payments. More people are receiving 
direct deposits, while those receiving them in the mail may get either a
 paper check or an EIP Card – which may be different than how they 
received their previous stimulus payments. IRS and the Treasury 
Department urge eligible people who have not received a direct deposit 
to watch their mail carefully during this period.

Paper checks will arrive by mail in a white envelope from the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury. For those taxpayers who received their tax 
refund by mail, this paper check will look similar, but will be labeled 
as an "Economic Impact Payment" in the memo field.

The EIP Card will also come in a white envelope prominently 
displaying the seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The card has
 the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank,&nbsp;MetaBank, N.A. on the 
back. Information included with the card will explain that this is an 
Economic Impact Payment. Each mailing will include instructions on how 
to securely activate and use the card. It is important to note that none
 of the EIP cards issued for any of the three rounds is reloadable; 
recipients will receive a separate card and will not be able to reload 
funds onto an existing card. EIP Cards are safe, convenient, and secure.
 EIP Card recipients can make purchases online or in stores anywhere 
Visa Debit Cards are accepted. They can get cash from domestic 
in-network ATMs, transfer funds to a personal bank account, and obtain a
 replacement EIP Card if needed without incurring any fees. They can 
also check their card balance online, through a mobile app, or by phone 
without incurring fees. The EIP Card provides consumer protections 
against fraud, loss, and other errors. The EIP Card is sponsored by the 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasury's financial 
agent,&nbsp;MetaBank, N.A. The IRS does not determine who receives a prepaid 
debit card.

More information about these cards is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eipcard.com/">EIPcard.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the 
next batch of Economic Impact Payments will be issued to taxpayers this 
week, with many of these coming by paper check or prepaid debit card.For taxpayers receiving direct deposit, this batch of payments began 
processing on Friday and will have an official pay date of Wednesday, 
March 24, with some people seeing these in their accounts earlier, 
potentially as provisional or pending deposits. A large number of this 
latest batch of payments will also be mailed, so taxpayers who do not 
receive a direct deposit by March 24 should watch the mail carefully in 
the coming weeks for a paper check or a prepaid debit card, known as an 
Economic Impact Payment Card, or EIP Card.No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). People can check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled."The IRS continues to send the third round of stimulus payments in 
record time," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Since this new set of
 payments will include more mailed payments, we urge people to carefully
 watch their mail for a check or debit card in the coming weeks."Following enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, the 
IRS moved quickly to start delivering the third round of Economic Impact
 Payments. The IRS initiated the first batch of the $1,400 stimulus 
payments, mostly by direct deposit, on March 12.Today marks the second batch of payments, with additional payments 
anticipated on a weekly basis going forward. The vast majority of 
taxpayers receiving EIPs will receive it by direct deposit. In addition,
 the IRS and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service leveraged data in their 
systems to convert many payments to direct deposits that otherwise would
 have been sent as paper checks or debit cards. This accelerated the 
disbursement of these payments by weeks.<h2>Watch the mail for paper checks, EIP Cards</h2>Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the third EIP may 
be different than earlier stimulus payments. More people are receiving 
direct deposits, while those receiving them in the mail may get either a
 paper check or an EIP Card – which may be different than how they 
received their previous stimulus payments. IRS and the Treasury 
Department urge eligible people who have not received a direct deposit 
to watch their mail carefully during this period.Paper checks will arrive by mail in a white envelope from the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury. For those taxpayers who received their tax 
refund by mail, this paper check will look similar, but will be labeled 
as an "Economic Impact Payment" in the memo field.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616432859263.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The EIP Card will also come in a white envelope prominently 
displaying the seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The card has
 the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank,&nbsp;MetaBank, N.A. on the 
back. Information included with the card will explain that this is an 
Economic Impact Payment. Each mailing will include instructions on how 
to securely activate and use the card. It is important to note that none
 of the EIP cards issued for any of the three rounds is reloadable; 
recipients will receive a separate card and will not be able to reload 
funds onto an existing card. EIP Cards are safe, convenient, and secure.
 EIP Card recipients can make purchases online or in stores anywhere 
Visa Debit Cards are accepted. They can get cash from domestic 
in-network ATMs, transfer funds to a personal bank account, and obtain a
 replacement EIP Card if needed without incurring any fees. They can 
also check their card balance online, through a mobile app, or by phone 
without incurring fees. The EIP Card provides consumer protections 
against fraud, loss, and other errors. The EIP Card is sponsored by the 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasury's financial 
agent,&nbsp;MetaBank, N.A. The IRS does not determine who receives a prepaid 
debit card.More information about these cards is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eipcard.com/">EIPcard.com</a>.

IRS: Next round of stimulus payments via check or debit cards

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Three people — including a firefighter — were injured in a two-alarm fire that destroyed an apartment building in Kansas City, Kansas, officials said.

The fire broke out Sunday morning in a two-story home that had been converted into four apartments on North 14th Street. When firefighters arrived, flames were visible coming from the home, and two people jumped from the second story to escape the fire. Both were taken to a hospital with minor burns and are expected to recover, officials said.

A firefighter was injured when a porch on the building collapsed, officials said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken foot.

