FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. 

Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.

At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.

The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp; Victor Cabrera, 32, of Garden City. Just before 7:00 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to 1404 W. Fulton Street Apt. 4, in Garden City after report of a man shot in the head, according to Sgt. Lana Urteaga.At the scene, police located the Cabrera and Finney County EMS transported him&nbsp; St. Catherine Hospital. He was later flown to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita where he died.The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident, or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

SW Kan. shooting victim air-lifted to hospital has died

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.

Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.

EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615233677422.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal head-on crash /photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Michael Brown, 65, of Wichita.Just before 8p.m. Sunday a&nbsp;2010 Ford Focus driven by Brown was southbound in the 4100 Block of South Hydraulic in Wichita. The car crossed the center line and struck a&nbsp; 2018 Kia Soul driven by a 28-year-old woman head-on, according to officer Paul Cruz.EMS transported Brown to a local hospital where he died. The 28-year-old woman was not transported for treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. This is the ninth fatal accident in Wichita in 2021, according to Cruz.

Police ID Kansas man who died in head-on crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.

Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.

The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.

The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.

Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”

The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.

Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.

With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.

The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615204180481.png" alt="President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during comments on Sunday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is rethinking Trump administration policies that weakened how colleges and universities that get federal dollars handle sexual assault accusations on campus, according to administration officials.Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by Donald Trump’s administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions.The new president focused on gender equity during his campaign and promised to strengthen Title IX if he won the White House. He also will sign a second executive order formally establishing the White House Gender Policy Council, according to two administration officials who briefed reporters on the plan. Biden’s transition team announced his plans to create the council before he took office.The order directing the review of Title IX could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.Trump’s education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-betsy-devos-coronavirus-pandemic-education-9bac8880e7c7164473674c0bc02365d5">Betsy DeVos</a>, in 2018 rescinded an Obama-era administration standard in cases of reported sexual assault from requiring a “preponderance of evidence” — meaning it is more likely than not that sexual harassment or violence occurred — to “clear and convincing evidence.”The DeVos changes reduced the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f489490cb06c0ac02e6c586be9abc5f1">bolstered the due process rights of the accused</a>, including the right to cross-examine their accusers through a third-party advocate at campus hearings.Biden, as vice president, along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan in 2011&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/vice-president-biden-announces-new-administration-effort-help-nations-schools-ad" target="_blank">laid out the legal guidance</a>&nbsp;of what was expected of college campuses in response to allegations of sexual violence on behalf of President Barack Obama’s administration.With the Education Department review, Biden’s intent is to set policies that help ensure students have an environment that’s free from sexual harassment and without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to one White House official who briefed reporters on the orders.The order establishing the Gender Policy Council comes after Trump disbanded an office specifically focused on women’s issues created during the Obama administration that was called the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Biden order could change how colleges handle sex misconduct

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 590 to a total of 296,451, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,816, an increase of 4.

<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 590 to a total of 296,451, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,816, an increase of 4.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615226577323.png" alt="Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 8, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged aggravated kidnapping and other possible charges after a traffic stop in Harvey County.

Just before 7:30a.m Monday, dispatchers advised that a female caller reported&nbsp; she had been beaten and was being kidnapped by a man in a stolen vehicle, according to a media release.

Officers from the Harvey County Sheriff's Office, Newton police and Hesston police stopped the vehicle at Casey's on Lincoln Blvd in Hesston. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop, which involves officers displaying their weapons to maintain safety for all parties involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The occupants of the vehicle complied and officers arrested the male driver and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center on requested charges including Aggravated Kidnapping and Domestic Battery. The suspect and victim were acquaintances. Authorities have not released the name of the suspect.&nbsp; Deputies also discovered the vehicle&nbsp; had an altered VIN and was previously reported as stolen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged aggravated kidnapping and other possible charges after a traffic stop in Harvey County.Just before 7:30a.m Monday, dispatchers advised that a female caller reported&nbsp; she had been beaten and was being kidnapped by a man in a stolen vehicle, according to a media release.Officers from the Harvey County Sheriff's Office, Newton police and Hesston police stopped the vehicle at Casey's on Lincoln Blvd in Hesston. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop, which involves officers displaying their weapons to maintain safety for all parties involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;The occupants of the vehicle complied and officers arrested the male driver and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center on requested charges including Aggravated Kidnapping and Domestic Battery. The suspect and victim were acquaintances. Authorities have not released the name of the suspect.&nbsp; Deputies also discovered the vehicle&nbsp; had an altered VIN and was previously reported as stolen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police make high risk traffic stop to catch Kan. kidnapping suspect

SALINE COUNTY —A controlled burn got away from a Saline County landowner early Saturday afternoon and spread to adjacent property, forcing four rural fire districts to respond, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Just after noon Saturday, 52-year-old Jeffrey Benson was burning grass around his pond in the 3600 block of South Crest Lane when the fire got away from him.

The fire quickly spread north onto a neighbor's the property where it&nbsp; melted part of a fence. The estimated damage to the fence is $2,600, according to Soldan.

The fire continued north and past the 2700 block of South Burma Road before it was extinguished. Saline County Rural Fire Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7 responded to the blaze. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615220577969.jpeg" alt="Four rural fire districts responded to a Saturday grass fire in Saline County-photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Four rural fire districts responded to a Saturday grass fire in Saline County-photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —A controlled burn got away from a Saline County landowner early Saturday afternoon and spread to adjacent property, forcing four rural fire districts to respond, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.Just after noon Saturday, 52-year-old Jeffrey Benson was burning grass around his pond in the 3600 block of South Crest Lane when the fire got away from him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615220723875.jpeg" alt="Fire damaged fence -photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Fire damaged fence -photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire quickly spread north onto a neighbor's the property where it&nbsp; melted part of a fence. The estimated damage to the fence is $2,600, according to Soldan.The fire continued north and past the 2700 block of South Burma Road before it was extinguished. Saline County Rural Fire Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7 responded to the blaze. There were no injuries reported.

Kan. man's out-of-control fire burns neighbor's fence 

TOPEKA —A Kansas teen has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of&nbsp; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jeremiah M. Guesby, 18, of Topeka, is scheduled for his first court appearance on the charges Monday.

