KEARNEY — At approximately 8:54 p.m. Sunday, Kearney Police Department Officers
received a report of a shooting in the 2800 block of Avenue M. 

The victim was a 37-year-old
male from Kearney who was transported to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital by private vehicle
with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminary information indicates there may be multiple
witnesses with knowledge of the incident. The case is still in the early stages of investigation.


Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kearney Police
Department (308) 237-2104, Buffalo County Crimestoppers (308) 237-3424, or through the
See It Say It Send It App.


Kearney PDKEARNEY — At approximately 8:54 p.m. Sunday, Kearney Police Department Officers
received a report of a shooting in the 2800 block of Avenue M. The victim was a 37-year-old
male from Kearney who was transported to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital by private vehicle
with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminary information indicates there may be multiple
witnesses with knowledge of the incident. The case is still in the early stages of investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kearney Police
Department (308) 237-2104, Buffalo County Crimestoppers (308) 237-3424, or through the
See It Say It Send It App.

Kearney Police Department investigating Sunday shooting

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-icon-chief-standing-bear-to-be-on-18-million-postage-stamps/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — The story of Chief Standing Bear, which has reached new levels of 
prominence in Nebraska of late, now will be spread further through the 
U.S. mail.

A “Forever” commemorative stamp 
bearing the likeness of the Ponca leader is to be issued and become 
available for use nationwide May 12. The U.S. Postal Service says it is 
printing 18 million of the postage stamps.

A dedication ceremony is to be held 
in Lincoln that day with Anton Hajjar, vice chair of the U.S. Postal 
Service Board of Governors; Candace Schmidt, chairwoman of the Ponca 
Tribe of Nebraska; and Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the 
Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs.

The Chief Standing Bear stamp features a portrait by illustrator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thomasblackshearii.com/aboutthomas">Thomas Blackshear II</a>,
 who created the image based on a black-and-white photograph taken in 
1877. At that time, Standing Bear was in Washington, D.C., as part of a 
delegation of Ponca chiefs appealing to government officials for the 
right to return to their homeland.

The colors of Standing Bear’s 
clothing were based mainly on contemporary descriptions. Art director 
Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

In a media advisory, the U.S. Postal 
Service said it “holds reverence for Chief Standing Bear by honoring him
 with a forever stamp.”

The statement notes how in 1879, 
Standing Bear won a landmark court ruling that determined a Native 
American was a person under the law, with an inherent right to life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Two years earlier, in 1877, the U.S. 
Army had forcibly relocated some 700 Ponca to Indian Territory in 
Oklahoma after the federal government had given away the tribe’s 
homeland in the Niobrara River Valley in northeastern Nebraska.

Standing Bear sued the government for
 his freedom after being arrested, along with other Ponca, for 
attempting to return to his homeland to fulfill a promise to his son, 
Bear Shield, who had died in the aftermath of having to walk some 600 
miles to that arid Indian Territory.

It was during the ensuing trial that 
Standing Bear spoke the long-remembered words: “The blood that will flow
 from mine will be of the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God 
made us both.”

The forever stamp follows local 
developments to honor the Ponca chief’s legacy, including last summer’s 
dedication of the Chief Standing Bear Justice Administration Building.

State lawmakers allocated funding for a Standing Bear documentary. A new Lincoln high school bears his name.

In 2019, state lawmakers placed a statue of the chief in the U.S. Capitol, as one of two representatives of Nebraska.

In the two years prior, similar 
statues were placed in Niobrara, the headquarters of the Ponca Tribe of 
Nebraska, and near the State Capitol.&nbsp;

Forever stamps can be used to mail a 
one-ounce letter no matter how prices change in the future and no matter
 when they are purchased or used. Subjects typically come as a 
recommendation to the U.S. Postmaster General from a citizens stamp 
advisory committee.

The committee says it welcomes and 
reviews suggestions for stamp subjects that celebrate the American 
experience. Subjects may be considered if the subject had a significant 
impact on American history, culture or environment.

The Chief Standing Bear stamp will soon be available to <a target="_blank" href="https://store.usps.com/store/results/new-releases/forever-63/stamps/_/N-1vbtavtZ1qcg0puZ9y93lv?Ns=product.displayName%7C0">pre-purchase online,</a> but won’t be delivered until after the official reveal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681136824568.png" alt="Ponca Chief Standing Bear is featured on a U.S. postal stamp. (Courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service)" />
 <figcaption>Ponca Chief Standing Bear is featured on a U.S. postal stamp. (Courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-icon-chief-standing-bear-to-be-on-18-million-postage-stamps/">Nebraska Examiner</a> LINCOLN
 — The story of Chief Standing Bear, which has reached new levels of 
prominence in Nebraska of late, now will be spread further through the 
U.S. mail.A “Forever” commemorative stamp 
bearing the likeness of the Ponca leader is to be issued and become 
available for use nationwide May 12. The U.S. Postal Service says it is 
printing 18 million of the postage stamps.A dedication ceremony is to be held 
in Lincoln that day with Anton Hajjar, vice chair of the U.S. Postal 
Service Board of Governors; Candace Schmidt, chairwoman of the Ponca 
Tribe of Nebraska; and Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the 
Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs.The Chief Standing Bear stamp features a portrait by illustrator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thomasblackshearii.com/aboutthomas">Thomas Blackshear II</a>,
 who created the image based on a black-and-white photograph taken in 
1877. At that time, Standing Bear was in Washington, D.C., as part of a 
delegation of Ponca chiefs appealing to government officials for the 
right to return to their homeland.The colors of Standing Bear’s 
clothing were based mainly on contemporary descriptions. Art director 
Derry Noyes designed the stamp.In a media advisory, the U.S. Postal 
Service said it “holds reverence for Chief Standing Bear by honoring him
 with a forever stamp.”The statement notes how in 1879, 
Standing Bear won a landmark court ruling that determined a Native 
American was a person under the law, with an inherent right to life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.Two years earlier, in 1877, the U.S. 
Army had forcibly relocated some 700 Ponca to Indian Territory in 
Oklahoma after the federal government had given away the tribe’s 
homeland in the Niobrara River Valley in northeastern Nebraska.Standing Bear sued the government for
 his freedom after being arrested, along with other Ponca, for 
attempting to return to his homeland to fulfill a promise to his son, 
Bear Shield, who had died in the aftermath of having to walk some 600 
miles to that arid Indian Territory.It was during the ensuing trial that 
Standing Bear spoke the long-remembered words: “The blood that will flow
 from mine will be of the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God 
made us both.”The forever stamp follows local 
developments to honor the Ponca chief’s legacy, including last summer’s 
dedication of the Chief Standing Bear Justice Administration Building.State lawmakers allocated funding for a Standing Bear documentary. A new Lincoln high school bears his name.In 2019, state lawmakers placed a statue of the chief in the U.S. Capitol, as one of two representatives of Nebraska.In the two years prior, similar 
statues were placed in Niobrara, the headquarters of the Ponca Tribe of 
Nebraska, and near the State Capitol.&nbsp;Forever stamps can be used to mail a 
one-ounce letter no matter how prices change in the future and no matter
 when they are purchased or used. Subjects typically come as a 
recommendation to the U.S. Postmaster General from a citizens stamp 
advisory committee.The committee says it welcomes and 
reviews suggestions for stamp subjects that celebrate the American 
experience. Subjects may be considered if the subject had a significant 
impact on American history, culture or environment.The Chief Standing Bear stamp will soon be available to <a target="_blank" href="https://store.usps.com/store/results/new-releases/forever-63/stamps/_/N-1vbtavtZ1qcg0puZ9y93lv?Ns=product.displayName%7C0">pre-purchase online,</a> but won’t be delivered until after the official reveal.

