By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/05/gop-primary-pillen-slams-herbster-for-basing-business-annual-meeting-out-of-state/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Two top Republicans running for governor&nbsp;are getting personal about each other’s businesses.

On
 Friday, northeast Nebraska hog producer Jim Pillen, the top fundraiser 
in the GOP primary, attacked southeast Nebraska bull breeder Charles 
Herbster, the race’s top spender, for locating his biggest business out 
of state.

“I chose to raise my family and build my business in this great state,” Pillen said in a statement.&nbsp;

On
 Saturday, Herbster called Pillen “desperate.” He warned Pillen not to 
criticize his business practices. And he repeated allegations that 
Pillen’s hog farm had hired workers who were in the country illegally.

“Just
 like a typical politician, Jim Pillen has once again gone negative in 
an attempt to make up for his failing candidacy,” Herbster said in a 
statement.&nbsp;

Herbster
 owns Conklin Co., a manufacturing, marketing and distribution company 
that makes a lot of its money on roofing. Minnesota is Conklin’s 
distribution hub. The company’s corporate leaders are based in Missouri.
 Herbster has a large home in Kansas City, Missouri, that he has 
previously described as a guest house. He resides in Falls City, 
Nebraska. He also owns a home in Omaha.&nbsp;

Conklin
 employs 104 people, based on its application for federal relief funds 
in 2020. Most work in Minnesota and Missouri, although the company has 
distributors in many states, including Nebraska.

Pillen’s
 campaign chose Friday to level the criticism because this weekend is 
when Herbster’s Conklin Co. hosts its annual meeting in Branson, Mo. 
Pillen’s campaign asked why Herbster wasn’t hosting the conference in 
Nebraska.

The
 Conklin event draws about 2,000 people and has a local economic impact 
of more than $1 million, Herbster told the Branson City Council during a
 public hearing on the city’s conventions. Hotel officials estimated the
 convention’s annual sales tax impact at $180,000.

Pillen
 said Herbster’s decision to host the convention in Branson instead of 
Kearney, Lincoln or Omaha should show he “isn’t cut out” to be 
Nebraska’s governor.

“Herbster
 made his fortune from Conklin Company, a company he chose to 
headquarter in Missouri, not Nebraska, just like his Kansas City home,” 
Pillen said. “I’ll fight each and every day against out-of-state 
business owners, like Charles W. Herbster, who want to steal our kids 
and accelerate our brain drain.”

Pillen
 owns Pillen Family Farms, which has employees in Nebraska and three 
other states. The business is headquartered in Columbus. His campaign 
says he employs more than 850 people in Nebraska, or more than 90% of 
the company’s workers. He’s a University of Nebraska regent.

Herbster,
 in a statement Saturday, said voters were “all getting a taste of the 
real Jim Pillen.” He said Nebraskans are tired of “establishment 
politicians” making “baseless and misleading attacks.”

“Here’s a message to our opponents: Make sure your house is in order before you go looking at someone else’s,” Herbster said.

