By TISA MASON FHSU President

I think my favorite two words are “engaged students.” One of the highlights for me this year was the enthusiasm of our students when they returned to campus this past fall. Enthused and engaged students are the lifeblood of a college campus. I have loved watching as our freshmen Student Government Association senators, Grace McCord and Madison Albers, meticulously researched, wrote a case for support, and then worked through several approval processes to gain support for moving a polling place on campus.

Recently, I was delighted to learn that 80 percent &nbsp;(29 out of 36) of our residential life community assistants (CAs) applied to return to serve on the 2023-2024 staff. That is a remarkable return rate. Forty-five additional students applied for those coveted leadership roles. Our 2023-24 resident hall contracts are up – a lot. I have to believe there is a direct correlation between the experience our staff is creating and the surge of interest in the position as well as living on campus.

Community Assistants play a key role on the residential life leadership team. They are responsible for a floor or wing of students in the residence halls, tasked with developing a positive and inclusive community within their hall, event planning, administrative activities at the front desk, serving as a campus resource and reference, participating in on-campus activities, serving as first responders to crisis and emergency situations, ensuring safety and security of the residents, and assisting residents as they find their place at FHSU.

According to residence life director R.J. Schnack,&nbsp;the CA’s are the “face” of the resident life staff. He attributes the high interest in the position to an ethic of care – a key characteristic of the environment we seek to develop daily throughout our university.

While the CAs focus on residents, R.J. and the professional residence life staff intentionally support and care for our CAs. “We are there to listen to our CAs and to help them grow into the profession they want to obtain when they graduate,” R.J. said.

Saige Heizer agrees. &nbsp;She reapplied because she&nbsp; likes the culture she found in Residential Life. “My supervisors have always been very helpful and welcoming, and I really love the camaraderie of the CA staff.”

The CA role exemplifies how we drive our mission to create engaged citizen leaders. Students often reflect on the critical skills they learn through these positions. For example, Saige shared serving as a CA has taught her how to take ownership of her mistakes and shortcomings while working to improve in those areas. Additionally, it has taught her &nbsp;how to address awkward situations without letting them become personal.

The CAs are, by design, involved in other aspects of campus life.&nbsp;Tearney McGivney, a sophomore from Abilene, is a member of the Tiger Media Network, where she films games and takes photos at events. In her free time, she enjoys being &nbsp;with her friends or volunteering around the community. “I love painting and crafting and making new things,” she said. &nbsp;Tearney is definitely modeling the way of an engaged citizen, finding joy in being a part of many communities and making a difference in the lives of others. In fact, she shared, “I would say my greatest accomplishment as a CA is building a community and friendships among my residents.”

Tearney also easily identifies critical skills developed on the job that will facilitate post-college success.

“I have learned many life lessons, including time management, how to say no when I cannot commit to an event/activity, and how to handle stressful situations,” she said.. “I have also learned how to go out of my comfort zone and talk to people I do not know. My biggest fear about college was not being able to make friends because I was scared to talk to people I did not know. Serving as a CA has helped me overcome that fear. Now I go up to people who might be struggling as I did and start a conversation with them.”

Our programming is extensive. As Javyn Contreras, a CA, and member of our high-performing cross country and track team, shares, “when I became a CA, I did not realize how many opportunities there are for students to get involved. As a “regular student” I heard about a few events here and there. I recommend students get involved as much as possible because there are&nbsp; events/clubs for anyone here at FHSU.”

Programming for the CAs can be instructional, such as making stress balls before finals, to healing and somewhat light-hearted, such as attending a fish funeral. “As odd as this sounds, our fish funeral was a memorable moment with my residents that I will cherish,” shared CA Lauren Huynh.

I find our students to be so interesting. Lauren, for example, a graphic design major&nbsp;from Wichita, started working as a freelance photographer six years ago. She loves to skateboard, rock climb, and cheer for FHSU. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Lauren worked with Netflix to film a documentary about her life – incredible!

I also love when students articulate the experience we work so intentionally to create: “FHSU was the best choice for me,” Tearney said. .” The small class sizes allow for personal connections with my professors. I am getting a great education.”

“I am not just a number at FHSU.&nbsp;My professors care about me as a person and work with me if I have any questions.&nbsp;I love my college experience and am so glad I chose FHSU.”

These stories of student engagement, leadership lessons, and our mission in action fuel my energy throughout the year. This is why I am so lucky to serve as president of FHSU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="FHSU President Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>FHSU President Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON FHSU PresidentI think my favorite two words are “engaged students.” One of the highlights for me this year was the enthusiasm of our students when they returned to campus this past fall. Enthused and engaged students are the lifeblood of a college campus. I have loved watching as our freshmen Student Government Association senators, Grace McCord and Madison Albers, meticulously researched, wrote a case for support, and then worked through several approval processes to gain support for moving a polling place on campus.Recently, I was delighted to learn that 80 percent &nbsp;(29 out of 36) of our residential life community assistants (CAs) applied to return to serve on the 2023-2024 staff. That is a remarkable return rate. Forty-five additional students applied for those coveted leadership roles. Our 2023-24 resident hall contracts are up – a lot. I have to believe there is a direct correlation between the experience our staff is creating and the surge of interest in the position as well as living on campus.Community Assistants play a key role on the residential life leadership team. They are responsible for a floor or wing of students in the residence halls, tasked with developing a positive and inclusive community within their hall, event planning, administrative activities at the front desk, serving as a campus resource and reference, participating in on-campus activities, serving as first responders to crisis and emergency situations, ensuring safety and security of the residents, and assisting residents as they find their place at FHSU.According to residence life director R.J. Schnack,&nbsp;the CA’s are the “face” of the resident life staff. He attributes the high interest in the position to an ethic of care – a key characteristic of the environment we seek to develop daily throughout our university.While the CAs focus on residents, R.J. and the professional residence life staff intentionally support and care for our CAs. “We are there to listen to our CAs and to help them grow into the profession they want to obtain when they graduate,” R.J. said.Saige Heizer agrees. &nbsp;She reapplied because she&nbsp; likes the culture she found in Residential Life. “My supervisors have always been very helpful and welcoming, and I really love the camaraderie of the CA staff.”The CA role exemplifies how we drive our mission to create engaged citizen leaders. Students often reflect on the critical skills they learn through these positions. For example, Saige shared serving as a CA has taught her how to take ownership of her mistakes and shortcomings while working to improve in those areas. Additionally, it has taught her &nbsp;how to address awkward situations without letting them become personal.The CAs are, by design, involved in other aspects of campus life.&nbsp;Tearney McGivney, a sophomore from Abilene, is a member of the Tiger Media Network, where she films games and takes photos at events. In her free time, she enjoys being &nbsp;with her friends or volunteering around the community. “I love painting and crafting and making new things,” she said. &nbsp;Tearney is definitely modeling the way of an engaged citizen, finding joy in being a part of many communities and making a difference in the lives of others. In fact, she shared, “I would say my greatest accomplishment as a CA is building a community and friendships among my residents.”Tearney also easily identifies critical skills developed on the job that will facilitate post-college success.“I have learned many life lessons, including time management, how to say no when I cannot commit to an event/activity, and how to handle stressful situations,” she said.. “I have also learned how to go out of my comfort zone and talk to people I do not know. My biggest fear about college was not being able to make friends because I was scared to talk to people I did not know. Serving as a CA has helped me overcome that fear. Now I go up to people who might be struggling as I did and start a conversation with them.”Our programming is extensive. As Javyn Contreras, a CA, and member of our high-performing cross country and track team, shares, “when I became a CA, I did not realize how many opportunities there are for students to get involved. As a “regular student” I heard about a few events here and there. I recommend students get involved as much as possible because there are&nbsp; events/clubs for anyone here at FHSU.”Programming for the CAs can be instructional, such as making stress balls before finals, to healing and somewhat light-hearted, such as attending a fish funeral. “As odd as this sounds, our fish funeral was a memorable moment with my residents that I will cherish,” shared CA Lauren Huynh.I find our students to be so interesting. Lauren, for example, a graphic design major&nbsp;from Wichita, started working as a freelance photographer six years ago. She loves to skateboard, rock climb, and cheer for FHSU. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Lauren worked with Netflix to film a documentary about her life – incredible!I also love when students articulate the experience we work so intentionally to create: “FHSU was the best choice for me,” Tearney said. .” The small class sizes allow for personal connections with my professors. I am getting a great education.”“I am not just a number at FHSU.&nbsp;My professors care about me as a person and work with me if I have any questions.&nbsp;I love my college experience and am so glad I chose FHSU.”These stories of student engagement, leadership lessons, and our mission in action fuel my energy throughout the year. This is why I am so lucky to serve as president of FHSU.

HEART OF A TIGER: Inspiring work of engaged student leaders

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — There's a moment in the new PBS documentary about <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthony-fauci-announces-retirement-7efdacac6a9ff7aa6e2f870b551fe508">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a> when a protester holds up a handmade sign reading, “Dr. Fauci, You Are Killing Us."

It
 says something about Fauci that it's not initially clear when that sign
 was waved in anger — in the 1980s as AIDS made its deadly rise or in 
the 2020s with COVID-19 vaccine opponents.