Nebraska icon Chief Standing Bear to be on 18M postage stamps

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.

The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.

Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.

“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.

An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”

It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.

In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.

Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.

“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”

This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.

Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”

Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.

“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.

Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.

In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.

“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.

The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.

“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”

Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.

Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”

Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.

Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681145559978.png" alt="Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681137523415.png" alt="Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>------------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

Police: Ex-employee stormed Louisville bank; multiple fatalities

WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.

The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.

Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.

Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.

Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.

“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”

Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.

Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.

“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”

The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.

Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.

“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.

Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.

“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”

Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”

Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.

A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.

The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.

“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.

“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.

Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.

“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”

The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680642960114.png" alt=" Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.___

Transgender advocates, opponents rip Biden sports plan 

By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KU Medical Center

Tour through the new Kansas City International Airport (KCI), and you might notice the expansive floor plan, the transparent jetway boarding bridges and the designated passenger pickup area. But less immediately apparent is the work of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/research/alzheimers-disease-research-center.html">University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center</a>&nbsp;(KU ADRC) and other local advocates to make the airport dementia-friendly.

Michelle Niedens, LSCSW, director of The Cognitive Care Network at the KU ADRC, joined with the advocacy team of Dementia Friendly Kansas City. Together they helped guide architects and designers to consider the needs of travelers with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers.

“When I heard that we’re going to have a new airport in Kansas City, I thought, ‘How wonderful would it be, at the beginning of this major endeavor where we could create an impact, to create something helpful and new, rather than having to retrofit a facility later?’” Niedens said.

Working with her in the planning process were Deborah Shouse and Ron Zoglin, co-founders of the advocacy group Dementia Friendly Kansas City. Before the airport project, they had worked with Niedens on numerous other projects seeking to make public spaces more dementia-friendly.

The group consulted with Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group, based in Roseville, Minnesota, and an international dementia-friendly travel group, based in the United Kingdom, to gain insight into dementia-friendly design features at airports around the world.

“Even though the airport designers were trying to be inclusionary, dementia wasn’t necessarily on their list,” Shouse explained. “But they welcomed us and listened carefully as we described the needs of travelers living with dementia and their care partners.”

Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation for marketing and air service development at KCI, gave Niedens, Shouse and Zoglin a tour of the airport before it opened on Feb. 28. “We sought to make sure this new airport terminal met all travelers where they are and was designed with the highest levels of accessibility and inclusivity in mind,” Meyer said.

Finding a restroom after a long flight can be important for any traveler, but it’s especially pressing for individuals easily overwhelmed by their surroundings, including those living with dementia. The uncertainty over being at the correct gate for departure can also be heightened. “Signage was really important to us,” Niedens said. There are also multiple information desks at the airport, not just in a central location as travelers arrive.

Family restrooms, conveniently located near same-sex restrooms, allow care partners to accompany their loved one into the restroom. Some are equipped with adult-sized changing tables. “That was something our care partners really wanted, so they have a full-size table that comes down from the wall,” Shouse said.

In the other restrooms, stalls are larger than the standard in the former terminal. “What they’ve done with the bathrooms is amazing,” Zoglin said. “It’s floor-to-ceiling privacy, and red and green lights outside of each stall let you know if it’s available or not available.”

The airport’s quiet room is finished in earthy green and wood tones to calm overwhelmed travelers. Even the dull finish on the floor, distinctive from the high-gloss tile of the rest of the facility, was picked to accommodate visual spatial changes that can occur in dementia. The finish and other key details came directly out of input provided by the dementia-friendly group.

“Sometimes the overstimulation is not just [a problem for] the person with the disease, but for the people traveling with them,” Niedens explained. “It can be tricky to travel, and what we really wanted to do is to extend the travel window for those in middle-stage (dementia) to stay connected, to visit their families, so supporting caregiving was also key.”

In addition to making traditional aspects of the airport more welcoming and convenient for people living with dementia, Niedens and her colleagues at Dementia Friendly Kansas City also recommended a simulation center in the new airport. The airport’s Kansas City Air Travel Experience provides a simulation of the air travel process from check-in to deplaning.

Appointments to experience the simulator are required, but a boarding pass is not required to enter. “Users are guided through every step of the air travel experience inside a section of an actual Airbus 321 fuselage,” the airport’s website attests.

“The simulator is almost more about the care partner’s anxiety than the person with the disease,” Niedens said. “It’s about managing that anxiety: ‘Can I manage this? Can I get this person in and out of the bathroom on a flight?’ The best way to handle that stress is to practice first,” she said, noting that the simulator is helpful to people with all different types of challenges, from dementia to autism and anxiety.

