PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby has been freed from prison after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction. It is a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as “America's Dad.” The state Supreme Court said Wednesday that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor's agreement not to charge Cosby. The 83-year-old Cosby served&nbsp;nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction Wednesday after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case.

Cosby has served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.

The 83-year-old Cosby, who was once beloved as “America’s Dad,” was convicted of drugging and molesting the Temple University employee at his suburban estate.

He was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence — Cosby’s damaging deposition from her lawsuit — arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625071903399.png" alt="Cosby in his booking photo following sentencing from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Cosby in his booking photo following sentencing from the Montgomery County Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby has been freed from prison after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction. It is a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as “America's Dad.” The state Supreme Court said Wednesday that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor's agreement not to charge Cosby. The 83-year-old Cosby served&nbsp;nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence.------PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction Wednesday after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case.Cosby has served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.The 83-year-old Cosby, who was once beloved as “America’s Dad,” was convicted of drugging and molesting the Temple University employee at his suburban estate.He was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence — Cosby’s damaging deposition from her lawsuit — arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

Bill Cosby released from prison, sex conviction overturned

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — National Democrats are airing a pandemic recovery ad in the Omaha area, signaling that they’re still willing to put resources into Nebraska’s competitive 2nd Congressional District even though the rest of the state is solidly Republican. 

The 60-second ad in the Omaha television market highlights the nation’s efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and return to normalcy. 

The ad includes several shots of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who won the 2nd District in the 2020 election, marking only the second time in history that Nebraska has split its Electoral College votes. 

Even though Biden and Harris won the district, voters also re-elected Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon over a well-funded Democratic challenger

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — National Democrats are airing a pandemic recovery ad in the Omaha area, signaling that they’re still willing to put resources into Nebraska’s competitive 2nd Congressional District even though the rest of the state is solidly Republican. The 60-second ad in the Omaha television market highlights the nation’s efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and return to normalcy. The ad includes several shots of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who won the 2nd District in the 2020 election, marking only the second time in history that Nebraska has split its Electoral College votes. Even though Biden and Harris won the district, voters also re-elected Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon over a well-funded Democratic challenger

National Democrats air pandemic recovery ad in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett said the economic impact of the pandemic remains hard to predict but most big companies have fared OK throughout it as long as they weren't tied to travel. 

Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger said in an interview that U.S. regulators should do more to restrict the amount of gambling in financial markets by limiting how much investors and banks can borrow on margin. 

Munger praised the financial regulations that Chinese regulators have put in place to limit speculation. 

Buffett and Munger also reiterated their criticism of Robinhood because they said the brokerage is encouraging average investors to speculate on stocks with options.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett said the economic impact of the pandemic remains hard to predict but most big companies have fared OK throughout it as long as they weren't tied to travel. Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger said in an interview that U.S. regulators should do more to restrict the amount of gambling in financial markets by limiting how much investors and banks can borrow on margin. Munger praised the financial regulations that Chinese regulators have put in place to limit speculation. Buffett and Munger also reiterated their criticism of Robinhood because they said the brokerage is encouraging average investors to speculate on stocks with options.

Warren Buffett says pandemic's impact still hard to predict

DEWITT, Neb. (AP) — Sheriff's officials in southeastern Nebraska say a man and a teenager have died in a two-vehicle crash in Jefferson County. 

Station KWBE reports that the crash happened Tuesday morning during dense fog at a rural intersection near Tri-County School just northwest of DeWitt. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says a car driven by a 51-year-old man failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into a pickup truck. Investigators say the driver of the car died at the scene. 

A 16-year-old passenger in the car was rushed to a Lincoln hospital, where he later died. 

Officials say the driver of the truck was not injured. 

Officials did not immediately release the names of those killed.

DEWITT, Neb. (AP) — Sheriff's officials in southeastern Nebraska say a man and a teenager have died in a two-vehicle crash in Jefferson County. Station KWBE reports that the crash happened Tuesday morning during dense fog at a rural intersection near Tri-County School just northwest of DeWitt. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says a car driven by a 51-year-old man failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into a pickup truck. Investigators say the driver of the car died at the scene. A 16-year-old passenger in the car was rushed to a Lincoln hospital, where he later died. Officials say the driver of the truck was not injured. Officials did not immediately release the names of those killed.

Sheriff says 2 killed in southeastern Nebraska crash

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police say a feud between neighbors in a Lincoln apartment building led one of them to toss a homemade explosive into the hallway, blasting a hole in the floor and shattering windows. 

Police say officers were called to the apartment building Monday morning for reports of gunfire. What they found instead were blown-out windows, smoke, and an 18-inch-deep hole blown into the hallway floor. 

Officer Erin Spilker tells the Lincoln Journal Star that it wasn't clear who threw the explosive, which was equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite. 

No one was injured in the blast, and police continue to investigate.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police say a feud between neighbors in a Lincoln apartment building led one of them to toss a homemade explosive into the hallway, blasting a hole in the floor and shattering windows. Police say officers were called to the apartment building Monday morning for reports of gunfire. What they found instead were blown-out windows, smoke, and an 18-inch-deep hole blown into the hallway floor. Officer Erin Spilker tells the Lincoln Journal Star that it wasn't clear who threw the explosive, which was equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite. No one was injured in the blast, and police continue to investigate.

Police: Feud leads to explosive detonated inside Lincoln complex

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

Memorial services have been planned for July 10 for two former Hoisington residents who were murdered in Houston on June 20. Rita Joanne Lillard, 64, and her daughter Virginia Lillian Lillard, 39, died in what Houston police are calling an incident of domestic violence. Lewis Trinidad Nunez, 46, has been charged&nbsp;as a suspect in the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Houston Assistant Police Chief Yasar&nbsp;Bashir said&nbsp;police&nbsp;officers were called&nbsp;to a Houston apartment following a report of&nbsp;a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they saw Rita Lillard&nbsp;approach the apartment where she was shot at close range at the front door.&nbsp;The suspect&nbsp;then&nbsp;fired shots at officers after he was ordered to drop his weapon. Officers returned fire&nbsp;striking the suspect. A SWAT team was called after the&nbsp;man&nbsp;barricaded himself in the apartment. He later surrendered and was taken into&nbsp;custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers discovered that Rita Lillard had died from&nbsp;the gunshot wounds she&nbsp;sustained while she approached the apartment.&nbsp;They found the body of her daughter, Virginia Lillard, inside the apartment.&nbsp;The suspect was transported to a hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

At a press conference on the day of the&nbsp;murders, Assistant Chief Bashir&nbsp;described Nunez’s relationship with the&nbsp;Lillards.&nbsp;

“We have two victims,” Bashir said. “That was the suspect’s girlfriend and also the suspect’s girlfriend’s mom as well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The case is still under investigation by the&nbsp;Houston&nbsp;Police Department.&nbsp;

Rita Lillard&nbsp;was raised in Hoisington and&nbsp;earned her nursing degree at Barton Community College. She&nbsp;later worked as a registered&nbsp;nurse.&nbsp;

Virginia Lillard, known as “Jenni,” was born in Great Bend and grew up in Hoisington&nbsp;until&nbsp;the&nbsp;family moved to Houston.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625071344311.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4c4fe4dc-4226-420a-9975-d86e2b79648f">Click here for service details.</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4c4fe4dc-4226-420a-9975-d86e2b79648f">Click here for service details.</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend PostMemorial services have been planned for July 10 for two former Hoisington residents who were murdered in Houston on June 20. Rita Joanne Lillard, 64, and her daughter Virginia Lillian Lillard, 39, died in what Houston police are calling an incident of domestic violence. Lewis Trinidad Nunez, 46, has been charged&nbsp;as a suspect in the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;Houston Assistant Police Chief Yasar&nbsp;Bashir said&nbsp;police&nbsp;officers were called&nbsp;to a Houston apartment following a report of&nbsp;a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they saw Rita Lillard&nbsp;approach the apartment where she was shot at close range at the front door.&nbsp;The suspect&nbsp;then&nbsp;fired shots at officers after he was ordered to drop his weapon. Officers returned fire&nbsp;striking the suspect. A SWAT team was called after the&nbsp;man&nbsp;barricaded himself in the apartment. He later surrendered and was taken into&nbsp;custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers discovered that Rita Lillard had died from&nbsp;the gunshot wounds she&nbsp;sustained while she approached the apartment.&nbsp;They found the body of her daughter, Virginia Lillard, inside the apartment.&nbsp;The suspect was transported to a hospital for treatment.&nbsp;At a press conference on the day of the&nbsp;murders, Assistant Chief Bashir&nbsp;described Nunez’s relationship with the&nbsp;Lillards.&nbsp;“We have two victims,” Bashir said. “That was the suspect’s girlfriend and also the suspect’s girlfriend’s mom as well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The case is still under investigation by the&nbsp;Houston&nbsp;Police Department.&nbsp;Rita Lillard&nbsp;was raised in Hoisington and&nbsp;earned her nursing degree at Barton Community College. She&nbsp;later worked as a registered&nbsp;nurse.&nbsp;Virginia Lillard, known as “Jenni,” was born in Great Bend and grew up in Hoisington&nbsp;until&nbsp;the&nbsp;family moved to Houston.&nbsp;

Former Kan. woman, daughter murdered in Texas

RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) — Federal investigators believe a man illegally making fireworks in his basement caused an explosion that leveled part of a suburban Kansas City duplex, killing him and injuring at least three others.

Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives came to that conclusion after sifting through the rubble Tuesday at the explosion site in Raytown, ATF spokesman John Ham told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article252455428.html">Kansas City Star</a>.

Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-kansas-city-explosions-fires-80c63fc3c11d7766d4ae75d52461bcb4">found the body</a>&nbsp;of the man in the basement of the duplex hours after the explosion and fire Monday night. Authorities have not released his name.

Officials said five people — including two children — were in the building at the time of the explosion. One child was treated for injuries at a hospital and one adult underwent surgery for injuries on Tuesday.

RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) — Authorities found a body Tuesday in the basement of a suburban Kansas City duplex where multiple people were injured in an explosion.

John Ham, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said&nbsp;that the body will be taken to the medical examiner for identification once the Raytown building is secure.

About half the structure was reduced to rubble in Monday night's blast.

Police said in a news release posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RaytownPolice/posts/4492539320758655">Facebook</a>&nbsp;that there were “multiple injuries reported" but didn't provide any details on their severity or the exact number of people hurt. The release also said the cause of the blast was unknown.

Witnesses told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/raytown-missouri-firefighters-investigate-possible-house-explosion-7400-block-of-englewood-lane/36869358">KMBC-TV</a>&nbsp;that two boys were conscious and alert when they were wheeled from the scene on gurneys. The station reported that a man also was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation. ATF agents were assisting.

Ham and the Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625048221100.png" alt="About half the structure was reduced to rubble in Monday night's blast.-photo courtesy KMBC&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>About half the structure was reduced to rubble in Monday night's blast.-photo courtesy KMBC&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) — Federal investigators believe a man illegally making fireworks in his basement caused an explosion that leveled part of a suburban Kansas City duplex, killing him and injuring at least three others.Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives came to that conclusion after sifting through the rubble Tuesday at the explosion site in Raytown, ATF spokesman John Ham told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article252455428.html">Kansas City Star</a>.Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mo-state-wire-michael-brown-kansas-city-explosions-fires-80c63fc3c11d7766d4ae75d52461bcb4">found the body</a>&nbsp;of the man in the basement of the duplex hours after the explosion and fire Monday night. Authorities have not released his name.Officials said five people — including two children — were in the building at the time of the explosion. One child was treated for injuries at a hospital and one adult underwent surgery for injuries on Tuesday.--------RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) — Authorities found a body Tuesday in the basement of a suburban Kansas City duplex where multiple people were injured in an explosion.John Ham, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said&nbsp;that the body will be taken to the medical examiner for identification once the Raytown building is secure.About half the structure was reduced to rubble in Monday night's blast.Police said in a news release posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RaytownPolice/posts/4492539320758655">Facebook</a>&nbsp;that there were “multiple injuries reported" but didn't provide any details on their severity or the exact number of people hurt. The release also said the cause of the blast was unknown.Witnesses told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/raytown-missouri-firefighters-investigate-possible-house-explosion-7400-block-of-englewood-lane/36869358">KMBC-TV</a>&nbsp;that two boys were conscious and alert when they were wheeled from the scene on gurneys. The station reported that a man also was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.The Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation. ATF agents were assisting.Ham and the Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

ATF: Man illegally making fireworks led to Kansas City blast

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will use a donation from a Republican donor to fund the deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. 

Noem joins a growing list of Republican governors sending law enforcement officers to Texas. 

Noem's spokesman says private funding for the deployment will alleviate taxpayer costs. But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba warns that it sets a dangerous precedent. 

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he has authorized a 90-day deployment of up to 40 National Guard troops to the border. His office says that deployment is not privately funded.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625051865862.png" alt="Gov. Noem" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Noem</figcaption>
 </figure>SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will use a donation from a Republican donor to fund the deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. Noem joins a growing list of Republican governors sending law enforcement officers to Texas. Noem's spokesman says private funding for the deployment will alleviate taxpayer costs. But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba warns that it sets a dangerous precedent. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he has authorized a 90-day deployment of up to 40 National Guard troops to the border. His office says that deployment is not privately funded.

GOP donor funds South Dakota National Guard troops in Texas

WASHINGTON — Today, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced schools and libraries can now begin to file applications for the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund, the agency’s latest effort to connect Americans.  Schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections to serve unmet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.  From June 29 to August 13, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services for the 2021-22 school year.

“Even before the coronavirus pandemic upended so much of day-to-day life, seven in ten teachers were assigning homework that required access to the internet.  But data from this agency demonstrates that one in three households do not subscribe to broadband.  Where those numbers overlap is the Homework Gap,” said Rosenworcel. “Of all the memories and images of the past months, the one that keeps coming back to me is a viral picture of two young girls sitting outside a Taco Bell.”

“They were sitting cross-legged on the ground with laptops on their knees, using the free Wi-Fi from the restaurant to do their schoolwork.  It was heart-wrenching to see.  But they were not alone.  Kids elsewhere during this pandemic sat in cars outside of libraries to catch a signal to go online for class.  Others cobbled together the connectivity they needed by doing everything from borrowing mobile phones to lingering outside of shuttered school and municipal buildings.  We should salute the grit of each and every one of these young people who found ways to go online and keep up with school.  But it shouldn’t be this hard—and going forward, thanks to the Emergency Connectivity Fund, it won’t,” said Rosenworcel. 

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 established the Emergency Connectivity Fund.  In May, the FCC adopted the Report and Order outlining how the program would be administered.  The Universal Service Administrative Company will serve as the program’s administrator with FCC oversight.  The Fund leverages the processes and structures used in the E-Rate program for the benefit of schools and libraries already familiar with the E-Rate program. You can find more information about the program at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org or  www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund and instructions on how to apply at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/application-process. 

Recent estimates suggest there may be as many as 16.9 million children struggling without the broadband access they need for remote learning.  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel is a long-time advocate for closing the Homework Gap, with many crediting her with the creation of the term. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>FCC launches Emergency Connectivity Fund</h2>FCCWASHINGTON — Today, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced schools and libraries can now begin to file applications for the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund, the agency’s latest effort to connect Americans. Schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections to serve unmet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons. From June 29 to August 13, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services for the 2021-22 school year.“Even before the coronavirus pandemic upended so much of day-to-day life, seven in ten teachers were assigning homework that required access to the internet. But data from this agency demonstrates that one in three households do not subscribe to broadband. Where those numbers overlap is the Homework Gap,” said Rosenworcel. “Of all the memories and images of the past months, the one that keeps coming back to me is a viral picture of two young girls sitting outside a Taco Bell.”“They were sitting cross-legged on the ground with laptops on their knees, using the free Wi-Fi from the restaurant to do their schoolwork. It was heart-wrenching to see. But they were not alone. Kids elsewhere during this pandemic sat in cars outside of libraries to catch a signal to go online for class. Others cobbled together the connectivity they needed by doing everything from borrowing mobile phones to lingering outside of shuttered school and municipal buildings. We should salute the grit of each and every one of these young people who found ways to go online and keep up with school. But it shouldn’t be this hard—and going forward, thanks to the Emergency Connectivity Fund, it won’t,” said Rosenworcel. The American Rescue Plan of 2021 established the Emergency Connectivity Fund. In May, the FCC adopted the Report and Order outlining how the program would be administered. The Universal Service Administrative Company will serve as the program’s administrator with FCC oversight. The Fund leverages the processes and structures used in the E-Rate program for the benefit of schools and libraries already familiar with the E-Rate program. You can find more information about the program at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org or www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund and instructions on how to apply at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/application-process. Recent estimates suggest there may be as many as 16.9 million children struggling without the broadband access they need for remote learning. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel is a long-time advocate for closing the Homework Gap, with many crediting her with the creation of the term.

Schools, libraries can apply for grants to keeps students connected off-campus

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Two Kansas men died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Toyota Tacoma driven by David E. Ross, 50, Fort Scott, was northbound on U.S. 69 twelve miles south of Fort Scott. 

The pickup crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1997 Ford F350 driven by George Walter Danley, 63, Mapleton, head-on.

Ross was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Danley to Via Christi were he died. A 13-year-old passenger in the Ford was not injured.