The crimes on both are punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00 or both and a term of supervised release of at least two years, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615124162801.png" alt="Guesby-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Guesby-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A Kansas teen has been indicted and arrested on federal charges of&nbsp; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, according to the United State's Attorney.Jeremiah M. Guesby, 18, of Topeka, is scheduled for his first court appearance on the charges Monday.The crimes on both are punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00 or both and a term of supervised release of at least two years, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Kansas teen faces federal drug trafficking charges

By SCOTT CARLSON <a href="https://northplattepost.com">North Platte Post</a>

CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. — Authorities in Custer County say one man is dead following a plane crash Saturday.

According
 to a news release from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, on March 6, 
at around 1:09 p.m, the Sheriff's office received a report that a plane 
had left the Mason City, Neb., area at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday en 
route for Holyoke, Colo., but was overdue.

At around 4:37 p.m.,
 authorities received a report from the Civil Air Patrol that a small 
single-engine plane had crashed in a pasture approximately 7 miles 
southwest of Ansley, Neb.

Deputies along with the Nebraska 
State Patrol, Ansley Fire and Rescue, Mason City Fire and Rescue, and 
Broken Bow Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.

Upon 
arrival, deputies reported finding the plane completely destroyed, and 
the pilot, identified as Keith A. Walker, 74, of Mason City, was 
deceased. Walker was the lone occupant of the aircraft.

The investigation into the crash has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and is ongoing at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615208126508.png" alt="Google maps" />
 <figcaption>Google maps</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON <a href="https://northplattepost.com">North Platte Post</a>CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. — Authorities in Custer County say one man is dead following a plane crash Saturday.According
 to a news release from the Custer County Sheriff's Office, on March 6, 
at around 1:09 p.m, the Sheriff's office received a report that a plane 
had left the Mason City, Neb., area at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday en 
route for Holyoke, Colo., but was overdue.At around 4:37 p.m.,
 authorities received a report from the Civil Air Patrol that a small 
single-engine plane had crashed in a pasture approximately 7 miles 
southwest of Ansley, Neb.Deputies along with the Nebraska 
State Patrol, Ansley Fire and Rescue, Mason City Fire and Rescue, and 
Broken Bow Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.Upon 
arrival, deputies reported finding the plane completely destroyed, and 
the pilot, identified as Keith A. Walker, 74, of Mason City, was 
deceased. Walker was the lone occupant of the aircraft.The investigation into the crash has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and is ongoing at this time.

One dead after plane crash in central Nebraska

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Much of Kansas will likely see higher electric bills as a result of February’s deep freeze, but utility customers in the Kansas City area could get refunds.

The difference has to do with how two different divisions of utility giant Evergy fared during the brutal cold.

The company’s Kansas Central division had to spend an additional $100 million to buy power. Meanwhile, Evergy’s Metro Division that serves the Kansas City area was able to generate $60 million in extra revenue because it was able to generate surplus power and sell it to other utilities.

State regulations say both the extra costs Evergy’s Kansas unit incurred and the extra revenue the Metro unit generated must eventually be passed on to customers.

Company spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the differences have to do with the type of power plants in each division.

“The costs and credits related to the extreme cold event are a result of the differences in each area’s available mix of power plants and fuel requirements alongside having enough power to meet customers’ needs,” Penzig said in an e mail.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he was surprised the freeze would wind up costing one set of Evergy customers and benefiting another. He suggested the Legislature should consider requiring Evergy’s two divisions to merge. The Kansas Corporation Commission plans to investigate the situation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613601077409.png" alt="During a news conference February 17, Andrew French, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission said energy usage in the region was lower than forecast. "That tells me our conservation measures by businesses and residents in Kansas are making a difference."" />
 <figcaption>During a news conference February 17, Andrew French, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission said energy usage in the region was lower than forecast. "That tells me our conservation measures by businesses and residents in Kansas are making a difference."</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Much of Kansas will likely see higher electric bills as a result of February’s deep freeze, but utility customers in the Kansas City area could get refunds.The difference has to do with how two different divisions of utility giant Evergy fared during the brutal cold.The company’s Kansas Central division had to spend an additional $100 million to buy power. Meanwhile, Evergy’s Metro Division that serves the Kansas City area was able to generate $60 million in extra revenue because it was able to generate surplus power and sell it to other utilities.State regulations say both the extra costs Evergy’s Kansas unit incurred and the extra revenue the Metro unit generated must eventually be passed on to customers.Company spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the differences have to do with the type of power plants in each division.“The costs and credits related to the extreme cold event are a result of the differences in each area’s available mix of power plants and fuel requirements alongside having enough power to meet customers’ needs,” Penzig said in an e mail.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he was surprised the freeze would wind up costing one set of Evergy customers and benefiting another. He suggested the Legislature should consider requiring Evergy’s two divisions to merge. The Kansas Corporation Commission plans to investigate the situation.

Deep freeze to affect Kansas utility customers differently

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two men died and a third man was critically wounded after a shooting in Kansas City.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the shooting was reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday after a fender bender crash. Becchina said a large disturbance after the crash led to the gunfire.

Officers from the Kansas City Police Department found two men who had been shot unresponsive in front of a home near East 51st Street and Agnes Avenue. A third man was found with gunshot wounds just north of the two men who died. The third man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Becchina said investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and to identify the victims.

The two deaths were the 27th and 28th homicides of the year in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615202460088.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two men died and a third man was critically wounded after a shooting in Kansas City.Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the shooting was reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday after a fender bender crash. Becchina said a large disturbance after the crash led to the gunfire.Officers from the Kansas City Police Department found two men who had been shot unresponsive in front of a home near East 51st Street and Agnes Avenue. A third man was found with gunshot wounds just north of the two men who died. The third man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.Becchina said investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and to identify the victims.The two deaths were the 27th and 28th homicides of the year in Kansas City.

3 shot, 2 die after dispute over fender bender in Kansas City

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a local car dealer and have made an arrest.

On March 1, a car dealer in Hiawatha reported that a 2020 Ford Escape was taken from their lot, according to, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just after 10:30p.m. March 5, an officer spotted a 2020 blue Ford Escape traveling on North 4th Street in Atchison.

