OMAHA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol apprehended two juveniles following a pursuit Tuesday in Sarpy County.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, a trooper observed a Chevrolet Suburban failing to maintain its lane while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80, near mile marker 428. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle continued eastbound, reaching speeds of 95 miles per hour before it exited onto Highway 370 eastbound. The vehicle eventually began traveling northbound on Highway 50 and then turned into an industrial area. A trooper was then able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the Suburban to a stop.

The two occupants, both juveniles, were both taken into custody without further incident. NSP dispatchers confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Gothenburg.

The driver, a 15-year-old male, was lodged in the Douglas County Youth Center for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, theft by receiving stolen property, open alcohol container, minor in possession, and traffic violations. The passenger, a 14-year-old male, was lodged in the Sarpy County Juvenile Justice Center for open alcohol container and minor in possession.

The entire incident lasted approximately nine minutes.

OMAHA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol apprehended two juveniles following a pursuit Tuesday in Sarpy County.At approximately 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, a trooper observed a Chevrolet Suburban failing to maintain its lane while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80, near mile marker 428. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle continued eastbound, reaching speeds of 95 miles per hour before it exited onto Highway 370 eastbound. The vehicle eventually began traveling northbound on Highway 50 and then turned into an industrial area. A trooper was then able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the Suburban to a stop.The two occupants, both juveniles, were both taken into custody without further incident. NSP dispatchers confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Gothenburg.The driver, a 15-year-old male, was lodged in the Douglas County Youth Center for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, theft by receiving stolen property, open alcohol container, minor in possession, and traffic violations. The passenger, a 14-year-old male, was lodged in the Sarpy County Juvenile Justice Center for open alcohol container and minor in possession.The entire incident lasted approximately nine minutes.

2 juveniles apprehended following Sarpy County pursuit

DENVER (AP) — Two Colorado inmates who claim they were pressured into working despite health concerns are suing the state’s prison system, claiming it is violating a constitutional ban on slavery and involuntary servitude. 

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, they claim they effectively had days added to their sentences when they initially refused to work in 2020 because they lost time credits for not following prison rules. 

In 2018, Colorado voters amended its constitutional amendment outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude to remove a provision that had allowed it for those convicted of crimes. 

The Colorado Department of Corrections declined to comment.

DENVER (AP) — Two Colorado inmates who claim they were pressured into working despite health concerns are suing the state’s prison system, claiming it is violating a constitutional ban on slavery and involuntary servitude. In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, they claim they effectively had days added to their sentences when they initially refused to work in 2020 because they lost time credits for not following prison rules. In 2018, Colorado voters amended its constitutional amendment outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude to remove a provision that had allowed it for those convicted of crimes. The Colorado Department of Corrections declined to comment.

Colorado inmates say state is violating ban on forced work

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The day after the Lincoln city council passed an ordinance that expanded an anti-discrimination lawsuit to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a group is launching a petition drive to put the question on the ballot.

 The council passed an ordinance Monday night that also adds military personnel and veterans as a protected class.

 The Nebraska Family Alliance on Tuesday filed a petition to let voters decide the issue. 

Petition organizers must collect 4,137 signatures to get the question on the ballot. 

The Family Alliance led a successful petition drive a decade ago against a similar ordinance.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The day after the Lincoln city council passed an ordinance that expanded an anti-discrimination lawsuit to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a group is launching a petition drive to put the question on the ballot. The council passed an ordinance Monday night that also adds military personnel and veterans as a protected class. The Nebraska Family Alliance on Tuesday filed a petition to let voters decide the issue. Petition organizers must collect 4,137 signatures to get the question on the ballot. The Family Alliance led a successful petition drive a decade ago against a similar ordinance.

Group to challenge Lincoln's new discrimination ordinance

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/16/lawmaker-wants-holocaust-discussion-in-schools/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Eleanor
 Dunning said she was shocked when she saw a fellow college student 
throw up a Nazi signal, and doubly so when the student escaped 
repercussion from school officials.

State
 Sen. Jen Day of the Gretna area said she was stunned to learn via 
recent email that an Omaha area school had tried to teach lessons of the
 Holocaust but stopped after receiving pushback.

Such
 incidents underscore the necessity, they and others testified Tuesday, 
of Legislative Bill 888 — which would add the Holocaust and other acts 
of genocide to existing Nebraska statutes that already call for 
multicultural education to K-12 students in public schools.

Currently,
 the law requires that multicultural education focus on the culture, 
history and contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, 
Native Americans and Asian Americans.

Introduced by Day, the broader language had been pushed previously by a former lawmaker but stalled.

Ten
 people testified Tuesday in support of the resurrected measure 
presented to the Education Committee. No one spoke in opposition.

The
 committee took no action, though Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks said
 she found it “despicable” — and a reflection of “the state of politics 
today” — that the school Day referred to (but did not identify by name) 
would receive such pushback about Holocaust education.&nbsp;

Day
 cited a recent survey indicating that 66% of millennials were unable to
 identify Auschwitz (the Nazi concentration and death camp).

That
 the Holocaust’s systematic murder of six million European Jews occurred
 relatively recently, during World War II, is further reason to be 
alarmed, Day said.

She
 said she was further concerned that only nine Holocaust survivors 
remain in Nebraska as a “living, breathing” tool that can equip students
 with the knowledge to identify and reject discrimination and hate.

“We’re
 really missing those human to human stories,” said Day. “Ignorance will
 only increase as (the Holocaust) falls further into history.”

Gary
 Javitch of B’nai B’rith Omaha said a spike in anti-Semitism is “reason 
enough” to increase Holocaust education. He said Nebraska should become 
the 24th state to adopt the legal language.

Said Javitch: “The phrase ‘never again’ needs to be more than just a slogan.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645026454401.jpg" alt="Penshaw Monument near Sunderland, in England / Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Penshaw Monument near Sunderland, in England / Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/16/lawmaker-wants-holocaust-discussion-in-schools/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Eleanor
 Dunning said she was shocked when she saw a fellow college student 
throw up a Nazi signal, and doubly so when the student escaped 
repercussion from school officials.State
 Sen. Jen Day of the Gretna area said she was stunned to learn via 
recent email that an Omaha area school had tried to teach lessons of the
 Holocaust but stopped after receiving pushback.Such
 incidents underscore the necessity, they and others testified Tuesday, 
of Legislative Bill 888 — which would add the Holocaust and other acts 
of genocide to existing Nebraska statutes that already call for 
multicultural education to K-12 students in public schools.Currently,
 the law requires that multicultural education focus on the culture, 
history and contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, 
Native Americans and Asian Americans.<h2>'Despicable'</h2>Introduced by Day, the broader language had been pushed previously by a former lawmaker but stalled.Ten
 people testified Tuesday in support of the resurrected measure 
presented to the Education Committee. No one spoke in opposition.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645026594782.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Jen Day of District 49. (Craig Chandler/University Communication)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Jen Day of District 49. (Craig Chandler/University Communication)</figcaption>
 </figure>The
 committee took no action, though Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks said
 she found it “despicable” — and a reflection of “the state of politics 
today” — that the school Day referred to (but did not identify by name) 
would receive such pushback about Holocaust education.&nbsp;Day
 cited a recent survey indicating that 66% of millennials were unable to
 identify Auschwitz (the Nazi concentration and death camp).That
 the Holocaust’s systematic murder of six million European Jews occurred
 relatively recently, during World War II, is further reason to be 
alarmed, Day said.<h2>'Never again'</h2>She
 said she was further concerned that only nine Holocaust survivors 
remain in Nebraska as a “living, breathing” tool that can equip students
 with the knowledge to identify and reject discrimination and hate.“We’re
 really missing those human to human stories,” said Day. “Ignorance will
 only increase as (the Holocaust) falls further into history.”Gary
 Javitch of B’nai B’rith Omaha said a spike in anti-Semitism is “reason 
enough” to increase Holocaust education. He said Nebraska should become 
the 24th state to adopt the legal language.Said Javitch: “The phrase ‘never again’ needs to be more than just a slogan.”

