WASHINGTON (AP) — “God bless you, let’s have some music,” said Elton John.

With that, the White House South Lawn was transformed into a musical lovefest Friday night as John played a farewell gig to honor everyday “heroes” like teachers, nurses and AIDS activists. But as it turns out, the event was also to honor the 75-year-old British songwriter — President Joe Biden surprised him with the National Humanities Medal for being a “tidal wave” who helped people rise up for justice.

John seemed almost overcome by the accolades, telling the audience of 2,000 people: “I don’t know what to say. ... I don’t know how to take a compliment very well but it’s wonderful to be here amongst so many people who have helped my AIDS foundation and my heroes, that ones that work day to day on the front line.”

He said he’d played some beautiful venues before, but the stage in front of the White House, beneath a massive open-air tent on a perfect autumn night, was “probably the icing on the cake.”

He kicked off the show with “Your Song,” his first big international hit.

The intimate guest list included teachers, nurses, frontline workers and LGBTQ advocates, plus former first lady Laura Bush, civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges, education activist Malala Yousafzai and Jeanne White-Ginder, an AIDS activist and mother of Ryan White, who died from AIDS-related complications in 1990.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden talked about the British singer’s activism, the power of his music and his all-around goodness. The event was dreamed up and paid for by A+E and the History Channel.

“Seamus Heaney once wrote, and I quote, ’Once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme,” Biden said. “Throughout his incredible career, Sir Elton John has been that tidal wave, a tidal wave to help people rise up and make hope and history rhyme.”

The night, in fact, was called “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” a reference to the poem Biden quoted by Ireland’s Heaney.

Sir Elton —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-princess-diana-entertainment-concerts-royalty-ad4127ab5dd65ba6b629e25f40c3ac42">he was knighted in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;— has sold over 300 million records worldwide, played over 4,000 shows in 80 countries and recorded one of the best-selling singles of all time, his 1997 reworking of “Candle In The Wind” to eulogize Princess Diana, which sold 33 million copies.

John punctuated the hits Friday with emotional tidbits of his history, including a shoutout to Laura Bush and former president George W. Bush for his administration’s emergency plan for AIDS relief, and a story of how a dying Ryan White and his mother pushed him into advocacy in the first place, and helped him get sober.

“I wouldn’t be here talking tonight,” he said. “They saved my life.”

He then dedicated “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” to Ryan.

Despite the presence of plenty of lawmakers, the political speak was kept to a minimum, except for when John said, “I just wish America would be more bipartisan on everything.”

It was his first White House gig since he performed with Stevie Wonder at a state dinner in 1998 honoring British Prime Minister Tony Blair. John is on a farewell tour that began in July after performing for more than 50 years.

The show came together after A+E Networks and the History Channel asked the White House and John if they’d be up for a collaboration honoring “everyday history-makers” as well as John himself.

It’s not clear whether the show will be broadcast. John has worked with A+E in the past on his global HIV/AIDS charity, the Elton John Foundation, which has raised more than $525 million to combat the virus around the world.

John is sticking around to play a sold-out show at Nationals Park Saturday.

The president and first lady are big fans. Biden wrote in a 2017 memoir about singing “Crocodile Rock” to his two young boys as he drove them to school, and again later to son Beau before he died of cancer at age 46.

“I started singing the lyrics to Beau, quietly, so just the two of us could hear it,” Biden wrote. “Beau didn’t open his eyes, but I could see through my own tears that he was smiling.”

John played the song Friday, saying someone told him Biden used to sing it to his little boys. “I can’t imagine him singin’ it,” John quipped before suggesting the president come up on stage. He did not. But the whole crowd did do the “La-La-Las” from their seats.

Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, was also a fan of John. He tried to get John to perform at his 2017 inauguration but John declined, saying he didn’t think it was appropriate for a Brit to play at the swearing-in of an American president.

The White House insisted Friday’s show wasn’t an effort to troll Trump, who has praised John in his books and has often featured John’s music — including “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” — in his pre-rally playlists over the years. Trump nicknamed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “rocket man” for his record of test-firing missiles.

John played both Friday, to thunderous applause.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664027969628.png" alt="President Joe Biden surprised Elton John with the National Humanities Medal Friday night-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden surprised Elton John with the National Humanities Medal Friday night-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — “God bless you, let’s have some music,” said Elton John.With that, the White House South Lawn was transformed into a musical lovefest Friday night as John played a farewell gig to honor everyday “heroes” like teachers, nurses and AIDS activists. But as it turns out, the event was also to honor the 75-year-old British songwriter — President Joe Biden surprised him with the National Humanities Medal for being a “tidal wave” who helped people rise up for justice.John seemed almost overcome by the accolades, telling the audience of 2,000 people: “I don’t know what to say. ... I don’t know how to take a compliment very well but it’s wonderful to be here amongst so many people who have helped my AIDS foundation and my heroes, that ones that work day to day on the front line.”He said he’d played some beautiful venues before, but the stage in front of the White House, beneath a massive open-air tent on a perfect autumn night, was “probably the icing on the cake.”He kicked off the show with “Your Song,” his first big international hit.The intimate guest list included teachers, nurses, frontline workers and LGBTQ advocates, plus former first lady Laura Bush, civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges, education activist Malala Yousafzai and Jeanne White-Ginder, an AIDS activist and mother of Ryan White, who died from AIDS-related complications in 1990.Biden and first lady Jill Biden talked about the British singer’s activism, the power of his music and his all-around goodness. The event was dreamed up and paid for by A+E and the History Channel.“Seamus Heaney once wrote, and I quote, ’Once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme,” Biden said. “Throughout his incredible career, Sir Elton John has been that tidal wave, a tidal wave to help people rise up and make hope and history rhyme.”The night, in fact, was called “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” a reference to the poem Biden quoted by Ireland’s Heaney.Sir Elton —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-princess-diana-entertainment-concerts-royalty-ad4127ab5dd65ba6b629e25f40c3ac42">he was knighted in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II</a>&nbsp;— has sold over 300 million records worldwide, played over 4,000 shows in 80 countries and recorded one of the best-selling singles of all time, his 1997 reworking of “Candle In The Wind” to eulogize Princess Diana, which sold 33 million copies.John punctuated the hits Friday with emotional tidbits of his history, including a shoutout to Laura Bush and former president George W. Bush for his administration’s emergency plan for AIDS relief, and a story of how a dying Ryan White and his mother pushed him into advocacy in the first place, and helped him get sober.“I wouldn’t be here talking tonight,” he said. “They saved my life.”He then dedicated “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” to Ryan.Despite the presence of plenty of lawmakers, the political speak was kept to a minimum, except for when John said, “I just wish America would be more bipartisan on everything.”It was his first White House gig since he performed with Stevie Wonder at a state dinner in 1998 honoring British Prime Minister Tony Blair. John is on a farewell tour that began in July after performing for more than 50 years.The show came together after A+E Networks and the History Channel asked the White House and John if they’d be up for a collaboration honoring “everyday history-makers” as well as John himself.It’s not clear whether the show will be broadcast. John has worked with A+E in the past on his global HIV/AIDS charity, the Elton John Foundation, which has raised more than $525 million to combat the virus around the world.John is sticking around to play a sold-out show at Nationals Park Saturday.The president and first lady are big fans. Biden wrote in a 2017 memoir about singing “Crocodile Rock” to his two young boys as he drove them to school, and again later to son Beau before he died of cancer at age 46.“I started singing the lyrics to Beau, quietly, so just the two of us could hear it,” Biden wrote. “Beau didn’t open his eyes, but I could see through my own tears that he was smiling.”John played the song Friday, saying someone told him Biden used to sing it to his little boys. “I can’t imagine him singin’ it,” John quipped before suggesting the president come up on stage. He did not. But the whole crowd did do the “La-La-Las” from their seats.Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, was also a fan of John. He tried to get John to perform at his 2017 inauguration but John declined, saying he didn’t think it was appropriate for a Brit to play at the swearing-in of an American president.The White House insisted Friday’s show wasn’t an effort to troll Trump, who has praised John in his books and has often featured John’s music — including “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” — in his pre-rally playlists over the years. Trump nicknamed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “rocket man” for his record of test-firing missiles.John played both Friday, to thunderous applause.

