WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.

This tool, an update of last year's IRS Non-filers tool, is also 
designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file income tax
 returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments
 (also known as stimulus checks) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit 
for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they 
may have missed.

Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov.

"We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.

Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.

Public-private partnership plays vital role

Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.

The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.

Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited 
electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.

The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.

The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:

The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.

The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a person's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.

The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.

To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.

For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.This tool, an update of last year's IRS Non-filers tool, is also 
designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file income tax
 returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments
 (also known as stimulus checks) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit 
for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they 
may have missed.Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov."We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.<h2>No action needed by most families</h2>Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.<h2>Public-private partnership plays vital role</h2>Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.<h2>Watch out for scams</h2>The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited 
electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.<h2>Other tools coming soon</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:<ul>
 <li>An interactive Child Tax Credit eligibility assistant to help 
families determine whether they qualify for the Advance Child Tax Credit
 payments.</li><li>Another tool, the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, will initially 
enable anyone who has been determined to be eligible for advance 
payments to see that they are eligible and unenroll/opt out of the 
advance payment program. Later, it will allow people to check on the 
status of their payments, make updates to their information and be 
available in Spanish.</li>
 </ul><h2>Community partners can help</h2>The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.<h2>About the Advance Child Tax Credit</h2>The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a person's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

IRS unveils online tool to help some families register for Child Tax Credit payments

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a victim in his late teens has been shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas. Officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday to a shooting call at a home. 

Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police didn’t immediately release the teen’s name or a suspect description. The killing is the 15th homicide of 2021 in the city.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a victim in his late teens has been shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas. Officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday to a shooting call at a home. Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police didn’t immediately release the teen’s name or a suspect description. The killing is the 15th homicide of 2021 in the city.

Police: Boy in late teens dies after shooting in Kansas

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden says that Champ, the older of the family's two dogs, has died “peacefully at home.” The German shepherd was 13.

The president and first lady Jill Biden got Champ from a breeder after Biden was elected vice president in 2008. Since then Champ has been a fixture at both the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory and now the White House. 

The Bidens say in a statement that  Champ “was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.” Champ’s passing leaves the Bidens with their younger German shepherd, Major. The Bidens are expected to bring a cat to the White House sometime soon.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden says that Champ, the older of the family's two dogs, has died “peacefully at home.” The German shepherd was 13.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our family lost our loving companion Champ today. I will miss him. <a href="https://t.co/sePqXBIAsE">pic.twitter.com/sePqXBIAsE</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1406273358187044868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president and first lady Jill Biden got Champ from a breeder after Biden was elected vice president in 2008. Since then Champ has been a fixture at both the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory and now the White House. The Bidens say in a statement that Champ “was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.” Champ’s passing leaves the Bidens with their younger German shepherd, Major. The Bidens are expected to bring a cat to the White House sometime soon.

President Bidens' older dog, Champ, has died

By KATELYNN MCILWAIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/eisenhower-presidential-library-expanding-hours-next-week">Kansas News Service</a>

ABILENE —&nbsp;Starting next week, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and 
Boyhood Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It currently is open during the same hours Wednesday through Saturday because of pandemic restrictions.

“We
 are moving forward,” said Dawn Hammatt, the library and museum’s 
director. “We have a plan in place, and we are really excited to be able
 to do this in a safe and healthy fashion.”

Kansas Sen. Jerry 
Moran has been urging the National Archives of Records Administration to
 allow the library and museum to open beyond its current 25% capacity 
limit for visitors. The agency oversees about a dozen presidential 
libraries.

Last week, the Biden administration announced it would
 lift the federal restrictions, and agencies can now submit their own 
plans for reopening. The National Archives is one of those agencies.

The
 Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has been using transient guest 
tax collections to measure the effect the museum's reduced capacity has 
had on the city. Director Julie Roller Weeks said lodging sales for 
Abilene have dropped from $2.5 million in 2018 to $796,000 this year. 
Its accounting period for 2021 ends in&nbsp; September.

“Without 
(transient guest tax) revenue, we have a smaller marketing budget and 
that ripple is felt throughout the community,” Roller Weeks wrote in an 
email.

The restrictions, though, are not all bad.

“You 
know those things in your office that you say, ‘I'll get to it one 
day?’” Hammatt said. “Well, we've done those things. … and it's been 
fantastic.”

When the pandemic limited in-person visiting, the 
Eisenhower Library and Museum increased its virtual reach. Hammatt said 
it was able to digitize analog pieces for researchers and participate 
with other presidential libraries.

The annual Symphony at Sunset 
concert to commemorate D-Day wasn’t possible under COVID-19, but the 
museum decided to host a virtual Emerging Scholars D-Day Symposium 
instead. It invited scholars such as&nbsp; doctoral candidates to discuss 
their topics of interest.

“What we learned about developing 
virtual programs and engaging with guests in a virtual capacity has been
 astounding, and I am grateful that we were able to learn these things,”
 Hammatt said.

Many museums across the country have experienced 
significant losses during the pandemic. The American Alliance of Museums
 surveyed 1,000 museum directors, and<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/1002077626/a-new-report-shows-museums-had-a-bad-year-but-not-the-worst-possible#:~:text=New%20Study%20Shows%20Museum%20Losses%20During%20The%20Pandemic%20The%20report,40%25%20slump%20in%20operating%20income." target="_blank"> 75% of them reported that operation income&nbsp; decreased by an average of 40%.</a>

Hammatt
 says museums are safe spaces to have difficult conversations. So, as 
the country tries to return to normal, Hammatt also looks forward to 
society entering museums once more -- both virtually and in person.

