By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-state-patrol-says-drones-help-save-time-and-money/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts briefly took 
the controls Thursday of one of the drones used by the Nebraska State 
Patrol to investigate and reconstruct vehicle accidents and to search 
for hidden suspects and lost children.

“That’s very cool,” Ricketts said, after handing the controls back to Trooper Ravi Singh.

Singh is one 
of 33 troopers that are FAA-trained to operate the agencies’ 36 Autel 
drones, 33 of which cost $3,000 each. Three others, which cost about 
$8,000 each, are equipped with thermal imaging technology, which aids in
 finding hidden suspects.

Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the 
Nebraska State Patrol, said the drones have been a tremendous time saver
 when troopers are investigating accidents. They are also a safety 
measure, he said, since they get troopers off the roadway faster.

Ricketts said it used to take an average of 2
 1/2 hours to investigate an accident, but with a drone, which takes 
video that is used to measure distances, the average time has been cut 
to 53 minutes.

The governor said drones also cut the amount
 of time a roadway has to be closed for accident reconstruction, saving 
motorists time and money.

“It’s really a game changer,” said Capt. Jason Scott.

In the past year, the Patrol has deployed 
drones 185 times. They helped find a suspect hiding in a tree in Red 
Willow County and helped identify hot spots in the wildfires that 
consumed 44,000 acres in southwest Nebraska.

They are also programmed with a “follow mode” to track suspects on foot.

Officials said the drones will not be used 
to catch speeders but may eventually have the ability to monitor active 
shooter events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657219698906.png" alt="Gov. Pete Ricketts, right, takes a spin at the controls of a drone used by the Nebraska State Patrol at a press conference on July 7, 2022. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Pete Ricketts, right, takes a spin at the controls of a drone used by the Nebraska State Patrol at a press conference on July 7, 2022. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-state-patrol-says-drones-help-save-time-and-money/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts briefly took 
the controls Thursday of one of the drones used by the Nebraska State 
Patrol to investigate and reconstruct vehicle accidents and to search 
for hidden suspects and lost children.“That’s very cool,” Ricketts said, after handing the controls back to Trooper Ravi Singh.Singh is one 
of 33 troopers that are FAA-trained to operate the agencies’ 36 Autel 
drones, 33 of which cost $3,000 each. Three others, which cost about 
$8,000 each, are equipped with thermal imaging technology, which aids in
 finding hidden suspects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657219751422.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska State Patrol showed off one of its drones on Thursday that they say is saving time and money when investigating and reconstructing vehicle accidents. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska State Patrol showed off one of its drones on Thursday that they say is saving time and money when investigating and reconstructing vehicle accidents. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the 
Nebraska State Patrol, said the drones have been a tremendous time saver
 when troopers are investigating accidents. They are also a safety 
measure, he said, since they get troopers off the roadway faster.Ricketts said it used to take an average of 2
 1/2 hours to investigate an accident, but with a drone, which takes 
video that is used to measure distances, the average time has been cut 
to 53 minutes.The governor said drones also cut the amount
 of time a roadway has to be closed for accident reconstruction, saving 
motorists time and money.“It’s really a game changer,” said Capt. Jason Scott.In the past year, the Patrol has deployed 
drones 185 times. They helped find a suspect hiding in a tree in Red 
Willow County and helped identify hot spots in the wildfires that 
consumed 44,000 acres in southwest Nebraska.They are also programmed with a “follow mode” to track suspects on foot.Officials said the drones will not be used 
to catch speeders but may eventually have the ability to monitor active 
shooter events.

Nebraska State Patrol: Drones help save time and money

About 87,500 needed to qualify for November ballot, so issue should qualify

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/07/initiative-to-raise-nebraskas-minimum-wage-says-theyve-submitted-160000-signatures/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Leaders for an initiative to raise
 Nebraska’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 said Thursday they had 
submitted 160,000 signatures to qualify the issue for the November 
ballot.

About 87,500 signatures of registered voters
 are needed to put the issue before voters, so 160,000 should be more 
than enough to qualify.

About 10% to 15% of signatures are typically
 thrown out on petition drives, for various reasons, such as the signers
 not being registered to vote, election officials have said.

Thursday is the deadline for submitting 
signatures for the fall ballot, and at least two other initiatives — one
 to legalize medical marijuana and another to require voters to present 
identification before voting — are expected to submit petitions.

Advocates for raising the wage estimated 
Thursday that about 150,000 Nebraskans would benefit from the increase, 
or about 20% of the state’s workforce.

Nebraska’s minimum wage was last increased 
when voters approved another ballot initiative in 2014 that ultimately 
increased the wage to the current $9 an hour.

Advocates maintain that $9 an hour is too 
low to sustain a household and that raising the wage is “the right thing
 to do” amid rising costs of housing, food and fuel.

“Fair wages are the single best way to show 
employees that they are valued,” said Alma Cerretta, the owner of Mana 
Games and Cafe in Lincoln, at a press conference Thursday.

Opponents maintain that raising the minimum 
wage results in job losses and makes companies less competitive with 
states that don’t have higher minimum wages.

Gov. Pete Ricketts said Thursday that 
raising the minimum wage is not a “one size fits all” proposition. It 
may cost jobs and close shops in rural areas of the state, he said.

Kate Wolfe, campaign manager for Raise the 
Wage Nebraska, said many of the complaints about raising the minimum 
wage were raised in 2014 and turned out to be false.

Cindy Meyer of Omaha, a mother of two, said 
raising the minimum wage would reduce the “stress” of having to work two
 to three jobs and balancing that with spending time with her kids and 
husband.

“If everyone was earning at least $15 per 
hour, we would be able to take better care of ourselves and our families
 and contribute more to the community,” Meyer said.

Raise the Wage Nebraska reported spending $1.4 million in its latest state campaign finance report, filed on Thursday.&nbsp;



	Its largest, single contribution came from a Washington, D.C.-based 
progressive group called the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which gave $634,490. 
Wolfe, when asked, did not identify the source of that group’s funding. 
Another Washington-based group, the Fairness Project, gave nearly 
$252,400.

&nbsp;Nebraska
 Appleseed provided nearly $200,000 for the initiative. Other Nebraska 
contributors included the ACLU of Nebraska, Civic Engagement Nebraska, 
the Center for Rural Affairs and the YWCA of Lincoln.