Neb. lawmaker wants Holocaust discussion in schools

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ordering the release of Trump White House visitor logs to the House committee investigating the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, once more rejecting former President Donald Trump’s claims of executive privilege.

The committee has sought a trove of data from the National Archives, including presidential records that Trump had fought to keep private. The records being released to Congress are visitor logs showing appointment information for individuals who were allowed to enter the White House on the day of the insurrection.

In a letter sent Monday to the National Archives, White House counsel Dana Remus said Biden had considered Trump’s claim that because he was president at the time of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the records should remain private, but decided that it was “not in the best interest of the United States” to do so.

She also noted that as a matter of policy, the Biden administration “voluntarily discloses such visitor logs on a monthly basis,” as did the Obama administration and that the majority of the entries over which Trump asserted the claim would be publicly released under the current policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644692713491.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ordering the release of Trump White House visitor logs to the House committee investigating the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, once more rejecting former President Donald Trump’s claims of executive privilege.The committee has sought a trove of data from the National Archives, including presidential records that Trump had fought to keep private. The records being released to Congress are visitor logs showing appointment information for individuals who were allowed to enter the White House on the day of the insurrection.In a letter sent Monday to the National Archives, White House counsel Dana Remus said Biden had considered Trump’s claim that because he was president at the time of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the records should remain private, but decided that it was “not in the best interest of the United States” to do so.She also noted that as a matter of policy, the Biden administration “voluntarily discloses such visitor logs on a monthly basis,” as did the Obama administration and that the majority of the entries over which Trump asserted the claim would be publicly released under the current policy.

Biden orders release of Trump White House logs to Congress

WASHINGTON
 — With phone volumes continuing at historic levels, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers IRS.gov, should be the first stop for 
taxpayers seeking information and help with their federal taxes.

Available around the clock, IRS.gov has a variety of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">online tools, applications, and resources</a> available to help people prepare and file their taxes or help with refund tracking. Research tools like the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a> and answers for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</a> provide in-depth answers on many tax subjects.

Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> to prepare and electronically file their returns. They can also set up <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> for their refunds, which is the fastest way to get their money.

IRS Free File software products are part of a 20-year partnership 
with leading tax software providers who make their online tax 
preparation products available for free with the IRS. Free File is 
available to any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. 
This represents about 70% of taxpayers.

IRS Free File is free when eligible taxpayers go through <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS.gov/freefile</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>,
 the electronic version of paper IRS tax forms, are available to all 
taxpayers earning any income amount. They're most useful for those who 
are comfortable preparing and filing their own taxes online.

<a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>
 is also available for members of the military and qualifying veterans. 
This Department of Defense program generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns. Users can also set up direct deposit for their refunds.

Find answers with the Interactive Tax Assistant

The Interactive Tax Assistant answers general tax law questions, 
including helping to determine if a type of income is taxable or if 
someone is eligible to claim certain credits and deductions. With 
changes to income and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a> for many in 2021, tax <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a> can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket.

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that 
prevents criminals from filing a fraudulent tax return using another 
taxpayer's Social Security number. The IP PIN is known only to the 
taxpayer and the IRS, and helps the IRS verify the taxpayer's identity 
when they file their electronic or paper tax return.

The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)</a>
 program offers free basic tax return preparation, electronic filing, 
and direct deposit of refunds to qualified taxpayers. The program is 
free for:

The <a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> program also offers free tax help for taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/">VITA/TCE Site Locator</a> can help eligible taxpayers find the nearest community-based VITA/TCE site staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers.

IRS.gov offers a searchable directory that helps taxpayers <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">find qualified local tax professionals</a> in their area. The list can be sorted by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/things-taxpayers-should-remember-when-searching-for-a-tax-preparer">tips for choosing a tax preparer</a> and how to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-dont-be-victim-to-ghost-tax-return-preparers">avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers</a> are important starting points before hiring a tax professional.

Taxpayers can securely access their individual Online Account to view
 important information they can use to file an accurate return. This 
includes:

Taxpayers can make a payment from their bank account through their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">IRS Direct Pay</a>.
 In Online Account, they can view up to 5 years of their payment history
 and any pending or scheduled payments. Taxpayers can see their 
different payment options on IRS.gov which include: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">Electronic Funds Withdrawal</a> (during e-filing), <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">credit or debit card</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-with-cash">or cash</a> at a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-with-cash-at-a-retail-partner">participating retail store</a>.

Taxpayers can meet their tax obligation in monthly installments by setting up a payment plan on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">IRS.gov/paymentplan</a> in a matter of minutes. Setup fees may apply for some types of plans. An <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise">offer in compromise</a>
 is a way for a taxpayer to settle their tax debt for less than the full
 amount. A pre-qualifier tool is available online. If the IRS determines
 a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may temporarily delay collection until 
the taxpayer's financial condition improves.

Taxpayers can receive the most up-to-date information about their tax
 refund using the Where's My Refund?&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov and on the official
 IRS mobile app, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a>.

The IRS2Go app offers great mobile features

Users can check the status of an income tax refund within 24 hours 
after the IRS accepts their electronically filed return, or about four 
weeks after mailing a paper return.

The IRS2Go app also provides easy access to mobile-friendly payment 
options like IRS Direct Pay, offering a free, secure way to pay directly
 from a bank account. It can locate free tax help, connect to IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">social media accounts</a> and can generate login <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">security codes</a> for certain IRS online services, allowing the retrieval of codes through IRS2Go instead of using text messages.

The Outreach Connection page provides information for groups inside 
and outside the tax community. Subscribers to Outreach Connection can 
keep clients, employees, customers, constituents, partners and even 
families connected to tax-related useful information and materials for 
tax topics and issues that affect them.

