By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-capitol-hosts-day-of-the-dead-altars/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Visitors to the State 
Capitol through Nov. 4 will see sugar skulls, candles, butterflies and a
 traditional “altar de ofrendas” in celebration of the annual el dia de Los Muertos.

The Mexican Cultural Center of the 
Heartland, based in Omaha and dedicated to preserving and promoting 
Mexican culture, prepared the first-floor exhibit on behalf of the 
Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mexicanmuseum.org/dia-de-los-muertos">El dia de Los Muertos,</a>
 the Day of the Dead, is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 and marks the annual
 returning of spirits that spend time with relatives. Families and loved
 ones traditionally build welcome altars decorated with offerings that 
include photos of the deceased, food and other favorite reminders of the
 friends and family members.

This year’s Capitol exhibit honored 
Mexican writer Juan Rulfo because of his worldwide reputation and 
literary work that’s closely related to the world of the dead, the 
commission said.

Photographs also pay tribute to 
people linked to the commission, including former director Cecilia 
Olivarez and former information officer Victoria Morehead, as well as 
members of the Legislature.

The exhibit on Nov. 5-6 will move to 
the Bellevue Berry Farm, 1101 S. 48th St., for a weekend event that will
 also include live music, traditional Mexican food and other 
entertainment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666966612642.png" alt="Day of the Dead altar of offerings “altar de ofrendas” in the State Capitol (Courtesy of Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans)" />
 <figcaption>Day of the Dead altar of offerings “altar de ofrendas” in the State Capitol (Courtesy of Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-capitol-hosts-day-of-the-dead-altars/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Visitors to the State 
Capitol through Nov. 4 will see sugar skulls, candles, butterflies and a
 traditional “altar de ofrendas” in celebration of the annual el dia de Los Muertos.The Mexican Cultural Center of the 
Heartland, based in Omaha and dedicated to preserving and promoting 
Mexican culture, prepared the first-floor exhibit on behalf of the 
Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mexicanmuseum.org/dia-de-los-muertos">El dia de Los Muertos,</a>
 the Day of the Dead, is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 and marks the annual
 returning of spirits that spend time with relatives. Families and loved
 ones traditionally build welcome altars decorated with offerings that 
include photos of the deceased, food and other favorite reminders of the
 friends and family members.This year’s Capitol exhibit honored 
Mexican writer Juan Rulfo because of his worldwide reputation and 
literary work that’s closely related to the world of the dead, the 
commission said.Photographs also pay tribute to 
people linked to the commission, including former director Cecilia 
Olivarez and former information officer Victoria Morehead, as well as 
members of the Legislature.The exhibit on Nov. 5-6 will move to 
the Bellevue Berry Farm, 1101 S. 48th St., for a weekend event that will
 also include live music, traditional Mexican food and other 
entertainment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666966683306.png" alt="Day of the Dead in the State Capitol (Courtesy of Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans)" />
 <figcaption>Day of the Dead in the State Capitol (Courtesy of Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Nebraska Capitol hosts Day of the Dead altars

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-says-dont-do-what-he-did-misrepresent-crop-losses/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Nebraska farmer took 
to the internet Thursday to urge his fellow farmers against doing what 
he did: misrepresent his crop losses to the federal government.

In September, a federal judge ordered Meadow Grove farmer Ross <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-ordered-to-pay-1-million-in-restitution-for-crop-insurance-fraud/">Nelson to pay $1 million in restitution</a>&nbsp;and a $30,000 fine for making a fraudulent crop insurance claim.

Nelson, in a webinar broadcast, said that in 2015, the crop yields on a plot he was farming weren’t what he was expecting.

So he underreported his yields to obtain more proceeds from federal 
crop insurance, which is intended to pay for losses, such as those from 
drought, floods and hail.

“I shouldn’t have done it. It wasn’t right,” Nelson said. “My priorities were wrong.”

As part of his sentence, he was ordered to do community service, 
which included appearing on Thursday’s webinar, hosted by the University
 of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

He was also sentenced to four years’ probation and 16 weekends of 
jail. Nelson said he is barred from obtaining crop insurance and may be 
blocked from participating in other federal farm programs.

But on the webinar, Nelson, a 48-year-old, married father of four, expressed gratitude. It could have been a lot worse, he said.

Defrauding the crop insurance program came with a sentence of up to 
30 years in prison. He said that despite the stress and financial 
setback, he has been able to keep farming and has kept his family.

Nelson said he now farms about one-third the acreage he used to but 
said he is current on his bank payments. He said his operation has 
shifted to custom feeding hogs to pay the bills.

“We were fortunate the way it ended up,” he said.

The misrepresentation was discovered after an audit was 
conducted of the actual crop yields, compared to those of neighboring 
farms. Nelson was paid $700,000 in crop insurance, but he said that, 
legally, he could not just repay what he received.

The investigation was conducted for the USDA by the Office of the Inspector General. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Continuing-Interest/Department-of-Justice-Prosecutions">U.S. Department of Justice website</a> lists a long line of convictions for crop insurance fraud across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666966483547.png" alt="Nebraska farmer Ross Nelson, left, was interviewed Thursday by Ryan Evans of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. (Courtesy of the UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska farmer Ross Nelson, left, was interviewed Thursday by Ryan Evans of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. (Courtesy of the UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-says-dont-do-what-he-did-misrepresent-crop-losses/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A Nebraska farmer took 
to the internet Thursday to urge his fellow farmers against doing what 
he did: misrepresent his crop losses to the federal government.In September, a federal judge ordered Meadow Grove farmer Ross <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-farmer-ordered-to-pay-1-million-in-restitution-for-crop-insurance-fraud/">Nelson to pay $1 million in restitution</a>&nbsp;and a $30,000 fine for making a fraudulent crop insurance claim.Nelson, in a webinar broadcast, said that in 2015, the crop yields on a plot he was farming weren’t what he was expecting.So he underreported his yields to obtain more proceeds from federal 
crop insurance, which is intended to pay for losses, such as those from 
drought, floods and hail.“I shouldn’t have done it. It wasn’t right,” Nelson said. “My priorities were wrong.”As part of his sentence, he was ordered to do community service, 
which included appearing on Thursday’s webinar, hosted by the University
 of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.He was also sentenced to four years’ probation and 16 weekends of 
jail. Nelson said he is barred from obtaining crop insurance and may be 
blocked from participating in other federal farm programs.But on the webinar, Nelson, a 48-year-old, married father of four, expressed gratitude. It could have been a lot worse, he said.Defrauding the crop insurance program came with a sentence of up to 
30 years in prison. He said that despite the stress and financial 
setback, he has been able to keep farming and has kept his family.Nelson said he now farms about one-third the acreage he used to but 
said he is current on his bank payments. He said his operation has 
shifted to custom feeding hogs to pay the bills.“We were fortunate the way it ended up,” he said.The misrepresentation was discovered after an audit was 
conducted of the actual crop yields, compared to those of neighboring 
farms. Nelson was paid $700,000 in crop insurance, but he said that, 
legally, he could not just repay what he received.The investigation was conducted for the USDA by the Office of the Inspector General. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Continuing-Interest/Department-of-Justice-Prosecutions">U.S. Department of Justice website</a> lists a long line of convictions for crop insurance fraud across the country.

Neb. farmer says don’t do what he did: Misrepresent crop losses

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — University of Florida faculty members expressed their displeasure Thursday with Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse being named as the lone finalist for the school’s presidency.

The Faculty Senate approved a no-confidence vote on the selection process by a margin of 67-15, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/education/2022/10/27/ben-sasse-uf-no-confidence-vote-university-florida-president/10605606002/">Gainesville Sun</a>&nbsp;reported. The Senate held an emergency meeting on the resolution, as the UF board of trustees is scheduled to consider Sasse for the position Tuesday.

