SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a burglary have a suspect in custody.

Just before 2:30 a.m. February 27, police&nbsp;received a call for service reference an alarm at a church in the 3100 Block of SE 6th in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

As officers arrived and were checking the church's status, they noticed a suspect fleeing into a nearby tree line. The officers quickly surrounded the area and requested assistance from the Shawnee County Sheriffs Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) program. 

With the UAV capability, officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. The suspect identified as Pierce Ragsdale, 27, of Topeka had items from the church in his possession.

&nbsp;Ragsdale remains jailed in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Obstruction, Burglary, Theft and&nbsp;Criminal Damage, according to Monasmith.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614520919826.png" alt="Ragsdale photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Ragsdale photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a burglary have a suspect in custody.Just before 2:30 a.m. February 27, police&nbsp;received a call for service reference an alarm at a church in the 3100 Block of SE 6th in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.As officers arrived and were checking the church's status, they noticed a suspect fleeing into a nearby tree line. The officers quickly surrounded the area and requested assistance from the Shawnee County Sheriffs Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) program. With the UAV capability, officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. The suspect identified as Pierce Ragsdale, 27, of Topeka had items from the church in his possession.&nbsp;Ragsdale remains jailed in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Obstruction, Burglary, Theft and&nbsp;Criminal Damage, according to Monasmith.

Police use drone to track down Kansas church burglary suspect

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City police officer who shot and killed a Black man last year will not be charged in the death, the Jackson County prosecutor announced.

Donnie Sanders, 47,&nbsp;was shot&nbsp;in an alley on March 12, 2020. The officer, whose name has not been released, told investigators that he thought Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Sanders had a cellphone in his pocket but was not armed, investigators said.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a news release Monday that two witnesses corroborated the officer's account; One said Sanders appeared to have a gun and another said Sanders had his arm extended and was moving toward the officer when he was shot.

Peters Baker said evidence in the case doesn't support charges.

Civil rights leaders in Kansas City said the decision tells the city's officers that they can fatally shoot Black people without fear of reprisal.

“The system that exists is not capable of bringing justice to Black people,” said Ryan Sorrell, a leader of Black Rainbow. “I think it's a corrupt and racist institution from its inception and at its root. It's just blatant naked violence without any accountability.”

Sanders' death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests against police</a>&nbsp;in 2020. The demonstrations followed years of efforts by civil rights organizations pushing for reforms to improve police accountability and for Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith to resign or be fired .

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City blamed a system that gives officers qualified immunity that allows them to kill Black men and women “with impunity.” She said the decision was no surprise.

“It's indicative of a problem with a criminal justice system that provides more protection for law enforcement than it does for civilians," Grant said. "The effect of that is where we see a disproportionate impact on Black lives.”

The police department said it mourns any loss of life, particularly when an officer is involved.

“The Kansas City Missouri Police Department provided the prosecutor with all the facts known in the case, and we respect the judicial process and the outcome,” the department said in a statement.

Court documents said the officer was following Sanders because he believed he was speeding and improperly used his turn signal. The officer did not use his sirens or police lights until just before Sanders stopped his vehicle in an alley and got out.

A video released with Baker's statement shows the officer running past Sanders' vehicle but not the shooting. The officer yells at Sanders to “stop” and “drop it.” Sanders responds but his words are indistinct in the video. Then the officer yells “drop” at least four times before shots are fired.

Baker said she asked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-shootings-police-michael-brown-0a64f868727562988c8ac4e7cf24f616">Missouri State Highway Patrol</a>&nbsp;to investigate the shooting and had two other district attorney's offices review the investigation. She said investigators tried to enhance the video and canvassed for more witnesses up until last week.

“These events exact a great toll on our community, a community searching for hope to heal and prevent the staggering high levels of violence in this city,” Baker said. “We continue to search for new partners to address and suppress this violence and begin to heal the resulting trauma and harm for our community.”

Grant and Sorrell said civil rights organizations would not stop fighting for police reform and accountability.

“It is discouraging that more of our civic community has been basically silent but we will not be deterred,” Grant said. “We will continue to press for changes until we see reforms that are necessary.”

Black Rainbow advocates for the reallocation of funds from police and prisons to Black and poor communities.

“We want public officials to ... truly create safe communities where we wouldn’t have to see any more of our brothers and sisters killed by lawless police officers,” Sorrell said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614718447815.png" alt="Police dashcam video shows's Sanders' SUV turning before the fatal shooting-image Jackson County prosecutor's office" />
 <figcaption>Police dashcam video shows's Sanders' SUV turning before the fatal shooting-image Jackson County prosecutor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City police officer who shot and killed a Black man last year will not be charged in the death, the Jackson County prosecutor announced.Donnie Sanders, 47,&nbsp;was shot&nbsp;in an alley on March 12, 2020. The officer, whose name has not been released, told investigators that he thought Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Sanders had a cellphone in his pocket but was not armed, investigators said.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a news release Monday that two witnesses corroborated the officer's account; One said Sanders appeared to have a gun and another said Sanders had his arm extended and was moving toward the officer when he was shot.Peters Baker said evidence in the case doesn't support charges.Civil rights leaders in Kansas City said the decision tells the city's officers that they can fatally shoot Black people without fear of reprisal.“The system that exists is not capable of bringing justice to Black people,” said Ryan Sorrell, a leader of Black Rainbow. “I think it's a corrupt and racist institution from its inception and at its root. It's just blatant naked violence without any accountability.”Sanders' death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests against police</a>&nbsp;in 2020. The demonstrations followed years of efforts by civil rights organizations pushing for reforms to improve police accountability and for Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith to resign or be fired .Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City blamed a system that gives officers qualified immunity that allows them to kill Black men and women “with impunity.” She said the decision was no surprise.“It's indicative of a problem with a criminal justice system that provides more protection for law enforcement than it does for civilians," Grant said. "The effect of that is where we see a disproportionate impact on Black lives.”The police department said it mourns any loss of life, particularly when an officer is involved.“The Kansas City Missouri Police Department provided the prosecutor with all the facts known in the case, and we respect the judicial process and the outcome,” the department said in a statement.Court documents said the officer was following Sanders because he believed he was speeding and improperly used his turn signal. The officer did not use his sirens or police lights until just before Sanders stopped his vehicle in an alley and got out.A video released with Baker's statement shows the officer running past Sanders' vehicle but not the shooting. The officer yells at Sanders to “stop” and “drop it.” Sanders responds but his words are indistinct in the video. Then the officer yells “drop” at least four times before shots are fired.Baker said she asked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-shootings-police-michael-brown-0a64f868727562988c8ac4e7cf24f616">Missouri State Highway Patrol</a>&nbsp;to investigate the shooting and had two other district attorney's offices review the investigation. She said investigators tried to enhance the video and canvassed for more witnesses up until last week.“These events exact a great toll on our community, a community searching for hope to heal and prevent the staggering high levels of violence in this city,” Baker said. “We continue to search for new partners to address and suppress this violence and begin to heal the resulting trauma and harm for our community.”Grant and Sorrell said civil rights organizations would not stop fighting for police reform and accountability.“It is discouraging that more of our civic community has been basically silent but we will not be deterred,” Grant said. “We will continue to press for changes until we see reforms that are necessary.”Black Rainbow advocates for the reallocation of funds from police and prisons to Black and poor communities.“We want public officials to ... truly create safe communities where we wouldn’t have to see any more of our brothers and sisters killed by lawless police officers,” Sorrell said.

No charges in police shooting of Black man in Kansas City

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service reminds first-time filers 
and those who usually don't have a federal filing requirement to 
consider filing a 2020 tax return. They may be eligible to claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 a new refundable credit, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
 Economic Security (CARES) Act and the COVID-related Tax Relief Act.