This release is part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>,
 a series of news releases designed to help taxpayers get the 
information they need to file an accurate tax return. Additional help is
 available in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>, on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — With phone volumes continuing at historic levels, the Internal 
Revenue Service reminds taxpayers IRS.gov, should be the first stop for 
taxpayers seeking information and help with their federal taxes.Available around the clock, IRS.gov has a variety of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance">online tools, applications, and resources</a> available to help people prepare and file their taxes or help with refund tracking. Research tools like the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita">Interactive Tax Assistant</a> and answers for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</a> provide in-depth answers on many tax subjects.<h2>Prepare and file taxes online for free</h2>Taxpayers can use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a> to prepare and electronically file their returns. They can also set up <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> for their refunds, which is the fastest way to get their money.IRS Free File software products are part of a 20-year partnership 
with leading tax software providers who make their online tax 
preparation products available for free with the IRS. Free File is 
available to any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021. 
This represents about 70% of taxpayers.IRS Free File is free when eligible taxpayers go through <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS.gov/freefile</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>,
 the electronic version of paper IRS tax forms, are available to all 
taxpayers earning any income amount. They're most useful for those who 
are comfortable preparing and filing their own taxes online.<a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services">MilTax</a>
 is also available for members of the military and qualifying veterans. 
This Department of Defense program generally offers free online tax 
preparation and e-filing software for federal returns and up to three 
state returns. Users can also set up direct deposit for their refunds.<h2>Find answers with the Interactive Tax Assistant</h2>The Interactive Tax Assistant answers general tax law questions, 
including helping to determine if a type of income is taxable or if 
someone is eligible to claim certain credits and deductions. With 
changes to income and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/did-you-know-life-events-like-marriage-birth-and-divorce-may-have-a-significant-tax-impact">life events</a> for many in 2021, tax <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions">credits and deductions</a> can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket.<h2>Get an Identity Protection PIN</h2>An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that 
prevents criminals from filing a fraudulent tax return using another 
taxpayer's Social Security number. The IP PIN is known only to the 
taxpayer and the IRS, and helps the IRS verify the taxpayer's identity 
when they file their electronic or paper tax return.<h2>Locate local free tax preparation</h2>The IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)</a>
 program offers free basic tax return preparation, electronic filing, 
and direct deposit of refunds to qualified taxpayers. The program is 
free for:<ul>
 <li>People who generally make $58,000 or less</li><li>Those with disabilities</li><li>Taxpayers with English as a second language</li>
 </ul>The <a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html">Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a> program also offers free tax help for taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older. The <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/">VITA/TCE Site Locator</a> can help eligible taxpayers find the nearest community-based VITA/TCE site staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers.<h2>Find a local tax professional</h2>IRS.gov offers a searchable directory that helps taxpayers <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">find qualified local tax professionals</a> in their area. The list can be sorted by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/things-taxpayers-should-remember-when-searching-for-a-tax-preparer">tips for choosing a tax preparer</a> and how to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-dont-be-victim-to-ghost-tax-return-preparers">avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers</a> are important starting points before hiring a tax professional.<h2>Online Account can help</h2>Taxpayers can securely access their individual Online Account to view
 important information they can use to file an accurate return. This 
includes:<ul>
 <li>Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payment amounts: Total amounts of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">advance Child Tax Credit payments</a> and Economic Impact Payments needed to complete an accurate return are found on the Tax Records page.</li><li>Adjusted gross income: Taxpayers can find their 
AGI from their most recently filed tax return. This helps if they use a 
different tax software or tax preparer this year. </li><li>Estimated tax payment amounts: The total of any 
estimated tax payments made during the year or refunds applied as a 
credit can be found on the Account Balance page, and a record of each 
payment appears under Payment Activity.</li><li>Communication preference: Individuals can update 
their communication preferences. They can request personalized email 
notifications for new digital notices and go paperless for certain 
notices from the IRS.</li><li>Tax transcripts: Taxpayers can view, print or 
download a tax transcript after the IRS has processed the return, which 
can show return and/or account data. They can also find changes or 
transactions made after they filed their original return.</li>
 </ul><h2>Make a tax payment</h2>Taxpayers can make a payment from their bank account through their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a> or with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">IRS Direct Pay</a>.
 In Online Account, they can view up to 5 years of their payment history
 and any pending or scheduled payments. Taxpayers can see their 
different payment options on IRS.gov which include: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal">Electronic Funds Withdrawal</a> (during e-filing), <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">credit or debit card</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-with-cash">or cash</a> at a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-with-cash-at-a-retail-partner">participating retail store</a>.<h2>Set up a payment plan</h2>Taxpayers can meet their tax obligation in monthly installments by setting up a payment plan on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">IRS.gov/paymentplan</a> in a matter of minutes. Setup fees may apply for some types of plans. An <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise">offer in compromise</a>
 is a way for a taxpayer to settle their tax debt for less than the full
 amount. A pre-qualifier tool is available online. If the IRS determines
 a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may temporarily delay collection until 
the taxpayer's financial condition improves.<h2>Track refunds with Where's My Refund?</h2>Taxpayers can receive the most up-to-date information about their tax
 refund using the Where's My Refund?&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov and on the official
 IRS mobile app, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go</a>.<h2>The IRS2Go app offers great mobile features</h2>Users can check the status of an income tax refund within 24 hours 
after the IRS accepts their electronically filed return, or about four 
weeks after mailing a paper return.The IRS2Go app also provides easy access to mobile-friendly payment 
options like IRS Direct Pay, offering a free, secure way to pay directly
 from a bank account. It can locate free tax help, connect to IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-social-media">social media accounts</a> and can generate login <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools">security codes</a> for certain IRS online services, allowing the retrieval of codes through IRS2Go instead of using text messages.<h2>IRS Outreach Connection</h2>The Outreach Connection page provides information for groups inside 
and outside the tax community. Subscribers to Outreach Connection can 
keep clients, employees, customers, constituents, partners and even 
families connected to tax-related useful information and materials for 
tax topics and issues that affect them.This release is part of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide">Tax Time Guide</a>,
 a series of news releases designed to help taxpayers get the 
information they need to file an accurate tax return. Additional help is
 available in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-17">Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals)</a>, on IRS.gov.

IRS offers filing season Tax Time Guide

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;With tax season in full swing, the Internal Revenue 
Service, state tax agencies and tax industry today warned tax 
professionals of new email scams that attempt to steal their tax 
software preparation credentials.

The Security Summit partners warned these scams serve as a reminder that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 remain prime targets for thieves. These thieves try to steal client 
data and tax preparers' identities in an attempt to file fraudulent tax 
returns for refunds.

The latest phishing email uses the IRS logo and a variety of subject 
lines such as "Action Required: Your account has now been put on hold." 
The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from a "tax 
preparation application provider." One such variation offers an "unusual
 activity report" and a solution link for the recipient to restore their
 account.

"Scams continue to evolve, and this one is especially sinister since 
it threatens tax professional's accounts," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Tax professionals must remain vigilant in identifying and 
staying clear of these IRS impersonation emails. A little extra care can
 protect the tax professionals and their clients."

Emails claiming "Your account has been put on hold" are scams

The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from tax 
software providers. The scam email will send users to a website that 
shows the logos of several popular tax software preparation providers. 
Clicking on one of these logos requests tax preparer account 
credentials.

The IRS warns tax pros not to respond or take any of the steps 
outlined in the email. Similar emails include malicious links or 
attachments that are set up to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">steal information</a>&nbsp;PDF or to download malware onto the tax professional's computer.

In this case, if recipients enter their credentials into the pop up 
window, thieves can use this information to file fraudulent returns by 
using credentials that were provided by the tax professional.

An example of this type of bogus email states:

ALL preparers are required to apply security feature to their Tax Pro account towards 2021 Tax Returns processing.

You have failed to apply new update before expiry date

You are restore and update your acc|ount immediately.

Please Click Here to update your acc|ount now.

Failure to update your account within the next 24hours will lead to 
you account being terminated and be barred from filing tax returns 
claims for 2021 tax season Your access will be restored once you have 
updated your details.

Tax professionals who clicked on one of the URLs and then entered
 in their account information should contact their tax software 
preparation provider's support hotline.

Tax professionals who get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">scam email</a> should save the email as a file and then send it as an attachment to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>. They should also notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">www.tigta.gov</a> to report the IRS impersonation scam. Both TIGTA and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation">IRS Criminal Investigation division</a> are aware of this scam.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together in the Security Summit initiative – have taken numerous steps 
since 2015 to protect taxpayers, businesses and the tax system from 
identity thieves. Summit partners continue to warn people to watch out 
for common scams and schemes this tax season.