<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/anthony-fauci-documentary/23072/">“American Masters: Dr. Tony Fauci,”</a>
 offers a portrait of an unlikely lightning rod: A government infectious
 disease scientist who advised seven presidents. Fauci hopes it can 
inspire more public servants like him.

“I just felt that there 
needed to be a story of people understanding what public health 
officials go through, but also I hope as a source of inspiration for 
young people who are either in science or interested in going into 
science,” he told The Associated Press. The documentary airs Tuesday and
 later streams.

Fauci allowed a film crew to follow him for 23 
months starting in January 2021. The documentary covers his career and 
its crises, especially the way COVID-19 was handled by the Trump 
administration.

“When you talk about all of the different things 
coming together for a disaster, that’s what happened: A divided country,
 a president who amplified the division and then a public health crisis —
 you couldn’t ask for a worse combination of things,” he said.

<a href="http://room608.com/portrait-photos">Director Mark Mannucci</a>
 offers an intimate look at his subject, with images of Fauci running 
from meeting to meeting and wolfing down Wheat Thins between Zooms. His 
wife attests to the stress by pointing out their security detail due to 
threats.

“The story illuminates — and he’d be the first to say it —
 some very dark stuff about this country and how a person who has 
devoted his life to helping individuals got so twisted in this current 
climate,” said Mannucci.

Michael Kantor, executive producer for the <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/">American Masters series</a>,
 says Fauci is a figure who has been central to American life for 
decades and deserves an examination, even if some virulently oppose him.

“Dr.
 Fauci is a very controversial figure, and there are going to be people 
who are going to voice — just as in the film — great displeasure about 
what he’s done and about his approach to things. But isn’t that the 
whole point of public media? It is intended to make that conversation 
happen in the best possible way.”

COVID-19 may have introduced 
Fauci to millions of Americans, but his long career at the National 
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was marked by numerous 
previous health scares, among them HIV, SARS, MERS, Ebola and even the 
nation’s 2001 anthrax attacks.

The film shows that Fauci learned a
 lesson in humility with AIDS, as the disease stubbornly persisted and 
activists argued not enough was being done from the government. “I went 
from a world of success and gratification to a world of frustration and 
failure,” he says in the film.

Mannucci's camera flashes-forward 
to today, with Fauci cordially meeting up with the former AIDS activists
 who once decried him. They have long since reconciled; they were all on
 the same side, after all — science.

“I put aside the 
confrontational behavior and the attacks on me and listen to what they 
were saying,” Fauci explained in the interview. “And what they were 
saying was making perfect sense. It made me feel if I were in their 
shoes, I’d be doing exactly what they were doing.”

That's not the 
case when protesters in recent years began attacking Fauci for mask 
mandates, school closures, quarantines and bizarre claims about the 
COVID-19 vaccines.

“There’s one sign that says, ‘Fauci, You’re 
Killing Us’ and the other sign that says ‘Fauci, You’re Killing Us’ but 
the rationale for those from the 1980s to 2023 is enormously different,”
 Fauci said. “They couldn't be more different.”

In one remarkable 
sequence in the documentary, Mannucci presses Fauci on whether he might 
have handled things differently looking back — like asking Americans to 
adopt masks sooner or ordering quarantines faster. “Maybe I should have 
done that,” he says. “Yeah, I was wrong.”

Mannucci relied on 10 
long sit-downs with Fauci to develop trust with his subject and didn't 
clutter the documentary with testimonials from talking heads, wanting to
 focus on Fauci's experiences.

“I hope it’s not viewed as a 
partisan message, but as a portrait of who he is and what he went 
through,” said the director. “I hope that people on the other side, even
 if they never end up agreeing with him, will at least see somebody who 
is a real person, who’s a thinking person, who’s somebody maybe they can
 even relate to.”

The film ends with Fauci's retirement from the 
NIAID late last year. Kantor suspects only time will tell where history 
will judge a man who dedicated his life to public service.

“I 
think 10 years from now, hopefully the furor over him as a controversial
 figure will die down. But the legacy of the approach to pandemics and 
so on will still be super valuable,” he said.

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment WriterNEW YORK (AP) — There's a moment in the new PBS documentary about <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthony-fauci-announces-retirement-7efdacac6a9ff7aa6e2f870b551fe508">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a> when a protester holds up a handmade sign reading, “Dr. Fauci, You Are Killing Us."It
 says something about Fauci that it's not initially clear when that sign
 was waved in anger — in the 1980s as AIDS made its deadly rise or in 
the 2020s with COVID-19 vaccine opponents.<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/anthony-fauci-documentary/23072/">“American Masters: Dr. Tony Fauci,”</a>
 offers a portrait of an unlikely lightning rod: A government infectious
 disease scientist who advised seven presidents. Fauci hopes it can 
inspire more public servants like him.“I just felt that there 
needed to be a story of people understanding what public health 
officials go through, but also I hope as a source of inspiration for 
young people who are either in science or interested in going into 
science,” he told The Associated Press. The documentary airs Tuesday and
 later streams.Fauci allowed a film crew to follow him for 23 
months starting in January 2021. The documentary covers his career and 
its crises, especially the way COVID-19 was handled by the Trump 
administration.“When you talk about all of the different things 
coming together for a disaster, that’s what happened: A divided country,
 a president who amplified the division and then a public health crisis —
 you couldn’t ask for a worse combination of things,” he said.<a href="http://room608.com/portrait-photos">Director Mark Mannucci</a>
 offers an intimate look at his subject, with images of Fauci running 
from meeting to meeting and wolfing down Wheat Thins between Zooms. His 
wife attests to the stress by pointing out their security detail due to 
threats.“The story illuminates — and he’d be the first to say it —
 some very dark stuff about this country and how a person who has 
devoted his life to helping individuals got so twisted in this current 
climate,” said Mannucci.Michael Kantor, executive producer for the <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/">American Masters series</a>,
 says Fauci is a figure who has been central to American life for 
decades and deserves an examination, even if some virulently oppose him.“Dr.
 Fauci is a very controversial figure, and there are going to be people 
who are going to voice — just as in the film — great displeasure about 
what he’s done and about his approach to things. But isn’t that the 
whole point of public media? It is intended to make that conversation 
happen in the best possible way.”COVID-19 may have introduced 
Fauci to millions of Americans, but his long career at the National 
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was marked by numerous 
previous health scares, among them HIV, SARS, MERS, Ebola and even the 
nation’s 2001 anthrax attacks.The film shows that Fauci learned a
 lesson in humility with AIDS, as the disease stubbornly persisted and 
activists argued not enough was being done from the government. “I went 
from a world of success and gratification to a world of frustration and 
failure,” he says in the film.Mannucci's camera flashes-forward 
to today, with Fauci cordially meeting up with the former AIDS activists
 who once decried him. They have long since reconciled; they were all on
 the same side, after all — science.“I put aside the 
confrontational behavior and the attacks on me and listen to what they 
were saying,” Fauci explained in the interview. “And what they were 
saying was making perfect sense. It made me feel if I were in their 
shoes, I’d be doing exactly what they were doing.”That's not the 
case when protesters in recent years began attacking Fauci for mask 
mandates, school closures, quarantines and bizarre claims about the 
COVID-19 vaccines.“There’s one sign that says, ‘Fauci, You’re 
Killing Us’ and the other sign that says ‘Fauci, You’re Killing Us’ but 
the rationale for those from the 1980s to 2023 is enormously different,”
 Fauci said. “They couldn't be more different.”In one remarkable 
sequence in the documentary, Mannucci presses Fauci on whether he might 
have handled things differently looking back — like asking Americans to 
adopt masks sooner or ordering quarantines faster. “Maybe I should have 
done that,” he says. “Yeah, I was wrong.”Mannucci relied on 10 
long sit-downs with Fauci to develop trust with his subject and didn't 
clutter the documentary with testimonials from talking heads, wanting to
 focus on Fauci's experiences.“I hope it’s not viewed as a 
partisan message, but as a portrait of who he is and what he went 
through,” said the director. “I hope that people on the other side, even
 if they never end up agreeing with him, will at least see somebody who 
is a real person, who’s a thinking person, who’s somebody maybe they can
 even relate to.”The film ends with Fauci's retirement from the 
NIAID late last year. Kantor suspects only time will tell where history 
will judge a man who dedicated his life to public service.“I 
think 10 years from now, hopefully the furor over him as a controversial
 figure will die down. But the legacy of the approach to pandemics and 
so on will still be super valuable,” he said.

Anthony Fauci documentary on PBS covers a career of crises

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”

(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)

Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.

“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.

“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.

Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.

“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”

He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.

“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”

The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.

Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.

Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.

Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.

Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.

Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679344368794.png" alt="Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health." />
 <figcaption>Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F205886922057028%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=167" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/XPNAfqnzEj">pic.twitter.com/XPNAfqnzEj</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1637574673494933506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

🎥 Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso cast at White House to promote mental health

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Intersex people and those born with sexual development differences would be classified as disabled and required to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms under legislation being considered by Kansas lawmakers.

This designation was added as an amendment to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>, otherwise known as a “women’s bill of rights.” Lawmakers in the House Health and Human Services Committee debated and passed the bill in a little more than 11 minutes Thursday.

