WASHINGTON&nbsp; — President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect access to abortion, delivering impassioned remarks condemning the Supreme Court decision that ended that constitutional right.&nbsp; Biden on Friday formalized instructions to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to push back on efforts to limit the ability of women to access federally approved abortion medication or to travel across state lines to access clinical abortion services.

On Sunday, Biden said he is also considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”

(Click below to watch the President's statement)

According to a statement from the White House, President Biden's Executive Order Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services builds on the actions his Administration has already taken to defend reproductive rights by:

SAFEGUARDING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES The President has directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the following actions and submit a report to him within 30 days on efforts to:

PROTECTING PATIENT PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION The President’s Executive Order takes additional steps to protect patient privacy, including by addressing the transfer and sales of sensitive health-related data, combatting digital surveillance related to reproductive health care services, and protecting people seeking reproductive health care from inaccurate information, fraudulent schemes, or deceptive practices.&nbsp; The Executive Order will:

PROMOTING SAFETY AND SECURITY The Executive Order addresses the heightened risk related to seeking and providing reproductive health care and will:

COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS To ensure the Federal government takes a swift and coordinated approach to addressing reproductive rights and protecting access to reproductive health care, the President’s Executive Order will:

EXECUTIVE ORDER BUILDS ON ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS TO PROTECT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE In addition to the actions announced today, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken the following steps to protect access to reproductive health care and defend reproductive rights in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in&nbsp;Dobbs.&nbsp; On the day of the decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/24/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-supreme-court-decision-to-overturn-roe-v-wade/">the President strongly denounced the decision</a>&nbsp;as an affront to women’s fundamental rights and the right to choose In addition to action mentioned above, the Biden-Harris Administration is:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657303025087.png" alt="&nbsp; Biden on Friday formalized instructions to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to push back on efforts to limit the ability of women to access federally approved abortion medication or to travel across state lines to access clinical abortion services." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Biden on Friday formalized instructions to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to push back on efforts to limit the ability of women to access federally approved abortion medication or to travel across state lines to access clinical abortion services.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp; — President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect access to abortion, delivering impassioned remarks condemning the Supreme Court decision that ended that constitutional right.&nbsp; Biden on Friday formalized instructions to the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to push back on efforts to limit the ability of women to access federally approved abortion medication or to travel across state lines to access clinical abortion services.On Sunday, Biden said he is also considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”(Click below to watch the President's statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1466732500453144%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1010" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div> According to a statement from the White House, President Biden's Executive Order Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services builds on the actions his Administration has already taken to defend reproductive rights by:<ul>
 <li>Safeguarding access to reproductive health care services, including abortion and contraception; </li><li>Protecting the privacy of patients and their access to accurate information; </li><li>Promoting the safety and security of patients, providers, and clinics; and </li><li>Coordinating the implementation of Federal efforts to protect reproductive rights and access to health care.</li>
 </ul><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today I signed an Executive Order to protect the reproductive rights of women in the aftermath of the Supreme Court&#39;s extreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. It formalizes the actions I announced right after the decision and will add new measures to protect women&#39;s health. <a href="https://t.co/cujWTnxKvw">pic.twitter.com/cujWTnxKvw</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1545447455558406145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>SAFEGUARDING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES The President has directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the following actions and submit a report to him within 30 days on efforts to:<ul>
 <li>Protect Access to Medication Abortion.&nbsp; HHS will take additional action to protect and expand access to abortion care, including access to medication that the FDA approved as safe and effective over twenty years ago. These actions will build on the steps the Secretary of HHS has already taken at the President’s direction following the decision to ensure that medication abortion is as widely accessible as possible. </li><li>Ensure Emergency Medical Care.&nbsp; HHS will take steps to ensure all patients – including pregnant women and those experiencing pregnancy loss – have access to the full rights and protections for emergency medical care afforded under the law, including by considering updates to current guidance that clarify physician responsibilities and protections under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).&nbsp; </li><li>Protect Access to Contraception.&nbsp; HHS will take additional actions to expand access to the full range of reproductive health services, including family planning services and providers, such as access to emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraception like intrauterine devices (IUDs). &nbsp;In all fifty states and the District of Columbia, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling, for individuals and covered dependents. The Secretary of HHS has already directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take every legally available step to ensure patient access to family planning care and to protect family planning providers. </li><li>Launch Outreach and Public Education Efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;HHS will increase outreach and public education efforts regarding access to reproductive health care services—including abortion—to ensure that Americans have access to reliable and accurate information about their rights and access to care. </li><li>Convene Volunteer Lawyers.&nbsp; The Attorney General and the White House Counsel will convene private pro bono attorneys, bar associations, and public interest organizations to encourage robust legal representation of patients, providers, and third parties lawfully seeking or offering reproductive health care services throughout the country.&nbsp; Such representation could include protecting the right to travel out of state to seek medical care. Immediately following the Supreme Court decision, the President announced his Administration’s position that Americans must remain free to travel safely to another state to seek the care they need, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-statement-supreme-court-ruling-dobbs-v-jackson-women-s">the Attorney General made clear in his statement</a>, and his commitment to fighting any attack by a state or local official who attempts to interfere with women exercising this right.</li>
 </ul><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today’s Executive Order represents the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to defending a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health care decisions, free from government interference. <a href="https://t.co/lkQsU22tkT">pic.twitter.com/lkQsU22tkT</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1545539307812814849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>PROTECTING PATIENT PRIVACY AND ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION The President’s Executive Order takes additional steps to protect patient privacy, including by addressing the transfer and sales of sensitive health-related data, combatting digital surveillance related to reproductive health care services, and protecting people seeking reproductive health care from inaccurate information, fraudulent schemes, or deceptive practices.&nbsp; The Executive Order will:<ul>
 <li>Protect Consumers from Privacy Violations and Fraudulent and Deceptive Practices.&nbsp; The President has asked the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission to consider taking steps to protect consumers’ privacy when seeking information about and provision of reproductive health care services.&nbsp; The President also has directed the Secretary of HHS, in consultation with the Attorney General and Chair of the FTC, to consider options to address deceptive or fraudulent practices, including online, and protect access to accurate information.</li><li>Protect Sensitive Health Information.&nbsp; HHS will consider additional actions, including under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to better protect sensitive information related to reproductive health care. The Secretary of HHS has already directed the HHS Office for Civil Rights to take initial steps to ensure patient privacy and nondiscrimination of patients, as well as providers who provide reproductive health care, including by: Issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/phi-reproductive-health/index.html">new guidance</a>&nbsp;to address how the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individuals’ protected health information, including information related to reproductive health care. The guidance helps ensure doctors and other medical providers and health plans know that, with limited exceptions, they are not required – and in many cases, are not permitted – to disclose patients’ private information, including to law enforcement.&nbsp; Issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/cell-phone-hipaa/index.html">a how-to guide</a>&nbsp;for consumers on steps they can take to make sure they’re protecting their personal data on mobile apps.</li><li>Issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/phi-reproductive-health/index.html">new guidance</a>&nbsp;to address how the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individuals’ protected health information, including information related to reproductive health care. The guidance helps ensure doctors and other medical providers and health plans know that, with limited exceptions, they are not required – and in many cases, are not permitted – to disclose patients’ private information, including to law enforcement.&nbsp; </li><li>Issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/cell-phone-hipaa/index.html">a how-to guide</a>&nbsp;for consumers on steps they can take to make sure they’re protecting their personal data on mobile apps.</li>
 </ul>PROMOTING SAFETY AND SECURITY The Executive Order addresses the heightened risk related to seeking and providing reproductive health care and will:<ul>
 <li>Protect Patients, Providers, and Clinics.&nbsp; The Administration will ensure the safety of patients, providers, and third parties, and to protect the security of other entities that are providing, dispensing, or delivering reproductive health care services.&nbsp; This charge includes efforts to protect mobile clinics, which have been deployed to borders to offer care for out-of-state patients.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS To ensure the Federal government takes a swift and coordinated approach to addressing reproductive rights and protecting access to reproductive health care, the President’s Executive Order will:<ul>
 <li>Establish an Interagency Task Force.&nbsp; The President has directed HHS and the White House Gender Policy Council to establish and lead an interagency Task Force on Reproductive Health Care Access, responsible for coordinating Federal interagency policymaking and program development.&nbsp; This Task Force will also include the Attorney General.&nbsp; In addition, the Attorney General will provide technical assistance to states affording legal protection to out-of-state patients as well as providers who offer legal reproductive health care.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>EXECUTIVE ORDER BUILDS ON ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS TO PROTECT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE In addition to the actions announced today, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken the following steps to protect access to reproductive health care and defend reproductive rights in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in&nbsp;Dobbs.&nbsp; On the day of the decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/24/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-supreme-court-decision-to-overturn-roe-v-wade/">the President strongly denounced the decision</a>&nbsp;as an affront to women’s fundamental rights and the right to choose In addition to action mentioned above, the Biden-Harris Administration is:<ul>
 <li>Supporting Providers and Clinics.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Secretary of HHS directed all HHS agencies to ensure that all HHS-funded providers and clinics have appropriate training and resources to handle family planning needs, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/06/30/hhs-announces-new-grants-to-bolster-family-planner-provider-training.html">announced nearly $3 million in new funding</a>&nbsp;to bolster training and technical assistance for the nationwide network of Title X family planning providers. </li><li>Promoting Access to Accurate Information.&nbsp; On the day of the Supreme Court’s decision, HHS launched&nbsp;<a href="https://reproductiverights.gov/">ReproductiveRights.gov</a>, which provides timely and accurate information about reproductive rights and access to reproductive health care.&nbsp; This includes know-your-rights information for patients and providers and promoting awareness of and access to family planning services, as well as guidance for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html">how to file a patient privacy or nondiscrimination complaint</a>&nbsp;with its Office for Civil Rights.&nbsp; </li><li>Providing Leave&nbsp;for Federal Workers Traveling for Medical Care.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Office of Personnel Management&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/sick-leave-faqs.pdf">issued guidance</a>&nbsp;affirming that paid sick leave can be taken to cover absences for travel to obtain reproductive health care. </li><li>Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services for Service members, DoD Civilians, and Military Families.&nbsp; The Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memo to the Force, DoD civilians and military families on ensuring access to essential women’s health care services. The memo reiterates that the Department will continue to provide seamless access to reproductive healthcare for military and civilian patients, as permitted by federal law.&nbsp; Military providers will continue to fulfill their duty to care for Service members, military dependents and civilian personnel who require pregnancy termination in the cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.</li>
 </ul>

🎥 Here’s what’s in Biden’s executive order on abortion rights

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

LINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln said they have made an arrest in connection to a bank robbery.