For additional information and help, tax professionals should review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>&nbsp;PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;With tax season in full swing, the Internal Revenue 
Service, state tax agencies and tax industry today warned tax 
professionals of new email scams that attempt to steal their tax 
software preparation credentials.The Security Summit partners warned these scams serve as a reminder that <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself">tax professionals</a>
 remain prime targets for thieves. These thieves try to steal client 
data and tax preparers' identities in an attempt to file fraudulent tax 
returns for refunds.The latest phishing email uses the IRS logo and a variety of subject 
lines such as "Action Required: Your account has now been put on hold." 
The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from a "tax 
preparation application provider." One such variation offers an "unusual
 activity report" and a solution link for the recipient to restore their
 account."Scams continue to evolve, and this one is especially sinister since 
it threatens tax professional's accounts," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Tax professionals must remain vigilant in identifying and 
staying clear of these IRS impersonation emails. A little extra care can
 protect the tax professionals and their clients."<h2>Emails claiming "Your account has been put on hold" are scams</h2>The IRS has observed similar bogus emails that claim to be from tax 
software providers. The scam email will send users to a website that 
shows the logos of several popular tax software preparation providers. 
Clicking on one of these logos requests tax preparer account 
credentials.The IRS warns tax pros not to respond or take any of the steps 
outlined in the email. Similar emails include malicious links or 
attachments that are set up to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">steal information</a>&nbsp;PDF or to download malware onto the tax professional's computer.In this case, if recipients enter their credentials into the pop up 
window, thieves can use this information to file fraudulent returns by 
using credentials that were provided by the tax professional.An example of this type of bogus email states:<h2>Your account has now been put on hold</h2>ALL preparers are required to apply security feature to their Tax Pro account towards 2021 Tax Returns processing.You have failed to apply new update before expiry dateYou are restore and update your acc|ount immediately.Please Click Here to update your acc|ount now.ImportantFailure to update your account within the next 24hours will lead to 
you account being terminated and be barred from filing tax returns 
claims for 2021 tax season Your access will be restored once you have 
updated your details.Sincerely,IRS.gov eServicesTax professionals who clicked on one of the URLs and then entered
 in their account information should contact their tax software 
preparation provider's support hotline.Tax professionals who get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">scam email</a> should save the email as a file and then send it as an attachment to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>. They should also notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/">www.tigta.gov</a> to report the IRS impersonation scam. Both TIGTA and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation">IRS Criminal Investigation division</a> are aware of this scam.The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together in the Security Summit initiative – have taken numerous steps 
since 2015 to protect taxpayers, businesses and the tax system from 
identity thieves. Summit partners continue to warn people to watch out 
for common scams and schemes this tax season.For additional information and help, tax professionals should review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>&nbsp;PDF and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

Latest spearphishing scams target tax professionals

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 27-year-old woman is in jail facing a felony child abuse charge after police said she gave birth and left the baby on a sidewalk in freezing temperatures. 

Omaha police said in a news release Tuesday that Trinity Shakespeare was arrested and jailed after she was released from an Omaha hospital.

 Police were called Sunday morning by witnesses who were carrying for a newborn baby on a sidewalk in southeast Omaha and left the baby boy.

 The child was hospitalized after being exposed to the cold. 

Police said the boy is expected to survive.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 27-year-old woman is in jail facing a felony child abuse charge after police said she gave birth and left the baby on a sidewalk in freezing temperatures. Omaha police said in a news release Tuesday that Trinity Shakespeare was arrested and jailed after she was released from an Omaha hospital. Police were called Sunday morning by witnesses who were carrying for a newborn baby on a sidewalk in southeast Omaha and left the baby boy. The child was hospitalized after being exposed to the cold. Police said the boy is expected to survive.

Woman charged after leaving newborn baby on sidewalk

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Senate Republicans are giving support to Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to allow employees to gain exemptions from their employer’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 

The bill drew just four opposition votes in the 35-member Senate. 

Noem is pushing for the bill to get two-thirds support from both chambers so that it can be enacted immediately. 

The proposal would allow employees to receive an exemption to their employer’s vaccine requirement by citing either a medical exemption certified by a medical professional, any religious grounds for refusal or a test showing antibodies against COVID-19 in the last six months.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Senate Republicans are giving support to Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to allow employees to gain exemptions from their employer’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The bill drew just four opposition votes in the 35-member Senate. It will next go to the House. Noem is pushing for the bill to get two-thirds support from both chambers so that it can be enacted immediately. The proposal would allow employees to receive an exemption to their employer’s vaccine requirement by citing either a medical exemption certified by a medical professional, any religious grounds for refusal or a test showing antibodies against COVID-19 in the last six months.

South Dakota Senate passes Noem's vaccine mandate bill

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A day before she was due to be evicted in November from her Atlanta home, Shanelle King heard that she had been awarded about $15,000 in rental assistance. She could breathe again.

But then the 43-year-old hairdresser got a letter last month from her landlord saying the company was canceling her lease in March —- seven months early — without any explanation.

“I’m really pissed about it. I thought I would be comfortable again back in my home,” said King, whose work dried up during the pandemic and who now worries about finding another apartment she can afford. “Here I am back up against the wall with no where to stay. I don’t know what I am going to do.”

Although the $46.5 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-gene-sperling-7dbfb8157401d1e6d838116455c11556">Emergency Rental Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;has paid out tens of billions of dollars to help avert an eviction crisis, some tenants, like King, who received help are finding themselves threatened with eviction again — sometimes days after getting federal help. Many are finding it nearly impossible to find another affordable place to live.

“It is a Band-Aid. It was never envisioned as anything more than a Band-Aid,” Erin Willoughby, director of the Clayton Housing Legal Resource Center Atlanta, said of the program.

“It’s not solving the underlying problem, which is a lack of affordable housing. People are on the hook for rents they cannot afford to pay,” she said. “Simply finding something cheaper is not an option because there is not anything cheaper. People have to be housed somewhere.”

The National Housing Law Project, in a survey last fall of nearly 120 legal aid attorneys and civil rights advocates, found that 86% of respondents reported cases in which landlords either refused to take assistance or accepted the money and still moved to evict tenants. The survey also found a significant increase in cases of landlords lying in court to evict tenants and illegally locking them out.

“A number of issues could be described as issues related to landlord fraud ... and a set of problems I would describe as loopholes within the ... program that made it less effective to accomplish the goal,” said Natalie N. Maxwell, a senior attorney with the group.

National Apartment Association President and CEO Bob Pinnegar said the survey was not based on facts, adding that its members are doing everything they can to keep tenants in their homes, including lobbying to get rental assistance out faster.

“Skewed surveys aren’t reflective of the entire situation. By and large the rental housing industry has gone to great lengths to support residents, including when it comes to rental assistance and adherence to laws and regulations,” Pinnegar said in a statement.

Legal aid attorneys interviewed across the country confirmed they are seeing a steady increase in cases where tenants were approved for rental help and still faced eviction.

These include the mother of a newborn and two other children in Florida who received rental assistance but was ordered evicted after the landlord refused to take the money. Another Florida landlord lied in court that she hadn’t received the money in a bid to push through an eviction.

There have also been cases in Georgia and Texas where landlords who received assistance moved to end leases early, increased rents to unaffordable levels or found other reasons than nonpayment to evict someone, lawyers said.

“As it is right now, it doesn’t seem to be working as intended,” said Tori Tavormina, an eviction prevention specialist with Texas Housers. “It feels much more like it’s a program that is alleviating the pressure of the eviction crisis but not solving the underlying problems.”

District Court Judge Shera Grant, who handles housing cases in Birmingham, Alabama, said she and her fellow judges have seen an uptick in cases of landlords getting assistance and returning to court a few weeks later after a tenant has fallen behind on rent to seek an eviction. So far they have prevented them — though she expects a spike in these kinds of cases going forward.