The petition signatures will now be examined
 by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office and county election 
commissioners to see determine many are valid. The November ballot must 
be finalized by Sept. 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657217088140.png" alt="Kate Wolfe, campaign coordinator for Raise the Wage Nebraska, speaks as the initiative prepares to submit 160,000 petition signatures on Thursday. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Kate Wolfe, campaign coordinator for Raise the Wage Nebraska, speaks as the initiative prepares to submit 160,000 petition signatures on Thursday. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>About 87,500 needed to qualify for November ballot, so issue should qualify</h2>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/07/initiative-to-raise-nebraskas-minimum-wage-says-theyve-submitted-160000-signatures/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Leaders for an initiative to raise
 Nebraska’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 said Thursday they had 
submitted 160,000 signatures to qualify the issue for the November 
ballot.About 87,500 signatures of registered voters
 are needed to put the issue before voters, so 160,000 should be more 
than enough to qualify.About 10% to 15% of signatures are typically
 thrown out on petition drives, for various reasons, such as the signers
 not being registered to vote, election officials have said.Thursday is the deadline for submitting 
signatures for the fall ballot, and at least two other initiatives — one
 to legalize medical marijuana and another to require voters to present 
identification before voting — are expected to submit petitions.Advocates for raising the wage estimated 
Thursday that about 150,000 Nebraskans would benefit from the increase, 
or about 20% of the state’s workforce.Nebraska’s minimum wage was last increased 
when voters approved another ballot initiative in 2014 that ultimately 
increased the wage to the current $9 an hour.Advocates maintain that $9 an hour is too 
low to sustain a household and that raising the wage is “the right thing
 to do” amid rising costs of housing, food and fuel.“Fair wages are the single best way to show 
employees that they are valued,” said Alma Cerretta, the owner of Mana 
Games and Cafe in Lincoln, at a press conference Thursday.Opponents maintain that raising the minimum 
wage results in job losses and makes companies less competitive with 
states that don’t have higher minimum wages.Gov. Pete Ricketts said Thursday that 
raising the minimum wage is not a “one size fits all” proposition. It 
may cost jobs and close shops in rural areas of the state, he said.Kate Wolfe, campaign manager for Raise the 
Wage Nebraska, said many of the complaints about raising the minimum 
wage were raised in 2014 and turned out to be false.Cindy Meyer of Omaha, a mother of two, said 
raising the minimum wage would reduce the “stress” of having to work two
 to three jobs and balancing that with spending time with her kids and 
husband.“If everyone was earning at least $15 per 
hour, we would be able to take better care of ourselves and our families
 and contribute more to the community,” Meyer said.Raise the Wage Nebraska reported spending $1.4 million in its latest state campaign finance report, filed on Thursday.&nbsp;<h2>D.C. group largest donor</h2>

	Its largest, single contribution came from a Washington, D.C.-based 
progressive group called the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which gave $634,490. 
Wolfe, when asked, did not identify the source of that group’s funding. 
Another Washington-based group, the Fairness Project, gave nearly 
$252,400.&nbsp;Nebraska
 Appleseed provided nearly $200,000 for the initiative. Other Nebraska 
contributors included the ACLU of Nebraska, Civic Engagement Nebraska, 
the Center for Rural Affairs and the YWCA of Lincoln.The petition signatures will now be examined
 by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office and county election 
commissioners to see determine many are valid. The November ballot must 
be finalized by Sept. 16.

Neb. minimum wage hike advocates: 160K signatures submitted

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper “Brian’s Song” and the casino boss in “Las Vegas,” has died. He was 82.

His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. No cause was given.

“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved,” DelPiano said. “Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years."

A football player at Michigan State University and a practical joker on production sets, Caan was a grinning, handsome performer with an athlete’s swagger and muscular build. He managed a long career despite drug problems, outbursts of temper and minor brushes with the law.

Caan had been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in “Rain People.” He was primed for a featured role in “The Godfather” as Sonny, the No. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.

Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who conducted many killings, met his own end in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. For decades after, he once said, strangers would approach him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay clear of toll roads.

Despite Coppola’s fears he had made a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success and brought supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall and Al Pacino.

Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26.

After “Brian’s Song” and “The Godfather,” he was one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, appearing in “Hide in Plain Sight” (which he also directed), “Funny Lady” (opposite Barbra Streisand), “The Killer Elite” and Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” among others. He also made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence in “The Godfather, Part II.”

But by the early 1980s he began to sour on films. He had begun to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then had been a guiding force in his career.

He returned to full-fledged stardom opposite Kathy Bates in “Misery” in 1990.

Once again in demand, Caan starred in “For the Boys” with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a song-and-dance team entertaining U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The following year he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas."

Other later films included “Flesh and Bone,” “Bottle Rocket” and “Mickey Blue Eyes.” He introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, stone-faced father of Buddy’s Will Ferrell in “Elf.”

Married and divorced four times, Caan had a daughter, Tara, and sons Scott, Alexander, James and Jacob.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657215793023.png" alt="Before the Godfather, Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer at age 26." />
 <figcaption>Before the Godfather, Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer at age 26.</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as both the dying football player in the classic weeper “Brian’s Song” and the casino boss in “Las Vegas,” has died. He was 82.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. End of tweet&mdash; James Caan (@James_Caan) <a href="https://twitter.com/James_Caan/status/1545090774517174272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. No cause was given.“Jimmy was one of the greatest. Not only was he one of the best actors our business has ever seen, he was funny, loyal, caring and beloved,” DelPiano said. “Our relationship was always friendship before business. I will miss him dearly and am proud to have worked with him all these years."A football player at Michigan State University and a practical joker on production sets, Caan was a grinning, handsome performer with an athlete’s swagger and muscular build. He managed a long career despite drug problems, outbursts of temper and minor brushes with the law.Caan had been a favorite of Francis Ford Coppola since the 1960s, when Coppola cast him for the lead in “Rain People.” He was primed for a featured role in “The Godfather” as Sonny, the No. 1 enforcer and eldest son of Mafia boss Vito Corleone.Sonny Corleone, a violent and reckless man who conducted many killings, met his own end in one of the most jarring movie scenes in history. For decades after, he once said, strangers would approach him on the street and jokingly warn him to stay clear of toll roads.Despite Coppola’s fears he had made a flop, the 1972 release was an enormous critical and commercial success and brought supporting actor Oscar nominations for Caan, Duvall and Al Pacino.Caan was already a star on television, breaking through in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” an emotional drama about Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who had died of cancer the year before at age 26.After “Brian’s Song” and “The Godfather,” he was one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, appearing in “Hide in Plain Sight” (which he also directed), “Funny Lady” (opposite Barbra Streisand), “The Killer Elite” and Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two,” among others. He also made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence in “The Godfather, Part II.”But by the early 1980s he began to sour on films. He had begun to struggle with drug use and was devastated by the 1981 leukemia death of his sister, Barbara, who until then had been a guiding force in his career.He returned to full-fledged stardom opposite Kathy Bates in “Misery” in 1990.Once again in demand, Caan starred in “For the Boys” with Bette Midler in 1991 as part of a song-and-dance team entertaining U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The following year he played a tongue-in-cheek version of Sonny Corleone in the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas."Other later films included “Flesh and Bone,” “Bottle Rocket” and “Mickey Blue Eyes.” He introduced himself to a new generation playing Walter, the workaholic, stone-faced father of Buddy’s Will Ferrell in “Elf.”Married and divorced four times, Caan had a daughter, Tara, and sons Scott, Alexander, James and Jacob.

Oscar-nominated actor James Caan has died at 82

JOHNSON COUNTY— The Eastern Kansas Multi-County Taskforce has completed their investigation of the fire that sent four firefighters to the hospital and has ruled it as an accidental fire caused from an electrical component in the basement, according to the Shawnee Fire Department.

Just after 9p.m. Tuesday, fire crews responded to a house fire at 4610 Silverheel Street in Shawnee, according to a media release.

While firefighters were in the home, a stairway collapsed and injured four fighters.&nbsp;The fire had progressed into a storage area underneath the stairwell that firefighters used to access the basement. The fire had weakened the stairwell and caused it to collapse under the weight of fire crews.

The Rapid Intervention crews responded immediately and rescued the four fighters from the home. EMS transported them to local hospitals where they were treated and released.

A fifth firefighter received medical attention at the scene due to the intense heat. Three residents of the home were able to escape without injury.

