TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that her request for a federal disaster declaration for the winter storms that occurred in late March has been granted, according to a media release from Kelly's office.

Governor Kelly made the request on May 3. Its approval will open federal funding streams for rural electric cooperatives to repair or replace infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

“This federal disaster declaration will enable rural electric cooperatives to access the funding they need to get back on their feet,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly, who issued a Governor’s Declaration of Emergency March 20.

Counties named in the declaration are Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Ford, Graham, Gray, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Ness, Pawnee, Phillips, Rooks, Rush, Stafford, Trego, and Wallace counties.

The declaration allows rural electric cooperatives to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure, including utility lines, damaged by the disaster. It also activates the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

“Our staff in the Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be working closely with the counties named in the declaration,”&nbsp;Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management,&nbsp;said.

This request was due to two late winter storms that impacted western and parts of central Kansas beginning on March 17 with impacts lasting into March 22. Each storm produced sticky wet heavy snow combined with strong winds of 50 to 70 mph that damaged power poles and power lines. Many power outages occurred especially during the second winter storm due to the previous storm’s damage to the utility infrastructure and rural electric cooperatives.

On March 31, due to the severity of the damage reported by local officials, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint federal, state, and local survey of the damaged areas. On April 5, Governor Kelly requested an extension for enough time to complete the joint preliminary damage assessments which was approved until May 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653595554522.png" alt="In March, Midwest Energy crews worked on lines in the Burdett/Rozel area, where there were dozens upon dozens of poles down-photo courtesy Midwest Energy" />
 <figcaption>In March, Midwest Energy crews worked on lines in the Burdett/Rozel area, where there were dozens upon dozens of poles down-photo courtesy Midwest Energy</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that her request for a federal disaster declaration for the winter storms that occurred in late March has been granted, according to a media release from Kelly's office.Governor Kelly made the request on May 3. Its approval will open federal funding streams for rural electric cooperatives to repair or replace infrastructure damaged by the disaster.“This federal disaster declaration will enable rural electric cooperatives to access the funding they need to get back on their feet,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly, who issued a Governor’s Declaration of Emergency March 20.Counties named in the declaration are Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Ford, Graham, Gray, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Ness, Pawnee, Phillips, Rooks, Rush, Stafford, Trego, and Wallace counties.The declaration allows rural electric cooperatives to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure, including utility lines, damaged by the disaster. It also activates the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.“Our staff in the Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be working closely with the counties named in the declaration,”&nbsp;Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management,&nbsp;said.This request was due to two late winter storms that impacted western and parts of central Kansas beginning on March 17 with impacts lasting into March 22. Each storm produced sticky wet heavy snow combined with strong winds of 50 to 70 mph that damaged power poles and power lines. Many power outages occurred especially during the second winter storm due to the previous storm’s damage to the utility infrastructure and rural electric cooperatives.On March 31, due to the severity of the damage reported by local officials, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint federal, state, and local survey of the damaged areas. On April 5, Governor Kelly requested an extension for enough time to complete the joint preliminary damage assessments which was approved until May 5.

Gov. secures disaster declaration for Kan. counties recovering from winter storm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Food and Drug Administration faced bipartisan fury from House lawmakers Wednesday over months of delays investigating problems at the nation’s largest baby formula plant that prompted an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">ongoing shortage</a>.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?520252-1/baby-formula-manufacturers-fda-commissioner-testify-shortage&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the hearing

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf laid out a series of setbacks in congressional testimony that slowed his agency’s response, including a COVID-19 outbreak at the plant and a whistleblower complaint that didn’t reach FDA leadership because it was apparently lost in the mail.

Califf testified before a House subcommittee investigating the shortage, which has snowballed into a national political controversy and forced the U.S. military to begin airlifting supplies from Europe.

The shortage largely stems from Abbott’s Michigan plant, which the FDA shut down in February due to contamination issues. Under fire from Congress, parents and the media, Califf gave the first detailed account Wednesday of why his agency took months to inspect and shutter the plant despite learning of potential problems as early as September.

The FDA’s response was: “Too slow and there were decisions that were suboptimal along the way,” Califf told lawmakers.

The FDA and President Joe Biden face mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-politics-science-e4aef87dfb74039f1612ca5279e85227">political pressure</a>&nbsp;to explain why they didn’t intervene sooner to head off the supply crisis.

“Why did it take an onslaught of national media attention for the Biden administration to act with a sense of urgency required to address an infant formula shortage?” asked Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, the committee’s ranking Republican.

Califf said the agency had been trying to monitor formula supplies since 2020 when COVID-related disruptions first emerged, but regulators have limited visibility into company supply chains.

The House panel also heard from three formula manufacturers, including a top Abbott Nutrition executive who apologized to parents for the shortage.

“We let you down,” said Abbott vice president Christopher Calamari. “We are deeply sorry.”

Calamari repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether any employees were disciplined or fired over the problems at the plant, which included standing water, a leaky roof and damaged equipment.

FDA staff began honing in on Abbott’s plant last fall while tracking several bacterial infections in infants who had consumed formula from the facility. The four cases occurred between September and January, causing hospitalizations and two deaths.

The FDA planned to begin inspecting the Sturgis, Michigan, plant on Dec. 30, according to Califf’s testimony. But Abbott warned that about a dozen plant employees had tested positive for COVID-19 and requested a delay. As a result, the FDA didn’t begin its inspection until Jan. 31.

After detecting positive samples of a rare-but-dangerous bacteria in multiple parts of the plant, the FDA closed the facility and Abbott announced a massive recall of its formula on Feb. 17.

“We knew that ceasing plant operations would create supply problems but we had no choice given the insanitary conditions,” said Califf, calling the problems “shocking” and “unacceptable.”

Abbott and the FDA have reached an agreement to reopen the plant next week, under which the company must regularly undergo outside safety audits.

Califf also struggled to explain delays in following up on a whistleblower complaint alleging numerous safety violations at Abbott’s plant, including employees falsifying records and failing to test formula before shipment.

Several FDA staffers reviewed the complaint in late October when it was sent to a regional FDA office, but an interview didn’t take place until two months later, in part due to the whistleblower’s scheduling conflicts.

Senior FDA officials eventually received the complaint via email, but not until February due to “an isolated failure in FDA’s mailroom, likely due to COVID-19 staffing issues,” according to the FDA testimony. A mailed copy addressed to then-acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock has still not been located.

Political outrage over the shortage has landed squarely on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-politics-science-e4aef87dfb74039f1612ca5279e85227">the FDA and Califf</a>, who was confirmed to the FDA role for a second time in February. The problems have escalated into a political firestorm for the White House, which has invoked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-df586c2e52b5e5865ea9f8091d4d1f80">the Defense Production Act</a>&nbsp;and emergency import measures.

The FDA contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 11. about a potential shortage, just days before Abbott’s recall, according to FDA’s timeline.

Califf said the FDA requested new authorities, funding and staff to track supply chain data that could have helped get ahead of the problem, but noted Congress has not provided them.

Several lawmakers raised longstanding concerns that the FDA’s food program — which oversees most U.S. foods except meat, poultry and eggs — is underfunded and needs restructuring.

The program has a convoluted leadership structure in which there is a director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and a separate deputy commissioner for “food policy and response.” The deputy commissioner has more of a safety focus, but has no direct authority over food center staff nor field staff who inspect company plants.

Both officials testified Wednesday, along with Califf.

When Rep. Nanette Diaz-Barragan, D-Calif., asked who is in charge of food safety, Califf and food center director Susan Mayne gave extended answers, describing different roles and responsibilities.

“I don’t think there’s one person that is responsible,” Diaz-Barragan responded. “I just think it goes to show there needs to be restructuring and it needs to be more clear who’s ultimately responsible.”

Later Wednesday afternoon, Abbott’s Calamari told lawmakers his company plans to build extra capacity and redundancies into its supply chain to avoid future disruptions. He reiterated the company’s point that the FDA has not drawn a direct link between the illnesses reported in infants and bacteria samples collected from its plant.

After the company restarts production next month it will be able to produce more formula than before the recall, he noted.

“We’re going to learn from this. We’re going to get better as a result of this,” Calamari said.