Officials are investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616420480856.png" alt="Fire crews were dispatched to the fire just after 7:30 Sunday morning. Incident was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm. Photo courtesy KCK Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Fire crews were dispatched to the fire just after 7:30 Sunday morning. Incident was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm. Photo courtesy KCK Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Three people — including a firefighter — were injured in a two-alarm fire that destroyed an apartment building in Kansas City, Kansas, officials said.The fire broke out Sunday morning in a two-story home that had been converted into four apartments on North 14th Street. When firefighters arrived, flames were visible coming from the home, and two people jumped from the second story to escape the fire. Both were taken to a hospital with minor burns and are expected to recover, officials said.A firefighter was injured when a porch on the building collapsed, officials said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken foot.Officials are investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

3 injured including firefighter in Kan. apartment fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With college basketball’s March Madness underway, Kansas legislators moved closer toward legalizing sports betting, though big disagreements remained over where fans should be able to place wagers.

A state House committee approved a bill that would allow sports betting at four state-owned casinos, racetracks, as many as 1,200 retail stores that sell Kansas Lottery tickets, online and through apps linked to casinos, tracks and the lottery. It next goes to the full House for debate, possibly as early as this week.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210303182646_827854/" target="_blank">The Senate approved</a>&nbsp;sports betting earlier this month, but&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb84_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">its proposal</a>&nbsp;would limit live, online and app wagering to four state-owned casinos, which are operated by private companies under contracts with the lottery. If the House approves a bill, negotiators for the two chambers would have to resolve the differences over who gets to offer wagering.

A federal law barred sports betting in Kansas and most states until the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck it down&nbsp;</a>in 2018. Twenty-five states now allow sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association.

“One of the main reasons that we’re trying to do sports betting is there is a huge black market,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican. “We would rather have them in a legal, regulated environment.”

Kansas officials do not believe the state’s take from sports betting would be large, perhaps only several million dollars a year.

But even in a conservative-led, Republican-controlled Legislature, many lawmakers want to tap into wagering that’s already occurring in other states or illegally. The University of Kansas has one of college basketball’s premiere men’s programs, Kansas State University’s football team is regularly competitive, and the Kansas City Chiefs are riding high.

The state lottery’s oversight of sports betting would be required under the Kansas Constitution, just as it is for casinos other than those operated by Native American tribes.

Supporters of the Senate plan argue that limiting live, online and mobile-app betting to state-owned casino means they — not the lottery — assume the risk of losing money on big events such as the March Madness college basketball tournament or the Super Bowl.

However, Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican and the House committee’s chair, questioned whether allowing lottery retailers to take wagers would expose the state to much actual risk.

“Over an extended period of time, the odds are always with the house,” Barker said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616182018042.png" alt="Members of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee during Friday's meeting-image House YouTube channel" />
 <figcaption>Members of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee during Friday's meeting-image House YouTube channel</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With college basketball’s March Madness underway, Kansas legislators moved closer toward legalizing sports betting, though big disagreements remained over where fans should be able to place wagers.A state House committee approved a bill that would allow sports betting at four state-owned casinos, racetracks, as many as 1,200 retail stores that sell Kansas Lottery tickets, online and through apps linked to casinos, tracks and the lottery. It next goes to the full House for debate, possibly as early as this week.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210303182646_827854/" target="_blank">The Senate approved</a>&nbsp;sports betting earlier this month, but&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb84_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">its proposal</a>&nbsp;would limit live, online and app wagering to four state-owned casinos, which are operated by private companies under contracts with the lottery. If the House approves a bill, negotiators for the two chambers would have to resolve the differences over who gets to offer wagering.A federal law barred sports betting in Kansas and most states until the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck it down&nbsp;</a>in 2018. Twenty-five states now allow sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association.“One of the main reasons that we’re trying to do sports betting is there is a huge black market,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican. “We would rather have them in a legal, regulated environment.”Kansas officials do not believe the state’s take from sports betting would be large, perhaps only several million dollars a year.But even in a conservative-led, Republican-controlled Legislature, many lawmakers want to tap into wagering that’s already occurring in other states or illegally. The University of Kansas has one of college basketball’s premiere men’s programs, Kansas State University’s football team is regularly competitive, and the Kansas City Chiefs are riding high.The state lottery’s oversight of sports betting would be required under the Kansas Constitution, just as it is for casinos other than those operated by Native American tribes.Supporters of the Senate plan argue that limiting live, online and mobile-app betting to state-owned casino means they — not the lottery — assume the risk of losing money on big events such as the March Madness college basketball tournament or the Super Bowl.However, Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican and the House committee’s chair, questioned whether allowing lottery retailers to take wagers would expose the state to much actual risk.“Over an extended period of time, the odds are always with the house,” Barker said.

Kansas lawmakers at odds over how to legalize sports betting

LONDON (AP) — AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection against sickness and eliminated hospitalizations and deaths from the disease across all age groups in a late-stage study in the United States, the company announced Monday.

AstraZeneca said its experts did not identify any safety concerns related to the vaccine, including finding no increased risk of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-regulator-review-astrazeneca-shot-blood-clot-links-437190969ed016e40bdfcbb4b63fc7a9">rare blood clots identified in Europe</a>.

Although AstraZeneca’s vaccine has been authorized in more than 50 countries, it has not yet been given the green light in the U.S. — and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-pause-astrazeneca-doubt-elsewhere-3ae7c1aca20f36c03cacbe7c3f23d1a7">struggled to gain public trust</a>&nbsp;amid a troubled rollout. The study comprised more than 30,000 volunteers, of whom two-thirds were given the vaccine while the rest got dummy shots.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said its COVID-19 vaccine had a 79% efficacy rate at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and was 100% effective in stopping severe disease and hospitalization, though it has not yet published full data. Investigators said the vaccine was effective across all ages, including older people — something previous studies in other countries had failed to establish. Two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were given to people four weeks apart.

