KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.

The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.

Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.

Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.

The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has&nbsp;<a href="https://archkck.org/protection-and-care/office/substantiated-clergy-offenders/" target="_blank">substantiated&nbsp;</a>a sexual abuse claim against a priest nearly two decades after clearing him.The archdiocese announced in a statement published in Friday’s issue of its official newspaper, The Leaven, that it was with “deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse” that it was reversing what it described as an “inaccurate” determination that The Rev. William Haegelin did not sexually abuse a minor.Haegelin was placed on leave from St. Ann Church in the Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, in 2002 after the archdiocese received a letter accusing him of the inappropriate sexual relations in the 1980s. A review board determined later that year that there was a sexual relationship but that the accuser was 18 when it began.Haegelin released a statement through his attorney at the time saying he thought the board had conducted a “full and fair investigation.” In 2004, he was laicized, which means he was permanently restricted from the priesthood and returned to private citizenship. He doesn’t have a listed phone number.The statement said the archdiocese was grateful for the “survivor’s courage and strength” in challenging the original decision but offered no other explanation for the reversal.

Abuse claim substantiated against previously cleared Kan. priest

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. 

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. 

The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584542151826.png" alt="Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Washington State Dept. of Transportation border traffic camera looking south from Canada 9:37 a.m. CDT&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but less than 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.

Pandemic stress: US-Canada border restrictions extended 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled for Florida in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order making it difficult for cruise ships to sail due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday wrote in a 124-page decision Friday that Florida would be harmed if the CDC order effectively blocking most cruises were to continue. 

The Tampa-based judge granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the CDC from enforcing the order pending further legal action on a broader Florida lawsuit. 

Merryday ordered both sides to return to mediation to attempt to work out a full solution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624107843853.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled for Florida in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order making it difficult for cruise ships to sail due to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday wrote in a 124-page decision Friday that Florida would be harmed if the CDC order effectively blocking most cruises were to continue. The Tampa-based judge granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the CDC from enforcing the order pending further legal action on a broader Florida lawsuit. Merryday ordered both sides to return to mediation to attempt to work out a full solution.

Judge rules for Florida on CDC order blocking cruise ships

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Work has begun on nearly $30 million in renovation projects that will change the entrance to Omaha's Eppley Airfield and upgrade one of the national airport's garages. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the entrance to the airport terminal will be moved about a quarter-mile south, toward downtown along Abbott Drive. 

The change comes following several studies in recent years showing the need for a longer and wider entrance that will give drivers more time to make maneuvering decisions. 

Work on the south garage will include construction of an express ramp to provide access to premier parking. Construction began Wednesday and is slated to be finished by late 2022.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-platte-post-by-eagle/id1536439700">Download The Post app for iOs</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624104148718.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Work has begun on nearly $30 million in renovation projects that will change the entrance to Omaha's Eppley Airfield and upgrade one of the national airport's garages. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the entrance to the airport terminal will be moved about a quarter-mile south, toward downtown along Abbott Drive. The change comes following several studies in recent years showing the need for a longer and wider entrance that will give drivers more time to make maneuvering decisions. Work on the south garage will include construction of an express ramp to provide access to premier parking. Construction began Wednesday and is slated to be finished by late 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-platte-post-by-eagle/id1536439700">Download The Post app for iOs</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OouzxwDURKvyvMVuPpnPpjT4NyDfMrMU8SbAYH_rzoghEpSmar-3iuFagSe8Xy5crQYHobDFKwGUIN1FfOJlYSmINBjXeH3KphroGmJyUCtPea3VYY9xuobmGA00oDneeV06L0hE" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

$20M project to change entrance to Omaha's national airport

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.

The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.

Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.

Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.

The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.

According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.

For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.

James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”

The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.

Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.

According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.

The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.

“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”

In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.

And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

Study: Kan., Texas bases lead Army posts in risk of sex assault

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.

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

Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov.

"We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.

Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.

Public-private partnership plays vital role

Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.

The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.

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

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

The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:

The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.

