WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. for the first time Friday said it will give Ukraine Scan Eagle surveillance drones, mine-resistant vehicles, anti-armor rounds and howitzer weapons to help Ukrainian forces regain territory and mount a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">counteroffensive against Russian invaders.</a>

A senior defense official told reporters that a new $775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs with mine-clearing rollers, and 2,000 anti-armor rounds that can help Ukraine troops move forward in the south and east, where Russian forces have placed mines. The official said the U.S. is looking to help shape and arm the Ukrainian force of the future as the war drags on.

"These capabilities are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

This latest aid comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine is about to reach the six-month mark. It brings the total U.S. military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration. It is the 19th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.

The U.S. has provided howitzer ammunition in the past, but this is the first time it will send 16 of the weapon systems. The aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 javelin missiles and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles that target radar systems. The Ukrainian forces have been successfully using various precision artillery systems to try and hold off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russian forces and take back territory Moscow has gained.</a>

The defense official briefed reporters on the new weapons aid on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Defense Department.

For much of the last four months of the war, Russia has concentrated on capturing the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow separatists have controlled some territory as self-proclaimed republics for eight years.

Russian forces have made some incremental gains in the east, but they have also been put on the defensive in other regions, as Ukraine ratchets up its attacks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/crimea">Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.</a>&nbsp;The Russian-occupied territory was seized by Moscow in 2014.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-crimea-81a08f492db4683275d4aa3928cb3c43">Nine Russian warplanes were reported destroyed last week</a>&nbsp;at an airbase on Crimea in strikes that highlighted the Ukrainians’ capacity to strike deep behind enemy lines.

Russian leaders have warned that striking facilities in Crimea marks an escalation in the conflict fueled by the U.S. and NATO allies and threatens to pull America deeper into the war.

One Western official said Friday that the war is at a “near operational standstill,” with neither side able to launch major offensives. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said the whole tempo of the campaign has slowed, partly because both sides recognize that "this is a marathon not a sprint and that expenditure rates and conserving their munitions is important.”

But the U.S. and Western officials both said that Ukraine has been able to launch successful attacks deep behind Russian battle lines, which is eroding logistics support and command and control of Moscow's forces, and harming their morale.

The U.S. official said that while Ukrainian troops haven't been able to retake a lot of territory, they have been able to significantly weaken Russian positions in a number of places.

Efforts to tamp down the fighting have also continued. On Thursday, Turkey’s leader and the U.N. chief met in western Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed a range of issues including prisoner exchanges and an effort to get U.N. atomic energy experts to visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-climate-and-environment-dd93178c92cda9c898e2f8ffacbd1016">Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.</a>

The facility has been controlled by Russian forces since shortly after the invasion began on Feb. 24 and has been the target of a number of explosions. Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of shelling the plant, stoking international fears of a catastrophe on the continent.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would follow up with Russian President Vladimir Putin, given that most of the matters discussed would require the Kremlin’s agreement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659117165215.png" alt=""These capabilities are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.- photo State Department" />
 <figcaption>"These capabilities are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.- photo State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. for the first time Friday said it will give Ukraine Scan Eagle surveillance drones, mine-resistant vehicles, anti-armor rounds and howitzer weapons to help Ukrainian forces regain territory and mount a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">counteroffensive against Russian invaders.</a>A senior defense official told reporters that a new $775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs with mine-clearing rollers, and 2,000 anti-armor rounds that can help Ukraine troops move forward in the south and east, where Russian forces have placed mines. The official said the U.S. is looking to help shape and arm the Ukrainian force of the future as the war drags on."These capabilities are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.This latest aid comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine is about to reach the six-month mark. It brings the total U.S. military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration. It is the 19th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.The U.S. has provided howitzer ammunition in the past, but this is the first time it will send 16 of the weapon systems. The aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 javelin missiles and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles that target radar systems. The Ukrainian forces have been successfully using various precision artillery systems to try and hold off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russian forces and take back territory Moscow has gained.</a>The defense official briefed reporters on the new weapons aid on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Defense Department.For much of the last four months of the war, Russia has concentrated on capturing the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow separatists have controlled some territory as self-proclaimed republics for eight years.Russian forces have made some incremental gains in the east, but they have also been put on the defensive in other regions, as Ukraine ratchets up its attacks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/crimea">Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.</a>&nbsp;The Russian-occupied territory was seized by Moscow in 2014.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-crimea-81a08f492db4683275d4aa3928cb3c43">Nine Russian warplanes were reported destroyed last week</a>&nbsp;at an airbase on Crimea in strikes that highlighted the Ukrainians’ capacity to strike deep behind enemy lines.Russian leaders have warned that striking facilities in Crimea marks an escalation in the conflict fueled by the U.S. and NATO allies and threatens to pull America deeper into the war.One Western official said Friday that the war is at a “near operational standstill,” with neither side able to launch major offensives. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said the whole tempo of the campaign has slowed, partly because both sides recognize that "this is a marathon not a sprint and that expenditure rates and conserving their munitions is important.”But the U.S. and Western officials both said that Ukraine has been able to launch successful attacks deep behind Russian battle lines, which is eroding logistics support and command and control of Moscow's forces, and harming their morale.The U.S. official said that while Ukrainian troops haven't been able to retake a lot of territory, they have been able to significantly weaken Russian positions in a number of places.Efforts to tamp down the fighting have also continued. On Thursday, Turkey’s leader and the U.N. chief met in western Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed a range of issues including prisoner exchanges and an effort to get U.N. atomic energy experts to visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-climate-and-environment-dd93178c92cda9c898e2f8ffacbd1016">Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.</a>The facility has been controlled by Russian forces since shortly after the invasion began on Feb. 24 and has been the target of a number of explosions. Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of shelling the plant, stoking international fears of a catastrophe on the continent.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would follow up with Russian President Vladimir Putin, given that most of the matters discussed would require the Kremlin’s agreement.

US will spend $775 million more on military aid for Ukraine

By PATRICIA RIDDELL <a href="https://theconversation.com/four-ways-to-stop-thinking-the-worst-will-happen-when-youre-stressed-185802">The Conversation</a>

Imagine you have an interview for a new job tomorrow. Some people might think about what kind of questions they will be asked so that they can prepare, or imagine the interview going well. For others, the thought of an interview will cause them to toss and turn all night thinking of every worst case scenario possible – no matter how outlandish these may be. If you’re someone who has a tendency to do the latter, you are prone to catastrophising.

<a href="https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/the-sane-blog/managing-symptoms/how-to-stop-catastrophising">Catastrophising</a>
 is a tendency to assume the worst will happen when imagining a future 
situation – even if you have evidence that this is not the most likely 
outcome. People who like to feel in control (and are therefore 
intolerant of uncertainty) are more likely to catastrophise. This has 
been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796712001234?via%3Dihub">linked to anxiety</a> – suggesting that frequent catastrophising may be a factor in developing certain mental health problems.

Catastrophising comes from the belief that by imagining what might go
 wrong, we’re better able to protect ourselves from harm – both physical
 and mental. However, this tendency is only helpful if you’re able to 
correctly predict what will happen in a certain situation and how it 
will make you feel.

As we imagine future events, we experience an emotional reaction to 
the story we are creating – and we use this response to determine how we
 will feel in the future. But this way of predicting the future is often
 wrong since we’re not able to imagine everything that might happen. 
This can lead to us creating the wrong <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Timothy-Wilson-19/publication/6017733_Prospection_Experiencing_the_Future/links/576ee8ea08ae0b3a3b79ce6c/Prospection-Experiencing-the-Future.pdf">emotional response for future situations</a> in our heads.

But our belief in what will happen in the future can have a big 
influence on our behaviour. For example, people who are optimistic (or 
even realistic) about the future are more likely to be <a href="https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/195176/1/166246732X.pdf">willing to try new things</a>.
 They are also likely to notice what has gone well in new situations. On
 the flip side, people who catastrophise about what might go wrong are 
less likely to try new things. And, when they do try something new, they
 are more likely to notice what has gone wrong. This will be stored in 
their memory and will add to the reasons why they we shouldn’t try new 
things in the future. As a result, catastrophising can lead to undue 
stress and anxiety and may stop you from doing the things you might 
enjoy or learn from.

If you’re someone who tends to catastrophise when stressed or anxious, there are a few things that you can do to help:

We often worry about the future at night. When we are asleep, 
activity in the rational part of our brain is reduced and activity in 
the more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32573885/">emotional part</a>
 of our brain is increased. As a result, we tend to use our emotional 
brain to picture the future when we’re awake at night. Lack of sleep can
 also make us more sensitive to things we <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6143346/">see as threatening</a>. This can lead us to focus more on what might go wrong, and makes us <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13548506.2020.1734637?journalCode=cphm20">more prone to catastrophising</a>.

It can be helpful to remind yourself that you are not thinking 
rationally when you’re lying awake worrying about something. It can also
 be useful to wait until the morning to make decisions when your brain 
is rested.

2. Teach your inner critic to be more compassionate

Catastrophising can be driven by our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14779757.2013.767747?casa_token=KkLpPC0JMcIAAAAA:1H-d_fg5JrdAOW3xeH8OmikQTK8lMJFsG_uX4wfCsdyMLCtKHIwmksZ6lKcGqohVbQbetWzeU2uZ90U">inner critic</a>, which may use harsh language that makes us emotional.

