By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/26/environmental-group-raises-concerns-about-new-groundwater-contamination-at-alten-plant/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — An environmental watchdog group is raising concerns about new 
groundwater sampling that shows some high concentrations of pesticides 
in the vicinity of the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead.

Eight
 of the nine test wells recently drilled showed some level of pesticide 
contamination, according to the Perivallon Group, a collection of 
environmental groups concerned about long-term contamination in the 
vicinity of the plant.

The
 AltEn plant had been using waste seed corn, coated in pesticides, to 
produce ethanol. The facility was shut down last year by the Nebraska 
Department of Environment and Energy, which then sued the plant for 
violating state environmental rules.

In
 a news release, Perivallon spokesman Al Davis said the testing of wells
 sunk 50 feet below AltEn’s wastewater lagoons shows significant 
leaching of the toxic solution from the lagoons.

Davis said NDEE has documented for some time that there are holes in the damaged liners.

“Once
 again, we see that the efforts of the Nebraska Department of 
Environment and Energy, the AltEn Facility Response Group and AltEn LLC 
have not been enough to protect the aquifer from contamination,” Davis 
said.

Davis, a former state senator, was recently 
chosen as State Sen. Carol Blood’s running mate in her campaign for 
Nebraska governor. Blood, of Bellevue, &nbsp;has led the charge in the 
Nebraska Legislature to clean up the AltEn mess and hold those 
responsible accountable.

A
 phone message left with NewFields, one of the companies involved in the
 response at AltEn, was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon. NDEE
 also did not respond immediately to an email seeking comment.

Earlier
 this year, some Mead officials said they were glad “some progress” was 
being made to clean up the plant site. “We are finally seeing some 
progress,” the Rev. John Schnell, pastor of Mead Covenant Church, said 
in February.

In
 February, Jim Macy, director of the NDEE, said his agency was visiting 
the AltEn site three times a week and was working closely with a group 
of six seed corn companies who volunteered to clean up the site at no 
cost to the state.

The
 AltEn plant has drawn national alarm as an environmental concern since 
it was revealed a year ago that the plant had, for years, been using 
contaminated seed corn. The leftover “seed cake,” after being used for 
ethanol, had been spread on nearby farm fields until the NDEE halted 
that practice.

Now
 piles of wet cake cover 16 acres at the plant. The piles were recently 
covered with a plaster-like covering called Posi-shell. About 180 
million gallons of polluted wastewater are held in the wastewater 
lagoons.

NDEE records indicate that monitoring wells were drilled last month to a depth of up to 55 feet.

Perivallon
 said that of most concern are the levels of three contaminants found in
 the groundwater: Mefenoxam, a fungicide, which tested at 2,700 
micrograms per liter; Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid, at 2,000 micrograms
 per liter; and the insecticide Chlorantraniliprole, which tested at 960
 micrograms per liter.

Judy
 Wu-Smart, the lead entomologist at the Bee Lab at the nearby&nbsp; 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln research station, said the levels of 
pesticides are not yet at the level to cause “acute toxicity” in 
mammals, but she said they present a lethal risk for aquatic 
invertebrates and beneficial insects. A significant drop in the bee 
population near the AltEn plant in recent years has drawn concerns.

Davis said that his group is also concerned about a “mysterious drop” in the levels of wastewater lagoons at the AltEn site.&nbsp;

That, he said, may be the reason contaminants have leeched into the groundwater.

The
 shallow aquifer in that area, the Todd Valley Aquifer,&nbsp; spans about a 
third of Saunders County and stretches from Mead to Ashland, Parivallon 
said. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651068619326.png" alt="The AltEn Ethanol plant south of Mead, Nebraska, is now closed. It is subject to a clean-up order from state environmental regulators. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The AltEn Ethanol plant south of Mead, Nebraska, is now closed. It is subject to a clean-up order from state environmental regulators. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/26/environmental-group-raises-concerns-about-new-groundwater-contamination-at-alten-plant/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 — An environmental watchdog group is raising concerns about new 
groundwater sampling that shows some high concentrations of pesticides 
in the vicinity of the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead.Eight
 of the nine test wells recently drilled showed some level of pesticide 
contamination, according to the Perivallon Group, a collection of 
environmental groups concerned about long-term contamination in the 
vicinity of the plant.The
 AltEn plant had been using waste seed corn, coated in pesticides, to 
produce ethanol. The facility was shut down last year by the Nebraska 
Department of Environment and Energy, which then sued the plant for 
violating state environmental rules.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651068684010.jpeg" alt="Former State Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis (Courtesy Davis for Legislature campaign)" />
 <figcaption>Former State Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis (Courtesy Davis for Legislature campaign)</figcaption>
 </figure>In
 a news release, Perivallon spokesman Al Davis said the testing of wells
 sunk 50 feet below AltEn’s wastewater lagoons shows significant 
leaching of the toxic solution from the lagoons.<h2>Holes in liners</h2>Davis said NDEE has documented for some time that there are holes in the damaged liners.“Once
 again, we see that the efforts of the Nebraska Department of 
Environment and Energy, the AltEn Facility Response Group and AltEn LLC 
have not been enough to protect the aquifer from contamination,” Davis 
said.Davis, a former state senator, was recently 
chosen as State Sen. Carol Blood’s running mate in her campaign for 
Nebraska governor. Blood, of Bellevue, &nbsp;has led the charge in the 
Nebraska Legislature to clean up the AltEn mess and hold those 
responsible accountable.A
 phone message left with NewFields, one of the companies involved in the
 response at AltEn, was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon. NDEE
 also did not respond immediately to an email seeking comment.<h2>‘Some progress’</h2>Earlier
 this year, some Mead officials said they were glad “some progress” was 
being made to clean up the plant site. “We are finally seeing some 
progress,” the Rev. John Schnell, pastor of Mead Covenant Church, said 
in February.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651068709867.jpeg" alt="Jim Macy, director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Jim Macy, director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>In
 February, Jim Macy, director of the NDEE, said his agency was visiting 
the AltEn site three times a week and was working closely with a group 
of six seed corn companies who volunteered to clean up the site at no 
cost to the state.The
 AltEn plant has drawn national alarm as an environmental concern since 
it was revealed a year ago that the plant had, for years, been using 
contaminated seed corn. The leftover “seed cake,” after being used for 
ethanol, had been spread on nearby farm fields until the NDEE halted 
that practice.Now
 piles of wet cake cover 16 acres at the plant. The piles were recently 
covered with a plaster-like covering called Posi-shell. About 180 
million gallons of polluted wastewater are held in the wastewater 
lagoons.NDEE records indicate that monitoring wells were drilled last month to a depth of up to 55 feet.Perivallon
 said that of most concern are the levels of three contaminants found in
 the groundwater: Mefenoxam, a fungicide, which tested at 2,700 
micrograms per liter; Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid, at 2,000 micrograms
 per liter; and the insecticide Chlorantraniliprole, which tested at 960
 micrograms per liter.<h2>Beneficial insects at risk</h2>Judy
 Wu-Smart, the lead entomologist at the Bee Lab at the nearby&nbsp; 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln research station, said the levels of 
pesticides are not yet at the level to cause “acute toxicity” in 
mammals, but she said they present a lethal risk for aquatic 
invertebrates and beneficial insects. A significant drop in the bee 
population near the AltEn plant in recent years has drawn concerns.Davis said that his group is also concerned about a “mysterious drop” in the levels of wastewater lagoons at the AltEn site.&nbsp;That, he said, may be the reason contaminants have leeched into the groundwater.The
 shallow aquifer in that area, the Todd Valley Aquifer,&nbsp; spans about a 
third of Saunders County and stretches from Mead to Ashland, Parivallon 
said.

Group raises concerns about contamination at Neb. ethanol plant

WASHINGTON, DC.&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Tuesday participated in the committee’s hearing on her bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=ED39FFA4-8F1D-4211-80F9-1B4F3EBD11CA">Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act</a>.

During her opening remarks and line of questioning, Sen. Fischer highlighted how herlegislation&nbsp;would&nbsp;ensure every segment of the beef supply chain can succeed. She also noted&nbsp;that&nbsp;while there is near universal concern over the lack of&nbsp;price&nbsp;discovery&nbsp;and market&nbsp;transparency,&nbsp;voluntary efforts to address these concerns have largely failed&nbsp;from a lack of packer participation.&nbsp;Furthermore,&nbsp;instead of being in the driver’s seat,&nbsp;as was claimed by some witnesses, family ranchers often face a “take it or leave it” market.&nbsp;Finally, Sen. Fischer heard from a producer&nbsp;witness how increases&nbsp;in&nbsp;negotiated&nbsp;sales have not resulted in the economic losses some opponents have predicted.