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

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled an online <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 designed to help eligible families who don't normally file tax returns 
register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to
 begin July 15.This tool, an update of last year's IRS Non-filers tool, is also 
designed to help eligible individuals who don't normally file income tax
 returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments
 (also known as stimulus checks) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit 
for any amount of the first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments they 
may have missed.Developed in partnership with Intuit and delivered through the Free 
File Alliance, this tool provides a free and easy way for eligible 
people who don't make enough income to have an income tax return-filing 
obligation to provide the IRS the basic information needed—name, 
address, and Social Security numbers—to figure and issue their Advance 
Child Tax Credit payments. Often, these are individuals and families who
 receive little or no income, including those experiencing homelessness 
and other underserved groups. This new tool is available only on 
IRS.gov."We have been working hard to begin delivering the monthly Advance 
Child Tax Credit to millions of families with children in July," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This new tool will help more people 
easily gain access to this important credit as well as help people who 
don't normally file a tax return obtain an Economic Impact Payment. We 
encourage people to review the details about this important new effort."The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up tool</a>
 is for people who did not file a tax return for 2019 or 2020 and who 
did not use the IRS Non-filers tool last year to register for Economic 
Impact Payments. The tool enables them to provide required information 
about themselves, their qualifying children age 17 and under, their 
other dependents, and their direct deposit bank information so the IRS 
can quickly and easily deposit the payments directly into their checking
 or savings account.<h2>No action needed by most families</h2>Eligible families who already filed or plan to file 2019 or 2020 
income tax returns should not use this tool. Once the IRS processes 
their 2019 or 2020 tax return, the information will be used to determine
 eligibility and issue advance payments. Families who want to claim 
other tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and 
moderate-income families, should not use this tool and instead file a 
regular tax return. For them, the fastest and easiest way to file a 
return is the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File</a> system, available only on IRS.gov.<h2>Public-private partnership plays vital role</h2>Intuit developed the Non-filer Sign-up tool for the IRS and delivers 
this tool through its participation in the Free File Alliance. Intuit 
has a long history of working closely with the IRS on innovative 
solutions, including last year's Non-filers: Enter Payment Info
 Here tool. In addition, for many years, Intuit has offered Free File 
Fillable Forms, also delivered through the Free File Alliance. This is 
the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which provides all taxpayers 
with the option to electronically file for free. There are no income 
restrictions for using this option to file a 2020 tax return.<h2>Watch out for scams</h2>The IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams related to both
 Advance Child Tax Credit payments and Economic Impact Payments. The IRS
 emphasized that the only way to get either of these benefits is by 
either filing a tax return with the IRS or registering online through 
the Non-filer Sign-up tool, exclusively on IRS.gov. Any other option is a
 scam.Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the 
payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS never sends unsolicited 
electronic communications asking anyone to open attachments or visit a 
non-governmental web site.<h2>Other tools coming soon</h2>The IRS has created a special Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, designed to provide the most up-to-date information about the credit and the advance payments.The page already features a link to the Non-filer Sign-up tool. In 
the next few weeks, it will also feature other useful new tools, 
including:<ul>
 <li>An interactive Child Tax Credit eligibility assistant to help 
families determine whether they qualify for the Advance Child Tax Credit
 payments.</li><li>Another tool, the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, will initially 
enable anyone who has been determined to be eligible for advance 
payments to see that they are eligible and unenroll/opt out of the 
advance payment program. Later, it will allow people to check on the 
status of their payments, make updates to their information and be 
available in Spanish.</li>
 </ul><h2>Community partners can help</h2>The IRS urges community groups, non-profits, associations, education 
organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children 
to share this critical information about the Advance Child Tax Credit as
 well as other important benefits. The IRS will provide additional 
materials and information in the near future that can be easily shared 
by social media, email and other methods.<h2>About the Advance Child Tax Credit</h2>The expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit was authorized by
 the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted in March. Normally, the IRS will 
calculate the payment based on a person's 2020 tax return, including 
those who use the Non-filer Sign-up tool. If that return is not 
available because it has not yet been filed or is still being processed,
 the IRS will instead determine the initial payment amounts using the 
2019 return or the information entered using the Non-filers tool that 
was available in 2020.The payment will be up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 through 17.To make sure families have easy access to their money, the IRS will 
issue these payments by direct deposit, as long as correct banking 
information has previously been provided to the IRS. Otherwise, people 
should watch their mail around July 15 for their mailed payment. The 
dates for the Advance Child Tax Credit payments are July 15, Aug. 13, 
Sept. 15, Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.For more information, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>, or read <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">FAQs on the 2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

IRS unveils online tool to help some families register for Child Tax Credit payments

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.

&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.

Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. 

She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623976671929.png" alt="Yelverton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Yelverton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Prosecutors have charged the owner of a gun found in a Topeka home by toddlers, who then accidentally shot a 13-year-old girl.&nbsp;Dejuan Thomas Yelverton, 22, Topeka, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a gun by a felon, according to&nbsp;Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.Yelverton owned the gun that was found by toddlers Saturday morning. As the children were handling the gun, it fired, hitting 13-year-old DaMya Hudnall in the back of the head. DaMay was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. She died after being taken off life support Tuesday. Yelverton is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $250,000 bond.&nbsp;Kagay requested a $1,000,000 bond. Yelverton is scheduled to appear at 3:30p.m. on June 24, 2021 for a scheduling conference in the case.

Murder charge: Toddlers found gun that killed Kansas girl

U.S. Catholic bishops approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.

The approval was announced Friday near the end of a three-day meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that was held virtually.

The bishops had cast their votes privately on Thursday after nearly three hours of impassioned debate.

Supporters of the measure said a strong rebuke of Biden was needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access, while opponents warned that such action would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions across the country.

As a result of the vote, the USCCB’s doctrine committee will draft a statement on the meaning of Communion in the life of the church that will be submitted for consideration at a future meeting, probably an in-person gathering in November.

One section of the document is intended to include a specific admonition to Catholic politicians and other public figures who disobey church teaching on abortion and other core doctrinal issues.

Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, said during Thursday’s debate that he speaks with many people who are confused by a Catholic president who advances “the most radical pro-abortion agenda in history,” and action from the bishops’ conference is needed.

“They’re looking for direction,” Hying said.

Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego countered that the USCCB would suffer “destructive consequences” from a document targeting Catholic politicians.

“It would be impossible to prevent the weaponization of the Eucharist,” McElroy said.

Biden, who attends Mass regularly, says he personally opposes abortion but doesn’t think he should impose that position on Americans who feel otherwise. He’s taken several executive actions during his presidency that were hailed by abortion-rights advocates.

The chairman of the USCCB doctrine committee, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, said no decisions have been made on the final contents of the proposed document. He said bishops who are not on the committee will have chances to offer input, and the final draft will be subject to amendments before it is put up to a vote.

Rhoades also said the document would not mention Biden or other individuals by name and would offer guidelines rather than imposing a mandatory national policy.

That would leave decisions about Communion for specific churchgoers up to individual bishops and archbishops. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has made clear that Biden is welcome to receive Communion at churches in the archdiocese

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619629905595.png" alt="Some bishops have expressed concern that the issue is being used as a political weapon to embarrass Catholic Democrats — such as Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who hold high office and support abortion rights. -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Some bishops have expressed concern that the issue is being used as a political weapon to embarrass Catholic Democrats — such as Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who hold high office and support abortion rights. -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CRARY, Associated PressU.S. Catholic bishops approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.The approval was announced Friday near the end of a three-day meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that was held virtually.The bishops had cast their votes privately on Thursday after nearly three hours of impassioned debate.Supporters of the measure said a strong rebuke of Biden was needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access, while opponents warned that such action would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions across the country.As a result of the vote, the USCCB’s doctrine committee will draft a statement on the meaning of Communion in the life of the church that will be submitted for consideration at a future meeting, probably an in-person gathering in November.One section of the document is intended to include a specific admonition to Catholic politicians and other public figures who disobey church teaching on abortion and other core doctrinal issues.Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, said during Thursday’s debate that he speaks with many people who are confused by a Catholic president who advances “the most radical pro-abortion agenda in history,” and action from the bishops’ conference is needed.“They’re looking for direction,” Hying said.Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego countered that the USCCB would suffer “destructive consequences” from a document targeting Catholic politicians.“It would be impossible to prevent the weaponization of the Eucharist,” McElroy said.Biden, who attends Mass regularly, says he personally opposes abortion but doesn’t think he should impose that position on Americans who feel otherwise. He’s taken several executive actions during his presidency that were hailed by abortion-rights advocates.The chairman of the USCCB doctrine committee, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, said no decisions have been made on the final contents of the proposed document. He said bishops who are not on the committee will have chances to offer input, and the final draft will be subject to amendments before it is put up to a vote.Rhoades also said the document would not mention Biden or other individuals by name and would offer guidelines rather than imposing a mandatory national policy.That would leave decisions about Communion for specific churchgoers up to individual bishops and archbishops. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has made clear that Biden is welcome to receive Communion at churches in the archdiocese

US Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden

ASHLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say one motorcyclist died in a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 80 in eastern Nebraska that shut down a stretch of the thoroughfare for hours. 