The measure followed previous resolutions passed by the United Faculty of Florida union and the UF Student Senate criticizing the choice of Sasse for the job. Sasse, a Republican in his second Senate term, has drawn criticism from some at the school in Gainesville, Florida, for his stance on same-sex marriage and other LBGTQ issues. Others question his qualifications to run such a sprawling school with more than 50,000 students.

Breann Garbas, a Faculty Senate member who drafted Thursday's motion, said the problem isn’t that Sasse was selected, it was the way in which he was named as the only finalist.

“The process is the biggest problem here because we don’t know who those other candidates were,” Garbas said. “We don’t know anything about them, and we have no input in this and no say in it as a faculty as a whole.”

Sasse, 50, was previously president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. He said during a meeting on campus earlier this month when asked whether he opposes same-sex marriage that it is the national law as ruled upon by the U.S. Supreme Court and that his goal is to create a “place of respect and inclusion for all Gators,” mentioning the Southeastern Conference school’s sports mascot.

Sasse, who would resign from the Senate to take the position, was recommended for the school’s presidency by a search committee. He still faces a vote by the school’s board of trustees and then must be confirmed by the state board of governors.

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1564937419455.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSGAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — University of Florida faculty members expressed their displeasure Thursday with Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse being named as the lone finalist for the school’s presidency.The Faculty Senate approved a no-confidence vote on the selection process by a margin of 67-15, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/education/2022/10/27/ben-sasse-uf-no-confidence-vote-university-florida-president/10605606002/">Gainesville Sun</a>&nbsp;reported. The Senate held an emergency meeting on the resolution, as the UF board of trustees is scheduled to consider Sasse for the position Tuesday.The measure followed previous resolutions passed by the United Faculty of Florida union and the UF Student Senate criticizing the choice of Sasse for the job. Sasse, a Republican in his second Senate term, has drawn criticism from some at the school in Gainesville, Florida, for his stance on same-sex marriage and other LBGTQ issues. Others question his qualifications to run such a sprawling school with more than 50,000 students.Breann Garbas, a Faculty Senate member who drafted Thursday's motion, said the problem isn’t that Sasse was selected, it was the way in which he was named as the only finalist.“The process is the biggest problem here because we don’t know who those other candidates were,” Garbas said. “We don’t know anything about them, and we have no input in this and no say in it as a faculty as a whole.”Sasse, 50, was previously president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. He said during a meeting on campus earlier this month when asked whether he opposes same-sex marriage that it is the national law as ruled upon by the U.S. Supreme Court and that his goal is to create a “place of respect and inclusion for all Gators,” mentioning the Southeastern Conference school’s sports mascot.Sasse, who would resign from the Senate to take the position, was recommended for the school’s presidency by a search committee. He still faces a vote by the school’s board of trustees and then must be confirmed by the state board of governors.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/z6aRo_gO39CbdB2RFxQYHxfeeHn1xiW6gtv1uB1lhJHX1A4pxqyu638dX5jrMeDwyY9LroGuYbry6FX9uE1S53bKTtL8ShFFvZtR6SOqRqaRNyeuoxqfTwKsLeQGQJWuT3aGqCGSFEtO0ImOudXfRV5ERu7ZC5V2AwlCxSkxKJnpKm0iVnbt1YkAFqAl" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Florida faculty vote no-confidence in process to pick Sasse

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Businesses are increasingly worried about the renewed threat of a railroad strike after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-strikes-government-and-politics-581babaeee804c37e4761424c02af21a">two unions rejected their deals</a>, and they want the Biden administration and Congress to be ready to intervene.

A coalition of 322 business groups from a variety of industries signed off on a letter to President Joe Biden Thursday urging him to make sure the deals he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">helped broker last month</a>&nbsp;get approved because a railroad strike would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire consequences</a>&nbsp;for the economy. All 12 rail unions must approve their agreements to prevent a strike next month.

“It is paramount that these contracts now be ratified, as a rail shutdown would have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and lead to further inflationary pressure,” wrote the group, which includes nearly every major trade group and quite a few state business associations.

Biden has been watching the contract dispute closely and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators this summer to try to help resolve it, but the White House hasn't said whether he will get personally involved again.

The railroads have offered 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in the five-year deal, which would be the biggest increases in more than four decades, but the negotiations hinge on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality-of-life concerns</a>. The unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive the trains want the railroads to ease the punishing schedules that they say keep them on call 24-7, and the other unions want the railroads to add paid sick time.

A strike isn’t imminent because the two unions that voted down their deals agreed to retry negotiations before considering a walkout, but the railroads face a Nov. 19 deadline with one of those unions. Six smaller unions have approved their deals while four others are set to vote over the next month, including the two biggest ones and the engineers and conductors in those two unions have the most quality-of-life concerns.

The head of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;its agreement earlier this month said if the railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">won't consider</a>&nbsp;adding sick time he has no choice but to prepare for a strike next month. Union President Tony Cardwell said railroad executives continue to “bow to Wall Street's continued desire for more than its fair share” as they report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-economy-business-483f55c699a94c29f579883e6b87fa85">billions</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/csx-corp-florida-business-earnings-99976c3154d2939f544c2bdfecc77330">profits</a>.

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX and the other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-norfolk-government-and-politics-eeedec386f2acba5d63181436ca03f3f">railroads want</a>&nbsp;any deal to closely follow the compromises recommended by arbitrators Biden appointed, so they have rebuffed all pleas for paid sick time. The industry also argues that the unions opted to forego paid sick leave over the years in favor of higher wages and strong short-term disability benefits that kick in as soon as four days into an absence and can continue up to a year.

Ian Jefferies, who leads the Association of American Railroads trade group, said Thursday the “BMWED's recent proposal was not a realistic offer” because the union “simply demanded more — and they did so with full knowledge that the railroads would not agree.”

If both sides can't agree on a deal, Congress may step in and block a strike. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Makers, which endorsed Thursday's letter, is already lobbying lawmakers to make sure they're ready to act because refineries rely on railroads to deliver more than 300,000 barrels of crude oil and other chemicals every day.

“We’re heavily stressing the need to avoid a strike at all costs -- not just for our industry. It’s going to affect every industry" said Rob Benedict, vice president of midstream for the AFPM.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="The railroads have offered 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in the five-year deal." />
 <figcaption>The railroads have offered 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in the five-year deal.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Businesses are increasingly worried about the renewed threat of a railroad strike after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-strikes-government-and-politics-581babaeee804c37e4761424c02af21a">two unions rejected their deals</a>, and they want the Biden administration and Congress to be ready to intervene.A coalition of 322 business groups from a variety of industries signed off on a letter to President Joe Biden Thursday urging him to make sure the deals he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">helped broker last month</a>&nbsp;get approved because a railroad strike would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire consequences</a>&nbsp;for the economy. All 12 rail unions must approve their agreements to prevent a strike next month.“It is paramount that these contracts now be ratified, as a rail shutdown would have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and lead to further inflationary pressure,” wrote the group, which includes nearly every major trade group and quite a few state business associations.Biden has been watching the contract dispute closely and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators this summer to try to help resolve it, but the White House hasn't said whether he will get personally involved again.The railroads have offered 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in the five-year deal, which would be the biggest increases in more than four decades, but the negotiations hinge on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality-of-life concerns</a>. The unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive the trains want the railroads to ease the punishing schedules that they say keep them on call 24-7, and the other unions want the railroads to add paid sick time.A strike isn’t imminent because the two unions that voted down their deals agreed to retry negotiations before considering a walkout, but the railroads face a Nov. 19 deadline with one of those unions. Six smaller unions have approved their deals while four others are set to vote over the next month, including the two biggest ones and the engineers and conductors in those two unions have the most quality-of-life concerns.The head of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;its agreement earlier this month said if the railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">won't consider</a>&nbsp;adding sick time he has no choice but to prepare for a strike next month. Union President Tony Cardwell said railroad executives continue to “bow to Wall Street's continued desire for more than its fair share” as they report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-economy-business-483f55c699a94c29f579883e6b87fa85">billions</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/csx-corp-florida-business-earnings-99976c3154d2939f544c2bdfecc77330">profits</a>.Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX and the other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-norfolk-government-and-politics-eeedec386f2acba5d63181436ca03f3f">railroads want</a>&nbsp;any deal to closely follow the compromises recommended by arbitrators Biden appointed, so they have rebuffed all pleas for paid sick time. The industry also argues that the unions opted to forego paid sick leave over the years in favor of higher wages and strong short-term disability benefits that kick in as soon as four days into an absence and can continue up to a year.Ian Jefferies, who leads the Association of American Railroads trade group, said Thursday the “BMWED's recent proposal was not a realistic offer” because the union “simply demanded more — and they did so with full knowledge that the railroads would not agree.”If both sides can't agree on a deal, Congress may step in and block a strike. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Makers, which endorsed Thursday's letter, is already lobbying lawmakers to make sure they're ready to act because refineries rely on railroads to deliver more than 300,000 barrels of crude oil and other chemicals every day.“We’re heavily stressing the need to avoid a strike at all costs -- not just for our industry. It’s going to affect every industry" said Rob Benedict, vice president of midstream for the AFPM.