Most individuals eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit have already
 received the full amount in two rounds of payments, known as Economic 
Impact Payments. All legally permitted first and second Economic Impact 
Payments have been issued.

Individuals who were eligible but did not receive the first or second
 Economic Impact Payment or received less than the full amounts may be 
eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 
federal tax return, even if they do not usually file a tax return. The 
IRS offers free options to prepare and file a return.

Taxpayers who received the full amounts of both Economic Impact 
Payments won't claim the Recovery Rebate Credit or include any 
information about the payments on their 2020 tax return because the IRS 
already issued their Recovery Rebate Credit in advance as Economic 
Impact Payments.

Didn't get an Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amount?

People who didn't get an Economic Impact Payment or got less than the
 full amounts may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and 
must file a 2020 tax return, even if they don't usually file.

The first Economic Impact Payment was based on an individual's 2019 
tax year information or 2018 if the 2019 tax return information was not 
available. The second Economic Impact Payment was based on an 
individual's 2019 tax year information. The Recovery Rebate Credit is 
similar except that the eligibility and the amount are based on 2020 
information on the tax return. The Recovery Rebate Credit is reduced by 
any Economic Impact Payments issued.

People who were not eligible for either or both of the Economic 
Impact Payments may still be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit 
since it's based on their 2020 tax return information. Those with lower 
income in 2020 or who were claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax 
return in 2018 or 2019, but who cannot be claimed as a dependent on 
someone else's return in 2020, may now be eligible for the Recovery 
Rebate Credit.

People eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 
2020 tax information must file a 2020 federal tax return. For more 
information about the Recovery Rebate Credit, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a> at IRS.gov.

To avoid refund delays, file a complete and accurate tax return. The 
best way to file a complete and accurate 2020 tax return is to file 
electronically. The tax software will ask questions about income, 
credits and deductions and help taxpayers figure their Recovery Rebate 
Credit. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions</a> includes a worksheet that can also help.

Individuals will need to know the amount of their Economic Impact 
Payments to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Those who don't have their
 Economic Impact Payment notices can view the amounts of their first and
 second Economic Impact Payments through their individual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">online account</a>. For married filing joint individuals, each spouse will need to log into his or her own account.

The Recovery Rebate Credit will be included in any tax refund. It 
will not be issued separately. For those due a refund (which would 
include the Recovery Rebate Credit), combining electronic filing with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/directdeposit">direct deposit</a> is the safest and fastest way to get their refund.

Taxpayers with incomes of $72,000 or less, an use brand-name software
 to prepare and file their federal tax returns electronically for free 
with IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>.
 IRS Free File is a great option for people who are only filing a tax 
return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Free File Fillable Forms is 
the only IRS Free File option available for most taxpayers whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/definition-of-adjusted-gross-income">adjusted gross income</a> is greater than $72,000.

Taxpayers who have no taxable income but are filing a return to 
receive the Recovery Rebate Credit should look for several of the Free 
File products that have no minimum income for eligibility. Simply go to 
IRS.gov/Free File, select "Choose an IRS Free File Offer" and then 
select "Browse All Offers" to find a Free File product with no minimum 
income as part of its offer.

Free online tax help for military service members, families and some veterans

<a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>,
 Military OneSource's tax service, provides online software for eligible
 individuals to electronically file a federal return and up to three 
state returns for free.

Free tax preparation in local communities

First-time filers and those who usually don't have a filing requirement may also qualify for free assistance from IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> programs in their community. These programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:

In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, 
particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing 
in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to 
seniors.

This year, some VITA/TCE sites are not operating at full capacity and others are not opening. Check the VITA/TCE <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">locator tool</a> to search for nearby available sites.

IRS.gov has online resources to answer tax questions immediately. The
 Interactive Tax Assistant is a tool that provides answers to several 
tax-law questions specific to a taxpayer's individual circumstances.

Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a>
 for details about IRS Free File, Free File Fillable Forms, free VITA or
 TCE tax preparation sites in the local community or finding a trusted 
tax professional.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service reminds first-time filers 
and those who usually don't have a federal filing requirement to 
consider filing a 2020 tax return. They may be eligible to claim the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 a new refundable credit, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
 Economic Security (CARES) Act and the COVID-related Tax Relief Act.Most individuals eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit have already
 received the full amount in two rounds of payments, known as Economic 
Impact Payments. All legally permitted first and second Economic Impact 
Payments have been issued.Individuals who were eligible but did not receive the first or second
 Economic Impact Payment or received less than the full amounts may be 
eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 
federal tax return, even if they do not usually file a tax return. The 
IRS offers free options to prepare and file a return.Taxpayers who received the full amounts of both Economic Impact 
Payments won't claim the Recovery Rebate Credit or include any 
information about the payments on their 2020 tax return because the IRS 
already issued their Recovery Rebate Credit in advance as Economic 
Impact Payments.<h2>Didn't get an Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amount?</h2>People who didn't get an Economic Impact Payment or got less than the
 full amounts may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and 
must file a 2020 tax return, even if they don't usually file.The first Economic Impact Payment was based on an individual's 2019 
tax year information or 2018 if the 2019 tax return information was not 
available. The second Economic Impact Payment was based on an 
individual's 2019 tax year information. The Recovery Rebate Credit is 
similar except that the eligibility and the amount are based on 2020 
information on the tax return. The Recovery Rebate Credit is reduced by 
any Economic Impact Payments issued.People who were not eligible for either or both of the Economic 
Impact Payments may still be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit 
since it's based on their 2020 tax return information. Those with lower 
income in 2020 or who were claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax 
return in 2018 or 2019, but who cannot be claimed as a dependent on 
someone else's return in 2020, may now be eligible for the Recovery 
Rebate Credit.People eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 
2020 tax information must file a 2020 federal tax return. For more 
information about the Recovery Rebate Credit, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a> at IRS.gov.<h2>Filing a 2020 tax return</h2>To avoid refund delays, file a complete and accurate tax return. The 
best way to file a complete and accurate 2020 tax return is to file 
electronically. The tax software will ask questions about income, 
credits and deductions and help taxpayers figure their Recovery Rebate 
Credit. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions</a> includes a worksheet that can also help.Individuals will need to know the amount of their Economic Impact 
Payments to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Those who don't have their
 Economic Impact Payment notices can view the amounts of their first and
 second Economic Impact Payments through their individual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">online account</a>. For married filing joint individuals, each spouse will need to log into his or her own account.The Recovery Rebate Credit will be included in any tax refund. It 
will not be issued separately. For those due a refund (which would 
include the Recovery Rebate Credit), combining electronic filing with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/directdeposit">direct deposit</a> is the safest and fastest way to get their refund.<h2>IRS Free File</h2>Taxpayers with incomes of $72,000 or less, an use brand-name software
 to prepare and file their federal tax returns electronically for free 
with IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a>.
 IRS Free File is a great option for people who are only filing a tax 
return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Free File Fillable Forms is 
the only IRS Free File option available for most taxpayers whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/definition-of-adjusted-gross-income">adjusted gross income</a> is greater than $72,000.Taxpayers who have no taxable income but are filing a return to 
receive the Recovery Rebate Credit should look for several of the Free 
File products that have no minimum income for eligibility. Simply go to 
IRS.gov/Free File, select "Choose an IRS Free File Offer" and then 
select "Browse All Offers" to find a Free File product with no minimum 
income as part of its offer.<h2>Free online tax help for military service members, families and some veterans</h2><a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>,
 Military OneSource's tax service, provides online software for eligible
 individuals to electronically file a federal return and up to three 
state returns for free.<h2>Free tax preparation in local communities</h2>First-time filers and those who usually don't have a filing requirement may also qualify for free assistance from IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> programs in their community. These programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.<h2>The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:</h2><ul>
 <li>People who generally make $57,000 or less</li><li>Persons with disabilities; and</li><li>Limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax return.</li>
 </ul>In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, 
particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing 
in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to 
seniors.This year, some VITA/TCE sites are not operating at full capacity and others are not opening. Check the VITA/TCE <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">locator tool</a> to search for nearby available sites.<h2>Help at IRS.gov</h2>IRS.gov has online resources to answer tax questions immediately. The
 Interactive Tax Assistant is a tool that provides answers to several 
tax-law questions specific to a taxpayer's individual circumstances.Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing">IRS.gov/filing</a>
 for details about IRS Free File, Free File Fillable Forms, free VITA or
 TCE tax preparation sites in the local community or finding a trusted 
tax professional.

