BAGHDAD (AP) — A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one fighter and wounding several others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday, signaling the first military action undertaken by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak of the attack. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

“I’m confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington, shortly after the airstrikes which were carried out Thursday evening Eastern Standard Time.

The Biden administration in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden’s decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-airstrike-syria-explained-0276818ed191a48fafcd1c2c57d1a1d9">and send a message to Iran</a>.

The U.S. has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

In a statement, the group confirmed one of its fighters was killed and called the U.S. strike a crime. Kataeb Hezbollah, like other Iranian-backed factions, maintains fighters in Syria to both fight against the Islamic State group and assist Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces in that country’s civil war.

Defense Secretary Austin said he was “confident” the U.S. had hit back at the “the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes,” referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Biden.

“We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline,” Austin said. “We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.”

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a “proportionate military response” taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

“The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel,” Kirby said.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes “destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups,” including Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

“The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible,” she said. “None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.”

Syria condemned the U.S. strike calling it “a cowardly and systematic American aggression,” warning that the attack will lead to consequences.

“This aggression is a negative indication of the policies of the new American administration, which is supposed to adhere to international legitimacy, not to the law of the jungle” that the Trump administration followed, a statement by Syria’s foreign ministry said.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack. He added that U.S. officials were not then able to give a “certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks.”

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Alwiya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the U.S.-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.

Since their deaths, the militias have become increasingly unruly. Some analysts argue the armed groups have splintered as a tactic to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Biden’s inauguration.

The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out multiple attacks in Iraq.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Soleimani and brought Iraq to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.

BAGHDAD (AP) — A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden’s decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

“I’m confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added, “We’re confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes,” referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he recommended the action to Biden.

“The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel,” Kirby said. “At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.”

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes “destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups,” including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq in the past.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack.

“Right now, we’re not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and I’m not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here,” Kirby said. “Let’s let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.”

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal. The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks. Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist.

“This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners,” the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, John Kirby, said in announcing the strikes.

“The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.”

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes “destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups.”

1 dead in Biden ordered airstrikes in Syria against Iran-backed militias

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Police in the Kansas City, Kansas, suburb of Shawnee say a high school student found with a handgun in his backpack at school has been arrested. 

The Shawnee Police Department said in a news release that the gun and other contraband were found by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School staff Thursday morning in a search of the student's backpack.

Principal Lisa Gruman sent the following note to parents.

"Dear Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Families, I am writing to inform you of an incident that took place here at Northwest this morning. One of our students was found in possession of a weapon this morning. The weapon was discovered during an investigation of an unrelated matter, and there is currently no evidence that the student had any intention of using the weapon here at Northwest. I can assure you that this matter will be handled in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and district policies. This is the extent of the information that can be released at this time. I do want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain Northwest as a safe learning environment. We appreciate your support."

&nbsp;Police confiscated the gun during the arrest. Police did not release the student's name.

SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — Police in the Kansas City, Kansas, suburb of Shawnee say a high school student found with a handgun in his backpack at school has been arrested. The Shawnee Police Department said in a news release that the gun and other contraband were found by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School staff Thursday morning in a search of the student's backpack.Principal Lisa Gruman sent the following note to parents."Dear Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Families, I am writing to inform you of an incident that took place here at Northwest this morning. One of our students was found in possession of a weapon this morning. The weapon was discovered during an investigation of an unrelated matter, and there is currently no evidence that the student had any intention of using the weapon here at Northwest. I can assure you that this matter will be handled in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and district policies. This is the extent of the information that can be released at this time. I do want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain Northwest as a safe learning environment. We appreciate your support."&nbsp;Police confiscated the gun during the arrest. Police did not release the student's name.

Student arrested at Kansas high school with gun in backpack

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top aide to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned Republican legislators Thursday that a proposal to curb the power of the governor and other Kansas officials could seriously hamper the state’s response to future public health emergencies and urged them to extend a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will Lawrence, Kelly’s chief of staff, objected to key portions of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>from the state Senate’s top Republicans that would rewrite the state’s emergency management laws. The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed it Thursday as another committee considered requiring all public schools to offer in-person classes by March 26 and after the House approved a measure designed to manage a backlog of criminal cases caused by courts’ inability to hold trials because of the pandemic.

Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the pandemic for months. They forced her last year to accept local control requiring masks and restricting businesses in exchange for keeping a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic in place.

The special rules lawmakers set for COVID-19 and the state of emergency that broadens officials’ power temporarily are set to expire March 31, and legislators also are working on measures that will determine how state and local officials can respond to future health emergencies. Under the Senate Judiciary Committee’s measure, a governor could not issue executive orders without first consulting the state’s attorney general and getting approval from a new legislative committee likely to be dominated by Republicans.