Executives from Reckitt and Gerber also testified on their efforts to boost production.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653503720164.png" alt="Califf testified before a House subcommittee investigating the shortage, which has snowballed into a national political controversy and forced the U.S. military to begin airlifting supplies from Europe-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Califf testified before a House subcommittee investigating the shortage, which has snowballed into a national political controversy and forced the U.S. military to begin airlifting supplies from Europe-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Food and Drug Administration faced bipartisan fury from House lawmakers Wednesday over months of delays investigating problems at the nation’s largest baby formula plant that prompted an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">ongoing shortage</a>.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?520252-1/baby-formula-manufacturers-fda-commissioner-testify-shortage&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the hearingFDA Commissioner Robert Califf laid out a series of setbacks in congressional testimony that slowed his agency’s response, including a COVID-19 outbreak at the plant and a whistleblower complaint that didn’t reach FDA leadership because it was apparently lost in the mail.Califf testified before a House subcommittee investigating the shortage, which has snowballed into a national political controversy and forced the U.S. military to begin airlifting supplies from Europe.The shortage largely stems from Abbott’s Michigan plant, which the FDA shut down in February due to contamination issues. Under fire from Congress, parents and the media, Califf gave the first detailed account Wednesday of why his agency took months to inspect and shutter the plant despite learning of potential problems as early as September.The FDA’s response was: “Too slow and there were decisions that were suboptimal along the way,” Califf told lawmakers.The FDA and President Joe Biden face mounting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-politics-science-e4aef87dfb74039f1612ca5279e85227">political pressure</a>&nbsp;to explain why they didn’t intervene sooner to head off the supply crisis.“Why did it take an onslaught of national media attention for the Biden administration to act with a sense of urgency required to address an infant formula shortage?” asked Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, the committee’s ranking Republican.Califf said the agency had been trying to monitor formula supplies since 2020 when COVID-related disruptions first emerged, but regulators have limited visibility into company supply chains.The House panel also heard from three formula manufacturers, including a top Abbott Nutrition executive who apologized to parents for the shortage.“We let you down,” said Abbott vice president Christopher Calamari. “We are deeply sorry.”Calamari repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether any employees were disciplined or fired over the problems at the plant, which included standing water, a leaky roof and damaged equipment.FDA staff began honing in on Abbott’s plant last fall while tracking several bacterial infections in infants who had consumed formula from the facility. The four cases occurred between September and January, causing hospitalizations and two deaths.The FDA planned to begin inspecting the Sturgis, Michigan, plant on Dec. 30, according to Califf’s testimony. But Abbott warned that about a dozen plant employees had tested positive for COVID-19 and requested a delay. As a result, the FDA didn’t begin its inspection until Jan. 31.After detecting positive samples of a rare-but-dangerous bacteria in multiple parts of the plant, the FDA closed the facility and Abbott announced a massive recall of its formula on Feb. 17.“We knew that ceasing plant operations would create supply problems but we had no choice given the insanitary conditions,” said Califf, calling the problems “shocking” and “unacceptable.”Abbott and the FDA have reached an agreement to reopen the plant next week, under which the company must regularly undergo outside safety audits.Califf also struggled to explain delays in following up on a whistleblower complaint alleging numerous safety violations at Abbott’s plant, including employees falsifying records and failing to test formula before shipment.Several FDA staffers reviewed the complaint in late October when it was sent to a regional FDA office, but an interview didn’t take place until two months later, in part due to the whistleblower’s scheduling conflicts.Senior FDA officials eventually received the complaint via email, but not until February due to “an isolated failure in FDA’s mailroom, likely due to COVID-19 staffing issues,” according to the FDA testimony. A mailed copy addressed to then-acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock has still not been located.Political outrage over the shortage has landed squarely on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-politics-science-e4aef87dfb74039f1612ca5279e85227">the FDA and Califf</a>, who was confirmed to the FDA role for a second time in February. The problems have escalated into a political firestorm for the White House, which has invoked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-df586c2e52b5e5865ea9f8091d4d1f80">the Defense Production Act</a>&nbsp;and emergency import measures.The FDA contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 11. about a potential shortage, just days before Abbott’s recall, according to FDA’s timeline.Califf said the FDA requested new authorities, funding and staff to track supply chain data that could have helped get ahead of the problem, but noted Congress has not provided them.Several lawmakers raised longstanding concerns that the FDA’s food program — which oversees most U.S. foods except meat, poultry and eggs — is underfunded and needs restructuring.The program has a convoluted leadership structure in which there is a director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and a separate deputy commissioner for “food policy and response.” The deputy commissioner has more of a safety focus, but has no direct authority over food center staff nor field staff who inspect company plants.Both officials testified Wednesday, along with Califf.When Rep. Nanette Diaz-Barragan, D-Calif., asked who is in charge of food safety, Califf and food center director Susan Mayne gave extended answers, describing different roles and responsibilities.“I don’t think there’s one person that is responsible,” Diaz-Barragan responded. “I just think it goes to show there needs to be restructuring and it needs to be more clear who’s ultimately responsible.”Later Wednesday afternoon, Abbott’s Calamari told lawmakers his company plans to build extra capacity and redundancies into its supply chain to avoid future disruptions. He reiterated the company’s point that the FDA has not drawn a direct link between the illnesses reported in infants and bacteria samples collected from its plant.After the company restarts production next month it will be able to produce more formula than before the recall, he noted.“We’re going to learn from this. We’re going to get better as a result of this,” Calamari said.Executives from Reckitt and Gerber also testified on their efforts to boost production.

🎥 FDA chief struggles to explain slow response on baby formula

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/eleven-indicted-in-scheme-to-defraud-federal-covid-19-aid-programs/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Eleven
 people were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Nebraska in a
 scheme to fraudulently claim $7.6 million in benefits from the federal 
Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans program.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha said in a press release that one of those indicted, Ramel Thompson, had coached the others on how to file fraudulent applications on behalf of 14 businesses.

None
 of the businesses had the employees claimed on the applications, the 
indictment alleged, and none of the money was used for expenses allowed 
under the programs, such as payroll, rent, utilities and mortgage 
interest.

The 11 were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“We
 will not tolerate PPP funds being fraudulently used to line someone’s 
pockets while citizens of our country were battling a pandemic,” said 
Eugene Kowel, the FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge.

Jan
 Sharp, U.S. attorney for the District of Nebraska, said the indictments
 grew out of a special task force set up by the Department of Justice to
 investigate and prosecute COVID-related fraud schemes.

The
 FBI’s Omaha field office was assisted in the arrests by the Omaha 
Police Department and the FBI field offices in Atlanta, Las Vegas and 
Minneapolis. In addition, searches conducted resulted in the seizure of 
$64,000 in cash, $196,000 in seized bank accounts, seven handguns and 
one shotgun.

In
 addition to Thompson, those indicted were: Carl Estwick, Jackie Harper,
 Tarysh G. Hogue, Richard L. Kelly, Lenfield Kendrick, Henry T. Lewis, 
Trevor A. McNeil, Michael A. Perkins, Michael A. Perkins Jr. and Shawn 
Prater.

Most were taken into custody in Omaha. McNeil was arrested in Atlanta, and&nbsp; Kendrick was arrested in Las Vegas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653586912648.jpg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/eleven-indicted-in-scheme-to-defraud-federal-covid-19-aid-programs/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Eleven
 people were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Nebraska in a
 scheme to fraudulently claim $7.6 million in benefits from the federal 
Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans program.The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha said in a press release that one of those indicted, Ramel Thompson, had coached the others on how to file fraudulent applications on behalf of 14 businesses.None
 of the businesses had the employees claimed on the applications, the 
indictment alleged, and none of the money was used for expenses allowed 
under the programs, such as payroll, rent, utilities and mortgage 
interest.The 11 were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We
 will not tolerate PPP funds being fraudulently used to line someone’s 
pockets while citizens of our country were battling a pandemic,” said 
Eugene Kowel, the FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge.Jan
 Sharp, U.S. attorney for the District of Nebraska, said the indictments
 grew out of a special task force set up by the Department of Justice to
 investigate and prosecute COVID-related fraud schemes.The
 FBI’s Omaha field office was assisted in the arrests by the Omaha 
Police Department and the FBI field offices in Atlanta, Las Vegas and 
Minneapolis. In addition, searches conducted resulted in the seizure of 
$64,000 in cash, $196,000 in seized bank accounts, seven handguns and 
one shotgun.In
 addition to Thompson, those indicted were: Carl Estwick, Jackie Harper,
 Tarysh G. Hogue, Richard L. Kelly, Lenfield Kendrick, Henry T. Lewis, 
Trevor A. McNeil, Michael A. Perkins, Michael A. Perkins Jr. and Shawn 
Prater.Most were taken into custody in Omaha. McNeil was arrested in Atlanta, and&nbsp; Kendrick was arrested in Las Vegas.

