WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, as the aggressive delta variant spreads and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people.

The VA’s move came on a day when nearly 60 leading medical and health care organizations issued a call for health care facilities to require their workers to get vaccinated.

At the VA, vaccines will be now mandatory for specified health care personnel — including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants and others who work in departmental facilities or provide direct care to veterans, said VA Secretary Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough.

Employees will have eight weeks to get vaccinated.

“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country,” McDonough said in a statement. “Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19.

“With this mandate, we can once again make — and keep — that fundamental promise,” he added.

The medical and health care groups issuing a call for mandatory vaccines included the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Nursing, the American Public Health Association and, for the first time, a nursing home industry group. LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes and elder care facilities, had previously advocated educating nursing home employees about the benefits of getting their shots.

“Unfortunately, many health care and long-term care personnel remain unvaccinated,” the groups said in a statement. “We stand with the growing number of experts and institutions that support the requirement for universal vaccination of health workers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627326883921.png" alt="“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country,”&nbsp; said VA Secretary Dennis McDonough.&nbsp; He is shown here answering questions from Kansas Senator Jerry Moran during a July 14 hearing -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country,”&nbsp; said VA Secretary Dennis McDonough.&nbsp; He is shown here answering questions from Kansas Senator Jerry Moran during a July 14 hearing -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, as the aggressive delta variant spreads and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people.The VA’s move came on a day when nearly 60 leading medical and health care organizations issued a call for health care facilities to require their workers to get vaccinated.At the VA, vaccines will be now mandatory for specified health care personnel — including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants and others who work in departmental facilities or provide direct care to veterans, said VA Secretary Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough.Employees will have eight weeks to get vaccinated.“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country,” McDonough said in a statement. “Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19.“With this mandate, we can once again make — and keep — that fundamental promise,” he added.The medical and health care groups issuing a call for mandatory vaccines included the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Nursing, the American Public Health Association and, for the first time, a nursing home industry group. LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes and elder care facilities, had previously advocated educating nursing home employees about the benefits of getting their shots.“Unfortunately, many health care and long-term care personnel remain unvaccinated,” the groups said in a statement. “We stand with the growing number of experts and institutions that support the requirement for universal vaccination of health workers.”

VA sets deadline for health care workers to get vaccinated

By LAURA ZIEGLER <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-26/kansas-city-kansas-residents-continue-calls-to-ban-police-from-working-with-ice">Kansas News Service</a>

A crowd of roughly 75 activists and community leaders waved signs and
 cheered earlier this month as four members of Safe and Welcoming 
Wyandotte Coalition unfurled a paper banner on the plaza of the Unified 
Government municipal building downtown.

The phrase "Safe And 
Welcoming," hand-written in capital letters and colored in yellow and 
red, is a reference to a proposed ordinance that would provide 
identification to those without legal documents, the homeless, formerly 
incarcerated, those who are older, lack financial resources and other 
vulnerable populations.

“We have a lot of people who don’t have 
any legal way to identify themselves,” said Valeria Espadas, a community
 activist and one of the rally organizers. “You want to enroll your kid 
in school? You need an ID. You want a library card, a (Board of Public 
Utilities) account, you need an ID.”

But it’s the second part of 
the ordinance that’s been controversial. Along with a municipal ID, the 
ordinance would prohibit local law enforcement from coordinating with 
immigration authorities except in the case of fugitives or those with 
dangerous criminal records. Organizers have dubbed this part of the 
effort as "ICE non-compliance."

Efforts to pass the ordinance have
 been ongoing for several years, but David Alvey, mayor and CEO of the 
Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, says he 
cannot support it. Some of his opponents in the upcoming mayoral 
election, however, say they're open to the idea. 

Wyandotte Co. tops state for ICE detainees

<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/wyandottecountykansas" target="_blank">Almost 17%</a> of Wyandotte County’s population between 2015 and 2019 were foreign-born, and
 although it’s impossible to get exact figures, advocates and attorneys 
say a high number of those individuals lack legal residency papers.

Data collected by Syracuse University's TRAC Immigration information system indicates Kansas had the <a href="https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/343/" target="_blank">third highest percentage nationally</a>
 of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees with no other criminal
 convictions through 2018. In Kansas, 71% of those detained by ICE were 
not convicted of an offense. (Missouri holds the number one spot, with 
74% of its detainees held without any prior criminal record.)

Coalition member Yasmin Bruno Valdez says she was living in the U.S. 
without legal status for 10 years before being granted status under the 
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program just last month. 
Wyandotte County has the most ICE detainees of any county in Kansas, and
 Valdez says she and others see an intimate relationship between ICE and
 local law enforcement, claiming police and the sheriff’s office notify 
immigration authorities when suspects are detained or released. 

As
 a result, Valdez says many live under the radar, skipping doctors’ 
appointments, parent-teacher conferences or opportunities to speak out 
in public. The non-compliance mandate, she says, would help coax some 
out of the shadows.

“(It) would be the first step to not only 
protect undocumented folks, but to also create a sense of belonging,” 
she said. “Undocumented people deserve to feel safe.”

Law enforcement officials deny working with ICE

Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash denies his office coordinates with immigration authorities.

“We
 are not holding on civil detainers and we’re not holding people until 
ICE comes to pick them up,” Ash said in an interview. “If there is a 
judicial warrant, that’s different, we will hold like we would for any 
other jurisdiction, but our policy is restrictive on what we can, can’t 
or won’t do in terms of working with ICE.”

The Kansas City, 
Kansas, police department similarly said their interaction with federal 
authorities is “very limited.” In an email to KCUR, Acting Chief Michael
 York said officers enforce only city ordinances and state statues and 
only coordinate with ICE on criminal investigations or if a violent 
offender has fled across borders. 

York said the inability to 
verify identification does not “automatically raise questions of legal 
status,” and that KCK police are not involved in detention release or 
bond hearings.

“To say that the Kansas City, Kansas, Police 
Department aggressively cooperates with immigration officials and thus 
supports unnecessary deportation is not only incorrect, but does a great
 disservice to our community by fostering fear that may discourage 
immigrants and undocumented people from reporting crimes, showing up for
 public meetings, and other activities in which they may encounter law 
enforcement,” the email stated.

The immigration issue has become part of the political debate in the 5-way race for Kansas City, Kansas, mayor.

Incumbent
 Mayor Alvey has said he can not support the ordinance because of 
preexisting contracts with federal authorities.  Signing on to the 
non-compliance provision would violate the terms of federal grants that 
require state and federal law collaboration, including with immigration 
authorities.

“We cannot codify a statement saying we will not work
 with any agency because that’s in fact what we signed off on the grant,
 he said. “I understand the Biden administration is not adding that 
criteria into new grant requirements, that’s a different matter, but 
existing agreements are already in place so I can’t do that.”

Tyrone
 Garner, a mayoral candidate and former deputy chief with the Kansas 
City, Kansas, police department has endorsed the ordinance, as has 
District Attorney Mark Dupree. 