“It’s going to be a problem,” Lawrence said. “The emergency has to be dealt with quickly and swiftly, and this feels different.”

The measure would not extend the existing pandemic state of emergency, and Lawrence said doing so is crucial to dealing with COVID-19 problems and distributing vaccines. But top GOP senators have said they’d like the state of emergency to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-7b1e05b8984f8866e5e2c3399efaa787">expire by April,&nbsp;</a>and they have the support of fellow conservatives who want to end any remaining local restrictions on businesses.

“When will it be over?” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. “I’ve got a lot constituents who are asking the same thing, who want to get their businesses back to normal.”

Thompson incorrectly asserted that the number of new cases in Kansas is as low as it was in June 2020, when the state averaged 157 a day. While new cases have declined sharply in recent weeks, so far this month, the state has averaged 647 new cases a day, according to health department data. Kansas also has averaged 38 new COVID-19 deaths per day this month.

“We still have a ways to go,” Norman told the committee.

The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would create special rules for public health emergencies, as opposed to shorter-term natural disasters such as tornadoes.

But as an example, Lawrence said a radiation leak at the state’s only nuclear power plant, about 60 miles south of Topeka, could be a public health emergency. He said the governor could be forced to wait two days before ordering an evacuation of people living near it.

Republicans argued that the attorney general and the legislative committee would act immediately in dire emergencies. They also said the measure would limit public health emergencies to contagious diseases transmitted human to human.

Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee wrestled with whether public K-12 schools should be required to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26. It had a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb213_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>proposed by Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.

Laura Klingensmith, mother of a student at an Overland Park high school, said remote, online and hybrid classes aren’t working because, “Students do not have the maturity to stay focused in an online environment all day, every day. They don’t have the attention span.”

But according to State Department of Education data, only five of the state’s 286 local school districts don’t expect to have a majority of students back for in-person classes by then. Kelly announced last week that Kansas was putting a priority on inoculating its 34,000 teachers and 72,000 K-12 staff members so that all of them could return to in-person classes.

And lobbyists for teachers and local school boards said local officials should decide when to reopen schools.

The House voted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210225113627_309148/" target="_blank">107-17</a>&nbsp;in favor of the bill dealing with the courts’ backlog of some 5,000 criminal cases, sending it to the Senate.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2078_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>would suspend until May 2024 a state law protecting defendants’ constitutional right to a speedy trial by imposing deadlines for hearing their cases.

Supporters say that if the state doesn’t act, judges could be forced to dismiss hundreds of cases because courts can’t meet the deadlines.

But the measure also faces bipartisan skepticism in the Senate from members who worry that a three-year suspension of the deadlines is too long and will leave too many defendants languishing in jail. The speedy trial law generally requires cases to go to trial within six months of a defendant entering a plea to criminal charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614340073508.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 15 into law Thursday to help Kansans receive low-interest loans and recover from the pandemic.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 15 into law Thursday to help Kansans receive low-interest loans and recover from the pandemic.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top aide to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly warned Republican legislators Thursday that a proposal to curb the power of the governor and other Kansas officials could seriously hamper the state’s response to future public health emergencies and urged them to extend a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.Will Lawrence, Kelly’s chief of staff, objected to key portions of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb273_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>from the state Senate’s top Republicans that would rewrite the state’s emergency management laws. The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed it Thursday as another committee considered requiring all public schools to offer in-person classes by March 26 and after the House approved a measure designed to manage a backlog of criminal cases caused by courts’ inability to hold trials because of the pandemic.Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the pandemic for months. They forced her last year to accept local control requiring masks and restricting businesses in exchange for keeping a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic in place.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614301408357.png" alt="Members of the Senate Judiciary committee reviewed the bill on Thursday-image courtesy Senate YouTube channel" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Senate Judiciary committee reviewed the bill on Thursday-image courtesy Senate YouTube channel</figcaption>
 </figure>The special rules lawmakers set for COVID-19 and the state of emergency that broadens officials’ power temporarily are set to expire March 31, and legislators also are working on measures that will determine how state and local officials can respond to future health emergencies. Under the Senate Judiciary Committee’s measure, a governor could not issue executive orders without first consulting the state’s attorney general and getting approval from a new legislative committee likely to be dominated by Republicans.“It’s going to be a problem,” Lawrence said. “The emergency has to be dealt with quickly and swiftly, and this feels different.”The measure would not extend the existing pandemic state of emergency, and Lawrence said doing so is crucial to dealing with COVID-19 problems and distributing vaccines. But top GOP senators have said they’d like the state of emergency to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-7b1e05b8984f8866e5e2c3399efaa787">expire by April,&nbsp;</a>and they have the support of fellow conservatives who want to end any remaining local restrictions on businesses.“When will it be over?” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. “I’ve got a lot constituents who are asking the same thing, who want to get their businesses back to normal.”Thompson incorrectly asserted that the number of new cases in Kansas is as low as it was in June 2020, when the state averaged 157 a day. While new cases have declined sharply in recent weeks, so far this month, the state has averaged 647 new cases a day, according to health department data. Kansas also has averaged 38 new COVID-19 deaths per day this month.“We still have a ways to go,” Norman told the committee.The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would create special rules for public health emergencies, as opposed to shorter-term natural disasters such as tornadoes.But as an example, Lawrence said a radiation leak at the state’s only nuclear power plant, about 60 miles south of Topeka, could be a public health emergency. He said the governor could be forced to wait two days before ordering an evacuation of people living near it.Republicans argued that the attorney general and the legislative committee would act immediately in dire emergencies. They also said the measure would limit public health emergencies to contagious diseases transmitted human to human.Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee wrestled with whether public K-12 schools should be required to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26. It had a hearing on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb213_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill&nbsp;</a>proposed by Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.Laura Klingensmith, mother of a student at an Overland Park high school, said remote, online and hybrid classes aren’t working because, “Students do not have the maturity to stay focused in an online environment all day, every day. They don’t have the attention span.”But according to State Department of Education data, only five of the state’s 286 local school districts don’t expect to have a majority of students back for in-person classes by then. Kelly announced last week that Kansas was putting a priority on inoculating its 34,000 teachers and 72,000 K-12 staff members so that all of them could return to in-person classes.And lobbyists for teachers and local school boards said local officials should decide when to reopen schools.The House voted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210225113627_309148/" target="_blank">107-17</a>&nbsp;in favor of the bill dealing with the courts’ backlog of some 5,000 criminal cases, sending it to the Senate.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2078_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>would suspend until May 2024 a state law protecting defendants’ constitutional right to a speedy trial by imposing deadlines for hearing their cases.Supporters say that if the state doesn’t act, judges could be forced to dismiss hundreds of cases because courts can’t meet the deadlines.But the measure also faces bipartisan skepticism in the Senate from members who worry that a three-year suspension of the deadlines is too long and will leave too many defendants languishing in jail. The speedy trial law generally requires cases to go to trial within six months of a defendant entering a plea to criminal charges.___