&nbsp;Officers stopped the vehicle and took 42-year-old Nicholas Norton into custody. Police took Norton to the county jail on requested charges of possession of stolen property. He has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614957945319.png" alt="Norton has previous 3 convictions for theft, for burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correctons." />
 <figcaption>Norton has previous 3 convictions for theft, for burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correctons.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a local car dealer and have made an arrest.On March 1, a car dealer in Hiawatha reported that a 2020 Ford Escape was taken from their lot, according to, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Just after 10:30p.m. March 5, an officer spotted a 2020 blue Ford Escape traveling on North 4th Street in Atchison.&nbsp;Officers stopped the vehicle and took 42-year-old Nicholas Norton into custody. Police took Norton to the county jail on requested charges of possession of stolen property. He has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Police arrest suspect driving new car stolen from Kan. dealership

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a year after two U.S. Department of Agriculture research agencies were moved from the nation’s capital to Kansas City forcing a mass exodus of employees who couldn’t or didn’t want to move halfway across the country, they remain critically understaffed and some farmers are less confident in the work they produce.

The decision to move the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in September 2019 was pitched as putting them closer to farmers in the nation’s breadbasket, though much of their work involves advising members of Congress back in Washington. After the relocation was announced, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff at the time, Mick Mulvaney, joked that moving the jobs to Kansas City was also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3b4c70d47e4bdf92816c5f170b29f6">“a wonderful way to streamline government.”</a>

Tom Vilsack inherited a demoralized workforce at the two agencies when he took over as secretary of agriculture under President Joe Biden. With 235 vacancies between them, the agencies continued to hire during the pandemic and administration change, but they are putting out work that is smaller in scope and less frequent, causing some farmers to look elsewhere for data they rely on to run their operations.

Among them is Vance Ehmke, who said that since the USDA relocations occurred, he has been paying a lot more attention to private market analysis and what private grain companies are doing. The information feeds his decisions on everything from whether to buy more land or a new tractor to whether to build more grain bins.

“Here, when we need really good, hard information, you are really starting to question groups like USDA, which before that had a sterling reputation,” Ehmke said recently. “But out in the country, people are worried about how good the information is now because those groups are operating at half capacity.”

The relocation hollowed out years of specialized experience and delayed or scuttled some of the agencies’ research and other work. Hiring at the Kansas City site remains well below the roughly 550&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4f29da28ecd746169ded179859c02eca">high-paying jobs</a>&nbsp;local leaders had anticipated.

Farmers rely on the research to make decisions on a wide range of topics, from rural community planning to farming with climate change and volatile weather conditions, said Aaron Lehman, a farmer who is president of the Iowa Farmers Union.

The ERS examines issues including the rural economy, international trade, food safety and programs that provide food assistance to poor Americans. NIFA, meanwhile, provides grants for agricultural research and other farm services.

“It has gone in the wrong direction in general in terms of accuracy now,” said Adrian Polansky, a farmer and former executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency office in Kansas during the Obama administration. “Whether that was for sure based on that transition or whether it was the leadership in the department in terms of what the political goals may have been, I am not exactly sure. But it seems like there was less reliability.”

Polansky said he looks to commercial sources of agricultural information to corroborate USDA data more often now than he did in the past. He said that even after the agencies fill their openings, it will take time to “become fully impactful” because research is a long-term endeavor.

“When you lose significant staff and significant institutional knowledge, there is just not a way that can’t impact the product and information from USDA,” he said.

Dan O’Brien, a grain market specialist at Kansas State University Research and Extension, acknowledged that farmers have increasingly been questioning the reliability of the government’s agricultural data over the past few years. However, he said those frustrations have dealt more with reports published by other USDA agencies, and that some farmers may be confusing them.

Laura Dodson, the union representative for ERS employees, said the relocation will affect the agency for another five years. It hasn’t affected the accuracy of its reports, but it has reduced their scope and frequency.

Dozens of ERS reports have either come out late or not at all, including reports on the organic food sector, antibiotic use in animal production, and hired farm workers and labor markets, among others, Dodson said. For example, a two-year research project on pollinators such as honeybees was shelved because the entire team working on it left the agency rather than move to Kansas City.

ERS published 37 reports in 2018, compared to 11 last year, Dodson said. Those figures don’t include its monthly crop price and analysis reports, which have remained fairly steady despite the relocation and the pandemic. Agency employees also published 100 articles in academic journals related to their fields of study in 2018, but just 64 in 2020.

“We help make sure that food is produced safely, timely and responds to changes in the marketplace and changes to environmental sector,” she said. “And so if those become less effective because they are not being informed by good data and research, that will translate directly to how Americans receive their food.”

Matt Herrick, a USDA spokesman, said in an email that he couldn’t speak to the volume and variety of ERS reports and research under the Trump administration. “However, when you lose more than half of your expert workforce, there is bound to be a noticeable effect,” he added, noting that the USDA is focused on restoring employee confidence and morale.

When former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d5c86204a4d4d6c84431488b19c5fea">Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue</a>&nbsp;toured the new Kansas City headquarters in November 2019, he predicted the agencies would be fully staffed by the first quarter of 2020. That didn’t happen.

In October 2016 — before Trump’s first year in office — ERS had 318 permanent employees, according to USDA data. By October 2019 — just a month after the move — its workforce had shrunk to 164. As of late January 2021, it had 219 employees, including 67 still based in Washington.

The same trend played out at NIFA, which had 320 employees in October 2016. In October 2019, it was down to 112 workers, though it rebounded somewhat to 218 by late January, including 16 based in Washington.

“Best I can tell, they were putting out information that Trump really did not like hearing, like global climate change and things like that,” Ehmke said. “And here in the United States, what we do with groups like that — we can’t send them to Siberia, so we send them to Kansas City.”