Biden surprised Elton John with the National Humanities Medal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration acknowledged this week that its response to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">infant formula shortage</a>&nbsp;was slowed by delays in processing a whistleblower complaint and test samples from the nation’s largest formula factory.

A 10-page report from the agency offers its first formal account of the factors that led to the ongoing shortage, which has forced the U.S. to airlift millions of pounds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-53857b4ba1006a8bf85caad251517f4c">powdered formula from overseas.</a>

The review zeroed in on several key problems at the agency, including outdated data-sharing systems, inadequate staffing and training among its food inspectors, and poor visibility into formula supply chains and manufacturing procedures.

“For things that are critical to the public health, if you don’t have some understanding of how all the pieces fit together, then when you get into a crisis or a shortage you have a real problem,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told The Associated Press in an interview. “To a large extent that’s what happened here.”

Califf said the FDA will seek new authority to compel companies to turn over key information.

One consumer advocate said the evaluation doesn’t go far enough to fix the problems.

“This internal evaluation treats the symptoms of the disease rather than offering a cure,” Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group said in a statement. “Nothing in this evaluation addresses the fragmented leadership structure that led to critical communication failures.”

The FDA report was overseen by a senior official who interviewed dozens of agency staffers. It comes nearly eight months after the FDA shuttered Abbott’s Michigan plant due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">safety concerns</a>, quickly slashing domestic production within the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-health-government-and-politics-a99273eaded440aeeb3942ab61b77d88">highly concentrated formula industry.</a>

A company whistleblower had tried to warn the FDA of problems at the plant in September 2021, but government inspectors didn’t investigate the complaints until February after four infants became sick, resulting in two deaths. The FDA is still investigating links between those illnesses and the formula.

The FDA previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-robert-califf-cce94aeeb3b53af5617d32086df01410">told Congress</a>&nbsp;that top agency officials didn’t learn about the complaint until February because of mail delays and a failure to escalate the Abbott employee’s allegations. The new report stated that FDA’s “inadequate processes and lack of clarity related to whistleblower complaints,” may have delayed getting inspectors to the plant.

“Whistleblower complaints come into the agency in many different ways, from many different sources,” said Dr. Steven Solomon, an FDA veterinary medicine official who oversaw the review. “One of the actions we’ve already taken is to make sure that however they come into the agency, they get triaged and escalated to the right leadership levels.”

FDA inspectors collected bacterial samples from the plant for testing, but shipping issues by “third party delivery companies” delayed the results, according to the report. The FDA also faced challenges ramping up its testing capacity for cronobacter, a rare but potentially deadly bacteria repeatedly linked to outbreaks in baby formula.

The FDA also noted that it had to reschedule its initial inspection of the Abbott plant due to cases of COVID-19 among company staff. That delay came on top of earlier missed inspections because the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-climate-and-environment-business-1bc7272f40d01e8d1f89d077fe867a58">pulled its inspectors</a>&nbsp;from the field during the pandemic.

The report concluded by listing new resources that Congress would need to authorize to improve infant formula inspections and standards, including:

— Increased funding and hiring authority to recruit experts to FDA’s food division;

— Improved information technology to share data on FDA inspections, consumer complaints and testing results;

— New authority to compel manufacturers to turn over samples and records on manufacturing supply chains, manufacturing quality and safety.

U.S. inventories of baby formula have been improving, hitting in-stock rates above 80% last week, according to IRI, a market research firm. That’s up from a low of 69% in mid-July. The U.S. has imported the equivalent of more than 80 million bottles of formula since May, according to White House figures, and the Biden administration is working to help&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">foreign manufacturers stay on the market</a>&nbsp;long term to diversify supply.