The Nebraska State Patrol says the crash happened around 6:40 a.m. Thursday near Ashland when a westbound semitrailer tried to pass the motorcyclist and hit another westbound semi. 

That crash pushed the second semi into a van, while the first semi driver overcorrected and hit 54-year-old Patrick Cunningham of South Bend, who was driving the motorcycle. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene. 

No one else involved in the crash was injured. 

The westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for about six hours as investigators reconstructed the crash.

ASHLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say one motorcyclist died in a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 80 in eastern Nebraska that shut down a stretch of the thoroughfare for hours. The Nebraska State Patrol says the crash happened around 6:40 a.m. Thursday near Ashland when a westbound semitrailer tried to pass the motorcyclist and hit another westbound semi. That crash pushed the second semi into a van, while the first semi driver overcorrected and hit 54-year-old Patrick Cunningham of South Bend, who was driving the motorcycle. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else involved in the crash was injured. The westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for about six hours as investigators reconstructed the crash.

1 killed in chain-reaction crash on I-80 in eastern Nebraska

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20949863-fulton-v-philadelphia" target="_blank">unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency</a>&nbsp;that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency’s policy.

The ruling was specific to the facts of the case, sidestepping bigger questions about how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the outcome turned on the language in the city’s foster care contract. Three conservative justices would have gone much further, and LGBTQ groups said they were relieved that the decision was limited.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that Catholic Social Services “seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.”

Roberts concluded that Philadelphia’s refusal to “contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents ... violates the First Amendment.”

Roberts noted that no same-sex couple has ever asked to work with Catholic Social Services, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If that were to happen, that couple would be referred to one of the more than 20 other agencies that works with same-sex couples, Catholic Social Services has said.

“For over 50 years, CSS successfully contracted with the City to provide foster care services while holding to these beliefs,” said Roberts, one of seven members of the court who is Catholic or attended Catholic schools.

Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples.

In recent years, religious groups have been delighted by victories at the court, often by wide margins. That includes cases in which the court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-constitutions-scholarships-me-state-wire-education-a34a94bd7a81996419400152631c2fd7">lifted a ban on state aid to religious schooling</a>, gave religious schools&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-business-courts-supreme-courts-religion-f5ae6a964560a9d8adf9792eb4803a36">greater leeway to hire and fire teachers</a>&nbsp;and allowed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6157d29563584c35a2adf6a004f89117">cross to remain on public land</a>. More recently, the court repeatedly sided with religious groups in fights over coronavirus restrictions.

Philadelphia learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that Catholic Social Services would not certify same-sex couples to become foster parents. The city has said it requires the foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked Catholic Social Services to change its policy, but the group declined.

As a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency. Catholic Social Services sued, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/84ea70ed3ce045c0991ff4585520f849">lower courts</a>&nbsp;sided with Philadelphia.

In coming to the conclusion that Philadelphia had acted improperly, Roberts said the city gave Catholic Social Services a choice between “curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs.”

He also pointed to language in the city’s standard foster care contract. The contract says that agencies cannot reject prospective foster or adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation “unless an exception is granted.” Because the city created a process for granting exemptions, it cannot then deny Catholic Social Services an exemption, Roberts concluded.

The case’s outcome was similar to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-ap-top-news-courts-supreme-courts-politics-459b5e723c4c47ffa40df839097503c9">2018 decision</a>&nbsp;in which the court sided with a Colorado baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. That decision, too, was limited to the specific facts of the case and dodged bigger issues of how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. But the court has grown more conservative since that ruling.

In “both cases the court reached narrow, very fact-specific decisions that leave non-discrimination laws and policies standing and fully enforceable by governments,” said Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBTQ &amp; HIV Project, which was involved in the case on Philadelphia’s side.

Three conservative justices who joined Roberts’ opinion said they would have gone further. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have overruled a 1990 Supreme Court decision that they said improperly allows limits on religious freedom.

Alito called the court’s ruling Thursday a “wisp of a decision.” Gorsuch said it was an “(ir)resolution,” predicting that the litigation would continue, with the city perhaps rewriting its contract.

Philadelphia City Solicitor Diana Cortes said the ruling was a “difficult and disappointing setback.”

In a statement, she said the court had “usurped the City’s judgment that a nondiscrimination policy is in the best interests of the children in its care.” But she said the city was also “gratified” that the justices did not “radically change existing constitutional law to adopt a standard that would force court-ordered religious exemptions from civic obligations in every arena.”

A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued the case on behalf of Catholic Social Services called it a “common-sense ruling in favor of religious social services.”

