HOBBS, N.M. -- Authorities investigating a fiery head-on&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/NJTrainCrash" target="_blank">crash</a>&nbsp;in West Texas don’t know why a 13-year-old boy was driving while his father sat in the passenger seat of a pickup truck that crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a passenger van, killing nine people.

The young teen who has not been identified died in the crash along with his father, 38-year-old Henrich Siemens, and six members of a New Mexico college golf team and their coach. The cause remains under investigation, though National Transportation Safety Board officials have said the truck’s front tire, a spare, blew out before the crash.

It's the latest tragedy for the family of the father and son, of Seminole, Texas.

Community members first rallied around Siemens and his wife, Agatha, in October, when a fire that started in the kitchen destroyed the home where they had lived for a decade. Seminole is a rural community of around 7,500 people, some of whom first relocated to the area in the 1970s with other Mennonite families who started farming and ranching operations.

While the couple and their children escaped the fire without injury, Agatha wrote on her Facebook page at the time that they had lost everything, including one of the family pets.

After the crash, Agatha Siemens shared family photos on social media, saying her husband was the love of her life and that she missed her son. She did not return messages seeking comment.

NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg on Thursday revealed the truck was driven by the child.

After the tire blew, the pickup truck crossed into the opposite lane on the darkened, two-lane highway before colliding with the van. Both vehicles burst into flames.

Although it was unclear how fast the two vehicles were traveling, “this was clearly a high-speed collision,” Landsberg said.

The speed limit at the crash site is 75 mph (120 kph), according to the agency.

Landsberg said investigators hoped to retrieve enough information from the vehicles' recorders, if they survived, to understand what happened. He said many in the van were not wearing seatbelts and at least one was ejected from the vehicle.

It's not unusual for young teens to drive in that region and other more rural parts of the United States. One must be 14 in Texas to start taking classroom courses for a learner’s license and 15 to receive that provisional license to drive with an instructor or licensed adult in the vehicle.

Investigators have not yet determined why the youth was behind the wheel, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Steven Blanco said Friday.

The NTSB sent an investigative team to the crash site in Texas’ Andrews County, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of the New Mexico state line.

The University of the Southwest students, including one from Portugal and one from Mexico, and the coach were returning from a golf tournament in Midland, Texas, when the vehicles collided Tuesday night. Two Canadian students were hospitalized in critical condition.

University of the Southwest spokeswoman Maria Duarte declined to comment on the NTSB’s announcement about the young driver, citing the ongoing investigation. The private Christian college is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, near the Texas state line.

The golf teams were traveling in a 2017 Ford Transit van that was towing a box trailer when it collided with the 2007 Dodge 2500 pickup, according to NTSB spokesperson Eric Weiss.

The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the deceased as: golf coach Tyler James, 26, of Hobbs, New Mexico; and players Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Aguascalientes, Mexico; Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas; Jackson Zinn, 22, of Westminster, Colorado; Karisa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas; Laci Stone, 18, of Nocona, Texas; and Tiago Sousa, 18, of Algarve, Portugal.

Critically injured aboard the van were Canadian students Dayton Price, 19, of Mississauga, Ontario, and Hayden Underhill, 20, of Amherstview, Ontario. Both were taken by helicopter to Lubbock, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) to the northeast.

“They are both stable and recovering, and every day making more and more progress,” University of the Southwest Provost Ryan Tipton said Thursday.

“One of the students is eating chicken soup,” said Tipton, calling their recovery a "game of inches.”

Tipton said University President Quint Thurman visited the students’ parents at the hospital, illustrating the close community at the college with only about 350 on-campus students.

A memorial was set up Wednesday at the golf course near campus where the team practices, with flowers, golf balls and a handmade sign. Counseling and religious services were made available on campus.

About 150 people turned out Thursday evening to remember Jackson Zinn at Texas Roadhouse, a restaurant where he worked and met his girlfriend of five months.

“We met here exactly at this table,” said Maddy Russell, 20, of Hobbs. “He was my heart.”

The mourners released around 100 blue and orange balloons into the cold whipping wind of eastern New Mexico, which soon disappeared into the horizon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604198717162.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSHOBBS, N.M. -- Authorities investigating a fiery head-on&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/NJTrainCrash" target="_blank">crash</a>&nbsp;in West Texas don’t know why a 13-year-old boy was driving while his father sat in the passenger seat of a pickup truck that crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a passenger van, killing nine people.The young teen who has not been identified died in the crash along with his father, 38-year-old Henrich Siemens, and six members of a New Mexico college golf team and their coach. The cause remains under investigation, though National Transportation Safety Board officials have said the truck’s front tire, a spare, blew out before the crash.It's the latest tragedy for the family of the father and son, of Seminole, Texas.Community members first rallied around Siemens and his wife, Agatha, in October, when a fire that started in the kitchen destroyed the home where they had lived for a decade. Seminole is a rural community of around 7,500 people, some of whom first relocated to the area in the 1970s with other Mennonite families who started farming and ranching operations.While the couple and their children escaped the fire without injury, Agatha wrote on her Facebook page at the time that they had lost everything, including one of the family pets.After the crash, Agatha Siemens shared family photos on social media, saying her husband was the love of her life and that she missed her son. She did not return messages seeking comment.NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg on Thursday revealed the truck was driven by the child.After the tire blew, the pickup truck crossed into the opposite lane on the darkened, two-lane highway before colliding with the van. Both vehicles burst into flames.Although it was unclear how fast the two vehicles were traveling, “this was clearly a high-speed collision,” Landsberg said.The speed limit at the crash site is 75 mph (120 kph), according to the agency.Landsberg said investigators hoped to retrieve enough information from the vehicles' recorders, if they survived, to understand what happened. He said many in the van were not wearing seatbelts and at least one was ejected from the vehicle.It's not unusual for young teens to drive in that region and other more rural parts of the United States. One must be 14 in Texas to start taking classroom courses for a learner’s license and 15 to receive that provisional license to drive with an instructor or licensed adult in the vehicle.Investigators have not yet determined why the youth was behind the wheel, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Steven Blanco said Friday.The NTSB sent an investigative team to the crash site in Texas’ Andrews County, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of the New Mexico state line.The University of the Southwest students, including one from Portugal and one from Mexico, and the coach were returning from a golf tournament in Midland, Texas, when the vehicles collided Tuesday night. Two Canadian students were hospitalized in critical condition.University of the Southwest spokeswoman Maria Duarte declined to comment on the NTSB’s announcement about the young driver, citing the ongoing investigation. The private Christian college is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, near the Texas state line.The golf teams were traveling in a 2017 Ford Transit van that was towing a box trailer when it collided with the 2007 Dodge 2500 pickup, according to NTSB spokesperson Eric Weiss.The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the deceased as: golf coach Tyler James, 26, of Hobbs, New Mexico; and players Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Aguascalientes, Mexico; Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas; Jackson Zinn, 22, of Westminster, Colorado; Karisa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas; Laci Stone, 18, of Nocona, Texas; and Tiago Sousa, 18, of Algarve, Portugal.Critically injured aboard the van were Canadian students Dayton Price, 19, of Mississauga, Ontario, and Hayden Underhill, 20, of Amherstview, Ontario. Both were taken by helicopter to Lubbock, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) to the northeast.“They are both stable and recovering, and every day making more and more progress,” University of the Southwest Provost Ryan Tipton said Thursday.“One of the students is eating chicken soup,” said Tipton, calling their recovery a "game of inches.”Tipton said University President Quint Thurman visited the students’ parents at the hospital, illustrating the close community at the college with only about 350 on-campus students.A memorial was set up Wednesday at the golf course near campus where the team practices, with flowers, golf balls and a handmade sign. Counseling and religious services were made available on campus.About 150 people turned out Thursday evening to remember Jackson Zinn at Texas Roadhouse, a restaurant where he worked and met his girlfriend of five months.“We met here exactly at this table,” said Maddy Russell, 20, of Hobbs. “He was my heart.”The mourners released around 100 blue and orange balloons into the cold whipping wind of eastern New Mexico, which soon disappeared into the horizon.