“Museums
 play a seminal role in the development of our society,” Hammmatt said. 
“It's a place to not only commemorate the past, but more importantly, 
learn and support your society as it moves forward in time.”

Katelynn
 McIlwain is KMUW's Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern. She 
will be a senior this fall at the University of Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624027573119.png" alt="Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By KATELYNN MCILWAIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/eisenhower-presidential-library-expanding-hours-next-week">Kansas News Service</a>ABILENE —&nbsp;Starting next week, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and 
Boyhood Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.It currently is open during the same hours Wednesday through Saturday because of pandemic restrictions.“We
 are moving forward,” said Dawn Hammatt, the library and museum’s 
director. “We have a plan in place, and we are really excited to be able
 to do this in a safe and healthy fashion.”Kansas Sen. Jerry 
Moran has been urging the National Archives of Records Administration to
 allow the library and museum to open beyond its current 25% capacity 
limit for visitors. The agency oversees about a dozen presidential 
libraries.Last week, the Biden administration announced it would
 lift the federal restrictions, and agencies can now submit their own 
plans for reopening. The National Archives is one of those agencies.The
 Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has been using transient guest 
tax collections to measure the effect the museum's reduced capacity has 
had on the city. Director Julie Roller Weeks said lodging sales for 
Abilene have dropped from $2.5 million in 2018 to $796,000 this year. 
Its accounting period for 2021 ends in&nbsp; September.“Without 
(transient guest tax) revenue, we have a smaller marketing budget and 
that ripple is felt throughout the community,” Roller Weeks wrote in an 
email.The restrictions, though, are not all bad.“You 
know those things in your office that you say, ‘I'll get to it one 
day?’” Hammatt said. “Well, we've done those things. … and it's been 
fantastic.”When the pandemic limited in-person visiting, the 
Eisenhower Library and Museum increased its virtual reach. Hammatt said 
it was able to digitize analog pieces for researchers and participate 
with other presidential libraries.The annual Symphony at Sunset 
concert to commemorate D-Day wasn’t possible under COVID-19, but the 
museum decided to host a virtual Emerging Scholars D-Day Symposium 
instead. It invited scholars such as&nbsp; doctoral candidates to discuss 
their topics of interest.“What we learned about developing 
virtual programs and engaging with guests in a virtual capacity has been
 astounding, and I am grateful that we were able to learn these things,”
 Hammatt said.Many museums across the country have experienced 
significant losses during the pandemic. The American Alliance of Museums
 surveyed 1,000 museum directors, and<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/1002077626/a-new-report-shows-museums-had-a-bad-year-but-not-the-worst-possible#:~:text=New%20Study%20Shows%20Museum%20Losses%20During%20The%20Pandemic%20The%20report,40%25%20slump%20in%20operating%20income." target="_blank"> 75% of them reported that operation income&nbsp; decreased by an average of 40%.</a>Hammatt
 says museums are safe spaces to have difficult conversations. So, as 
the country tries to return to normal, Hammatt also looks forward to 
society entering museums once more -- both virtually and in person.“Museums
 play a seminal role in the development of our society,” Hammmatt said. 
“It's a place to not only commemorate the past, but more importantly, 
learn and support your society as it moves forward in time.”Katelynn
 McIlwain is KMUW's Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern. She 
will be a senior this fall at the University of Missouri.

Eisenhower Presidential Library expanding hours next week

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.

The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.

Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.

Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.

The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

Abuse claim substantiated against previously cleared Kan. priest

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. 

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. 

The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584542151826.png" alt="Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

Pandemic stress: US-Canada border restrictions extended 

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is beginning to evict tenants who are behind on rent in advance of the expiration of a federal moratorium that some experts predict will bring a tide of people being forced from homes nationwide.

Johnson County Magistrate Judge Daniel Vokins said during a Zoom eviction hearing this week that he doesn’t think the moratorium, which was issued last year by the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and expires at the end of the month, is enforceable.

Eric Dunn, director of litigation for the National Housing Law Project, said he has heard of judges elsewhere — including in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina — ignoring the CDC moratorium, but couldn’t say whether it’s been a widespread practice.

The federal moratorium has kept many tenants owing back rent housed. More than 4 million people nationally say they fear being evicted or foreclosed upon in the months following its expiration, census data&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cdce22f5ae976032e9e6fa89831c0a93">shows</a>. Making matters worse, the tens of billions of dollars in federal emergency rental assistance that was supposed to solve the problem has not reached most tenants.

“We thought 2021 was going to be better and it is turning out to be just as bad,” said Denise Wall, 31, of the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, who applied for rental aid in March but is still trying to find out whether she qualifies.

She lost her job as a cook as the pandemic started and was out of work for nearly a year before beginning another job in April as a medical courier, picking up and delivering tests. Vokins set her case for trial on July 2.

“This wasn’t anything any of us asked for,” she said in a Friday interview at her apartment, where she and her wife have been collecting boxes as they look for a new place to live. Her wife’s three sons also live with them part of the time.

Vokins noted in moving forward on evictions that a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-79828ed76da5d7745ffddb8ba9e48655">last month</a>&nbsp;found the CDC exceeded its authority when it imposed the moratorium last year. He said the ruling means that “any current or future moratorium order issued by the CDC is not valid.”