“It’s incumbent on the judges to make sure we are paying close attention to our eviction cases and making sure that the landlord is not having their cake and eating it too,” she said. “By the same token, we are not forcing landlords to take the money. There are some unfortunate circumstances where the tenant has to be evicted.”

In the case of King, she believes her landlord was retaliating for earlier complaints about mold and water leaks in her three-bedroom house. The company King was dealing with, NDI Maxim, which manages property for owners, said it “was not at liberty to share details of tenants’ status nor their payment records.”

Other cases are complicated by the length of the pandemic and conflicting accounts of landlord and tenant. And they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-5f1a2b734a06eacad423298c1f0f6f3f">often leave both parties feeling shortchanged.</a>

Despite his landlord getting more than $20,000 in rental assistance, Prince Beatty is facing imminent eviction from his three-bedroom house in East Point, Georgia.

After the money was approved, Beatty signed an agreement in court late last year to pay several thousand dollars more that he owed as a condition to remain housed. He went back to the county for additional assistance to cover the balance but says he was denied. Unable to find warehouse work during the pandemic, the 47-year-old Navy veteran still can’t pay rent and is now $12,000 behind, in part due to his rent increasing from $1,250-a-month to $2,000.

Beatty, who was told he would be evicted this month, said he wakes most mornings in a panic, wondering if this will be the day when marshals “come and disrespect my stuff and throw it in the street.”

His landlord, Monique Jones, said she tried to work with Beatty. But she said he violated the lease by subletting rooms to several other people and that the amount of rental assistance has not covered losses from months of unpaid rent that started before the pandemic.

“It was helpful but it did not address the underlying issue which is his nonpayment of rent,” she said of the rental assistance. “That still remains and that is rightfully why I am proceeding. If I have a tenant who will pay rent and abides by the lease, I would not attempt to evict.”

Limits with rental assistance often come down to some states and localities failing to follow Treasury Department guidance calling for policies requiring landlords delay evictions after getting money. Although the program prevents landlords from evicting during the period covered by rental assistance, the Treasury Department can only encourage states to adopt policies that ban evictions up to three months afterward.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition found only 29 states and localities in 2021 had adopted policies that prohibit landlords who participate in the rental assistance program from evicting tenants for a period ranging from 30 days to 12 months. Six states — Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina and West Virginia — passed regulations while several cities or counties in Texas and Maryland did.

Gene Sperling, who is charged with overseeing implementation of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package, said there was no data to suggest landlords evicting tenants after getting assistance is a “pervasive issue” but that it was “completely unacceptable.”

While it’s “not against the letter of the act, it’s against the spirit of it,” he said.

The Coalition also said the program’s issues illustrate a larger problem.

“We are in the middle of a severe affordable housing crisis with gaping holes in our social safety net,” CEO Diane Yentel said. “We have a systemic power imbalance that favors landlords at the expense of low-income tenants. Emergency rental assistance and eviction moratoriums were a temporary patch to those holes.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A day before she was due to be evicted in November from her Atlanta home, Shanelle King heard that she had been awarded about $15,000 in rental assistance. She could breathe again.But then the 43-year-old hairdresser got a letter last month from her landlord saying the company was canceling her lease in March —- seven months early — without any explanation.“I’m really pissed about it. I thought I would be comfortable again back in my home,” said King, whose work dried up during the pandemic and who now worries about finding another apartment she can afford. “Here I am back up against the wall with no where to stay. I don’t know what I am going to do.”Although the $46.5 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-gene-sperling-7dbfb8157401d1e6d838116455c11556">Emergency Rental Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;has paid out tens of billions of dollars to help avert an eviction crisis, some tenants, like King, who received help are finding themselves threatened with eviction again — sometimes days after getting federal help. Many are finding it nearly impossible to find another affordable place to live.“It is a Band-Aid. It was never envisioned as anything more than a Band-Aid,” Erin Willoughby, director of the Clayton Housing Legal Resource Center Atlanta, said of the program.“It’s not solving the underlying problem, which is a lack of affordable housing. People are on the hook for rents they cannot afford to pay,” she said. “Simply finding something cheaper is not an option because there is not anything cheaper. People have to be housed somewhere.”The National Housing Law Project, in a survey last fall of nearly 120 legal aid attorneys and civil rights advocates, found that 86% of respondents reported cases in which landlords either refused to take assistance or accepted the money and still moved to evict tenants. The survey also found a significant increase in cases of landlords lying in court to evict tenants and illegally locking them out.“A number of issues could be described as issues related to landlord fraud ... and a set of problems I would describe as loopholes within the ... program that made it less effective to accomplish the goal,” said Natalie N. Maxwell, a senior attorney with the group.National Apartment Association President and CEO Bob Pinnegar said the survey was not based on facts, adding that its members are doing everything they can to keep tenants in their homes, including lobbying to get rental assistance out faster.“Skewed surveys aren’t reflective of the entire situation. By and large the rental housing industry has gone to great lengths to support residents, including when it comes to rental assistance and adherence to laws and regulations,” Pinnegar said in a statement.Legal aid attorneys interviewed across the country confirmed they are seeing a steady increase in cases where tenants were approved for rental help and still faced eviction.These include the mother of a newborn and two other children in Florida who received rental assistance but was ordered evicted after the landlord refused to take the money. Another Florida landlord lied in court that she hadn’t received the money in a bid to push through an eviction.There have also been cases in Georgia and Texas where landlords who received assistance moved to end leases early, increased rents to unaffordable levels or found other reasons than nonpayment to evict someone, lawyers said.“As it is right now, it doesn’t seem to be working as intended,” said Tori Tavormina, an eviction prevention specialist with Texas Housers. “It feels much more like it’s a program that is alleviating the pressure of the eviction crisis but not solving the underlying problems.”District Court Judge Shera Grant, who handles housing cases in Birmingham, Alabama, said she and her fellow judges have seen an uptick in cases of landlords getting assistance and returning to court a few weeks later after a tenant has fallen behind on rent to seek an eviction. So far they have prevented them — though she expects a spike in these kinds of cases going forward.“It’s incumbent on the judges to make sure we are paying close attention to our eviction cases and making sure that the landlord is not having their cake and eating it too,” she said. “By the same token, we are not forcing landlords to take the money. There are some unfortunate circumstances where the tenant has to be evicted.”In the case of King, she believes her landlord was retaliating for earlier complaints about mold and water leaks in her three-bedroom house. The company King was dealing with, NDI Maxim, which manages property for owners, said it “was not at liberty to share details of tenants’ status nor their payment records.”Other cases are complicated by the length of the pandemic and conflicting accounts of landlord and tenant. And they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-5f1a2b734a06eacad423298c1f0f6f3f">often leave both parties feeling shortchanged.</a>Despite his landlord getting more than $20,000 in rental assistance, Prince Beatty is facing imminent eviction from his three-bedroom house in East Point, Georgia.After the money was approved, Beatty signed an agreement in court late last year to pay several thousand dollars more that he owed as a condition to remain housed. He went back to the county for additional assistance to cover the balance but says he was denied. Unable to find warehouse work during the pandemic, the 47-year-old Navy veteran still can’t pay rent and is now $12,000 behind, in part due to his rent increasing from $1,250-a-month to $2,000.Beatty, who was told he would be evicted this month, said he wakes most mornings in a panic, wondering if this will be the day when marshals “come and disrespect my stuff and throw it in the street.”His landlord, Monique Jones, said she tried to work with Beatty. But she said he violated the lease by subletting rooms to several other people and that the amount of rental assistance has not covered losses from months of unpaid rent that started before the pandemic.“It was helpful but it did not address the underlying issue which is his nonpayment of rent,” she said of the rental assistance. “That still remains and that is rightfully why I am proceeding. If I have a tenant who will pay rent and abides by the lease, I would not attempt to evict.”Limits with rental assistance often come down to some states and localities failing to follow Treasury Department guidance calling for policies requiring landlords delay evictions after getting money. Although the program prevents landlords from evicting during the period covered by rental assistance, the Treasury Department can only encourage states to adopt policies that ban evictions up to three months afterward.The National Low Income Housing Coalition found only 29 states and localities in 2021 had adopted policies that prohibit landlords who participate in the rental assistance program from evicting tenants for a period ranging from 30 days to 12 months. Six states — Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina and West Virginia — passed regulations while several cities or counties in Texas and Maryland did.Gene Sperling, who is charged with overseeing implementation of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package, said there was no data to suggest landlords evicting tenants after getting assistance is a “pervasive issue” but that it was “completely unacceptable.”While it’s “not against the letter of the act, it’s against the spirit of it,” he said.The Coalition also said the program’s issues illustrate a larger problem.“We are in the middle of a severe affordable housing crisis with gaping holes in our social safety net,” CEO Diane Yentel said. “We have a systemic power imbalance that favors landlords at the expense of low-income tenants. Emergency rental assistance and eviction moratoriums were a temporary patch to those holes.”