IRS: No stimulus check? You may be eligible for Recovery Rebate Credit

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent, deadly crash have made an arrest.

Just before 4p.m. Monday, police booked Luis Fernando Ramos-Tafolla, 28, Wichita, into the Sedgwick County jail on requested charges of Vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving, no valid drivers license and aggravated reckless bodily harm, according to online jail records.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Dodge Charger driven by Ramos-Tafolla was southbound on Interstate 135 in the right lane just after 2:30a.m. on Monday.

 The car rear-ended a 1999 Toyota Camry driven by Jessie Lee Johnson, 60, Wichita.

The Dodge left the road to the right, struck the KDOT barrier, a light pole, vaulted over the edge of Interstate 135 and struck the on ramp from 13th Street to I-135 before landing under I-135.

The Toyota spun around, struck the right KDOT barrier and came to rest in the left lane.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. EMS transported&nbsp;Ramos-Tafolla and&nbsp; passengers in the Toyota Brady Lee Davis, 62, and Sherry Elaine Baker, 52, both of Wichita to local hospitals. Baker was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The agency did not have details on Baker's seat belt usage.

The crash shut down a stretch of Interstate 135 for several hours early Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614700911820.png" alt="RAMOS-TAFOLLA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>RAMOS-TAFOLLA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent, deadly crash have made an arrest.Just before 4p.m. Monday, police booked Luis Fernando Ramos-Tafolla, 28, Wichita, into the Sedgwick County jail on requested charges of Vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving, no valid drivers license and aggravated reckless bodily harm, according to online jail records.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Dodge Charger driven by Ramos-Tafolla was southbound on Interstate 135 in the right lane just after 2:30a.m. on Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614612762681.png" alt="Kandrive-Wichway camera view of the crash scene just after 5a.m. Monday" />
 <figcaption>Kandrive-Wichway camera view of the crash scene just after 5a.m. Monday</figcaption>
 </figure> The car rear-ended a 1999 Toyota Camry driven by Jessie Lee Johnson, 60, Wichita.The Dodge left the road to the right, struck the KDOT barrier, a light pole, vaulted over the edge of Interstate 135 and struck the on ramp from 13th Street to I-135 before landing under I-135.The Toyota spun around, struck the right KDOT barrier and came to rest in the left lane.Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. EMS transported&nbsp;Ramos-Tafolla and&nbsp; passengers in the Toyota Brady Lee Davis, 62, and Sherry Elaine Baker, 52, both of Wichita to local hospitals. Baker was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The agency did not have details on Baker's seat belt usage.The crash shut down a stretch of Interstate 135 for several hours early Monday.----------

Driver in fatal Kansas crash taken from hospital to jail

SEDGWICK COUNTY Law enforcement authorities are investigating domestic attack and asking the public for help in locating 41-year-old James E. Brown of Wichita.&nbsp; 

Brown is wanted on charges stemming from an aggravated battery – domestic violence and animal cruelty investigation and a second aggravated battery – domestic violence strangulation investigation, according to officer Charley Davidson. Brown also has an outstanding warrant.

Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a home in the 1500 block of North New York in Wichita, according to Davidson.

 Upon arrival, they contacted a 41-year-old who had a serve laceration to her hand and back.&nbsp; She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries and remains hospitalized.

The investigation revealed the victim and her boyfriend identified as Brown, were at the home and got into a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; Brown grabbed a five to six-foot sword during the disturbance, struck her multiple times, and stabbed her dog multiple times.&nbsp; Investigators also learned the victim had been strangled.

Brown should be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; If you know his whereabouts or see him, please call 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614728617214.png" alt="Brown photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY Law enforcement authorities are investigating domestic attack and asking the public for help in locating 41-year-old James E. Brown of Wichita.&nbsp; Brown is wanted on charges stemming from an aggravated battery – domestic violence and animal cruelty investigation and a second aggravated battery – domestic violence strangulation investigation, according to officer Charley Davidson. Brown also has an outstanding warrant.Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a home in the 1500 block of North New York in Wichita, according to Davidson. Upon arrival, they contacted a 41-year-old who had a serve laceration to her hand and back.&nbsp; She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries and remains hospitalized.The investigation revealed the victim and her boyfriend identified as Brown, were at the home and got into a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; Brown grabbed a five to six-foot sword during the disturbance, struck her multiple times, and stabbed her dog multiple times.&nbsp; Investigators also learned the victim had been strangled.Brown should be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; If you know his whereabouts or see him, please call 911 immediately.

Police search for Kan. man who used sword on girlfriend, her dog 

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-01/some-covid-tests-come-with-criminal-prices-experts-say-so-get-tested-for-free-instead">Kansas News Service</a>

A year into the pandemic, COVID-19 testing has become easier to get — just not necessarily cheaper.

If you go to the right locations, though, you can get a test for free instead of shelling out $100 or more.

For Kansas, sites that offer free testing are listed <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas" target="_blank">online</a>, complete with information about wait times and booking.

You don’t have to show any ID or insurance. That eliminates the risk of a wrestling match later over billing.

Price tags matter, even when insurance pays

Late last year, the Kansas Insurance Department <a href="https://shawneemissionpost.com/2020/12/21/lenexa-lab-flagged-for-potential-price-gouging-of-covid-19-tests-what-consumers-need-to-know-109079/" target="_blank">warned the public</a> that a lab in Johnson County was billing about $1,000 per test.

Even
 if an insurance company picks up the tab, when costs run high, it 
boomerangs back to customers in the form of higher premiums.

The Johnson County lab later dropped the price — but it remains in the hundreds of dollars.

National experts have called out laboratories for charging prices so high — sometimes <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/15/covid-test-prices-hospitals-scrutiny-congress-insurers-consumers/3472304001/" target="_blank">even thousands</a> of dollars. They also argue that many labs charging less than that still ask too much.

Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, says labs typically collect more than $100 for a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-diagnostic-test/about/pac-20488900#:~:text=Also%20called%20a%20molecular%20test,reaction%20(PCR)." target="_blank">molecular test</a>, even though many spend a very small fraction of that to run one.

“That’s
 criminal,” he said in a briefing with reporters last month. “People 
should not be profiting at the moment, or at least not excessively 
profiting off of this pandemic.”

Drug stores and labs increasingly market directly to consumers, offering DIY kits.

At-home
 molecular tests can cost more than $100. Read the fine print: Some 
require a prescription. Some don’t. Some sellers bill your insurance. 
Others take your money and tell you to contact your insurance company 
for reimbursement.

Unless you’re certain that your insurer will pony up, that could leave you on the hook for a product you could have gotten <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas" target="_blank">free of cost</a>.