Police said on July 6 at around 12:15 p.m., officers responded to a holdup alarm at US Bank, 2640 Ticonderoga Blvd.

Police said bank employees reported that a man had entered the bank and stated that he wanted to make a withdrawal. He then allegedly handed the teller a note demanding money.

Police said the man was given an undisclosed amount of cash before he left the bank.

Through follow-up investigation, police said they identified the suspect as Michael McNeil, 29, of Lincoln.

On Saturday, at around 6:50 p.m., officers contacted McNeil in a traffic stop near 27th St. and Cornhusker Highway.

McNeil was arrested without incident and jailed at the Lancaster County Jail on suspicion of robbery, a Class II felony.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657559696500.png" alt="McNeil" />
 <figcaption>McNeil</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln said they have made an arrest in connection to a bank robbery.Police said on July 6 at around 12:15 p.m., officers responded to a holdup alarm at US Bank, 2640 Ticonderoga Blvd.Police said bank employees reported that a man had entered the bank and stated that he wanted to make a withdrawal. He then allegedly handed the teller a note demanding money.Police said the man was given an undisclosed amount of cash before he left the bank.Through follow-up investigation, police said they identified the suspect as Michael McNeil, 29, of Lincoln.On Saturday, at around 6:50 p.m., officers contacted McNeil in a traffic stop near 27th St. and Cornhusker Highway.McNeil was arrested without incident and jailed at the Lancaster County Jail on suspicion of robbery, a Class II felony.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YjPkNdLXriDu0-t84r0xPt2VJJSuBxlcLBlZnIDJ0l-QZ6h_fv1Om4eBB8zl_TKVHuGjGy0f0VteVuQfqhABiYoqIYpaQCrqRwHGLY-i9aPfAepqHr2oKHMdxxVa-zS8E1slZCRfLJBYVGY4vg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Lincoln police make arrest in robbery of US Bank branch

By EUGENE KOWEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/11/cybersecurity-is-national-security/">Courtesy Nebraska Examiner</a>

Whether 
you live in Omaha, Scottsbluff or points in between, one thing is clear —
 the cyber threat to our businesses, farms, food processing facilities, 
local governments and communities in Nebraska is increasing 
exponentially. Today’s cyber threats are more pervasive, hit a wider 
variety of victims and carry the potential for greater damage than ever 
before. From our offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and North 
Platte, the FBI works to detect, deter and disrupt malicious cyber 
activity by proactively working with Nebraska companies and 
organizations, engaging with victims and imposing risk and consequences 
on cyber adversaries.

FBI special agents, computer scientists and 
intelligence analysts in Nebraska are ready to provide local expertise 
to victims upon notice of an incident. Partnership with and rapid 
notification from the private sector is crucial to ensuring our safety, 
security and confidence in a digitally connected world.

For 113 years, the FBI has stood shoulder to
 shoulder with state, local and federal partners to combat the major 
criminal and national security threats. The cyber threat is no 
different. The FBI is combating the cyber threat using lessons learned 
from our fight against terrorism after 9/11: &nbsp;Our mantra is prevention 
and disruption — hitting hackers before or during their attacks.

The threat is only increasing. We saw Solar 
Winds supply chain attacks by the Russian foreign intelligence service 
in 2020, the Chinese government’s Microsoft Exchange Server intrusions 
in 2021 and ransomware attacks against the energy sector, major food 
processors and customers of managed service providers. These are just a 
small sampling of the high-profile attacks that have occurred recently. 
We have seen thousands of incidents targeting businesses and other 
victims in our state, the rest of the country and around the globe.

But we need your help. We can prevail only 
with the help of the business community. Most of the infrastructure, 
innovation, information and systems we strive to defend lives in the 
private sector. That is where our adversaries strike and where the 
intelligence we need often comes from.

To successfully combat our adversaries, it 
is essential that we have the benefit of the private sector’s insight, 
knowledge, experience and threat reporting. We must work together 
against the threats affecting businesses. Combining the FBI’s 
intelligence with what the private sector is seeing puts businesses and 
infrastructure in a better security posture before an incident occurs.

Cyber is one of the FBI’s highest 
priorities. Our strategy is multifaceted. First, we’re taking aim at the
 actors. Working with our foreign partners, we identify who’s 
responsible and then hit them with every lawful tool available: 
relentlessly seeking to extradite them to the U.S. to face justice and 
arming our partners in other countries with the evidence to arrest and 
prosecute them abroad. Second, we target their technical infrastructure 
by seizing or disabling their servers, domain and botnets and disrupting
 their operations. Third, we’re going after their

money. We trace many virtual currency 
transactions back to bad actors. Where we can, we’re seizing funds or 
shutting down illicit currency exchanges.

One of the most important actions you or 
your business can take in preparing for cyber security incidents, before
 an incident occurs, is developing a relationship with your local FBI 
office. 
Make a cyber incident response plan and includes us in that plan. In the
 event you do suffer an intrusion, report the compromise early to us at 
402-493-8688.

Early FBI engagement is critical to success.
 It allows us and our federal partners to provide the highest level of 
support. When the FBI quickly engages with a company, we’re able to 
share indicators that help network defenders identify malicious activity
 and intelligence about the actors that inform a company’s 
decision-making during a crisis. As the cyber threat has evolved over 
the past 20 years, one thing has remained the same: The FBI is at the 
center of acting on cyber threat information to provide support to 
victims and impose costs on cyber criminals. It’s what we do best.

Eugene Kowel joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005. He now serves as the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Omaha field office, which covers Iowa and Nebraska.

By EUGENE KOWEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/11/cybersecurity-is-national-security/">Courtesy Nebraska Examiner</a>Whether 
you live in Omaha, Scottsbluff or points in between, one thing is clear —
 the cyber threat to our businesses, farms, food processing facilities, 
local governments and communities in Nebraska is increasing 
exponentially. Today’s cyber threats are more pervasive, hit a wider 
variety of victims and carry the potential for greater damage than ever 
before. From our offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and North 
Platte, the FBI works to detect, deter and disrupt malicious cyber 
activity by proactively working with Nebraska companies and 
organizations, engaging with victims and imposing risk and consequences 
on cyber adversaries.FBI special agents, computer scientists and 
intelligence analysts in Nebraska are ready to provide local expertise 
to victims upon notice of an incident. Partnership with and rapid 
notification from the private sector is crucial to ensuring our safety, 
security and confidence in a digitally connected world.For 113 years, the FBI has stood shoulder to
 shoulder with state, local and federal partners to combat the major 
criminal and national security threats. The cyber threat is no 
different. The FBI is combating the cyber threat using lessons learned 
from our fight against terrorism after 9/11: &nbsp;Our mantra is prevention 
and disruption — hitting hackers before or during their attacks.The threat is only increasing. We saw Solar 
Winds supply chain attacks by the Russian foreign intelligence service 
in 2020, the Chinese government’s Microsoft Exchange Server intrusions 
in 2021 and ransomware attacks against the energy sector, major food 
processors and customers of managed service providers. These are just a 
small sampling of the high-profile attacks that have occurred recently. 
We have seen thousands of incidents targeting businesses and other 
victims in our state, the rest of the country and around the globe.But we need your help. We can prevail only 
with the help of the business community. Most of the infrastructure, 
innovation, information and systems we strive to defend lives in the 
private sector. That is where our adversaries strike and where the 
intelligence we need often comes from.To successfully combat our adversaries, it 
is essential that we have the benefit of the private sector’s insight, 
knowledge, experience and threat reporting. We must work together 
against the threats affecting businesses. Combining the FBI’s 
intelligence with what the private sector is seeing puts businesses and 
infrastructure in a better security posture before an incident occurs.Cyber is one of the FBI’s highest 
priorities. Our strategy is multifaceted. First, we’re taking aim at the
 actors. Working with our foreign partners, we identify who’s 
responsible and then hit them with every lawful tool available: 
relentlessly seeking to extradite them to the U.S. to face justice and 
arming our partners in other countries with the evidence to arrest and 
prosecute them abroad. Second, we target their technical infrastructure 
by seizing or disabling their servers, domain and botnets and disrupting
 their operations. Third, we’re going after theirmoney. We trace many virtual currency 
transactions back to bad actors. Where we can, we’re seizing funds or 
shutting down illicit currency exchanges.One of the most important actions you or 
your business can take in preparing for cyber security incidents, before
 an incident occurs, is developing a relationship with your local FBI 
office. 
Make a cyber incident response plan and includes us in that plan. In the
 event you do suffer an intrusion, report the compromise early to us at 
402-493-8688.Early FBI engagement is critical to success.
 It allows us and our federal partners to provide the highest level of 
support. When the FBI quickly engages with a company, we’re able to 
share indicators that help network defenders identify malicious activity
 and intelligence about the actors that inform a company’s 
decision-making during a crisis. As the cyber threat has evolved over 
the past 20 years, one thing has remained the same: The FBI is at the 
center of acting on cyber threat information to provide support to 
victims and impose costs on cyber criminals. It’s what we do best.Eugene Kowel joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005. He now serves as the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Omaha field office, which covers Iowa and Nebraska.