Overall, Niedens said, working with Kansas City officials, architects, designers and other advocates was “a beautiful partnership” that she believes now makes KCI one of the most dementia-friendly airports in the country. “It allowed the KU ADRC to advance our philosophy that ‘it’s not about can’t.’ We work around barriers that allow people to continue to have positive experiences and a great quality of life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680879981616.jpeg" alt="Michelle Niedens of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center joined Deborah Shouse and Ron Zoglin of Dementia Friendly Kansas City to tour the new dementia-friendly Kansas City International Airport. (Photos courtesy Ron Zoglin, Michelle Niedens and Justin Meyer)" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Niedens of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center joined Deborah Shouse and Ron Zoglin of Dementia Friendly Kansas City to tour the new dementia-friendly Kansas City International Airport. (Photos courtesy Ron Zoglin, Michelle Niedens and Justin Meyer)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KU Medical CenterTour through the new Kansas City International Airport (KCI), and you might notice the expansive floor plan, the transparent jetway boarding bridges and the designated passenger pickup area. But less immediately apparent is the work of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kumc.edu/research/alzheimers-disease-research-center.html">University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center</a>&nbsp;(KU ADRC) and other local advocates to make the airport dementia-friendly.Michelle Niedens, LSCSW, director of The Cognitive Care Network at the KU ADRC, joined with the advocacy team of Dementia Friendly Kansas City. Together they helped guide architects and designers to consider the needs of travelers with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers.“When I heard that we’re going to have a new airport in Kansas City, I thought, ‘How wonderful would it be, at the beginning of this major endeavor where we could create an impact, to create something helpful and new, rather than having to retrofit a facility later?’” Niedens said.Working with her in the planning process were Deborah Shouse and Ron Zoglin, co-founders of the advocacy group Dementia Friendly Kansas City. Before the airport project, they had worked with Niedens on numerous other projects seeking to make public spaces more dementia-friendly.The group consulted with Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group, based in Roseville, Minnesota, and an international dementia-friendly travel group, based in the United Kingdom, to gain insight into dementia-friendly design features at airports around the world.“Even though the airport designers were trying to be inclusionary, dementia wasn’t necessarily on their list,” Shouse explained. “But they welcomed us and listened carefully as we described the needs of travelers living with dementia and their care partners.”Justin Meyer, deputy director of aviation for marketing and air service development at KCI, gave Niedens, Shouse and Zoglin a tour of the airport before it opened on Feb. 28. “We sought to make sure this new airport terminal met all travelers where they are and was designed with the highest levels of accessibility and inclusivity in mind,” Meyer said.<h2>Signage and specialized spaces</h2>Finding a restroom after a long flight can be important for any traveler, but it’s especially pressing for individuals easily overwhelmed by their surroundings, including those living with dementia. The uncertainty over being at the correct gate for departure can also be heightened. “Signage was really important to us,” Niedens said. There are also multiple information desks at the airport, not just in a central location as travelers arrive.Family restrooms, conveniently located near same-sex restrooms, allow care partners to accompany their loved one into the restroom. Some are equipped with adult-sized changing tables. “That was something our care partners really wanted, so they have a full-size table that comes down from the wall,” Shouse said.In the other restrooms, stalls are larger than the standard in the former terminal. “What they’ve done with the bathrooms is amazing,” Zoglin said. “It’s floor-to-ceiling privacy, and red and green lights outside of each stall let you know if it’s available or not available.”The airport’s quiet room is finished in earthy green and wood tones to calm overwhelmed travelers. Even the dull finish on the floor, distinctive from the high-gloss tile of the rest of the facility, was picked to accommodate visual spatial changes that can occur in dementia. The finish and other key details came directly out of input provided by the dementia-friendly group.“Sometimes the overstimulation is not just [a problem for] the person with the disease, but for the people traveling with them,” Niedens explained. “It can be tricky to travel, and what we really wanted to do is to extend the travel window for those in middle-stage (dementia) to stay connected, to visit their families, so supporting caregiving was also key.”<h2>Simulation center</h2>In addition to making traditional aspects of the airport more welcoming and convenient for people living with dementia, Niedens and her colleagues at Dementia Friendly Kansas City also recommended a simulation center in the new airport. The airport’s Kansas City Air Travel Experience provides a simulation of the air travel process from check-in to deplaning.Appointments to experience the simulator are required, but a boarding pass is not required to enter. “Users are guided through every step of the air travel experience inside a section of an actual Airbus 321 fuselage,” the airport’s website attests.“The simulator is almost more about the care partner’s anxiety than the person with the disease,” Niedens said. “It’s about managing that anxiety: ‘Can I manage this? Can I get this person in and out of the bathroom on a flight?’ The best way to handle that stress is to practice first,” she said, noting that the simulator is helpful to people with all different types of challenges, from dementia to autism and anxiety.Overall, Niedens said, working with Kansas City officials, architects, designers and other advocates was “a beautiful partnership” that she believes now makes KCI one of the most dementia-friendly airports in the country. “It allowed the KU ADRC to advance our philosophy that ‘it’s not about can’t.’ We work around barriers that allow people to continue to have positive experiences and a great quality of life.”

New Kansas City airport incorporates dementia-friendly features 

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that
Eduardo Marquez, 28, was sentenced April 6 in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute
 fentanyl and as an addict in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge
Robert F. Rossiter Jr.
sentenced
 Marquez to 84 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal 
system.&nbsp; After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of 
supervised release.&nbsp;


On April 27, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged to purchase 1,000 fentanyl pills from a
 Mexico-based source of supply using a confidential source. The source 
of supply provided the confidential source with Marquez’s phone number.

The
 confidential source, under the direction of law enforcement, 
successfully purchased the fentanyl from Marquez. Following the 
purchase,
 DEA Agents searched Marquez’s residence and recovered 573 grams of 
cocaine, 139 grams of fentanyl, an AK-47 rifle and a .45 caliber 
handgun.&nbsp; Marquez was arrested at the residence.&nbsp; He admitted selling 
cocaine and possessing the .45 caliber handgun.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that
Eduardo Marquez, 28, was sentenced April 6 in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute
 fentanyl and as an addict in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge
Robert F. Rossiter Jr.
sentenced
 Marquez to 84 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal 
system.&nbsp; After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of 
supervised release.&nbsp;
On April 27, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged to purchase 1,000 fentanyl pills from a
 Mexico-based source of supply using a confidential source. The source 
of supply provided the confidential source with Marquez’s phone number.The
 confidential source, under the direction of law enforcement, 
successfully purchased the fentanyl from Marquez. Following the 
purchase,
 DEA Agents searched Marquez’s residence and recovered 573 grams of 
cocaine, 139 grams of fentanyl, an AK-47 rifle and a .45 caliber 
handgun.&nbsp; Marquez was arrested at the residence.&nbsp; He admitted selling 
cocaine and possessing the .45 caliber handgun.This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

28-year-old sentenced in Nebraska on drug, firearm charges

BALTIMORE (AP) — More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability, according to a long-awaited <a href="https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/news%20documents/OAG_redacted_Report_on_Child_Sexual_Abuse.pdf">state report</a> released Wednesday that revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of coverups.

