By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-09/goddard-school-district-orders-29-books-removed-from-circulation">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — The Goddard school district has removed more
 than two dozen books from circulation in the district’s school 
libraries, citing national attention and challenges to the books 
elsewhere.

The list of books includes several well-known novels, 
including “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “The Bluest Eye” by 
Toni Morrison, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and “The Perks of Being
 a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.

It also includes “Fences,” a 
play by August Wilson that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987, and
 “They Called Themselves the K.K.K.,” a historical look at how the white
 supremacist group took root in America.

Julie Cannizzo, assistant
 superintendent for academic affairs in Goddard, sent an email to 
principals and librarians last week with the list of 29 books.

“At
 this time, the district is not in a position to know if the books 
contained on this list meet our educational goals or not,” Cannizzo 
wrote in the email. “Additionally, we need to gain a better 
understanding of the processes utilized to select books for our school 
libraries.

“For these reasons, please do not allow any of these 
books to be checked out while we are in the process of gathering more 
information. If a book on this list is currently checked out, please do 
(not) allow it to be checked out again once it's returned.”

Cannizzo
 said in the email that the district is assembling a committee to “rate 
the content of the books on the list” and to review the selection 
process. She did not say how long the process is expected to take.

Cannizzo
 said Tuesday that one parent objected to language he found offensive in
 “The Hate U Give,” a novel about the aftermath of a police officer 
killing a Black teenager. The parent then submitted a list of books he 
questioned, and district officials agreed to halt checkouts and complete
 a review.

"We're not banning these books or anything like that as
 a district," she said. "It was just brought to our attention that that 
list of books may have content that's unsuitable for children."

Cannizzo
 said she plans to meet with school librarians this week. She wouldn't 
say when or if the books would return to circulation.

“We haven’t 
even evaluated these books," she said. "I couldn’t even tell you what 
these books have in them or why someone may find them offensive or not."

<a href="http://library.goddardusd.com/" target="_blank">Library catalogs for all 12 Goddard schools</a> are available on the district’s website.

A <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/236/section_i_-_final_copy_-_2020.pdf" target="_blank">Goddard district policy</a>
 adopted in 2016 spells out procedures for challenging textbooks, 
library books or instructional materials. Anyone with a complaint about a
 book is directed to meet first with the school principal and submit a 
“request for review” form.

If a challenge isn’t resolved at the 
school level, it goes to the superintendent and then the school board. 
Board members may forward a complaint to a review committee made up of 
the building principal, media specialist, two subject area specialists 
and two community members.

According to the district’s policy, “Challenged materials shall not be removed from use during the review period.”

The development comes just days after a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050013664/texas-lawmaker-matt-krause-launches-inquiry-into-850-books" target="_blank">Texas state lawmaker launched an investigation</a>
 into Texas school districts over the type of books they have, 
particularly if they pertain to race or sexuality or “make students feel
 discomfort.”

Goddard’s list includes several books written by 
people of color or featuring characters from diverse backgrounds. Some 
feature LGBTQ protagonists or young people struggling with issues of 
gender or sexuality.

Jaime Prothro, Wichita’s director of libraries, said there’s an increase in challenges to library purchases nationwide.

“What
 we’re seeing in the publishing world is a lot more marginalized voices —
 LGBTQ, Black experiences,” Prothro said. “These are books that people 
have been yearning to read, and they're being published with more 
frequency.

“And when more diverse books are published, that is 
actually going to impact the collection makeup of any library. . . . 
That’s definitely something that’s kind of pushing on a nerve for a 
number of people who are more comfortable with more mainstream 
lifestyles.”

“The Hate U Give” is a young adult novel about the 
aftermath of a police officer killing a Black teenager. “Black Girl 
Unlimited” explores issues of poverty, sexual violence, depression and 
racism. “Blended” is about an 11-year-old biracial girl dealing with her
 parents’ divorce.

Prothro said she can’t speak specifically to 
issues at play in Goddard or other districts. But she worries that 
current debates over books could limit access to diverse stories and 
experiences.

“That one family may choose not to read something 
does not determine whether or not it’s appropriate for another family,” 
she said.

“We really do celebrate the freedom of choice. And in a library situation, if that book isn’t for you, just return it.”

Here is the list of books ordered to be removed from circulation in Goddard school libraries:

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34521785-murdertrending?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=eUhzvUPTLS&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“#MurderTrending”</a> by Gretchen McNeil

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44280883-all-boys-aren-t-blue?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=i2CuDFYHxR&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“All Boys Aren’t Blue”</a> by George M. Johnson

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36142487-anger-is-a-gift?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=J2u1pJn8TZ&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Anger is a Gift”</a> by Mark Oshiro

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38599259-black-girl-unlimited?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=bnEcc7fJCG&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Black Girl Unlimited”</a> by Echo Brown

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38351370-blended?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=fYMfC3wYTY&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Blended”</a> by Sharon M. Draper

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/270730.Crank?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=ODDNTOMarC&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Crank”</a> by Ellen Hopkins

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/539282.Fences?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=y8a28PHiFF&amp;rank=2" target="_blank">“Fences”</a> by August Wilson

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26135825-fun-home?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=0HqwPpVWCi&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic”</a> by Alison Bechdel

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42837514-gender-queer?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=Z6IDJGaKE8&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Gender Queer”</a> by Maia Kobabe

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29430746-heavy?from_search=true&amp;from_srp=true&amp;qid=6ikbGT68Nm&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Heavy”</a> by Kiese Laymon

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35489159-lawn-boy?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=anpBXcmTMP&amp;rank=2" target="_blank">“Lawn Boy”</a> by Jonathan Evison

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23203257-lily-and-dunkin?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=orTTshzqL5&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Lily and Dunkin”</a> by Donna Gephart

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2954411-living-dead-girl?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=J3Em3CqF0u&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Living Dead Girl”</a> by Elizabeth Scott

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068534-monday-s-not-coming?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=AOad2xpeyH&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Monday’s Not Coming”</a> by Tiffany D. Jackson

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25256386-out-of-darkness?from_search=true&amp;from_srp=true&amp;qid=R7f8mRv70Y&amp;rank=3" target="_blank">“Out of Darkness”</a> by Ashley Hope Perez

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/At-Issue-hardcover-Tamara-Roleff/dp/0737708077" target="_blank">“Satanism”</a> by Tamara L. Roleff

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33155325-the-57-bus?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=7jacyegYWp&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime that Changed Their Lives”</a> by Dashka Slater

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=EdHeX2qKsj&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”</a> by Sherman Alexie

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11337.The_Bluest_Eye?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=MBCTYR23UB&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Bluest Eye”</a> by Toni Morrison

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6449290-the-girl-who-fell-from-the-sky?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=p4kt5K6EXg&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Girl Who Fell From the Sky”</a> by Heidi W. Durrow

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38447.The_Handmaid_s_Tale?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=vGWGRC5r6k&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Handmaid’s Tale”</a> by Margaret Atwood

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40766383-the-handmaid-s-tale?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=p6Ev8vRJra&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel”</a> adapted by Renee Nault

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=ObWQru6sLx&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Hate U Give”</a> by Angie Thomas

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22628.The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=EUlSZisHmJ&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”</a> by Stephen Chbosky

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42975172-the-testaments?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=A9MpVqtVTR&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Testaments”</a> by Margaret Atwood

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7029188-they-called-themselves-the-k-k-k?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=56KXirJkW5&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group”</a> by Susan Campbell Bertoletti

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22074335-this-book-is-gay?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=nC5HI6MPpH&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“This Book is Gay”</a> by James Dawson

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465566-this-one-summer?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=uvkSDLcblz&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“This One Summer”</a> (graphic novel) by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34609406-trans-mission?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=bsd6YWj63m&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard”</a> by Alex Bertie