By ROXANA HEGEMANBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a year after two U.S. Department of Agriculture research agencies were moved from the nation’s capital to Kansas City forcing a mass exodus of employees who couldn’t or didn’t want to move halfway across the country, they remain critically understaffed and some farmers are less confident in the work they produce.The decision to move the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in September 2019 was pitched as putting them closer to farmers in the nation’s breadbasket, though much of their work involves advising members of Congress back in Washington. After the relocation was announced, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff at the time, Mick Mulvaney, joked that moving the jobs to Kansas City was also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3b4c70d47e4bdf92816c5f170b29f6">“a wonderful way to streamline government.”</a>Tom Vilsack inherited a demoralized workforce at the two agencies when he took over as secretary of agriculture under President Joe Biden. With 235 vacancies between them, the agencies continued to hire during the pandemic and administration change, but they are putting out work that is smaller in scope and less frequent, causing some farmers to look elsewhere for data they rely on to run their operations.Among them is Vance Ehmke, who said that since the USDA relocations occurred, he has been paying a lot more attention to private market analysis and what private grain companies are doing. The information feeds his decisions on everything from whether to buy more land or a new tractor to whether to build more grain bins.“Here, when we need really good, hard information, you are really starting to question groups like USDA, which before that had a sterling reputation,” Ehmke said recently. “But out in the country, people are worried about how good the information is now because those groups are operating at half capacity.”The relocation hollowed out years of specialized experience and delayed or scuttled some of the agencies’ research and other work. Hiring at the Kansas City site remains well below the roughly 550&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4f29da28ecd746169ded179859c02eca">high-paying jobs</a>&nbsp;local leaders had anticipated.Farmers rely on the research to make decisions on a wide range of topics, from rural community planning to farming with climate change and volatile weather conditions, said Aaron Lehman, a farmer who is president of the Iowa Farmers Union.ADVERTISEMENTThe ERS examines issues including the rural economy, international trade, food safety and programs that provide food assistance to poor Americans. NIFA, meanwhile, provides grants for agricultural research and other farm services.“It has gone in the wrong direction in general in terms of accuracy now,” said Adrian Polansky, a farmer and former executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency office in Kansas during the Obama administration. “Whether that was for sure based on that transition or whether it was the leadership in the department in terms of what the political goals may have been, I am not exactly sure. But it seems like there was less reliability.”Polansky said he looks to commercial sources of agricultural information to corroborate USDA data more often now than he did in the past. He said that even after the agencies fill their openings, it will take time to “become fully impactful” because research is a long-term endeavor.“When you lose significant staff and significant institutional knowledge, there is just not a way that can’t impact the product and information from USDA,” he said.Dan O’Brien, a grain market specialist at Kansas State University Research and Extension, acknowledged that farmers have increasingly been questioning the reliability of the government’s agricultural data over the past few years. However, he said those frustrations have dealt more with reports published by other USDA agencies, and that some farmers may be confusing them.Laura Dodson, the union representative for ERS employees, said the relocation will affect the agency for another five years. It hasn’t affected the accuracy of its reports, but it has reduced their scope and frequency.Dozens of ERS reports have either come out late or not at all, including reports on the organic food sector, antibiotic use in animal production, and hired farm workers and labor markets, among others, Dodson said. For example, a two-year research project on pollinators such as honeybees was shelved because the entire team working on it left the agency rather than move to Kansas City.ERS published 37 reports in 2018, compared to 11 last year, Dodson said. Those figures don’t include its monthly crop price and analysis reports, which have remained fairly steady despite the relocation and the pandemic. Agency employees also published 100 articles in academic journals related to their fields of study in 2018, but just 64 in 2020.“We help make sure that food is produced safely, timely and responds to changes in the marketplace and changes to environmental sector,” she said. “And so if those become less effective because they are not being informed by good data and research, that will translate directly to how Americans receive their food.”Matt Herrick, a USDA spokesman, said in an email that he couldn’t speak to the volume and variety of ERS reports and research under the Trump administration. “However, when you lose more than half of your expert workforce, there is bound to be a noticeable effect,” he added, noting that the USDA is focused on restoring employee confidence and morale.When former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d5c86204a4d4d6c84431488b19c5fea">Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue</a>&nbsp;toured the new Kansas City headquarters in November 2019, he predicted the agencies would be fully staffed by the first quarter of 2020. That didn’t happen.In October 2016 — before Trump’s first year in office — ERS had 318 permanent employees, according to USDA data. By October 2019 — just a month after the move — its workforce had shrunk to 164. As of late January 2021, it had 219 employees, including 67 still based in Washington.The same trend played out at NIFA, which had 320 employees in October 2016. In October 2019, it was down to 112 workers, though it rebounded somewhat to 218 by late January, including 16 based in Washington.“Best I can tell, they were putting out information that Trump really did not like hearing, like global climate change and things like that,” Ehmke said. “And here in the United States, what we do with groups like that — we can’t send them to Siberia, so we send them to Kansas City.”

USDA relocations to Kansas City curtail research, farmer confidence

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

He is wanted for the February 23, shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for Hull for murder in the first degree.

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

On Monday, police reported the arrest of Clarence Darnyl Brown, 34, of Salina, in connection with the case.&nbsp;Brown is being held on requested charges of Aiding and abetting first degree murder, Criminal solicitation and Interference with law enforcement.

Just after 11:30a.m. on February 23, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576681996331.jpeg" alt="Hull photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Hull photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina continue their search for a suspect identified as as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.He is wanted for the February 23, shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for Hull for murder in the first degree.Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, police reported the arrest of Clarence Darnyl Brown, 34, of Salina, in connection with the case.&nbsp;Brown is being held on requested charges of Aiding and abetting first degree murder, Criminal solicitation and Interference with law enforcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614629894498.png" alt="Clarence Brown single mugshot.PNG" />
 <figcaption>Clarence Brown single mugshot.PNG</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:30a.m. on February 23, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

Man wanted for Salina woman's murder still at large

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges following an arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the 100 block of NW Lyman Road, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer. 

During the investigation, deputies located a firearm, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They also arrested the driver&nbsp;Sarah R. Chaplin, 38, of Topeka, and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearmk criminal use of a weapon, illegal use of a telecommunication device and&nbsp;&nbsp;other drug violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615124018889.png" alt="Chaplin photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Chaplin photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges following an arrest.&nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the 100 block of NW Lyman Road, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer. During the investigation, deputies located a firearm, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. They also arrested the driver&nbsp;Sarah R. Chaplin, 38, of Topeka, and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearmk criminal use of a weapon, illegal use of a telecommunication device and&nbsp;&nbsp;other drug violations.

Kansas woman accused of distributing meth

RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are looking for a parole absconder with a long history of crime.