“The Supreme Court recognized that CSS has been doing amazing work for many years and can continue that work in the city of Philadelphia,” Lori Windham said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20949863-fulton-v-philadelphia" target="_blank">unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency</a>&nbsp;that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency’s policy.The ruling was specific to the facts of the case, sidestepping bigger questions about how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the outcome turned on the language in the city’s foster care contract. Three conservative justices would have gone much further, and LGBTQ groups said they were relieved that the decision was limited.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that Catholic Social Services “seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.”Roberts concluded that Philadelphia’s refusal to “contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents ... violates the First Amendment.”Roberts noted that no same-sex couple has ever asked to work with Catholic Social Services, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If that were to happen, that couple would be referred to one of the more than 20 other agencies that works with same-sex couples, Catholic Social Services has said.“For over 50 years, CSS successfully contracted with the City to provide foster care services while holding to these beliefs,” said Roberts, one of seven members of the court who is Catholic or attended Catholic schools.Because of its beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples.In recent years, religious groups have been delighted by victories at the court, often by wide margins. That includes cases in which the court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-constitutions-scholarships-me-state-wire-education-a34a94bd7a81996419400152631c2fd7">lifted a ban on state aid to religious schooling</a>, gave religious schools&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-business-courts-supreme-courts-religion-f5ae6a964560a9d8adf9792eb4803a36">greater leeway to hire and fire teachers</a>&nbsp;and allowed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6157d29563584c35a2adf6a004f89117">cross to remain on public land</a>. More recently, the court repeatedly sided with religious groups in fights over coronavirus restrictions.Philadelphia learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that Catholic Social Services would not certify same-sex couples to become foster parents. The city has said it requires the foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked Catholic Social Services to change its policy, but the group declined.As a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency. Catholic Social Services sued, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/84ea70ed3ce045c0991ff4585520f849">lower courts</a>&nbsp;sided with Philadelphia.In coming to the conclusion that Philadelphia had acted improperly, Roberts said the city gave Catholic Social Services a choice between “curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs.”He also pointed to language in the city’s standard foster care contract. The contract says that agencies cannot reject prospective foster or adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation “unless an exception is granted.” Because the city created a process for granting exemptions, it cannot then deny Catholic Social Services an exemption, Roberts concluded.The case’s outcome was similar to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-ap-top-news-courts-supreme-courts-politics-459b5e723c4c47ffa40df839097503c9">2018 decision</a>&nbsp;in which the court sided with a Colorado baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. That decision, too, was limited to the specific facts of the case and dodged bigger issues of how to balance religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. But the court has grown more conservative since that ruling.In “both cases the court reached narrow, very fact-specific decisions that leave non-discrimination laws and policies standing and fully enforceable by governments,” said Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBTQ &amp; HIV Project, which was involved in the case on Philadelphia’s side.Three conservative justices who joined Roberts’ opinion said they would have gone further. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have overruled a 1990 Supreme Court decision that they said improperly allows limits on religious freedom.Alito called the court’s ruling Thursday a “wisp of a decision.” Gorsuch said it was an “(ir)resolution,” predicting that the litigation would continue, with the city perhaps rewriting its contract.Philadelphia City Solicitor Diana Cortes said the ruling was a “difficult and disappointing setback.”In a statement, she said the court had “usurped the City’s judgment that a nondiscrimination policy is in the best interests of the children in its care.” But she said the city was also “gratified” that the justices did not “radically change existing constitutional law to adopt a standard that would force court-ordered religious exemptions from civic obligations in every arena.”A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued the case on behalf of Catholic Social Services called it a “common-sense ruling in favor of religious social services.”“The Supreme Court recognized that CSS has been doing amazing work for many years and can continue that work in the city of Philadelphia,” Lori Windham said.___

Another victory at the Supreme Court for church groups

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:00 P.M. on June 15, the Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible bedroom fire at 3626 SW Chelsea Drive, according to department spokesperson Alan Stahl. 

Upon arrival, fire crews found a small amount of smoke in an upstairs bedroom from a firework discharge. An investigator was called to the scene, and after an initial investigation, he arrested 20-year-old Johnathan Enquist for Attempted Aggravated Arson. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623979431101.png" alt="Enquist photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Enquist photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.Just before 5:00 P.M. on June 15, the Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible bedroom fire at 3626 SW Chelsea Drive, according to department spokesperson Alan Stahl. Upon arrival, fire crews found a small amount of smoke in an upstairs bedroom from a firework discharge. An investigator was called to the scene, and after an initial investigation, he arrested 20-year-old Johnathan Enquist for Attempted Aggravated Arson. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kan. man accused of arson after firework starts fire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Republican governor and attorney general said in a defiant letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday that they stand by the state's new law that would ban police from enforcing federal gun rules.

<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full letter&nbsp;

Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">wrote</a>&nbsp;that they still plan to enforce the new law, which Parson signed Saturday. The measure penalizes local police departments if their officers enforce federal gun laws.

Schmitt and Parson wrote that they will “fight tooth and nail” to defend the right to own guns as spelled out in the state constitution and the new law.

“We will not tolerate any attempts by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right,” they wrote.

In a letter sent Wednesday night and obtained by The Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-gun-politics-laws-government-and-politics-6b8d2b283a6ac997262104899a3b0715">Justice Department officials pointed out</a>&nbsp;that federal law trumps state law under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

Brian Boynton, an acting assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, said in the letter that Missouri's law threatens to disrupt the working relationship between federal and local law enforcement and noted that the state receives federal grants and technical assistance.

Missouri’s new law would subject law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforce federal gun laws to a fine of about $50,000 per violating officer.

Boynton said Missouri’s law “conflicts with federal firearms laws and regulation” and that federal law would supersede the state’s new statute. He said federal agents and the U.S. attorney’s offices in the state would continue to enforce all federal firearms laws and regulations. He asked that Parson and Schmitt clarify the law and how it would work in a response by Friday.

Republican lawmakers who pushed Missouri’s new law said they were motivated by the potential for more restrictive gun laws under Democratic President Joe Biden.

Republican Sen. Eric Burlison, of Battlefield, helped pass the bill and said he's not aware of any federal gun laws currently enforced that are not also illegal under state law. But he said the legislation, HB 85, will prevent local law enforcement from enforcing any “wild ideas” later enacted under Biden.

“If this administration wants to go down a path of enforcing unconstitutional gun grabs, then our law enforcement officers, through HB 85, will not be lifting a finger to help them," Burlison said.

State Democrats have argued the law is unconstitutional and will likely get overturned if challenged in court.

Similar bills were introduced in more than a dozen other states this year, including Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Iowa. In Texas, the governor has called for the state to become a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary.

Several states passed similar laws under then-president Barack Obama, though judges have ruled against them.

