PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — After years of legal battles, the Wyandotte Nation plans to open a casino near Park City this week.

The Crosswinds Casino will open Tuesday in Park City after operating for several months out of a small temporary facility. The 20,000-square-foot casino offers 500 slots, 200 video gaming machines, a bar, cafe and a high-limit lounge.

The state has objected to the project for decades, arguing the tribe doesn’t have the legal authority to build a casino on a 10-acre plot. Last August, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-oklahoma-derek-schmidt-bb1215b8b296ef37c272bf75bd6b1f37">asked a federal court&nbsp;</a>to set aside a decision to allow construction of the casino.

The legal issue centers on whether federal law overrides Kansas’ prohibition on certain types of gaming.

The Crosswinds Casino is about 30 miles from the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane. Sumner County and the city of Mulvane joined the state’s lawsuit, as did the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614118922367.png" alt="Dividers on the slot machines photo courtesy Crosswinds Casino" />
 <figcaption>Dividers on the slot machines photo courtesy Crosswinds Casino</figcaption>
 </figure>PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — After years of legal battles, the Wyandotte Nation plans to open a casino near Park City this week.The Crosswinds Casino will open Tuesday in Park City after operating for several months out of a small temporary facility. The 20,000-square-foot casino offers 500 slots, 200 video gaming machines, a bar, cafe and a high-limit lounge.The state has objected to the project for decades, arguing the tribe doesn’t have the legal authority to build a casino on a 10-acre plot. Last August, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-oklahoma-derek-schmidt-bb1215b8b296ef37c272bf75bd6b1f37">asked a federal court&nbsp;</a>to set aside a decision to allow construction of the casino.The legal issue centers on whether federal law overrides Kansas’ prohibition on certain types of gaming.The Crosswinds Casino is about 30 miles from the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane. Sumner County and the city of Mulvane joined the state’s lawsuit, as did the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.

Wyandotte Nation set to open new casino in Kansas this week

News Release Gov. Henry McMaster, R-South Carolina

COLUMBIA, 
S.C. — Led by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, 22 Governors have 
released a joint statement opposing the new standard in President Joe 
Biden’s stimulus bill for how federal funds would be allocated to 
states: “Unlike all previous federal funding packages, the new 
stimulus proposal allocates aid based on a state’s unemployed population
 rather than its actual population, which punishes states that took a 
measured approach to the pandemic and entered the crisis with healthy 
state budgets and strong economies. "A state’s ability to keep 
businesses open and people employed should not be a penalizing factor 
when distributing funds. If Congress is going to provide aid to states, 
it should be on an equitable population basis.” Governors who 
joined the statement include Kay Ivey (R-AL), Mike Dunleavy (R-AK), Doug
 Ducey (R-AZ), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Brian Kemp (R-GA), Brad Little 
(R-ID), Eric Holcomb (R-IN), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Laura Kelly (D-KS), 
Tate Reeves (R-MS), Mike Parson (R-MO), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Pete 
Ricketts (R-NE), Chris Sununu (R-NH), Doug Burgum (R-ND), Mike DeWine 
(R-OH), Kevin Stitt (R-OK), Henry McMaster (R-SC), Kristi Noem (R-SD), 
Bill Lee (R-TN), Spencer Cox (R-UT) and Mark Gordon (R-WY). The 
33 states expected to lose funding under this proposal, which was 
adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives this morning, include the 
following: &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Alabama &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Alaska &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Arkansas &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Delaware &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Florida &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Georgia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Idaho &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Indiana &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Iowa &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Kansas &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Kentucky &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Maine &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Minnesota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Mississippi &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Missouri &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Montana &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Nebraska &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; New Hampshire &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; North Carolina &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; North Dakota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Ohio &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Oklahoma &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Oregon &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; South Carolina &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; South Dakota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Tennessee &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Utah &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Vermont &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Virginia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Washington &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; West Virginia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Wisconsin &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Wyoming

News Release Gov. Henry McMaster, R-South CarolinaCOLUMBIA, 
S.C. — Led by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, 22 Governors have 
released a joint statement opposing the new standard in President Joe 
Biden’s stimulus bill for how federal funds would be allocated to 
states: “Unlike all previous federal funding packages, the new 
stimulus proposal allocates aid based on a state’s unemployed population
 rather than its actual population, which punishes states that took a 
measured approach to the pandemic and entered the crisis with healthy 
state budgets and strong economies. "A state’s ability to keep 
businesses open and people employed should not be a penalizing factor 
when distributing funds. If Congress is going to provide aid to states, 
it should be on an equitable population basis.” Governors who 
joined the statement include Kay Ivey (R-AL), Mike Dunleavy (R-AK), Doug
 Ducey (R-AZ), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Brian Kemp (R-GA), Brad Little 
(R-ID), Eric Holcomb (R-IN), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Laura Kelly (D-KS), 
Tate Reeves (R-MS), Mike Parson (R-MO), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Pete 
Ricketts (R-NE), Chris Sununu (R-NH), Doug Burgum (R-ND), Mike DeWine 
(R-OH), Kevin Stitt (R-OK), Henry McMaster (R-SC), Kristi Noem (R-SD), 
Bill Lee (R-TN), Spencer Cox (R-UT) and Mark Gordon (R-WY). The 
33 states expected to lose funding under this proposal, which was 
adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives this morning, include the 
following: &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Alabama &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Alaska &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Arkansas &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Delaware &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Florida &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Georgia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Idaho &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Indiana &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Iowa &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Kansas &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Kentucky &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Maine &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Minnesota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Mississippi &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Missouri &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Montana &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Nebraska &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; New Hampshire &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; North Carolina &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; North Dakota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Ohio &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Oklahoma &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Oregon &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; South Carolina &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; South Dakota &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Tennessee &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Utah &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Vermont &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Virginia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Washington &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; West Virginia &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Wisconsin &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Wyoming

Kelly opposes 'biased fund allocation' in stimulus bill

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 639 to a total of 294,302, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4743 an increase of 8.

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

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 639 to a total of 294,302, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4743 an increase of 8.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614621901544.png" alt="Monday March 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Kansas man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle into Lone Star Lake with his mother inside.

Jeremy S. Williams of Lawrence made his first court appearance Friday where he was formally charged with second-degree attempted murder. The judge says he faces as much as 20 years in prison if convicted.

District Attorney Suzanne Valdez told the judge that prosecutors believe he poses a threat to the community because of mental health concerns and has refused to cooperate with authorities.

Judge James George set a $250,000 bond. William’s next court appearance is Wednesday.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a vehicle appearing to have driven into the lake. The caller reported that a woman was a passenger in the vehicle and appeared unable get out of the vehicle because of a broken leg, said Jenn Hethcoat, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office,

When responders arrived, they learned the caller had helped the 54-year-old woman from the vehicle. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure, Hethcoat said.