Rail strike worry prompts businesses to seek Biden's help 

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denied having any intentions of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine but described the conflict there as part of alleged efforts by the West to secure its global domination, which he insisted are doomed to fail.

Speaking at a conference of international foreign policy experts, Putin said it's pointless for Russia to strike Ukraine with nuclear weapons.

“We see no need for that,” Putin said. “There is no point in that, neither political, nor military.”

Putin said an earlier warning of his readiness to use “all means available to protect Russia” didn’t amount to nuclear saber-rattling but was merely a response to Western statements about their possible use of nuclear weapons.

He particularly mentioned Liz Truss saying in August that she would be ready to use nuclear weapons if she became Britain's prime minister, a remark which he said worried the Kremlin.

“What were we supposed to think?” Putin said. “We saw that as a coordinated position, an attempt to blackmail us.”

In a long speech full of diatribes against the United States and its allies, Putin accused them of trying to dictate their terms to other nations in a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” domination game.

Putin, who sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, has cast Western support for Ukraine as part of broad efforts by Washington and its allies to enforce its will upon others through a rules-based world order. He argued that the world has reached a turning point, when “the West is no longer able to dictate its will to humankind but still tries to do it, and the majority of nations no longer want to tolerate it.”

The Russian leader claimed that the Western policies will foment more chaos, adding that “he who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind.”

Putin claimed that “humankind now faces a choice: accumulate a load of problems that will inevitably crush us all or try to find solutions that may not be ideal but could work and could make the world more stable and secure.”

Without offering evidence, the Russian leader repeated Moscow’s unproven allegation that Ukraine was plotting a false flag attack involving a radioactive dirty bomb it would try to pin on Russia.

Ukraine has strongly rejected the claim, and its Western allies have dismissed it as “transparently false.” Ukraine argued Russia might be making the unfounded allegation to serve as a cover for its own possible plot to detonate a dirty bomb.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. has still not seen anything to indicate that Putin has decided to use a dirty bomb.

Putin said he personally ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to call his foreign counterparts to tell them about the purported plot. He maintained that Russia knows the Ukrainian facilities working on the project.

He mocked the allegations by Ukraine and the West that Russia was firing on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine as “ravings.” Russian troops have occupied the plant, Europe's largest, since the early days of the conflict.

Putin also expressed bewilderment about Washington's policy on China, noting that tensions sparked by a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi come amid the U.S.-Russian showdown over Ukraine.

“Why spoil relations with China at the same time?” Putin said. “It seems to defy logic and common sense. It looks like ravings.”

He hailed Russia's relations with China, but said he hadn't warned Chinese President Xi Jinping about his intention to send troops into Ukraine when he visited Beijing days before that to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Asked about Washinton's threat to re-evaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia over the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance's move to cut oil production, Putin argued that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was acting in his nation's interests and the need to stabilize global energy markets.

“They need to respect the crown prince and Saudi Arabia, and they will respond in kind,” Putin said. “And they will also respond in kind if they are spoken to in a boorish manner.”

The Russian leader said Russia isn’t the enemy of the West but will continue to oppose the purported diktat of Western neo-liberal elites, accusing them of trying to subdue Russia.

“Their goal is to make Russia more vulnerable and turn it into an instrument for fulfilling their geopolitical tasks, they have failed to achieve it and they will never succeed,” Putin said.

Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that Russians and Ukrainians are part of a single people and again denigrated Ukraine as an “artificial state” that received historic Russian lands from Communist rulers during the Soviet times.

In that context, he acknowledged that the fighting in Ukraine effectively amounts to a civil war, although the Kremlin calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation.”

Putin said he thinks “all the time” about the casualties that Russia has suffered in Ukraine, but insisted that NATO’s refusal to rule out Ukraine’s prospective membership and Kyiv’s refusal to adhere to a peace deal for its separatist conflict in the country’s east has left Moscow no other choice.

He denied underestimating Ukraine’s ability to fight back and insisted that his “special military operation” has proceeded as planned.

Putin also acknowledged the challenges posed by Western sanctions, but argued that Russia has proven resilient to foreign pressure and has become more united.

John Kirby, a U.S. National Security Council spokesman, responded to Putin’s speech as it was underway.

“We don’t believe that Mr. Putin’s strategic goals have changed here. He doesn’t want Ukraine to exist as a sovereign, independent nation state," Kirby said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2022. (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2022. (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denied having any intentions of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine but described the conflict there as part of alleged efforts by the West to secure its global domination, which he insisted are doomed to fail.Speaking at a conference of international foreign policy experts, Putin said it's pointless for Russia to strike Ukraine with nuclear weapons.“We see no need for that,” Putin said. “There is no point in that, neither political, nor military.”Putin said an earlier warning of his readiness to use “all means available to protect Russia” didn’t amount to nuclear saber-rattling but was merely a response to Western statements about their possible use of nuclear weapons.He particularly mentioned Liz Truss saying in August that she would be ready to use nuclear weapons if she became Britain's prime minister, a remark which he said worried the Kremlin.“What were we supposed to think?” Putin said. “We saw that as a coordinated position, an attempt to blackmail us.”In a long speech full of diatribes against the United States and its allies, Putin accused them of trying to dictate their terms to other nations in a “dangerous, bloody and dirty” domination game.Putin, who sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, has cast Western support for Ukraine as part of broad efforts by Washington and its allies to enforce its will upon others through a rules-based world order. He argued that the world has reached a turning point, when “the West is no longer able to dictate its will to humankind but still tries to do it, and the majority of nations no longer want to tolerate it.”The Russian leader claimed that the Western policies will foment more chaos, adding that “he who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind.”Putin claimed that “humankind now faces a choice: accumulate a load of problems that will inevitably crush us all or try to find solutions that may not be ideal but could work and could make the world more stable and secure.”Without offering evidence, the Russian leader repeated Moscow’s unproven allegation that Ukraine was plotting a false flag attack involving a radioactive dirty bomb it would try to pin on Russia.Ukraine has strongly rejected the claim, and its Western allies have dismissed it as “transparently false.” Ukraine argued Russia might be making the unfounded allegation to serve as a cover for its own possible plot to detonate a dirty bomb.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. has still not seen anything to indicate that Putin has decided to use a dirty bomb.Putin said he personally ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to call his foreign counterparts to tell them about the purported plot. He maintained that Russia knows the Ukrainian facilities working on the project.He mocked the allegations by Ukraine and the West that Russia was firing on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine as “ravings.” Russian troops have occupied the plant, Europe's largest, since the early days of the conflict.Putin also expressed bewilderment about Washington's policy on China, noting that tensions sparked by a recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi come amid the U.S.-Russian showdown over Ukraine.“Why spoil relations with China at the same time?” Putin said. “It seems to defy logic and common sense. It looks like ravings.”He hailed Russia's relations with China, but said he hadn't warned Chinese President Xi Jinping about his intention to send troops into Ukraine when he visited Beijing days before that to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics.Asked about Washinton's threat to re-evaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia over the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance's move to cut oil production, Putin argued that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was acting in his nation's interests and the need to stabilize global energy markets.“They need to respect the crown prince and Saudi Arabia, and they will respond in kind,” Putin said. “And they will also respond in kind if they are spoken to in a boorish manner.”The Russian leader said Russia isn’t the enemy of the West but will continue to oppose the purported diktat of Western neo-liberal elites, accusing them of trying to subdue Russia.“Their goal is to make Russia more vulnerable and turn it into an instrument for fulfilling their geopolitical tasks, they have failed to achieve it and they will never succeed,” Putin said.Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that Russians and Ukrainians are part of a single people and again denigrated Ukraine as an “artificial state” that received historic Russian lands from Communist rulers during the Soviet times.In that context, he acknowledged that the fighting in Ukraine effectively amounts to a civil war, although the Kremlin calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation.”Putin said he thinks “all the time” about the casualties that Russia has suffered in Ukraine, but insisted that NATO’s refusal to rule out Ukraine’s prospective membership and Kyiv’s refusal to adhere to a peace deal for its separatist conflict in the country’s east has left Moscow no other choice.He denied underestimating Ukraine’s ability to fight back and insisted that his “special military operation” has proceeded as planned.Putin also acknowledged the challenges posed by Western sanctions, but argued that Russia has proven resilient to foreign pressure and has become more united.John Kirby, a U.S. National Security Council spokesman, responded to Putin’s speech as it was underway.“We don’t believe that Mr. Putin’s strategic goals have changed here. He doesn’t want Ukraine to exist as a sovereign, independent nation state," Kirby said.