Mayor Michelle Distler said "Most importantly, I am so relieved that all of our firefighters are recovering. I want to extend any help I can possibly provide to the firefighters and their families. I think we all understand this could have had a different ending as it did for one of our own back in 2010. The bravery, courage and selflessness these men and women show every day when they show up on the job is unmatched. They make a promise to our community to protect and serve and that was on full display Tuesday night."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657133850368.png" alt="The State Fire Marshal and Eastern Kansas Multi-County Task Force&nbsp; investigated the fire.-photo Shawnee Fire" />
 <figcaption>The State Fire Marshal and Eastern Kansas Multi-County Task Force&nbsp; investigated the fire.-photo Shawnee Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY— The Eastern Kansas Multi-County Taskforce has completed their investigation of the fire that sent four firefighters to the hospital and has ruled it as an accidental fire caused from an electrical component in the basement, according to the Shawnee Fire Department.Just after 9p.m. Tuesday, fire crews responded to a house fire at 4610 Silverheel Street in Shawnee, according to a media release.While firefighters were in the home, a stairway collapsed and injured four fighters.&nbsp;The fire had progressed into a storage area underneath the stairwell that firefighters used to access the basement. The fire had weakened the stairwell and caused it to collapse under the weight of fire crews.The Rapid Intervention crews responded immediately and rescued the four fighters from the home. EMS transported them to local hospitals where they were treated and released.A fifth firefighter received medical attention at the scene due to the intense heat. Three residents of the home were able to escape without injury.Mayor Michelle Distler said "Most importantly, I am so relieved that all of our firefighters are recovering. I want to extend any help I can possibly provide to the firefighters and their families. I think we all understand this could have had a different ending as it did for one of our own back in 2010. The bravery, courage and selflessness these men and women show every day when they show up on the job is unmatched. They make a promise to our community to protect and serve and that was on full display Tuesday night."&nbsp;Damages are estimated at $300,000.---------

Officials learn cause of Kan. house fire that injured 4 firefighters

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation Thursday amid a mass revolt by top members of his government, marking an end to three tumultuous years in power in which he brazenly bent and sometimes broke the rules of British politics.

Months of defiance ended almost with a shrug as Johnson stood in 10 Downing Street and conceded that his party wanted him gone.

The brash, 58-year-old politician who took Britain out of the European Union and steered it through COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine was brought down by one scandal too many — this one involving his appointment of a politician who had been accused of sexual misconduct.

The messiest of prime ministers did not leave cleanly. Johnson stepped down immediately as Conservative Party leader but said he would remain as prime minister until the party chooses his successor. The timetable for that process will be announced next week, he said.

But many in the party want him gone before then, and his government has been shredded by scores of resignations.

Among the possible candidates to succeed him: former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.

Johnson had clung to power for two days, defiantly telling lawmakers on Wednesday that he had a “colossal mandate” from voters and intended to get on with the business of government.

But he was forced to concede defeat Thursday morning after one of his closest allies, newly appointed Treasury chief Nadhim Zahawi, publicly told him to resign for the good of the country.

“In the last few days, I tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we’re delivering so much and when we have such a vast mandate," Johnson said outside his office. “I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course it’s painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.’’

About 50 Cabinet secretaries, ministers and lower-level officials had quit the government over the past few days, often castigating the prime minister for his lack of integrity.

The mass resignations had left numerous positions unfilled, and the crisis had stalled the business of some parliamentary committees because there were no ministers available to speak on the government’s behalf.

“It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister,” Johnson said.

Zahawi, who was promoted earlier this week as Johnson tried to shore up his Cabinet, said he and a group of colleagues had privately expressed their concerns to the prime minister on Wednesday and he decided to go public after Johnson ignored the advice to resign.

“I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining the incredible achievements of this government,” Zahawi said in a letter posted on Twitter. “But the country deserves a government that is not only stable but which acts with integrity.”

It is a humiliating defeat for Johnson, who not only pulled off Brexit but was credited with rolling out one of the world’s most successful mass vaccination campaigns to combat COVID-19.

But the perpetually rumpled, shaggy-haired leader known for greeting critics with bombast and bluster was also dogged by criticism that he acted as if the rules did not apply to him.

Johnson became prime minister in July 2019, succeeding Theresa May, who resigned after Parliament rejected the Brexit agreement she negotiated with the EU. Johnson pushed his own Brexit deal through in an often messy and turbulent debate.

He managed to remain in power despite allegations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament about government office parties that broke COVID-19 lockdown rules. He was fined by police over the parties and survived a no-confidence vote last month in Parliament in which 41% of Conservative lawmakers voted to oust him.

Recent disclosures that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against a Conservative lawmaker before he promoted him to a senior position in government proved to be one scandal too many.

The crisis began when Chris Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip amid allegations that he had groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations leveled against Pincher.

Johnson tried to deflect criticism with shifting explanations about what he knew and when he knew it, but that just highlighted concerns that the prime minister couldn’t be trusted.

Javid and Sunak resigned within minutes of each other Tuesday night, triggering the wave of departures among their Cabinet colleagues and lower-level officials.

Javid captured the mood of many lawmakers when he said Johnson’s actions threatened to undermine the integrity of the Conservative Party and the British government.

“At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough,” he said Wednesday in the House of Commons. “I believe that point is now.”

Bernard Jenkin, a senior Conservative Party lawmaker, told the BBC he met with Johnson later in the day and advised him to step down.

“I just said to him, ‘Look, it’s just when you go now, and it’s how you go. You can go with some dignity or you can be forced out like Donald Trump clinging to power and pretending he’s won the election when he’s lost,'" Jenkin said.

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned Thursday, acknowledging that it was “clearly the will” of his party that he should go.

He stepped down immediately as leader of his Conservative Party but plans to remain as prime minister while the leadership contest is held. He said he has appointed a new Cabinet following a multitude of resignations, but many are calling for him to go now.

It is a humiliating defeat for Johnson, who succeeded in leading Britain out of the European Union and was credited with rolling out one of the world’s most successful mass vaccination campaigns to combat COVID-19.

The announcement came after the latest ethics scandal around Johnson's leadership led some 50 senior lawmakers to quit the government and left him unable to govern.

Speaking outside No. 10 Downing St., Johnson said he was “immensely proud of the achievements of this government," from Brexit to steering the country through the pandemic, and leading the West in standing up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But he acknowledged that “in politics, no one is remotely indispensable.”

But he was forced to concede defeat Thursday morning after two more members of his Cabinet quit and one of his closest allies, Treasury Chief Nadhim Zahawi, publicly told him to resign for the good of the country.

The internal election to pick a new leader of the Conservative Party, who will also be the next prime minister, is likely to take place over the summer.

“I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining the incredible achievements of this government,” Zahawi said in a letter posted on Twitter. “But the country deserves a government that is not only stable, but which acts with integrity.”

Thursday morning’s resignations meant that 50 Cabinet secretaries, ministers and lower-level officials had quit the government over two days, often castigating the prime minister for his lack of integrity. With more than 20 positions unfilled, the crisis had stalled the business of some parliamentary committees because there were no ministers available to speak on the government’s behalf.

Johnson led Britain through Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, and won a large election victory in 2019. But the perpetually rumpled leader known for greeting critics with bombast and bluster was also dogged by criticism that he was willing to bend, and sometimes break, the rules to achieve his goals.

Johnson, 58, managed to remain in power for almost three years, despite allegations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament about government office parties that broke pandemic lockdown rules.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned within minutes of each other Tuesday night, triggering a wave of departures among their Cabinet colleagues and lower level officials.

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally succumbed to political reality Thursday and agreed to resign after the latest ethics scandal around his leadership led some 50 senior lawmakers to quit the government.

It wasn’t immediately clear when Johnson would leave office, however.