Prosecutors in Missouri's attorney general's office have withdrawn from nearly two dozen federal drug, gun and carjacking cases in St. Louis, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-attorney-general-schmitts-prosecutors-pulled-from-federal-violent-crime-cases/article_c48b7fa3-cf53-59b9-8db4-b227918db557.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=user-share">reported</a>. They had been working with federal counterparts as part of the Safer Streets initiative that Schmitt touted in 2019.

Schmitt spokesman Chris Nuelle said in a statement that the Attorney General's Office has been replacing prosecutors “as is the natural course in the Safer Streets Initiative.”

“We have been and continue to be committed to fighting violent crime, and we’re also committed to protecting law abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” Nuelle said.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Governor Mike Parson on Thursday sent a letter to President Biden’s Department of Justice fighting back against potential federal overreach and encroachment on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights, according to a statement from Parson's office.

<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full letter&nbsp; “Missourians’ and Americans’ Second Amendment rights are enshrined in the Constitution – I will defend those rights at every turn,” said&nbsp;Attorney General Schmitt. “Our letter to Biden’s Department of Justice sends a clear message: we will fight any attempts from the federal government to encroach on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.” “The Second Amendment Preservation Act is about protecting law-abiding Missourians against government overreach&nbsp;and unconstitutional federal mandates,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "We will reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property. Throughout my career, I have always stood for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and that will not change today or any day." The letter, which is in response to the Department of Justice’s Wednesday letter to both the Attorney General and the Governor on the recently passed and signed Second Amendment Preservation Act, begins with, “Your letter purporting to ask for clarification of this important legislation, which was purposefully leaked to the news media, is riddled with a misunderstanding of the law and falsehoods. We will not stand by while the federal government tries to tell Missourians how to live our lives. Missouri is not attempting to nullify federal law. Instead, Missouri is defending its people from federal government overreach by prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from being used by the federal government to infringe Missourians’ right to keep and bear arms.”

The letter argues that, under the Second and Tenth Amendments, the right to keep and bear arms is inalienable, and that Missouri has the right to refuse to enforce unconstitutional infringements by the federal government. The letter states, “Likewise, the Tenth Amendment directly limits the Federal Government’s ability to shift the balance of power within the federal system away from the States… the State of Missouri has every right under our system of government and the Tenth Amendment to place limitations on what state and local officials may do.” The letter also notes the Department of Justice’s June 16 letter conflicts with their own policy toward “sanctuary cities,” stating, “On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded President Trump’s executive order that prohibited federal grant awards to sanctuary jurisdictions that refused to cooperate with the federal government to enforcement immigration laws. In April, the Office of Justice Programs reportedly repealed the Department of Justice’s policy that required recipients of a law enforcement grant to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a condition of their funding… President Biden and the Department of Justice have decided to reward states and cities that refuse to cooperate with enforcing constitutional immigration laws that protect our citizens against foreign threats, but now they attack Missouri for refusing to cooperate with enforcing unconstitutional gun confiscation laws that put our citizens in danger and degrade their rights.” The letter ends with, “We will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment, Article I, § 23 of the Missouri Constitution, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act.&nbsp; And we will not tolerate any attempt by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623963444576.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Republican governor and attorney general said in a defiant letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday that they stand by the state's new law that would ban police from enforcing federal gun rules.<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full letter&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623695079192.png" alt="Gov. Parson celebrated signing the gun rights bill June 12" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Parson celebrated signing the gun rights bill June 12</figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">wrote</a>&nbsp;that they still plan to enforce the new law, which Parson signed Saturday. The measure penalizes local police departments if their officers enforce federal gun laws.Schmitt and Parson wrote that they will “fight tooth and nail” to defend the right to own guns as spelled out in the state constitution and the new law.“We will not tolerate any attempts by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right,” they wrote.In a letter sent Wednesday night and obtained by The Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-gun-politics-laws-government-and-politics-6b8d2b283a6ac997262104899a3b0715">Justice Department officials pointed out</a>&nbsp;that federal law trumps state law under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.Brian Boynton, an acting assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, said in the letter that Missouri's law threatens to disrupt the working relationship between federal and local law enforcement and noted that the state receives federal grants and technical assistance.Missouri’s new law would subject law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforce federal gun laws to a fine of about $50,000 per violating officer.Boynton said Missouri’s law “conflicts with federal firearms laws and regulation” and that federal law would supersede the state’s new statute. He said federal agents and the U.S. attorney’s offices in the state would continue to enforce all federal firearms laws and regulations. He asked that Parson and Schmitt clarify the law and how it would work in a response by Friday.Schmitt is running for U.S. Senate.Republican lawmakers who pushed Missouri’s new law said they were motivated by the potential for more restrictive gun laws under Democratic President Joe Biden.Republican Sen. Eric Burlison, of Battlefield, helped pass the bill and said he's not aware of any federal gun laws currently enforced that are not also illegal under state law. But he said the legislation, HB 85, will prevent local law enforcement from enforcing any “wild ideas” later enacted under Biden.“If this administration wants to go down a path of enforcing unconstitutional gun grabs, then our law enforcement officers, through HB 85, will not be lifting a finger to help them," Burlison said.State Democrats have argued the law is unconstitutional and will likely get overturned if challenged in court.Similar bills were introduced in more than a dozen other states this year, including Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Iowa. In Texas, the governor has called for the state to become a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary.Several states passed similar laws under then-president Barack Obama, though judges have ruled against them.Prosecutors in Missouri's attorney general's office have withdrawn from nearly two dozen federal drug, gun and carjacking cases in St. Louis, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-attorney-general-schmitts-prosecutors-pulled-from-federal-violent-crime-cases/article_c48b7fa3-cf53-59b9-8db4-b227918db557.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=user-share">reported</a>. They had been working with federal counterparts as part of the Safer Streets initiative that Schmitt touted in 2019.Schmitt spokesman Chris Nuelle said in a statement that the Attorney General's Office has been replacing prosecutors “as is the natural course in the Safer Streets Initiative.”“We have been and continue to be committed to fighting violent crime, and we’re also committed to protecting law abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” Nuelle said.Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Governor Mike Parson on Thursday sent a letter to President Biden’s Department of Justice fighting back against potential federal overreach and encroachment on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights, according to a statement from Parson's office.<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full letter&nbsp; “Missourians’ and Americans’ Second Amendment rights are enshrined in the Constitution – I will defend those rights at every turn,” said&nbsp;Attorney General Schmitt. “Our letter to Biden’s Department of Justice sends a clear message: we will fight any attempts from the federal government to encroach on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.” “The Second Amendment Preservation Act is about protecting law-abiding Missourians against government overreach&nbsp;and unconstitutional federal mandates,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "We will reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property. Throughout my career, I have always stood for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and that will not change today or any day." The letter, which is in response to the Department of Justice’s Wednesday letter to both the Attorney General and the Governor on the recently passed and signed Second Amendment Preservation Act, begins with, “Your letter purporting to ask for clarification of this important legislation, which was purposefully leaked to the news media, is riddled with a misunderstanding of the law and falsehoods. We will not stand by while the federal government tries to tell Missourians how to live our lives. Missouri is not attempting to nullify federal law. Instead, Missouri is defending its people from federal government overreach by prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from being used by the federal government to infringe Missourians’ right to keep and bear arms.”The letter argues that, under the Second and Tenth Amendments, the right to keep and bear arms is inalienable, and that Missouri has the right to refuse to enforce unconstitutional infringements by the federal government. The letter states, “Likewise, the Tenth Amendment directly limits the Federal Government’s ability to shift the balance of power within the federal system away from the States… the State of Missouri has every right under our system of government and the Tenth Amendment to place limitations on what state and local officials may do.” The letter also notes the Department of Justice’s June 16 letter conflicts with their own policy toward “sanctuary cities,” stating, “On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded President Trump’s executive order that prohibited federal grant awards to sanctuary jurisdictions that refused to cooperate with the federal government to enforcement immigration laws. In April, the Office of Justice Programs reportedly repealed the Department of Justice’s policy that required recipients of a law enforcement grant to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a condition of their funding… President Biden and the Department of Justice have decided to reward states and cities that refuse to cooperate with enforcing constitutional immigration laws that protect our citizens against foreign threats, but now they attack Missouri for refusing to cooperate with enforcing unconstitutional gun confiscation laws that put our citizens in danger and degrade their rights.” The letter ends with, “We will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment, Article I, § 23 of the Missouri Constitution, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act.&nbsp; And we will not tolerate any attempt by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right.