“These findings reconfirm previous results observed,” said Ann Falsey of the University of Rochester School of Medicine who helped lead the trial. “It’s exciting to see similar efficacy results in people over 65 for the first time.”

The AstraZeneca shot is a pillar of a U.N.-backed project known as COVAX that aims to get COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries, and it has also become a key tool in European countries’ efforts to boost their sluggish vaccine rollouts.

The early findings from the U.S. study are just one set of information AstraZeneca must submit to the Food and Drug Administration. An FDA advisory committee will publicly debate the evidence behind the shots before the agency decides whether to allow emergency use of the vaccine. In the past, the time between a company revealing efficacy data and a shot being authorized in the U.S. has been about a month.

Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester who was not connected to the study, described the results as “good news” for the vaccine.

“The earlier U.K., Brazil, South Africa trials had a more variable and inconsistent design and it was thought that the U.S. FDA would never approve the use of the AZ vaccine on this basis, but now the U.S. clinical trial has confirmed the efficacy of this vaccine in their own clinical trials,” he said.

Scientists have been awaiting results of the U.S. study in hopes it will clear up some of the confusion about just how well the shots really work, particularly in older people. Previous research suggested the vaccine was effective in younger populations, but there were no solid data proving its efficacy in those over 65, often those most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Britain first authorized the vaccine based on partial results from testing in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa that suggested the shots were about 70% effective. But those results were clouded by a manufacturing mistake that led some participants to get just a half dose in their first shot — an error the researchers didn’t immediately acknowledge.

Then came more questions, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-authorizes-astrazeneca-vaccine-adults-18b545dd51ea56f422ff28cdeb2dd08b">how well the vaccine protected older adults</a>&nbsp;and how long to wait before the second dose. Some European countries including Germany, France and Belgium initially withheld the shot from older adults and only reversed their decisions after new data suggested it was offering seniors protection.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine development was rocky in the U.S., too. Last fall, the Food and Drug Administration suspended the company’s study for an unusual six weeks, as frustrated regulators sought information about some neurologic complaints reported in Britain; ultimately, there was no evidence the vaccine was to blame.

Last week, more than a dozen countries, mostly in Europe, temporarily suspended their use of the AstraZeneca shot after reports it was linked to blood clots. On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency concluded after an investigation that the vaccine did not raise the overall risk of blood clots, but could not rule out that it was connected to two very rare types of clots. It recommended adding a warning about these cases to the vaccine’s leaflet.

It’s not unheard of for such rare problems to crop up as vaccines are rolled out since trials typically look at tens of thousands of people, and some issues are only seen once the shot is used in millions of people.

France, Germany, Italy and other countries subsequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-08d5b84cdd1ceddf1557f68f61332c26">resumed their use of the shot</a>&nbsp;on Friday, with senior politicians rolling up their sleeves to show the vaccine was safe.

AstraZeneca said it would continue to analyze the U.S. data before submitting it to the FDA in the coming weeks. It said the data would also soon be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is what scientists call a “viral vector” vaccine. The shots are made with a harmless virus, a cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees. It acts like a Trojan horse to carry the spike protein’s genetic material into the body, which in turn produces some harmless protein. That primes the immune system to fight if the real virus comes along.

