MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Employee absences fueled by a surge in COVID-19 cases are straining Kansas hospitals, schools and emergency services and raising questions about whether some court trials might need to be delayed.

When students returned from break last week in the Wichita school district, 1,274 of the district’s 47,000 students and 399 of the district’s 7,600 employees weren’t in school because they had been exposed to the virus. That’s more than three times the amount of students and seven times as many staff members who were quarantining in late November.

There were also 172 positive cases among staff members, up from 13 in the week before the break. Some central office staff members with teaching degrees are helping out in schools, said Susan Arensman, a district spokesperson.

The situation has led the Kansas State Board of Education to announce that no in-person attendees will be allowed at its meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The number of patients continues to climb at the University of Kansas Hospital, hitting 162 on Monday. Among them, 119 are still in the infectious phase of the illness, a record amount for the hospital since the start of the pandemic. On top of that, 850 employees were out over the weekend, either isolating because they were positive or because they were waiting for test results.

“So it’s obviously a big number. We’ve got to supplant those individuals at the bedside in every way that we can,” said Chris Ruder, the hospital’s chief operating officer. That means surgeries and clinics have been canceled and staff is being shifted to bedside care.

Ruder attributed the strain to the highly contagious omicron variant.

“It is putting us in the situation we’re in currently today without the ability to provide care across our country and in areas that patients need,” he said.

In the Kansas City area, some paramedics are working 80 hours a week because so many employees are out sick, said Chris Winger, an EMS battalion chief who supervises paramedics in Johnson County, Kansas.

“I can’t emphasize this enough ... our crews are making huge personal sacrifices to make sure that when someone calls 911 that an ambulance is there,” said Winger, who worked 78 hours last week.

Winger said some ambulance patients are being taken straight to the hospital waiting room.

“Emergency services is just very saturated right now,” he said.

Since Dec. 1, Kansas has seen an average of 42 new hospitalizations a day, up from 27 in November, according to state health department data.

Last week, Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez expressed concern about continuing in-person court hearings as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Valdez said in a news release that she was working to gather input from the public on whether they felt comfortable participating in in-person hearings amid the current surge of cases.

Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said employers are having to make tough decisions and take precautions like requiring masks again.

“And the bottom line is if we don’t do this and we let the spread continue, you’re going to see the notes on the door that say, you know, we’ve had to close down because we don’t have the staff,” he said.

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHMISSION, Kan. (AP) — Employee absences fueled by a surge in COVID-19 cases are straining Kansas hospitals, schools and emergency services and raising questions about whether some court trials might need to be delayed.When students returned from break last week in the Wichita school district, 1,274 of the district’s 47,000 students and 399 of the district’s 7,600 employees weren’t in school because they had been exposed to the virus. That’s more than three times the amount of students and seven times as many staff members who were quarantining in late November.There were also 172 positive cases among staff members, up from 13 in the week before the break. Some central office staff members with teaching degrees are helping out in schools, said Susan Arensman, a district spokesperson.“We have to be creative,” she said.The situation has led the Kansas State Board of Education to announce that no in-person attendees will be allowed at its meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.The number of patients continues to climb at the University of Kansas Hospital, hitting 162 on Monday. Among them, 119 are still in the infectious phase of the illness, a record amount for the hospital since the start of the pandemic. On top of that, 850 employees were out over the weekend, either isolating because they were positive or because they were waiting for test results.“So it’s obviously a big number. We’ve got to supplant those individuals at the bedside in every way that we can,” said Chris Ruder, the hospital’s chief operating officer. That means surgeries and clinics have been canceled and staff is being shifted to bedside care.Ruder attributed the strain to the highly contagious omicron variant.“It is putting us in the situation we’re in currently today without the ability to provide care across our country and in areas that patients need,” he said.In the Kansas City area, some paramedics are working 80 hours a week because so many employees are out sick, said Chris Winger, an EMS battalion chief who supervises paramedics in Johnson County, Kansas.“I can’t emphasize this enough ... our crews are making huge personal sacrifices to make sure that when someone calls 911 that an ambulance is there,” said Winger, who worked 78 hours last week.Winger said some ambulance patients are being taken straight to the hospital waiting room.“Emergency services is just very saturated right now,” he said.Since Dec. 1, Kansas has seen an average of 42 new hospitalizations a day, up from 27 in November, according to state health department data.Last week, Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez expressed concern about continuing in-person court hearings as COVID-19 cases continue to riseValdez said in a news release that she was working to gather input from the public on whether they felt comfortable participating in in-person hearings amid the current surge of cases.Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said employers are having to make tough decisions and take precautions like requiring masks again.“And the bottom line is if we don’t do this and we let the spread continue, you’re going to see the notes on the door that say, you know, we’ve had to close down because we don’t have the staff,” he said.___

Staff absences plague schools, health care amid COVID surge

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health officials plan to impose a new mask mandate in Omaha to slow the spread of COVID-19 as surging virus cases continue to strain hospital capacity in the state. 

Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse said Tuesday that the new mandate will take effect Wednesday. 

Huse said she hopes the measure will help give hospitals the “breathing room they need.” 

The state said the number of people hospitalized with the virus continues to grow this week and hit 635 on Monday. 

Hospital officials have said they worry that number will soar in the next couple weeks because of the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615984896927.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health officials plan to impose a new mask mandate in Omaha to slow the spread of COVID-19 as surging virus cases continue to strain hospital capacity in the state. Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse said Tuesday that the new mandate will take effect Wednesday. Huse said she hopes the measure will help give hospitals the “breathing room they need.” The state said the number of people hospitalized with the virus continues to grow this week and hit 635 on Monday. Hospital officials have said they worry that number will soar in the next couple weeks because of the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus.

New mask mandate planned in Omaha to slow spread of COVID-19

SEWARD COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Seward County Sheriff’s Office announced a Liberal man has been arrested connected to the April 2019 murders of 25-year-old Timothy J. Martin, and 31-year-old Erick G. Salas.

Just before 1:30p.m.&nbsp; Monday, 30-year-old Ralph Thomas Salas Jr. of Liberal, was arrested at 415 North Washington Street in Liberal on requested charges that include two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and other charges, according to a media release from the KBI.