Texas crash latest tragedy for family of young driver, dad

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/17/most-hbcu-bomb-threats-may-be-coming-from-one-juvenile-fbi-official-tells-congress/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — A top FBI official 
told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday that the agency believes a
 single juvenile is behind most of the bomb threats made to more than 30
 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Ryan Young, executive assistant director of the Intelligence Branch 
at the FBI, said that the bomb threats made to HBCUs and historically 
Black churches are the agency’s top priority.

“We’ve treated this as domestic terrorism,” he said. “It’s meant to inflict harm within the African American population.”

Under questioning from Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, 
Young said that the FBI believes that a majority of the bomb threats are
 from one juvenile, but declined to give any more information.

Higgins asked if it is correct that the FBI has identified one 
juvenile behind the threats. Young said “that is consistent with the 
message we’ve shared with both law enforcement and the Historically 
Black Colleges.”

The exchange came during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee, 
as lawmakers grilled officials from law enforcement agencies about why 
those making bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities have not been caught.

“As the investigation is ongoing, I know that the FBI cannot answer 
any questions about the status of these specific cases,” said Rep. Jamie
 Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and chair of the&nbsp;Subcommittee on Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties.

“But I would like to know how the FBI is coordinating with HBCUs and 
communities of color to address the terrifying rise in hate crimes and 
white supremacy in the U.S.”

This year alone, 36 HBCUs have been targeted with bomb threats. The House and Senate on a bipartisan vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/08/u-s-house-condemns-bomb-threats-made-against-hbcus/">passed</a>&nbsp;
 a resolution condemning the bomb threats made to HBCUs and several 
congressional hearings on the threats to minority institutions have been
 held.

Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 <a target="_blank" href="https://news.stlpublicradio.org/education/2022-02-01/harris-stowe-state-university-shuts-down-campus-following-bomb-threats-to-it-and-other-hbcus">after receiving a bomb threat</a>.

Leaders of faith organizations and HBCUs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/17/u-s-house-hearing-on-extremism-toward-minorities-turns-into-defund-the-police-debate/">detailed</a>&nbsp;to
 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security how their institutions and places of worship have been roiled 
by bomb threats and extremism.

Higgins said it was unacceptable that the FBI and Department of Justice have not made an arrest.

“The impact of the bomb threats, when you look at (the) historical 
aspect, that’s a level of fear that we should absolutely investigate in 
the most aggressive way possible,” he said.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-juveniles-identified-fbi-persons-interests-bomb-threats-historical-rcna14591">A February report from NBC&nbsp;</a>said
 the FBI was looking at a group of six juveniles as “persons of 
interest” in the threats. That report said the juveniles were “tech 
savvy” and able to disguise the source of the threats.

Students from HBCUs also testified before lawmakers on the impact of dealing with bomb threats.

Emmanuel Ukot, the president of the Student Government Association at
 Xavier University of Louisiana, said many classmates were anxious 
following the bomb threats in February.

“Our HBCUs are spaces where we are the majority, where we are valued,
 and where we are expected to excel,” Ukot said. “These attacks robbed 
us of that freedom and ease that HBCUs have historically provided to 
Black students.”

Another student,&nbsp;Devan Vilfrard, from&nbsp;Florida A&amp;M University in 
Tallahassee, said in his opening statement to lawmakers that “racial 
violence towards HBCUs is a multi-generational occurrence that 
profoundly impacts the Black community.”

“HBCUs should continue to be federally supported and protected as we 
endeavor to remove this ongoing tradition of bombing and bomb threats 
for HBCU students of the future,” he said.

Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said that the threats were also
 an attack on the mental health of faculty, students and staff, as a 
majority of the threats were made in February during Black History 
Month.

“HBCUs are building the next generation of Black leaders and Congress
 must continue to recognize their contributions in the most important 
way possible by affording the support, the infrastructure and the 
investment to keep them and our future leaders safe and secure,” Brown 
said.

She asked Michelle Asha Cooper, the acting assistant secretary for 
postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, what the 
agency is doing to help HBCUs address the mental health impact of the 
bomb threats.

Cooper said that HBCUs who have received bomb threats get immediately
 contacted by the Department of Education so the agency can understand 
how to best serve those institutions. Cooper added that the agency is 
working on guidance on how HBCUs can tap into pandemic relief funds to 
address mental health needs.

The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep.&nbsp;Carolyn B. Maloney, a
 New York Democrat, asked Young if he believed these threats were being 
made by foreign actors.

Young said that the FBI had found no evidence of foreign influence in
 the bomb threats, but added that “there is an understanding that people
 online are radicalizing a lot more.”