Eleven indicted in Neb. in scheme to defraud COVID-19 aid programs

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) —Ray Liotta, the actor best known for playing mobster Henry Hill in “Goodfellas” and baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams,” has died. He was 67.

An official at the Dominican Republic’s National Forensic Science Institute who was not authorized to speak to the media confirmed the death of Ray Liotta and said his body was taken to the Cristo Redentor morgue. The Hollywood Reporter and NBC News cited representatives for Liotta who said he died in his sleep Wednesday night. He was in the Dominican Republic to film a new movie.

Lorraine Bracco, who played Karen Hill in “Goodfellas” tweeted Thursday that she was, “Utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray. I can be anywhere in the world &amp; people will come up &amp; tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”

Alessandro Nivola, who recently appeared with Liotta in “The Sopranos” prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark” wrote, “I feel so lucky to have squared off against this legend in one of his final roles. The scenes we did together were among the all time highlights of my acting career. He was dangerous, unpredictable, hilarious, and generous with his praise for other actors. Too soon.”

The Newark, New Jersey, native was born in 1954 and adopted at age six months out of an orphanage by a township clerk and an auto parts owner. Though he mostly grew up playing sports, including baseball, during his senior year of high school, the drama teacher at the school asked him if he wanted to be in a play, which he agreed to on a lark. And it stuck: He’d go on to study acting at the University of Miami. After graduation, he got his first big break on the soap opera “Another World.”

Liotta’s first big film role was in Jonathan Demme’s “Something Wild” as Melanie Griffith’s character’s hotheaded ex-convict husband Ray. The turn earned him a Golden Globe nomination. A few years later, he would get the memorable role of the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams.”

His most iconic role, as real life mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” came shortly after. He, and Scorsese, had to fight for it though, with multiple auditions and pleas to the studio to cast the still relative unknown.

“The thing about that movie, you know, Henry Hill isn’t that edgy of a character,” Liotta said in an interview in 2012. “It’s really the other guys who are doing all the actual killings. The one physical thing he does do, when he goes after the guy who went after Karen — you know, most audiences, they actually like him for that.”

In the same interview, he marveled at how “Goodfellas” had a “life of its own” and has only grown over time.

“People watch it over and over, and still respond to it, and different ages come up, even today, teenagers come up to me and they really emotionally connect to it,” he said.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) —Ray Liotta, the actor best known for playing mobster Henry Hill in “Goodfellas” and baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams,” has died. He was 67.An official at the Dominican Republic’s National Forensic Science Institute who was not authorized to speak to the media confirmed the death of Ray Liotta and said his body was taken to the Cristo Redentor morgue. The Hollywood Reporter and NBC News cited representatives for Liotta who said he died in his sleep Wednesday night. He was in the Dominican Republic to film a new movie.Lorraine Bracco, who played Karen Hill in “Goodfellas” tweeted Thursday that she was, “Utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray. I can be anywhere in the world &amp; people will come up &amp; tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”Alessandro Nivola, who recently appeared with Liotta in “The Sopranos” prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark” wrote, “I feel so lucky to have squared off against this legend in one of his final roles. The scenes we did together were among the all time highlights of my acting career. He was dangerous, unpredictable, hilarious, and generous with his praise for other actors. Too soon.”The Newark, New Jersey, native was born in 1954 and adopted at age six months out of an orphanage by a township clerk and an auto parts owner. Though he mostly grew up playing sports, including baseball, during his senior year of high school, the drama teacher at the school asked him if he wanted to be in a play, which he agreed to on a lark. And it stuck: He’d go on to study acting at the University of Miami. After graduation, he got his first big break on the soap opera “Another World.”Liotta’s first big film role was in Jonathan Demme’s “Something Wild” as Melanie Griffith’s character’s hotheaded ex-convict husband Ray. The turn earned him a Golden Globe nomination. A few years later, he would get the memorable role of the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams.”His most iconic role, as real life mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” came shortly after. He, and Scorsese, had to fight for it though, with multiple auditions and pleas to the studio to cast the still relative unknown.“The thing about that movie, you know, Henry Hill isn’t that edgy of a character,” Liotta said in an interview in 2012. “It’s really the other guys who are doing all the actual killings. The one physical thing he does do, when he goes after the guy who went after Karen — you know, most audiences, they actually like him for that.”In the same interview, he marveled at how “Goodfellas” had a “life of its own” and has only grown over time.“People watch it over and over, and still respond to it, and different ages come up, even today, teenagers come up to me and they really emotionally connect to it,” he said.

Ray Liotta, 'Goodfellas' and 'Field of Dreams' star, dies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twitter will pay a $150 million penalty and put in new safeguards to settle federal regulators’ allegations that the social platform failed to protect the privacy of users’ data over a six-year span.

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission announced the settlement with Twitter on Wednesday. The regulators allege Twitter violated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-federal-trade-commission-fd528c1bb9264ebb950d2e14928f251f">a 2011 FTC order</a>&nbsp;by deceiving users about how well it maintained and protected the privacy and security of their nonpublic contact information.

From May 2013 to September 2019, Twitter told users that it was collecting their phone numbers and email addresses for purposes of account security. But it failed to disclose that it also would use the information to enable companies to send targeted online ads to users on the platform, the government alleged.

The regulators also alleged, in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, that Twitter falsely claimed that it complied with U.S. privacy agreements with the European Union and Switzerland, which prohibit companies from processing user information in ways that are at odds with purposes authorized by users.

“Twitter obtained data from users on the pretext of harnessing it for security purposes but then ended up also using the data to target users with ads,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. “This practice affected more than 140 million Twitter users, while boosting Twitter’s primary source of revenue.”

The San Francisco-based company has more than 229 million users around the world.

The $150 million penalty and the required new compliance measures under the settlement must be approved by a federal court in California.

The FTC’s 2011 order had alleged serious lapses in Twitter’s data security that allowed hackers to gain unauthorized administrative control of Twitter, including access to nonpublic user information.

“Keeping data secure and respecting privacy is something we take extremely seriously, and we have cooperated with the FTC every step of the way,” Twitter’s chief privacy officer, Damien Kieran, said in a blog post Wednesday. He said the company has taken steps in accord with the FTC on updating operations and making other improvements “to ensure that people’s personal data remains secure and their privacy protected.”

Twitter announced in November the formation of a new data governance committee within the company.

Word of the settlement came on the day of Twitter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-7b9c0d3b83179d7ee2560e9b98ad8ea9">annual shareholders meeting</a>. The drama of Tesla billionaire Elon Musk’s proposed $44 billion purchase of Twitter has swirled around the company for weeks. Musk, who is one of Twitter’s largest shareholders, on Wednesday revised the financing plan for his proposed takeover, raising investor hopes that he still intends to pull off the deal.