Two panels of witnesses appeared before the committee. Panel one consisted of&nbsp;USDA Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green&nbsp;and&nbsp;USDA Administrator for Agricultural Marketing Service&nbsp;Bruce Summers.&nbsp;Panel Two consisted of&nbsp;William Ruffin of Ruffin Farms, Kansas Livestock Association and Tiffany Cattle Company President-elect Shawn Tiffany, Ziesch Ranch Owner/Operator Shelly Ziesch, and Colorado State Agricultural &amp; Resource Economics Professor Dr. Stephen Koontz.

WASHINGTON, DC.&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Tuesday participated in the committee’s hearing on her bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=ED39FFA4-8F1D-4211-80F9-1B4F3EBD11CA">Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act</a>.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/36fRJqLsVz4?start=8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>During her opening remarks and line of questioning, Sen. Fischer highlighted how herlegislation&nbsp;would&nbsp;ensure every segment of the beef supply chain can succeed. She also noted&nbsp;that&nbsp;while there is near universal concern over the lack of&nbsp;price&nbsp;discovery&nbsp;and market&nbsp;transparency,&nbsp;voluntary efforts to address these concerns have largely failed&nbsp;from a lack of packer participation.&nbsp;Furthermore,&nbsp;instead of being in the driver’s seat,&nbsp;as was claimed by some witnesses, family ranchers often face a “take it or leave it” market.&nbsp;Finally, Sen. Fischer heard from a producer&nbsp;witness how increases&nbsp;in&nbsp;negotiated&nbsp;sales have not resulted in the economic losses some opponents have predicted.Two panels of witnesses appeared before the committee. Panel one consisted of&nbsp;USDA Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green&nbsp;and&nbsp;USDA Administrator for Agricultural Marketing Service&nbsp;Bruce Summers.&nbsp;Panel Two consisted of&nbsp;William Ruffin of Ruffin Farms, Kansas Livestock Association and Tiffany Cattle Company President-elect Shawn Tiffany, Ziesch Ranch Owner/Operator Shelly Ziesch, and Colorado State Agricultural &amp; Resource Economics Professor Dr. Stephen Koontz.

🎥 Ag Committee hearing on Sen. Fischer’s cattle price discovery, transparency act

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, will pay $497,500 to a woman who was injured when she says police fired rubber bullets during racial justice protests in 2020. 

Elise Poole sued the city after she was struck by a rubber bullet during protests near downtown Lincoln on May 31, 2020. 

The lawsuit claimed that Poole was trying to flee after law enforcement officers fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters.

 Her attorney said she was struck in the face by a rubber bullet and needed emergency surgery to reattach her nose. 

The city of Lincoln does not admit liability. 

City Attorney Yohance Christie said officials do not know exactly what caused Poole's injuries.

By Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, will pay $497,500 to a woman who was injured when she says police fired rubber bullets during racial justice protests in 2020. Elise Poole sued the city after she was struck by a rubber bullet during protests near downtown Lincoln on May 31, 2020. The lawsuit claimed that Poole was trying to flee after law enforcement officers fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters. Her attorney said she was struck in the face by a rubber bullet and needed emergency surgery to reattach her nose. The city of Lincoln does not admit liability. City Attorney Yohance Christie said officials do not know exactly what caused Poole's injuries.

Nebraska city settles with woman injured during 2020 protest

NEW YORK (AP) — Three out of every four U.S. children have been infected with the coronavirus and more than half of all Americans had signs of previous infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers estimated in a report Tuesday.

The researchers examined blood samples from more than 200,000 Americans and looked for virus-fighting antibodies made from infections, not vaccines.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e3.htm?s_cid=mm7117e3_w" target="_blank">They found</a>&nbsp;that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December and February, when the more contagious omicron variant surged through the U.S.

For Americans of all ages, about 34% had signs of prior infection in December. Just two months later, 58% did.

“I did expect it to increase. I did not expect it to increase quite this much,” said Dr. Kristie Clarke, co-leader of a CDC team that tracks the extent of coronavirus infections.

The news came as Pfizer sought permission to offer a booster dose to kids ages 5 to 11, just like people 12 and older can get.

In the CDC report, the most striking increase was in children. The percentage of those 17 and under with antibodies rose from about 45% in December to about 75% in February.

The older people were, the less likely they had evidence of past infections. That may be because older adults have higher vaccination rates and they may be more likely to take other COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds, Clarke said.

Reported COVID-19 cases had a huge surge in December and January, then fell almost as dramatically as they had risen. But daily case counts have been trending up again in recent weeks.

The case numbers are believed to be an undercount, but officials do think recent increases reflect a true rise in infections. Many COVID-19 infections are mild enough that patients do not seek care or confirmatory lab tests. CDC officials say they plan to release a study soon that estimates that in recent months there were three infections for every reported case.

Another recent trend: U.S. health officials say they have seen two weeks of increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations, though the numbers remain relatively low. Hospital admissions number about 1,600 per day, a 9% increase in the prior week, the CDC reported.

Available evidence nevertheless offers reason to be hopeful about how the pandemic is going, officials suggested.

“We are not anticipating more severe disease from some of these subvariants, but we are actively studying them,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday.

The tests that showed how many people had previous infections can detect antibodies for one to two years after infection, and possibly longer. Studies have shown previous infection can protect some people against severe disease and hospitalization, but CDC officials stressed that the previously infected should still get COVID-19 vaccines.

The study looked for any detectable level of antibodies; it did not distinguish how many people had antibody levels that might be protective. Scientists are still trying to understand what role these kinds of antibodies play in protection from future virus exposures.

Officials continue to urge Americans to get vaccines and boosters, which offer additional protection against COVID-19 for all, including those who were previously infected.

Currently the U.S. offers a booster dose starting at age 12 but Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow healthy elementary-age kids to also get one -- about six months after their last shot. The companies cited a small study showing the extra shot for kids ages 5 to 11 revved up antibodies capable of fighting the super-contagious omicron variant. Pfizer’s kid-size shots are a third of the dose given to anyone 12 or older.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="COVID vaccine for children photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>COVID vaccine for children photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Three out of every four U.S. children have been infected with the coronavirus and more than half of all Americans had signs of previous infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers estimated in a report Tuesday.The researchers examined blood samples from more than 200,000 Americans and looked for virus-fighting antibodies made from infections, not vaccines.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e3.htm?s_cid=mm7117e3_w" target="_blank">They found</a>&nbsp;that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December and February, when the more contagious omicron variant surged through the U.S.For Americans of all ages, about 34% had signs of prior infection in December. Just two months later, 58% did.“I did expect it to increase. I did not expect it to increase quite this much,” said Dr. Kristie Clarke, co-leader of a CDC team that tracks the extent of coronavirus infections.The news came as Pfizer sought permission to offer a booster dose to kids ages 5 to 11, just like people 12 and older can get.In the CDC report, the most striking increase was in children. The percentage of those 17 and under with antibodies rose from about 45% in December to about 75% in February.The older people were, the less likely they had evidence of past infections. That may be because older adults have higher vaccination rates and they may be more likely to take other COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds, Clarke said.Reported COVID-19 cases had a huge surge in December and January, then fell almost as dramatically as they had risen. But daily case counts have been trending up again in recent weeks.The case numbers are believed to be an undercount, but officials do think recent increases reflect a true rise in infections. Many COVID-19 infections are mild enough that patients do not seek care or confirmatory lab tests. CDC officials say they plan to release a study soon that estimates that in recent months there were three infections for every reported case.Another recent trend: U.S. health officials say they have seen two weeks of increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations, though the numbers remain relatively low. Hospital admissions number about 1,600 per day, a 9% increase in the prior week, the CDC reported.Available evidence nevertheless offers reason to be hopeful about how the pandemic is going, officials suggested.“We are not anticipating more severe disease from some of these subvariants, but we are actively studying them,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday.The tests that showed how many people had previous infections can detect antibodies for one to two years after infection, and possibly longer. Studies have shown previous infection can protect some people against severe disease and hospitalization, but CDC officials stressed that the previously infected should still get COVID-19 vaccines.The study looked for any detectable level of antibodies; it did not distinguish how many people had antibody levels that might be protective. Scientists are still trying to understand what role these kinds of antibodies play in protection from future virus exposures.Officials continue to urge Americans to get vaccines and boosters, which offer additional protection against COVID-19 for all, including those who were previously infected.Currently the U.S. offers a booster dose starting at age 12 but Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow healthy elementary-age kids to also get one -- about six months after their last shot. The companies cited a small study showing the extra shot for kids ages 5 to 11 revved up antibodies capable of fighting the super-contagious omicron variant. Pfizer’s kid-size shots are a third of the dose given to anyone 12 or older.___

CDC estimates 3 in 4 kids have had coronavirus infections

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/three-to-join-the-nebraska-business-hall-of-fame/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Leaders
 of a construction company, a private equity firm and a manufacturer of 
animal health products are to be inducted May 2 into the Nebraska 
Business Hall of Fame.