COMMENTARY: Cybersecurity is national security

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday he is considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?521592-1/president-biden-remarks-protestors-dobbs-v-jackson-decision">Click here to watch</a> the President's comments

He also offered a message to people enraged by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's ruling</a>&nbsp;last month that ended a constitutional right to abortion and who have been demonstrating across the country: “Keep protesting. Keep making your point. It's critically important."

The president, in remarks to reporters during a stop on a bike ride near his family's Delaware beach house, said he lacks the power to force the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">dozen-plus states with strict restrictions or outright bans on abortion</a>&nbsp;to allow the procedure.

“I don’t have the authority to say that we’re going to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court's decision from 1973 that had established a national right to abortion. Biden said Congress would have to codify that right and for that to have a better chance in the future, voters would have to elect more lawmakers who support abortion access.

Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women” after the ruling, including considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources. Such a move has been pushed by advocates, but White House officials have questioned both its legality and effectiveness, and noted it would almost certainly face legal challenges.

The president said he has asked officials “to look at whether I have the authority to do that and what impact that would have.”

On Friday, Jen Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said it “didn't seem like a great option.”

“When we looked at the public health emergency, we learned a couple things: One is that it doesn’t free very many resources," she told reporters. “It’s what’s in the public health emergency fund, and there’s very little money — tens of thousands of dollars in it. So that didn’t seem like a great option. And it also doesn’t release a significant amount of legal authority. And so that’s why we haven’t taken that action yet.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657500474660.png" alt="President&nbsp;Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women." -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President&nbsp;Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women." -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday he is considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?521592-1/president-biden-remarks-protestors-dobbs-v-jackson-decision">Click here to watch</a> the President's commentsHe also offered a message to people enraged by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's ruling</a>&nbsp;last month that ended a constitutional right to abortion and who have been demonstrating across the country: “Keep protesting. Keep making your point. It's critically important."The president, in remarks to reporters during a stop on a bike ride near his family's Delaware beach house, said he lacks the power to force the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">dozen-plus states with strict restrictions or outright bans on abortion</a>&nbsp;to allow the procedure.“I don’t have the authority to say that we’re going to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court's decision from 1973 that had established a national right to abortion. Biden said Congress would have to codify that right and for that to have a better chance in the future, voters would have to elect more lawmakers who support abortion access.Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women” after the ruling, including considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources. Such a move has been pushed by advocates, but White House officials have questioned both its legality and effectiveness, and noted it would almost certainly face legal challenges.The president said he has asked officials “to look at whether I have the authority to do that and what impact that would have.”On Friday, Jen Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said it “didn't seem like a great option.”“When we looked at the public health emergency, we learned a couple things: One is that it doesn’t free very many resources," she told reporters. “It’s what’s in the public health emergency fund, and there’s very little money — tens of thousands of dollars in it. So that didn’t seem like a great option. And it also doesn’t release a significant amount of legal authority. And so that’s why we haven’t taken that action yet.”___

🎥 Biden considering a health emergency for abortion access

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, a pharmaceutical company has asked for permission to sell a birth control pill over the counter in the U.S.

HRA Pharma’s application on Monday sets up a high-stakes decision for health regulators amid legal and political battles over women’s reproductive health. The company says the timing was unrelated to the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">recent decision</a>&nbsp;overturning Roe v. Wade.

Hormone-based pills have long been the most common form of birth control in the U.S., used by millions of women since the 1960s. They have always required a prescription, generally so health professionals can screen for conditions that raise the risk of rare, but dangerous, blood clots.

The French drugmaker’s application compiles years of research intended to convince the Food and Drug Administration that women can safely screen themselves for those risks and use the pill effectively.

“For a product that has been available for the last 50 years, that has been used safely by millions of women, we thought it was time to make it more available,” said Frederique Welgryn, HRA’s chief strategy officer.

An FDA approval could come next year and would only apply to HRA’s pill, which would be sold under its original brand name, Opill. The company acquired the decades-old drug from Pfizer in 2014, but it's not currently marketed in the U.S.

Reproductive rights advocates want to see other prescription contraceptives move over the counter and, eventually, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">abortion pills</a>&nbsp;to do the same.

That potential for a precedent-setting decision once again places the FDA under an intense political spotlight.

Late last year, the agency was condemned by abortion opponents and praised by women's rights advocates when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-health-medication-a6634601a37fb048aecdd9f030e0863a">loosened access</a>&nbsp;to abortion pills. The agency faced similar political pressures in 2006 when it approved over-the-counter use of the emergency contraception pill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d9f6803fe7b7afcd164be8eb4edfce8e">Plan B</a>.

Many conservative groups stress they are only interested in curtailing abortion, and state bans often explicitly exclude contraception.

Even before Monday’s announcement, Democratic lawmakers were calling on the FDA to swiftly consider any such requests.

“We urge FDA to review applications for over-the-counter birth control pills without delay and based solely on the data,” said more than 50 members of the House's Pro-Choice Caucus in a March letter.

Many common medications have made the switch from behind the pharmacy counter, including drugs for pain relief, heartburn and allergies.

In each case, companies must show that consumers can understand the drug's labeling, evaluate its risks and use it safely and effectively without professional supervision. HRA spent seven years conducting the FDA-required studies, including a trial that followed 1,000 women taking its pill for six months.

Behind the company’s efforts is a coalition of women’s health researchers and advocates who have worked for nearly two decades to make contraceptives more accessible, especially to groups with less access to health care.

The Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group helped fund some of HRA’s research and is mobilizing support behind a media campaign dubbed Free the Pill.

“A lot of our research has been about making the case to help inspire and support a company to take this work on,” said Kelly Blanchard, president of Ibis Reproductive Health, a group member that supports abortion and contraceptive access.

Birth control pills are available without a prescription across much of South America, Asia and Africa. Last year, Paris-based HRA won U.K. approval for the first birth control pill available there without a prescription.

Advocates were particularly interested in HRA's drug because they say it's likely to raise fewer safety concerns.

The pill contains a single synthetic hormone, progestin, which prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from the cervix.

Most birth control pills contain progestin plus estrogen, which can help make periods lighter and more regular. Progestin-only pills are generally recommended for women who can’t take the more popular combination pills due to health issues.

But estrogen also accounts for most of the blood clot risk associated with oral contraceptives. FDA's labeling warns against their use in certain women already at risk for heart problems, such as those who smoke and are over 35.

For most women, the drugs are overwhelmingly safe. For every 10,000 women taking combination pills annually, three to nine will suffer a blood clot, according to FDA data. That compares with one to five clots among 10,000 women who aren’t taking birth control.

And medical professionals point out that blood clot rates are much higher in women who become pregnant, when hormone levels and reduced blood flow increase clotting risk.

“What I definitely see is a misunderstanding of the dangers of these pills. It is much safer to take the pill than to be pregnant” said Dr. Maura Quinlan, a Northwestern University physician and member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She was not involved in HRA's application or research.

The medical association supports unrestricted access too all hormone-based contraceptives over the counter. Last month, the nation’s largest physician group, the American Medical Association, endorsed making birth control pills available for over-the-counter purchase without an age requirement.

Diana Zuckerman of the nonprofit National Center for Health Research says comparing the safety risks of the pills with pregnancy is not the right approach.

Many women take birth control pills to regulate their periods or reduce bleeding, said Zuckerman, whose group evaluates medical research. “Those are real benefits, but they are not worth the risk of potentially fatal blood clots,” she said.

The FDA has long monitored the safety of oral contraceptives, updating their warnings over the years.

Last year, the agency placed a hold on a study by drugmaker Cadence Health, which has also been working on an over-the-counter pill. The agency told the company to conduct additional blood pressure checks of trial participants. The company says it is “working to overcome this regulatory hurdle.”

The FDA is required to hold a public meeting to evaluate HRA’s application before making a decision. Safety considerations are likely to take center stage.

Executives at HRA, which is owned by Perrigo Co., expect a decision in the first half of 2023.

Advocates hope it will be the first of many.