When this happens, try imagining your inner critic as if you were 
looking through someone else’s eyes. What language do you use and would 
you use this language when talking about someone else in a similar 
situation? Is the language your inner critic uses helpful or justified? 
Often the answers to these questions will be no. Be conscious of the 
language your inner critic is using when you’re worried or stressed. If 
it’s overly harsh, try to switch to a kinder way of speaking to 
yourself. 

Even if things have gone wrong in the past, this is unlikely to be 
the case in the future – despite what we might tell ourselves. If you 
have a tendency to catastrophise about future events, try to think 
instead about ways in which this event might go well, which may help you
 to feel less anxious.

Another strategy is to make up, not just one, but a number of 
plausible stories about what might happen. This may help to remind you 
that the stories you’re telling yourself are just that – stories. 
Choosing to focus on the stories with a positive outcome might also help
 you to feel less worried or stressed.

Try to be more compassionate with yourself when considering your 
future. This is more difficult than you might imagine – even for people 
who are very compassionate and empathetic to others. 

Compassion and empathy evolved to help us to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187892931100048X">interact well with others</a>.
 As such, compassion and empathy aren’t really designed to be used for 
yourself. But small things – such as asking what advice you might give a
 friend in your situation – can help you to get in touch with your 
compassionate voice. Practising this often may even help you to see 
solutions where you might otherwise have only focused on the problem.

Planning for ways in which things might go wrong in the future does 
serve a purpose – and that is to keep us safe. But if you often find 
that you castrophise by thinking of all the worst case scenarios – 
especially to the detriment of your own mental health – it can be 
important to remind yourself that the things you’re worrying about may 
never happen, and, if they do, they will probably turn out much better 
than you think.

Patricia Riddell is a Professor of Applied Neuroscience at the University of Reading.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660936036416.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By PATRICIA RIDDELL <a href="https://theconversation.com/four-ways-to-stop-thinking-the-worst-will-happen-when-youre-stressed-185802">The Conversation</a>Imagine you have an interview for a new job tomorrow. Some people might think about what kind of questions they will be asked so that they can prepare, or imagine the interview going well. For others, the thought of an interview will cause them to toss and turn all night thinking of every worst case scenario possible – no matter how outlandish these may be. If you’re someone who has a tendency to do the latter, you are prone to catastrophising.<a href="https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/the-sane-blog/managing-symptoms/how-to-stop-catastrophising">Catastrophising</a>
 is a tendency to assume the worst will happen when imagining a future 
situation – even if you have evidence that this is not the most likely 
outcome. People who like to feel in control (and are therefore 
intolerant of uncertainty) are more likely to catastrophise. This has 
been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796712001234?via%3Dihub">linked to anxiety</a> – suggesting that frequent catastrophising may be a factor in developing certain mental health problems. Catastrophising comes from the belief that by imagining what might go
 wrong, we’re better able to protect ourselves from harm – both physical
 and mental. However, this tendency is only helpful if you’re able to 
correctly predict what will happen in a certain situation and how it 
will make you feel.As we imagine future events, we experience an emotional reaction to 
the story we are creating – and we use this response to determine how we
 will feel in the future. But this way of predicting the future is often
 wrong since we’re not able to imagine everything that might happen. 
This can lead to us creating the wrong <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Timothy-Wilson-19/publication/6017733_Prospection_Experiencing_the_Future/links/576ee8ea08ae0b3a3b79ce6c/Prospection-Experiencing-the-Future.pdf">emotional response for future situations</a> in our heads.But our belief in what will happen in the future can have a big 
influence on our behaviour. For example, people who are optimistic (or 
even realistic) about the future are more likely to be <a href="https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/195176/1/166246732X.pdf">willing to try new things</a>.
 They are also likely to notice what has gone well in new situations. On
 the flip side, people who catastrophise about what might go wrong are 
less likely to try new things. And, when they do try something new, they
 are more likely to notice what has gone wrong. This will be stored in 
their memory and will add to the reasons why they we shouldn’t try new 
things in the future. As a result, catastrophising can lead to undue 
stress and anxiety and may stop you from doing the things you might 
enjoy or learn from. If you’re someone who tends to catastrophise when stressed or anxious, there are a few things that you can do to help:1. Make decisions in the morningWe often worry about the future at night. When we are asleep, 
activity in the rational part of our brain is reduced and activity in 
the more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32573885/">emotional part</a>
 of our brain is increased. As a result, we tend to use our emotional 
brain to picture the future when we’re awake at night. Lack of sleep can
 also make us more sensitive to things we <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6143346/">see as threatening</a>. This can lead us to focus more on what might go wrong, and makes us <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13548506.2020.1734637?journalCode=cphm20">more prone to catastrophising</a>. It can be helpful to remind yourself that you are not thinking 
rationally when you’re lying awake worrying about something. It can also
 be useful to wait until the morning to make decisions when your brain 
is rested.2. Teach your inner critic to be more compassionateCatastrophising can be driven by our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14779757.2013.767747?casa_token=KkLpPC0JMcIAAAAA:1H-d_fg5JrdAOW3xeH8OmikQTK8lMJFsG_uX4wfCsdyMLCtKHIwmksZ6lKcGqohVbQbetWzeU2uZ90U">inner critic</a>, which may use harsh language that makes us emotional.When this happens, try imagining your inner critic as if you were 
looking through someone else’s eyes. What language do you use and would 
you use this language when talking about someone else in a similar 
situation? Is the language your inner critic uses helpful or justified? 
Often the answers to these questions will be no. Be conscious of the 
language your inner critic is using when you’re worried or stressed. If 
it’s overly harsh, try to switch to a kinder way of speaking to 
yourself. 3. Make up a better storyEven if things have gone wrong in the past, this is unlikely to be 
the case in the future – despite what we might tell ourselves. If you 
have a tendency to catastrophise about future events, try to think 
instead about ways in which this event might go well, which may help you
 to feel less anxious.Another strategy is to make up, not just one, but a number of 
plausible stories about what might happen. This may help to remind you 
that the stories you’re telling yourself are just that – stories. 
Choosing to focus on the stories with a positive outcome might also help
 you to feel less worried or stressed.4. Be kind to yourself Try to be more compassionate with yourself when considering your 
future. This is more difficult than you might imagine – even for people 
who are very compassionate and empathetic to others. Compassion and empathy evolved to help us to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187892931100048X">interact well with others</a>.
 As such, compassion and empathy aren’t really designed to be used for 
yourself. But small things – such as asking what advice you might give a
 friend in your situation – can help you to get in touch with your 
compassionate voice. Practising this often may even help you to see 
solutions where you might otherwise have only focused on the problem.Planning for ways in which things might go wrong in the future does 
serve a purpose – and that is to keep us safe. But if you often find 
that you castrophise by thinking of all the worst case scenarios – 
especially to the detriment of your own mental health – it can be 
important to remind yourself that the things you’re worrying about may 
never happen, and, if they do, they will probably turn out much better 
than you think.Patricia Riddell is a Professor of Applied Neuroscience at the University of Reading.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185802/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>

Four ways to stop thinking the worst will happen when you’re stressed

NORFOLK, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people after finding over 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an investigation Wednesday near Winside.

The incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday when residents of rural Winside reported two suspicious individuals going through their property. Troopers responded and contacted both individuals. During the investigation, troopers discovered that both individuals were in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Troopers also searched the area and located a handgun, as well as a cattle prod that had been taken from another farm.

While confirming the theft of the cattle prod, the owner reported finding a bag in a truck where the cattle prod had been stored. Troopers discovered that the bag contained approximately one-half pound of suspected methamphetamine.

As the investigation continued, troopers developed information that a large quantity of methamphetamine had been buried in a field near the original scene. Troopers searched the area and located another bag, which contained approximately 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and three grams of suspected fentanyl.

The suspects, Oscar Villa, 36, and Johana Madrid, 27, both of Los Angeles, California, were arrested. Villa was lodged in Antelope County Jail for making terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and other charges. Madrid was lodged in Dakota County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft.

By Nebraska State PatrolNORFOLK, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people after finding over 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an investigation Wednesday near Winside.The incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday when residents of rural Winside reported two suspicious individuals going through their property. Troopers responded and contacted both individuals. During the investigation, troopers discovered that both individuals were in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Troopers also searched the area and located a handgun, as well as a cattle prod that had been taken from another farm.While confirming the theft of the cattle prod, the owner reported finding a bag in a truck where the cattle prod had been stored. Troopers discovered that the bag contained approximately one-half pound of suspected methamphetamine.As the investigation continued, troopers developed information that a large quantity of methamphetamine had been buried in a field near the original scene. Troopers searched the area and located another bag, which contained approximately 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and three grams of suspected fentanyl.The suspects, Oscar Villa, 36, and Johana Madrid, 27, both of Los Angeles, California, were arrested. Villa was lodged in Antelope County Jail for making terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and other charges. Madrid was lodged in Dakota County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft.

Troopers locate 20 LBs of meth buried in field

By United States Attorney of Nebraska

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that John J. Stratman, 73, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on August 18, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Stratman to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Stratman will begin a 7-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Judge Buescher ordered Stratman to pay a $20,000 fine and a $5,000 special assessment. Stratman forfeited a 2019 Buick Enclave.