The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Two Kansas men died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Toyota Tacoma driven by David E. Ross, 50, Fort Scott, was northbound on U.S. 69 twelve miles south of Fort Scott. The pickup crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1997 Ford F350 driven by George Walter Danley, 63, Mapleton, head-on.Ross was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Danley to Via Christi were he died. A 13-year-old passenger in the Ford was not injured.The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

2 Kansas men dead after head-on pickup crash

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man has been sentenced to 55 years in federal prison in a 2018 home invasion that resulted in the death of a 36-year-old woman. 

Dante Williams, 28, was sentenced Tuesday after having pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a murder and two counts of attempted robbery. 

Two other men who broke into the home with Williams received life sentences last week for their roles in the crime.

Prosecutors said the men tied up Jessica Brandon’s two daughters and their friend along with the two girls’ grandmother. 

When Brandon went to check after hearing the intruders, one of them fired 13 shots, killing her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625002445027.png" alt="Williams" />
 <figcaption>Williams</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man has been sentenced to 55 years in federal prison in a 2018 home invasion that resulted in the death of a 36-year-old woman. Dante Williams, 28, was sentenced Tuesday after having pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a murder and two counts of attempted robbery. Two other men who broke into the home with Williams received life sentences last week for their roles in the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625002479122.png" alt="Brandon" />
 <figcaption>Brandon</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors said the men tied up Jessica Brandon’s two daughters and their friend along with the two girls’ grandmother. When Brandon went to check after hearing the intruders, one of them fired 13 shots, killing her.

Lincoln man gets 55 years in deadly 2018 home invasion

DENVER (AP) — A suburban Denver police officer who was ambushed and killed last week has been remembered as someone with “fundamental goodness” who knew how to love others. 

Speaking at a memorial service Tuesday, the Arvada police chief said he believed 51-year-old Officer Gordon Beesley found his true calling working as a school resource officer, identifying students who needed help. 

Family and friends recalled his love of music, having fun and being silly, going on outdoor adventures with his family and buying and fixing up bicycles to give to children. 

Beesley was fatally shot by a man investigators said was intent on killing as many officers as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625001414712.png" alt="Officer Beesley" />
 <figcaption>Officer Beesley</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A suburban Denver police officer who was ambushed and killed last week has been remembered as someone with “fundamental goodness” who knew how to love others. Speaking at a memorial service Tuesday, the Arvada police chief said he believed 51-year-old Officer Gordon Beesley found his true calling working as a school resource officer, identifying students who needed help. Family and friends recalled his love of music, having fun and being silly, going on outdoor adventures with his family and buying and fixing up bicycles to give to children. Beesley was fatally shot by a man investigators said was intent on killing as many officers as possible.

Chief: Slain Colorado officer had 'fundamental goodness'

LA VISTA, Neb. (AP) — Police in eastern Nebraska say DNA found on an umbrella could place the last known whereabouts of an autistic boy missing for six weeks near his home in La Vista.

Police Chief Bob Lausten says the DNA of 12-year-old Ryan Larsen has been confirmed on an umbrella the boy had carried May 17, the day he disappeared. 

The umbrella was found on the grounds of the La Vista apartments where Ryan lives and turned over to police three or four days after his disappearance. 

Ryan has been missing since walking out of his elementary school during classes on May 17.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625000962412.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LA VISTA, Neb. (AP) — Police in eastern Nebraska say DNA found on an umbrella could place the last known whereabouts of an autistic boy missing for six weeks near his home in La Vista.Police Chief Bob Lausten says the DNA of 12-year-old Ryan Larsen has been confirmed on an umbrella the boy had carried May 17, the day he disappeared. The umbrella was found on the grounds of the La Vista apartments where Ryan lives and turned over to police three or four days after his disappearance. Ryan has been missing since walking out of his elementary school during classes on May 17.

Police say DNA on umbrella could place missing La Vista boy near home

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors say a 15-year-old boy charged with murder in the killing of an Omaha man had exchanged several texts with friends the day of the shooting saying they planned “to hunt for people” in north Omaha. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that a prosecutor gave those details Monday at a bond hearing for the teen. 

The teen is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and a weapons count in the March 12 shooting death of 59-year-old Larry Thompson, who was sitting on his porch when he was killed. A judge ordered the teen held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1567093537444.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors say a 15-year-old boy charged with murder in the killing of an Omaha man had exchanged several texts with friends the day of the shooting saying they planned “to hunt for people” in north Omaha. The Omaha World-Herald reports that a prosecutor gave those details Monday at a bond hearing for the teen. The teen is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and a weapons count in the March 12 shooting death of 59-year-old Larry Thompson, who was sitting on his porch when he was killed. A judge ordered the teen held without bond.

Prosecutor: Teen charged in killing planned 'to hunt people'

In Nicodemus, Kansas, farmers say the help has come too late

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-06-28/federal-payments-to-black-kansas-farmers-come-too-late-for-generations-who-faced-discrimination">Kansas News Service</a>

NICODEMUS&nbsp;— At his home in northwest Kansas, Bernard Bates thumbs through a stack of faded color photographs nearly 40 years old.

One
 shows a group of men in county sheriff’s jackets standing in front of a
 combine. In another, two men inspect plowing equipment on a flatbed 
truck.

“That’s when they loaded up my machinery,” Bates said. “They sold our machinery first. Then they sold the land.”

In
 the early 1980s, weather wiped out the crops on his 950-acre farm in 
Nicodemus, the last remaining African American settlement west of the 
Mississippi River. Bates tried to get his loans extended to make it to 
the next season. But he was denied. 

Among the papers on his desk sits an <a href="https://context-cdn.washingtonpost.com/notes/prod/default/documents/f998215b-52fa-4cd4-a8f3-c3801a502b09/note/cdb54622-404b-4c01-af73-555e89cbd78e." target="_blank">affidavit</a>
 from the president of the regional credit association that says he 
denied Bates the help he needed deliberately to push him out of farming.

A new <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/03/13/976659142/black-farmers-have-long-faced-discrimination-new-aid-aims-to-boost-their-numbers" target="_blank">federal effort</a>
 plans to send more debt relief payments to Black farmers in recognition
 of how the USDA and local farm credit offices denied generations of 
people like Bates loans and foreclosed on their properties, effectively 
transferring farmland to their white neighbors. But for many, the money 
will be too late to reverse the decades of damage caused by 
discrimination in farming.

Bates wrote letters detailing the discrimination to Sen. Bob Dole, 
President Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They did
 him no good. His lenders foreclosed. All he could do was watch his 
family farm, his tractor and even the wheat he had harvested get taken 
away.

“My wife tells everybody if I’d had a gun, I probably
 would’ve shot somebody,” Bates said. “I worked hard all year and then 
stood there and watched them steal wheat all night long.”

He was one of the original plaintiffs on a landmark discrimination settlement in the 1990s, <a href="https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/FH-DC-0006-9000.pdf" target="_blank">Pigford v Glickman</a>, that was supposed to send more than $1 billion to Black farmers who had been treated unfairly by the USDA.

He’s still waiting for his first check.

The loss of Black-owned farmland is 
profoundly felt in this part of northwest Kansas, where hundreds of 
African American homesteaders built their own agricultural community 
following emancipation in the 19th century. For Angela Bates, Bernard’s 
cousin who now leads the <a href="https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/" target="_blank">Nicodemus Historical Society</a>, the land here represents more than just soil and crops.

“It reflects what African Americans did with their freedom,” Bates said. “This was the promised land.”

At the time, Nicodemus was one of many all-Black settlements that formerly enslaved people formed on the frontier from <a href="https://humanities.utulsa.edu/oklahoma-home-historically-black-towns-u-s-state/" target="_blank">Oklahoma</a> to <a href="https://www.historicwyoming.org/profiles/empire-wyoming" target="_blank">Wyoming</a>. In Kansas alone, <a href="https://www.stlpublicradio.org/projects/black-white/exodusters.php" target="_blank">more than 40,000</a> African Americans, referred to at the time as exodusters, made similar journeys and built a <a href="http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.afam.006" target="_blank">dozen</a> Black farming colonies.

“When
 you think about farming in the historical context of African Americans 
and migration,” Bates said, “what you see is the land is the draw.”

But in Nicodemus and other communities across the U.S., that land 
steadily slipped out of African American hands. Bates said the area was 
home to nearly 150 Black farmers a century ago. Today, none of 
Nicodemus’ residents actively farm. And only a few Black farmers in 
neighboring towns are still going.

”The land loss has just 
been tremendous,” said JohnElla Holmes, who lives in Nicodemus and heads
 the Kansas Black Farmers Association. “It’s a loss of legacy.”

On
 a gravel road north of town, Holmes looks over the expansive prairie 
that Black homesteaders, including her great-great grandfather, settled 
here in 1877. Nicodemus is barely visible along the horizon as a line of
 small white homes and a skinny blue water tower.