<a href="https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/news%20documents/OAG_redacted_Report_on_Child_Sexual_Abuse.pdf">CLICK Here to read </a>the full report from the attorney general

The report paints a damning picture of the archdiocese, which is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in the country and spans much of Maryland. Some parishes, schools and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time — including St. Mark Parish in Catonsville, which had 11 abusers living and working there between 1964 and 2004. One deacon admitted to molesting over 100 children. Another priest was allowed to feign hepatitis treatment and make other excuses to avoid facing abuse allegations.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released the findings of their yearslong investigation during Holy Week — considered the most sacred time of year in Christianity ahead of Easter Sunday — and said the number of victims is likely far higher. The report was redacted to protect confidential grand jury materials, meaning the identities of some accused clergy were removed.

“The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the Church hierarchy,” the report said. “The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers’ conduct, and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing.”

Disclosure of the redacted findings marks a significant development in an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maryland-baltimore-religion-3dd3cd21726aeed307dc32073f0af3b2">legal battle over their release</a>&nbsp;and adds to growing evidence from parishes across the country as numerous similar revelations have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years.

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, in a statement posted online, apologized to the victims and said the report “details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese, a time that will not be covered up, ignored or forgotten.”

“It is difficult for most to imagine that such evil acts could have actually occurred,” Lori said. “For victim-survivors everywhere, they know the hard truth: These evil acts did occur.”

Also on Wednesday, the state legislature passed a bill to end a statute of limitations on abuse-related civil lawsuits, sending it to Gov. Wes Moore, who has said he supports it. The Baltimore archdiocese says it has paid more than $13.2 million for care and compensation for 301 abuse victims since the 1980s, including $6.8 million toward 105 voluntary settlements.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who took office in January, said the investigation shows "pervasive, pernicious and persistent abuse.” State investigators began their work in 2019; they reviewed over 100,000 pages of documents dating back to the 1940s and interviewed hundreds of victims and witnesses.

Victims said the report was a long-overdue public reckoning with shameful accusations the church has been facing for decades.

Jean Hargadon Wehner said she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d5ab28a56bd544c9924db6686c0b52bf">abused in Baltimore as a teen</a>&nbsp;by A. Joseph Maskell, a priest who served as her Catholic high school’s counselor and chaplain. She said she reported her abuse to church officials in the early ’90s, when her memories of the trauma finally surfaced about two decades after she was repeatedly raped.

“I expected them to do the right thing in 1992,” she told reporters Wednesday. “I’m still angry.”

Maskell abused at least 39 victims, according to the report. He denied the allegations before his death in 2001 and was never criminally charged. The Associated Press typically doesn’t name victims of abuse, but Wehner has spoken publicly to draw attention to the issue.

Kurt Rupprecht, who also experienced abuse as a child, said he was in his late 40s when he pieced together his traumatic memories. He said the realization brought him some relief because it explained decades of self-destructive behavior and mental health challenges, but also left him overwhelmed with anger and disbelief.

Rupprecht said his abuser was assigned to the Diocese of Wilmington, which covers some counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

“We’re here to speak the truth and never stop,” he said after the news conference. “We deal with this every day. It is our life sentence.”

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, noted the report lists more names of abusers than have been released publicly by archdiocese officials. The organization called on the archbishop to explain the discrepancies.

Other investigations involving the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, which both include parts of Maryland, are ongoing.

ARCHDIOCESE TOOK STEPS TO PROTECT THE ACCUSED

The Baltimore report says church leaders were focused on keeping abuse hidden, not on protecting victims or stopping abuse. In some situations, victims ended up reporting abuse to priests who were abusive themselves. And when law enforcement did become aware of abuse allegations, police and prosecutors were often deferential and “uninterested in probing what church leaders knew and when,” according to the report.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-maryland-baltimore-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-3ff478115fb428133834c82676b892c0">nearly 500-page document</a>&nbsp;includes numerous instances of leaders taking steps to protect accused clergy, including allowing them to retire with financial support rather than be ousted, letting them remain in the ministry and failing to report alleged abuse to law enforcement.

In 1964, for instance, Father Laurence Brett admitted to sexually abusing a teenager at a Catholic university in Connecticut.

He was sent to New Mexico under the guise of hepatitis treatment and then to Sacramento, where another teenage boy reported being abused by Brett, the report said. He was later assigned to Baltimore, where he served as chaplain at a Catholic high school for boys and abused over 20 victims.

After several students accused him of abuse in 1973, Brett was allowed to resign, saying he had to care for a sick aunt. School officials didn’t report the abuse to authorities and dozens more victims later came forward. He never faced criminal charges and died in 2010.

The report largely focuses on the years before 2002, when an investigation by the Boston Globe into abuse and coverup in the Archdiocese of Boston led to an explosion of revelations nationwide. The nation’s Catholic bishops, for the first time, then agreed on reforms including a lifetime ban from ministry for any priest who commits even a single incident of abuse. While new national policies significantly improved the internal handling of reported abuse in the Baltimore archdiocese after 2002, significant flaws remained, according to the report.

Only one person has been indicted through the investigation: Neil Adleberg, 74, who was arrested last year and charged with rape and other counts. The case remains ongoing. Officials said he coached wrestling at a Catholic high school in the ’70s, then returned to the role for the 2014-2015 school year. The alleged abuse occurred in 2013 and 2014 but the victim was not a student of the school, officials said.

COURT TO CONSIDER RELEASING MORE NAMES IN THE FUTURE

Lawyers for the state asked a court for permission to release the report and a Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled last month that a redacted version should be made public. The court ordered the removal the names and titles of 37 people accused of wrongdoing — whose names came out during confidential grand jury proceedings — but will consider releasing a more complete version in the future.

Lawmakers' passage of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clergy-sex-abuse-lawsuits-maryland-441d3b679404b5725199b5c2ee9a3803">bill to end the state’s statute of limitations</a>&nbsp;Wednesday came after similar proposals failed in recent years. Currently, victims of child sex abuse in Maryland can’t sue after they turn 38. The bill would eliminate the age limit and allow for retroactive lawsuits.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has long faced scrutiny over its handling of abuse allegations.

In 2002, Cardinal William Keeler, who served as Baltimore archbishop for nearly two decades, released a list of 57 priests accused of sexual abuse, earning himself a reputation for transparency at a time when the nationwide scope of wrongdoing remained largely unexposed. That changed, however, when a Pennsylvania grand jury accused Keeler of covering up sexual abuse allegations while serving as bishop of Harrisburg in the 1980s.