Nebraska’s primary election is May 10. Early voting starts in April. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644251510623.png" alt="Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, left, responded to criticism this week from fellow GOP candidate Jim Pillen, right. They’re shown here at a candidate forum in Lincoln, flanking fellow Republican candidate State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) " />
 <figcaption>Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, left, responded to criticism this week from fellow GOP candidate Jim Pillen, right. They’re shown here at a candidate forum in Lincoln, flanking fellow Republican candidate State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) </figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/05/gop-primary-pillen-slams-herbster-for-basing-business-annual-meeting-out-of-state/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Two top Republicans running for governor&nbsp;are getting personal about each other’s businesses.On
 Friday, northeast Nebraska hog producer Jim Pillen, the top fundraiser 
in the GOP primary, attacked southeast Nebraska bull breeder Charles 
Herbster, the race’s top spender, for locating his biggest business out 
of state.“I chose to raise my family and build my business in this great state,” Pillen said in a statement.&nbsp;On
 Saturday, Herbster called Pillen “desperate.” He warned Pillen not to 
criticize his business practices. And he repeated allegations that 
Pillen’s hog farm had hired workers who were in the country illegally.“Just
 like a typical politician, Jim Pillen has once again gone negative in 
an attempt to make up for his failing candidacy,” Herbster said in a 
statement.&nbsp;Herbster
 owns Conklin Co., a manufacturing, marketing and distribution company 
that makes a lot of its money on roofing. Minnesota is Conklin’s 
distribution hub. The company’s corporate leaders are based in Missouri.
 Herbster has a large home in Kansas City, Missouri, that he has 
previously described as a guest house. He resides in Falls City, 
Nebraska. He also owns a home in Omaha.&nbsp;Conklin
 employs 104 people, based on its application for federal relief funds 
in 2020. Most work in Minnesota and Missouri, although the company has 
distributors in many states, including Nebraska.Pillen’s
 campaign chose Friday to level the criticism because this weekend is 
when Herbster’s Conklin Co. hosts its annual meeting in Branson, Mo. 
Pillen’s campaign asked why Herbster wasn’t hosting the conference in 
Nebraska.The
 Conklin event draws about 2,000 people and has a local economic impact 
of more than $1 million, Herbster told the Branson City Council during a
 public hearing on the city’s conventions. Hotel officials estimated the
 convention’s annual sales tax impact at $180,000.Pillen
 said Herbster’s decision to host the convention in Branson instead of 
Kearney, Lincoln or Omaha should show he “isn’t cut out” to be 
Nebraska’s governor.“Herbster
 made his fortune from Conklin Company, a company he chose to 
headquarter in Missouri, not Nebraska, just like his Kansas City home,” 
Pillen said. “I’ll fight each and every day against out-of-state 
business owners, like Charles W. Herbster, who want to steal our kids 
and accelerate our brain drain.”Pillen
 owns Pillen Family Farms, which has employees in Nebraska and three 
other states. The business is headquartered in Columbus. His campaign 
says he employs more than 850 people in Nebraska, or more than 90% of 
the company’s workers. He’s a University of Nebraska regent.Herbster,
 in a statement Saturday, said voters were “all getting a taste of the 
real Jim Pillen.” He said Nebraskans are tired of “establishment 
politicians” making “baseless and misleading attacks.”“Here’s a message to our opponents: Make sure your house is in order before you go looking at someone else’s,” Herbster said.Nebraska’s primary election is May 10. Early voting starts in April.

Candidates for governor get personal about each other's business pactices

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/u-s-district-judge-john-gerrard-announces-his-retirement/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — U.S. District Judge John Gerrard has announced that he will transition to senior judge status by next year, creating a vacancy on the federal bench in Nebraska to be filled by President Joe Biden.

Gerrard,
 in a letter Monday to the President, wrote that he will continue to 
“render substantial judicial service” because of a heavy caseload in 
Nebraska and because there are only three active federal judges.

But he also urged the president to make a “timely appointment” of a successor.

“Nebraska has a long history of promptly filling vacancies on the federal bench,” Gerrard said in a press release.

He added that he was confident that 
Nebraska’s two Republican U.S. senators, Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, with
 work with the Democratic president.

Gerrard, in an interview, declined to 
comment on whether the timing of his announcement had anything to do 
with the possibility that the U.S. Senate, which confirms federal 
judges might flip from Democratic control to Republican following the 
2022 elections.

Gerrard,
 68, was appointed to the bench by then-President Barack Obama and was 
confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2012 on a 74-16 vote.

The judge had served on the Nebraska Supreme Court from 1995 to 2012 after being appointed to that post by then-Gov. Ben Nelson.

Prior to becoming a judge, Gerrard was in private practice in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Monday, he said that he is “still healthy, 
alive, well and judging,” and that his transition was solely due to his 
age. Other judges, he said, have made the transition at about this age.