The bill states that separate accommodations based on biological sex aren’t unequal, and that people with female reproductive systems need women-only social, educational, athletic and other spaces to ensure safety. The bill would include domestic violence shelters, restrooms and locker rooms as women-only spaces.

Critics have said the bill is a blatant attempt to ban transgender women from women’s spaces.

In its original form, the Kansas legislation defined “females”as having biological reproductive systems developed to produce ova, a definition that excluded intersex people and alienated women without ovaries.

To address the concerns, Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison prepared an amendment to apply to intersex people and others. The amendment states that those born with sex development differences or “disorders” would be provided legal protections and accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Eplee said his goal with the amendment was to give people who fall under the amendment a separate space from men’s and women’s spaces. Eplee said the amendment came about after he listened to testimony asking lawmakers in charge of the bill to consider how it would impact people who didn’t fall into binary biological sex categories. Eplee said the amendment was aimed at providing privacy and a sense of safety for these individuals.

“It would provide security for them for those functions that relate to using the bathroom and changing clothes for an athletic event. So there’s privacy issues addressed,” Eplee said. “That’s the whole purpose of the amendment for nonbinary folks.”&nbsp;

Eplee said they would be classified as disabled to offer them protections.

“People that are disabled do have that recognition and that ability now,” Eplee said. “This is just to say this is somewhat of an expansion of that narrative, because certainly not all intersex folks are disabled. But some are, and this is just to reaffirm that.”

Eplee said he didn’t have all the answers on what the bill entailed, but he thought it would help set a standard in the state of Kansas to give men and women security and privacy in bathroom facilities, lockers and athletic endeavors.

Other lawmakers discussed the disability aspect of the amendment during the Thursday meeting.

Rep. Bill Clifford, R-Garden City, identified Turner Syndrome as an example of a sex development condition where one of two X chromosomes is either missing or partially present, potentially causing ovarian issues or stalled sexual development.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/turner-syndrome/">Turner Syndrome is rare</a>&nbsp;overall, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26146109/">less than half</a>&nbsp;of the people who have it also have extra folds of skin on the neck.

Clifford said women with Turner Syndrome could be embarrassed to change in dressing rooms with other women.

“A person in that state, I don’t think, would want to undress in front of even fellow females,” Clifford said.

The committee chairwoman, Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said people with sexual development differences qualify for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, because the act deals with the loss of body functions.

“It’s my understanding that a majority of these individuals would actually have the loss of some body functions, which would make them qualified for the ADA,” Landwehr said.

Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said this designation was offensive.

“I don’t want to insult them that way,” Ruiz said.

Critics say the legislation doesn’t actually address gender inequality and would be extremely difficult to enforce.

“It’s all an attack on our LGBTQ folks,” said Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood.

“My first question about the bill is: Where are my rights? Where is my equal pay? Where is my bodily autonomy, if this is about a women’s bill of rights?” Poskin added.

Poskin referenced former Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and Kansas’ first transgender lawmaker, as an example of the women the legislation would harm.

“Where would she go to the bathroom in this building?” Poskin asked.

When asked during the meeting how the bill would be enforced, Landwehr said she had seen schools use faculty bathrooms and dressing rooms to accommodate people.

“In places that don’t have somewhere separate, someone may stand outside the door to allow them privacy so they don’t have to intermingle with individuals they would feel uncomfortable with,” Landwehr said.

Similar legislation to the “women’s bill of rights” has been introduced by Republican lawmakers in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Arizona, among other states.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has said the bill’s constitutionality is likely to be challenged.

Eplee said he was aware the bill would most likely lead to a legal challenge if passed into law.

“It’s going to create a challenge to the status quo that will be a legal challenge at some point,” Eplee said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you how I think it’s going to go because I don’t know that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3161510-1024x768.jpg" alt="- John Eplee, R-Atchison, says he introduced legislation to classify intersex people as disabled in order to provide them protections. The change means they would have to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms than men or women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>- John Eplee, R-Atchison, says he introduced legislation to classify intersex people as disabled in order to provide them protections. The change means they would have to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms than men or women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Intersex people and those born with sexual development differences would be classified as disabled and required to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms under legislation being considered by Kansas lawmakers.This designation was added as an amendment to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>, otherwise known as a “women’s bill of rights.” Lawmakers in the House Health and Human Services Committee debated and passed the bill in a little more than 11 minutes Thursday.The bill states that separate accommodations based on biological sex aren’t unequal, and that people with female reproductive systems need women-only social, educational, athletic and other spaces to ensure safety. The bill would include domestic violence shelters, restrooms and locker rooms as women-only spaces.Critics have said the bill is a blatant attempt to ban transgender women from women’s spaces.In its original form, the Kansas legislation defined “females”as having biological reproductive systems developed to produce ova, a definition that excluded intersex people and alienated women without ovaries.To address the concerns, Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison prepared an amendment to apply to intersex people and others. The amendment states that those born with sex development differences or “disorders” would be provided legal protections and accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.Eplee said his goal with the amendment was to give people who fall under the amendment a separate space from men’s and women’s spaces. Eplee said the amendment came about after he listened to testimony asking lawmakers in charge of the bill to consider how it would impact people who didn’t fall into binary biological sex categories. Eplee said the amendment was aimed at providing privacy and a sense of safety for these individuals.“It would provide security for them for those functions that relate to using the bathroom and changing clothes for an athletic event. So there’s privacy issues addressed,” Eplee said. “That’s the whole purpose of the amendment for nonbinary folks.”&nbsp;Eplee said they would be classified as disabled to offer them protections.“People that are disabled do have that recognition and that ability now,” Eplee said. “This is just to say this is somewhat of an expansion of that narrative, because certainly not all intersex folks are disabled. But some are, and this is just to reaffirm that.”Eplee said he didn’t have all the answers on what the bill entailed, but he thought it would help set a standard in the state of Kansas to give men and women security and privacy in bathroom facilities, lockers and athletic endeavors.Other lawmakers discussed the disability aspect of the amendment during the Thursday meeting.Rep. Bill Clifford, R-Garden City, identified Turner Syndrome as an example of a sex development condition where one of two X chromosomes is either missing or partially present, potentially causing ovarian issues or stalled sexual development.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/turner-syndrome/">Turner Syndrome is rare</a>&nbsp;overall, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26146109/">less than half</a>&nbsp;of the people who have it also have extra folds of skin on the neck.Clifford said women with Turner Syndrome could be embarrassed to change in dressing rooms with other women.“A person in that state, I don’t think, would want to undress in front of even fellow females,” Clifford said.The committee chairwoman, Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said people with sexual development differences qualify for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, because the act deals with the loss of body functions.“It’s my understanding that a majority of these individuals would actually have the loss of some body functions, which would make them qualified for the ADA,” Landwehr said.Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said this designation was offensive.“I don’t want to insult them that way,” Ruiz said.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3161521-scaled.jpg" alt="-Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, says proposed legislation offering a “women’s bill of rights” is really an attack on transgender people and doesn’t protect any rights. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, says proposed legislation offering a “women’s bill of rights” is really an attack on transgender people and doesn’t protect any rights. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Other reactionsCritics say the legislation doesn’t actually address gender inequality and would be extremely difficult to enforce.“It’s all an attack on our LGBTQ folks,” said Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood.“My first question about the bill is: Where are my rights? Where is my equal pay? Where is my bodily autonomy, if this is about a women’s bill of rights?” Poskin added.Poskin referenced former Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and Kansas’ first transgender lawmaker, as an example of the women the legislation would harm.“Where would she go to the bathroom in this building?” Poskin asked.When asked during the meeting how the bill would be enforced, Landwehr said she had seen schools use faculty bathrooms and dressing rooms to accommodate people.“In places that don’t have somewhere separate, someone may stand outside the door to allow them privacy so they don’t have to intermingle with individuals they would feel uncomfortable with,” Landwehr said.Similar legislation to the “women’s bill of rights” has been introduced by Republican lawmakers in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Arizona, among other states.The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has said the bill’s constitutionality is likely to be challenged.Eplee said he was aware the bill would most likely lead to a legal challenge if passed into law.“It’s going to create a challenge to the status quo that will be a legal challenge at some point,” Eplee said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you how I think it’s going to go because I don’t know that.”