His resignation will trigger an internal election to pick a new leader of the Conservative Party, who will also be the next prime minister. That process is likely to take place over the summer.

Johnson signaled that he intends to stay in office until that concludes. Such a move would be controversial, and critics say he should not be allowed to remain even as caretaker prime minister.

“Now PM has finally done the decent thing he needs to hand in the seals of office, apologise to Her Majesty (Queen Elizabeth II), allow her to appoint a Caretaker under whom Ministers can serve, so the Conservative Party can choose a new leader properly,” George Freeman, who quit as science minister on Thursday, said in a tweet.

But the perpetually rumpled leader known for greeting critics with bombast and bluster was also dogged by criticism that he was willing to bend, and sometimes break, the rules to achieve his goals.

“I just said to him, ‘Look, it’s just when you go now, and it’s how you go. You can go with some dignity or you can be forced out like Donald Trump clinging to power and pretending he’s won the election when he’s lost.’’’

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to resign Thursday after days of defections crippled the controversial leader and left him unable to govern.

Johnson finally agreed to step down after one of his closest allies, Treasury Chief Nadhim Zahawi, told the prime minister to resign for the good of the country. It was not immediately clear whether Johnson will stay in office while the Conservative Party chooses a new leader, who will automatically become prime minister as well. A formal announcement is expected later Thursday.

“Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and it will only get worse: for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country," Zahawi said in a letter to Johnson. “You must do the right thing and go now.”

Zahawi’s intervention came after two more members of Johnson’s Cabinet resigned, along with three junior officials, pushing the number of those who have left the government this week past 50.

Johnson on Wednesday rejected calls to resign, arguing that he had a mandate from the voters to remain in office. But by Thursday morning the man who has built a reputation for wriggling out of political controversies was forced to admit the reality of his situation.

Bernard Jenkin, a senior Conservative Party lawmaker, said he met with Johnson on Wednesday and advised him to stand down.

“I just said to him, ‘Look, it’s just when you go now, and it’s how you go. You can go with some dignity or you can be forced out like Donald Trump, clinging to power and pretending he’s won the election when he’s lost,’’ Jenkin told the BBC before Johnson agreed to resign.

Johnson, 58, managed to remain in power for almost three years, despite allegations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament and was dishonest to the public about government office parties that broke pandemic lockdown rules.

But recent disclosures that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, a Conservative lawmaker, before he promoted Pincher to a senior position turned out to be the last straw.

Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after complaints he groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations leveled against Pincher — and shifting explanations from the government about what Johnson knew when he tapped him for a senior job enforcing party discipline.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned within minutes of each other Wednesday over the scandal. The two Cabinet heavyweights were responsible for tackling two of the biggest issues facing Britain — the cost-of-living crisis and COVID-19.

“At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough,” he told fellow lawmakers Wednesday. “I believe that point is now.”

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart resigned on Wednesday, and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis followed suite early Thursday, telling Johnson in his resignation letter that “we are ... past the point of no return. I cannot sacrifice my personal integrity to defend things as they stand now.” He was later followed by Education Secretary Michelle Donelan, who was only appointed to her post on Tuesday to replace Zahawi.

Johnson had attempted to defy the mathematics of parliamentary government and the traditions of British politics. It is rare for a prime minister to cling to power in the face of this much pressure from his Cabinet colleagues.

The closest parallel may be Margaret Thatcher, the long-time Conservative prime minister who in 1990 sought to remain in office after her authority was undermined by disagreements over Britain’s relationship with what is now known as the European Union. But even she decided to resign after a number of Cabinet ministers told her it would be better for the party if she stepped aside.

Johnson may try to remain in office until the Conservative Party chooses a new leader, a process likely to take place over the summer. But some Conservatives said he should leave 10 Downing St. immediately to end the chaos engulfing the government.

George Freeman, who quit as science minister on Thursday, tweeted that “Boris Johnson needs to hand in the seals of office, apologise to Her Majesty (Queen Elizabeth II) and advise her to call for a caretaker prime minister. To take over today so that ministers can get back to work and we can choose a new Conservative leader to try and repair the damage and rebuild trust.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns amid scandal

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/medicare-prescription-drug-negotiation-plan-advanced-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats 
have reached a tentative agreement to negotiate the cost of prescription
 drugs in the Medicare program, the first step in passing a long-stalled
 package that’s expected to include tax and climate change provisions as
 well.

The deal, brokered between Senate 
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin 
III, would allow Medicare to begin negotiating some prescription drug 
prices in 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/public-weighs-in-on-medicare-drug-negotiations/">a wildly popular proposal </a>among
 members of the public. It would also cap Medicare recipients’ yearly 
out-of-pocket costs at $2,000, according to a summary reviewed by States
 Newsroom.

Democrats hope to move the 
legislation without Republican support by using the somewhat complicated
 budget reconciliation process that they used to <a target="_blank" href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2021/03/10/congress-clears-giant-1-9t-emergency-relief-package-for-bidens-signature/">pass the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill in 2021.&nbsp;</a>

The GOP used the same fast-track 
process to get around the U.S. Senate’s legislative filibuster when it 
passed the 2017 tax cuts package and attempted to use the process to 
repeal and replace Obamacare.

The budget reconciliation process, 
which avoids the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to advance major 
legislation, is complicated and requires sign-off from the Senate 
parliamentarian that none of the language breaks a lengthy list of 
rules.&nbsp;

Medicare is the health care program 
for people 65 and older, some younger Americans with disabilities and 
people with end-stage renal disease.

Schumer sent Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough the 190-page Medicare prescription drug pricing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/070622%20Prescription%20Drug%20Pricing%20Reform%20Leg%20Text.pdf">bill</a> on Wednesday, starting the detailed and sometimes tedious <a target="_blank" href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2021/02/05/what-is-reconciliation-in-congress/">process</a> of ensuring it meets reconciliation requirements.&nbsp;

If Senate Democrats, primarily 
Schumer and Manchin, can reach agreement on provisions to overhaul parts
 of the U.S. tax code as well as address energy production and climate 
change, those bills would then be sent to the parliamentarian for 
similar review.&nbsp;

Manchin, a centrist who frustrated 
left-leaning members of his party after killing off the much more 
expansive reconciliation package known as Build Back Better, has said he
 won’t accept a bill that goes beyond those three broad categories.&nbsp;

If Democrats can broker a final deal 
and get the stamp of approval from the parliamentarian, the entire 
package would go to the Senate floor for debate, amendments and a final 
vote.&nbsp;

That process would be especially 
challenging for Democrats in the 50-50 Senate, where Republicans would 
likely put forward amendments meant to force centrist Democrats to alter
 the package, or take votes that could be used against them in 
reelection campaigns this fall in purple states.&nbsp;

The amendment voting process for budget reconciliation is different from what’s used for regular bills.

The minority party is allowed to put 
forward as many amendments as members want, and floor votes are required
 on those provisions. The process, known as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Votearama1977present.htm">vote-a-rama</a>, often lasts throughout the night and can go into the next morning as well.