Williams was arrested Thursday evening on a county road along the lake’s eastern bank.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614442117521.png" alt="Williams-photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Kansas man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly driving a vehicle into Lone Star Lake with his mother inside.Jeremy S. Williams of Lawrence made his first court appearance Friday where he was formally charged with second-degree attempted murder. The judge says he faces as much as 20 years in prison if convicted.District Attorney Suzanne Valdez told the judge that prosecutors believe he poses a threat to the community because of mental health concerns and has refused to cooperate with authorities.Judge James George set a $250,000 bond. William’s next court appearance is Wednesday.The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a vehicle appearing to have driven into the lake. The caller reported that a woman was a passenger in the vehicle and appeared unable get out of the vehicle because of a broken leg, said Jenn Hethcoat, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office,When responders arrived, they learned the caller had helped the 54-year-old woman from the vehicle. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and cold exposure, Hethcoat said.Williams was arrested Thursday evening on a county road along the lake’s eastern bank.

Attempted murder charge after driving into Kan. lake with his mother

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just five weeks ago, Los Angeles County was conducting more than 350,000 weekly coronavirus tests, including at a massive drive-thru site at Dodger Stadium, as health workers raced to contain the worst COVID-19 hotspot in the U.S.

<a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas">Click here </a>for testing locations in Kansas.

Now, county officials say testing has nearly collapsed. More than 180 government-supported sites are operating at only a third of their capacity.

“It’s shocking how quickly we’ve gone from moving at 100 miles an hour to about 25,” said Dr. Clemens Hong, who leads the county’s testing operation.

After a year of struggling to boost testing, communities across the country are seeing plummeting demand, shuttering testing sites or even trying to return supplies.

The drop in screening comes at a significant moment in the outbreak: Experts are cautiously optimistic that COVID-19 is receding after killing more than 500,000 people in the U.S. but concerned that emerging variants could prolong the epidemic.

“Everyone is hopeful for rapid, widespread vaccinations, but I don’t think we’re at a point where we can drop our guard just yet,” said Hong. “We just don’t have enough people who are immune to rule out another surge.”

U.S. testing hit a peak on Jan. 15, when the country was averaging more than 2 million tests per day. Since then, the average number of daily tests has fallen more than 28%. The drop mirrors declines across all major virus measures since January, including new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Officials say those encouraging trends, together with harsh winter weather, the end of the holiday travel season, pandemic fatigue and a growing focus on vaccinations are sapping interest in testing.

“When you combine all those together you see this decrease,” said Dr. Richard Pescatore of the health department in Delaware, where daily testing has fallen more than 40% since the January peak. “People just aren’t going to go out to testing sites.”

But testing remains important for tracking and containing the outbreak.

L.A. County is opening more testing options near public transportation, schools and offices to make it more convenient. And officials in Santa Clara County are urging residents to “continue getting tested regularly,” highlighting new mobile testing buses and pop-up sites.

President Joe Biden has promised to revamp the nation’s testing system by investing billions more in supplies and government coordination. But with demand falling fast, the country may soon have a glut of unused supplies. The U.S. will be able to conduct nearly 1 billion monthly tests by June, according to projections from researchers at Arizona State University. That’s more than 25 times the country’s current rate of about 40 million tests reported per month.

With more than 150 million new vaccine doses due for delivery by late March, testing is likely to fall further as local governments shift staff and resources to giving shots.

“You have to pick your battles here,” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. “Everyone would agree that if you have one public health nurse, you’re going to use that person for vaccination, not testing.”

Some experts say the country must double down on testing to avoid flare-ups from coronavirus variants that have taken hold in the U.K., South Africa and other places.

“We need to use testing to continue the downward trend,” said Dr. Jonathan Quick of the Rockefeller Foundation, which has been advising Biden officials. “We need to have it there to catch surges from the variants.”

Last week, Minnesota began urging families to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year as more students return to the classroom.

“To protect this progress, we need to use all the tools at our disposal,” said Dan Huff, an assistant state health commissioner.

But some of the most vocal testing proponents are less worried about the declines in screening. From a public health viewpoint, testing is effective if it helps to quickly find the infected, trace their contacts and isolate them to stop the spread. In most parts of the U.S., that never happened.

Over the holiday season, many Americans still had to wait days to receive test results, rendering them largely useless. That’s led to testing fatigue and dwindling interest, said Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard University.

“It doesn’t exactly give you a lot of gratifying, immediate feedback,” Mina said. “So people’s willingness or interest in getting tested starts to go down.”

Still, U.S. test manufacturers continue ramping up production, with another 110 million rapid and home-based tests expected to hit the market next month.

Government officials long assumed this growing arsenal of cheap, 15-minute tests would be used to regularly screen millions of students and teachers as in-person classes resume. But recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention don’t emphasize testing, describing it as an “additional layer” of protection, behind basic measures like masking and social distancing.

Even without strong federal backing, educational leaders say testing programs will be important for marshaling public confidence needed to fully reopen schools, including in the fall when cases are expected to rise again.