Governor's aide: GOP plan may slow Kansas emergency response

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation into the murder of woman in Salina. A reward for information in the case is now $2500.

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

Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman of inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.

This case is being considered a homicide and detectives are attempting to identify suspect(s). In addition, Salina Police Detectives are working to identify and locate persons who were in the area at the time of the shooting.

If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org">https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org</a>&nbsp;to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward.&nbsp;The Crimestoppers board has increased the possible reward amount up to $2,500, and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact Detective Jeff Vaughan at the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2021-5058.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation into the murder of woman in Salina. A reward for information in the case is now $2500.Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman of inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.This case is being considered a homicide and detectives are attempting to identify suspect(s). In addition, Salina Police Detectives are working to identify and locate persons who were in the area at the time of the shooting.If you have any information concerning this event or identification of the individual(s) involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org">https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/salina.org</a>&nbsp;to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward.&nbsp;The Crimestoppers board has increased the possible reward amount up to $2,500, and you are not required to give your name. Tipsters may also contact Detective Jeff Vaughan at the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210. Case 2021-5058.

Police: Reward increased for information in Salina woman's murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are ready to shove&nbsp;a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package&nbsp;through the House on Friday, despite a setback that means a minimum wage boost is unlikely to be in the final version that reaches President Joe Biden.

A near party-line vote seemed certain on the measure, Biden’s first crack at his initial legislative goal of&nbsp;acting decisively against the pandemic. In the year since&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;has taken hold, it has stalled much of the economy,&nbsp;killed half a million&nbsp;Americans and reshaped the daily lives of virtually everyone.

The relief bill would provide millions of people with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-15-dollar-minimum-wage-450d27c72ba701cb5aef3213cb4bcd8b">$1,400 direct payments</a>. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments, the ailing restaurant and airline industries and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax breaks to lower earners and families with children.

Republicans oppose the sweeping measure, saying it’s too expensive, not targeted enough at the people and businesses that most need it and a grab bag of gifts for Democratic allies. Not one has publicly said they will support the legislation, an ominous sign that the partisan gulf that has enveloped Washington for decades shows no sign of closing.

The House bill would also hoist the federal minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2025, more than doubling the current $7.25 floor that’s been in effect since 2019.

But that proposal seemed highly likely to die in the Senate after that chamber’s parliamentarian said Thursday that the cherished progressive goal must be dropped from the relief legislation, Senate Democratic aides said.

The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year in the face of solid Republican opposition.

Biden, a supporter of the $15 increase, was “disappointed” in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian’s ruling, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of heeding the parliamentarian’s decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.