Mayoral candidate Janice Witt said
 she'd like the Safe and Welcoming Wyandotte ordinance to extend beyond 
the immigrant community. "To be safe and welcoming to everyone," she 
told television station <a href="https://www.kmbc.com/amp/article/group-wants-to-turn-immigration-enforcement-into-issue-for-kck-mayoral-race/36945663" target="_blank">KMBC</a>, "is a human right."

Candidate Chris Steineger, a former state senator from Wyandotte County, opposes the measure. 

KCUR was unable to reach candidate Daran Duffy for comment.

Residents continue to focus their attention on the current administration. 

At this month's rally, Pastor Rick Behrens of Grandview Park Presbytarian Church led a chant aimed squarely at the mayor.

"Mayor
 Alvey, can you hear it?" he boomed from the podium. The crowd, who is 
calling for the UG government to hold a special hearing with public 
testimony on the ordinance before the upcoming election, joined in.

"Mayor Alvey can you hear it? Can you hear our mighty spirit?"

Laura Ziegler has been a producer with NPR in Washington D.C. and national NPR reporter covering the Midwest. Currently she’s a community engagement reporter and producer at KCUR. Email her at lauraz@kcur.org or reach her on Twitter @laurazig.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627309240182.png" alt="At a rally last week in at the municipal building of the Unified Government, undocumented residents, clergy and activists urged acceptance of an ordinance they say would protect immigrants. Laura Ziegler / KCUR" />
 <figcaption>At a rally last week in at the municipal building of the Unified Government, undocumented residents, clergy and activists urged acceptance of an ordinance they say would protect immigrants. Laura Ziegler / KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA ZIEGLER <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-07-26/kansas-city-kansas-residents-continue-calls-to-ban-police-from-working-with-ice">Kansas News Service</a>A crowd of roughly 75 activists and community leaders waved signs and
 cheered earlier this month as four members of Safe and Welcoming 
Wyandotte Coalition unfurled a paper banner on the plaza of the Unified 
Government municipal building downtown.The phrase "Safe And 
Welcoming," hand-written in capital letters and colored in yellow and 
red, is a reference to a proposed ordinance that would provide 
identification to those without legal documents, the homeless, formerly 
incarcerated, those who are older, lack financial resources and other 
vulnerable populations.“We have a lot of people who don’t have 
any legal way to identify themselves,” said Valeria Espadas, a community
 activist and one of the rally organizers. “You want to enroll your kid 
in school? You need an ID. You want a library card, a (Board of Public 
Utilities) account, you need an ID.”But it’s the second part of 
the ordinance that’s been controversial. Along with a municipal ID, the 
ordinance would prohibit local law enforcement from coordinating with 
immigration authorities except in the case of fugitives or those with 
dangerous criminal records. Organizers have dubbed this part of the 
effort as "ICE non-compliance."Efforts to pass the ordinance have
 been ongoing for several years, but David Alvey, mayor and CEO of the 
Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, says he 
cannot support it. Some of his opponents in the upcoming mayoral 
election, however, say they're open to the idea. <h2>Wyandotte Co. tops state for ICE detainees</h2><a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/wyandottecountykansas" target="_blank">Almost 17%</a> of Wyandotte County’s population between 2015 and 2019 were foreign-born, and
 although it’s impossible to get exact figures, advocates and attorneys 
say a high number of those individuals lack legal residency papers.Data collected by Syracuse University's TRAC Immigration information system indicates Kansas had the <a href="https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/343/" target="_blank">third highest percentage nationally</a>
 of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees with no other criminal
 convictions through 2018. In Kansas, 71% of those detained by ICE were 
not convicted of an offense. (Missouri holds the number one spot, with 
74% of its detainees held without any prior criminal record.)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627309321352.png" alt="Yasmin Bruno Valdez has been in the United States since third grade. She was granted legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program this summer." />
 <figcaption>Yasmin Bruno Valdez has been in the United States since third grade. She was granted legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program this summer.</figcaption>
 </figure>Coalition member Yasmin Bruno Valdez says she was living in the U.S. 
without legal status for 10 years before being granted status under the 
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program just last month. 
Wyandotte County has the most ICE detainees of any county in Kansas, and
 Valdez says she and others see an intimate relationship between ICE and
 local law enforcement, claiming police and the sheriff’s office notify 
immigration authorities when suspects are detained or released. As
 a result, Valdez says many live under the radar, skipping doctors’ 
appointments, parent-teacher conferences or opportunities to speak out 
in public. The non-compliance mandate, she says, would help coax some 
out of the shadows.“(It) would be the first step to not only 
protect undocumented folks, but to also create a sense of belonging,” 
she said. “Undocumented people deserve to feel safe.”<h2>Law enforcement officials deny working with ICE</h2>Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash denies his office coordinates with immigration authorities.“We
 are not holding on civil detainers and we’re not holding people until 
ICE comes to pick them up,” Ash said in an interview. “If there is a 
judicial warrant, that’s different, we will hold like we would for any 
other jurisdiction, but our policy is restrictive on what we can, can’t 
or won’t do in terms of working with ICE.”The Kansas City, 
Kansas, police department similarly said their interaction with federal 
authorities is “very limited.” In an email to KCUR, Acting Chief Michael
 York said officers enforce only city ordinances and state statues and 
only coordinate with ICE on criminal investigations or if a violent 
offender has fled across borders. York said the inability to 
verify identification does not “automatically raise questions of legal 
status,” and that KCK police are not involved in detention release or 
bond hearings.“To say that the Kansas City, Kansas, Police 
Department aggressively cooperates with immigration officials and thus 
supports unnecessary deportation is not only incorrect, but does a great
 disservice to our community by fostering fear that may discourage 
immigrants and undocumented people from reporting crimes, showing up for
 public meetings, and other activities in which they may encounter law 
enforcement,” the email stated.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627309353220.png" alt="David Johnson, 64, was at a rally this week calling on Mayor Alvey and the UG commission to hold a special hearing with public testimony. He says the community is not now safe and welcoming for everyone." />
 <figcaption>David Johnson, 64, was at a rally this week calling on Mayor Alvey and the UG commission to hold a special hearing with public testimony. He says the community is not now safe and welcoming for everyone.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>An issue in the mayoral campaign</h2>The immigration issue has become part of the political debate in the 5-way race for Kansas City, Kansas, mayor.Incumbent
 Mayor Alvey has said he can not support the ordinance because of 
preexisting contracts with federal authorities. Signing on to the 
non-compliance provision would violate the terms of federal grants that 
require state and federal law collaboration, including with immigration 
authorities.“We cannot codify a statement saying we will not work
 with any agency because that’s in fact what we signed off on the grant,
 he said. “I understand the Biden administration is not adding that 
criteria into new grant requirements, that’s a different matter, but 
existing agreements are already in place so I can’t do that.”Tyrone
 Garner, a mayoral candidate and former deputy chief with the Kansas 
City, Kansas, police department has endorsed the ordinance, as has 
District Attorney Mark Dupree. Mayoral candidate Janice Witt said
 she'd like the Safe and Welcoming Wyandotte ordinance to extend beyond 
the immigrant community. "To be safe and welcoming to everyone," she 
told television station <a href="https://www.kmbc.com/amp/article/group-wants-to-turn-immigration-enforcement-into-issue-for-kck-mayoral-race/36945663" target="_blank">KMBC</a>, "is a human right."Candidate Chris Steineger, a former state senator from Wyandotte County, opposes the measure. KCUR was unable to reach candidate Daran Duffy for comment.Residents continue to focus their attention on the current administration. At this month's rally, Pastor Rick Behrens of Grandview Park Presbytarian Church led a chant aimed squarely at the mayor."Mayor
 Alvey, can you hear it?" he boomed from the podium. The crowd, who is 
calling for the UG government to hold a special hearing with public 
testimony on the ordinance before the upcoming election, joined in."Mayor Alvey can you hear it? Can you hear our mighty spirit?"Laura Ziegler has been a producer with NPR in Washington D.C. and national NPR reporter covering the Midwest. Currently she’s a community engagement reporter and producer at KCUR. Email her at lauraz@kcur.org or reach her on Twitter @laurazig.&nbsp;