Kansas also had its own eviction moratorium, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-42c48b2916c4e62d7c3582e8932e3eb9">expired</a>&nbsp;at the end of last month. Vokins said that means that “the eviction laws prior to the pandemic in March 2020 is the current law today.”

Casey Johnson, an attorney for the non-profit law firm Kansas Legal Services, noted the federal ruling was issued in the 6th Circuit and wasn’t binding in Kansas, which is in the 10th Circuit.

“Basically he’s choosing to accept that ruling even though he doesn’t have to,” Johnson said.

Vokins encouraged renters and landlords to work together to obtain emergency rental funds but said he would only pause court proceedings if both sides agreed to the delay.

Two other tenants who appeared before Vokins on Thursday said they were seeking the federal rental aid. A third tenant who couldn’t get his sound to work and only was able to communicate with thumbs up and thumbs down hand motions sent an email to the court later in the day saying that he also had applied.

Kansas is now distributing $200 million in federal rental assistance. The Kansas Housing Resources Corp., the state’s housing finance agency, which is responsible for distributing the money in every community except Wichita, has distributed $5.5 million so far to help 956 of the 7,780 households that have applied.

The state received another $20 million in rental assistance last year and handed out $17 million of it, said Emily Sharp, a spokeswoman for the agency.

“The second round of funding has much more stringent federal guidelines, so it is much more difficult for us to award that funding because quite honestly the applicants have more hoops to jump through,” Sharp said. Besides rent, that money also can go toward utilities and internet expenses.

Luke Demaree, an attorney for Fox Run Apartments, said apartment staff is in constant contact with the agency but can’t get details on who is approved or when to expect the money.

“If this was something that was working it would be very, very beneficial to us and we would like nothing more than to have rents caught up,” he said. “We would like nothing more than that, but at the same time, that is not what we see happening.”

Karen Nations, who also represented landlords at the hearing, said the moratorium has been difficult.

“Landlords have been struggling to pay their bills, and people have taken advantage of the moratorium,” she said, adding that some who can afford to pay their rent are not. “It is a very tricky balancing act to get the mortgage paid if you’re not getting your rent.”

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is beginning to evict tenants who are behind on rent in advance of the expiration of a federal moratorium that some experts predict will bring a tide of people being forced from homes nationwide.Johnson County Magistrate Judge Daniel Vokins said during a Zoom eviction hearing this week that he doesn’t think the moratorium, which was issued last year by the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and expires at the end of the month, is enforceable.Eric Dunn, director of litigation for the National Housing Law Project, said he has heard of judges elsewhere — including in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina — ignoring the CDC moratorium, but couldn’t say whether it’s been a widespread practice.The federal moratorium has kept many tenants owing back rent housed. More than 4 million people nationally say they fear being evicted or foreclosed upon in the months following its expiration, census data&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cdce22f5ae976032e9e6fa89831c0a93">shows</a>. Making matters worse, the tens of billions of dollars in federal emergency rental assistance that was supposed to solve the problem has not reached most tenants.“We thought 2021 was going to be better and it is turning out to be just as bad,” said Denise Wall, 31, of the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, who applied for rental aid in March but is still trying to find out whether she qualifies.She lost her job as a cook as the pandemic started and was out of work for nearly a year before beginning another job in April as a medical courier, picking up and delivering tests. Vokins set her case for trial on July 2.“This wasn’t anything any of us asked for,” she said in a Friday interview at her apartment, where she and her wife have been collecting boxes as they look for a new place to live. Her wife’s three sons also live with them part of the time.Vokins noted in moving forward on evictions that a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-79828ed76da5d7745ffddb8ba9e48655">last month</a>&nbsp;found the CDC exceeded its authority when it imposed the moratorium last year. He said the ruling means that “any current or future moratorium order issued by the CDC is not valid.”Kansas also had its own eviction moratorium, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-42c48b2916c4e62d7c3582e8932e3eb9">expired</a>&nbsp;at the end of last month. Vokins said that means that “the eviction laws prior to the pandemic in March 2020 is the current law today.”Casey Johnson, an attorney for the non-profit law firm Kansas Legal Services, noted the federal ruling was issued in the 6th Circuit and wasn’t binding in Kansas, which is in the 10th Circuit.“Basically he’s choosing to accept that ruling even though he doesn’t have to,” Johnson said.Vokins encouraged renters and landlords to work together to obtain emergency rental funds but said he would only pause court proceedings if both sides agreed to the delay.Two other tenants who appeared before Vokins on Thursday said they were seeking the federal rental aid. A third tenant who couldn’t get his sound to work and only was able to communicate with thumbs up and thumbs down hand motions sent an email to the court later in the day saying that he also had applied.Kansas is now distributing $200 million in federal rental assistance. The Kansas Housing Resources Corp., the state’s housing finance agency, which is responsible for distributing the money in every community except Wichita, has distributed $5.5 million so far to help 956 of the 7,780 households that have applied.The state received another $20 million in rental assistance last year and handed out $17 million of it, said Emily Sharp, a spokeswoman for the agency.“The second round of funding has much more stringent federal guidelines, so it is much more difficult for us to award that funding because quite honestly the applicants have more hoops to jump through,” Sharp said. Besides rent, that money also can go toward utilities and internet expenses.Luke Demaree, an attorney for Fox Run Apartments, said apartment staff is in constant contact with the agency but can’t get details on who is approved or when to expect the money.“If this was something that was working it would be very, very beneficial to us and we would like nothing more than to have rents caught up,” he said. “We would like nothing more than that, but at the same time, that is not what we see happening.”Karen Nations, who also represented landlords at the hearing, said the moratorium has been difficult.“Landlords have been struggling to pay their bills, and people have taken advantage of the moratorium,” she said, adding that some who can afford to pay their rent are not. “It is a very tricky balancing act to get the mortgage paid if you’re not getting your rent.”