Salas is alleged to have participated in the robbery, kidnapping and shooting deaths of Timothy Martin and Erick Salas. The victims’ bodies were found in separate locations on April 2, 2019. Martin was discovered by a farmer on his property near U.S. Highway 54 and the Kansas/Oklahoma state line in Texas County, Oklahoma. Salas was discovered deceased in a trailer at the Seven Winds RV Park in Liberal. Ralph Salas and Erick Salas were not related.

The Seward County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the Liberal Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, and the District 1 District Attorney’s Task Force also assisted with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641921437561.png" alt="Salas is being held in Seward County, according to the KBI" />
 <figcaption>Salas is being held in Seward County, according to the KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SEWARD COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Seward County Sheriff’s Office announced a Liberal man has been arrested connected to the April 2019 murders of 25-year-old Timothy J. Martin, and 31-year-old Erick G. Salas.Just before 1:30p.m.&nbsp; Monday, 30-year-old Ralph Thomas Salas Jr. of Liberal, was arrested at 415 North Washington Street in Liberal on requested charges that include two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and other charges, according to a media release from the KBI.Salas is alleged to have participated in the robbery, kidnapping and shooting deaths of Timothy Martin and Erick Salas. The victims’ bodies were found in separate locations on April 2, 2019. Martin was discovered by a farmer on his property near U.S. Highway 54 and the Kansas/Oklahoma state line in Texas County, Oklahoma. Salas was discovered deceased in a trailer at the Seven Winds RV Park in Liberal. Ralph Salas and Erick Salas were not related.The Seward County Attorney is expected to prosecute the caseThe Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the Liberal Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, and the District 1 District Attorney’s Task Force also assisted with the investigation.

KBI: Southwest Kan. man accused in 2019 double-murder

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a driver has struck and killed a pedestrian in Omaha. 

Police said the crash happened late Monday as the pedestrian was crossing a street. 

Emergency crews rushed the pedestrian to a hospital, but the victim died. The name of the victim wasn’t immediately released. 

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee that struck the pedestrian wasn’t injured. 

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a driver has struck and killed a pedestrian in Omaha. Police said the crash happened late Monday as the pedestrian was crossing a street. Emergency crews rushed the pedestrian to a hospital, but the victim died. The name of the victim wasn’t immediately released. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee that struck the pedestrian wasn’t injured. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Pedestrian struck, killed crossing Omaha street

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect from Nebraska on drug charges after a traffic stop in Kansas.

Just before 8:30p.m. January 7, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2015 Ford Explorer near SW 17th Street and SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the stop, a deputy located evidence of financial crimes and  Illegal narcotics.&nbsp; The deputy placed the driver and sole occupant, Jordan M. Koda, 29, Omaha, Nebraska, into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and driving with a suspended driver’s license. This incident and potential financial crimes are actively under investigation, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641853373576.png" alt="Koda-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Koda-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect from Nebraska on drug charges after a traffic stop in Kansas.Just before 8:30p.m. January 7, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2015 Ford Explorer near SW 17th Street and SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the stop, a deputy located evidence of financial crimes and Illegal narcotics.&nbsp; The deputy placed the driver and sole occupant, Jordan M. Koda, 29, Omaha, Nebraska, into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and driving with a suspended driver’s license. This incident and potential financial crimes are actively under investigation, according to Christian.

Nebraska man investigated for alleged financial crimes in Kansas

Fans of the beloved Betty White, seeking to honor her legacy, 
are encouraging people to contribute to animal rescue and other 
animal-related charities.

Some are calling this the “<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/betty-white-challenge-animal-shelter-donations-173246263.html" target="_blank">Betty White Challenge</a> (#bettywhitechallenge)” and intend to donate on Monday, January 17, which would have been her 100th birthday. BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">Give.org</a>) has compiled a list of animal charities that meet the 20&nbsp;<a href="https://www.give.org/donor-landing-page/bbb-standards-for-charity-accountability" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Charity Accountability</a> (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities).&nbsp;

Donors are encouraged when making a donation choice to watch out for animal charities that have similar sounding names. <a href="https://give.org/news/honor-betty-white-by-supporting-animal-charities" target="_blank">Access this list and information</a> or visit BBB’s <a href="https://www.give.org/" target="_blank">Give.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641934918670.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Fans of the beloved Betty White, seeking to honor her legacy, 
are encouraging people to contribute to animal rescue and other 
animal-related charities.Some are calling this the “<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/betty-white-challenge-animal-shelter-donations-173246263.html" target="_blank">Betty White Challenge</a> (#bettywhitechallenge)” and intend to donate on Monday, January 17, which would have been her 100th birthday. BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">Give.org</a>) has compiled a list of animal charities that meet the 20&nbsp;<a href="https://www.give.org/donor-landing-page/bbb-standards-for-charity-accountability" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Charity Accountability</a> (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities).&nbsp;Donors are encouraged when making a donation choice to watch out for animal charities that have similar sounding names. <a href="https://give.org/news/honor-betty-white-by-supporting-animal-charities" target="_blank">Access this list and information</a> or visit BBB’s <a href="https://www.give.org/" target="_blank">Give.org</a>.

BBB Tip: Donating to animal charities to honor Betty White

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second launch in a week, following leader Kim Jong Un’s calls to expand its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international opposition.

The launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea is continuing to expand its military capabilities during a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired what likely was a ballistic missile from the area of its northern Jagang province. It said the weapon flew 700 kilometers (434 miles) at a maximum speed of around Mach 10 before landing in waters off its eastern coast, demonstrating a more advanced capability than North Korea’s launch last week.

The North’s state media described the earlier launch as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry it claimed to have first tested in September.

South Korean officials didn’t provide a specific assessment of the missile type, but some experts said North Korea may have tested its purported hypersonic missile again in response to the South Korean military playing down its previous test.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said the suspected ballistic missile landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said officials were checking the safety of ships and aircraft around Japan, but there were no immediate reports of disruptions or damage.

“It is extremely regrettable that North Korea has continued to fire” missiles so soon after the U.N. Security Council discussed its response to the North’s earlier launch, Kishida said.

The Security Council held closed-door consultations on Monday on last week’s launch, but took no action. Ahead of the talks, the U.S. and five allies issued a statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday’s launch was discussed at an emergency National Security Council meeting, whose members have urged North Korea to return to talks. President Moon Jae-in expressed concern that Pyongyang was dialing up its testing activity ahead of the South’s presidential elections in March.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch did not pose an “immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.”

Still, the launch corresponded with an order issued to ground some flights on the U.S. West Coast.