He added that the agency has seen a rise in hate crimes not only 
toward the African American community, but other minority communities 
and places of worship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647552407908.png" alt="Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 after receiving a bomb threat (photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State)." />
 <figcaption>Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 after receiving a bomb threat (photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/17/most-hbcu-bomb-threats-may-be-coming-from-one-juvenile-fbi-official-tells-congress/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — A top FBI official 
told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday that the agency believes a
 single juvenile is behind most of the bomb threats made to more than 30
 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Ryan Young, executive assistant director of the Intelligence Branch 
at the FBI, said that the bomb threats made to HBCUs and historically 
Black churches are the agency’s top priority.“We’ve treated this as domestic terrorism,” he said. “It’s meant to inflict harm within the African American population.”Under questioning from Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, 
Young said that the FBI believes that a majority of the bomb threats are
 from one juvenile, but declined to give any more information.Higgins asked if it is correct that the FBI has identified one 
juvenile behind the threats. Young said “that is consistent with the 
message we’ve shared with both law enforcement and the Historically 
Black Colleges.”The exchange came during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee, 
as lawmakers grilled officials from law enforcement agencies about why 
those making bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities have not been caught.“As the investigation is ongoing, I know that the FBI cannot answer 
any questions about the status of these specific cases,” said Rep. Jamie
 Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and chair of the&nbsp;Subcommittee on Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties.“But I would like to know how the FBI is coordinating with HBCUs and 
communities of color to address the terrifying rise in hate crimes and 
white supremacy in the U.S.”This year alone, 36 HBCUs have been targeted with bomb threats. The House and Senate on a bipartisan vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/08/u-s-house-condemns-bomb-threats-made-against-hbcus/">passed</a>&nbsp;
 a resolution condemning the bomb threats made to HBCUs and several 
congressional hearings on the threats to minority institutions have been
 held.Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis temporarily closed its campus on Feb. 1 <a target="_blank" href="https://news.stlpublicradio.org/education/2022-02-01/harris-stowe-state-university-shuts-down-campus-following-bomb-threats-to-it-and-other-hbcus">after receiving a bomb threat</a>.Leaders of faith organizations and HBCUs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/17/u-s-house-hearing-on-extremism-toward-minorities-turns-into-defund-the-police-debate/">detailed</a>&nbsp;to
 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security how their institutions and places of worship have been roiled 
by bomb threats and extremism.Higgins said it was unacceptable that the FBI and Department of Justice have not made an arrest.“The impact of the bomb threats, when you look at (the) historical 
aspect, that’s a level of fear that we should absolutely investigate in 
the most aggressive way possible,” he said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-juveniles-identified-fbi-persons-interests-bomb-threats-historical-rcna14591">A February report from NBC&nbsp;</a>said
 the FBI was looking at a group of six juveniles as “persons of 
interest” in the threats. That report said the juveniles were “tech 
savvy” and able to disguise the source of the threats.<h2>Student anxiety</h2>Students from HBCUs also testified before lawmakers on the impact of dealing with bomb threats.Emmanuel Ukot, the president of the Student Government Association at
 Xavier University of Louisiana, said many classmates were anxious 
following the bomb threats in February.“Our HBCUs are spaces where we are the majority, where we are valued,
 and where we are expected to excel,” Ukot said. “These attacks robbed 
us of that freedom and ease that HBCUs have historically provided to 
Black students.”Another student,&nbsp;Devan Vilfrard, from&nbsp;Florida A&amp;M University in 
Tallahassee, said in his opening statement to lawmakers that “racial 
violence towards HBCUs is a multi-generational occurrence that 
profoundly impacts the Black community.”“HBCUs should continue to be federally supported and protected as we 
endeavor to remove this ongoing tradition of bombing and bomb threats 
for HBCU students of the future,” he said.Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said that the threats were also
 an attack on the mental health of faculty, students and staff, as a 
majority of the threats were made in February during Black History 
Month.“HBCUs are building the next generation of Black leaders and Congress
 must continue to recognize their contributions in the most important 
way possible by affording the support, the infrastructure and the 
investment to keep them and our future leaders safe and secure,” Brown 
said.She asked Michelle Asha Cooper, the acting assistant secretary for 
postsecondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, what the 
agency is doing to help HBCUs address the mental health impact of the 
bomb threats.Cooper said that HBCUs who have received bomb threats get immediately
 contacted by the Department of Education so the agency can understand 
how to best serve those institutions. Cooper added that the agency is 
working on guidance on how HBCUs can tap into pandemic relief funds to 
address mental health needs.The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep.&nbsp;Carolyn B. Maloney, a
 New York Democrat, asked Young if he believed these threats were being 
made by foreign actors.Young said that the FBI had found no evidence of foreign influence in
 the bomb threats, but added that “there is an understanding that people
 online are radicalizing a lot more.”He added that the agency has seen a rise in hate crimes not only 
toward the African American community, but other minority communities 
and places of worship.

FBI: Most HBCU bomb threats may be coming from one juvenile

WASHINGTON (AP) — Key figures for a war half a world away, President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday as the White House looked to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

China’s Foreign Ministry was the first to issue a readout of the video conversation, deploring “conflict and confrontation” as “not in anyone’s interest,” without assigning any blame to Russia.

Ahead of the call, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s invasion.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Chunying Hua pushed back, calling Biden’s administration’s suggestions that China risks falling on the wrong side of history in the conflict “overbearing.”\

Planning for the call had been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call.

China on Friday also sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.

In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.

In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.

Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”

The White House says China has been sending mixed messages about its support for Russia. There were initial signs that Chinese state owned banks were pulling back from financing Russian activities, according to a senior Biden administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal analyses. But there have also been public comments by Chinese officials who expressed support for Russia being a strategic partner.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.

Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.

Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.

Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”

Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.

The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.

Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”

“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.

In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.

Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”

“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke Friday via a video call as the White House looks to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November. 

But differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Biden will question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and its failure to denounce Russia’s brutal invasion.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-china-united-states-435b16e7ad35199462e2b6e4927846f9">set to speak on Friday</a>&nbsp;as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.

Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

“This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands,” Psaki said.

China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.

“China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing. “Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more: food and sleeping bags or machine guns and artillery? It’s easy to answer.”

Despite tensions in U.S.-China relations, Biden and Xi have sought to keep the leader-to-leader dialogue open and have become familiar with each other through their political rise.