“He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty,” Psaki said.

Democrats are pushing the massive coronavirus relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, a tactic that Democrats would need an unattainable 60 votes to defeat.

But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough said the minimum wage provision didn’t pass that test, according to aides who described her decision on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been released.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the minimum wage plan would remain in that chamber’s legislation anyway, saying, “House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary.”

She probably had little choice — many House Democrats are progressives who are insistent that the party fight for the wage boost. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a leading sponsor of the minimum wage increase, said Democats shouldn’t be bowed by “the advisory opinion of the parliamentarian and Republican obstructionism.”

Democrats can afford little dissension over the minimum wage or anything else in the COVID-19 relief bill. They have just a 10-vote edge in the House and no votes to spare in the 50-50 Senate.

Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were hoping that House approval of the package would be followed by passage in the Senate, where changes seem likely. Democrats are aiming to get the legislation to Biden’s desk by mid-March.

Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.

MacDonough’s decision might actually make passage of the overall relief bill easier because efforts to find a minimum wage compromise between progressives and moderate Democrats who’d prefer a more measured approach could have been contentious.

Democrats have said they could still pursue a minimum wage boost in free-standing legislation or attach it to legislation expected later this year that is to be aimed at a massive infrastructure program. But they’d still face the challenge of garnering 60 Senate votes, a hurdle that has upended Democratic attempts to boost the minimum wage for over a decade.

In a study that’s been cited by both sides in the clash, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the $15 minimum wage would increase pay for 27 million workers and lift 900,000 people out of poverty by 2025, but also kill 1.4 million jobs.

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have state minimum wages that exceed the federal $7.25 hourly floor, with only the District of Columbia currently requiring a $15 minimum.

Seven states have laws putting their minimums on a pathway to $15 in a future year, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614337301435.png" alt="Fence around the U.S. Capitol image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Fence around the U.S. Capitol image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are ready to shove&nbsp;a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package&nbsp;through the House on Friday, despite a setback that means a minimum wage boost is unlikely to be in the final version that reaches President Joe Biden.A near party-line vote seemed certain on the measure, Biden’s first crack at his initial legislative goal of&nbsp;acting decisively against the pandemic. In the year since&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;has taken hold, it has stalled much of the economy,&nbsp;killed half a million&nbsp;Americans and reshaped the daily lives of virtually everyone.The relief bill would provide millions of people with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-15-dollar-minimum-wage-450d27c72ba701cb5aef3213cb4bcd8b">$1,400 direct payments</a>. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments, the ailing restaurant and airline industries and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax breaks to lower earners and families with children.Republicans oppose the sweeping measure, saying it’s too expensive, not targeted enough at the people and businesses that most need it and a grab bag of gifts for Democratic allies. Not one has publicly said they will support the legislation, an ominous sign that the partisan gulf that has enveloped Washington for decades shows no sign of closing.The House bill would also hoist the federal minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2025, more than doubling the current $7.25 floor that’s been in effect since 2019.But that proposal seemed highly likely to die in the Senate after that chamber’s parliamentarian said Thursday that the cherished progressive goal must be dropped from the relief legislation, Senate Democratic aides said.The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year in the face of solid Republican opposition.Biden, a supporter of the $15 increase, was “disappointed” in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian’s ruling, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of heeding the parliamentarian’s decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.“He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty,” Psaki said.Democrats are pushing the massive coronavirus relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, a tactic that Democrats would need an unattainable 60 votes to defeat.But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough said the minimum wage provision didn’t pass that test, according to aides who described her decision on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been released.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the minimum wage plan would remain in that chamber’s legislation anyway, saying, “House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary.”She probably had little choice — many House Democrats are progressives who are insistent that the party fight for the wage boost. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a leading sponsor of the minimum wage increase, said Democats shouldn’t be bowed by “the advisory opinion of the parliamentarian and Republican obstructionism.”Democrats can afford little dissension over the minimum wage or anything else in the COVID-19 relief bill. They have just a 10-vote edge in the House and no votes to spare in the 50-50 Senate.Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were hoping that House approval of the package would be followed by passage in the Senate, where changes seem likely. Democrats are aiming to get the legislation to Biden’s desk by mid-March.Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.MacDonough’s decision might actually make passage of the overall relief bill easier because efforts to find a minimum wage compromise between progressives and moderate Democrats who’d prefer a more measured approach could have been contentious.Democrats have said they could still pursue a minimum wage boost in free-standing legislation or attach it to legislation expected later this year that is to be aimed at a massive infrastructure program. But they’d still face the challenge of garnering 60 Senate votes, a hurdle that has upended Democratic attempts to boost the minimum wage for over a decade.In a study that’s been cited by both sides in the clash, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the $15 minimum wage would increase pay for 27 million workers and lift 900,000 people out of poverty by 2025, but also kill 1.4 million jobs.Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have state minimum wages that exceed the federal $7.25 hourly floor, with only the District of Columbia currently requiring a $15 minimum.Seven states have laws putting their minimums on a pathway to $15 in a future year, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.___

Friday Vote: $1.9T virus relief bill won't raise minimum wage

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after marking a solemn milestone in the pandemic, President Joe Biden is celebrating the pace of his efforts to end it.