Two other companies, Johnson &amp; Johnson and China’s CanSino Biologics, make COVID-19 vaccines using the same technology but using different cold viruses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616409995625.png" alt="Photo courtesy AstraZeneca" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy AstraZeneca</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection against sickness and eliminated hospitalizations and deaths from the disease across all age groups in a late-stage study in the United States, the company announced Monday.AstraZeneca said its experts did not identify any safety concerns related to the vaccine, including finding no increased risk of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-regulator-review-astrazeneca-shot-blood-clot-links-437190969ed016e40bdfcbb4b63fc7a9">rare blood clots identified in Europe</a>.Although AstraZeneca’s vaccine has been authorized in more than 50 countries, it has not yet been given the green light in the U.S. — and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-pause-astrazeneca-doubt-elsewhere-3ae7c1aca20f36c03cacbe7c3f23d1a7">struggled to gain public trust</a>&nbsp;amid a troubled rollout. The study comprised more than 30,000 volunteers, of whom two-thirds were given the vaccine while the rest got dummy shots.In a statement, AstraZeneca said its COVID-19 vaccine had a 79% efficacy rate at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and was 100% effective in stopping severe disease and hospitalization, though it has not yet published full data. Investigators said the vaccine was effective across all ages, including older people — something previous studies in other countries had failed to establish. Two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were given to people four weeks apart.“These findings reconfirm previous results observed,” said Ann Falsey of the University of Rochester School of Medicine who helped lead the trial. “It’s exciting to see similar efficacy results in people over 65 for the first time.”The AstraZeneca shot is a pillar of a U.N.-backed project known as COVAX that aims to get COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries, and it has also become a key tool in European countries’ efforts to boost their sluggish vaccine rollouts.The early findings from the U.S. study are just one set of information AstraZeneca must submit to the Food and Drug Administration. An FDA advisory committee will publicly debate the evidence behind the shots before the agency decides whether to allow emergency use of the vaccine. In the past, the time between a company revealing efficacy data and a shot being authorized in the U.S. has been about a month.Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester who was not connected to the study, described the results as “good news” for the vaccine.“The earlier U.K., Brazil, South Africa trials had a more variable and inconsistent design and it was thought that the U.S. FDA would never approve the use of the AZ vaccine on this basis, but now the U.S. clinical trial has confirmed the efficacy of this vaccine in their own clinical trials,” he said.Scientists have been awaiting results of the U.S. study in hopes it will clear up some of the confusion about just how well the shots really work, particularly in older people. Previous research suggested the vaccine was effective in younger populations, but there were no solid data proving its efficacy in those over 65, often those most vulnerable to COVID-19.Britain first authorized the vaccine based on partial results from testing in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa that suggested the shots were about 70% effective. But those results were clouded by a manufacturing mistake that led some participants to get just a half dose in their first shot — an error the researchers didn’t immediately acknowledge.Then came more questions, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eu-authorizes-astrazeneca-vaccine-adults-18b545dd51ea56f422ff28cdeb2dd08b">how well the vaccine protected older adults</a>&nbsp;and how long to wait before the second dose. Some European countries including Germany, France and Belgium initially withheld the shot from older adults and only reversed their decisions after new data suggested it was offering seniors protection.AstraZeneca’s vaccine development was rocky in the U.S., too. Last fall, the Food and Drug Administration suspended the company’s study for an unusual six weeks, as frustrated regulators sought information about some neurologic complaints reported in Britain; ultimately, there was no evidence the vaccine was to blame.Last week, more than a dozen countries, mostly in Europe, temporarily suspended their use of the AstraZeneca shot after reports it was linked to blood clots. On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency concluded after an investigation that the vaccine did not raise the overall risk of blood clots, but could not rule out that it was connected to two very rare types of clots. It recommended adding a warning about these cases to the vaccine’s leaflet.It’s not unheard of for such rare problems to crop up as vaccines are rolled out since trials typically look at tens of thousands of people, and some issues are only seen once the shot is used in millions of people.France, Germany, Italy and other countries subsequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-08d5b84cdd1ceddf1557f68f61332c26">resumed their use of the shot</a>&nbsp;on Friday, with senior politicians rolling up their sleeves to show the vaccine was safe.AstraZeneca said it would continue to analyze the U.S. data before submitting it to the FDA in the coming weeks. It said the data would also soon be published in a peer-reviewed journal.The AstraZeneca vaccine is what scientists call a “viral vector” vaccine. The shots are made with a harmless virus, a cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees. It acts like a Trojan horse to carry the spike protein’s genetic material into the body, which in turn produces some harmless protein. That primes the immune system to fight if the real virus comes along.Two other companies, Johnson &amp; Johnson and China’s CanSino Biologics, make COVID-19 vaccines using the same technology but using different cold viruses.___

AstraZeneca: US data shows vaccine effective for all ages

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Sunday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway reported a 2013 Kia Sorento driven by&nbsp; Lance Elmon Owens, Jr., 28, Kansas City, Kan., was northbound on Interstate 635 just south of Metropolitan.

The SUV traveled off the right side of the roadway into the ditch and overturned. The driver was ejected out of the windshield, landed on the right shoulder and slid into lane three.

Owens was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Sunday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway reported a 2013 Kia Sorento driven by&nbsp; Lance Elmon Owens, Jr., 28, Kansas City, Kan., was northbound on Interstate 635 just south of Metropolitan.The SUV traveled off the right side of the roadway into the ditch and overturned. The driver was ejected out of the windshield, landed on the right shoulder and slid into lane three.Owens was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after ejected in rollover crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Responding to concerns from state officials, the U.S. Treasury Department said that states can cut taxes without penalty under a new federal pandemic relief law — so long as they use their own funds to offset those cuts.

Republican governors, lawmakers and attorneys general have expressed apprehension about a provision in the wide-ranging relief act signed by President Joe Biden that prohibits states from using $195 billion of federal aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction” in net tax revenue. The restriction could apply through 2024.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block the tax-cut provision.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-arizona-coronavirus-pandemic-west-virginia-d924f907e9879189289d4b5d4ae846df">Republican attorneys general from 21 other states</a>&nbsp;wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen seeking clarification on the prohibition, which they said could be construed “to deny states the ability to cut taxes in any manner whatsoever.”

A treasury spokesperson told The Associated Press that the provision isn’t meant as a blanket prohibition on tax cuts. States can still offset tax reductions through other means.

“In other words, states are free to make policy decisions to cut taxes – they just cannot use the pandemic relief funds to pay for those tax cuts,” the Treasury Department said.

The treasury’s application of the law could provide clearance for some tax cuts, such as Missouri legislation that would expand online sales taxes to offset proposed income tax reductions in 2023. Republican Sen. Andrew Koenig said he thinks his legislation is OK but has asked the state attorney general for guidance on whether it could run afoul of the federal law.

“To say that we’re cutting taxes because of the (federal) money would be a ridiculous argument,” Koenig said, “because this is an entire package that is completely separate.”

Top Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have made income tax cuts a priority for several years. House Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch recently decried the federal government’s attempts to guide state tax policy.

“It absolutely should be up to the states to decide what their tax rates are and how much their citizens have to pay in taxes,” Finch said.

But Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who vetoed two GOP tax-cutting bills in 2019, welcomed the restrictions on using federal pandemic aid to offset tax cuts. She said Kansas is still “digging out” from budget shortfalls that followed a tax-cutting experiment in 2012-13 under former GOP Gov. Sam Brownback.