BALTIMORE (AP) — More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability, according to a long-awaited <a href="https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/news%20documents/OAG_redacted_Report_on_Child_Sexual_Abuse.pdf">state report</a> released Wednesday that revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of coverups.<a href="https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/news%20documents/OAG_redacted_Report_on_Child_Sexual_Abuse.pdf">CLICK Here to read </a>the full report from the attorney generalThe report paints a damning picture of the archdiocese, which is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in the country and spans much of Maryland. Some parishes, schools and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time — including St. Mark Parish in Catonsville, which had 11 abusers living and working there between 1964 and 2004. One deacon admitted to molesting over 100 children. Another priest was allowed to feign hepatitis treatment and make other excuses to avoid facing abuse allegations.The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released the findings of their yearslong investigation during Holy Week — considered the most sacred time of year in Christianity ahead of Easter Sunday — and said the number of victims is likely far higher. The report was redacted to protect confidential grand jury materials, meaning the identities of some accused clergy were removed.“The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the Church hierarchy,” the report said. “The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers’ conduct, and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing.”Disclosure of the redacted findings marks a significant development in an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maryland-baltimore-religion-3dd3cd21726aeed307dc32073f0af3b2">legal battle over their release</a>&nbsp;and adds to growing evidence from parishes across the country as numerous similar revelations have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years.Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, in a statement posted online, apologized to the victims and said the report “details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese, a time that will not be covered up, ignored or forgotten.”“It is difficult for most to imagine that such evil acts could have actually occurred,” Lori said. “For victim-survivors everywhere, they know the hard truth: These evil acts did occur.”Also on Wednesday, the state legislature passed a bill to end a statute of limitations on abuse-related civil lawsuits, sending it to Gov. Wes Moore, who has said he supports it. The Baltimore archdiocese says it has paid more than $13.2 million for care and compensation for 301 abuse victims since the 1980s, including $6.8 million toward 105 voluntary settlements.Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who took office in January, said the investigation shows "pervasive, pernicious and persistent abuse.” State investigators began their work in 2019; they reviewed over 100,000 pages of documents dating back to the 1940s and interviewed hundreds of victims and witnesses.ABUSE RECALLED AS A ‘LIFE SENTENCE’Victims said the report was a long-overdue public reckoning with shameful accusations the church has been facing for decades.Jean Hargadon Wehner said she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d5ab28a56bd544c9924db6686c0b52bf">abused in Baltimore as a teen</a>&nbsp;by A. Joseph Maskell, a priest who served as her Catholic high school’s counselor and chaplain. She said she reported her abuse to church officials in the early ’90s, when her memories of the trauma finally surfaced about two decades after she was repeatedly raped.“I expected them to do the right thing in 1992,” she told reporters Wednesday. “I’m still angry.”Maskell abused at least 39 victims, according to the report. He denied the allegations before his death in 2001 and was never criminally charged. The Associated Press typically doesn’t name victims of abuse, but Wehner has spoken publicly to draw attention to the issue.Kurt Rupprecht, who also experienced abuse as a child, said he was in his late 40s when he pieced together his traumatic memories. He said the realization brought him some relief because it explained decades of self-destructive behavior and mental health challenges, but also left him overwhelmed with anger and disbelief.Rupprecht said his abuser was assigned to the Diocese of Wilmington, which covers some counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.“We’re here to speak the truth and never stop,” he said after the news conference. “We deal with this every day. It is our life sentence.”The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, noted the report lists more names of abusers than have been released publicly by archdiocese officials. The organization called on the archbishop to explain the discrepancies.Other investigations involving the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, which both include parts of Maryland, are ongoing.ARCHDIOCESE TOOK STEPS TO PROTECT THE ACCUSEDThe Baltimore report says church leaders were focused on keeping abuse hidden, not on protecting victims or stopping abuse. In some situations, victims ended up reporting abuse to priests who were abusive themselves. And when law enforcement did become aware of abuse allegations, police and prosecutors were often deferential and “uninterested in probing what church leaders knew and when,” according to the report.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-maryland-baltimore-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-3ff478115fb428133834c82676b892c0">nearly 500-page document</a>&nbsp;includes numerous instances of leaders taking steps to protect accused clergy, including allowing them to retire with financial support rather than be ousted, letting them remain in the ministry and failing to report alleged abuse to law enforcement.In 1964, for instance, Father Laurence Brett admitted to sexually abusing a teenager at a Catholic university in Connecticut.He was sent to New Mexico under the guise of hepatitis treatment and then to Sacramento, where another teenage boy reported being abused by Brett, the report said. He was later assigned to Baltimore, where he served as chaplain at a Catholic high school for boys and abused over 20 victims.After several students accused him of abuse in 1973, Brett was allowed to resign, saying he had to care for a sick aunt. School officials didn’t report the abuse to authorities and dozens more victims later came forward. He never faced criminal charges and died in 2010.The report largely focuses on the years before 2002, when an investigation by the Boston Globe into abuse and coverup in the Archdiocese of Boston led to an explosion of revelations nationwide. The nation’s Catholic bishops, for the first time, then agreed on reforms including a lifetime ban from ministry for any priest who commits even a single incident of abuse. While new national policies significantly improved the internal handling of reported abuse in the Baltimore archdiocese after 2002, significant flaws remained, according to the report.Only one person has been indicted through the investigation: Neil Adleberg, 74, who was arrested last year and charged with rape and other counts. The case remains ongoing. Officials said he coached wrestling at a Catholic high school in the ’70s, then returned to the role for the 2014-2015 school year. The alleged abuse occurred in 2013 and 2014 but the victim was not a student of the school, officials said.COURT TO CONSIDER RELEASING MORE NAMES IN THE FUTURELawyers for the state asked a court for permission to release the report and a Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled last month that a redacted version should be made public. The court ordered the removal the names and titles of 37 people accused of wrongdoing — whose names came out during confidential grand jury proceedings — but will consider releasing a more complete version in the future.Lawmakers' passage of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clergy-sex-abuse-lawsuits-maryland-441d3b679404b5725199b5c2ee9a3803">bill to end the state’s statute of limitations</a>&nbsp;Wednesday came after similar proposals failed in recent years. Currently, victims of child sex abuse in Maryland can’t sue after they turn 38. The bill would eliminate the age limit and allow for retroactive lawsuits.The Archdiocese of Baltimore has long faced scrutiny over its handling of abuse allegations.In 2002, Cardinal William Keeler, who served as Baltimore archbishop for nearly two decades, released a list of 57 priests accused of sexual abuse, earning himself a reputation for transparency at a time when the nationwide scope of wrongdoing remained largely unexposed. That changed, however, when a Pennsylvania grand jury accused Keeler of covering up sexual abuse allegations while serving as bishop of Harrisburg in the 1980s.___