Reno County sheriff's deputies attempted tried to contact 32-year-old Justin Quaid Walker to serve an arrest warrant Saturday, according to a social media report.&nbsp;

 Walker made it to a vehicle and fled from the area, leading officers on a chase throughout the city. A woman was let out of the vehicle in the area of 10th and Severance and the pursuit was called off a short time later due to the amount of traffic in the city at the time. Walker wrecked the vehicle near 21st and Main and fled on foot.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Sheriff's Office also wants to identify the woman who was in the vehicle so they can talk to her.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615172430318.jpeg" alt="Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, theft, criminal damage to properly, criminal possession of a firearm, driving while suspended, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, sale of drugs and other drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. -photo Reno Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, theft, criminal damage to properly, criminal possession of a firearm, driving while suspended, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, sale of drugs and other drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. -photo Reno Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are looking for a parole absconder with a long history of crime.Reno County sheriff's deputies attempted tried to contact 32-year-old Justin Quaid Walker to serve an arrest warrant Saturday, according to a social media report.&nbsp; Walker made it to a vehicle and fled from the area, leading officers on a chase throughout the city. A woman was let out of the vehicle in the area of 10th and Severance and the pursuit was called off a short time later due to the amount of traffic in the city at the time. Walker wrecked the vehicle near 21st and Main and fled on foot.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Sheriff's Office also wants to identify the woman who was in the vehicle so they can talk to her.&nbsp;

Deputies looking Kan. parole violator with long history of crime 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal car accident early Sunday have identified the victim as 5-year-old Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita&nbsp; according Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Just after 3a.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident near 47th Street South and 127th Street East, according to Blick.

 When deputies arrived they located a 2014 Ford Escape driven by 26-year-old Nory Lam of Wichita that had been westbound on 47th Street South when it left the road and overturned. 

Lam had minor injuries. The passenger, Lam's 5-year-old daughter Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita was unresponsive.&nbsp; EMS provided life saving measures to Reyes but she was pronounced deceased at 3:39a.m., according to Blick.

During the accident investigation deputies discovered evidence that indicated alcohol may have contributed to the accident, according to Blick. Additional investigative efforts determined probable cause existed to arrest and<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069853"> book Nory Lam for</a> Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving under the Influence and Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615146154109.png" alt="Lam photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lam photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal car accident early Sunday have identified the victim as 5-year-old Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita&nbsp; according Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Just after 3a.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident near 47th Street South and 127th Street East, according to Blick. When deputies arrived they located a 2014 Ford Escape driven by 26-year-old Nory Lam of Wichita that had been westbound on 47th Street South when it left the road and overturned. Lam had minor injuries. The passenger, Lam's 5-year-old daughter Aleah A. Reyes of Wichita was unresponsive.&nbsp; EMS provided life saving measures to Reyes but she was pronounced deceased at 3:39a.m., according to Blick.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615146641270.png" alt="Investigators at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>During the accident investigation deputies discovered evidence that indicated alcohol may have contributed to the accident, according to Blick. Additional investigative efforts determined probable cause existed to arrest and<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069853"> book Nory Lam for</a> Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving under the Influence and Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. woman jailed after crash that killed 5-year-old daughter

CAMDENTON, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri real estate agent was charged Friday with conspiring to have her former mother-in-law killed.

Leigh Ann Bauman, 43, was arrested Thursday afternoon and was being held in the Camden County Jail on no bond.

Bauman agreed to pay people in St. Louis $1,500 to make her ex-mother-in-law’s death look like an accident, the Camden County prosecutor’s office said in a news release. Bauman was upset that the woman was interfering with her relationship with her children, the prosecutor said.

A witness recorded a conversation with Baumann about the plot.

“In the recording, Bauman was asked multiple times if she was sure she wanted to hire these people, and she confirmed,” said prosecutor said. “Bauman stated specially that she knew as a Christian it was wrong, but she could ask for forgiveness.” Bauman reportedly also sent a text message to her daughter stating “your grandmother will die.” Online court records do not name an attorney for Bauman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615041838837.png" alt="Bauman photo Camden Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Bauman photo Camden Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>CAMDENTON, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri real estate agent was charged Friday with conspiring to have her former mother-in-law killed.Leigh Ann Bauman, 43, was arrested Thursday afternoon and was being held in the Camden County Jail on no bond.Bauman agreed to pay people in St. Louis $1,500 to make her ex-mother-in-law’s death look like an accident, the Camden County prosecutor’s office said in a news release. Bauman was upset that the woman was interfering with her relationship with her children, the prosecutor said.A witness recorded a conversation with Baumann about the plot.“In the recording, Bauman was asked multiple times if she was sure she wanted to hire these people, and she confirmed,” said prosecutor said. “Bauman stated specially that she knew as a Christian it was wrong, but she could ask for forgiveness.” Bauman reportedly also sent a text message to her daughter stating “your grandmother will die.” Online court records do not name an attorney for Bauman.

Popular realtor charged in plan to kill ex-mother-in-law

KANSAS CITY (AP) — More than 50 people gathered outside the home of a Kansas City-area prosecutor to protest her decision not to charge a police officer in the fatal shooting of a Black man last year.

The protesters called for justice for 47-year-old Donnie Sanders as they marched down Ward Parkway to the home of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Saturday. Peters Baker announced Monday that investigators didn't find enough evidence to support charges against the Kansas City police officer involved in the shooting,

Sanders’ sisters, who participated in the protest, said they want Peters Baker to release a complete copy of the investigation into the shooting for the officer held accountable.

“We’re going to keep going ... until we get some form of justice,” Reshonda Sanders said. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249746238.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star that her brother wasn’t doing anything wrong when he was shot.

Another sister, Youlanda Sanders, said her brother didn’t deserve to die for a traffic stop.

“Man I miss my little brother,” she said. “I’m tired. This ain’t right.”

Donnie Sanders was shot last March after the officer, whose name hasn't been released, began following him for alleged traffic violations. The officer confronted Sanders when he got out of his vehicle in an alley. The officer told investigators that he believed Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Investigators determined Sanders did not have a gun, but two witnesses corroborated the officer's account.

Sanders’ death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests&nbsp;</a>against police in 2020.

During the march Saturday, one protester was arrested after a car hit another protester at a low speed. The protester who was hit by the car did not appear to be injured. Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the protester who was arrested apparently damaged the car.

The prosecutor said on Twitter that she supported the peaceful protest that took place outside her home.

