Setting status is a challenge
It took us 5 minutes to figure out that to change item status I have to reply to it. That is very illogical place to put it in and there seem to be quite a few people struggling with the same. Why can't it be both in reply as now and in actions (or ...more) as it was before?
You are right, will find better place for it or at least duplicate it location to the second place for the first time.