The U.S. Senate is on its July 4 
break this week, but is scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., on 
Monday for a four-week session that could include votes on the full 
reconciliation package, according to an individual familiar with the 
planning.&nbsp;

Schumer, that individual said, has 
privately told Senate Democrats that if a full agreement is reached, his
 goal is to debate and vote on that legislation as early as this month.&nbsp;

Sending the section of the bill that 
would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices to the 
parliamentarian this week would place Senate Democrats in a “better 
position to act,” according to that person close to the process.&nbsp;

In addition to allowing Medicare to 
directly negotiate drug prices and capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000
 a year, the proposal would provide free vaccines to Medicare seniors 
and expand co-pay assistance for some low-income individuals.&nbsp;

The legislation would also require 
the secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to 
negotiate drug prices for the maximum number of prescriptions per year, 
closing a loophole in a prior bill that some Democrats worried would 
have allowed a GOP HHS secretary to potentially not negotiate lower 
prices.

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/medicare-prescription-drug-negotiation-plan-advanced-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats 
have reached a tentative agreement to negotiate the cost of prescription
 drugs in the Medicare program, the first step in passing a long-stalled
 package that’s expected to include tax and climate change provisions as
 well.The deal, brokered between Senate 
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin 
III, would allow Medicare to begin negotiating some prescription drug 
prices in 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/public-weighs-in-on-medicare-drug-negotiations/">a wildly popular proposal </a>among
 members of the public. It would also cap Medicare recipients’ yearly 
out-of-pocket costs at $2,000, according to a summary reviewed by States
 Newsroom.Democrats hope to move the 
legislation without Republican support by using the somewhat complicated
 budget reconciliation process that they used to <a target="_blank" href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2021/03/10/congress-clears-giant-1-9t-emergency-relief-package-for-bidens-signature/">pass the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill in 2021.&nbsp;</a>The GOP used the same fast-track 
process to get around the U.S. Senate’s legislative filibuster when it 
passed the 2017 tax cuts package and attempted to use the process to 
repeal and replace Obamacare.The budget reconciliation process, 
which avoids the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to advance major 
legislation, is complicated and requires sign-off from the Senate 
parliamentarian that none of the language breaks a lengthy list of 
rules.&nbsp;Medicare is the health care program 
for people 65 and older, some younger Americans with disabilities and 
people with end-stage renal disease.<h2>Plan sent to parliamentarian</h2>Schumer sent Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough the 190-page Medicare prescription drug pricing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/070622%20Prescription%20Drug%20Pricing%20Reform%20Leg%20Text.pdf">bill</a> on Wednesday, starting the detailed and sometimes tedious <a target="_blank" href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2021/02/05/what-is-reconciliation-in-congress/">process</a> of ensuring it meets reconciliation requirements.&nbsp;If Senate Democrats, primarily 
Schumer and Manchin, can reach agreement on provisions to overhaul parts
 of the U.S. tax code as well as address energy production and climate 
change, those bills would then be sent to the parliamentarian for 
similar review.&nbsp;Manchin, a centrist who frustrated 
left-leaning members of his party after killing off the much more 
expansive reconciliation package known as Build Back Better, has said he
 won’t accept a bill that goes beyond those three broad categories.&nbsp;If Democrats can broker a final deal 
and get the stamp of approval from the parliamentarian, the entire 
package would go to the Senate floor for debate, amendments and a final 
vote.&nbsp;That process would be especially 
challenging for Democrats in the 50-50 Senate, where Republicans would 
likely put forward amendments meant to force centrist Democrats to alter
 the package, or take votes that could be used against them in 
reelection campaigns this fall in purple states.&nbsp;The amendment voting process for budget reconciliation is different from what’s used for regular bills.The minority party is allowed to put 
forward as many amendments as members want, and floor votes are required
 on those provisions. The process, known as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Votearama1977present.htm">vote-a-rama</a>, often lasts throughout the night and can go into the next morning as well.<h2>Four-week session ahead</h2>The U.S. Senate is on its July 4 
break this week, but is scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., on 
Monday for a four-week session that could include votes on the full 
reconciliation package, according to an individual familiar with the 
planning.&nbsp;Schumer, that individual said, has 
privately told Senate Democrats that if a full agreement is reached, his
 goal is to debate and vote on that legislation as early as this month.&nbsp;Sending the section of the bill that 
would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices to the 
parliamentarian this week would place Senate Democrats in a “better 
position to act,” according to that person close to the process.&nbsp;In addition to allowing Medicare to 
directly negotiate drug prices and capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000
 a year, the proposal would provide free vaccines to Medicare seniors 
and expand co-pay assistance for some low-income individuals.&nbsp;The legislation would also require 
the secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to 
negotiate drug prices for the maximum number of prescriptions per year, 
closing a loophole in a prior bill that some Democrats worried would 
have allowed a GOP HHS secretary to potentially not negotiate lower 
prices.

Medicare prescription drug negotiation plan advances in Senate

By ERIC NEUGEBOREN <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/06/uvalde-school-shooting-robb-elementary-report/">Texas Tribune</a>

An Uvalde police 
officer asked for a supervisor’s permission to shoot the gunman who 
would soon kill 21 people at Robb Elementary School in May before he 
entered the building, but the supervisor did not hear the request or 
responded too late, according to a report released Wednesday evaluating 
the law enforcement response to the shooting.

The request from
 the Uvalde officer, who was outside the school, about a minute before 
the gunman entered Robb Elementary had not been previously reported. The
 officer was reported to have been afraid of possibly shooting children 
while attempting to take out the gunman, according to the report 
released Wednesday by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response 
Training Center, located at Texas State University in San Marcos.

The report 
provides a host of new details about the May 24 shooting, including 
several missed opportunities to engage or stop the gunman before he 
entered the school.

The lack of response 
to the officer’s request to shoot the suspect outside the school was the
 most significant new detail that the report revealed.

“A reasonable 
officer would conclude in this case, based upon the totality of the 
circumstances, that use of deadly force was warranted,” according to the
 report. The report referred to the Texas Penal Code, which states an 
individual is justified in using deadly force when the individual 
reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to prevent
 the commission of murder.

The report said 
one of the first responding officers — a Uvalde school district police 
officer — drove through the school’s parking lot “at a high rate of 
speed” and didn’t spot the gunman, who was still in the parking lot. The
 report said the officer might have seen the suspect if he had driven 
more slowly or parked his car at the edge of the school property and 
approached on foot.

The report also 
found flaws in how the school maintains security of the building. The 
report noted that propping doors open is a common practice in the 
school, a practice that “can create a situation that results in danger 
to students.” The exterior door the gunman used to enter the school had 
been propped open by a teacher, who then closed it before the gunman 
entered — but it didn’t lock properly.

The teacher did not 
check to see if the door was locked, the report said. The teacher also 
did not appear to have the proper equipment to lock the door even if she
 had checked. The report also notes that even if the door had locked 
properly, the suspect still could have gained access to the building by 
shooting out the glass in the door.

An audio 
analysis outlined in the report shows 100 rounds were fired in the first
 three minutes after the gunman entered rooms 111 and 112 — from 11:33 
a.m. to 11:36 a.m.

The report 
highlighted other issues with the law enforcement response before the 
gunman — an 18-year-old Uvalde man — entered rooms 111 and 112 for the 
last time.

The gunman was 
seen by security cameras entering room 111, then leaving the room, then 
re-entering the room before officers arrived. The report determined that
 the lock on room 111 “was never engaged” because the lock required a 
key to be inserted from the hallway side of the door.

Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo previously <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/09/uvalde-chief-pete-arredondo-interview/">told</a> The Texas Tribune that he had checked the door on room 111, but it was locked.

The officers 
were also in multiple teams at both ends of the south hallway of the 
school “resulting in a high likelihood of officers at either end of the 
hallway shooting officers at the other end” if the suspect had emerged 
from the classroom again, according to the report.

The report said that after the gunman entered the building, the officers did not properly engage the shooter and lost momentum.