Russia's Putin says he won't use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/27/loss-to-nebraska-farmers-due-to-drought-estimated-at-least-2-billion-this-year/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Drought conditions this year may cost Nebraska corn, 
soybean and wheat farmers nearly $2 billion, an agriculture economist 
estimated Thursday.

Nathan Dorn, who farms near Firth south of Lincoln, said he’s already
 cutting back on spending for new cattle and next year’s crop due to 
lower yields and increased costs for seed, fuel and fertilizer that he 
estimated at $13 an acre.

“Yields are down, but prices are up,” Dorn said. “But having 60% of a crop is not the same as having 100% when you sit down with a banker.”

The Nebraska Farm Bureau held a press conference Thursday to 
highlight the challenges facing the state’s agriculture producers this 
year due to drought, rising input costs and challenges getting parts for
 repairs.

Parts of 20 counties in northeast and 
southwest Nebraska are deemed to be in “exceptional drought”— one that 
occurs only once in 50-100 years — according to the National Drought 
Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Portions of at least half of the state’s 
93 counties are in “extreme drought,” the center’s map indicated. That 
is a drought that occurs every 20-50 years. The rest of Nebraska is 
rated as in “severe” or “moderate” drought.

Norfolk, in northeast Nebraska, has 
received about 11.6 inches of rain this year through Wednesday, compared
 to normal precipitation of 24.8 inches. Madrid, in southwest Nebraska, 
has gotten 7.1 inches of precipitation, 13 inches short of normal.

Jay Rempe, an economist with the Nebraska Farm Bureau, gave the $2 
billion estimate. But he said the impact is likely worse because his 
estimate does not include projected yield decreases for other crops, 
like sorghum, sugar beets, sunflowers and dry beans.

“Making some assumptions regarding yields and prices in a world 
without drought, the value of this year’s corn crop could be $1.1 
billion less compared to what might have been,” Rempe said, and the loss
 in soybeans was an estimated $674 million.

Rempe said that the state’s wheat crop was about 31% below normal. 
But he said exact drops in corn and soybean crops will be clearer when 
the fall harvest is completed.

Rempe said that while livestock prices have risen, producers have cut
 back on the cattle herd due to lack of feed, poor conditions of 
pastures and the increased cost of hay.

The decreased beef supply will translate into higher prices for consumers in the next couple of years. Rempe said.

Among the higher input costs are those for fertilizer, where prices 
have nearly doubled, and diesel, where prices have more than doubled, he
 said.

According to a nonscientific poll conducted recently by the Farm 
Bureau, farmers’ top concerns over the next year are input prices (35% 
of respondents), followed by drought (32%) and supply chain disruptions 
(20%).

Decreased income on the farm and ranch will&nbsp;eventually trickle down 
and impact Nebraska’s economy, according to Mark McHargue, president of 
Nebraska Farm Bureau.

&nbsp;The wildfire 
that swept across five miles of farmland Sunday in southern Lancaster 
County began only a couple of miles from the farm of Nathan Dorn, whose 
uncle is State Sen. Myron Dorn.

&nbsp;The fire was 
pushed by 30 mph winds but was fueled mostly by crop residue left on 
fields as part of no-till farming. Prior to no-till, farmers disced such
 residue into the soil, leaving little behind to burn.

When Nathan Dorn was asked whether farmers are rethinking no-till farming due to the fire risk, he said probably not.

No-till preserves soil moisture, which is vital in dry 
years like 2022, Dorn said, adding that he is always cognizant of fire 
risks when farming, because equipment can get hot, sparking a blaze.

Officials have said that Sunday’s fire was accidentally 
started by a shredder, a mower-like device used to chop down weeds and 
grass.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666907048244.png" alt="A combine harvests a field of soybeans last week near Denton, Nebraska. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>A combine harvests a field of soybeans last week near Denton, Nebraska. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/27/loss-to-nebraska-farmers-due-to-drought-estimated-at-least-2-billion-this-year/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Drought conditions this year may cost Nebraska corn, 
soybean and wheat farmers nearly $2 billion, an agriculture economist 
estimated Thursday.Nathan Dorn, who farms near Firth south of Lincoln, said he’s already
 cutting back on spending for new cattle and next year’s crop due to 
lower yields and increased costs for seed, fuel and fertilizer that he 
estimated at $13 an acre.<h2>Higher prices, lower yields</h2>“Yields are down, but prices are up,” Dorn said. “But having 60% of a crop is not the same as having 100% when you sit down with a banker.”The Nebraska Farm Bureau held a press conference Thursday to 
highlight the challenges facing the state’s agriculture producers this 
year due to drought, rising input costs and challenges getting parts for
 repairs.Parts of 20 counties in northeast and 
southwest Nebraska are deemed to be in “exceptional drought”— one that 
occurs only once in 50-100 years — according to the National Drought 
Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.<h2>Drought widespread</h2>Portions of at least half of the state’s 
93 counties are in “extreme drought,” the center’s map indicated. That 
is a drought that occurs every 20-50 years. The rest of Nebraska is 
rated as in “severe” or “moderate” drought.Norfolk, in northeast Nebraska, has 
received about 11.6 inches of rain this year through Wednesday, compared
 to normal precipitation of 24.8 inches. Madrid, in southwest Nebraska, 
has gotten 7.1 inches of precipitation, 13 inches short of normal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666907098996.png" alt="This week’s drought map showed large areas of Nebraska in extreme drought (light red) and exceptional drought (dark red) though showers were moving across northeast Nebraska on Thursday. Dark and light orange areas are areas of severe and moderate drought. (Courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center)" />
 <figcaption>This week’s drought map showed large areas of Nebraska in extreme drought (light red) and exceptional drought (dark red) though showers were moving across northeast Nebraska on Thursday. Dark and light orange areas are areas of severe and moderate drought. (Courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jay Rempe, an economist with the Nebraska Farm Bureau, gave the $2 
billion estimate. But he said the impact is likely worse because his 
estimate does not include projected yield decreases for other crops, 
like sorghum, sugar beets, sunflowers and dry beans.“Making some assumptions regarding yields and prices in a world 
without drought, the value of this year’s corn crop could be $1.1 
billion less compared to what might have been,” Rempe said, and the loss
 in soybeans was an estimated $674 million.<h2>Wheat crop down</h2>Rempe said that the state’s wheat crop was about 31% below normal. 
But he said exact drops in corn and soybean crops will be clearer when 
the fall harvest is completed.Rempe said that while livestock prices have risen, producers have cut
 back on the cattle herd due to lack of feed, poor conditions of 
pastures and the increased cost of hay.The decreased beef supply will translate into higher prices for consumers in the next couple of years. Rempe said.Among the higher input costs are those for fertilizer, where prices 
have nearly doubled, and diesel, where prices have more than doubled, he
 said.<h2>Economic impact</h2>According to a nonscientific poll conducted recently by the Farm 
Bureau, farmers’ top concerns over the next year are input prices (35% 
of respondents), followed by drought (32%) and supply chain disruptions 
(20%).Decreased income on the farm and ranch will&nbsp;eventually trickle down 
and impact Nebraska’s economy, according to Mark McHargue, president of 
Nebraska Farm Bureau.<h2>Fire danger</h2>&nbsp;The wildfire 
that swept across five miles of farmland Sunday in southern Lancaster 
County began only a couple of miles from the farm of Nathan Dorn, whose 
uncle is State Sen. Myron Dorn.&nbsp;The fire was 
pushed by 30 mph winds but was fueled mostly by crop residue left on 
fields as part of no-till farming. Prior to no-till, farmers disced such
 residue into the soil, leaving little behind to burn.When Nathan Dorn was asked whether farmers are rethinking no-till farming due to the fire risk, he said probably not.No-till preserves soil moisture, which is vital in dry 
years like 2022, Dorn said, adding that he is always cognizant of fire 
risks when farming, because equipment can get hot, sparking a blaze.Officials have said that Sunday’s fire was accidentally 
started by a shredder, a mower-like device used to chop down weeds and 
grass.

