FALLS CITY —
 Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol Tech Crimes Unit have 
arrested a Falls City man after a child exploitation investigation.

In
 July 2022, NSP received information regarding a child exploitation 
incident. Following an investigation, Matthew J. Timothy,
 36, was arrested by NSP Monday morning for possession and distribution of
 child pornography.&nbsp; 

Timothy was lodged in Richardson County jail. The 
investigation remains ongoing.

NSPFALLS CITY —
 Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol Tech Crimes Unit have 
arrested a Falls City man after a child exploitation investigation.In
 July 2022, NSP received information regarding a child exploitation 
incident. Following an investigation, Matthew J. Timothy,
 36, was arrested by NSP Monday morning for possession and distribution of
 child pornography.&nbsp; Timothy was lodged in Richardson County jail. The 
investigation remains ongoing.

Nebraska man arrested in child exploitation investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;won't have far to look if it wants a personal take on the “crushing weight” of student debt that underlies the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">college loan forgiveness plan</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-gun-politics-gay-rights-marriage-b9062feb4f80c49de088c36b0f17aa7c">Justice Clarence Thomas</a>&nbsp;was in his mid-40s and in his third year on the nation's highest court when he paid off the last of his debt from his time at Yale Law School.

Thomas, the court's longest-serving justice and staunchest conservative, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a240_d18e.pdf">skeptical of other Biden administration initiatives</a>. And when the Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">President Joe Biden's debt relief plan</a>&nbsp;that would wipe away up to $20,000 in outstanding student loans, Thomas is not likely to be a vote in the administration's favor.

But the justices' own experiences can be relevant in how they approach a case, and alone among them, Thomas has written about the role student loans played in his financial struggles.

A fellow law school student even suggested Thomas declare bankruptcy after graduating “to get out from under the crushing weight of all my student loans," the justice wrote in his best-selling 2007 memoir, “My Grandfather’s Son." He rejected the idea.

It’s not clear that any of the other justices borrowed money to attend college or law school or have done so for their children’s educations. Some justices grew up in relative wealth. Others reported they had scholarships to pay their way to some of the country's most expensive private institutions.

Of the seven justices on the court who are parents, four have signaled through their investments that they don't want their own children to be saddled with onerous college debt, and have piled money into tax-free college savings accounts that might limit any need for loans.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have the most on hand, at least $600,000 and at least $300,000, respectively, according to annual disclosure reports the justices filed in 2022. Each has two children.

Justices Amy Coney Barrett, who has seven children, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has two, also have invested money in college-savings accounts, in which any earnings or growth is tax free if spent on education.

None of the justices would comment for this story, a court spokeswoman said.

Thomas wrote vividly about his past money woes in his up-from-poverty story, recounting how a bank once foreclosed on one of his loans because repayment and delinquency notices were sent to his grandparents’ house in Savannah, Georgia, instead of Thomas’ home at the time in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Thomas was able to take out another loan to repay the bank only because his mentor, John Danforth, then-Missouri attorney general and later a U.S. senator, vouched for him.

Thomas noted that he signed up for a tuition postponement program at Yale in which a group of students jointly paid for their outstanding loans according to their financial ability, with those earning the most paying the most.

At the time, Thomas' first wife, Kathy, was pregnant. “I didn't know what else to do, so I signed on the dotted line, and spent the next two decades paying off the money I borrowed during my last two years at Yale,” Thomas wrote.

When he was first nominated to be a federal judge in 1989, Thomas reported $10,000 in outstanding student loans, according to a news report at the time. The Biden administration has picked the same number as the amount of debt relief most borrowers would get under its plan.

Personal experience can shape the justices' questions in the courtroom and affect their private conversations about a case, even if it doesn't figure in the outcome.

“It is helpful to have people with life experiences that are varied just because it enriches the conversation,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?322339-1/ceremony-honor-supreme-court-justices&amp;start=5657&amp;transcriptQuery=experience">Justice Sonia Sotomayor has said</a>. Sotomayor, like Thomas, also grew up poor. She got a full scholarship to Princeton as an undergraduate, she has said, and went on to Yale for law school, as Thomas did.

Keeping people from avoiding the kinds of difficult choices Thomas faced is a key part of the administration's argument for loan forgiveness.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-506/251435/20230104222942852_22-506tsUnitedStates.pdf">The administration says</a>&nbsp;that without additional help, many borrowers will fall behind on their payments once a hold in place since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago is lifted, no later than this summer.

Under a plan announced in August but so far blocked by federal courts, $10,000 in federal loans would be canceled for people making less than $125,000 or for households with less than $250,000 in income. Recipients of&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell">Pell Grants</a>, who tend to have fewer financial resources, would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The White House says 26 million people already have applied and 16 million have been approved for relief. The program is estimated to cost $400 billion over the next three decades.

The legal fight could turn on any of several elements, including whether the Republican-led states and individuals suing over the plan have legal standing to go to court and whether Biden has the authority under federal law for so extensive a loan forgiveness program.

Nebraska and other states challenging the program argue that far from falling behind, 20 million borrowers would get a "windfall” because their entire student debt would be erased, Nebraska Attorney General Michael Hilgers wrote in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-506/253353/20230127155912043_2023.01.27%20-%20Respondents%20Brief%20FINAL.pdf">states' main Supreme Court brief</a>.

Which of those arguments resonate with the court may become clear on Tuesday.

When she was dean of Harvard Law School, Justice Elena Kagan showed her own concern about the high cost of law school, especially for students who were considering lower-paying jobs.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/18law.html">Kagan established a program</a>&nbsp;that would allow students to attend their final year tuition-free if they agreed to a five-year commitment to work in the public sector. While that program no longer exists, Harvard offers grants to students for public service work.

