SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender accused in violent knife attack made his first court appearance on Thursday. Jeffrey Elam, 27, was charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 His next court date is 12/9/21.  The case has been assigned to Judge Christopher Magana.  Mr. Elam’s bond is $500,000.

Just after 11:30p.m. November 28,&nbsp; police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.

When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. 

EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him and made an arrest the following night.

Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014. Elam is due back in court December 9. He remains jailed on a bond is $500,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637681991929.png" alt="Elam photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Elam photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender accused in violent knife attack made his first court appearance on Thursday. Jeffrey Elam, 27, was charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. His next court date is 12/9/21. The case has been assigned to Judge Christopher Magana. Mr. Elam’s bond is $500,000.Just after 11:30p.m. November 28,&nbsp; police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 100 block of North St. Francis in Wichita, according to a social media report from police.When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old woman with a stab wound to her abdomen. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637631064201.png" alt="Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Suspect as shown from security camera image- Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation revealed the victim was walking to her vehicle and was approached and stabbed by a suspect later identified as Elam, who fled northbound through the alley. Police released a security camera video of him and made an arrest the following night.Elam has previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and is a registered Kansas sex offender, according to the KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/OffenderDetails.aspx?Display=Main&amp;Id=28419">offender registry</a>. The&nbsp;crimes occurred in Wichita in 2012 and 2013 and included a 5-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of the crimes in 2014. Elam is due back in court December 9. He remains jailed on a bond is $500,000.

Kansas sex offender charged in knife attack on woman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country musician Stonewall Jackson, who sang on the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and had No. 1 hits with “Waterloo” and others, died Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia. He was 89.

The Opry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-television-theater-tennessee-nashville-744bbb278ee3bd98eba87bf3cf633ab6">the longest-running radio show in history,&nbsp;</a>announced Jackson’s death in a news release.

Jackson, a guitarist, performed on the Opry beginning in 1956 and was still appearing on the show in 2010. His real name was Stonewall, after Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/longtime-country-singer-stonewall-jackson-dies-at-89/article_be5e03c0-5545-11ec-ac21-efa846c5812d.html" target="_blank">WSMV-TV,</a>&nbsp;the late Porter Wagoner would introduce Stonewall on his show by saying he came to the Opry “with a heart full of love and a sack full of songs.”

“Waterloo” was a hit on the country and pop charts in 1959. His other hits, mostly in the 1960s, included “Don’t Be Angry,” “B.J. the D.J,” “Why I’m Walkin’,” “A Wound Time Can’t Erase” and “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water.”

In 1971, he recorded his version of Lobo’s “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo.”

Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.

In 2008, at age 75, he settled a federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry. He claimed Opry officials had cut back his appearances starting in 1998, and sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Jackson was born in eastern North Carolina and was raised on a south Georgia farm.

Jackson’s mentor in his early career was country legend Ernest Tubb, who bought him his first stage clothes and hired him as his opening act. He was presented with the Ernest Tubb Memorial Award in 1997 for his contributions to country music, according to the Grand Ole Opry website.

In 1991, he privately published his autobiography, “From the Bottom Up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638676211309.png" alt="Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart." />
 <figcaption>Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country musician Stonewall Jackson, who sang on the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and had No. 1 hits with “Waterloo” and others, died Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia. He was 89.The Opry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-television-theater-tennessee-nashville-744bbb278ee3bd98eba87bf3cf633ab6">the longest-running radio show in history,&nbsp;</a>announced Jackson’s death in a news release.Jackson, a guitarist, performed on the Opry beginning in 1956 and was still appearing on the show in 2010. His real name was Stonewall, after Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/longtime-country-singer-stonewall-jackson-dies-at-89/article_be5e03c0-5545-11ec-ac21-efa846c5812d.html" target="_blank">WSMV-TV,</a>&nbsp;the late Porter Wagoner would introduce Stonewall on his show by saying he came to the Opry “with a heart full of love and a sack full of songs.”“Waterloo” was a hit on the country and pop charts in 1959. His other hits, mostly in the 1960s, included “Don’t Be Angry,” “B.J. the D.J,” “Why I’m Walkin’,” “A Wound Time Can’t Erase” and “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water.”In 1971, he recorded his version of Lobo’s “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo.”Over the course of his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.In 2008, at age 75, he settled a federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry. He claimed Opry officials had cut back his appearances starting in 1998, and sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.Jackson was born in eastern North Carolina and was raised on a south Georgia farm.Jackson’s mentor in his early career was country legend Ernest Tubb, who bought him his first stage clothes and hired him as his opening act. He was presented with the Ernest Tubb Memorial Award in 1997 for his contributions to country music, according to the Grand Ole Opry website.In 1991, he privately published his autobiography, “From the Bottom Up.”

Grand Ole Opry country singer Stonewall Jackson dies at 89

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been acquitted on all charges related to the death of his 4-year-old granddaughter from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Shawnee County jury on Friday acquitted 58-year-old Timothy Wayne Funk Sr. of three charges, including first-degree murder. He was charged after his granddaughter, Brandy Funk, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died in July 2019 at her grandfather's home in Silver Lake.

Court records show Timothy Funk acknowledged he left a generator running in the house’s garage with its door shut while he was watching the girl and another granddaughter, who survived.

He said he didn't intend to leave the door closed for as long as he did.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576255713389.png" alt="Brandy Funk / photo courtesy Davidson Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Brandy Funk / photo courtesy Davidson Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been acquitted on all charges related to the death of his 4-year-old granddaughter from carbon monoxide poisoning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573254159942.png" alt="Funk photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Funk photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A Shawnee County jury on Friday acquitted 58-year-old Timothy Wayne Funk Sr. of three charges, including first-degree murder. He was charged after his granddaughter, Brandy Funk, of Beatrice, Nebraska, died in July 2019 at her grandfather's home in Silver Lake.Court records show Timothy Funk acknowledged he left a generator running in the house’s garage with its door shut while he was watching the girl and another granddaughter, who survived.He said he didn't intend to leave the door closed for as long as he did.

Kan. man acquitted in 4-year-old granddaughter's death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden will visit Kansas City Wednesday to promote the recently passed infrastructure law. The White House on Saturday did not announce the exact location of Biden's visit. 

It is his first time in Kansas City as president but he visited the area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.

 Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Nov. 15. It contains money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583675671957.png" alt="&nbsp;Biden visited the Kansas City area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.-photo Biden for President campaign" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Biden visited the Kansas City area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.-photo Biden for President campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Joe Biden will visit Kansas City Wednesday to promote the recently passed infrastructure law. The White House on Saturday did not announce the exact location of Biden's visit. It is his first time in Kansas City as president but he visited the area in March 2020 as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination. Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Nov. 15. It contains money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles.

President Biden scheduled to visit Kansas City next week

HARPER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening at an apartment complex in Harper, Kansas.

Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a citizen called police to report a man who was observed damaging property at the apartment complex at 1123 Jefferson Street in Harper, according to a media release from the KBI.

 When an officer from the Harper Police Department arrived he attempted to make contact with the subject who was standing in the doorway of his apartment. As the officer approached the man, later identified as Kenneth E. Smith, 61, of Harper, tried to slam the door on the officer. The officer caught the door and pushed his way inside the apartment.

Preliminary information indicates that as the officer entered he observed that Smith was armed with a knife. A physical struggle occurred. During the altercation the officer sprayed pepper spray at Smith. The struggle continued until Smith advanced toward the officer with the knife. The officer fired one shot which struck Smith in the right arm.

The officer attempted to create distance from Smith by backing out of the apartment. Smith then locked the apartment door. Officers from the Harper Police Department and deputies from the Harper County Sheriff’s Office responded and forced entry into the apartment. They engaged in another short struggle with Smith while taking him into custody.