Kansas judge: CDC eviction moratorium unenforceable

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.

The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.

Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.

Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.

The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.

According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.

For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.

James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”

The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.

Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.

According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.

The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.

“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”

In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.

And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

Study: Kan., Texas bases lead Army posts in risk of sex assault

SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and asking the public's&nbsp;help in identifying a suspect.

Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, police responded to a welfare check call in the 1600 block of South Emporia in Wichita of an unconscious person inside a White 2008 Lexus ES350, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

 Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Brock Beat of Wichita, who was unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and had no apparent injuries.

Through further investigation into the death, detectives learned of a history of drug use by Beat, and it is believed drugs are a factor in his death.&nbsp; 

Detectives also learned the individual seen on security cameras had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street.&nbsp; Detectives would like to speak to the individual as they continue to investigate the case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623948377758.png" alt="Police are working to ID this individual seen on security cameras who had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street." />
 <figcaption>Police are working to ID this individual seen on security cameras who had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder and asking the public's&nbsp;help in identifying a suspect.Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, police responded to a welfare check call in the 1600 block of South Emporia in Wichita of an unconscious person inside a White 2008 Lexus ES350, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Brock Beat of Wichita, who was unresponsive.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene and had no apparent injuries.Through further investigation into the death, detectives learned of a history of drug use by Beat, and it is believed drugs are a factor in his death.&nbsp; Detectives also learned the individual seen on security cameras had previously dropped off the Lexus on South Emporia Street.&nbsp; Detectives would like to speak to the individual as they continue to investigate the case.&nbsp;

Police ask for help to ID suspect in Kan. death investigation

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.

&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.

Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. 

She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623976671929.png" alt="Yelverton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Yelverton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

Murder charge: Toddlers found gun that killed Kansas girl

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Workers are installing a permanent metal fence around the Kansas governor's mansion in Topeka. The state said the fence is part of security upgrades at Cedar Crest. 

The decision comes as more protests are being held near the mansion but Gov. Laura Kelly's office said no specific threat prompted the decision to install the fence. 

The enhanced security comes after a federal Department of Homeland Security assessment of the property early this year. Previously, the governor's mansion had a gate restricting vehicles from entering but only a wooden fence encircling the property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624058374833.png" alt="The Governor's office said no specific threat prompted the decision to install the fence.-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>The Governor's office said no specific threat prompted the decision to install the fence.-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Workers are installing a permanent metal fence around the Kansas governor's mansion in Topeka. The state said the fence is part of security upgrades at Cedar Crest. The decision comes as more protests are being held near the mansion but Gov. Laura Kelly's office said no specific threat prompted the decision to install the fence. The enhanced security comes after a federal Department of Homeland Security assessment of the property early this year. Previously, the governor's mansion had a gate restricting vehicles from entering but only a wooden fence encircling the property.

Permanent fence installed around Kan. governor's mansion

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A southwest&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;man has admitted that he threatened U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri and Steve Cohen of&nbsp;Tennessee&nbsp;because he was upset by comments they made.

Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of threatening to assault a U.S. official, according to court documents.

Hubert acknowledged that he left a voicemail at Cleaver's office in Independence, Missouri, on Jan. 7. After calling Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur, he said, “How about a noose around his neck?,” according to the documents.

Hubert told FBI agents who contacted him on Jan. 19 that he was upset over a statement Cleaver made in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Cleaver has said previously that he didn't know Hubert and was unaware of the call until Cohen told him about the investigation.

Hubert also admitted that on May 6, 2019 he called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. and told a staff member that “he has a noose with the Congressman’s name on it” and planned to “put a noose around his neck and drag him behind his pickup truck.”

He told the FBI he he was offended by a comment Cohen made about then-President Donald Trump.

At a detention hearing in March, Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark said Hubert has made similar threats to other politicians, a federal judge and political organizations including the Council of American-Islamic Relations in St. Louis, dating back to 2014,

Hubert reportedly told FBI agents he was also previously investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for saying President Barack Obama “needed to be hanged from a light post.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614858198513.png" alt="Hubert photo Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hubert photo Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A southwest&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;man has admitted that he threatened U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri and Steve Cohen of&nbsp;Tennessee&nbsp;because he was upset by comments they made.Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of threatening to assault a U.S. official, according to court documents.Hubert acknowledged that he left a voicemail at Cleaver's office in Independence, Missouri, on Jan. 7. After calling Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur, he said, “How about a noose around his neck?,” according to the documents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564430219299.png" alt="Rep. Emanuel Cleaver " />
 <figcaption>Rep. Emanuel Cleaver </figcaption>
 </figure>Hubert told FBI agents who contacted him on Jan. 19 that he was upset over a statement Cleaver made in the U.S. House of Representatives.Cleaver has said previously that he didn't know Hubert and was unaware of the call until Cohen told him about the investigation.Hubert also admitted that on May 6, 2019 he called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. and told a staff member that “he has a noose with the Congressman’s name on it” and planned to “put a noose around his neck and drag him behind his pickup truck.”He told the FBI he he was offended by a comment Cohen made about then-President Donald Trump.At a detention hearing in March, Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark said Hubert has made similar threats to other politicians, a federal judge and political organizations including the Council of American-Islamic Relations in St. Louis, dating back to 2014,Hubert reportedly told FBI agents he was also previously investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for saying President Barack Obama “needed to be hanged from a light post.”