“I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today,” she said. “I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615145766318.png" alt="Protesters blocked traffic on Ward Parkway in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters blocked traffic on Ward Parkway in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — More than 50 people gathered outside the home of a Kansas City-area prosecutor to protest her decision not to charge a police officer in the fatal shooting of a Black man last year.The protesters called for justice for 47-year-old Donnie Sanders as they marched down Ward Parkway to the home of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Saturday. Peters Baker announced Monday that investigators didn't find enough evidence to support charges against the Kansas City police officer involved in the shooting,<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today. I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today. 1/2&mdash; Jean Peters Baker (@jeanpetersbaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeanpetersbaker/status/1368348519459872771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sanders’ sisters, who participated in the protest, said they want Peters Baker to release a complete copy of the investigation into the shooting for the officer held accountable.“We’re going to keep going ... until we get some form of justice,” Reshonda Sanders said. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249746238.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star that her brother wasn’t doing anything wrong when he was shot.Another sister, Youlanda Sanders, said her brother didn’t deserve to die for a traffic stop.“Man I miss my little brother,” she said. “I’m tired. This ain’t right.”Donnie Sanders was shot last March after the officer, whose name hasn't been released, began following him for alleged traffic violations. The officer confronted Sanders when he got out of his vehicle in an alley. The officer told investigators that he believed Sanders was pointing a gun at him. Investigators determined Sanders did not have a gun, but two witnesses corroborated the officer's account.Sanders’ death was one of several fatal shootings of Black people cited during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-city-health-kansas-racial-injustice-02d510348e588646ec876a492b281809">protests&nbsp;</a>against police in 2020.During the march Saturday, one protester was arrested after a car hit another protester at a low speed. The protester who was hit by the car did not appear to be injured. Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the protester who was arrested apparently damaged the car.The prosecutor said on Twitter that she supported the peaceful protest that took place outside her home.“I fully support the right to peacefully protest. That includes the protest that occurred at my home today,” she said. “I do question those few people who decided to carry and display rifles at a peaceful protest, to block traffic, and to vandalize a car, which also occurred today.”

Protesters object to lack of charges in KC police shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Emergency loans made to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have been added to a list of government programs considered at high risk of waste, fraud or mismanagement.

The most common of those emergency loans, PPP loans, are provided at a low interest rate and are fully forgivable under conditions that include spending a certain percentage on payroll costs. The loans were created by Congress and have proven exceedingly popular as shops, restaurants and other small businesses try to survive the pandemic.

The Government Accountability Office reported that millions of small businesses benefitted from the emergency loans, but the speed with which the relief programs were set up limited safeguards necessary to identify risks, “including susceptibility to improper payments and potential fraud.”

The Small Business Administration made or guaranteed more than 14.7 million loans and grants totaling about $744 billion between March and December. Congress approved an additional $304 billion in emergency loans in December.

The GAO said in the report that, as of January, it continues to experience delays in obtaining key information about the loans, including detailed oversight plans and documentation for estimating improper payments.

“There’s no doubt they’ve had a positive impact. However, the management of these programs needs to be dramatically improved,” U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro told reporters in previewing the report.

Government auditors release a high-risk list near the beginning of every new Congress. The list is designed to increase attention on the shortfalls cited by the GAO, and to prompt action that can often save taxpayer dollars and improve government operations.

Auditors also added the government’s efforts to prevent drug misuse to the high-risk list. The GAO had warned as the pandemic began that it would be doing so. At the time, it noted that the pandemic could fuel the conditions that contribute to drug misuse, such as unemployment.

In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the largest ever increase of drug overdose deaths during a 12-month period that ended the previous May. The CDC noted a particular acceleration in drug overdose deaths as widespread mitigation measures kicked in.

“This is heartbreaking,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

Portman said that the country and his home state had finally seen a drop in overdose deaths in 2018 for the first time in decades.

“Substantial progress. And yet now, with the pandemic, under this horrible pandemic, we have this horrible addiction crisis that has grown,” Portman said.

Auditors said that maintaining sustained attention to the problem of drug abuse will be challenging in the coming months with agencies focused on addressing the pandemic.

“This makes developing and implementing a coordinated, strategic approach even more important as agencies’ resources are also being diverted, in part, to pandemic priorities,” the report said.

On a positive note, the GAO said the Department of Defense had made concerted progress in how it aligns its support infrastructure with the needs of the country’s military forces, It dropped the support program from it’s high-risk list.

For example, in citing, progress, auditors said the Army reduced its leased footprint in the Washington D.C. region from a peak of 3.9 million square feet in 2011 to roughly 1 million square feet as of September 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588075781384.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Emergency loans made to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have been added to a list of government programs considered at high risk of waste, fraud or mismanagement.The most common of those emergency loans, PPP loans, are provided at a low interest rate and are fully forgivable under conditions that include spending a certain percentage on payroll costs. The loans were created by Congress and have proven exceedingly popular as shops, restaurants and other small businesses try to survive the pandemic.The Government Accountability Office reported that millions of small businesses benefitted from the emergency loans, but the speed with which the relief programs were set up limited safeguards necessary to identify risks, “including susceptibility to improper payments and potential fraud.”The Small Business Administration made or guaranteed more than 14.7 million loans and grants totaling about $744 billion between March and December. Congress approved an additional $304 billion in emergency loans in December.The GAO said in the report that, as of January, it continues to experience delays in obtaining key information about the loans, including detailed oversight plans and documentation for estimating improper payments.“There’s no doubt they’ve had a positive impact. However, the management of these programs needs to be dramatically improved,” U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro told reporters in previewing the report.Government auditors release a high-risk list near the beginning of every new Congress. The list is designed to increase attention on the shortfalls cited by the GAO, and to prompt action that can often save taxpayer dollars and improve government operations.Auditors also added the government’s efforts to prevent drug misuse to the high-risk list. The GAO had warned as the pandemic began that it would be doing so. At the time, it noted that the pandemic could fuel the conditions that contribute to drug misuse, such as unemployment.In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the largest ever increase of drug overdose deaths during a 12-month period that ended the previous May. The CDC noted a particular acceleration in drug overdose deaths as widespread mitigation measures kicked in.“This is heartbreaking,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.Portman said that the country and his home state had finally seen a drop in overdose deaths in 2018 for the first time in decades.“Substantial progress. And yet now, with the pandemic, under this horrible pandemic, we have this horrible addiction crisis that has grown,” Portman said.Auditors said that maintaining sustained attention to the problem of drug abuse will be challenging in the coming months with agencies focused on addressing the pandemic.“This makes developing and implementing a coordinated, strategic approach even more important as agencies’ resources are also being diverted, in part, to pandemic priorities,” the report said.On a positive note, the GAO said the Department of Defense had made concerted progress in how it aligns its support infrastructure with the needs of the country’s military forces, It dropped the support program from it’s high-risk list.For example, in citing, progress, auditors said the Army reduced its leased footprint in the Washington D.C. region from a peak of 3.9 million square feet in 2011 to roughly 1 million square feet as of September 2019.