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636562361011.png" alt="A list of books removed from circulation in Goddard school libraries includes novels by Margaret Atwood and Toni Morrison. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>A list of books removed from circulation in Goddard school libraries includes novels by Margaret Atwood and Toni Morrison. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-09/goddard-school-district-orders-29-books-removed-from-circulation">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — The Goddard school district has removed more
 than two dozen books from circulation in the district’s school 
libraries, citing national attention and challenges to the books 
elsewhere.The list of books includes several well-known novels, 
including “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “The Bluest Eye” by 
Toni Morrison, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and “The Perks of Being
 a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.It also includes “Fences,” a 
play by August Wilson that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987, and
 “They Called Themselves the K.K.K.,” a historical look at how the white
 supremacist group took root in America.Julie Cannizzo, assistant
 superintendent for academic affairs in Goddard, sent an email to 
principals and librarians last week with the list of 29 books.“At
 this time, the district is not in a position to know if the books 
contained on this list meet our educational goals or not,” Cannizzo 
wrote in the email. “Additionally, we need to gain a better 
understanding of the processes utilized to select books for our school 
libraries.“For these reasons, please do not allow any of these 
books to be checked out while we are in the process of gathering more 
information. If a book on this list is currently checked out, please do 
(not) allow it to be checked out again once it's returned.”Cannizzo
 said in the email that the district is assembling a committee to “rate 
the content of the books on the list” and to review the selection 
process. She did not say how long the process is expected to take.Cannizzo
 said Tuesday that one parent objected to language he found offensive in
 “The Hate U Give,” a novel about the aftermath of a police officer 
killing a Black teenager. The parent then submitted a list of books he 
questioned, and district officials agreed to halt checkouts and complete
 a review."We're not banning these books or anything like that as
 a district," she said. "It was just brought to our attention that that 
list of books may have content that's unsuitable for children."Cannizzo
 said she plans to meet with school librarians this week. She wouldn't 
say when or if the books would return to circulation.“We haven’t 
even evaluated these books," she said. "I couldn’t even tell you what 
these books have in them or why someone may find them offensive or not."<a href="http://library.goddardusd.com/" target="_blank">Library catalogs for all 12 Goddard schools</a> are available on the district’s website.A <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/scschoolfiles/236/section_i_-_final_copy_-_2020.pdf" target="_blank">Goddard district policy</a>
 adopted in 2016 spells out procedures for challenging textbooks, 
library books or instructional materials. Anyone with a complaint about a
 book is directed to meet first with the school principal and submit a 
“request for review” form.If a challenge isn’t resolved at the 
school level, it goes to the superintendent and then the school board. 
Board members may forward a complaint to a review committee made up of 
the building principal, media specialist, two subject area specialists 
and two community members.According to the district’s policy, “Challenged materials shall not be removed from use during the review period.”The development comes just days after a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050013664/texas-lawmaker-matt-krause-launches-inquiry-into-850-books" target="_blank">Texas state lawmaker launched an investigation</a>
 into Texas school districts over the type of books they have, 
particularly if they pertain to race or sexuality or “make students feel
 discomfort.”Goddard’s list includes several books written by 
people of color or featuring characters from diverse backgrounds. Some 
feature LGBTQ protagonists or young people struggling with issues of 
gender or sexuality.Jaime Prothro, Wichita’s director of libraries, said there’s an increase in challenges to library purchases nationwide.“What
 we’re seeing in the publishing world is a lot more marginalized voices —
 LGBTQ, Black experiences,” Prothro said. “These are books that people 
have been yearning to read, and they're being published with more 
frequency.“And when more diverse books are published, that is 
actually going to impact the collection makeup of any library. . . . 
That’s definitely something that’s kind of pushing on a nerve for a 
number of people who are more comfortable with more mainstream 
lifestyles.”“The Hate U Give” is a young adult novel about the 
aftermath of a police officer killing a Black teenager. “Black Girl 
Unlimited” explores issues of poverty, sexual violence, depression and 
racism. “Blended” is about an 11-year-old biracial girl dealing with her
 parents’ divorce.Prothro said she can’t speak specifically to 
issues at play in Goddard or other districts. But she worries that 
current debates over books could limit access to diverse stories and 
experiences.“That one family may choose not to read something 
does not determine whether or not it’s appropriate for another family,” 
she said.“We really do celebrate the freedom of choice. And in a library situation, if that book isn’t for you, just return it.”Here is the list of books ordered to be removed from circulation in Goddard school libraries:<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34521785-murdertrending?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=eUhzvUPTLS&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“#MurderTrending”</a> by Gretchen McNeil<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44280883-all-boys-aren-t-blue?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=i2CuDFYHxR&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“All Boys Aren’t Blue”</a> by George M. Johnson<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36142487-anger-is-a-gift?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=J2u1pJn8TZ&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Anger is a Gift”</a> by Mark Oshiro<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38599259-black-girl-unlimited?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=bnEcc7fJCG&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Black Girl Unlimited”</a> by Echo Brown<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38351370-blended?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=fYMfC3wYTY&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Blended”</a> by Sharon M. Draper<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/270730.Crank?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=ODDNTOMarC&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Crank”</a> by Ellen Hopkins<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/539282.Fences?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=y8a28PHiFF&amp;rank=2" target="_blank">“Fences”</a> by August Wilson<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26135825-fun-home?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=0HqwPpVWCi&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic”</a> by Alison Bechdel<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42837514-gender-queer?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=Z6IDJGaKE8&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Gender Queer”</a> by Maia Kobabe<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29430746-heavy?from_search=true&amp;from_srp=true&amp;qid=6ikbGT68Nm&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Heavy”</a> by Kiese Laymon<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35489159-lawn-boy?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=anpBXcmTMP&amp;rank=2" target="_blank">“Lawn Boy”</a> by Jonathan Evison<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23203257-lily-and-dunkin?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=orTTshzqL5&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Lily and Dunkin”</a> by Donna Gephart<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2954411-living-dead-girl?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=J3Em3CqF0u&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Living Dead Girl”</a> by Elizabeth Scott<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068534-monday-s-not-coming?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=AOad2xpeyH&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Monday’s Not Coming”</a> by Tiffany D. Jackson<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25256386-out-of-darkness?from_search=true&amp;from_srp=true&amp;qid=R7f8mRv70Y&amp;rank=3" target="_blank">“Out of Darkness”</a> by Ashley Hope Perez<a href="https://www.amazon.com/At-Issue-hardcover-Tamara-Roleff/dp/0737708077" target="_blank">“Satanism”</a> by Tamara L. Roleff<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33155325-the-57-bus?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=7jacyegYWp&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime that Changed Their Lives”</a> by Dashka Slater<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=EdHeX2qKsj&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”</a> by Sherman Alexie<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11337.The_Bluest_Eye?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=MBCTYR23UB&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Bluest Eye”</a> by Toni Morrison<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6449290-the-girl-who-fell-from-the-sky?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=p4kt5K6EXg&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Girl Who Fell From the Sky”</a> by Heidi W. Durrow<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38447.The_Handmaid_s_Tale?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=vGWGRC5r6k&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Handmaid’s Tale”</a> by Margaret Atwood<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40766383-the-handmaid-s-tale?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=p6Ev8vRJra&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel”</a> adapted by Renee Nault<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=ObWQru6sLx&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Hate U Give”</a> by Angie Thomas<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22628.The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=EUlSZisHmJ&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”</a> by Stephen Chbosky<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42975172-the-testaments?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=A9MpVqtVTR&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“The Testaments”</a> by Margaret Atwood<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7029188-they-called-themselves-the-k-k-k?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=56KXirJkW5&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group”</a> by Susan Campbell Bertoletti<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22074335-this-book-is-gay?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=nC5HI6MPpH&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“This Book is Gay”</a> by James Dawson<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465566-this-one-summer?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=uvkSDLcblz&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“This One Summer”</a> (graphic novel) by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34609406-trans-mission?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=bsd6YWj63m&amp;rank=1" target="_blank">“Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard”</a> by Alex BertieSuzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Kan. school district orders 29 books removed from circulation

LINCOLN—Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on&nbsp; Wednesday led a coalition of 10 states in challenging the vaccine mandate propagated by the Biden Administration’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on healthcare workers across the nation, becoming the first states to file a lawsuit challenging this mandate. Attorney General Eric Schmitt previously filed suit to halt the vaccine mandate on federal contractors and OSHA’s vaccine mandate on private employers.

“Unfortunately, with this latest mandate from the Biden Administration, last year’s healthcare heroes are turning into this year’s unemployed. Requiring healthcare workers to get a vaccination or face termination is unconstitutional and unlawful, and could exacerbate healthcare staffing shortages to the point of collapse, especially in Missouri’s rural areas,” said&nbsp;Attorney General Schmitt. “My Office has been, and will continue to be, a national leader in challenging the Biden Administration’s illegal edicts, and this instance is our latest effort to push back on this unprecedented federal overreach.” &nbsp; The CMS vaccine mandate, as the lawsuit mentions, “imposes an unprecedented federal vaccine mandate on nearly every full-time employee, part-time employee, volunteer, and contractor working at a wide range of healthcare facilities receiving Medicaid or Medicaid funding.” &nbsp; Addressing what is at stake in the case, the lawsuit explains: “The CMS vaccine mandate also threatens to exacerbate an alarming shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in rural communities, that has already reached a boiling point.&nbsp; Indeed, the circumstances in the Plaintiff States—facts that CMS, which skipped notice-and-comment rulemaking, did not fully consider—foreshadow an impending disaster in the healthcare industry.&nbsp; By ignoring the facts on the ground and unreasonably dismissing concerns about workforce short­ages, the CMS vaccine mandate jeopardizes the healthcare interests of rural Americans.” &nbsp; To bolster this claim, the lawsuit cites Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri, who states: “There were people in the hospital that freely shared that if the vaccine mandate happened . . . , they would not work here.&nbsp; That’s just something they weren’t going to put in their body.” &nbsp; The lawsuit incorporates nine counts: a substantive violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) for an arbitrary and capricious action not in accordance with law, a substantive violation of the APA for an action in excess of authority and not in according with law, a procedural violation of the APA for an action without notice and comment, a procedural violation of the Social Security Act for an action without notice and comment, a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1395z for failure to consult with appropriate state agencies, a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1302 for failure to prepare regulatory impact analysis, unconstitutional exercise of the spending power, a violation of the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, and a violation of the Tenth Amendment and federalism. &nbsp; The lawsuit asks the Court to declare that the vaccine mandate violates the APA and to enjoin defendants from enforcing the mandate. &nbsp; In addition to Missouri and Nebraska, attorneys general from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New Hampshire also joined the lawsuit. The full, as<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/doc-1---complaint-cms.pdf?sfvrsn=7953e41b_2"> filed petition can be found here</a>