Man admits threatening to kill Kansas City-area Congressman

TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Friday, Governor Laura Kelly directed the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Dr. Lee Norman, to issue an order requiring COVID-19 testing in all adult care facilities statewide beginning June 18, according to a media release from the governor's office.

State-licensed adult care facilities were no longer required to continue COVID-19 testing for staff or residents following the expiration of the state’s disaster declaration.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.EuE6TrOtmSwr0AkgNflLucUErtziP-BYq--MVYb4h6Q/s/1303160919/br/108159096169-l" target="_blank">Click here to read the full order.</a>

“We have a responsibility to protect Kansans most vulnerable to COVID-19 – and that includes those working and living in adult care homes, which have been some of the hardest-hit populations,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“While we work to get Kansans vaccinated&nbsp;– we’ll continue to take these commonsense measures to keep our communities safe and healthy.”&nbsp;

The State Health Officer has the authority to issue health orders as medically necessary under K.S.A. 65-101 and 65-128. Under this order, vaccinated staff members at adult care facilities will not be required to get tested. The state strongly encourages all employees to get vaccinated to ensure the health and safety of all individuals.

“This order ensures that vulnerable populations in Kansas' adult care facilities continue to receive the testing needed to continue combatting COVID-19,”&nbsp;KDHE Secretary Norman said.

The health order will align testing protocols for adult care facilities that fall under state jurisdiction with facilities regulated by Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. This order has no effect on facility visitation policies.

“Screening, testing, vaccination and good infection control all remain critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said.&nbsp;“Dr. Norman’s order is important to maintain the health and wellbeing of residents and other staff members who work in long-term care and the tremendous progress we’ve made in reducing the number of people sick with COVID-19 and the number of facilities with active outbreaks.”

The order will be effective immediately and will remain in effect until otherwise modified or rescinded.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Friday, Governor Laura Kelly directed the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Dr. Lee Norman, to issue an order requiring COVID-19 testing in all adult care facilities statewide beginning June 18, according to a media release from the governor's office.State-licensed adult care facilities were no longer required to continue COVID-19 testing for staff or residents following the expiration of the state’s disaster declaration.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTguNDIxMzI3MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIxJTJGMDYlMkZLREhFLVNlY3JldGFyeS1PcmRlcl9DT1ZJRC0xOS1UZXN0aW5nLWluLUFkdWx0LUNhcmUtSG9tZXNfMDYxODIwMjEucGRmJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JlZXZlcy5PeXN0ZXIlNDBrcy5nb3YlN0M2NjQxM2NlYzYxYWQ0MzFkNTU5YjA4ZDkzMjkwYmE4NiU3Q2RjYWU4MTAxYzkyZDQ4MGNiYzQzYzY3NjFjY2NjYzVhJTdDMCU3QzAlN0M2Mzc1OTY0MTk0NDQyMjE3NzAlN0NVbmtub3duJTdDVFdGcGJHWnNiM2Q4ZXlKV0lqb2lNQzR3TGpBd01EQWlMQ0pRSWpvaVYybHVNeklpTENKQlRpSTZJazFoYVd3aUxDSlhWQ0k2TW4wJTNEJTdDMTAwMCZzZGF0YT1sQTZzVE1TJTJGJTJGcjFtczd6czA2SVg0dTR0RHdWdU9wRUFSaUtkRzZncjNQYyUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.EuE6TrOtmSwr0AkgNflLucUErtziP-BYq--MVYb4h6Q/s/1303160919/br/108159096169-l" target="_blank">Click here to read the full order.</a>“We have a responsibility to protect Kansans most vulnerable to COVID-19 – and that includes those working and living in adult care homes, which have been some of the hardest-hit populations,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“While we work to get Kansans vaccinated&nbsp;– we’ll continue to take these commonsense measures to keep our communities safe and healthy.”&nbsp;The State Health Officer has the authority to issue health orders as medically necessary under K.S.A. 65-101 and 65-128. Under this order, vaccinated staff members at adult care facilities will not be required to get tested. The state strongly encourages all employees to get vaccinated to ensure the health and safety of all individuals.“This order ensures that vulnerable populations in Kansas' adult care facilities continue to receive the testing needed to continue combatting COVID-19,”&nbsp;KDHE Secretary Norman said.The health order will align testing protocols for adult care facilities that fall under state jurisdiction with facilities regulated by Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. This order has no effect on facility visitation policies.“Screening, testing, vaccination and good infection control all remain critical to reduce the spread of COVID-19,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said.&nbsp;“Dr. Norman’s order is important to maintain the health and wellbeing of residents and other staff members who work in long-term care and the tremendous progress we’ve made in reducing the number of people sick with COVID-19 and the number of facilities with active outbreaks.”The order will be effective immediately and will remain in effect until otherwise modified or rescinded.&nbsp;

Kansas to require COVID-19 testing in all adult care facilities

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor accused of misleading juries in two cases has resigned from her positions in Bourbon and Allen counties, just weeks after a disciplinary panel recommended she be disbarred.