Califf has commissioned a separate external review of FDA’s food division citing “fundamental questions about the structure, function, funding and leadership” of the program. That review is being led by former FDA commissioner Dr. Jane Henney, who led the agency during the final years of the Clinton administration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653255522967.png" alt="One consumer advocate said the evaluation doesn’t go far enough to fix the problems.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>One consumer advocate said the evaluation doesn’t go far enough to fix the problems.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration acknowledged this week that its response to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">infant formula shortage</a>&nbsp;was slowed by delays in processing a whistleblower complaint and test samples from the nation’s largest formula factory.A 10-page report from the agency offers its first formal account of the factors that led to the ongoing shortage, which has forced the U.S. to airlift millions of pounds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-53857b4ba1006a8bf85caad251517f4c">powdered formula from overseas.</a>The review zeroed in on several key problems at the agency, including outdated data-sharing systems, inadequate staffing and training among its food inspectors, and poor visibility into formula supply chains and manufacturing procedures.“For things that are critical to the public health, if you don’t have some understanding of how all the pieces fit together, then when you get into a crisis or a shortage you have a real problem,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told The Associated Press in an interview. “To a large extent that’s what happened here.”Califf said the FDA will seek new authority to compel companies to turn over key information.One consumer advocate said the evaluation doesn’t go far enough to fix the problems.“This internal evaluation treats the symptoms of the disease rather than offering a cure,” Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group said in a statement. “Nothing in this evaluation addresses the fragmented leadership structure that led to critical communication failures.”The FDA report was overseen by a senior official who interviewed dozens of agency staffers. It comes nearly eight months after the FDA shuttered Abbott’s Michigan plant due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-health-michigan-a4205025fc781b1fb902cdd9e1264b41">safety concerns</a>, quickly slashing domestic production within the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-health-government-and-politics-a99273eaded440aeeb3942ab61b77d88">highly concentrated formula industry.</a>A company whistleblower had tried to warn the FDA of problems at the plant in September 2021, but government inspectors didn’t investigate the complaints until February after four infants became sick, resulting in two deaths. The FDA is still investigating links between those illnesses and the formula.The FDA previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-robert-califf-cce94aeeb3b53af5617d32086df01410">told Congress</a>&nbsp;that top agency officials didn’t learn about the complaint until February because of mail delays and a failure to escalate the Abbott employee’s allegations. The new report stated that FDA’s “inadequate processes and lack of clarity related to whistleblower complaints,” may have delayed getting inspectors to the plant.“Whistleblower complaints come into the agency in many different ways, from many different sources,” said Dr. Steven Solomon, an FDA veterinary medicine official who oversaw the review. “One of the actions we’ve already taken is to make sure that however they come into the agency, they get triaged and escalated to the right leadership levels.”FDA inspectors collected bacterial samples from the plant for testing, but shipping issues by “third party delivery companies” delayed the results, according to the report. The FDA also faced challenges ramping up its testing capacity for cronobacter, a rare but potentially deadly bacteria repeatedly linked to outbreaks in baby formula.The FDA also noted that it had to reschedule its initial inspection of the Abbott plant due to cases of COVID-19 among company staff. That delay came on top of earlier missed inspections because the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-climate-and-environment-business-1bc7272f40d01e8d1f89d077fe867a58">pulled its inspectors</a>&nbsp;from the field during the pandemic.The report concluded by listing new resources that Congress would need to authorize to improve infant formula inspections and standards, including:— Increased funding and hiring authority to recruit experts to FDA’s food division;— Improved information technology to share data on FDA inspections, consumer complaints and testing results;— New authority to compel manufacturers to turn over samples and records on manufacturing supply chains, manufacturing quality and safety.U.S. inventories of baby formula have been improving, hitting in-stock rates above 80% last week, according to IRI, a market research firm. That’s up from a low of 69% in mid-July. The U.S. has imported the equivalent of more than 80 million bottles of formula since May, according to White House figures, and the Biden administration is working to help&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">foreign manufacturers stay on the market</a>&nbsp;long term to diversify supply.Califf has commissioned a separate external review of FDA’s food division citing “fundamental questions about the structure, function, funding and leadership” of the program. That review is being led by former FDA commissioner Dr. Jane Henney, who led the agency during the final years of the Clinton administration.

FDA concedes delays in response to baby formula shortage

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A University of Utah student was arrested and charged with making terrorist threats on Wednesday after police said she threatened to detonate a nuclear reactor if the school’s football team failed to win a game last Saturday.

Charging documents filed in Salt Lake City on Wednesday allege the 21-year old student posted threats before Utah’s game against San Diego State University on Saturday, warning that she “was going to detonate the nuclear reactor that is located in the University of Utah causing a mass destruction.”

The threats were allegedly posted on YikYak, a social media platform that allows users to post anonymously and which rose to prominence on college campuses a decade ago.

According to the charging documents, the student studied engineering and had knowledge of the university’s nuclear reactor.

The University of Utah is among more than two dozen U.S. universities including Kansas State with nuclear engineering programs that use reactors for faculty and student research.

The university of Utah said in a statement on Thursday that the reactor was secured and campus law enforcement had protocols in place to ensure no breaches are made. Officials said the student, who it did not name, admitted to posting the threat and told investigators on Wednesday that it was meant as a joke.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for these kinds of threats,” University of Utah Police Chief Jason Hinojosa said.

&nbsp;Kansas State University's<a href="https://www.mne.k-state.edu/research/reactor/#:~:text=The%20Kansas%20State%20University%20TRIGA,for%20a%20radiation%2Ddetection%20course.">&nbsp;TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor</a>&nbsp;facility supports academic and education programs, research, industrial service and outreach,<a href="https://www.mne.k-state.edu/research/reactor/#:~:text=The%20Kansas%20State%20University%20TRIGA,for%20a%20radiation%2Ddetection%20course.">&nbsp;according to university website.</a>&nbsp;It is licensed&nbsp; to operate at up to 1.25 MW.

Court records did not list an attorney representing the student. A call made to her family’s listed home phone number went unanswered on Thursday.

Utah defeated San Diego State in Saturday’s game, 35-7.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663939741069.png" alt="Image courtesy University of Utah" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy University of Utah</figcaption>
 </figure>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A University of Utah student was arrested and charged with making terrorist threats on Wednesday after police said she threatened to detonate a nuclear reactor if the school’s football team failed to win a game last Saturday.Charging documents filed in Salt Lake City on Wednesday allege the 21-year old student posted threats before Utah’s game against San Diego State University on Saturday, warning that she “was going to detonate the nuclear reactor that is located in the University of Utah causing a mass destruction.”The threats were allegedly posted on YikYak, a social media platform that allows users to post anonymously and which rose to prominence on college campuses a decade ago.According to the charging documents, the student studied engineering and had knowledge of the university’s nuclear reactor.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">University statement: Reactor detonation bomb threat <a href="https://t.co/mDw8smghKQ">https://t.co/mDw8smghKQ</a>&mdash; University of Utah (@UUtah) <a href="https://twitter.com/UUtah/status/1573075484296052738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The University of Utah is among more than two dozen U.S. universities including Kansas State with nuclear engineering programs that use reactors for faculty and student research.The university of Utah said in a statement on Thursday that the reactor was secured and campus law enforcement had protocols in place to ensure no breaches are made. Officials said the student, who it did not name, admitted to posting the threat and told investigators on Wednesday that it was meant as a joke.“We have a zero-tolerance policy for these kinds of threats,” University of Utah Police Chief Jason Hinojosa said.&nbsp;Kansas State University's<a href="https://www.mne.k-state.edu/research/reactor/#:~:text=The%20Kansas%20State%20University%20TRIGA,for%20a%20radiation%2Ddetection%20course.">&nbsp;TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor</a>&nbsp;facility supports academic and education programs, research, industrial service and outreach,<a href="https://www.mne.k-state.edu/research/reactor/#:~:text=The%20Kansas%20State%20University%20TRIGA,for%20a%20radiation%2Ddetection%20course.">&nbsp;according to university website.</a>&nbsp;It is licensed&nbsp; to operate at up to 1.25 MW.Court records did not list an attorney representing the student. A call made to her family’s listed home phone number went unanswered on Thursday.Utah defeated San Diego State in Saturday’s game, 35-7.