On October 1, 2021, Stratman contacted an individual he believed had access to 15-year-old female that Stratman could meet for sex.&nbsp; The individual Stratman contacted was working as an undercover law enforcement officer.&nbsp; From October 1, 2021, through January 4, 2022, Stratman and the undercover law enforcement officer communicated through the use of cell phones regarding the arrangement of sexual activity with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; During the cell phone communications, Stratman was primarily located in South Dakota and the undercover law enforcement officer was located in Omaha, Nebraska.

On January 2, 2022, Stratman booked a hotel room in Omaha which he intended to be used to meet with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; On January 4, 2022, Stratman traveled from South Dakota to Omaha, Nebraska, for purposes of engaging in sexual activity with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; After arriving in Omaha, Stratman communicated with the undercover law enforcement officer informing him he was ready to meet.&nbsp; When the undercover law enforcement officer arrived at the hotel, Stratman had gifts including candy and flowers he purchased for the 15-year-old.&nbsp; Stratman also paid the law enforcement officer $200 in cash for sexual activity he intended to have with the 15-year-old.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force

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

By United States Attorney of NebraskaActing United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that John J. Stratman, 73, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on August 18, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Stratman to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Stratman will begin a 7-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Judge Buescher ordered Stratman to pay a $20,000 fine and a $5,000 special assessment. Stratman forfeited a 2019 Buick Enclave.On October 1, 2021, Stratman contacted an individual he believed had access to 15-year-old female that Stratman could meet for sex.&nbsp; The individual Stratman contacted was working as an undercover law enforcement officer.&nbsp; From October 1, 2021, through January 4, 2022, Stratman and the undercover law enforcement officer communicated through the use of cell phones regarding the arrangement of sexual activity with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; During the cell phone communications, Stratman was primarily located in South Dakota and the undercover law enforcement officer was located in Omaha, Nebraska.On January 2, 2022, Stratman booked a hotel room in Omaha which he intended to be used to meet with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; On January 4, 2022, Stratman traveled from South Dakota to Omaha, Nebraska, for purposes of engaging in sexual activity with the 15-year-old.&nbsp; After arriving in Omaha, Stratman communicated with the undercover law enforcement officer informing him he was ready to meet.&nbsp; When the undercover law enforcement officer arrived at the hotel, Stratman had gifts including candy and flowers he purchased for the 15-year-old.&nbsp; Stratman also paid the law enforcement officer $200 in cash for sexual activity he intended to have with the 15-year-old.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

73-year-old South Dakota man sentenced for sex with a minor

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.

Apple released two&nbsp;<a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213412" target="_blank">security</a><a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213413" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;about the issue on Wednesday, although they didn’t receive wide attention outside of tech publications.

Apple’s explanation of the vulnerability means a hacker could get “full admin access” to the device. That would allow intruders to impersonate the device’s owner and subsequently run any software in their name, said Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security.

Security experts have advised users to update affected devices — the iPhone6S and later models; several models of the iPad, including the 5th generation and later, all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 2; and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey. The flaw also affects some iPod models.

Apple did not say in the reports how, where or by whom the vulnerabilities were discovered. In all cases, it cited an anonymous researcher.

Commercial spyware companies such as Israel’s NSO Group are known for identifying and taking advantage of such flaws, exploiting them in malware that surreptitiously infects targets’ smartphones, siphons their contents and surveils the targets in real time.

NSO Group has been blacklisted by the U.S. Commerce Department. Its spyware is known to have been used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America against journalists, dissidents and human rights activists.

Security researcher Will Strafach said he had seen no technical analysis of the vulnerabilities that Apple has just patched. The company has previously acknowledged similarly serious flaws and, in what Strafach estimated to be perhaps a dozen occasions, has noted that it was aware of reports that such security holes had being exploited.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.Apple released two&nbsp;<a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213412" target="_blank">security</a><a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213413" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;about the issue on Wednesday, although they didn’t receive wide attention outside of tech publications.Apple’s explanation of the vulnerability means a hacker could get “full admin access” to the device. That would allow intruders to impersonate the device’s owner and subsequently run any software in their name, said Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security.Security experts have advised users to update affected devices — the iPhone6S and later models; several models of the iPad, including the 5th generation and later, all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 2; and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey. The flaw also affects some iPod models.Apple did not say in the reports how, where or by whom the vulnerabilities were discovered. In all cases, it cited an anonymous researcher.Commercial spyware companies such as Israel’s NSO Group are known for identifying and taking advantage of such flaws, exploiting them in malware that surreptitiously infects targets’ smartphones, siphons their contents and surveils the targets in real time.NSO Group has been blacklisted by the U.S. Commerce Department. Its spyware is known to have been used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America against journalists, dissidents and human rights activists.Security researcher Will Strafach said he had seen no technical analysis of the vulnerabilities that Apple has just patched. The company has previously acknowledged similarly serious flaws and, in what Strafach estimated to be perhaps a dozen occasions, has noted that it was aware of reports that such security holes had being exploited.

Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs

WASHINGTON —On Thursday, the White House National Monkeypox Response team announced a series of actions the Biden Administration is taking to further accelerate its response to the monkeypox (MPV) outbreak and mitigate the spread of the virus, according to a statement from the White House.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/08/18/press-briefing-by-white-house-monkeypox-response-team-and-public-health-officials-2/">Click here to see the transcript</a>&nbsp; of the press briefing by the White House Monkeypox response team and public health officials.

Since the first case was confirmed in the United States, the Administration has led a whole-of-government response to make tests, vaccines, and treatments more widely available to communities across the country and has worked with the LGBTQI+ community to provide information and resources directly to communities most at risk of contracting the virus.

To date, the Biden Administration has delivered nearly 1 million doses of JYNNEOS vaccine to jurisdictions – the largest JYNNEOS MPV vaccine program in the world. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Emergency Use Authorization of the JYNNEOS vaccine to be administered intradermally in individuals 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk of MPV, without compromising the level of immune response achieved or the safety of the vaccine. The action means that each vial of vaccine can be used for up to five doses, since the appropriate dose for intradermal administration is 0.1mL versus 0.5mL required per dose administered subcutaneously. Paired with that announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a robust set of resources and tools to help jurisdictions train providers and health care professionals on how to administer the vaccine intradermally.

In less than ten days following FDA’s EUA on intradermal administration, some of the country’s largest counties have transitioned completely to intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS vaccine for eligible adults, including Los Angeles County, California, and Fulton County, Georgia. The increased availability of vaccine doses has also enabled more jurisdictions to offer second doses to eligible individuals, as the JYNNEOS vaccine is administered as two doses, four weeks apart for maximum protection The Biden-Harris Administration has also significantly increased availability and convenience of orthopoxvirus tests, expanding capacity of tests from 6,000 tests per week to 80,000 tests per week. Additionally, the Administration has taken a number of steps to make TPOXX, a treatment for MPV, more accessible to prescribe, and today’s announcements build on those actions.

To increase availability of vaccines, tests, and treatments, and protect communities most at risk of contracting the virus:

HHS to make 1.8 million doses of vaccine available for ordering beginning Monday. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocated and began distributing another 442,000 doses of vaccine to jurisdictions across the country. The announcement was the first allocation of vaccine following FDA’s EUA allowing for intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS vaccine, so the 442,000 doses reflect the number of total doses that could be available through intradermal administration.

The HHS is announcing that it has accelerated Phase 4 of its National Vaccine Strategy and will be making an additional 1.8 million doses available for ordering starting Monday, August 22. Jurisdictions that are adopting the intradermal administration of vaccine and have used 90% of their current supply of vaccine will be able to order additional doses.

The Administration is making these doses available ahead of schedule to encourage rapid distribution of vaccine to individuals at high risk of contracting the virus, particularly gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The Administration is also encouraging intradermal administration of vaccine and providing technical assistance, support, and resources to jurisdictions in the process of adopting and expanding intradermal administration.

The Administration is making more vaccines available for jurisdictions hosting large LGBTQI+ events. HHS is launching a pilot program to provide additional vaccine allocations to state and local health departments in jurisdictions that are hosting large events that attract gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the coming weeks and months. The pilot program is setting aside 50,000 doses of vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that jurisdictions can request to order on top of their existing vaccine allocations and supply. The number of additional doses made available to a jurisdiction will be based on the size and nature of the event, and the ability to reach attendees at highest risk for MPV.

In addition to making more vaccine doses available, the CDC is offering assistance and support to jurisdictions to prepare for these large events, including helping develop vaccine and testing strategies to be stood up in and around these events, developing tools for information-gathering from event participants, and providing messaging and communications resources on vaccines, testing, and strategies to reduce one’s risk of contracting the virus. CDC is also working with jurisdictions to quickly adopt the intradermal administration of JYNNEOS vaccine so more doses can be administered at these events to more people.

The Administration has already started working with North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana health departments to prepare for large LGBTQI+ gatherings in those states in the coming days and weeks. For example, the Administration worked with North Carolina to develop a plan to administer vaccines during the Charlotte Pride Festival &amp; Parade on August 20th&nbsp;and 21st. The Administration will support North Carolina with up to 2,000 additional doses by replenishing their stock of vaccine with the number of doses administered during these events. Those doses are in addition to the more than 18,000 doses North Carolina has already received through its existing allocations.