Twitter yields unrivaled influence on news, politics, and society thanks to its public nature, simple interface and of-the-moment immediacy. Some experts fear that Musk would relax content-moderation rules that offer some protection against white supremacy, hate speech and threats of violence. The platform famously banned former President Donald Trump following the assault on the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twitter will pay a $150 million penalty and put in new safeguards to settle federal regulators’ allegations that the social platform failed to protect the privacy of users’ data over a six-year span.The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission announced the settlement with Twitter on Wednesday. The regulators allege Twitter violated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-federal-trade-commission-fd528c1bb9264ebb950d2e14928f251f">a 2011 FTC order</a>&nbsp;by deceiving users about how well it maintained and protected the privacy and security of their nonpublic contact information.From May 2013 to September 2019, Twitter told users that it was collecting their phone numbers and email addresses for purposes of account security. But it failed to disclose that it also would use the information to enable companies to send targeted online ads to users on the platform, the government alleged.The regulators also alleged, in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, that Twitter falsely claimed that it complied with U.S. privacy agreements with the European Union and Switzerland, which prohibit companies from processing user information in ways that are at odds with purposes authorized by users.“Twitter obtained data from users on the pretext of harnessing it for security purposes but then ended up also using the data to target users with ads,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. “This practice affected more than 140 million Twitter users, while boosting Twitter’s primary source of revenue.”The San Francisco-based company has more than 229 million users around the world.The $150 million penalty and the required new compliance measures under the settlement must be approved by a federal court in California.The FTC’s 2011 order had alleged serious lapses in Twitter’s data security that allowed hackers to gain unauthorized administrative control of Twitter, including access to nonpublic user information.“Keeping data secure and respecting privacy is something we take extremely seriously, and we have cooperated with the FTC every step of the way,” Twitter’s chief privacy officer, Damien Kieran, said in a blog post Wednesday. He said the company has taken steps in accord with the FTC on updating operations and making other improvements “to ensure that people’s personal data remains secure and their privacy protected.”Twitter announced in November the formation of a new data governance committee within the company.Word of the settlement came on the day of Twitter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-7b9c0d3b83179d7ee2560e9b98ad8ea9">annual shareholders meeting</a>. The drama of Tesla billionaire Elon Musk’s proposed $44 billion purchase of Twitter has swirled around the company for weeks. Musk, who is one of Twitter’s largest shareholders, on Wednesday revised the financing plan for his proposed takeover, raising investor hopes that he still intends to pull off the deal.Twitter yields unrivaled influence on news, politics, and society thanks to its public nature, simple interface and of-the-moment immediacy. Some experts fear that Musk would relax content-moderation rules that offer some protection against white supremacy, hate speech and threats of violence. The platform famously banned former President Donald Trump following the assault on the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

Twitter to pay $150M penalty over use of your personal information

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

LINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln say a 15-year-old has been arrested after another teen was shot.

Police said on Wednesday at around 7:30 p.m., a 17-year-old male arrived at a Lincoln hospital with a grazing gunshot wound to his left side.&nbsp;

Further investigation revealed the teen and some friends had met up with a group of individuals at Seacrest Field, 7300 A St., flowing a feud on social media between the groups.

At some point, police said a male wearing a black ski mask exited a vehicle, produced a handgun, and began firing at another vehicle, striking the victim.

Police said a 15-year-old male was determined to be the perpetrator and he was taken into custody without incident on suspicion of 2nd-degree assault, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle, all felonies.

He is currently being held at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center.

The victim's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648608202824.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln say a 15-year-old has been arrested after another teen was shot.Police said on Wednesday at around 7:30 p.m., a 17-year-old male arrived at a Lincoln hospital with a grazing gunshot wound to his left side.&nbsp;Further investigation revealed the teen and some friends had met up with a group of individuals at Seacrest Field, 7300 A St., flowing a feud on social media between the groups.At some point, police said a male wearing a black ski mask exited a vehicle, produced a handgun, and began firing at another vehicle, striking the victim.Police said a 15-year-old male was determined to be the perpetrator and he was taken into custody without incident on suspicion of 2nd-degree assault, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle, all felonies.He is currently being held at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center.The victim's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

15-year-old arrested in shooting at Lincoln's Seacrest Field

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/25/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-historic-executive-order-to-advance-effective-accountable-policing-and-strengthen-public-safety/?fbclid=IwAR1DtlNkKGamb2bBlscgFLRzJQKhhbQKvT8xW1gJ9dVyGLrusw7xQn5lp0w">executive order</a> Wednesday to improve accountability in policing —a meaningful but limited action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">second anniversary of George Floyd’s death</a>&nbsp;that reflected the challenges in addressing racism, excessive use of force and public safety when Congress is deadlocked on stronger measures.

During the ceremony, the President made comments on the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a day after the&nbsp;mass shooting at a Texas elementary school&nbsp;that killed 19 children and two teachers.&nbsp;

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

In addition, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks that tried to comfort those affected by the shooting as well those who have suffered from police brutality, promising them that change could come eventually despite the partisan divides on Capitol Hill.

“I know progress can be slow and frustrating,” Biden said. “Today we’re acting. We’re showing that speaking out matters. Being engaged matters. That the work of our time, healing the soul of this nation, is ongoing and unfinished and requires all of us never to give up.”

Floyd’s family was in the audience at the White House as the president declared that “what we do in their memory matters.” With lawmakers unable to reach agreement on how to reform police policies or on efforts to reduce mass shootings, the president has limited avenues for advancing his campaign promises. And as he tries to build consensus, Biden is also attempting to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time when rising concerns about crime are eclipsing calls for reform.

Most of Biden’s order is focused on federal law enforcement agencies — for example, requiring them to review and revise policies on use of force. It will also create a database to help track officer misconduct, according to the White House.

Although the administration cannot require local police departments to participate in the database, which is intended to prevent problem officers from hopping from job to job, officials are looking for ways to use federal funding to encourage their cooperation.

In addition, the order is designed to restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police.

Many organizations and lawmakers said the order was an important but incomplete step forward.

“While this action does not have the long-term impact that we had hoped for,” Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement, “it does represent incremental progress, and we need to commit ourselves to making progress every day.”

The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police both engaged with the Biden administration on the order. They said that they “see many components of the order as a blueprint for future congressional action.”

“President Biden’s executive order is a poor excuse for the transformation of public safety that he promised the Black voters who put him in office,” the Movement for Black Lives, a civil rights group, said in a statement.

Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests two years ago. It was the largest series of demonstrations in American history, occurring in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">midst of coronavirus lockdowns</a>&nbsp;and President Donald Trump’s divisive reelection campaign.

However, transforming the initial outcry into political change has proven difficult.

When four officers were convicted last year for killing Floyd, Biden urged Congress to pass legislation to reform police by the anniversary of his death.

The guilty verdict was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-floyd-chauvin-systemic-racism-32a9117ee3d36e051e424ef4b4888bee">“not enough,”</a>&nbsp;he said, and “we can’t stop here.”

However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-bills-police-af435d319d8083aa50c5d4aff50f8067">no legislation was passed</a>, and bipartisan talks dragged on, and later broke down.

The White House eventually decided to move forward with executive actions rather than wait for Congress.

Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who helped lead the talks, said the order will enhance transparency, accountability and policing standards. But he noted that additional efforts will be needed for the police to improve relationships with the people they are to protect and serve.

“Across the United States, there is a deficit of trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect – particularly Black and Brown communities,” Booker said.

In September, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-george-floyd-united-states-breonna-taylor-0f4fe5a44589b09d9616af3dabcd418c">Justice Department curtailed federal agents’ use of no-knock warrants</a>&nbsp;— which allow law enforcement agents to enter a home without announcing their presence — and updated its policy to prohibit agents from using chokeholds in most circumstances.

But extending such rules to local police is more challenging, and White House officials have spent months in negotiations with civil rights groups and police organizations.

The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally sought, not to mention delayed by a year.

“We know full well that an executive order cannot address America’s policing crisis the same way Congress has the ability to, but we’ve got to do everything we can,” said a statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson.

The order goes beyond issues involving misconduct and use of force. It also assesses the impact of facial recognition software on civil liberties, looks for ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in federal correctional facilities and suggests better ways to collect data on police practices.

Biden is only the latest president to sign an executive order on police reform. His predecessor, Trump, signed a similar order less than a month after Floyd’s death in 2020 aimed at curbing police brutality. It provided federal dollars to departments that met certain credentialing standards on the use of force. One of the elements of the order called for the establishment of a database tracking terminations, criminal convictions and civil judgments against law enforcement officers for excessive use of force.