The U.S. District Court has two other senior
 judges, Richard Kopf and Joseph Bataillon. Such senior judges continue 
to hear cases, but with less of a caseload.

Gerrard said he will continue with his current caseload until February 2023, when he will make the transition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644264833605.jpeg" alt="U.S. District Judge John Gerrard (Courtesy of Harry Weddington)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. District Judge John Gerrard (Courtesy of Harry Weddington)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/u-s-district-judge-john-gerrard-announces-his-retirement/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — U.S. District Judge John Gerrard has announced that he will transition to senior judge status by next year, creating a vacancy on the federal bench in Nebraska to be filled by President Joe Biden.Gerrard,
 in a letter Monday to the President, wrote that he will continue to 
“render substantial judicial service” because of a heavy caseload in 
Nebraska and because there are only three active federal judges.But he also urged the president to make a “timely appointment” of a successor.“Nebraska has a long history of promptly filling vacancies on the federal bench,” Gerrard said in a press release.He added that he was confident that 
Nebraska’s two Republican U.S. senators, Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, with
 work with the Democratic president.Gerrard, in an interview, declined to 
comment on whether the timing of his announcement had anything to do 
with the possibility that the U.S. Senate, which confirms federal 
judges might flip from Democratic control to Republican following the 
2022 elections.Gerrard,
 68, was appointed to the bench by then-President Barack Obama and was 
confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2012 on a 74-16 vote.The judge had served on the Nebraska Supreme Court from 1995 to 2012 after being appointed to that post by then-Gov. Ben Nelson.Prior to becoming a judge, Gerrard was in private practice in Norfolk, Nebraska.Monday, he said that he is “still healthy, 
alive, well and judging,” and that his transition was solely due to his 
age. Other judges, he said, have made the transition at about this age.The U.S. District Court has two other senior
 judges, Richard Kopf and Joseph Bataillon. Such senior judges continue 
to hear cases, but with less of a caseload.Gerrard said he will continue with his current caseload until February 2023, when he will make the transition.

U.S. District Judge Gerrard announces his retirement

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2022-02-07/salina-parents-want-lgbtq-memoir-removed-from-school-libraries">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— Some parents in the Salina school 
district want a book removed from high school libraries, citing sexually
 explicit passages that they say are not appropriate for young readers.

The book “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by nonbinary author and activist <a href="https://iamgmjohnson.com/" target="_blank">George M. Johnson</a>, bills itself as a “memoir-manifesto” intended for adolescent readers. It <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2021-10-12/shawnee-mission-weighs-policy-change-after-parents-raise-concerns-about-books-descriptions-of-sex" target="_blank">came under fire</a> in the Shawnee Mission school district last fall and has been <a href="https://flaglerlive.com/170745/books-returned-withheld/" target="_blank">removed from school libraries</a> or classrooms in several states.

Chad Farber, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Salina, submitted one of two requests to review the book on Jan. 25.

In
 his request to district officials, Farber says the book contains 
“pornographic, lude (sic), and obscene content described in great 
detail” and that “this material could be used by some to experiment 
w/anal sex on other students (and) groom some to be molested by 
predators.”

Another parent, Jessica A. Henton, filed a request the same day to review “All Boys Aren’t Blue.”

“While,
 to my understanding, there is great educational content in the rest of 
the book, the obscene (and) descriptive text about ‘sex’ has no place on
 school library shelves,” Henton wrote.

District officials say the
 book is being reviewed by a school-level committee that includes a 
principal, librarian, teachers and parents. The Salina school board is 
expected to hear from people on both sides of the debate during its 
meeting Tuesday.

The case reflects a national trend that has 
school districts trying to balance parental outrage with students’ 
access to certain books. In recent months, dozens of books have been <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">challenged by parents and community members</a> who contend that they’re sexually explicit or <a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/calls-to-ban-books-by-black-authors-are-increasing-amid-critical-race-theory-debates/2021/09" target="_blank">promote critical race theory</a>.