“All of 
this was Black-owned at one time, six by six miles,” Holmes said, waving
 her hand over a field of golden wheat. “It’s as far as you can see.”

At its peak, the Nicodemus area was home to some <a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/nicodemus-graham-county/12157" target="_blank">600 people</a>.
 But like many other families who once owned homesteads here, Holmes’ 
parents sold their land long ago because of discrimination that blocked 
her father from getting the funds he needed to keep the farm running.

When Holmes moved back to town six years ago, she was one of only 15 residents.

It’s a pattern that’s 
repeated across the country. One hundred years ago, Holmes said Kansas 
was home to upward of 150,000 acres of Black-owned farmland. That 
number’s now closer to 10,000 acres.

Nationwide, Black farm ownership peaked in 1910, when <a href="http://lib-usda-05.serverfarm.cornell.edu/usda/AgCensusImages/1920/Farm_Statistics_By_Color_and_Tenure.pdf" target="_blank">nearly one million</a> Black farmers had between <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/46984/19353_ra174h_1_.pdf?v=0" target="_blank">16 and 19 million collective acres</a>. Since then, about <a href="https://www.chlpi.org/clinic-students-reflect-on-land-loss-wealth-and-reparations/" target="_blank">90% of it</a>
 has been lost — a chunk of land roughly the size of West Virginia. At 
the same time, the amount of farmland owned by white farmers has <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/46984/19353_ra174h_1_.pdf?v=41056#:%7E:text=Land%20ownership%20by%20Black%20farmers,acres%20owned%20by%20White%20farmers." target="_blank">increased</a>. Today, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/08/reparations-black-farmers-stimulus/" target="_blank">fewer than 50,000</a> African Americans continue to farm.

“If
 something is not done in the next few years,” Thomas Mitchell, a Land 
Loss and Reparations Project researcher, said, “30 years from now, we 
could literally be talking about there's only a few hundred Black 
farmers left in this country.”

Thomas Mitchell teaches law 
at Texas A&amp;M University and has worked with Black farmers across 
several states for the past 25 years. In that time, he said he’s heard 
from farmer after farmer driven off their land by systemic 
discrimination by the USDA and local loan offices where the agency hands
 jurisdiction over to county committees, which have been <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/538598-democrats-make-historic-push-for-aid-equity-for-black-farmers" target="_blank">historically white</a>.

Many
 African Americans haven’t been able to buy land or the equipment they 
need to operate a farm because they were repeatedly denied credit for 
bogus reasons. Some applied for loans to buy seed, but were slow-walked 
so badly they missed the planting season. Others weren’t able to obtain a
 loan application at all.

“This wasn't the exception to the rule. This wasn't a bug,” Mitchell said. “This was a feature of the system.”

The discriminatory practices 
against Black farmers aren’t a new revelation. The USDA’s role in 
pushing Black farmers out of agriculture has been <a href="https://archive.org/details/timetoact1545usda" target="_blank">well documented</a> in the federal government’s <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr11b562z.pdf" target="_blank">own reports</a> over the past <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr12f22c2.pdf" target="_blank">several decades</a>.

For example, a <a href="http://1ejo4s1s17zg1kcty43jbni1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr11b562z.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>
 from 1982 described “extensive deficiencies” in how the USDA’s farm 
credit arm treated Black farmers. It detailed widespread instances of 
the USDA offering Black farmers fewer loans, smaller loans and higher 
interest rates when compared to their white counterparts.

The
 report concluded that ongoing discrimination “could result in the 
extinction of Black farms in this country if immediate measures are not 
taken to counter the biases presently built into the system.”

But
 little seemed to change. In the years following that 1982 report, 
slashed budgets, staff turnover and poor leadership led the USDA’s civil
 rights program to grind to a halt. A <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/07/10/laxity-confusion-mar-usda-rights-program/dc532022-dc89-4fa4-863e-3361cb9bd8a5/" target="_blank">Washington Post report</a> from that time says the agency stopped looking into discrimination complaints entirely.

“The USDA actually acknowledged that with several of the claims,” Mitchell said, “they literally threw them in the garbage can.”

In recent years, there have been some efforts to reckon with the 
USDA’s checkered past — at least on the surface. During his previous 
tenure under the Obama Administration, current Secretary of Agriculture 
Tom Vilsack <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/https-medium-com-usda-results-chapter-8-b57f91b64d49" target="_blank">heralded</a>
 the USDA’s recent turnaround as a “new era for civil rights” and 
claimed that he had overseen a 12% increase in the number of Black 
farmers.

But an <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/usda-black-farmers-discrimination-tom-vilsack-reparations-civil-rights/#myth4" target="_blank">investigation</a>
 by Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic research fellow Nate Rosenberg 
revealed that the department has misled the public by changing the 
methodology of its census to show a false uptick in Black farming.

“They
 portrayed it in a completely irresponsible way,” said Rosenberg, who is
 also lead researcher with the Land Loss and Reparations Project. “And 
they still do.”

Rosenberg said that has led to a perception
 that discrimination against Black farmers as a thing of the past and 
has made it even more challenging for farmers to get their concerns 
taken seriously. His two-year <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/usda-black-farmers-discrimination-tom-vilsack-reparations-civil-rights/#myth4" target="_blank">investigation</a>
 into the USDA’s practices under Vilsack found that the agency continued
 to foreclose on Black farmers with unresolved civil rights complaints 
and failed to properly address new complaints that came in.

“There
 was a perception that the Vilsack administration was addressing it,” 
Rosenberg said, “when, in fact, it was getting worse.”

The new federal debt relief 
program within the American Rescue Plan slated to launch this month is 
intended to start righting some of those wrongs. It includes an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/03/13/976659142/black-farmers-have-long-faced-discrimination-new-aid-aims-to-boost-their-numbers" target="_blank">estimated $4 billion</a> to pay off some outstanding debts marginalized farmers owe the federal government.

But
 Mitchell, the Texas A&amp;M law professor, said that while $4 billion 
might sound like a lot, his team’s preliminary research estimates that 
the actual amount of wealth removed from Black communities as a result 
of lost farmland adds up to at least $300 billion. So even if this new 
relief program does end up putting money in some Black farmers’ pockets,
 it won’t even the score.

“It doesn't represent anything 
approaching a remedy that would make Black farmers whole,” Michell said.
 “I mean, not even close.”

And it’s still unclear whether or not the effort will come to fruition.

A federal judge issued a temporary order <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/" target="_blank">halting the debt relief</a>
 in response to a lawsuit filed by a conservative law firm in Wisconsin 
and a group of white farmers. And that’s not the only federal lawsuit 
that’s been brought by <a href="https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/trump-backed-legal-group-sues-for-debt-relief-for-white-farmers" target="_blank">white farmers</a> who say the program discriminates against them. Banks are also pressuring the USDA to rethink the plan, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/us/politics/black-farmers-debt-relief.html" target="_blank">arguing</a> that it would cut into their profits from interest payments.

JohnElla Holmes, the head of the Black farmers group, said her 
organization has received threats from people outraged at the idea of 
handouts going to farmers of color.

Yet she figures only a 
quarter of the farmers she works with will even be eligible for 
compensation. She said the decades of being denied federal farm loans 
pushed many Black farmers to seek private loans from banks, and those 
aren’t covered as part of this debt relief program.

Even 
among the Kansas farmers who are eligible, Holmes said many of them are 
skeptical about signing up. So, she has been seeking them out and trying
 to persuade them that the program offers at least a chance of shoring 
up their family farms for the future.