College student charged for terrorism threat over football game

WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. health officials say 4.4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-90175dd9277dc4bec6b6699c8f14e6f0">updated COVID-19 booster shot.</a>&nbsp;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts bemoaned President Joe Biden’s recent remark that “the pandemic is over.”

The White House said more than 5 million people received the new boosters by its own estimate that accounts for reporting lags in states.

Health experts said it is too early to predict whether demand would match up with the 171 million doses of the new boosters the U.S. ordered for the fall.

“No one would go looking at our flu shot uptake at this point and be like, ‘Oh, what a disaster,’” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If we start to see a large uptick in cases, I think we're going to see a lot of people getting the (new COVID) vaccine.”

A temporary shortage of Moderna vaccine caused some pharmacies to cancel appointments while encouraging people to reschedule for a Pfizer vaccine. The issue was expected to resolve as government regulators wrapped up an inspection and cleared batches of vaccine doses for distribution.

“I do expect this to pick up in the weeks ahead,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha. “We’ve been thinking and talking about this as an annual vaccine like the flu vaccine. Flu vaccine season picks up in late September and early October. We’re just getting our education campaign going. So we expect to see, despite the fact that this was a strong start, we actually expect this to ramp up stronger.”

Some Americans who plan to get the shot, designed to target the most common omicron strains, said they are waiting because they either had COVID-19 recently or another booster. They are following public health advice to wait several months to get the full benefit of their existing virus-fighting antibodies.

Others are scheduling shots closer to holiday gatherings and winter months when respiratory viruses spread more easily.

Retired hospital chaplain Jeanie Murphy, 69, of Shawnee, Kansas, plans to get the new booster in a couple of weeks after she has some minor knee surgery. Interest is high among her neighbors from what she sees on the Nextdoor app.

“There’s quite a bit of discussion happening among people who are ready to make appointments,” Murphy said. “I found that encouraging. For every one naysayer there will be 10 or 12 people who jump in and say, ‘You’re crazy. You just need to go get the shot.’”

Biden later acknowledged criticism of his remark about the pandemic being over and clarified the pandemic is “not where it was.” The initial comment didn’t bother Murphy. She believes the disease has entered a steady state when “we’ll get COVID shots in the fall the same as we do flu shots.”

Experts hope she's right, but are waiting to see what levels of infection winter brings. The summer ebb in case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths may be followed by another surge, Dowdy said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, asked Thursday by a panel of biodefense experts what still keeps him up at night, noted that half of vaccinated Americans never got an initial booster dose.

“We have a vulnerability in our population that will continue to have us in a mode of potential disruption of our social order," Fauci said. “I think that we have to do better as a nation.”

Some Americans who got the new shots said they are excited about the idea of targeting the vaccine to the variants circulating now.

“Give me all the science you can,” said Jeff Westling, 30, an attorney in Washington, D.C., who got the new booster and a flu shot on Tuesday, one in each arm. He participates in the combat sport jujitsu, so wants to protect himself from infections that may come with close contact. “I have no issue trusting folks whose job it is to look at the evidence.”

Meanwhile, Biden’s pronouncement in a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday echoed through social media.

“We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over,” Biden said while walking through the Detroit auto show. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.”

By Wednesday on Facebook, when a Kansas health department posted where residents could find the new booster shots, the first commenter remarked snidely:

“But Biden says the pandemic is over.”

The president's statement, despite his attempts to clarify it, adds to public confusion, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.

“People aren’t sure when is the right time to get boosted. ‘Am I eligible?’ People are often confused about what the right choice is for them, even where to search for that information,” Michaud said.

“Any time you have mixed messages, it’s detrimental to the public health effort,” Michaud said. “Having the mixed messages from the president’s remarks, makes that job that much harder.”

University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi said he's worried the president's pronouncement has taken on a life of its own and may stall prevention efforts.

“That soundbite is there for a while now, and it’s going to spread like wildfire. And it’s going to give the impression that ‘Oh, there’s nothing more we need to do,’” Salemi said.

“If we’re happy with 400 or 500 people dying every single day from COVID, there’s a problem with that,” Salemi said. “We can absolutely do better because most of those deaths, if not all of them, are absolutely preventable with the tools that we have.”

New York City photographer Vivienne Gucwa, 44, got the new booster Monday. She’s had COVID twice, once before vaccines were available and again in May. She was vaccinated with two Moderna shots, but never got the original boosters.

“When I saw the new booster was able to tackle omicron variant I thought, ‘I’m doing that,’” Gucwa said.