At the time the program was created,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/almID/1206040364238/">Kagan said she wanted students</a>&nbsp;to be able to go to work where they “can make the biggest difference, but that isn’t the case now.” Instead, she said: “They often go to work where they don’t want to work because of the debt burden.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673377040107.png" alt="Under a plan announced in August but so far blocked by federal courts, $10,000 in federal loans would be canceled for people making less than $125,000 or for households with less than $250,000 in income." />
 <figcaption>Under a plan announced in August but so far blocked by federal courts, $10,000 in federal loans would be canceled for people making less than $125,000 or for households with less than $250,000 in income.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;won't have far to look if it wants a personal take on the “crushing weight” of student debt that underlies the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">college loan forgiveness plan</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-gun-politics-gay-rights-marriage-b9062feb4f80c49de088c36b0f17aa7c">Justice Clarence Thomas</a>&nbsp;was in his mid-40s and in his third year on the nation's highest court when he paid off the last of his debt from his time at Yale Law School.Thomas, the court's longest-serving justice and staunchest conservative, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a240_d18e.pdf">skeptical of other Biden administration initiatives</a>. And when the Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">President Joe Biden's debt relief plan</a>&nbsp;that would wipe away up to $20,000 in outstanding student loans, Thomas is not likely to be a vote in the administration's favor.But the justices' own experiences can be relevant in how they approach a case, and alone among them, Thomas has written about the role student loans played in his financial struggles.A fellow law school student even suggested Thomas declare bankruptcy after graduating “to get out from under the crushing weight of all my student loans," the justice wrote in his best-selling 2007 memoir, “My Grandfather’s Son." He rejected the idea.It’s not clear that any of the other justices borrowed money to attend college or law school or have done so for their children’s educations. Some justices grew up in relative wealth. Others reported they had scholarships to pay their way to some of the country's most expensive private institutions.Of the seven justices on the court who are parents, four have signaled through their investments that they don't want their own children to be saddled with onerous college debt, and have piled money into tax-free college savings accounts that might limit any need for loans.Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have the most on hand, at least $600,000 and at least $300,000, respectively, according to annual disclosure reports the justices filed in 2022. Each has two children.Justices Amy Coney Barrett, who has seven children, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has two, also have invested money in college-savings accounts, in which any earnings or growth is tax free if spent on education.None of the justices would comment for this story, a court spokeswoman said.Thomas wrote vividly about his past money woes in his up-from-poverty story, recounting how a bank once foreclosed on one of his loans because repayment and delinquency notices were sent to his grandparents’ house in Savannah, Georgia, instead of Thomas’ home at the time in Jefferson City, Missouri.Thomas was able to take out another loan to repay the bank only because his mentor, John Danforth, then-Missouri attorney general and later a U.S. senator, vouched for him.Thomas noted that he signed up for a tuition postponement program at Yale in which a group of students jointly paid for their outstanding loans according to their financial ability, with those earning the most paying the most.At the time, Thomas' first wife, Kathy, was pregnant. “I didn't know what else to do, so I signed on the dotted line, and spent the next two decades paying off the money I borrowed during my last two years at Yale,” Thomas wrote.When he was first nominated to be a federal judge in 1989, Thomas reported $10,000 in outstanding student loans, according to a news report at the time. The Biden administration has picked the same number as the amount of debt relief most borrowers would get under its plan.Personal experience can shape the justices' questions in the courtroom and affect their private conversations about a case, even if it doesn't figure in the outcome.“It is helpful to have people with life experiences that are varied just because it enriches the conversation,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?322339-1/ceremony-honor-supreme-court-justices&amp;start=5657&amp;transcriptQuery=experience">Justice Sonia Sotomayor has said</a>. Sotomayor, like Thomas, also grew up poor. She got a full scholarship to Princeton as an undergraduate, she has said, and went on to Yale for law school, as Thomas did.Keeping people from avoiding the kinds of difficult choices Thomas faced is a key part of the administration's argument for loan forgiveness.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-506/251435/20230104222942852_22-506tsUnitedStates.pdf">The administration says</a>&nbsp;that without additional help, many borrowers will fall behind on their payments once a hold in place since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago is lifted, no later than this summer.Under a plan announced in August but so far blocked by federal courts, $10,000 in federal loans would be canceled for people making less than $125,000 or for households with less than $250,000 in income. Recipients of&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell">Pell Grants</a>, who tend to have fewer financial resources, would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.The White House says 26 million people already have applied and 16 million have been approved for relief. The program is estimated to cost $400 billion over the next three decades.The legal fight could turn on any of several elements, including whether the Republican-led states and individuals suing over the plan have legal standing to go to court and whether Biden has the authority under federal law for so extensive a loan forgiveness program.Nebraska and other states challenging the program argue that far from falling behind, 20 million borrowers would get a "windfall” because their entire student debt would be erased, Nebraska Attorney General Michael Hilgers wrote in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-506/253353/20230127155912043_2023.01.27%20-%20Respondents%20Brief%20FINAL.pdf">states' main Supreme Court brief</a>.Which of those arguments resonate with the court may become clear on Tuesday.When she was dean of Harvard Law School, Justice Elena Kagan showed her own concern about the high cost of law school, especially for students who were considering lower-paying jobs.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/18law.html">Kagan established a program</a>&nbsp;that would allow students to attend their final year tuition-free if they agreed to a five-year commitment to work in the public sector. While that program no longer exists, Harvard offers grants to students for public service work.At the time the program was created,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/almID/1206040364238/">Kagan said she wanted students</a>&nbsp;to be able to go to work where they “can make the biggest difference, but that isn’t the case now.” Instead, she said: “They often go to work where they don’t want to work because of the debt burden.”

Supreme Court set to hear case on student loan debt relief

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first combination test for flu and C<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">OVID-19</a>&nbsp;that can be used at home, giving consumers an easy way to determine if a runny nose is caused by either disease.

The Lucira COVID-19 &amp; Flu Home test, which can be purchased without a prescription, uses self-collected nasal swab samples and delivers results in about 30 minutes, the agency said.

While at-home COVID tests are readily available, this is the first home test for influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu. The test was granted an emergency use authorization, which facilitates the availability of “medical countermeasures” during public health emergencies.

Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the authorization “a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home.”

The agency said the test is for individuals “with signs and symptoms consistent with a respiratory tract infection” and said it can be used on children as young as 2, with adults collecting the samples.

It recommends that tests be reported to healthcare providers and cautions that there is a risk of false positive and negative results. “Individuals who test negative and continue to experience symptoms of fever, cough and-or shortness of breath may still have a respiratory infection and should seek follow-up care with their healthcare provider,” the agency said.

Citing the impact of COVID and RSV, another respiratory infection, the FDA said it “recognizes the benefits that home testing can provide” and would work to increase the number of tests available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677419539318.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first combination test for flu and C<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">OVID-19</a>&nbsp;that can be used at home, giving consumers an easy way to determine if a runny nose is caused by either disease.The Lucira COVID-19 &amp; Flu Home test, which can be purchased without a prescription, uses self-collected nasal swab samples and delivers results in about 30 minutes, the agency said.While at-home COVID tests are readily available, this is the first home test for influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu. The test was granted an emergency use authorization, which facilitates the availability of “medical countermeasures” during public health emergencies.Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the authorization “a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home.”The agency said the test is for individuals “with signs and symptoms consistent with a respiratory tract infection” and said it can be used on children as young as 2, with adults collecting the samples.It recommends that tests be reported to healthcare providers and cautions that there is a risk of false positive and negative results. “Individuals who test negative and continue to experience symptoms of fever, cough and-or shortness of breath may still have a respiratory infection and should seek follow-up care with their healthcare provider,” the agency said.Citing the impact of COVID and RSV, another respiratory infection, the FDA said it “recognizes the benefits that home testing can provide” and would work to increase the number of tests available.

First at-home test for COVID and flu authorized by FDA

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/victims-of-55-million-fraud-urged-to-contact-federal-officials-after-florida-man-pleads-guilty/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

A Florida man pleaded guilty 
Friday for his part in an investment fraud scheme that defrauded more 
than 10,000 victims nationwide of over $55 million.

Some of those victims may be from Nebraska, and federal officials are asking potential victims to contact them.

Michael Glaspie, 72, of Palm City, Florida, faces up to 20 years in 
prison after marketing a fraudulent investment opportunity under the 
names “CoinDeal” or “Coin Deal.”

Also involved in the scheme was Neil Suresh Chandran of Las Vegas, who was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-technology-companies-arrested-alleged-45-million-investment-fraud-scheme-involving-over">indicted by a federal grand jury in Nebraska</a> in June for three counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in criminal monetary transactions.

All potential victims of the fraud are encouraged to visit the webpage <a target="_blank" href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=6be10ed2-347a3629-6be62a37-ac1f6b0176a2-337630a830c1c360&amp;q=1&amp;e=b4f9b5da-e820-4c96-983e-44d8dde2714f&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjMuNzIxNTU1OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5qdXN0aWNlLmdvdi9jcmltaW5hbC12bnMvdW5pdGVkLXN0YXRlcy12LWNoYW5kcmFuP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.1MLOPE0BEYG1EM1XHgCdp_wHpTLnM3zjVOLHW_7lhCM%2Fs%2F859432685%2Fbr%2F155026046532-l">https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/united-states-v-chandran</a> to obtain more information about their rights.