<a href="https://pen.org/user/james-tager/" target="_blank">James Tager</a>,
 research director for the free expression group PEN America, has 
tracked book challenges since 2016 and says the number and intensity of 
challenges is increasing dramatically. But the targets are largely the 
same.

“Most of the books have to do with the presentation of 
diverse viewpoints, which is to say that they feature characters or 
they're written by people of color,” Tager said.

Challenges focused on obscenity tend to target books by LGBTQ authors, he said.

“Whenever
 these arguments are raised, I hardly ever see an effort to evaluate 
this against the literary and educational merit of the book,” he said. 
“There’s a focus on a few passages or a few parts rather than on the 
book in and of itself.”

In an author’s note at the start of “All 
Boys Aren’t Blue,” Johnson acknowledges that his book features 
provocative and potentially controversial material.

“As heavy as 
these subjects may be, it is necessary that they are not only told, but 
also read by teens who may have to navigate many of these same 
experiences in their own lives,” Johnson writes.

“This book will 
touch on sexual assault (including molestation), loss of virginity, 
homophobia, racism, and anti-Blackness. These discussions at times may 
be a bit graphic, but nonetheless they are experiences that many reading
 this book will encounter or have already encountered. And I want those 
readers to be seen and heard in these pages.”

Both people who 
filed complaints in Salina said they had not read “All Boys Aren’t 
Blue,” but saw portions of the book shared on social media.

Parent
 groups have raised issues about a four-page passage near the end of the
 book. In a chapter titled “Losing My Virginity Twice,” Johnson relates a
 consensual homosexual encounter in detail, including oral sex, 
masturbation and intercourse.

Rodney Penn, a Salina father and founder of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/990859254309004/" target="_blank">Kansas Parents Involved in Education</a>,
 said books containing explicit material should be removed from school 
libraries or labeled as explicit, like movies and music, and kept in a 
section that requires parental consent before students can check them 
out.

“We have statutes in the state of Kansas that talk about how a
 school district must monitor and protect kids from internet-based 
obscenities. But what about print obscenities?” Penn said.

Kansas law prohibits the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0001_section/021_064_0001_k/#:~:text=2012%20Statute&amp;text=(b)%20Promoting%20obscenity%20to%20minors,the%20age%20of%2018%20years" target="_blank">promotion of obscenity to minors</a>.
 But the law exempts “institutions having scientific, educational or 
governmental justification,” such as schools, universities and public 
libraries.

A school district in North Kansas City, Mo., pulled 
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” and another LGBTQ-themed title, “Fun Home,” from 
high school shelves last October but <a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/education/north-kansas-city-school-district-returning-lgbtq-books-to-shelves-after-pushback/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20North%20Kansas%20City%20School%20District,said%20it%20was%20sent%20Friday." target="_blank">returned them</a> after students petitioned to keep the books.

“All Boys Aren’t Blue” was on a list of books briefly <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">pulled from circulation</a> at school libraries in Goddard in November. The district <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">reversed its decision</a> after receiving national pushback from authors and free-speech advocates.

Chris
 Field, a former Salina teacher who ran unsuccessfully for school board 
in November, said he’s disturbed by challenges that target materials 
dealing with race, gender and sexuality. He said libraries need diverse 
materials to help students navigate real-life experiences.

“To be 
able to find books that they can identify with and know that other 
people in the world are struggling with these issues also. … That’s got 
to be comforting to these children,” he said.