Former President Barack Obama also tried to push for police reform through a task force he formed in 2014. One of that task force’s recommendations was an expansion of an already existing database of officers who had been decertified.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/25/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-historic-executive-order-to-advance-effective-accountable-policing-and-strengthen-public-safety/?fbclid=IwAR1DtlNkKGamb2bBlscgFLRzJQKhhbQKvT8xW1gJ9dVyGLrusw7xQn5lp0w">executive order</a> Wednesday to improve accountability in policing —a meaningful but limited action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">second anniversary of George Floyd’s death</a>&nbsp;that reflected the challenges in addressing racism, excessive use of force and public safety when Congress is deadlocked on stronger measures.During the ceremony, the President made comments on the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a day after the&nbsp;mass shooting at a Texas elementary school&nbsp;that killed 19 children and two teachers.&nbsp;(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F967976427229599%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=673" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>In addition, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks that tried to comfort those affected by the shooting as well those who have suffered from police brutality, promising them that change could come eventually despite the partisan divides on Capitol Hill.“I know progress can be slow and frustrating,” Biden said. “Today we’re acting. We’re showing that speaking out matters. Being engaged matters. That the work of our time, healing the soul of this nation, is ongoing and unfinished and requires all of us never to give up.”Floyd’s family was in the audience at the White House as the president declared that “what we do in their memory matters.” With lawmakers unable to reach agreement on how to reform police policies or on efforts to reduce mass shootings, the president has limited avenues for advancing his campaign promises. And as he tries to build consensus, Biden is also attempting to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time when rising concerns about crime are eclipsing calls for reform.Most of Biden’s order is focused on federal law enforcement agencies — for example, requiring them to review and revise policies on use of force. It will also create a database to help track officer misconduct, according to the White House.Although the administration cannot require local police departments to participate in the database, which is intended to prevent problem officers from hopping from job to job, officials are looking for ways to use federal funding to encourage their cooperation.In addition, the order is designed to restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police.Many organizations and lawmakers said the order was an important but incomplete step forward.“While this action does not have the long-term impact that we had hoped for,” Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement, “it does represent incremental progress, and we need to commit ourselves to making progress every day.”The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police both engaged with the Biden administration on the order. They said that they “see many components of the order as a blueprint for future congressional action.”Yet not everyone was satisfied.“President Biden’s executive order is a poor excuse for the transformation of public safety that he promised the Black voters who put him in office,” the Movement for Black Lives, a civil rights group, said in a statement.Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests two years ago. It was the largest series of demonstrations in American history, occurring in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">midst of coronavirus lockdowns</a>&nbsp;and President Donald Trump’s divisive reelection campaign.However, transforming the initial outcry into political change has proven difficult.When four officers were convicted last year for killing Floyd, Biden urged Congress to pass legislation to reform police by the anniversary of his death.The guilty verdict was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-floyd-chauvin-systemic-racism-32a9117ee3d36e051e424ef4b4888bee">“not enough,”</a>&nbsp;he said, and “we can’t stop here.”However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-bills-police-af435d319d8083aa50c5d4aff50f8067">no legislation was passed</a>, and bipartisan talks dragged on, and later broke down.The White House eventually decided to move forward with executive actions rather than wait for Congress.Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who helped lead the talks, said the order will enhance transparency, accountability and policing standards. But he noted that additional efforts will be needed for the police to improve relationships with the people they are to protect and serve.“Across the United States, there is a deficit of trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect – particularly Black and Brown communities,” Booker said.In September, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-george-floyd-united-states-breonna-taylor-0f4fe5a44589b09d9616af3dabcd418c">Justice Department curtailed federal agents’ use of no-knock warrants</a>&nbsp;— which allow law enforcement agents to enter a home without announcing their presence — and updated its policy to prohibit agents from using chokeholds in most circumstances.But extending such rules to local police is more challenging, and White House officials have spent months in negotiations with civil rights groups and police organizations.The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally sought, not to mention delayed by a year.“We know full well that an executive order cannot address America’s policing crisis the same way Congress has the ability to, but we’ve got to do everything we can,” said a statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson.The order goes beyond issues involving misconduct and use of force. It also assesses the impact of facial recognition software on civil liberties, looks for ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in federal correctional facilities and suggests better ways to collect data on police practices.Biden is only the latest president to sign an executive order on police reform. His predecessor, Trump, signed a similar order less than a month after Floyd’s death in 2020 aimed at curbing police brutality. It provided federal dollars to departments that met certain credentialing standards on the use of force. One of the elements of the order called for the establishment of a database tracking terminations, criminal convictions and civil judgments against law enforcement officers for excessive use of force.Former President Barack Obama also tried to push for police reform through a task force he formed in 2014. One of that task force’s recommendations was an expansion of an already existing database of officers who had been decertified.___

🎥 President Biden: 2nd Amendment on guns 'not absolute'

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced it has received requests for $2,814,736,532 in the third application filing window of the Emergency Connectivity Fund program to fund 5,120,453 connected devices and 4,285,794 broadband connections.  Applications will be prioritized to fund schools and libraries with the greatest need first, with a preference for schools and libraries located in rural areas.  With the estimated $1.5 billion remaining in the program, the Commission expects to be able to fund requests from many of the 7,369 schools and school districts, 628 libraries and library systems, and 133 consortia which applied from across the country.  

“The continued interest in the Emergency Connectivity Fund demonstrates what we’ve known for a long time – far too many kids across the country need off-campus support to get online and keep up with their schoolwork.  This program has been able to help millions of students over the past year and into the coming school year.  I’m proud of that,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “We received more requests than Congress gave us funds to support for this final round of applications, so we’re prioritizing those with the greatest need.  But the work doesn’t stop there.  We’ll continue to look for ways to close the Homework Gap and ensure no child is left offline.”

During the third, and final, application filing window, the Commission received applications from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure

students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has helped over 12.5 million students, and provided schools and libraries with over 10 million connected devices and 5 million broadband connections.  Over $4.8 billion in program funding commitments have been approved to date, with over $4 billion from Window 1 applications and over $815 million in commitments from Window 2 applications.

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced it has received requests for $2,814,736,532 in the third application filing window of the Emergency Connectivity Fund program to fund 5,120,453 connected devices and 4,285,794 broadband connections. Applications will be prioritized to fund schools and libraries with the greatest need first, with a preference for schools and libraries located in rural areas. With the estimated $1.5 billion remaining in the program, the Commission expects to be able to fund requests from many of the 7,369 schools and school districts, 628 libraries and library systems, and 133 consortia which applied from across the country. “The continued interest in the Emergency Connectivity Fund demonstrates what we’ve known for a long time – far too many kids across the country need off-campus support to get online and keep up with their schoolwork. This program has been able to help millions of students over the past year and into the coming school year. I’m proud of that,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “We received more requests than Congress gave us funds to support for this final round of applications, so we’re prioritizing those with the greatest need. But the work doesn’t stop there. We’ll continue to look for ways to close the Homework Gap and ensure no child is left offline.”During the third, and final, application filing window, the Commission received applications from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensurestudents across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has helped over 12.5 million students, and provided schools and libraries with over 10 million connected devices and 5 million broadband connections. Over $4.8 billion in program funding commitments have been approved to date, with over $4 billion from Window 1 applications and over $815 million in commitments from Window 2 applications.More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund">HERE</a>.

$2.8B in funding requests for final emergency broadband window

CHANTILLY, Va. (AP) — Jill Biden and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy welcomed the delivery Wednesday of a second shipment of tens of thousands of pounds of baby formula that the Biden administration is importing from Europe to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-robert-califf-cce94aeeb3b53af5617d32086df01410">critical supply shortages</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

The first lady and the nation’s doctor each sought to empathize with anxious parents nationwide who have been scrambling to find enough formula for their children.

Both said President Joe Biden and his team understand what parents are going through and were working hard to solve the latest domestic crisis to challenge the administration. Biden has come under growing political pressure for not acting more quickly to try to head off the supply crisis.

“As a mom and a Nana, it’s impossible to hear the stories of children suffering and not imagine your own children in the same position,” the first lady said, using her grandchildren’s nickname for her. “Food is the first and most important way we nurture our children.”

Murthy, a father of two young children, said he knows “how important it is to parents that they have confidence in their ability to safely and securely feed their child. And I know how frustrating and scary it can be when that security feels out of reach.”

“That is why we will not rest until every parent has the formula they need for their child,” he pledged.

Biden and Murthy spoke on the tarmac at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in front of a FedEx Express plane that had just delivered 120,000 pounds, or 60 tons, of infant formula from Ramstein Air Base in Germany under the administration’s Operation Fly Formula program.

With Wednesday’s delivery and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-indianapolis-00f39fd46778ecdd543c22f3630d79ba">a shipment of 78000 pounds</a>&nbsp;(35,380 kilograms) of specialty infant formula that was flown by military aircraft to Indianapolis over the weekend, “we now have brought the equivalent of 1.5 million eight-ounce bottles of infant formula to the United States,” Murthy said.

More deliveries are scheduled to arrive soon. The administration has cut the timeframe for deliveries to three days, down from up to four weeks, he said.

Jill Biden said her husband knows there is “more to do” to solve the baby formula shortages.

“I’m here today to say to parents, ‘you aren’t alone,’” she said. “At the highest levels of Joe’s administration, he and his team understand what you’re going through and they are finding solutions. And they won’t stop until all parents can get the formula all their children need.”