Loss to Neb. farmers due to drought estimated at least $2B

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND , Kan. — Gun-control legislation continues to be a hot-button issue around the nation. In April 2021, the Barton County Commission signed Proclamation 2021-09 stating Barton County is a Second Amendment Sanctuary for the preservation of defense of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Andrew Cook took that to heart. Earlier this month, Cook exercised his Constitutional rights by carrying a rifle around and inside the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5a4670b7-4048-44a4-8016-df90d4b60958">Barton County Courthouse.</a>

"The county had a one-hour heads up that I was coming," he said. "The sheriff's department had been contacted, letting them know that, because of this proclamation, I'm coming down there. Here's the rifle I'm bringing down, here's the time I'm going to be down there, and here's the activities I'm going to be doing. Give heads up to whoever needs to be notified."

Cook reports he actually received a warm welcome from several residents. Three people applauded his efforts on the way to the building, and two more women gave him a thumbs-up inside the courthouse. He said openly carrying a firearm is not about terrifying people who work or do business in the building.

"I was going there for a purpose, to show them that I can and they're not going to shut me down," he said. "At the same time, I'm not going with the intent to terrify anybody. I really don't want to get shot, so I want to give as much heads up and advanced notice to everybody as possible that, hey, I'm going to be there, but I'm not a threat to anybody."

Cook said, at the end of the day, government officials have sworn to protect the Constitution, including the Second Amendment. Expressing that right is bigger than himself.

"They're the ones swearing an oath to protect it," Cook said. "The Second Amendment shall not be infringed upon. It should begin and end right at that point. The Second Amendment doesn't talk about peoples' personal feelings on the matter. It's not protecting feelings when it comes to it, it's protecting rights.

"At the end of the day, it's not Andrew Cook that has the right to go in there and do it. It's all the citizens have the right to do that. That's what we have to protect. There's truth in the saying that, 'An armed society is a polite society.' "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666883198257.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGREAT BEND , Kan. — Gun-control legislation continues to be a hot-button issue around the nation. In April 2021, the Barton County Commission signed Proclamation 2021-09 stating Barton County is a Second Amendment Sanctuary for the preservation of defense of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Andrew Cook took that to heart. Earlier this month, Cook exercised his Constitutional rights by carrying a rifle around and inside the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5a4670b7-4048-44a4-8016-df90d4b60958">Barton County Courthouse.</a>"The county had a one-hour heads up that I was coming," he said. "The sheriff's department had been contacted, letting them know that, because of this proclamation, I'm coming down there. Here's the rifle I'm bringing down, here's the time I'm going to be down there, and here's the activities I'm going to be doing. Give heads up to whoever needs to be notified."Cook reports he actually received a warm welcome from several residents. Three people applauded his efforts on the way to the building, and two more women gave him a thumbs-up inside the courthouse. He said openly carrying a firearm is not about terrifying people who work or do business in the building."I was going there for a purpose, to show them that I can and they're not going to shut me down," he said. "At the same time, I'm not going with the intent to terrify anybody. I really don't want to get shot, so I want to give as much heads up and advanced notice to everybody as possible that, hey, I'm going to be there, but I'm not a threat to anybody."Cook said, at the end of the day, government officials have sworn to protect the Constitution, including the Second Amendment. Expressing that right is bigger than himself."They're the ones swearing an oath to protect it," Cook said. "The Second Amendment shall not be infringed upon. It should begin and end right at that point. The Second Amendment doesn't talk about peoples' personal feelings on the matter. It's not protecting feelings when it comes to it, it's protecting rights."At the end of the day, it's not Andrew Cook that has the right to go in there and do it. It's all the citizens have the right to do that. That's what we have to protect. There's truth in the saying that, 'An armed society is a polite society.' "

Kansas man puts right to bear arms to the test  at courthouse

Clorox has issued a recall involving millions of bottles of of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinesolrecall.com/" target="_blank">Pine-Sol products</a>&nbsp;because they could contain a potentially harmful bacteria, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall includes&nbsp; Pine-Sol® Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro® Pine-Sol® All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy® scents, and Clorox® Professional™ Pine-Sol® Lemon Fresh Cleaners, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Original Pine-Sol® (Pine scent) is not included in this recall.

The recalled products may contain bacteria, including&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found widely in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&nbsp;face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment. 

The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria.&nbsp;

To date, testing has identified bacteria in certain recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. Clorox produced approximately 37 million recalled products in that period.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinesolrecall.com/"> Click here to find</a> information on refunds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666900762744.png" alt="Photo courtesy Clorox" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Clorox</figcaption>
 </figure>Clorox has issued a recall involving millions of bottles of of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinesolrecall.com/" target="_blank">Pine-Sol products</a>&nbsp;because they could contain a potentially harmful bacteria, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.The recall includes&nbsp; Pine-Sol® Scented Multi-Surface Cleaners in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, and Lemon Fresh scents, CloroxPro® Pine-Sol® All Purpose Cleaners, in Lavender Clean®, Sparkling Wave®, Lemon Fresh, and Orange Energy® scents, and Clorox® Professional™ Pine-Sol® Lemon Fresh Cleaners, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.Original Pine-Sol® (Pine scent) is not included in this recall.The recalled products may contain bacteria, including&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found widely in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices who are exposed to&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&nbsp;face a risk of serious infection that may require medical treatment. The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria.&nbsp;To date, testing has identified bacteria in certain recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. Clorox produced approximately 37 million recalled products in that period.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinesolrecall.com/"> Click here to find</a> information on refunds.

Clorox recalls Pine-Sol that could contain bacteria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate topped 7% for the first time in more than two decades this week, a result of the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hikes intended to tame inflation not seen in some 40 years.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the key 30-year rate jumped to 7.08% from 6.94% last week. The last time the average rate was above 7% was April 2002, a time when the U.S. was still reeling from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but six years away from the 2008 housing market collapse that triggered the Great Recession.

Last year at this time, rates on a 30-year mortgage averaged 3.14%.