Biden and Xi first got to know each other on travels across the U.S. and China when both were vice presidents, interactions that both leaders say left a lasting impression. Friday’s phone call will be the fourth exchange between the two leaders since Biden became president.

Zhao said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will speak Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ongoing economic competition between the two countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-europe-world-news-303fbd14ea7d3f131abc9b3d5739123f">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the upcoming phone call in a Thursday statement that said it’s “part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">the United States and China</a>.

The call follows an intense seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday between White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy advise</a>&nbsp;r Yang Jiechi.

U.S. officials have warned that China has amplified Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons. There are also reports —denied by the Kremlin — that Russia has reached out to China for aid as it faces sanctions and an invasion that faces stiff resistance by Ukrainians.

At the meeting, Sullivan wanted more transparency on Beijing’s posture regarding Russia and repeated that any attempts by China to help Russia avoid sanctions would be costly for Xi’s government.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647635567547.png" alt="President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Key figures for a war half a world away, President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday as the White House looked to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-united-nations-europe-antony-blinken-c3310a12490a0cf2e06f5f389e22e3a6">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.China’s Foreign Ministry was the first to issue a readout of the video conversation, deploring “conflict and confrontation” as “not in anyone’s interest,” without assigning any blame to Russia.Ahead of the call, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s invasion.Foreign Ministry spokesman Chunying Hua pushed back, calling Biden’s administration’s suggestions that China risks falling on the wrong side of history in the conflict “overbearing.”\Planning for the call had been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call.China on Friday also sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”The White House says China has been sending mixed messages about its support for Russia. There were initial signs that Chinese state owned banks were pulling back from financing Russian activities, according to a senior Biden administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal analyses. But there have also been public comments by Chinese officials who expressed support for Russia being a strategic partner.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke Friday via a video call as the White House looks to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November. But differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine were expected to be at the center of the call. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says Biden will question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and its failure to denounce Russia’s brutal invasion.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-china-united-states-435b16e7ad35199462e2b6e4927846f9">set to speak on Friday</a>&nbsp;as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">held a virtual summit in November,</a>&nbsp;but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing’s “rhetorical support” of Putin and an “absence of denunciation” of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.“This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands,” Psaki said.China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine.“China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing. “Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more: food and sleeping bags or machine guns and artillery? It’s easy to answer.”In an attempt to show international support for China’s position, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi discussed Ukraine in phone calls with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, adding that the leaders’ views were “extremely close.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">The U.S.-China relationship</a>, long fraught, has only become more strained since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.But the relationship may have reached a new low with the Russian invasion.In the days after Putin deployed Russian forces in Ukraine, Xi’s government tried to distance itself from Russia’s offensive but avoided criticizing Moscow. At other moments, Beijing’s actions have been provocative and have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-biological-weapons-china-39eeee023efdf7ea59c4a20b7e018169">amplifying unverified Russian claims</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine ran chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support.Earlier this week, the U.S. informed Asian and European allies that American intelligence had determined that China had signaled to Russia that it would be willing to provide both military support for the campaign in Ukraine and financial backing to help stave off the impact of severe sanctions imposed by the West.Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday reiterated that the Biden administration remains concerned that China is considering providing military equipment to Russia. He said Biden would make clear to Xi “that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs.”White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier this week for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">intense, seven-hour talk&nbsp;</a>about the Russian invasion and other issues.Ahead of the Rome talks, Sullivan said the U.S. wouldn’t abide China or any other country helping Russia work around economy-jarring sanctions inflicted by the U.S. and other allies since the Feb. 24 invasion.Sullivan also said the administration determined China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine, but the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent” of what Putin had in mind.Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship.”Beijing’s leadership would like to be supportive of Russia but also recognizes how badly the Russian military action is going as an overmatched Ukrainian military has put up stiff resistance, according to a Western official familiar with current intelligence assessments.The official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Beijing is weighing the potential “reputational blowback” of being associated with the Russian camp. The Chinese response to Russia’s request for help “is in the process of being formulated,” the official added.Though seen as siding with Russia, China has also reached out to Ukraine, with its ambassador to the country on Monday quoted as saying: “China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically.”“We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength,” Fan Xianrong was quoted by Ukraine’s state news service Ukrinform as telling regional authorities in the western city of Lviv, where the Chinese Embassy has relocated to.Despite tensions in U.S.-China relations, Biden and Xi have sought to keep the leader-to-leader dialogue open and have become familiar with each other through their political rise.Biden and Xi first got to know each other on travels across the U.S. and China when both were vice presidents, interactions that both leaders say left a lasting impression. Friday’s phone call will be the fourth exchange between the two leaders since Biden became president.In a reminder of China’s threat to assert its claim to Taiwan by force, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.Any conflict over the self-governing island democracy stands to involve the U.S., which is legally obligated to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and treats threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”“The national army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are in complete possession of the movements of Chinese ships in the sea and planes in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait to safeguard national security,” the ministry said in a statement.Zhao said he had no details about the ship’s passage through the strait, but added that “I believe the carrier has its routine training schedule, and it should not be linked with the communication between Chinese and American leaders.”___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will speak Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ongoing economic competition between the two countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-kyiv-europe-world-news-303fbd14ea7d3f131abc9b3d5739123f">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the upcoming phone call in a Thursday statement that said it’s “part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-china-d47d4b2215de708b55a12bc4b648818d">the United States and China</a>.The call follows an intense seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday between White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-china-d7cfda44db57c0ff19109d66ed876c6a">national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy advise</a>&nbsp;r Yang Jiechi.U.S. officials have warned that China has amplified Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons. There are also reports —denied by the Kremlin — that Russia has reached out to China for aid as it faces sanctions and an invasion that faces stiff resistance by Ukrainians.At the meeting, Sullivan wanted more transparency on Beijing’s posture regarding Russia and repeated that any attempts by China to help Russia avoid sanctions would be costly for Xi’s government.

Critical call: Biden warns China on support for Russia in Ukraine

POND CREEK, Okla. (AP) — Authorities say three people from Nebraska have been killed in a plane crash in northwestern Oklahoma. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 58-year-old pilot William Lauber, of Milford; 58-year-old passenger Christine Lauber, of Milford; and 21-year-old passenger Ragan Lauber, of Lincoln, died in the Thursday afternoon crash near Pond Creek, about 80 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.