Missouri responds defiantly to Justice Dept. over gun law

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics.

The new program will invest in “accelerating things that are already in progress” for COVID-19 but also would work to come up with treatments for other viruses, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. He announced the investment Thursday at a White House briefing.

“There are few treatments that exist for many of the viruses that have pandemic potential,” he said, including Ebola, dengue, West Nile and Middle East respiratory syndrome.

But he added, “vaccines clearly remain the centerpiece of our arsenal.

The U.S. has approved one antiviral drug, remdesivir, specifically for COVID-19, and allowed emergency use of three antibody therapies that help the immune system fight the virus. But all the drugs have to given by IV at hospitals or medical clinics, and demand has been low due to these logistical hurdles.

Health experts have increasingly called for a convenient pill that patients could take themselves when symptoms first appear. Some drugmakers are testing such medications, but initial results aren’t expected for several more months. The new funds will speed those tests and support private sector research, development and manufacturing.

Last week, the U.S. said it would purchase 1.7 million doses of an experimental antiviral pill from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, if it is shown to be safe and effective. Results from a large study of the drug, molnupiravir, are expected this fall. Early research suggests the drug may reduce the risk of hospitalization if used shortly after infection by stopping the coronavirus from quickly reproducing. It did not benefit patients who were already hospitalized with severe disease.

Several other companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are also testing antiviral pills.

The currently available drugs have mostly been shown to help patients avoid hospitalization or shorten their recovery time by several days.

Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. poured more than $19 billion into rapidly developing multiple vaccines. But less than half that amount went toward developing new treatments. That shortfall has become increasingly concerning as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-62342c09ad0a50f77739846fd25850e7">the vaccination campaign slows</a>&nbsp;and experts emphasize the need to manage the disease in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-0f0b89c8060da6dcce74057d2324dc44">millions of Americans who may never get the shots.</a>

Until this week, the only medicines shown to boost survival were steroids given to patients sick enough to need extra oxygen and intensive care. But on Wednesday, U.K. researchers reported that one of the antibody combinations successfully reduced deaths in a large study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623944137417.png" alt="Dr. Fauci during Thursday White House COVID-19 briefing-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Fauci during Thursday White House COVID-19 briefing-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics.The new program will invest in “accelerating things that are already in progress” for COVID-19 but also would work to come up with treatments for other viruses, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. He announced the investment Thursday at a White House briefing.“There are few treatments that exist for many of the viruses that have pandemic potential,” he said, including Ebola, dengue, West Nile and Middle East respiratory syndrome.But he added, “vaccines clearly remain the centerpiece of our arsenal.The U.S. has approved one antiviral drug, remdesivir, specifically for COVID-19, and allowed emergency use of three antibody therapies that help the immune system fight the virus. But all the drugs have to given by IV at hospitals or medical clinics, and demand has been low due to these logistical hurdles.Health experts have increasingly called for a convenient pill that patients could take themselves when symptoms first appear. Some drugmakers are testing such medications, but initial results aren’t expected for several more months. The new funds will speed those tests and support private sector research, development and manufacturing.Last week, the U.S. said it would purchase 1.7 million doses of an experimental antiviral pill from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, if it is shown to be safe and effective. Results from a large study of the drug, molnupiravir, are expected this fall. Early research suggests the drug may reduce the risk of hospitalization if used shortly after infection by stopping the coronavirus from quickly reproducing. It did not benefit patients who were already hospitalized with severe disease.Several other companies, including Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca, are also testing antiviral pills.The currently available drugs have mostly been shown to help patients avoid hospitalization or shorten their recovery time by several days.Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. poured more than $19 billion into rapidly developing multiple vaccines. But less than half that amount went toward developing new treatments. That shortfall has become increasingly concerning as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-62342c09ad0a50f77739846fd25850e7">the vaccination campaign slows</a>&nbsp;and experts emphasize the need to manage the disease in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-0f0b89c8060da6dcce74057d2324dc44">millions of Americans who may never get the shots.</a>Until this week, the only medicines shown to boost survival were steroids given to patients sick enough to need extra oxygen and intensive care. But on Wednesday, U.K. researchers reported that one of the antibody combinations successfully reduced deaths in a large study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 treatment: US to spend $3B to speed development

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas teenager will be tried as an adult for murder in the shooting death of a Kansas City, Missouri, man, Jackson County prosecutors said Wednesday.