Pandemic loan program at high-risk for fraud, auditor finds

SEDGWICK COUNTY— One of two men involved in the death of a man during a drug deal has been sentenced to prison.

On March 3, Judge David Dahl sentenced Ashantis Bledsoe, 22 of Wichita, to 247 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In February of 2019, police found Lorenzo Wade, 22 of Wichita, with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Genesis Health Club in the 3700 block of west 13th Street.&nbsp; Police also found a bag of marijuana&nbsp; next to his body.

Last month, Bledsoe pled guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

In September 2020, Tanner Mora, 27 of Wichita, was sentenced to life with parole eligibility after 25 years. A jury convicted Mora of felony first-degree murder during the commission of an aggravated robbery which occurred during the sale of marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614882985144.png" alt="Bledsoe photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bledsoe photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— One of two men involved in the death of a man during a drug deal has been sentenced to prison.On March 3, Judge David Dahl sentenced Ashantis Bledsoe, 22 of Wichita, to 247 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In February of 2019, police found Lorenzo Wade, 22 of Wichita, with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the Genesis Health Club in the 3700 block of west 13th Street.&nbsp; Police also found a bag of marijuana&nbsp; next to his body.Last month, Bledsoe pled guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614882835032.png" alt="Mora is currently being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Mora is currently being held in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>In September 2020, Tanner Mora, 27 of Wichita, was sentenced to life with parole eligibility after 25 years. A jury convicted Mora of felony first-degree murder during the commission of an aggravated robbery which occurred during the sale of marijuana.

Kansas man sentenced for marijuana sale murder

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Kelly proclaimed March 7, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Kansas, as COVID Memorial Day to honor those that have died due to COVID-19.

“Today, a year after the first recorded COVID case in Kansas, we honor the memories of those we have lost and recognize the frontline workers who have battled this virus over the last year,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVIDProc.pdf">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;to view </a>the&nbsp; proclamation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615129427690.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly signed the proclamation to honor 4812 in Kansas who have died from the virus-photo courtesy governor's office." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly signed the proclamation to honor 4812 in Kansas who have died from the virus-photo courtesy governor's office.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Kelly proclaimed March 7, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Kansas, as COVID Memorial Day to honor those that have died due to COVID-19.“Today, a year after the first recorded COVID case in Kansas, we honor the memories of those we have lost and recognize the frontline workers who have battled this virus over the last year,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVIDProc.pdf">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;to view </a>the&nbsp; proclamation.

Governor Kelly proclaims March 7 COVID Memorial Day

BY CARLA K. JOHNSON,&nbsp;MIKE STOBBE and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

More than 27 million Americans fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will have to keep waiting for guidance from federal health officials for what they should and shouldn’t do.

The Biden administration said Friday it’s focused on getting the guidance right and accommodating emerging science, but the delays add to the uncertainty around bringing about an end to the pandemic as the nation’s virus fatigue grows.

“These are complex issues and the science is rapidly evolving,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday. “We are making sure and taking time to get this right and we will be releasing this guidance soon.”

Such guidance would address a flood of questions coming in from people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19: Do I still have to wear a mask? Can I go to a bar now? Can I finally see my grandchildren?

The need has slowly grown since January, when the first Americans began to complete the two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccines then available.

In Washington state, Raul Espinoza Gomez has 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and an appointment Saturday for his second dose of coronavirus vaccine.

By Easter, the 77-year-old's immune system will be ready to protect him from the virus. But how the family celebrates will depend on government advice, said Melissa Espinoza, 47, of Carnation, Washington, who plans to drive Gomez, her father-in-law, to get his second shot.

“We didn’t gather together as a big family at Christmas," she said. "We go by what the state and federal guidelines recommend. We’ve had family members adversely affected by COVID. We know the risks are severe.”

Worried about persistently high case loads and deaths, the Biden administration has condemned efforts to relax states’ virus restrictions and pleaded with the public for several months more patience.

The caution has drawn critics, who point to the administration’s own warnings that “fatigue is winning” as evidence that they need to be more optimistic about the path ahead to secure the cooperation of those who are yet to be vaccinated.

“I think it’s going to be overly proscriptive and conservative and that’s the wrong message,” former FDA Commissioner Stuart Gottlieb told CNBC Wednesday of the forthcoming CDC guidance. “If we continue to be very proscriptive and not give people a realistic vision for what a better future is going to look like, they’re going to start to ignore the public health guidance.”

Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the Division of Health Policy and Public Health, encouraged the CDC to be clearer about when and how it plans to produce guidelines for the vaccinated.

“Making the decision to go by the science is also making the decision that you’re going to have to make a decision, which is really difficult when the science isn’t settled,” he told the AP. “They’re drinking from a firehose of science, and sometimes, it gets messy.”

More than 54 million Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, and slightly more than half — nearly 28 million — have gotten the recommended two doses. The single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot soon will add a couple million more Americans with questions about what new freedoms they can safely enjoy.

“I do hope I get to see my great-grandchildren more," said Rolando Solar, 92, who received his second dose in Miami Wednesday. “But I know things will not go back to normal and, for an old man like me, this is as good as it will be.”

Tami Katz-Freiman, 65, of Miami, got her second dose three weeks ago, and plans to watch the Miami Film Festival virtually Sunday at the home of unvaccinated friends. All will wear masks.

“We didn’t have to discuss it with each other, because it’s very clear to me that when there is a doubt and you don’t have a CDC straightforward rule you better be on the safe side and take care for yourself,” Katz-Freiman said.

Three weeks ago, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people do not have to go into quarantine if they have contact with someone with a confirmed infection (for 90 days after the final shot). But the agency said nothing beyond that, noted Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University.

“That (quarantine guidance) seems to imply to me that your chance of contracting COVID-19 and being a carrier to others is pretty low,” said Wen, who previously ran Baltimore’s health department.

“(But) we need to focus on what is most relevant to people's lives, and my patients are not coming in and asking me: 'If I'm vaccinated, do I still need to quarantine if I'm exposed?'" she continued.

“I’d say the most common question I get is ‘Can I visit my grandchildren?’” Wen said.

Experts say it’s understandable that the CDC has been cautious when many scientific questions remain, including how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, and whether vaccinated people are still able to transmit the virus to others. The answers are important when advising someone what kind of risk they face in different settings, and how much of a risk they are to others.