The Fed has raised its key benchmark lending rate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jackson-wyoming-economy-prices-56ec82b99e24cab74a9ed102848930a3" target="_blank">five times this year</a>, including three consecutive 0.75 percentage point increases that have brought its key short-term borrowing rate to a range of 3% to 3.25%, the highest level since 2008. At their last meeting in late September, Fed officials projected that by early next year they would raise their key rate to roughly 4.5%.

Mortgage rates don’t necessarily mirror the Fed’s rate increases, but tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. That’s influenced by a variety of factors, including investors’ expectations for future inflation and global demand for U.S. Treasurys.

Many potential homebuyers have moved to the sidelines as mortgage rates have more than doubled this year. Sales of existing homes have declined for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-business-home-sales-a0a45edabb18e5cfd5374255ff54ab6a" target="_blank">eight straight months</a>&nbsp;as borrowing costs have become too high a hurdle for many Americans already paying more for food, gas and other necessities. Meanwhile, some homeowners have held off putting their homes on the market because they don’t want to jump into a higher rate on their next mortgage.

The Fed is expected to raise its benchmark rate another three-quarters of a point when it meets next week. Despite the rate increases,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-prices-consumer-aed3121e4d5e3ec37cf1591995f13ce0" target="_blank">inflation has hardly budged</a>&nbsp;from 40-year highs, above 8% at both the consumer and wholesale level.

The Fed rate increases have shown some signs of cooling the economy. But the rate increases have seemed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jobs-report-september-2022-b91e272b3e56b1f70ef558f6029f97c5" target="_blank">little effect on the job market</a>&nbsp;yet, which remains strong with the unemployment rate matching a 50-year low of 3.5% and layoffs still historically low.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate topped 7% for the first time in more than two decades this week, a result of the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hikes intended to tame inflation not seen in some 40 years.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the key 30-year rate jumped to 7.08% from 6.94% last week. The last time the average rate was above 7% was April 2002, a time when the U.S. was still reeling from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but six years away from the 2008 housing market collapse that triggered the Great Recession.Last year at this time, rates on a 30-year mortgage averaged 3.14%.The Fed has raised its key benchmark lending rate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jackson-wyoming-economy-prices-56ec82b99e24cab74a9ed102848930a3" target="_blank">five times this year</a>, including three consecutive 0.75 percentage point increases that have brought its key short-term borrowing rate to a range of 3% to 3.25%, the highest level since 2008. At their last meeting in late September, Fed officials projected that by early next year they would raise their key rate to roughly 4.5%.Mortgage rates don’t necessarily mirror the Fed’s rate increases, but tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. That’s influenced by a variety of factors, including investors’ expectations for future inflation and global demand for U.S. Treasurys.Many potential homebuyers have moved to the sidelines as mortgage rates have more than doubled this year. Sales of existing homes have declined for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-business-home-sales-a0a45edabb18e5cfd5374255ff54ab6a" target="_blank">eight straight months</a>&nbsp;as borrowing costs have become too high a hurdle for many Americans already paying more for food, gas and other necessities. Meanwhile, some homeowners have held off putting their homes on the market because they don’t want to jump into a higher rate on their next mortgage.The Fed is expected to raise its benchmark rate another three-quarters of a point when it meets next week. Despite the rate increases,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-prices-consumer-aed3121e4d5e3ec37cf1591995f13ce0" target="_blank">inflation has hardly budged</a>&nbsp;from 40-year highs, above 8% at both the consumer and wholesale level.The Fed rate increases have shown some signs of cooling the economy. But the rate increases have seemed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jobs-report-september-2022-b91e272b3e56b1f70ef558f6029f97c5" target="_blank">little effect on the job market</a>&nbsp;yet, which remains strong with the unemployment rate matching a 50-year low of 3.5% and layoffs still historically low.___

U.S. mortgage rate tops 7% for the first time in two decades

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/tree-plantings-planned-in-every-county-to-mark-the-150th-anniversary-of-arbor-day/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Travelers set goals to visit every state, bicyclers aspire 
to ride across the country, and mountaineers seek the highest peaks.

But if you’re a tree lover, you plant trees.

And to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, the tourism 
agency in Nebraska City — the home of the tree-planting holiday — is 
seeking to plant a tree in all 93 counties in Nebraska over the next 
year.

On Monday, Nebraska City Tourism &amp; Commerce joined with officials
 of the Nemaha Natural Resources District to knock off counties 18, 19 
and 20.

A sugar maple went into the ground at the Pawnee County Courthouse, a
 bald cypress at Peru State College and a catalpa at the Nebraska 
Extension Office in Syracuse.

Tammy Partsch, tourism coordinator in Nebraska City, said that a 
million trees were planted in the state on the first Arbor Day in 1872, 
and planting a tree in every county of the state 150 years later is a 
way to celebrate the value of trees.

The Nebraska City group is partnering with various natural resources 
districts across the state in the tree planting endeavor called “The 
Gift of Trees.”

The Nemaha Natural Resources District, which is celebrating its 50th 
anniversary, assisted in the tree plantings in southeast Nebraska this 
week. The Lower Niobrara NRD is partnering in plantings on Friday at 
county courthouses in Butte and Springview.

Partsch said the goal is to complete the plantings by fall 2023.

Arbor Day was first proposed by J. Sterling Morton, the editor of the
 state’s first newspaper, in January 1872 in addresses to the State 
Horticultural Society and State Board of Agriculture, according to 
History Nebraska.

It was among many efforts to encourage tree planting across what were
 then the mostly treeless plains of Nebraska. Other efforts included 
awarding prizes for the best and largest groves of trees planted.

Arbor Day was declared a state holiday in 1885, and it became a 
national holiday in 1970, at the proclamation of then-President Richard 
Nixon. Several other countries also have Arbor Days now.

April 22 was chosen as the date to plant trees in Nebraska because 
the weather is ideal at that time and because that is Morton’s birthday.
 The national observance is the last Friday in April.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666882783882.png" alt="Officials from Nebraska City and the Nemaha Natural Resources District planted a tree on the lawn of the Pawnee County Courthouse on Monday. (Courtesy of Tammy Partsch)" />
 <figcaption>Officials from Nebraska City and the Nemaha Natural Resources District planted a tree on the lawn of the Pawnee County Courthouse on Monday. (Courtesy of Tammy Partsch)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/tree-plantings-planned-in-every-county-to-mark-the-150th-anniversary-of-arbor-day/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Travelers set goals to visit every state, bicyclers aspire 
to ride across the country, and mountaineers seek the highest peaks.But if you’re a tree lover, you plant trees.And to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, the tourism 
agency in Nebraska City — the home of the tree-planting holiday — is 
seeking to plant a tree in all 93 counties in Nebraska over the next 
year.On Monday, Nebraska City Tourism &amp; Commerce joined with officials
 of the Nemaha Natural Resources District to knock off counties 18, 19 
and 20.<h2>Plantings at courthouse, Peru State</h2>A sugar maple went into the ground at the Pawnee County Courthouse, a
 bald cypress at Peru State College and a catalpa at the Nebraska 
Extension Office in Syracuse.Tammy Partsch, tourism coordinator in Nebraska City, said that a 
million trees were planted in the state on the first Arbor Day in 1872, 
and planting a tree in every county of the state 150 years later is a 
way to celebrate the value of trees.The Nebraska City group is partnering with various natural resources 
districts across the state in the tree planting endeavor called “The 
Gift of Trees.”The Nemaha Natural Resources District, which is celebrating its 50th 
anniversary, assisted in the tree plantings in southeast Nebraska this 
week. The Lower Niobrara NRD is partnering in plantings on Friday at 
county courthouses in Butte and Springview.<h2>Goal is to complete by next fall</h2>Partsch said the goal is to complete the plantings by fall 2023.Arbor Day was first proposed by J. Sterling Morton, the editor of the
 state’s first newspaper, in January 1872 in addresses to the State 
Horticultural Society and State Board of Agriculture, according to 
History Nebraska.It was among many efforts to encourage tree planting across what were
 then the mostly treeless plains of Nebraska. Other efforts included 
awarding prizes for the best and largest groves of trees planted.Arbor Day was declared a state holiday in 1885, and it became a 
national holiday in 1970, at the proclamation of then-President Richard 
Nixon. Several other countries also have Arbor Days now.April 22 was chosen as the date to plant trees in Nebraska because 
the weather is ideal at that time and because that is Morton’s birthday.
 The national observance is the last Friday in April.