Jayvon Hunter, 16, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and three other counts in the Oct. 19 death of 44-year-old Cristobal Gutierrez-Castillas.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said in a news release that surveillance video shows Hunter and others arriving at the shooting scene on scooters. Hunter is seen arguing with the men before firing a shot that hit Gutierrez-Castillas, according to charging documents.

The video shows Hunter going through the victim’s pockets and taking his cell phone before leaving the scene, according to the documents.

It was not immediately clear if Hunter had an attorney.

Prosecutors recommended $150,000 cash bail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623881194361.png" alt="Hunter photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hunter photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas teenager will be tried as an adult for murder in the shooting death of a Kansas City, Missouri, man, Jackson County prosecutors said Wednesday.Jayvon Hunter, 16, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and three other counts in the Oct. 19 death of 44-year-old Cristobal Gutierrez-Castillas.The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office said in a news release that surveillance video shows Hunter and others arriving at the shooting scene on scooters. Hunter is seen arguing with the men before firing a shot that hit Gutierrez-Castillas, according to charging documents.The video shows Hunter going through the victim’s pockets and taking his cell phone before leaving the scene, according to the documents.It was not immediately clear if Hunter had an attorney.Prosecutors recommended $150,000 cash bail.

16-year-old Kan. boy rode to murder scene on scooter

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president.

Biden signed into law a bill to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/juneteenth">Juneteenth, or June 19,</a>&nbsp;the 12th federal holiday. The House voted 415-14 on Wednesday to send the bill to Biden, while the Senate passed the bill unanimously the day before.

“This is a day of profound weight and profound power, a day in which we remember the moral stain, the terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take,” Biden said.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — two months after the Confederacy had surrendered. That was also about 2 1/2 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-lifestyle-travel-museums-arts-and-entertainment-0dcf208da47cd761985bbfb8e58e23fc">the Emancipation Proclamation</a>&nbsp;freed slaves in the Southern states.

It’s the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983. One of the federal holidays, Inauguration Day, happens every four years.

The U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/USOPM/status/1405537166684352518?s=20" target="_blank">Office of Personnel Management, which is the human resources office for the federal government, tweeted Thursday</a>&nbsp;that most federal employees will observe the new holiday — Juneteenth National Independence Day — on Friday since June 19 falls on a Saturday this year.

Biden noted the overwhelming support for the bill from lawmakers in both parties. He had run for president promising to unite the country and work with Republicans, but his first major legislation to provide more COVID relief to American consumers and businesses was passed along party lines and he has struggled to unite lawmakers to support a major public works bill.

“I hope this is the beginning of a change in the way we deal with one another,” Biden said.

Biden signed the legislation surrounded by members of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as the lead sponsors of the legislation in the Senate, Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and John Cornyn, R-Texas. He was introduced by Vice President Kamala Harris, the nation’s first African-American vice president.

“We have come far and we have far to go, but today is a day of celebration,” Harris said.

The White House moved quickly to hold the signing ceremony after the House debated the bill and then voted for it Wednesday.

“Our federal holidays are purposely few in number and recognize the most important milestones,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. “I cannot think of a more important milestone to commemorate than the end of slavery in the United States.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, speaking next to a large poster of a Black man whose back bore massive scarring from being whipped, said she would be in Galveston on Saturday to celebrate along with Cornyn.

“Can you imagine?” said Jackson Lee. “I will be standing maybe taller than Sen. Cornyn, forgive me for that, because it will be such an elevation of joy.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-approves-juneteenth-federal-holiday-58d4fbd343f17df0b03dd0d0a221e452">The Senate passed the bill</a>&nbsp;Tuesday under a unanimous consent agreement that expedites the process for considering legislation. It takes just one senator’s objection to block such agreements.

The vote comes as lawmakers struggle to overcome divisions on police reform legislation following the killing of George Floyd by police and as Republican state legislators push what experts say is an unprecedented number of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box. While Republicans say the goal is to prevent voter fraud, Democrats contend that the measures are aimed at undermining minority voting rights.

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus went to the floor Wednesday to speak in favor of the bill. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., said she viewed Juneteenth as a commemoration rather than a celebration because it represented something that was delayed in happening.

“It also reminds me of what we don’t have today,” she said. “And that is full access to justice, freedom and equality. All these are often in short supply as it relates to the Black community.”

Some Republican lawmakers opposed the effort. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said creating the federal holiday was an effort to celebrate “identity politics.”

“Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race, and that we should be focused on what unites us rather than our differences, I will vote no,” he said in a press release.

The vast majority of states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or have an official observance of the day, and most states hold celebrations. Juneteenth is a paid holiday for state employees in Texas, New York, Virginia and Washington.

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said he would vote for the bill and that he supported the establishment of a federal holiday, but he was upset that the name of the holiday included the word “independence” rather than “emancipation.”

“Why would the Democrats want to politicize this by coopting the name of our sacred holiday of Independence Day?” Higgins asked.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., replied, “I want to say to my white colleagues on the other side: Getting your independence from being enslaved in a country is different from a country getting independence to rule themselves.”

She added, “We have a responsibility to teach every generation of Black and white Americans the pride of a people who have survived, endured and succeeded in these United States of America despite slavery.”