Read the new report of 'staggering' Catholic Church child sex abuse

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell&nbsp;announced that Victoria Bindas, 43, of Omaha was sentenced last week by&nbsp;United States District Judge&nbsp;Brian C. Buescher&nbsp;for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.&nbsp; Bindas received a sentence of 121 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;

Beginning in mid-2018, a&nbsp;<a>Drug Enforcement Administration&nbsp;</a>led task force started investigating the methamphetamine distribution operation of David Duane Short, based out of the Omaha, Nebraska, metro area.&nbsp;&nbsp; This investigation included a court ordered Title III interception of phone calls and text messages, allowing agents to identify the scope of the conspiracy and its’ members.&nbsp; Bindas was intercepted on numerous occasions contacting Short and was obtaining mutli-ounce quantities of methamphetamine.&nbsp; These deals between Short and Bindas were monitored by law enforcement.&nbsp; Bindas was ultimately held responsible for her in buying at least 1200 grams of methamphetamine from Short to distribute.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to Bindas, several members of this multi-state drug trafficking organization have now been sentenced.&nbsp; Edward Glen Summers (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment, Kaden Henry (Wisner, Nebraska) was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment, Rose Ellen Points (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, Chelsea Leigh Short (Omaha) was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment, Christian Gonzalez-Gardea (El Paso, Texas) was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment, Rex Lee Kmiecik (Omaha) was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment, Robert Root (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment, and David Duane Short (Omaha) was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp;

This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, IRS’s Criminal Investigations, and the Pottawattamie County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven A. Russell&nbsp;announced that Victoria Bindas, 43, of Omaha was sentenced last week by&nbsp;United States District Judge&nbsp;Brian C. Buescher&nbsp;for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.&nbsp; Bindas received a sentence of 121 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;Beginning in mid-2018, a&nbsp;<a>Drug Enforcement Administration&nbsp;</a>led task force started investigating the methamphetamine distribution operation of David Duane Short, based out of the Omaha, Nebraska, metro area.&nbsp;&nbsp; This investigation included a court ordered Title III interception of phone calls and text messages, allowing agents to identify the scope of the conspiracy and its’ members.&nbsp; Bindas was intercepted on numerous occasions contacting Short and was obtaining mutli-ounce quantities of methamphetamine.&nbsp; These deals between Short and Bindas were monitored by law enforcement.&nbsp; Bindas was ultimately held responsible for her in buying at least 1200 grams of methamphetamine from Short to distribute.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to Bindas, several members of this multi-state drug trafficking organization have now been sentenced.&nbsp; Edward Glen Summers (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment, Kaden Henry (Wisner, Nebraska) was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment, Rose Ellen Points (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, Chelsea Leigh Short (Omaha) was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment, Christian Gonzalez-Gardea (El Paso, Texas) was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment, Rex Lee Kmiecik (Omaha) was sentenced to 132 months’ imprisonment, Robert Root (Council Bluffs) was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment, and David Duane Short (Omaha) was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp;This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, IRS’s Criminal Investigations, and the Pottawattamie County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Office.

Nebraska woman sentenced for drug conspiracy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S. plunged into uncertainty Friday following conflicting court rulings over the legality of the abortion medication mifepristone that has been widely available for more than 20 years. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered a hold on federal approval of mifepristone in a decision that overruled decades of scientific approval.&nbsp;

President Biden criticized&nbsp;Kacsmaryk's decision. In a statement from the White House, Biden said, "a single federal district judge in Texas ruled that a prescription medication that has been available for more than 22 years, approved by the FDA and used safely and effectively by millions of women here and around the world, should no longer be approved in the United States."

"The Court in this case has substituted its judgment for FDA, the expert agency that approves drugs. If this ruling were to stand, then there will be virtually no prescription, approved by the FDA, that would be safe from these kinds of political, ideological attacks." "The prescription medication in question in this case is used for medication abortion, and medication abortion accounts for over half the abortions in America.&nbsp; The lawsuit, and this ruling, is another unprecedented step in taking away basic freedoms from women and putting their health at risk.&nbsp; This does not just affect women in Texas – if it stands, it would prevent women in every state from accessing the medication, regardless of whether abortion is legal in a state.&nbsp; It is the next big step toward the national ban on abortion that Republican elected officials have vowed to make law in America." "My Administration will fight this ruling.&nbsp; The Department of Justice has already filed an appeal and will seek an immediate stay of the decision.&nbsp; But let’s be clear – the only way to stop those who are committed to taking away women’s rights and freedoms in every state is to elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring Roe versus Wade."&nbsp;

"I will continue to lead the fight to protect a woman’s right to an abortion, and to make her own decisions about her own health.&nbsp; That is our commitment."

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a similar statement, "Each person in our nation should have the right to access safe and effective medication which has been approved by the FDA. In the face of attacks on a woman’s right to access an abortion, our Administration will continue to fight to protect reproductive freedom and the ability of all Americans to make health care decisions with their doctors free from political interference."

Kacsmaryk's decision in Texas came at nearly the same time that U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice, an Obama appointee, essentially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-abortion-pills-lawsuit-fda-1857d1a4fd356c61ad76e00621e93b44">ordered the opposite</a>&nbsp;and directed U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Boxes of the drug mifepristone.&nbsp;About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)" />
 <figcaption>Boxes of the drug mifepristone.&nbsp;About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S. plunged into uncertainty Friday following conflicting court rulings over the legality of the abortion medication mifepristone that has been widely available for more than 20 years. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered a hold on federal approval of mifepristone in a decision that overruled decades of scientific approval.&nbsp;President Biden criticized&nbsp;Kacsmaryk's decision. In a statement from the White House, Biden said, "a single federal district judge in Texas ruled that a prescription medication that has been available for more than 22 years, approved by the FDA and used safely and effectively by millions of women here and around the world, should no longer be approved in the United States.""The Court in this case has substituted its judgment for FDA, the expert agency that approves drugs. If this ruling were to stand, then there will be virtually no prescription, approved by the FDA, that would be safe from these kinds of political, ideological attacks." "The prescription medication in question in this case is used for medication abortion, and medication abortion accounts for over half the abortions in America.&nbsp; The lawsuit, and this ruling, is another unprecedented step in taking away basic freedoms from women and putting their health at risk.&nbsp; This does not just affect women in Texas – if it stands, it would prevent women in every state from accessing the medication, regardless of whether abortion is legal in a state.&nbsp; It is the next big step toward the national ban on abortion that Republican elected officials have vowed to make law in America." "My Administration will fight this ruling.&nbsp; The Department of Justice has already filed an appeal and will seek an immediate stay of the decision.&nbsp; But let’s be clear – the only way to stop those who are committed to taking away women’s rights and freedoms in every state is to elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring Roe versus Wade."&nbsp; "I will continue to lead the fight to protect a woman’s right to an abortion, and to make her own decisions about her own health.&nbsp; That is our commitment."Vice President Kamala Harris issued a similar statement, "Each person in our nation should have the right to access safe and effective medication which has been approved by the FDA. In the face of attacks on a woman’s right to access an abortion, our Administration will continue to fight to protect reproductive freedom and the ability of all Americans to make health care decisions with their doctors free from political interference." Kacsmaryk's decision in Texas came at nearly the same time that U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice, an Obama appointee, essentially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-abortion-pills-lawsuit-fda-1857d1a4fd356c61ad76e00621e93b44">ordered the opposite</a>&nbsp;and directed U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.