“Schools have asked themselves, justifiably, ‘Is the juice worth the squeeze to set up a big testing effort?’” said Mike Magee, CEO of Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit that advises districts in more than 25 states. “Our message to the school systems we work with is: ‘Yes, you need to stand up comprehensive testing because you’re going to need it.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591208066312.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Just five weeks ago, Los Angeles County was conducting more than 350,000 weekly coronavirus tests, including at a massive drive-thru site at Dodger Stadium, as health workers raced to contain the worst COVID-19 hotspot in the U.S.<a href="https://www.gogettested.com/kansas">Click here </a>for testing locations in Kansas.Now, county officials say testing has nearly collapsed. More than 180 government-supported sites are operating at only a third of their capacity.“It’s shocking how quickly we’ve gone from moving at 100 miles an hour to about 25,” said Dr. Clemens Hong, who leads the county’s testing operation.After a year of struggling to boost testing, communities across the country are seeing plummeting demand, shuttering testing sites or even trying to return supplies.The drop in screening comes at a significant moment in the outbreak: Experts are cautiously optimistic that COVID-19 is receding after killing more than 500,000 people in the U.S. but concerned that emerging variants could prolong the epidemic.“Everyone is hopeful for rapid, widespread vaccinations, but I don’t think we’re at a point where we can drop our guard just yet,” said Hong. “We just don’t have enough people who are immune to rule out another surge.”U.S. testing hit a peak on Jan. 15, when the country was averaging more than 2 million tests per day. Since then, the average number of daily tests has fallen more than 28%. The drop mirrors declines across all major virus measures since January, including new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.Officials say those encouraging trends, together with harsh winter weather, the end of the holiday travel season, pandemic fatigue and a growing focus on vaccinations are sapping interest in testing.“When you combine all those together you see this decrease,” said Dr. Richard Pescatore of the health department in Delaware, where daily testing has fallen more than 40% since the January peak. “People just aren’t going to go out to testing sites.”But testing remains important for tracking and containing the outbreak.L.A. County is opening more testing options near public transportation, schools and offices to make it more convenient. And officials in Santa Clara County are urging residents to “continue getting tested regularly,” highlighting new mobile testing buses and pop-up sites.President Joe Biden has promised to revamp the nation’s testing system by investing billions more in supplies and government coordination. But with demand falling fast, the country may soon have a glut of unused supplies. The U.S. will be able to conduct nearly 1 billion monthly tests by June, according to projections from researchers at Arizona State University. That’s more than 25 times the country’s current rate of about 40 million tests reported per month.With more than 150 million new vaccine doses due for delivery by late March, testing is likely to fall further as local governments shift staff and resources to giving shots.“You have to pick your battles here,” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. “Everyone would agree that if you have one public health nurse, you’re going to use that person for vaccination, not testing.”Some experts say the country must double down on testing to avoid flare-ups from coronavirus variants that have taken hold in the U.K., South Africa and other places.“We need to use testing to continue the downward trend,” said Dr. Jonathan Quick of the Rockefeller Foundation, which has been advising Biden officials. “We need to have it there to catch surges from the variants.”Last week, Minnesota began urging families to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year as more students return to the classroom.“To protect this progress, we need to use all the tools at our disposal,” said Dan Huff, an assistant state health commissioner.But some of the most vocal testing proponents are less worried about the declines in screening. From a public health viewpoint, testing is effective if it helps to quickly find the infected, trace their contacts and isolate them to stop the spread. In most parts of the U.S., that never happened.Over the holiday season, many Americans still had to wait days to receive test results, rendering them largely useless. That’s led to testing fatigue and dwindling interest, said Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard University.“It doesn’t exactly give you a lot of gratifying, immediate feedback,” Mina said. “So people’s willingness or interest in getting tested starts to go down.”Still, U.S. test manufacturers continue ramping up production, with another 110 million rapid and home-based tests expected to hit the market next month.Government officials long assumed this growing arsenal of cheap, 15-minute tests would be used to regularly screen millions of students and teachers as in-person classes resume. But recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention don’t emphasize testing, describing it as an “additional layer” of protection, behind basic measures like masking and social distancing.Even without strong federal backing, educational leaders say testing programs will be important for marshaling public confidence needed to fully reopen schools, including in the fall when cases are expected to rise again.“Schools have asked themselves, justifiably, ‘Is the juice worth the squeeze to set up a big testing effort?’” said Mike Magee, CEO of Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit that advises districts in more than 25 states. “Our message to the school systems we work with is: ‘Yes, you need to stand up comprehensive testing because you’re going to need it.’”___

Plunging demand for COVID-19 tests may leave US exposed

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas advanced a new proposal Friday to put $450 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government into the state’s unemployment program to help cover losses from fraudulent claims.

GOP members of the House commerce committee included the measure in a bill aimed at overhauling the unemployment system and giving lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-d859fffe8b2a110ac8c1e47dbf873108">more control&nbsp;</a>over an upgrade of computers at the state’s Department of Labor. The committee approved the bill on a voice vote, sending it to the full House for debate, possibly as early as next week.

The Department of Labor’s problems in keeping up with a flood of filings for benefits from jobless workers and combatting bogus ones have emerged as a major issue since last summer. GOP lawmakers are worried that employers, who pay taxes to finance unemployment benefits, will be on the hook to cover fraudulent claims and that the state will be forced to cut parts of its budget if it tries to protect employers.

Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have been increasingly critical of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the department’s problems. The department estimates that the state paid $290 million in fraudulent unemployment claims last year. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-2ff466a95e0e08fec896b9fcac161312">a legislative audit&nbsp;</a>released Wednesday put the figure at roughly $600 million, and some Republicans argue that it could be higher.

“We’ve got to find it somewhere,” said commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.

Kelly this week&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UI-Mod-Letter-FINAL_02.22.21.pdf" target="_blank">urged congressional leaders</a>&nbsp;to approve another federal COVID-19 relief package that includes funds for states to bolster their unemployment programs.

But her push does not have the backing of the state’s two GOP U.S. senators or the Republicans who hold three of the state’s four seats in the U.S. House. The five lawmakers sent her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/7/d/7d889676-c5bd-4ecb-8487-94ec1ad50563/608BBA9112D33D458910446531EDE2CC.kansas-congressional-delegation-letter-to-governor-kelly---2.26.20.pdf" target="_blank">a letter</a>&nbsp;Friday, chiding her for what they described as her administration’s inadequate response to various problems in the state’s unemployment program.

“It is not a solution to continue throwing money in a direction where the process is the problem,” the Republicans wrote.

The state saw a spike in unemployment claims in April after Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order to control the spread of COVID-19. The legislative audit suggested that scammers targeted a new benefits program in the summer and the regular unemployment program at the end of the year.

Kelly and the state Department of Labor have blamed many of the agency’s problems on decades-old computer technology, and Kelly has included $37.5 million in her proposed budget for upgrades.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-1/" target="_blank">The legislative audit&nbsp;</a>said scammers used “large-scale identity theft” to cheat the unemployment program, and Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in an interview this week that scammers appear to be mostly “offshore.”

Some Democrats were wary of the GOP proposal to set aside COVID-19 funds, worried that it could divert money from other relief efforts. Tarwater predicted that Congress would provide plenty of money.

The commerce committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, asked, “Can we do that with federal money?”

When Tarwater told her, “It wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t,” she replied, “Uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh, I just — I’ve got some heartburn over this.”

The bill also sets up a new council to oversee the modernization of the state Department of Labor’s computers and requires the agency to finish the upgrades by the end of 2022. Tarwater said the goal is a “long-term fix,” but department officials have told the committee that its timeline is not realistic.

The discussion of the unemployment legislation came as the state continued to report a decline in new COVID-19 cases. Kansas saw an average of 404 new confirmed and probable cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, its lowest rolling seven-day average since mid-August, according to state Department of Health and Environment Data.

The health department added 826 cases since Wednesday to the state’s pandemic total, bringing it to 293,663 since early March 2020, or one case for every 10 of the state’s 2.9 million residents. Kansas also reported another 11 COVID-19 deaths since Wednesday, bringing the total to 4,735.