LINCOLN—Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on&nbsp; Wednesday led a coalition of 10 states in challenging the vaccine mandate propagated by the Biden Administration’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on healthcare workers across the nation, becoming the first states to file a lawsuit challenging this mandate. Attorney General Eric Schmitt previously filed suit to halt the vaccine mandate on federal contractors and OSHA’s vaccine mandate on private employers.“Unfortunately, with this latest mandate from the Biden Administration, last year’s healthcare heroes are turning into this year’s unemployed. Requiring healthcare workers to get a vaccination or face termination is unconstitutional and unlawful, and could exacerbate healthcare staffing shortages to the point of collapse, especially in Missouri’s rural areas,” said&nbsp;Attorney General Schmitt. “My Office has been, and will continue to be, a national leader in challenging the Biden Administration’s illegal edicts, and this instance is our latest effort to push back on this unprecedented federal overreach.” &nbsp; The CMS vaccine mandate, as the lawsuit mentions, “imposes an unprecedented federal vaccine mandate on nearly every full-time employee, part-time employee, volunteer, and contractor working at a wide range of healthcare facilities receiving Medicaid or Medicaid funding.” &nbsp; Addressing what is at stake in the case, the lawsuit explains: “The CMS vaccine mandate also threatens to exacerbate an alarming shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in rural communities, that has already reached a boiling point.&nbsp; Indeed, the circumstances in the Plaintiff States—facts that CMS, which skipped notice-and-comment rulemaking, did not fully consider—foreshadow an impending disaster in the healthcare industry.&nbsp; By ignoring the facts on the ground and unreasonably dismissing concerns about workforce short­ages, the CMS vaccine mandate jeopardizes the healthcare interests of rural Americans.” &nbsp; To bolster this claim, the lawsuit cites Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri, who states: “There were people in the hospital that freely shared that if the vaccine mandate happened . . . , they would not work here.&nbsp; That’s just something they weren’t going to put in their body.” &nbsp; The lawsuit incorporates nine counts: a substantive violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) for an arbitrary and capricious action not in accordance with law, a substantive violation of the APA for an action in excess of authority and not in according with law, a procedural violation of the APA for an action without notice and comment, a procedural violation of the Social Security Act for an action without notice and comment, a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1395z for failure to consult with appropriate state agencies, a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1302 for failure to prepare regulatory impact analysis, unconstitutional exercise of the spending power, a violation of the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, and a violation of the Tenth Amendment and federalism. &nbsp; The lawsuit asks the Court to declare that the vaccine mandate violates the APA and to enjoin defendants from enforcing the mandate. &nbsp; In addition to Missouri and Nebraska, attorneys general from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New Hampshire also joined the lawsuit. The full, as<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/doc-1---complaint-cms.pdf?sfvrsn=7953e41b_2"> filed petition can be found here</a>

Neb. AG leads coalition to challenge the Biden vaccine mandate on healthcare workers

SCOTLAND, S.D. (AP) — State investigators say a third person has died in a shooting in southeastern South Dakota that has left two others injured.

 The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation says Bon Homme County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in Scotland Tuesday evening.

 When law enforcement officers arrived, they found two people dead and three others who had suffered gunshot wounds. 

DCI says one of the three injured later died. DCI special agents arrested one man without incident on possible charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. 

Investigators say the shooting was the result of a domestic-related alternation.

SCOTLAND, S.D. (AP) — State investigators say a third person has died in a shooting in southeastern South Dakota that has left two others injured. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation says Bon Homme County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in Scotland Tuesday evening. When law enforcement officers arrived, they found two people dead and three others who had suffered gunshot wounds. DCI says one of the three injured later died. DCI special agents arrested one man without incident on possible charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. Investigators say the shooting was the result of a domestic-related alternation.

1 arrested in SD shooting that left 3 dead, 2 injured

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Biden administration is relying on infrastructure dollars to help fix the clogged ports and blanket the nation with internet access — but a series of initiatives rolled out on Tuesday show that the urgent pace might not be fast enough to address the immediate needs of an economy coping with a supply chain squeeze and a shift to remote work.

President Joe Biden spoke with the CEOs of Wal-Mart, Target, UPS and FedEx on Tuesday about how to relieve the supply chain challenges as ships are still waiting to dock at some of the country's leading ports. The key problem is that these ports are experiencing record volumes of shipping containers as the economy has recovered from the pandemic.

Biden received updates from the CEOs on how deliveries are being sped up to ensure that store shelves will be well-stocked this holiday season, according to a White House official. Bloomberg News first reported Biden's conversations with the corporate leaders.

Yet the concrete policy steps being discussed by the administration show that there is no quick fix to supply chain issues that are still hurting smaller businesses and causing consumers to face higher prices. Nor can the administration build out a national broadband network fast enough as more Americans are pivoting toward remote work.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted at the White House briefing the $65 billion for broadband access in the the $1 trillion infrastructure package that cleared the House on Friday. She said that jobs would be created and poorer Americans would receive “affordable” internet service, though she did not spell out a precise dollar amount on what the monthly bills could be.

The plan involves careful logistics that would take time to implement. Each state would receive at least $100 million to help lay fiberoptic cables and ensure its citizens can access the internet. This process would occur as jobseekers are increasingly requesting remote work where they can work from home on their computers.

“The president wants us to get it right,” Raimondo said. “And if it takes a little longer to lay the groundwork for fiber and broadband, then we’re going to do that.”

Similarly, the administration announced plans on Tuesday to identify and pay for possible upgrades to U.S. ports within the next 90 days — hoping to ultimately tamp down the inflation being caused by ships waiting to dock and a shortage of truck drivers to haul goods.

As the U.S. emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the economic recovery has been hampered by congested and aging ports. The mix of inflation and the potential for empty store shelves during holiday shopping has created a sense of frustration for many Americans and hurt President Joe Biden and Democrats politically.

Senior administration officials said Tuesday that the Transportation Department would allow port authorities to redirect any leftover money from grant projects to address the supply chain issues. For example, the Georgia Ports Authority will use $8 million to convert its inland facilities for the port of Savannah into container yards, freeing up dock space and speeding the flow of goods to their final destinations.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the forthcoming plans, which come on the heels of the House backing the bipartisan infrastructure package late Friday. The package includes $17 billion to improve coastal and land-based ports that can help to tackle the challenges in the longer term.

Biden's team is moving straight ahead in promoting the possible benefits from the broader infrastructure package, though they've largely shied away from claiming that Americans could see clear and demonstrable changes to their lives before the 2022 midterm elections. The focus, instead, has been on how the spending on roads, bridges and broadband will help the U.S. economy compete against the rest of the world.

The president in remarks to Democratic supporters on Tuesday signaled that he will look to remind voters in the months ahead of the infrastructure win. He noted “the last president” promised to pursue legislation but failed to deliver.

“So it was left to us,” Biden said at the virtual event hosted by the Democratic National Committee. “We got the job done.”

Administration officials said the ports initiatives being announced Tuesday would make the supply chain faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly in the medium to longer term.

Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday. It's part of a broader effort to show that the administration will tackle the inflation that has left Americans feeling more pessimistic about the economy. Updated figures for the consumer price index will be released Wednesday, with the previous report showing prices were 5.4% higher than a year ago.

The Baltimore trip is designed to highlight the types of investments that the administration believes will help unclog the supply chain. The port in Baltimore is adding container cranes and adding a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. The administration has also approved grants so that the Howard Street Tunnel — a train artery that opened in 1895 — can be expanded to ferry double-stacked containers on railcars.

The Biden administration earlier helped broker an agreement to increase the hours of operation at the Port of Los Angeles, but it's been difficult to immediately fix this challenge.