“Do I want handouts? 
Absolutely not,” Holmes said. “I just want to be treated fairly, and put
 in a position where we can be at least on the football field.”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973546110.png" alt="Bernard Bates holds a notebook of documents from the lawsuits he's been a part of while trying to get his farmland back. Photos by David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Bernard Bates holds a notebook of documents from the lawsuits he's been a part of while trying to get his farmland back. Photos by David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>In Nicodemus, Kansas, farmers say the help has come too late</h2>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-06-28/federal-payments-to-black-kansas-farmers-come-too-late-for-generations-who-faced-discrimination">Kansas News Service</a>NICODEMUS&nbsp;— At his home in northwest Kansas, Bernard Bates thumbs through a stack of faded color photographs nearly 40 years old.One
 shows a group of men in county sheriff’s jackets standing in front of a
 combine. In another, two men inspect plowing equipment on a flatbed 
truck.“That’s when they loaded up my machinery,” Bates said. “They sold our machinery first. Then they sold the land.”In
 the early 1980s, weather wiped out the crops on his 950-acre farm in 
Nicodemus, the last remaining African American settlement west of the 
Mississippi River. Bates tried to get his loans extended to make it to 
the next season. But he was denied. Among the papers on his desk sits an <a href="https://context-cdn.washingtonpost.com/notes/prod/default/documents/f998215b-52fa-4cd4-a8f3-c3801a502b09/note/cdb54622-404b-4c01-af73-555e89cbd78e." target="_blank">affidavit</a>
 from the president of the regional credit association that says he 
denied Bates the help he needed deliberately to push him out of farming.A new <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/03/13/976659142/black-farmers-have-long-faced-discrimination-new-aid-aims-to-boost-their-numbers" target="_blank">federal effort</a>
 plans to send more debt relief payments to Black farmers in recognition
 of how the USDA and local farm credit offices denied generations of 
people like Bates loans and foreclosed on their properties, effectively 
transferring farmland to their white neighbors. But for many, the money 
will be too late to reverse the decades of damage caused by 
discrimination in farming.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973611650.png" alt="Photos showing the day Bernard Bates' farming equipment was sold in 1983." />
 <figcaption>Photos showing the day Bernard Bates' farming equipment was sold in 1983.</figcaption>
 </figure>Bates wrote letters detailing the discrimination to Sen. Bob Dole, 
President Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They did
 him no good. His lenders foreclosed. All he could do was watch his 
family farm, his tractor and even the wheat he had harvested get taken 
away.“My wife tells everybody if I’d had a gun, I probably
 would’ve shot somebody,” Bates said. “I worked hard all year and then 
stood there and watched them steal wheat all night long.”He was one of the original plaintiffs on a landmark discrimination settlement in the 1990s, <a href="https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/FH-DC-0006-9000.pdf" target="_blank">Pigford v Glickman</a>, that was supposed to send more than $1 billion to Black farmers who had been treated unfairly by the USDA.He’s still waiting for his first check.“I haven't got a penny yet.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973641925.png" alt="Wheat grows in a northwest Kansas field with the town of Nicodemus in the distance." />
 <figcaption>Wheat grows in a northwest Kansas field with the town of Nicodemus in the distance.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Promised land</h2>The loss of Black-owned farmland is 
profoundly felt in this part of northwest Kansas, where hundreds of 
African American homesteaders built their own agricultural community 
following emancipation in the 19th century. For Angela Bates, Bernard’s 
cousin who now leads the <a href="https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/" target="_blank">Nicodemus Historical Society</a>, the land here represents more than just soil and crops.“It reflects what African Americans did with their freedom,” Bates said. “This was the promised land.”At the time, Nicodemus was one of many all-Black settlements that formerly enslaved people formed on the frontier from <a href="https://humanities.utulsa.edu/oklahoma-home-historically-black-towns-u-s-state/" target="_blank">Oklahoma</a> to <a href="https://www.historicwyoming.org/profiles/empire-wyoming" target="_blank">Wyoming</a>. In Kansas alone, <a href="https://www.stlpublicradio.org/projects/black-white/exodusters.php" target="_blank">more than 40,000</a> African Americans, referred to at the time as exodusters, made similar journeys and built a <a href="http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.afam.006" target="_blank">dozen</a> Black farming colonies.“When
 you think about farming in the historical context of African Americans 
and migration,” Bates said, “what you see is the land is the draw.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973683126.png" alt="Angela Bates holds a picture of her great-great-great-grandparents, John and Lee Anna Samuels, who settled in Nicodemus after their emancipation from slavery. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Angela Bates holds a picture of her great-great-great-grandparents, John and Lee Anna Samuels, who settled in Nicodemus after their emancipation from slavery. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>But in Nicodemus and other communities across the U.S., that land 
steadily slipped out of African American hands. Bates said the area was 
home to nearly 150 Black farmers a century ago. Today, none of 
Nicodemus’ residents actively farm. And only a few Black farmers in 
neighboring towns are still going.”The land loss has just 
been tremendous,” said JohnElla Holmes, who lives in Nicodemus and heads
 the Kansas Black Farmers Association. “It’s a loss of legacy.”On
 a gravel road north of town, Holmes looks over the expansive prairie 
that Black homesteaders, including her great-great grandfather, settled 
here in 1877. Nicodemus is barely visible along the horizon as a line of
 small white homes and a skinny blue water tower.“All of 
this was Black-owned at one time, six by six miles,” Holmes said, waving
 her hand over a field of golden wheat. “It’s as far as you can see.”At its peak, the Nicodemus area was home to some <a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/nicodemus-graham-county/12157" target="_blank">600 people</a>.
 But like many other families who once owned homesteads here, Holmes’ 
parents sold their land long ago because of discrimination that blocked 
her father from getting the funds he needed to keep the farm running.When Holmes moved back to town six years ago, she was one of only 15 residents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973714177.png" alt="A photograph of Bernard Bates' father as a child with his family on their Nicodemus farm in the early 1900s." />
 <figcaption>A photograph of Bernard Bates' father as a child with his family on their Nicodemus farm in the early 1900s.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘This wasn’t a bug’</h2>It’s a pattern that’s 
repeated across the country. One hundred years ago, Holmes said Kansas 
was home to upward of 150,000 acres of Black-owned farmland. That 
number’s now closer to 10,000 acres.Nationwide, Black farm ownership peaked in 1910, when <a href="http://lib-usda-05.serverfarm.cornell.edu/usda/AgCensusImages/1920/Farm_Statistics_By_Color_and_Tenure.pdf" target="_blank">nearly one million</a> Black farmers had between <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/46984/19353_ra174h_1_.pdf?v=0" target="_blank">16 and 19 million collective acres</a>. Since then, about <a href="https://www.chlpi.org/clinic-students-reflect-on-land-loss-wealth-and-reparations/" target="_blank">90% of it</a>
 has been lost — a chunk of land roughly the size of West Virginia. At 
the same time, the amount of farmland owned by white farmers has <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/46984/19353_ra174h_1_.pdf?v=41056#:%7E:text=Land%20ownership%20by%20Black%20farmers,acres%20owned%20by%20White%20farmers." target="_blank">increased</a>. Today, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/08/reparations-black-farmers-stimulus/" target="_blank">fewer than 50,000</a> African Americans continue to farm.“If
 something is not done in the next few years,” Thomas Mitchell, a Land 
Loss and Reparations Project researcher, said, “30 years from now, we 
could literally be talking about there's only a few hundred Black 
farmers left in this country.”Thomas Mitchell teaches law 
at Texas A&amp;M University and has worked with Black farmers across 
several states for the past 25 years. In that time, he said he’s heard 
from farmer after farmer driven off their land by systemic 
discrimination by the USDA and local loan offices where the agency hands
 jurisdiction over to county committees, which have been <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/538598-democrats-make-historic-push-for-aid-equity-for-black-farmers" target="_blank">historically white</a>.Many
 African Americans haven’t been able to buy land or the equipment they 
need to operate a farm because they were repeatedly denied credit for 
bogus reasons. Some applied for loans to buy seed, but were slow-walked 
so badly they missed the planting season. Others weren’t able to obtain a
 loan application at all.“This wasn't the exception to the rule. This wasn't a bug,” Mitchell said. “This was a feature of the system.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973744045.png" alt="Bernard Bates, who lost his farm after facing discriminatory lending practices, stands with his wife, Ava, outside their home west of Nicodemus." />
 <figcaption>Bernard Bates, who lost his farm after facing discriminatory lending practices, stands with his wife, Ava, outside their home west of Nicodemus.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Little changed</h2>The discriminatory practices 
against Black farmers aren’t a new revelation. The USDA’s role in 
pushing Black farmers out of agriculture has been <a href="https://archive.org/details/timetoact1545usda" target="_blank">well documented</a> in the federal government’s <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr11b562z.pdf" target="_blank">own reports</a> over the past <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr12f22c2.pdf" target="_blank">several decades</a>.For example, a <a href="http://1ejo4s1s17zg1kcty43jbni1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cr11b562z.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>
 from 1982 described “extensive deficiencies” in how the USDA’s farm 
credit arm treated Black farmers. It detailed widespread instances of 
the USDA offering Black farmers fewer loans, smaller loans and higher 
interest rates when compared to their white counterparts.The
 report concluded that ongoing discrimination “could result in the 
extinction of Black farms in this country if immediate measures are not 
taken to counter the biases presently built into the system.”But
 little seemed to change. In the years following that 1982 report, 
slashed budgets, staff turnover and poor leadership led the USDA’s civil
 rights program to grind to a halt. A <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/07/10/laxity-confusion-mar-usda-rights-program/dc532022-dc89-4fa4-863e-3361cb9bd8a5/" target="_blank">Washington Post report</a> from that time says the agency stopped looking into discrimination complaints entirely.“The USDA actually acknowledged that with several of the claims,” Mitchell said, “they literally threw them in the garbage can.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973773202.png" alt="An affidavit describing the local farm credit association's intent to discriminate against Bernard Bates." />
 <figcaption>An affidavit describing the local farm credit association's intent to discriminate against Bernard Bates.</figcaption>
 </figure>In recent years, there have been some efforts to reckon with the 
USDA’s checkered past — at least on the surface. During his previous 
tenure under the Obama Administration, current Secretary of Agriculture 
Tom Vilsack <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/https-medium-com-usda-results-chapter-8-b57f91b64d49" target="_blank">heralded</a>
 the USDA’s recent turnaround as a “new era for civil rights” and 
claimed that he had overseen a 12% increase in the number of Black 
farmers.But an <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/usda-black-farmers-discrimination-tom-vilsack-reparations-civil-rights/#myth4" target="_blank">investigation</a>
 by Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic research fellow Nate Rosenberg 
revealed that the department has misled the public by changing the 
methodology of its census to show a false uptick in Black farming.“They
 portrayed it in a completely irresponsible way,” said Rosenberg, who is
 also lead researcher with the Land Loss and Reparations Project. “And 
they still do.”Rosenberg said that has led to a perception
 that discrimination against Black farmers as a thing of the past and 
has made it even more challenging for farmers to get their concerns 
taken seriously. His two-year <a href="http://thecounterorg.wpengine.com/usda-black-farmers-discrimination-tom-vilsack-reparations-civil-rights/#myth4" target="_blank">investigation</a>
 into the USDA’s practices under Vilsack found that the agency continued
 to foreclose on Black farmers with unresolved civil rights complaints 
and failed to properly address new complaints that came in.“There
 was a perception that the Vilsack administration was addressing it,” 
Rosenberg said, “when, in fact, it was getting worse.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973803414.png" alt="JohnElla Holmes, president and executive director of the Kansas Black Farmers Association, stands next to a piece of farmland north of Nicodemus." />
 <figcaption>JohnElla Holmes, president and executive director of the Kansas Black Farmers Association, stands next to a piece of farmland north of Nicodemus.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The road ahead</h2>The new federal debt relief 
program within the American Rescue Plan slated to launch this month is 
intended to start righting some of those wrongs. It includes an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/03/13/976659142/black-farmers-have-long-faced-discrimination-new-aid-aims-to-boost-their-numbers" target="_blank">estimated $4 billion</a> to pay off some outstanding debts marginalized farmers owe the federal government.But
 Mitchell, the Texas A&amp;M law professor, said that while $4 billion 
might sound like a lot, his team’s preliminary research estimates that 
the actual amount of wealth removed from Black communities as a result 
of lost farmland adds up to at least $300 billion. So even if this new 
relief program does end up putting money in some Black farmers’ pockets,
 it won’t even the score.“It doesn't represent anything 
approaching a remedy that would make Black farmers whole,” Michell said.
 “I mean, not even close.”And it’s still unclear whether or not the effort will come to fruition.A federal judge issued a temporary order <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/" target="_blank">halting the debt relief</a>
 in response to a lawsuit filed by a conservative law firm in Wisconsin 
and a group of white farmers. And that’s not the only federal lawsuit 
that’s been brought by <a href="https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/trump-backed-legal-group-sues-for-debt-relief-for-white-farmers" target="_blank">white farmers</a> who say the program discriminates against them. Banks are also pressuring the USDA to rethink the plan, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/us/politics/black-farmers-debt-relief.html" target="_blank">arguing</a> that it would cut into their profits from interest payments.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624973832615.png" alt="The District No. 1 Schoolhouse is now part of the Nicodemus National Historic Site." />
 <figcaption>The District No. 1 Schoolhouse is now part of the Nicodemus National Historic Site.</figcaption>
 </figure>JohnElla Holmes, the head of the Black farmers group, said her 
organization has received threats from people outraged at the idea of 
handouts going to farmers of color.Yet she figures only a 
quarter of the farmers she works with will even be eligible for 
compensation. She said the decades of being denied federal farm loans 
pushed many Black farmers to seek private loans from banks, and those 
aren’t covered as part of this debt relief program.Even 
among the Kansas farmers who are eligible, Holmes said many of them are 
skeptical about signing up. So, she has been seeking them out and trying
 to persuade them that the program offers at least a chance of shoring 
up their family farms for the future.“Do I want handouts? 
Absolutely not,” Holmes said. “I just want to be treated fairly, and put
 in a position where we can be at least on the football field.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.