On Thursday, Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his swearing-in. The moment came days after the nation reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the nation’s governors on plans to speed the distribution even further.

“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.

“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”

All told, more than 45 million Americans have been administered at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.

As part of the ceremony, four front-line workers — a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store worker — received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program.

Biden predictions that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone that wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it. “We’ll have the vaccine waiting,” Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.

He promised a “massive campaign to educate people” about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in hopes of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.

Biden said he planned to tour a U.S. military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.

Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving approval as soon as this weekend, as Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.

“We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson &amp; Johnson can make it,” Biden said.

Meeting with governors, Biden appealed for their help in passing his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.

“The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself,” Biden said.

Biden also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalizations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.

“This is not the time to relax,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614292595179.png" alt="President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci look on as DC firefighter and EMT Gerald Burn receives a vaccination, during an event to commemorate the 50 millionth COVID-19 shot -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci look on as DC firefighter and EMT Gerald Burn receives a vaccination, during an event to commemorate the 50 millionth COVID-19 shot -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after marking a solemn milestone in the pandemic, President Joe Biden is celebrating the pace of his efforts to end it.On Thursday, Biden marked the administration of the 50 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine since his swearing-in. The moment came days after the nation reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the nation’s governors on plans to speed the distribution even further.“The more people get vaccinated, the faster we’re going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.“We’re halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”All told, more than 45 million Americans have been administered at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.As part of the ceremony, four front-line workers — a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store worker — received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program.Biden predictions that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone that wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it. “We’ll have the vaccine waiting,” Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.He promised a “massive campaign to educate people” about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in hopes of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.Biden said he planned to tour a U.S. military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving approval as soon as this weekend, as Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.“We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson &amp; Johnson can make it,” Biden said.Meeting with governors, Biden appealed for their help in passing his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.“The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself,” Biden said.Biden also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalizations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.“This is not the time to relax,” he said.

US marks 50M COVID-19 vaccine doses since Biden took office

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities&nbsp; have announced that a man already in prison for a separate crime has been charged in the 2018 killing of a Kansas City woman whose body was found in rural wooded area months after she disappeared.

Kenneth Wilson Jr., 32, of Cameron, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Vernece Brown.

Brown’s remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6a2c258203df444391a5cc1d1f05136f">were found</a>&nbsp;by mushroom hunters in May 2018 in a wooded area near Harrisonville, about 35 miles south of Kansas City. She had been missing since Valentine’s Day of that year. An autopsy showed she had been fatally shot.

Cellphone data shows Brown had been communicating with Wilson and that their cellphones were in the same location about the time she disappeared, police said.

Wilson is already in custody at the Western Missouri Correctional Center serving a sentence for a separate crime. Court records show he was arrested in 2018 while driving a stolen vehicle that was carjacked from a woman in Columbia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614281700279.png" alt="Wilson photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities&nbsp; have announced that a man already in prison for a separate crime has been charged in the 2018 killing of a Kansas City woman whose body was found in rural wooded area months after she disappeared.Kenneth Wilson Jr., 32, of Cameron, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Vernece Brown.Brown’s remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6a2c258203df444391a5cc1d1f05136f">were found</a>&nbsp;by mushroom hunters in May 2018 in a wooded area near Harrisonville, about 35 miles south of Kansas City. She had been missing since Valentine’s Day of that year. An autopsy showed she had been fatally shot.Cellphone data shows Brown had been communicating with Wilson and that their cellphones were in the same location about the time she disappeared, police said.Wilson is already in custody at the Western Missouri Correctional Center serving a sentence for a separate crime. Court records show he was arrested in 2018 while driving a stolen vehicle that was carjacked from a woman in Columbia.

Inmate charged in 2018 death of Kansas City woman

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Four men from Mississippi have been banned from hunting anywhere in the world and fined a total of $48,000 for violating wildlife laws in Kansas.

Kenneth R. Britt Jr., 51; Tony Grant Smith, 26; Barney Leon Bairfield III, 28; and Dustin Corey Treadway, 28, were also sentenced to several years of probation, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday.

They pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill wild turkeys in excess of the legal limit and illegally transporting the birds across state lines, prosecutors said in a news release.

The men are from two neighboring towns — Wesson and Brookhaven — in Mississippi.