Jacqie Spradling stepped down earlier this month as assistant county attorney in Allen County. She also is leaving her position as the county attorney in Bourbon County effective June 30.

A state disciplinary board unanimously recommended to the Kansas Supreme Court earlier this month that she be disbarred, citing her “win at all costs” attitude in a 2012 double homicide case and a 2016 rape and sodomy case. Appeals courts tossed out the convictions.

Spradling is accused of falsely leading a jury to believe a Shawnee County woman had violated a protection order obtained by her ex-husband, who was killed along with his fiance. No abuse order existed. Similar accusations were made in the case of a Jackson County man who was convicted of rape and sodomy.

Spradling acknowledged in a December hearing that she made mistakes in handling the cases, although her legal team has said the mistakes don’t rise to the level of misconduct. Her attorney didn’t immediately return the newspaper’s request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607294326646.png" alt="A state disciplinary board unanimously recommended to the Kansas Supreme Court earlier this month that Spradling be disbarred-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>A state disciplinary board unanimously recommended to the Kansas Supreme Court earlier this month that Spradling be disbarred-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor accused of misleading juries in two cases has resigned from her positions in Bourbon and Allen counties, just weeks after a disciplinary panel recommended she be disbarred.Jacqie Spradling stepped down earlier this month as assistant county attorney in Allen County. She also is leaving her position as the county attorney in Bourbon County effective June 30.A state disciplinary board unanimously recommended to the Kansas Supreme Court earlier this month that she be disbarred, citing her “win at all costs” attitude in a 2012 double homicide case and a 2016 rape and sodomy case. Appeals courts tossed out the convictions.Spradling is accused of falsely leading a jury to believe a Shawnee County woman had violated a protection order obtained by her ex-husband, who was killed along with his fiance. No abuse order existed. Similar accusations were made in the case of a Jackson County man who was convicted of rape and sodomy.Spradling acknowledged in a December hearing that she made mistakes in handling the cases, although her legal team has said the mistakes don’t rise to the level of misconduct. Her attorney didn’t immediately return the newspaper’s request for comment.

Kansas prosecutor resigns posts amid misconduct allegations

U.S. Catholic bishops approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.

The approval was announced Friday near the end of a three-day meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that was held virtually.

The bishops had cast their votes privately on Thursday after nearly three hours of impassioned debate.

Supporters of the measure said a strong rebuke of Biden was needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access, while opponents warned that such action would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions across the country.

As a result of the vote, the USCCB’s doctrine committee will draft a statement on the meaning of Communion in the life of the church that will be submitted for consideration at a future meeting, probably an in-person gathering in November.

One section of the document is intended to include a specific admonition to Catholic politicians and other public figures who disobey church teaching on abortion and other core doctrinal issues.

Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, said during Thursday’s debate that he speaks with many people who are confused by a Catholic president who advances “the most radical pro-abortion agenda in history,” and action from the bishops’ conference is needed.

“They’re looking for direction,” Hying said.

Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego countered that the USCCB would suffer “destructive consequences” from a document targeting Catholic politicians.

“It would be impossible to prevent the weaponization of the Eucharist,” McElroy said.

Biden, who attends Mass regularly, says he personally opposes abortion but doesn’t think he should impose that position on Americans who feel otherwise. He’s taken several executive actions during his presidency that were hailed by abortion-rights advocates.

The chairman of the USCCB doctrine committee, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, said no decisions have been made on the final contents of the proposed document. He said bishops who are not on the committee will have chances to offer input, and the final draft will be subject to amendments before it is put up to a vote.

Rhoades also said the document would not mention Biden or other individuals by name and would offer guidelines rather than imposing a mandatory national policy.

That would leave decisions about Communion for specific churchgoers up to individual bishops and archbishops. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has made clear that Biden is welcome to receive Communion at churches in the archdiocese

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619629905595.png" alt="Some bishops have expressed concern that the issue is being used as a political weapon to embarrass Catholic Democrats — such as Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who hold high office and support abortion rights. -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Some bishops have expressed concern that the issue is being used as a political weapon to embarrass Catholic Democrats — such as Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who hold high office and support abortion rights. -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CRARY, Associated PressU.S. Catholic bishops approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.The approval was announced Friday near the end of a three-day meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that was held virtually.The bishops had cast their votes privately on Thursday after nearly three hours of impassioned debate.Supporters of the measure said a strong rebuke of Biden was needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access, while opponents warned that such action would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions across the country.As a result of the vote, the USCCB’s doctrine committee will draft a statement on the meaning of Communion in the life of the church that will be submitted for consideration at a future meeting, probably an in-person gathering in November.One section of the document is intended to include a specific admonition to Catholic politicians and other public figures who disobey church teaching on abortion and other core doctrinal issues.Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, said during Thursday’s debate that he speaks with many people who are confused by a Catholic president who advances “the most radical pro-abortion agenda in history,” and action from the bishops’ conference is needed.“They’re looking for direction,” Hying said.Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego countered that the USCCB would suffer “destructive consequences” from a document targeting Catholic politicians.“It would be impossible to prevent the weaponization of the Eucharist,” McElroy said.Biden, who attends Mass regularly, says he personally opposes abortion but doesn’t think he should impose that position on Americans who feel otherwise. He’s taken several executive actions during his presidency that were hailed by abortion-rights advocates.The chairman of the USCCB doctrine committee, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, said no decisions have been made on the final contents of the proposed document. He said bishops who are not on the committee will have chances to offer input, and the final draft will be subject to amendments before it is put up to a vote.Rhoades also said the document would not mention Biden or other individuals by name and would offer guidelines rather than imposing a mandatory national policy.That would leave decisions about Communion for specific churchgoers up to individual bishops and archbishops. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has made clear that Biden is welcome to receive Communion at churches in the archdiocese

US Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 196 to a total of 316,539, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 1 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5129.