The FBI office in Omaha was among a handful of FBI offices that participated in the investigation.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/victims-of-55-million-fraud-urged-to-contact-federal-officials-after-florida-man-pleads-guilty/">Nebraska Examiner</a>A Florida man pleaded guilty 
Friday for his part in an investment fraud scheme that defrauded more 
than 10,000 victims nationwide of over $55 million.Some of those victims may be from Nebraska, and federal officials are asking potential victims to contact them.Michael Glaspie, 72, of Palm City, Florida, faces up to 20 years in 
prison after marketing a fraudulent investment opportunity under the 
names “CoinDeal” or “Coin Deal.”Also involved in the scheme was Neil Suresh Chandran of Las Vegas, who was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-technology-companies-arrested-alleged-45-million-investment-fraud-scheme-involving-over">indicted by a federal grand jury in Nebraska</a> in June for three counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in criminal monetary transactions.All potential victims of the fraud are encouraged to visit the webpage <a target="_blank" href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=6be10ed2-347a3629-6be62a37-ac1f6b0176a2-337630a830c1c360&amp;q=1&amp;e=b4f9b5da-e820-4c96-983e-44d8dde2714f&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjMuNzIxNTU1OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5qdXN0aWNlLmdvdi9jcmltaW5hbC12bnMvdW5pdGVkLXN0YXRlcy12LWNoYW5kcmFuP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.1MLOPE0BEYG1EM1XHgCdp_wHpTLnM3zjVOLHW_7lhCM%2Fs%2F859432685%2Fbr%2F155026046532-l">https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/united-states-v-chandran</a> to obtain more information about their rights.The FBI office in Omaha was among a handful of FBI offices that participated in the investigation.

Victims of $55M fraud urged to contact federal officials after guilty plea

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-crosses-political-aisle-to-support-mental-health-bill-from-lincoln-democrat/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Republican Gov. Jim 
Pillen stepped across the political aisle Thursday to provide surprise 
personal testimony in support of a bill to bolster mental health care.

The bill was introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, a 
Democrat in the officially nonpartisan State Legislature. She is also 
chief sponsor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana, a bill opposed by
 Pillen.

Political observers said they could not recall a time when former 
Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, had personally testified for a measure
 introduced by a Democrat.

They said it was illustrative of Pillen’s willingness to meet with 
political opponents, and work out differences, on some issues — though 
one lobbyist said some “weird alliances” are forming this year in the 
Unicameral.

Wishart said she was grateful for the support from the governor. She 
said “bipartisan support” will be “critical” in tackling the state’s 
problems with providing mental and behavioral health care.

Her Legislative Bill 276 would enable the creation of the Certified 
Community Behavioral Health Clinic model in Nebraska through the 
Medicaid program. The bill has been<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/states-mental-health-providers-tout-transformational-bill-aiding-development-of-community-clinics/"> touted as “transformational”</a> in improving quality and access to care. It would create centers in six communities across the state.

Wishart said she looked forward to working with the governor, and her legislative colleagues, to get LB 276 passed this year.

A spokesman for Pillen said he testified for the bill before the 
Legislature’s Appropriations Committee “because he supported it.”

Governors often testify in support of bills they ask to be introduced
 by state senators, but it is rare for them to appear at committee 
hearings on bills they didn’t request.

In his written testimony on LB 276, Pillen stated that Nebraskans “must come together to solve tough problems.”

“Mental health and substance abuse are tough problems. We also need more mental health specialists,” Pillen said.

Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also testified in favor of LB 276.

Prior to the 2023 session, Pillen assembled a group of educators, of 
all political stripes, to recommend changes in the state’s system of 
providing aid to K-12 schools.

Observers said the changes, which would significantly increase state 
funding of local schools, has helped bring more support for the 
governor’s proposal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677511548600.png" alt="Gov. Jim Pillen testifies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at the State Capitol in favor of his state income tax cut proposals. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jim Pillen testifies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at the State Capitol in favor of his state income tax cut proposals. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-crosses-political-aisle-to-support-mental-health-bill-from-lincoln-democrat/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Republican Gov. Jim 
Pillen stepped across the political aisle Thursday to provide surprise 
personal testimony in support of a bill to bolster mental health care.The bill was introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, a 
Democrat in the officially nonpartisan State Legislature. She is also 
chief sponsor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana, a bill opposed by
 Pillen.Political observers said they could not recall a time when former 
Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, had personally testified for a measure
 introduced by a Democrat.They said it was illustrative of Pillen’s willingness to meet with 
political opponents, and work out differences, on some issues — though 
one lobbyist said some “weird alliances” are forming this year in the 
Unicameral.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660224007414.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Wishart said she was grateful for the support from the governor. She 
said “bipartisan support” will be “critical” in tackling the state’s 
problems with providing mental and behavioral health care.Her Legislative Bill 276 would enable the creation of the Certified 
Community Behavioral Health Clinic model in Nebraska through the 
Medicaid program. The bill has been<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/states-mental-health-providers-tout-transformational-bill-aiding-development-of-community-clinics/"> touted as “transformational”</a> in improving quality and access to care. It would create centers in six communities across the state.Wishart said she looked forward to working with the governor, and her legislative colleagues, to get LB 276 passed this year.A spokesman for Pillen said he testified for the bill before the 
Legislature’s Appropriations Committee “because he supported it.”Governors often testify in support of bills they ask to be introduced
 by state senators, but it is rare for them to appear at committee 
hearings on bills they didn’t request.In his written testimony on LB 276, Pillen stated that Nebraskans “must come together to solve tough problems.”“Mental health and substance abuse are tough problems. We also need more mental health specialists,” Pillen said.Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also testified in favor of LB 276.Prior to the 2023 session, Pillen assembled a group of educators, of 
all political stripes, to recommend changes in the state’s system of 
providing aid to K-12 schools.Observers said the changes, which would significantly increase state 
funding of local schools, has helped bring more support for the 
governor’s proposal.

Pillen crosses aisle to support mental health bill from Lincoln Dem

Wilmington, Del. (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Sunday criticized the Biden administration for not sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as tensions simmer about whether China could send weapons to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">help Russia in the year-long war</a>.

But White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said they're providing Ukraine with the military aid needed to retake territory seized by Russia and that China has yet to supply military equipment. The domestic politics of support for Ukraine are also complicated by some Republican lawmakers who say the administration should pull back and focus more on domestic needs.

Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told ABC's “This Week” that planes and long-range artillery could help end the war on a faster timeline.

“This whole thing is taking too long,” McCaul said. “And it really didn't have to happen this way.”

Ukraine won support last month from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain Western fighter jets, but there have been no signs that larger nations like the U.S. and Britain will change their stance of refusing to provide warplanes to Kyiv. Biden said in an ABC News interview on Friday that he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-us-department-of-the-treasury-government-janet-yellen-business-f85483ad976990a056c9bfc6b504a07d">“ruling it out for now,"</a>&nbsp;saying that they are not the weaponry that Ukrainians need in the near term.

McCaul described the relationship between Russia and China as an “unholy alliance” and stressed the risks that could come from an upcoming meeting between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On NBC's “Meet the Press,” Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the White House has been slow in providing the military equipment that Ukraine seeks, including jets. “That has been a pattern with this administration from the beginning, where they have slow-rolled critical military weapons systems," he said.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. is already providing parts to keep Ukraine's fleet of Soviet-era jets flying, but supplying F-16s “is really a question for another day, for another phase” of the war, he told NBC.

Sullivan also played down tensions about possible Chinese support for Russia's military.

“We have not seen China yet provide military equipment to Russia for purposes of fighting the war in Ukraine,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he does not think it is in China's interest to provide weapons to Russia, saying it would “alienate them from a number of countries in the world, including our European allies.” He also noted that providing those weapons would put China in a place of “responsibility” for “the kinds of war crimes and bombardment of civilians and atrocities that the Russians are committing in Ukraine,” though he said the choice ultimately belongs to China.

China has submitted the outlines of a peace plan between Russia and Ukraine. But Sullivan said that Xi has not spoken with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;since the war began. The Ukrainian leader said he would like to speak with his Chinese counterpart.

“It's very difficult to advance any kind of peace initiative when there's that kind of one-sided diplomacy going on," Sullivan said.