Payments to black farmers too late for generations who faced discrimination

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today continues its "Dirty 
Dozen" scam series with a warning to taxpayers to watch out for 
unexpected schemes in the form of emails, text or social media messages 
and phone calls.

Unscrupulous individuals seek to obtain personal information for the 
purpose of tax-related identity theft. Whether through a telephone call,
 text message or email, the con artist tries to convince the recipient 
that they need to provide Social Security numbers, bank account or 
credit card information or passwords. The scam may also include sending 
links that once clicked on can download malicious software that 
collects, or "mines" personal data.

Often, criminals pose as someone the recipient knows or frequently 
interacts with, whether a social or family relationship or a business 
contact. They gather much of this information from social media. A 
person's contacts or 'friends' are used to bait the recipient into 
thinking they're dealing with someone they know.

More information on the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" list can be found on a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">special section of IRS.gov</a>.

The IRS warns taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be alert
 for a continuing surge of fake emails, text messages, websites and 
social media attempts to steal personal information. These attacks tend 
to increase during tax season and remain a major cause of identity theft
 throughout the year.

Phishing scams target individuals with communications appearing to 
come from legitimate sources to collect victims' personal and financial 
data and potentially infect their devices by convincing the target to 
download malicious programs. Cybercriminals usually send these phishing 
communications by email but may also use text messages or social media 
posts or messaging.

These phishing schemes can be tricky and cleverly disguised to look 
like they're from the IRS or from others in the tax community. Taxpayers
 are reminded to continually watch out for emails and other scams posing
 as the IRS, like those promising a big refund, missing stimulus payment
 or even issuing a threat. People should not open attachments or click 
on links in those emails or text messages.

Phishing scams targeting tax professionals

As part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 effort, the IRS warns tax professionals about phishing scams involving 
verification of Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFIN) and 
Centralized Authorization File (CAF) numbers. The agency has seen an 
increase in these kinds of scams, along with offers to buy and sell 
EFINs and CAFs.

Tax professionals have reported receiving scam e-mails from the fictitious "<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-summit-partners-issue-urgent-efin-scam-alert-to-tax-professionals">IRS Tax E-Filing</a>"
 and the IRS reminds tax professionals who receive those e-mails to not 
open any attachments or click any links. Rather, they should report the 
scam to the <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a>.

The IRS reminds tax professionals to protect themselves against the 
unauthorized use of an EFIN. Tax professionals must not transfer their 
EFIN or ETIN by sale, merger, loan, gift or otherwise to another entity.

Phishing – new client scams target tax pros

The "New Client" scam continues to be a prevalent form of phishing 
for tax pros. Here's an example in the form of an email: "I just moved 
here from Michigan. I have an urgent tax issue and I was hoping you 
could help," the email begins. "I hope you are taking on new clients."

The email says one attachment is an IRS notice and the other 
attachment is the prospective client's prior-year tax return. This scam 
has many variations so tax professionals should be wary and avoid 
opening attachments or clicking links when they don't know the e-mail 
sender.

Knowing what to watch for can help. Below is an actual example of another recent new client scam e-mail:

Individuals should be wary of unexpected phone calls asking for 
personal financial information. The IRS has seen an increase in 
voice-related phishing, or 'vishing,' particularly from scams related to
 federal tax liens. For those receiving phone calls out of the blue, 
security experts recommend asking questions of the caller but not 
providing any personal information. If in doubt, hang up immediately.

During 2020, almost 400 vishing scams were reported, a 14% increase 
from the prior year. Of those vishing scams, 25% were scammers who tried
 to use fake tax lien information. The number of tax-lien related scams 
increased from 58 in 2019 to 104 in 2020, an increase of 79%. The IRS 
urges taxpayers to refrain from engaging potential scammers on the phone
 or online.

While both the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission have seen a 
decline in the number of reports of scammers claiming to be from the IRS
 telephoning potential victims, the agency urges taxpayers to be wary. 
(The IRS has seen a 43% decrease in the number of reports of calls from 
callers claiming to be from the IRS: 20,500 in 2020 compared to 36,000 
in 2019. The FTC saw a 67% decline from 7,694 reports in 2019 to 2,571 
in 2020.)

While the numbers may be on the decline, the IRS urges taxpayers to 
remain vigilant and to remember the following things about the IRS:

Recipients of these calls should hang up before giving out any 
information. If anyone receives an unexpected call from the IRS that 
they believe to be a scam, they can report it to the <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)</a>.