ASPR is making 50,000 courses of TPOXX available to jurisdictions for prepositioning to facilitate timely access to TPOXX for eligible patients. The Biden-Harris Administration will make available 50,000 patient courses of TPOXX to jurisdictions next week – nearly five times more courses than confirmed cases in the United States – to make the treatment more readily available for providers and patients. Jurisdictions will be allocated courses of TPOXX using formula based 75% on the number of cases in their jurisdiction and 25% on the number of individuals who are at the highest risk of contracting the virus, including individuals who are living with HIV or who could benefit from HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.&nbsp; This allocation is in addition to over 20,000 courses ASPR has already deployed to jurisdictions from the SNS. Since TPOXX was approved under the FDA’s Animal Rule for the treatment of smallpox based on efficacy data in animals and safety data in healthy human volunteers – &nbsp;in the absence of clinical studies in patients with MPV – it is important that this drug be used judiciously in accordance with the Expanded Access protocol and applicable treatment guidelines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660876110125.png" alt="14,115Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases as August 18, 2022-CDC image" />
 <figcaption>14,115Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases as August 18, 2022-CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660876155057.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —On Thursday, the White House National Monkeypox Response team announced a series of actions the Biden Administration is taking to further accelerate its response to the monkeypox (MPV) outbreak and mitigate the spread of the virus, according to a statement from the White House.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/08/18/press-briefing-by-white-house-monkeypox-response-team-and-public-health-officials-2/">Click here to see the transcript</a>&nbsp; of the press briefing by the White House Monkeypox response team and public health officials.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660078962277.png" alt="Monkeypox photo courtesy KTVU-TV" />
 <figcaption>Monkeypox photo courtesy KTVU-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Since the first case was confirmed in the United States, the Administration has led a whole-of-government response to make tests, vaccines, and treatments more widely available to communities across the country and has worked with the LGBTQI+ community to provide information and resources directly to communities most at risk of contracting the virus.To date, the Biden Administration has delivered nearly 1 million doses of JYNNEOS vaccine to jurisdictions – the largest JYNNEOS MPV vaccine program in the world. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Emergency Use Authorization of the JYNNEOS vaccine to be administered intradermally in individuals 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk of MPV, without compromising the level of immune response achieved or the safety of the vaccine. The action means that each vial of vaccine can be used for up to five doses, since the appropriate dose for intradermal administration is 0.1mL versus 0.5mL required per dose administered subcutaneously. Paired with that announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a robust set of resources and tools to help jurisdictions train providers and health care professionals on how to administer the vaccine intradermally.In less than ten days following FDA’s EUA on intradermal administration, some of the country’s largest counties have transitioned completely to intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS vaccine for eligible adults, including Los Angeles County, California, and Fulton County, Georgia. The increased availability of vaccine doses has also enabled more jurisdictions to offer second doses to eligible individuals, as the JYNNEOS vaccine is administered as two doses, four weeks apart for maximum protection The Biden-Harris Administration has also significantly increased availability and convenience of orthopoxvirus tests, expanding capacity of tests from 6,000 tests per week to 80,000 tests per week. Additionally, the Administration has taken a number of steps to make TPOXX, a treatment for MPV, more accessible to prescribe, and today’s announcements build on those actions.To increase availability of vaccines, tests, and treatments, and protect communities most at risk of contracting the virus:HHS to make 1.8 million doses of vaccine available for ordering beginning Monday. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocated and began distributing another 442,000 doses of vaccine to jurisdictions across the country. The announcement was the first allocation of vaccine following FDA’s EUA allowing for intradermal administration of the JYNNEOS vaccine, so the 442,000 doses reflect the number of total doses that could be available through intradermal administration.The HHS is announcing that it has accelerated Phase 4 of its National Vaccine Strategy and will be making an additional 1.8 million doses available for ordering starting Monday, August 22. Jurisdictions that are adopting the intradermal administration of vaccine and have used 90% of their current supply of vaccine will be able to order additional doses.The Administration is making these doses available ahead of schedule to encourage rapid distribution of vaccine to individuals at high risk of contracting the virus, particularly gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The Administration is also encouraging intradermal administration of vaccine and providing technical assistance, support, and resources to jurisdictions in the process of adopting and expanding intradermal administration.The Administration is making more vaccines available for jurisdictions hosting large LGBTQI+ events. HHS is launching a pilot program to provide additional vaccine allocations to state and local health departments in jurisdictions that are hosting large events that attract gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the coming weeks and months. The pilot program is setting aside 50,000 doses of vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that jurisdictions can request to order on top of their existing vaccine allocations and supply. The number of additional doses made available to a jurisdiction will be based on the size and nature of the event, and the ability to reach attendees at highest risk for MPV.In addition to making more vaccine doses available, the CDC is offering assistance and support to jurisdictions to prepare for these large events, including helping develop vaccine and testing strategies to be stood up in and around these events, developing tools for information-gathering from event participants, and providing messaging and communications resources on vaccines, testing, and strategies to reduce one’s risk of contracting the virus. CDC is also working with jurisdictions to quickly adopt the intradermal administration of JYNNEOS vaccine so more doses can be administered at these events to more people.The Administration has already started working with North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana health departments to prepare for large LGBTQI+ gatherings in those states in the coming days and weeks. For example, the Administration worked with North Carolina to develop a plan to administer vaccines during the Charlotte Pride Festival &amp; Parade on August 20th&nbsp;and 21st. The Administration will support North Carolina with up to 2,000 additional doses by replenishing their stock of vaccine with the number of doses administered during these events. Those doses are in addition to the more than 18,000 doses North Carolina has already received through its existing allocations.ASPR is making 50,000 courses of TPOXX available to jurisdictions for prepositioning to facilitate timely access to TPOXX for eligible patients. The Biden-Harris Administration will make available 50,000 patient courses of TPOXX to jurisdictions next week – nearly five times more courses than confirmed cases in the United States – to make the treatment more readily available for providers and patients. Jurisdictions will be allocated courses of TPOXX using formula based 75% on the number of cases in their jurisdiction and 25% on the number of individuals who are at the highest risk of contracting the virus, including individuals who are living with HIV or who could benefit from HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.&nbsp; This allocation is in addition to over 20,000 courses ASPR has already deployed to jurisdictions from the SNS. Since TPOXX was approved under the FDA’s Animal Rule for the treatment of smallpox based on efficacy data in animals and safety data in healthy human volunteers – &nbsp;in the absence of clinical studies in patients with MPV – it is important that this drug be used judiciously in accordance with the Expanded Access protocol and applicable treatment guidelines.

White House announces new actions to combat monkeypox 

The Federal Trade Commission is 
sending 14,521 checks totaling more than $822,000 to borrowers who lost 
money to a student loan debt-relief scheme that operated under the name 
Student Advocates.

Consumers who receive checks should cash them within 90 days, as 
indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their refund
 should call the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 
877-540-0989. The Commission never requires people to pay money or 
provide account information to get a refund.

In September 2019, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/09/ftc-takes-action-against-operators-student-loan-debt-relief-schemes-financing-company-assisted-them">FTC filed a complaint</a>
 against a student loan debt-relief scheme and the financing company 
that assisted them. The FTC alleged that the operators of Student 
Advocates, assisted by<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/172_3041_mbv_complaint_0.pdf"> Equitable Acceptance Corporation</a>,
 charged illegal upfront fees that they falsely claimed went toward 
consumers’ student loans. The defendants steered customers into 
high-interest loans to pay these fees. The FTC also alleged that the 
defendants made false promises that their services would permanently 
lower or even eliminate consumers’ student loan payments and debt 
balances. None of the money collected by the defendants was paid toward 
consumers’ student loans.

At the time the FTC filed its complaint, it also announced a 
stipulated final order with Equitable Acceptance Corporation that banned
 the company from assisting debt-relief services and violating the 
Telemarketing Sales Rule. The order also prohibited Equitable Acceptance
 from collecting any further payments from consumers who purchased these
 debt-relief services and required the company to pay monetary relief.

After more than a year of litigation, in May 2021, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/05/operators-student-loan-debt-relief-scheme-banned-providing-debt-relief-services-part-settlement-ftc">FTC announced a stipulated final order</a>
 with Student Advocates that banned the company from providing debt 
relief service, prohibited them from collecting further payments from 
consumers who purchased their debt relief services, and required them to
 pay additional monetary relief.