EMS responded and transported Smith to a local hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was then transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where he underwent surgery. Smith is currently in good and stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Harper County Attorney for review.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638648314339.png" alt="Smith from an earlier arrest in Kingman County" />
 <figcaption>Smith from an earlier arrest in Kingman County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARPER COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening at an apartment complex in Harper, Kansas.Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a citizen called police to report a man who was observed damaging property at the apartment complex at 1123 Jefferson Street in Harper, according to a media release from the KBI. When an officer from the Harper Police Department arrived he attempted to make contact with the subject who was standing in the doorway of his apartment. As the officer approached the man, later identified as Kenneth E. Smith, 61, of Harper, tried to slam the door on the officer. The officer caught the door and pushed his way inside the apartment.Preliminary information indicates that as the officer entered he observed that Smith was armed with a knife. A physical struggle occurred. During the altercation the officer sprayed pepper spray at Smith. The struggle continued until Smith advanced toward the officer with the knife. The officer fired one shot which struck Smith in the right arm.The officer attempted to create distance from Smith by backing out of the apartment. Smith then locked the apartment door. Officers from the Harper Police Department and deputies from the Harper County Sheriff’s Office responded and forced entry into the apartment. They engaged in another short struggle with Smith while taking him into custody.EMS responded and transported Smith to a local hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was then transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where he underwent surgery. Smith is currently in good and stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this shooting. Once completed the findings will be turned over to the Harper County Attorney for review.&nbsp;

KBI: Man injured after knife fight, officer-involved shooting 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County authorities have identified the suspect in two shootings that left a child dead and two other people injured before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The sheriff's office said 38-year-old Keith Johnson Jr. is believed to have shot his girlfriend at Welborn Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday. 

He then went to his home and barricaded himself inside. When officers eventually entered the home, they found Johnson and 7-year-old Cariya Reed dead from gunshot wounds. A 3-year-old boy was also shot. The boy and  Johnson's girlfriend remain hospitalized in critical condition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638644606794.png" alt="Keith Johnson, Jr. following a previous arrest for alleged domestic battery, according to the Wyandotte County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Keith Johnson, Jr. following a previous arrest for alleged domestic battery, according to the Wyandotte County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County authorities have identified the suspect in two shootings that left a child dead and two other people injured before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638384786383.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The sheriff's office said 38-year-old Keith Johnson Jr. is believed to have shot his girlfriend at Welborn Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday. He then went to his home and barricaded himself inside. When officers eventually entered the home, they found Johnson and 7-year-old Cariya Reed dead from gunshot wounds. A 3-year-old boy was also shot. The boy and Johnson's girlfriend remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Sheriff IDs 7-year-old, suspect killed in shooting at Kan. home

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-01/the-kansas-prison-staff-shortage-means-lansing-inmates-wont-be-able-to-see-their-families">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — Dana Aguilar is preparing to see her son in person for what could be the last time for months.

Her
 son is an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility, where an ongoing
 staff shortage has triggered an indefinite halt to in-person visits 
starting Dec. 6.

“I’ve been in denial,” Aguilar said. “I’m gonna 
keep trying to schedule. ... I’ll just go out there and show up until 
they tell me I’m not allowed or the doors are locked.”

Job vacancies at state prisons have doubled since summer and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad" target="_blank">workers are taking on mandatory overtime just to keep facilities operational.</a>
 Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a letter 
to residents and family that staff have continued to leave the 
department and Lansing “simply cannot continue to staff” visitations.

Medium and maximum housing units will also be locked down from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. everyday.

“We
 heard clearly from many of you how difficult the suspension of 
in-person was upon residents and families during the height of the 
coronavirus pandemic,” Zmuda said in the letter. “I expect that will be 
the same again, and we wish that we could have at least made it through 
the holiday season before this became necessary. Regrettably we cannot.”

Aguilar
 plans to call and video chat with her son, but those are more expensive
 and she finds them less fulfilling than in-person visits. She said her 
son is more depressed after hearing the news.

“I’m hoping that he 
reaches out for help,” Aguilar said. “He’s really bummed out about it. 
They don’t give an end date, it’s just the looming (feeling of) how long
 is this going to go on?”

She didn’t see her son for almost a year
 because the pandemic prevented in-person visitation. Aguilar was 
planning to see her son on Christmas, but that likely won’t happen.

“I
 feel like I’m being punished,” she said. “I’m just really going to be 
glad when this is all over and we (can) put this behind us because I 
never want to go through this again. It's really stressful.”

Gov. 
Laura Kelly announced on Nov. 23 that state prison staff would get 
temporary raises and some employees would get one-time $3,500 bonuses, 
but that was after prison and union officials said staffing was the 
worst they had ever seen.

Kelly’s plan also proposed a base pay 
increase to state prison employees and 24/7 nursing staff that could 
cost $18 million over the next two years.

Sarah LaFrenz, president
 of the Kansas Organization of State Employees union, applauded Kelly’s 
plan. But she said action needs to be taken immediately.

In the 
past month, two correctional officers at the Lansing prison were injured
 in attacks. LaFrenz blamed the staff shortage for the incidents. Each 
of the corrections officers was watching over 100 inmates on their own.

“Clearly,
 the administrators of Lansing Correctional Facility have made no 
changes to ensure the safety of the state employees that work at that 
facility,” LaFrenz said. “We have heard no reports of staffing changes, 
policy updates or any other measures to alleviate the dangerous 
conditions at Lansing.”

Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice
 and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can 
follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638455863184.png" alt="In-person visitation at the Lansing Correctional Facility is suspended indefinately as the Kansas Department of Corrections staffing crisis continues. Julie Denesha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>In-person visitation at the Lansing Correctional Facility is suspended indefinately as the Kansas Department of Corrections staffing crisis continues. Julie Denesha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-01/the-kansas-prison-staff-shortage-means-lansing-inmates-wont-be-able-to-see-their-families">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — Dana Aguilar is preparing to see her son in person for what could be the last time for months.Her
 son is an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility, where an ongoing
 staff shortage has triggered an indefinite halt to in-person visits 
starting Dec. 6.“I’ve been in denial,” Aguilar said. “I’m gonna 
keep trying to schedule. ... I’ll just go out there and show up until 
they tell me I’m not allowed or the doors are locked.”Job vacancies at state prisons have doubled since summer and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-09/the-people-running-kansas-prisons-have-never-seen-a-staffing-crisis-this-bad" target="_blank">workers are taking on mandatory overtime just to keep facilities operational.</a>
 Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a letter 
to residents and family that staff have continued to leave the 
department and Lansing “simply cannot continue to staff” visitations.Medium and maximum housing units will also be locked down from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. everyday.“We
 heard clearly from many of you how difficult the suspension of 
in-person was upon residents and families during the height of the 
coronavirus pandemic,” Zmuda said in the letter. “I expect that will be 
the same again, and we wish that we could have at least made it through 
the holiday season before this became necessary. Regrettably we cannot.”Aguilar
 plans to call and video chat with her son, but those are more expensive
 and she finds them less fulfilling than in-person visits. She said her 
son is more depressed after hearing the news.“I’m hoping that he 
reaches out for help,” Aguilar said. “He’s really bummed out about it. 
They don’t give an end date, it’s just the looming (feeling of) how long
 is this going to go on?”She didn’t see her son for almost a year
 because the pandemic prevented in-person visitation. Aguilar was 
planning to see her son on Christmas, but that likely won’t happen.“I
 feel like I’m being punished,” she said. “I’m just really going to be 
glad when this is all over and we (can) put this behind us because I 
never want to go through this again. It's really stressful.”Gov. 
Laura Kelly announced on Nov. 23 that state prison staff would get 
temporary raises and some employees would get one-time $3,500 bonuses, 
but that was after prison and union officials said staffing was the 
worst they had ever seen.Kelly’s plan also proposed a base pay 
increase to state prison employees and 24/7 nursing staff that could 
cost $18 million over the next two years.Sarah LaFrenz, president
 of the Kansas Organization of State Employees union, applauded Kelly’s 
plan. But she said action needs to be taken immediately.In the 
past month, two correctional officers at the Lansing prison were injured
 in attacks. LaFrenz blamed the staff shortage for the incidents. Each 
of the corrections officers was watching over 100 inmates on their own.“Clearly,
 the administrators of Lansing Correctional Facility have made no 
changes to ensure the safety of the state employees that work at that 
facility,” LaFrenz said. “We have heard no reports of staffing changes, 
policy updates or any other measures to alleviate the dangerous 
conditions at Lansing.”Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice
 and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka. You can 
follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or email him at blaise@kcur.org.