“Once we see the approval of this product, it will demonstrate that it’s possible and that the data is strong,” Blanchard said. “Hopefully we’ll see the process speed up from here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657541157725.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, a pharmaceutical company has asked for permission to sell a birth control pill over the counter in the U.S.HRA Pharma’s application on Monday sets up a high-stakes decision for health regulators amid legal and political battles over women’s reproductive health. The company says the timing was unrelated to the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">recent decision</a>&nbsp;overturning Roe v. Wade.Hormone-based pills have long been the most common form of birth control in the U.S., used by millions of women since the 1960s. They have always required a prescription, generally so health professionals can screen for conditions that raise the risk of rare, but dangerous, blood clots.The French drugmaker’s application compiles years of research intended to convince the Food and Drug Administration that women can safely screen themselves for those risks and use the pill effectively.“For a product that has been available for the last 50 years, that has been used safely by millions of women, we thought it was time to make it more available,” said Frederique Welgryn, HRA’s chief strategy officer.An FDA approval could come next year and would only apply to HRA’s pill, which would be sold under its original brand name, Opill. The company acquired the decades-old drug from Pfizer in 2014, but it's not currently marketed in the U.S.Reproductive rights advocates want to see other prescription contraceptives move over the counter and, eventually, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">abortion pills</a>&nbsp;to do the same.That potential for a precedent-setting decision once again places the FDA under an intense political spotlight.Late last year, the agency was condemned by abortion opponents and praised by women's rights advocates when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-health-medication-a6634601a37fb048aecdd9f030e0863a">loosened access</a>&nbsp;to abortion pills. The agency faced similar political pressures in 2006 when it approved over-the-counter use of the emergency contraception pill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d9f6803fe7b7afcd164be8eb4edfce8e">Plan B</a>.Many conservative groups stress they are only interested in curtailing abortion, and state bans often explicitly exclude contraception.Even before Monday’s announcement, Democratic lawmakers were calling on the FDA to swiftly consider any such requests.“We urge FDA to review applications for over-the-counter birth control pills without delay and based solely on the data,” said more than 50 members of the House's Pro-Choice Caucus in a March letter.Many common medications have made the switch from behind the pharmacy counter, including drugs for pain relief, heartburn and allergies.In each case, companies must show that consumers can understand the drug's labeling, evaluate its risks and use it safely and effectively without professional supervision. HRA spent seven years conducting the FDA-required studies, including a trial that followed 1,000 women taking its pill for six months.Behind the company’s efforts is a coalition of women’s health researchers and advocates who have worked for nearly two decades to make contraceptives more accessible, especially to groups with less access to health care.The Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group helped fund some of HRA’s research and is mobilizing support behind a media campaign dubbed Free the Pill.“A lot of our research has been about making the case to help inspire and support a company to take this work on,” said Kelly Blanchard, president of Ibis Reproductive Health, a group member that supports abortion and contraceptive access.Birth control pills are available without a prescription across much of South America, Asia and Africa. Last year, Paris-based HRA won U.K. approval for the first birth control pill available there without a prescription.Advocates were particularly interested in HRA's drug because they say it's likely to raise fewer safety concerns.The pill contains a single synthetic hormone, progestin, which prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from the cervix.Most birth control pills contain progestin plus estrogen, which can help make periods lighter and more regular. Progestin-only pills are generally recommended for women who can’t take the more popular combination pills due to health issues.But estrogen also accounts for most of the blood clot risk associated with oral contraceptives. FDA's labeling warns against their use in certain women already at risk for heart problems, such as those who smoke and are over 35.For most women, the drugs are overwhelmingly safe. For every 10,000 women taking combination pills annually, three to nine will suffer a blood clot, according to FDA data. That compares with one to five clots among 10,000 women who aren’t taking birth control.And medical professionals point out that blood clot rates are much higher in women who become pregnant, when hormone levels and reduced blood flow increase clotting risk.“What I definitely see is a misunderstanding of the dangers of these pills. It is much safer to take the pill than to be pregnant” said Dr. Maura Quinlan, a Northwestern University physician and member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She was not involved in HRA's application or research.The medical association supports unrestricted access too all hormone-based contraceptives over the counter. Last month, the nation’s largest physician group, the American Medical Association, endorsed making birth control pills available for over-the-counter purchase without an age requirement.Still, support is not universal.Diana Zuckerman of the nonprofit National Center for Health Research says comparing the safety risks of the pills with pregnancy is not the right approach.Many women take birth control pills to regulate their periods or reduce bleeding, said Zuckerman, whose group evaluates medical research. “Those are real benefits, but they are not worth the risk of potentially fatal blood clots,” she said.The FDA has long monitored the safety of oral contraceptives, updating their warnings over the years.Last year, the agency placed a hold on a study by drugmaker Cadence Health, which has also been working on an over-the-counter pill. The agency told the company to conduct additional blood pressure checks of trial participants. The company says it is “working to overcome this regulatory hurdle.”The FDA is required to hold a public meeting to evaluate HRA’s application before making a decision. Safety considerations are likely to take center stage.Executives at HRA, which is owned by Perrigo Co., expect a decision in the first half of 2023.Advocates hope it will be the first of many.“Once we see the approval of this product, it will demonstrate that it’s possible and that the data is strong,” Blanchard said. “Hopefully we’ll see the process speed up from here.”

Over-the-counter birth control? Drugmaker seeks FDA approval

Prime Day has become a summer event, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/seattle/profile/ecommerce/amazoncom-1296-7039385" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (a BBB Accredited Business) isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts on July 12 and 13, 2022. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/competing-prime-day-sales" target="_blank">Walmart, Target, Kohl's and many other companies</a>
 are running their own sales. More deals are great for consumers, and 
more people out shopping is great for businesses large and small.&nbsp; Just 
be careful, and don't get so caught up in excitement that you fall for 
phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.

Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21203-scam-alert-phishing-emails-target-shoppers-with-post-holiday-offer" target="_blank">Phishing scams increase</a>
 during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you
 are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what 
you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for
 a phishing scam posing as a big name store.&nbsp;

Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These 
messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is
 a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or 
give up your personal information. One recent phishing con claims to be <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account</a>. This ruse is meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.

Beware of false advertising and phony websites.&nbsp;When
 searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point
 to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at 
first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look 
more closely at the URL, you’ll notice that the domain name is slightly 
different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be 
PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).

Always make sure websites use the correct business name spelling and 
have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, 
use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be 
selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably
 a con.

Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day: 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBPrime Day has become a summer event, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/seattle/profile/ecommerce/amazoncom-1296-7039385" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (a BBB Accredited Business) isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts on July 12 and 13, 2022. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/competing-prime-day-sales" target="_blank">Walmart, Target, Kohl's and many other companies</a>
 are running their own sales. More deals are great for consumers, and 
more people out shopping is great for businesses large and small.&nbsp; Just 
be careful, and don't get so caught up in excitement that you fall for 
phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.<h2>Scams to look out for: </h2>Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21203-scam-alert-phishing-emails-target-shoppers-with-post-holiday-offer" target="_blank">Phishing scams increase</a>
 during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you
 are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what 
you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for
 a phishing scam posing as a big name store.&nbsp;Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These 
messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is
 a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or 
give up your personal information. One recent phishing con claims to be <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account</a>. This ruse is meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.Beware of false advertising and phony websites.&nbsp;When
 searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point
 to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at 
first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look 
more closely at the URL, you’ll notice that the domain name is slightly 
different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be 
PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).Always make sure websites use the correct business name spelling and 
have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, 
use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be 
selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably
 a con.<h2>Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day: </h2><ul>
 <li>Beware of fake lookalike websites: Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, <a href="https://lookup.icann.org/" target="_blank">research the age of the domain</a>, search for contact information, and read online reviews. </li><li>Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer.&nbsp;Scammers often steal photos off other websites, so don’t believe what you see. &nbsp; </li><li>Make sure the website is secure.&nbsp;Look
 for the “HTTPS” in the URL (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and a small 
lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal 
information into a website with only “HTTP.” It is NOT secure. </li><li>Be careful purchasing sought-after products. If 
something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great 
deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the most popular 
products at low prices.&nbsp;Here’s <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23422-bbb-scam-alert-fake-deals-on-gaming-consoles-trick-holiday-shoppers" target="_blank">one example involving game consoles</a>. </li><li>Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make 
online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up 
later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card 
company. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13038-how-to-avoid-digital-wallet-scams-on-paypal-venmo-and-other-services" target="_blank">digital wallet apps</a>, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.&nbsp; </li><li>After you buy, stay alert for scams. Scammers spoof various phone numbers and pretend to be Amazon support. Read how <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">phony Amazon callers are phishing for your info</a>.</li>
 </ul>

Prime Day a prime day for online scammers

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline plunged 19 cents over the past two weeks to $4.86 per gallon.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that the continued decline comes as crude oil costs also fall.

“Assuming oil prices do not shoot up from here, motorists may see prices drop another 10-20 cents as the oil price cuts continue making their way to street level,” Lundberg said in a statement.

The average price at the pump is down 24 cents over the past month, but it's $1.66 higher than it was one year ago.

Nationwide, the highest average price for regular-grade gas was in the San Francisco Bay Area, at $6.14 per gallon. The lowest average was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at $4.19 per gallon.

According to the survey, the average price of diesel dropped 13 cents since June 24 to $5.76 a gallon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628344445340.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ASSOCIATED PRESSCAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline plunged 19 cents over the past two weeks to $4.86 per gallon.Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that the continued decline comes as crude oil costs also fall.“Assuming oil prices do not shoot up from here, motorists may see prices drop another 10-20 cents as the oil price cuts continue making their way to street level,” Lundberg said in a statement.The average price at the pump is down 24 cents over the past month, but it's $1.66 higher than it was one year ago.Nationwide, the highest average price for regular-grade gas was in the San Francisco Bay Area, at $6.14 per gallon. The lowest average was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at $4.19 per gallon.According to the survey, the average price of diesel dropped 13 cents since June 24 to $5.76 a gallon.

Average US gasoline price falls 19 cents to $4.86 per gallon

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-07-08/how-an-increasingly-brutal-kansas-climate-threatens-cattles-health-and-ranchers-livelihoods">Kansas News Service</a>

Rancher Scott Whiting heard stories about all kinds of extreme weather growing up in western Kansas.

Blizzards,
 dry spells and heat waves commonly peppered the tales his parents and 
grandparents told about the land the family has lived on in Lane County 
for nearly 150 years.

So he knew that trying to shield cattle from the elements came with the job.

“It’s just a brutal area,” Whiting said. “It’s a land of extremes”

But the combination of dangerous weather conditions that struck the region last month — killing <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-16/days-of-intense-heat-have-killed-thousands-of-cattle-in-kansas" target="_blank">thousands of cattle</a> — took those extremes to another level.