 The OHP said the crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

By Associated PressPOND CREEK, Okla. (AP) — Authorities say three people from Nebraska have been killed in a plane crash in northwestern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 58-year-old pilot William Lauber, of Milford; 58-year-old passenger Christine Lauber, of Milford; and 21-year-old passenger Ragan Lauber, of Lincoln, died in the Thursday afternoon crash near Pond Creek, about 80 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. The OHP said the crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

3 from Nebraska dead in northwestern Oklahoma plane crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.

The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.

In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made “to provide flexibility” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the “appropriate use” of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, “including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."

U.S. officials have been laying the groundwork to deliver additional booster doses to shore up the vaccines' protection against serious disease and death from COVID-19. The White House has been sounding the alarm that it needs Congress to “urgently” approve more funding for the federal government to secure more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, either for additional booster shots or variant-specific immunizations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made “to provide flexibility” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the “appropriate use” of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, “including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."U.S. officials have been laying the groundwork to deliver additional booster doses to shore up the vaccines' protection against serious disease and death from COVID-19. The White House has been sounding the alarm that it needs Congress to “urgently” approve more funding for the federal government to secure more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, either for additional booster shots or variant-specific immunizations.

Moderna wants 4th dose of COVID vaccine approved for adults

A three-year-old boy was run over and killed early Thursday evening in a driveway at a home just east of Cosby.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the three-year-old
was standing in front of the passenger side of a pick-up driven by
73-year-old Timothy Sweeney of Easton when the truck moved forward and struck
the boy.

The boy was rushed to Mosaic Life Care, but pronounced dead
more than an hour later.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA three-year-old boy was run over and killed early Thursday evening in a driveway at a home just east of Cosby.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the three-year-old
was standing in front of the passenger side of a pick-up driven by
73-year-old Timothy Sweeney of Easton when the truck moved forward and struck
the boy.The boy was rushed to Mosaic Life Care, but pronounced dead
more than an hour later.

3-year-old Missouri boy killed after run over in driveway

United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Christopher St. John, 47, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced St. John to 126 months’ (10½ years’) imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, St. John will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On May 30, 2019, a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper encountered St. John whose truck was broken down on the highway south of Wood River. Three grams of methamphetamine were found in the truck. Troopers then located St. John’s companion, Richard Naslund, at a nearby gas station. He was found in possession of an additional 40 grams of methamphetamine and admitted to distributing methamphetamine for St. John.

St. John had distributed a quarter ounce of methamphetamine a month earlier to a cooperating individual When interviewed after his arrest on May 30, 2019, St. John admitted to dealing methamphetamine in central Nebraska since 2018, estimating that he had delivered up to 7 pounds.

Richard Naslund was sentenced on February 9, 2021, to 77 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Sheriff’s Offices of Hall, Adams, and Buffalo Counties; and the Police Departments of Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney.

By United States AttorneyUnited States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Christopher St. John, 47, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced St. John to 126 months’ (10½ years’) imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, St. John will begin a five-year term of supervised release.On May 30, 2019, a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper encountered St. John whose truck was broken down on the highway south of Wood River. Three grams of methamphetamine were found in the truck. Troopers then located St. John’s companion, Richard Naslund, at a nearby gas station. He was found in possession of an additional 40 grams of methamphetamine and admitted to distributing methamphetamine for St. John.St. John had distributed a quarter ounce of methamphetamine a month earlier to a cooperating individual When interviewed after his arrest on May 30, 2019, St. John admitted to dealing methamphetamine in central Nebraska since 2018, estimating that he had delivered up to 7 pounds.Richard Naslund was sentenced on February 9, 2021, to 77 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release.This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Sheriff’s Offices of Hall, Adams, and Buffalo Counties; and the Police Departments of Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney.

Hastings man sentenced to 10½ years for methamphetamine

WASHINGTON — The IRS reminds taxpayers that there is a virtual 
currency question at the top of Form 1040, Form 1040-SR and Form 
1040-NR. It asks: "At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, 
exchange, or otherwise dispose of any financial interest in any virtual 
currency?"

All taxpayers filing Form 1040, Form 1040-SR or Form 1040-NR must 
check one box answering either "Yes" or "No" to the virtual currency 
question. The question must be answered by all taxpayers, not just 
taxpayers who engaged in a transaction involving virtual currency in 
2021.

Taxpayers who merely owned virtual currency at any time in 2021 can 
check the "No" box when they have not engaged in any transactions 
involving virtual currency during the year, or their activities were 
limited to:

The list below covers the most common transactions in virtual currency that require checking the "Yes" box:

If a taxpayer disposed of any virtual currency that was held as a
 capital asset through a sale, exchange or transfer, they must check 
"Yes" and use Form 8949 to figure their capital gain or loss and report 
it on Schedule D (Form 1040).

If a taxpayer received any virtual currency as compensation for 
services or disposed of any virtual currency that they held for sale to 
customers in a trade or business, they must report the income as they 
would report other income of the same type (for example, W-2 wages on 
Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR, line 1, or inventory or services from 
Schedule C on Schedule 1).