On Monday, Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine where he re-affirmed the U.S. commitment. Some Republican lawmakers criticized him for not going instead to East Palestine, Ohio, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">a Feb. 3 train derailment</a>&nbsp;has led to concerns about the release of toxic chemicals.

Wilmington, Del. (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Sunday criticized the Biden administration for not sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as tensions simmer about whether China could send weapons to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">help Russia in the year-long war</a>.But White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said they're providing Ukraine with the military aid needed to retake territory seized by Russia and that China has yet to supply military equipment. The domestic politics of support for Ukraine are also complicated by some Republican lawmakers who say the administration should pull back and focus more on domestic needs.Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told ABC's “This Week” that planes and long-range artillery could help end the war on a faster timeline.“This whole thing is taking too long,” McCaul said. “And it really didn't have to happen this way.”Ukraine won support last month from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain Western fighter jets, but there have been no signs that larger nations like the U.S. and Britain will change their stance of refusing to provide warplanes to Kyiv. Biden said in an ABC News interview on Friday that he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-us-department-of-the-treasury-government-janet-yellen-business-f85483ad976990a056c9bfc6b504a07d">“ruling it out for now,"</a>&nbsp;saying that they are not the weaponry that Ukrainians need in the near term.McCaul described the relationship between Russia and China as an “unholy alliance” and stressed the risks that could come from an upcoming meeting between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and Russian President Vladimir Putin.On NBC's “Meet the Press,” Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the White House has been slow in providing the military equipment that Ukraine seeks, including jets. “That has been a pattern with this administration from the beginning, where they have slow-rolled critical military weapons systems," he said.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. is already providing parts to keep Ukraine's fleet of Soviet-era jets flying, but supplying F-16s “is really a question for another day, for another phase” of the war, he told NBC.Sullivan also played down tensions about possible Chinese support for Russia's military.“We have not seen China yet provide military equipment to Russia for purposes of fighting the war in Ukraine,” Sullivan said.Sullivan said he does not think it is in China's interest to provide weapons to Russia, saying it would “alienate them from a number of countries in the world, including our European allies.” He also noted that providing those weapons would put China in a place of “responsibility” for “the kinds of war crimes and bombardment of civilians and atrocities that the Russians are committing in Ukraine,” though he said the choice ultimately belongs to China.China has submitted the outlines of a peace plan between Russia and Ukraine. But Sullivan said that Xi has not spoken with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;since the war began. The Ukrainian leader said he would like to speak with his Chinese counterpart.“It's very difficult to advance any kind of peace initiative when there's that kind of one-sided diplomacy going on," Sullivan said.On Monday, Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine where he re-affirmed the U.S. commitment. Some Republican lawmakers criticized him for not going instead to East Palestine, Ohio, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">a Feb. 3 train derailment</a>&nbsp;has led to concerns about the release of toxic chemicals.

GOP lawmakers assail Biden for not sending F-16s to Ukraine

Hamilton County Attorney’s Office

The Hamilton County Attorney’s Office and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation into a suspected homicide in Marquette. 

The victim was found on Sunday, Feb. 26. 

The Nebraska State Patrol, which is assisting the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, has taken a suspect into custody. 

The names of all involved are being withheld at this time pending notification of the victim’s family.

Hamilton County Attorney’s OfficeThe Hamilton County Attorney’s Office and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation into a suspected homicide in Marquette. The victim was found on Sunday, Feb. 26. The Nebraska State Patrol, which is assisting the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, has taken a suspect into custody. The names of all involved are being withheld at this time pending notification of the victim’s family.

NSP, Hamilton Co. Attorney's Office investing homicide

NORFOLK, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested one person following a standoff in Lyons Saturday evening.

At approximately 5:20 p.m. Saturday, NSP was informed that the Burt County Sheriff’s Office and Lyons Police Department were on the scene of an armed, barricaded subject at 100 State Street in Lyons. The incident followed a domestic disturbance, which was being investigated by the Burt County Sheriff’s Office. The NSP SWAT team was activated after hours of attempting to negotiate with the subject.

At approximately midnight, NSP SWAT made entry into the house and was able to apprehend the subject without further incident. The subject, Chris Garrett, 61, was arrested for making terroristic threats. Additional charges are pending with the Burt County Sheriff’s Office. Garrett was lodged in Burt County Jail.

By Nebraska State PatrolNORFOLK, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrested one person following a standoff in Lyons Saturday evening.At approximately 5:20 p.m. Saturday, NSP was informed that the Burt County Sheriff’s Office and Lyons Police Department were on the scene of an armed, barricaded subject at 100 State Street in Lyons. The incident followed a domestic disturbance, which was being investigated by the Burt County Sheriff’s Office. The NSP SWAT team was activated after hours of attempting to negotiate with the subject.At approximately midnight, NSP SWAT made entry into the house and was able to apprehend the subject without further incident. The subject, Chris Garrett, 61, was arrested for making terroristic threats. Additional charges are pending with the Burt County Sheriff’s Office. Garrett was lodged in Burt County Jail.

NSP SWAT arrests Nebraska man after standoff

WASHINGTON (AP) — If you get health care coverage through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html">Medicaid</a>, you might be at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-304d921beee43d29f1862cd4d6ab5297">risk of losing that coverage</a>&nbsp;over the next year.

Roughly 84 million people are covered by the government-sponsored program, which has grown by 20 million people since January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

But as states begin checking everyone's eligibility for Medicaid for the first time in three years, as many as 14 million people could lose access to that health care coverage.

A look at why so many people may no longer qualify for the Medicaid program over the next year and what you need to know if you're one of those people who relies on the program.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government prohibited states from kicking people off Medicaid, even if they were no longer eligible. Before the pandemic, people would regularly lose their Medicaid coverage if they started making too much money to qualify for the program, gained health care coverage through their employer or moved into a new state.

That all stopped once COVID-19 started spreading across the country.

Over the next year, states will be required to start checking the eligibility again of every person who is on Medicaid. People will have to fill out forms to verify their personal information, including address, income and household size.

That will vary depending on which state you live in; some states are moving faster than others to check eligibility. Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia are among the states that will begin removing ineligible Medicaid recipients as early as April.

Other states will start taking that step in May, June or July.

Not everyone will be removed from the program all at once. States plan to verify all recipients’ eligibility over periods of nine months to one year.

HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF I’M LOSING COVERAGE?

If you rely on Medicaid for care, it’s important to update your contact information, including home address, phone number and email with the state from which you receive benefits.

States will mail a renewal form to your home. The federal government also requires states to contact you in another way -– by phone, text message or email –- to remind you to fill out the form.

Even if mailed notices reach the right address, they can be set aside and forgotten, said Kate McEvoy, executive director of the nonprofit National Association of Medicaid Directors.

“A text might just grab someone’s attention in a way that would be more accessible,” she said, noting that a quick message also may be less intimidating than a mailed notice.

Most states have already used texting for things such as reminding patients to get a COVID-19 vaccine or about upcoming doctor’s visits. But sending mass texts on Medicaid eligibility will be new, McEvoy said.

You will have at least 30 days to fill out the form. If you do not fill out the form, states will be able to remove you from Medicaid.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I’M KICKED OFF MEDICAID?

Many people who will no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage can turn to the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace for coverage, where they’ll find health care coverage options that may cost less than $10 a month.

But the coverage available on the marketplace will still be vastly different from what’s offered through Medicaid. Out-of-pocket expenses and co-pays are often higher. Also, people will need to check if the insurance plans offered through the marketplace will still cover their doctors.

A special enrollment period will open for people who are unenrolled from Medicaid that will start on March 31 and last through July 31, 2024. People who lose Medicaid coverage will have up to 60 days to enroll after losing coverage, according to guidance the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent to states last month.

MY CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN MEDICAID. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEIR COVERAGE?

More than half of U.S. children receive health care coverage through Medicaid or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/">Children’s Health Insurance Program</a>.