Additional steps include launching a $240 million grant program in the next 45 days to modernize ports and marine highways. Within 60 days, the government wants to identify repair projects and opportunities to deepen harbors for larger ships that can be a guide for more than $4 billion in construction by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The government will also look over the next 90 days at which ports of entry should be upgraded and expanded as part of a $3.4 billion investment. It also plans within 90 days to open the first round of more than $475 million in grants for ports made possible through the newly passed infrastructure package.

The Transportation Department intends to publish a playbook for states on freight movement and issue guidance on best practices, so that the value of the infrastructure investments can be maximized. There will also be a request for information by the Transportation Department to improve data collection and sharing to improve the efficiency and transparency of the supply chain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636510961577.png" alt="Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday-photos courtesy Port of Baltimore" />
 <figcaption>Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday-photos courtesy Port of Baltimore</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — The Biden administration is relying on infrastructure dollars to help fix the clogged ports and blanket the nation with internet access — but a series of initiatives rolled out on Tuesday show that the urgent pace might not be fast enough to address the immediate needs of an economy coping with a supply chain squeeze and a shift to remote work.President Joe Biden spoke with the CEOs of Wal-Mart, Target, UPS and FedEx on Tuesday about how to relieve the supply chain challenges as ships are still waiting to dock at some of the country's leading ports. The key problem is that these ports are experiencing record volumes of shipping containers as the economy has recovered from the pandemic.Biden received updates from the CEOs on how deliveries are being sped up to ensure that store shelves will be well-stocked this holiday season, according to a White House official. Bloomberg News first reported Biden's conversations with the corporate leaders.Yet the concrete policy steps being discussed by the administration show that there is no quick fix to supply chain issues that are still hurting smaller businesses and causing consumers to face higher prices. Nor can the administration build out a national broadband network fast enough as more Americans are pivoting toward remote work.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted at the White House briefing the $65 billion for broadband access in the the $1 trillion infrastructure package that cleared the House on Friday. She said that jobs would be created and poorer Americans would receive “affordable” internet service, though she did not spell out a precise dollar amount on what the monthly bills could be.The plan involves careful logistics that would take time to implement. Each state would receive at least $100 million to help lay fiberoptic cables and ensure its citizens can access the internet. This process would occur as jobseekers are increasingly requesting remote work where they can work from home on their computers.“The president wants us to get it right,” Raimondo said. “And if it takes a little longer to lay the groundwork for fiber and broadband, then we’re going to do that.”Similarly, the administration announced plans on Tuesday to identify and pay for possible upgrades to U.S. ports within the next 90 days — hoping to ultimately tamp down the inflation being caused by ships waiting to dock and a shortage of truck drivers to haul goods.As the U.S. emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the economic recovery has been hampered by congested and aging ports. The mix of inflation and the potential for empty store shelves during holiday shopping has created a sense of frustration for many Americans and hurt President Joe Biden and Democrats politically.Senior administration officials said Tuesday that the Transportation Department would allow port authorities to redirect any leftover money from grant projects to address the supply chain issues. For example, the Georgia Ports Authority will use $8 million to convert its inland facilities for the port of Savannah into container yards, freeing up dock space and speeding the flow of goods to their final destinations.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the forthcoming plans, which come on the heels of the House backing the bipartisan infrastructure package late Friday. The package includes $17 billion to improve coastal and land-based ports that can help to tackle the challenges in the longer term.Biden's team is moving straight ahead in promoting the possible benefits from the broader infrastructure package, though they've largely shied away from claiming that Americans could see clear and demonstrable changes to their lives before the 2022 midterm elections. The focus, instead, has been on how the spending on roads, bridges and broadband will help the U.S. economy compete against the rest of the world.The president in remarks to Democratic supporters on Tuesday signaled that he will look to remind voters in the months ahead of the infrastructure win. He noted “the last president” promised to pursue legislation but failed to deliver.“So it was left to us,” Biden said at the virtual event hosted by the Democratic National Committee. “We got the job done.”Administration officials said the ports initiatives being announced Tuesday would make the supply chain faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly in the medium to longer term.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636511034475.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Biden will highlight the administration's efforts by visiting Baltimore's port on Wednesday. It's part of a broader effort to show that the administration will tackle the inflation that has left Americans feeling more pessimistic about the economy. Updated figures for the consumer price index will be released Wednesday, with the previous report showing prices were 5.4% higher than a year ago.The Baltimore trip is designed to highlight the types of investments that the administration believes will help unclog the supply chain. The port in Baltimore is adding container cranes and adding a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. The administration has also approved grants so that the Howard Street Tunnel — a train artery that opened in 1895 — can be expanded to ferry double-stacked containers on railcars.The Biden administration earlier helped broker an agreement to increase the hours of operation at the Port of Los Angeles, but it's been difficult to immediately fix this challenge.Additional steps include launching a $240 million grant program in the next 45 days to modernize ports and marine highways. Within 60 days, the government wants to identify repair projects and opportunities to deepen harbors for larger ships that can be a guide for more than $4 billion in construction by the Army Corps of Engineers.The government will also look over the next 90 days at which ports of entry should be upgraded and expanded as part of a $3.4 billion investment. It also plans within 90 days to open the first round of more than $475 million in grants for ports made possible through the newly passed infrastructure package.The Transportation Department intends to publish a playbook for states on freight movement and issue guidance on best practices, so that the value of the infrastructure investments can be maximized. There will also be a request for information by the Transportation Department to improve data collection and sharing to improve the efficiency and transparency of the supply chain.

White House rushes with infrastructure fixes for US economy

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax 
year 2022 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, 
including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-45.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-45</a>&nbsp;PDF provides details about these annual adjustments.

Highlights of changes in Revenue Procedure 2021-45:

The tax year 2022 adjustments described below generally apply to tax returns filed in 2023.

The tax items for tax year 2022 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax 
year 2022 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, 
including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-21-45.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2021-45</a>&nbsp;PDF provides details about these annual adjustments.<h2>Highlights of changes in Revenue Procedure 2021-45:</h2>The tax year 2022 adjustments described below generally apply to tax returns filed in 2023.The tax items for tax year 2022 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts:<ul>
 <li>The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for 
tax year 2022 rises to $25,900 up $800 from the prior year. For single 
taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard 
deduction rises to $12,950 for 2022, up $400, and for heads of 
households, the standard deduction will be $19,400 for tax year 2022, up
 $600. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The personal exemption for tax year 2022 remains at 0, as it was 
for 2021, this elimination of the personal exemption was a provision in 
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Marginal Rates: For tax year 2022, the top tax 
rate remains 37% for individual single taxpayers with incomes greater 
than $539,900 ($647,850 for married couples filing jointly).
	The other rates are: 
	35%, for incomes over $215,950 ($431,900 for married couples filing jointly); 
	32% for incomes over $170,050 ($340,100 for married couples filing jointly); 
	24% for incomes over $89,075 ($178,150 for married couples filing jointly); 
	22% for incomes over $41,775 ($83,550 for married couples filing jointly); 
	12% for incomes over $10,275 ($20,550 for married couples filing jointly). 
	The lowest rate is 10% for incomes of single individuals with incomes 
of $10,275 or less ($20,550 for married couples filing jointly). 
	&nbsp;
	</li><li>For 2022, as in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there is no limitation 
on itemized deductions, as that limitation was eliminated by the Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The Alternative Minimum Tax exemption amount for tax year 2022 is 
$75,900 and begins to phase out at $539,900 ($118,100 for married 
couples filing jointly for whom the exemption begins to phase out at 
$1,079,800). The 2021 exemption amount was $73,600 and began to phase 
out at $523,600 ($114,600 for married couples filing jointly for whom 
the exemption began to phase out at $1,047,200). 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The tax year 2022 maximum Earned Income Tax Credit amount is $6,935
 for qualifying taxpayers who have three or more qualifying children, up
 from $6,728 for tax year 2021. The revenue procedure contains a table 
providing maximum EITC amount for other categories, income thresholds 
and phase-outs. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, the monthly limitation for the qualified 
transportation fringe benefit and the monthly limitation for qualified 
parking increases to $280. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For the taxable years beginning in 2022, the dollar limitation for 
employee salary reductions for contributions to health flexible spending
 arrangements increases to $2,850. For cafeteria plans that permit the 
carryover of unused amounts, the maximum carryover amount is $570, an 
increase of $20 from taxable years beginning in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, participants who have self-only coverage in a 
Medical Savings Account, the plan must have an annual deductible that is
 not less than $2,450, up $50 from tax year 2021; but not more than 
$3,700, an increase of $100 from tax year 2021. For self-only coverage, 
the maximum out-of-pocket expense amount is $4,950, up $150 from 2021. 
For tax year 2022, for family coverage, the annual deductible is not 
less than $4,950, up from $4,800 in 2021; however, the deductible cannot
 be more than $7,400, up $250 from the limit for tax year 2021. For 
family coverage, the out-of-pocket expense limit is $9,050 for tax year 
2022, an increase of $300 from tax year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The modified adjusted gross income amount used by joint filers to 
determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit provided in 
§&nbsp;25A(d)(2) is not adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 2020. The Lifetime Learning Credit is phased out for 
taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $80,000 
($160,000 for joint returns). 
	&nbsp;</li><li>For tax year 2022, the foreign earned income exclusion is $112,000 up from $108,700 for tax year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>Estates of decedents who die during 2022 have a basic exclusion 
amount of $12,060,000, up from a total of $11,700,000 for estates of 
decedents who died in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The annual exclusion for gifts increases to $16,000 for calendar year 2022, up from $15,000 for calendar year 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li>The maximum credit allowed for adoptions for tax year 2022 is the 
amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $14,890, up from $14,440 for
 2021.</li>
 </ul>

IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for coming tax year

While 2021 is quickly winding down, scams targeting
 the public continue to cause trouble. Consumers should watch out for 
any fraudulent schemes aimed at swiping their cash and stealing personal
 information. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a Naughty List with the top 12 scams of Christmas that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard during this season.Many of the scams on this list are facilitated 
through emails and social media platforms, however the latter is where 
most people are vulnerable. Exercise caution when coming across social 
media ads about discounted items, event promotions, job opportunities 
and donation requests, as well as direct messages from strangers. If you
 are asked to make a payment or donation by wire or e-transfer, through 
third parties, by prepaid debit or gift cards, treat this as a red flag.

Be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer and our tips to avoid them:

1.&nbsp;Misleading Social Media Ads: As
 you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale
 from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a 
charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam
 Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never 
receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up 
for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the
 one advertised. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbbscamtrackerriskreport/" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to 
Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework 
and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile
 on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> and read the reviews.&nbsp;Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">misleading ads</a>. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24189-bbb-tip-read-the-fine-print-before-signing-up-for-a-free-trial-offer" target="_blank">free trial offers</a>, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams" target="_blank">counterfeit goods</a>.2.&nbsp;Social Media Gift Exchanges: 
Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no 
different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging 
bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another 
twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get 
to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." There is
 even a twist about "Secret Santa Dog" where you buy a $10 gift for your
 "secret dog."&nbsp;In all of these versions, participants unwittingly 
share their personal information, along with those of their family 
members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping 
gifts or money to unknown individuals. And-- it's an illegal pyramid 
scheme.Read more about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal" target="_blank">social media gift exhange</a>.3.&nbsp;Holiday Apps: Apple's App Store
 and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can 
video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live 
reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish
 lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused 
children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may 
play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see 
what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can 
sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee.
 Free apps can also contain malware.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18957-bbb-tip-is-that-santa-app-safe-better-check-it-twice" target="_blank">holiday apps</a>.4.&nbsp;Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">Scam Tracker</a>
 about a con claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has 
been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which 
explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their 
accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent 
the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited 
calls, emails, and texts.

Read more about c<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23491-bbb-scam-alert-compromised-account-think-twice-before-you-panic" target="_blank">ompromised accounts scams</a>.

5.&nbsp;Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings
 good cheer like the word 'FREE'. Scammers have been known to take 
advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting 
personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these 
emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and 
promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their 
business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send 
text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner
 for a prize.

If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do 
not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened 
the email, do not click on any links.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">gift card scams</a>.

6.&nbsp;Temporary Holiday Jobs: 
Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of 
holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday 
employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the 
need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These 
jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility
 of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers
 need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and 
personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for 
opportunities that seem too good to be true.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14438-bbb-tips-for-avoiding-job-scams-this-holiday-season" target="_blank">holiday job scams</a>.

7.&nbsp;Look-Alike Websites: The 
holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains.
 Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike 
websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, 
making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are 
uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover
 over them to see where they reroute.

Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19251-scam-alert-dont-lose-money-to-fake-lookalike-websites" target="_blank">look-alike websites</a>.

8.&nbsp;Fake Charities: Typically, 40% 
of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of 
the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had 
to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are
 now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to lookout 
for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in 
need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. 
Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they 
do today. Verify a charity at BBB's <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">give.org</a> or on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23282-bbb-scam-alert-fake-charities-trick-would-be-instagram-influencers" target="_blank">fake charities</a>.9.&nbsp;Fake Shipping Notifications: 
More consumers are making purchases online, there is also an increase in
 the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and 
carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with
 links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private 
information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to 
trick people into paying new shipping fees.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16460-scam-alert-fake-text-delivery-scam" target="_blank">delivery and package scams</a>.

10.&nbsp;Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events:
 This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday markets 
or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event 
pages, social media posts, and emails, charging admission for what used 
to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. 
Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In
 the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is 
free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise.

Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18892-bbb-tip-holiday-pop-up-shops" target="_blank">pop up holiday shops</a>.

11.&nbsp;Top Holiday Wishlist Items: 
Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and
 electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This 
year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game 
consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when 
considering to purchase these high-value items from individuals through 
social sites.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">holiday hot toy scams</a>.12.&nbsp;Puppy Scams: Many families, 
especially those with children, may be considering to add a furry friend
 to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet 
scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person 
before making a purchase.&nbsp;Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>.&nbsp;For general information on how to avoid scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>. &nbsp;For more advice, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips on online shopping</a>. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB ScamTracker</a>.

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">Read more BBB Holiday Tips at BBB.org/holiday.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBWhile 2021 is quickly winding down, scams targeting
 the public continue to cause trouble. Consumers should watch out for 
any fraudulent schemes aimed at swiping their cash and stealing personal
 information. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a Naughty List with the top 12 scams of Christmas that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard during this season.Many of the scams on this list are facilitated 
through emails and social media platforms, however the latter is where 
most people are vulnerable. Exercise caution when coming across social 
media ads about discounted items, event promotions, job opportunities 
and donation requests, as well as direct messages from strangers. If you
 are asked to make a payment or donation by wire or e-transfer, through 
third parties, by prepaid debit or gift cards, treat this as a red flag.<h2>Be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer and our tips to avoid them:</h2>1.&nbsp;Misleading Social Media Ads: As
 you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale
 from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a 
charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam
 Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never 
receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up 
for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the
 one advertised. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbbscamtrackerriskreport/" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to 
Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework 
and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile
 on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> and read the reviews.&nbsp;Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20678-scam-alert-think-twice-before-buying-from-these-social-media-ads" target="_blank">misleading ads</a>. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24189-bbb-tip-read-the-fine-print-before-signing-up-for-a-free-trial-offer" target="_blank">free trial offers</a>, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16910-bbb-tip-counterfeit-product-scams" target="_blank">counterfeit goods</a>.2.&nbsp;Social Media Gift Exchanges: 
Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no 
different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging 
bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another 
twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get 
to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." There is
 even a twist about "Secret Santa Dog" where you buy a $10 gift for your
 "secret dog."&nbsp;In all of these versions, participants unwittingly 
share their personal information, along with those of their family 
members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping 
gifts or money to unknown individuals. And-- it's an illegal pyramid 
scheme.Read more about the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal" target="_blank">social media gift exhange</a>.3.&nbsp;Holiday Apps: Apple's App Store
 and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can 
video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live 
reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish
 lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused 
children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may 
play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see 
what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can 
sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee.
 Free apps can also contain malware.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18957-bbb-tip-is-that-santa-app-safe-better-check-it-twice" target="_blank">holiday apps</a>.4.&nbsp;Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">Scam Tracker</a>
 about a con claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has 
been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which 
explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their 
accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent 
the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited 
calls, emails, and texts.Read more about c<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23491-bbb-scam-alert-compromised-account-think-twice-before-you-panic" target="_blank">ompromised accounts scams</a>.5.&nbsp;Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings
 good cheer like the word 'FREE'. Scammers have been known to take 
advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting 
personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these 
emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and 
promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their 
business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send 
text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner
 for a prize.If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do 
not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened 
the email, do not click on any links.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">gift card scams</a>.6.&nbsp;Temporary Holiday Jobs: 
Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of 
holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday 
employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the 
need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These 
jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility
 of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers
 need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and 
personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for 
opportunities that seem too good to be true.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14438-bbb-tips-for-avoiding-job-scams-this-holiday-season" target="_blank">holiday job scams</a>.7.&nbsp;Look-Alike Websites: The 
holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains.
 Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike 
websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, 
making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are 
uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover
 over them to see where they reroute.Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19251-scam-alert-dont-lose-money-to-fake-lookalike-websites" target="_blank">look-alike websites</a>.8.&nbsp;Fake Charities: Typically, 40% 
of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of 
the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had 
to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are
 now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to lookout 
for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in 
need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. 
Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they 
do today. Verify a charity at BBB's <a href="https://www.give.org" target="_blank">give.org</a> or on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23282-bbb-scam-alert-fake-charities-trick-would-be-instagram-influencers" target="_blank">fake charities</a>.9.&nbsp;Fake Shipping Notifications: 
More consumers are making purchases online, there is also an increase in
 the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and 
carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with
 links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private 
information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to 
trick people into paying new shipping fees.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16460-scam-alert-fake-text-delivery-scam" target="_blank">delivery and package scams</a>.10.&nbsp;Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events:
 This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday markets 
or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event 
pages, social media posts, and emails, charging admission for what used 
to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. 
Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In
 the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is 
free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/18892-bbb-tip-holiday-pop-up-shops" target="_blank">pop up holiday shops</a>.11.&nbsp;Top Holiday Wishlist Items: 
Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and
 electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This 
year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game 
consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when 
considering to purchase these high-value items from individuals through 
social sites.Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">holiday hot toy scams</a>.12.&nbsp;Puppy Scams: Many families, 
especially those with children, may be considering to add a furry friend
 to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet 
scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person 
before making a purchase.&nbsp;Read more on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams" target="_blank">pet scams</a>.&nbsp;For general information on how to avoid scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>. &nbsp;For more advice, read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB’s tips on online shopping</a>. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB ScamTracker</a>.<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">Read more BBB Holiday Tips at BBB.org/holiday.</a>