The
 three are Mike McCarthy of McCarthy Capital of Omaha; John Sampson of 
Sampson Construction of Lincoln; and Gloria Thesenvitz of Nova-Tech Inc.
 of Grand Island.

They
 will join about 120 others who have been inducted into the hall 
established in 1992 by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
 the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. Honorees are 
chosen for their work in growing businesses that make a mark on 
Nebraska’s economy and quality of life.

“Our
 three inductees are leaders in their industries and great examples for 
our students and other entrepreneurs who want to lead the future of 
business,” said Kathy Farrell of UNL.

Bryan
 Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber, the largest statewide 
business association, said this year’s inductees have the drive and 
vision that have “brought about game-changing opportunities in both 
their communities and quality of life for others.”

Candidates are nominated by individuals from the business community, business associations and academia.

McCarthy
 founded the private equity firm that bears his name in 1986. He has 
served on nonprofit boards including the Omaha Community Foundation, 
Creighton University and Omaha Zoological Society. He currently chairs 
the Heritage Services board and is on others including Peter Kiewit Sons
 and Union Pacific Corp.

Sampson has
 been president and CEO of the construction company since 1995. Under 
his leadership, the business has completed more than $3 billion in 
commercial building projects in an eight-state area that includes 
Nebraska. He manages the firm’s resources at its five locations and has 
built relationships with community leaders.

Thesenvitz is
 founder and board chair for Nova-Tech, which provides products to the 
animal health industry in the U.S. and Canada. She is an advocate for 
education, jobs, women entrepreneurs and rural Nebraska and is the 
recipient of the Governor’s Bioscience Award and the Grand Island 
Independent’s Woman of the Year in 2017.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650988089294.jpeg" alt="Mike McCarthy of McCarthy Capital (Courtesy of Mike McCarthy)" />
 <figcaption>Mike McCarthy of McCarthy Capital (Courtesy of Mike McCarthy)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/three-to-join-the-nebraska-business-hall-of-fame/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Leaders
 of a construction company, a private equity firm and a manufacturer of 
animal health products are to be inducted May 2 into the Nebraska 
Business Hall of Fame.The
 three are Mike McCarthy of McCarthy Capital of Omaha; John Sampson of 
Sampson Construction of Lincoln; and Gloria Thesenvitz of Nova-Tech Inc.
 of Grand Island.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650988140882.jpeg" alt="Gloria Thesenvitz of Nova-Tech Inc. (Courtesy of Gloria Thesenvitz)" />
 <figcaption>Gloria Thesenvitz of Nova-Tech Inc. (Courtesy of Gloria Thesenvitz)</figcaption>
 </figure>They
 will join about 120 others who have been inducted into the hall 
established in 1992 by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
 the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. Honorees are 
chosen for their work in growing businesses that make a mark on 
Nebraska’s economy and quality of life.“Our
 three inductees are leaders in their industries and great examples for 
our students and other entrepreneurs who want to lead the future of 
business,” said Kathy Farrell of UNL.Bryan
 Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber, the largest statewide 
business association, said this year’s inductees have the drive and 
vision that have “brought about game-changing opportunities in both 
their communities and quality of life for others.”Candidates are nominated by individuals from the business community, business associations and academia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650988171249.jpeg" alt="John Sampson of Sampson Construction (Courtesy of John Sampson)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>John Sampson of Sampson Construction (Courtesy of John Sampson)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>McCarthy
 founded the private equity firm that bears his name in 1986. He has 
served on nonprofit boards including the Omaha Community Foundation, 
Creighton University and Omaha Zoological Society. He currently chairs 
the Heritage Services board and is on others including Peter Kiewit Sons
 and Union Pacific Corp.Sampson has
 been president and CEO of the construction company since 1995. Under 
his leadership, the business has completed more than $3 billion in 
commercial building projects in an eight-state area that includes 
Nebraska. He manages the firm’s resources at its five locations and has 
built relationships with community leaders.Thesenvitz is
 founder and board chair for Nova-Tech, which provides products to the 
animal health industry in the U.S. and Canada. She is an advocate for 
education, jobs, women entrepreneurs and rural Nebraska and is the 
recipient of the Governor’s Bioscience Award and the Grand Island 
Independent’s Woman of the Year in 2017.

Three to join the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/25/three-republican-candidates-for-nebraska-governor-debate-taxes-water-broadband/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

HOLDREGE,
 Nebraska — Three of Nebraska’s top four GOP candidates for governor 
visited this agricultural hub Monday to debate taxes, water, broadband 
and more.

State
 Sen. Brett Lindstrom, former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau and Conklin Co. CEO
 Charles Herbster debated questions for an hour from reporters based in 
Kearney, Lexington and Axtell.&nbsp;

University
 of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen held a telephone town hall during 
Monday’s debate, the last before the May 10 primary election. Pillen has
 avoided debates with his fellow candidates. Instead, he attended 
candidate forums.

About
 200 people attended the Holdrege debate, hosted by NTV News at the 
Phelps County Agricultural Center. Each candidate spent significant time
 talking about plans to address property taxes.

Lindstrom
 got specific about state aid for schools, saying he wants to make sure 
every K-12 school district in Nebraska gets equalization aid. Right now,
 he said, 157 districts don’t.&nbsp;

His
 idea to change that: Work with the Legislature to redirect a portion of
 existing sales tax dollars over several years toward a goal of reducing
 property taxes by 20%.&nbsp;

Thibodeau
 said she wants to audit and cut spending on ineffective state programs 
and services so that every child in Nebraska can get the same amount of 
state aid to schools.

“If we grew food as much as we grow government, heck, nobody would ever go hungry,” Thibodeau said.

Herbster
 said he wants to rebuild Nebraska’s tax system from the bottom up, 
hoping to model what South Dakota does, with no income tax, or what Iowa
 does with a blended approach.

“People are leaving because we have a tax code that is driving business away, driving our young people away,” Herbster said.

On
 water, Lindstrom and Thibodeau backed Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to spend
 up to $500 million on the Perkins County Canal project to help Nebraska
 sue Colorado and protect water flows into Nebraska from the 
fast-growing state.

“We’ll
 see if it continues to be a $500 million project,” Lindstrom said. “But
 we will continue striving to protect Nebraska’s water rights.”

Herbster
 expressed skepticism about the cost, saying he didn’t feel he knew 
enough yet, without going to Colorado, to decide whether the state’s 
investment would be worthwhile.

Thibodeau
 criticized Herbster for not putting in the work she said was needed for
 his campaign, repeating criticism she leveled against Herbster when she
 quit the campaign as his running mate. She said she had already 
traveled to Colorado and talked to farmers.

She
 criticized Lindstrom for approving a six-cent gas tax increase in 2015.
 Lindstrom said&nbsp; Monday that the increase was an investment in 
maintaining Nebraska roads and bridges, including Interstate 80.

Lindstrom
 repeatedly emphasized the importance of investing state dollars to help
 make broadband more accessible in Nebraska’s rural communities. 
Herbster and Thibodeau agreed.

Thibodeau
 and Lindstrom said they want to keep the Nebraska Department of 
Education accountable to the elected Nebraska Board of Education, rather
 than place it under the governor’s control.&nbsp;

On
 the same question, Herbster repeated his criticism about the need for 
prayer in schools. He said school leaders need to stop treating parents 
like terrorists. He also said Nebraska has too many unwed mothers.&nbsp;

One
 of the evening’s exchanges concerned medical marijuana. Lindstrom said 
he supports efforts to make the drug available, as long as “we can do it
 responsibly.”