Under Operation Fly Formula, infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards is imported from overseas manufacturers and delivered to hospitals and retailers in the United States.

The first shipment arrived Sunday, bringing 132 pallets of Nestle Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula to Indianapolis — enough for 500,000 eight-ounce bottles.

The 114 pallets of Nestle’s Gerber Good Start Extensive HA formula delivered Wednesday will be transported by FedEx to a Nestle distribution facility near Allentown, Pennsylvania, the White House said.

The three formulas are for children who are allergic to cow’s milk protein.

The baby formula shortage stems mostly from Abbott Nutrition’s plant in Sturgis, Michigan, which the FDA closed in February due to contamination issues. Abbott, one of a handful of companies that control the vast majority of the market for infant formula, then announced a massive recall of its product on Feb. 17, which led to the nationwide supply shortage.

Abbott and the Food and Drug Administration recently reached an agreement to reopen the plant next week. But it will take about two months before product is ready for delivery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653517823167.png" alt="The first lady and the nation’s doctor each sought to empathize with anxious parents nationwide who have been scrambling to find enough formula for their children.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The first lady and the nation’s doctor each sought to empathize with anxious parents nationwide who have been scrambling to find enough formula for their children.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>CHANTILLY, Va. (AP) — Jill Biden and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy welcomed the delivery Wednesday of a second shipment of tens of thousands of pounds of baby formula that the Biden administration is importing from Europe to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-robert-califf-cce94aeeb3b53af5617d32086df01410">critical supply shortages</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.The first lady and the nation’s doctor each sought to empathize with anxious parents nationwide who have been scrambling to find enough formula for their children.Both said President Joe Biden and his team understand what parents are going through and were working hard to solve the latest domestic crisis to challenge the administration. Biden has come under growing political pressure for not acting more quickly to try to head off the supply crisis.“As a mom and a Nana, it’s impossible to hear the stories of children suffering and not imagine your own children in the same position,” the first lady said, using her grandchildren’s nickname for her. “Food is the first and most important way we nurture our children.”Murthy, a father of two young children, said he knows “how important it is to parents that they have confidence in their ability to safely and securely feed their child. And I know how frustrating and scary it can be when that security feels out of reach.”“That is why we will not rest until every parent has the formula they need for their child,” he pledged.Biden and Murthy spoke on the tarmac at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in front of a FedEx Express plane that had just delivered 120,000 pounds, or 60 tons, of infant formula from Ramstein Air Base in Germany under the administration’s Operation Fly Formula program.With Wednesday’s delivery and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-indianapolis-00f39fd46778ecdd543c22f3630d79ba">a shipment of 78000 pounds</a>&nbsp;(35,380 kilograms) of specialty infant formula that was flown by military aircraft to Indianapolis over the weekend, “we now have brought the equivalent of 1.5 million eight-ounce bottles of infant formula to the United States,” Murthy said.More deliveries are scheduled to arrive soon. The administration has cut the timeframe for deliveries to three days, down from up to four weeks, he said.Jill Biden said her husband knows there is “more to do” to solve the baby formula shortages.“I’m here today to say to parents, ‘you aren’t alone,’” she said. “At the highest levels of Joe’s administration, he and his team understand what you’re going through and they are finding solutions. And they won’t stop until all parents can get the formula all their children need.”Under Operation Fly Formula, infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards is imported from overseas manufacturers and delivered to hospitals and retailers in the United States.The first shipment arrived Sunday, bringing 132 pallets of Nestle Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula to Indianapolis — enough for 500,000 eight-ounce bottles.The 114 pallets of Nestle’s Gerber Good Start Extensive HA formula delivered Wednesday will be transported by FedEx to a Nestle distribution facility near Allentown, Pennsylvania, the White House said.The three formulas are for children who are allergic to cow’s milk protein.The baby formula shortage stems mostly from Abbott Nutrition’s plant in Sturgis, Michigan, which the FDA closed in February due to contamination issues. Abbott, one of a handful of companies that control the vast majority of the market for infant formula, then announced a massive recall of its product on Feb. 17, which led to the nationwide supply shortage.Abbott and the Food and Drug Administration recently reached an agreement to reopen the plant next week. But it will take about two months before product is ready for delivery.

Jill Biden welcomes 2nd mass delivery of baby formula

By JAMES DENSLEY and JILLIAN PETERSON <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-we-know-about-mass-school-shootings-in-the-us-and-the-gunmen-who-carry-them-out-183812">The Conversation</a>

When the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/columbine-high-school-shootings">Columbine High School massacre took place in 1999</a> it was seen as a watershed moment in the United States – the worst mass shooting at a school in the country’s history.

Now, it ranks fourth. The three school shootings to surpass its death
 toll of 13 – 12 students, one teacher – have all taken place within the
 last decade: 2012’s <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/12/us/sandy-hook-timeline/index.html">Sandy Hook Elementary attack</a>,
 in which a gunman killed 26 children and school staff; the 2018 
shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, 
which <a href="https://theconversation.com/parkland-shooting-one-year-later-congress-still-avoids-action-on-gun-control-111796">claimed the lives of 17 people</a>; and now the <a href="https://theconversation.com/19-children-2-adults-killed-in-texas-elementary-school-shooting-3-essential-reads-on-americas-relentless-gun-violence-183811">Robb Elementary School assault in Uvalde, Texas</a>, where on May 24, 2022, at least 19 children and two adults were murdered.

We <a href="https://www.metrostate.edu/about/directory/james-densley">are criminologists</a> <a href="https://www.hamline.edu/faculty-staff/jillian-peterson/">who study</a> <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/">the life histories</a> of public mass shooters in the U.S. As part of that research, we built <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/">a comprehensive database</a>
 of mass public shootings using public data, with the shooters coded on 
over 200 different variables, including location and racial profile. For
 the purposes of our database, mass public shootings are defined as 
incidents in which four or more victims are murdered with at least one 
of those homicides taking place in a public location and with no 
connection to underlying criminal activity, such as gangs or drugs.

Our database shows that since 1966, when our database timeline 
begins, there have been 13 such shootings at schools across the U.S – 
the first in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/18/us/five-children-killed-as-gunman-attacks-a-california-school.html">Stockton, California</a>, in 1989.

Four of those shootings – including the one at Robb Elementary School
 – involved a killing at another location, always a family member at a 
residence. The most recent perpetrator <a href="https://www.npr.org/live-updates/texas-school-shooting-2022-05-24">shot his grandmother</a> prior to going to the school in Uvalde.

The majority of mass school shootings were carried out by a lone gunman, with just two – Columbine and the <a href="https://www.kait8.com/2022/03/24/24-years-later-remembering-westside-school-shooting-victims/">1988 shooting at Westside School in Jonesboro</a>, Arkansas – carried out by two gunmen. In all, some 146 people were killed in the attacks and at least 182 victims injured.

The choice of “gunmen” to describe the perpetrators is accurate – all of the mass school shootings in our database were <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/">carried out by men or boys</a>. And the average age of those involved in carrying out the attacks was 18.

This fits with the picture that has emerged of the <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/robb-elementary-school-gunman-salvador-ramos-bought-two-rifles-on-his-18th-birthday-texas-officials-say">shooter in the Robb Elementary School attack</a>. He turned 18 just days ago and reportedly <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article261766762.html">purchased two military-style weapons</a>. It is believed that the shooter used one miltary-style weapon in the attack, authorities said May 25, 2022.

Police have <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-05-24/texas-elementary-school-shooting">yet to release key information</a>
 on the shooter, including what motivated him to kill the children and 
adults at Robb Elementary School. The picture of the shooter that has 
emerged conforms to the profile we have built up from past perpetrators 
in some ways, but diverges in others.

We know that most school shooters have a connection to the school 
they target. Twelve of the 14 school shooters in our database prior to 
the most recent attack in Texas were either current or former students 
of the school. Any prior connection between the latest shooter and Robb 
Elementary School has not been released to the public.

Our research and <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/about-us/our-book/">dozens of interviews with incarcerated perpetrators of mass shootings</a>
 suggests that for most perpetrators, the mass shooting event is 
intended to be a final act. The majority of school mass shooters die in 
the attack. Of the 15 mass school shooters in our database, just seven 
were apprehended. The rest died on the scene, nearly all by suicide – 
the lone exception being the Robb Elementary shooter, who was shot dead 
by police.