The Naughty List: BBB's 12 Scams of Christmas

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have identified the 55-year-old man who was killed Tuesday in a fiery rollover crash in far western Omaha. 

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on West Dodge Road at 192nd Street. Police said Martin Robinson died in the crash after his vehicle drifted off the road, struck a pole and caught on fire. 

The crash closed the eastbound lanes of West Dodge as well as the street's eastbound onramp at 192nd for about half an hour while firefighters extinguished the fire. 

Witnesses pulled Robinson from the vehicle and paramedics tried to save his life, but he died at the scene of the crash.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have identified the 55-year-old man who was killed Tuesday in a fiery rollover crash in far western Omaha. The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on West Dodge Road at 192nd Street. Police said Martin Robinson died in the crash after his vehicle drifted off the road, struck a pole and caught on fire. The crash closed the eastbound lanes of West Dodge as well as the street's eastbound onramp at 192nd for about half an hour while firefighters extinguished the fire. Witnesses pulled Robinson from the vehicle and paramedics tried to save his life, but he died at the scene of the crash.

Police ID man killed in fiery rollover crash in west Omaha

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.

David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.

Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.

Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636487390305.png" alt="Everson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Everson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 19-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death last year of a pregnant Kansas City woman as she was pushing her baby in a stroller.David Everson was charged Monday in the July 2020 death of 20-year-old Diamon Eichelburger. He also faces a charge of armed criminal action in Eichelburger's killing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595470452421.png" alt="Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jovon Burrell phot Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Everson is the second person charged in Eichelburger’s death. Last year, police arrested Jovon Burrell in the killing, saying he was driving the car from which Eichelburger was shot.Police have said Eichelburger was pushing a stroller holding her 1-year-old child and walking with her boyfriend at a convenience store when a car pulled up and someone inside it asked if she was Diamon. When she confirmed her identity, someone in the car shot her several times, witnesses told police. The child in the stroller was not hurt.

Man charged in killing of Kansas City woman pushing a stroller

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a one-year old boy.

Just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a medical call involving an unresponsive child the 2400 block of SW 10th Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The Topeka Fire Department and American Medical Response also responded to the scene. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene. AMR transported the child to a local hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.

Authorities released no additional details Tuesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636496999939.png" alt="Police on the scene of the death investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the death investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a one-year old boy.Just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a medical call involving an unresponsive child the 2400 block of SW 10th Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The Topeka Fire Department and American Medical Response also responded to the scene. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene. AMR transported the child to a local hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased by medical personnel.Authorities released no additional details Tuesday afternoon.

 Police investigate death of one-year-old Kansas boy

WASHINGTON (AP) —Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.

Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.

Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.

While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.

Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to nearly 96%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.

A median of 11 months after their last Pfizer vaccination, trial participants were given either a third dose or a dummy shot. Researchers tracked any infections that occurred at least a week later, and so far have counted five cases of symptomatic COVID-19 among booster recipients compared to 109 cases among people who got dummy shots.

The Biden administration had originally envisioned boosters for all adults, but faced a stinging setback in September when the FDA’s scientific advisers rejected extra Pfizer doses for everyone. The panel wasn’t convinced that young healthy people needed another dose, particularly when most of the world’s population remains unvaccinated.

Still, under today’s policies about 2 of every 3 vaccinated adults is expected to qualify within the next few months -- and many who don’t nonetheless can score an extra shot because most vaccine providers don’t check qualifications.

The current rules: People who initially received Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations are eligible for a booster six months later if they’re 65 or older, or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of underlying health problems or their job or living conditions. Because the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine hasn’t proven as effective as its two-dose competitors, any J&amp;J recipient can get a booster at least two months later.

And regardless of the initial vaccination, the U.S. has cleared getting a booster of a different company’s vaccine, what’s called mixing and matching.

If the FDA authorizes Pfizer boosters for all adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will make recommendations for how to use them.

Globally, boosters also are a hodge-podge. Some countries restrict them to older or medically fragile people while others have few restrictions. Israel, for example, has authorized Pfizer boosters for anyone 12 and older.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to nearly 96%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.A median of 11 months after their last Pfizer vaccination, trial participants were given either a third dose or a dummy shot. Researchers tracked any infections that occurred at least a week later, and so far have counted five cases of symptomatic COVID-19 among booster recipients compared to 109 cases among people who got dummy shots.The Biden administration had originally envisioned boosters for all adults, but faced a stinging setback in September when the FDA’s scientific advisers rejected extra Pfizer doses for everyone. The panel wasn’t convinced that young healthy people needed another dose, particularly when most of the world’s population remains unvaccinated.Still, under today’s policies about 2 of every 3 vaccinated adults is expected to qualify within the next few months -- and many who don’t nonetheless can score an extra shot because most vaccine providers don’t check qualifications.The current rules: People who initially received Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations are eligible for a booster six months later if they’re 65 or older, or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of underlying health problems or their job or living conditions. Because the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine hasn’t proven as effective as its two-dose competitors, any J&amp;J recipient can get a booster at least two months later.And regardless of the initial vaccination, the U.S. has cleared getting a booster of a different company’s vaccine, what’s called mixing and matching.If the FDA authorizes Pfizer boosters for all adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will make recommendations for how to use them.Globally, boosters also are a hodge-podge. Some countries restrict them to older or medically fragile people while others have few restrictions. Israel, for example, has authorized Pfizer boosters for anyone 12 and older.___

Pfizer asks FDA to OK COVID-19 booster shots for all adults

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Five teenagers have been arrested after shots were fired from their car at police during a chase from Omaha, east into Iowa and back into Omaha. 

Omaha police said that the five people arrested early Monday morning were a woman who turned 19 on Monday, an 18-year-old man, two 17-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy. 

One of the juvenile offenders was treated for a minor injury and released. No officers were hurt, police said. 

Police said they were called to an area in north Omaha just after midnight by a report of shots being fired and an officer driving an unmarked car saw a vehicle driving erratically.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Five teenagers have been arrested after shots were fired from their car at police during a chase from Omaha, east into Iowa and back into Omaha. Omaha police said that the five people arrested early Monday morning were a woman who turned 19 on Monday, an 18-year-old man, two 17-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy. One of the juvenile offenders was treated for a minor injury and released. No officers were hurt, police said. Police said they were called to an area in north Omaha just after midnight by a report of shots being fired and an officer driving an unmarked car saw a vehicle driving erratically.

5 teens arrested after chase from Omaha into Iowa and back

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in rural western Iowa say a shooting involving a married couple that stemmed from a domestic disturbance left a woman dead and her husband wounded. 

Investigators say the shooting happened Sunday morning at a home in Pottawattamie County just east of Council Bluffs. 

Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Doty said in a news release that deputies were called around 7:45 a.m. Sunday to the home for reports of a disturbance and arrived to find 86-year-old Harvey Rankin suffering from a gunshot wound and his 83-year-old wife, Bonnie Rankin, dead inside the home. 

Harvey Rankin was taken to a hospital in nearby Omaha, Nebraska, with critical injuries. Investigators have not yet given details of what led up to the shooting.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in rural western Iowa say a shooting involving a married couple that stemmed from a domestic disturbance left a woman dead and her husband wounded. Investigators say the shooting happened Sunday morning at a home in Pottawattamie County just east of Council Bluffs. Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Doty said in a news release that deputies were called around 7:45 a.m. Sunday to the home for reports of a disturbance and arrived to find 86-year-old Harvey Rankin suffering from a gunshot wound and his 83-year-old wife, Bonnie Rankin, dead inside the home. Harvey Rankin was taken to a hospital in nearby Omaha, Nebraska, with critical injuries. Investigators have not yet given details of what led up to the shooting.