Meanwhile, Kansas legislators are considering changes to the state’s emergency management laws following months of Republican criticism of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to vote Monday on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2416_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would preserve the control that lawmakers granted last year to local officials over mandating masks as well as restricting businesses and public gatherings. It also would require the governor to get legislative leaders’ approval before issuing an executive order during a pandemic.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a measure</a>&nbsp;Thursday that would impose new limits on state and local officials’ power during public health emergencies. It also creates a new legislative committee with a broader membership to consider the governor’s executive orders in advance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614434001717.png" alt="Members of the House Commerce Committee during Friday's meeting" />
 <figcaption>Members of the House Commerce Committee during Friday's meeting</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas advanced a new proposal Friday to put $450 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government into the state’s unemployment program to help cover losses from fraudulent claims.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DaSijpEW9AM?start=575" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>GOP members of the House commerce committee included the measure in a bill aimed at overhauling the unemployment system and giving lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-d859fffe8b2a110ac8c1e47dbf873108">more control&nbsp;</a>over an upgrade of computers at the state’s Department of Labor. The committee approved the bill on a voice vote, sending it to the full House for debate, possibly as early as next week.The Department of Labor’s problems in keeping up with a flood of filings for benefits from jobless workers and combatting bogus ones have emerged as a major issue since last summer. GOP lawmakers are worried that employers, who pay taxes to finance unemployment benefits, will be on the hook to cover fraudulent claims and that the state will be forced to cut parts of its budget if it tries to protect employers.Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have been increasingly critical of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the department’s problems. The department estimates that the state paid $290 million in fraudulent unemployment claims last year. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-coronavirus-pandemic-2ff466a95e0e08fec896b9fcac161312">a legislative audit&nbsp;</a>released Wednesday put the figure at roughly $600 million, and some Republicans argue that it could be higher.“We’ve got to find it somewhere,” said commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican.Kelly this week&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UI-Mod-Letter-FINAL_02.22.21.pdf" target="_blank">urged congressional leaders</a>&nbsp;to approve another federal COVID-19 relief package that includes funds for states to bolster their unemployment programs.But her push does not have the backing of the state’s two GOP U.S. senators or the Republicans who hold three of the state’s four seats in the U.S. House. The five lawmakers sent her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/7/d/7d889676-c5bd-4ecb-8487-94ec1ad50563/608BBA9112D33D458910446531EDE2CC.kansas-congressional-delegation-letter-to-governor-kelly---2.26.20.pdf" target="_blank">a letter</a>&nbsp;Friday, chiding her for what they described as her administration’s inadequate response to various problems in the state’s unemployment program.“It is not a solution to continue throwing money in a direction where the process is the problem,” the Republicans wrote.The state saw a spike in unemployment claims in April after Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order to control the spread of COVID-19. The legislative audit suggested that scammers targeted a new benefits program in the summer and the regular unemployment program at the end of the year.Kelly and the state Department of Labor have blamed many of the agency’s problems on decades-old computer technology, and Kelly has included $37.5 million in her proposed budget for upgrades.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-1/" target="_blank">The legislative audit&nbsp;</a>said scammers used “large-scale identity theft” to cheat the unemployment program, and Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in an interview this week that scammers appear to be mostly “offshore.”Some Democrats were wary of the GOP proposal to set aside COVID-19 funds, worried that it could divert money from other relief efforts. Tarwater predicted that Congress would provide plenty of money.The commerce committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, asked, “Can we do that with federal money?”When Tarwater told her, “It wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t,” she replied, “Uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh, I just — I’ve got some heartburn over this.”The bill also sets up a new council to oversee the modernization of the state Department of Labor’s computers and requires the agency to finish the upgrades by the end of 2022. Tarwater said the goal is a “long-term fix,” but department officials have told the committee that its timeline is not realistic.The discussion of the unemployment legislation came as the state continued to report a decline in new COVID-19 cases. Kansas saw an average of 404 new confirmed and probable cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, its lowest rolling seven-day average since mid-August, according to state Department of Health and Environment Data.The health department added 826 cases since Wednesday to the state’s pandemic total, bringing it to 293,663 since early March 2020, or one case for every 10 of the state’s 2.9 million residents. Kansas also reported another 11 COVID-19 deaths since Wednesday, bringing the total to 4,735.Meanwhile, Kansas legislators are considering changes to the state’s emergency management laws following months of Republican criticism of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic.The House Judiciary Committee plans to vote Monday on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2416_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would preserve the control that lawmakers granted last year to local officials over mandating masks as well as restricting businesses and public gatherings. It also would require the governor to get legislative leaders’ approval before issuing an executive order during a pandemic.The Senate Judiciary Committee approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a measure</a>&nbsp;Thursday that would impose new limits on state and local officials’ power during public health emergencies. It also creates a new legislative committee with a broader membership to consider the governor’s executive orders in advance.

🎥 Plan puts $450M in COVID funds in Kan. unemployment system

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three separate homicides were reported in Kansas City Sunday morning.

Kansas City Police Department spokesman Capt. Dave Jackson said the third homicide was discovered around 10 a.m. when officers responded to a shooting at an apartment building near Gillham Road and Armour Boulevard. A wounded man who was found inside the building died at the scene.

About five hours earlier, a cutting was reported at a different apartment complex near the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. Jackson said that victim was taken to a hospital where that person died. He said two people were inside an apartment when a third person arrived and fatally wounded the victim.

Around 4 a.m., one person was shot and killed and another person was wounded in a shooting in downtown Kansas City. Officers found one person dead inside a vehicle. A second person who had been shot was found sitting outside the vehicle, and that person was taken to a hospital.

Police did not immediately release the names of any of the victims.

Jackson said it doesn't appear that any of the three homicides were related. The third killing on Sunday was the 23rd homicide in Kansas City so far this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614598296327.png" alt="Police on the scene of an investigation at an apartment building&nbsp; near Gillham Road and Armour Sunday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of an investigation at an apartment building&nbsp; near Gillham Road and Armour Sunday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three separate homicides were reported in Kansas City Sunday morning.Kansas City Police Department spokesman Capt. Dave Jackson said the third homicide was discovered around 10 a.m. when officers responded to a shooting at an apartment building near Gillham Road and Armour Boulevard. A wounded man who was found inside the building died at the scene.About five hours earlier, a cutting was reported at a different apartment complex near the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. Jackson said that victim was taken to a hospital where that person died. He said two people were inside an apartment when a third person arrived and fatally wounded the victim.Around 4 a.m., one person was shot and killed and another person was wounded in a shooting in downtown Kansas City. Officers found one person dead inside a vehicle. A second person who had been shot was found sitting outside the vehicle, and that person was taken to a hospital.Police did not immediately release the names of any of the victims.Jackson said it doesn't appear that any of the three homicides were related. The third killing on Sunday was the 23rd homicide in Kansas City so far this year.

Police: 3 separate homicides in Kansas City on Sunday 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Saturday morning pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments and businesses.

The Democrats' goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. The Senate, which Democrats control by a single vote, will consider the bill next.

A look at some highlights of the legislation:

The legislation provides a rebate that amounts to $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000.

The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more with a hard cut-off at $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples.

Some Republicans want to cut the size of the rebate as well as the pool of Americans eligible for it, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-yellen-gop-coronavirus-aid-small-e5aa4373b5cf57f44ca21332c814b3af">Biden has insisted on $1,400 checks</a>, saying “that’s what the American people were promised.” The new round of checks will cost the government an estimated $422 billion.