Daytime high temperatures jumped from the mid-60s to well over 100 
degrees in a matter of days, accompanied by unusually high humidity and 
calm winds. The seasons changed from cool spring to hot summer so 
quickly that a lot of Whiting’s cattle didn’t even have a chance to shed
 their long, thick winter coats.

He watched as some of them 
climbed into their drinking water tanks — something he’d never seen them
 do before — as they desperately tried to cool off.

“It’s one of 
those deals where you hope for the best,” Whiting said. “There’s not a 
whole lot you can do. … It was just a worst-case scenario.”

As forecasts point to a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/summer2022outlook" target="_blank">warmer-than-average summer</a> and climate change turns up <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/energy-and-environment/2021-06-29/hotter-nights-from-climate-change-will-mean-worse-harvests-for-kansas-farmers" target="_blank">nighttime temperatures</a>, heat stress among the state’s millions of cattle continues to be a growing concern.

Ranching makes up the largest share of the state’s agriculture industry — generating nearly <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-marketing/county-ag-stats/2021-state-of-kansas.pdf?sfvrsn=467097c1_0" target="_blank">$9 billion per year</a>,
 compared to just over $5 billion from Kansas grain farming. So finding 
ways to keep cattle cool in a warming climate is also critical to the 
state’s economy.

It’s not just heat that makes a given day’s weather dangerous for cattle.

Chip Redmond, a meteorologist with the statewide climate monitoring system<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, said humidity, wind speed and sun exposure can all be just as vital in determining how potentially deadly conditions may be.

That’s why the Mesonet puts out an <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/#mtIndex=0&amp;tab=chart-tab" target="_blank">animal comfort index</a>
 — similar to a heat index for humans. It takes all of those factors 
into account and tells livestock owners when and where the conditions 
are most dangerous.

“Anything over 105 (on the comfort index),” 
Redmond said, “you could expect potentially up to 5% losses of outdoor 
livestock, if they’re not taken care of.”

Timing matters. That’s a big part of what made the heat wave that killed thousands of Kansas cattle last month so extraordinary.

After enjoying a few weeks of cool weather in late May and early June, temperatures shot up rapidly. That meant two things.

First, the cattle didn’t have time to acclimate to those warmer temperatures.

Secondly, the moist air that accompanied the cool spring weather didn’t have time to clear out before the heat quickly moved in.

So almost overnight, cattle went from mild weather to a Great Plains steam bath.

“You
 had that overlap of about 24, 36, even 48 hours where you had that 
humidity still present with the high temperatures,” Redmond said. 
“That’s got the potential to be more dangerous.”

So contrary to conspiracy theories peddled on social media that the cattle were purposefully killed by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-kansas-cattle/fact-check-death-of-kansas-cattle-in-june-2022-caused-by-extreme-temperatures-officials-and-industry-say-idUSL1N2Y71GK" target="_blank">Bill Gates</a> or government <a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/extreme-heat-killed-cattle-in-kansas-not-chemtrails-or-a-food-shortage-scheme/" target="_blank">chemtrails</a>,
 it was simply the wrong weather at the wrong time. Redmond’s team is 
now researching past weather events that caused mass cattle die-offs in 
Kansas to see if they can find common threads between those disasters 
and the one that happened last month.

And while the extraordinary 
combination of factors that created that event are unlikely to repeat 
this summer, Redmond sees another trend that could still put Kansas 
cattle at risk: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200930194912.htm" target="_blank">rising nighttime temperatures</a> driven by climate change.

Dodge City experienced its warmest overnight minimum temperature ever last month. The low of 83 degrees on June 13th was the city’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1536701402667331585" target="_blank">highest in recorded history</a> dating back nearly 150 years.

Research shows that average overnight lows in Wichita steadily rose by <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/graphic/2021-summer-package?graphicSet=Summer+Nights/Minimum+Temperature&amp;location=Wichita+Area&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">2.7 degrees</a> from 1970 to 2020

When
 it doesn’t cool off overnight, Redmond said, that robs cattle of their 
only chance to recover from the heat of the day. And that could make 
heat stress an even bigger problem in the coming years.

“Those 
warmer overnight temperatures will be your biggest factor,” Redmond 
said. “When we keep warmer temperatures at night, that usually infers 
more humidity, and additional humidity with warmer temperatures usually 
leads to increased stress.”

Heat stress fueled by climate change already costs the American cattle industry up to <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/06/agriculture-cattle-heat-stress-abatement.html" target="_blank">$370 million</a>
 each year. A recent Cornell University study found that if global 
temperatures continue rising, heat stress could cost the world’s cattle 
producers <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220310143737.htm" target="_blank">$40 billion a year</a> by the end of this century.

And even if heat-stressed cattle avoid death, they could still experience other <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00002-X/fulltext#%20" target="_blank">lingering effects</a> such as low weight gain, poor milk production or fertility problems. That could <a href="https://academic.oup.com/af/article/9/1/3/5272569" target="_blank">further endanger</a> fragile global food systems that are already being <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/kansas-failing-wheat-crops/" target="_blank">strained</a> by a changing climate.

Dr.
 Erika Nagorske, a livestock veterinarian who partners with the national
 agriculture group Farmers Business Network, said heat stress is one of 
the top concerns among the producers she deals with in southwest 
Minnesota.

“It’s definitely always on our mind in the agriculture industry,” Nagorske said, “especially this time of year.”

While cattle are adaptable creatures, she said, rising nighttime temperatures pose a particularly grave threat.

“We’ve
 raised cattle in this part of the world and in Kansas for a very long 
time,” Nagorske said. “But where it becomes problematic is when it 
doesn’t cool off at night, when there’s just never a break.”

There’s not much ranchers can do to cool the night air, but Nagorske said there are several <a href="https://fbn.showpad.com/share/PmpnRqAOq1bCj2ateM9YU" target="_blank">practical steps</a> they could take to limit the risk to their herd.

But the most critical thing cattle producers can do is provide plenty of water.

The
 amount of water cattle drink doubles from winter to summer. On a hot 
day, Nagorske said, a 1,500-pound steer could drink up to 30 gallons — 
roughly enough to fill a bathtub.

At his ranch in Lane County, Whiting said his cattle made it through 
the extreme June weather, shed their winter hair and have now adjusted 
to the recent 100-degree temperatures.

“Events like that have happened before. They're gonna happen again,” Whiting said. “You just gotta keep on ranching.”

But he is already taking steps to prepare for future western Kansas heat.

He
 tries to have a few days worth of water on hand at all times, just in 
case one of his well pumps breaks down. Sometimes, he sets up sprinklers
 that run droplets of water over the cattle.

He’s also begun 
transitioning his herd from Black Angus cattle to other breeds that have
 lighter coloring. Research has shown that cattle with black hair are 
especially vulnerable to the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268237498_Impact_of_Hair_Color_on_Thermoregulation_of_Dairy_Cows_to_Direct_Sunlight" target="_blank">effects of heat stress</a> from sun radiation, just like a person who wears a black shirt on a hot day.

Whiting's main concern going forward is how the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-08/western-kansas-wheat-crops-are-failing-just-when-the-world-needs-them-most" target="_blank">ongoing drought</a>
 in western Kansas has stunted and shriveled the grass on his pasture. 
If the animals don’t get enough nutrition to stay strong, that could 
make them more vulnerable to the next heat wave.

And if the wrong 
weather conditions combine again like they did last month, he knows that
 protecting them from it might be out of his control.