Landlords finding ways to evict after getting rental aid

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island are investigating after a homeless man was found dead Tuesday with a stab wound at an area apartment complex. 

Police say in a news release that officers were sent to the complex around 6 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an injured person. 

Arriving officers found the victim — a 30-year-old man — dead from an apparent puncture wound. 

Police have not released the man's name and have not announced any suspects or arrests.

 Police urged anyone with information about the killing to contact detectives.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island are investigating after a homeless man was found dead Tuesday with a stab wound at an area apartment complex. Police say in a news release that officers were sent to the complex around 6 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an injured person. Arriving officers found the victim — a 30-year-old man — dead from an apparent puncture wound. Police have not released the man's name and have not announced any suspects or arrests. Police urged anyone with information about the killing to contact detectives.

Homeless man found dead with stab wound in Grand Island

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion. 

The new fear is driven by the discovery announced Feb. 9 of the virus infecting a commercial turkey flock in Indiana. The 29,000 turkeys in the flock were killed to prevent spread of the virus. 

The poultry industry and government officials say they have plans to more quickly stop the spread and are advising producers to take precautions since the virus strain is potentially deadly to commercial poultry. 

Egg, turkey and chicken prices could rise and availability could drop if birds at enough farms were to be infected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634641919165.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion. The new fear is driven by the discovery announced Feb. 9 of the virus infecting a commercial turkey flock in Indiana. The 29,000 turkeys in the flock were killed to prevent spread of the virus. The poultry industry and government officials say they have plans to more quickly stop the spread and are advising producers to take precautions since the virus strain is potentially deadly to commercial poultry. Egg, turkey and chicken prices could rise and availability could drop if birds at enough farms were to be infected.

US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Lee Enterprises effort to repel a hostile takeover got a boost this week when a judge ruled the newspaper publisher could ignore two director nominations from the Alden Global Capital hedge fund. 

But Alden said it will press the fight by urging shareholders to vote against Lee’s Chairman Mary Junck and one other longstanding board member at the company’s March 10 annual meeting.

Late last year, Lee rejected Alden’s $24 per share offer to buy the company because it said the roughly $141 million bid “grossly undervalues” the publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tulsa World, Richmond Times-Dispatch and dozens of other newspapers.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Lee Enterprises effort to repel a hostile takeover got a boost this week when a judge ruled the newspaper publisher could ignore two director nominations from the Alden Global Capital hedge fund. But Alden said it will press the fight by urging shareholders to vote against Lee’s Chairman Mary Junck and one other longstanding board member at the company’s March 10 annual meeting.Late last year, Lee rejected Alden’s $24 per share offer to buy the company because it said the roughly $141 million bid “grossly undervalues” the publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tulsa World, Richmond Times-Dispatch and dozens of other newspapers.

Judge backs Lee Enterprises rejection of hedge fund nominees

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company placed a rare bet on a technology company late last year and it has already paid off in a big way.

 Berkshire Hathaway revealed in documents filed with regulators on Monday that it bought near 15 million shares in game publisher Activision Blizzard during the last three months of 2021.

 The purchase came not long before Microsoft’s announcement in January that it was acquiring Activision for $68.7 billion, sending the stock soaring.

 The other changes to Berkshire’s roughly $330 billion portfolio revealed Monday were more typical for Buffett such as increasing its investment in oil giant Chevron, eliminating a stake in Teva Pharmaceuticals and trimming its investments in several other drugmakers.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company placed a rare bet on a technology company late last year and it has already paid off in a big way. Berkshire Hathaway revealed in documents filed with regulators on Monday that it bought near 15 million shares in game publisher Activision Blizzard during the last three months of 2021. The purchase came not long before Microsoft’s announcement in January that it was acquiring Activision for $68.7 billion, sending the stock soaring. The other changes to Berkshire’s roughly $330 billion portfolio revealed Monday were more typical for Buffett such as increasing its investment in oil giant Chevron, eliminating a stake in Teva Pharmaceuticals and trimming its investments in several other drugmakers.

Buffett's firm scores big with stake in Activision Blizzard

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press

When nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.

She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelation that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the “Mark of the Beast.” She told her managers that God is the “ultimate guardian of health” and that accepting the vaccine would make her “complicit with evil.”

Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.

In some institutions, religious exemptions are being invoked by staff and approved by managers in large numbers. It’s a tricky issue for hospital administrators, who are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels and are often reticent to question the legitimacy of the requests.

“We’re not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor,” said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, where about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have been granted exemptions.

Tobler, who is vaccinated, said some employees threatened to quit if they were required to get the shot.

“For people that want to judge what we’re doing in rural America, I’d love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place,” Tobler said.

At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged his support last week to “defending Montanans against discrimination based on their vaccination status" in an open letter to medical workers and urged the unvaccinated to consider seeking exemptions. And West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a proposal with health care workers in mind that would let those who quit because their exemption was denied collect unemployment.

As of Monday health care workers in 24 states — all but three of which went for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — will be required to have received their first vaccine dose or an exemption. The mandate already took effect late last month in jurisdictions that didn’t challenge the requirement in court, although enforcement actions won’t begin immediately.

It affects a wide swath of the industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, hospital volunteers, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Beyond the federal mandate, some hospitals and cities have imposed their own requirements. One of the most sweeping is in New York City, where public workers faced termination if they weren't vaccinated by Friday. The military branches have their own vaccine mandates, but commanders have been loath to grant religious exemptions.

While reasons given for seeking exemptions vary, the vaccines’ remote link to fetuses aborted decades ago is often cited — lab-grown cell lines descended from those fetuses were used in testing and manufacturing processes. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells, however, and workers generally are seeking the exemptions without the backing of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

But as the health care mandate takes effect, hospital leaders acknowledge that they see the exemptions as a way to retain staff at a time when resources are already stretched thin.

“Our position has been we would we want we want everyone vaccinated,” said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. “But we also think that access to care is incredibly important."

Similar stories abound across the country.

At the 25-bed Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, in the southwestern part of the state, about 20% of the 320 employees have not been vaccinated. About 35 applied for exemptions, and others are still deciding what to do. The hospital has rejected some requests that relied on specious religious reasoning.