“Ideally, the 
officers would have placed accurate return fire on the attacker when the
 attacker began shooting at them,” the report said. “Maintaining 
position or even pushing forward to a better spot to deliver accurate 
return fire would have undoubtedly been dangerous, and there would have 
been a high probability that some of the officers would have been shot 
or even killed. However, the officers also would likely have been able 
to stop the attacker and then focus on getting immediate medical care to
 the wounded.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653505281036.png" alt="Photo courtesy KSAT-TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KSAT-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC NEUGEBOREN <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/06/uvalde-school-shooting-robb-elementary-report/">Texas Tribune</a>An Uvalde police 
officer asked for a supervisor’s permission to shoot the gunman who 
would soon kill 21 people at Robb Elementary School in May before he 
entered the building, but the supervisor did not hear the request or 
responded too late, according to a report released Wednesday evaluating 
the law enforcement response to the shooting.The request from
 the Uvalde officer, who was outside the school, about a minute before 
the gunman entered Robb Elementary had not been previously reported. The
 officer was reported to have been afraid of possibly shooting children 
while attempting to take out the gunman, according to the report 
released Wednesday by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response 
Training Center, located at Texas State University in San Marcos.The report 
provides a host of new details about the May 24 shooting, including 
several missed opportunities to engage or stop the gunman before he 
entered the school.The lack of response 
to the officer’s request to shoot the suspect outside the school was the
 most significant new detail that the report revealed.“A reasonable 
officer would conclude in this case, based upon the totality of the 
circumstances, that use of deadly force was warranted,” according to the
 report. The report referred to the Texas Penal Code, which states an 
individual is justified in using deadly force when the individual 
reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary to prevent
 the commission of murder.The report said 
one of the first responding officers — a Uvalde school district police 
officer — drove through the school’s parking lot “at a high rate of 
speed” and didn’t spot the gunman, who was still in the parking lot. The
 report said the officer might have seen the suspect if he had driven 
more slowly or parked his car at the edge of the school property and 
approached on foot.The report also 
found flaws in how the school maintains security of the building. The 
report noted that propping doors open is a common practice in the 
school, a practice that “can create a situation that results in danger 
to students.” The exterior door the gunman used to enter the school had 
been propped open by a teacher, who then closed it before the gunman 
entered — but it didn’t lock properly.The teacher did not 
check to see if the door was locked, the report said. The teacher also 
did not appear to have the proper equipment to lock the door even if she
 had checked. The report also notes that even if the door had locked 
properly, the suspect still could have gained access to the building by 
shooting out the glass in the door.An audio 
analysis outlined in the report shows 100 rounds were fired in the first
 three minutes after the gunman entered rooms 111 and 112 — from 11:33 
a.m. to 11:36 a.m.The report 
highlighted other issues with the law enforcement response before the 
gunman — an 18-year-old Uvalde man — entered rooms 111 and 112 for the 
last time.The gunman was 
seen by security cameras entering room 111, then leaving the room, then 
re-entering the room before officers arrived. The report determined that
 the lock on room 111 “was never engaged” because the lock required a 
key to be inserted from the hallway side of the door.Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo previously <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/09/uvalde-chief-pete-arredondo-interview/">told</a> The Texas Tribune that he had checked the door on room 111, but it was locked.The officers 
were also in multiple teams at both ends of the south hallway of the 
school “resulting in a high likelihood of officers at either end of the 
hallway shooting officers at the other end” if the suspect had emerged 
from the classroom again, according to the report.The report said that after the gunman entered the building, the officers did not properly engage the shooter and lost momentum.“Ideally, the 
officers would have placed accurate return fire on the attacker when the
 attacker began shooting at them,” the report said. “Maintaining 
position or even pushing forward to a better spot to deliver accurate 
return fire would have undoubtedly been dangerous, and there would have 
been a high probability that some of the officers would have been shot 
or even killed. However, the officers also would likely have been able 
to stop the attacker and then focus on getting immediate medical care to
 the wounded.”

Report: Uvalde officer asked permission to shoot gunman outside school

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/grant-application-process-opens-for-small-nebraska-meat-processors-seeking-federal-rescue-funds/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 — The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has started to accept 
applications for nearly $10 million in grant money available for 
projects aimed at enhancing small meat processing facilities.

The
 Independent Processor Assistance Program grants come from Nebraska’s 
allotment of more than $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act 
funds.&nbsp;

Eligible Nebraska facilities must have existing sales revenue less than $2.5 million and fewer than 25 employees.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/meat_processors/">The applications</a> must be received by Aug. 12.

“Nebraska
 is a leader in meat production and processing, which is a vital part of
 our nation’s food supply,” said Steve Wellman, director of the state <a target="_blank" href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/">Department of Agriculture</a>.
 “Our livestock producers and meat processors have already faced many 
unique challenges created by the pandemic, and yet they continue to find
 solutions to keep the food chain operating.”

He expects the grants to strengthen the state’s meat processing industry.

The grant program, passed by the Nebraska Legislature this spring, provides about $9.8 million to<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/07/new-grant-program-aims-to-help-small-town-locker-plants-survive-and-expand/"> small meat processors.</a>

State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who 
sponsored the legislation, has said the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated 
how easily the food chain can be disrupted, particularly when it comes 
to fresh beef and pork.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657139036589.png" alt="Tubes of fresh-ground hamburger are produced at Oakland Meat Processors, one of several small-town locker plants hoping to benefit from a new state program. (Courtesy of Kylie Kai, Center for Rural Affairs)" />
 <figcaption>Tubes of fresh-ground hamburger are produced at Oakland Meat Processors, one of several small-town locker plants hoping to benefit from a new state program. (Courtesy of Kylie Kai, Center for Rural Affairs)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/grant-application-process-opens-for-small-nebraska-meat-processors-seeking-federal-rescue-funds/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 — The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has started to accept 
applications for nearly $10 million in grant money available for 
projects aimed at enhancing small meat processing facilities.The
 Independent Processor Assistance Program grants come from Nebraska’s 
allotment of more than $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act 
funds.&nbsp;Eligible Nebraska facilities must have existing sales revenue less than $2.5 million and fewer than 25 employees.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/meat_processors/">The applications</a> must be received by Aug. 12.“Nebraska
 is a leader in meat production and processing, which is a vital part of
 our nation’s food supply,” said Steve Wellman, director of the state <a target="_blank" href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/">Department of Agriculture</a>.
 “Our livestock producers and meat processors have already faced many 
unique challenges created by the pandemic, and yet they continue to find
 solutions to keep the food chain operating.”He expects the grants to strengthen the state’s meat processing industry.The grant program, passed by the Nebraska Legislature this spring, provides about $9.8 million to<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/07/new-grant-program-aims-to-help-small-town-locker-plants-survive-and-expand/"> small meat processors.</a>State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who 
sponsored the legislation, has said the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated 
how easily the food chain can be disrupted, particularly when it comes 
to fresh beef and pork.

Small Neb. meat processors can apply for $10M in federal funds

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In a reversal for President Joe Biden, a federal appeals court in New Orleans last week agreed to reconsider its own April ruling that allowed the administration to require federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The new order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans vacates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-donald-trump-new-orleans-5dfec69e95363b4bc4e94228c2de5729">an earlier ruling</a>&nbsp;by a three-judge panel that upheld the mandate. The new order means a block on the mandate imposed in January by a Texas-based federal judge remains in effect, while the full court’s 17 judges take up the appeal.