KCK residents continue calls to ban police from working with ICE 

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Although the pandemic disrupted family life across the U.S. since taking hold in spring 2020, some parents are grateful for one consequence: They’re now opting to homeschool their children, even as schools plan to resume in-person classes.

The specific reasons vary widely. Some families who spoke with The Associated Press have children with special educational needs; others seek a faith-based curriculum or say their local schools are flawed. The common denominator: They tried homeschooling on what they thought was a temporary basis and found it beneficial to their children.

“That’s one of the silver linings of the pandemic — I don’t think we would have chosen to homeschool otherwise,” said Danielle King of Randolph, Vermont, whose 7-year-old daughter Zoë thrived with the flexible, one-on-one instruction. Her curriculum has included literature, anatomy, even archaeology, enlivened by outdoor excursions to search for fossils.

The surge has been confirmed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-census-2020-6ca21124cca741b9e6ec1c8256e1c921">U.S. Census Bureau</a>, which reported in March that the rate of households homeschooling their children rose to 11% by September 2020, more than doubling from 5.4% just six months earlier.

Black households saw the largest jump; their homeschooling rate rose from 3.3% in the spring of 2020 to 16.1% in the fall.

The parents in one of those households, Arlena and Robert Brown of Austin, Texas, had three children in elementary school when the pandemic took hold. After experimenting with virtual learning, the couple opted to try homeschooling with a Catholic-oriented curriculum provided by Seton Home Study School, which serves about 16,000 students nationwide.

The Browns plan to continue homeschooling for the coming year, grateful that they can tailor the curriculum to fit their children’s distinctive needs. Jacoby, 11, has been diagnosed with narcolepsy and sometimes needs naps during the day; Riley, 10, has tested as academically gifted; Felicity, 9, has a learning disability.

“I didn’t want my kids to become a statistic and not meet their full potential,” said Robert Brown, a former teacher who now does consulting. “And we wanted them to have very solid understanding of their faith.”

Arlena Brown, who gave birth to a fourth child 10 months ago, worked as a preschool teacher before the pandemic. Homeschooling, she says, has been a rewarding adventure.

“In the beginning, the biggest challenge was to unschool ourselves and understand that homeschooling has so much freedom,” she said. “We can go as quickly or slowly as we need to.”

Race played a key role in the decision by another African American family to homeschool their 12-year-old son, Dorian.

Angela Valentine said Dorian was often the only Black student in his classes at a suburban Chicago public school, was sometimes treated unfairly by administrators, and was dismayed as other children stopped playing with him.

As the pandemic eased, the family decided to keep Dorian at home and teach him there, using a curriculum provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbhe.net/" target="_blank">National Black Home Educators</a>&nbsp;that provides content for each academic subject pertaining to African American history and culture.

“I felt the burden of making the shift, making sure we’re making the right choices,” Valentine said. “But until we’re really comfortable with his learning environment, we’ll stay on this homeschool journey.”

Charmaine Williams, who lives in the St. Louis suburb of Baldwin, also is using the National Black Home Educators curriculum as she homeschools her 10-year-old son, Justin, and 6-year-old daughter, Janel.

Williams said she and her husband tried two previous stints of homeschooling for Justin after school officials complained about his behavior. Now — with the new curriculum and an accompanying support network — they feel more confident about choosing it as a long-term option.

“At school, children have to follow a certain pattern, and there’s bullying, belittling — compared to being home where they’re free to be themselves,” Williams said.

“There’s no turning back for us now,” she added. “The pandemic has been a blessing — an opportunity to take ownership of our children’s education.”

Joyce Burges, co-founder and program director of National Black Home Educators, said the 21-year-old organization had about 5,000 members before the pandemic and now has more than 35,000.

Many of the new families experienced difficulties, including lack of internet access, that limited their children’s ability to benefit from virtual learning during the pandemic, Burges said.

“It got so they didn’t trust anything but their own homes, and their children being with them,” she said. “Now they’re seeing the future — seeing what their children can do.”

For some families, the switch to homeschooling was influenced by their children’s special needs. That’s the case for Jennifer Osgood of Fairfax, Vermont, whose 7-year-old daughter Lily has Down syndrome.

Having observed Lily’s progress with reading and arithmetic while at home during the pandemic, Osgood is convinced homeschooling is the best option for her going forward.

She has made the same decision for her 12-year-old son Noah, who didn’t like the remote classes offered by his public school in the spring of 2020, and did homeschooling throughout the 2020-21 school year. It went so well that they want to continue for at least a few more years.

“He told me he was learning so much more at home than he ever did in school,” Osgood recalled. “He said, ‘School is just so chaotic — we don’t get very much done in any particular class. Here, I sit down, you tell me what to do, and minutes later I’m done.’”

Heather Pray of Phoenix, Maryland, says homeschooling has been a major success for her 7-year-old son, Jackson, who has autism. The family made the switch because Jackson was struggling with the virtual learning that his school provided during the pandemic.

“My son did great (with homeschooling), even with just two hours of schoolwork a day,” Pray said. “I got him into piano lessons, taught him to read.”

Pray is also homeschooling her daughter, Hayley, who’s going into 7th grade and had been attending a Christian school.

“I had no idea how this was going to go — I just dove in headfirst,” said Pray. “I felt God was holding my hand.”

The Gonzalez family from Appomattox, Virginia — who are devout Catholics — opted to homeschool their three sons, ages 9, 13 and 15, after their Catholic school in Lynchburg closed in 2020 due to falling enrollment.

They’re using the Catholic-focused curriculum from Seton Home Study School, which Jennifer Gonzalez, the boys’ mom, described as rigorous but well-organized.