Police: Wife killed, husband wounded in Iowa shooting

<a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/26e4a988-7dc7-401f-89ad-6ba22798ac24">RELATED:&nbsp;Stimulus, Child Tax Credit and more: Tips on making 2022 tax filing easier</a>

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today updated frequently-asked-questions for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a> to describe how taxpayers can now provide the IRS an estimate of your 2021 income using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal (CTC UP)</a>.

These <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2021-13.pdf">FAQs update</a>&nbsp;PDF
 the Advance Child Tax Credit Topic A FAQs by adding a new question, 
question 17 and Topic F FAQs by adding new questions, questions 2 
through 6.

These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.

More information about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/general-overview-of-taxpayer-reliance-on-guidance-published-in-the-internal-revenue-bulletin-and-faqs">reliance is available</a>.

Additional Advance Child Tax Credit information

The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 
2021 page designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the 
credit and the advance payments. It's at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information
 and use available online tools and toolkits to help non-filers, 
low-income families and other underserved groups sign up. People can 
check their eligibility by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">Advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.

The webpage features a set of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a>.
 It also provides direct links to the portal, as well as two other 
online tools – the Non-filer Sign up Tool and the Child Tax Credit 
Eligibility Assistant – and other useful resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/26e4a988-7dc7-401f-89ad-6ba22798ac24">RELATED:&nbsp;Stimulus, Child Tax Credit and more: Tips on making 2022 tax filing easier</a>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today updated frequently-asked-questions for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a> to describe how taxpayers can now provide the IRS an estimate of your 2021 income using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal (CTC UP)</a>.These <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/fs-2021-13.pdf">FAQs update</a>&nbsp;PDF
 the Advance Child Tax Credit Topic A FAQs by adding a new question, 
question 17 and Topic F FAQs by adding new questions, questions 2 
through 6.These FAQs are being issued to provide general information to taxpayers and tax professionals as expeditiously as possible.More information about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/general-overview-of-taxpayer-reliance-on-guidance-published-in-the-internal-revenue-bulletin-and-faqs">reliance is available</a>.<h2>Additional Advance Child Tax Credit information</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 
2021 page designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the 
credit and the advance payments. It's at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information
 and use available online tools and toolkits to help non-filers, 
low-income families and other underserved groups sign up. People can 
check their eligibility by using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">Advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.The webpage features a set of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">frequently asked questions</a>.
 It also provides direct links to the portal, as well as two other 
online tools – the Non-filer Sign up Tool and the Child Tax Credit 
Eligibility Assistant – and other useful resources.

IRS offers new guidance on Child Tax Credit payments

National experts are predicting <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-predicts-highest-holiday-retail-sales-record" target="_blank">record numbers</a>
 in spending on holiday related items. There is also a concern if many 
of the items on consumer's holiday lists will be available on the shelf 
or online and are faced with the disappointing words: “Sorry, this item 
is currently out of stock.” That’s especially true when challenges are 
still occuring with supply chains.

But does that mean the words “out of stock” is the end of the line? 
Not at all. With a little determination and some creative thinking, the 
item might be found and purchased. Here are BBB’s tip for finding items 
that are sold out in stores.

Read <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Smart Online Shopping</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Shop Safe, Shop Smart this Holiday Season</a> for more shopping tips.

Only make purchases from businesses who adhere to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>. Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB's Accreditation Standards</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauNational experts are predicting <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-predicts-highest-holiday-retail-sales-record" target="_blank">record numbers</a>
 in spending on holiday related items. There is also a concern if many 
of the items on consumer's holiday lists will be available on the shelf 
or online and are faced with the disappointing words: “Sorry, this item 
is currently out of stock.” That’s especially true when challenges are 
still occuring with supply chains.But does that mean the words “out of stock” is the end of the line? 
Not at all. With a little determination and some creative thinking, the 
item might be found and purchased. Here are BBB’s tip for finding items 
that are sold out in stores.<h2>How to Buy Out of Stock Items</h2><ul>
 <li>Try a different store. Avoid limiting the search to
 the most popular brick-and-mortar stores. Consider researching multiple
 vendors’ websites to see who is carrying stock. If the large chain 
stores are out of what you need, try a reputable independent shop or a 
different type of store entirely. For example, when toilet paper was in 
short supply at grocery stores, some consumers found stock in <a href="https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-buy-out-of-stock-products-online.html" target="_blank">unlikely places</a>, such as hardware stores, restaurant suppliers, or office supply stores. </li><li>Check websites frequently. If there is an item out 
of stock when shopping online, don’t give up hope right away. Bookmark 
the product page and check back daily. Many vendors restock high-demand 
products on a regular basis. </li><li>Sign up for restock alerts. Many companies offer restock alerts, which are usually sent by email. For example, on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/seattle/profile/ecommerce/amazoncom-1296-7039385" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (a BBB Accredited Business), look for an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202074010" target="_blank">availability alert</a>
 on a product's information page. Amazon will send an e-mail when the 
item becomes available. Keep in mind, you still have to go to the 
website or store to make the purchase once the alert arrives. </li><li>Go straight to the product’s source. If a brand 
name item isn’t available from a favorite retailer, check the brand’s 
official website to see if it’s in stock there. If not, consider getting
 in touch by emailing customer service or reaching out through social 
media. </li><li>Take advantage of return policies. If you suspect 
that an item will sell out quickly but you aren’t sure if you really 
need or want it, review the store’s return policy. If a store gives you 
the option to return an item and offer refunds, you may want to purchase
 the item as soon as it’s available. You can always send it back if it 
doesn’t fit your needs, but you may regret not purchasing if the stock 
runs out for good. </li><li>Search for products on resale sites. If a product 
appears to be gone for good, don’t lose hope just yet. Some resale sites
 may offer the hard-to-find products. That said, watch out for scammers 
when looking for <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16580-scam-alert-looking-for-this-seasons-hot-toy-beware-of-scams" target="_blank">this year’s hottest toy</a>
 or a product that is very popular. Con artists prey on desperate 
shoppers by pretending to have an item that is impossible to find, 
accepting payments, and then never delivering the product. &nbsp; </li><li>Consider a personal shopping service. Personal 
shoppers can do the heavy lifting if there is a very specific product 
you are hunting for. Be sure to read reviews and ask for recommendations
 from friends and family members before deciding to hire. </li><li>Try out a subscription service. Subscription 
services offer regular deliveries of cleaning products, clothing and 
more. If the local stores are running out of fresh produce, for example,
 consider a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/16622-bbb-tip-choosing-a-meal-delivery-service" target="_blank">meal delivery service</a>. </li><li>Be patient. Sometimes, despite the best efforts, it
 just may not be possible to find most popular items. This was the case 
for many consumers hoping to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23422-bbb-scam-alert-fake-deals-on-gaming-consoles-trick-holiday-shoppers" target="_blank">purchase new PS5 and Xbox Series X+S gaming systems</a>. Restocks have sold out almost immediately every time thanks to limited supplies and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2020/10/14/ps5-and-xbox-series-xs-sold-out-again-what-to-expect-for-restocks/?sh=3b1a43653d93" target="_blank">bot resellers</a>. If this happens to you, be patient. You may have to wait a few months until suppliers can meet consumers’ demands.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>Read <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Smart Online Shopping</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Shop Safe, Shop Smart this Holiday Season</a> for more shopping tips.Only make purchases from businesses who adhere to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>. Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB's Accreditation Standards</a>.

Holiday gift 'out of stock'? Try these tips to beat supply chain disruption

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and THOMAS BEAUMONT

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — School board candidates opposing mask mandates and lessons about racism in U.S. history won in red states and some politically divided districts but often came up short in their bids to shape policy for school districts over the newest culture war issue.

The mixed results complicate the picture for Republicans who are increasingly looking to the education fight as a galvanizing issue that could help them sway voters. They point to the upset in&nbsp;Virginia&nbsp;by Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won his race for governor Tuesday in the liberal-leaning state after making education grievances a key part of his campaign. Some conservative political action groups said they racked up wins in the school board races where they funneled money.

But across the country, culture and identity fights were less decisive. The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 96 school districts in more than a dozen states where race education and masking were part of the debate. It found that at least one anti-critical race theory or anti-mask candidate prevailed in 35 of the 86 districts in which it has determined winners, or 40%.

“Where they won, they won in really high numbers,” said Doug Kronaizl, a staff writer for Ballotpedia, noting that candidates who won on the issue tended to be concentrated in the same districts. “But overall nationwide they didn’t win that much.”

In&nbsp;Connecticut, a slate of five candidates running in opposition to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the Guilford school system, an overwhelmingly white New Haven suburb of 22,000 where a petition calling for the superintendent’s removal circulated after the district ditched its Indians mascot and doubled down on efforts to address social justice and racism.