Thibodeau
 said she would support medical marijuana in pill or liquid form, but 
not if the law allows people with permits to grow marijuana plants at 
home for medical use.

Herbster
 said he’d leave the decision on medical marijuana up to Nebraska 
voters. If they approved it, he said, he would tax the substance and use
 the money to offset property taxes.

When
 a panelist asked about Pillen’s absence from debates, Thibodeau and 
Herbster repeated their criticisms of Pillen’s leadership. Lindstrom 
said it was Pillen’s choice not to participate.

Each
 candidate received a question geared toward them alone at one point 
during the debate. Lindstrom was asked what makes him conservative 
beyond his support for tax cuts.

He
 cited his pro-life stance with no exceptions, his A-rating from the 
National Rifle Association and his votes for property tax relief during 
eight years in the Legislature.

Thibodeau
 was asked why she decided to run for governor instead of remaining as 
Herbster’s running mate. She said she grew frustrated that Herbster 
wasn’t transparent or prepared.&nbsp;

Herbster
 was asked how he planned to work with women in the Legislature after 
the Nebraska Examiner’s report that eight women, including State Sen. 
Julie Slama, have alleged that he groped them.

Herbster
 said political hit jobs happen in political races and said “they” did 
the same to former President Donald Trump. He said he, as a born-again 
Christian, can work with anybody,&nbsp; “even those who have attacked me.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650988006420.png" alt="Three of the Nebraska GOP gubernatorial candidates, from left, Brett Lindstrom, Theresa Thibodeau and Charles Herbster. They participated in a debate in Holdrege, Nebraska, organized by NTV News. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Three of the Nebraska GOP gubernatorial candidates, from left, Brett Lindstrom, Theresa Thibodeau and Charles Herbster. They participated in a debate in Holdrege, Nebraska, organized by NTV News. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/25/three-republican-candidates-for-nebraska-governor-debate-taxes-water-broadband/">Nebraska Examiner</a>HOLDREGE,
 Nebraska — Three of Nebraska’s top four GOP candidates for governor 
visited this agricultural hub Monday to debate taxes, water, broadband 
and more.State
 Sen. Brett Lindstrom, former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau and Conklin Co. CEO
 Charles Herbster debated questions for an hour from reporters based in 
Kearney, Lexington and Axtell.&nbsp;University
 of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen held a telephone town hall during 
Monday’s debate, the last before the May 10 primary election. Pillen has
 avoided debates with his fellow candidates. Instead, he attended 
candidate forums.About
 200 people attended the Holdrege debate, hosted by NTV News at the 
Phelps County Agricultural Center. Each candidate spent significant time
 talking about plans to address property taxes.Lindstrom
 got specific about state aid for schools, saying he wants to make sure 
every K-12 school district in Nebraska gets equalization aid. Right now,
 he said, 157 districts don’t.&nbsp;His
 idea to change that: Work with the Legislature to redirect a portion of
 existing sales tax dollars over several years toward a goal of reducing
 property taxes by 20%.&nbsp;Thibodeau
 said she wants to audit and cut spending on ineffective state programs 
and services so that every child in Nebraska can get the same amount of 
state aid to schools.“If we grew food as much as we grow government, heck, nobody would ever go hungry,” Thibodeau said.Herbster
 said he wants to rebuild Nebraska’s tax system from the bottom up, 
hoping to model what South Dakota does, with no income tax, or what Iowa
 does with a blended approach.“People are leaving because we have a tax code that is driving business away, driving our young people away,” Herbster said.<h2>Conflict on Perkins County Canal</h2>On
 water, Lindstrom and Thibodeau backed Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to spend
 up to $500 million on the Perkins County Canal project to help Nebraska
 sue Colorado and protect water flows into Nebraska from the 
fast-growing state.“We’ll
 see if it continues to be a $500 million project,” Lindstrom said. “But
 we will continue striving to protect Nebraska’s water rights.”Herbster
 expressed skepticism about the cost, saying he didn’t feel he knew 
enough yet, without going to Colorado, to decide whether the state’s 
investment would be worthwhile.Thibodeau
 criticized Herbster for not putting in the work she said was needed for
 his campaign, repeating criticism she leveled against Herbster when she
 quit the campaign as his running mate. She said she had already 
traveled to Colorado and talked to farmers.She
 criticized Lindstrom for approving a six-cent gas tax increase in 2015.
 Lindstrom said&nbsp; Monday that the increase was an investment in 
maintaining Nebraska roads and bridges, including Interstate 80.Lindstrom
 repeatedly emphasized the importance of investing state dollars to help
 make broadband more accessible in Nebraska’s rural communities. 
Herbster and Thibodeau agreed.Thibodeau
 and Lindstrom said they want to keep the Nebraska Department of 
Education accountable to the elected Nebraska Board of Education, rather
 than place it under the governor’s control.&nbsp;On
 the same question, Herbster repeated his criticism about the need for 
prayer in schools. He said school leaders need to stop treating parents 
like terrorists. He also said Nebraska has too many unwed mothers.&nbsp;<h2>Medical marijuana</h2>One
 of the evening’s exchanges concerned medical marijuana. Lindstrom said 
he supports efforts to make the drug available, as long as “we can do it
 responsibly.”Thibodeau
 said she would support medical marijuana in pill or liquid form, but 
not if the law allows people with permits to grow marijuana plants at 
home for medical use.Herbster
 said he’d leave the decision on medical marijuana up to Nebraska 
voters. If they approved it, he said, he would tax the substance and use
 the money to offset property taxes.When
 a panelist asked about Pillen’s absence from debates, Thibodeau and 
Herbster repeated their criticisms of Pillen’s leadership. Lindstrom 
said it was Pillen’s choice not to participate.Each
 candidate received a question geared toward them alone at one point 
during the debate. Lindstrom was asked what makes him conservative 
beyond his support for tax cuts.He
 cited his pro-life stance with no exceptions, his A-rating from the 
National Rifle Association and his votes for property tax relief during 
eight years in the Legislature.Thibodeau
 was asked why she decided to run for governor instead of remaining as 
Herbster’s running mate. She said she grew frustrated that Herbster 
wasn’t transparent or prepared.&nbsp;Herbster
 was asked how he planned to work with women in the Legislature after 
the Nebraska Examiner’s report that eight women, including State Sen. 
Julie Slama, have alleged that he groped them.Herbster
 said political hit jobs happen in political races and said “they” did 
the same to former President Donald Trump. He said he, as a born-again 
Christian, can work with anybody,&nbsp; “even those who have attacked me.”

GOP candidates for Neb. governor debate taxes, water, broadband

MOSCOW(AP) —Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Monday that Ukraine risks provoking World War III and said the threat of a nuclear conflict “should not be underestimated.”

In an in-depth Russian TV interview, Lavrov blamed Ukraine for stalled talks between the two countries, and accused the United States and Britain of pressuring Kyiv not to reach agreement.

“Everyone is reciting incantations that in no case can we allow World War III,” Lavrov said, and accused Ukrainian leaders of provoking Russia by asking NATO to become involved in the conflict.

By providing weapons, NATO forces are “pouring oil on the fire,” he said, according to a Russian transcript on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.

Lavrov apparently made the remarks after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States wants “to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told The Associated Press in an interview Monday that only discussions between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin would bring resolution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650881393752.png" alt="U.S. Airmen prepare supply crates containing Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin anti-armor systems, and other equipment bound for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base in April 2022 -photo U.S.Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Airmen prepare supply crates containing Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin anti-armor systems, and other equipment bound for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base in April 2022 -photo U.S.Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW(AP) —Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Monday that Ukraine risks provoking World War III and said the threat of a nuclear conflict “should not be underestimated.”In an in-depth Russian TV interview, Lavrov blamed Ukraine for stalled talks between the two countries, and accused the United States and Britain of pressuring Kyiv not to reach agreement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650883422666.png" alt="Reporters who accompanied Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken to Poland&nbsp; on their way to meet with the Ukraine President were barred by Pentagon and State Department officials from reporting the Kyiv visit until the two men physically left Ukraine-photo U.S. Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>Reporters who accompanied Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken to Poland&nbsp; on their way to meet with the Ukraine President were barred by Pentagon and State Department officials from reporting the Kyiv visit until the two men physically left Ukraine-photo U.S. Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>“Everyone is reciting incantations that in no case can we allow World War III,” Lavrov said, and accused Ukrainian leaders of provoking Russia by asking NATO to become involved in the conflict.By providing weapons, NATO forces are “pouring oil on the fire,” he said, according to a Russian transcript on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.Lavrov apparently made the remarks after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States wants “to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told The Associated Press in an interview Monday that only discussions between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin would bring resolution.