The 14 House Republicans who voted against the bill are Andy Biggs of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Doug LaMalfa of California, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom McClintock of California, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Mike Rogers of Alabama, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Chip Roy of Texas and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623965896151.png" alt="President Biden during Thursday bill signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during Thursday bill signing ceremony -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president.Biden signed into law a bill to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/juneteenth">Juneteenth, or June 19,</a>&nbsp;the 12th federal holiday. The House voted 415-14 on Wednesday to send the bill to Biden, while the Senate passed the bill unanimously the day before.“This is a day of profound weight and profound power, a day in which we remember the moral stain, the terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take,” Biden said.Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — two months after the Confederacy had surrendered. That was also about 2 1/2 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-lifestyle-travel-museums-arts-and-entertainment-0dcf208da47cd761985bbfb8e58e23fc">the Emancipation Proclamation</a>&nbsp;freed slaves in the Southern states.It’s the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983. One of the federal holidays, Inauguration Day, happens every four years.The U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/USOPM/status/1405537166684352518?s=20" target="_blank">Office of Personnel Management, which is the human resources office for the federal government, tweeted Thursday</a>&nbsp;that most federal employees will observe the new holiday — Juneteenth National Independence Day — on Friday since June 19 falls on a Saturday this year.Biden noted the overwhelming support for the bill from lawmakers in both parties. He had run for president promising to unite the country and work with Republicans, but his first major legislation to provide more COVID relief to American consumers and businesses was passed along party lines and he has struggled to unite lawmakers to support a major public works bill.“I hope this is the beginning of a change in the way we deal with one another,” Biden said.Biden signed the legislation surrounded by members of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as the lead sponsors of the legislation in the Senate, Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and John Cornyn, R-Texas. He was introduced by Vice President Kamala Harris, the nation’s first African-American vice president.“We have come far and we have far to go, but today is a day of celebration,” Harris said.The White House moved quickly to hold the signing ceremony after the House debated the bill and then voted for it Wednesday.“Our federal holidays are purposely few in number and recognize the most important milestones,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. “I cannot think of a more important milestone to commemorate than the end of slavery in the United States.”Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, speaking next to a large poster of a Black man whose back bore massive scarring from being whipped, said she would be in Galveston on Saturday to celebrate along with Cornyn.“Can you imagine?” said Jackson Lee. “I will be standing maybe taller than Sen. Cornyn, forgive me for that, because it will be such an elevation of joy.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-approves-juneteenth-federal-holiday-58d4fbd343f17df0b03dd0d0a221e452">The Senate passed the bill</a>&nbsp;Tuesday under a unanimous consent agreement that expedites the process for considering legislation. It takes just one senator’s objection to block such agreements.The vote comes as lawmakers struggle to overcome divisions on police reform legislation following the killing of George Floyd by police and as Republican state legislators push what experts say is an unprecedented number of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box. While Republicans say the goal is to prevent voter fraud, Democrats contend that the measures are aimed at undermining minority voting rights.Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus went to the floor Wednesday to speak in favor of the bill. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., said she viewed Juneteenth as a commemoration rather than a celebration because it represented something that was delayed in happening.“It also reminds me of what we don’t have today,” she said. “And that is full access to justice, freedom and equality. All these are often in short supply as it relates to the Black community.”Some Republican lawmakers opposed the effort. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said creating the federal holiday was an effort to celebrate “identity politics.”“Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race, and that we should be focused on what unites us rather than our differences, I will vote no,” he said in a press release.The vast majority of states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or have an official observance of the day, and most states hold celebrations. Juneteenth is a paid holiday for state employees in Texas, New York, Virginia and Washington.Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said he would vote for the bill and that he supported the establishment of a federal holiday, but he was upset that the name of the holiday included the word “independence” rather than “emancipation.”“Why would the Democrats want to politicize this by coopting the name of our sacred holiday of Independence Day?” Higgins asked.Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., replied, “I want to say to my white colleagues on the other side: Getting your independence from being enslaved in a country is different from a country getting independence to rule themselves.”She added, “We have a responsibility to teach every generation of Black and white Americans the pride of a people who have survived, endured and succeeded in these United States of America despite slavery.”The 14 House Republicans who voted against the bill are Andy Biggs of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Doug LaMalfa of California, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom McClintock of California, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Mike Rogers of Alabama, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Chip Roy of Texas and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin.

President Biden signs bill, Juneteenth is a new federal holiday

Police have located Addy’s parents.&nbsp; No further details were released.&nbsp; ——————————————

Addy was found unattended in the area of 27th and W Street around 3pm today.&nbsp; Police have been unable identify or locate any parents or guardians.&nbsp; Police believe she may be around 4 or 5 years old.&nbsp; If you know Addy or have any information on how to contact her caregivers please call 402-441-6000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623969203804.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>From Lincoln police: Update:Police have located Addy’s parents.&nbsp; No further details were released.&nbsp; ——————————————Addy was found unattended in the area of 27th and W Street around 3pm today.&nbsp; Police have been unable identify or locate any parents or guardians.&nbsp; Police believe she may be around 4 or 5 years old.&nbsp; If you know Addy or have any information on how to contact her caregivers please call 402-441-6000.

UPDATED Lincoln police attempt to locate parents of girl found unattended 

News Release Nebraska State Patrol

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a fatality crash that occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha.

After a preliminary investigation, troopers believe the crash occurred near mile marker 423, when a westbound semi-truck/tanker trailer attempted to pass a motorcycle. 

The semi made contact with another semi-truck/trailer that was also driving westbound, pushing that semi into the left lane, colliding with a van. The first semi then over-corrected and struck the motorcycle and rider.

The motorcycle rider, Patrick Cunningham, 54, of South Bend, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported by anyone involved.

The crash remains under investigation. NSP was assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Interstate 80 was closed in the area for westbound traffic for approximately six hours.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559617385052.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Nebraska State PatrolThe Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a fatality crash that occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha.After a preliminary investigation, troopers believe the crash occurred near mile marker 423, when a westbound semi-truck/tanker trailer attempted to pass a motorcycle. The semi made contact with another semi-truck/trailer that was also driving westbound, pushing that semi into the left lane, colliding with a van. The first semi then over-corrected and struck the motorcycle and rider.The motorcycle rider, Patrick Cunningham, 54, of South Bend, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported by anyone involved.The crash remains under investigation. NSP was assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Interstate 80 was closed in the area for westbound traffic for approximately six hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-platte-post-by-eagle/id1536439700">Download The Post app for iOs</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OouzxwDURKvyvMVuPpnPpjT4NyDfMrMU8SbAYH_rzoghEpSmar-3iuFagSe8Xy5crQYHobDFKwGUIN1FfOJlYSmINBjXeH3KphroGmJyUCtPea3VYY9xuobmGA00oDneeV06L0hE" alt="" />
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