“If it’s a complete, like, essay on the science behind why this shouldn’t be allowed, or a complete essay on why a certain political party or political figure is an idiot, which we’ve seen, we don’t go with that because that’s not religious at all,” hospital president and CEO Troy Buntz said. “We do push back on those, but I don’t know if other people are even reading the exemptions as much as they probably should be.”

In Mississippi, some hospitals have nearly all their employees vaccinated while others are closer to the 50% to 70% range, according to Richard Roberson, the state hospital association’s general counsel. Since the mandate was announced, he has received dozens of calls inquiring about how the exemptions work.

“I don’t know how many there will be, but we’re in the heart of the Bible belt. And so that is something that is very near and dear to everyone’s heart,” Roberson said.

And at the 14-bed Holton Community Hospital in rural northeastern Kansas, 28 out of 193 employees have gotten religious exemptions and one got a medical exemption. The mandate helped nudge the staff vaccination rate from around 75% to nearly 87%, but some younger nurses remain hesitant because of disproven concerns that the vaccine could hurt their fertility, CEO Carrie Saia said.

Saia questioned vaccine resistance among medical workers since they see every day that those in their care with the most severe COVID-19 consequences are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. But “unfortunately, with the COVID 19 pandemic, everything has gotten so political or polarized,” she said.

Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a “state of terror” when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career. She asked herself how much she was willing to sacrifice for her values, she added, and turning to the Bible strengthened her resolve to resist what she called the “insidious evil behind the vaccine campaign.”

But Marcella Dahl, a primary care clinic nurse in Sidney, Montana, said she feels like some people are abusing the exemptions and it's alarming that some religious leaders are encouraging the practice.

“Half of the people saying this don’t even go to church,” Dahl said. “I think it puts everybody at risk.”

Faith-based opposition to immunizations in the country historically has been limited to just a relatively few small denominations such as the End Time Ministries and the Church of the First Born. But during the pandemic, some more mainstream preachers have spoken out against the vaccines from the pulpit.

“That’s new, and that’s a problem,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If you are not going to be vaccinated and you’re going to be caring for the frail, the elderly, you should get out of health care."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637097035278.png" alt="Healthcare workers in Wichita protest mandatory vaccinations -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Healthcare workers in Wichita protest mandatory vaccinations -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated PressWhen nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelation that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the “Mark of the Beast.” She told her managers that God is the “ultimate guardian of health” and that accepting the vaccine would make her “complicit with evil.”Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.In some institutions, religious exemptions are being invoked by staff and approved by managers in large numbers. It’s a tricky issue for hospital administrators, who are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels and are often reticent to question the legitimacy of the requests.“We’re not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor,” said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, where about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have been granted exemptions.Tobler, who is vaccinated, said some employees threatened to quit if they were required to get the shot.“For people that want to judge what we’re doing in rural America, I’d love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place,” Tobler said.At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged his support last week to “defending Montanans against discrimination based on their vaccination status" in an open letter to medical workers and urged the unvaccinated to consider seeking exemptions. And West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a proposal with health care workers in mind that would let those who quit because their exemption was denied collect unemployment.As of Monday health care workers in 24 states — all but three of which went for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — will be required to have received their first vaccine dose or an exemption. The mandate already took effect late last month in jurisdictions that didn’t challenge the requirement in court, although enforcement actions won’t begin immediately.It affects a wide swath of the industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, hospital volunteers, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.Beyond the federal mandate, some hospitals and cities have imposed their own requirements. One of the most sweeping is in New York City, where public workers faced termination if they weren't vaccinated by Friday. The military branches have their own vaccine mandates, but commanders have been loath to grant religious exemptions.While reasons given for seeking exemptions vary, the vaccines’ remote link to fetuses aborted decades ago is often cited — lab-grown cell lines descended from those fetuses were used in testing and manufacturing processes. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells, however, and workers generally are seeking the exemptions without the backing of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.But as the health care mandate takes effect, hospital leaders acknowledge that they see the exemptions as a way to retain staff at a time when resources are already stretched thin.“Our position has been we would we want we want everyone vaccinated,” said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. “But we also think that access to care is incredibly important."Similar stories abound across the country.At the 25-bed Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, in the southwestern part of the state, about 20% of the 320 employees have not been vaccinated. About 35 applied for exemptions, and others are still deciding what to do. The hospital has rejected some requests that relied on specious religious reasoning.“If it’s a complete, like, essay on the science behind why this shouldn’t be allowed, or a complete essay on why a certain political party or political figure is an idiot, which we’ve seen, we don’t go with that because that’s not religious at all,” hospital president and CEO Troy Buntz said. “We do push back on those, but I don’t know if other people are even reading the exemptions as much as they probably should be.”In Mississippi, some hospitals have nearly all their employees vaccinated while others are closer to the 50% to 70% range, according to Richard Roberson, the state hospital association’s general counsel. Since the mandate was announced, he has received dozens of calls inquiring about how the exemptions work.“I don’t know how many there will be, but we’re in the heart of the Bible belt. And so that is something that is very near and dear to everyone’s heart,” Roberson said.And at the 14-bed Holton Community Hospital in rural northeastern Kansas, 28 out of 193 employees have gotten religious exemptions and one got a medical exemption. The mandate helped nudge the staff vaccination rate from around 75% to nearly 87%, but some younger nurses remain hesitant because of disproven concerns that the vaccine could hurt their fertility, CEO Carrie Saia said.Saia questioned vaccine resistance among medical workers since they see every day that those in their care with the most severe COVID-19 consequences are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. But “unfortunately, with the COVID 19 pandemic, everything has gotten so political or polarized,” she said.Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a “state of terror” when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career. She asked herself how much she was willing to sacrifice for her values, she added, and turning to the Bible strengthened her resolve to resist what she called the “insidious evil behind the vaccine campaign.”But Marcella Dahl, a primary care clinic nurse in Sidney, Montana, said she feels like some people are abusing the exemptions and it's alarming that some religious leaders are encouraging the practice.“Half of the people saying this don’t even go to church,” Dahl said. “I think it puts everybody at risk.”Faith-based opposition to immunizations in the country historically has been limited to just a relatively few small denominations such as the End Time Ministries and the Church of the First Born. But during the pandemic, some more mainstream preachers have spoken out against the vaccines from the pulpit.“That’s new, and that’s a problem,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If you are not going to be vaccinated and you’re going to be caring for the frail, the elderly, you should get out of health care."

Unvaccinated medical workers turn to religious exemptions

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced more than 10 million households have enrolled in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest broadband affordability program.  Thanks to funding support in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected.  Low-income households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for eligible households on Tribal lands.  Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

“No family should have to choose between paying for gas or groceries and their monthly internet bill, especially when a connection is essential for work, school, health care and more. But for far too many, the cost of internet service makes the connections we need for everyday life, out of reach,” said Rosenworcel. “Now with more than 10 million households enrolled, we’ve proven the need for this program, and we are continuing our efforts to ensure no community, no household, no one is left offline.” 

The FCC is joining with ACP outreach partners to host ten local enrollment events in different areas of the country over the next month. These events will build program awareness and train grassroots navigators on ACP eligibility and the enrollment process. Event times and locations will be announced in the coming days. You can find more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program at www.fcc.gov/ACP.   