BIGGER TAX BREAK FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH KIDS

Under current law, most taxpayers can reduce their federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child. The package moving through the House would increase the tax break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under the age of 6.

The legislation also calls for the payments to be delivered monthly instead of in one lump sum. If the secretary of the Treasury determines that isn't feasible, then the payments are to be made as frequently as possible.

Also, families would get the full credit regardless of how little they make in a year, even just a few hundred dollars, leading to criticism that the changes would serve as a disincentive to work. Add in the $1,400 per individual checks and other items in the proposal, and the legislation would reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to an analysis from the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.

The legislation would send $350 billion to state and local governments and tribal governments. While Republicans in Congress have largely objected to this initiative, Biden’s push has some GOP support among governors and mayors.

Many communities have taken hits to their tax base as millions of people have lost their jobs and as people stay home and avoid restaurants and stores to prevent getting COVID-19. Many areas have also seen expenses rise as they work to treat the sick and ramp up vaccinations.

But the impact varies from state to state and from town to town. Critics say the funding is not appropriately targeted and is far more than necessary with billions of dollars allocated last spring to states and communities still unspent.

The bill calls for $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal protective equipment. The money could also be used to increase the hiring of nurses, counselors and to provide summer school.

Spending for colleges and universities would be boosted by $40 billion, with the money used to defray an institution’s pandemic-related expenses and to provide emergency aid to students to cover expenses such as food and housing and computer equipment.

The bill provides another round of relief for airlines and eligible contractors, $15 billion, so long as they refrain from furloughing workers or cutting pay through September. It’s the third round of support for airlines.

A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic would receive $25 billion. The grants provide up to $10 million per entity with a limit of $5 million per physical location. The grants can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses.

The bill also provides another $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, a tiny fraction of what was allocated in previous legislation. The loans are designed to help borrowers meet their payroll and operating costs and can potentially be forgiven.

Expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended, with an increase from $300 a week to $400 a week. That's on top of what beneficiaries are getting through their state unemployment insurance program.

The bill provides money for key elements of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 response, while also trying to advance longstanding Democratic priorities like increasing coverage under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.

On “Obamacare,” it dangles a fiscal carrot in front of a dozen states, mainly in the South, that have not yet taken up the law’s Medicaid expansion to cover more low-income adults. Whether such a sweetener would be enough to start wearing down longstanding Republican opposition to Medicaid expansion is uncertain.

The bill would also provide $46 billion to expand federal, state and local testing for COVID-19 and to enhance contract tracing capabilities with new investments to expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing units.

The bill would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by June 2025 and then adjust it to increase at the same rate as median hourly wages. However, that provision is not expected to survive in the final bill. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that it cannot be included in the COVID-19 economic relief package under the process Democrats chose to undertake to get a bill passed with a simple majority.

Biden had predicted such a result. Still, the ruling was a stinging setback for most Democratic lawmakers who had said the higher minimum wage would increase the pay for millions of Americans. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had projected the new federal minimum wage would lift some 900,000 people out of poverty once it was fully in place. But Republicans said the mandatory wage hikes would make it harder for small businesses to survive and they pointed to the CBO's projection that about 1.4 million jobs would be lost as employers looked for ways to offset their higher personnel costs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614427934581.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrated the House passage of the $1.9T plan&nbsp; early Saturday morning" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrated the House passage of the $1.9T plan&nbsp; early Saturday morning</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Saturday morning pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments and businesses.The Democrats' goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. The Senate, which Democrats control by a single vote, will consider the bill next.A look at some highlights of the legislation:MORE CHECKSThe legislation provides a rebate that amounts to $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000.The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more with a hard cut-off at $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples.Some Republicans want to cut the size of the rebate as well as the pool of Americans eligible for it, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-yellen-gop-coronavirus-aid-small-e5aa4373b5cf57f44ca21332c814b3af">Biden has insisted on $1,400 checks</a>, saying “that’s what the American people were promised.” The new round of checks will cost the government an estimated $422 billion.BIGGER TAX BREAK FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH KIDSUnder current law, most taxpayers can reduce their federal income tax bill by up to $2,000 per child. The package moving through the House would increase the tax break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under the age of 6.The legislation also calls for the payments to be delivered monthly instead of in one lump sum. If the secretary of the Treasury determines that isn't feasible, then the payments are to be made as frequently as possible.Also, families would get the full credit regardless of how little they make in a year, even just a few hundred dollars, leading to criticism that the changes would serve as a disincentive to work. Add in the $1,400 per individual checks and other items in the proposal, and the legislation would reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to an analysis from the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.AID TO STATES AND CITIESThe legislation would send $350 billion to state and local governments and tribal governments. While Republicans in Congress have largely objected to this initiative, Biden’s push has some GOP support among governors and mayors.Many communities have taken hits to their tax base as millions of people have lost their jobs and as people stay home and avoid restaurants and stores to prevent getting COVID-19. Many areas have also seen expenses rise as they work to treat the sick and ramp up vaccinations.But the impact varies from state to state and from town to town. Critics say the funding is not appropriately targeted and is far more than necessary with billions of dollars allocated last spring to states and communities still unspent.AID TO SCHOOLSThe bill calls for $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money would be used to reduce class sizes and modify classrooms to enhance social distancing, install ventilation systems and purchase personal protective equipment. The money could also be used to increase the hiring of nurses, counselors and to provide summer school.Spending for colleges and universities would be boosted by $40 billion, with the money used to defray an institution’s pandemic-related expenses and to provide emergency aid to students to cover expenses such as food and housing and computer equipment.AID TO BUSINESSESThe bill provides another round of relief for airlines and eligible contractors, $15 billion, so long as they refrain from furloughing workers or cutting pay through September. It’s the third round of support for airlines.A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic would receive $25 billion. The grants provide up to $10 million per entity with a limit of $5 million per physical location. The grants can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses.The bill also provides another $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, a tiny fraction of what was allocated in previous legislation. The loans are designed to help borrowers meet their payroll and operating costs and can potentially be forgiven.AID TO THE UNEMPLOYEDExpanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would be extended, with an increase from $300 a week to $400 a week. That's on top of what beneficiaries are getting through their state unemployment insurance program.HEALTH CAREThe bill provides money for key elements of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 response, while also trying to advance longstanding Democratic priorities like increasing coverage under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.On “Obamacare,” it dangles a fiscal carrot in front of a dozen states, mainly in the South, that have not yet taken up the law’s Medicaid expansion to cover more low-income adults. Whether such a sweetener would be enough to start wearing down longstanding Republican opposition to Medicaid expansion is uncertain.The bill would also provide $46 billion to expand federal, state and local testing for COVID-19 and to enhance contract tracing capabilities with new investments to expand laboratory capacity and set up mobile testing units.RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGEThe bill would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by June 2025 and then adjust it to increase at the same rate as median hourly wages. However, that provision is not expected to survive in the final bill. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that it cannot be included in the COVID-19 economic relief package under the process Democrats chose to undertake to get a bill passed with a simple majority.Biden had predicted such a result. Still, the ruling was a stinging setback for most Democratic lawmakers who had said the higher minimum wage would increase the pay for millions of Americans. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had projected the new federal minimum wage would lift some 900,000 people out of poverty once it was fully in place. But Republicans said the mandatory wage hikes would make it harder for small businesses to survive and they pointed to the CBO's projection that about 1.4 million jobs would be lost as employers looked for ways to offset their higher personnel costs.