<a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/at-home-covid-tests.html" target="_blank">The AARP says</a> more molecular tests will come on the market soon in the $50 range. At-home antigen tests cost even less.

Molecular tests are more sensitive — often called the “gold standard” — but generally take longer.

Mina explains there’s another trade-off: Molecular tests are so sensitive,
 that they can catch leftover snippets of vanquished virus from an old 
infection. So a positive result can happen even when you’re no longer 
sick or contagious.

By contrast, a positive result on an antigen test means you are sick right now.

Harvard answers more questions about coronavirus tests <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus" target="_blank">here</a>, including antibody testing, a third method that checks your blood for immune responses to a past coronavirus infection.

Many people can get free antibody testing by donating blood to the <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/covid-19-antibody-testing.html" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a>.

If you think you were billed wrongly for a test

Congress passed legislation to protect people against bills for COVID-19 tests in many situations.

But
 not everyone follows the rules. For example, the Kansas Insurance 
Department says one state employee got charged a fee for a COVID-19 test
 that should have been free.

If you got a bill for a COVID-19 
test, you may have fallen into a loophole that allows a hospital or 
clinic to bill you. Or, the bill may in fact violate federal law. You 
can turn to the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-22/billed-wrongly-for-a-covid-19-test-the-kansas-insurance-department-wants-to-know" target="_blank">Kansas Insurance Department</a> for help sorting out whether the bill was legit or not.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614615957318.png" alt="A photo shows samples ready for COVID-19 testing at a Kansas laboratory. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A photo shows samples ready for COVID-19 testing at a Kansas laboratory. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-01/some-covid-tests-come-with-criminal-prices-experts-say-so-get-tested-for-free-instead">Kansas News Service</a>A year into the pandemic, COVID-19 testing has become easier to get — just not necessarily cheaper.If you go to the right locations, though, you can get a test for free instead of shelling out $100 or more.For Kansas, sites that offer free testing are listed <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas" target="_blank">online</a>, complete with information about wait times and booking.You don’t have to show any ID or insurance. That eliminates the risk of a wrestling match later over billing.<h2>Price tags matter, even when insurance pays</h2>Late last year, the Kansas Insurance Department <a href="https://shawneemissionpost.com/2020/12/21/lenexa-lab-flagged-for-potential-price-gouging-of-covid-19-tests-what-consumers-need-to-know-109079/" target="_blank">warned the public</a> that a lab in Johnson County was billing about $1,000 per test.Even
 if an insurance company picks up the tab, when costs run high, it 
boomerangs back to customers in the form of higher premiums.The Johnson County lab later dropped the price — but it remains in the hundreds of dollars.National experts have called out laboratories for charging prices so high — sometimes <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/15/covid-test-prices-hospitals-scrutiny-congress-insurers-consumers/3472304001/" target="_blank">even thousands</a> of dollars. They also argue that many labs charging less than that still ask too much.Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, says labs typically collect more than $100 for a <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-diagnostic-test/about/pac-20488900#:~:text=Also%20called%20a%20molecular%20test,reaction%20(PCR)." target="_blank">molecular test</a>, even though many spend a very small fraction of that to run one.“That’s
 criminal,” he said in a briefing with reporters last month. “People 
should not be profiting at the moment, or at least not excessively 
profiting off of this pandemic.”<h2>At-home tests often cost that much, too</h2>Drug stores and labs increasingly market directly to consumers, offering DIY kits.At-home
 molecular tests can cost more than $100. Read the fine print: Some 
require a prescription. Some don’t. Some sellers bill your insurance. 
Others take your money and tell you to contact your insurance company 
for reimbursement.Unless you’re certain that your insurer will pony up, that could leave you on the hook for a product you could have gotten <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas" target="_blank">free of cost</a>.<a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/at-home-covid-tests.html" target="_blank">The AARP says</a> more molecular tests will come on the market soon in the $50 range. At-home antigen tests cost even less.<h2>A quick refresher on test methods</h2>Molecular tests are more sensitive — often called the “gold standard” — but generally take longer.Mina explains there’s another trade-off: Molecular tests are so sensitive,
 that they can catch leftover snippets of vanquished virus from an old 
infection. So a positive result can happen even when you’re no longer 
sick or contagious.By contrast, a positive result on an antigen test means you are sick right now.Harvard answers more questions about coronavirus tests <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus" target="_blank">here</a>, including antibody testing, a third method that checks your blood for immune responses to a past coronavirus infection.Many people can get free antibody testing by donating blood to the <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/covid-19-antibody-testing.html" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a>.<h2>If you think you were billed wrongly for a test</h2>Congress passed legislation to protect people against bills for COVID-19 tests in many situations.But
 not everyone follows the rules. For example, the Kansas Insurance 
Department says one state employee got charged a fee for a COVID-19 test
 that should have been free.If you got a bill for a COVID-19 
test, you may have fallen into a loophole that allows a hospital or 
clinic to bill you. Or, the bill may in fact violate federal law. You 
can turn to the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-07-22/billed-wrongly-for-a-covid-19-test-the-kansas-insurance-department-wants-to-know" target="_blank">Kansas Insurance Department</a> for help sorting out whether the bill was legit or not.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas 
News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at 
celia@kcur.org.

Some COVID tests come with 'criminal' prices, experts say

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspet.

Just before 10p.m.February 24, police responded to a report of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Officers arrived on scene and found a single male victim suffering what appeared to be a gunshot
wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

On Monday police identified Tabor S. Brown, 19 of
Topeka as a person of interest in the shooting. Anyone with information about Brown’s location, including past sightings is asked to call
police.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614642705880.png" alt="Brown. photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown. photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspet.Just before 10p.m.February 24, police responded to a report of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Officers arrived on scene and found a single male victim suffering what appeared to be a gunshot
wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.On Monday police identified Tabor S. Brown, 19 of
Topeka as a person of interest in the shooting. Anyone with information about Brown’s location, including past sightings is asked to call
police.

Police: Search continues for Kan. shooting suspect

Conservative leaders within the United Methodist Church unveiled plans Monday to form a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, with a doctrine that does not recognize same-sex marriage.

The move could hasten the long-expected breakup of the UMC over differing approaches to LGBTQ inclusion. For now, the UMC is the largest mainline Protestant church in the U.S. and second only to the Southern Baptist Convention, an evangelical denomination, among all U.S. Protestant churches.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UMC’s General Conference — at which the schism would be debated — has been postponed for two consecutive years, and is now scheduled to take place in Minneapolis starting in late August of 2022.

The Rev. Keith Boyette, a Methodist elder from Virginia who chairs the Global Methodist initiative, said he and his allies do not want to wait that long to formally leave the UMC. They have asked that the topic of schism be added to the tightly limited agenda of a special one-day General Conference to be conducted online May 8.

“The church is basically stalemated right now,” Boyette said. “We don’t believe an additional year is going to be helpful for anybody.”

However, Louisiana-based Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, who heads the UMC’s Council of Bishops, said debate over a schism would involve “delicate deliberations” and attempting to conduct them online in May “does not seem wise or ethical.”

If the issue is not addressed on May 8, Boyette said he and his allies would be willing to delay until the 2022 General Conference, but only if UMC centrists and progressives remain committed to previous agreements about a breakup. Any lessening of those commitments might prompt the conservatives to bring the new church into existence, Boyette said.

Differences over same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy have simmered for years in the UMC, and came to a head in 2019 at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 to strengthen bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices. Most U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBTQ-friendly options; they were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.

In the aftermath of that meeting, many moderate and liberal clergy made clear they would not abide by the bans, and various groups worked on proposals to let the UMC split along theological lines.