Russia warns of real nuclear war risk over Ukraine

Every few months, a new scam pops up that seems to be everywhere (remember the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/5691-bbb-warning-if-caller-asks-can-you-hear-me-just-hang-up" target="_blank">"Can you hear me” scam</a> or this <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26053-bbb-scam-alert-wrong-number-text-message-could-be-a-scam-bot" target="_blank">wrong number con</a>).&nbsp; A new version is here! In the past few weeks, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a> has received numerous reports of a text message scam that attempts to trick people with the promise of a “free gift.”

You receive a text message that says something like this: “Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here’s a little gift for you.”
 This message followed by a link to an unfamiliar website. The text 
doesn’t specify what bill you paid, what company the message is coming 
from, or what the total amount was. Even more disturbing, the message 
may be a group text sent to a dozen or more other people, none of whom 
are in your contacts list.

The text isn’t from a real company. The goal is to 
get your personal information, which puts you at risk for identity 
theft. In some versions of the scam, you may be directed to a website 
asking you to “confirm your identity,” so you can receive the gift. 
Scammers may also ask for your credit card information, claiming you 
need to pay a few dollars to ship the “free” gift.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBEvery few months, a new scam pops up that seems to be everywhere (remember the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/5691-bbb-warning-if-caller-asks-can-you-hear-me-just-hang-up" target="_blank">"Can you hear me” scam</a> or this <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26053-bbb-scam-alert-wrong-number-text-message-could-be-a-scam-bot" target="_blank">wrong number con</a>).&nbsp; A new version is here! In the past few weeks, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a> has received numerous reports of a text message scam that attempts to trick people with the promise of a “free gift.”<h2>How the scam works</h2>You receive a text message that says something like this: “Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here’s a little gift for you.”
 This message followed by a link to an unfamiliar website. The text 
doesn’t specify what bill you paid, what company the message is coming 
from, or what the total amount was. Even more disturbing, the message 
may be a group text sent to a dozen or more other people, none of whom 
are in your contacts list.The text isn’t from a real company. The goal is to 
get your personal information, which puts you at risk for identity 
theft. In some versions of the scam, you may be directed to a website 
asking you to “confirm your identity,” so you can receive the gift. 
Scammers may also ask for your credit card information, claiming you 
need to pay a few dollars to ship the “free” gift.<h2>How to avoid text message scams</h2><ul>
 <li>Don’t click on links from strangers. In fact, be 
wary of suspicious links forwarded to you by friends too. Even 
well-meaning friends may forward suspicious links without realizing 
they’ve been scammed. Scammers often use links along with either an 
exciting offer or a threat as part of a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16758-bbb-tip-phishing-scams" target="_blank">phishing scam</a>. They want to elicit an emotional response from you, so you’ll click on the link without thinking. </li><li>Call the company directly to confirm messages sent by text.
 If you think the message came from a company you do business with, call
 them directly before you click on any links. Keep in mind that 
businesses need your permission to send you text messages. If you never 
opted in to receive text messages from a company, the text is probably a
 scam. </li><li>Use good judgement. Scammers love to trick people 
with offers that are too good to be true. If you get a message promising
 you’ll receive an amazing gift for free, it’s probably a scam.</li>
 </ul>

Scam alert: 'Free gift for you' text message? It's a scam!

WASHINGTON (AP) — For much of the past two years, America has been first in line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Now, as drugmakers develop the next generation of therapies, the White House is warning that if Congress doesn’t act urgently the U.S. will have to take a number.

Already the congressional stalemate over virus funding has forced the federal government to curtail free treatment for the uninsured and to ration monoclonal antibody supplies. And Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes.

Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-china-beijing-04f6bab983b14f9ff89459d2e3c99fdf">have all placed orders</a>&nbsp;for treatments and vaccine doses that the U.S. can’t yet commit to, according to the White House.

Months ago, the White House began warning that the country had spent through the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. It requested an additional $22.5 billion for what it called “urgent” needs in both the U.S. and abroad.

The Senate last month closed in on smaller $10 billion package focused on domestic needs. But even that deal fell apart as lawmakers objected to an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would end Trump-era border restrictions related to the pandemic.

The White House this week is mounting a push for doctors to get less stingy about prescribing the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which was initially rationed for those at the highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 but is now more widely available. A 20 million-dose order placed last year by the government helped boost manufacturing capacity.

Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. Some 314 Americans are now dying each day from the coronavirus, down from more than 2,600 during the height of the omicron wave earlier this year.

The U.S. used similar advance-purchase agreements to boost the domestic supply and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, through what was known in the Trump administration as “Operation Warp Speed.”

Now, with a new generation of treatments on the horizon, the U.S. is falling behind.

Japan has already placed an initial order for drugmaker Shionogi’s upcoming COVID-19 antiviral pill, which studies have shown to be at least as effective as Pfizer’s treatment and has fewer drug-to-drug interactions and is easier to administer.

Because of the funding delays, officials say, the U.S. has yet to place an advance order, which would help the company scale manufacturing to widely produce the pill.

“We know companies are working on additional, promising life-saving treatments that could protect the American people, and without additional funding from Congress, we risk losing out on accessing these treatments, as well as tests and vaccines, while other countries get in front of us in line,” said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. “Congress must act urgently upon return from recess to provide the funding needed to secure new treatments for the American people and to avoid this dangerous outcome.”

Complicating matters further are the long lead times to manufacture the antiviral and antibody treatments. Paxlovid takes about six months to produce, and monoclonal antibody treatments used to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious disease in the immunocompromised take similarly long, meaning the U.S. is running out of time to replenish its stockpile before the end of the year.

Last month the White House began cutting back shipments of monoclonal antibody treatments to states to make supplies last longer.

Administration officials declined to discuss specific treatments they are stymied from ordering because of contracting requirements.

The funding debate is also holding up U.S. purchases of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, including an upcoming new generation of vaccines that may better protect against the omicron variant.

Moderna and Pfizer both are testing what scientists call “bivalent” shots — a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version — with Moderna announcing last week it hopes to have its version ready this fall.

The Biden administration has said that while the U.S. has enough vaccine doses for children under 5, once they are approved by regulators, and for fourth shots for high-risk people over 50, it doesn’t have the money to order the new generation of doses.

Earlier this month, former White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong had already secured future booster doses.

Republicans have shown no signs of backing down from their insistence that before supplying the 10 GOP votes needed for the COVID-19 funding package to pass the Senate, the chamber must vote on their effort to extend the Trump-era Title 42 order. That COVID-linked order, which requires authorities to immediately expel nearly all migrants at the border, is set to be lifted on May 23.

An election-year vote to extend that order would be perilous for Democrats, and many hope no such vote occurs. Many say privately they hope Biden will keep the immigration curbs in place or that a court will postpone the rules’ termination, but Republicans could well force a vote anyway.

“Congress would have to take action in order for the day not to be May 23,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said early this month that he expected legislation this spring that would wrap together funds for COVID-19 and Ukraine. Aid for Ukraine has wide bipartisan support and could help propel such a package through Congress, but Republican opposition has already forced legislators to strip out pandemic response funding once.

There are at least six Democrats, and potentially 10 or more, who would be expected to back the Republican amendment to extend the immigration order, enough to secure its passage.

Such a vote would be dangerous for Democrats from swing districts, who must appeal to pro-immigration core Democratic voters without alienating moderates leery of the increase in migrants that lifting the curbs is expected to prompt.

Republicans haven’t said what language they would embrace, but they could turn to a bipartisan bill by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.