For more information, see page 17 of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">2021 Form 1040 Instructions</a>&nbsp;PDF and visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/virtual-currencies">Virtual Currencies</a> for general information on virtual currency and other related resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS reminds taxpayers that there is a virtual 
currency question at the top of Form 1040, Form 1040-SR and Form 
1040-NR. It asks: "At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, 
exchange, or otherwise dispose of any financial interest in any virtual 
currency?"All taxpayers filing Form 1040, Form 1040-SR or Form 1040-NR must 
check one box answering either "Yes" or "No" to the virtual currency 
question. The question must be answered by all taxpayers, not just 
taxpayers who engaged in a transaction involving virtual currency in 
2021.<h2>When taxpayers can check 'No'</h2>Taxpayers who merely owned virtual currency at any time in 2021 can 
check the "No" box when they have not engaged in any transactions 
involving virtual currency during the year, or their activities were 
limited to:<ul>
 <li>Holding virtual currency in their own wallet or account.</li><li>Transferring virtual currency between their own wallets or accounts.</li><li>Purchasing virtual currency using real currency, including 
purchases using real currency electronic platforms such as PayPal and 
Venmo.</li><li>Engaging in a combination of holding, transferring, or purchasing virtual currency as described above.</li>
 </ul><h2>When taxpayers must check 'Yes'</h2>The list below covers the most common transactions in virtual currency that require checking the "Yes" box:<ul>
 <li>The receipt of virtual currency as payment for goods or services provided;</li><li>The receipt or transfer of virtual currency for free (without 
providing any consideration) that does not qualify as a bona fide gift;</li><li>The receipt of new virtual currency as a result of mining and staking activities;</li><li>The receipt of virtual currency as a result of a hard fork;</li><li>An exchange of virtual currency for property, goods, or services;</li><li>An exchange/trade of virtual currency for another virtual currency;</li><li>A sale of virtual currency; and</li><li>Any other disposition of a financial interest in virtual currency.</li>
 </ul>If a taxpayer disposed of any virtual currency that was held as a
 capital asset through a sale, exchange or transfer, they must check 
"Yes" and use Form 8949 to figure their capital gain or loss and report 
it on Schedule D (Form 1040).If a taxpayer received any virtual currency as compensation for 
services or disposed of any virtual currency that they held for sale to 
customers in a trade or business, they must report the income as they 
would report other income of the same type (for example, W-2 wages on 
Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR, line 1, or inventory or services from 
Schedule C on Schedule 1).For more information, see page 17 of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf">2021 Form 1040 Instructions</a>&nbsp;PDF and visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/virtual-currencies">Virtual Currencies</a> for general information on virtual currency and other related resources.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Dealing in crypto? Make sure you check this box, IRS warns

HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says a 13-year-old was driving the pickup truck that struck a van in West Texas in a fiery collision that killed nine people. 

NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg said Thursday the truck’s left front tire, which was a spare tire, also blew out before impact. 

One must be 14 in Texas to start taking classroom courses for a learner’s license and 15 to receive that provisional license to drive with an instructor or licensed adult in the vehicle. 

The pickup crossed into the opposite lane on a darkened, two-lane highway before colliding head-on with a van, killing the boy, a man traveling with him, six New Mexico college students and a golf coach.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSHOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says a 13-year-old was driving the pickup truck that struck a van in West Texas in a fiery collision that killed nine people. NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg said Thursday the truck’s left front tire, which was a spare tire, also blew out before impact. One must be 14 in Texas to start taking classroom courses for a learner’s license and 15 to receive that provisional license to drive with an instructor or licensed adult in the vehicle. The pickup crossed into the opposite lane on a darkened, two-lane highway before colliding head-on with a van, killing the boy, a man traveling with him, six New Mexico college students and a golf coach.

NTSB: 13-year-old drove pickup that struck van, killing 9

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/03/17/legislature-gives-first-nod-to-appropriations-committee-budget-with-no-changes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — The Nebraska Legislature, flush with federal cash, gave first-round 
approval Thursday to the Appropriations Committee’s $9.9 billion main 
budget bill for the two years that end in mid-2023.

The
 bill’s 40-6 passage papered over simmering divisions among senators 
about the best approach to state spending moving forward, which spilled 
into subsequent debate.

State
 Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, who voted against the budget, said she 
worries about how little of their discussion focused on what their 
decisions might mean for state spending year-over-year when the federal 
relief spigot shuts off.

“The majority, sometimes even if it’s a super majority, makes a mistake,” Linehan said.&nbsp;

Sen.
 John Stinner, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, 
defended his committee’s work, deep into the next debate over proposed 
transfers from cash reserve funds.

He
 pointed to the budget’s $62 million in wage increases for state 
employees and highlighted the $95 million for increased reimbursement 
rates for Medicaid providers.

“Go
 home and find a nursing home and find out what’s happening,” Stinner 
said. “They don’t have staff. Go to Mullen, Nebraska, where they just 
lost their nursing home.”&nbsp;

Sens.
 Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, who voted no on the bill, 
criticized colleagues who spoke about the need to help North and South 
Omaha, then spent budget money elsewhere.

“If
 North and South Omaha was an investment area of our state, they clearly
 could’ve found a way just like they did here to invest,” Wayne said. 
“They chose not to.”

McKinney paraphrased 2Pac, the deceased rapper and street poet: “Politicians and hypocrites, they don’t want to engage.”

Appropriations has proposed spending up to $250 million in federal relief funds on disadvantaged ZIP codes in Omaha.

Sen.
 Curt Friesen of Henderson expressed frustration that too many of his 
colleagues voted to end first-round debate before senators had a chance 
to change or amend the budget.

“We’re
 spending on things I don’t think we should be spending on,” said 
Friesen, who also voted against the budget. “Somewhere down the line 
we’re going to have a compromise.”

Sens. Macheala Cavanaugh and John Cavanaugh also voted against the budget advancing.

State
 Sen. John Lowe of Kearney explained his vote in favor of the budget. He
 described the bill as vital to filling open positions at the Central 
Nebraska Veterans Home and Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in 
his district.

“We
 have a lot of problems out there, and we need the help,” Lowe said. 
“There will be some amendments coming up. I hope we get to those.”

State
 Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln said senators need to find a way forward:
 “I think we’re at a place where we need to talk to each other.”