The most prominent plan, the Protocol of Reconciliation &amp; Grace Through Separation, has some high-level support, including from the Council of Bishops and from the Global Methodist group. Under the protocol, conservative congregations and regional bodies would be allowed to separate from the UMC and form a new denomination. They would receive $25 million in UMC funds and be able to keep their properties.

On a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globalmethodist.org/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;launched Monday, the Global Methodist organizers said the new denomination would allow women to serve at all levels and seek a membership that is “ethnically and racially diverse.”

Regarding LGBTQ issues, organizers said the denomination would adhere to “the traditional understanding of Christian marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman and as God’s intended setting for human sexual expression.”

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the UMC’s Mountain Sky region — who in 2016 became the UMC’s first openly lesbian bishop — said in an email that “it is heartbreaking when the Body of Christ fragments itself.”

“I pray that those who are called into the Global Methodist Church will find themselves free to be the people whom God calls them to be,” she added.

Formed in a merger in 1968, the United Methodist Church claims about 12.6 million members worldwide, including nearly 7 million in the United States.

The UMC’s demography is illustrated by the apportionment of voting delegates for the 2022 General Conference: About 56% come from the United States, 32% from Africa, 6% from the Philippines and most of the rest from Europe.

By DAVID CRARY, Associated PressConservative leaders within the United Methodist Church unveiled plans Monday to form a new denomination, the Global Methodist Church, with a doctrine that does not recognize same-sex marriage.The move could hasten the long-expected breakup of the UMC over differing approaches to LGBTQ inclusion. For now, the UMC is the largest mainline Protestant church in the U.S. and second only to the Southern Baptist Convention, an evangelical denomination, among all U.S. Protestant churches.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UMC’s General Conference — at which the schism would be debated — has been postponed for two consecutive years, and is now scheduled to take place in Minneapolis starting in late August of 2022.The Rev. Keith Boyette, a Methodist elder from Virginia who chairs the Global Methodist initiative, said he and his allies do not want to wait that long to formally leave the UMC. They have asked that the topic of schism be added to the tightly limited agenda of a special one-day General Conference to be conducted online May 8.“The church is basically stalemated right now,” Boyette said. “We don’t believe an additional year is going to be helpful for anybody.”However, Louisiana-based Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, who heads the UMC’s Council of Bishops, said debate over a schism would involve “delicate deliberations” and attempting to conduct them online in May “does not seem wise or ethical.”If the issue is not addressed on May 8, Boyette said he and his allies would be willing to delay until the 2022 General Conference, but only if UMC centrists and progressives remain committed to previous agreements about a breakup. Any lessening of those commitments might prompt the conservatives to bring the new church into existence, Boyette said.Differences over same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy have simmered for years in the UMC, and came to a head in 2019 at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 to strengthen bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices. Most U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBTQ-friendly options; they were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.In the aftermath of that meeting, many moderate and liberal clergy made clear they would not abide by the bans, and various groups worked on proposals to let the UMC split along theological lines.The most prominent plan, the Protocol of Reconciliation &amp; Grace Through Separation, has some high-level support, including from the Council of Bishops and from the Global Methodist group. Under the protocol, conservative congregations and regional bodies would be allowed to separate from the UMC and form a new denomination. They would receive $25 million in UMC funds and be able to keep their properties.On a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globalmethodist.org/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;launched Monday, the Global Methodist organizers said the new denomination would allow women to serve at all levels and seek a membership that is “ethnically and racially diverse.”Regarding LGBTQ issues, organizers said the denomination would adhere to “the traditional understanding of Christian marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman and as God’s intended setting for human sexual expression.”Bishop Karen Oliveto of the UMC’s Mountain Sky region — who in 2016 became the UMC’s first openly lesbian bishop — said in an email that “it is heartbreaking when the Body of Christ fragments itself.”“I pray that those who are called into the Global Methodist Church will find themselves free to be the people whom God calls them to be,” she added.Formed in a merger in 1968, the United Methodist Church claims about 12.6 million members worldwide, including nearly 7 million in the United States.The UMC’s demography is illustrated by the apportionment of voting delegates for the 2022 General Conference: About 56% come from the United States, 32% from Africa, 6% from the Philippines and most of the rest from Europe.___

United Methodist conservatives detail plans for a breakaway

KANSAS CITY (AP) —An attorney for the family of a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">5-year-old girl</a> critically injured in a crash involving former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid says the girl suffered a devastating brain injury that has left her unable to speak or walk.

Attorney Tom Porto said Tuesday in an interview with ABC's “Good Morning America” that the family of <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">5-year-old Ariel Young </a>wants to see “the most serious charges and the most serious sentence that Britt could ever receive.”

The girl has been <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">hospitalized since the&nbsp;Feb. 4</a> crash in which Reid’s truck&nbsp;slammed into two cars on the side of the road.

Police have said Reid told investigators he had “two or three drinks” along with prescribed Adderall before the crash.&nbsp;

In Mid-February, a police spokeswoman said an investigation into whether Reid was impaired before the accident could take several days to complete.&nbsp;No charges have been filed in the case.

Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.

He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.

Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.

After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612784011749.png" alt="Ariel Young photo <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a>" />
 <figcaption>Ariel Young photo <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">GoFundMe</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —An attorney for the family of a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">5-year-old girl</a> critically injured in a crash involving former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid says the girl suffered a devastating brain injury that has left her unable to speak or walk.Attorney Tom Porto said Tuesday in an interview with ABC's “Good Morning America” that the family of <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">5-year-old Ariel Young </a>wants to see “the most serious charges and the most serious sentence that Britt could ever receive.”The girl has been <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/5-year-old-ariel-medical-expenses">hospitalized since the&nbsp;Feb. 4</a> crash in which Reid’s truck&nbsp;slammed into two cars on the side of the road.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612570726901.png" alt="Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Britt Reid photo courtesy KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>Police have said Reid told investigators he had “two or three drinks” along with prescribed Adderall before the crash.&nbsp;In Mid-February, a police spokeswoman said an investigation into whether Reid was impaired before the accident could take several days to complete.&nbsp;No charges have been filed in the case.Britt Reid has been in legal trouble several times.He was arrested in January 2007 in Pennsylvania a road-rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another driver, and he was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an instrument of crime.Seven months later, Reid was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to six months in jail.Reid appeared to get his life on track, beginning his coaching career as an intern for his father with the Eagles in 2009. He spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at Temple, his alma mater, before joining the staff in Kansas City.After two seasons as a defensive quality control coach, Reid was promoted to assistant defensive line coach. He then spent three seasons as the defensive line coach before shifting to outside linebackers for the past two seasons.

Lawyer wants 'most serious charges' against ex-KC Chiefs coach

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — With the U.S. vaccination drive picking up speed and a third formula on the way, states eager to reopen for business are easing coronavirus restrictions despite warnings from health experts that the outbreak is far from over and that moving too quickly could prolong the misery.

Massachusetts on Monday made it much easier to grab dinner and a show. In Missouri, where individual communities get to make the rules, the two biggest metropolitan areas — St. Louis and Kansas City — are relaxing some measures. Iowa’s governor recently lifted mask requirements and limits on the number of people allowed in bars and restaurants, while the town of Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas, now lets establishments stay open until midnight.

Mike Lee, who owns Trezo Mare Restaurant &amp; Lounge in Kansas City, said he hopes increased vaccine access, combined with warmer weather, will improve business.

“I think that people are excited to put this past them and be able to start to get back to their ways of doing things,” Lee said.

The push to reopen comes as COVID-19 vaccine shipments to the states are ramping up. Nearly 20% of the nation’s adults — or over 50 million people — have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 10% have been fully inoculated 2 1/2 months into the campaign to snuff out the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Johnson &amp; Johnson shipped out nearly 4 million doses of its newly authorized, one-shot COVID-19 vaccine Sunday night to be delivered to states for use starting on Tuesday. The company will deliver about 16 million more doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.