“My kids have just excelled,” she said. “We’re able to be home and be together.”

By DAVID CRARYKANSAS CITY (AP) —Although the pandemic disrupted family life across the U.S. since taking hold in spring 2020, some parents are grateful for one consequence: They’re now opting to homeschool their children, even as schools plan to resume in-person classes.The specific reasons vary widely. Some families who spoke with The Associated Press have children with special educational needs; others seek a faith-based curriculum or say their local schools are flawed. The common denominator: They tried homeschooling on what they thought was a temporary basis and found it beneficial to their children.“That’s one of the silver linings of the pandemic — I don’t think we would have chosen to homeschool otherwise,” said Danielle King of Randolph, Vermont, whose 7-year-old daughter Zoë thrived with the flexible, one-on-one instruction. Her curriculum has included literature, anatomy, even archaeology, enlivened by outdoor excursions to search for fossils.The surge has been confirmed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-census-2020-6ca21124cca741b9e6ec1c8256e1c921">U.S. Census Bureau</a>, which reported in March that the rate of households homeschooling their children rose to 11% by September 2020, more than doubling from 5.4% just six months earlier.Black households saw the largest jump; their homeschooling rate rose from 3.3% in the spring of 2020 to 16.1% in the fall.The parents in one of those households, Arlena and Robert Brown of Austin, Texas, had three children in elementary school when the pandemic took hold. After experimenting with virtual learning, the couple opted to try homeschooling with a Catholic-oriented curriculum provided by Seton Home Study School, which serves about 16,000 students nationwide.The Browns plan to continue homeschooling for the coming year, grateful that they can tailor the curriculum to fit their children’s distinctive needs. Jacoby, 11, has been diagnosed with narcolepsy and sometimes needs naps during the day; Riley, 10, has tested as academically gifted; Felicity, 9, has a learning disability.“I didn’t want my kids to become a statistic and not meet their full potential,” said Robert Brown, a former teacher who now does consulting. “And we wanted them to have very solid understanding of their faith.”Arlena Brown, who gave birth to a fourth child 10 months ago, worked as a preschool teacher before the pandemic. Homeschooling, she says, has been a rewarding adventure.“In the beginning, the biggest challenge was to unschool ourselves and understand that homeschooling has so much freedom,” she said. “We can go as quickly or slowly as we need to.”Race played a key role in the decision by another African American family to homeschool their 12-year-old son, Dorian.Angela Valentine said Dorian was often the only Black student in his classes at a suburban Chicago public school, was sometimes treated unfairly by administrators, and was dismayed as other children stopped playing with him.As the pandemic eased, the family decided to keep Dorian at home and teach him there, using a curriculum provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbhe.net/" target="_blank">National Black Home Educators</a>&nbsp;that provides content for each academic subject pertaining to African American history and culture.“I felt the burden of making the shift, making sure we’re making the right choices,” Valentine said. “But until we’re really comfortable with his learning environment, we’ll stay on this homeschool journey.”Charmaine Williams, who lives in the St. Louis suburb of Baldwin, also is using the National Black Home Educators curriculum as she homeschools her 10-year-old son, Justin, and 6-year-old daughter, Janel.Williams said she and her husband tried two previous stints of homeschooling for Justin after school officials complained about his behavior. Now — with the new curriculum and an accompanying support network — they feel more confident about choosing it as a long-term option.“At school, children have to follow a certain pattern, and there’s bullying, belittling — compared to being home where they’re free to be themselves,” Williams said.“There’s no turning back for us now,” she added. “The pandemic has been a blessing — an opportunity to take ownership of our children’s education.”Joyce Burges, co-founder and program director of National Black Home Educators, said the 21-year-old organization had about 5,000 members before the pandemic and now has more than 35,000.Many of the new families experienced difficulties, including lack of internet access, that limited their children’s ability to benefit from virtual learning during the pandemic, Burges said.“It got so they didn’t trust anything but their own homes, and their children being with them,” she said. “Now they’re seeing the future — seeing what their children can do.”For some families, the switch to homeschooling was influenced by their children’s special needs. That’s the case for Jennifer Osgood of Fairfax, Vermont, whose 7-year-old daughter Lily has Down syndrome.Having observed Lily’s progress with reading and arithmetic while at home during the pandemic, Osgood is convinced homeschooling is the best option for her going forward.She has made the same decision for her 12-year-old son Noah, who didn’t like the remote classes offered by his public school in the spring of 2020, and did homeschooling throughout the 2020-21 school year. It went so well that they want to continue for at least a few more years.“He told me he was learning so much more at home than he ever did in school,” Osgood recalled. “He said, ‘School is just so chaotic — we don’t get very much done in any particular class. Here, I sit down, you tell me what to do, and minutes later I’m done.’”Heather Pray of Phoenix, Maryland, says homeschooling has been a major success for her 7-year-old son, Jackson, who has autism. The family made the switch because Jackson was struggling with the virtual learning that his school provided during the pandemic.“My son did great (with homeschooling), even with just two hours of schoolwork a day,” Pray said. “I got him into piano lessons, taught him to read.”Pray is also homeschooling her daughter, Hayley, who’s going into 7th grade and had been attending a Christian school.“I had no idea how this was going to go — I just dove in headfirst,” said Pray. “I felt God was holding my hand.”The Gonzalez family from Appomattox, Virginia — who are devout Catholics — opted to homeschool their three sons, ages 9, 13 and 15, after their Catholic school in Lynchburg closed in 2020 due to falling enrollment.They’re using the Catholic-focused curriculum from Seton Home Study School, which Jennifer Gonzalez, the boys’ mom, described as rigorous but well-organized.“My kids have just excelled,” she said. “We’re able to be home and be together.”

Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across US

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,488 to a total of 328,755, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported four new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,243.

<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 1,488 to a total of 328,755, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported four new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,243.<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.

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal July 17 gunfight at a Kansas home have arrested a second suspect identified as 20-year-old Tyler Kelly of Wichita.

Just before 10p.m. Saturday, July 17, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 2600 block of North Piatt in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

 Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old victim who had been shot.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital, where he died.

While investigating the scene, a 16-year-old male suspect and Kelly arrived at an area hospital with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; 

The 16-year-old was treated, released, and booked into jail. Kelly was released from hospital Friday after treatment of a serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Davidson. 

Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071701">booked him Friday afternoon </a>on requested charges of first degree murder and aggravated assault, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

The investigation revealed Kelly and the teen suspect and the victim are known to each other.&nbsp; The suspects arrived at the victim’s home, a disturbance ensued, and multiple shots were fired that struck all three individuals.&nbsp; Investigators have recovered two handguns during the investigation.

This was not a random incident, according to Davidson.&nbsp;Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and have arrested a 16-year-old boy.