It would delay any suspension of the immigration limits until at least 60 days after the U.S. surgeon general declares the pandemic emergency to be over. The administration would also have to propose a plan for handling the anticipated increase in migrants crossing the border. Democrats expressing support for keeping the immigration restrictions in place have cited a lack of planning by the administration as their chief concern although the Biden administration has insisted it is preparing for an increase in border crossings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647908095685.png" alt="Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — For much of the past two years, America has been first in line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Now, as drugmakers develop the next generation of therapies, the White House is warning that if Congress doesn’t act urgently the U.S. will have to take a number.Already the congressional stalemate over virus funding has forced the federal government to curtail free treatment for the uninsured and to ration monoclonal antibody supplies. And Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes.Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-china-beijing-04f6bab983b14f9ff89459d2e3c99fdf">have all placed orders</a>&nbsp;for treatments and vaccine doses that the U.S. can’t yet commit to, according to the White House.Months ago, the White House began warning that the country had spent through the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. It requested an additional $22.5 billion for what it called “urgent” needs in both the U.S. and abroad.The Senate last month closed in on smaller $10 billion package focused on domestic needs. But even that deal fell apart as lawmakers objected to an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would end Trump-era border restrictions related to the pandemic.The White House this week is mounting a push for doctors to get less stingy about prescribing the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which was initially rationed for those at the highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 but is now more widely available. A 20 million-dose order placed last year by the government helped boost manufacturing capacity.Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. Some 314 Americans are now dying each day from the coronavirus, down from more than 2,600 during the height of the omicron wave earlier this year.The U.S. used similar advance-purchase agreements to boost the domestic supply and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, through what was known in the Trump administration as “Operation Warp Speed.”Now, with a new generation of treatments on the horizon, the U.S. is falling behind.Japan has already placed an initial order for drugmaker Shionogi’s upcoming COVID-19 antiviral pill, which studies have shown to be at least as effective as Pfizer’s treatment and has fewer drug-to-drug interactions and is easier to administer.Because of the funding delays, officials say, the U.S. has yet to place an advance order, which would help the company scale manufacturing to widely produce the pill.“We know companies are working on additional, promising life-saving treatments that could protect the American people, and without additional funding from Congress, we risk losing out on accessing these treatments, as well as tests and vaccines, while other countries get in front of us in line,” said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. “Congress must act urgently upon return from recess to provide the funding needed to secure new treatments for the American people and to avoid this dangerous outcome.”Complicating matters further are the long lead times to manufacture the antiviral and antibody treatments. Paxlovid takes about six months to produce, and monoclonal antibody treatments used to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious disease in the immunocompromised take similarly long, meaning the U.S. is running out of time to replenish its stockpile before the end of the year.Last month the White House began cutting back shipments of monoclonal antibody treatments to states to make supplies last longer.Administration officials declined to discuss specific treatments they are stymied from ordering because of contracting requirements.The funding debate is also holding up U.S. purchases of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, including an upcoming new generation of vaccines that may better protect against the omicron variant.Moderna and Pfizer both are testing what scientists call “bivalent” shots — a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version — with Moderna announcing last week it hopes to have its version ready this fall.The Biden administration has said that while the U.S. has enough vaccine doses for children under 5, once they are approved by regulators, and for fourth shots for high-risk people over 50, it doesn’t have the money to order the new generation of doses.Earlier this month, former White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong had already secured future booster doses.Republicans have shown no signs of backing down from their insistence that before supplying the 10 GOP votes needed for the COVID-19 funding package to pass the Senate, the chamber must vote on their effort to extend the Trump-era Title 42 order. That COVID-linked order, which requires authorities to immediately expel nearly all migrants at the border, is set to be lifted on May 23.An election-year vote to extend that order would be perilous for Democrats, and many hope no such vote occurs. Many say privately they hope Biden will keep the immigration curbs in place or that a court will postpone the rules’ termination, but Republicans could well force a vote anyway.“Congress would have to take action in order for the day not to be May 23,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said early this month that he expected legislation this spring that would wrap together funds for COVID-19 and Ukraine. Aid for Ukraine has wide bipartisan support and could help propel such a package through Congress, but Republican opposition has already forced legislators to strip out pandemic response funding once.There are at least six Democrats, and potentially 10 or more, who would be expected to back the Republican amendment to extend the immigration order, enough to secure its passage.Such a vote would be dangerous for Democrats from swing districts, who must appeal to pro-immigration core Democratic voters without alienating moderates leery of the increase in migrants that lifting the curbs is expected to prompt.Republicans haven’t said what language they would embrace, but they could turn to a bipartisan bill by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.It would delay any suspension of the immigration limits until at least 60 days after the U.S. surgeon general declares the pandemic emergency to be over. The administration would also have to propose a plan for handling the anticipated increase in migrants crossing the border. Democrats expressing support for keeping the immigration restrictions in place have cited a lack of planning by the administration as their chief concern although the Biden administration has insisted it is preparing for an increase in border crossings.

White House: Pass urgent COVID funding or more will die

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of the COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) to include pediatric patients 28 days of age and older weighing at least&nbsp; 7 pounds with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:

This action makes <a href="https://www.vekluryhcp.com/dosing-and-admin/">Veklury </a>the first approved COVID-19 treatment for children less than 12 years of age. As a result of today’s approval action, the agency also revoked the emergency use authorization for Veklury that previously covered this pediatric population, according to a statement from the agency.

Before now, Veklury was only approved to treat certain adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms, which is about 88 pounds) with COVID-19.&nbsp;

“As COVID-19 can cause severe illness in children, some of whom do not currently have a vaccination option, there continues to be a need for safe and effective COVID-19 treatment options for this population,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval of the first COVID-19 therapeutic for this population demonstrates the agency’s commitment to that need.”

Veklury is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses are recommended. The FDA has approved two vaccines, and three vaccines are available for emergency use, to prevent COVID-19 and the serious clinical outcomes associated with COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. The FDA urges the public to get vaccinated and receive a booster when eligible. Learn more about FDA-approved and authorized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines">COVID-19 vaccines</a>.

Given the similar course of COVID-19 disease in adults and pediatric patients, today’s approval of Veklury in certain pediatric patients is supported by efficacy results from phase 3 clinical trials in adults. Information on the trials in adults can be found in the FDA-approved drug labeling for Veklury. This approval is also supported by a phase 2/3, single-arm, open-label&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04431453">clinical study</a>&nbsp;of 53 pediatric patients at least 28 days of age and weighing at least 3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and mild, moderate or severe COVID-19. Patients in this pediatric phase 2/3 trial received Veklury for up to 10 days. The safety and pharmacokinetic results from the phase 2/3 study in pediatric subjects were similar to those in adults.

The only approved dosage form is Veklury for injection. &nbsp;

Possible side effects of using Veklury include increased levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver injury; and allergic reactions, which may include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, low blood oxygen level, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling (e.g., lips, around eyes, under the skin), rash, nausea, sweating or shivering.

The FDA granted approval to Gilead Sciences Inc.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628446595302.jpeg" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of the COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) to include pediatric patients 28 days of age and older weighing at least&nbsp; 7 pounds with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:<ul>
 <li>Hospitalized, or</li><li>Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>This action makes <a href="https://www.vekluryhcp.com/dosing-and-admin/">Veklury </a>the first approved COVID-19 treatment for children less than 12 years of age. As a result of today’s approval action, the agency also revoked the emergency use authorization for Veklury that previously covered this pediatric population, according to a statement from the agency.Before now, Veklury was only approved to treat certain adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms, which is about 88 pounds) with COVID-19.&nbsp;“As COVID-19 can cause severe illness in children, some of whom do not currently have a vaccination option, there continues to be a need for safe and effective COVID-19 treatment options for this population,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval of the first COVID-19 therapeutic for this population demonstrates the agency’s commitment to that need.”Veklury is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses are recommended. The FDA has approved two vaccines, and three vaccines are available for emergency use, to prevent COVID-19 and the serious clinical outcomes associated with COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. The FDA urges the public to get vaccinated and receive a booster when eligible. Learn more about FDA-approved and authorized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines">COVID-19 vaccines</a>.Given the similar course of COVID-19 disease in adults and pediatric patients, today’s approval of Veklury in certain pediatric patients is supported by efficacy results from phase 3 clinical trials in adults. Information on the trials in adults can be found in the FDA-approved drug labeling for Veklury. This approval is also supported by a phase 2/3, single-arm, open-label&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04431453">clinical study</a>&nbsp;of 53 pediatric patients at least 28 days of age and weighing at least 3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and mild, moderate or severe COVID-19. Patients in this pediatric phase 2/3 trial received Veklury for up to 10 days. The safety and pharmacokinetic results from the phase 2/3 study in pediatric subjects were similar to those in adults.The only approved dosage form is Veklury for injection. &nbsp;Possible side effects of using Veklury include increased levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver injury; and allergic reactions, which may include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, low blood oxygen level, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling (e.g., lips, around eyes, under the skin), rash, nausea, sweating or shivering.The FDA granted approval to Gilead Sciences Inc.