Even if you receive a notice that you’re no longer eligible for Medicaid, it’s likely that your child still qualifies for the program or for health care coverage through CHIP, which covers children whose families make too much money qualify for Medicaid but don’t earn enough to afford private health insurance.

Between 80% and 90% percent of children will still be eligible for those programs, according to estimates from the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families.

“When a parent receives a message that they aren’t eligible anymore, they often assume their child is no longer eligible either,” said Joan Alker, the center’s executive director. “It’s more common to find that the parent is no longer eligible for Medicaid, but the child still is.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — If you get health care coverage through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html">Medicaid</a>, you might be at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-304d921beee43d29f1862cd4d6ab5297">risk of losing that coverage</a>&nbsp;over the next year.Roughly 84 million people are covered by the government-sponsored program, which has grown by 20 million people since January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.But as states begin checking everyone's eligibility for Medicaid for the first time in three years, as many as 14 million people could lose access to that health care coverage.A look at why so many people may no longer qualify for the Medicaid program over the next year and what you need to know if you're one of those people who relies on the program.WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MEDICAID?At the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government prohibited states from kicking people off Medicaid, even if they were no longer eligible. Before the pandemic, people would regularly lose their Medicaid coverage if they started making too much money to qualify for the program, gained health care coverage through their employer or moved into a new state.That all stopped once COVID-19 started spreading across the country.Over the next year, states will be required to start checking the eligibility again of every person who is on Medicaid. People will have to fill out forms to verify their personal information, including address, income and household size.___WHEN MIGHT I LOSE MY COVERAGE?That will vary depending on which state you live in; some states are moving faster than others to check eligibility. Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia are among the states that will begin removing ineligible Medicaid recipients as early as April.Other states will start taking that step in May, June or July.Not everyone will be removed from the program all at once. States plan to verify all recipients’ eligibility over periods of nine months to one year.___HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF I’M LOSING COVERAGE?If you rely on Medicaid for care, it’s important to update your contact information, including home address, phone number and email with the state from which you receive benefits.States will mail a renewal form to your home. The federal government also requires states to contact you in another way -– by phone, text message or email –- to remind you to fill out the form.Even if mailed notices reach the right address, they can be set aside and forgotten, said Kate McEvoy, executive director of the nonprofit National Association of Medicaid Directors.“A text might just grab someone’s attention in a way that would be more accessible,” she said, noting that a quick message also may be less intimidating than a mailed notice.Most states have already used texting for things such as reminding patients to get a COVID-19 vaccine or about upcoming doctor’s visits. But sending mass texts on Medicaid eligibility will be new, McEvoy said.You will have at least 30 days to fill out the form. If you do not fill out the form, states will be able to remove you from Medicaid.___WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I’M KICKED OFF MEDICAID?Many people who will no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage can turn to the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace for coverage, where they’ll find health care coverage options that may cost less than $10 a month.But the coverage available on the marketplace will still be vastly different from what’s offered through Medicaid. Out-of-pocket expenses and co-pays are often higher. Also, people will need to check if the insurance plans offered through the marketplace will still cover their doctors.A special enrollment period will open for people who are unenrolled from Medicaid that will start on March 31 and last through July 31, 2024. People who lose Medicaid coverage will have up to 60 days to enroll after losing coverage, according to guidance the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent to states last month.___MY CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN MEDICAID. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEIR COVERAGE?More than half of U.S. children receive health care coverage through Medicaid or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/">Children’s Health Insurance Program</a>.Even if you receive a notice that you’re no longer eligible for Medicaid, it’s likely that your child still qualifies for the program or for health care coverage through CHIP, which covers children whose families make too much money qualify for Medicaid but don’t earn enough to afford private health insurance.Between 80% and 90% percent of children will still be eligible for those programs, according to estimates from the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families.“When a parent receives a message that they aren’t eligible anymore, they often assume their child is no longer eligible either,” said Joan Alker, the center’s executive director. “It’s more common to find that the parent is no longer eligible for Medicaid, but the child still is.”___

Millions who rely on Medicaid may be booted from program

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration moved Friday to require patients see a doctor in person before getting attention deficit disorder medication or addictive painkillers, toughening access to the drugs against the backdrop of a deepening opioid crisis.

The proposal could overhaul the way millions of Americans get some prescriptions after three years of relying on telehealth for doctor’s appointments by computer or phone during the pandemic.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said late Friday it plans to reinstate once longstanding federal requirements for powerful drugs that were waived once COVID-19 hit, enabling doctors to write millions of prescriptions for drugs such as OxyContin or Adderall without ever meeting patients in person.

Patients will need to see a doctor in person at least once to get an initial prescription for drugs that the federal government says have the the most potential to be abused — Vicodin, OxyContin, Adderall and Ritalin, for example. Refills could be prescribed over telehealth appointments.

The agency will also clamp down on how doctors can prescribe other, less addictive drugs to patients they've never physically met. Substances like codeine, taken to alleviate pain or coughing, Xanax, used to treat anxiety, Ambien, a sleep aid, and buprenorphine, a narcotic used to treat opioid addiction, can be prescribed over telehealth for an initial 30-day dose. Patients would need to see a doctor at least once in person to get a refill.

Patients will still be able to get common prescriptions like antibiotics, skin creams, birth control and insulin prescribed through telehealth visits.

The new rule seeks to keep expanded access to telehealth that's important for patients like those in rural areas while also balancing safety, an approach DEA Administrator Anne Milgram referred to as “expansion of telemedicine with guardrails.”

The ease with each Americans have accessed certain medications during the pandemic has helped many get needed treatment, but concerns have also mounted that some companies may take advantage of the lax rules and be overprescribing medications to people who don’t need them, said David Herzberg, a historian of drugs at the University of Buffalo.

“Both sides of this tension have really good points,” said Herzberg. “You don’t want barriers in the way of getting people prescriptions they need. But anytime you remove those barriers it’s also an opportunity for profit seekers to exploit the lax rules and sell the medicines to people who may not need them.”

U.S. overdose deaths hit a record in 2021, about three-quarters of those from opioids during a crisis that was first spun into the making by drug makers, pharmacies and doctors that pushed the drugs to patients decades ago. But the grim toll from synthetic opioids like fentanyl far outstripped deaths related to prescription drugs that year, according to Centers for Disease Control Data. Fentanyl is increasingly appearing on the illicit market, pressed into fake prescription pills or mixed into other drugs.

The proposed rules deliver a major blow to a booming telehealth industry, with tech startups launching in recent years to treat and prescribe medications for mental health or attention deficit disorders. The industry has largely benefitted from the reprieve on in-person visits for drugs brought on by the pandemic, although some national retailers stopped filling drug orders generated by some telehealth apps over the last year.

The DEA has grown increasingly concerned over the last two years that some of those startup telehealth companies are improperly prescribing addictive substances like opioids or attention deficit disorder medication, putting patients in danger, a DEA official told The Associated Press on Friday.

The official said the agency plans to have the new rule in place before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-covid-public-health-2a80b547f6d55706a6986debc343b9fe">the COVID-19 public health emergency expires</a>&nbsp;on May 11, which will effectively end the loosened rules. That could mean people who may seeking treatment from a doctor who is hundreds of miles away need to start developing plans for in-person visits with their doctors now, pointed out Boston-based attorney Jeremy Sherer, who represents telehealth companies. Patients will have six months to visit their doctor in person when the regulation is enacted.

“Providers and their patients need to know what that treatment is going to look like moving forward and whether, once the public health emergency ends in May, if they’re going to need to figure out a way to have a visit in person before continuing treatment, and that can be a real challenge," he said.