KCRA, a television station in Sacramento, California, quoted officials at both its local airport and San Francisco International Airport as saying flights stopped for around five minutes at 2:30 p.m. local time, which was just minutes after the launch. They attributed the stop to an order by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Air-traffic controllers in other West Coast areas similarly ordered aircraft down, according to recordings shared online. A San Francisco air traffic controller ordered flights to avoid its airspace and not take off or land around the time without explaining why, according to a recording by the website&nbsp;<a href="http://liveatc.net/" target="_blank">LiveATC.net.</a>

“Things are changing really quick,” the air traffic controller said in the recording, adding later: “I just heard something about ground-stopping all aircraft, so I don’t know anything, just hold tight there.”

An air-traffic controller at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport similarly told aircraft in the region they received an order for a “ground stop, all aircraft, all airports.” Air traffic controllers at Los Angeles International Airport also acknowledged receiving an order to stop departures at the same time, without explanation, according to another recording.

The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the ground stop.

The launch came six days after North Korea fired a missile into the sea in what it described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile.

Seoul’s Defense Ministry said after that test that North Korea had exaggerated its capabilities and had tested a conventional ballistic missile the South was capable of intercepting. The ministry said it doubts that North Korea has acquired the technologies needed for a hypersonic weapon.

Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at South Korea’s Sejong Institute said the North’s leadership would have been “enraged” by South Korea’s assessment of last week’s launch and may have planned a series of tests in a push to make its threat credible.

Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose a crucial challenge to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Such weapons were on a wish-list of sophisticated military assets Kim unveiled last year along with multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles and submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

Experts say North Korea is likely years away from acquiring a credible hypersonic system.

North Korea’s previous test on Jan. 5 came days after Kim vowed during a key political conference to bolster his military forces, even as the nation grapples with pandemic-related difficulties that have further strained its economy, crippled by U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear program.

The setbacks have left Kim with little to show for his diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which derailed after their second meeting in 2019 when the Americans rejected North Korea’s demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

The Biden administration, whose policies have reflected a broader shift in U.S. focus from counterterrorism and so-called rogue states like North Korea and Iran to confronting a near-peer adversary in China, has said it’s willing to resume talks with North Korea “anywhere and at any time” without preconditions.

But North Korea has so far rejected the idea of open-ended talks, saying the U.S. must first withdraw its “hostile policy,” a term the North mainly uses to describe the sanctions and joint U.S.-South Korea military drills.

“Even with North Korea’s pandemic border lockdowns restricting trade and diplomacy, Pyongyang is determined to run an arms race against Seoul and deny Washington the luxury of focusing on Russia and China,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second launch in a week, following leader Kim Jong Un’s calls to expand its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international opposition.The launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea is continuing to expand its military capabilities during a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired what likely was a ballistic missile from the area of its northern Jagang province. It said the weapon flew 700 kilometers (434 miles) at a maximum speed of around Mach 10 before landing in waters off its eastern coast, demonstrating a more advanced capability than North Korea’s launch last week.The North’s state media described the earlier launch as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry it claimed to have first tested in September.South Korean officials didn’t provide a specific assessment of the missile type, but some experts said North Korea may have tested its purported hypersonic missile again in response to the South Korean military playing down its previous test.Japan’s Defense Ministry said the suspected ballistic missile landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said officials were checking the safety of ships and aircraft around Japan, but there were no immediate reports of disruptions or damage.“It is extremely regrettable that North Korea has continued to fire” missiles so soon after the U.N. Security Council discussed its response to the North’s earlier launch, Kishida said.The Security Council held closed-door consultations on Monday on last week’s launch, but took no action. Ahead of the talks, the U.S. and five allies issued a statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday’s launch was discussed at an emergency National Security Council meeting, whose members have urged North Korea to return to talks. President Moon Jae-in expressed concern that Pyongyang was dialing up its testing activity ahead of the South’s presidential elections in March.The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch did not pose an “immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.”Still, the launch corresponded with an order issued to ground some flights on the U.S. West Coast.KCRA, a television station in Sacramento, California, quoted officials at both its local airport and San Francisco International Airport as saying flights stopped for around five minutes at 2:30 p.m. local time, which was just minutes after the launch. They attributed the stop to an order by the Federal Aviation Administration.Air-traffic controllers in other West Coast areas similarly ordered aircraft down, according to recordings shared online. A San Francisco air traffic controller ordered flights to avoid its airspace and not take off or land around the time without explaining why, according to a recording by the website&nbsp;<a href="http://liveatc.net/" target="_blank">LiveATC.net.</a>“Things are changing really quick,” the air traffic controller said in the recording, adding later: “I just heard something about ground-stopping all aircraft, so I don’t know anything, just hold tight there.”An air-traffic controller at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport similarly told aircraft in the region they received an order for a “ground stop, all aircraft, all airports.” Air traffic controllers at Los Angeles International Airport also acknowledged receiving an order to stop departures at the same time, without explanation, according to another recording.The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the ground stop.The launch came six days after North Korea fired a missile into the sea in what it described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile.Seoul’s Defense Ministry said after that test that North Korea had exaggerated its capabilities and had tested a conventional ballistic missile the South was capable of intercepting. The ministry said it doubts that North Korea has acquired the technologies needed for a hypersonic weapon.Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at South Korea’s Sejong Institute said the North’s leadership would have been “enraged” by South Korea’s assessment of last week’s launch and may have planned a series of tests in a push to make its threat credible.Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose a crucial challenge to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Such weapons were on a wish-list of sophisticated military assets Kim unveiled last year along with multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles and submarine-launched nuclear missiles.Experts say North Korea is likely years away from acquiring a credible hypersonic system.North Korea’s previous test on Jan. 5 came days after Kim vowed during a key political conference to bolster his military forces, even as the nation grapples with pandemic-related difficulties that have further strained its economy, crippled by U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear program.The setbacks have left Kim with little to show for his diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which derailed after their second meeting in 2019 when the Americans rejected North Korea’s demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.The Biden administration, whose policies have reflected a broader shift in U.S. focus from counterterrorism and so-called rogue states like North Korea and Iran to confronting a near-peer adversary in China, has said it’s willing to resume talks with North Korea “anywhere and at any time” without preconditions.But North Korea has so far rejected the idea of open-ended talks, saying the U.S. must first withdraw its “hostile policy,” a term the North mainly uses to describe the sanctions and joint U.S.-South Korea military drills.“Even with North Korea’s pandemic border lockdowns restricting trade and diplomacy, Pyongyang is determined to run an arms race against Seoul and deny Washington the luxury of focusing on Russia and China,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.___

FAA stops some flights as North Korea fires another missile into sea 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations.