Kan. prison staff shortage means inmates won't be able to see family

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden looked out over an audience of government scientists and framed his latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-d25ca8f275eca6fb04155891248e76c1">plan for fighting COVID-19</a>&nbsp;as an opportunity to at last put an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-5b62c8e442ea495c58ed51d9f50d7c0d">divisiveness over the virus</a>, calling the politicization of the issue a “sad, sad commentary.”

Some people “on the other team,” he said Thursday, were threatening to hold up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-congress-aa30e5922cb6650e9235b0a66813b2f4">government spending</a>&nbsp;and endangering the nation’s credit out of pique over vaccination requirements.

It was a quick aside in a Biden speech that otherwise struck a largely bipartisan tone. But it served as fresh evidence that after taking it on the chin for months, Biden and his allies are increasingly willing to hit back, casting Republicans as the true obstacle to the nation’s recovery from the pandemic.

The Democratic president’s efforts to confront&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;have long attracted a litany of fiery statements, legal challenges and more than a few barbs from his predecessor. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Biden was elected</a>&nbsp;on the promise of depoliticizing the virus response and following the science, so responding in kind wasn’t seen as an option early on.

Biden aides in the early months of his presidency pressed him to ignore criticism from Republicans, arguing that responding would further inject politics into the vaccination campaign and harm his all-out effort to get Americans to roll up their sleeves.

But now, as public patience wears thin amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/omicron-variant-anime-convention-new-york-minnesota-a343c1d0bcc6e59f8696491443f704db">the emergence of the new omicron variant</a>&nbsp;and some GOP lawmakers’ threats to shut down the government over vaccine requirements, the White House and its allies are seizing on what they see as a political opening.

“It’s clear that Republicans have decided that the fate of the Biden presidency is tied to COVID,” said Democratic communications strategist Eric Schultz, who worked in the Obama White House. “And Republicans have chosen to be on the side of the virus.”

With most Americans now vaccinated, the White House is less worried about turning people off with such political talk. Biden aides now doubt that some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-science-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-36ea18ee3a3397da7edd5b8249f0e477">the stubborn holdouts</a>&nbsp;-- more than 40 million adults -- will get a vaccine for any reason short of their employers requiring it, minimizing the risk of backlash.

Biden did pop out a dig in August as some Republican governors moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-1aba40b697a210a65356269c916780d4">block mask mandates in schools</a>.

“If you aren’t going to fight COVID-19, at least get out of the way of everyone else who is trying,” he said. “You know, we’re not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children.”

More recently, Biden aides have grown more willing to openly condemn Republican lawmakers they view as obstacles to his efforts to control the pandemic.

“These supporters of the former president are advocating for shutting the federal government down so that 20% of the public who are refusing to get vaccinated or tested can be free to infect their coworkers, our children, filling hospitals — that is what they are advocating for,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at briefing this week. “They want to shut the government down in order to advocate for people to assert that on society. So, I don’t think that should be lost on us.”

Privately, White House officials have been even more direct, accusing Republicans of advocating policies that would extend the pandemic, close schools and cost more lives.

Some Republican lawmakers, for their part, have pitched their opposition to the vaccine mandates as looking out for constituents being forced to choose between a shot and a job, although Biden’s order offers a test-out alternative for most private sector employees. The lawmakers are seeking legislation that would prevent agencies from receiving funding to enforce the mandates.

“I have heard from hundreds of Utahns, in recent days, who are concerned about losing their jobs — losing their jobs not just in general, not just in the abstract, but specifically due to these mandates,” said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.

Democrats are portraying the vaccine mandates as critical to protecting the health of Americans during a pandemic, describing the Republican efforts as “anti-vaccine.”

“How do they explain to the public that they are shutting down government because they don’t want people to get vaccinated?” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday when the fate of a government spending bill was uncertain. “Why don’t you go ask them? This is so silly.”

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that if Republicans were to block the funding bill, “It will be a Republican anti-vaccine shutdown.”

The Senate did later Thursday approve a stopgap spending bill to avoid a short-term shutdown after leaders defused the standoff over vaccine mandates.

Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has long been a strong point in his public approval ratings, but it has slipped in recent months as the delta variant raged and cases and deaths increased. More than 780,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19.

An October AP-NORC poll found that 54% of Americans said they approved of Biden’s job on the pandemic, higher than his approval rating overall and much higher than approval of his handling of the economy, at 48% and 41%, respectively.

Still, as recently as July, before the delta variant struck, 66% had approved of Biden on COVID-19 and 59% approved of his job performance overall.

The White House seems increasingly intent on reclaiming the high ground on COVID.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates on Thursday took to Twitter to play up a Chamber of Commerce statement offering support for the president’s contention “that no business should have to shut down this winter because of COVID-19.”