“I don’t want to deal with omicron again. I was kind of thrilled to see the boosters were updated.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663895423323.png" alt="On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky received her updated COVID vaccine-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky received her updated COVID vaccine-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. health officials say 4.4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-90175dd9277dc4bec6b6699c8f14e6f0">updated COVID-19 booster shot.</a>&nbsp;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts bemoaned President Joe Biden’s recent remark that “the pandemic is over.”The White House said more than 5 million people received the new boosters by its own estimate that accounts for reporting lags in states.Health experts said it is too early to predict whether demand would match up with the 171 million doses of the new boosters the U.S. ordered for the fall.“No one would go looking at our flu shot uptake at this point and be like, ‘Oh, what a disaster,’” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If we start to see a large uptick in cases, I think we're going to see a lot of people getting the (new COVID) vaccine.”A temporary shortage of Moderna vaccine caused some pharmacies to cancel appointments while encouraging people to reschedule for a Pfizer vaccine. The issue was expected to resolve as government regulators wrapped up an inspection and cleared batches of vaccine doses for distribution.“I do expect this to pick up in the weeks ahead,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha. “We’ve been thinking and talking about this as an annual vaccine like the flu vaccine. Flu vaccine season picks up in late September and early October. We’re just getting our education campaign going. So we expect to see, despite the fact that this was a strong start, we actually expect this to ramp up stronger.”Some Americans who plan to get the shot, designed to target the most common omicron strains, said they are waiting because they either had COVID-19 recently or another booster. They are following public health advice to wait several months to get the full benefit of their existing virus-fighting antibodies.Others are scheduling shots closer to holiday gatherings and winter months when respiratory viruses spread more easily.Retired hospital chaplain Jeanie Murphy, 69, of Shawnee, Kansas, plans to get the new booster in a couple of weeks after she has some minor knee surgery. Interest is high among her neighbors from what she sees on the Nextdoor app.“There’s quite a bit of discussion happening among people who are ready to make appointments,” Murphy said. “I found that encouraging. For every one naysayer there will be 10 or 12 people who jump in and say, ‘You’re crazy. You just need to go get the shot.’”Biden later acknowledged criticism of his remark about the pandemic being over and clarified the pandemic is “not where it was.” The initial comment didn’t bother Murphy. She believes the disease has entered a steady state when “we’ll get COVID shots in the fall the same as we do flu shots.”Experts hope she's right, but are waiting to see what levels of infection winter brings. The summer ebb in case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths may be followed by another surge, Dowdy said.Dr. Anthony Fauci, asked Thursday by a panel of biodefense experts what still keeps him up at night, noted that half of vaccinated Americans never got an initial booster dose.“We have a vulnerability in our population that will continue to have us in a mode of potential disruption of our social order," Fauci said. “I think that we have to do better as a nation.”Some Americans who got the new shots said they are excited about the idea of targeting the vaccine to the variants circulating now.“Give me all the science you can,” said Jeff Westling, 30, an attorney in Washington, D.C., who got the new booster and a flu shot on Tuesday, one in each arm. He participates in the combat sport jujitsu, so wants to protect himself from infections that may come with close contact. “I have no issue trusting folks whose job it is to look at the evidence.”Meanwhile, Biden’s pronouncement in a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday echoed through social media.“We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over,” Biden said while walking through the Detroit auto show. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.”By Wednesday on Facebook, when a Kansas health department posted where residents could find the new booster shots, the first commenter remarked snidely:“But Biden says the pandemic is over.”The president's statement, despite his attempts to clarify it, adds to public confusion, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.“People aren’t sure when is the right time to get boosted. ‘Am I eligible?’ People are often confused about what the right choice is for them, even where to search for that information,” Michaud said.“Any time you have mixed messages, it’s detrimental to the public health effort,” Michaud said. “Having the mixed messages from the president’s remarks, makes that job that much harder.”University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi said he's worried the president's pronouncement has taken on a life of its own and may stall prevention efforts.“That soundbite is there for a while now, and it’s going to spread like wildfire. And it’s going to give the impression that ‘Oh, there’s nothing more we need to do,’” Salemi said.“If we’re happy with 400 or 500 people dying every single day from COVID, there’s a problem with that,” Salemi said. “We can absolutely do better because most of those deaths, if not all of them, are absolutely preventable with the tools that we have.”New York City photographer Vivienne Gucwa, 44, got the new booster Monday. She’s had COVID twice, once before vaccines were available and again in May. She was vaccinated with two Moderna shots, but never got the original boosters.“When I saw the new booster was able to tackle omicron variant I thought, ‘I’m doing that,’” Gucwa said.“I don’t want to deal with omicron again. I was kind of thrilled to see the boosters were updated.”

4.4M Americans roll up sleeves for omicron-targeted boosters

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-wildlife-omaha-climate-and-environment-bcb16ee7f28603d7933626d71e599381">who pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to threatening to kill a U.S. wildlife officer and brandishing a gun during a violent crime has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison.

Cody Cape, 24, of Blair, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to 117 months in prison, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/blair-man-gets-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-threatening-to-kill-wildlife-officer/article_6e80b80c-3ac3-11ed-91f6-8fb93a34fce6.html#tracking-source=mp-news">Omaha World-Herald reported</a>. There is no parole in the federal system.

Prosecutors said Cape and a friend were cited for a hunting and fishing violation in October 2020 near the DeSoto Wildlife Refuge. The friend later told police that Cape drove by the home of the wildlife officer who had ticketed them and that Cape had forced the friend at gunpoint to drive by an area where he thought the officer might be. The friend also said Cape explained how he could use explosives to kill the officer and his family.

Blair police arrested Cape on Christmas night in 2020 during a traffic stop and said they found a handgun and bullets in Cape’s vehicle. A woman who was with Cape when he was arrested told police Cape had said he wanted to kill the wildlife officer, prosecutors said.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-wildlife-omaha-climate-and-environment-bcb16ee7f28603d7933626d71e599381">who pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to threatening to kill a U.S. wildlife officer and brandishing a gun during a violent crime has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison.Cody Cape, 24, of Blair, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to 117 months in prison, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/blair-man-gets-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-threatening-to-kill-wildlife-officer/article_6e80b80c-3ac3-11ed-91f6-8fb93a34fce6.html#tracking-source=mp-news">Omaha World-Herald reported</a>. There is no parole in the federal system.Prosecutors said Cape and a friend were cited for a hunting and fishing violation in October 2020 near the DeSoto Wildlife Refuge. The friend later told police that Cape drove by the home of the wildlife officer who had ticketed them and that Cape had forced the friend at gunpoint to drive by an area where he thought the officer might be. The friend also said Cape explained how he could use explosives to kill the officer and his family.Blair police arrested Cape on Christmas night in 2020 during a traffic stop and said they found a handgun and bullets in Cape’s vehicle. A woman who was with Cape when he was arrested told police Cape had said he wanted to kill the wildlife officer, prosecutors said.

Nebraska man who threatened wildlife officer gets prison

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.

Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.

“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”

Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.

The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.

Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation.

“I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”

Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.

“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”

The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.

Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663945114449.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation. “I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

A move in Congress could cut off a hike in postal rates

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jordon R. Whipple, 28, of Bonesteel, South Dakota, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for involuntary manslaughter. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Whipple to 41 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Whipple will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

On August 16, 2020, Whipple, an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe, was driving in Santee while under the influence of alcohol when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The passenger, a young mother from Santee, was killed as a result of the injuries she sustained during the accident.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department.