Kan. lawmakers classify people with sexual development differences as disabled in revised bill

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks are set to renew a long-time rivalry in the second round of the WNIT as KU hosts Missouri for a postseason edition of the Border Showdown on Monday in Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday and the game will be televised on Big 12 NOW, with Josh Klingler and Wayne Simien on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on the Jayhawk Radio Network from Learfield, with Steven Davis and David Lawrence calling the action. This will be the first meeting between Kansas and Missouri in women’s basketball since 2012, which was the Tigers last season as members of the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks and Tigers faced off 82 times from 1973-2012, with Kansas holding a 44-38 lead in the all-time series. Kansas is competing in the WNIT for the sixth time, first since 2011, and the Jayhawks are in the postseason for the second consecutive season. KU now has postseason victories in back-to-back seasons after defeating Western Kentucky 86-72 on Friday night in the first round of the WNIT. With the first-round victory over WKU, Kansas improved to 20-11 on the season, securing its second-straight 20-win season and the 23rd in program history. Missouri comes to Lawrence with a record of 18-13 on the year after defeating Illinois State 61-51 in the opening round of the WNIT on Thursday. The Tigers, who placed ninth in the SEC with a 6-10 record, are led by Hayley Frank, who averages 13.0 points per game. All five starters for Kansas scored in double figures against Western Kentucky as the group combined to score 79 of KU’s 86 points in the victory. Taiyanna Jackson led the Jayhawks as she notched her 19th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Jackson, a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Defensive Team selection, is on pace to become the first Jayhawk since 1982 to average a double-double for an entire season, with current totals of 15.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Her 2022-23 total of 94 blocked shots is one away from tying her single-season school record set last season, and her 393 rebounds ranks fourth in school history for a season. First Team All-Big 12 selection Zakiyah Franklin filled the stat sheet against Western Kentucky with 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Franklin is KU’s leading scorer with 15.7 points per game and she has scored in double figures 15 times in the past 16 games. Holly Kersgieter, a three-time All-Big 12 selection, had 14 points against WKU. She hit four three-pointers in the game, giving her 200 for her career as she became the fourth player in program history to reach that milestone. Kersgieter is No. 13 on KU’s all-time scoring list with 1,490 career points. Chandler Prater recorded her second-straight double-double and third of her career with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds versus WKU. Wyvette Mayberry rounded out the scoring for KU’s starters with 11 points. Up next With a win, Kansas would advance to the third round of the WNIT, where the Jayhawks would face the winner of a second-round matchup between Nebraska and Northern Iowa.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KU AthleticsLAWRENCE –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks are set to renew a long-time rivalry in the second round of the WNIT as KU hosts Missouri for a postseason edition of the Border Showdown on Monday in Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday and the game will be televised on Big 12 NOW, with Josh Klingler and Wayne Simien on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on the Jayhawk Radio Network from Learfield, with Steven Davis and David Lawrence calling the action. This will be the first meeting between Kansas and Missouri in women’s basketball since 2012, which was the Tigers last season as members of the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks and Tigers faced off 82 times from 1973-2012, with Kansas holding a 44-38 lead in the all-time series. Kansas is competing in the WNIT for the sixth time, first since 2011, and the Jayhawks are in the postseason for the second consecutive season. KU now has postseason victories in back-to-back seasons after defeating Western Kentucky 86-72 on Friday night in the first round of the WNIT. With the first-round victory over WKU, Kansas improved to 20-11 on the season, securing its second-straight 20-win season and the 23rd in program history. Missouri comes to Lawrence with a record of 18-13 on the year after defeating Illinois State 61-51 in the opening round of the WNIT on Thursday. The Tigers, who placed ninth in the SEC with a 6-10 record, are led by Hayley Frank, who averages 13.0 points per game. All five starters for Kansas scored in double figures against Western Kentucky as the group combined to score 79 of KU’s 86 points in the victory. Taiyanna Jackson led the Jayhawks as she notched her 19th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Jackson, a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Defensive Team selection, is on pace to become the first Jayhawk since 1982 to average a double-double for an entire season, with current totals of 15.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Her 2022-23 total of 94 blocked shots is one away from tying her single-season school record set last season, and her 393 rebounds ranks fourth in school history for a season. First Team All-Big 12 selection Zakiyah Franklin filled the stat sheet against Western Kentucky with 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Franklin is KU’s leading scorer with 15.7 points per game and she has scored in double figures 15 times in the past 16 games. Holly Kersgieter, a three-time All-Big 12 selection, had 14 points against WKU. She hit four three-pointers in the game, giving her 200 for her career as she became the fourth player in program history to reach that milestone. Kersgieter is No. 13 on KU’s all-time scoring list with 1,490 career points. Chandler Prater recorded her second-straight double-double and third of her career with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds versus WKU. Wyvette Mayberry rounded out the scoring for KU’s starters with 11 points. Up next With a win, Kansas would advance to the third round of the WNIT, where the Jayhawks would face the winner of a second-round matchup between Nebraska and Northern Iowa.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Border showdown renews Monday as KU hosts Missouri in WNIT

WASHINGTON — In a further warning to people and businesses, the 
Internal Revenue Service added widely circulating promoter claims 
involving Employee Retention Credits as a new entry in the annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">Dirty Dozen</a> list of tax scams.

For the start of the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams, the IRS 
spotlighted Employee Retention Credits following blatant attempts by 
promoters to con ineligible people to claim the credit. Renewing several
 earlier alerts, the IRS highlighted schemes from promoters who have 
been blasting ads on radio and the internet touting refunds involving 
Employee Retention Credits, also known as ERCs. These promotions can be 
based on inaccurate information related to eligibility for and 
computation of the credit.

"The aggressive marketing of these credits is deeply troubling and a 
major concern for the IRS," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. 
"Businesses need to think twice before filing a claim for these credits.
 While the credit has provided a financial lifeline to millions of 
businesses, there are promoters misleading people and businesses into 
thinking they can claim these credits. There are very specific 
guidelines around these pandemic-era credits; they are not available to 
just anyone. People should remember the IRS is actively auditing and 
conducting criminal investigations related to these false claims. We 
urge honest taxpayers not to be caught up in these schemes."

The IRS is stepping up enforcement action involving these ERC claims,
 and people considering filing for these claims – only valid during the 
pandemic for a limited group of businesses – should be aware they are 
ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the information on their tax 
return. The IRS Small Business/Self-Employed division has trained 
auditors examining these types of claims, and the IRS Criminal 
Investigation Division is on the lookout for promoters of fraudulent 
claims for credits.

Abusive ERC promotions highlight day one of the IRS annual Dirty 
Dozen campaign – a list of 12 scams and schemes that put taxpayers and 
the tax professional community at risk of losing money, personal 
information, data and more.

This annual list of schemes and scams is aimed at helping raise 
awareness to protect honest taxpayers from aggressive promoters and con 
artists. These schemes put people at financial risk and increase the 
chances people could become victims of identity theft.

Some items on the Dirty Dozen list are new and some make a return 
visit. While the list is not a legal document or a formal listing of 
agency enforcement priorities, it is intended to alert taxpayers and the
 tax professional community about various scams and schemes at large.

"Businesses should be wary of advertised schemes and direct 
solicitations promising tax savings that are too good to be true," 
Werfel said. "They should listen to the advice of their trusted tax 
professional. Taxpayers should remember that they are always responsible
 for the information reported on their tax returns. Improperly claiming 
this credit could result in taxpayers having to repay the credit along 
with potential penalties and interest."

When properly claimed, the ERC is a refundable tax credit designed 
for businesses that continued paying employees while shut down due to 
the COVID-19 pandemic or that had a significant decline in gross 
receipts during the eligibility periods. The credit is not available to 
individuals.

While many eligible employers claimed and have already received the 
ERC, some third parties continue to widely advertise their services 
targeting taxpayers who may not be eligible for the ERC. Unfortunately, 
these advertisements, along with the increased prevalence of websites 
touting how easy it is to qualify for the ERC, lend an air of legitimacy
 to abusive claims for refund.

Tax professionals have reported receiving undue pressure from clients
 to participate and claim the ERC, even when the tax professional 
believes the client is not entitled to the credit. The IRS encourages 
the tax professional community to continue to advise clients not to file
 ERC claims when the tax professional believes they do not qualify.

The IRS has been <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-warned-to-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claims">warning about this scheme</a> since last fall, but there continue to be attempts to claim the ERC during the 2023 tax filing season.

The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility sent a special bulletin
 to tax professionals on March 7 outlining core responsibilities for ERC
 claims under Circular 230.

Third party promoters of the ERC often don't accurately explain 
eligibility for and computation of the credit. They may make broad 
arguments suggesting that all employers are eligible without evaluating 
an employer's individual circumstances. For example, only recovery 
startup businesses are eligible for the ERC in the fourth quarter of 
2021, but these third-party promoters fail to explain this limitation. 
In addition, some third parties do not inform employers that they cannot
 claim the ERC on wages that were reported as payroll costs in obtaining
 Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness.

Additionally, some of these advertisements exist solely to collect 
the taxpayer's personally identifiable information in exchange for false
 promises. The scammers then use the information to conduct identity 
theft.

The IRS reminds all taxpayers that the willful filing of false 
information and fraudulent tax forms can lead to serious civil and 
criminal penalties.

Eligible taxpayers can claim the ERC on an original or amended 
employment tax return for qualified wages paid between March 13, 2020, 
and Dec. 31, 2021. However, to be eligible, employers must have:

Employers should report instances of fraud and IRS-related phishing attempts to the IRS at <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a> and to the <a href="https://www.tigta.gov/reportcrime-misconduct">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a> at <a href="tel:800-366-4484">800-366-4484</a>.

Besides the promotion of ERC claims to employers who are not eligible
 for the credit, there are many other scams and schemes the IRS is 
warning individuals, businesses and tax professionals about in this 
year's annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">Dirty Dozen</a> campaign.