The Legislature expects to spend the rest of Thursday on the cash reserve.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers said he expects the second round of budget debate March 24.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647539563828.png" alt="Sen. John Stinner, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, defends his committee’s work. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. John Stinner, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, defends his committee’s work. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/03/17/legislature-gives-first-nod-to-appropriations-committee-budget-with-no-changes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 — The Nebraska Legislature, flush with federal cash, gave first-round 
approval Thursday to the Appropriations Committee’s $9.9 billion main 
budget bill for the two years that end in mid-2023.The
 bill’s 40-6 passage papered over simmering divisions among senators 
about the best approach to state spending moving forward, which spilled 
into subsequent debate.State
 Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, who voted against the budget, said she 
worries about how little of their discussion focused on what their 
decisions might mean for state spending year-over-year when the federal 
relief spigot shuts off.“The majority, sometimes even if it’s a super majority, makes a mistake,” Linehan said.&nbsp;Sen.
 John Stinner, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, 
defended his committee’s work, deep into the next debate over proposed 
transfers from cash reserve funds.He
 pointed to the budget’s $62 million in wage increases for state 
employees and highlighted the $95 million for increased reimbursement 
rates for Medicaid providers.“Go
 home and find a nursing home and find out what’s happening,” Stinner 
said. “They don’t have staff. Go to Mullen, Nebraska, where they just 
lost their nursing home.”&nbsp;Sens.
 Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, who voted no on the bill, 
criticized colleagues who spoke about the need to help North and South 
Omaha, then spent budget money elsewhere.“If
 North and South Omaha was an investment area of our state, they clearly
 could’ve found a way just like they did here to invest,” Wayne said. 
“They chose not to.”McKinney paraphrased 2Pac, the deceased rapper and street poet: “Politicians and hypocrites, they don’t want to engage.”Appropriations has proposed spending up to $250 million in federal relief funds on disadvantaged ZIP codes in Omaha.Sen.
 Curt Friesen of Henderson expressed frustration that too many of his 
colleagues voted to end first-round debate before senators had a chance 
to change or amend the budget.“We’re
 spending on things I don’t think we should be spending on,” said 
Friesen, who also voted against the budget. “Somewhere down the line 
we’re going to have a compromise.”Sens. Macheala Cavanaugh and John Cavanaugh also voted against the budget advancing.State
 Sen. John Lowe of Kearney explained his vote in favor of the budget. He
 described the bill as vital to filling open positions at the Central 
Nebraska Veterans Home and Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in 
his district.“We
 have a lot of problems out there, and we need the help,” Lowe said. 
“There will be some amendments coming up. I hope we get to those.”State
 Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln said senators need to find a way forward:
 “I think we’re at a place where we need to talk to each other.”The Legislature expects to spend the rest of Thursday on the cash reserve.Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers said he expects the second round of budget debate March 24.&nbsp;

Legislature gives first nod to main budget amid disagreements

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Berkshire Hathaway’s steady-as-she-goes investing has put the vast conglomerate in high places, or at least put the company's shares up there. 

Buying a single share of Berkshire’s class A stock will now set you back more than $500,000. 

The shares surpassed the half-million dollar mark this month and they continue to climb, up another 1%, or $6,180.28, on Thursday. 

Buffet recently told shareholders in his annual letter that it was difficult to find stock to buy as Wall Street races higher. 

But Berkshire has snapped up more than 90 million shares of Occidental Petroleum, according to a recent filing. 

Occidental's shares have more than doubled in the past three months as oil prices surge.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Berkshire Hathaway’s steady-as-she-goes investing has put the vast conglomerate in high places, or at least put the company's shares up there. Buying a single share of Berkshire’s class A stock will now set you back more than $500,000. The shares surpassed the half-million dollar mark this month and they continue to climb, up another 1%, or $6,180.28, on Thursday. Buffet recently told shareholders in his annual letter that it was difficult to find stock to buy as Wall Street races higher. But Berkshire has snapped up more than 90 million shares of Occidental Petroleum, according to a recent filing. Occidental's shares have more than doubled in the past three months as oil prices surge.

Berkshire Hathaway stock surpasses $500K, and keeps going

TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man has been ordered to spend 60 days in jail for providing the marijuana in the brownies his mother unknowingly served to seniors at a card game. 

Forty-six-year-old Michael Koranda had earlier pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge. 

A judge in Bon Homme County Tuesday also sentenced the Tabor man to two years of probation and ordered him to pay more than $3,400 in court costs and restitution. 

He must also write an apology letter to the seniors who ate the marijuana brownies.

 At his sentencing, Koranda expressed regret for his actions and its impact on others, including those who sought medical attention.

By Associated PressTYNDALL, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man has been ordered to spend 60 days in jail for providing the marijuana in the brownies his mother unknowingly served to seniors at a card game. Forty-six-year-old Michael Koranda had earlier pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge. A judge in Bon Homme County Tuesday also sentenced the Tabor man to two years of probation and ordered him to pay more than $3,400 in court costs and restitution. He must also write an apology letter to the seniors who ate the marijuana brownies. At his sentencing, Koranda expressed regret for his actions and its impact on others, including those who sought medical attention.

Jail time for South Dakota man whose marijuana brownies sickened seniors

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha teen charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his best friend has been released from jail with no bond so that he can finish high school while his case proceeds.

 A judge on Wednesday agreed to release 18-year-old Blake Miller on his own recognizance.

 Miller is charged in the death of his friend, 18-year-old Tanner Farrell.

 Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine has said Miller, Farrell and another friend were at Miller's house Saturday night when Miller pulled out his .22-caliber rifle and pointed it at Farrell. 

Kleine said Miller pulled the trigger, thinking it was unloaded, and shot Farrell in the chest. Farrell died at an Omaha hospital.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha teen charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his best friend has been released from jail with no bond so that he can finish high school while his case proceeds. A judge on Wednesday agreed to release 18-year-old Blake Miller on his own recognizance. Miller is charged in the death of his friend, 18-year-old Tanner Farrell. Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine has said Miller, Farrell and another friend were at Miller's house Saturday night when Miller pulled out his .22-caliber rifle and pointed it at Farrell. Kleine said Miller pulled the trigger, thinking it was unloaded, and shot Farrell in the chest. Farrell died at an Omaha hospital.

Omaha teen charged in friend's shooting death out of jail

Whether out of necessity due to staffing shortages, out of respect for social distancing or perhaps just to save money, one of the primary amenities that sets a hotel apart from your home — daily housekeeping — is disappearing.

The days of returning to a wrinkle-free duvet are likely gone. Forget fresh towels, and accept that your trash might never get taken out during your stay.

The trend of no more daily housekeeping — while largely initiated by COVID-19 — has become the norm at many hotels. During the pandemic’s early days, when transmission was more of a mystery, many hotels cut housekeeping services to reduce contact between strangers. But more than two years later, housekeeping still hasn’t returned.

Marriott’s policies vary by property, but housekeeping is usually offered only upon request, with all rooms cleaned automatically every sixth night. Hilton’s default is no more daily cleanings at most properties unless requested. Walt Disney World reduced service to light housekeeping every other day. That entails towel replacement and trash removal but doesn’t necessarily include services you might expect, like getting your bed made.

Other hotels have schedules, like the Hotel Solares in Santa Cruz, California: Three-night stays or fewer don’t get service, while six-night stays or fewer are cleaned once. The hotel recommends you leave trash outside your door.

Those service reductions aren’t always welcome.

“Guests don’t want to have to ask every time they need their trash emptied or dirty towels replaced,” said D. Taylor, international president of Unite Here — a U.S. and Canada hospitality workers’ union — in a prepared statement. “Without cleaning, what stops a hotel from being just a more expensive Airbnb?”