<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 196 to a total of 316,539, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 1 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5129.<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/2021/6/1624036404669.png" alt="Friday June 18, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday June 18, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man was arrested in connection to two business burglaries Thursday.

An officer was sent to the property being renovated for The Original Grande, 1019 E. Crawford Street on Thursday for the report of a burglary, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 A representative of JRI Commercial Properties told police that someone had busted in the temporary plywood door and taken several items including a worksite radio and two safety harnesses.

The reporting party also told police that someone had broken into the Freddy's Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers that is being constructed at 916 E. Crawford Street in Salina. Copper wire was ripped out and whoever was there injured himself as blood was found at that location, according to Forrester.

The officer checked a neighboring business that had video surveillance of the area and found that at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday a male wearing a backpack, hat, and shorts was seen stuffing the stolen radio into a black trash bag, Forrester said. The officer recognized the individual, who was identified as Merelyn Hendricks, 57, of Salina.

At approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, that same officer located Hendricks in front of the Verizon store at 1200 E. Crawford Street. Hendricks was in possession of the black trash bag and the worksite radio, Forrester said. When Hendricks was searched, a personal use amount of marijuana was found, Forrester added.

Police arrested Hendricks on requested charges that include&nbsp;burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

The total of the items stolen and the damage done was just under $1,000, Forrester said. The items were returned to their rightful owner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624024167385.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Hendricks has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-Photo Saline Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Hendricks has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-Photo Saline Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man was arrested in connection to two business burglaries Thursday.An officer was sent to the property being renovated for The Original Grande, 1019 E. Crawford Street on Thursday for the report of a burglary, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. A representative of JRI Commercial Properties told police that someone had busted in the temporary plywood door and taken several items including a worksite radio and two safety harnesses.The reporting party also told police that someone had broken into the Freddy's Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers that is being constructed at 916 E. Crawford Street in Salina. Copper wire was ripped out and whoever was there injured himself as blood was found at that location, according to Forrester.The officer checked a neighboring business that had video surveillance of the area and found that at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday a male wearing a backpack, hat, and shorts was seen stuffing the stolen radio into a black trash bag, Forrester said. The officer recognized the individual, who was identified as Merelyn Hendricks, 57, of Salina.At approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, that same officer located Hendricks in front of the Verizon store at 1200 E. Crawford Street. Hendricks was in possession of the black trash bag and the worksite radio, Forrester said. When Hendricks was searched, a personal use amount of marijuana was found, Forrester added.Police arrested Hendricks on requested charges that include&nbsp;burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernaliaThe total of the items stolen and the damage done was just under $1,000, Forrester said. The items were returned to their rightful owner.

Video helps police catch Kansas felon for burglary

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged ID theft in Manhattan.

Just after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft by deception and false impersonation in the 1100 block of Woodland Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 71-year-old woman reported two unknown suspects posing as Social Security Administration staff deceived her into purchasing and providing $7,800 worth of gift cards to them. 

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.&nbsp;

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged ID theft in Manhattan.Just after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft by deception and false impersonation in the 1100 block of Woodland Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 71-year-old woman reported two unknown suspects posing as Social Security Administration staff deceived her into purchasing and providing $7,800 worth of gift cards to them. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.&nbsp;

Kansas woman lost $7,800 in Social Security deception

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Two teens accused in the&nbsp;sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl, which they allegedly recorded and posted on Snapchat are due in court Friday morning, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

&nbsp;David Clark, 18, is being held on requested charges of rape and&nbsp; aggravated sexual battery.

Ethan Garrett, 19, is being held on requested charges of aggravated sexual battery and sexual exploitation of a child.&nbsp;

On May 28, police contacted a 17-year-old girl at a Wichita area hospital regarding a sexual assault report.&nbsp; 

The victim reported being sexually assaulted while at a friend’s home in an incoherent state and the incident being videoed and put on the social media platform Snapchat, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Wichita Police Domestic violence/sex crimes detectives, crime linkage unit detectives and officers from the Domestic Intervention Violence Reduction Team (DIVRT) collaborated and followed up on the case, identifying Garrett and Clark both of Wichita being involved in the assault.

On June 3, the suspects were booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and released the following day after posting bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622835347409.png" alt="Clark-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Clark-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Two teens accused in the&nbsp;sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl, which they allegedly recorded and posted on Snapchat are due in court Friday morning, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;David Clark, 18, is being held on requested charges of rape and&nbsp; aggravated sexual battery.Ethan Garrett, 19, is being held on requested charges of aggravated sexual battery and sexual exploitation of a child.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622835416251.png" alt="Garrett" />
 <figcaption>Garrett</figcaption>
 </figure>On May 28, police contacted a 17-year-old girl at a Wichita area hospital regarding a sexual assault report.&nbsp; The victim reported being sexually assaulted while at a friend’s home in an incoherent state and the incident being videoed and put on the social media platform Snapchat, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Wichita Police Domestic violence/sex crimes detectives, crime linkage unit detectives and officers from the Domestic Intervention Violence Reduction Team (DIVRT) collaborated and followed up on the case, identifying Garrett and Clark both of Wichita being involved in the assault.On June 3, the suspects were booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and released the following day after posting bond.