“Ninety-nine percent
 of the books that are on these lists and being attacked are not harming
 children. They’re actually helping them get through life.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644244121019.png" alt=""All Boys Aren't Blue," a memoir by LGBTQ author George M. Johnson, has been the target of book challenges nationwide. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>"All Boys Aren't Blue," a memoir by LGBTQ author George M. Johnson, has been the target of book challenges nationwide. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2022-02-07/salina-parents-want-lgbtq-memoir-removed-from-school-libraries">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— Some parents in the Salina school 
district want a book removed from high school libraries, citing sexually
 explicit passages that they say are not appropriate for young readers.The book “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by nonbinary author and activist <a href="https://iamgmjohnson.com/" target="_blank">George M. Johnson</a>, bills itself as a “memoir-manifesto” intended for adolescent readers. It <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2021-10-12/shawnee-mission-weighs-policy-change-after-parents-raise-concerns-about-books-descriptions-of-sex" target="_blank">came under fire</a> in the Shawnee Mission school district last fall and has been <a href="https://flaglerlive.com/170745/books-returned-withheld/" target="_blank">removed from school libraries</a> or classrooms in several states.Chad Farber, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Salina, submitted one of two requests to review the book on Jan. 25.In
 his request to district officials, Farber says the book contains 
“pornographic, lude (sic), and obscene content described in great 
detail” and that “this material could be used by some to experiment 
w/anal sex on other students (and) groom some to be molested by 
predators.”Another parent, Jessica A. Henton, filed a request the same day to review “All Boys Aren’t Blue.”“While,
 to my understanding, there is great educational content in the rest of 
the book, the obscene (and) descriptive text about ‘sex’ has no place on
 school library shelves,” Henton wrote.District officials say the
 book is being reviewed by a school-level committee that includes a 
principal, librarian, teachers and parents. The Salina school board is 
expected to hear from people on both sides of the debate during its 
meeting Tuesday.The case reflects a national trend that has 
school districts trying to balance parental outrage with students’ 
access to certain books. In recent months, dozens of books have been <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">challenged by parents and community members</a> who contend that they’re sexually explicit or <a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/calls-to-ban-books-by-black-authors-are-increasing-amid-critical-race-theory-debates/2021/09" target="_blank">promote critical race theory</a>.<a href="https://pen.org/user/james-tager/" target="_blank">James Tager</a>,
 research director for the free expression group PEN America, has 
tracked book challenges since 2016 and says the number and intensity of 
challenges is increasing dramatically. But the targets are largely the 
same.“Most of the books have to do with the presentation of 
diverse viewpoints, which is to say that they feature characters or 
they're written by people of color,” Tager said.Challenges focused on obscenity tend to target books by LGBTQ authors, he said.“Whenever
 these arguments are raised, I hardly ever see an effort to evaluate 
this against the literary and educational merit of the book,” he said. 
“There’s a focus on a few passages or a few parts rather than on the 
book in and of itself.”In an author’s note at the start of “All 
Boys Aren’t Blue,” Johnson acknowledges that his book features 
provocative and potentially controversial material.“As heavy as 
these subjects may be, it is necessary that they are not only told, but 
also read by teens who may have to navigate many of these same 
experiences in their own lives,” Johnson writes.“This book will 
touch on sexual assault (including molestation), loss of virginity, 
homophobia, racism, and anti-Blackness. These discussions at times may 
be a bit graphic, but nonetheless they are experiences that many reading
 this book will encounter or have already encountered. And I want those 
readers to be seen and heard in these pages.”Both people who 
filed complaints in Salina said they had not read “All Boys Aren’t 
Blue,” but saw portions of the book shared on social media.Parent
 groups have raised issues about a four-page passage near the end of the
 book. In a chapter titled “Losing My Virginity Twice,” Johnson relates a
 consensual homosexual encounter in detail, including oral sex, 
masturbation and intercourse.Rodney Penn, a Salina father and founder of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/990859254309004/" target="_blank">Kansas Parents Involved in Education</a>,
 said books containing explicit material should be removed from school 
libraries or labeled as explicit, like movies and music, and kept in a 
section that requires parental consent before students can check them 
out.“We have statutes in the state of Kansas that talk about how a
 school district must monitor and protect kids from internet-based 
obscenities. But what about print obscenities?” Penn said.Kansas law prohibits the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0001_section/021_064_0001_k/#:~:text=2012%20Statute&amp;text=(b)%20Promoting%20obscenity%20to%20minors,the%20age%20of%2018%20years" target="_blank">promotion of obscenity to minors</a>.
 But the law exempts “institutions having scientific, educational or 
governmental justification,” such as schools, universities and public 
libraries.A school district in North Kansas City, Mo., pulled 
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” and another LGBTQ-themed title, “Fun Home,” from 
high school shelves last October but <a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/education/north-kansas-city-school-district-returning-lgbtq-books-to-shelves-after-pushback/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20North%20Kansas%20City%20School%20District,said%20it%20was%20sent%20Friday." target="_blank">returned them</a> after students petitioned to keep the books.“All Boys Aren’t Blue” was on a list of books briefly <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">pulled from circulation</a> at school libraries in Goddard in November. The district <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">reversed its decision</a> after receiving national pushback from authors and free-speech advocates.Chris
 Field, a former Salina teacher who ran unsuccessfully for school board 
in November, said he’s disturbed by challenges that target materials 
dealing with race, gender and sexuality. He said libraries need diverse 
materials to help students navigate real-life experiences.“To be 
able to find books that they can identify with and know that other 
people in the world are struggling with these issues also. … That’s got 
to be comforting to these children,” he said.“Ninety-nine percent
 of the books that are on these lists and being attacked are not harming
 children. They’re actually helping them get through life.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Kan. parents want LGBTQ memoir removed from school libraries