$1400 relief checks and much more in bill headed for U.S. Senate 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two of three police officers injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita are expected to be released from the hospital Monday.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a residence in the 1400 block of S. St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.

A homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to a vacant home that they owned, 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. 

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 other two had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.

The WPD 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.

The WPD investigative division, alongside ATF and FBI investigators continue working to gather the facts of the situation and resolve the incident.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.

The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released. Two remained in the hospital on Sunday morning – one with minor injuries and another in serious but stable condition.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a vacant home in the 1400 block of South St. Francis, according to officer Paul Cruz.

After making entry into the residence, three officers sustained injuries from a possible explosion from an unknown device. 

EMS transported three officers to an area hospital for treatment. One officer has since been released, while the other two remain - one with minor injuries and one in serious but stable condition.

The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were on scene. The situation is contained and negotiators assisting.&nbsp;

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay reported, "Visited the two injured officers who are still undergoing care and treatment at area hospitals.  Their spirits are good and appreciate the support they are receiving. We are praying for a speedy recovery."

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614480576675.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation on Saturday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation on Saturday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two of three police officers injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita are expected to be released from the hospital Monday.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a residence in the 1400 block of S. St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.A homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to a vacant home that they owned, 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. 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 other two had minor injuries and the third was listed in serious but stable condition.The WPD 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.The WPD investigative division, alongside ATF and FBI investigators continue working to gather the facts of the situation and resolve the incident.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a residence in the 1400 block of S. St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.A homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to a vacant home that they owned, 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. The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released. Two remained in the hospital on Sunday morning – one with minor injuries and another in serious but stable condition.The WPD 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.The WPD investigative division, alongside ATF and FBI investigators continue working to gather the facts of the situation and resolve the incident.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a vacant home in the 1400 block of South St. Francis, according to officer Paul Cruz.After making entry into the residence, three officers sustained injuries from a possible explosion from an unknown device. EMS transported three officers to an area hospital for treatment. One officer has since been released, while the other two remain - one with minor injuries and one in serious but stable condition.The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were on scene. The situation is contained and negotiators assisting.&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. Saturday, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay reported, "Visited the two injured officers who are still undergoing care and treatment at area hospitals. Their spirits are good and appreciate the support they are receiving. We are praying for a speedy recovery."Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: Kan. officers injured by shotgun blast in vacant home

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina and have identified a suspect as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.

He is wanted for the Tuesday shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for murder in the first degree.

Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."

Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.

Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614442513506.png" alt="Nelson Hull has two previous drug related conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo from an earlier arrest in Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson Hull has two previous drug related conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo from an earlier arrest in Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina and have identified a suspect as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.He is wanted for the Tuesday shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for murder in the first degree.Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

Police: Search continues for suspect wanted for Salina murder

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas sex offender on new charges after an arrest.

Just before 1p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; a citizen reported being groped and followed by an unknown man while walking into work in the 300 block of North Main in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

 Patrol South Officers responded to take the report, and they continued to investigate Thursday. They coordinated with the Wichita Police Department Crime Linkage Unit, Homeless Outreach Team, and Domestic Violence/Sex Crimes Detectives after noticing several other reports of suspicious activity in the core downtown area.

Police canvassed multiple locations and identified a suspect as 37-year-old registered sex offender Mark J. Lang. They located, arrested and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charges of Sexual Battery and on an Arrest &amp; Detain Warrant issued by the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Lang is currently homeless and was on parole for indecent liberties with a child out of Johnson County, Kansas, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614357934913.png" alt="Lang's Kansas Sex Offender Registry photo from January 2021&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lang's Kansas Sex Offender Registry photo from January 2021&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas sex offender on new charges after an arrest.Just before 1p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; a citizen reported being groped and followed by an unknown man while walking into work in the 300 block of North Main in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. Patrol South Officers responded to take the report, and they continued to investigate Thursday. They coordinated with the Wichita Police Department Crime Linkage Unit, Homeless Outreach Team, and Domestic Violence/Sex Crimes Detectives after noticing several other reports of suspicious activity in the core downtown area.Police canvassed multiple locations and identified a suspect as 37-year-old registered sex offender Mark J. Lang. They located, arrested and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charges of Sexual Battery and on an Arrest &amp; Detain Warrant issued by the Kansas Department of Corrections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614357852394.png" alt="Lang photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Lang photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Lang is currently homeless and was on parole for indecent liberties with a child out of Johnson County, Kansas, according to Macy.

Police: Kansas sex offender allegedly groped another victim 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Merriam Village, Missouri, couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography.

Mark John Millman, 36, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, and his wife, Tara Sau Millman, 41, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., this week, according to the United State's Attorney.

 The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mark and Tara Millman on January 29, 2021. The Millmans have been in federal custody since their arrest, and remain detained without bail.

The federal indictment charges the Millmans together in one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when agents with Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, California, began investigating users of a cloud storage platform (identified in court documents as “Cloud Platform A”). The cloud platform provides encrypted, cloud-based services that enable private, secure online storage, communication, and collaboration for business and individuals. During the investigation, the agents accessed a weblink to an encrypted chat room with approximately 145 registered users. Files containing child pornography were uploaded/posted by participants in the chat room, the affidavit says, including Mark Millman.

A search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on January 28, 2021. According to the affidavit, images and videos of child pornography were found on both Mark and Tara Millman’s cell phones. Among those photos, the affidavit says, were images of the Millmans’ sexual abuse of child victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614439967146.png" alt="Millman photo Greene County" />
 <figcaption>Millman photo Greene County</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Merriam Village, Missouri, couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography.Mark John Millman, 36, a citizen of Great Britain and a legal alien resident, and his wife, Tara Sau Millman, 41, were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., this week, according to the United State's Attorney. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mark and Tara Millman on January 29, 2021. The Millmans have been in federal custody since their arrest, and remain detained without bail.The federal indictment charges the Millmans together in one count of using a minor to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614439948313.png" alt="Millman photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Millman photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when agents with Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, California, began investigating users of a cloud storage platform (identified in court documents as “Cloud Platform A”). The cloud platform provides encrypted, cloud-based services that enable private, secure online storage, communication, and collaboration for business and individuals. During the investigation, the agents accessed a weblink to an encrypted chat room with approximately 145 registered users. Files containing child pornography were uploaded/posted by participants in the chat room, the affidavit says, including Mark Millman.A search warrant was executed at the Millmans’ residence in Taney County, Mo., on January 28, 2021. According to the affidavit, images and videos of child pornography were found on both Mark and Tara Millman’s cell phones. Among those photos, the affidavit says, were images of the Millmans’ sexual abuse of child victims.