That adds to the supply being distributed by Pfizer and Moderna and should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-companies-called-share-vaccine-info-22d92afbc3ea9ed519be007f8887bcf6">help the nation</a>&nbsp;amass enough doses by midsummer to vaccinate all adults. The White House is encouraging Americans to take the first dose available to them, regardless of manufacturer.

In New York City, where limited indoor dining has resumed, officials said the J&amp;J vaccine will help the city to inoculate millions more people by summer, including through door-to-door vaccinations of homebound senior citizens.

But the efforts come with strong warnings from health officials against reopening too quickly, as worrisome coronavirus variants spread.

On Monday, the head of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, urgently warned state officials and ordinary Americans not to let down their guard, saying she is “really worried about reports that more states are rolling back the exact public health measures that we have recommended.”

“I remain deeply concerned about a potential shift in the trajectory of the pandemic,” she said. “We stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground that we have gained.”

Cases and hospitalizations have plunged since the end of January, and deaths have also dropped sharply, but they are still running at dangerously high levels and have even risen slightly over the past several days.

“We cannot be resigned to 70,000 cases a day and 2,000 daily deaths,” Walensky said.

Overall, the outbreak has killed more than a half-million Americans.

The vaccine already is contributing to a decrease in severe cases and deaths among older people, and is “quickly becoming a bigger contributor” nationally, Justin Lessler, an expert in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, said in an email.

“I suspect we will see it overtake natural infection as the biggest driver of immunity late spring earliest, more likely midsummer,” Lessler said.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University, said he believes states and cities have leeway to ease some restrictions because hospitals no longer are at capacity in most communities. But “I do think that masks are likely going to need to be kept in place for some time until we get more of our vulnerable populations vaccinated,” he said.

“It is important for restaurants who are increasing their capacity to remember that we are still in a pandemic and to continue to follow some of those rules,” Adalja said.

The Biden administration wants to see all three vaccines distributed evenly, while also acknowledging that the easy-to-handle J&amp;J vaccine will be used in pop-up mobile sites and locations without freezer storage capacity.

States are hoping that the surging vaccine supply will help tamp down new infections.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker lifted restaurant capacity limits entirely. Theaters can open at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 500 people. And capacity limits across all businesses have been raised to 50%.

Las Vegas on Monday became the latest of the nation’s largest school districts to return children to classrooms. Pre-K children to third graders will go back two days a week, with other grades to be phased in by early April.

And in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-gavin-newsom-california-coronavirus-pandemic-4e4bd535cbc2510077e8c10b32c6c282">reached an agreement</a>&nbsp;aimed at getting most children back in classrooms by the end of March. Under the deal announced Monday, school districts could receive up to $6.6 billion if they reopen by March 31.

The U.S. ranks fourth in the world, behind Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Britain, in the number of doses administered relative to the population, according to data compiled by the University of Oxford.

President Joe Biden fell well short of his goal of setting up 100 new federally operated mass-vaccination sites by the end of February, with just seven up and running.

White House vaccination coordinator Jeff Zients also acknowledged that scheduling of vaccination appointments “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rural-areas-vaccine-distribution-b912b74c4f38bf2ff7abc99d1a9f4d22">remains too difficult in too many places.”</a>&nbsp;But he said the White House is working with states to improve scheduling systems and is exploring federal support for call centers to make it easier for people to get appointments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614626797227.png" alt="Johnson and Johnson began shipping its new COVID-19 vaccine from its McKesson facility in Shepherdsville, Kentucky Monday morning-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Johnson and Johnson began shipping its new COVID-19 vaccine from its McKesson facility in Shepherdsville, Kentucky Monday morning-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — With the U.S. vaccination drive picking up speed and a third formula on the way, states eager to reopen for business are easing coronavirus restrictions despite warnings from health experts that the outbreak is far from over and that moving too quickly could prolong the misery.Massachusetts on Monday made it much easier to grab dinner and a show. In Missouri, where individual communities get to make the rules, the two biggest metropolitan areas — St. Louis and Kansas City — are relaxing some measures. Iowa’s governor recently lifted mask requirements and limits on the number of people allowed in bars and restaurants, while the town of Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas, now lets establishments stay open until midnight.Mike Lee, who owns Trezo Mare Restaurant &amp; Lounge in Kansas City, said he hopes increased vaccine access, combined with warmer weather, will improve business.“I think that people are excited to put this past them and be able to start to get back to their ways of doing things,” Lee said.The push to reopen comes as COVID-19 vaccine shipments to the states are ramping up. Nearly 20% of the nation’s adults — or over 50 million people — have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 10% have been fully inoculated 2 1/2 months into the campaign to snuff out the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Johnson &amp; Johnson shipped out nearly 4 million doses of its newly authorized, one-shot COVID-19 vaccine Sunday night to be delivered to states for use starting on Tuesday. The company will deliver about 16 million more doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.That adds to the supply being distributed by Pfizer and Moderna and should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-companies-called-share-vaccine-info-22d92afbc3ea9ed519be007f8887bcf6">help the nation</a>&nbsp;amass enough doses by midsummer to vaccinate all adults. The White House is encouraging Americans to take the first dose available to them, regardless of manufacturer.In New York City, where limited indoor dining has resumed, officials said the J&amp;J vaccine will help the city to inoculate millions more people by summer, including through door-to-door vaccinations of homebound senior citizens.But the efforts come with strong warnings from health officials against reopening too quickly, as worrisome coronavirus variants spread.On Monday, the head of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, urgently warned state officials and ordinary Americans not to let down their guard, saying she is “really worried about reports that more states are rolling back the exact public health measures that we have recommended.”“I remain deeply concerned about a potential shift in the trajectory of the pandemic,” she said. “We stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground that we have gained.”Cases and hospitalizations have plunged since the end of January, and deaths have also dropped sharply, but they are still running at dangerously high levels and have even risen slightly over the past several days.“We cannot be resigned to 70,000 cases a day and 2,000 daily deaths,” Walensky said.Overall, the outbreak has killed more than a half-million Americans.The vaccine already is contributing to a decrease in severe cases and deaths among older people, and is “quickly becoming a bigger contributor” nationally, Justin Lessler, an expert in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, said in an email.“I suspect we will see it overtake natural infection as the biggest driver of immunity late spring earliest, more likely midsummer,” Lessler said.Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University, said he believes states and cities have leeway to ease some restrictions because hospitals no longer are at capacity in most communities. But “I do think that masks are likely going to need to be kept in place for some time until we get more of our vulnerable populations vaccinated,” he said.“It is important for restaurants who are increasing their capacity to remember that we are still in a pandemic and to continue to follow some of those rules,” Adalja said.The Biden administration wants to see all three vaccines distributed evenly, while also acknowledging that the easy-to-handle J&amp;J vaccine will be used in pop-up mobile sites and locations without freezer storage capacity.States are hoping that the surging vaccine supply will help tamp down new infections.In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker lifted restaurant capacity limits entirely. Theaters can open at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 500 people. And capacity limits across all businesses have been raised to 50%.Las Vegas on Monday became the latest of the nation’s largest school districts to return children to classrooms. Pre-K children to third graders will go back two days a week, with other grades to be phased in by early April.And in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-gavin-newsom-california-coronavirus-pandemic-4e4bd535cbc2510077e8c10b32c6c282">reached an agreement</a>&nbsp;aimed at getting most children back in classrooms by the end of March. Under the deal announced Monday, school districts could receive up to $6.6 billion if they reopen by March 31.The U.S. ranks fourth in the world, behind Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Britain, in the number of doses administered relative to the population, according to data compiled by the University of Oxford.President Joe Biden fell well short of his goal of setting up 100 new federally operated mass-vaccination sites by the end of February, with just seven up and running.White House vaccination coordinator Jeff Zients also acknowledged that scheduling of vaccination appointments “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rural-areas-vaccine-distribution-b912b74c4f38bf2ff7abc99d1a9f4d22">remains too difficult in too many places.”</a>&nbsp;But he said the White House is working with states to improve scheduling systems and is exploring federal support for call centers to make it easier for people to get appointments.___