“You go to every extreme you can think of,” Whiting said, “but sometimes nature can be pretty cruel.”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294704657.png" alt="Cattle drink at a water trough in rural Kiowa County east of Dodge City. The amount of water cattle need to drink doubles from winter to summer, up to 30 gallons a day per animal, in order to avoid heat stress. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Cattle drink at a water trough in rural Kiowa County east of Dodge City. The amount of water cattle need to drink doubles from winter to summer, up to 30 gallons a day per animal, in order to avoid heat stress. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-07-08/how-an-increasingly-brutal-kansas-climate-threatens-cattles-health-and-ranchers-livelihoods">Kansas News Service</a>Rancher Scott Whiting heard stories about all kinds of extreme weather growing up in western Kansas.Blizzards,
 dry spells and heat waves commonly peppered the tales his parents and 
grandparents told about the land the family has lived on in Lane County 
for nearly 150 years.So he knew that trying to shield cattle from the elements came with the job.“It’s just a brutal area,” Whiting said. “It’s a land of extremes”But the combination of dangerous weather conditions that struck the region last month — killing <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-16/days-of-intense-heat-have-killed-thousands-of-cattle-in-kansas" target="_blank">thousands of cattle</a> — took those extremes to another level.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Forecast Cattle Comfort expected to reach &quot;Extreme&quot; across much of Kansas today. Take precautions and monitor real-time data here: <a href="https://t.co/A9gCaByviJ">https://t.co/A9gCaByviJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4JCCSWtrX">pic.twitter.com/T4JCCSWtrX</a>&mdash; Kansas Mesonet (@ksmesonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet/status/1537448529228095489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Daytime high temperatures jumped from the mid-60s to well over 100 
degrees in a matter of days, accompanied by unusually high humidity and 
calm winds. The seasons changed from cool spring to hot summer so 
quickly that a lot of Whiting’s cattle didn’t even have a chance to shed
 their long, thick winter coats.He watched as some of them 
climbed into their drinking water tanks — something he’d never seen them
 do before — as they desperately tried to cool off.“It’s one of 
those deals where you hope for the best,” Whiting said. “There’s not a 
whole lot you can do. … It was just a worst-case scenario.”As forecasts point to a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/summer2022outlook" target="_blank">warmer-than-average summer</a> and climate change turns up <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/energy-and-environment/2021-06-29/hotter-nights-from-climate-change-will-mean-worse-harvests-for-kansas-farmers" target="_blank">nighttime temperatures</a>, heat stress among the state’s millions of cattle continues to be a growing concern.Ranching makes up the largest share of the state’s agriculture industry — generating nearly <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-marketing/county-ag-stats/2021-state-of-kansas.pdf?sfvrsn=467097c1_0" target="_blank">$9 billion per year</a>,
 compared to just over $5 billion from Kansas grain farming. So finding 
ways to keep cattle cool in a warming climate is also critical to the 
state’s economy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294796412.png" alt="Cattle congregate at a feedlot in Garden City, just north of where thousands died during recent extreme weather in southwest Kansas. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Cattle congregate at a feedlot in Garden City, just north of where thousands died during recent extreme weather in southwest Kansas. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>No reliefIt’s not just heat that makes a given day’s weather dangerous for cattle.Chip Redmond, a meteorologist with the statewide climate monitoring system<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, said humidity, wind speed and sun exposure can all be just as vital in determining how potentially deadly conditions may be.That’s why the Mesonet puts out an <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/#mtIndex=0&amp;tab=chart-tab" target="_blank">animal comfort index</a>
 — similar to a heat index for humans. It takes all of those factors 
into account and tells livestock owners when and where the conditions 
are most dangerous.“Anything over 105 (on the comfort index),” 
Redmond said, “you could expect potentially up to 5% losses of outdoor 
livestock, if they’re not taken care of.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Extremely high cattle stress this weekend in southwest Kansas. Historical/real-time data here: <a href="https://t.co/hOrMOzBTN4">https://t.co/hOrMOzBTN4</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/OQZOh9PX4n">pic.twitter.com/OQZOh9PX4n</a>&mdash; Kansas Mesonet (@ksmesonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet/status/1536406366079811584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Timing matters. That’s a big part of what made the heat wave that killed thousands of Kansas cattle last month so extraordinary.After enjoying a few weeks of cool weather in late May and early June, temperatures shot up rapidly. That meant two things.First, the cattle didn’t have time to acclimate to those warmer temperatures.Secondly, the moist air that accompanied the cool spring weather didn’t have time to clear out before the heat quickly moved in.So almost overnight, cattle went from mild weather to a Great Plains steam bath.“You
 had that overlap of about 24, 36, even 48 hours where you had that 
humidity still present with the high temperatures,” Redmond said. 
“That’s got the potential to be more dangerous.”So contrary to conspiracy theories peddled on social media that the cattle were purposefully killed by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-kansas-cattle/fact-check-death-of-kansas-cattle-in-june-2022-caused-by-extreme-temperatures-officials-and-industry-say-idUSL1N2Y71GK" target="_blank">Bill Gates</a> or government <a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/extreme-heat-killed-cattle-in-kansas-not-chemtrails-or-a-food-shortage-scheme/" target="_blank">chemtrails</a>,
 it was simply the wrong weather at the wrong time. Redmond’s team is 
now researching past weather events that caused mass cattle die-offs in 
Kansas to see if they can find common threads between those disasters 
and the one that happened last month.And while the extraordinary 
combination of factors that created that event are unlikely to repeat 
this summer, Redmond sees another trend that could still put Kansas 
cattle at risk: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200930194912.htm" target="_blank">rising nighttime temperatures</a> driven by climate change.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294866542.png" alt="This graph shows how overnight low temperatures have steadily risen in central Kansas over the past 50 years, potentially robbing cattle of their chance to recover from daytime heat stress. Climate Central" />
 <figcaption>This graph shows how overnight low temperatures have steadily risen in central Kansas over the past 50 years, potentially robbing cattle of their chance to recover from daytime heat stress. Climate Central</figcaption>
 </figure>Dodge City experienced its warmest overnight minimum temperature ever last month. The low of 83 degrees on June 13th was the city’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1536701402667331585" target="_blank">highest in recorded history</a> dating back nearly 150 years.Research shows that average overnight lows in Wichita steadily rose by <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/graphic/2021-summer-package?graphicSet=Summer+Nights/Minimum+Temperature&amp;location=Wichita+Area&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">2.7 degrees</a> from 1970 to 2020When
 it doesn’t cool off overnight, Redmond said, that robs cattle of their 
only chance to recover from the heat of the day. And that could make 
heat stress an even bigger problem in the coming years.“Those 
warmer overnight temperatures will be your biggest factor,” Redmond 
said. “When we keep warmer temperatures at night, that usually infers 
more humidity, and additional humidity with warmer temperatures usually 
leads to increased stress.”‘Nature can be pretty cruel’Heat stress fueled by climate change already costs the American cattle industry up to <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/06/agriculture-cattle-heat-stress-abatement.html" target="_blank">$370 million</a>
 each year. A recent Cornell University study found that if global 
temperatures continue rising, heat stress could cost the world’s cattle 
producers <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220310143737.htm" target="_blank">$40 billion a year</a> by the end of this century.And even if heat-stressed cattle avoid death, they could still experience other <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00002-X/fulltext#%20" target="_blank">lingering effects</a> such as low weight gain, poor milk production or fertility problems. That could <a href="https://academic.oup.com/af/article/9/1/3/5272569" target="_blank">further endanger</a> fragile global food systems that are already being <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/kansas-failing-wheat-crops/" target="_blank">strained</a> by a changing climate.Dr.
 Erika Nagorske, a livestock veterinarian who partners with the national
 agriculture group Farmers Business Network, said heat stress is one of 
the top concerns among the producers she deals with in southwest 
Minnesota.“It’s definitely always on our mind in the agriculture industry,” Nagorske said, “especially this time of year.”While cattle are adaptable creatures, she said, rising nighttime temperatures pose a particularly grave threat.“We’ve
 raised cattle in this part of the world and in Kansas for a very long 
time,” Nagorske said. “But where it becomes problematic is when it 
doesn’t cool off at night, when there’s just never a break.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Warmer-than-normal temperatures, especially at night, can cause heat stress to develop rapidly in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/livestock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#livestock</a>. The <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ksmesonet</a> has an Animal Comfort tool that helps track heat stress values at each location throughout the state. Check it out here: <a href="https://t.co/nOhCKanO0z">https://t.co/nOhCKanO0z</a> <a href="https://t.co/sX25hgs4Me">pic.twitter.com/sX25hgs4Me</a>&mdash; K-State Agronomy (@KStateAgron) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateAgron/status/1538879340087087105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>There’s not much ranchers can do to cool the night air, but Nagorske said there are several <a href="https://fbn.showpad.com/share/PmpnRqAOq1bCj2ateM9YU" target="_blank">practical steps</a> they could take to limit the risk to their herd.<ul>
 <li>A
 cattle’s stomach generates a lot of internal heat, so feeding them 
during cooler nighttime hours can allow them to digest without 
overheating. There is also a variety of <a href="https://www.scahealth.com/p/ultracruz-calf-electrolyte-formula-cattle-supplement;jsessionid=Oe3Z0DydilFhMaF6qI5EUe2kYPPMY5P2JdQ76Yf4ndMb1TI7xgBq!-57602360!1657216711837" target="_blank">electrolyte</a> <a href="https://formafeed.com/faf-products/hydro-lac/" target="_blank">products</a> that can be added to feed — basically Gatorade for cattle — to help prevent dehydration.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Giving
 cattle access to mounds or hills — elevated spots where the breeze is 
likely to be a few miles per hour stronger — offers them opportunities 
to regulate their temperature.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Controlling flies lets cattle feel comfortable to spread out, which cools them down more than bunching up.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>In
 a region that doesn’t have many trees, cattle crowding close together 
under bits of scarce shade can block the breeze and raise their body 
temperatures. So Nagorske said installing a shade shelter might help.</li>
 </ul>But the most critical thing cattle producers can do is provide plenty of water.The
 amount of water cattle drink doubles from winter to summer. On a hot 
day, Nagorske said, a 1,500-pound steer could drink up to 30 gallons — 
roughly enough to fill a bathtub.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294939227.png" alt="This animal comfort index map from Kansas Mesonet offers ranchers real-time data about the danger of heat stress where they live." />
 <figcaption>This animal comfort index map from Kansas Mesonet offers ranchers real-time data about the danger of heat stress where they live.</figcaption>
 </figure>At his ranch in Lane County, Whiting said his cattle made it through 
the extreme June weather, shed their winter hair and have now adjusted 
to the recent 100-degree temperatures.“Events like that have happened before. They're gonna happen again,” Whiting said. “You just gotta keep on ranching.”But he is already taking steps to prepare for future western Kansas heat.He
 tries to have a few days worth of water on hand at all times, just in 
case one of his well pumps breaks down. Sometimes, he sets up sprinklers
 that run droplets of water over the cattle.He’s also begun 
transitioning his herd from Black Angus cattle to other breeds that have
 lighter coloring. Research has shown that cattle with black hair are 
especially vulnerable to the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268237498_Impact_of_Hair_Color_on_Thermoregulation_of_Dairy_Cows_to_Direct_Sunlight" target="_blank">effects of heat stress</a> from sun radiation, just like a person who wears a black shirt on a hot day.Whiting's main concern going forward is how the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-08/western-kansas-wheat-crops-are-failing-just-when-the-world-needs-them-most" target="_blank">ongoing drought</a>
 in western Kansas has stunted and shriveled the grass on his pasture. 
If the animals don’t get enough nutrition to stay strong, that could 
make them more vulnerable to the next heat wave.And if the wrong 
weather conditions combine again like they did last month, he knows that
 protecting them from it might be out of his control.“You go to every extreme you can think of,” Whiting said, “but sometimes nature can be pretty cruel.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

Brutal Kan. climate threatens cattle’s health, ranchers' livelihoods

By PAUl HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/10/railroaders-maintain-theyre-not-being-treated-fairly-by-bnsf-railway/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;More than 100 members of railroad 
unions rallied Sunday outside a BNSF Railway office in Lincoln, calling 
for better wages and working conditions to reflect inflation, sacrifices
 during the pandemic and stress caused by worker shortages.