Indictment: Couple used minor to produce child porn

HAMILTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two woman on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:00 a.m. February 25, a trooper observed a Nissan Versa fail to stop at a stop sign after it exited Interstate 80 at the Hampton interchange, according to a media release from the Nebraska State Highway Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected criminal activity.

A search of the vehicle revealed six pounds of methamphetamine, as well less than an ounce of marijuana. The methamphetamine was located in five separate bags in the rear passenger area of the vehicle.

Troopers arrested the driver, Carmen Felix Loera, 36, and passenger, an 18-year-old female, both of San Diego, California, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp. The 18-year-old was also cited for possession of marijuana – less than an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both women remain in the Hamilton County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614374846078.png" alt="Photo courtesy Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>HAMILTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two woman on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after 9:00 a.m. February 25, a trooper observed a Nissan Versa fail to stop at a stop sign after it exited Interstate 80 at the Hampton interchange, according to a media release from the Nebraska State Highway Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected criminal activity.A search of the vehicle revealed six pounds of methamphetamine, as well less than an ounce of marijuana. The methamphetamine was located in five separate bags in the rear passenger area of the vehicle.Troopers arrested the driver, Carmen Felix Loera, 36, and passenger, an 18-year-old female, both of San Diego, California, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp. The 18-year-old was also cited for possession of marijuana – less than an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both women remain in the Hamilton County Jail.

State trooper arrests woman, teen after finding 6 pounds of meth

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash on Friday in Wichita have identified the victims.as 70-year-old Cheryl Sigle and 72-year-old Dennis Sigle both of Wichita and 25-year-old Isaiah Ragazzone.

Just after 3p.m. Friday, police responded to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Tevor Macey.

Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a white Impala, a tan Buick, and a black Lincoln. Through their investigation, they learned&nbsp;Impala, driven by Isaiah Ragazzone, was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. 

As the Impala approached the intersection of S Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with a Buick driven by Dennis Sigle, who was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235. 

The force of the impact caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick and strike the Lincoln

EMS transported Dennis Sigle and Isaiah Ragazzone to an area hospital in critical condition. They later died of their injuries, according to Macey. The passenger in the Buick, Cheryl Sigle, was pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp; There were no injuries to the occupants of the black Lincoln

On Friday, police reported several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian.

The caller also reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the disturbance with weapons.

Police released no additional details on Sunday.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.

Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.

Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian.

Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln.

Through their investigation, police learned that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.

EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an area hospital in critical condition.

EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.

Authorities have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614428626845.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash on Friday in Wichita have identified the victims.as 70-year-old Cheryl Sigle and 72-year-old Dennis Sigle both of Wichita and 25-year-old Isaiah Ragazzone.Just after 3p.m. Friday, police responded to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Tevor Macey.Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a white Impala, a tan Buick, and a black Lincoln. Through their investigation, they learned&nbsp;Impala, driven by Isaiah Ragazzone, was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the intersection of S Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with a Buick driven by Dennis Sigle, who was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235. The force of the impact caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick and strike the LincolnEMS transported Dennis Sigle and Isaiah Ragazzone to an area hospital in critical condition. They later died of their injuries, according to Macey. The passenger in the Buick, Cheryl Sigle, was pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp; There were no injuries to the occupants of the black LincolnOn Friday, police reported several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian.The caller also reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the disturbance with weapons.Police released no additional details on Sunday.------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian.The caller also reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the disturbance with weapons.Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln.Through their investigation, police learned that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an area hospital in critical condition.EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.Authorities have not released names of the victims.

Police: 2 hospitalized after violent Kan. crash have died

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — When COVID-19 patients inundated St. Louis hospitals, respiratory therapists arriving for yet another grueling shift with a dwindling supply of ventilators would often glance at their assignments and cry, heading into the locker room to collect themselves.

“They were like, ‘Man, another 12 hours of this slog of these on-the-verge-of-death patients who could go at any moment.’ And just knowing that they had to take care of them with that kind of stress in the back of their head,’” recalled Joe Kowalczyk, a respiratory therapist who sometimes works in a supervisory role.

Now the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. has dropped by 80,000 in six weeks, and 17% of the nation’s adult population has gotten at least one dose of a vaccine, providing some relief to front-line workers like Kowalczyk. On his most recent shift at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, there were only about 20 coronavirus patients, down from as many as 100 at the peak of the winter surge.

“It is so weird to look back on it,” he said. “Everyone was hitting their wit’s end definitely toward the end just because we had been doing it for so long at the end of year.”

The U.S. has seen a dramatic turnaround since December and January, when hospitals were teeming with patients after holiday gatherings and pandemic fatigue caused a surge in cases and deaths. Health officials acknowledge the improvement but point out that hospitalizations are still at about the same level as earlier peaks in April and July and right before the crisis worsened in November. Deaths are still persistently high, though much lower than the peak in early January, when they sometimes exceeded 4,000 per day.

Hospitalizations in Missouri were hovering around 3,000 a day during a stretch from late November into January but have since fallen about 60%. As of Monday, 1,202 people were hospitalized, according to state data.

In Wisconsin, hospitalizations dropped dramatically over the last three and a half months, from a high of 2,277 patients on Nov. 17 to 355 on Wednesday, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. And the patients who are hospitalized are not as sick. The number of patients in intensive care has dropped 81% since Nov. 16.

State health officials on Feb. 15 removed all staff from a field hospital set up in October at the state fairgrounds in suburban Milwaukee. They have stopped short of dismantling the facility out of concern that the state could experience a surge in cases sparked by variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

“It’s a balancing act. You don’t want to close it too soon until you really believe we’re on the other side of this pandemic, yet we don’t want to tie up (the fairgrounds) too long if we’re truly not going to need the facility,” state Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.

Behind the overall positive trends in hospitalizations are worrisome hints that the worst may not be over, said Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.

“In the past week, we’re seeing the slowdown of the decline,” Mokdad said. In many states, hospitalizations are leveling off or actually rising.

The biggest driver in the overall decline in U.S. hospitalizations is people’s behavior in December and January, Mokdad said. For the first time in the U.S., the shape of the wave is symmetrical, with the decline as steep as the rise.

“This didn’t happen before in the previous two waves,” Mokdad said. “For us, in the business, it’s like ‘Wow we are doing something really good right now.’”