And school shooters tend to preempt their attacks by leaving posts, messages or videos warning of their intent. 

Inspired by past school shooters, some perpetrators are <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-quest-for-significance-gone-horribly-wrong-how-mass-shooters-pervert-a-universal-desire-to-make-a-difference-in-the-world-183199">seeking fame and notoriety</a>.
 However, most school shooters are motivated by a generalized anger. 
Their path to violence involves self-hate and despair turned outward at 
the world, and our research finds they often communicate their intent to
 do harm in advance as a final, desperate <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2785799">cry for help</a>. The key to stopping these tragedies is for society to be <a href="https://theconversation.com/accused-buffalo-mass-shooter-had-threatened-a-shooting-while-in-high-school-could-more-have-been-done-to-avert-the-tragedy-183455">alert to these warning signs</a> and act on them immediately.

James Densley is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. Jillian Peterson is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Hamline University.

<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/183812/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>By JAMES DENSLEY and JILLIAN PETERSON <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-we-know-about-mass-school-shootings-in-the-us-and-the-gunmen-who-carry-them-out-183812">The Conversation</a>When the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/columbine-high-school-shootings">Columbine High School massacre took place in 1999</a> it was seen as a watershed moment in the United States – the worst mass shooting at a school in the country’s history.Now, it ranks fourth. The three school shootings to surpass its death
 toll of 13 – 12 students, one teacher – have all taken place within the
 last decade: 2012’s <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/12/us/sandy-hook-timeline/index.html">Sandy Hook Elementary attack</a>,
 in which a gunman killed 26 children and school staff; the 2018 
shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, 
which <a href="https://theconversation.com/parkland-shooting-one-year-later-congress-still-avoids-action-on-gun-control-111796">claimed the lives of 17 people</a>; and now the <a href="https://theconversation.com/19-children-2-adults-killed-in-texas-elementary-school-shooting-3-essential-reads-on-americas-relentless-gun-violence-183811">Robb Elementary School assault in Uvalde, Texas</a>, where on May 24, 2022, at least 19 children and two adults were murdered.We <a href="https://www.metrostate.edu/about/directory/james-densley">are criminologists</a> <a href="https://www.hamline.edu/faculty-staff/jillian-peterson/">who study</a> <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/">the life histories</a> of public mass shooters in the U.S. As part of that research, we built <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/">a comprehensive database</a>
 of mass public shootings using public data, with the shooters coded on 
over 200 different variables, including location and racial profile. For
 the purposes of our database, mass public shootings are defined as 
incidents in which four or more victims are murdered with at least one 
of those homicides taking place in a public location and with no 
connection to underlying criminal activity, such as gangs or drugs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653505039759.png" alt="Mass shootings are defined here as events in which four or more people are killed with firearms in a public place, with the murders not being attributed to any other underlying criminal activity. Map: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: The Violence Project Database " />
 <figcaption>Mass shootings are defined here as events in which four or more people are killed with firearms in a public place, with the murders not being attributed to any other underlying criminal activity. Map: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: The Violence Project Database </figcaption>
 </figure>Our database shows that since 1966, when our database timeline 
begins, there have been 13 such shootings at schools across the U.S – 
the first in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/18/us/five-children-killed-as-gunman-attacks-a-california-school.html">Stockton, California</a>, in 1989.Four of those shootings – including the one at Robb Elementary School
 – involved a killing at another location, always a family member at a 
residence. The most recent perpetrator <a href="https://www.npr.org/live-updates/texas-school-shooting-2022-05-24">shot his grandmother</a> prior to going to the school in Uvalde.The majority of mass school shootings were carried out by a lone gunman, with just two – Columbine and the <a href="https://www.kait8.com/2022/03/24/24-years-later-remembering-westside-school-shooting-victims/">1988 shooting at Westside School in Jonesboro</a>, Arkansas – carried out by two gunmen. In all, some 146 people were killed in the attacks and at least 182 victims injured.The choice of “gunmen” to describe the perpetrators is accurate – all of the mass school shootings in our database were <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/">carried out by men or boys</a>. And the average age of those involved in carrying out the attacks was 18. This fits with the picture that has emerged of the <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/robb-elementary-school-gunman-salvador-ramos-bought-two-rifles-on-his-18th-birthday-texas-officials-say">shooter in the Robb Elementary School attack</a>. He turned 18 just days ago and reportedly <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article261766762.html">purchased two military-style weapons</a>. It is believed that the shooter used one miltary-style weapon in the attack, authorities said May 25, 2022.Police have <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-05-24/texas-elementary-school-shooting">yet to release key information</a>
 on the shooter, including what motivated him to kill the children and 
adults at Robb Elementary School. The picture of the shooter that has 
emerged conforms to the profile we have built up from past perpetrators 
in some ways, but diverges in others.We know that most school shooters have a connection to the school 
they target. Twelve of the 14 school shooters in our database prior to 
the most recent attack in Texas were either current or former students 
of the school. Any prior connection between the latest shooter and Robb 
Elementary School has not been released to the public.Our research and <a href="https://www.theviolenceproject.org/about-us/our-book/">dozens of interviews with incarcerated perpetrators of mass shootings</a>
 suggests that for most perpetrators, the mass shooting event is 
intended to be a final act. The majority of school mass shooters die in 
the attack. Of the 15 mass school shooters in our database, just seven 
were apprehended. The rest died on the scene, nearly all by suicide – 
the lone exception being the Robb Elementary shooter, who was shot dead 
by police.And school shooters tend to preempt their attacks by leaving posts, messages or videos warning of their intent. Inspired by past school shooters, some perpetrators are <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-quest-for-significance-gone-horribly-wrong-how-mass-shooters-pervert-a-universal-desire-to-make-a-difference-in-the-world-183199">seeking fame and notoriety</a>.
 However, most school shooters are motivated by a generalized anger. 
Their path to violence involves self-hate and despair turned outward at 
the world, and our research finds they often communicate their intent to
 do harm in advance as a final, desperate <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2785799">cry for help</a>. The key to stopping these tragedies is for society to be <a href="https://theconversation.com/accused-buffalo-mass-shooter-had-threatened-a-shooting-while-in-high-school-could-more-have-been-done-to-avert-the-tragedy-183455">alert to these warning signs</a> and act on them immediately.James Densley is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. Jillian Peterson is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Hamline University.

What we know about mass school shootings, gunmen who carry them out

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-construction-company-responds-to-inflation-hands-out-extra-check-to-workers-at-the-job-site/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

An
 Omaha-based construction company is responding to recent cost inflation
 by putting something extra in employee wallets, in time for the holiday
 weekend.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hawkins1.com/?utm_source=SK-PR&amp;utm_medium=InflationProtectionRelease&amp;utm_campaign=SK-PR&amp;utm_id=SK-PR">Hawkins Construction,</a>
 a regional contractor that employs about 400 people, has created an 
“inflation protection fund” and plans to disburse up to $2,000 to each 
hourly worker this year. CEO and president Chris Hawkins is visiting job
 sites Wednesday to pass out the first round of $1,000 checks.

“We
 see rising costs across the supply chain and recognize this volatility 
is affecting our employees’ bottom lines as well,” said Hawkins. 
“Through this fund, we aim to cover the unavoidable gaps created by 
increased prices at the gas pump, grocery store and other bills.”

The
 calculation was made based on the company’s estimate that the average 
cost of basic household expenses was increasing by about $2,000 due to 
year-over-year inflation. The fund and related checks are in addition to
 regular wages and performance bonuses.

Hawkins
 said he recognizes that rising costs are an “acute pain point” for 
employees and his team recognized it as “something we have to address 
right now.”

As
 the Memorial Day weekend approaches, he said, he hopes the financial 
boost could also help add a bit more variety to the family picnic menu.

“When our people are happy, it makes me happy,” he said.