“I’m glad that we can’t use this money for tax cuts,” Kelly said. “I don’t think we should do tax cuts anyway at this point as we are recovering from this pandemic.”

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said formal guidance from the Treasury Department will be critical in determining how much flexibility exists for states. The Republican governor, however, wants lawmakers to move forward with his proposal to set aside $50 million for tax reductions, including a cut to sales taxes on used vehicles.

“We should not let federal restrictions weigh in on that direction we’re going as a state,” Hutchinson said.

The nonprofit Tax Foundation said in an analysis last week that state tax cuts financed by natural growth in state revenue or new tax hikes likely are fine under the federal law. But it said questions could arise if states use the aid to pay public health workers, freeing existing state revenue and contributing to a surplus that helps finance a tax cut.

Yost said he sued because “the federal government should be encouraging states to innovate and grow business, not holding vital relief funding hostage to its preferred pro-tax policies.”

Legislatures in numerous states are considering tax cuts this year.

The Republican-led Oklahoma House last week passed bills to reduce the corporate and individual income tax rates and restore the ability for a refund of the earned income tax credit. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates those bills could cost the state $103 million next year and $284 million the following year. But the House speaker’s office said a $1 billion surplus gives the state plenty of room to offset potential tax cuts.

The Republican-controlled Mississippi House has passed legislation that would phase out the state income tax, cut the grocery tax in half and increase the sales tax on most items. The plan faces opposition in the GOP-led Senate, but so does the federal limitation on state tax reductions.

“Our tax policy needs to be formulated on what’s best for Mississippi, not ... as the winds blow from D.C.,” said Sen. Josh Harkins, a Republican who is chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee.

Georgia Republicans are working on a $140 million annual cut that would raise the income threshold at which taxes begin. Some Republicans also are maneuvering to cut the top income tax rate. That plan, which was shelved last year among fears of a sharp drop in state revenue, would forgo more than $500 million a year. Proposed business tax incentives also are moving through the Legislature.

Louisiana’s Republican-led Legislature plans to debate a tax overhaul during its session that begins in mid-April. GOP leaders have said they want to keep it as close to “revenue neutral” as possible, and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he won’t support any package that cuts revenue.

“But we fear the provisions in the federal law could put this work in jeopardy,” said Dawn Starns McVea, the Louisiana director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

The federal law’s tax cut provision also has created uncertainty in Utah, where the Republican-led Legislature passed $100 million in tax cuts this year benefitting families, veterans and older residents receiving Social Security. The state Tax Commission chairman said the reductions would have happened regardless of whether Utah received federal coronavirus relief, but Republican Attorney General Sean Reyes said those tax cuts are “now at risk” because of the federal law.

Under the law, states that use part of their aid to offset tax reductions could have to repay an equal amount to the federal government. Because of uncertainty over what could trigger that, the Republican chairman of South Carolina’s House budget-writing committee said he plans to move slowly in using the federal money.