In Minnesota, non-intensive care hospitalizations dropped from around 1,400 in late November to just 233 as of Tuesday. The number of intensive care patients has dropped about 85% since early December to just 59 patients on Tuesday, according to state data.

Hospitalizations in Illinois hovered around 6,000 patients for several days in late November but fell to 1,488 by Monday, a decrease of about 75%. The number of patients in intensive care has dropped as well, from 1,224 on Nov. 25 to just 361 on Monday, according to the state health department.

In hard-hit California, hospitalizations have dropped a stunning 70% since January, from 22,821 patients on Jan. 5 to 6,764 on Tuesday. The number of patients in intensive care has fallen from a high of 4,971 on Jan. 10 to 1,842 as of Tuesday, according to state data.

In Kansas, where many rural hospitals lack ventilators, the situation was so dire at one point that patients were being flown hundreds of miles for treatment.

But the number of hospitalizations in the state has dropped nearly 84%, from 1,282 on Dec. 2 to 208 on Sunday, according to the state health department. More than 300 people were in intensive care in December; that’s down to just 50 now, state data shows.

“It has just kind of been quiet out here with COVID,” said physician assistant Ben Kimball, who works primarily at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, a town of about 1,500 in rural northwest Kansas.

At the peak of the surge, he once resorted to flying a patient to a hospital in Denver, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) away. All the closer hospitals capable of providing more advanced care were full and turning away patients.

“We are pretty fortunate, I think,” he said. “I can definitely feel that things are getting better. We aren’t constantly struggling for bed space. We have had a few overnight observation COVID patients, but we haven’t sent anyone out in a while.”

Kris Mathews, the administrator of Decatur Health, a small hospital in rural northwest Kansas, also spent hours on the phone arranging transfers for patients at the peak of the surge. His staff fell ill themselves, and those who were well worked overtime caring for coronavirus patients.

“I could feel the staff’s weariness and fatigue,” he wrote. “Nobody complained to me about it, but I could see and feel them burning out.”

Now it’s been weeks since the hospital cared for a coronavirus inpatient. Thinking back, he said, “I couldn’t be more damn proud.”

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — When COVID-19 patients inundated St. Louis hospitals, respiratory therapists arriving for yet another grueling shift with a dwindling supply of ventilators would often glance at their assignments and cry, heading into the locker room to collect themselves.“They were like, ‘Man, another 12 hours of this slog of these on-the-verge-of-death patients who could go at any moment.’ And just knowing that they had to take care of them with that kind of stress in the back of their head,’” recalled Joe Kowalczyk, a respiratory therapist who sometimes works in a supervisory role.Now the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. has dropped by 80,000 in six weeks, and 17% of the nation’s adult population has gotten at least one dose of a vaccine, providing some relief to front-line workers like Kowalczyk. On his most recent shift at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, there were only about 20 coronavirus patients, down from as many as 100 at the peak of the winter surge.“It is so weird to look back on it,” he said. “Everyone was hitting their wit’s end definitely toward the end just because we had been doing it for so long at the end of year.”The U.S. has seen a dramatic turnaround since December and January, when hospitals were teeming with patients after holiday gatherings and pandemic fatigue caused a surge in cases and deaths. Health officials acknowledge the improvement but point out that hospitalizations are still at about the same level as earlier peaks in April and July and right before the crisis worsened in November. Deaths are still persistently high, though much lower than the peak in early January, when they sometimes exceeded 4,000 per day.Hospitalizations in Missouri were hovering around 3,000 a day during a stretch from late November into January but have since fallen about 60%. As of Monday, 1,202 people were hospitalized, according to state data.In Wisconsin, hospitalizations dropped dramatically over the last three and a half months, from a high of 2,277 patients on Nov. 17 to 355 on Wednesday, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. And the patients who are hospitalized are not as sick. The number of patients in intensive care has dropped 81% since Nov. 16.State health officials on Feb. 15 removed all staff from a field hospital set up in October at the state fairgrounds in suburban Milwaukee. They have stopped short of dismantling the facility out of concern that the state could experience a surge in cases sparked by variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.“It’s a balancing act. You don’t want to close it too soon until you really believe we’re on the other side of this pandemic, yet we don’t want to tie up (the fairgrounds) too long if we’re truly not going to need the facility,” state Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.Behind the overall positive trends in hospitalizations are worrisome hints that the worst may not be over, said Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.“In the past week, we’re seeing the slowdown of the decline,” Mokdad said. In many states, hospitalizations are leveling off or actually rising.The biggest driver in the overall decline in U.S. hospitalizations is people’s behavior in December and January, Mokdad said. For the first time in the U.S., the shape of the wave is symmetrical, with the decline as steep as the rise.“This didn’t happen before in the previous two waves,” Mokdad said. “For us, in the business, it’s like ‘Wow we are doing something really good right now.’”In Minnesota, non-intensive care hospitalizations dropped from around 1,400 in late November to just 233 as of Tuesday. The number of intensive care patients has dropped about 85% since early December to just 59 patients on Tuesday, according to state data.Hospitalizations in Illinois hovered around 6,000 patients for several days in late November but fell to 1,488 by Monday, a decrease of about 75%. The number of patients in intensive care has dropped as well, from 1,224 on Nov. 25 to just 361 on Monday, according to the state health department.In hard-hit California, hospitalizations have dropped a stunning 70% since January, from 22,821 patients on Jan. 5 to 6,764 on Tuesday. The number of patients in intensive care has fallen from a high of 4,971 on Jan. 10 to 1,842 as of Tuesday, according to state data.In Kansas, where many rural hospitals lack ventilators, the situation was so dire at one point that patients were being flown hundreds of miles for treatment.But the number of hospitalizations in the state has dropped nearly 84%, from 1,282 on Dec. 2 to 208 on Sunday, according to the state health department. More than 300 people were in intensive care in December; that’s down to just 50 now, state data shows.“It has just kind of been quiet out here with COVID,” said physician assistant Ben Kimball, who works primarily at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, a town of about 1,500 in rural northwest Kansas.At the peak of the surge, he once resorted to flying a patient to a hospital in Denver, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) away. All the closer hospitals capable of providing more advanced care were full and turning away patients.“We are pretty fortunate, I think,” he said. “I can definitely feel that things are getting better. We aren’t constantly struggling for bed space. We have had a few overnight observation COVID patients, but we haven’t sent anyone out in a while.”Kris Mathews, the administrator of Decatur Health, a small hospital in rural northwest Kansas, also spent hours on the phone arranging transfers for patients at the peak of the surge. His staff fell ill themselves, and those who were well worked overtime caring for coronavirus patients.“I could feel the staff’s weariness and fatigue,” he wrote. “Nobody complained to me about it, but I could see and feel them burning out.”Now it’s been weeks since the hospital cared for a coronavirus inpatient. Thinking back, he said, “I couldn’t be more damn proud.”___