Biden had issued an order Sept. 9 requiring that more than 3.5 million federal executive branch workers undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January. At the time, the White House said 98% of federal workers were already vaccinated.

Brown’s ruling was followed by back-and-forth rulings at the 5th Circuit.

In February, a 5th Circuit panel refused to block Brown’s ruling pending appeal.

But after hearing arguments in March, a different panel ruled 2-1 that Brown did not have jurisdiction in the case. The panel said those challenging the requirement could have pursued administrative remedies under Civil Service law. Although the ruling was issued in April, it was not to officially take effect until May 31.

Judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, who were nominated to the 5th Circuit by Democratic President Bill Clinton, were in the majority. Judge Rhesa Barksdale, a senior judge nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush, dissented, saying the relief the challengers sought does not fall under the Civil Service Reform Act cited by the administration.

Barksdale is a senior judge, meaning he has a reduced case load and is no longer on active status at the court. Because he was part of the ruling panel he can participate in the reconsideration with the active judges. Of the 17 judges currently listed as active judges at the 5th Circuit, 12 are appointees of Republican presidents, including six nominated to the court by Trump.

When the case was argued before the three-judge 5th Circuit panel in March, administration lawyers had noted that district judges in a dozen jurisdictions had rejected a challenge to the vaccine requirement for federal workers before Brown ruled.

The administration argued the Constitution gives the president, as the head of the federal workforce, the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653439600561.png" alt="President Biden had issued an order Sept. 9 requiring that more than 3.5 million federal executive branch workers undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions." />
 <figcaption>President Biden had issued an order Sept. 9 requiring that more than 3.5 million federal executive branch workers undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In a reversal for President Joe Biden, a federal appeals court in New Orleans last week agreed to reconsider its own April ruling that allowed the administration to require federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.The new order from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans vacates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-donald-trump-new-orleans-5dfec69e95363b4bc4e94228c2de5729">an earlier ruling</a>&nbsp;by a three-judge panel that upheld the mandate. The new order means a block on the mandate imposed in January by a Texas-based federal judge remains in effect, while the full court’s 17 judges take up the appeal.Biden had issued an order Sept. 9 requiring that more than 3.5 million federal executive branch workers undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions.U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement in January. At the time, the White House said 98% of federal workers were already vaccinated.Brown’s ruling was followed by back-and-forth rulings at the 5th Circuit.In February, a 5th Circuit panel refused to block Brown’s ruling pending appeal.But after hearing arguments in March, a different panel ruled 2-1 that Brown did not have jurisdiction in the case. The panel said those challenging the requirement could have pursued administrative remedies under Civil Service law. Although the ruling was issued in April, it was not to officially take effect until May 31.Judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, who were nominated to the 5th Circuit by Democratic President Bill Clinton, were in the majority. Judge Rhesa Barksdale, a senior judge nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush, dissented, saying the relief the challengers sought does not fall under the Civil Service Reform Act cited by the administration.Barksdale is a senior judge, meaning he has a reduced case load and is no longer on active status at the court. Because he was part of the ruling panel he can participate in the reconsideration with the active judges. Of the 17 judges currently listed as active judges at the 5th Circuit, 12 are appointees of Republican presidents, including six nominated to the court by Trump.When the case was argued before the three-judge 5th Circuit panel in March, administration lawyers had noted that district judges in a dozen jurisdictions had rejected a challenge to the vaccine requirement for federal workers before Brown ruled.The administration argued the Constitution gives the president, as the head of the federal workforce, the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.

Court fight continues over Biden vaccine mandate for federal workers

By W. LARRY KENNEY, DANIEL VACELLIO, RACHEL COTTLE and S. TONY WOLF <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-the-human-body-our-lab-found-heat-humidity-gets-dangerous-faster-than-many-people-realize-185593">The Conversation</a>

Heat waves are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16970-7">becoming supercharged as the climate changes</a>
 – lasting longer, becoming more frequent and getting just plain hotter.
 One question a lot of people are asking is: “When will it get too hot 
for normal daily activity as we know it, even for young, healthy 
adults?”

The answer goes beyond the temperature you see on the thermometer. It’s also about humidity. <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zsXN72cAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Our</a> <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xuBw4jQAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">research</a> shows the combination of the two can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">get dangerous faster</a> than scientists previously believed.

Scientists and other observers have become alarmed about the 
increasing frequency of extreme heat paired with high humidity, measured
 as “wet-bulb temperature.” During the heat waves that overtook South 
Asia in May and June 2022, Jacobabad, Pakistan, recorded a <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/hotter-human-body-can-handle-pakistan-city-broils-worlds-highest/">maximum wet-bulb temperature</a> of 33.6 C (92.5 F) and <a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/at-400c-delhis-real-feel-was-above-500c-on-tuesday-573438.html">Delhi topped that</a> – close to the theorized upper limit of human adaptability to humid heat.

People often point to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0913352107">study published in 2010</a>
 that estimated that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 C – equal to 95 F at 
100% humidity, or 115 F at 50% humidity – would be the upper limit of 
safety, beyond which the human body can no longer cool itself by 
evaporating sweat from the surface of the body to maintain a stable body
 core temperature.

It was not until recently that this limit was tested on humans in 
laboratory settings. The results of these tests show an even greater 
cause for concern.

To answer the question of “how hot is too hot?” we brought young, healthy men and women into the <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu/kines/get-started/research-labs-and-initiatives">Noll Laboratory at Penn State University</a> to experience heat stress in a controlled environment.

These experiments provide insight into which combinations of 
temperature and humidity begin to become harmful for even the healthiest
 humans.

Each participant swallowed a small telemetry pill, which monitored 
their deep body or core temperature. They then sat in an environmental 
chamber, moving just enough to simulate the minimal activities of daily 
living, such as cooking and eating. Researchers slowly increased either 
the temperature in the chamber or the humidity and monitored when the 
subject’s core temperature started to rise.

That combination of temperature and humidity whereby the person’s core temperature starts to rise is called the “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">critical environmental limit</a>.”
 Below those limits, the body is able to maintain a relatively stable 
core temperature over time. Above those limits, core temperature rises 
continuously and risk of heat-related illnesses with prolonged exposures
 is increased.

When the body overheats, the heart has to work harder to pump blood 
flow to the skin to dissipate the heat, and when you’re also sweating, 
that decreases body fluids. In the direst case, prolonged exposure can 
result in heat stroke, a life-threatening problem that requires 
immediate and rapid cooling and medical treatment. 

Our studies on young healthy men and women show that this upper environmental limit <a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">is even lower</a>
 than the theorized 35 C. It’s more like a wet-bulb temperature of 31 C 
(88 F). That would equal 31 C at 100% humidity or 38 C (100 F) at 60% 
humidity.

Current heat waves around the globe are approaching, if not exceeding, these limits.

In hot, dry environments the critical environmental limits aren’t 
defined by wet-bulb temperatures, because almost all the sweat the body 
produces evaporates, which cools the body. However, the amount humans 
can sweat is limited, and we also gain more heat from the higher air 
temperatures.

Keep in mind that these cutoffs are based solely on keeping your body
 temperature from rising excessively. Even lower temperatures and 
humidity can place stress on the heart and other body systems. And while
 eclipsing these limits does not necessarily present a worst-case 
scenario, prolonged exposure may become dire for vulnerable populations 
such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases. 