In 2017 and 2018, they traveled to Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska for spring hunting trip without the required hunting licenses, prosecutors said

During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys. Kansas limits hunters to two wild turkey kills per hunter per season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614295511825.png" alt="During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys Photo courtesy KDWP&amp;T game wardens" />
 <figcaption>During one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys Photo courtesy KDWP&amp;T game wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Four men from Mississippi have been banned from hunting anywhere in the world and fined a total of $48,000 for violating wildlife laws in Kansas.Kenneth R. Britt Jr., 51; Tony Grant Smith, 26; Barney Leon Bairfield III, 28; and Dustin Corey Treadway, 28, were also sentenced to several years of probation, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday.They pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill wild turkeys in excess of the legal limit and illegally transporting the birds across state lines, prosecutors said in a news release.The men are from two neighboring towns — Wesson and Brookhaven — in Mississippi.In 2017 and 2018, they traveled to Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska for spring hunting trip without the required hunting licenses, prosecutors saidDuring one eight-day trip in 2018, the men bagged at least 26 wild turkeys. Kansas limits hunters to two wild turkey kills per hunter per season.

4 banned from hunting anywhere, fined for violations in Kansas

The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.

The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.

A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”

Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614298655971.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Army has announced that Fort Riley will deploy an additional task force as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Approximately 120 Soldiers from the 2nd&nbsp;Armored&nbsp;Brigade Combat Team, 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division,&nbsp;will&nbsp;deploy to Miami, Florida,&nbsp;beginning Friday. The task force will support a state-run, federally supported Community Vaccination Center to increase the number of Americans being vaccinated.The Soldiers include medical personnel and support staff. These Soldiers are&nbsp;prepared to administer vaccines, care for patients, and offer other organizational support. Teams such as this are capable of administering 3,000 vaccinations per day.A similar team deployed Feb. 19 from Fort Riley to Dallas, Texas. This team is supporting the Community Vaccination Center at Fair Park Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.“Our Soldiers are playing vital roles in providing lifesaving vaccines to the ones we swore to protect, the American people,” said Col. Brandon Smith, Commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I am honored we have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens and to help put an end to this pandemic.”Additionally, the 1st Sustainment Brigade has 44 Soldiers supporting FEMA vaccination efforts in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Dallas, Houston, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Forward Assessment and Sustainment Teams provide the contracting and logistical support necessary to integrate civilian and military medical personnel. Their capabilities include medical screening, personnel accountability, commodity management, and contracting support.

Fort Riley soldiers deploy in support of vaccination effort

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities canceled the Silver Alert for a missing 74-year-old woman on Thursday afternoon. Authorities located Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; needs&nbsp; have issued a Silver Alert for 74-year-old Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police.

She was last seen in the Wichita area on Monday and is believed to be driving a black 2014 Ford Focus with South Dakota tag 7A5227.

If you know her whereabouts, contact the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4659 or call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614189663811.png" alt="Janice Gaug photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Janice Gaug photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities canceled the Silver Alert for a missing 74-year-old woman on Thursday afternoon. Authorities located Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; needs&nbsp; have issued a Silver Alert for 74-year-old Janice Gaug, according to Wichita Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614189526707.png" alt="Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 11.57.59 AM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 11.57.59 AM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>She was last seen in the Wichita area on Monday and is believed to be driving a black 2014 Ford Focus with South Dakota tag 7A5227.If you know her whereabouts, contact the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4659 or call 911.

Silver Alert canceled for woman reported missing in Kansas

SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday lifted a freeze on green cards issued by his predecessor during the pandemic that lawyers said was blocking most legal immigration to the United States.

Former President Donald Trump last spring halted the issuance of green cards until the end of 2020 in the name of protecting the coronavirus-wracked job market — a reason that Trump gave to achieve many of the cuts to legal immigration that had eluded him before the pandemic.

Trump on Dec. 31 extended those orders until the end of March.

Trump had deemed immigrants a “risk to the U.S. labor market” and blocked their entry to the United States in issuing Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052.

Biden stated in his proclamation Wednesday that shutting the door on legal immigrants “does not advance the interests of the United States.”

“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world,” Biden stated in his proclamation.

Most immigrant visas were blocked by the orders, according to immigration lawyers.

As many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost largely because of the pandemic-related freeze in the 2020 budget year, according to the American Immigrant Lawyers Association. Immigrants could not bring over family members unless they were U.S. citizens applying for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 21.

It also barred entry to immigrants with employment-based visas unless they were considered beneficial to the national interest such as health care professionals.

And it slammed the door on thousands of visa lottery winners who were randomly chosen from a pool of about 14 million applicants to be given green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States.

The blocked visas add to a growing backlog that has reached 437,000 for family-based visas alone, said California immigration lawyer Curtis Morrison, who represented thousands of people blocked by the freeze.

“I’m thrilled for my clients who are now in a position that they can now enter the U.S.,” he said. “But that backlog will take years if the administration does not take ambitious measures.”