“If you put it toward replenishing unemployment, is that considered a tax cut for businesses?” Rep. Murrell Smith said. “If you wanted to set up a small business grant program, is that going to be ... a tax cut for small business owners?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616028076289.png" alt="“I’m glad that we can’t use this money for tax cuts,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said. “I don’t think we should do tax cuts anyway at this point as we are recovering from this pandemic.”" />
 <figcaption>“I’m glad that we can’t use this money for tax cuts,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said. “I don’t think we should do tax cuts anyway at this point as we are recovering from this pandemic.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Responding to concerns from state officials, the U.S. Treasury Department said that states can cut taxes without penalty under a new federal pandemic relief law — so long as they use their own funds to offset those cuts.Republican governors, lawmakers and attorneys general have expressed apprehension about a provision in the wide-ranging relief act signed by President Joe Biden that prohibits states from using $195 billion of federal aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction” in net tax revenue. The restriction could apply through 2024.Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block the tax-cut provision.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-arizona-coronavirus-pandemic-west-virginia-d924f907e9879189289d4b5d4ae846df">Republican attorneys general from 21 other states</a>&nbsp;wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen seeking clarification on the prohibition, which they said could be construed “to deny states the ability to cut taxes in any manner whatsoever.”A treasury spokesperson told The Associated Press that the provision isn’t meant as a blanket prohibition on tax cuts. States can still offset tax reductions through other means.“In other words, states are free to make policy decisions to cut taxes – they just cannot use the pandemic relief funds to pay for those tax cuts,” the Treasury Department said.The treasury’s application of the law could provide clearance for some tax cuts, such as Missouri legislation that would expand online sales taxes to offset proposed income tax reductions in 2023. Republican Sen. Andrew Koenig said he thinks his legislation is OK but has asked the state attorney general for guidance on whether it could run afoul of the federal law.“To say that we’re cutting taxes because of the (federal) money would be a ridiculous argument,” Koenig said, “because this is an entire package that is completely separate.”Top Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have made income tax cuts a priority for several years. House Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch recently decried the federal government’s attempts to guide state tax policy.“It absolutely should be up to the states to decide what their tax rates are and how much their citizens have to pay in taxes,” Finch said.But Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who vetoed two GOP tax-cutting bills in 2019, welcomed the restrictions on using federal pandemic aid to offset tax cuts. She said Kansas is still “digging out” from budget shortfalls that followed a tax-cutting experiment in 2012-13 under former GOP Gov. Sam Brownback.“I’m glad that we can’t use this money for tax cuts,” Kelly said. “I don’t think we should do tax cuts anyway at this point as we are recovering from this pandemic.”Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said formal guidance from the Treasury Department will be critical in determining how much flexibility exists for states. The Republican governor, however, wants lawmakers to move forward with his proposal to set aside $50 million for tax reductions, including a cut to sales taxes on used vehicles.“We should not let federal restrictions weigh in on that direction we’re going as a state,” Hutchinson said.The nonprofit Tax Foundation said in an analysis last week that state tax cuts financed by natural growth in state revenue or new tax hikes likely are fine under the federal law. But it said questions could arise if states use the aid to pay public health workers, freeing existing state revenue and contributing to a surplus that helps finance a tax cut.Yost said he sued because “the federal government should be encouraging states to innovate and grow business, not holding vital relief funding hostage to its preferred pro-tax policies.”Legislatures in numerous states are considering tax cuts this year.The Republican-led Oklahoma House last week passed bills to reduce the corporate and individual income tax rates and restore the ability for a refund of the earned income tax credit. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates those bills could cost the state $103 million next year and $284 million the following year. But the House speaker’s office said a $1 billion surplus gives the state plenty of room to offset potential tax cuts.The Republican-controlled Mississippi House has passed legislation that would phase out the state income tax, cut the grocery tax in half and increase the sales tax on most items. The plan faces opposition in the GOP-led Senate, but so does the federal limitation on state tax reductions.“Our tax policy needs to be formulated on what’s best for Mississippi, not ... as the winds blow from D.C.,” said Sen. Josh Harkins, a Republican who is chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee.Georgia Republicans are working on a $140 million annual cut that would raise the income threshold at which taxes begin. Some Republicans also are maneuvering to cut the top income tax rate. That plan, which was shelved last year among fears of a sharp drop in state revenue, would forgo more than $500 million a year. Proposed business tax incentives also are moving through the Legislature.Louisiana’s Republican-led Legislature plans to debate a tax overhaul during its session that begins in mid-April. GOP leaders have said they want to keep it as close to “revenue neutral” as possible, and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he won’t support any package that cuts revenue.“But we fear the provisions in the federal law could put this work in jeopardy,” said Dawn Starns McVea, the Louisiana director of the National Federation of Independent Business.The federal law’s tax cut provision also has created uncertainty in Utah, where the Republican-led Legislature passed $100 million in tax cuts this year benefitting families, veterans and older residents receiving Social Security. The state Tax Commission chairman said the reductions would have happened regardless of whether Utah received federal coronavirus relief, but Republican Attorney General Sean Reyes said those tax cuts are “now at risk” because of the federal law.Under the law, states that use part of their aid to offset tax reductions could have to repay an equal amount to the federal government. Because of uncertainty over what could trigger that, the Republican chairman of South Carolina’s House budget-writing committee said he plans to move slowly in using the federal money.“If you put it toward replenishing unemployment, is that considered a tax cut for businesses?” Rep. Murrell Smith said. “If you wanted to set up a small business grant program, is that going to be ... a tax cut for small business owners?”___

Treasury says state tax cuts OK if separated from virus aid

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is doing away with the requirement that incoming freshmen take a standardized test _ like the ACT or SAT _ to be admitted. 

The new standards approved this past week by the Kansas Board of Regents are scheduled to be in place for the freshman class that begins in the spring 2022 semester. The change allows any student with a 3.25 high school GPA to be admitted without taking the ACT or SAT. 

Under the old rules, freshmen had been required to take either the ACT or SAT, or else seek relief from a special review panel that could waive the requirement.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas is doing away with the requirement that incoming freshmen take a standardized test _ like the ACT or SAT _ to be admitted. The new standards approved this past week by the Kansas Board of Regents are scheduled to be in place for the freshman class that begins in the spring 2022 semester. The change allows any student with a 3.25 high school GPA to be admitted without taking the ACT or SAT. Under the old rules, freshmen had been required to take either the ACT or SAT, or else seek relief from a special review panel that could waive the requirement.

KU to stop requiring ACT or SAT tests for prospective students

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement autdhorities are investigating a 50-year-old man following the investigation of the electronic solicitation of a child.

On March 15, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding the online solicitation of a child by an adult suspect, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just before 3p.m. Friday, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division apprehended William L. Brown III of Topeka who allegedly attempted to coerce an individual, whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, to engage in sexual acts.

Brown arrived at an undisclosed location and was taken into custody. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of electronic solicitation and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616287428794.png" alt="Brown photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement autdhorities are investigating a 50-year-old man following the investigation of the electronic solicitation of a child.On March 15, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding the online solicitation of a child by an adult suspect, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just before 3p.m. Friday, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division apprehended William L. Brown III of Topeka who allegedly attempted to coerce an individual, whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, to engage in sexual acts.Brown arrived at an undisclosed location and was taken into custody. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of electronic solicitation and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Christian.

Sheriff: Kan. man thought he contacted teen for sex

Physicians say the arrangements protect patients

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-17/kansas-nurse-practitioners-want-an-end-to-doctor-contracts-but-hit-statehouse-roadblocks-again">Kansas News Service</a>

A proposal to let nurse practitioners do their jobs — without contracts that can require them to pay <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2155825619300122" target="_blank">thousands of dollars</a> a year to doctors — got stymied again in the Kansas Legislature this session.

The
 bill died in the House this month without a vote. A technical maneuver 
in the Senate keeps the legislation alive, but it remains in committee 
with no vote scheduled.