Just before 10p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 2600 block of North Piatt inW Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

 Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old victim who had been shot.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

While investigating the scene, a 16-year-old male suspect and a 20-year-old male suspect arrived at an area hospital with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; 

The 16-year-old was treated, released, and booked into jail. The 20-year-old male remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed the two suspects and victim are known to each other.&nbsp; The suspects arrived at the victim’s home, a disturbance ensued, and multiple shots were fired that struck all three individuals.&nbsp; Investigators have recovered two handguns during the investigation.

This was not a random incident, according to Davidson. He did not released names of the victim or the suspects.

Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627152738466.png" alt="Kelly photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Kelly photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal July 17 gunfight at a Kansas home have arrested a second suspect identified as 20-year-old Tyler Kelly of Wichita.Just before 10p.m. Saturday, July 17, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 2600 block of North Piatt in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old victim who had been shot.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital, where he died.While investigating the scene, a 16-year-old male suspect and Kelly arrived at an area hospital with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; The 16-year-old was treated, released, and booked into jail. Kelly was released from hospital Friday after treatment of a serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Davidson. Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071701">booked him Friday afternoon </a>on requested charges of first degree murder and aggravated assault, according to Officer Trevor Macy.The investigation revealed Kelly and the teen suspect and the victim are known to each other.&nbsp; The suspects arrived at the victim’s home, a disturbance ensued, and multiple shots were fired that struck all three individuals.&nbsp; Investigators have recovered two handguns during the investigation.This was not a random incident, according to Davidson.&nbsp;Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.------------SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and have arrested a 16-year-old boy.Just before 10p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a burglary in progress call at a home in the 2600 block of North Piatt inW Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old victim who had been shot.&nbsp; He was taken to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.While investigating the scene, a 16-year-old male suspect and a 20-year-old male suspect arrived at an area hospital with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; The 16-year-old was treated, released, and booked into jail. The 20-year-old male remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Davidson.The investigation revealed the two suspects and victim are known to each other.&nbsp; The suspects arrived at the victim’s home, a disturbance ensued, and multiple shots were fired that struck all three individuals.&nbsp; Investigators have recovered two handguns during the investigation.This was not a random incident, according to Davidson. He did not released names of the victim or the suspects.Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Suspect in fatal Kan. gunfight moved from hospital to jail

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Four people — including three children — have died from injuries received in a house fire at Springfield, officials there said.

Crews were called to the fire early Friday morning and learned that several people were inside the home, the Springfield Fire Department said in a news release. Arriving firefighters pulled a 40-year-old woman and three children — a 13-year-old girl, 11-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl — from the burning home and rushed them in critical condition to a Springfield hospital, where the woman and 6-year-old died shortly after arriving.

Fire officials said Sunday that the 13-year-old and 11-year-old had later died a day later from their injuries.

Authorities have not released their names or said how the fire started.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627311521881.png" alt="Fire officials said Sunday that the 13-year-old and 11-year-old had died a day later from their injuries.-photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>Fire officials said Sunday that the 13-year-old and 11-year-old had died a day later from their injuries.-photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Four people — including three children — have died from injuries received in a house fire at Springfield, officials there said.Crews were called to the fire early Friday morning and learned that several people were inside the home, the Springfield Fire Department said in a news release. Arriving firefighters pulled a 40-year-old woman and three children — a 13-year-old girl, 11-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl — from the burning home and rushed them in critical condition to a Springfield hospital, where the woman and 6-year-old died shortly after arriving.Fire officials said Sunday that the 13-year-old and 11-year-old had later died a day later from their injuries.Authorities have not released their names or said how the fire started.

Three children, woman killed in Missouri house fire

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new Spanish-language version of its online tool, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>,
 designed to help families determine whether they qualify for the Child 
Tax Credit and the special monthly advance payments of the credit, which began on July 15.

Available exclusively on IRS.gov, the new Spanish version of the 
tool, like its English-language counterpart, is interactive and easy to 
use. By answering a series of questions about themselves and their 
family members, a parent or other family member can quickly determine 
whether they qualify for the credit.

Though anyone can use this tool, it may be particularly useful to 
families who don't normally file a federal tax return and have not yet 
filed either a 2019 or 2020 return. Often, these are people who receive 
little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness, low 
income households, and other underserved groups. Using this tool can 
help them decide whether they should take the next step and either 
register for the Child Tax Credit payments using another IRS tool, the 
Non-filer Sign-up Tool, or file a regular tax return using the IRS Free 
File system.

To help people understand and receive this benefit, the IRS has 
developed materials in several languages and additional multi-lingual 
resources will roll out in coming weeks and months. All tools and 
materials, in English and other languages, are posted on a special 
Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

Multilingual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">resources</a> already available include:

Besides the Child Tax Credit, the IRS has a variety of tax-related tools and resources <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages">available in various languages</a>.&nbsp;

The IRS urges community groups, especially those who serve 
non-English speakers, to help share this critical information about the 
Advance Child Tax Credit as well as other important benefits. This 
includes nonprofits, associations, education organizations and anyone 
else with connections to people with children. Among other things, The 
IRS is providing these groups with information that can be easily shared
 through social media, email and other methods.

The IRS urges everyone, especially those who speak languages other 
than English, to be on the lookout for scams related to both Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. In particular, 
scammers often target non-English speakers and underserved communities. 
The IRS emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is 
by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through
 the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is
 a scam.

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

More about the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant

The Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant does not request any 
personally-identifiable information (PII) for any family member. For 
that reason, its results are not an official determination by the IRS. 
Though the results are reliable, if the questions are answered 
accurately, they should be considered preliminary. Neither the answers 
supplied by the user, nor the results, are retained by the IRS.

If the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant indicates that a family
 qualifies for the credit, the next step is to either register with the 
IRS or file a return. For families who don't normally need to file a 
return, The online Non-filer Sign-Up Tool is the easiest way to register
 for the advance payments.

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

Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, the tool enables them to provide the IRS with basic 
information, such as their name, address, and social security numbers, 
as well as information about their qualifying children age 17 and under 
and their other dependents. It also enables them to provide their bank 
account information, so the IRS can quickly and easily deposit the 
payments directly into their checking or savings account.

The Non-filer Sign-Up tool should not be used by anyone who has 
already filed a 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return, or plans to do 
so.

Though the Non-filer Sign-up Tool is the easiest way to register for 
Advance Child Tax Credit payments, it may not be the best option for all
 families. That's because many families also qualify for the Earned 
Income Tax Credit and other benefits for low-and moderate-income people.
 For them, a better option is filing a regular tax return using the Free
 File system, available only on IRS.gov.