In many cases, the cutbacks may be more about money than safety. For some hotels, there’s not enough money to cover the cost. For others, it’s an opportunity to make more of it.

LABOR AND MATERIAL COSTS ARE AT MASSIVE HIGHS

The nationwide labor and materials shortage has hit hotels particularly hard. For instance, the leisure and hospitality industry lost 8.2 million jobs in March and April 2020 which is an employment decline of 49% , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there has certainly been rehiring hope (travel-related jobs are now among the fastest-growing sectors lately), the industry is still about 1.5 million jobs short of its pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-supply-chain-issues-are-crushing-hotels-and-your-stay?utm_campaign=ct_prod&amp;utm_source=ap&amp;utm_medium=mpsyn" target="_blank">supply chain and inflation</a>&nbsp;issues are ongoing. Hotels reported a 79% cost increase of cleaning and housekeeping supplies, according to a November 2021 American Hotel &amp; Lodging Association survey of about 500 hotel operators.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647528355134.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWhether out of necessity due to staffing shortages, out of respect for social distancing or perhaps just to save money, one of the primary amenities that sets a hotel apart from your home — daily housekeeping — is disappearing.The days of returning to a wrinkle-free duvet are likely gone. Forget fresh towels, and accept that your trash might never get taken out during your stay.The trend of no more daily housekeeping — while largely initiated by COVID-19 — has become the norm at many hotels. During the pandemic’s early days, when transmission was more of a mystery, many hotels cut housekeeping services to reduce contact between strangers. But more than two years later, housekeeping still hasn’t returned.Marriott’s policies vary by property, but housekeeping is usually offered only upon request, with all rooms cleaned automatically every sixth night. Hilton’s default is no more daily cleanings at most properties unless requested. Walt Disney World reduced service to light housekeeping every other day. That entails towel replacement and trash removal but doesn’t necessarily include services you might expect, like getting your bed made.Other hotels have schedules, like the Hotel Solares in Santa Cruz, California: Three-night stays or fewer don’t get service, while six-night stays or fewer are cleaned once. The hotel recommends you leave trash outside your door.Those service reductions aren’t always welcome.“Guests don’t want to have to ask every time they need their trash emptied or dirty towels replaced,” said D. Taylor, international president of Unite Here — a U.S. and Canada hospitality workers’ union — in a prepared statement. “Without cleaning, what stops a hotel from being just a more expensive Airbnb?”WHY CUT HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING?In many cases, the cutbacks may be more about money than safety. For some hotels, there’s not enough money to cover the cost. For others, it’s an opportunity to make more of it.LABOR AND MATERIAL COSTS ARE AT MASSIVE HIGHSThe nationwide labor and materials shortage has hit hotels particularly hard. For instance, the leisure and hospitality industry lost 8.2 million jobs in March and April 2020 which is an employment decline of 49% , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there has certainly been rehiring hope (travel-related jobs are now among the fastest-growing sectors lately), the industry is still about 1.5 million jobs short of its pre-pandemic levels.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-supply-chain-issues-are-crushing-hotels-and-your-stay?utm_campaign=ct_prod&amp;utm_source=ap&amp;utm_medium=mpsyn" target="_blank">supply chain and inflation</a>&nbsp;issues are ongoing. Hotels reported a 79% cost increase of cleaning and housekeeping supplies, according to a November 2021 American Hotel &amp; Lodging Association survey of about 500 hotel operators.

One of the most basic hotel amenities is disappearing

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A critical Colorado River reservoir has fallen to a record low level, raising new concerns about a power source for millions of people in the U.S. West. 

Federal water officials that Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border fell below 3,525 feet on Tuesday. Western states had set that mark as a buffer to keep the lake from reaching a level that would prevent the turbines at Glen Canyon Dam from generating power. 

Federal officials are confident Lake Powell will rise quickly with springtime snowmelt and Glen Canyon Dam will stay productive. But the new low marks another sobering realization of the impacts of climate change and a megadrought on the country’s second-largest human-made lake.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647520049765.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A critical Colorado River reservoir has fallen to a record low level, raising new concerns about a power source for millions of people in the U.S. West. Federal water officials that Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border fell below 3,525 feet on Tuesday. Western states had set that mark as a buffer to keep the lake from reaching a level that would prevent the turbines at Glen Canyon Dam from generating power. Federal officials are confident Lake Powell will rise quickly with springtime snowmelt and Glen Canyon Dam will stay productive. But the new low marks another sobering realization of the impacts of climate change and a megadrought on the country’s second-largest human-made lake.

Lake Powell hits historic low, raising hydropower concerns

News Release Nebraska Department of Agriculture

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647513636843.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Nebraska Department of AgricultureThe Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Merrick County. Since the initial announcement of a detection of HPAI in a wild goose in Lincoln on March 7, additional cases of the virus have been confirmed in wild geese in Cedar and Douglas counties. HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick. “Unfortunately, Nebraska has joined a long list of states currently dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “We are working closely with our counterparts at USDA APHIS to ensure we are following proper protocols to address this situation and control the spread of this virus as quickly as possible.”According to NDA State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley, the farm has been quarantined and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner. Additionally, NDA will be establishing a 6.2-mile surveillance zone, as is USDA policy, around the affected premises. A surveillance zone means poultry producers should be on heightened alert and practice biosecurity measures to protect their flock. These producers should also know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and notify NDA immediately of sick or dying poultry.Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments. Poultry owners should report unusual poultry bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.Enhanced biosecurity helps prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and diseases including HPAI. NDA and USDA have resources available to help poultry owners step up their biosecurity efforts. • Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases like HPAI. Be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths. • Restrict access to your property and poultry.• Keep it clean. Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with your flock.• If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.• Don’t share equipment, tools, or other supplies with other livestock or poultry owners.• In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, making sure wild birds cannot access domestic poultry’s feed and water sources.• Report sick birds immediately to: NDA at 402-471-2351; the USDA at 866-536-7593; or your veterinarian. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to people getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.All poultry entering Nebraska must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, or health certificate). If you are considering moving an animal into Nebraska from an affected state, please call 402-471-2351 to learn more. Nebraska poultry owners wanting to ship poultry out of state should consult the state veterinarians of the destination states for import requirements. For more information about avian influenza, visit NDA’s website at https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html or the USDA’s website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.