A federal judge last year issued a ruling that all but lifted Proclamation 10052 by allowing temporary foreign workers to enter the United States if their employers are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or several other large organizations that represent much of the U.S. economy.

But Proclamation 10014 continued to block thousands of immigrants.

Immigration lawyers said they were surprised Biden did not immediately lift the freeze like he did with Trump’s travel ban imposed against people from mostly Muslim-majority countries. As a result, some immigrants blocked by the travel ban found they still could not come to the United States because of the freeze.

Biden’s actions come only days after thousands of visa lottery winners at risk of having their visas expire won a court order that put their visas on hold by the judge in the case. Now they will be allowed to use their visas to enter the country.

The United States makes available up to 55,000 visas a year for immigrants whose nationalities are underrepresented in the U.S. population. The visas must be used within six months of being obtained.

Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.

The president has not said whether there will be any redress for visa lottery winners who lost out because of the pandemic-era policies. But he is calling for the U.S. to increase the number of diversity visas available via the lottery each year from 55,000 to 80,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614257784463.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Harris during a Wednesday signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Harris during a Wednesday signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday lifted a freeze on green cards issued by his predecessor during the pandemic that lawyers said was blocking most legal immigration to the United States.Former President Donald Trump last spring halted the issuance of green cards until the end of 2020 in the name of protecting the coronavirus-wracked job market — a reason that Trump gave to achieve many of the cuts to legal immigration that had eluded him before the pandemic.Trump on Dec. 31 extended those orders until the end of March.Trump had deemed immigrants a “risk to the U.S. labor market” and blocked their entry to the United States in issuing Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052.Biden stated in his proclamation Wednesday that shutting the door on legal immigrants “does not advance the interests of the United States.”“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world,” Biden stated in his proclamation.Most immigrant visas were blocked by the orders, according to immigration lawyers.As many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost largely because of the pandemic-related freeze in the 2020 budget year, according to the American Immigrant Lawyers Association. Immigrants could not bring over family members unless they were U.S. citizens applying for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 21.It also barred entry to immigrants with employment-based visas unless they were considered beneficial to the national interest such as health care professionals.And it slammed the door on thousands of visa lottery winners who were randomly chosen from a pool of about 14 million applicants to be given green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States.The blocked visas add to a growing backlog that has reached 437,000 for family-based visas alone, said California immigration lawyer Curtis Morrison, who represented thousands of people blocked by the freeze.“I’m thrilled for my clients who are now in a position that they can now enter the U.S.,” he said. “But that backlog will take years if the administration does not take ambitious measures.”A federal judge last year issued a ruling that all but lifted Proclamation 10052 by allowing temporary foreign workers to enter the United States if their employers are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or several other large organizations that represent much of the U.S. economy.But Proclamation 10014 continued to block thousands of immigrants.Immigration lawyers said they were surprised Biden did not immediately lift the freeze like he did with Trump’s travel ban imposed against people from mostly Muslim-majority countries. As a result, some immigrants blocked by the travel ban found they still could not come to the United States because of the freeze.Biden’s actions come only days after thousands of visa lottery winners at risk of having their visas expire won a court order that put their visas on hold by the judge in the case. Now they will be allowed to use their visas to enter the country.The United States makes available up to 55,000 visas a year for immigrants whose nationalities are underrepresented in the U.S. population. The visas must be used within six months of being obtained.Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.The president has not said whether there will be any redress for visa lottery winners who lost out because of the pandemic-era policies. But he is calling for the U.S. to increase the number of diversity visas available via the lottery each year from 55,000 to 80,000.

President Biden lifts ban blocking legal immigration to US

CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.

On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.

&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.

Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.

Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614272962304.png" alt="Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

Sheriff: 2 men fishing in Kansas fell through ice, drowned

NEW YORK (AP) — A public service ad<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/"> campaign </a>unveiled Thursday aims to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling them “It’s Up to You.”

<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/">The campaign</a> by the Ad Council and its partners is focused on those who may be hesitant to get the shots. One print ad reads: “Getting back to hugs starts with getting informed,” and directs readers to a website with information about vaccines in seven languages.

“Our goal is to move them from being hesitant to being confident” in vaccines, said Lisa Sherman, the Ad Council’s president.

As many as 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Some scientists estimate that more than 2 in 3 Americans will need to get vaccinated to stop the epidemic that has killed more than 500,000 people in the U.S.

The large, national campaign is producing an array of English and Spanish ads for TV, billboards, bus shelters, social media and publications that will be rolled out over the next few months. A few of the ads are expected to feature celebrities like the actors Angela Bassett and John Leguizamo, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The spots are expected to run throughout the year.