As part of the Dirty Dozen awareness effort, the IRS encourages 
people to report tax-related, illegal activities relating to ERC claims,
 as well as individuals who promote improper and abusive tax schemes and
 tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns.

To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should mail or fax a completed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14242.pdf">Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers</a>PDF and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.

Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center 
Stop MS5040 
24000 Avila Road 
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405 
Fax: 877-477-9135

Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/whistleblower-office">IRS Whistleblower Office</a>&nbsp;for possible monetary reward.

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/abusive-tax-schemes-and-abusive-tax-return-preparers-irs-lead-development-center">Abusive Tax Schemes and Abusive Tax Return Preparers</a>.

The Dirty Dozen is a collaboration with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit initiative</a>.
 Working together as the Security Summit, the IRS, state tax agencies 
and the nation's tax industry have taken numerous steps over the last 
seven years to warn people to watch out for common scams and schemes 
during tax season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — In a further warning to people and businesses, the 
Internal Revenue Service added widely circulating promoter claims 
involving Employee Retention Credits as a new entry in the annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">Dirty Dozen</a> list of tax scams.For the start of the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams, the IRS 
spotlighted Employee Retention Credits following blatant attempts by 
promoters to con ineligible people to claim the credit. Renewing several
 earlier alerts, the IRS highlighted schemes from promoters who have 
been blasting ads on radio and the internet touting refunds involving 
Employee Retention Credits, also known as ERCs. These promotions can be 
based on inaccurate information related to eligibility for and 
computation of the credit."The aggressive marketing of these credits is deeply troubling and a 
major concern for the IRS," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. 
"Businesses need to think twice before filing a claim for these credits.
 While the credit has provided a financial lifeline to millions of 
businesses, there are promoters misleading people and businesses into 
thinking they can claim these credits. There are very specific 
guidelines around these pandemic-era credits; they are not available to 
just anyone. People should remember the IRS is actively auditing and 
conducting criminal investigations related to these false claims. We 
urge honest taxpayers not to be caught up in these schemes."The IRS is stepping up enforcement action involving these ERC claims,
 and people considering filing for these claims – only valid during the 
pandemic for a limited group of businesses – should be aware they are 
ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the information on their tax 
return. The IRS Small Business/Self-Employed division has trained 
auditors examining these types of claims, and the IRS Criminal 
Investigation Division is on the lookout for promoters of fraudulent 
claims for credits.Abusive ERC promotions highlight day one of the IRS annual Dirty 
Dozen campaign – a list of 12 scams and schemes that put taxpayers and 
the tax professional community at risk of losing money, personal 
information, data and more.This annual list of schemes and scams is aimed at helping raise 
awareness to protect honest taxpayers from aggressive promoters and con 
artists. These schemes put people at financial risk and increase the 
chances people could become victims of identity theft.Some items on the Dirty Dozen list are new and some make a return 
visit. While the list is not a legal document or a formal listing of 
agency enforcement priorities, it is intended to alert taxpayers and the
 tax professional community about various scams and schemes at large."Businesses should be wary of advertised schemes and direct 
solicitations promising tax savings that are too good to be true," 
Werfel said. "They should listen to the advice of their trusted tax 
professional. Taxpayers should remember that they are always responsible
 for the information reported on their tax returns. Improperly claiming 
this credit could result in taxpayers having to repay the credit along 
with potential penalties and interest."When properly claimed, the ERC is a refundable tax credit designed 
for businesses that continued paying employees while shut down due to 
the COVID-19 pandemic or that had a significant decline in gross 
receipts during the eligibility periods. The credit is not available to 
individuals.<h2>Beware of ERC promotions</h2>While many eligible employers claimed and have already received the 
ERC, some third parties continue to widely advertise their services 
targeting taxpayers who may not be eligible for the ERC. Unfortunately, 
these advertisements, along with the increased prevalence of websites 
touting how easy it is to qualify for the ERC, lend an air of legitimacy
 to abusive claims for refund.Tax professionals have reported receiving undue pressure from clients
 to participate and claim the ERC, even when the tax professional 
believes the client is not entitled to the credit. The IRS encourages 
the tax professional community to continue to advise clients not to file
 ERC claims when the tax professional believes they do not qualify.The IRS has been <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employers-warned-to-beware-of-third-parties-promoting-improper-employee-retention-credit-claims">warning about this scheme</a> since last fall, but there continue to be attempts to claim the ERC during the 2023 tax filing season.The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility sent a special bulletin
 to tax professionals on March 7 outlining core responsibilities for ERC
 claims under Circular 230.Third party promoters of the ERC often don't accurately explain 
eligibility for and computation of the credit. They may make broad 
arguments suggesting that all employers are eligible without evaluating 
an employer's individual circumstances. For example, only recovery 
startup businesses are eligible for the ERC in the fourth quarter of 
2021, but these third-party promoters fail to explain this limitation. 
In addition, some third parties do not inform employers that they cannot
 claim the ERC on wages that were reported as payroll costs in obtaining
 Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness.Additionally, some of these advertisements exist solely to collect 
the taxpayer's personally identifiable information in exchange for false
 promises. The scammers then use the information to conduct identity 
theft.The IRS reminds all taxpayers that the willful filing of false 
information and fraudulent tax forms can lead to serious civil and 
criminal penalties.<h2>Properly claiming the ERC</h2>Eligible taxpayers can claim the ERC on an original or amended 
employment tax return for qualified wages paid between March 13, 2020, 
and Dec. 31, 2021. However, to be eligible, employers must have:<ul>
 <li>Sustained a full or partial suspension of operations due to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2021-11_IRB#NOT-2021-20">orders from an appropriate governmental authority</a> limiting commerce, travel or group meetings because of COVID-19 during 2020 or the first three quarters of 2021,</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Experienced a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2021-11_IRB#NOT-2021-20">significant decline in gross receipts during 2020</a> or a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2021-16_IRB#NOT-2021-23">decline in gross receipts during the first three quarters of 2021</a>, or</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Qualified as a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2021-34_IRB#NOT-2021-49">recovery startup business</a> for the third or fourth quarters of 2021.</li>
 </ul><h2>Reporting tax-related fraud and scams</h2>Employers should report instances of fraud and IRS-related phishing attempts to the IRS at <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a> and to the <a href="https://www.tigta.gov/reportcrime-misconduct">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a> at <a href="tel:800-366-4484">800-366-4484</a>.Besides the promotion of ERC claims to employers who are not eligible
 for the credit, there are many other scams and schemes the IRS is 
warning individuals, businesses and tax professionals about in this 
year's annual <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">Dirty Dozen</a> campaign.As part of the Dirty Dozen awareness effort, the IRS encourages 
people to report tax-related, illegal activities relating to ERC claims,
 as well as individuals who promote improper and abusive tax schemes and
 tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns.To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should mail or fax a completed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14242.pdf">Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers</a>PDF and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.Mail:Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center 
Stop MS5040 
24000 Avila Road 
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405 
Fax: 877-477-9135Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/whistleblower-office">IRS Whistleblower Office</a>&nbsp;for possible monetary reward.For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/abusive-tax-schemes-and-abusive-tax-return-preparers-irs-lead-development-center">Abusive Tax Schemes and Abusive Tax Return Preparers</a>.The Dirty Dozen is a collaboration with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit initiative</a>.
 Working together as the Security Summit, the IRS, state tax agencies 
and the nation's tax industry have taken numerous steps over the last 
seven years to warn people to watch out for common scams and schemes 
during tax season.

IRS: Employee Retention Credit tax scams on the uptick

Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett, Alva, OK

<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett">https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett</a>

ALVA, OK Beth (Markley) Wirth Bennett passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in her Alva, Oklahoma residence on March 14, 2023, at the age of 96.

Having accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, she was an inspiring model of faith and unconditional love to everyone she knew. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, lifelong educator, and master seamstress.

The fifth of eight children, Beth was born on July 18, 1926, on a farm in Lincoln County, Kansas, to Jennie and Ernest Markley, who delivered her. She and her siblings were vital to the success of the family farm and were taught at an early age to value education. 

She attended Surprise School through eighth grade and Lincoln High School, graduating without having ever missed a day of school.

Beth was united in marriage to Francis Wirth, a lifelong farmer who was also the State Farm Insurance agent in Lincoln, on February 26, 1943. 

She enjoyed helping drive the trucks for both custom harvest runs and their family harvests every year (always in a dress). 

She began teaching elementary school soon after she graduated high school. After eighteen years of attending summer school, she graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree and later completed a master’s degree in elementary education and a reading specialist certificate, also from Fort Hays. As a reading specialist, she dedicated her forty-year career to teaching children in Osborne, Russell, and Lincoln counties to read. 

She retired in 1989, finishing her career as a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. 

After retirement, Beth married Walter Bennett in 1993 and lived in Chandler, Arizona, where her family grew to include Walt’s four children and many grandchildren. She lived in Chandler until moving to Denver City, Texas, to be near her sister, June Markley Hanneman. In 2013, Beth moved to the Homestead Retirement Community in Alva, Oklahoma, the home of her granddaughter’s family. There she enjoyed playing games, reading, sewing, crocheting beautiful doilies for each family member, listening to her Southern gospel music, and laughing with the ladies of Table 6. 