Biden vows to fight controversial ruling on access to abortion pill

DETROIT (AP) — Nearly 43,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, the highest number in 16 years with deaths due to speeding and impaired or distracted driving on the rise.

The 2021 final numbers,&nbsp;<a href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813435">released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</a>, confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-pandemics-transportation-8388d8ca4b1ad141939fe07ce00f9c7f">earlier estimates by the agency</a>&nbsp;showing a 10.5% increase in deaths over 2020. That's the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.

Data shows a 12% rise in fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver, with 3,522 people killed. That prompted the agency to kick off a $5 million advertising campaign in an effort to keep drivers focused on the road. Agency officials said such cases likely are under-reported by police.

The number of pedestrians killed rose 13%, and cyclist fatalities were up 2% for the year. The number of unbelted passengers killed rose 8.1%, while fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving were up 14%.

Speeding-related deaths increased 7.9%, while crash deaths involving large trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds were up 17%.

At a news conference Monday in Seattle, NHTSA focused on distracted driving fatalities, which speakers said are entirely preventable if people stop using their cell phones, eating, or doing other things that divert attention from the road.

“Remember it only takes a moment to change your life forever,” said Sophie Shulman, NHTSA deputy administrator.

Steve Kiefer, a retired General Motors executive whose son, Mitchel, was killed in a 2016 distracted driving crash, said cell phones are a primary cause of distraction. But technology is available to prevent it including “do not disturb” modes, as well as apps and in-car systems that watch drivers to make sure they're paying attention.

“All of this technology is available today, and there's no reason we can't use it and roll it out quickly,” Kiefer said.

Distracted driving deaths are related to America's addiction to cell phones, said Kiefer, who started a foundation with the goal of ending distracted driving. He said 90% of people are aware of the danger of distracted driving, yet 80% admit to doing it. In 25 states with laws against hand-held cell phone use, traffic deaths, crashes and insurance rates have dropped, he said.

"We believe that legislation will change behavior," Kiefer said.

Mitchel Kiefer was driving from home to Michigan State University on Interstate 96 when traffic slowed and his car was hit from behind by a driver who was distracted by her phone, Kiefer said. His car was knocked across the median and into oncoming traffic, where he was killed instantly.

The crash was not reported as involving a distracted driver, illustrating how distracted driving deaths are under-reported, Kiefer said.

Part of the increase in crash deaths is due to people driving more as the coronavirus pandemic waned. NHTSA reported that the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased 2.2% to 1.37 in 2021.

NHTSA also estimates that 2.5 million people were injured in crashes during 2021, up 9.4% from 2020.

The agency said it will release preliminary 2022 traffic death data in the coming weeks. NHTSA estimates that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recessions-and-depressions-accidents-detroit-business-34890b827ea0d3cf3e4eff8f3a8df6b6">31,785 people were killed in crashes from January through September last year,</a>&nbsp;down 0.2% from the same period of 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640619556891.png" alt="-A Kansas man died in a crash on Christmas Day 2021 in Sedgwick County. Speed was a contributing factor, according to Officer Charley Davidson -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>-A Kansas man died in a crash on Christmas Day 2021 in Sedgwick County. Speed was a contributing factor, according to Officer Charley Davidson -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Nearly 43,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, the highest number in 16 years with deaths due to speeding and impaired or distracted driving on the rise.The 2021 final numbers,&nbsp;<a href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813435">released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</a>, confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-pandemics-transportation-8388d8ca4b1ad141939fe07ce00f9c7f">earlier estimates by the agency</a>&nbsp;showing a 10.5% increase in deaths over 2020. That's the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.Data shows a 12% rise in fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver, with 3,522 people killed. That prompted the agency to kick off a $5 million advertising campaign in an effort to keep drivers focused on the road. Agency officials said such cases likely are under-reported by police.The number of pedestrians killed rose 13%, and cyclist fatalities were up 2% for the year. The number of unbelted passengers killed rose 8.1%, while fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving were up 14%.Speeding-related deaths increased 7.9%, while crash deaths involving large trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds were up 17%.At a news conference Monday in Seattle, NHTSA focused on distracted driving fatalities, which speakers said are entirely preventable if people stop using their cell phones, eating, or doing other things that divert attention from the road.“Remember it only takes a moment to change your life forever,” said Sophie Shulman, NHTSA deputy administrator.Steve Kiefer, a retired General Motors executive whose son, Mitchel, was killed in a 2016 distracted driving crash, said cell phones are a primary cause of distraction. But technology is available to prevent it including “do not disturb” modes, as well as apps and in-car systems that watch drivers to make sure they're paying attention.“All of this technology is available today, and there's no reason we can't use it and roll it out quickly,” Kiefer said.Distracted driving deaths are related to America's addiction to cell phones, said Kiefer, who started a foundation with the goal of ending distracted driving. He said 90% of people are aware of the danger of distracted driving, yet 80% admit to doing it. In 25 states with laws against hand-held cell phone use, traffic deaths, crashes and insurance rates have dropped, he said."We believe that legislation will change behavior," Kiefer said.Mitchel Kiefer was driving from home to Michigan State University on Interstate 96 when traffic slowed and his car was hit from behind by a driver who was distracted by her phone, Kiefer said. His car was knocked across the median and into oncoming traffic, where he was killed instantly.The crash was not reported as involving a distracted driver, illustrating how distracted driving deaths are under-reported, Kiefer said.Part of the increase in crash deaths is due to people driving more as the coronavirus pandemic waned. NHTSA reported that the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased 2.2% to 1.37 in 2021.NHTSA also estimates that 2.5 million people were injured in crashes during 2021, up 9.4% from 2020.The agency said it will release preliminary 2022 traffic death data in the coming weeks. NHTSA estimates that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recessions-and-depressions-accidents-detroit-business-34890b827ea0d3cf3e4eff8f3a8df6b6">31,785 people were killed in crashes from January through September last year,</a>&nbsp;down 0.2% from the same period of 2021.