Bates tweeted, “Tough break for Republicans: like us, business is also opposed to the pandemic, and they similarly don’t want it to kill more Americans and jobs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638531359660.png" alt="Late Thursday, all 50 Senate Democrats voted against an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall that would have defunded each of Joe Biden’s COVID vaccine mandates.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Late Thursday, all 50 Senate Democrats voted against an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall that would have defunded each of Joe Biden’s COVID vaccine mandates.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden looked out over an audience of government scientists and framed his latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-d25ca8f275eca6fb04155891248e76c1">plan for fighting COVID-19</a>&nbsp;as an opportunity to at last put an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-5b62c8e442ea495c58ed51d9f50d7c0d">divisiveness over the virus</a>, calling the politicization of the issue a “sad, sad commentary.”And then he tacked on a political dig.Some people “on the other team,” he said Thursday, were threatening to hold up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-congress-aa30e5922cb6650e9235b0a66813b2f4">government spending</a>&nbsp;and endangering the nation’s credit out of pique over vaccination requirements.“Go figure,” he added.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMo6tl7EoFs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>It was a quick aside in a Biden speech that otherwise struck a largely bipartisan tone. But it served as fresh evidence that after taking it on the chin for months, Biden and his allies are increasingly willing to hit back, casting Republicans as the true obstacle to the nation’s recovery from the pandemic.The Democratic president’s efforts to confront&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;have long attracted a litany of fiery statements, legal challenges and more than a few barbs from his predecessor. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Biden was elected</a>&nbsp;on the promise of depoliticizing the virus response and following the science, so responding in kind wasn’t seen as an option early on.Biden aides in the early months of his presidency pressed him to ignore criticism from Republicans, arguing that responding would further inject politics into the vaccination campaign and harm his all-out effort to get Americans to roll up their sleeves.But now, as public patience wears thin amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/omicron-variant-anime-convention-new-york-minnesota-a343c1d0bcc6e59f8696491443f704db">the emergence of the new omicron variant</a>&nbsp;and some GOP lawmakers’ threats to shut down the government over vaccine requirements, the White House and its allies are seizing on what they see as a political opening.“It’s clear that Republicans have decided that the fate of the Biden presidency is tied to COVID,” said Democratic communications strategist Eric Schultz, who worked in the Obama White House. “And Republicans have chosen to be on the side of the virus.”With most Americans now vaccinated, the White House is less worried about turning people off with such political talk. Biden aides now doubt that some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-science-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-36ea18ee3a3397da7edd5b8249f0e477">the stubborn holdouts</a>&nbsp;-- more than 40 million adults -- will get a vaccine for any reason short of their employers requiring it, minimizing the risk of backlash.Biden did pop out a dig in August as some Republican governors moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-1aba40b697a210a65356269c916780d4">block mask mandates in schools</a>.“If you aren’t going to fight COVID-19, at least get out of the way of everyone else who is trying,” he said. “You know, we’re not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children.”More recently, Biden aides have grown more willing to openly condemn Republican lawmakers they view as obstacles to his efforts to control the pandemic.“These supporters of the former president are advocating for shutting the federal government down so that 20% of the public who are refusing to get vaccinated or tested can be free to infect their coworkers, our children, filling hospitals — that is what they are advocating for,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at briefing this week. “They want to shut the government down in order to advocate for people to assert that on society. So, I don’t think that should be lost on us.”Privately, White House officials have been even more direct, accusing Republicans of advocating policies that would extend the pandemic, close schools and cost more lives.Some Republican lawmakers, for their part, have pitched their opposition to the vaccine mandates as looking out for constituents being forced to choose between a shot and a job, although Biden’s order offers a test-out alternative for most private sector employees. The lawmakers are seeking legislation that would prevent agencies from receiving funding to enforce the mandates.“I have heard from hundreds of Utahns, in recent days, who are concerned about losing their jobs — losing their jobs not just in general, not just in the abstract, but specifically due to these mandates,” said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.Democrats are portraying the vaccine mandates as critical to protecting the health of Americans during a pandemic, describing the Republican efforts as “anti-vaccine.”“How do they explain to the public that they are shutting down government because they don’t want people to get vaccinated?” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday when the fate of a government spending bill was uncertain. “Why don’t you go ask them? This is so silly.”Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that if Republicans were to block the funding bill, “It will be a Republican anti-vaccine shutdown.”The Senate did later Thursday approve a stopgap spending bill to avoid a short-term shutdown after leaders defused the standoff over vaccine mandates.Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has long been a strong point in his public approval ratings, but it has slipped in recent months as the delta variant raged and cases and deaths increased. More than 780,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19.An October AP-NORC poll found that 54% of Americans said they approved of Biden’s job on the pandemic, higher than his approval rating overall and much higher than approval of his handling of the economy, at 48% and 41%, respectively.Still, as recently as July, before the delta variant struck, 66% had approved of Biden on COVID-19 and 59% approved of his job performance overall.The White House seems increasingly intent on reclaiming the high ground on COVID.White House spokesman Andrew Bates on Thursday took to Twitter to play up a Chamber of Commerce statement offering support for the president’s contention “that no business should have to shut down this winter because of COVID-19.”Bates tweeted, “Tough break for Republicans: like us, business is also opposed to the pandemic, and they similarly don’t want it to kill more Americans and jobs.”___

Biden, allies increasingly pushing back at GOP's virus barbs

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The parents of a teen accused of killing four students in a shooting at a&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;high school were caught early Saturday, several hours after a prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges against them, officials said.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were captured in a commercial building in Detroit that housed artwork, Detroit Police Chief James E. White told a news conference. White said the couple “were aided in getting into the building,” and that a person who helped them may also face charges.

A Detroit business owner spotted a car tied to the Crumbleys in his parking lot late Friday, Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said in a statement. A woman seen near the vehicle ran away when the business owner called 911, McCabe said. The couple was later located and arrested by Detroit police.

A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the Crumbleys on Friday, accusing them of failing to intervene on the day of the tragedy despite being confronted with a drawing and chilling message — “blood everywhere” — that was found at the boy’s desk.

The Crumbleys committed “egregious” acts, from buying a gun on Black Friday and making it available to Ethan Crumbley to resisting his removal from school when they were summoned a few hours before the shooting, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said.

Authorities had been looking for the couple since Friday afternoon. Late Friday, U.S. Marshals announced a reward of up to $10,000 each for information leading to their arrests.

The Crumbley's attorney, Shannon Smith, said the pair had left town earlier in the week “for their own safety.” Smith told The Associated Press they would be returning to Oxford to be arraigned.

However, White said the Crumbleys “appeared to be hiding” in the building where they were found. He added that the parents appeared to be “distressed” when they were captured.

“Head down... just very upset,” he said of one of the parents. The couple was booked into the Oakland County Jail.

Earlier, the prosecutor offered the most precise account so far of the events that led to the shooting at Oxford High School, roughly 30 miles&nbsp; north of Detroit.

Ethan Crumbley, 15, emerged from a bathroom with a gun, shooting students in the hallway, investigators said. He’s charged as an adult with murder, terrorism and other crimes.

Under Michigan law, the involuntary manslaughter charge filed against the parents can be pursued if authorities believe someone contributed to a situation where there was a high chance of harm or death.

Parents in the U.S. are rarely charged in school shootings involving their children, even as most minors get guns from a parent or relative’s house, according to experts.

School officials became concerned about the younger Crumbley on Monday, a day before the shooting, when a teacher saw him searching for ammunition on his phone, McDonald said.

Jennifer Crumbley was contacted and subsequently told her son in a text message: “Lol. I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught,” according to the prosecutor.

On Tuesday, a teacher found a note on Ethan’s desk and took a photo. It was a drawing of a gun pointing at the words, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me,” McDonald said.

There also was a drawing of a bullet, she said, with words above it: “Blood everywhere.”

Between the gun and the bullet was a person who appeared to have been shot twice and is bleeding. He also wrote, “My life is useless” and “The world is dead,” according to the prosecutor.

The school quickly had a meeting with Ethan and his parents, who were told to get him into counseling within 48 hours, McDonald said.

The Crumbleys failed to ask their son about the gun or check his backpack and “resisted the idea of their son leaving the school at that time,” McDonald said.

Instead, the teen returned to class and the shooting subsequently occurred.

“The notion that a parent could read those words and also know that their son had access to a deadly weapon that they gave him is unconscionable — it’s criminal,” the prosecutor said.

Jennifer Crumbley texted her son after the shooting, saying, “Ethan, don’t do it,” McDonald said.

James Crumbley called 911 to say that a gun was missing from their home and that Ethan might be the shooter. The gun had been kept in an unlocked drawer in the parents’ bedroom, McDonald said.

Ethan accompanied his father for the gun purchase on Nov. 26 and posted photos of the firearm on social media, saying, “Just got my new beauty today,” McDonald said.

Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, Jennifer Crumbley wrote on social media that it is a “mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present,” the prosecutor said.

Asked at a news conference if the father could be charged for purchasing the gun for the son, McDonald said that would be the decision of federal authorities.

In a video message to the community Thursday, the head of Oxford Community Schools said the high school looks like a “war zone” and won’t be ready for weeks. Superintendent Tim Throne repeatedly complimented students and staff for how they responded to the violence.

He also acknowledged the meeting of Crumbley, the parents and school officials. Throne offered no details but summed it up by saying, “No discipline was warranted.”

McDonald was asked about the decision to keep Crumbley in school.

“Of course, he shouldn’t have gone back to that classroom. ... I believe that is a universal position. I’m not going to chastise or attack, but yeah,” she said.