The FTC’s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.tableau.com%2Fprofile%2Ffederal.trade.commission%23!%2Fvizhome%2FRefunds_15797958402020%2FRefundsbyCase&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fnews-events%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2F2022%2F06%2Ffederal-trade-commission-returns-more-54-million-consumers">interactive dashboards for refund data</a>&nbsp;provide
 a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2021, Commission
 actions led to more than $472 million in refunds to consumers across 
the country, but these refunds were the result of cases resolved before 
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the Commission lacks authority
 under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going 
forward. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a>&nbsp;to restore the Commission’s ability to get money back for consumers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe Federal Trade Commission is 
sending 14,521 checks totaling more than $822,000 to borrowers who lost 
money to a student loan debt-relief scheme that operated under the name 
Student Advocates.Consumers who receive checks should cash them within 90 days, as 
indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their refund
 should call the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 
877-540-0989. The Commission never requires people to pay money or 
provide account information to get a refund.In September 2019, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/09/ftc-takes-action-against-operators-student-loan-debt-relief-schemes-financing-company-assisted-them">FTC filed a complaint</a>
 against a student loan debt-relief scheme and the financing company 
that assisted them. The FTC alleged that the operators of Student 
Advocates, assisted by<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/172_3041_mbv_complaint_0.pdf"> Equitable Acceptance Corporation</a>,
 charged illegal upfront fees that they falsely claimed went toward 
consumers’ student loans. The defendants steered customers into 
high-interest loans to pay these fees. The FTC also alleged that the 
defendants made false promises that their services would permanently 
lower or even eliminate consumers’ student loan payments and debt 
balances. None of the money collected by the defendants was paid toward 
consumers’ student loans.At the time the FTC filed its complaint, it also announced a 
stipulated final order with Equitable Acceptance Corporation that banned
 the company from assisting debt-relief services and violating the 
Telemarketing Sales Rule. The order also prohibited Equitable Acceptance
 from collecting any further payments from consumers who purchased these
 debt-relief services and required the company to pay monetary relief.After more than a year of litigation, in May 2021, the <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/05/operators-student-loan-debt-relief-scheme-banned-providing-debt-relief-services-part-settlement-ftc">FTC announced a stipulated final order</a>
 with Student Advocates that banned the company from providing debt 
relief service, prohibited them from collecting further payments from 
consumers who purchased their debt relief services, and required them to
 pay additional monetary relief.The FTC’s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.tableau.com%2Fprofile%2Ffederal.trade.commission%23!%2Fvizhome%2FRefunds_15797958402020%2FRefundsbyCase&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fnews-events%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2F2022%2F06%2Ffederal-trade-commission-returns-more-54-million-consumers">interactive dashboards for refund data</a>&nbsp;provide
 a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2021, Commission
 actions led to more than $472 million in refunds to consumers across 
the country, but these refunds were the result of cases resolved before 
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the Commission lacks authority
 under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going 
forward. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a>&nbsp;to restore the Commission’s ability to get money back for consumers.

FTC sends nearly $1M to students deceived by debt relief scam

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A child likely died from a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in an eastern Nebraska river, health officials said, making it the second such probable death in the Midwest this summer and raising the question of whether climate change is playing a role.

The Douglas County Department of Health based in Omaha, Nebraska, reported Wednesday that doctors believe the child died of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a usually fatal infection caused by the naegleria fowleri amoeba. Health officials believe the child came into contact with the amoeba on Sunday while swimming in the Elkhorn River just west of Omaha.

Officials have not released the child's identity.

Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lakes-iowa-kansas-city-missouri-1571504deedeaca56c0418e460a94a19">a Missouri resident died</a>&nbsp;of the same infection likely caused by the amoeba at Lake of Three Fires in southwestern Iowa. Iowa officials closed the lake's beach as a precaution for nearly three weeks.

People are usually infected when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose while swimming or diving into lakes and rivers. Other sources have been documented, including tainted tap water in a Houston-area city in 2020. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, progressing to a stiff neck, loss of balance, hallucinations and seizures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says naegleria fowleri infections are rare — there are about three cases in the United States every year — but that those infections are overwhelmingly fatal.

There were 154 cases reported between 1962 and 2021 in the U.S., with only four survivors, according to the CDC. Of those, 71 cases were reported between 2000 and 2021. Texas and Florida recorded the most infections with 39 and 37 cases respectively, and the amoeba is typically found in southern states because it thrives in waters that are warmer than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

But infections have migrated north in recent years, including two cases in Minnesota since 2010, Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsey Huse noted during a news conference Thursday.

“Our regions are becoming warmer,” she said. “As things warm up, the water warms up and water levels drop because of drought, you see that this organism is a lot happier and more typically grows in those situations.”

According to the National Water Information System, the surface water temperature near where the child was swimming was between 86 and 92 degrees.

Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, a researcher at the Universidad de La Laguna in the Canary Islands who has studied naegleria fowleri, said Thursday that an increase in infections since 2000 can be blamed on two factors: better knowledge and diagnosis of the disease, and the rising temperature in bodies of water providing “a perfect environment” for the amoeba to thrive.

Researcher Sutherland Maciver, who has studied the amoeba at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, says not all infections are reported and that the 430 cases that have ever been reported worldwide are almost certainly an undercount. And, he said, scientists cannot say with certainty that the Nebraska case is directly attributable to climate change.

The two researchers co-authored a paper titled “Is Naegleria fowleri an Emerging Parasite?” that examined factors behind the increase in reported cases.

Health officials recommend that freshwater swimmers plug their noses, avoid putting their heads underwater and avoid activities such as water skiing and tubing, which could force water into the nose, eyes or mouth. You cannot be infected by drinking contaminated water.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657393056107.png" alt="Naegleria fowleri amoeba- image CDC" />
 <figcaption>Naegleria fowleri amoeba- image CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A child likely died from a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in an eastern Nebraska river, health officials said, making it the second such probable death in the Midwest this summer and raising the question of whether climate change is playing a role.The Douglas County Department of Health based in Omaha, Nebraska, reported Wednesday that doctors believe the child died of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a usually fatal infection caused by the naegleria fowleri amoeba. Health officials believe the child came into contact with the amoeba on Sunday while swimming in the Elkhorn River just west of Omaha.Officials have not released the child's identity.Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lakes-iowa-kansas-city-missouri-1571504deedeaca56c0418e460a94a19">a Missouri resident died</a>&nbsp;of the same infection likely caused by the amoeba at Lake of Three Fires in southwestern Iowa. Iowa officials closed the lake's beach as a precaution for nearly three weeks.People are usually infected when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose while swimming or diving into lakes and rivers. Other sources have been documented, including tainted tap water in a Houston-area city in 2020. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, progressing to a stiff neck, loss of balance, hallucinations and seizures.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says naegleria fowleri infections are rare — there are about three cases in the United States every year — but that those infections are overwhelmingly fatal.There were 154 cases reported between 1962 and 2021 in the U.S., with only four survivors, according to the CDC. Of those, 71 cases were reported between 2000 and 2021. Texas and Florida recorded the most infections with 39 and 37 cases respectively, and the amoeba is typically found in southern states because it thrives in waters that are warmer than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.But infections have migrated north in recent years, including two cases in Minnesota since 2010, Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsey Huse noted during a news conference Thursday.“Our regions are becoming warmer,” she said. “As things warm up, the water warms up and water levels drop because of drought, you see that this organism is a lot happier and more typically grows in those situations.”According to the National Water Information System, the surface water temperature near where the child was swimming was between 86 and 92 degrees.Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, a researcher at the Universidad de La Laguna in the Canary Islands who has studied naegleria fowleri, said Thursday that an increase in infections since 2000 can be blamed on two factors: better knowledge and diagnosis of the disease, and the rising temperature in bodies of water providing “a perfect environment” for the amoeba to thrive.Researcher Sutherland Maciver, who has studied the amoeba at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, says not all infections are reported and that the 430 cases that have ever been reported worldwide are almost certainly an undercount. And, he said, scientists cannot say with certainty that the Nebraska case is directly attributable to climate change.The two researchers co-authored a paper titled “Is Naegleria fowleri an Emerging Parasite?” that examined factors behind the increase in reported cases.Health officials recommend that freshwater swimmers plug their noses, avoid putting their heads underwater and avoid activities such as water skiing and tubing, which could force water into the nose, eyes or mouth. You cannot be infected by drinking contaminated water.

Brain-eating amoeba suspected in 2nd Midwest death

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to put forward proposed redactions as he committed to making public at least part of the affidavit supporting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">the search warrant for former President Donald Trump's estate in Florida.</a>

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart gave prosecutors a week to submit a copy of the affidavit with proposed redactions for the information it wants to keep secret after the FBI seized classified and top secret information during a search at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last week.

The hearing was convened Thursday after several news organizations, including The Associated Press, sought to unseal additional records tied to last week’s search, including the affidavit. It is likely to contain key details about the Justice Department’s investigation examining whether Trump retained and mishandled classified and sensitive government records.

The Justice Department has adamantly opposed making the affidavit public, arguing that doing so would compromise its ongoing investigation, would expose the identities of witnesses and could prevent others from coming forward and cooperating with the government.

The attorneys for the news organizations, however, argued that the unprecedented nature of the Justice Department's investigation warrants public disclosure.

“You can't trust what you can't see,” said Chuck Tobin, a lawyer representing the AP and several other news outlets.

In addition to ordering the redactions, the judge agreed to make public other documents, including the warrant's cover sheet, the Justice Department's motion to seal the documents and the judge's order requiring them to be sealed.

Those documents showed the FBI was specifically investigating the “willful retention of national defense information,” the concealment or removal of government records and obstruction of a federal investigation.

Jay Bratt, a top Justice Department national security prosecutor, had argued that the affidavit should remain hidden from the public. Unsealing it, he said, would provide a “road map” of the investigation — which is in its “early stages” — and expose the next steps to be taken by federal agents and prosecutors.

He argued it was in the public interest for the investigation, including interviews of witnesses, to go forward unhindered.

As the hearing kicked off, a small caravan of vehicles with Trump flags drove past the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. An attorney for Trump, Christina Bobb, was in the courthouse Thursday but said she was only there to observe the court proceeding.