Teens in alleged sex assault on social media set for court

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20949863-fulton-v-philadelphia" target="_blank">unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency</a>&nbsp;that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency’s policy.

The ruling was specific to the facts of the case, sidestepping bigger questions about how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the outcome turned on the language in the city’s foster care contract. Three conservative justices would have gone much further, and LGBTQ groups said they were relieved that the decision was limited.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that Catholic Social Services “seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.”

Roberts concluded that Philadelphia’s refusal to “contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents ... violates the First Amendment.”

Roberts noted that no same-sex couple has ever asked to work with Catholic Social Services, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If that were to happen, that couple would be referred to one of the more than 20 other agencies that works with same-sex couples, Catholic Social Services has said.

“For over 50 years, CSS successfully contracted with the City to provide foster care services while holding to these beliefs,” said Roberts, one of seven members of the court who is Catholic or attended Catholic schools.

Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples.

In recent years, religious groups have been delighted by victories at the court, often by wide margins. That includes cases in which the court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-constitutions-scholarships-me-state-wire-education-a34a94bd7a81996419400152631c2fd7">lifted a ban on state aid to religious schooling</a>, gave religious schools&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-business-courts-supreme-courts-religion-f5ae6a964560a9d8adf9792eb4803a36">greater leeway to hire and fire teachers</a>&nbsp;and allowed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6157d29563584c35a2adf6a004f89117">cross to remain on public land</a>. More recently, the court repeatedly sided with religious groups in fights over coronavirus restrictions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20949863-fulton-v-philadelphia" target="_blank">unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency</a>&nbsp;that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency’s policy.The ruling was specific to the facts of the case, sidestepping bigger questions about how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the outcome turned on the language in the city’s foster care contract. Three conservative justices would have gone much further, and LGBTQ groups said they were relieved that the decision was limited.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that Catholic Social Services “seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.”Roberts concluded that Philadelphia’s refusal to “contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents ... violates the First Amendment.”Roberts noted that no same-sex couple has ever asked to work with Catholic Social Services, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If that were to happen, that couple would be referred to one of the more than 20 other agencies that works with same-sex couples, Catholic Social Services has said.“For over 50 years, CSS successfully contracted with the City to provide foster care services while holding to these beliefs,” said Roberts, one of seven members of the court who is Catholic or attended Catholic schools.Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples.In recent years, religious groups have been delighted by victories at the court, often by wide margins. That includes cases in which the court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-constitutions-scholarships-me-state-wire-education-a34a94bd7a81996419400152631c2fd7">lifted a ban on state aid to religious schooling</a>, gave religious schools&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-business-courts-supreme-courts-religion-f5ae6a964560a9d8adf9792eb4803a36">greater leeway to hire and fire teachers</a>&nbsp;and allowed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6157d29563584c35a2adf6a004f89117">cross to remain on public land</a>. More recently, the court repeatedly sided with religious groups in fights over coronavirus restrictions.Philadelphia learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that Catholic Social Services would not certify same-sex couples to become foster parents. The city has said it requires the foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked Catholic Social Services to change its policy, but the group declined.As a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency. Catholic Social Services sued, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/84ea70ed3ce045c0991ff4585520f849">lower courts</a>&nbsp;sided with Philadelphia.In coming to the conclusion that Philadelphia had acted improperly, Roberts said the city gave Catholic Social Services a choice between “curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs.”He also pointed to language in the city’s standard foster care contract. The contract says that agencies cannot reject prospective foster or adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation “unless an exception is granted.” Because the city created a process for granting exemptions, it cannot then deny Catholic Social Services an exemption, Roberts concluded.The case’s outcome was similar to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-ap-top-news-courts-supreme-courts-politics-459b5e723c4c47ffa40df839097503c9">2018 decision</a>&nbsp;in which the court sided with a Colorado baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. That decision, too, was limited to the specific facts of the case and dodged bigger issues of how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. But the court has grown more conservative since that ruling.In “both cases the court reached narrow, very fact-specific decisions that leave non-discrimination laws and policies standing and fully enforceable by governments,” said Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBTQ &amp; HIV Project, which was involved in the case on Philadelphia’s side.Three conservative justices who joined Roberts’ opinion said they would have gone further. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have overruled a 1990 Supreme Court decision that they said improperly allows limits on religious freedom.Alito called the court’s ruling Thursday a “wisp of a decision.” Gorsuch said it was an “(ir)resolution,” predicting that the litigation would continue, with the city perhaps rewriting its contract.Philadelphia City Solicitor Diana Cortes said the ruling was a “difficult and disappointing setback.”In a statement, she said the court had “usurped the City’s judgment that a nondiscrimination policy is in the best interests of the children in its care.” But she said the city was also “gratified” that the justices did not “radically change existing constitutional law to adopt a standard that would force court-ordered religious exemptions from civic obligations in every arena.”A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued the case on behalf of Catholic Social Services called it a “common-sense ruling in favor of religious social services.”“The Supreme Court recognized that CSS has been doing amazing work for many years and can continue that work in the city of Philadelphia,” Lori Windham said.___