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

· Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

· Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;

· Eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;

· Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

· Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider's existing low-income internet program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — On Monday, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced more than 10 million households have enrolled in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest broadband affordability program. Thanks to funding support in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected. Low-income households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for eligible households on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.“No family should have to choose between paying for gas or groceries and their monthly internet bill, especially when a connection is essential for work, school, health care and more. But for far too many, the cost of internet service makes the connections we need for everyday life, out of reach,” said Rosenworcel. “Now with more than 10 million households enrolled, we’ve proven the need for this program, and we are continuing our efforts to ensure no community, no household, no one is left offline.” The FCC is joining with ACP outreach partners to host ten local enrollment events in different areas of the country over the next month. These events will build program awareness and train grassroots navigators on ACP eligibility and the enrollment process. Event times and locations will be announced in the coming days. You can find more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program at www.fcc.gov/ACP. A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:· Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;· Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;· Eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;· Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or· Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider's existing low-income internet program.

Over 10M homes enrolled in federal broadband program

This year’s housing market is <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2022-data" target="_blank">set to be just as competitive as in 2021</a>. Home listings are down 60% compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer homes for sale and <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/02/05/interest-rates-may-have-to-rise-sharply-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank">rumors of rising interest rates</a>, houses are selling faster than ever.

If you are looking to buy a new home, you need to be prepared. Prospective buyers can make their offer more competitive by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/09/homes-are-selling-faster-than-ever-before.html" target="_blank">getting preapproved for financing</a>
 before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that a buyer is 
serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without 
issues.

That means many prospective home buyers are shopping for a mortgage 
lender before finding the right home. To get the best deal, be sure to 
compare all the costs and understand how mortgages work. Fortunately, 
shopping around, comparing prices, and negotiating deals can save you 
thousands of dollars.

Whether you are buying a home,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24233-bbb-tip-should-you-refinance-your-home-for-a-lower-mortgage-interest-rate" target="_blank">refinancing your home</a>, or taking out a home equity loan, follow these tips to help make your search for a mortgage lender a success.

See <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/your-home-hq" target="_blank">BBB's Home HQ</a> for information on buying, selling, building and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home.&nbsp;

Visit the <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/" target="_blank">Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s mortgage page</a> to learn more about how mortgages work. Learn about reverse mortgages by reading the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23105-bbb-tip-reverse-mortgages" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgages</a>.

When shopping for a lender, always look for businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThis year’s housing market is <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/january-2022-data" target="_blank">set to be just as competitive as in 2021</a>. Home listings are down 60% compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer homes for sale and <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/02/05/interest-rates-may-have-to-rise-sharply-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank">rumors of rising interest rates</a>, houses are selling faster than ever.If you are looking to buy a new home, you need to be prepared. Prospective buyers can make their offer more competitive by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/09/homes-are-selling-faster-than-ever-before.html" target="_blank">getting preapproved for financing</a>
 before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that a buyer is 
serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without 
issues.That means many prospective home buyers are shopping for a mortgage 
lender before finding the right home. To get the best deal, be sure to 
compare all the costs and understand how mortgages work. Fortunately, 
shopping around, comparing prices, and negotiating deals can save you 
thousands of dollars.Whether you are buying a home,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24233-bbb-tip-should-you-refinance-your-home-for-a-lower-mortgage-interest-rate" target="_blank">refinancing your home</a>, or taking out a home equity loan, follow these tips to help make your search for a mortgage lender a success.<h2>How to Shop for a Mortgage Lender </h2><ul>
 <li>Know how much you can spend upfront. Before you ask
 for information from a lender, it’s a good idea to know how much you 
can spend on a loan and the maximum monthly payment you can afford. This
 information will be a key part of your negotiations, so review your 
budget ahead of time. </li><li>Get to know your loan options. <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/loan-options/" target="_blank">Loan options</a>
 include loan terms, interest rate type, and the loan type. The loan 
term refers to the length of the loan, which may be 15 or 30 years. 
Shorter loans usually have higher monthly payments with lower interest 
rates. Interest rate types may be fixed or adjustable. Fixed rate loans 
are lower risk but carry higher interest rates. Adjustable rate 
mortgages (ARMs) have lower interest rates to start, but the rates can 
change over time.&nbsp; Loan types may be conventional or part of a 
government program. Understanding the options will help you choose the 
best loan for your situation. </li><li>Understand the difference between a broker and a lender. According to <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-a-mortgage-broker-and-a-mortgage-lender-en-130/" target="_blank">ConsumerFinance.gov</a>,
 a lender is a bank or other financial institution that loans money 
directly to you. A broker acts a middleman, comparing loan options on 
your behalf. The <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0189-shopping-mortgage" target="_blank">Federal Trade Commission</a>
 adds, “Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always
 be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and 
brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word ‘broker.’ 
Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved.” You’ll want to 
know, since brokers are usually paid a service fee separate from the 
lender’s fees. </li><li>Get information from multiple lenders and brokers before making a decision. Get
 as much information from each lender as you can. Keep your options open
 to begin with, since different lenders may offer different rates, <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0189-shopping-mortgage#best" target="_blank">advises the FTC</a>.
 Make sure you ask about interest rates, loan types, annual percentage 
rates, points, down payments, mortgage insurance, and all other fees. 
This will help you get a clear view of the actual cost of the mortgage. </li><li>Understand whether you should pay points. Your mortgage lender will likely give you the <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/discount-points" target="_blank">option of paying for discount points</a>.
 Mortgage points are fees you pay a lender to reduce the interest rate 
on a mortgage. Typically, one discount point is equally to 1% of the 
mortgage amount and will reduce your interest rate by .25%. Depending on
 how long you plan to keep your home and your mortgage, this extra cost 
may or may not make sense. This <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/should-i-buy-points-mortgage-calculator" target="_blank">calculator will help you figure that out</a>. </li><li>Working with a broker? Make sure they find you the best deal. If
 you prefer to hire a broker to do the shopping for you, know that while
 brokers have access to several lenders, they aren’t obligated to find 
the best deal for you unless they sign a contract to act as your agent. </li><li>Be prepared to negotiate the best deal. Loan 
officers and brokers are allowed to keep some or all of the overages 
(the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price 
you agree to pay) of a loan as extra compensation. This means you may be
 able to negotiate a price lower than what they initially offer you. The
 best way to negotiate is to have the broker or lender <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0104-mortgage-shopping-worksheet.pdf" target="_blank">give you a written list</a>
 of all of the costs and fees included in the loan. Then, ask if they 
will reduce or waive completely one or more of the fees. You can also 
show them a competitor’s offer to see if they will give you a better 
deal. </li><li>Watch out for scams.
 Shopping around for a mortgage lender will help you get a general idea 
of how much a loan costs, which will help you spot and avoid any offers 
that seem too good to be true. Be wary of unsolicited calls and emails 
offering you great rates on a mortgage or “no-cost” loans. Never give in
 to high pressure sales tactics. <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/mortgage-closing-scams-how-protect-yourself-and-your-closing-funds/" target="_blank">ConsumerFinance.gov warns about a phishing scam</a>
 where con artists attempt to divert your closing costs and down payment
 by suggesting, right before your loan closes, that you wire the money 
into a fraudulent account.&nbsp; </li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>See <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/your-home-hq" target="_blank">BBB's Home HQ</a> for information on buying, selling, building and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home.&nbsp;Visit the <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/" target="_blank">Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s mortgage page</a> to learn more about how mortgages work. Learn about reverse mortgages by reading the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23105-bbb-tip-reverse-mortgages" target="_blank">BBB Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgages</a>.When shopping for a lender, always look for businesses that follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards" target="_blank">BBB Accreditation Standards</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>.Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/mortgage-lenders" target="_blank">reputable mortgage lender</a>&nbsp;near you.