Beth was deeply loved by her family, who treasured her keen intelligence and sharp wit. Though her life was one of impeccable order and organization, she was always ready to play games deep into the night, always indulgent with her gifts and love, and always approachable and kind despite her regal bearing.

In addition to Francis Wirth and Walt Bennett, Beth was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Ball, a lifelong teacher and children’s minister who inherited her love of children and education; her son-in-law, Don Ball; her sister, June Hanneman; and her brothers Howard, Kenneth, Ernest Jr., Max, Wilton, and Larry. 

She is survived by her brother Richard (Lois); sister-in-law Donna; granddaughters Kerri (James) Bell and Kristi Wolstenholm; her great-grandchildren Chris (Emily) and Ty Bell; her great-great-grandsons Grady and Wilder Bell; her stepchildren Steven (Ellen) Bennett, Louise (Edward) Wolfe, Lillian (Michael) DelPinto, Paul (Victoria) Bennett; her stepgrandchildren; stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She loved all of these family members deeply.

Services for Beth will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene in Salina, Kansas, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20, with internment at the Lincoln Cemetery to follow.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Church of the Nazarene, Salina, c/o Hall Chapel, P.O. Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455.

To&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/sympathy-landing">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/1069525/memorial-tree">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/sympathy-landing">visit our floral store.</a>

<h2>Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett, Alva, OK</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679066328384.jpeg" alt="Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett" />
 <figcaption>Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett">https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett</a>July 18, 1926 ~ March 14, 2023 (age 96)ALVA, OK Beth (Markley) Wirth Bennett passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in her Alva, Oklahoma residence on March 14, 2023, at the age of 96. Having accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, she was an inspiring model of faith and unconditional love to everyone she knew. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, lifelong educator, and master seamstress.The fifth of eight children, Beth was born on July 18, 1926, on a farm in Lincoln County, Kansas, to Jennie and Ernest Markley, who delivered her. She and her siblings were vital to the success of the family farm and were taught at an early age to value education. She attended Surprise School through eighth grade and Lincoln High School, graduating without having ever missed a day of school.Beth was united in marriage to Francis Wirth, a lifelong farmer who was also the State Farm Insurance agent in Lincoln, on February 26, 1943. She enjoyed helping drive the trucks for both custom harvest runs and their family harvests every year (always in a dress). She began teaching elementary school soon after she graduated high school. After eighteen years of attending summer school, she graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree and later completed a master’s degree in elementary education and a reading specialist certificate, also from Fort Hays. As a reading specialist, she dedicated her forty-year career to teaching children in Osborne, Russell, and Lincoln counties to read. Francis preceded her in death in 1988.She retired in 1989, finishing her career as a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. After retirement, Beth married Walter Bennett in 1993 and lived in Chandler, Arizona, where her family grew to include Walt’s four children and many grandchildren. She lived in Chandler until moving to Denver City, Texas, to be near her sister, June Markley Hanneman. In 2013, Beth moved to the Homestead Retirement Community in Alva, Oklahoma, the home of her granddaughter’s family. There she enjoyed playing games, reading, sewing, crocheting beautiful doilies for each family member, listening to her Southern gospel music, and laughing with the ladies of Table 6. Walt preceded her in death in 2016.Beth was deeply loved by her family, who treasured her keen intelligence and sharp wit. Though her life was one of impeccable order and organization, she was always ready to play games deep into the night, always indulgent with her gifts and love, and always approachable and kind despite her regal bearing.In addition to Francis Wirth and Walt Bennett, Beth was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Ball, a lifelong teacher and children’s minister who inherited her love of children and education; her son-in-law, Don Ball; her sister, June Hanneman; and her brothers Howard, Kenneth, Ernest Jr., Max, Wilton, and Larry. She is survived by her brother Richard (Lois); sister-in-law Donna; granddaughters Kerri (James) Bell and Kristi Wolstenholm; her great-grandchildren Chris (Emily) and Ty Bell; her great-great-grandsons Grady and Wilder Bell; her stepchildren Steven (Ellen) Bennett, Louise (Edward) Wolfe, Lillian (Michael) DelPinto, Paul (Victoria) Bennett; her stepgrandchildren; stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She loved all of these family members deeply.Services for Beth will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene in Salina, Kansas, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20, with internment at the Lincoln Cemetery to follow.Memorial contributions can be made to First Church of the Nazarene, Salina, c/o Hall Chapel, P.O. Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455.To&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/sympathy-landing">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/1069525/memorial-tree">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett, please&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallchapel.com/obituary/Beth-Wirth-Bennett/sympathy-landing">visit our floral store.</a>

Beth Elaine (Markley) Wirth-Bennett

<a href="https://www.yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/michael-wendt">https://www.yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/michael-wendt</a>

Mike Wendt, 69, of Herington, Kansas passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Good Shepherd Homecare &amp; Hospice in Manhattan, Kansas, after multiple health complications. Mike was born on February 26, 1954, in Herington, KS to Glenn and Alice Wendt.&nbsp; 

He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herington and graduated from Herington High School with the Class of 1972. 

On May 25, 1974, he was united in marriage to his best friend and soulmate, Debbie (Schlesener) Wendt, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church.&nbsp; Mike and Debbie were blessed with a daughter, Kendra. 

Mike had a zest for life and approached everything in his life with a strong and positive work ethic.&nbsp; He always had a smile on his face and could light up any room.&nbsp; This remained true all the way through the end of his life.&nbsp; 

Mike had many hobbies including gardening, multiple home remodeling projects, cooking and baking, woodworking, camping, traveling, many trips to Branson with Debbie, and handyman projects for friends and family members.&nbsp; He was always looking for the next big project or adventure.&nbsp; He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, and watching football and basketball games.&nbsp; Mike adored his daughter Kendra, son-in-law Les, and grandkids Keira and Quinn, offering advice, a listening ear, or a joke and a smile. 

Mike worked hard his entire life, working briefly in construction before starting his 37-year career with the city of Herington.&nbsp; He started as an electrical lineman, and later served many years as Utilities Superintendent.&nbsp; With a servant leadership heart, he was always ready to help with disaster and storm relief at multiple cities across the state of Kansas throughout his career.&nbsp; He also served in several capacities with the Kansas Municipal Utilities and Kansas Municipal Energy Agencies, holding the position of chairman of the Mutual Aid Committee. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Solomon and Emilie Sader and Ted and Irene Wendt, and a stillborn sister, Glenda. 

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 48 years, Debbie of Herington, his daughter Kendra Kuhlman, son-in-law Les Kuhlman, granddaughter Keira Kuhlman and grandson Quinn Kuhlman, all of Manhattan, brothers Craig Wendt (Marcia) of Herington, Randy Wendt (Debbie) of Salina, Glenn Wendt (Berry) of Salina, sister Nancy Deason (Terry) of Wichita, as well as many close friends and relatives. 

He was an active and lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran church, where he served on the church council, and as an usher, greeter, altar guild, offering counter, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. 

Friends are encouraged to visit and watch the memorial video with the family on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church where his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. 

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church.&nbsp; 

Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Mike at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.yazelmeglifh.com/">www.yazelmeglifh.com</a>.

To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/31619540-0cf9-4327-9f34-1d65f1b3a39a" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael L. Wendt, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/31619540-0cf9-4327-9f34-1d65f1b3a39a" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

<h2>Mike Wendt, Herington</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679064865318.jpeg" alt="Mike Wendt" />
 <figcaption>Mike Wendt</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/michael-wendt">https://www.yazelmeglifh.com/obituaries/michael-wendt</a>February 26, 1954 - March 15, 2023Mike Wendt, 69, of Herington, Kansas passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Good Shepherd Homecare &amp; Hospice in Manhattan, Kansas, after multiple health complications. Mike was born on February 26, 1954, in Herington, KS to Glenn and Alice Wendt.&nbsp; He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herington and graduated from Herington High School with the Class of 1972. On May 25, 1974, he was united in marriage to his best friend and soulmate, Debbie (Schlesener) Wendt, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church.&nbsp; Mike and Debbie were blessed with a daughter, Kendra. Mike had a zest for life and approached everything in his life with a strong and positive work ethic.&nbsp; He always had a smile on his face and could light up any room.&nbsp; This remained true all the way through the end of his life.&nbsp; Mike had many hobbies including gardening, multiple home remodeling projects, cooking and baking, woodworking, camping, traveling, many trips to Branson with Debbie, and handyman projects for friends and family members.&nbsp; He was always looking for the next big project or adventure.&nbsp; He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, and watching football and basketball games.&nbsp; Mike adored his daughter Kendra, son-in-law Les, and grandkids Keira and Quinn, offering advice, a listening ear, or a joke and a smile. Mike worked hard his entire life, working briefly in construction before starting his 37-year career with the city of Herington.&nbsp; He started as an electrical lineman, and later served many years as Utilities Superintendent.&nbsp; With a servant leadership heart, he was always ready to help with disaster and storm relief at multiple cities across the state of Kansas throughout his career.&nbsp; He also served in several capacities with the Kansas Municipal Utilities and Kansas Municipal Energy Agencies, holding the position of chairman of the Mutual Aid Committee. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Solomon and Emilie Sader and Ted and Irene Wendt, and a stillborn sister, Glenda. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 48 years, Debbie of Herington, his daughter Kendra Kuhlman, son-in-law Les Kuhlman, granddaughter Keira Kuhlman and grandson Quinn Kuhlman, all of Manhattan, brothers Craig Wendt (Marcia) of Herington, Randy Wendt (Debbie) of Salina, Glenn Wendt (Berry) of Salina, sister Nancy Deason (Terry) of Wichita, as well as many close friends and relatives. He was an active and lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran church, where he served on the church council, and as an usher, greeter, altar guild, offering counter, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. Friends are encouraged to visit and watch the memorial video with the family on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church where his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church.&nbsp; Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Mike at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.yazelmeglifh.com/">www.yazelmeglifh.com</a>. To order&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/o/v2/trees/31619540-0cf9-4327-9f34-1d65f1b3a39a" target="_blank">memorial trees</a>&nbsp;or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael L. Wendt, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://manage2.tukioswebsites.com/orders/v2/flowers/31619540-0cf9-4327-9f34-1d65f1b3a39a" target="_blank">flower store</a>.