Under the new policy, first detailed to the AP, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.

President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-elections-bb16c5c52e2bf719ec8a0c5415aaf66c">Biden faced criticism</a>&nbsp;over the holiday season for a shortage of at-home rapid tests as Americans traveled to see family amid the surge in cases from the more transmissible omicron variant. Now the administration is working to make COVID-19 home tests more accessible, both by increasing supply and bringing down costs.

Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail. The administration also is scaling up emergency rapid-testing sites in areas experiencing the greatest surges in cases.

The insurer-covered testing would dramatically reduce costs for many Americans, and the administration hopes that by easing a barrier to more regular at-home testing, it can help slow the spread of the virus,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-pandemics-lori-lightfoot-afc2b0b537b092d5618bcd79e9ce88b1">get kids back into school more quickly&nbsp;</a>and help people gather safely.

“This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them.”

Biden announced the federal requirement late last year, and it kicks in on Jan. 15, but the administration had been silent until now on details of the plan.

The administration is trying to incentivize private insurers to cover the tests up-front and without a cumbersome reimbursement process. Insurance plans that work with pharmacies and retailers to cover the up-front costs of the tests will be required to reimburse only up to $12 per test if purchased through an out-of-network retailer. Plans that don’t move proactively to set up a network of pharmacies would have to cover the full retail price that the customer paid — which could be more than $12 per test.

A major health insurance industry group said insurers would carry out the administration’s order, but cautioned consumers it won’t be as easy as flipping a switch.

“Health insurance providers will work as quickly as possible to implement this guidance in ways that limit consumer confusion and challenges,” Matt Eyles, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement. “While there will likely be some hiccups in early days, we will work with the administration to swiftly address issues as they arise.”

The group said it supports provisions in the Biden administration plan to counteract potential price gouging on tests.

Only tests purchased on or after Jan. 15 will be required to be reimbursed, the administration said. Some insurers may choose to cover the costs of at-home tests purchased earlier, but they won’t have to.

Mina Bressler, a mother of two and a therapist in San Mateo, California, was able to buy rapid test kits online and shared some with a parent who works in the service industry and doesn’t have time to “sit at her computer every hour refreshing the Walmart page to see when tests are in stock.”

“I gave her some and her kids went to school. That’s one time and there’s a million of her,” Bressler said.

“Just like vaccines becoming available really shone a light on the inequity of what’s going on in this pandemic, I think testing is the new flashlight for that because who’s going online stalking Walmart? It’s not the most vulnerable people in the county,” Bressler added.

Americans on Medicare won’t be able to get tests reimbursed through the federal insurance plan, but Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans are required to cover the cost of at-home tests fully. Those who are not on a covered insurance plan can receive free tests through the forthcoming federal website or from some local community centers and pharmacies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638546938939.png" alt="Under a proposal announced by President Joe Biden, Americans can get reimbursed for the roughly $25 cost of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests. image&nbsp; by Laura Olson/States Newsroom" />
 <figcaption>Under a proposal announced by President Joe Biden, Americans can get reimbursed for the roughly $25 cost of Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests. image&nbsp; by Laura Olson/States Newsroom</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations.Under the new policy, first detailed to the AP, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-elections-bb16c5c52e2bf719ec8a0c5415aaf66c">Biden faced criticism</a>&nbsp;over the holiday season for a shortage of at-home rapid tests as Americans traveled to see family amid the surge in cases from the more transmissible omicron variant. Now the administration is working to make COVID-19 home tests more accessible, both by increasing supply and bringing down costs.Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail. The administration also is scaling up emergency rapid-testing sites in areas experiencing the greatest surges in cases.The insurer-covered testing would dramatically reduce costs for many Americans, and the administration hopes that by easing a barrier to more regular at-home testing, it can help slow the spread of the virus,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-pandemics-lori-lightfoot-afc2b0b537b092d5618bcd79e9ce88b1">get kids back into school more quickly&nbsp;</a>and help people gather safely.“This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them.”Biden announced the federal requirement late last year, and it kicks in on Jan. 15, but the administration had been silent until now on details of the plan.The administration is trying to incentivize private insurers to cover the tests up-front and without a cumbersome reimbursement process. Insurance plans that work with pharmacies and retailers to cover the up-front costs of the tests will be required to reimburse only up to $12 per test if purchased through an out-of-network retailer. Plans that don’t move proactively to set up a network of pharmacies would have to cover the full retail price that the customer paid — which could be more than $12 per test.A major health insurance industry group said insurers would carry out the administration’s order, but cautioned consumers it won’t be as easy as flipping a switch.“Health insurance providers will work as quickly as possible to implement this guidance in ways that limit consumer confusion and challenges,” Matt Eyles, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement. “While there will likely be some hiccups in early days, we will work with the administration to swiftly address issues as they arise.”The group said it supports provisions in the Biden administration plan to counteract potential price gouging on tests.Only tests purchased on or after Jan. 15 will be required to be reimbursed, the administration said. Some insurers may choose to cover the costs of at-home tests purchased earlier, but they won’t have to.Mina Bressler, a mother of two and a therapist in San Mateo, California, was able to buy rapid test kits online and shared some with a parent who works in the service industry and doesn’t have time to “sit at her computer every hour refreshing the Walmart page to see when tests are in stock.”“I gave her some and her kids went to school. That’s one time and there’s a million of her,” Bressler said.“Just like vaccines becoming available really shone a light on the inequity of what’s going on in this pandemic, I think testing is the new flashlight for that because who’s going online stalking Walmart? It’s not the most vulnerable people in the county,” Bressler added.Americans on Medicare won’t be able to get tests reimbursed through the federal insurance plan, but Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans are required to cover the cost of at-home tests fully. Those who are not on a covered insurance plan can receive free tests through the forthcoming federal website or from some local community centers and pharmacies.___

Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting this weekend

DENTON, Neb. (AP) — Another mountain lion sighting in eastern Nebraska has some people wondering if the animal’s population is on the rise and moving beyond known populations in the western part of the state. 