Report: 2021 saw the highest number of traffic deaths in years

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-proposal-to-require-school-dress-code-advances-after-being-amended-into-separate-bill/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 —&nbsp;A proposal to require all Nebraska school districts to adopt a 
written dress code and grooming policy is just one stage away from 
becoming law.

This time last week, the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, voiced concerns about whether <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50449">Legislative Bill 630</a>
 would&nbsp; be scheduled for debate this year. But lawmakers on Tuesday 
amended LB 630 into a different bill that has advanced to the final 
stage of debate.

Senators voted 37-0 to attach LB 630 to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50239">LB 298</a>,
 proposed by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn to require school 
districts to report information on dyslexia to the Nebraska Department 
of Education.

McKinney said LB 630 is another step toward decreasing discrimination in the state.&nbsp;

“I was glad it got pushed forward because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen,” McKinney said.

Some existing dress codes have racial
 or religious implications, such as prohibitions on headscarves and 
durags, disproportionately impacting students of color. In spring 2020, a
 school secretary cut <a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/a-school-sees-a-lice-check-lakota-people-sense-centuries-of-repression/">two Lakota girls’ hair</a> without parental consent.

Each school board would be required 
to adopt a policy by July 1, 2025, consistent with a statewide dress 
code developed by the Education Department. Punishments for violating 
the written dress codes could not include long-term suspension or 
expulsion, under the bill.

McKinney said LB 630 would provide a 
uniform policy instead of a “hodgepodge” of restrictions between 
districts. This could protect hairstyles, natural hair, certain head 
coverings and the right of Indigenous students to wear regalia 
statewide.

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/23/nebraska-legislature-advances-bill-to-restrict-trans-health-care-for-minors/">Endless filibusters</a> this session have come largely in response to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">LB 574</a>, which is related to gender-affirming procedures, raising concerns some prioritized legislation may not be debated.

McKinney and State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha criticized the “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/31/nebraska-lawmakers-criticize-zero-sum-games-in-legislature-lack-of-support-for-north-omaha/">zero-sum games</a>” of “either side” that hurt bills such as LB 630.

Linehan, who is a member of the 
Education Committee, said she voted to advance LB 630 to the full 
Legislature and was happy to amend it into her bill.

She added that she’s been working on 
dyslexia issues since she took office, with LB 298 another step forward 
in work that she said is not yet done.

Linehan said amending bills into one 
another isn’t a new concept, nor is it “unique.” She said some bills 
have included more than a dozen amendments of this kind.&nbsp;

Some observers have criticized the Legislature for not doing more in its 90-day session, having passed no legislation thus far.&nbsp;

However, Linehan said lawmakers are still on track for a productive session.

“The first year I was here we argued 
about the rules for 30 days —&nbsp;we still got a lot done,” Linehan said. 
“We’re going to get a lot done this session.”

Linehan said this session is also “one big fight going on instead of 20 little ones.”

LB 298 is now one debate stage away from being sent to Gov. Jim Pillen to become law.

McKinney said his proposal sends a 
message that students can go to school and be themselves without fear of
 punishment for their hair or what they wear.

“Overall for the state, it shows that
 Nebraska is a place where people can come and raise their kids and not 
have to worry about discrimination at school based on how they wear 
their hair,” McKinney said.

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-proposal-to-require-school-dress-code-advances-after-being-amended-into-separate-bill/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 —&nbsp;A proposal to require all Nebraska school districts to adopt a 
written dress code and grooming policy is just one stage away from 
becoming law.This time last week, the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, voiced concerns about whether <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50449">Legislative Bill 630</a>
 would&nbsp; be scheduled for debate this year. But lawmakers on Tuesday 
amended LB 630 into a different bill that has advanced to the final 
stage of debate.Senators voted 37-0 to attach LB 630 to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50239">LB 298</a>,
 proposed by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn to require school 
districts to report information on dyslexia to the Nebraska Department 
of Education.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680891672253.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>McKinney said LB 630 is another step toward decreasing discrimination in the state.&nbsp;“I was glad it got pushed forward because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen,” McKinney said.Some existing dress codes have racial
 or religious implications, such as prohibitions on headscarves and 
durags, disproportionately impacting students of color. In spring 2020, a
 school secretary cut <a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/a-school-sees-a-lice-check-lakota-people-sense-centuries-of-repression/">two Lakota girls’ hair</a> without parental consent.Each school board would be required 
to adopt a policy by July 1, 2025, consistent with a statewide dress 
code developed by the Education Department. Punishments for violating 
the written dress codes could not include long-term suspension or 
expulsion, under the bill.McKinney said LB 630 would provide a 
uniform policy instead of a “hodgepodge” of restrictions between 
districts. This could protect hairstyles, natural hair, certain head 
coverings and the right of Indigenous students to wear regalia 
statewide.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/23/nebraska-legislature-advances-bill-to-restrict-trans-health-care-for-minors/">Endless filibusters</a> this session have come largely in response to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">LB 574</a>, which is related to gender-affirming procedures, raising concerns some prioritized legislation may not be debated.McKinney and State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha criticized the “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/31/nebraska-lawmakers-criticize-zero-sum-games-in-legislature-lack-of-support-for-north-omaha/">zero-sum games</a>” of “either side” that hurt bills such as LB 630.Linehan, who is a member of the 
Education Committee, said she voted to advance LB 630 to the full 
Legislature and was happy to amend it into her bill.She added that she’s been working on 
dyslexia issues since she took office, with LB 298 another step forward 
in work that she said is not yet done.Linehan said amending bills into one 
another isn’t a new concept, nor is it “unique.” She said some bills 
have included more than a dozen amendments of this kind.&nbsp;Some observers have criticized the Legislature for not doing more in its 90-day session, having passed no legislation thus far.&nbsp;However, Linehan said lawmakers are still on track for a productive session.“The first year I was here we argued 
about the rules for 30 days —&nbsp;we still got a lot done,” Linehan said. 
“We’re going to get a lot done this session.”Linehan said this session is also “one big fight going on instead of 20 little ones.”LB 298 is now one debate stage away from being sent to Gov. Jim Pillen to become law.McKinney said his proposal sends a 
message that students can go to school and be themselves without fear of
 punishment for their hair or what they wear.“Overall for the state, it shows that
 Nebraska is a place where people can come and raise their kids and not 
have to worry about discrimination at school based on how they wear 
their hair,” McKinney said.