“I think that there continues to be a national discussion where the term critical race theory is used inaccurately if not insincerely to attack work that is being done in schools, and that was successful in a lot of races,” said Superintendent Paul Freeman, who said the district doesn’t teach critical race theory.

Technically, it is an academic framework that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people. But in recent months, it has become a catch-all political buzzword for any teaching in schools about race and American history.

“We do not shame or blame the white children in Guilford when we talk about the issues of race or racism in our classrooms, whether historic or contemporary,” Freeman stressed.

Incumbent school board members in Mequon,&nbsp;Wisconsin, a wealthy, Republican-leaning suburb north of Milwaukee, won decisively after a group of parents led a recall effort based largely on their opposition to the district’s hiring of a diversity consultant. All four incumbents were reelected by more than 1,000 votes after a summer-long petition drive that drew the attention of local Republicans.

In Springboro,&nbsp;Ohio, outside Dayton, Frank Catrine, a local Republican activist who is opposed to critical race theory, finished fifth out of eight candidates in a school board race in which all incumbents were reelected. He has argued that diversity and inclusion efforts exclude white students and parents.

“If you want true diversity, you’re open to everybody,” Catrine said. “But if they are only focused on Black people and the LGBTQ community, not everybody is welcome.”

In Washington state, school board candidate Riley Smith said that while knocking on doors in his Democratic-leaning district in Spokane this fall, he encountered very few people interested in discussing race in education.

“This whole critical race theory, anti-masking, that was dominating the national narrative wasn’t really on people’s minds,” said Riley, who beat a vocal opponent of the educational framework for the open seat.

Yael Levin, who leads the Virginia chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group opposed to teaching critical race theory, said some losses were to be expected given the newness of the movement, which she said grew from the pandemic, when remote learning made parents more aware of what their children were being taught. The organization has ballooned to 78 chapters in more than 25 states since it was founded last year.

“This is a very new movement of parents. And it’s a direct result of COVID. So it makes sense that we succeeded in some places and didn’t in others,” Levin said, “but we’re going to keep our movement alive because the attack on our children is not stopping anytime soon.”

In conservative Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, Ben Blankley was among three candidates voted out of office and replaced by a slate of anti-critical race theory candidates who have promised changes in COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the district.

“I kind of figured this would be the end result,” said Blankley, a 38-year-old aerospace engineer with a first-grader in the district. “Regardless of the decisions that we made, I figured there would be a political backlash eventually for a bunch of good people. And so it kind of steeled my resolve to make the best decisions I could with the information that we had knowing that being out of office could be an eventuality because of all of this.”

Across the state, mask mandate opponents were ahead Friday in several races in Johnson County, an increasingly purple Kansas City suburb that voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 despite historically leaning Republican. Some of the winning candidates in the Blue Valley and Olathe districts got a boost from the 1776 Project PAC.

Axios reported the political action committee — named after former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission, which played down America’s role in slavery — was successful in three-fourths of 58 races in seven states. “Victories across the country and this is just the beginning,” the group tweeted.

Money from other conservative PACs flowed into the West Chester,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>, race after board president Chris McCune antagonized critical race theory opponents. McCune, a Republican, initially was ahead in the vote count but has slipped behind a a PAC-backed critical race theory supporter and another candidate as mail-in ballots are counted.

“These allegations from the far right are very challenging and the climate around public education has been very toxic,” said McCune, 48, who works in software sales and whose five children all attend district schools.

1776 Action, which is separate from the similarly named political action committee, sent out mailers and targeted text messages in the West Chester race and another in&nbsp;Iowa. The group, which encourages candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education,” was encouraged by the results.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636223435663.png" alt="From the July 26, 2020 school board meeting-photo courtesy Shawnee Mission Kansas Schools" />
 <figcaption>From the July 26, 2020 school board meeting-photo courtesy Shawnee Mission Kansas Schools</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and THOMAS BEAUMONTMISSION, Kan. (AP) — School board candidates opposing mask mandates and lessons about racism in U.S. history won in red states and some politically divided districts but often came up short in their bids to shape policy for school districts over the newest culture war issue.The mixed results complicate the picture for Republicans who are increasingly looking to the education fight as a galvanizing issue that could help them sway voters. They point to the upset in&nbsp;Virginia&nbsp;by Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won his race for governor Tuesday in the liberal-leaning state after making education grievances a key part of his campaign. Some conservative political action groups said they racked up wins in the school board races where they funneled money.But across the country, culture and identity fights were less decisive. The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 96 school districts in more than a dozen states where race education and masking were part of the debate. It found that at least one anti-critical race theory or anti-mask candidate prevailed in 35 of the 86 districts in which it has determined winners, or 40%.“Where they won, they won in really high numbers,” said Doug Kronaizl, a staff writer for Ballotpedia, noting that candidates who won on the issue tended to be concentrated in the same districts. “But overall nationwide they didn’t win that much.”In&nbsp;Connecticut, a slate of five candidates running in opposition to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the Guilford school system, an overwhelmingly white New Haven suburb of 22,000 where a petition calling for the superintendent’s removal circulated after the district ditched its Indians mascot and doubled down on efforts to address social justice and racism.“I think that there continues to be a national discussion where the term critical race theory is used inaccurately if not insincerely to attack work that is being done in schools, and that was successful in a lot of races,” said Superintendent Paul Freeman, who said the district doesn’t teach critical race theory.Technically, it is an academic framework that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people. But in recent months, it has become a catch-all political buzzword for any teaching in schools about race and American history.“We do not shame or blame the white children in Guilford when we talk about the issues of race or racism in our classrooms, whether historic or contemporary,” Freeman stressed.Incumbent school board members in Mequon,&nbsp;Wisconsin, a wealthy, Republican-leaning suburb north of Milwaukee, won decisively after a group of parents led a recall effort based largely on their opposition to the district’s hiring of a diversity consultant. All four incumbents were reelected by more than 1,000 votes after a summer-long petition drive that drew the attention of local Republicans.In Springboro,&nbsp;Ohio, outside Dayton, Frank Catrine, a local Republican activist who is opposed to critical race theory, finished fifth out of eight candidates in a school board race in which all incumbents were reelected. He has argued that diversity and inclusion efforts exclude white students and parents.“If you want true diversity, you’re open to everybody,” Catrine said. “But if they are only focused on Black people and the LGBTQ community, not everybody is welcome.”In Washington state, school board candidate Riley Smith said that while knocking on doors in his Democratic-leaning district in Spokane this fall, he encountered very few people interested in discussing race in education.“This whole critical race theory, anti-masking, that was dominating the national narrative wasn’t really on people’s minds,” said Riley, who beat a vocal opponent of the educational framework for the open seat.Yael Levin, who leads the Virginia chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group opposed to teaching critical race theory, said some losses were to be expected given the newness of the movement, which she said grew from the pandemic, when remote learning made parents more aware of what their children were being taught. The organization has ballooned to 78 chapters in more than 25 states since it was founded last year.“This is a very new movement of parents. And it’s a direct result of COVID. So it makes sense that we succeeded in some places and didn’t in others,” Levin said, “but we’re going to keep our movement alive because the attack on our children is not stopping anytime soon.”In conservative Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, Ben Blankley was among three candidates voted out of office and replaced by a slate of anti-critical race theory candidates who have promised changes in COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the district.“I kind of figured this would be the end result,” said Blankley, a 38-year-old aerospace engineer with a first-grader in the district. “Regardless of the decisions that we made, I figured there would be a political backlash eventually for a bunch of good people. And so it kind of steeled my resolve to make the best decisions I could with the information that we had knowing that being out of office could be an eventuality because of all of this.”Across the state, mask mandate opponents were ahead Friday in several races in Johnson County, an increasingly purple Kansas City suburb that voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020 despite historically leaning Republican. Some of the winning candidates in the Blue Valley and Olathe districts got a boost from the 1776 Project PAC.Axios reported the political action committee — named after former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission, which played down America’s role in slavery — was successful in three-fourths of 58 races in seven states. “Victories across the country and this is just the beginning,” the group tweeted.Money from other conservative PACs flowed into the West Chester,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>, race after board president Chris McCune antagonized critical race theory opponents. McCune, a Republican, initially was ahead in the vote count but has slipped behind a a PAC-backed critical race theory supporter and another candidate as mail-in ballots are counted.“These allegations from the far right are very challenging and the climate around public education has been very toxic,” said McCune, 48, who works in software sales and whose five children all attend district schools.1776 Action, which is separate from the similarly named political action committee, sent out mailers and targeted text messages in the West Chester race and another in&nbsp;Iowa. The group, which encourages candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education,” was encouraged by the results.“This movement to defeat anti-American indoctrination in our schools is only going to grow stronger in 2022," said Adam Waldeck, the group’s president.___