FDA approves first COVID treatment for children under 12

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ricketts-announces-new-tuition-reimbursement-benefit-for-kids-of-state-employees/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —
 Children of Nebraska’s 16,000 state employees will get 100% 
reimbursement for two years&nbsp;of tuition at state community colleges under
 an initiative highlighted Monday at a press conference held by Gov. 
Pete Ricketts.

The new benefit, officials said, will not 
only serve to improve benefits for state workers, but will also train 
recent high school graduates for skilled jobs now unfilled in Nebraska.

In recent months, the state has increased 
wages for workers in state prisons and other 24/7 state facilities to 
combat a workforce shortage in Nebraska and to compete with rising wages
 in the private and public sectors.

The new program, officials said, could assist up to 1,000 children of state employees.

“We need to do things that differentiate us as an employer,” said Jason Jackson, the state’s chief human relations officer.

The program will provide 100% tuition 
reimbursement at any community college in the state. Students must enter
 school prior to their 25th birthday and complete their studies by age 
27.

Paul Illich, president of Southeast 
Community College, said participants in the tuition reimbursement 
program could help fill a statewide shortage of skilled workers in 
fields such as health care, construction and information technology.

Illich added that 90% of those graduating from community colleges in Nebraska stay in the state.

The cost of the program, approved by the 
Nebraska Legislature during the recently ended 2022 session, was 
estimated to rise to about $1 million a year. The community college 
system has agreed to give such students a 25% discount on tuition, so 
the state reimbursement will cover 75% of the normal cost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650916433946.png" alt="Gov. Pete Ricketts at a State Capitol press conference in January 2022. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Pete Ricketts at a State Capitol press conference in January 2022. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ricketts-announces-new-tuition-reimbursement-benefit-for-kids-of-state-employees/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —
 Children of Nebraska’s 16,000 state employees will get 100% 
reimbursement for two years&nbsp;of tuition at state community colleges under
 an initiative highlighted Monday at a press conference held by Gov. 
Pete Ricketts.The new benefit, officials said, will not 
only serve to improve benefits for state workers, but will also train 
recent high school graduates for skilled jobs now unfilled in Nebraska.In recent months, the state has increased 
wages for workers in state prisons and other 24/7 state facilities to 
combat a workforce shortage in Nebraska and to compete with rising wages
 in the private and public sectors.The new program, officials said, could assist up to 1,000 children of state employees.“We need to do things that differentiate us as an employer,” said Jason Jackson, the state’s chief human relations officer.The program will provide 100% tuition 
reimbursement at any community college in the state. Students must enter
 school prior to their 25th birthday and complete their studies by age 
27.Paul Illich, president of Southeast 
Community College, said participants in the tuition reimbursement 
program could help fill a statewide shortage of skilled workers in 
fields such as health care, construction and information technology.Illich added that 90% of those graduating from community colleges in Nebraska stay in the state.The cost of the program, approved by the 
Nebraska Legislature during the recently ended 2022 session, was 
estimated to rise to about $1 million a year. The community college 
system has agreed to give such students a 25% discount on tuition, so 
the state reimbursement will cover 75% of the normal cost.

Ricketts announces tuition reimbursement benefit for kids of state employees

DALLAS (AP) — A ruling by a federal judge has ended — at least for now — the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.

The Justice Department appealed the ruling after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the mandate is necessary.&nbsp;

The decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-business-travel-tampa-3408cc825582126fbda5fbedd3a49dd3">by a lone judge in Florida</a>&nbsp;toppled 14 months of government insistence that travelers wear masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Within hours, all major U.S. airlines and many airports announced — sometimes to passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/judge-strikes-down-mask-mandates-1fccaa750b6d42b6b609ef75d3c14c26">in the middle of flights&nbsp;</a>— that travelers could take off their masks.

In a 59-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order that the Transportation Security Administration used to impose the mask mandate. She said the CDC didn’t follow proper rulemaking procedures.

Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks. United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.

On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place. New York City’s public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not.

The transit agency serving Philadelphia and its suburbs said masks will no longer be required on subways, buses and trains or in stations, even though the city has a mask mandate.

Uber and Lyft said they won’t require passengers to wear masks.

Air filtration on planes is generally excellent, but boarding and exiting a plane can put people close together in spaces with poor ventilation, said Dr. Babak Javid, a physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. The risk on other forms of transportation varies.

Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said planes can carry the virus from place to place, but that we should be focusing more on big indoor events such as concerts and sporting events — even large weddings — where people get together and talk, shout and sing.

The CDC continues to recommend that people mask up indoors while traveling.

Yes, masks still give some protection from COVID-19, but they work better if others wear them too.

High-quality masks work in two ways, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases: They protect the wearer by limiting the number of infectious particles inhaled, and they protect others by limiting particles exhaled if the wearer is infected.

Probably not. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, who favored dropping the rule, said before the judge’s order that he expected to see a “surprising number” of passengers and airline employees wear masks even after the mandate expired.

“I may choose to wear a mask once in a while,” he said.

Still, tension among passengers over mask-wearing could continue, said Eileen Ogintz, who writes about family travel and advises parents of small children who can’t be vaccinated to keep masking up.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you got some dirty looks or nasty comments” from unmasked passengers, she said. “That’s a conversation to have with the kids ahead of time — why you’re wearing masks.”

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DON’T WANT TO FLY NOW?

No, unless the airline cancels your flight.

However, if you call the airline and explain why you’re not comfortable traveling without a mask mandate, most will let you change the flight for free or give you a credit that you can use later, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights travel site.

WILL THE LIFTING OF THE BAN AFFECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS?

When flying between two countries, expect your airline to follow the rules in whichever country is more restrictive. Passengers flying to Canada, for example, will have to don masks at some point during the flight, but it’s not clear exactly whether that means when crossing into Canadian airspace or some other point.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst for Atmosphere Research Group, said there might be international airlines that will still require masks even on flights to and from the United States.

WILL THIS MAKE MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FLY?

Industry officials don’t expect that. They say that there could be a small number of people who will start flying now because they don’t have to wear a mask, but that will be offset by a few people deciding not to fly if others are unmasked.

Although the airline industry lobbied to kill the mandate — after supporting it originally — airlines don’t expect the rule’s demise to affect revenue. They are far more interested in seeing the United States repeal another pandemic-era rule: The requirement that people test clear of the virus within a day of flying to the U.S.

A Biden administration official said Tuesday that there were no changes expected to the pre-departure testing requirement.

The mask mandate for transportation began in February 2021, shortly after President Joe Biden took office, and was extended several times. Last week, the CDC extended it again until May 3. The CDC said the extra time was needed to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

HOW CAN A SINGLE JUDGE HAVE SO MUCH POWER?

Usually, decisions by a federal judge affect only the people involved in one case, or a limited geographic area. But judges can also issue so-called nationwide or universal injunctions that apply across the country, and it is happening more often — a practice that has drawn criticism from conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mizelle was nominated in 2020 by former President Donald Trump and confirmed in a party-line vote in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans, after Trump had lost his bid for re-election. At 33 when confirmed, she was the youngest Trump appointee on the federal bench, and the American Bar Association had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/government_affairs_office/2020-09-08chair-rating-letter-to-graham-and-feinstein-re-nomination-of-kathryn-kimball-mizelle.pdf" target="_blank">rated her “not qualified”</a>&nbsp;in part because she had been practicing law for only eight years.

The Justice Department said Tuesday it won’t appeal Mizelle’s ruling unless the CDC believes that the mask requirement is still necessary. The announcement doesn’t mean that an appeal is certain, but it signals that one could be filed if the CDC decides later that the mandate should be revived.

While the mask ban was popular in the beginning, support has waned over time, according to public-opinion polls. As state and local mask rules were scrapped, and Americans grew accustomed to going bare-faced, the mandate for transportation drew fire from Republican politicians and several Senate Democrats who face tough re-election fights in November.

New reported U.S. cases of COVID-19 are relatively low compared with the past two years, but they have increased lately and are likely an undercount. Hospitalizations are nearly flat and deaths are still declining.

Dowdy, the Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, said it’s reasonable to consider removing the mask mandate on travel given the lull in severe disease.

“It would just be nice to do it when cases are falling rather than rising,” he said, “and for the decision to be made by people trained in public health rather than law and politics.”