Asked if school officials may potentially be charged, McDonald said: “The investigation’s ongoing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638621716369.png" alt="James Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>James Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The parents of a teen accused of killing four students in a shooting at a&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;high school were caught early Saturday, several hours after a prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges against them, officials said.James and Jennifer Crumbley were captured in a commercial building in Detroit that housed artwork, Detroit Police Chief James E. White told a news conference. White said the couple “were aided in getting into the building,” and that a person who helped them may also face charges.A Detroit business owner spotted a car tied to the Crumbleys in his parking lot late Friday, Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said in a statement. A woman seen near the vehicle ran away when the business owner called 911, McCabe said. The couple was later located and arrested by Detroit police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638621694054.png" alt="Jennifer Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Jennifer Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the Crumbleys on Friday, accusing them of failing to intervene on the day of the tragedy despite being confronted with a drawing and chilling message — “blood everywhere” — that was found at the boy’s desk.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638552839270.png" alt="Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald during Friday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald during Friday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>The Crumbleys committed “egregious” acts, from buying a gun on Black Friday and making it available to Ethan Crumbley to resisting his removal from school when they were summoned a few hours before the shooting, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638622850263.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities had been looking for the couple since Friday afternoon. Late Friday, U.S. Marshals announced a reward of up to $10,000 each for information leading to their arrests.The Crumbley's attorney, Shannon Smith, said the pair had left town earlier in the week “for their own safety.” Smith told The Associated Press they would be returning to Oxford to be arraigned.However, White said the Crumbleys “appeared to be hiding” in the building where they were found. He added that the parents appeared to be “distressed” when they were captured.“Head down... just very upset,” he said of one of the parents. The couple was booked into the Oakland County Jail.Earlier, the prosecutor offered the most precise account so far of the events that led to the shooting at Oxford High School, roughly 30 miles&nbsp; north of Detroit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638551635768.png" alt="Ethan Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ethan Crumbley-photo Oakland Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Ethan Crumbley, 15, emerged from a bathroom with a gun, shooting students in the hallway, investigators said. He’s charged as an adult with murder, terrorism and other crimes.Under Michigan law, the involuntary manslaughter charge filed against the parents can be pursued if authorities believe someone contributed to a situation where there was a high chance of harm or death.Parents in the U.S. are rarely charged in school shootings involving their children, even as most minors get guns from a parent or relative’s house, according to experts.School officials became concerned about the younger Crumbley on Monday, a day before the shooting, when a teacher saw him searching for ammunition on his phone, McDonald said.Jennifer Crumbley was contacted and subsequently told her son in a text message: “Lol. I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught,” according to the prosecutor.On Tuesday, a teacher found a note on Ethan’s desk and took a photo. It was a drawing of a gun pointing at the words, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me,” McDonald said.There also was a drawing of a bullet, she said, with words above it: “Blood everywhere.”Between the gun and the bullet was a person who appeared to have been shot twice and is bleeding. He also wrote, “My life is useless” and “The world is dead,” according to the prosecutor.The school quickly had a meeting with Ethan and his parents, who were told to get him into counseling within 48 hours, McDonald said.The Crumbleys failed to ask their son about the gun or check his backpack and “resisted the idea of their son leaving the school at that time,” McDonald said.Instead, the teen returned to class and the shooting subsequently occurred.“The notion that a parent could read those words and also know that their son had access to a deadly weapon that they gave him is unconscionable — it’s criminal,” the prosecutor said.Jennifer Crumbley texted her son after the shooting, saying, “Ethan, don’t do it,” McDonald said.James Crumbley called 911 to say that a gun was missing from their home and that Ethan might be the shooter. The gun had been kept in an unlocked drawer in the parents’ bedroom, McDonald said.Ethan accompanied his father for the gun purchase on Nov. 26 and posted photos of the firearm on social media, saying, “Just got my new beauty today,” McDonald said.Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, Jennifer Crumbley wrote on social media that it is a “mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present,” the prosecutor said.Asked at a news conference if the father could be charged for purchasing the gun for the son, McDonald said that would be the decision of federal authorities.In a video message to the community Thursday, the head of Oxford Community Schools said the high school looks like a “war zone” and won’t be ready for weeks. Superintendent Tim Throne repeatedly complimented students and staff for how they responded to the violence.He also acknowledged the meeting of Crumbley, the parents and school officials. Throne offered no details but summed it up by saying, “No discipline was warranted.”McDonald was asked about the decision to keep Crumbley in school.“Of course, he shouldn’t have gone back to that classroom. ... I believe that is a universal position. I’m not going to chastise or attack, but yeah,” she said.Asked if school officials may potentially be charged, McDonald said: “The investigation’s ongoing.”

Fugitive parents of alleged Michigan school shooter captured 

By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/02/at-home-covid-tests-to-be-covered-by-insurance-but-details-still-to-come/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — State health officials 
on Thursday welcomed the Biden administration’s plan to require private 
health insurers to reimburse Americans for the cost of rapid, at-home 
COVID-19 tests — though the officials also raised questions about 
whether the process will be burdensome.

Making those tests more accessible 
will allow Americans to get results quickly and in the privacy of their 
own homes. That change may encourage more people to swab their nose when
 they first notice potential symptoms, experts from the Association of 
State and Territorial Health Officials told reporters.

“In this next phase of the pandemic, 
rapid access to rapid testing will be key,” said Nirav Shah, director of
 Maine’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adding that it can 
help to combat potential surges and to pinpoint infections quickly so 
antiviral treatments can be used.

But several challenges could limit the impact of the cost reduction.

That includes lingering problems with
 sufficient supplies, uncertainty about the details of the reimbursement
 process, and questions about any potential effect on the data that’s 
reaching state and local health departments about infections in their 
communities.

Under the proposal that President Joe
 Biden announced Thursday, three federal departments — Health and Human 
Services, Labor and the Treasury — will issue official guidance by Jan. 
15 that will detail what exactly private insurers must cover when it 
comes to rapid COVID-19 tests.

Those insurers already are required 
to pay for the PCR tests that must be sent to a laboratory for 
processing and take longer for results.

The upcoming change requiring 
insurance coverage of rapid, at-home tests, won’t be retroactive. That 
means Americans who have been shelling out roughly $25 for a package 
containing two of the popular Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests can’t submit 
receipts for tests they’ve already purchased.

Other details of that requirement 
were unclear Thursday, including if there will be any limitations on the
 number of at-home tests that must be covered.

While the Biden administration has 
sought to reduce supply bottlenecks in producing those tests, Shah said 
some states are still having difficulty acquiring large volumes of the 
Abbott at-home tests.

That brand, which has been found to 
be highly accurate, has been relied on heavily even as more options have
 come on the market. Part of that demand comes from familiarity: Those 
administering tests in large settings have become familiar with their 
use.

Another challenge with increasing the
 use of at-home tests will be ensuring that individuals know what to do 
if they test positive.

Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s chief 
executive officer, said state health officials have been discussing 
whether those at-home tests should include an insert to help explain who
 to call and other next steps, so that contact tracing can occur.

“There is some concern that with the 
increase in at-home testing, getting those results reported to state 
health departments might be difficult, because the result doesn’t 
automatically go to public health authorities,” Fraser said.

However, there won’t be many results 
to get to state and local health officials if Americans with private 
insurance balk at fronting the money for tests while they await 
reimbursement.

Shah said a more accessible model 
would be to have individuals show their insurance card at a pharmacy as 
they would when getting a flu shot or picking up a prescription, rather 
than being charged at the register.

Having to pay for the tests, then wait for repayment, “introduces an access challenge for a lot of folks,” he said.

The Biden administration also plans 
to boost the number of free at-home tests distributed at community 
health centers and rural clinics, though those are intended to aid those
 who are not covered by private insurance.

Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638546938939.png" alt="Under a proposal announced Thursday by President Joe Biden, Americans can get reimbursed for the roughly $25 cost of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests. (Laura Olson/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>Under a proposal announced Thursday by President Joe Biden, Americans can get reimbursed for the roughly $25 cost of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests. (Laura Olson/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA OLSON <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/02/at-home-covid-tests-to-be-covered-by-insurance-but-details-still-to-come/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — State health officials 
on Thursday welcomed the Biden administration’s plan to require private 
health insurers to reimburse Americans for the cost of rapid, at-home 
COVID-19 tests — though the officials also raised questions about 
whether the process will be burdensome.Making those tests more accessible 
will allow Americans to get results quickly and in the privacy of their 
own homes. That change may encourage more people to swab their nose when
 they first notice potential symptoms, experts from the Association of 
State and Territorial Health Officials told reporters.“In this next phase of the pandemic, 
rapid access to rapid testing will be key,” said Nirav Shah, director of
 Maine’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adding that it can 
help to combat potential surges and to pinpoint infections quickly so 
antiviral treatments can be used.But several challenges could limit the impact of the cost reduction.That includes lingering problems with
 sufficient supplies, uncertainty about the details of the reimbursement
 process, and questions about any potential effect on the data that’s 
reaching state and local health departments about infections in their 
communities.<h2>Official guidance in January</h2>Under the proposal that President Joe
 Biden announced Thursday, three federal departments — Health and Human 
Services, Labor and the Treasury — will issue official guidance by Jan. 
15 that will detail what exactly private insurers must cover when it 
comes to rapid COVID-19 tests.Those insurers already are required 
to pay for the PCR tests that must be sent to a laboratory for 
processing and take longer for results.The upcoming change requiring 
insurance coverage of rapid, at-home tests, won’t be retroactive. That 
means Americans who have been shelling out roughly $25 for a package 
containing two of the popular Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests can’t submit 
receipts for tests they’ve already purchased.Other details of that requirement 
were unclear Thursday, including if there will be any limitations on the
 number of at-home tests that must be covered.While the Biden administration has 
sought to reduce supply bottlenecks in producing those tests, Shah said 
some states are still having difficulty acquiring large volumes of the 
Abbott at-home tests.That brand, which has been found to 
be highly accurate, has been relied on heavily even as more options have
 come on the market. Part of that demand comes from familiarity: Those 
administering tests in large settings have become familiar with their 
use.<h2>What if you test positive?</h2>Another challenge with increasing the
 use of at-home tests will be ensuring that individuals know what to do 
if they test positive.Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s chief 
executive officer, said state health officials have been discussing 
whether those at-home tests should include an insert to help explain who
 to call and other next steps, so that contact tracing can occur.“There is some concern that with the 
increase in at-home testing, getting those results reported to state 
health departments might be difficult, because the result doesn’t 
automatically go to public health authorities,” Fraser said.However, there won’t be many results 
to get to state and local health officials if Americans with private 
insurance balk at fronting the money for tests while they await 
reimbursement.Shah said a more accessible model 
would be to have individuals show their insurance card at a pharmacy as 
they would when getting a flu shot or picking up a prescription, rather 
than being charged at the register.Having to pay for the tests, then wait for repayment, “introduces an access challenge for a lot of folks,” he said.The Biden administration also plans 
to boost the number of free at-home tests distributed at community 
health centers and rural clinics, though those are intended to aid those
 who are not covered by private insurance.Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Kansas Reflector.&nbsp;

At-home COVID tests to be covered by insurance — details still to come

This holiday shopping season, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 has received numerous reports about shipping tricks that scammers use 
to steal from online shoppers. The con artists are exploiting PayPal's 
polices by delivering incorrect items and using stolen tracking numbers.

People are shopping online and are finding amazing deals, often brand
 name goods at a significant discount. Often, the items are large – such
 as pieces of furniture or a vaccum cleaner. The website and the 
products look legitimate, so consumers are deciding to take a chance and
 make a purchase. The site directs them to pay through PayPal, which 
leads many to believe it's safe. &nbsp;

After checkout, a confirmation email arrives that contains a tracking
 number from UPS, FedEx, or another shipping service. After a few weeks,
 the package arrives, but it’s not what was expected. For example, one 
shopper ordered a 6 foot artificial Christmas tree, but “received a 
bottle brush Christmas tree no bigger than my hand.” &nbsp;Another shopper 
told BBB that they ordered “a pressured machine washer for $78...” and 
received “a yellow shirt that’s not worth $2.” In another common version
 of this scam, the package is delivered... but to the wrong address.&nbsp;

When consumers try to correct the mistake, they are finding that the 
ecommerce site is either unresponsive or unhelpful. In some cases, the 
site doesn’t provide contact information; in others, no one responds to 
emails or calls.&nbsp;

Some scam victims report filing claims with PayPal in order to get a refund. PayPal's <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security" target="_blank">protection promise</a>
 says customers can open a dispute if the package never arrives, if the 
item received is counterfeit or differs significantly from what was 
ordered. However, not all claims were resolved to the buyer’s 
satisfaction. For example, one shopper reported the following experience
 after ordering a desk online and filing a dispute though PayPal. “I was
 contacted by PayPal and told they had found in favor of the seller. 
They had apparently received confirmation of delivery of said desk to my
 house according to the tracking number… PayPal did not give me any 
option to discuss their decision, to argue why they found in favor of 
the seller. They just closed the case.” &nbsp;

BBB contacted PayPal about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 reports. After looking into the stolen tracking code issue, they 
replied: "We notified various shipping carriers of this issue allowing 
tracking data to be stolen and we believe it has been closed. In 
addition, we made enhancements to our algorithms to identify and disable
 these fraudulent bad actors. In fact, we are stopping a significant 
majority of these fraudulent sellers at first transaction through our 
detection program and have refunded customers impacted by this fraud 
scheme even if they did not appeal our decision."

Protect Yourself from a Package Delivery Scam: &nbsp;

Learn more about spotting and reporting <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-report-potential-fraud,-spoof-or-unauthorized-transactions-to-paypal-faq2422" target="_blank">PayPal fraud</a>. For more resources on shipping fraud, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fedex.com/en-us/trust-center/report-fraud.html" target="_blank">FedEx's website</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/legal-terms-conditions/fight-fraud.page" target="_blank">UPS's online resource center</a>. To learn more about&nbsp;scams, go to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtips" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTips</a>.

If you’ve been targeted by this scam, help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience at <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;