To free advanced practice nurses to open more clinics, <a href="https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/practitioners/nurse-practitioners/sop/practice-authority" target="_blank">half of states</a> no longer make them ink contracts with doctors. The Department of Veterans Affairs made a similar switch in 2016.

But
 the trend comes over loud objections from physicians, who say that the 
contractual requirements protect people by ensuring oversight of 
advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs.

“I want APRNs as 
part of a medical team,” Vicki Whitaker, executive director of the 
Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, told lawmakers at a hearing 
last month. “I just don’t want APRNs out (there) with no one to at least
 look at what they’re doing and say, ‘Are you sure this is what’s going 
on?’”

But nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses 
counter that the contracts often are little more than sources of money 
for doctors who live far away or never actually review care.

In other cases, they say, the physician-oversight rules help doctors keep advanced nurses out of their markets.

“Why
 would they sign this,” asked Jamie Harrington, president of the Kansas 
chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, “for an APRN that is 
going to open a competing business, possibly in the same town?”

A 2014 <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/policy-perspectives-competition-regulation-advanced-practice-nurses/140307aprnpolicypaper.pdf" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a>
 paper warned that requiring the contracts puts doctors in the position 
of “gatekeepers” able to block or drive up the overhead costs for 
potential competitors.

Some
 doctors say changing the rules for nurse practitioners will cut into 
physician practices — only to benefit corporate interests.

“It is 
people outside the state of Kansas, such as the big box stores, the 
Walgreens, the big hospital organizations that run hospitals within 
Kansas, and also the insurance companies,” said Kristie Clark, president
 of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “(They) 
want to hire nurse practitioners and cut out the physician because they 
can do it for less.”

The <a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/gsipub/index.asp?docid=795" target="_blank">state labor department says</a> the average nurse practitioner in Kansas earns $100,000 a year, compared to $230,000 for the average family doctor.

Physicians
 complete four years of medical school, followed by residencies that 
last three or more years depending on their area of practice.

Many
 nurse practitioners have two-year master’s degrees, though doctorates 
are becoming increasingly common as schools shift to a four-year 
approach.

Still, a 2011 report from the <a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956/the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health" target="_blank">National Academy of Medicine</a>
 says research doesn’t support claims that advanced practice nurses “are
 less able than physicians to deliver care that is safe, effective, and 
efficient … or that care is better in states with more restrictive scope
 of practice regulations.”

A VA study released <a href="https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/research/abstracts.cfm?Project_ID=2141704066" target="_blank">last year</a>
 didn’t find any differences in clinical outcomes for patients who saw 
nurse practitioners instead of doctors for primary care, though 
“patients’ satisfaction and preference for the holistic, 
patient-centered care provided by NPs was a distinct difference.”

To be sure, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-05-07/as-nurse-practitioners-try-to-shake-free-of-doctors-kansas-physicians-resist" target="_blank">experts say</a>,
 advanced practice nurses and doctors have different levels of 
expertise. But both receive training to consult with or refer patients 
to specialists when something goes beyond what they know.

Doctors 
who favor retaining oversight of advanced practice nurses say the 
contracts ensure the nurses will consult more educated professionals 
when needed.

The Federal Trade Commission report has questioned 
that argument, saying collaboration happens even in states where the 
nurses aren’t subject to physician control.

Cathy Gordon told 
lawmakers her nurse practitioner-based clinic in Johnson and Wyandotte 
counties found itself pressed when the doctors listed on their contracts
 died, retired or came down with serious illness.

“I lost sleep at night,” she said. “I called physicians after hours at 10 p.m. one time, asking ‘Could you please cover us?’”

More than <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/primary-care-health-professional-shortage-areas-hpsas/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;selectedRows=%7B%22states%22:%7B%22kansas%22:%7B%7D%7D%7D&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">one in four Kansans</a> live in an area without adequate primary care.

<a href="https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Nurse-practitioners.pdf" target="_blank">Researchers have found</a>
 that nurse practitioners are more likely than doctors to see people of 
color, rural residents and patients who don’t have insurance or who get 
their coverage through Medicaid, which pays a lot less than Medicare and
 private health insurance.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Kansas <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SB-14-Comms-Copy-with-signature.pdf" target="_blank">passed a law</a>
 temporarily letting advanced practice nurses work without physician 
oversight to help with pandemic response. That rule expires at the end 
of this month.

Under <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb174_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the proposed permanent law</a>
 that has stalled in the Kansas Legislature, advanced practice nurses 
would need 4,000 hours of work under their belts before they could ditch
 their contracts with physicians. Such transition rules exist in some of
 the <a href="https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/practitioners/nurse-practitioners/sop/practice-authority" target="_blank">other states</a> that have granted advanced nurses full authority to work without doctor permission.

A
 similar bill in 2019 made it out of committee, but lost out on the 
floor in the wrangling for an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to expand <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/" target="_blank">Medicaid coverage</a> to more Kansans.