Mike Wendt

By NATE KING Salina Post

Almost every person knows someone who has faced struggles related to&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health. Yet there is still stigma when it comes time to reach out for help.

During a recent interview with Salina Post, Jessica Kootz, K-State Extension's Midway District director, explained how K-State Extension's mental health education programs contributes to a better mental health system and expands access to mental health services.&nbsp;

"We want to let Kansans know, it is okay to reach out for help," Kootz said. "K-State Extension is on the ground in all 105 counties in Kansas."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kootz leads the K-State Extension district that covers both Russell and Ellsworth counties. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kootz and others in the Ellsworth community formed a group called "Because We Care." The group discussed communication roadblocks, how the community would respond to COVID-19 and grant opportunities.&nbsp;In order to meet the immediate needs of the community, Kootz said the group's mission had to change as COVID-19 became less of a daily concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Now the group has evolved into more of a resources group," Kootz said. "When we started talking about&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health, Ellsworth Medical Center took charge because of the&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health&nbsp;services they provide."&nbsp; &nbsp; In the later part of last year, the small tight-knit rural community of Ellsworth experienced tragedies related to suicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It is a hard conversation to have with the community," Kootz said. "But talking about our&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health&nbsp;struggles is important, because it just takes one kind word or one kind of probing question to get people to open up and be comfortable with talking about something as big and as important as&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kootz said providing effective mental health services can be difficult in Kansas because of its rural setting and stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues.&nbsp;

"Let me put it this way," Kootz said. "If you're a famer or rancher you're going to take a cow to the vet if they're unhealthy. So why wouldn't you take yourself to a doctor or a mental health professional, when you're not feeling quite right."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kootz said that since its creation, the Because We Care group has worked with Central Kansas Mental Health Center to administer Mental Health First Aid classes.

The majority of people would call 9-1-1 and administer CPR if they witnessed someone having a heart attack. How about if the person was having a panic attack or showing signs of alcoholism? How would you respond then? That is where Mental Health First Aid steps in. Just like CPR, Mental Health First Aid is a tool used to assist someone who is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge or crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"What it [Mental Health First Aid] training does is it removes fear and stigma that surrounds those conversations about mental health," Kootz said. "The goal of the class is to improve a person's overall understanding of mental health and substance abuse, while also giving an action plan to teach them how to safely and responsibly identify and address issues."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kootz said the program, which lasts all day, is not designed to teach people how to be therapists or counselors, but equipping community members with tools and knowledge of&nbsp; how to intervene and handle crisis situations relating to mental health and substance abuse.&nbsp;

"Mental Health First Aid is led by trained facilitators and it's an incredible training where you learn a lot about yourself and what you're capable of handling," Kootz said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kootz said facilitators also provide helpful tips and tricks for how to preserve yourself while helping out a friend or family member with their mental health.&nbsp;

"During the training they work with you on a&nbsp;self care&nbsp;plan, because helping someone with their mental health journey is taxing on the person helping as well," Kootz said. "So just knowing that it's okay to take a step back and say 'I&nbsp;can't&nbsp;handle that.'"&nbsp;

For a list of dates when and where the next mental health first aid class will be, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In December of last year, K-State President Richard Linton visited central Kansas as part of his statewide listening tour. On his tour, Linton stopped in Ellsworth to&nbsp;attend a rural&nbsp;mental health summit hosted by K-State Extension and the Because We Care Group.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The conversation was really engaging, we had so many good questions from the stakeholders and community partners that were in the audience," Kootz said. " It was great to show the community to the university&nbsp;how important, this is to us, no matter what level from a university academic level, to a community, to professional kind of level."&nbsp;

Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5d03ea73-b407-46d6-a2d2-8190c08c33c8">K-State president visits central Kansas as part of community tour</a>

The summit featured a panel of experts including Rachel Clews, family and consumer science extension specialist in the Southwest Research Extension Center; Jennifer Kaufman, director of community support services for Central Kansas Mental Health; Derek Knopp, school-based clinical coordinator for Central Kansas Mental Health; Kerianne Ehrlich, Ellsworth County Health Department; and Jim Kirkbride, CEO at Ellsworth County Medical Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Key takeaways from the summit included an increased need for social work and mental health professionals and consolidating resources to achieve maximum impact.&nbsp;

Whether you are a K-State fan or a KU fan, K-State Research and Extension is here to serve all Kansans. Their goal is to improve the lives, livelihoods and Kansas communities through education, research, engagement and leadership.&nbsp;

K-State Research and Extension is a statewide network of educators sharing unbiased, research-based information and expertise on issues important to Kansas. It has established local, state, regional, national, and international partnerships.&nbsp;

With 131 years of research and 104 years of extension, K-State Research and Extension has been improving the quality of life and standard of living for Kansans for more than a century. K-State Research and Extension is a partnership between Kansas State University and the federal, state, and county governments. Research completed is used by extension agents and others to help solve community issues.&nbsp;

Extension is working&nbsp;to address&nbsp;grand challenges&nbsp;facing the state:&nbsp;

●Global Food Systems ●Water and Natural Resources ●Health ●Developing Tomorrow's Leaders&nbsp; ●Community Vitality&nbsp;

As a service-focused and community-based organization, K-State Research and Extension provides information and services for Kansans related to:&nbsp;