States easing virus restrictions despite experts' warnings

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an incident that injured three police officers Saturday in Wichita say this was not an effort to ambush or attack anyone, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.&nbsp; Two suspects involved are in custody.&nbsp;

Police detectives were on the scene in the area Sunday when the suspects attempted to enter the home in the 1400 Block of South St. Francis in Wichita and arrested 46-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20067965">James Hathorn </a>and 43-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=208883">Tiffany Vulgamore</a> without incident, according Ramsay.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check the residence&nbsp; on S. St. Francis. The homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to the vacant home and they believed someone might be inside.

Upon arrival, officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries to their legs, according to Ramsay during a Monday news conference.

Initially, the officers thought it was an explosion or even a bomb, according to Ramsay.

The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released Saturday. One of the other officers had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.&nbsp; Both were to be released from the hospital Monday.

The Wichita Police Department SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.

Investigators also learned the two suspects had been staying at the home but had left before police arrived Saturday. The loaded, sawed off shotgun had been left in a side pouch of a recliner near the entrance of the home, according to Ramsay.

The shotgun had been modified and had no trigger guard making it very dangerous.&nbsp; It is believed that because of the lack of a trigger guard, the trigger likely was caught either on the fabric of the chair or an electrical cord that was in the pouch, which caused the trigger to activate and fire the weapon after it was disturbed by officers moving the furniture, according to Ramsay.

At this point, police do not believe this was a trap, ambush or an attack aimed to injure police officers or any others, according to Ramsay.

One of the officers may need additional surgery, according to Ramsay. "It could have been much worse had it (the wound) been higher up. At this point it appears all three should fully recover. "There may be some skin grafts necessary and we aren't sure exactly what the long term ramifications will be. Two of the officers should be able to return to work soon and the third we aren't sure," said Ramsay.

Authorities are investigating whether additional federal firearms violations are involved in the case, according to Craig Holloway with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The information will be turned over the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614629870051.png" alt="The modified sawed off shotgun -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>The modified sawed off shotgun -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an incident that injured three police officers Saturday in Wichita say this was not an effort to ambush or attack anyone, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.&nbsp; Two suspects involved are in custody.&nbsp;Police detectives were on the scene in the area Sunday when the suspects attempted to enter the home in the 1400 Block of South St. Francis in Wichita and arrested 46-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20067965">James Hathorn </a>and 43-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=208883">Tiffany Vulgamore</a> without incident, according Ramsay.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614611582606.png" alt="Hathorn has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, criminal threat, violation of a protection order, remove or disable electronic monitoring equipment, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Hathorn has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, criminal threat, violation of a protection order, remove or disable electronic monitoring equipment, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check the residence&nbsp; on S. St. Francis. The homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to the vacant home and they believed someone might be inside.Upon arrival, officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries to their legs, according to Ramsay during a Monday news conference.Initially, the officers thought it was an explosion or even a bomb, according to Ramsay.The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released Saturday. One of the other officers had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.&nbsp; Both were to be released from the hospital Monday.The Wichita Police Department SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614627418126.png" alt="Vulgamore photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Vulgamore photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators also learned the two suspects had been staying at the home but had left before police arrived Saturday. The loaded, sawed off shotgun had been left in a side pouch of a recliner near the entrance of the home, according to Ramsay.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614630251167.png" alt="The lack of a trigger guard caused the shotgun to fire, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay during a news conference on Monday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>The lack of a trigger guard caused the shotgun to fire, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay during a news conference on Monday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>The shotgun had been modified and had no trigger guard making it very dangerous.&nbsp; It is believed that because of the lack of a trigger guard, the trigger likely was caught either on the fabric of the chair or an electrical cord that was in the pouch, which caused the trigger to activate and fire the weapon after it was disturbed by officers moving the furniture, according to Ramsay.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614629958575.png" alt="The recliner pouch where investigators found the shotgun and the hole caused by the discharge-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>The recliner pouch where investigators found the shotgun and the hole caused by the discharge-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>At this point, police do not believe this was a trap, ambush or an attack aimed to injure police officers or any others, according to Ramsay.One of the officers may need additional surgery, according to Ramsay. "It could have been much worse had it (the wound) been higher up. At this point it appears all three should fully recover. "There may be some skin grafts necessary and we aren't sure exactly what the long term ramifications will be. Two of the officers should be able to return to work soon and the third we aren't sure," said Ramsay.Authorities are investigating whether additional federal firearms violations are involved in the case, according to Craig Holloway with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The information will be turned over the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

Police reveal how modified shotgun injured 3 Kansas officers

BOSTON (AP) — Six Dr. Seuss books — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo” — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy said Tuesday.

“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seussville.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Seuss Enterprises</a>&nbsp;told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday.

“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families,” it said.

The other books affected are “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”

The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company told AP.

“Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles,” it said.

Books by Dr. Seuss — who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1904 —- have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries. He died in 1991.

He remains popular, earning an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. Forbes listed him No. 2 on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/11/13/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-of-2020/?sh=34ac0ff63b4b" target="_blank">highest-paid dead celebrities</a>&nbsp;of 2020, behind only the late pop star Michael Jackson.

As adored as Dr. Seuss is by millions around the world for the positive values in many of his works, including environmentalism and tolerance, there has been increasing criticism in recent years over the way Blacks, Asians and others are drawn in some of his most beloved children’s books, as well as in his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations.

The National Education Association, which founded Read Across America Day in 1998 and deliberately aligned it with Geisel’s birthday, has for several years deemphasized Seuss and encouraged a more diverse reading list for children.

School districts across the country have also moved away from Dr. Seuss, prompting Loudoun County, Virginia, schools just outside Washington, D.C., to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;ModuleInstanceID=321579&amp;ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=401331&amp;PageID=235586" target="_blank">douse</a>&nbsp;rumors last month that they were banning the books entirely.

“Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,” the school district said in a statement.

In 2017, a school librarian in Cambridge, Massachusetts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=dear-mrs-trump" target="_blank">criticized</a>&nbsp;a gift of 10 Seuss books from first lady Melania Trump, saying many of his works were “steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.”

In 2018, a Dr. Seuss museum in his hometown of Springfield&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/99a4c5d6dd8b4c9f9b91a4c2ab8af54d">removed a mural</a>&nbsp;that included an Asian stereotype.

“The Cat in the Hat,” one of Seuss’ most popular books, has received criticism, too, but will continue to be published for now.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is “committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio.”

Numerous other popular children’s series have been criticized in recent years for alleged racism.

In the 2007 book, “Should We Burn Babar?,” the author and educator Herbert R. Kohl contended that the “Babar the Elephant” books were celebrations of colonialism because of how the title character leaves the jungle and later returns to “civilize” his fellow animals.

One of the books, “Babar’s Travels,” was removed from the shelves of a British library in 2012 because of its alleged stereotypes of Africans. Critics also have faulted the “Curious George” books for their premise of a white man bringing home a monkey from Africa.