Tree plantings planned in every county to mark the 150th Arbor Day

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program.

(Click below to watch the Vice President make the announcement)

The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-california-clean-air-act-vehicle-emissions-standards-eebb48c13e24835f2c5b9cb56796182a">the transition to zero-emission vehicles</a>&nbsp;and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-environmental-protection-agency">Environmental Protection Agency</a>&nbsp;Administrator Michael Regan announced the grant awards Wednesday in Seattle. The new, mostly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric</a>&nbsp;school buses will reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emissions-reduction">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, save money and better protect children’s health, they said.

As many as 25 million children ride yellow buses each school day, and they will have a healthier future with a cleaner fleet, Harris said.

“We are witnessing around our country and around the world the effects of extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy ... to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All with the goal of not only saving our children, but for them, saving our planet.''

Only about 1% of the nation’s 480,000 school buses were electric as of last year, but the push to abandon traditional diesel buses has gained momentum in recent years. Money for the new purchases is available under the federal Clean School Bus Program, which includes $5 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;President Joe Biden signed last year.

The clean bus program “is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” Regan said.

The EPA initially made $500 million available for clean buses in May but increased that to $965 million last month, responding to what officials called overwhelming demand for electric buses. An additional $1 billion is set to be awarded in the budget year that began Oct. 1.

The EPA said it received about 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for more than 12,000 buses, mostly electric. Some 389 applications worth $913 million were accepted to support purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric, the EPA said. The remaining buses will run on compressed natural gas or propane.

School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural or tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected, the White House said. More applications are under review, and the EPA plans to select more winners to reach the full $965 million in coming weeks.

Districts set to receive money range from Wrangell, Alaska, to Anniston, Alabama, and Teton County, Wyoming, to Wirt County, West Virginia. Besides the District of Columbia, big cities that won grants for clean school buses include New York, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

White House adviser Mitch Landrieu said he expects many buses to be delivered by the start of the next school year, with the remainder likely to be in service by the end of 2023. The billion dollars being spent this year — along with an additional $4 billon expected over the next four years — should “supercharge” a domestic manufacturing boom for electric school buses, said Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor tapped by Biden to oversee spending in the massive infrastructure law.

“These buses will be made in America — real jobs with real wages,″ Landrieu said in an interview. “We are going to ramp up manufacturing in this country.″

Environmental and public health groups hailed the announcement, which comes after years of advocacy to replace diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.

“It doesn’t make sense to send our kids to school on buses that create brain-harming, lung-harming, cancer-causing, climate-harming pollution,'' said Molly Rauch, public health policy director for Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group. "Our kids, our bus drivers and our communities deserve better.''

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program.(Click below to watch the Vice President make the announcement)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oGxhYrsrmMs?start=192" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-california-clean-air-act-vehicle-emissions-standards-eebb48c13e24835f2c5b9cb56796182a">the transition to zero-emission vehicles</a>&nbsp;and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-environmental-protection-agency">Environmental Protection Agency</a>&nbsp;Administrator Michael Regan announced the grant awards Wednesday in Seattle. The new, mostly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric</a>&nbsp;school buses will reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emissions-reduction">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, save money and better protect children’s health, they said.As many as 25 million children ride yellow buses each school day, and they will have a healthier future with a cleaner fleet, Harris said.“We are witnessing around our country and around the world the effects of extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy ... to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All with the goal of not only saving our children, but for them, saving our planet.''Only about 1% of the nation’s 480,000 school buses were electric as of last year, but the push to abandon traditional diesel buses has gained momentum in recent years. Money for the new purchases is available under the federal Clean School Bus Program, which includes $5 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;President Joe Biden signed last year.The clean bus program “is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” Regan said.The EPA initially made $500 million available for clean buses in May but increased that to $965 million last month, responding to what officials called overwhelming demand for electric buses. An additional $1 billion is set to be awarded in the budget year that began Oct. 1.The EPA said it received about 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for more than 12,000 buses, mostly electric. Some 389 applications worth $913 million were accepted to support purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric, the EPA said. The remaining buses will run on compressed natural gas or propane.School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural or tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected, the White House said. More applications are under review, and the EPA plans to select more winners to reach the full $965 million in coming weeks.Districts set to receive money range from Wrangell, Alaska, to Anniston, Alabama, and Teton County, Wyoming, to Wirt County, West Virginia. Besides the District of Columbia, big cities that won grants for clean school buses include New York, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles.White House adviser Mitch Landrieu said he expects many buses to be delivered by the start of the next school year, with the remainder likely to be in service by the end of 2023. The billion dollars being spent this year — along with an additional $4 billon expected over the next four years — should “supercharge” a domestic manufacturing boom for electric school buses, said Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor tapped by Biden to oversee spending in the massive infrastructure law.“These buses will be made in America — real jobs with real wages,″ Landrieu said in an interview. “We are going to ramp up manufacturing in this country.″Environmental and public health groups hailed the announcement, which comes after years of advocacy to replace diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.“It doesn’t make sense to send our kids to school on buses that create brain-harming, lung-harming, cancer-causing, climate-harming pollution,'' said Molly Rauch, public health policy director for Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group. "Our kids, our bus drivers and our communities deserve better.''

🎥Vice President: Who doesn’t love a yellow school bus, right?

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An investigation into the theft this summer of several semitrailers loaded with frozen beef from Nebraska has led to arrests and uncovered a multimillion-dollar theft ring targeting meatpacking plants in six Midwestern states, federal authorities said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported Tuesday that the discovery of the Miami-based theft ring began in June with a Nebraska investigation into the theft of several semitrailers loaded with nearly $1 million in frozen beef from areas near Grand Island and Lincoln.

The investigation, led by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska and Homeland Security’s Major Crimes Task Force in Omaha, determined that the theft ring was targeting beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

On Oct. 20, investigators arrested three Miami men on suspicion of transporting stolen goods and money laundering. They face charges in federal court in Florida. Information on whether the men have attorneys representing them in the case could not immediately be found Wednesday.

Investigators said they have identified approximately 45 thefts that occurred across the six Midwest states totaling $9 million in loss.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614791209499.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An investigation into the theft this summer of several semitrailers loaded with frozen beef from Nebraska has led to arrests and uncovered a multimillion-dollar theft ring targeting meatpacking plants in six Midwestern states, federal authorities said.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported Tuesday that the discovery of the Miami-based theft ring began in June with a Nebraska investigation into the theft of several semitrailers loaded with nearly $1 million in frozen beef from areas near Grand Island and Lincoln.The investigation, led by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska and Homeland Security’s Major Crimes Task Force in Omaha, determined that the theft ring was targeting beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.On Oct. 20, investigators arrested three Miami men on suspicion of transporting stolen goods and money laundering. They face charges in federal court in Florida. Information on whether the men have attorneys representing them in the case could not immediately be found Wednesday.Investigators said they have identified approximately 45 thefts that occurred across the six Midwest states totaling $9 million in loss.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BPzusTmSO4RDisvu5tUIPpTrdeJQUq4gEs9ICBCRiZ1_63VP2BUPOCL_98yXkhFFxICPVTvLL0lNLYcZYE4BWXTJA1OjDrrkPV0mxd8F_K-YrVXwe6uatpNURsO5zEPga4x-zAHVFvf3_tx8Ve7oXH6N0fgO7Qixnd9px84DUZe6zug6E8dpTQqN" alt="" />
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Feds: Theft of frozen beef in Nebraska uncovers crime ring

WASHINGTON (AP) —Kia is telling owners of nearly 72,000 older Sportage small SUVs in the U.S. to park them outdoors and away from structures after getting reports of more engine fires.