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

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new Spanish-language version of its online tool, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>,
 designed to help families determine whether they qualify for the Child 
Tax Credit and the special monthly advance payments of the credit, which began on July 15.Available exclusively on IRS.gov, the new Spanish version of the 
tool, like its English-language counterpart, is interactive and easy to 
use. By answering a series of questions about themselves and their 
family members, a parent or other family member can quickly determine 
whether they qualify for the credit.Though anyone can use this tool, it may be particularly useful to 
families who don't normally file a federal tax return and have not yet 
filed either a 2019 or 2020 return. Often, these are people who receive 
little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness, low 
income households, and other underserved groups. Using this tool can 
help them decide whether they should take the next step and either 
register for the Child Tax Credit payments using another IRS tool, the 
Non-filer Sign-up Tool, or file a regular tax return using the IRS Free 
File system.To help people understand and receive this benefit, the IRS has 
developed materials in several languages and additional multi-lingual 
resources will roll out in coming weeks and months. All tools and 
materials, in English and other languages, are posted on a special 
Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.Multilingual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">resources</a> already available include:<ul>
 <li>A step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer Sign-up Tool 
(Publication 5538) in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Korean, Vietnamese, 
Haitian Creole and Russian.&nbsp;</li><li>A basic You Tube video on the Advance Child Tax Credit in Spanish and Chinese, as well as English.</li><li>E-posters in various languages.</li><li>Information about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> in seven languages.</li>
 </ul>Besides the Child Tax Credit, the IRS has a variety of tax-related tools and resources <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/languages">available in various languages</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Community partners can help</h2>The IRS urges community groups, especially those who serve 
non-English speakers, to help share this critical information about the 
Advance Child Tax Credit as well as other important benefits. This 
includes nonprofits, associations, education organizations and anyone 
else with connections to people with children. Among other things, The 
IRS is providing these groups with information that can be easily shared
 through social media, email and other methods.<h2>Watch out for scams</h2>The IRS urges everyone, especially those who speak languages other 
than English, to be on the lookout for scams related to both Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. In particular, 
scammers often target non-English speakers and underserved communities. 
The IRS emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is 
by either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through
 the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is
 a scam.Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Remember, the IRS never sends unsolicited electronic 
communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.<h2>More about the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</h2>The Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant does not request any 
personally-identifiable information (PII) for any family member. For 
that reason, its results are not an official determination by the IRS. 
Though the results are reliable, if the questions are answered 
accurately, they should be considered preliminary. Neither the answers 
supplied by the user, nor the results, are retained by the IRS.<h2>Non-filer Sign-Up Tool</h2>If the Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant indicates that a family
 qualifies for the credit, the next step is to either register with the 
IRS or file a return. For families who don't normally need to file a 
return, The online Non-filer Sign-Up Tool is the easiest way to register
 for the advance payments.This tool, an update of last year's IRS Economic Impact Payment 
Non-filers tool, is also designed to help eligible individuals who don't
 normally file tax returns register for the $1,400 third round of 
Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks). In addition, 
it can help them claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any amount of the 
first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they may have missed.Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, the tool enables them to provide the IRS with basic 
information, such as their name, address, and social security numbers, 
as well as information about their qualifying children age 17 and under 
and their other dependents. It also enables them to provide their bank 
account information, so the IRS can quickly and easily deposit the 
payments directly into their checking or savings account.The Non-filer Sign-Up tool should not be used by anyone who has 
already filed a 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return, or plans to do 
so.<h2>Free File; a better option for some</h2>Though the Non-filer Sign-up Tool is the easiest way to register for 
Advance Child Tax Credit payments, it may not be the best option for all
 families. That's because many families also qualify for the Earned 
Income Tax Credit and other benefits for low-and moderate-income people.
 For them, a better option is filing a regular tax return using the Free
 File system, available only on IRS.gov.<h2>About the Advance Child Tax Credit</h2>The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a family's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up Tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15, and Dec. 15.For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

IRS Child Tax Credit eligibility tool now available in Spanish

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Erasmo C. Ramirez Soto, 37 of Topeka.

Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, July 24 at around responded to a single vehicle crash near the intersection of SE 29th Street and SE Adams Street, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Responding officers located a single passenger identified as Ramirez Soto suffering from serious injuries. Officers attempted life-saving measures and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Ramirez Soto deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

The driver of the vehicle, Cesar R. Carreto-Orozco, 39 of Topeka was located nearby the crash scene and was uninjured. As a result of the investigation police arrested Carreto-Orozco on requested&nbsp;charges of Involuntary manslaughter; While under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, according to Spiker.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a fatal weekend crash in Topeka.&nbsp; One person died in the crash that happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at 29th and Adams, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry.

According to the Shawnee County Detention Center booking records 39-year-old Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco was&nbsp; being held on a requested charges of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, driving without a license and improper driving on a laned road. He was booked Saturday and held without bond.

Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627236588760.png" alt="Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco" />
 <figcaption>Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend crash have identified the victim as Erasmo C. Ramirez Soto, 37 of Topeka.Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, July 24 at around responded to a single vehicle crash near the intersection of SE 29th Street and SE Adams Street, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Responding officers located a single passenger identified as Ramirez Soto suffering from serious injuries. Officers attempted life-saving measures and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Ramirez Soto deceased at the scene.&nbsp;The driver of the vehicle, Cesar R. Carreto-Orozco, 39 of Topeka was located nearby the crash scene and was uninjured. As a result of the investigation police arrested Carreto-Orozco on requested&nbsp;charges of Involuntary manslaughter; While under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, according to Spiker.--------SHAWNEE COUNTY— A Kansas man was arrested after a fatal weekend crash in Topeka.&nbsp; One person died in the crash that happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at 29th and Adams, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry.According to the Shawnee County Detention Center booking records 39-year-old Cesar Roberto Carreto-Orozco was&nbsp; being held on a requested charges of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, driving without a license and improper driving on a laned road. He was booked Saturday and held without bond.Police have not released the name of the victim.

Update: Police arrest driver, ID Kan. man who died in crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When the text message popped up on his phone, Samuel Alfaro didn’t want to believe it.

It said his appointment with U.S. immigration services about his application to join the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the one he had been waiting on for months, was canceled because of a court order halting the Obama-era deportation protections for those brought to the U.S. as children.

“I thought it was a scam,” the 19-year-old from Houston said of the message he received Sunday night, hours before his appointment.

Alfaro went to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and “kept checking it, refreshing it every few hours.” Later, he got an email, confirming it was true.

Alfaro isn’t the only one. Tens of thousands of young immigrants in the country without legal status are in the same position&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">following a July 16 ruling from a federal judge</a>&nbsp;in Texas that declared DACA illegal while leaving the program intact for existing recipients.

The ruling bars the government from approving any new applications, like that of Alfaro, whose parents brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 2, along with his older brother. Immigrants and advocates have said they will appeal.

In a statement, Citizenship and Immigration Services said it “will comply with the court order, continue to implement the components of DACA that remain in place.”

It’s the latest twist for the program, which has been struck down and revived in a constant stream of court challenges since then-President Barack Obama created it by executive order in 2012.

Former President Donald Trump announced early on that he was ending the program, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year determined that he had not done it properly, bringing it back to life and allowing for new applications like the one from Alfaro, who filed at the beginning of the year.