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say two of four people who apparently overdosed on drugs at an Omaha apartment over the weekend have died.

 Police say first responders were called to Aksarben View Apartments on Sunday afternoon for a well-being check found two women dead and another woman and a man in dire condition who were taken to a hospital.

 The Omaha World-Herald reports that one of the survivors told medical personnel that the group had ingested a powder they believed to be cocaine before the overdoses. 

Police have not yet released the names of the women who died.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say two of four people who apparently overdosed on drugs at an Omaha apartment over the weekend have died. Police say first responders were called to Aksarben View Apartments on Sunday afternoon for a well-being check found two women dead and another woman and a man in dire condition who were taken to a hospital. The Omaha World-Herald reports that one of the survivors told medical personnel that the group had ingested a powder they believed to be cocaine before the overdoses. Police have not yet released the names of the women who died.

Police: 4 people overdose -- 2 fatally -- at Omaha apartment

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-trade-delegation-heads-to-the-middle-east/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A delegation from Nebraska will depart this week for the Middle East in hopes of increasing the trade of Nebraska products such as beef, grain and center-pivot irrigation systems.

Secretary
 of State Bob Evnen is leading the delegation that will visit Dubai and 
the United Arab Emirates, including a stop at the world’s largest annual
 food show, the Gulfood Show.&nbsp;

More
 than 150 countries participate in the food show, Evnen said, and it 
will be an opportunity to promote Nebraska branded beef.

Nearly
 20 representatives of commodity groups and businesses are traveling, 
along with several faculty members of the University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln.&nbsp;

Evnen
 said the trip will provide an opportunity for Nebraskans to increase 
trade with the Middle East and to exchange cultural and educational 
practices.&nbsp;

A
 side trip to Kuwait had to be cancelled because of COVID-19 
requirements in that country, he said, which include a quarantine period
 for visitors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644245366799.jpeg" alt="Secretary of State Robert Evnen (Courtesy of Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office)" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Robert Evnen (Courtesy of Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-trade-delegation-heads-to-the-middle-east/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A delegation from Nebraska will depart this week for the Middle East in hopes of increasing the trade of Nebraska products such as beef, grain and center-pivot irrigation systems.Secretary
 of State Bob Evnen is leading the delegation that will visit Dubai and 
the United Arab Emirates, including a stop at the world’s largest annual
 food show, the Gulfood Show.&nbsp;More
 than 150 countries participate in the food show, Evnen said, and it 
will be an opportunity to promote Nebraska branded beef.Nearly
 20 representatives of commodity groups and businesses are traveling, 
along with several faculty members of the University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln.&nbsp;Evnen
 said the trip will provide an opportunity for Nebraskans to increase 
trade with the Middle East and to exchange cultural and educational 
practices.&nbsp;A
 side trip to Kuwait had to be cancelled because of COVID-19 
requirements in that country, he said, which include a quarantine period
 for visitors.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Nebraska trade delegation heads to the Middle East

WASHINGTON — The IRS announced it will transition away from using a 
third-party service for facial recognition to help authenticate people 
creating new online accounts. The transition will occur over the coming 
weeks in order to prevent larger disruptions to taxpayers during filing 
season.