Bratt argued in court that even a redacted version of the document could reveal investigative steps or create the ability for sleuths or those being eyed in the investigation to identify witnesses in the case. He also contended that the Justice Department had already gone to rare lengths to bring transparency, including making a request for the court to unseal the warrant and property receipt, which were made public last week.

“There is heightened interest," he conceded. "This is likely an unprecedented situation.”

Trump, in a Truth Social post last week, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency.

Reinhart gave the government until next Thursday to submit its version with the proposed redactions. He said he would then review it and may meet lawyers for the government and give them a chance to make an argument for why specific information should be withheld.

Justice Department attorneys have argued in a court filings that the investigation into Trump's handling of “highly classified material” is ongoing and that the document contains sensitive information about witnesses.

A recent filing by Bratt and Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. attorney in Miami, says making the affidavit public would “cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”

“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” they wrote.

FBI agents searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Aug. 8, removing 11 sets of classified documents, with some not only marked top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information," according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">a receipt of what was taken that was released Friday.</a>&nbsp;That is a special category meant to protect the nation’s most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests. The court records did not provide specific details about information the documents might contain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660337904040.jpeg" alt="The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)" />
 <figcaption>The receipt for property that was seized during the execution of a search warrant by the FBI at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is photographed Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to put forward proposed redactions as he committed to making public at least part of the affidavit supporting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">the search warrant for former President Donald Trump's estate in Florida.</a>U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart gave prosecutors a week to submit a copy of the affidavit with proposed redactions for the information it wants to keep secret after the FBI seized classified and top secret information during a search at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last week.The hearing was convened Thursday after several news organizations, including The Associated Press, sought to unseal additional records tied to last week’s search, including the affidavit. It is likely to contain key details about the Justice Department’s investigation examining whether Trump retained and mishandled classified and sensitive government records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660644441411.png" alt="Trump, in a Truth Social post early Tuesday, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency." />
 <figcaption>Trump, in a Truth Social post early Tuesday, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Justice Department has adamantly opposed making the affidavit public, arguing that doing so would compromise its ongoing investigation, would expose the identities of witnesses and could prevent others from coming forward and cooperating with the government.The attorneys for the news organizations, however, argued that the unprecedented nature of the Justice Department's investigation warrants public disclosure.“You can't trust what you can't see,” said Chuck Tobin, a lawyer representing the AP and several other news outlets.In addition to ordering the redactions, the judge agreed to make public other documents, including the warrant's cover sheet, the Justice Department's motion to seal the documents and the judge's order requiring them to be sealed.Those documents showed the FBI was specifically investigating the “willful retention of national defense information,” the concealment or removal of government records and obstruction of a federal investigation.Jay Bratt, a top Justice Department national security prosecutor, had argued that the affidavit should remain hidden from the public. Unsealing it, he said, would provide a “road map” of the investigation — which is in its “early stages” — and expose the next steps to be taken by federal agents and prosecutors.He argued it was in the public interest for the investigation, including interviews of witnesses, to go forward unhindered.As the hearing kicked off, a small caravan of vehicles with Trump flags drove past the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. An attorney for Trump, Christina Bobb, was in the courthouse Thursday but said she was only there to observe the court proceeding.Bratt argued in court that even a redacted version of the document could reveal investigative steps or create the ability for sleuths or those being eyed in the investigation to identify witnesses in the case. He also contended that the Justice Department had already gone to rare lengths to bring transparency, including making a request for the court to unseal the warrant and property receipt, which were made public last week.“There is heightened interest," he conceded. "This is likely an unprecedented situation.”Trump, in a Truth Social post last week, called for the release of the unredacted affidavit in the interest of transparency.Reinhart gave the government until next Thursday to submit its version with the proposed redactions. He said he would then review it and may meet lawyers for the government and give them a chance to make an argument for why specific information should be withheld.Justice Department attorneys have argued in a court filings that the investigation into Trump's handling of “highly classified material” is ongoing and that the document contains sensitive information about witnesses.A recent filing by Bratt and Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. attorney in Miami, says making the affidavit public would “cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” they wrote.FBI agents searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Aug. 8, removing 11 sets of classified documents, with some not only marked top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information," according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-merrick-garland-government-and-politics-f63c018b600e1539ff3660a896a132d0">a receipt of what was taken that was released Friday.</a>&nbsp;That is a special category meant to protect the nation’s most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests. The court records did not provide specific details about information the documents might contain.

Judge appears willing to unveil some of Trump affidavit

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

Riley County teen, Mikey Silva from Randolph, is one of the top 11 teens with mullets competing in the USA Teen Mullet Championship.

Silva has been growing out his mullet for the last three years, maintaining it by getting it trimmed every eight weeks.

You can vote for Mikey in the USA Teen Mullet Championship by following <a href="https://mulletchamp.com/2022-teens-division-voting/">this link, an email address is required to vote</a>. Voting ends Friday, August 19th, 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660846608414.jpeg" alt="Mikey Silva mullet, photos courtesy Krystal Sullivan-Silva" />
 <figcaption>Mikey Silva mullet, photos courtesy Krystal Sullivan-Silva</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostRiley County teen, Mikey Silva from Randolph, is one of the top 11 teens with mullets competing in the USA Teen Mullet Championship.Silva has been growing out his mullet for the last three years, maintaining it by getting it trimmed every eight weeks.You can vote for Mikey in the USA Teen Mullet Championship by following <a href="https://mulletchamp.com/2022-teens-division-voting/">this link, an email address is required to vote</a>. Voting ends Friday, August 19th, 2022.

Kan. teen finalist in USA Mullet Championship competition

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/feds-discharge-student-loans-for-1340-nebraskans-who-attended-tech-institute/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — As part of a national 
effort to discharge student loans involving colleges that misled 
students, 1,340 Nebraskans will no longer be required to pay back their 
debts to one school.

The U.S. Department of Education announced this week that it will 
discharge all remaining federal student loans that borrowers received to
 attend ITT Technical Institute from January 2005 through the closure of
 the school in September 2016.

The discharges involve 208,000 borrowers nationwide who received a 
total of $3.9 billion in loans. The Nebraska loan forgiveness amounted 
to about $25 million.

An investigation by the federal agency found that ITT engaged in 
“years of lies and false promises” in order to profit off federal 
student loan programs, with no regard for the financial hardship it 
might create for students.

“The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to stand up for 
borrowers who’ve been cheated by their colleges, while working to 
strengthen oversight and enforcement to protect today’s students from 
similar deception and abuse,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel 
Cardona in a press release Tuesday.

The department said that&nbsp;nearly $32 billion in loan relief has been 
approved for 1.6 million borrowers since Biden became president.

Attorney General Doug Peterson, in a press release Wednesday, said 
Nebraskans who borrowed money to attend ITT do not have to take any 
further action — their federal student loans will be automatically 
cancelled by the Department of Education.

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/feds-discharge-student-loans-for-1340-nebraskans-who-attended-tech-institute/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — As part of a national 
effort to discharge student loans involving colleges that misled 
students, 1,340 Nebraskans will no longer be required to pay back their 
debts to one school.The U.S. Department of Education announced this week that it will 
discharge all remaining federal student loans that borrowers received to
 attend ITT Technical Institute from January 2005 through the closure of
 the school in September 2016.The discharges involve 208,000 borrowers nationwide who received a 
total of $3.9 billion in loans. The Nebraska loan forgiveness amounted 
to about $25 million.An investigation by the federal agency found that ITT engaged in 
“years of lies and false promises” in order to profit off federal 
student loan programs, with no regard for the financial hardship it 
might create for students.“The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to stand up for 
borrowers who’ve been cheated by their colleges, while working to 
strengthen oversight and enforcement to protect today’s students from 
similar deception and abuse,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel 
Cardona in a press release Tuesday.The department said that&nbsp;nearly $32 billion in loan relief has been 
approved for 1.6 million borrowers since Biden became president.Attorney General Doug Peterson, in a press release Wednesday, said 
Nebraskans who borrowed money to attend ITT do not have to take any 
further action — their federal student loans will be automatically 
cancelled by the Department of Education.

Feds forgive student loans for Nebraskans who attended ITT tech

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omahans-including-mayor-stothert-are-off-to-carlentini-sicily-to-advance-sister-city-friendship-bond/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 — Nearly 100 Omahans, including Mayor Jean Stothert, will be converging
 upon Carlentini, Sicily, over the next several days to advance a sister
 city connection with the motherland of many local families of Italian 
descent.

Stothert will be meeting with 
Carlentini Mayor Guiseppe Steffio, her counterpart in that Italian city 
of about 17,000, which is in the province of Syracuse, Sicily.

The two mayors in a virtual ceremony 
last September signed the official sister city “friendship” agreement, 
recognizing a century-long bond between the two communities.

Just last month, Steffio and a small 
Carlentini contingent visited Omaha to meet with various business and 
civic leaders — and to celebrate the 98th local festival honoring 
Sicily’s Christian heroine, Santa Lucia.

The event was born as Italian 
immigrants built new lives in Omaha. Early settlers such as Grazia 
Bonafede Caniglia wanted to recreate Carlentini’s annual Santa Lucia 
festival to help stay connected to heritage and traditions.

The Omaha group, while in Carlentini, in turn will be guests at that city’s 401st Santa Lucia celebration.

Omahans (some already there and 
others arriving this week and next) include members of the local Sicula 
Italia Foundation, Sons of Italy, the Santa Lucia Festival Committee and
 the American Italian Heritage Society, as well as the Omaha Sister 
Cities Association.