The latest ruling calling DACA illegal involved a lawsuit that had been filed by Texas and eight other states. They said Obama didn’t have the authority to create the program and that it was an action under the power of Congress.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, saying in his ruling that “Congress’s clear articulation of laws for removal, lawful presence and work authorization illustrates a manifest intent to reserve for itself the authority to determine the framework of the nation’s immigration system.”

Immigration attorneys say the court decision has renewed fears about the future of the program and once again puts young immigrants in a precarious position.

Attorney Max Meyers with the Mississippi Center for Justice was gearing up to submit DACA paperwork on behalf of 40 young immigrants last week, most of them first-time applicants. But he had to scrap those plans.

“It really just throws everybody back into uncertainty,” he said. “Rather than people treat people as humans with foundational needs to go to school and be able to get a job, a judge decided that politics is more important in striking this down.”

Advocates were informed that as of last week, Citizenship and Immigration Services had 90,000 new DACA applications pending, according to Astrid Silva, executive director of Dream Big Nevada.

She said the agency received 50,000 applications in the first three months of the year but made decisions on fewer than 1,000.

After the application period opened in December following the Supreme Court decision, Silva said advocates were patient with the delays, understanding the agency might face a backlog from the coronavirus pandemic or other issues. But as time went on, they started to wonder what might be wrong.

“We started seeing these issues from the get-go,” Silva said. “We understood COVID and the mail and UPS, and we had an insurrection and it’s Christmas. We were, quite honestly, very patient. I think many of us felt like this was a blessing and we can wait a little bit.”

“For us, the frustration has really been since January,” she said.

Now, the applications have ground to a halt. Silva said advocates are still encouraging eligible people to apply in the hope their applications will eventually be processed and because having something pending with immigration authorities is better than nothing.

She’s been fielding calls from mothers worried about what this means for their children.

“The applications will literally just be held in a box somewhere,” Silva said.

Esperanza Avila, 21, sent her application about a month ago and presumes it’s among those on hold. While she is counting on the program to help her get a steady job at Home Depot or as a restaurant server while she pursues her nursing degree in Los Angeles, Avila said she isn’t losing hope.

“We’ve been through this already. They brought down DACA, they brought it back up. It’s just like ups and downs,” she said. “I do think eventually we’ll be OK.”

DACA supporters say Congress needs to approve legislation that would offer permanent protection to young immigrants. The House has passed a measure that would create a pathway to citizenship, but it’s gone nowhere in the Senate. There’s also hope something could be included in budget legislation Democrats want to pass, but it’s unclear if that will happen.

Alfaro would love to see it. He’s seen the sense of freedom DACA has given his older brother, who initially applied shortly after Obama proposed it. By the time Alfaro was eligible, the Trump administration was in charge, and DACA out of reach.

When Alfaro, the 19-year-old from Houston, submitted his application and hundreds of dollars in fees this year, he thought it was the beginning of a life where he didn’t have to constantly look over his shoulder because he lacks documentation.

“You can get a driver’s license and not be scared to be pulled over,” he said.

Alfaro looked forward to being able to build a credit score, get a decent-paying job and maybe move out on his own.

He doesn’t know what to do now, other than wait. He’s trying to find optimism to hold on to, like the comments he’s seeing people post online.

“They say that it’ll for sure come back, it’s just a matter of time,” Alfaro said hopefully.

But, he adds quietly, “the wait, again, it’s stressful.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — When the text message popped up on his phone, Samuel Alfaro didn’t want to believe it.It said his appointment with U.S. immigration services about his application to join the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the one he had been waiting on for months, was canceled because of a court order halting the Obama-era deportation protections for those brought to the U.S. as children.“I thought it was a scam,” the 19-year-old from Houston said of the message he received Sunday night, hours before his appointment.Alfaro went to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and “kept checking it, refreshing it every few hours.” Later, he got an email, confirming it was true.Now, he simply feels “a little sad.”Alfaro isn’t the only one. Tens of thousands of young immigrants in the country without legal status are in the same position&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">following a July 16 ruling from a federal judge</a>&nbsp;in Texas that declared DACA illegal while leaving the program intact for existing recipients.The ruling bars the government from approving any new applications, like that of Alfaro, whose parents brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 2, along with his older brother. Immigrants and advocates have said they will appeal.In a statement, Citizenship and Immigration Services said it “will comply with the court order, continue to implement the components of DACA that remain in place.”It’s the latest twist for the program, which has been struck down and revived in a constant stream of court challenges since then-President Barack Obama created it by executive order in 2012.Former President Donald Trump announced early on that he was ending the program, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year determined that he had not done it properly, bringing it back to life and allowing for new applications like the one from Alfaro, who filed at the beginning of the year.The latest ruling calling DACA illegal involved a lawsuit that had been filed by Texas and eight other states. They said Obama didn’t have the authority to create the program and that it was an action under the power of Congress.U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, saying in his ruling that “Congress’s clear articulation of laws for removal, lawful presence and work authorization illustrates a manifest intent to reserve for itself the authority to determine the framework of the nation’s immigration system.”Immigration attorneys say the court decision has renewed fears about the future of the program and once again puts young immigrants in a precarious position.Attorney Max Meyers with the Mississippi Center for Justice was gearing up to submit DACA paperwork on behalf of 40 young immigrants last week, most of them first-time applicants. But he had to scrap those plans.“It really just throws everybody back into uncertainty,” he said. “Rather than people treat people as humans with foundational needs to go to school and be able to get a job, a judge decided that politics is more important in striking this down.”Advocates were informed that as of last week, Citizenship and Immigration Services had 90,000 new DACA applications pending, according to Astrid Silva, executive director of Dream Big Nevada.She said the agency received 50,000 applications in the first three months of the year but made decisions on fewer than 1,000.After the application period opened in December following the Supreme Court decision, Silva said advocates were patient with the delays, understanding the agency might face a backlog from the coronavirus pandemic or other issues. But as time went on, they started to wonder what might be wrong.“We started seeing these issues from the get-go,” Silva said. “We understood COVID and the mail and UPS, and we had an insurrection and it’s Christmas. We were, quite honestly, very patient. I think many of us felt like this was a blessing and we can wait a little bit.”“For us, the frustration has really been since January,” she said.Now, the applications have ground to a halt. Silva said advocates are still encouraging eligible people to apply in the hope their applications will eventually be processed and because having something pending with immigration authorities is better than nothing.She’s been fielding calls from mothers worried about what this means for their children.“The applications will literally just be held in a box somewhere,” Silva said.Esperanza Avila, 21, sent her application about a month ago and presumes it’s among those on hold. While she is counting on the program to help her get a steady job at Home Depot or as a restaurant server while she pursues her nursing degree in Los Angeles, Avila said she isn’t losing hope.“We’ve been through this already. They brought down DACA, they brought it back up. It’s just like ups and downs,” she said. “I do think eventually we’ll be OK.”DACA supporters say Congress needs to approve legislation that would offer permanent protection to young immigrants. The House has passed a measure that would create a pathway to citizenship, but it’s gone nowhere in the Senate. There’s also hope something could be included in budget legislation Democrats want to pass, but it’s unclear if that will happen.Alfaro would love to see it. He’s seen the sense of freedom DACA has given his older brother, who initially applied shortly after Obama proposed it. By the time Alfaro was eligible, the Trump administration was in charge, and DACA out of reach.When Alfaro, the 19-year-old from Houston, submitted his application and hundreds of dollars in fees this year, he thought it was the beginning of a life where he didn’t have to constantly look over his shoulder because he lacks documentation.“You can get a driver’s license and not be scared to be pulled over,” he said.Alfaro looked forward to being able to build a credit score, get a decent-paying job and maybe move out on his own.He doesn’t know what to do now, other than wait. He’s trying to find optimism to hold on to, like the comments he’s seeing people post online.“They say that it’ll for sure come back, it’s just a matter of time,” Alfaro said hopefully.But, he adds quietly, “the wait, again, it’s stressful.”___