During the transition, the IRS will quickly develop and bring online 
an additional authentication process that does not involve facial 
recognition. The IRS will also continue to work with its 
cross-government partners to develop authentication methods that protect
 taxpayer data and ensure broad access to online tools.

"The IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security seriously, and we 
understand the concerns that have been raised," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "Everyone should feel comfortable with how their personal 
information is secured, and we are quickly pursuing short-term options 
that do not involve facial recognition."

The transition announced today does not interfere with the taxpayer's
 ability to file their return or pay taxes owed. During this period, the
 IRS will continue to accept tax filings, and it has no other impact on 
the current tax season. People should continue to file their taxes as 
they normally would.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS announced it will transition away from using a 
third-party service for facial recognition to help authenticate people 
creating new online accounts. The transition will occur over the coming 
weeks in order to prevent larger disruptions to taxpayers during filing 
season.During the transition, the IRS will quickly develop and bring online 
an additional authentication process that does not involve facial 
recognition. The IRS will also continue to work with its 
cross-government partners to develop authentication methods that protect
 taxpayer data and ensure broad access to online tools."The IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security seriously, and we 
understand the concerns that have been raised," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "Everyone should feel comfortable with how their personal 
information is secured, and we are quickly pursuing short-term options 
that do not involve facial recognition."The transition announced today does not interfere with the taxpayer's
 ability to file their return or pay taxes owed. During this period, the
 IRS will continue to accept tax filings, and it has no other impact on 
the current tax season. People should continue to file their taxes as 
they normally would.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644265319943.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>

IRS moving away from use of third-party facial recognition system

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/06/nebraska-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-against-claims-that-2020-vote-was-amiss/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, in a PowerPoint presentation 
sent Saturday to all 49 state senators, is pushing back against 
contentions of election fraud and irregularities during the 2020 
election.

The
 PowerPoint, entitled, “Fake vs. Fact,” rejects, one by one, allegations
 made by a group claiming to seek “accuracy” in elections.

The
 presentation, among other things, said some laws cited by critics don’t
 exist; allegations that some votes couldn’t be matched with registered 
voters were false; and claims that the state’s voting machines aren’t 
tested were not true.

“The
 Secretary of State’s Office is fully informed of the concerns and 
claims that have been raised and has fully investigated them,” the 
PowerPoint says.

Evnen,
 in an interview, said he sees “no justification” for a full, forensic 
audit or a hand recount of the 2020 election results in Nebraska, as 
called for by at least one group of critics.&nbsp;

The
 first-term Republican said his office doesn’t have the authority to 
take such steps without approval by the State Legislature.

“But if (the Legislature) wanted it, and was filling to pay for it, I’d do it,” Evnen added.

He
 said he produced the presentation for lawmakers and held two briefings 
with senators last week because it was important to provide a response 
to “people who are of a rational mind.”

Evnen
 said some people won’t be convinced no matter how much information he 
provides. “They’re not looking for information, they’re looking for 
confirmation” of conclusions they’ve already reached, he said.

But State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha, who has seen the PowerPoint, said some people’s opinions may be swayed by it.

“I
 thought he did a fairly good job of totally answering the points raised
 by those people who thought the election was unfair or badly managed,” 
McCollister, a Republican, said.

Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer, a Republican who 
chairs the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs 
Committee, said he thought the PowerPoint did a good job of answering 
most of the criticism. But Brewer said he still thinks a face-to-face 
meeting between Evnen and the main group alleging irregularities, the 
Nebraska Voter Accuracy Project, would be helpful.