“The vaccines at their best, in the clinical trials, were 95% effective, I didn't say 100%. And that's why we have to keep wearing masks most of the time," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.

But CDC has needed to come out with something more for vaccinated people than sticking with the same old mask wearing, social distancing guidance, he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613699035300.png" alt="“These are complex issues and the science is rapidly evolving,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday" />
 <figcaption>“These are complex issues and the science is rapidly evolving,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>BY CARLA K. JOHNSON,&nbsp;MIKE STOBBE and ZEKE MILLER, Associated PressMore than 27 million Americans fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will have to keep waiting for guidance from federal health officials for what they should and shouldn’t do.The Biden administration said Friday it’s focused on getting the guidance right and accommodating emerging science, but the delays add to the uncertainty around bringing about an end to the pandemic as the nation’s virus fatigue grows.“These are complex issues and the science is rapidly evolving,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday. “We are making sure and taking time to get this right and we will be releasing this guidance soon.”Such guidance would address a flood of questions coming in from people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19: Do I still have to wear a mask? Can I go to a bar now? Can I finally see my grandchildren?The need has slowly grown since January, when the first Americans began to complete the two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccines then available.In Washington state, Raul Espinoza Gomez has 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and an appointment Saturday for his second dose of coronavirus vaccine.By Easter, the 77-year-old's immune system will be ready to protect him from the virus. But how the family celebrates will depend on government advice, said Melissa Espinoza, 47, of Carnation, Washington, who plans to drive Gomez, her father-in-law, to get his second shot.“We didn’t gather together as a big family at Christmas," she said. "We go by what the state and federal guidelines recommend. We’ve had family members adversely affected by COVID. We know the risks are severe.”Worried about persistently high case loads and deaths, the Biden administration has condemned efforts to relax states’ virus restrictions and pleaded with the public for several months more patience.The caution has drawn critics, who point to the administration’s own warnings that “fatigue is winning” as evidence that they need to be more optimistic about the path ahead to secure the cooperation of those who are yet to be vaccinated.“I think it’s going to be overly proscriptive and conservative and that’s the wrong message,” former FDA Commissioner Stuart Gottlieb told CNBC Wednesday of the forthcoming CDC guidance. “If we continue to be very proscriptive and not give people a realistic vision for what a better future is going to look like, they’re going to start to ignore the public health guidance.”Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the Division of Health Policy and Public Health, encouraged the CDC to be clearer about when and how it plans to produce guidelines for the vaccinated.“Making the decision to go by the science is also making the decision that you’re going to have to make a decision, which is really difficult when the science isn’t settled,” he told the AP. “They’re drinking from a firehose of science, and sometimes, it gets messy.”More than 54 million Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, and slightly more than half — nearly 28 million — have gotten the recommended two doses. The single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot soon will add a couple million more Americans with questions about what new freedoms they can safely enjoy.“I do hope I get to see my great-grandchildren more," said Rolando Solar, 92, who received his second dose in Miami Wednesday. “But I know things will not go back to normal and, for an old man like me, this is as good as it will be.”Tami Katz-Freiman, 65, of Miami, got her second dose three weeks ago, and plans to watch the Miami Film Festival virtually Sunday at the home of unvaccinated friends. All will wear masks.“We didn’t have to discuss it with each other, because it’s very clear to me that when there is a doubt and you don’t have a CDC straightforward rule you better be on the safe side and take care for yourself,” Katz-Freiman said.Three weeks ago, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people do not have to go into quarantine if they have contact with someone with a confirmed infection (for 90 days after the final shot). But the agency said nothing beyond that, noted Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University.“That (quarantine guidance) seems to imply to me that your chance of contracting COVID-19 and being a carrier to others is pretty low,” said Wen, who previously ran Baltimore’s health department.“(But) we need to focus on what is most relevant to people's lives, and my patients are not coming in and asking me: 'If I'm vaccinated, do I still need to quarantine if I'm exposed?'" she continued.“I’d say the most common question I get is ‘Can I visit my grandchildren?’” Wen said.Experts say it’s understandable that the CDC has been cautious when many scientific questions remain, including how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, and whether vaccinated people are still able to transmit the virus to others. The answers are important when advising someone what kind of risk they face in different settings, and how much of a risk they are to others.“The vaccines at their best, in the clinical trials, were 95% effective, I didn't say 100%. And that's why we have to keep wearing masks most of the time," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.But CDC has needed to come out with something more for vaccinated people than sticking with the same old mask wearing, social distancing guidance, he added.“People are so eager to do something and they want to see some tangible benefit from the vaccines. Americans are impatient. They want to get on with it,” Schaffner said.Indeed, “there is a real cost to putting off this guidance,” as people turn to their own doctors for advice, or just make their own assumptions and decisions, Wen said.Waiting too long can diminish the agency’s relevance on this kind of matter, said Wen, who believes CDC should have had some kind of guidance in place for vaccinated people back in January.Clearly, vaccinated people should have been encouraged to go get cancer screenings, dental care, or other needed medical appointments. CDC officials also could have said that it’s OK for small groups of fully vaccinated people — maybe two or three couples, for example — to gather together for a dinner or other small gathering, she said.Regarding small gatherings among people who have been fully vaccinated, “the relative risk is so low that you would not have to wear a mask, that you could have a good social gathering within the home,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's leading infectious diseases doctor, during a recent White House briefing.Some experts discussed the possibility that movie theaters or cruise ships or certain other businesses might open up to vaccinated people, and ask for proof of vaccination status. Israel's government has begun issuing a “green pass” vaccination certificate to anyone who has received two doses of COVID vaccine through an accredited vaccination service.“I don’t know if in this country we would tolerate the federal government issue some kind of pass, the way they did in Israel,” Wen said. But businesses might want such passes and they would be an incentive that might help the overall rate of vaccination, Wen said.The only incentive Espinoza's family needed for vaccination was seeing her and her husband hospitalized with COVID-19 this winter. Still recovering, she uses oxygen at home.Vaccination of the family elders means one step closer to returning to traditions they love: Church on Palm Sunday and, a week later, an Easter egg hunt for the kids and a meal featuring slow-cooked barbacoa, a Mexican beef dish.“I hope people will stay home and stay safe as much as possible until we can all get vaccinated and eradicate this disease," Espinoza said.___