Galen Owen, a representative of the track 
workers union, said railroad workers have been laboring without a 
contractor a raise for 2 1/2 years. Meanwhile, they worked through the 
pandemic and are now under additional stress due to furloughs and 
resignations prompted by worsening working conditions.

“Then we were essential. Now we’re 
expendable,” said Owen, a vice chairman with the Brotherhood of 
Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood 
of Teamsters union.

One worker said there have been 1,700 
terminations or resignations at BNSF Railway since the first of the 
year, including 67 out of Lincoln, forcing the remaining conductors and 
engineers to work even more hours.

Railroad workers at the nation’s seven major
 railroads have been working without a contract since 2019 and are 
currently voting to authorize a strike after talks with the companies 
broke down.

Such a strike — which could cripple an 
economy already struggling with supply chain delays — is not likely, 
since several hurdles must be crossed before a strike could occur.

It is expected that President Joe Biden, as 
early as July 18, will form a Presidential Emergency Board to hold 
hearings and recommend terms of a settlement. If that fails to find a 
resolution, Congress can intervene to solve the labor dispute.

Ben Wilemon, a spokesman for the BNSF, said 
the company has offered raises and retroactive raise, and has modified a
 much-criticized new attendance policy, Hi-Viz, that went into effect in
 February.

“BNSF remains committed and eager to work 
toward a swift and fair resolution to the collective bargaining 
process,” Wilemon said.

He added that the BNSF has more train crew 
employees now than a year ago and has hired 400 new train crew workers 
this year, half of whom have completed their training.

Railroad workers interviewed Sunday at the 
protest, however, said the railroad is seeking to increase worker 
contributions for health insurance and has reduced the amount of sick 
leave workers can take.

Owen said the offers by the BNSF “haven’t 
come close” to what workers need at a time when the company’s net 
profits are at $1 billion a quarter.

One major sticking point in the 
negotiations, and a long-running dispute between railroad unions and the
 companies, is over allowing one-man crews on some trains.

Currently, the union contract calls for 
two-man crews, which union members say is essential for safety on trains
 that can be nearly 3 miles long. A conductor, they maintain, is a 
crucial safety backup for the engineer, who drives the train.

The railroads contend that “redeploying” 
conductors to “ground-based” locations to run trains remotely will be 
just as safe and will allow for more predictable work schedules.

A new automatic braking system being 
installed in engines, to prevent collisions, the companies maintain, 
will allow the shift to one-man crews, though union officials say the 
system isn’t foolproof.

Conductors and engineers currently work on 
an “on-call” basis, seven days a week, which they said makes it 
difficult to have a normal family life.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., spoke earlier Sunday at the rally. He has supported legislation to maintain two-man crews.

Owen and others at Sunday’s rally said the BNSF and other railroads are sacrificing safety to increase profits.

“They want the least amount of workers to make the most money,” he said.

Wilemon, the BNSF spokesman, maintained there had been no change in how much time off employees receive.

More than 50% of train crew employees, Wilemon said, work fewer than 40 hours a week on average.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657555035833.png" alt="More than 100 members of railroad unions rallied Sunday in LIncoln outside of a BNSF Railway office for better wages and working conditions. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>More than 100 members of railroad unions rallied Sunday in LIncoln outside of a BNSF Railway office for better wages and working conditions. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUl HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/10/railroaders-maintain-theyre-not-being-treated-fairly-by-bnsf-railway/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;More than 100 members of railroad 
unions rallied Sunday outside a BNSF Railway office in Lincoln, calling 
for better wages and working conditions to reflect inflation, sacrifices
 during the pandemic and stress caused by worker shortages.Galen Owen, a representative of the track 
workers union, said railroad workers have been laboring without a 
contractor a raise for 2 1/2 years. Meanwhile, they worked through the 
pandemic and are now under additional stress due to furloughs and 
resignations prompted by worsening working conditions.<h2>‘Now we’re expendable’</h2>“Then we were essential. Now we’re 
expendable,” said Owen, a vice chairman with the Brotherhood of 
Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood 
of Teamsters union.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657555092240.jpeg" alt="The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway yard in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway yard in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>One worker said there have been 1,700 
terminations or resignations at BNSF Railway since the first of the 
year, including 67 out of Lincoln, forcing the remaining conductors and 
engineers to work even more hours.Railroad workers at the nation’s seven major
 railroads have been working without a contract since 2019 and are 
currently voting to authorize a strike after talks with the companies 
broke down.Such a strike — which could cripple an 
economy already struggling with supply chain delays — is not likely, 
since several hurdles must be crossed before a strike could occur.<h2>Biden expected to act</h2>It is expected that President Joe Biden, as 
early as July 18, will form a Presidential Emergency Board to hold 
hearings and recommend terms of a settlement. If that fails to find a 
resolution, Congress can intervene to solve the labor dispute.Ben Wilemon, a spokesman for the BNSF, said 
the company has offered raises and retroactive raise, and has modified a
 much-criticized new attendance policy, Hi-Viz, that went into effect in
 February.“BNSF remains committed and eager to work 
toward a swift and fair resolution to the collective bargaining 
process,” Wilemon said.He added that the BNSF has more train crew 
employees now than a year ago and has hired 400 new train crew workers 
this year, half of whom have completed their training.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657555119060.jpeg" alt="Railroad workers maintain they’re not being treated fairly by BNSF Railway and the Union Pacific. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Railroad workers maintain they’re not being treated fairly by BNSF Railway and the Union Pacific. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Railroad workers interviewed Sunday at the 
protest, however, said the railroad is seeking to increase worker 
contributions for health insurance and has reduced the amount of sick 
leave workers can take.Owen said the offers by the BNSF “haven’t 
come close” to what workers need at a time when the company’s net 
profits are at $1 billion a quarter.<h2>One-man crews</h2>One major sticking point in the 
negotiations, and a long-running dispute between railroad unions and the
 companies, is over allowing one-man crews on some trains.Currently, the union contract calls for 
two-man crews, which union members say is essential for safety on trains
 that can be nearly 3 miles long. A conductor, they maintain, is a 
crucial safety backup for the engineer, who drives the train.The railroads contend that “redeploying” 
conductors to “ground-based” locations to run trains remotely will be 
just as safe and will allow for more predictable work schedules.A new automatic braking system being 
installed in engines, to prevent collisions, the companies maintain, 
will allow the shift to one-man crews, though union officials say the 
system isn’t foolproof.<h2>Work on-call</h2>Conductors and engineers currently work on 
an “on-call” basis, seven days a week, which they said makes it 
difficult to have a normal family life.U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., spoke earlier Sunday at the rally. He has supported legislation to maintain two-man crews.Owen and others at Sunday’s rally said the BNSF and other railroads are sacrificing safety to increase profits.“They want the least amount of workers to make the most money,” he said.Wilemon, the BNSF spokesman, maintained there had been no change in how much time off employees receive.More than 50% of train crew employees, Wilemon said, work fewer than 40 hours a week on average.

Railroaders maintain they’re not being treated fairly by BNSF

STURGIS, Mich. (AP) —Production of baby formula has resumed at the Abbott Nutrition factory in Michigan whose February shutdown over contamination contributed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">national shortage</a>, a company spokesman said.

Damage from severe thunderstorms including flooding had forced the Sturgis plant to halt operations in mid-June just two weeks after restarting production with additional sanitizing and safety protocols.

Production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe food allergies and digestive problems, was restored at Sturgis following a July 1 reboot, said Abbott spokesman John Koval.

“We are working to restart Similac production as soon as we can. We’ll provide more information when we have it,” he said via email.

Abbott recalled several leading brands of formula in February, including Similac. That squeezed supplies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">already been strained by supply chain disruptions</a>&nbsp;and stockpiling during COVID-19 shutdowns.

The shortage was most dire for children with allergies, digestive problems and metabolic disorders who rely on specialty formulas.

President Joe Biden’s administration has since eased import rules for foreign manufacturers, airlifted formula from Europe and invoked federal emergency rules to prioritize U.S. production.

Abbott is one of just four companies that produce about 90% of U.S. formula. Koval declined to say how much of Abbot's overall U.S. supply of infant formula is produced at the Sturgis plant.

The plant was closed in February after the Food and Drug Administration began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula from the plant. Two of the babies died. The company says its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.

FDA inspectors eventually uncovered a host of violations at the plant, including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof and lax safety protocols.

On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">to help overseas makers of infant formula</a>&nbsp;that have sent supplies, under emergency approval to address the shortfall, secure long-term authorization to market their formula in the U.S. The plan is to provide American consumers with more choices and make supplies more resilient against current or future shortages.

FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, and Susan Mayne, the director of the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement that the Sturgis plant shutdown "compounded by unforeseen natural weather events, has shown just how vulnerable the supply chain has become.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164055231.png" alt="In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac made at the plant in Sturgis, Michigan-FDA image" />
 <figcaption>In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac made at the plant in Sturgis, Michigan-FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>STURGIS, Mich. (AP) —Production of baby formula has resumed at the Abbott Nutrition factory in Michigan whose February shutdown over contamination contributed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">national shortage</a>, a company spokesman said.Damage from severe thunderstorms including flooding had forced the Sturgis plant to halt operations in mid-June just two weeks after restarting production with additional sanitizing and safety protocols.Production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe food allergies and digestive problems, was restored at Sturgis following a July 1 reboot, said Abbott spokesman John Koval.“We are working to restart Similac production as soon as we can. We’ll provide more information when we have it,” he said via email.Abbott recalled several leading brands of formula in February, including Similac. That squeezed supplies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">already been strained by supply chain disruptions</a>&nbsp;and stockpiling during COVID-19 shutdowns.The shortage was most dire for children with allergies, digestive problems and metabolic disorders who rely on specialty formulas.President Joe Biden’s administration has since eased import rules for foreign manufacturers, airlifted formula from Europe and invoked federal emergency rules to prioritize U.S. production.Abbott is one of just four companies that produce about 90% of U.S. formula. Koval declined to say how much of Abbot's overall U.S. supply of infant formula is produced at the Sturgis plant.The plant was closed in February after the Food and Drug Administration began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula from the plant. Two of the babies died. The company says its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.FDA inspectors eventually uncovered a host of violations at the plant, including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof and lax safety protocols.On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">to help overseas makers of infant formula</a>&nbsp;that have sent supplies, under emergency approval to address the shortfall, secure long-term authorization to market their formula in the U.S. The plan is to provide American consumers with more choices and make supplies more resilient against current or future shortages.FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, and Susan Mayne, the director of the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement that the Sturgis plant shutdown "compounded by unforeseen natural weather events, has shown just how vulnerable the supply chain has become.”

Production resumes at troubled baby formula factory

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has opted to pull investments from five energy corporations, joining other faith-based groups in targeting fossil-fuel companies over what they say are failures to address climate change.

The denomination's General Assembly, meeting online, voted overwhelmingly this week for a resolution targeting Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy for divestment.

Presbyterian officials have in recent years sought to persuade several fossil fuel companies to take steps to reduce greenhouse gases. The resolution said these efforts “did not produce enough substantial change or movement” by the five corporations now targeted for divestment.

The church's investments are a small fraction of a percent of the five corporations' market capitalization. But supporters of divestment said it would send a message and help spur corporations to change policies in response to climate change.

Numerous, mostly progressive faith-based groups in various countries — including religious orders, dioceses and denominations such as the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association — have decided on partial or full divestment from fossil-fuel companies, according to Global Fossil Fuels Divestment Commitments Database, a website maintained by climate advocacy groups.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, though it has struggled with decades of membership losses. It reported a 2021 membership of 1.2 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657418222669.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has opted to pull investments from five energy corporations, joining other faith-based groups in targeting fossil-fuel companies over what they say are failures to address climate change.The denomination's General Assembly, meeting online, voted overwhelmingly this week for a resolution targeting Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy for divestment.Presbyterian officials have in recent years sought to persuade several fossil fuel companies to take steps to reduce greenhouse gases. The resolution said these efforts “did not produce enough substantial change or movement” by the five corporations now targeted for divestment.The church's investments are a small fraction of a percent of the five corporations' market capitalization. But supporters of divestment said it would send a message and help spur corporations to change policies in response to climate change.Numerous, mostly progressive faith-based groups in various countries — including religious orders, dioceses and denominations such as the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association — have decided on partial or full divestment from fossil-fuel companies, according to Global Fossil Fuels Divestment Commitments Database, a website maintained by climate advocacy groups.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, though it has struggled with decades of membership losses. It reported a 2021 membership of 1.2 million.___

Presbyterians agree to divest from fossil fuel companies

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-05/burned-out-as-more-educators-leave-kansas-faces-its-worst-ever-teacher-shortage">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — First came the school year where a killer 
virus sent everybody home early. Then the maddening online year. 
Followed by the half-and-half year.

Amid all that, teachers — or public schools writ large — became the 
enemy. Hostility boiled over about wearing masks, banning library books 
or teaching about history and race. And fears continued about gunmen 
storming classrooms.


Many teachers, principals and superintendents found themselves burned
 out, or merely worn out, and they’re calling it quits — heading for 
retirement or other jobs.


Now Kansas finds itself facing the most severe teacher shortage it’s 
ever known. Roughly 4% of teaching jobs — about 1,400 — are unfilled, 
and by the time the first bell rings this fall, it’s likely to be worse,
 not better.


“Forty years ago, there were up to 100 applicants for every 
(teaching) job in Kansas,” said Education Commissioner Randy Watson. 
This fall, even large districts will be lucky to get 10, he said. “We’ll
 have shortages.”


The problem has been building for years. But <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal.html" target="_blank">new research by the RAND Corporation</a> shows that the COVID-19 pandemic increased teachers’ levels of stress and burnout and may be accelerating the exodus.

The RAND think tank’s national survey of teachers and principals in 
January found educators faring far worse than other working adults on 
several indicators of overall well-being.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657138583709.png" alt="Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to leave their current job by the end of the school year, according to a survey by the RAND Corporation. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to leave their current job by the end of the school year, according to a survey by the RAND Corporation. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-05/burned-out-as-more-educators-leave-kansas-faces-its-worst-ever-teacher-shortage">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — First came the school year where a killer 
virus sent everybody home early. Then the maddening online year. 
Followed by the half-and-half year.
Amid all that, teachers — or public schools writ large — became the 
enemy. Hostility boiled over about wearing masks, banning library books 
or teaching about history and race. And fears continued about gunmen 
storming classrooms.
Many teachers, principals and superintendents found themselves burned
 out, or merely worn out, and they’re calling it quits — heading for 
retirement or other jobs.
Now Kansas finds itself facing the most severe teacher shortage it’s 
ever known. Roughly 4% of teaching jobs — about 1,400 — are unfilled, 
and by the time the first bell rings this fall, it’s likely to be worse,
 not better.
“Forty years ago, there were up to 100 applicants for every 
(teaching) job in Kansas,” said Education Commissioner Randy Watson. 
This fall, even large districts will be lucky to get 10, he said. “We’ll
 have shortages.”
The problem has been building for years. But <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal.html" target="_blank">new research by the RAND Corporation</a> shows that the COVID-19 pandemic increased teachers’ levels of stress and burnout and may be accelerating the exodus.
The RAND think tank’s national survey of teachers and principals in 
January found educators faring far worse than other working adults on 
several indicators of overall well-being.
Nearly three-fourths of teachers and 85% of principals complained of 
frequent stress from their jobs. That’s more than double most adults. 
Fifty-nine percent of teachers and 48% of principals say they’re burned 
out.
Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to 
leave their current job by the end of the school year, an increase since
 <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal/related-research.html" target="_blank">RAND’s survey in 2021</a>. Teachers of color were more likely than white teachers to say they intended to leave.
For several years now, the survey has painted “a picture of stress 
and of some job dissatisfaction for many educators,” said Elizabeth 
Steiner, a policy researcher and co-author of the report.
The RAND survey found that supportive school environments — in which 
teachers are involved in decision-making and have positive relationships
 with their colleagues — lead to better well-being and a decreased 
likelihood of leaving the profession.
“They still love their jobs, want to be there for their students … 
love teaching, love leading schools,” Steiner said. “For many of them, 
it’s the context that they are teaching in, not teaching itself, that 
they find to be stressful and difficult.”
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657138676699.png" alt="Cindy Deutsch recently retired after 37 years of teaching, most of it in kindergarten classrooms in Wichita. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Cindy Deutsch recently retired after 37 years of teaching, most of it in kindergarten classrooms in Wichita. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Deutsch <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/the-range/2022-06-17/let-the-children-play-a-wichita-kindergarten-teacher-looks-back-on-37-years-in-the-classroom" target="_blank">retired this spring</a>
 after teaching kindergarten for 37 years in Wichita. Early in her 
career, she had lots of flexibility and independence in the classroom, 
she said. Not now.
“We’re micromanaged a lot, where we’re told exactly what we’re 
supposed to be teaching, when we’re supposed to be teaching it,” she 
said.
A major frustration was an intense focus on testing even the youngest
 students, Deutsch said. When she started teaching, there were four 
categories to mark on kids’ report cards for reading and writing. Last 
year, there were more than 20.
At times, she said, she felt like she was testing more than teaching:
“We weigh the cow and we weigh the cow, but we don’t have time to feed the cow because we’re weighing the cow so much.”
Jarred Fuhrman struggled over his decision to leave his job as principal of <a href="https://blhs.usd458.org/" target="_blank">Basehor-Linwood High School</a>,
 but he finally decided in May to try something new. Fuhrman accepted a 
position in human resources for a Kansas City-area company.
“For me, it was a family decision,” said Fuhrman, who has two 
school-age children. “Being a high school principal is one of the more 
challenging positions in education.”
Fuhrman said there were days he’d get to school at 7 a.m. and not leave until after 10 p.m.
“It just wears on you. It’s just exhausting,” he said. “I was just tired.”
“The last couple years have been pretty hard with COVID and just all 
the different changes that schools have been going through,” he said. “I
 do worry about the teacher shortage. I think it’s going to be a little 
scary the next couple of years, and I don’t know that I have a good 
answer for that.”
Steiner, the RAND researcher, said a majority of teachers and 
principals intend to stay in their jobs and are leaning on each other to
 cope with job-related stress.
“They turn to their friends and colleagues to vent, to seek solutions, or sometimes just to hang out,” she said.
Steiner said school leaders should ask teachers what contributes to their stress and try to fix those problems.
“If there’s anything district and school leaders can do to address 
the things that teachers find difficult about their job,” she said, “it 
could help improve educators’ mental health.”
Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.