The effort includes materials specifically for church leaders, doctors, pharmacists and others in Black and Hispanic communities

The new campaign was funded by $52 million in donations — supplemented with donated labor and resources, said Sherman. The advertising industry-backed group calls it one of the largest public education efforts in U.S. history. It’s famous for many iconic public service campaigns that include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” campaign for the Peace Corps.

Print versions show an adhesive bandage framing the words “It’s Up to You.” One video spot shows a series of illustrated arms of different colors and one robotic, all with a bandage on the upper arm, blending in to a mosaic of the U.S. map. “You’ve got questions. And that’s normal” reads another ad. It invites viewers to go to a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/" target="_blank">GetVaccineAnswers.org</a>, to get more information.

Although vaccines have been available — in limited supplies — in the U.S. since mid-December, the timing of the ad campaign is actually good, said Jay Winsten, a Harvard University public health communications expert.

It takes a while for people who question the effectiveness or safety of vaccines to gain faith in shots, said Winsten, who is known as the architect of a national designated driver campaign that aimed to reduce drunk driving injuries and deaths.

But it also helps that millions of Americans have already gotten shots, and they did not suffer serious side effects, he added.

“People will be more open to the messaging now” because of that, he said.

The federal government is involved in the Ad Council’s campaign, but also has its own in the works. A $300 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services campaign was put on pause late in the Trump administration. Biden administration officials have picked it up but have not said when it will launch.

NEW YORK (AP) — A public service ad<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/"> campaign </a>unveiled Thursday aims to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling them “It’s Up to You.”<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/">The campaign</a> by the Ad Council and its partners is focused on those who may be hesitant to get the shots. One print ad reads: “Getting back to hugs starts with getting informed,” and directs readers to a website with information about vaccines in seven languages.“Our goal is to move them from being hesitant to being confident” in vaccines, said Lisa Sherman, the Ad Council’s president.As many as 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Some scientists estimate that more than 2 in 3 Americans will need to get vaccinated to stop the epidemic that has killed more than 500,000 people in the U.S.The large, national campaign is producing an array of English and Spanish ads for TV, billboards, bus shelters, social media and publications that will be rolled out over the next few months. A few of the ads are expected to feature celebrities like the actors Angela Bassett and John Leguizamo, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.The spots are expected to run throughout the year.The effort includes materials specifically for church leaders, doctors, pharmacists and others in Black and Hispanic communitiesThe new campaign was funded by $52 million in donations — supplemented with donated labor and resources, said Sherman. The advertising industry-backed group calls it one of the largest public education efforts in U.S. history. It’s famous for many iconic public service campaigns that include “The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love” campaign for the Peace Corps.Print versions show an adhesive bandage framing the words “It’s Up to You.” One video spot shows a series of illustrated arms of different colors and one robotic, all with a bandage on the upper arm, blending in to a mosaic of the U.S. map. “You’ve got questions. And that’s normal” reads another ad. It invites viewers to go to a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://getvaccineanswers.org/" target="_blank">GetVaccineAnswers.org</a>, to get more information.Although vaccines have been available — in limited supplies — in the U.S. since mid-December, the timing of the ad campaign is actually good, said Jay Winsten, a Harvard University public health communications expert.It takes a while for people who question the effectiveness or safety of vaccines to gain faith in shots, said Winsten, who is known as the architect of a national designated driver campaign that aimed to reduce drunk driving injuries and deaths.But it also helps that millions of Americans have already gotten shots, and they did not suffer serious side effects, he added.“People will be more open to the messaging now” because of that, he said.The federal government is involved in the Ad Council’s campaign, but also has its own in the works. A $300 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services campaign was put on pause late in the Trump administration. Biden administration officials have picked it up but have not said when it will launch.___

Ad campaign launches to build public trust in COVID-19 shots

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident found on Wednesday believe the victim actually died in the crash on Sunday.

Just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 6100 Block of Riverview after report of an accident involving a vehicle in a creek bed, according to police department spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.&nbsp;

First responders found the sole occupant, a man in his 60s, was dead.&nbsp; 

Investigators determined the vehicle was westbound Sunday evening on Riverview when it left the road, struck an embankment and landed in a semi-frozen creek bed. 

The location of the crash in a wooded area and the position in which&nbsp; the vehicle came to rest made it extremely difficult for passing motorists to have seen, according to Chartrand.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal accident found on Wednesday believe the victim actually died in the crash on Sunday.Just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 6100 Block of Riverview after report of an accident involving a vehicle in a creek bed, according to police department spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.&nbsp;First responders found the sole occupant, a man in his 60s, was dead.&nbsp; Investigators determined the vehicle was westbound Sunday evening on Riverview when it left the road, struck an embankment and landed in a semi-frozen creek bed. The location of the crash in a wooded area and the position in which&nbsp; the vehicle came to rest made it extremely difficult for passing motorists to have seen, according to Chartrand.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.