By United States AttorneyActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jordon R. Whipple, 28, of Bonesteel, South Dakota, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for involuntary manslaughter. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Whipple to 41 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Whipple will begin a three-year term of supervised release.On August 16, 2020, Whipple, an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe, was driving in Santee while under the influence of alcohol when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The passenger, a young mother from Santee, was killed as a result of the injuries she sustained during the accident.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department.

South Dakota woman sentenced for manslaughter

News Release United States Attorney-Omaha

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Leonard C. Woodrum, Jr., 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 21, 2022, in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln.&nbsp; United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woodrum, Jr. to 240 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.&nbsp; Woodrum faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison due to a prior conviction for distribution of a controlled substance in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp; The court also ordered the forfeiture of $16,865 related to the offense.&nbsp; After serving his sentence, Woodrum, Jr. will be placed on supervised release for 10 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;

On July 9, 2021, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle driven by Woodrum Jr. for a traffic violation in Lancaster County.&nbsp; While completing the traffic stop, the trooper did a K9 sniff of Woodrum’s vehicle, and the dog indicated to the presence of narcotics.&nbsp; The vehicle was searched.&nbsp; Methamphetamine was found in the trunk.&nbsp; A lab determined that there was a total of 1,437 grams of methamphetamine mixture seized from the vehicle.&nbsp; Some of that methamphetamine was tested for purity, and the lab determined that it contained at least 730 grams of actual methamphetamine.&nbsp; Cocaine, LSD, MDMA, numerous self-seal baggies, and several scales were also found in the vehicle.&nbsp; A total of $16,865 in cash was seized from Woodrum’s vehicle and his person.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln / Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574122756866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release United States Attorney-OmahaActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Leonard C. Woodrum, Jr., 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 21, 2022, in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln.&nbsp; United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woodrum, Jr. to 240 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.&nbsp; Woodrum faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison due to a prior conviction for distribution of a controlled substance in Lancaster County District Court.&nbsp; The court also ordered the forfeiture of $16,865 related to the offense.&nbsp; After serving his sentence, Woodrum, Jr. will be placed on supervised release for 10 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;On July 9, 2021, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle driven by Woodrum Jr. for a traffic violation in Lancaster County.&nbsp; While completing the traffic stop, the trooper did a K9 sniff of Woodrum’s vehicle, and the dog indicated to the presence of narcotics.&nbsp; The vehicle was searched.&nbsp; Methamphetamine was found in the trunk.&nbsp; A lab determined that there was a total of 1,437 grams of methamphetamine mixture seized from the vehicle.&nbsp; Some of that methamphetamine was tested for purity, and the lab determined that it contained at least 730 grams of actual methamphetamine.&nbsp; Cocaine, LSD, MDMA, numerous self-seal baggies, and several scales were also found in the vehicle.&nbsp; A total of $16,865 in cash was seized from Woodrum’s vehicle and his person.This case was investigated by the Lincoln / Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Lincoln man sentenced to 20 years on meth charges

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Cody A. Cape, 24, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to a sentence of 117 months’ incarceration for Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Carrying and Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Cape will serve a 3-year term of Supervised Release.&nbsp;

In October 2020, Cape was cited by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Officer, for a fishing violation. Cape and his friend were subjects of an ongoing poaching investigation that was being investigated by the Officer. During the course of this investigation, Cape’s phone was seized pursuant to a search warrant.

On December 24, 2020, Cape was picked up by his friend and Cape directed his friend to drive to a specific location, which was the Officer’s personal residence in Blair. Cape then had his friend drive him to an apartment in Omaha where Cape retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and a rifle. Cape directed his friend to drive to the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge to look at the employee housing to see if the Officer was there. Cape’s friend refused. Cape placed his handgun on his lap and directed his friend to take him to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge. His friend was fearful and complied. The Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Nebraska – Iowa border. The main entrance to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is in Iowa.

On their return from Desoto National Wildlife Refuge, Cape discussed ways he planned to kill the Officer to include using C4, TNT, or dynamite. Cape discussed wiring explosives to the Officer’s USFWS vehicle or throwing explosives through a window into the Officer’s residence to kill the Officer and his family. His friend later contacted police to report what had happened and Cape’s statements.

Cape was located by Blair Police Department officers on December 25, 2020, and had a .45 caliber handgun in his vehicle. Cape was interviewed by FBI and USFWS officers and admitted to making statements about killing the Officer, although Cape claimed he was not serious. Cape stated he was under a lot of stress due to the Officer’s poaching investigation. When asked if he had made statements to kill the Officer, Cape stated “probably” and then went on to state, “I don’t know where the f### I’d get that s###.” When asked for clarification, Cape stated “C4.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Blair Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559820547211.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release United States Attorney-OmahaActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Cody A. Cape, 24, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to a sentence of 117 months’ incarceration for Threatening to Murder a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Carrying and Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Cape will serve a 3-year term of Supervised Release.&nbsp;In October 2020, Cape was cited by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Officer, for a fishing violation. Cape and his friend were subjects of an ongoing poaching investigation that was being investigated by the Officer. During the course of this investigation, Cape’s phone was seized pursuant to a search warrant.On December 24, 2020, Cape was picked up by his friend and Cape directed his friend to drive to a specific location, which was the Officer’s personal residence in Blair. Cape then had his friend drive him to an apartment in Omaha where Cape retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and a rifle. Cape directed his friend to drive to the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge to look at the employee housing to see if the Officer was there. Cape’s friend refused. Cape placed his handgun on his lap and directed his friend to take him to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge. His friend was fearful and complied. The Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Nebraska – Iowa border. The main entrance to Desoto National Wildlife Refuge is in Iowa.On their return from Desoto National Wildlife Refuge, Cape discussed ways he planned to kill the Officer to include using C4, TNT, or dynamite. Cape discussed wiring explosives to the Officer’s USFWS vehicle or throwing explosives through a window into the Officer’s residence to kill the Officer and his family. His friend later contacted police to report what had happened and Cape’s statements.Cape was located by Blair Police Department officers on December 25, 2020, and had a .45 caliber handgun in his vehicle. Cape was interviewed by FBI and USFWS officers and admitted to making statements about killing the Officer, although Cape claimed he was not serious. Cape stated he was under a lot of stress due to the Officer’s poaching investigation. When asked if he had made statements to kill the Officer, Cape stated “probably” and then went on to state, “I don’t know where the f### I’d get that s###.” When asked for clarification, Cape stated “C4.”This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Blair Police Department.

Blair man sentenced to prison for plot to kill federal wildlife officer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.

Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.

Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.

“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.

Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.

“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”

“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.

The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.

“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.

“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.

Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.