So far, state game officials aren’t convinced. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the latest finding came when a deceased female was last month near Denton, south of Lincoln. The animal had been shot. 

Also last month, a mountain lion was struck and killed by a car near Arlington, and a game camera captured images of a mountain lion near Lincoln. 

Game officials say they receive several reports annually about mountain lions, but most don't make the news.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605820780130.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DENTON, Neb. (AP) — Another mountain lion sighting in eastern Nebraska has some people wondering if the animal’s population is on the rise and moving beyond known populations in the western part of the state. So far, state game officials aren’t convinced. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the latest finding came when a deceased female was last month near Denton, south of Lincoln. The animal had been shot. Also last month, a mountain lion was struck and killed by a car near Arlington, and a game camera captured images of a mountain lion near Lincoln. Game officials say they receive several reports annually about mountain lions, but most don't make the news.

Yet another mountain lion turns up in eastern Nebraska

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.

Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.

The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.

MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.

The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.

It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.

WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?

To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.

It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.

Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.

Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.

The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.

IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREE

Starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?

White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.

“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635437156930.png" alt="According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE TESTS?Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.WHEN WILL THE TEST KITS BE DELIVERED?The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.WHICH HOME TEST WILL I GET?It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.WHY IS BIDEN BUYING THESE TEST KITS?It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.HOW MUCH WILL THE PROGRAM COST?The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREEStarting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

Where are the COVID-19 tests that President Biden promised?

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms.

The current explosion of omicron-fueled coronavirus infections in the U.S. is causing a breakdown in basic functions and services — the latest illustration of how COVID-19 keeps upending life more than two years into the pandemic.

“This really does, I think, remind everyone of when COVID-19 first appeared and there were such major disruptions across every part of our normal life,” said Tom Cotter, director of emergency response and preparedness at the global health nonprofit Project HOPE. “And the unfortunate reality is, there’s no way of predicting what will happen next until we get our vaccination numbers — globally — up.”

First responders, hospitals, schools and government agencies have employed an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep the public safe, but they are worried how much longer they can keep it up.

In Kansas’ Johnson County, paramedics are working 80 hours a week. Ambulances have frequently been forced to alter their course when the hospitals they’re heading to tell them they’re too overwhelmed to help, confusing the patients’ already anxious family members driving behind them. When the ambulances arrive at hospitals, some of their emergency patients end up in waiting rooms because there are no beds.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Hospital, said when the leader of a rural hospital had no place to send its dialysis patients this week, the hospital’s staff consulted a textbook and “tried to put in some catheters and figure out how to do it.”

Medical facilities have been hit by a “double whammy,” he said. The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Hospital rose from 40 on Dec. 1 to 139 on Friday. At the same time, more than 900 employees have been sickened with COVID-19 or are awaiting test results — 7% of the hospital’s 13,500-person workforce.

“What my hope is and what we’re going to cross our fingers around is that as it peaks ... maybe it’ll have the same rapid fall we saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-africa-johannesburg-south-africa-f4b59ecde3029295f7b96f2d0ff44042">in South Africa</a>,” Stites said, referring to the swiftness with which the number of cases fell in that country. “We don’t know that. That’s just hope.”

The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more readily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus. However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Still, its easy transmissibility has led to skyrocketing cases in the U.S., which is affecting businesses, government offices and public services alike.

In downtown Boise, Idaho, customers were queued up outside a pharmacy before it opened Friday morning and before long, the line wound throughout the large drugstore. Pharmacies have been slammed by staffing shortages, either because employees are out sick or have left altogether.

Pharmacy technician Anecia Mascorro said that prior to the pandemic, the Sav-On Pharmacy where she works always had prescriptions ready for the next day. Now, it’s taking a lot longer to fill the hundreds of orders that are pouring in.

“The demand is crazy — everybody’s not getting their scripts fast enough so they keep transferring to us,” Mascorro said.

In Los Angeles, more than 800 police and fire personnel were sidelined because of the virus as of Thursday, causing slightly longer ambulance and fire response times.

In New York City, officials have had to delay or scale back trash and subway services because of a virus-fueled staffing hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said about one-fifth of subway operators and conductors — 1,300 people — have been absent in recent days. Almost one-fourth of the city sanitation department’s workers were out sick Thursday, Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said.

“Everybody’s working ’round the clock, 12-hour shifts,” Grayson said.

The city’s fire department also has adjusted for higher absences. Officials said Thursday that 28% of EMS workers were out sick, compared with about 8% to 10% on a normal day. Twice as many firefighters as usual were also absent.

In contrast, the police department saw its sick rate fall over the past week, officials said.

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, two checkpoints at the airport’s busiest terminal were shut down because not enough Transportation Security Administration agents showed up for work, according to statements from airport and TSA officials.

Meanwhile, schools from coast to coast tried to maintain in-person instruction despite massive teacher absences. In Chicago, a tense standoff between the school district and teachers union over remote learning and COVID-19 safety protocols led to classes being canceled over the past three days. In San Francisco, nearly 900 educators and aides called in sick Thursday.

In Hawaii, where public schools are under one statewide district, 1,600 teachers and staff were absent Wednesday because of illness or pre-arranged vacation or leave. The state’s teachers union criticized education officials for not better preparing for the ensuing void. Osa Tui Jr., head of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said counselors and security guards were being pulled to go “babysit a classroom.”

“That is very inappropriate,” Tui said at a news conference. “To have this model where there are so many teachers out and for the department to say, ‘Send your kid’ to a classroom that doesn’t have a teacher, what’s the point of that?”

In New Haven, Connecticut, where hundreds of teachers have been out each day this week, administrators have helped to cover classrooms. Some teachers say they appreciate that, but that it can be confusing for students, adding to the physical and mental stress they’re already feeling because of the pandemic.