Many of the Omahans will be meeting 
with distant relatives, forging new partnerships and presenting gifts 
such as a painting by local artist Jeremy Caniglia. It is of Santa Lucia
 (Saint Lucy) at an olive tree with her mother, and Santa Agatha 
appearing to tell her she will be the next martyr.

Omahan Carmelita de la Guardia, whose
 family emigrated from the area, and her band will be performing at the 
festival celebration.

Carlentini immigrants began to arrive
 in Omaha more than a century ago, largely to work in railroad jobs. 
They built a community centered at Omaha’s Little Italy, south of 
downtown Omaha.

Sheri Kanger of the nonprofit Sicula 
Italia Foundation said nearly 100 Omaha area residents will be visiting 
Carlentini for the festival and to connect with their roots.

Stothert said in a statement that she
 will pay her travel expenses and would not spend taxpayer dollars. She 
leaves for Italy on Friday and is to return to the U.S. on Sept. 10.

“Sister cities build relationships 
that better our city, our country and our world,” Stothert said. “I am 
proud to serve as the honorary chair of the association and represent 
our great city.”

Omaha, under its Sister Cities 
Association flag, has established six sister cities in addition to 
Carlentini and one other “friendship” city. The relationships provides 
opportunities for cultural, educational and business partnerships and 
exchanges.

The six sister cities are Shizouka, 
Japan; Siauliai, Lithuania; Yantai, China; Braunschweig, Germany; Naas, 
Ireland; and Xalapa, Mexico.

The other friendship city is a region along the Normandy coast of France that includes Omaha Beach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660839916723.png" alt="Santa Lucia statue at the festival ‘s overnight adoration, where devotees take shifts guarding her until the Sunday worship service at St. Frances Cabrini Church. (Courtesy of Charlie Venditte) " />
 <figcaption>Santa Lucia statue at the festival ‘s overnight adoration, where devotees take shifts guarding her until the Sunday worship service at St. Frances Cabrini Church. (Courtesy of Charlie Venditte) </figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omahans-including-mayor-stothert-are-off-to-carlentini-sicily-to-advance-sister-city-friendship-bond/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 — Nearly 100 Omahans, including Mayor Jean Stothert, will be converging
 upon Carlentini, Sicily, over the next several days to advance a sister
 city connection with the motherland of many local families of Italian 
descent.Stothert will be meeting with 
Carlentini Mayor Guiseppe Steffio, her counterpart in that Italian city 
of about 17,000, which is in the province of Syracuse, Sicily.The two mayors in a virtual ceremony 
last September signed the official sister city “friendship” agreement, 
recognizing a century-long bond between the two communities.Just last month, Steffio and a small 
Carlentini contingent visited Omaha to meet with various business and 
civic leaders — and to celebrate the 98th local festival honoring 
Sicily’s Christian heroine, Santa Lucia.The event was born as Italian 
immigrants built new lives in Omaha. Early settlers such as Grazia 
Bonafede Caniglia wanted to recreate Carlentini’s annual Santa Lucia 
festival to help stay connected to heritage and traditions.The Omaha group, while in Carlentini, in turn will be guests at that city’s 401st Santa Lucia celebration.<h2>Omahans to perform for Carlentini</h2>Omahans (some already there and 
others arriving this week and next) include members of the local Sicula 
Italia Foundation, Sons of Italy, the Santa Lucia Festival Committee and
 the American Italian Heritage Society, as well as the Omaha Sister 
Cities Association.Many of the Omahans will be meeting 
with distant relatives, forging new partnerships and presenting gifts 
such as a painting by local artist Jeremy Caniglia. It is of Santa Lucia
 (Saint Lucy) at an olive tree with her mother, and Santa Agatha 
appearing to tell her she will be the next martyr.Omahan Carmelita de la Guardia, whose
 family emigrated from the area, and her band will be performing at the 
festival celebration.Carlentini immigrants began to arrive
 in Omaha more than a century ago, largely to work in railroad jobs. 
They built a community centered at Omaha’s Little Italy, south of 
downtown Omaha.Sheri Kanger of the nonprofit Sicula 
Italia Foundation said nearly 100 Omaha area residents will be visiting 
Carlentini for the festival and to connect with their roots.<h2>Mayor to pay her bill</h2>Stothert said in a statement that she
 will pay her travel expenses and would not spend taxpayer dollars. She 
leaves for Italy on Friday and is to return to the U.S. on Sept. 10.“Sister cities build relationships 
that better our city, our country and our world,” Stothert said. “I am 
proud to serve as the honorary chair of the association and represent 
our great city.”Omaha, under its Sister Cities 
Association flag, has established six sister cities in addition to 
Carlentini and one other “friendship” city. The relationships provides 
opportunities for cultural, educational and business partnerships and 
exchanges.The six sister cities are Shizouka, 
Japan; Siauliai, Lithuania; Yantai, China; Braunschweig, Germany; Naas, 
Ireland; and Xalapa, Mexico.The other friendship city is a region along the Normandy coast of France that includes Omaha Beach.

Nebraska contingent off to Sicilian sister city

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/17/nebraska-loses-distinction-as-least-bicycle-friendly-state-in-the-union/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska is no longer at the end of the pack as the nation’s least friendly state for bicyclists.

A new ranking by the League of American Bicyclists now places the Cornhusker State 49th out of 50 states.

Nebraska had been ranked 50th since 2017.

“We have a long way to go,” said Julie Harris, executive director of Bike Walk Nebraska.

She jokingly attributed the state’s ascension from the bike-friendly basement to “pity.”

Neighboring Wyoming now ranks as the nation’s least-friendly state 
for bicyclists. The top bike friendly states are Massachusetts, Oregon 
and Washington.

The <a target="_blank" href="https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Nebraska.pdf">League of Bicyclists ranks states</a> on factors such as infrastructure, policies, education and traffic laws.

Nebraska got its top grade, a “B,” for “traffic laws and practices.” 
Harris said the passage of a state law in 2017, which gave bicyclists 
the same legal protections as pedestrians when in a crosswalk, boosted 
that score. Safety, she said, has been an emphasis area for Bike Walk 
Nebraska.

The state’s worst grades were an “F+” for infrastructure and funding and an “F” for education and encouragement.

The League of Bicyclists noted that Nebraska was one of only eight 
states that have never adopted a statewide bike plan, doesn’t utilize a 
“Complete Streets” strategy to include commuting on bicycles as part of 
its planning process and doesn’t make “bicycle safety an emphasis area” 
in its strategic highway planning. The state also&nbsp;lacks design standards
 for dedicated bike lanes, for instance.

“We just don’t check those boxes,” Harris said, adding that her 
association continues to work with the Nebraska Department of 
Transportation to adopt road designs with bike safety in mind.

Jeni Campana, a spokeswoman for NDOT, said that while the state 
doesn’t have a formal state bike plan, bicyclists were considered in the
 new, 20-year comprehensive transportation plan completed last year.

“It is on our radar,” Campana said. “Is this something we spent a ton on time on 20 years ago, probably not.&nbsp;Are we spending more time on it now, absolutely.”

The NDOT, she said, has an interactive state bike map on its website.
 The department has made accommodations in the design of the South 
Beltway south of Lincoln to accommodate future bicycle trail 
construction in that area.

Harris, of Bike Walk Nebraska, added that the group helped persuade 
the NDOT to install girders alongside a new U.S. 75 bridge spanning the 
Platte River near Plattsmouth so that a bike lane can be added later.

The agency also agreed, she said, to provide gaps in “rumble strips” 
along new state highways so that if bicyclists have to get off the 
shoulder and onto the highway, they have safer paths to do that.

She said the rankings were likely made before the Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts and <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/03/legislators-urged-to-invest-in-completing-recreation-trails-across-nebraska/">allocated $8.3 million</a> of the state’s $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/26/downed-trees-deep-ravines-among-obstacles-for-hike-bike-trail-linking-omaha-and-lincoln/"> finish a missing link in a bike-hike trail</a> between Omaha and Lincoln.

Perhaps that extra funding might have improved Nebraska’s ranking 
slightly, Harris said. South Dakota, Mississippi and Oklahoma rank just 
above Nebraska in the bottom five.

Nebraska’s rating might be low, according to Harris, because the 
state has fewer hard-core bicyclists than do other states. Only 0.3% of 
the state’s commuters do so via bicycle, according to the League of 
American Bicyclists.