But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.

In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.

Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”

And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."

In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”

Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.

The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.

Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.

“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.

The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.

There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.

Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.

“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880655086.png" alt="The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department" />
 <figcaption>The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880635322.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.___

US urges world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/beagles-rescued-from-virginia-dog-breeding-facility-get-the-star-treatment-in-d-c/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Now-famous beagles 
rescued from a breeding and research facility in Virginia were on 
Capitol Hill on Thursday as an animal welfare group and a California 
congressman pushed for legislation that would promote adoption of 
research animals.

“It’s unfortunate that animals are 
still allowed to be used in testing. That hopefully is going to go away 
very, very soon. But while it’s happening, we can do better,” said Rep. 
Tony Cárdenas.

The beagles came from a
 controversial Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County
 that shut down under pressure from federal regulators because of a 
string of animal welfare violations, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/beagle-breeding-facility-shutting-down-over-violations-will-be-allowed-to-sell-500-dogs/">the Virginia Mercury has reported.</a>&nbsp; Federal agents in May <a target="_blank" href="https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/012-Joint-Motion-to-Extend-TRO.pdf">seized hundreds of dogs and puppies</a> found to be “in acute distress.”

A judge in July <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/judge-approves-transfer-of-all-4000-remaining-beagles-at-breeding-facility-to-shelters-for-adoption/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444">approved a plan</a> to move 4,000 beagles from the facility to shelters for adoption, making national headlines. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-24/meghan-prince-harry-adopt-beagle-rescued-from-virginia-plant">One adopter turned out to be </a>Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who are now living in California.

On Thursday, several of the beagles 
were at the Capitol to get petted and shown off at a “meet and greet” 
and to help make a point about animal research.

Cárdenas, a California Democrat, introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5726">bill</a>
 last October that would require any facility receiving funding from the
 National Institutes of Health to make “reasonable efforts” to adopt any
 dog, cat, or rabbit deemed suitable for adoption once that animal is no
 longer needed for biomedical and behavioral research.&nbsp;

The legislation has just four other 
co-sponsors, Joe Neguse of Colorado, Jimmy Panetta of California, Donald
 Payne Jr. of New Jersey and Dina Titus of Nevada.

When asked about the strategy for 
reaching the level of support the bill would need to clear the House and
 the Senate, Cárdenas told States Newsroom that he plans to push back on
 the medical research industry criticism that the measure is “too 
onerous.”&nbsp;

Cárdenas also hopes more of his colleagues will voice support for the legislation.&nbsp;

Monica Engebretson, North America 
campaign manager for Cruelty Free International, said 15 states require 
animal research facilities to offer dogs and cats they no longer want 
for adoption. But she believes a nationwide law is needed.&nbsp;

Engebretson said the group has had 
some success in the past getting policy changes enacted through the 
annual legislation that funds the NIH, which is headquartered in 
Bethesda, Maryland, and hopes to do so again with this current policy 
proposal.&nbsp;

The NIH’s website says that it’s 
“committed to continuing to develop non-animal model alternative 
methods,” though it notes “we are not at a point where alternative 
approaches can completely replace the use of animals at this time.”

“The alternatives simply cannot 
accurately replicate or model all the biologic and behavioral aspects of
 human disease,” NIH writes. “Until that time, animal models will remain
 integral for NIH-supported research.”

The NIH also has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But neither its Public Health Service
 Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or its Guide for 
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals include any proposals or 
suggestions for whether cats, dogs and bunnies should be available for 
adoption after they are no longer needed.&nbsp;

The Office of Laboratory Animal 
Welfare notes on its website that it “supports the safety and protection
 of animals and reminds institutions that their policies must clarify 
the disposition of animals acquired for research once the research has 
ended, which may include adoption.” It also says it “will not assume 
legal or financial responsibility for any adoption program” of research 
animals.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663883738198.png" alt="A beagle rescued from the Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, appears at a Capitol Hill event on Sept. 22. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>A beagle rescued from the Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County, Virginia, appears at a Capitol Hill event on Sept. 22. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/beagles-rescued-from-virginia-dog-breeding-facility-get-the-star-treatment-in-d-c/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Now-famous beagles 
rescued from a breeding and research facility in Virginia were on 
Capitol Hill on Thursday as an animal welfare group and a California 
congressman pushed for legislation that would promote adoption of 
research animals.“It’s unfortunate that animals are 
still allowed to be used in testing. That hopefully is going to go away 
very, very soon. But while it’s happening, we can do better,” said Rep. 
Tony Cárdenas.The beagles came from a
 controversial Envigo medical dog-breeding facility in Cumberland County
 that shut down under pressure from federal regulators because of a 
string of animal welfare violations, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/beagle-breeding-facility-shutting-down-over-violations-will-be-allowed-to-sell-500-dogs/">the Virginia Mercury has reported.</a>&nbsp; Federal agents in May <a target="_blank" href="https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/012-Joint-Motion-to-Extend-TRO.pdf">seized hundreds of dogs and puppies</a> found to be “in acute distress.”A judge in July <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/judge-approves-transfer-of-all-4000-remaining-beagles-at-breeding-facility-to-shelters-for-adoption/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444">approved a plan</a> to move 4,000 beagles from the facility to shelters for adoption, making national headlines. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-24/meghan-prince-harry-adopt-beagle-rescued-from-virginia-plant">One adopter turned out to be </a>Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who are now living in California.On Thursday, several of the beagles 
were at the Capitol to get petted and shown off at a “meet and greet” 
and to help make a point about animal research.Cárdenas, a California Democrat, introduced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5726">bill</a>
 last October that would require any facility receiving funding from the
 National Institutes of Health to make “reasonable efforts” to adopt any
 dog, cat, or rabbit deemed suitable for adoption once that animal is no
 longer needed for biomedical and behavioral research.&nbsp;The legislation has just four other 
co-sponsors, Joe Neguse of Colorado, Jimmy Panetta of California, Donald
 Payne Jr. of New Jersey and Dina Titus of Nevada.When asked about the strategy for 
reaching the level of support the bill would need to clear the House and
 the Senate, Cárdenas told States Newsroom that he plans to push back on
 the medical research industry criticism that the measure is “too 
onerous.”&nbsp;“I don’t buy that,” he said.Cárdenas also hopes more of his colleagues will voice support for the legislation.&nbsp;Monica Engebretson, North America 
campaign manager for Cruelty Free International, said 15 states require 
animal research facilities to offer dogs and cats they no longer want 
for adoption. But she believes a nationwide law is needed.&nbsp;Engebretson said the group has had 
some success in the past getting policy changes enacted through the 
annual legislation that funds the NIH, which is headquartered in 
Bethesda, Maryland, and hopes to do so again with this current policy 
proposal.&nbsp;The NIH’s website says that it’s 
“committed to continuing to develop non-animal model alternative 
methods,” though it notes “we are not at a point where alternative 
approaches can completely replace the use of animals at this time.”“The alternatives simply cannot 
accurately replicate or model all the biologic and behavioral aspects of
 human disease,” NIH writes. “Until that time, animal models will remain
 integral for NIH-supported research.”The NIH also has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.&nbsp;&nbsp;But neither its Public Health Service
 Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or its Guide for 
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals include any proposals or 
suggestions for whether cats, dogs and bunnies should be available for 
adoption after they are no longer needed.&nbsp;The Office of Laboratory Animal 
Welfare notes on its website that it “supports the safety and protection
 of animals and reminds institutions that their policies must clarify 
the disposition of animals acquired for research once the research has 
ended, which may include adoption.” It also says it “will not assume 
legal or financial responsibility for any adoption program” of research 
animals.&nbsp;