“We’ve already been tested so much. How much can the rubber band stretch here?” asked Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You&#39;re likely aware of how many new cases we are seeing right now. 📈❗️Hopefully things will improve, but until further notice our staff will be under surge protocol for follow-up communication and contact tracing. If you have pressing questions contact info@ldchealth.org. <a href="https://t.co/gebYXOBhvZ">pic.twitter.com/gebYXOBhvZ</a>&mdash; Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health (@LDCHEALTH) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDCHEALTH/status/1479194134200164361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The current explosion of omicron-fueled coronavirus infections in the U.S. is causing a breakdown in basic functions and services — the latest illustration of how COVID-19 keeps upending life more than two years into the pandemic.“This really does, I think, remind everyone of when COVID-19 first appeared and there were such major disruptions across every part of our normal life,” said Tom Cotter, director of emergency response and preparedness at the global health nonprofit Project HOPE. “And the unfortunate reality is, there’s no way of predicting what will happen next until we get our vaccination numbers — globally — up.”First responders, hospitals, schools and government agencies have employed an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep the public safe, but they are worried how much longer they can keep it up.In Kansas’ Johnson County, paramedics are working 80 hours a week. Ambulances have frequently been forced to alter their course when the hospitals they’re heading to tell them they’re too overwhelmed to help, confusing the patients’ already anxious family members driving behind them. When the ambulances arrive at hospitals, some of their emergency patients end up in waiting rooms because there are no beds.Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Hospital, said when the leader of a rural hospital had no place to send its dialysis patients this week, the hospital’s staff consulted a textbook and “tried to put in some catheters and figure out how to do it.”Medical facilities have been hit by a “double whammy,” he said. The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Hospital rose from 40 on Dec. 1 to 139 on Friday. At the same time, more than 900 employees have been sickened with COVID-19 or are awaiting test results — 7% of the hospital’s 13,500-person workforce.“What my hope is and what we’re going to cross our fingers around is that as it peaks ... maybe it’ll have the same rapid fall we saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-africa-johannesburg-south-africa-f4b59ecde3029295f7b96f2d0ff44042">in South Africa</a>,” Stites said, referring to the swiftness with which the number of cases fell in that country. “We don’t know that. That’s just hope.”The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more readily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus. However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.Still, its easy transmissibility has led to skyrocketing cases in the U.S., which is affecting businesses, government offices and public services alike.In downtown Boise, Idaho, customers were queued up outside a pharmacy before it opened Friday morning and before long, the line wound throughout the large drugstore. Pharmacies have been slammed by staffing shortages, either because employees are out sick or have left altogether.Pharmacy technician Anecia Mascorro said that prior to the pandemic, the Sav-On Pharmacy where she works always had prescriptions ready for the next day. Now, it’s taking a lot longer to fill the hundreds of orders that are pouring in.“The demand is crazy — everybody’s not getting their scripts fast enough so they keep transferring to us,” Mascorro said.In Los Angeles, more than 800 police and fire personnel were sidelined because of the virus as of Thursday, causing slightly longer ambulance and fire response times.In New York City, officials have had to delay or scale back trash and subway services because of a virus-fueled staffing hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said about one-fifth of subway operators and conductors — 1,300 people — have been absent in recent days. Almost one-fourth of the city sanitation department’s workers were out sick Thursday, Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said.“Everybody’s working ’round the clock, 12-hour shifts,” Grayson said.The city’s fire department also has adjusted for higher absences. Officials said Thursday that 28% of EMS workers were out sick, compared with about 8% to 10% on a normal day. Twice as many firefighters as usual were also absent.In contrast, the police department saw its sick rate fall over the past week, officials said.At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, two checkpoints at the airport’s busiest terminal were shut down because not enough Transportation Security Administration agents showed up for work, according to statements from airport and TSA officials.Meanwhile, schools from coast to coast tried to maintain in-person instruction despite massive teacher absences. In Chicago, a tense standoff between the school district and teachers union over remote learning and COVID-19 safety protocols led to classes being canceled over the past three days. In San Francisco, nearly 900 educators and aides called in sick Thursday.In Hawaii, where public schools are under one statewide district, 1,600 teachers and staff were absent Wednesday because of illness or pre-arranged vacation or leave. The state’s teachers union criticized education officials for not better preparing for the ensuing void. Osa Tui Jr., head of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said counselors and security guards were being pulled to go “babysit a classroom.”“That is very inappropriate,” Tui said at a news conference. “To have this model where there are so many teachers out and for the department to say, ‘Send your kid’ to a classroom that doesn’t have a teacher, what’s the point of that?”In New Haven, Connecticut, where hundreds of teachers have been out each day this week, administrators have helped to cover classrooms. Some teachers say they appreciate that, but that it can be confusing for students, adding to the physical and mental stress they’re already feeling because of the pandemic.“We’ve already been tested so much. How much can the rubber band stretch here?” asked Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers.

Omicron explosion spurs nationwide breakdown of services

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's
 tax season will start on Monday, January 24, 2022, when the tax agency 
will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.

The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers allows the
 IRS time to perform programming and testing that is critical to 
ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. Updated programming helps ensure that
 eligible people can claim the proper amount of the Child Tax Credit 
after comparing their 2021 advance credits and claim any remaining 
stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 tax
 return.

"Planning for the nation's filing season process is a massive 
undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several
 months to prepare," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The pandemic 
continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are 
important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund
 don't face processing delays. Filing electronically with direct deposit
 and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. 
And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact 
Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make 
sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid 
delays."

The IRS encourages everyone to have all the information they need in 
hand to make sure they file a complete and accurate return. Having an 
accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later
 IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received 
advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American 
Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of 
these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing 
special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received 
on IRS.gov.

Like last year, there will be individuals filing tax returns who, 
even though they are not required to file, need to file a 2021 return to
 claim a Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the tax credit from the 2021 
stimulus payments or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.
 People who don't normally file also could receive other credits.

The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to 
file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By 
law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the
 same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of 
April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of 
Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or 
Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 
2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those 
states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, 
October 17, 2022, to file.

Awaiting processing of previous tax returns? People can still file 2021 returns

Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on critical 
areas affected by the pandemic, including processing of tax returns from
 last year and record levels of phone calls coming in.

"In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and 
enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This 
is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me," Rettig 
said. "IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do
 everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will 
continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as 
possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees 
and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our 
employees do more in 2022 – and beyond."

The IRS continues to reduce the inventory of prior-year individual 
tax returns that have not been fully processed. As of December 3, 2021, 
the IRS has processed nearly 169 million tax returns. All paper and 
electronic individual 2020 refund returns received prior to April 2021 
have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require 
further review.

Taxpayers generally will not need to wait for their 2020 return to be
 fully processed to file their 2021 tax returns and can file when they 
are ready.

The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. 
Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader 
pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 
million calls from January 1 – May 17, more than four times more calls 
than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety 
of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free assistance</a>
 at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly 
locations across the country to the availability of the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> program.

"Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," 
Rettig said. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online 
account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested 
in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way 
for taxpayers to get the information they need."

Last year's average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 
million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be 
filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional 
April tax deadline.

Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund
 within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct 
deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges 
taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays 
in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever 
possible.

By law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax
 Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February, though 
eligible people may file their returns beginning on January 24. The law 
provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds 
from being issued.

Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual 
review, which delays the processing, if our systems detect a possible 
error or missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or 
fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers,
 but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS 
employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than the 
normal 21 days to issue any related refund. In those cases where IRS is 
able to correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an 
explanation to the taxpayer.

File electronically and choose direct deposit

To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with
 direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to
 file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. 
Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can 
reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.

Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once 
they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their 
employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has 
incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and 
instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the 
software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file 
their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions 
are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions,
 visit the IRS website at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">IRS.gov/forms</a>.

IRS Free File will open January 14 when participating providers will 
accept completed returns and hold them until they can be filed 
electronically with the IRS. Many commercial tax preparation software 
companies and tax professionals will also be accepting and preparing tax
 returns before January 24 to submit the returns when the IRS systems 
open.

The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns 
electronically to minimize errors and for faster refunds – as well 
having all the information they need to file an accurate return to avoid
 delays. The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File program</a>
 allows taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2021 to file their taxes 
electronically for free using software provided by commercial tax filing
 companies. More information will be available on Free File later this 
week.

In addition to IRS Free File, the IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly</a> programs free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.&nbsp;

Watch for IRS letters about advance Child Tax Credit payments and third Economic Impact Payments

The IRS started sending Letter 6419, 2021 advance Child Tax Credit, 
in late December 2021 and continues to do so into January. The letter 
contains important information that can help ensure the return is 
accurate. People who received the advance CTC payments can also check 
the amount of the payments they received by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> available on IRS.gov.

Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.

The IRS will begin issuing Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact 
Payment, to individuals who received a third payment in 2021 in late 
January. While most eligible people already received their stimulus 
payments, this letter will help individuals determine if they are 
eligible to claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return 
to claim their remaining stimulus amount. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.

Both letters include important information that can help people file 
an accurate 2021 tax return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review while the IRS corrects the 
error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this information when 
preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors and avoid delays
 in processing.

The fastest way for eligible individuals to get their 2021 tax refund
 that will include their allowable Child Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>.

To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:

Organize and gather 2021 tax records including Social Security 
numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer 
Identification Numbers, and this year's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01a-notice">Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers</a> valid for calendar year 2022.

Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on
 reconciling advance payments of the Child Tax Credit or claiming a 
Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. There is no need 
to call.

Set up or log in securely at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS.gov/account</a> to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.

Make final estimated <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">tax payments</a> for 2021 by Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to help avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties.

Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app 
to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account 
numbers. Learn how to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.

File a complete and accurate return electronically when ready and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.

There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year's filing season:

It's never too early to get ready for the tax-filing season ahead. For more tips and resources, check out the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">Get Ready</a> page on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's
 tax season will start on Monday, January 24, 2022, when the tax agency 
will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers allows the
 IRS time to perform programming and testing that is critical to 
ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. Updated programming helps ensure that
 eligible people can claim the proper amount of the Child Tax Credit 
after comparing their 2021 advance credits and claim any remaining 
stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2021 tax
 return."Planning for the nation's filing season process is a massive 
undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several
 months to prepare," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The pandemic 
continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are 
important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund
 don't face processing delays. Filing electronically with direct deposit
 and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year. 
And we urge extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact 
Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make 
sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid 
delays."The IRS encourages everyone to have all the information they need in 
hand to make sure they file a complete and accurate return. Having an 
accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later
 IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received 
advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American 
Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of 
these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing 
special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received 
on IRS.gov.Like last year, there will be individuals filing tax returns who, 
even though they are not required to file, need to file a 2021 return to
 claim a Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the tax credit from the 2021 
stimulus payments or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.
 People who don't normally file also could receive other credits.<h2>April 18 tax filing deadline for most</h2>The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to 
file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By 
law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the
 same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of 
April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of 
Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or 
Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 
2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those 
states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, 
October 17, 2022, to file.<h2>Awaiting processing of previous tax returns? People can still file 2021 returns</h2>Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on critical 
areas affected by the pandemic, including processing of tax returns from
 last year and record levels of phone calls coming in."In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and 
enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This 
is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me," Rettig 
said. "IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do
 everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will 
continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as 
possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees 
and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our 
employees do more in 2022 – and beyond."The IRS continues to reduce the inventory of prior-year individual 
tax returns that have not been fully processed. As of December 3, 2021, 
the IRS has processed nearly 169 million tax returns. All paper and 
electronic individual 2020 refund returns received prior to April 2021 
have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require 
further review.Taxpayers generally will not need to wait for their 2020 return to be
 fully processed to file their 2021 tax returns and can file when they 
are ready.<h2>Key information to help taxpayers</h2>The IRS encourages people to use online resources before calling. 
Last filing season, as a result of COVID-era tax changes and broader 
pandemic challenges, the IRS phone systems received more than 145 
million calls from January 1 – May 17, more than four times more calls 
than in an average year. In addition to IRS.gov, the IRS has a variety 
of other free options available to help taxpayers, ranging from <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">free assistance</a>
 at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly 
locations across the country to the availability of the IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> program."Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," 
Rettig said. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online 
account to help them access information more quickly. We have invested 
in developing new online capacities to make this a quick and easy way 
for taxpayers to get the information they need."Last year's average tax refund was more than $2,800. More than 160 
million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be 
filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the traditional 
April tax deadline.Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund
 within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct 
deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges 
taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays 
in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever 
possible.By law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax
 Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February, though 
eligible people may file their returns beginning on January 24. The law 
provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds 
from being issued.Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual 
review, which delays the processing, if our systems detect a possible 
error or missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or 
fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers,
 but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS 
employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than the 
normal 21 days to issue any related refund. In those cases where IRS is 
able to correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an 
explanation to the taxpayer.<h2>File electronically and choose direct deposit</h2>To speed refunds, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with
 direct deposit information as soon as they have everything they need to
 file an accurate return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review that may slow the tax refund. 
Having all information available when preparing the 2021 tax return can 
reduce errors and avoid delays in processing.Most individual taxpayers file IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR once 
they receive Forms W-2 and other earnings information from their 
employers, issuers like state agencies and payers. The IRS has 
incorporated recent changes to the tax laws into the forms and 
instructions and shared the updates with its partners who develop the 
software used by individuals and tax professionals to prepare and file 
their returns. Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and the associated instructions 
are available now on IRS.gov. For the latest IRS forms and instructions,
 visit the IRS website at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions">IRS.gov/forms</a>.<h2>Free File available January 14</h2>IRS Free File will open January 14 when participating providers will 
accept completed returns and hold them until they can be filed 
electronically with the IRS. Many commercial tax preparation software 
companies and tax professionals will also be accepting and preparing tax
 returns before January 24 to submit the returns when the IRS systems 
open.The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns 
electronically to minimize errors and for faster refunds – as well 
having all the information they need to file an accurate return to avoid
 delays. The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File program</a>
 allows taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2021 to file their taxes 
electronically for free using software provided by commercial tax filing
 companies. More information will be available on Free File later this 
week.In addition to IRS Free File, the IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly</a> programs free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.&nbsp;<h2>Watch for IRS letters about advance Child Tax Credit payments and third Economic Impact Payments</h2>The IRS started sending Letter 6419, 2021 advance Child Tax Credit, 
in late December 2021 and continues to do so into January. The letter 
contains important information that can help ensure the return is 
accurate. People who received the advance CTC payments can also check 
the amount of the payments they received by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">CTC Update Portal</a> available on IRS.gov.Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments 
should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. 
Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments
 can claim the full credit by filing a tax return.The IRS will begin issuing Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact 
Payment, to individuals who received a third payment in 2021 in late 
January. While most eligible people already received their stimulus 
payments, this letter will help individuals determine if they are 
eligible to claim the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit</a>
 for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return 
to claim their remaining stimulus amount. People can also use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS online account</a> to view their Economic Impact Payment amounts.Both letters include important information that can help people file 
an accurate 2021 tax return. If the return includes errors or is 
incomplete, it may require further review while the IRS corrects the 
error, which may slow the tax refund. Using this information when 
preparing a tax return electronically can reduce errors and avoid delays
 in processing.The fastest way for eligible individuals to get their 2021 tax refund
 that will include their allowable Child Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate 
Credit is by filing electronically and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>.<h2>Tips to make filing easier</h2>To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:Organize and gather 2021 tax records including Social Security 
numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer 
Identification Numbers, and this year's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01a-notice">Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers</a> valid for calendar year 2022.Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on
 reconciling advance payments of the Child Tax Credit or claiming a 
Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. There is no need 
to call.Set up or log in securely at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">IRS.gov/account</a> to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.Make final estimated <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">tax payments</a> for 2021 by Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to help avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties.Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app 
to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account 
numbers. Learn how to open an account at an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/">FDIC-Insured bank</a>&nbsp;or through the <a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Locator Tool</a>.File a complete and accurate return electronically when ready and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.<h2>Key filing season dates</h2>There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year's filing season:<ul>
 <li>January 14: IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can 
begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be
 transmitted to the IRS starting January 24. Tax software companies also
 are accepting tax filings in advance. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 18: Due date for tax year 2021 fourth quarter estimated tax payment. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 24: IRS begins 2022 tax season. Individual 2021 tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins 
	&nbsp;</li><li>January 28: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
 to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – 
including the option to use prior-year income to qualify. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>April 18: Due date to file 2021 tax return or 
request extension and pay tax owed due to Emancipation Day holiday in 
Washington, D.C., even for those who live outside the area. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>April 19: Due date to file 2021 tax return or 
request extension and pay tax owed for those who live in MA or ME due to
 Patriots' Day holiday 
	&nbsp;</li><li>October 17: Due date to file for those requesting an extension on their 2021 tax returns</li>
 </ul><h2>Planning ahead</h2>It's never too early to get ready for the tax-filing season ahead. For more tips and resources, check out the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes">Get Ready</a> page on IRS.gov.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

2022 tax filing season begins this month; When can you expect your refund?

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office said via Twitter it was called Sunday about an “unresponsive man” in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando.

The man, whose death was pronounced at the scene, was identified as Saget. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use. According to his Twitter feed, Saget was in Florida as part of his “I Don’t Do Negative Comedy Tour." Saget was also the long-time host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

ORANGE COUNTY, FL. —On Sunday afternoon, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room, according to a statement from the Orange County Sheriff Office.

 The man was identified as Robert Saget and was pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp; Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641777273102.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office said via Twitter it was called Sunday about an “unresponsive man” in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room. The man was identified as Robert Saget &amp; pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BobSaget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BobSaget</a> <a href="https://t.co/aB1UKiOlmi">pic.twitter.com/aB1UKiOlmi</a>&mdash; Orange County Sheriff&#39;s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeCoSheriff/status/1480340290917609473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The man, whose death was pronounced at the scene, was identified as Saget. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use. According to his Twitter feed, Saget was in Florida as part of his “I Don’t Do Negative Comedy Tour." Saget was also the long-time host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”-----------ORANGE COUNTY, FL. —On Sunday afternoon, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room, according to a statement from the Orange County Sheriff Office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room. The man was identified as Robert Saget &amp; pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BobSaget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BobSaget</a> <a href="https://t.co/aB1UKiOlmi">pic.twitter.com/aB1UKiOlmi</a>&mdash; Orange County Sheriff&#39;s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeCoSheriff/status/1480340290917609473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> The man was identified as Robert Saget and was pronounced deceased on scene.&nbsp; Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Comedian and TV star Bob Saget has died at 65

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say officers found a man dead inside a vehicle parked outside a liquor store in southeastern Omaha Saturday night. 

Police said 30-year-old Kiaris Avant was found with a gunshot wound to the head near 30th and U streets shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday. 

Witnesses told police that two men were seen running north after the shooting but police did not immediately announce any arrests in the shooting. 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say officers found a man dead inside a vehicle parked outside a liquor store in southeastern Omaha Saturday night. Police said 30-year-old Kiaris Avant was found with a gunshot wound to the head near 30th and U streets shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses told police that two men were seen running north after the shooting but police did not immediately announce any arrests in the shooting. Police Lt. Allen Straub said investigators believe Avant was targeted in the shooting, which was Omaha’s first homicide of the year.