NOTE: <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/paypal-inc-1216-210387" target="_blank">PayPal Inc.</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/memphis/profile/mailing-services/fedex-corporation-0543-3310" target="_blank">FedEx Corporation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ga/atlanta/profile/delivery-service/united-parcel-service-0443-8866" target="_blank">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;are BBB Accredited Businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThis holiday shopping season, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 has received numerous reports about shipping tricks that scammers use 
to steal from online shoppers. The con artists are exploiting PayPal's 
polices by delivering incorrect items and using stolen tracking numbers.<h2>How the&nbsp;Scam&nbsp;Works:&nbsp;</h2>People are shopping online and are finding amazing deals, often brand
 name goods at a significant discount. Often, the items are large – such
 as pieces of furniture or a vaccum cleaner. The website and the 
products look legitimate, so consumers are deciding to take a chance and
 make a purchase. The site directs them to pay through PayPal, which 
leads many to believe it's safe. &nbsp;After checkout, a confirmation email arrives that contains a tracking
 number from UPS, FedEx, or another shipping service. After a few weeks,
 the package arrives, but it’s not what was expected. For example, one 
shopper ordered a 6 foot artificial Christmas tree, but “received a 
bottle brush Christmas tree no bigger than my hand.” &nbsp;Another shopper 
told BBB that they ordered “a pressured machine washer for $78...” and 
received “a yellow shirt that’s not worth $2.” In another common version
 of this scam, the package is delivered... but to the wrong address.&nbsp;When consumers try to correct the mistake, they are finding that the 
ecommerce site is either unresponsive or unhelpful. In some cases, the 
site doesn’t provide contact information; in others, no one responds to 
emails or calls.&nbsp;Some scam victims report filing claims with PayPal in order to get a refund. PayPal's <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security" target="_blank">protection promise</a>
 says customers can open a dispute if the package never arrives, if the 
item received is counterfeit or differs significantly from what was 
ordered. However, not all claims were resolved to the buyer’s 
satisfaction. For example, one shopper reported the following experience
 after ordering a desk online and filing a dispute though PayPal. “I was
 contacted by PayPal and told they had found in favor of the seller. 
They had apparently received confirmation of delivery of said desk to my
 house according to the tracking number… PayPal did not give me any 
option to discuss their decision, to argue why they found in favor of 
the seller. They just closed the case.” &nbsp;BBB contacted PayPal about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 reports. After looking into the stolen tracking code issue, they 
replied: "We notified various shipping carriers of this issue allowing 
tracking data to be stolen and we believe it has been closed. In 
addition, we made enhancements to our algorithms to identify and disable
 these fraudulent bad actors. In fact, we are stopping a significant 
majority of these fraudulent sellers at first transaction through our 
detection program and have refunded customers impacted by this fraud 
scheme even if they did not appeal our decision."<h2>Protect Yourself from a Package Delivery Scam: &nbsp;</h2><ul>
 <li>Before paying, know your rights and responsibilities.&nbsp;In everything from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/investigations/18409-bbb-study-shows-how-fake-check-scams-bait-consumers" target="_blank">check cashing scams</a>&nbsp;to cons involving new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13038-how-to-avoid-digital-wallet-scams-on-paypal-venmo-and-other-services" target="_blank">peer-to-peer payment systems</a>,
 scammers often take advantage of what consumers don’t know when it 
comes to processing payments. Don’t make a purchase from a shady seller 
assuming the purchase will be protected no matter what.&nbsp; </li><li>Before buying online, confirm the site has real contact information.&nbsp;Make sure the seller has a working phone number and address on the website, so you can contact them in case of problems. </li><li>Don’t wait too long to file a dispute. Scammers 
know that PayPal and credit cards have time limits for disputes. They 
often try to delay the process long enough so that shoppers miss the 
window. </li><li>If the price seems too good to be true, there's probably something wrong. Be wary if the item is selling for significantly lower than what's been advertised elsewhere. &nbsp;</li><li>Review BBB online shopping tips.&nbsp;Many online purchase scams use similar tactics. See&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB.org/ShoppingOnline</a>&nbsp;for more advice.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>Learn more about spotting and reporting <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-report-potential-fraud,-spoof-or-unauthorized-transactions-to-paypal-faq2422" target="_blank">PayPal fraud</a>. For more resources on shipping fraud, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fedex.com/en-us/trust-center/report-fraud.html" target="_blank">FedEx's website</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/legal-terms-conditions/fight-fraud.page" target="_blank">UPS's online resource center</a>. To learn more about&nbsp;scams, go to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtips" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTips</a>.If you’ve been targeted by this scam, help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience at <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;NOTE: <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/payment-processing-services/paypal-inc-1216-210387" target="_blank">PayPal Inc.</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/memphis/profile/mailing-services/fedex-corporation-0543-3310" target="_blank">FedEx Corporation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ga/atlanta/profile/delivery-service/united-parcel-service-0443-8866" target="_blank">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;are BBB Accredited Businesses.

Scam alert: Tracking code trick costs online shoppers

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have three suspects in custody.

Just before 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a fight at the Quicker Market at 4005 E. US Highway 50 in Garden City, according to a media release.

Multiple witnesses told police they observed a man get attacked by three other men and that the individuals ran northbound through East Garden Village.

Officers located the three suspects, identified as Gary Fletcher, 24, Texas City, TX; Carlos Watson, 24, Galveston, TX; and Louis Benavides, Jr., 21, Hitchcock, TX, in East Garden Village, and took them into custody.

The investigation revealed that the victim had hired Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides for work in Garden City. Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides became upset with the victim, and a physical altercation occurred, with the victim’s wallet being taken.

 The victim was treated for injuries by Finney County EMS at the scene. Officers later located the victim’s wallet.

Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides are being held without bond in the Finney County Jail on the requested charges of Aggravated Robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638463630225.png" alt="Watson-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Watson-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have three suspects in custody.Just before 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a fight at the Quicker Market at 4005 E. US Highway 50 in Garden City, according to a media release.Multiple witnesses told police they observed a man get attacked by three other men and that the individuals ran northbound through East Garden Village.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638463555059.png" alt="Fletcher photo Finney Co" />
 <figcaption>Fletcher photo Finney Co</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers located the three suspects, identified as Gary Fletcher, 24, Texas City, TX; Carlos Watson, 24, Galveston, TX; and Louis Benavides, Jr., 21, Hitchcock, TX, in East Garden Village, and took them into custody.The investigation revealed that the victim had hired Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides for work in Garden City. Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides became upset with the victim, and a physical altercation occurred, with the victim’s wallet being taken.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638463709005.png" alt="Benavides-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Benavides-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> The victim was treated for injuries by Finney County EMS at the scene. Officers later located the victim’s wallet.Fletcher, Watson, and Benavides are being held without bond in the Finney County Jail on the requested charges of Aggravated Robbery.

3 jailed in SW Kan. after attack, robbery on man who hired them

KANSAS CITY —Authorities investigating a fatal crash at the Legends Outlet mall in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim.

A vehicle struck Lawrence Edward Walford, 82, Kansas City, Kansas, as he was walking in the parking lot outside the Walmart, according to KCK Police spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.

EMS transported the Walford to an area hospital where he died. A second victim was also transported but has been released from the hospital.

The driver of the vehicle identified as a 56-year-old woman remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police released no additional details Friday afternoon.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police say one person died and two others were injured when a vehicle hit two pedestrians and crashed into a Walmart at a Kansas City, Kansas shopping plaza. 

Police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand says the crash occurred Thursday afternoon in the Legends Outlet mall. Three people, including the driver, were taken to hospitals. One of the pedestrians later died. Chartrand says investigators believe the crash was accidental and might have occurred when the driver suffered a medical emergency.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638492004705.png" alt="The crash occurred at the Legends Outlet mall. photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>The crash occurred at the Legends Outlet mall. photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities investigating a fatal crash at the Legends Outlet mall in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim.A vehicle struck Lawrence Edward Walford, 82, Kansas City, Kansas, as he was walking in the parking lot outside the Walmart, according to KCK Police spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.EMS transported the Walford to an area hospital where he died. A second victim was also transported but has been released from the hospital.The driver of the vehicle identified as a 56-year-old woman remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police released no additional details Friday afternoon.------KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police say one person died and two others were injured when a vehicle hit two pedestrians and crashed into a Walmart at a Kansas City, Kansas shopping plaza. Police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand says the crash occurred Thursday afternoon in the Legends Outlet mall. Three people, including the driver, were taken to hospitals. One of the pedestrians later died. Chartrand says investigators believe the crash was accidental and might have occurred when the driver suffered a medical emergency.

Police ID Kan. man who died after crash at Legends Outlet mall

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine and said new initiatives coming from his administration are intended to deter Russian aggression.