Ruling leaves immigrants who newly applied for DACA in limbo

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.

“We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”

He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said.

Fauci, who also serves as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask guidelines.

He noted that some local jurisdictions where infection rates are surging, such as Los Angeles County, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-california-coronavirus-pandemic-3b893ce7a9dbbfaeb4eb6161edebf4e6">calling on individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces&nbsp;</a>regardless of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated do not need to wear masks in public.

Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data.

“This is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

Fauci said government experts are reviewing early data as they consider whether to recommend that vaccinated individuals to get booster shots. He suggested that some of the most vulnerable, such as organ transplant and cancer patients, are “likely” to be recommended for booster shots.

He also praised Republicans, including Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Ron DeSantis of Florida, and the second-ranking House leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have among the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

“What I would really like to see is more and more of the leaders in those areas that are not vaccinating to get out and speak out and encourage people to get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610053263006.png" alt="Fauci said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials." />
 <figcaption>Fauci said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials.</figcaption>
 </figure>WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.“We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said.Fauci, who also serves as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask guidelines.He noted that some local jurisdictions where infection rates are surging, such as Los Angeles County, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-california-coronavirus-pandemic-3b893ce7a9dbbfaeb4eb6161edebf4e6">calling on individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces&nbsp;</a>regardless of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated do not need to wear masks in public.Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data.“This is an issue predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we’re out there, practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get vaccinated,” Fauci said.Fauci said government experts are reviewing early data as they consider whether to recommend that vaccinated individuals to get booster shots. He suggested that some of the most vulnerable, such as organ transplant and cancer patients, are “likely” to be recommended for booster shots.He also praised Republicans, including Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Ron DeSantis of Florida, and the second-ranking House leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have among the lowest vaccination rates in the country.“What I would really like to see is more and more of the leaders in those areas that are not vaccinating to get out and speak out and encourage people to get vaccinated,” Fauci said.

Fauci: Vaccinated wearing masks 'under consideration'

FULTON, Mo. (AP) — A central Missouri woman who shot and killed her boyfriend while acting out a scene from the movie “Deadpool” was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison.

Kalesha Marie Peterson, 40, of Fulton was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter during a court hearing. She had been scheduled to go to trial Aug. 31.

She told investigators she and her boyfriend, 36-year-old David Dalton, were drinking at a Fulton home in March 2019 when they decided to act out the scene, which involved a firearm, KRCG-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/fulton-woman-sentenced-for-drunkenly-shooting-boyfriend-while-acting-out-movie-scene">reported</a>. Peterson admitted that she knew the gun was loaded.

Peterson called 911 immediately after the shooting but Dalton was pronounced dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569271914445.png" alt="Kalesha Peterson-photo Callaway Co." />
 <figcaption>Kalesha Peterson-photo Callaway Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FULTON, Mo. (AP) — A central Missouri woman who shot and killed her boyfriend while acting out a scene from the movie “Deadpool” was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison.Kalesha Marie Peterson, 40, of Fulton was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter during a court hearing. She had been scheduled to go to trial Aug. 31.She told investigators she and her boyfriend, 36-year-old David Dalton, were drinking at a Fulton home in March 2019 when they decided to act out the scene, which involved a firearm, KRCG-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/fulton-woman-sentenced-for-drunkenly-shooting-boyfriend-while-acting-out-movie-scene">reported</a>. Peterson admitted that she knew the gun was loaded.Peterson called 911 immediately after the shooting but Dalton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Woman sentenced in boyfriend's movie scene killing

OMAHA — -A Nebraska man was sentenced Friday for possession of a fraudulent passport, according to acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp

Jesse Chase Swartz, 31, North Platte, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;

On July 29, 2020, Swartz was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska.&nbsp; Swartz was ejected from the vehicle. While investigating the accident, law enforcement officers discovered what appeared to be a passport card which displayed Swartz’s picture, but listed a different name.&nbsp; 

The passport card was discovered to be a fake.&nbsp; At sentencing, Judge Gerrard noted that Swartz had outstanding arrest warrants in several other states and that Swartz was using the fake passport as part of his efforts to avoid being arrested for the other warrants.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and by the United States Department of State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627125714691.png" alt="Swartz photo Lincoln County" />
 <figcaption>Swartz photo Lincoln County</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA — -A Nebraska man was sentenced Friday for possession of a fraudulent passport, according to acting United States Attorney Jan SharpJesse Chase Swartz, 31, North Platte, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;On July 29, 2020, Swartz was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska.&nbsp; Swartz was ejected from the vehicle. While investigating the accident, law enforcement officers discovered what appeared to be a passport card which displayed Swartz’s picture, but listed a different name.&nbsp; The passport card was discovered to be a fake.&nbsp; At sentencing, Judge Gerrard noted that Swartz had outstanding arrest warrants in several other states and that Swartz was using the fake passport as part of his efforts to avoid being arrested for the other warrants.This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and by the United States Department of State.

Man gets federal prison time for using fake passport 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a traffic stop on a bicycle.

Just before 9:30p.m. July 22, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a bicycle in the 300 block of NW Paramore Street in Topeka for failing to have a headlight, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the bicycle rider 31-year-0ld Carlos A. Brown of Topeka, had a felony warrant out of Jackson County. Brown was placed into custody and deputies also located illegal narcotics.

Brown was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his felony warrant and also faced requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a bicycle not equipped with a lamp when in use at night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627058598163.png" alt="Brown remains jailed in Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Brown remains jailed in Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug charges after a traffic stop on a bicycle.Just before 9:30p.m. July 22, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a bicycle in the 300 block of NW Paramore Street in Topeka for failing to have a headlight, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, it was discovered that the bicycle rider 31-year-0ld Carlos A. Brown of Topeka, had a felony warrant out of Jackson County. Brown was placed into custody and deputies also located illegal narcotics.Brown was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his felony warrant and also faced requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a bicycle not equipped with a lamp when in use at night.