A new surge in cases might not be enough to revive the mask rule, but it could roil travel in other ways. U.S. airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flights-canceled-coronavirus-weather-640d9bf645e9d070870ccc0e4fe7c061">canceled thousands of flights</a>&nbsp;in late December and early January, largely because so many employees were out sick with omicron.

“Imagine what would happen if a critical mass of Southwest Airlines pilots are sick and can’t fly this summer?” said Harteveldt, the travel analyst. “Whether it’s Southwest or any airline, it could be highly disruptive to summer travel.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632163961062.png" alt="Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks.-Photo U.S. Department of Transportation" />
 <figcaption>Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks.-Photo U.S. Department of Transportation</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — A ruling by a federal judge has ended — at least for now — the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.The Justice Department appealed the ruling after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the mandate is necessary.&nbsp;The decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-business-travel-tampa-3408cc825582126fbda5fbedd3a49dd3">by a lone judge in Florida</a>&nbsp;toppled 14 months of government insistence that travelers wear masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Within hours, all major U.S. airlines and many airports announced — sometimes to passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/judge-strikes-down-mask-mandates-1fccaa750b6d42b6b609ef75d3c14c26">in the middle of flights&nbsp;</a>— that travelers could take off their masks.WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE RULING?In a 59-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order that the Transportation Security Administration used to impose the mask mandate. She said the CDC didn’t follow proper rulemaking procedures.___WHAT DOES IT MEAN?Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks. United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place. New York City’s public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not.The transit agency serving Philadelphia and its suburbs said masks will no longer be required on subways, buses and trains or in stations, even though the city has a mask mandate.Uber and Lyft said they won’t require passengers to wear masks.___HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL NOW?Air filtration on planes is generally excellent, but boarding and exiting a plane can put people close together in spaces with poor ventilation, said Dr. Babak Javid, a physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. The risk on other forms of transportation varies.Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said planes can carry the virus from place to place, but that we should be focusing more on big indoor events such as concerts and sporting events — even large weddings — where people get together and talk, shout and sing.___SHOULD I STILL WEAR A MASK ON PLANES?The CDC continues to recommend that people mask up indoors while traveling.___DO MASKS WORK IF NOBODY ELSE WEARS ONE?Yes, masks still give some protection from COVID-19, but they work better if others wear them too.High-quality masks work in two ways, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases: They protect the wearer by limiting the number of infectious particles inhaled, and they protect others by limiting particles exhaled if the wearer is infected.___WILL I STAND OUT?Probably not. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, who favored dropping the rule, said before the judge’s order that he expected to see a “surprising number” of passengers and airline employees wear masks even after the mandate expired.“I may choose to wear a mask once in a while,” he said.Still, tension among passengers over mask-wearing could continue, said Eileen Ogintz, who writes about family travel and advises parents of small children who can’t be vaccinated to keep masking up.“I wouldn’t be surprised if you got some dirty looks or nasty comments” from unmasked passengers, she said. “That’s a conversation to have with the kids ahead of time — why you’re wearing masks.”___CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DON’T WANT TO FLY NOW?No, unless the airline cancels your flight.However, if you call the airline and explain why you’re not comfortable traveling without a mask mandate, most will let you change the flight for free or give you a credit that you can use later, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights travel site.___WILL THE LIFTING OF THE BAN AFFECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS?When flying between two countries, expect your airline to follow the rules in whichever country is more restrictive. Passengers flying to Canada, for example, will have to don masks at some point during the flight, but it’s not clear exactly whether that means when crossing into Canadian airspace or some other point.Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst for Atmosphere Research Group, said there might be international airlines that will still require masks even on flights to and from the United States.___WILL THIS MAKE MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FLY?Industry officials don’t expect that. They say that there could be a small number of people who will start flying now because they don’t have to wear a mask, but that will be offset by a few people deciding not to fly if others are unmasked.Although the airline industry lobbied to kill the mandate — after supporting it originally — airlines don’t expect the rule’s demise to affect revenue. They are far more interested in seeing the United States repeal another pandemic-era rule: The requirement that people test clear of the virus within a day of flying to the U.S.A Biden administration official said Tuesday that there were no changes expected to the pre-departure testing requirement.___WHEN DID THE U.S. REQUIRE MASKS?The mask mandate for transportation began in February 2021, shortly after President Joe Biden took office, and was extended several times. Last week, the CDC extended it again until May 3. The CDC said the extra time was needed to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.___HOW CAN A SINGLE JUDGE HAVE SO MUCH POWER?Usually, decisions by a federal judge affect only the people involved in one case, or a limited geographic area. But judges can also issue so-called nationwide or universal injunctions that apply across the country, and it is happening more often — a practice that has drawn criticism from conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court.___WHO IS JUDGE KATHRYN KIMBALL MIZELLE?Mizelle was nominated in 2020 by former President Donald Trump and confirmed in a party-line vote in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans, after Trump had lost his bid for re-election. At 33 when confirmed, she was the youngest Trump appointee on the federal bench, and the American Bar Association had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/government_affairs_office/2020-09-08chair-rating-letter-to-graham-and-feinstein-re-nomination-of-kathryn-kimball-mizelle.pdf" target="_blank">rated her “not qualified”</a>&nbsp;in part because she had been practicing law for only eight years.___WILL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RESPOND?The Justice Department said Tuesday it won’t appeal Mizelle’s ruling unless the CDC believes that the mask requirement is still necessary. The announcement doesn’t mean that an appeal is certain, but it signals that one could be filed if the CDC decides later that the mandate should be revived.While the mask ban was popular in the beginning, support has waned over time, according to public-opinion polls. As state and local mask rules were scrapped, and Americans grew accustomed to going bare-faced, the mandate for transportation drew fire from Republican politicians and several Senate Democrats who face tough re-election fights in November.___IS THE TIMING OF THIS RIGHT?New reported U.S. cases of COVID-19 are relatively low compared with the past two years, but they have increased lately and are likely an undercount. Hospitalizations are nearly flat and deaths are still declining.Dowdy, the Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, said it’s reasonable to consider removing the mask mandate on travel given the lull in severe disease.“It would just be nice to do it when cases are falling rather than rising,” he said, “and for the decision to be made by people trained in public health rather than law and politics.”___WHAT IF COVID CASES INCREASE?A new surge in cases might not be enough to revive the mask rule, but it could roil travel in other ways. U.S. airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flights-canceled-coronavirus-weather-640d9bf645e9d070870ccc0e4fe7c061">canceled thousands of flights</a>&nbsp;in late December and early January, largely because so many employees were out sick with omicron.“Imagine what would happen if a critical mass of Southwest Airlines pilots are sick and can’t fly this summer?” said Harteveldt, the travel analyst. “Whether it’s Southwest or any airline, it could be highly disruptive to summer travel.”___

What happens in the post-mask world of travel?

The peregrine falcon that died in a nest box on the WoodmenLife Tower in downtown Omaha tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The adult female falcon, named Chayton, died April 18 after being observed, via WoodmenLife’s webcam, behaving oddly. The online webcam provides a live public view of the nest box.

By Nebraska Game and ParksThe peregrine falcon that died in a nest box on the WoodmenLife Tower in downtown Omaha tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.The adult female falcon, named Chayton, died April 18 after being observed, via WoodmenLife’s webcam, behaving oddly. The online webcam provides a live public view of the nest box.The falcon was retrieved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and HPAI testing was performed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center.HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds and has been detected in both domestic poultry and wild birds. Among wild birds, waterfowl and other waterbirds appear more susceptible to HPAI than other species.Peregrine falcons’ diet consists mostly of other birds, and the species routinely preys upon ducks, shorebirds and other waterbirds. The deceased falcon may have been exposed to HPAI from its prey.In addition to the peregrine falcon, HPAI has been detected in the following wild birds in Nebraska during this outbreak: several geese, a swan, two bald eagles and an American white pelican.Sightings of sick or dead wild birds should be reported to your nearest Game and Parks office; find a location at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MjUuNTY5NDQwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9sb2NhdGlvbnMvIn0._QVfUNArt4tD4l2sykU0RrmEenIs8jrUuybiLAlDy6I/s/497221906/br/130316199146-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/Locations</a>. For domestic bird illness or unusual death, report to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351 and the USDA at 866-536-7593.Find additional information about avian influenza at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MjUuNTY5NDQwODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL291dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvYWkvIn0.zxZfkegTYtDc-XgeJL79PtMCS9Of0mKKurs5BSgylf8/s/497221906/br/130316199146-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org/AI</a>.