The president offered the measured warning to Putin in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-crimea-158c3406821bb207c07a279c5d48fadf">growing concern about a Russian buildup&nbsp;</a>of troops on the Ukrainian border and increasingly bellicose rhetoric from the Kremlin.

“What I am doing is putting together what I believe to be will be the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people are worried he may do,” Biden told reporters.

There are signs that the White House and Kremlin are close to arranging a conversation next week between Biden and Putin. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters Friday that arrangements have been made for a Putin-Biden call in the coming days, adding that the date will be announced after Moscow and Washington finalize details. The Russians say a date has been agreed upon, but declined to say when.

Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have also tentatively agreed to have a call next week, according to a person close to the Ukrainian president who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said administration officials have “engaged in the possibility” of a Biden-Putin call. White House officials did not respond to a request for comment on the expected Zelenskyy call.

“It certainly would be an opportunity to discuss our serious concerns about the bellicose rhetoric, about the military buildup that we’re seeing on the border of Ukraine,” Psaki said of a potential Biden-Putin call.

Biden did not detail what actions he was weighing. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met Thursday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Sweden, said the U.S. has threatened new sanctions. He did not detail the potential sanctions but suggested the effort would not be effective.

“If the new ‘sanctions from hell’ come, we will respond,” Lavrov said. “We can’t fail to respond.”

Psaki said the administration would look to coordinate with European allies if it moved forward with sanctions. She noted that bitter memories of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that had been under Ukraine’s control since 1954, are front of mind as the White House considers the way forward.

“We know what President Putin has done in the past,” Psaki said. “We see that he is putting in place the capacity to take action in short order.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-europe-russia-ukraine-moscow-aae934e3b73e428da957e9b1b6ddc4f1">Deep differences were on display</a>&nbsp;during the Blinken-Lavrov meeting, with the Russia official charging the West was “playing with fire” by denying Russia a say in any further NATO expansion into countries of the former Soviet Union. Zelenskyy has pushed for Ukraine to join the alliance, which holds out the promise of membership but hasn’t set a a timeline.

Blinken this week said the U.S. has “made it clear to the Kremlin that we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high-impact economic measures that we’ve refrained from using in the past.”

He did not detail what sanctions were being weighed, but one potentially could be to cut off Russia from the SWIFT system of international payments. The European Union’s Parliament approved a nonbinding resolution in April to cut off Russia from SWIFT if its troops entered Ukraine.

Such a move would go far toward blocking Russian businesses from the global financial system. Western allies reportedly considered such a step in 2014 and 2015, during earlier Russian-led escalations of tensions over Ukraine.

Then-Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would be tantamount to “a declaration of war.”

U.S.-Russia relations have been rocky since Biden took office.

In addition to the Ukraine issue, the Biden administration has levied sanctions against Russian targets and called out Putin on Kremlin interference in U.S. elections, malign cyberactivity against U.S. businesses, and the treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year and then later imprisoned.

Putin and Biden met face to face in Geneva in June, with the U.S. president warning if Russia crossed certain red lines — including going after major American infrastructure — his administration would respond and “the consequences of that would be devastating.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638561538098.png" alt="President Biden did not detail what actions he was weighing during a White House Press conference Friday -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden did not detail what actions he was weighing during a White House Press conference Friday -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine and said new initiatives coming from his administration are intended to deter Russian aggression.The president offered the measured warning to Putin in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-crimea-158c3406821bb207c07a279c5d48fadf">growing concern about a Russian buildup&nbsp;</a>of troops on the Ukrainian border and increasingly bellicose rhetoric from the Kremlin.“What I am doing is putting together what I believe to be will be the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people are worried he may do,” Biden told reporters.There are signs that the White House and Kremlin are close to arranging a conversation next week between Biden and Putin. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters Friday that arrangements have been made for a Putin-Biden call in the coming days, adding that the date will be announced after Moscow and Washington finalize details. The Russians say a date has been agreed upon, but declined to say when.Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have also tentatively agreed to have a call next week, according to a person close to the Ukrainian president who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said administration officials have “engaged in the possibility” of a Biden-Putin call. White House officials did not respond to a request for comment on the expected Zelenskyy call.“It certainly would be an opportunity to discuss our serious concerns about the bellicose rhetoric, about the military buildup that we’re seeing on the border of Ukraine,” Psaki said of a potential Biden-Putin call.Biden did not detail what actions he was weighing. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met Thursday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Sweden, said the U.S. has threatened new sanctions. He did not detail the potential sanctions but suggested the effort would not be effective.“If the new ‘sanctions from hell’ come, we will respond,” Lavrov said. “We can’t fail to respond.”Psaki said the administration would look to coordinate with European allies if it moved forward with sanctions. She noted that bitter memories of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that had been under Ukraine’s control since 1954, are front of mind as the White House considers the way forward.“We know what President Putin has done in the past,” Psaki said. “We see that he is putting in place the capacity to take action in short order.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-europe-russia-ukraine-moscow-aae934e3b73e428da957e9b1b6ddc4f1">Deep differences were on display</a>&nbsp;during the Blinken-Lavrov meeting, with the Russia official charging the West was “playing with fire” by denying Russia a say in any further NATO expansion into countries of the former Soviet Union. Zelenskyy has pushed for Ukraine to join the alliance, which holds out the promise of membership but hasn’t set a a timeline.Blinken this week said the U.S. has “made it clear to the Kremlin that we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high-impact economic measures that we’ve refrained from using in the past.”He did not detail what sanctions were being weighed, but one potentially could be to cut off Russia from the SWIFT system of international payments. The European Union’s Parliament approved a nonbinding resolution in April to cut off Russia from SWIFT if its troops entered Ukraine.Such a move would go far toward blocking Russian businesses from the global financial system. Western allies reportedly considered such a step in 2014 and 2015, during earlier Russian-led escalations of tensions over Ukraine.Then-Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would be tantamount to “a declaration of war.”U.S.-Russia relations have been rocky since Biden took office.In addition to the Ukraine issue, the Biden administration has levied sanctions against Russian targets and called out Putin on Kremlin interference in U.S. elections, malign cyberactivity against U.S. businesses, and the treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year and then later imprisoned.Putin and Biden met face to face in Geneva in June, with the U.S. president warning if Russia crossed certain red lines — including going after major American infrastructure — his administration would respond and “the consequences of that would be devastating.”—

Biden warns Russia's Vladimir Putin against Ukraine invasion

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and asking for help to identify a suspet.

Just after 10:15 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a business alarm at the Snak Atak convenience store, 1619 W. Magnolia Road in Salina, according to Crimestoppes of Saline County.

At the scene officers found a shattered window and entry had been made into the store. An inventory of products revealed packs of various brands of cigarettes and cigarette lighters were taken. Between the products taken and the shattered window, the loss value is more than $1,900.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638550162412.png" alt="Photos courtesy Crimestoppers" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Crimestoppers</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and asking for help to identify a suspet.Just after 10:15 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a business alarm at the Snak Atak convenience store, 1619 W. Magnolia Road in Salina, according to Crimestoppes of Saline County.At the scene officers found a shattered window and entry had been made into the store. An inventory of products revealed packs of various brands of cigarettes and cigarette lighters were taken. Between the products taken and the shattered window, the loss value is more than $1,900.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638550202032.png" alt="The suspect as seen in security camera image" />
 <figcaption>The suspect as seen in security camera image</figcaption>
 </figure>Surveillance video showed a single suspect, a man possibly wearing blue jeans and a gray colored hooded sweatshirt with unknown writing on the front, was the person who committed this burglary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638550257802.png" alt="Another photo of the suspect." />
 <figcaption>Another photo of the suspect.</figcaption>
 </figure>If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Officer Newton, case 2021-37645.