Many states have already moved to restore limitations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-covid-cancer-56deaf3a9ff108775dc36e3bd767175e">telehealth care across state lines</a>. By October, nearly 40 states and Washington, D.C., had ended emergency declarations that made it easier for doctors to see patients in other states.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration moved Friday to require patients see a doctor in person before getting attention deficit disorder medication or addictive painkillers, toughening access to the drugs against the backdrop of a deepening opioid crisis.The proposal could overhaul the way millions of Americans get some prescriptions after three years of relying on telehealth for doctor’s appointments by computer or phone during the pandemic.The Drug Enforcement Administration said late Friday it plans to reinstate once longstanding federal requirements for powerful drugs that were waived once COVID-19 hit, enabling doctors to write millions of prescriptions for drugs such as OxyContin or Adderall without ever meeting patients in person.Patients will need to see a doctor in person at least once to get an initial prescription for drugs that the federal government says have the the most potential to be abused — Vicodin, OxyContin, Adderall and Ritalin, for example. Refills could be prescribed over telehealth appointments.The agency will also clamp down on how doctors can prescribe other, less addictive drugs to patients they've never physically met. Substances like codeine, taken to alleviate pain or coughing, Xanax, used to treat anxiety, Ambien, a sleep aid, and buprenorphine, a narcotic used to treat opioid addiction, can be prescribed over telehealth for an initial 30-day dose. Patients would need to see a doctor at least once in person to get a refill.Patients will still be able to get common prescriptions like antibiotics, skin creams, birth control and insulin prescribed through telehealth visits.The new rule seeks to keep expanded access to telehealth that's important for patients like those in rural areas while also balancing safety, an approach DEA Administrator Anne Milgram referred to as “expansion of telemedicine with guardrails.”The ease with each Americans have accessed certain medications during the pandemic has helped many get needed treatment, but concerns have also mounted that some companies may take advantage of the lax rules and be overprescribing medications to people who don’t need them, said David Herzberg, a historian of drugs at the University of Buffalo.“Both sides of this tension have really good points,” said Herzberg. “You don’t want barriers in the way of getting people prescriptions they need. But anytime you remove those barriers it’s also an opportunity for profit seekers to exploit the lax rules and sell the medicines to people who may not need them.”U.S. overdose deaths hit a record in 2021, about three-quarters of those from opioids during a crisis that was first spun into the making by drug makers, pharmacies and doctors that pushed the drugs to patients decades ago. But the grim toll from synthetic opioids like fentanyl far outstripped deaths related to prescription drugs that year, according to Centers for Disease Control Data. Fentanyl is increasingly appearing on the illicit market, pressed into fake prescription pills or mixed into other drugs.The proposed rules deliver a major blow to a booming telehealth industry, with tech startups launching in recent years to treat and prescribe medications for mental health or attention deficit disorders. The industry has largely benefitted from the reprieve on in-person visits for drugs brought on by the pandemic, although some national retailers stopped filling drug orders generated by some telehealth apps over the last year.The DEA has grown increasingly concerned over the last two years that some of those startup telehealth companies are improperly prescribing addictive substances like opioids or attention deficit disorder medication, putting patients in danger, a DEA official told The Associated Press on Friday.The official said the agency plans to have the new rule in place before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-covid-public-health-2a80b547f6d55706a6986debc343b9fe">the COVID-19 public health emergency expires</a>&nbsp;on May 11, which will effectively end the loosened rules. That could mean people who may seeking treatment from a doctor who is hundreds of miles away need to start developing plans for in-person visits with their doctors now, pointed out Boston-based attorney Jeremy Sherer, who represents telehealth companies. Patients will have six months to visit their doctor in person when the regulation is enacted.“Providers and their patients need to know what that treatment is going to look like moving forward and whether, once the public health emergency ends in May, if they’re going to need to figure out a way to have a visit in person before continuing treatment, and that can be a real challenge," he said.Many states have already moved to restore limitations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-covid-cancer-56deaf3a9ff108775dc36e3bd767175e">telehealth care across state lines</a>. By October, nearly 40 states and Washington, D.C., had ended emergency declarations that made it easier for doctors to see patients in other states.

Feds seek to limit telehealth prescriptions for some drugs

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden gave one of the clearest indications yet that President Joe Biden will run for a second term, telling The Associated Press in an exclusive interview on Friday that there's “pretty much” nothing left to do but figure out the time and place for the announcement.

Although Biden has long said that it's his intention to seek reelection, he has yet to make it official, and he's struggled to dispel questions about whether he's too old to continue serving as president. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term.

“How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?” the first lady said in Nairobi, the second and final stop of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-droughts-united-states-government-jill-066f51bc0043efb57b6584ad9503e629">her five-day trip to Africa.</a>

She added, “He says he’s not done. He’s not finished what he’s started. And that’s what’s important.”

Granddaughter Naomi Biden, who is on the trip, cheered the first lady's comments after the interview.

“Preach nana,” she said on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NaomiBiden/status/1629190339327041536">Twitter.</a>

The president himself was asked about his wife's comments just hours later in an interview with ABC News, and laughed when told of her remarks, adding, "God love her. Look, I meant what I said, I’ve got other things to finish before I get into a full-blown campaign.”

Biden aides have said an announcement is likely to come in April, after the first fundraising quarter ends, which is around the time that President Barack Obama officially launched his reelection campaign.

The first lady has long been described as a key figure in Biden's orbit as he plans his future.

She brushed off the question about whether she has the deciding vote on whether the president runs for reelection.

“Of course he'll listen to me, because we're a married couple," she said. But, she added later, “he makes up his own mind, believe me.”

The wide-ranging interview took place on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-one-year-index-dc5ee4b342ce80742c471e19258a2046?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=RelatedStories&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">the anniversary</a>&nbsp;of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Jill Biden recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jill-biden-migration-slovakia-d22b406bd735c1899a55ba656cbbc317">her trip into the country last May</a>&nbsp;to meet the besieged country's first lady, Olena Zelenska.

They visited a school that was being used to help migrants who fled the fighting. Some of the families, Jill Biden said, had hid underground for weeks before making their escape.

“We thought then, how long can this go on? And here we are, a year later,” she said. “And look at what the Ukrainian people have done. I mean, they are so strong and resilient, and they are fighting for their country.”

“We're all hoping that this war is over soon, because we see, every day, the damage, the violence, the horror on our televisions,” the first lady added. “And we just can't believe it.”

Jill Biden also spoke extensively for the first time about her skin cancer diagnosis, which led doctors to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-maryland-mexico-city-surgery-545cac7c3ddca1f095e84383fdf8cd2d">remove multiple basal cell lesions</a>&nbsp;in January.

“I thought, oh, it’s just something on my eye, you know," she said. "But then they said, no, we think it’s basal cell.”

Then doctors checked her chest, she said, and they said “that's definitely basal cell."

“So I’m lucky,” the first lady said. "Believe me, I am so lucky that they caught it, they removed it, and I’m healthy.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-cancer-skin-brain-5a441b53e825895d029d0255c10816d3">Raising awareness about cancer screening</a>&nbsp;has been a cornerstone of her advocacy efforts for years, even before her son, Beau, died from a brain tumor almost a decade ago. She often says the worst three words anyone can hear are “you have cancer.”

When it was her turn to hear a doctor say that, Jill Biden said, “it was a little harder than I thought.”

Now, she said, she's “extra careful” about sunscreen, especially when she's at the beach, which she described as "one of my favorite places in the world."

Jill Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-jill-biden-6a025ecc48cd6efed9c99ce578fb7fb4">the only first lady to continue her career</a>&nbsp;in addition to her ceremonial duties, teaching writing and English to community college students. At 71 years old, she said she's not ready to think about retirement.

“I know that I will know when it’s enough," she said. "But it’s not yet.”

She said she left detailed lesson plans for a substitute teacher while she was on her trip, and she's been texting with students as she was traveling. She plans to be back in the classroom at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, after arriving home from Africa around 3 a.m. Monday.