And Laura Ingalls Wilder’s portrayals of Native Americans in her “Little House On the Prairie” novels have been faulted so often that the American Library Association removed her name in 2018 from a lifetime achievement award it gives out each year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614690497408.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Six Dr. Seuss books — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo” — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy said Tuesday.“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seussville.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Seuss Enterprises</a>&nbsp;told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday.“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families,” it said.The other books affected are “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company told AP.“Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles,” it said.Books by Dr. Seuss — who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1904 —- have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries. He died in 1991.He remains popular, earning an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. Forbes listed him No. 2 on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/11/13/the-highest-paid-dead-celebrities-of-2020/?sh=34ac0ff63b4b" target="_blank">highest-paid dead celebrities</a>&nbsp;of 2020, behind only the late pop star Michael Jackson.As adored as Dr. Seuss is by millions around the world for the positive values in many of his works, including environmentalism and tolerance, there has been increasing criticism in recent years over the way Blacks, Asians and others are drawn in some of his most beloved children’s books, as well as in his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations.The National Education Association, which founded Read Across America Day in 1998 and deliberately aligned it with Geisel’s birthday, has for several years deemphasized Seuss and encouraged a more diverse reading list for children.School districts across the country have also moved away from Dr. Seuss, prompting Loudoun County, Virginia, schools just outside Washington, D.C., to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;ModuleInstanceID=321579&amp;ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=401331&amp;PageID=235586" target="_blank">douse</a>&nbsp;rumors last month that they were banning the books entirely.“Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,” the school district said in a statement.In 2017, a school librarian in Cambridge, Massachusetts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=dear-mrs-trump" target="_blank">criticized</a>&nbsp;a gift of 10 Seuss books from first lady Melania Trump, saying many of his works were “steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.”In 2018, a Dr. Seuss museum in his hometown of Springfield&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/99a4c5d6dd8b4c9f9b91a4c2ab8af54d">removed a mural</a>&nbsp;that included an Asian stereotype.“The Cat in the Hat,” one of Seuss’ most popular books, has received criticism, too, but will continue to be published for now.Dr. Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is “committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio.”Numerous other popular children’s series have been criticized in recent years for alleged racism.In the 2007 book, “Should We Burn Babar?,” the author and educator Herbert R. Kohl contended that the “Babar the Elephant” books were celebrations of colonialism because of how the title character leaves the jungle and later returns to “civilize” his fellow animals.One of the books, “Babar’s Travels,” was removed from the shelves of a British library in 2012 because of its alleged stereotypes of Africans. Critics also have faulted the “Curious George” books for their premise of a white man bringing home a monkey from Africa.And Laura Ingalls Wilder’s portrayals of Native Americans in her “Little House On the Prairie” novels have been faulted so often that the American Library Association removed her name in 2018 from a lifetime achievement award it gives out each year.___

Racist images: Why Dr. Seuss Enterprises shelved 6 books 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Kansas legislators, still smarting over actions Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly took early in the coronavirus pandemic, pushed Monday to prevent the state from restricting religious gatherings or keeping abortion providers open during emergencies.

But Republicans are deeply split over how much to limit the power of state and local officials during future pandemics. Kelly kept a statewide stay-at-home order in place for five weeks last spring to check COVID-19′s spread. But the GOP-controlled Legislature later forced her to accept local control over mask mandates and the restriction of businesses and public gatherings to keep a state of emergency in place under a law that expires March 31.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Kansas legislators, still smarting over actions Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly took early in the coronavirus pandemic, pushed Monday to prevent the state from restricting religious gatherings or keeping abortion providers open during emergencies.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vWcjfh6TpzQ?start=18495" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>But Republicans are deeply split over how much to limit the power of state and local officials during future pandemics. Kelly kept a statewide stay-at-home order in place for five weeks last spring to check COVID-19′s spread. But the GOP-controlled Legislature later forced her to accept local control over mask mandates and the restriction of businesses and public gatherings to keep a state of emergency in place under a law that expires March 31.Legislators are considering permanent changes in Kansas emergency management laws, and the state Senate passed,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210301170526_808210/" target="_blank">27-12,</a><a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb273_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would go further in restricting the power of the governor, the state health department’s director and local officials during public health emergencies. The House Judiciary Committee approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2416_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a narrower measure</a>&nbsp;aimed at giving legislative leaders a bigger role in managing disasters.Kelly criticized the Senate’s bill, saying that it would jeopardize the state’s ability to respond quickly and effectively.“I won’t hesitate to veto any bill that slows or undermines my ability to respond to a crisis and save lives,” she said in a statement.The final version of the bill is likely to be drafted by negotiators for the House and Senate later this month after their chambers approve their own legislation. Some GOP lawmakers have complained that rank-and-file legislators were largely bystanders for much of the time after COVID-19 first reached the state in March 2020, particularly early on.“Our voices were silenced,” said Rep. Mark Samsel, a Wellsville Republican. “We were told what to do, and we weren’t allowed to do anything about it or have a voice at the table for two months that we’ll never get back.”The Legislature’s debate over emergency management laws comes after weeks of criticism from Republican lawmakers that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has been too slow. The state health department reported Monday that almost 394,000 people had received at least one of two required doses of vaccines made by Pfizer or Moderna, or 13.5% of the state’s 2.9 million residents.Kansas expects to receive 23,400 doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s one-shot vaccine that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-johnson-1-shot-dose-cleared-f13611719ad8d1655ed7b354af75a9a9">cleared for use&nbsp;</a>Saturday. The state health department said 584,000 doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have been administered, or 72.5% of the 805,000 doses received.Kansas saw an average of 370 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases a day during the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since early July 2020, according to health department data. The state added 639 cases since Friday, bringing its total for the pandemic to 294,302, or one in every 10 residents.The state added another eight COVID-19 deaths since Friday, taking its toll to 4,743. The state averaged 14 additional deaths a day for the seven days ending Monday.The ongoing decline in new cases has led some Republican lawmakers to argue that the state of emergency for the pandemic could be allowed to expire at the end of this month. Public health officials are worried about last month’s arrival in Kansas of a new, more contagious coronavirus variant first identified in the United Kingdom, and the state health department said eight new cases have been identified in the Wichita area, bringing the reported total in Kansas to 10.The Senate’s emergency-management bill contains provisions that would prevent state and local officials from taking “any action” to limit religious gatherings during a public health emergency. It also would require officials to shut down abortion providers if other “business or commercial activity” is stopped.Rep. Jesse Burris, a Mulvane Republican, attempted to add the same provisions to the House Judiciary Committee’s bill during a debate Monday, but GOP committee members split over it. His attempt failed on an 11-5 vote.A cluster of coronavirus cases tied to religious gatherings prompted Kelly to attempt&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9caef129077a14d98db069366487905b">to limit indoor worship&nbsp;</a>to 10 participants just before last Easter. She was forced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1ec624a15ae111e72a20dd6818d64451">to back off</a>&nbsp;after two churches filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/46be1e677522a12871e6c834070a93a4">a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;and a judge ruled in their favor.Also in April, the Sedgwick County Commission and GOP lawmakers urged Kelly to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/04f200dd64a3fba9e56ccb461012f21c">prevent abortion providers from terminating pregnancies</a>&nbsp;at a time when other health care providers were delaying or considering delays in elective procedures. The governor refused, declaring “reproductive health” an “essential need” during the statewide stay-at-home order.“We put our stake in the ground and say, ‘No, we don’t believe abortion is essential,’” said Republican Rep. Stephen Owens, of Hesston.But Rachel Sweet, a lobbyist for abortion provider Planned Parenthood Great Plains, called abortion “essential, time-sensitive health care.”“It shouldn’t be treated like going to the gym or eating in a restaurant,” she said