This
 latest move follows a recent announcement of a pilot program that 
provides Hawkins employees free English-as-second-language classes. The 
company said it also recently gave hourly wage increases ranging from 5%
 to 12%.&nbsp;

Hawkins
 is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated construction 
contractor that builds transportation civil infrastructure, water and 
wastewater and industrial projects.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-construction-company-responds-to-inflation-hands-out-extra-check-to-workers-at-the-job-site/">Nebraska Examiner</a>An
 Omaha-based construction company is responding to recent cost inflation
 by putting something extra in employee wallets, in time for the holiday
 weekend.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hawkins1.com/?utm_source=SK-PR&amp;utm_medium=InflationProtectionRelease&amp;utm_campaign=SK-PR&amp;utm_id=SK-PR">Hawkins Construction,</a>
 a regional contractor that employs about 400 people, has created an 
“inflation protection fund” and plans to disburse up to $2,000 to each 
hourly worker this year. CEO and president Chris Hawkins is visiting job
 sites Wednesday to pass out the first round of $1,000 checks.“We
 see rising costs across the supply chain and recognize this volatility 
is affecting our employees’ bottom lines as well,” said Hawkins. 
“Through this fund, we aim to cover the unavoidable gaps created by 
increased prices at the gas pump, grocery store and other bills.”The
 calculation was made based on the company’s estimate that the average 
cost of basic household expenses was increasing by about $2,000 due to 
year-over-year inflation. The fund and related checks are in addition to
 regular wages and performance bonuses.Hawkins
 said he recognizes that rising costs are an “acute pain point” for 
employees and his team recognized it as “something we have to address 
right now.”As
 the Memorial Day weekend approaches, he said, he hopes the financial 
boost could also help add a bit more variety to the family picnic menu.“When our people are happy, it makes me happy,” he said.This
 latest move follows a recent announcement of a pilot program that 
provides Hawkins employees free English-as-second-language classes. The 
company said it also recently gave hourly wage increases ranging from 5%
 to 12%.&nbsp;Hawkins
 is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated construction 
contractor that builds transportation civil infrastructure, water and 
wastewater and industrial projects.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Neb. company responds to inflation, hands out extra check at job site

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/25/shortage-of-examiners-means-closure-cutbacks-at-state-motor-vehicle-offices/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN – Nebraskans need to be flexible if they’re seeking to take a state driver’s test.

Due
 to a shortage of driver examiners at the Nebraska Department of Motor 
Vehicles, about 30 DMV offices across the state, mostly in rural areas, <a target="_blank" href="https://dmv.nebraska.gov/locations/closings">have closed temporarily or seen hours cut back.</a> The closures have prompted frustration and disappointment and have forced customers to drive to other counties to take tests.

It’s
 the latest example of how Nebraska’s tight labor market, and low 
unemployment rate, is making it harder to fill vacant positions.

State
 prisons have had to go to 12-hour shifts and raise wages to deal with 
short staffing, and just recently, the Nebraska Game and Parks 
Commission announced that hours at some state parks are being cut back 
after the agency has been able to hire only about half of its necessary 
summer personnel.

The
 state employee’s union thinks the problem is low pay, and the Nebraska 
Association of Public Employees recently asked the state to renegotiate 
the starting wage for drivers license examiners, which is now $16.48 an 
hour.

“That’s
 not going to cut it,” said Justin Hubly, executive director of NAPE. He
 said staff shortages at DMV have been a problem in the past, despite a 
10% increase in the starting wage bargained two years ago.

Rhonda Lahm, the director of DMV, said it’s more complicated than just salary.

“We’re
 experiencing what most employers are experiencing right now,” Lahm 
said, adding that “it’s never one issue. It’s multiple issues.”

To
 deal with the staff shortages, Lahm said the DMV has tried to maintain 
normal hours at its five-day-a-week locations, which are in larger 
counties like Douglas and Lancaster. Closing of rural offices, she said,
 is rotated so there is some availability of the tests.

Lahm
 said she is also prioritizing testing for commercial drivers licenses, 
or CDLs, to get truck drivers on the road to help with the nation’s 
supply chain problems.

At
 least a couple of rural counties that typically see a drivers license 
examiner once or twice a week, haven’t seen an examiner for weeks.

According to the DMV website, no driving tests were scheduled in Antelope, Knox and Cedar Counties during the months of April and May.&nbsp;

Antelope
 County Treasurer Deb Branstiter said it’s been an inconvenience but 
said her office has been able to redirect people to nearby counties that
 are still offering DMV testing.

Tests are schedusetled to resume in those three counties in June, when a new examiner is scheduled to begin working.&nbsp;

“We’re looking forward to having a driver’s license examiner back,” Branstiter said.

In
 Dakota County, the typical five-day-a-week offering of DMV testing has 
been cut back to twice a week, due to a staff shortage and the recent 
death of an examiner.

Customers are understandably frustrated, said Dakota County Treasurer Dawn Bousquet. Finding new employees is a nationwide problem, she said.

“I feel terrible for (DMV),” Bousquet said. “They’re trying the best they can to get people trained and get going.”

Lahm
 said most people can go online to renew their driver’s licenses and 
access several other services. Persons 72 or older must do an in-person 
driving test, she said. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 71 only need 
to do a driving test once every 15 years.

The department has about 17 job openings, which Lahm said is only slightly higher than normal.&nbsp;

She encouraged job seekers to give the DMV a try.

“If you want to work for a really great department, go to the Nebraska Jobs site to apply,” Lahm said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653507007027.png" alt="The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters is in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters is in Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/25/shortage-of-examiners-means-closure-cutbacks-at-state-motor-vehicle-offices/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN – Nebraskans need to be flexible if they’re seeking to take a state driver’s test.Due
 to a shortage of driver examiners at the Nebraska Department of Motor 
Vehicles, about 30 DMV offices across the state, mostly in rural areas, <a target="_blank" href="https://dmv.nebraska.gov/locations/closings">have closed temporarily or seen hours cut back.</a> The closures have prompted frustration and disappointment and have forced customers to drive to other counties to take tests.It’s
 the latest example of how Nebraska’s tight labor market, and low 
unemployment rate, is making it harder to fill vacant positions.<h2>Problems statewide</h2>State
 prisons have had to go to 12-hour shifts and raise wages to deal with 
short staffing, and just recently, the Nebraska Game and Parks 
Commission announced that hours at some state parks are being cut back 
after the agency has been able to hire only about half of its necessary 
summer personnel.The
 state employee’s union thinks the problem is low pay, and the Nebraska 
Association of Public Employees recently asked the state to renegotiate 
the starting wage for drivers license examiners, which is now $16.48 an 
hour.“That’s
 not going to cut it,” said Justin Hubly, executive director of NAPE. He
 said staff shortages at DMV have been a problem in the past, despite a 
10% increase in the starting wage bargained two years ago.Rhonda Lahm, the director of DMV, said it’s more complicated than just salary.<h2>‘Multiple issues’</h2>“We’re
 experiencing what most employers are experiencing right now,” Lahm 
said, adding that “it’s never one issue. It’s multiple issues.”To
 deal with the staff shortages, Lahm said the DMV has tried to maintain 
normal hours at its five-day-a-week locations, which are in larger 
counties like Douglas and Lancaster. Closing of rural offices, she said,
 is rotated so there is some availability of the tests.Lahm
 said she is also prioritizing testing for commercial drivers licenses, 
or CDLs, to get truck drivers on the road to help with the nation’s 
supply chain problems.At
 least a couple of rural counties that typically see a drivers license 
examiner once or twice a week, haven’t seen an examiner for weeks.According to the DMV website, no driving tests were scheduled in Antelope, Knox and Cedar Counties during the months of April and May.&nbsp;<h2>Directed to other counties</h2>Antelope
 County Treasurer Deb Branstiter said it’s been an inconvenience but 
said her office has been able to redirect people to nearby counties that
 are still offering DMV testing.Tests are schedusetled to resume in those three counties in June, when a new examiner is scheduled to begin working.&nbsp;“We’re looking forward to having a driver’s license examiner back,” Branstiter said.In
 Dakota County, the typical five-day-a-week offering of DMV testing has 
been cut back to twice a week, due to a staff shortage and the recent 
death of an examiner.Customers are understandably frustrated, said Dakota County Treasurer Dawn Bousquet. Finding new employees is a nationwide problem, she said.<h2>‘Trying the best they can’</h2>“I feel terrible for (DMV),” Bousquet said. “They’re trying the best they can to get people trained and get going.”Lahm
 said most people can go online to renew their driver’s licenses and 
access several other services. Persons 72 or older must do an in-person 
driving test, she said. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 71 only need 
to do a driving test once every 15 years.The department has about 17 job openings, which Lahm said is only slightly higher than normal.&nbsp;She encouraged job seekers to give the DMV a try.“If you want to work for a really great department, go to the Nebraska Jobs site to apply,” Lahm said.