This year, it’s unclear whether the bill will make it that far.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616184660314.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Physicians say the arrangements protect patients</h2>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-17/kansas-nurse-practitioners-want-an-end-to-doctor-contracts-but-hit-statehouse-roadblocks-again">Kansas News Service</a>A proposal to let nurse practitioners do their jobs — without contracts that can require them to pay <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2155825619300122" target="_blank">thousands of dollars</a> a year to doctors — got stymied again in the Kansas Legislature this session.The
 bill died in the House this month without a vote. A technical maneuver 
in the Senate keeps the legislation alive, but it remains in committee 
with no vote scheduled.To free advanced practice nurses to open more clinics, <a href="https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/practitioners/nurse-practitioners/sop/practice-authority" target="_blank">half of states</a> no longer make them ink contracts with doctors. The Department of Veterans Affairs made a similar switch in 2016.But
 the trend comes over loud objections from physicians, who say that the 
contractual requirements protect people by ensuring oversight of 
advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs.“I want APRNs as 
part of a medical team,” Vicki Whitaker, executive director of the 
Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, told lawmakers at a hearing 
last month. “I just don’t want APRNs out (there) with no one to at least
 look at what they’re doing and say, ‘Are you sure this is what’s going 
on?’”But nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses 
counter that the contracts often are little more than sources of money 
for doctors who live far away or never actually review care.In other cases, they say, the physician-oversight rules help doctors keep advanced nurses out of their markets.“Why
 would they sign this,” asked Jamie Harrington, president of the Kansas 
chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, “for an APRN that is 
going to open a competing business, possibly in the same town?”A 2014 <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/policy-perspectives-competition-regulation-advanced-practice-nurses/140307aprnpolicypaper.pdf" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a>
 paper warned that requiring the contracts puts doctors in the position 
of “gatekeepers” able to block or drive up the overhead costs for 
potential competitors.<h2>Cost and education differences</h2>Some
 doctors say changing the rules for nurse practitioners will cut into 
physician practices — only to benefit corporate interests.“It is 
people outside the state of Kansas, such as the big box stores, the 
Walgreens, the big hospital organizations that run hospitals within 
Kansas, and also the insurance companies,” said Kristie Clark, president
 of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “(They) 
want to hire nurse practitioners and cut out the physician because they 
can do it for less.”The <a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/gsipub/index.asp?docid=795" target="_blank">state labor department says</a> the average nurse practitioner in Kansas earns $100,000 a year, compared to $230,000 for the average family doctor.Physicians
 complete four years of medical school, followed by residencies that 
last three or more years depending on their area of practice.Many
 nurse practitioners have two-year master’s degrees, though doctorates 
are becoming increasingly common as schools shift to a four-year 
approach.Still, a 2011 report from the <a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956/the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health" target="_blank">National Academy of Medicine</a>
 says research doesn’t support claims that advanced practice nurses “are
 less able than physicians to deliver care that is safe, effective, and 
efficient … or that care is better in states with more restrictive scope
 of practice regulations.”A VA study released <a href="https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/research/abstracts.cfm?Project_ID=2141704066" target="_blank">last year</a>
 didn’t find any differences in clinical outcomes for patients who saw 
nurse practitioners instead of doctors for primary care, though 
“patients’ satisfaction and preference for the holistic, 
patient-centered care provided by NPs was a distinct difference.”To be sure, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-05-07/as-nurse-practitioners-try-to-shake-free-of-doctors-kansas-physicians-resist" target="_blank">experts say</a>,
 advanced practice nurses and doctors have different levels of 
expertise. But both receive training to consult with or refer patients 
to specialists when something goes beyond what they know.Doctors 
who favor retaining oversight of advanced practice nurses say the 
contracts ensure the nurses will consult more educated professionals 
when needed.The Federal Trade Commission report has questioned 
that argument, saying collaboration happens even in states where the 
nurses aren’t subject to physician control.Cathy Gordon told 
lawmakers her nurse practitioner-based clinic in Johnson and Wyandotte 
counties found itself pressed when the doctors listed on their contracts
 died, retired or came down with serious illness.“I lost sleep at night,” she said. “I called physicians after hours at 10 p.m. one time, asking ‘Could you please cover us?’”<h2>Primary care shortage</h2>More than <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/primary-care-health-professional-shortage-areas-hpsas/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;selectedRows=%7B%22states%22:%7B%22kansas%22:%7B%7D%7D%7D&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">one in four Kansans</a> live in an area without adequate primary care.<a href="https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Nurse-practitioners.pdf" target="_blank">Researchers have found</a>
 that nurse practitioners are more likely than doctors to see people of 
color, rural residents and patients who don’t have insurance or who get 
their coverage through Medicaid, which pays a lot less than Medicare and
 private health insurance.During the COVID-19 crisis, Kansas <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SB-14-Comms-Copy-with-signature.pdf" target="_blank">passed a law</a>
 temporarily letting advanced practice nurses work without physician 
oversight to help with pandemic response. That rule expires at the end 
of this month.Under <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb174_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the proposed permanent law</a>
 that has stalled in the Kansas Legislature, advanced practice nurses 
would need 4,000 hours of work under their belts before they could ditch
 their contracts with physicians. Such transition rules exist in some of
 the <a href="https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/practitioners/nurse-practitioners/sop/practice-authority" target="_blank">other states</a> that have granted advanced nurses full authority to work without doctor permission.A
 similar bill in 2019 made it out of committee, but lost out on the 
floor in the wrangling for an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to expand <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/" target="_blank">Medicaid coverage</a> to more Kansans.This year, it’s unclear whether the bill will make it that far.The
 Kansas Advanced Practice Nurse Association says Rep. Brenda Landwehr, 
chairwoman of the House health committee, told its lobbyist her 
committee would vote on the bill but later reneged her statement and let
 the bill die.Landwehr didn’t answer four requests for an interview with the Kansas News Service.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service.&nbsp;You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.