Beagles rescued from dog-breeding facility get D.C. star treatment

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-work-ethic-educated-workforce-may-help-weather-possible-recession-economist-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska has weathered 
past recessions better than the rest of the country and might again, 
according to a leading state economist.

Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said Thursday that Nebraska’s high rates
 of workforce participation and education should help the state fend off
 the effects of high inflation and an economic downturn.

But Thompson offered a warning: “If the U.S. gets into a significant recession, we’ll get pulled in, too.”

He spoke Thursday morning at the fall policy summit of the Open Sky 
Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that analyzes state fiscal 
policies.

Thompson answered questions around the topic, “Inflation and What it Means for Our State and its Economy.”

He said that the nation as a whole has benefitted from a long-running
 abundance of workers, but that trend is changing as baby boomers age 
out of the workforce and as legal immigration has declined.

The shortage of labor and supplies, combined with a rapid, 
post-COVID-19 increase in demand, have been the main drivers of 
inflation, which is at 8.1% in the Midwest, according to Thompson.

Nebraskans have “good resumes,” he said. The state has a higher 
participation rate in the workforce and higher percentages of 
college-educated people than the national average. That, Thompson said, 
could help blunt the impact of a national recession here.

“Those are the kinds of people who are more likely to hold onto their
 jobs during a downturn and find new jobs more quickly,” he said.

Some analysts have predicted that the U.S. will have a “soft landing”
 from high inflation that won’t result in a recession that features 
widespread job layoffs.

But Thompson said it remains to be seen if the nation will fall into a
 recession or not, and whether there will be a soft or hard landing.

Right now, he said that low-income and working-class Nebraskans are 
hurting the most because of inflation. It might present an opportunity 
for tax cuts that help those hurting the most or for systematic changes 
in the state tax system, Thompson said.

He added that the state might want<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/30/nascent-nebraska-coalition-looks-to-immigration-related-solutions-to-help-remedy-labor-shortage/"> to look toward attracting more legal immigrants</a> to address its workforce shortage, which has left <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-businesses-report-great-difficulty-in-hiring-getting-applicants/">up to 52,000 jobs unfilled</a>.

“Maybe we can be known as the state that’s most welcoming to immigrants,” Thompson said.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-work-ethic-educated-workforce-may-help-weather-possible-recession-economist-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska has weathered 
past recessions better than the rest of the country and might again, 
according to a leading state economist.Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said Thursday that Nebraska’s high rates
 of workforce participation and education should help the state fend off
 the effects of high inflation and an economic downturn.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663877297675.png" alt="Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln)" />
 <figcaption>Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln)</figcaption>
 </figure>But Thompson offered a warning: “If the U.S. gets into a significant recession, we’ll get pulled in, too.”He spoke Thursday morning at the fall policy summit of the Open Sky 
Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that analyzes state fiscal 
policies.Thompson answered questions around the topic, “Inflation and What it Means for Our State and its Economy.”He said that the nation as a whole has benefitted from a long-running
 abundance of workers, but that trend is changing as baby boomers age 
out of the workforce and as legal immigration has declined.The shortage of labor and supplies, combined with a rapid, 
post-COVID-19 increase in demand, have been the main drivers of 
inflation, which is at 8.1% in the Midwest, according to Thompson.<h2>‘Good resumes’</h2>Nebraskans have “good resumes,” he said. The state has a higher 
participation rate in the workforce and higher percentages of 
college-educated people than the national average. That, Thompson said, 
could help blunt the impact of a national recession here.“Those are the kinds of people who are more likely to hold onto their
 jobs during a downturn and find new jobs more quickly,” he said.Some analysts have predicted that the U.S. will have a “soft landing”
 from high inflation that won’t result in a recession that features 
widespread job layoffs.But Thompson said it remains to be seen if the nation will fall into a
 recession or not, and whether there will be a soft or hard landing.<h2>Attract more immigrants</h2>Right now, he said that low-income and working-class Nebraskans are 
hurting the most because of inflation. It might present an opportunity 
for tax cuts that help those hurting the most or for systematic changes 
in the state tax system, Thompson said.He added that the state might want<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/30/nascent-nebraska-coalition-looks-to-immigration-related-solutions-to-help-remedy-labor-shortage/"> to look toward attracting more legal immigrants</a> to address its workforce shortage, which has left <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-businesses-report-great-difficulty-in-hiring-getting-applicants/">up to 52,000 jobs unfilled</a>.“Maybe we can be known as the state that’s most welcoming to immigrants,” Thompson said.

Recession-proof? Work ethic, educated workforce may help Neb.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/schuyler-nebraska-man-indicted-for-selling-fake-social-security-cards/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A 26-year-old Schuyler man has been indicted on federal charges of providing fake Social Security cards.

Werner Monterroso-Monterroso was named in a five-count indictment announced by Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In April, June and August of this year, federal officials allege that
 Monterroso-Monterroso provided fake Social Security cards and other 
false documentation to others.

He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on some of the charges.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/schuyler-nebraska-man-indicted-for-selling-fake-social-security-cards/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A 26-year-old Schuyler man has been indicted on federal charges of providing fake Social Security cards.Werner Monterroso-Monterroso was named in a five-count indictment announced by Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.In April, June and August of this year, federal officials allege that
 Monterroso-Monterroso provided fake Social Security cards and other 
false documentation to others.He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on some of the charges.