Harris said surveys show that about 60% of people would bike but are 
afraid due to the lack of safe routes. She said the cities of Omaha and 
Lincoln have good bike-hike trail systems, but they often aren’t 
incorporated into a complete transportation plan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660830497535.png" alt="Matt Rechmeyer of Lincoln and his brother Drew, of Omaha, pedal down Nebraska Highway 1 near Murdock — one of the alternative routes used by bicyclists because of a missing link in trails from Omaha and Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Matt Rechmeyer of Lincoln and his brother Drew, of Omaha, pedal down Nebraska Highway 1 near Murdock — one of the alternative routes used by bicyclists because of a missing link in trails from Omaha and Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/17/nebraska-loses-distinction-as-least-bicycle-friendly-state-in-the-union/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska is no longer at the end of the pack as the nation’s least friendly state for bicyclists.A new ranking by the League of American Bicyclists now places the Cornhusker State 49th out of 50 states.Nebraska had been ranked 50th since 2017.“We have a long way to go,” said Julie Harris, executive director of Bike Walk Nebraska.She jokingly attributed the state’s ascension from the bike-friendly basement to “pity.”Neighboring Wyoming now ranks as the nation’s least-friendly state 
for bicyclists. The top bike friendly states are Massachusetts, Oregon 
and Washington.<h2>Several factors go into ranking</h2>The <a target="_blank" href="https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Nebraska.pdf">League of Bicyclists ranks states</a> on factors such as infrastructure, policies, education and traffic laws.Nebraska got its top grade, a “B,” for “traffic laws and practices.” 
Harris said the passage of a state law in 2017, which gave bicyclists 
the same legal protections as pedestrians when in a crosswalk, boosted 
that score. Safety, she said, has been an emphasis area for Bike Walk 
Nebraska.The state’s worst grades were an “F+” for infrastructure and funding and an “F” for education and encouragement.The League of Bicyclists noted that Nebraska was one of only eight 
states that have never adopted a statewide bike plan, doesn’t utilize a 
“Complete Streets” strategy to include commuting on bicycles as part of 
its planning process and doesn’t make “bicycle safety an emphasis area” 
in its strategic highway planning. The state also&nbsp;lacks design standards
 for dedicated bike lanes, for instance.“We just don’t check those boxes,” Harris said, adding that her 
association continues to work with the Nebraska Department of 
Transportation to adopt road designs with bike safety in mind.Jeni Campana, a spokeswoman for NDOT, said that while the state 
doesn’t have a formal state bike plan, bicyclists were considered in the
 new, 20-year comprehensive transportation plan completed last year.<h2>‘On our radar’</h2>“It is on our radar,” Campana said. “Is this something we spent a ton on time on 20 years ago, probably not.&nbsp;Are we spending more time on it now, absolutely.”The NDOT, she said, has an interactive state bike map on its website.
 The department has made accommodations in the design of the South 
Beltway south of Lincoln to accommodate future bicycle trail 
construction in that area.Harris, of Bike Walk Nebraska, added that the group helped persuade 
the NDOT to install girders alongside a new U.S. 75 bridge spanning the 
Platte River near Plattsmouth so that a bike lane can be added later.The agency also agreed, she said, to provide gaps in “rumble strips” 
along new state highways so that if bicyclists have to get off the 
shoulder and onto the highway, they have safer paths to do that.<h2>$8.3 million allocated</h2>She said the rankings were likely made before the Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts and <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/03/legislators-urged-to-invest-in-completing-recreation-trails-across-nebraska/">allocated $8.3 million</a> of the state’s $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/26/downed-trees-deep-ravines-among-obstacles-for-hike-bike-trail-linking-omaha-and-lincoln/"> finish a missing link in a bike-hike trail</a> between Omaha and Lincoln.Perhaps that extra funding might have improved Nebraska’s ranking 
slightly, Harris said. South Dakota, Mississippi and Oklahoma rank just 
above Nebraska in the bottom five.Nebraska’s rating might be low, according to Harris, because the 
state has fewer hard-core bicyclists than do other states. Only 0.3% of 
the state’s commuters do so via bicycle, according to the League of 
American Bicyclists.Harris said surveys show that about 60% of people would bike but are 
afraid due to the lack of safe routes. She said the cities of Omaha and 
Lincoln have good bike-hike trail systems, but they often aren’t 
incorporated into a complete transportation plan.

Nebraska no longer least ‘bicycle friendly’ state in the union

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the nation's top public health agency on Wednesday announced a shake-up of the organization, saying it fell short responding to COVID-19 and needs to become more nimble.

The planned changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC leaders call it a “reset”— come amid criticism of the agency's response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>, monkeypox and other public health threats. The changes include internal staffing moves and steps to speed up data releases.

The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.

“I feel like it's my my responsibility to lead this agency to a better place after a really challenging three years,” Walensky told The Associated Press.

The Atlanta-based agency, with a $12 billion budget and more than 11,000 employees, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. It’s customary for each CDC director to do some reorganizing, but Walensky’s action comes amid a wider demand for change.

The agency has long been criticized as too ponderous, focusing on collection and analysis of data but not acting quickly against new health threats. Public unhappiness with the agency grew dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts said the CDC was slow to recognize how much virus was entering the U.S. from Europe, to recommend people wear masks, to say the virus can spread through the air, and to ramp up systematic testing for new variants.

“We saw during COVID that CDC’s structures, frankly, weren’t designed to take in information, digest it and disseminate it to the public at the speed necessary,” said Jason Schwartz, a health policy researcher at the Yale School of Public Health.

Walensky, who became director in January 2021, has long said the agency has to move faster and communicate better, but stumbles have continued during her tenure. In April, she called for an in-depth review of the agency, which resulted in the announced changes.

"It’s not lost on me that we fell short in many ways” responding to the coronavirus, Walensky said. "We had some pretty public mistakes, and so much of this effort was to hold up the mirror ... to understand where and how we could do better."

Her reorganization proposal must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. CDC officials say they hope to have a full package of changes finalized, approved and underway by early next year.

Some changes still are being formulated, but steps announced Wednesday include:

—Increasing use of preprint scientific reports to get out actionable data, instead of waiting for research to go through peer review and publication by the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

—Restructuring the agency's communications office and further revamping CDC websites to make the agency's guidance for the public more clear and easier to find.

—Altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses to a minimum of six months — an effort to address a turnover problem that at times caused knowledge gaps and affected the agency’s communications.

—Creation of a new executive council to help Walensky set strategy and priorities.

—Appointing Mary Wakefield as senior counselor to implement the changes. Wakefield headed the Health Resources and Services Administration during the Obama administration and also served as the No. 2 administrator at HHS. Wakefield, 68, started Monday.

—Altering the agency's organization chart to undo some changes made during the Trump administration.

—Establishing an office of intergovernmental affairs to smooth partnerships with other agencies, as well as a higher-level office on health equity.

Walensky also said she intends to “get rid of some of the reporting layers that exist, and I'd like to work to break down some of the silos." She did not say exactly what that may entail, but emphasized that the overall changes are less about redrawing the organization chart than rethinking how the CDC does business and motivates staff.

“This will not be simply moving boxes" on the organization chart, she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637359841305.png" alt="The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the nation's top public health agency on Wednesday announced a shake-up of the organization, saying it fell short responding to COVID-19 and needs to become more nimble.The planned changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC leaders call it a “reset”— come amid criticism of the agency's response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>, monkeypox and other public health threats. The changes include internal staffing moves and steps to speed up data releases.The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.“I feel like it's my my responsibility to lead this agency to a better place after a really challenging three years,” Walensky told The Associated Press.The Atlanta-based agency, with a $12 billion budget and more than 11,000 employees, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. It’s customary for each CDC director to do some reorganizing, but Walensky’s action comes amid a wider demand for change.The agency has long been criticized as too ponderous, focusing on collection and analysis of data but not acting quickly against new health threats. Public unhappiness with the agency grew dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts said the CDC was slow to recognize how much virus was entering the U.S. from Europe, to recommend people wear masks, to say the virus can spread through the air, and to ramp up systematic testing for new variants.“We saw during COVID that CDC’s structures, frankly, weren’t designed to take in information, digest it and disseminate it to the public at the speed necessary,” said Jason Schwartz, a health policy researcher at the Yale School of Public Health.Walensky, who became director in January 2021, has long said the agency has to move faster and communicate better, but stumbles have continued during her tenure. In April, she called for an in-depth review of the agency, which resulted in the announced changes."It’s not lost on me that we fell short in many ways” responding to the coronavirus, Walensky said. "We had some pretty public mistakes, and so much of this effort was to hold up the mirror ... to understand where and how we could do better."Her reorganization proposal must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. CDC officials say they hope to have a full package of changes finalized, approved and underway by early next year.Some changes still are being formulated, but steps announced Wednesday include:—Increasing use of preprint scientific reports to get out actionable data, instead of waiting for research to go through peer review and publication by the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.—Restructuring the agency's communications office and further revamping CDC websites to make the agency's guidance for the public more clear and easier to find.—Altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses to a minimum of six months — an effort to address a turnover problem that at times caused knowledge gaps and affected the agency’s communications.—Creation of a new executive council to help Walensky set strategy and priorities.—Appointing Mary Wakefield as senior counselor to implement the changes. Wakefield headed the Health Resources and Services Administration during the Obama administration and also served as the No. 2 administrator at HHS. Wakefield, 68, started Monday.—Altering the agency's organization chart to undo some changes made during the Trump administration.—Establishing an office of intergovernmental affairs to smooth partnerships with other agencies, as well as a higher-level office on health equity.Walensky also said she intends to “get rid of some of the reporting layers that exist, and I'd like to work to break down some of the silos." She did not say exactly what that may entail, but emphasized that the overall changes are less about redrawing the organization chart than rethinking how the CDC does business and motivates staff.“This will not be simply moving boxes" on the organization chart, she said.Schwartz said flaws in the federal response go beyond the CDC, because the White House and other agencies were heavily involved.A CDC reorganization is a positive step but “I hope it's not the end of the story,” Schwartz said. He would like to see "a broader accounting” of how the federal government handles health crises.