●Adult Development and Aging ●Community Development ●Crop Production ●Family and Child Development ●Family Resource Management ●Farm Management ●Horticulture ●Livestock Production ●Natural Resources ●Nutrition, Food Safety, and&nbsp;Health ●Youth Development&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Jessica Kootz, Mental Health First Aid" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=vw56d-13e510c-pb&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b&size=150"></iframe></div>By NATE KING Salina PostAlmost every person knows someone who has faced struggles related to&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health. Yet there is still stigma when it comes time to reach out for help.During a recent interview with Salina Post, Jessica Kootz, K-State Extension's Midway District director, explained how K-State Extension's mental health education programs contributes to a better mental health system and expands access to mental health services.&nbsp;"We want to let Kansans know, it is okay to reach out for help," Kootz said. "K-State Extension is on the ground in all 105 counties in Kansas."&nbsp;&nbsp;Kootz leads the K-State Extension district that covers both Russell and Ellsworth counties. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kootz and others in the Ellsworth community formed a group called "Because We Care." The group discussed communication roadblocks, how the community would respond to COVID-19 and grant opportunities.&nbsp;In order to meet the immediate needs of the community, Kootz said the group's mission had to change as COVID-19 became less of a daily concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670595188389.jpeg" alt="A photo from K-State President Richard Linton's visit to central Kansas last year. Photo by Nathan King/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>A photo from K-State President Richard Linton's visit to central Kansas last year. Photo by Nathan King/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"Now the group has evolved into more of a resources group," Kootz said. "When we started talking about&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health, Ellsworth Medical Center took charge because of the&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health&nbsp;services they provide."&nbsp; &nbsp; In the later part of last year, the small tight-knit rural community of Ellsworth experienced tragedies related to suicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;"It is a hard conversation to have with the community," Kootz said. "But talking about our&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health&nbsp;struggles is important, because it just takes one kind word or one kind of probing question to get people to open up and be comfortable with talking about something as big and as important as&nbsp;mental&nbsp;health."&nbsp;&nbsp;Kootz said providing effective mental health services can be difficult in Kansas because of its rural setting and stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues.&nbsp;"Let me put it this way," Kootz said. "If you're a famer or rancher you're going to take a cow to the vet if they're unhealthy. So why wouldn't you take yourself to a doctor or a mental health professional, when you're not feeling quite right."&nbsp;&nbsp;Kootz said that since its creation, the Because We Care group has worked with Central Kansas Mental Health Center to administer Mental Health First Aid classes.<h2>Mental Health First Aid</h2>The majority of people would call 9-1-1 and administer CPR if they witnessed someone having a heart attack. How about if the person was having a panic attack or showing signs of alcoholism? How would you respond then? That is where Mental Health First Aid steps in. Just like CPR, Mental Health First Aid is a tool used to assist someone who is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge or crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;"What it [Mental Health First Aid] training does is it removes fear and stigma that surrounds those conversations about mental health," Kootz said. "The goal of the class is to improve a person's overall understanding of mental health and substance abuse, while also giving an action plan to teach them how to safely and responsibly identify and address issues."&nbsp;&nbsp;Kootz said the program, which lasts all day, is not designed to teach people how to be therapists or counselors, but equipping community members with tools and knowledge of&nbsp; how to intervene and handle crisis situations relating to mental health and substance abuse.&nbsp;"Mental Health First Aid is led by trained facilitators and it's an incredible training where you learn a lot about yourself and what you're capable of handling," Kootz said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kootz said facilitators also provide helpful tips and tricks for how to preserve yourself while helping out a friend or family member with their mental health.&nbsp;"During the training they work with you on a&nbsp;self care&nbsp;plan, because helping someone with their mental health journey is taxing on the person helping as well," Kootz said. "So just knowing that it's okay to take a step back and say 'I&nbsp;can't&nbsp;handle that.'"&nbsp;For a list of dates when and where the next mental health first aid class will be, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>K-State president visit</h2>In December of last year, K-State President Richard Linton visited central Kansas as part of his statewide listening tour. On his tour, Linton stopped in Ellsworth to&nbsp;attend a rural&nbsp;mental health summit hosted by K-State Extension and the Because We Care Group.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The conversation was really engaging, we had so many good questions from the stakeholders and community partners that were in the audience," Kootz said. " It was great to show the community to the university&nbsp;how important, this is to us, no matter what level from a university academic level, to a community, to professional kind of level."&nbsp;Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5d03ea73-b407-46d6-a2d2-8190c08c33c8">K-State president visits central Kansas as part of community tour</a>The summit featured a panel of experts including Rachel Clews, family and consumer science extension specialist in the Southwest Research Extension Center; Jennifer Kaufman, director of community support services for Central Kansas Mental Health; Derek Knopp, school-based clinical coordinator for Central Kansas Mental Health; Kerianne Ehrlich, Ellsworth County Health Department; and Jim Kirkbride, CEO at Ellsworth County Medical Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;Key takeaways from the summit included an increased need for social work and mental health professionals and consolidating resources to achieve maximum impact.&nbsp;<h2>About K-State Extension</h2>Whether you are a K-State fan or a KU fan, K-State Research and Extension is here to serve all Kansans. Their goal is to improve the lives, livelihoods and Kansas communities through education, research, engagement and leadership.&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension is a statewide network of educators sharing unbiased, research-based information and expertise on issues important to Kansas. It has established local, state, regional, national, and international partnerships.&nbsp;With 131 years of research and 104 years of extension, K-State Research and Extension has been improving the quality of life and standard of living for Kansans for more than a century. K-State Research and Extension is a partnership between Kansas State University and the federal, state, and county governments. Research completed is used by extension agents and others to help solve community issues.&nbsp;Extension is working&nbsp;to address&nbsp;grand challenges&nbsp;facing the state:&nbsp; ●Global Food Systems ●Water and Natural Resources ●Health ●Developing Tomorrow's Leaders&nbsp; ●Community Vitality&nbsp;As a service-focused and community-based organization, K-State Research and Extension provides information and services for Kansans related to:&nbsp;●Adult Development and Aging ●Community Development ●Crop Production ●Family and Child Development ●Family Resource Management ●Farm Management ●Horticulture ●Livestock Production ●Natural Resources ●Nutrition, Food Safety, and&nbsp;Health ●Youth Development&nbsp;

🎙King in the Community: KSRE district director talks mental health

TOPEKA — The Kansas House passed a wide-ranging bill funneling state funding to unregulated private schools after holdups due to bipartisan concern about the proposal’s effects.

The vote was initially divided, 60 for and 64 against, with Republicans breaking rank to vote with the 40-member Democratic bloc during the Wednesday House meeting. One Democrat voted in favor of the program. Following the first vote, leaders issued a call of the House, locking the doors and calling up members to see whether members would change their votes.

Rep.&nbsp; Kenneth Collins, a Mulberry Republican, changed his vote fairly quickly.&nbsp;After about an hour’s delay,&nbsp; Reps. Samantha Poetter-Parshall and Robyn Essex switched their votes and Rep. Bill Sutton returned to the House to vote, making the final vote 64 for and 61 against. The legislation now passes to the Senate.&nbsp;

“I do not trust a government that destroys an institution and creates havoc, then looks for for more victims under the guise of fixing the problem they caused,” said Rep. Trevor Jacobs, a Fort Scott Republican and one of the “no” votes. “In this bill, the government holds the purse strings, not the parent.”&nbsp;

The proposal, known as the<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb83/">&nbsp;Sunflower Education Equity Act</a>, has been revised several times since the beginning of the legislative session.&nbsp;

In its current form, the education proposal is bundled with funding provisions that would set aside $592.7 million from the State General Fund for special education in fiscal year 2024, as well as create a special education task force and increase teacher salaries.&nbsp;

But critics of the bill have taken issue with the Sunflower Education Equity Act portion, which would use state money to fund unregulated private schools not subject to government oversight.

The proposal legislation specifies that government agencies couldn’t control or supervise any of these schools or home schools. Immediate family members couldn’t charge or collect payment for tuition for students, but parents would be able to charge tuition and collect fees for schools they operated, including home schools, as long as their own child isn’t a student.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3151469-1024x768.jpg" alt="Speaker of the House Rep. Dan Hawkins rallied Republican representatives to vote in favor of a controverisal education proposal during a House meeting. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Speaker of the House Rep. Dan Hawkins rallied Republican representatives to vote in favor of a controverisal education proposal during a House meeting. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas House passed a wide-ranging bill funneling state funding to unregulated private schools after holdups due to bipartisan concern about the proposal’s effects.The vote was initially divided, 60 for and 64 against, with Republicans breaking rank to vote with the 40-member Democratic bloc during the Wednesday House meeting. One Democrat voted in favor of the program. Following the first vote, leaders issued a call of the House, locking the doors and calling up members to see whether members would change their votes.Rep.&nbsp; Kenneth Collins, a Mulberry Republican, changed his vote fairly quickly.&nbsp;After about an hour’s delay,&nbsp; Reps. Samantha Poetter-Parshall and Robyn Essex switched their votes and Rep. Bill Sutton returned to the House to vote, making the final vote 64 for and 61 against. The legislation now passes to the Senate.&nbsp;“I do not trust a government that destroys an institution and creates havoc, then looks for for more victims under the guise of fixing the problem they caused,” said Rep. Trevor Jacobs, a Fort Scott Republican and one of the “no” votes. “In this bill, the government holds the purse strings, not the parent.”&nbsp;The proposal, known as the<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb83/">&nbsp;Sunflower Education Equity Act</a>, has been revised several times since the beginning of the legislative session.&nbsp;In its current form, the education proposal is bundled with funding provisions that would set aside $592.7 million from the State General Fund for special education in fiscal year 2024, as well as create a special education task force and increase teacher salaries.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3151450-scaled.jpg" alt="-Rep. Kristey Williams, the driving force behind the education bill, counts votes during a Wednesday House session. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Kristey Williams, the driving force behind the education bill, counts votes during a Wednesday House session. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>But critics of the bill have taken issue with the Sunflower Education Equity Act portion, which would use state money to fund unregulated private schools not subject to government oversight.The proposal legislation specifies that government agencies couldn’t control or supervise any of these schools or home schools. Immediate family members couldn’t charge or collect payment for tuition for students, but parents would be able to charge tuition and collect fees for schools they operated, including home schools, as long as their own child isn’t a student.Parents could use the account money for tuition expenses, uniforms, textbooks or other items. The bill stipulates that the context or religious nature of a product or service wouldn’t be considered when determining payment, meaning state dollars could be used to purchase Bibles and religious objects.The state would begin making payments to private school students in the 2023 to 2024 school year, creating special savings accounts monitored by the state treasurer. Each eligible private school recipient could draw $5,000 annually from the state.Any nonpublic preschool, elementary, or high school that teaches reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science would be eligible for the program, if approved by program regulators.&nbsp;In the first phase implementation of the program, eligibility would be limited to students attending or eligible to attend preschool and those who were enrolled and attending public school in grades K-12 during the previous school year.&nbsp;Eligible students in this age range would include those who qualify for the national free or reduced lunch program or scored very low on state assessments for&nbsp; language arts or mathematics. The program would be opened for all K-12 students if fewer than 2,000 eligible students enrolled in the program during the first phase.&nbsp;The fiscal effect of the program is unknown, leading to concerns about the long-term financial impact the program will have statewide.&nbsp;“Public dollars belong in public schools,” Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said in a statement with other opponents of the proposal.In an joint issued statement, Kansas House Republican leaders Dan Hawkins, Chris Croft, Blake Carpenter and Kristey Williams said the bill would help improve education statewide and address a widespread teacher shortage.“The Sunflower Education Equity Act is a broad legislative compromise which includes critical policy requests from both political parties,” the statement read. “This important middle ground truly embodies a good faith effort to listen to both sides and meet in the middle for the kids, teachers, and schools in our state.”