Education has been a flashpoint in American politics, especially with conservative activists and politicians trying to limit discussion of race and sexuality in classrooms.

“I don't believe in banning books,” she said.

She added: “I think the teachers and the parents can work together and decide what the kids should be taught.”

During the interview, Jill Biden reflected on the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-gerald-ford-ronald-reagan-hospice-care-f4e26c10a7b366f14e62f690da403b0a">who recently began home hospice care.</a>&nbsp;The Carter Center, which the former president founded after leaving the White House, was key in helping to eliminate the Guinea worm parasite in African countries.

“That's the perfect example,” she said. “He's such a humble man. He didn't go out and shout, 'Look what I've done.' He just did the work.”

Jill Biden recalled Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, reaching out on the eve of Joe Biden's inauguration two years ago.

“They called and said congratulations," she said. "And it meant so much to me and to Joe.”

She also talked about visiting the Carters at their home in Plains, Georgia, early in Biden's presidency.

"It’s not just that here are two presidents. It’s here are two friends," she said. "Actually four friends, who have really supported one another over the years.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677113898453.png" alt="The president himself was asked about his wife's comments just hours later in an interview with ABC News, and laughed when told of her remarks, adding, "God love her. Look, I meant what I said, I’ve got other things to finish before I get into a full-blown campaign.”-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The president himself was asked about his wife's comments just hours later in an interview with ABC News, and laughed when told of her remarks, adding, "God love her. Look, I meant what I said, I’ve got other things to finish before I get into a full-blown campaign.”-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARLENE SUPERVILLE&nbsp;NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden gave one of the clearest indications yet that President Joe Biden will run for a second term, telling The Associated Press in an exclusive interview on Friday that there's “pretty much” nothing left to do but figure out the time and place for the announcement.Although Biden has long said that it's his intention to seek reelection, he has yet to make it official, and he's struggled to dispel questions about whether he's too old to continue serving as president. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term.“How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?” the first lady said in Nairobi, the second and final stop of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-droughts-united-states-government-jill-066f51bc0043efb57b6584ad9503e629">her five-day trip to Africa.</a>She added, “He says he’s not done. He’s not finished what he’s started. And that’s what’s important.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Preach nana <a href="https://t.co/dIHeD1XH8d">https://t.co/dIHeD1XH8d</a>&mdash; Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/NaomiBiden/status/1629190339327041536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Granddaughter Naomi Biden, who is on the trip, cheered the first lady's comments after the interview.“Preach nana,” she said on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NaomiBiden/status/1629190339327041536">Twitter.</a>The president himself was asked about his wife's comments just hours later in an interview with ABC News, and laughed when told of her remarks, adding, "God love her. Look, I meant what I said, I’ve got other things to finish before I get into a full-blown campaign.”Biden aides have said an announcement is likely to come in April, after the first fundraising quarter ends, which is around the time that President Barack Obama officially launched his reelection campaign.The first lady has long been described as a key figure in Biden's orbit as he plans his future.“Because I'm his wife,” she laughed.She brushed off the question about whether she has the deciding vote on whether the president runs for reelection.“Of course he'll listen to me, because we're a married couple," she said. But, she added later, “he makes up his own mind, believe me.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">To all the people I met in Namibia — I leave inspired by your determination and optimism. Your light illuminates a brighter world for us all. 💕 <a href="https://t.co/PnM2i37tQw">pic.twitter.com/PnM2i37tQw</a>&mdash; Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1629124798612664321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The wide-ranging interview took place on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-one-year-index-dc5ee4b342ce80742c471e19258a2046?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=RelatedStories&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">the anniversary</a>&nbsp;of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Jill Biden recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jill-biden-migration-slovakia-d22b406bd735c1899a55ba656cbbc317">her trip into the country last May</a>&nbsp;to meet the besieged country's first lady, Olena Zelenska.They visited a school that was being used to help migrants who fled the fighting. Some of the families, Jill Biden said, had hid underground for weeks before making their escape.“We thought then, how long can this go on? And here we are, a year later,” she said. “And look at what the Ukrainian people have done. I mean, they are so strong and resilient, and they are fighting for their country.”“We're all hoping that this war is over soon, because we see, every day, the damage, the violence, the horror on our televisions,” the first lady added. “And we just can't believe it.”Jill Biden also spoke extensively for the first time about her skin cancer diagnosis, which led doctors to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-maryland-mexico-city-surgery-545cac7c3ddca1f095e84383fdf8cd2d">remove multiple basal cell lesions</a>&nbsp;in January.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673893202587.png" alt="A lesion that doctors had found above her right eye during a routine screening late last year was removed on mid January and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-maryland-mexico-city-surgery-545cac7c3ddca1f095e84383fdf8cd2d">confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma</a>&nbsp;— a highly treatable form of skin cancer.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>A lesion that doctors had found above her right eye during a routine screening late last year was removed on mid January and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-maryland-mexico-city-surgery-545cac7c3ddca1f095e84383fdf8cd2d">confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma</a>&nbsp;— a highly treatable form of skin cancer.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“I thought, oh, it’s just something on my eye, you know," she said. "But then they said, no, we think it’s basal cell.”Then doctors checked her chest, she said, and they said “that's definitely basal cell."“So I’m lucky,” the first lady said. "Believe me, I am so lucky that they caught it, they removed it, and I’m healthy.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-cancer-skin-brain-5a441b53e825895d029d0255c10816d3">Raising awareness about cancer screening</a>&nbsp;has been a cornerstone of her advocacy efforts for years, even before her son, Beau, died from a brain tumor almost a decade ago. She often says the worst three words anyone can hear are “you have cancer.”When it was her turn to hear a doctor say that, Jill Biden said, “it was a little harder than I thought.”Now, she said, she's “extra careful” about sunscreen, especially when she's at the beach, which she described as "one of my favorite places in the world."Jill Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-jill-biden-6a025ecc48cd6efed9c99ce578fb7fb4">the only first lady to continue her career</a>&nbsp;in addition to her ceremonial duties, teaching writing and English to community college students. At 71 years old, she said she's not ready to think about retirement.“I know that I will know when it’s enough," she said. "But it’s not yet.”She said she left detailed lesson plans for a substitute teacher while she was on her trip, and she's been texting with students as she was traveling. She plans to be back in the classroom at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, after arriving home from Africa around 3 a.m. Monday.Education has been a flashpoint in American politics, especially with conservative activists and politicians trying to limit discussion of race and sexuality in classrooms.“I don't believe in banning books,” she said.She added: “I think the teachers and the parents can work together and decide what the kids should be taught.”During the interview, Jill Biden reflected on the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-gerald-ford-ronald-reagan-hospice-care-f4e26c10a7b366f14e62f690da403b0a">who recently began home hospice care.</a>&nbsp;The Carter Center, which the former president founded after leaving the White House, was key in helping to eliminate the Guinea worm parasite in African countries.“That's the perfect example,” she said. “He's such a humble man. He didn't go out and shout, 'Look what I've done.' He just did the work.”Jill Biden recalled Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, reaching out on the eve of Joe Biden's inauguration two years ago.“They called and said congratulations," she said. "And it meant so much to me and to Joe.”She also talked about visiting the Carters at their home in Plains, Georgia, early in Biden's presidency."It’s not just that here are two presidents. It’s here are two friends," she said. "Actually four friends, who have really supported one another over the years.”______

 First lady says President Biden ready to run for second term

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/23/installation-of-solar-panels-gets-lincoln-condo-owner-in-hot-water/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Concerned about the environment, in part after studying 
Pope Francis’ encyclical that climate change is real and that we must 
care for our “common home,” Rosalind Carr took action.

In October, Carr had 14 solar panels installed on the roof of her 
townhouse in the Cape Charles Square neighborhood of south Lincoln.