Taxpayers should be aware of social media scams, which frequently use
 events like COVID-19 to try to trick people. Social media enables 
unscrupulous individuals to lurk on accounts and extract personal 
information to use against the victim. These cons may send emails 
impersonating the victim's family, friends or co-workers.

Social media scams have also led to tax-related identity theft. The 
basic element of social media scams is convincing a potential victim 
that he or she is dealing with a person close to them that they trust 
via email, text or social media messaging.

Using personal information, a scammer may email a potential victim 
and include a link to something of interest to the recipient, but which 
contains malware intended to commit more crimes. Scammers also 
infiltrate their victim's emails and cell phones to go after their 
friends and family with fake emails that appear to be real, and text 
messages soliciting, for example, small donations to fake charities that
 are appealing to the victims.

Individuals should know that any of their information that is 
publicly shared on social media platforms can be collected and used 
against them. One way to circumvent these scams is to review privacy 
settings and limit data that is publicly shared.

Financial institutions should be aware of trends and indicators of 
ransomware, which is a form of malicious software ("malware") designed 
to block access to a computer system or data. Access is often blocked by
 encrypting data or programs on information technology (IT) systems to 
extort ransom payments from victims in exchange for decrypting the 
information and restoring victims' access to their systems or data. In 
some cases, in addition to the attack, the perpetrators threaten to 
publish sensitive files belonging to the victims, which can be 
individuals or business entities.

The U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN), has 
noted that ransomware attacks continue to rise across various sectors, 
particularly across governmental entities as well as financial, 
educational and healthcare institutions. Ransomware attacks on small 
municipalities and healthcare organizations have increased, likely due 
to the victims' weaker cybersecurity controls, such as inadequate system
 backups and ineffective incident response capabilities.

Cybercriminals using ransomware often resort to common tactics, such 
as wide-scale phishing and targeted spear-phishing campaigns that induce
 victims to download a malicious file or go to a malicious site. They 
may also exploit remote desktop protocol endpoints and software 
vulnerabilities or deploy "drive-by" malware attacks that host malicious
 code on legitimate websites. Proactive prevention through effective 
cyber hygiene, cybersecurity controls and other best practices are often
 the best defense against ransomware.

Ransomware actors are increasingly engaging in selective targeting of
 larger enterprises to demand bigger payouts – commonly referred to as 
"big game hunting." Many cybercriminals are sharing resources to enhance
 the effectiveness of ransomware attacks, such as ransomware 
exploit-kits that come with ready-made malicious codes and tools. These 
kits can be purchased, although they are also offered free of charge.

Some ransomware groups are also forming partnerships to share advice,
 code, trends, techniques and illegally obtained information over shared
 platforms.

Ransomware criminals are also increasingly engaging in "double 
extortion schemes," which involve removing sensitive data from the 
targeted networks, encrypting the system files and demanding ransom.

The consequences of a ransomware attack can be severe and 
far-reaching, with losses of sensitive, proprietary, and critical 
information and loss of business functionality. The role of financial 
intermediaries in facilitating ransomware payments and ransomware 
attacks are a growing concern for the financial sector because of the 
critical role financial institutions play in the collection of ransom 
payments.

The IRS reminds taxpayers and tax professionals to keep abreast of 
news about fraud-related behavior. Report any instances of fraud 
immediately.

For more information visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/tax-fraud-alerts">Tax Fraud Alerts</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-scams-how-to-report-them">Tax Scams – How to Report Them</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service today continues its "Dirty 
Dozen" scam series with a warning to taxpayers to watch out for 
unexpected schemes in the form of emails, text or social media messages 
and phone calls.Unscrupulous individuals seek to obtain personal information for the 
purpose of tax-related identity theft. Whether through a telephone call,
 text message or email, the con artist tries to convince the recipient 
that they need to provide Social Security numbers, bank account or 
credit card information or passwords. The scam may also include sending 
links that once clicked on can download malicious software that 
collects, or "mines" personal data.Often, criminals pose as someone the recipient knows or frequently 
interacts with, whether a social or family relationship or a business 
contact. They gather much of this information from social media. A 
person's contacts or 'friends' are used to bait the recipient into 
thinking they're dealing with someone they know.More information on the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" list can be found on a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen">special section of IRS.gov</a>.<h2>Tax-related phishing scams persist</h2>The IRS warns taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be alert
 for a continuing surge of fake emails, text messages, websites and 
social media attempts to steal personal information. These attacks tend 
to increase during tax season and remain a major cause of identity theft
 throughout the year.Phishing scams target individuals with communications appearing to 
come from legitimate sources to collect victims' personal and financial 
data and potentially infect their devices by convincing the target to 
download malicious programs. Cybercriminals usually send these phishing 
communications by email but may also use text messages or social media 
posts or messaging.These phishing schemes can be tricky and cleverly disguised to look 
like they're from the IRS or from others in the tax community. Taxpayers
 are reminded to continually watch out for emails and other scams posing
 as the IRS, like those promising a big refund, missing stimulus payment
 or even issuing a threat. People should not open attachments or click 
on links in those emails or text messages.<h2>Phishing scams targeting tax professionals</h2>As part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 effort, the IRS warns tax professionals about phishing scams involving 
verification of Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFIN) and 
Centralized Authorization File (CAF) numbers. The agency has seen an 
increase in these kinds of scams, along with offers to buy and sell 
EFINs and CAFs.Tax professionals have reported receiving scam e-mails from the fictitious "<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-summit-partners-issue-urgent-efin-scam-alert-to-tax-professionals">IRS Tax E-Filing</a>"
 and the IRS reminds tax professionals who receive those e-mails to not 
open any attachments or click any links. Rather, they should report the 
scam to the <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration</a>.The IRS reminds tax professionals to protect themselves against the 
unauthorized use of an EFIN. Tax professionals must not transfer their 
EFIN or ETIN by sale, merger, loan, gift or otherwise to another entity.<h2>Phishing – new client scams target tax pros</h2>The "New Client" scam continues to be a prevalent form of phishing 
for tax pros. Here's an example in the form of an email: "I just moved 
here from Michigan. I have an urgent tax issue and I was hoping you 
could help," the email begins. "I hope you are taking on new clients."The email says one attachment is an IRS notice and the other 
attachment is the prospective client's prior-year tax return. This scam 
has many variations so tax professionals should be wary and avoid 
opening attachments or clicking links when they don't know the e-mail 
sender.Knowing what to watch for can help. Below is an actual example of another recent new client scam e-mail:<figure>
 <img src="https://www.irs.gov/pub/image/email-scam-image_2.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Impersonator phone calls/vishing</h2>Individuals should be wary of unexpected phone calls asking for 
personal financial information. The IRS has seen an increase in 
voice-related phishing, or 'vishing,' particularly from scams related to
 federal tax liens. For those receiving phone calls out of the blue, 
security experts recommend asking questions of the caller but not 
providing any personal information. If in doubt, hang up immediately.During 2020, almost 400 vishing scams were reported, a 14% increase 
from the prior year. Of those vishing scams, 25% were scammers who tried
 to use fake tax lien information. The number of tax-lien related scams 
increased from 58 in 2019 to 104 in 2020, an increase of 79%. The IRS 
urges taxpayers to refrain from engaging potential scammers on the phone
 or online.While both the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission have seen a 
decline in the number of reports of scammers claiming to be from the IRS
 telephoning potential victims, the agency urges taxpayers to be wary. 
(The IRS has seen a 43% decrease in the number of reports of calls from 
callers claiming to be from the IRS: 20,500 in 2020 compared to 36,000 
in 2019. The FTC saw a 67% decline from 7,694 reports in 2019 to 2,571 
in 2020.)While the numbers may be on the decline, the IRS urges taxpayers to 
remain vigilant and to remember the following things about the IRS:<ul>
 <li>The IRS generally first contacts people by mail - not by phone - about unpaid taxes.</li><li>The IRS may attempt to reach individuals by telephone but will not 
insist on payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, 
money order or wire transfer.</li><li>The IRS will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, text or social media.</li>
 </ul>Recipients of these calls should hang up before giving out any 
information. If anyone receives an unexpected call from the IRS that 
they believe to be a scam, they can report it to the <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)</a>.<h2>Social media scams continue</h2>Taxpayers should be aware of social media scams, which frequently use
 events like COVID-19 to try to trick people. Social media enables 
unscrupulous individuals to lurk on accounts and extract personal 
information to use against the victim. These cons may send emails 
impersonating the victim's family, friends or co-workers.Social media scams have also led to tax-related identity theft. The 
basic element of social media scams is convincing a potential victim 
that he or she is dealing with a person close to them that they trust 
via email, text or social media messaging.Using personal information, a scammer may email a potential victim 
and include a link to something of interest to the recipient, but which 
contains malware intended to commit more crimes. Scammers also 
infiltrate their victim's emails and cell phones to go after their 
friends and family with fake emails that appear to be real, and text 
messages soliciting, for example, small donations to fake charities that
 are appealing to the victims.Individuals should know that any of their information that is 
publicly shared on social media platforms can be collected and used 
against them. One way to circumvent these scams is to review privacy 
settings and limit data that is publicly shared.<h2>Ransomware on the rise</h2>Financial institutions should be aware of trends and indicators of 
ransomware, which is a form of malicious software ("malware") designed 
to block access to a computer system or data. Access is often blocked by
 encrypting data or programs on information technology (IT) systems to 
extort ransom payments from victims in exchange for decrypting the 
information and restoring victims' access to their systems or data. In 
some cases, in addition to the attack, the perpetrators threaten to 
publish sensitive files belonging to the victims, which can be 
individuals or business entities.The U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN), has 
noted that ransomware attacks continue to rise across various sectors, 
particularly across governmental entities as well as financial, 
educational and healthcare institutions. Ransomware attacks on small 
municipalities and healthcare organizations have increased, likely due 
to the victims' weaker cybersecurity controls, such as inadequate system
 backups and ineffective incident response capabilities.<h2>Tactics</h2>Cybercriminals using ransomware often resort to common tactics, such 
as wide-scale phishing and targeted spear-phishing campaigns that induce
 victims to download a malicious file or go to a malicious site. They 
may also exploit remote desktop protocol endpoints and software 
vulnerabilities or deploy "drive-by" malware attacks that host malicious
 code on legitimate websites. Proactive prevention through effective 
cyber hygiene, cybersecurity controls and other best practices are often
 the best defense against ransomware.Ransomware actors are increasingly engaging in selective targeting of
 larger enterprises to demand bigger payouts – commonly referred to as 
"big game hunting." Many cybercriminals are sharing resources to enhance
 the effectiveness of ransomware attacks, such as ransomware 
exploit-kits that come with ready-made malicious codes and tools. These 
kits can be purchased, although they are also offered free of charge.Some ransomware groups are also forming partnerships to share advice,
 code, trends, techniques and illegally obtained information over shared
 platforms.Ransomware criminals are also increasingly engaging in "double 
extortion schemes," which involve removing sensitive data from the 
targeted networks, encrypting the system files and demanding ransom.The consequences of a ransomware attack can be severe and 
far-reaching, with losses of sensitive, proprietary, and critical 
information and loss of business functionality. The role of financial 
intermediaries in facilitating ransomware payments and ransomware 
attacks are a growing concern for the financial sector because of the 
critical role financial institutions play in the collection of ransom 
payments.The IRS reminds taxpayers and tax professionals to keep abreast of 
news about fraud-related behavior. Report any instances of fraud 
immediately.For more information visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/tax-fraud-alerts">Tax Fraud Alerts</a> and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-scams-how-to-report-them">Tax Scams – How to Report Them</a>.