It's the second time that Sportages from the 2008 and 2009 model years have been recalled due to fire risks that apparently can start near a hydraulic engine control device.

Documents posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say fires can start while the engines are running or when they're turned off.

The SUVs were recalled in 2016 due to corrosion in a wiring harness near the engine control unit.

The Korean automaker says it has reports of eight fires and 15 cases of melting or damage since April of 2017. No injuries were reported.

The company says owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until it figures out the cause of the fires and develops a remedy.

Owners will be notified by letter starting Dec. 22.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Kia is telling owners of nearly 72,000 older Sportage small SUVs in the U.S. to park them outdoors and away from structures after getting reports of more engine fires.It's the second time that Sportages from the 2008 and 2009 model years have been recalled due to fire risks that apparently can start near a hydraulic engine control device.Documents posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say fires can start while the engines are running or when they're turned off.The SUVs were recalled in 2016 due to corrosion in a wiring harness near the engine control unit.The Korean automaker says it has reports of eight fires and 15 cases of melting or damage since April of 2017. No injuries were reported.The company says owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until it figures out the cause of the fires and develops a remedy.Owners will be notified by letter starting Dec. 22.

Park outside: Kia recalls SUVs again for risk of engine fire

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden rolled up his sleeve and got his updated COVID-19 booster shot Tuesday, as he urged millions of people who have yet to be boosted to do so by Halloween, if possible, so they can gather safely with family and friends this holiday season.

(Click below to watch the President's comments with his COVID team)

“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”

Biden also called on Congress to provide the billions of dollars the administration has requested to buy additional vaccines, tests and treatments. Some lawmakers have balked at the request for more than $20 billion in new coronavirus funding.

Biden, who was flanked by his COVID-19 response team, declared that the fight against the spread of virus is global in nature and the “funding we seek is critical” to that effort.

Over 20 million people, including nearly 1 in 5 older adults, have gotten the updated COVID-19 booster, the White House said. The vaccine has been reformulated to target the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, the most dominant strains in the United States.

Biden said more people need to get the vaccine as winter approaches and they will be spending more time indoors and potentially spreading sickness. He added that the vaccine is available free of charge within 5 miles of where most people live.

He urged people to get the coronavirus booster at the same time they get an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-flu-government-and-politics-64173cef2985d9f8951e04812477248d">annual flu shot</a>. He said a COVID-19 booster will become an annual event.

“For most Americans, one COVID shot each year will be all they need,” Biden said at the White House. “And if you get it, you'll be protected. And if you don't, you're putting yourself and other people at unnecessary risk.”

“I'm calling on All Americans ... all Americans to get their shot, just as soon as they can,” he said.

Click below to watch a member of the White House Medical Unit give the shot to Biden in his left arm. He had to delay getting his booster, in accordance with federal health guidance, because he was infected with COVID-19 over the summer.

Biden again called on businesses, schools and civic leaders to help, including by holding on-site vaccination clinics and giving employees time off to get boosted. Most deaths from COVID-19 are now preventable, he said.

Three respiratory viruses are currently circulating in the U.S: the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, said Dr. Ashish Jha, leader of the White House response.

Jha said during morning TV appearances that the combination of a flu shot and updated COVID booster will help people avoid serious illness and stay out of the hospital as they get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays with friends and family.

RSV has been affecting children, and there is no shot available to treat it, though companies are working to develop one, he said.

“So if people went out and got their vaccines, we could really get through this without getting into a lot of trouble,” Jha said Tuesday on “CBS Mornings.”

“If you’re relying on your old vaccine from nine months ago or an infection from a year ago, that’s probably not going to be good enough and that’s one of the reasons we’re urging all Americans — but particularly older Americans, particularly seniors — to get the new updated COVID vaccine, because I do think it’s going to make a really big difference," Jha said on “Today” on NBC.

Biden had to wait a few months to get his updated COVID booster because he was infected, then reinfected, with COVID-19 over the summer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666730504896.png" alt="“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”" />
 <figcaption>“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden rolled up his sleeve and got his updated COVID-19 booster shot Tuesday, as he urged millions of people who have yet to be boosted to do so by Halloween, if possible, so they can gather safely with family and friends this holiday season.(Click below to watch the President's comments with his COVID team)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-ehCTw_oCc?start=3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”Biden also called on Congress to provide the billions of dollars the administration has requested to buy additional vaccines, tests and treatments. Some lawmakers have balked at the request for more than $20 billion in new coronavirus funding.Biden, who was flanked by his COVID-19 response team, declared that the fight against the spread of virus is global in nature and the “funding we seek is critical” to that effort.Over 20 million people, including nearly 1 in 5 older adults, have gotten the updated COVID-19 booster, the White House said. The vaccine has been reformulated to target the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, the most dominant strains in the United States.Biden said more people need to get the vaccine as winter approaches and they will be spending more time indoors and potentially spreading sickness. He added that the vaccine is available free of charge within 5 miles of where most people live.He urged people to get the coronavirus booster at the same time they get an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-flu-government-and-politics-64173cef2985d9f8951e04812477248d">annual flu shot</a>. He said a COVID-19 booster will become an annual event.“For most Americans, one COVID shot each year will be all they need,” Biden said at the White House. “And if you get it, you'll be protected. And if you don't, you're putting yourself and other people at unnecessary risk.”“I'm calling on All Americans ... all Americans to get their shot, just as soon as they can,” he said.Click below to watch a member of the White House Medical Unit give the shot to Biden in his left arm. He had to delay getting his booster, in accordance with federal health guidance, because he was infected with COVID-19 over the summer.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-ehCTw_oCc?start=704" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Biden again called on businesses, schools and civic leaders to help, including by holding on-site vaccination clinics and giving employees time off to get boosted. Most deaths from COVID-19 are now preventable, he said.Three respiratory viruses are currently circulating in the U.S: the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, said Dr. Ashish Jha, leader of the White House response.Jha said during morning TV appearances that the combination of a flu shot and updated COVID booster will help people avoid serious illness and stay out of the hospital as they get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays with friends and family.RSV has been affecting children, and there is no shot available to treat it, though companies are working to develop one, he said.“So if people went out and got their vaccines, we could really get through this without getting into a lot of trouble,” Jha said Tuesday on “CBS Mornings.”“If you’re relying on your old vaccine from nine months ago or an infection from a year ago, that’s probably not going to be good enough and that’s one of the reasons we’re urging all Americans — but particularly older Americans, particularly seniors — to get the new updated COVID vaccine, because I do think it’s going to make a really big difference," Jha said on “Today” on NBC.Biden had to wait a few months to get his updated COVID booster because he was infected, then reinfected, with COVID-19 over the summer.

🎥Biden: Not enough people are getting updated COVID booster

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A Texas teen charged with killing his mother, whose body was found in the trunk of a car he crashed in Nebraska, has been released from the hospital and faces a hearing to be sent back to his home state, authorities said Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666746609450.png" alt="Tyler Roenz" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Roenz</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A Texas teen charged with killing his mother, whose body was found in the trunk of a car he crashed in Nebraska, has been released from the hospital and faces a hearing to be sent back to his home state, authorities said Tuesday.Tyler Roenz, 17, was discharged from a Nebraska hospital last week and is being held in Hall County, where he faces an extradition hearing on Friday, the Nebraska State Patrol said in a news release.The teen has been charged as an adult with murder in Texas in the death of his mother, 49-year-old Michelle Roenz, according to Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Gilliland. The two were reported missing from their home in Harris County on Oct. 13 by the teen’s father.The next day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-homicide-nebraska-grand-island-a0f8dc623ad3b453da8061b73a74d237">Michelle Roenz's body was found in the trunk of car</a>&nbsp;that her son crashed during a police chase in southern Nebraska, authorities said. Investigators have said Michelle Roenz died from strangulation and blunt force trauma.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
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