It wasn’t to save money, the retiree said, but “to do something good.”

The reaction, however, wasn’t that good from some neighbors and the homeowners’ association that governs the neighborhood.

The Cape Charles Square Homeowners Association ordered Carr to remove
 the solar panels, or the association would do it for her, because she 
hadn’t gained permission from the HOA board, as required in the local 
covenants, to install them.

The ruckus over the rooftop installation is just the latest 
nationwide over solar panels and HOA rules and helped prompt a state 
senator from Lincoln to introduce a bill this year that would block HOAs
 from banning solar installations.

Several states, including Colorado and Iowa, have passed “solar 
rights” laws. Iowa’s law allows for “solar access easements” for 
sunlight to such installations and permits local municipalities to enact
 ordinances that prohibit HOAs from blocking rooftop solar panels.

Sen. George Dungan said that the need for renewable, green energy 
continues to grow and that local covenants should not block the 
installation of solar panels, as long as they comply with local zoning 
ordinances and laws.

He said his<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Intro/LB49.pdf"> Legislative Bill 49</a> isn’t patterned after another state’s law but is designed to encourage solar installations in Nebraska.

“It’s a small change for a big gain,” he said.

Several supporters of LB 49 testified Thursday before the 
Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. They told senators that solar energy 
is not only good for the environment but also would reduce the need for 
additional electric transmission lines as well as the use of fossil 
fuels to generate power.

It’s also an issue of personal property rights, they said.

But opponents of the measure said LB 49 goes too far.

Justin Brady, a lobbyist for the Nebraska Realtors Association and 
homebuilders groups in Omaha and Lincoln, said that people buy homes 
based on the “private” covenants imposed in a neighborhood and that the 
state should not interfere.

Rick McDonald of the Metropolitan Omaha Property Owners Association 
said that the bill, as originally written, would give tenants the right 
to install solar panels on rental properties — installations that can 
damage the property.

But Dungan, in his opening statement, said the intent of LB 49 was 
not to affect landlords and rental properties but to block HOAs from 
passing rules banning solar panels in neighborhoods.

Concerns were also expressed about a clause in LB 49 that would allow
 cites or counties to pass rules to provide a “solar access permit” to a
 landowner so that trees or buildings don’t block “direct sunlight” to 
the panels.

Opponents said creating such a “right to direct sunlight” was 
unconstitutional and could cause removal of trees that reduce air 
conditioning costs and provide other benefits. Even one supporter of LB 
49 questioned the wisdom of removing trees.

Dungan said his intent is not to cause trees to be cut down but to 
allow local municipalities, if they wish, to issue solar access permits.

The Judiciary Committee took no action on LB 49 after the hearing. The bill received 20 letters of support and 49 in opposition.

Meanwhile, down in south Lincoln, Carr said she has agreed to remove 
the solar panels from her roof rather than force the HOA to spend money 
in court defending its covenants.

She said it was her fault that she didn’t get permission first. Carr 
said she had her application to install the solar panels ready for an 
HOA board meeting but then her contractors asked to show up several days
 early.

“I totally spun it off,” Carr said. “My fault.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677252334517.png" alt="Solar panels, installed on the roof of her south Lincoln condominium, got Rosalind Carr in hot water with her homeowners association. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Solar panels, installed on the roof of her south Lincoln condominium, got Rosalind Carr in hot water with her homeowners association. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/23/installation-of-solar-panels-gets-lincoln-condo-owner-in-hot-water/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Concerned about the environment, in part after studying 
Pope Francis’ encyclical that climate change is real and that we must 
care for our “common home,” Rosalind Carr took action.In October, Carr had 14 solar panels installed on the roof of her 
townhouse in the Cape Charles Square neighborhood of south Lincoln.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677252387756.jpeg" alt="Rosalind Carr (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Rosalind Carr (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>It wasn’t to save money, the retiree said, but “to do something good.”The reaction, however, wasn’t that good from some neighbors and the homeowners’ association that governs the neighborhood.The Cape Charles Square Homeowners Association ordered Carr to remove
 the solar panels, or the association would do it for her, because she 
hadn’t gained permission from the HOA board, as required in the local 
covenants, to install them.The ruckus over the rooftop installation is just the latest 
nationwide over solar panels and HOA rules and helped prompt a state 
senator from Lincoln to introduce a bill this year that would block HOAs
 from banning solar installations.<h2>‘Solar rights’ laws</h2>Several states, including Colorado and Iowa, have passed “solar 
rights” laws. Iowa’s law allows for “solar access easements” for 
sunlight to such installations and permits local municipalities to enact
 ordinances that prohibit HOAs from blocking rooftop solar panels.Sen. George Dungan said that the need for renewable, green energy 
continues to grow and that local covenants should not block the 
installation of solar panels, as long as they comply with local zoning 
ordinances and laws.He said his<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Intro/LB49.pdf"> Legislative Bill 49</a> isn’t patterned after another state’s law but is designed to encourage solar installations in Nebraska.“It’s a small change for a big gain,” he said.Several supporters of LB 49 testified Thursday before the 
Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. They told senators that solar energy 
is not only good for the environment but also would reduce the need for 
additional electric transmission lines as well as the use of fossil 
fuels to generate power.<h2>Personal property rights</h2>It’s also an issue of personal property rights, they said.But opponents of the measure said LB 49 goes too far.Justin Brady, a lobbyist for the Nebraska Realtors Association and 
homebuilders groups in Omaha and Lincoln, said that people buy homes 
based on the “private” covenants imposed in a neighborhood and that the 
state should not interfere.Rick McDonald of the Metropolitan Omaha Property Owners Association 
said that the bill, as originally written, would give tenants the right 
to install solar panels on rental properties — installations that can 
damage the property.But Dungan, in his opening statement, said the intent of LB 49 was 
not to affect landlords and rental properties but to block HOAs from 
passing rules banning solar panels in neighborhoods.Concerns were also expressed about a clause in LB 49 that would allow
 cites or counties to pass rules to provide a “solar access permit” to a
 landowner so that trees or buildings don’t block “direct sunlight” to 
the panels.Opponents said creating such a “right to direct sunlight” was 
unconstitutional and could cause removal of trees that reduce air 
conditioning costs and provide other benefits. Even one supporter of LB 
49 questioned the wisdom of removing trees.Dungan said his intent is not to cause trees to be cut down but to 
allow local municipalities, if they wish, to issue solar access permits.The Judiciary Committee took no action on LB 49 after the hearing. The bill received 20 letters of support and 49 in opposition.<h2>‘Vitriol’ from some neighbors</h2>Meanwhile, down in south Lincoln, Carr said she has agreed to remove 
the solar panels from her roof rather than force the HOA to spend money 
in court defending its covenants.She said it was her fault that she didn’t get permission first. Carr 
said she had her application to install the solar panels ready for an 
HOA board meeting but then her contractors asked to show up several days
 early.“I totally spun it off,” Carr said. “My fault.”But, she said, she’s been disappointed by some neighbors’ negative 
reaction to the solar panels, which hug her condo’s roof and are only 
visible from the south side of the building.“It’s like I put up a sign that I was selling sex,” Carr said of the “vitriol” from a small group of neighbors.Ironically, the local HOA had passed some “guidelines” a month before
 she installed her solar panels that allowed them as long as the panels 
were not visible from the street. Carr said she was unaware of the 
guidelines until after she installed her solar panels and that an offer 
to move her installation was rejected by the HOA’s attorney.She said it will cost about $3,500 to remove the panels, when weather
 permits. Carr plans to donate them to Habitat for Humanity.LB 49 is designed to help resolve future conflicts between HOAs and 
homeowners wishing to install solar panels, and Carr said she hope it 
passes. If that happens, she may rejoin the movement to solar energy.“I will tell you, I may just put them up again,” Carr said.