IRS: Email, social media, phones used for 'Dirty Dozen' tax scams

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Kansas man was booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated arson and criminal threat after an incident Monday in Hutchinson.

According to Hutchinson Police Lt. Dustin Loepp, officers were sent just after 5 p.m. Monday to the Kwik Shop at 17th and Plum.

A 51-year-old woman who drives for Roadrunner Taxi told police she was giving a ride to 35-year-old Jamal Anthony Williams, who she had been dating for a few days.

Williams had sent her threatening messages on her phone, demanding rides around town and she decided to put a stop to it and headed toward the convenience store. Williams continued making threats and pulled out a lighter and burned a seat inside the vehicle.

Officers found Williams close by and arrested him. He was booked into jail just before 6:30 p.m. Monday. There was only slight damage to the vehicle.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Kansas man was booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated arson and criminal threat after an incident Monday in Hutchinson.According to Hutchinson Police Lt. Dustin Loepp, officers were sent just after 5 p.m. Monday to the Kwik Shop at 17th and Plum.A 51-year-old woman who drives for Roadrunner Taxi told police she was giving a ride to 35-year-old Jamal Anthony Williams, who she had been dating for a few days.Williams had sent her threatening messages on her phone, demanding rides around town and she decided to put a stop to it and headed toward the convenience store. Williams continued making threats and pulled out a lighter and burned a seat inside the vehicle.Officers found Williams close by and arrested him. He was booked into jail just before 6:30 p.m. Monday. There was only slight damage to the vehicle.

Police: Kansas man tried to start fire in taxi

SURFSIDE, Florida (AP) — The slow work of sifting through the remnants of a collapsed Florida condo building stretched into a sixth day Tuesday, as families desperate for progress endured a wrenching wait for answers.

“We have people waiting and waiting and waiting for news,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters Monday. “We have them coping with the news that they might not have their loved ones come out alive and still hope against hope that they will. They’re learning that some of their loved ones will come out as body parts. This is the kind of information that is just excruciating for everyone.”

The work has been deliberate and treacherous. Just two additional bodies were found Monday, raising the count of confirmed dead to 11. That leaves 150 people still unaccounted for in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fl-state-wire-lifestyle-technology-4558de9d4468d747d88d412d5d0ae772">community of Surfside</a>, just outside Miami.

Authorities are meeting frequently with families to explain what they’re doing and answer questions. They have discussed with families everything from how DNA matches are made to help identify the dead, to how will next of kin be contacted, to going into “extreme detail” about how they are searching the mound, the mayor said.

Armed with that knowledge, she said, families are coming to their own conclusions.

“Some are feeling more hopeful, some less hopeful, because we do not have definitive answers. We give them the facts. We take them to the site,” she said. “They have seen the operation. They understand now how it works, and they are preparing themselves for news, one way or the other.”

Rescuers are using bucket brigades and heavy machinery as they work atop a precarious mound of pulverized concrete, twisted steel and the remnants of dozens of households. The efforts included firefighters, sniffer dogs and search experts using radar and sonar devices.

Authorities said their efforts were still a search-and-rescue operation, but no one has been found alive since hours after the collapse on Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624963101916.png" alt="Photos courtesy Miami Dade County Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Miami Dade County Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>SURFSIDE, Florida (AP) — The slow work of sifting through the remnants of a collapsed Florida condo building stretched into a sixth day Tuesday, as families desperate for progress endured a wrenching wait for answers.“We have people waiting and waiting and waiting for news,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters Monday. “We have them coping with the news that they might not have their loved ones come out alive and still hope against hope that they will. They’re learning that some of their loved ones will come out as body parts. This is the kind of information that is just excruciating for everyone.”The work has been deliberate and treacherous. Just two additional bodies were found Monday, raising the count of confirmed dead to 11. That leaves 150 people still unaccounted for in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fl-state-wire-lifestyle-technology-4558de9d4468d747d88d412d5d0ae772">community of Surfside</a>, just outside Miami.Authorities are meeting frequently with families to explain what they’re doing and answer questions. They have discussed with families everything from how DNA matches are made to help identify the dead, to how will next of kin be contacted, to going into “extreme detail” about how they are searching the mound, the mayor said.Armed with that knowledge, she said, families are coming to their own conclusions.“Some are feeling more hopeful, some less hopeful, because we do not have definitive answers. We give them the facts. We take them to the site,” she said. “They have seen the operation. They understand now how it works, and they are preparing themselves for news, one way or the other.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624963068360.png" alt="Miami Dade County Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Miami Dade County Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>Rescuers are using bucket brigades and heavy machinery as they work atop a precarious mound of pulverized concrete, twisted steel and the remnants of dozens of households. The efforts included firefighters, sniffer dogs and search experts using radar and sonar devices.Authorities said their efforts were still a search-and-rescue operation, but no one has been found alive since hours after the collapse on Thursday.The pancake collapse of the building left layer upon layer of intertwined debris, frustrating efforts to reach anyone who may have survived in a pocket of space.“Every time there’s an action, there’s a reaction,” Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah said during a news conference Monday. “It’s not an issue of we could just attach a couple of cords to a concrete boulder and lift it and call it a day.” Some of the concrete pieces are smaller, the size of basketballs or baseballs.From outside a neighboring building on Monday, more than two dozen family members watched teams of searchers excavate the building site. Some held onto each other for support. Others hugged and prayed. Some people took photos.Authorities on Monday insisted they are not losing hope.Deciding to transition from search-and-rescue work to a recovery operation is agonizing, said Dr. Joseph A. Barbera, a professor at George Washington University. That decision is fraught with considerations, he said, that only those on the ground can make.Barbera coauthored a study examining disasters where some people survived under rubble for prolonged periods of time. He has also advised teams on where to look for potential survivors and when to conclude “that the probability of continued survival is very, very small.”“It’s an incredibly difficult decision, and I’ve never had to make that decision,” Barbera said.The building collapsed just days before a deadline for condo owners to start making steep payments toward more than $9 million in repairs that had been recommended nearly three years earlier, in a report that warned of “major structural damage.”___

State