Our experimental focus has now turned to testing older men and women,
 since even healthy aging makes people less heat tolerant. Adding on the
 increased prevalence of heart disease, respiratory problems and other 
health problems, as well as certain medications, can put them at even 
higher risk of harm. People over the age of 65 comprise some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1380980/pdf/amjph00508-0117.pdf">80%-90% of heat wave casualties</a>.

Staying well hydrated and seeking areas in which to cool down – even for short periods – are important in high heat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657120887459.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By W. LARRY KENNEY, DANIEL VACELLIO, RACHEL COTTLE and S. TONY WOLF <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-the-human-body-our-lab-found-heat-humidity-gets-dangerous-faster-than-many-people-realize-185593">The Conversation</a><div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185593/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>Heat waves are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16970-7">becoming supercharged as the climate changes</a>
 – lasting longer, becoming more frequent and getting just plain hotter.
 One question a lot of people are asking is: “When will it get too hot 
for normal daily activity as we know it, even for young, healthy 
adults?”The answer goes beyond the temperature you see on the thermometer. It’s also about humidity. <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zsXN72cAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Our</a> <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xuBw4jQAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">research</a> shows the combination of the two can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">get dangerous faster</a> than scientists previously believed.Scientists and other observers have become alarmed about the 
increasing frequency of extreme heat paired with high humidity, measured
 as “wet-bulb temperature.” During the heat waves that overtook South 
Asia in May and June 2022, Jacobabad, Pakistan, recorded a <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/hotter-human-body-can-handle-pakistan-city-broils-worlds-highest/">maximum wet-bulb temperature</a> of 33.6 C (92.5 F) and <a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/at-400c-delhis-real-feel-was-above-500c-on-tuesday-573438.html">Delhi topped that</a> – close to the theorized upper limit of human adaptability to humid heat.People often point to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0913352107">study published in 2010</a>
 that estimated that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 C – equal to 95 F at 
100% humidity, or 115 F at 50% humidity – would be the upper limit of 
safety, beyond which the human body can no longer cool itself by 
evaporating sweat from the surface of the body to maintain a stable body
 core temperature.It was not until recently that this limit was tested on humans in 
laboratory settings. The results of these tests show an even greater 
cause for concern.<h2>The PSU H.E.A.T. Project</h2>To answer the question of “how hot is too hot?” we brought young, healthy men and women into the <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu/kines/get-started/research-labs-and-initiatives">Noll Laboratory at Penn State University</a> to experience heat stress in a controlled environment.These experiments provide insight into which combinations of 
temperature and humidity begin to become harmful for even the healthiest
 humans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657135943250.png" alt=" S. Tony Wolf, a postdoctoral researcher in kinesiology at Penn State and co-author of this article, conducts a heat test in the Noll Laboratory as part of the PSU Human Environmental Age Thresholds project. Patrick Mansell / Penn State, CC BY-NC-ND " />
 <figcaption> S. Tony Wolf, a postdoctoral researcher in kinesiology at Penn State and co-author of this article, conducts a heat test in the Noll Laboratory as part of the PSU Human Environmental Age Thresholds project. Patrick Mansell / Penn State, CC BY-NC-ND </figcaption>
 </figure>Each participant swallowed a small telemetry pill, which monitored 
their deep body or core temperature. They then sat in an environmental 
chamber, moving just enough to simulate the minimal activities of daily 
living, such as cooking and eating. Researchers slowly increased either 
the temperature in the chamber or the humidity and monitored when the 
subject’s core temperature started to rise.That combination of temperature and humidity whereby the person’s core temperature starts to rise is called the “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">critical environmental limit</a>.”
 Below those limits, the body is able to maintain a relatively stable 
core temperature over time. Above those limits, core temperature rises 
continuously and risk of heat-related illnesses with prolonged exposures
 is increased.When the body overheats, the heart has to work harder to pump blood 
flow to the skin to dissipate the heat, and when you’re also sweating, 
that decreases body fluids. In the direst case, prolonged exposure can 
result in heat stroke, a life-threatening problem that requires 
immediate and rapid cooling and medical treatment. Our studies on young healthy men and women show that this upper environmental limit <a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00738.2021">is even lower</a>
 than the theorized 35 C. It’s more like a wet-bulb temperature of 31 C 
(88 F). That would equal 31 C at 100% humidity or 38 C (100 F) at 60% 
humidity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657135987369.png" alt=" Similar to the National Weather Service’s heat index chart, this chart translates combinations of air temperature and relative humidity into critical environmental limits, above which core body temperature rises. The border between the yellow and red areas represents the average critical environmental limit for young men and women at minimal activity. W. Larry Kenney, CC BY-ND " />
 <figcaption> Similar to the National Weather Service’s heat index chart, this chart translates combinations of air temperature and relative humidity into critical environmental limits, above which core body temperature rises. The border between the yellow and red areas represents the average critical environmental limit for young men and women at minimal activity. W. Larry Kenney, CC BY-ND </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Dry vs. humid environments</h2>Current heat waves around the globe are approaching, if not exceeding, these limits.In hot, dry environments the critical environmental limits aren’t 
defined by wet-bulb temperatures, because almost all the sweat the body 
produces evaporates, which cools the body. However, the amount humans 
can sweat is limited, and we also gain more heat from the higher air 
temperatures.Keep in mind that these cutoffs are based solely on keeping your body
 temperature from rising excessively. Even lower temperatures and 
humidity can place stress on the heart and other body systems. And while
 eclipsing these limits does not necessarily present a worst-case 
scenario, prolonged exposure may become dire for vulnerable populations 
such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Our experimental focus has now turned to testing older men and women,
 since even healthy aging makes people less heat tolerant. Adding on the
 increased prevalence of heart disease, respiratory problems and other 
health problems, as well as certain medications, can put them at even 
higher risk of harm. People over the age of 65 comprise some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1380980/pdf/amjph00508-0117.pdf">80%-90% of heat wave casualties</a>.<h2>How to stay safe</h2>Staying well hydrated and seeking areas in which to cool down – even for short periods – are important in high heat.While more cities in the United States are expanding <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/docs/UseOfCoolingCenters.pdf">cooling centers</a> to help people escape the heat, there will still be many people who will experience these dangerous conditions with <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-06-20/sweltering-streets-hundreds-of-homeless-die-in-extreme-heat-each-year">no way to cool themselves</a>. <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vo93rjdHXVo"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Even those with access to air conditioning might not turn it on because of the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/pdfs/mm7124a1-H.pdf">high cost of energy</a> – a common occurrence in Phoenix, Arizona – or because of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-government-and-politics-business-environment-and-nature-6a66be20ed86ad18ed131156c9f7a517">large-scale power outages</a> during heat waves or wildfires, as is becoming more common in the western U.S.A recent study focusing on <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-022-02295-1">heat stress in Africa</a>
 found that future climates will not be conducive to the use of even 
low-cost cooling systems such as “swamp coolers” as the tropical and 
coastal parts of Africa become more humid. These devices, which require 
far less energy than air conditioners, use a fan to recirculate the air 
across a cool, wet pad to lower the air temperature, but they become 
ineffective at high wet-bulb temperatures above 21 C (70 F).All told, the evidence continues to mount that climate change is not 
just a problem for the future. It is one that humanity is currently 
facing and must tackle head-on.W. Larry Kenney is a Professor of Physiology, Kinesiology and Human Performance, Penn State. Daniel Vecellio isa geographer-climatologist and Postdoctoral Fellow, Penn State.&nbsp;Rachel Cottle is a Ph.D. Student in Exercise Physiology, Penn State.&nbsp;S. Tony Wolf is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Kinesiology, Penn State.