“I think you could put some closure to some of these things if they met,” Brewer said.

&nbsp;Many
 of the allegations about the 2020 election count — including one that 
4,001 votes cast could not be linked to registered voters — came out 
during a public hearing last week before the Government Committee on a 
bill to ensure security of election “drop boxes.”&nbsp;

Proponents
 of Legislative Bill 1263, which was introduced on behalf of the 
Secretary of State’s Office, said there are no current laws concerning 
how drop boxes should be secured or how often ballots should be 
collected. The bill seeks to provide security standards for drop boxes. 
It was supported by a major voter rights group, Civic Nebraska.

The
 hearing also featured testimony from a handful of members of the 
Nebraska Voter Accuracy Project group, who claimed there had been 
widespread fraud during voting in 2020 in the state.

Members
 of the group charged that Evnen’s office “wasn’t listening,” “wasn’t 
looking” for fraud and had “underestimated” the cunning of those 
committing the fraud they suspected had occurred.

That
 group also alleged that the state’s election counting machines aren’t 
tested for accuracy — a claim Evnen said was entirely false. In 2019, 
the state spent $7 million to update its ballot counting system, 
purchasing equipment from Omaha-based Election Systems and Software.

Evnen
 said the equipment, according to a state contract, is subject to 
“penetration and vulnerability scans” by an independent “tester,” either
 the Department of Homeland Security or a third party with expertise. 
The scans are not shared with the public, he said, because of security 
concerns that a “bad actor” could tamper with voting.

In
 addition, representatives of ES&amp;S recently came to Nebraska to 
demonstrate their equipment to state senators and answer questions.

&nbsp;“I don’t see any evidence that there’s problems with the machines of any kind,” Evnen said.

The
 4,001 votes allegation was false, the PowerPoint stated, and was based 
on a comparison of voter registrations on Election Day&nbsp; 2020 and on Jan.
 1, 2021.

Voter
 registration lists are updated almost daily across the state, Evnen 
said, and the difference in the votes cast on Election Day 2020 and the 
number of&nbsp;registered voters the following Jan. 1reflects that. For 
instance, 4,238 registered voters were reported to his office to have 
died in the two months after the 2020 election, which accounts for some 
of the difference, he said.

The accuracy group maintained that the 
Secretary of State’s Office had received “hundreds” of affidavits 
alleging voter fraud, while the PowerPoint said no affidavits had been 
received.

Another allegation was that there was an election-night “reduction” in the vote count for then-President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

That,
 the PowerPoint said, was a mistake by Edison Research, a third-party 
service associated with the New York Times, which erroneously reported 
results posted by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Brewer said after last week’s hearing on the
 drop box bill that he would arrange a meeting with the accuracy group 
and Evnen. On Sunday, Brewer said he would share the PowerPoint with 
that group but would also like to see a meeting happen.

Evnen, a Lincoln lawyer, was elected Secretary of State in 2018. During the campaign, he pledged to seek voter-ID laws. 

He is seeking re-election this year. One other GOP candidate has filed so far for the post, Rex Schroder of Palmyra.

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/06/nebraska-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-against-claims-that-2020-vote-was-amiss/">The complete PowerPoint can be found here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644245366799.jpeg" alt="Secretary of State Robert Evnen (Courtesy of Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office)" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Robert Evnen (Courtesy of Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/06/nebraska-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-against-claims-that-2020-vote-was-amiss/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, in a PowerPoint presentation 
sent Saturday to all 49 state senators, is pushing back against 
contentions of election fraud and irregularities during the 2020 
election.The
 PowerPoint, entitled, “Fake vs. Fact,” rejects, one by one, allegations
 made by a group claiming to seek “accuracy” in elections.The
 presentation, among other things, said some laws cited by critics don’t
 exist; allegations that some votes couldn’t be matched with registered 
voters were false; and claims that the state’s voting machines aren’t 
tested were not true.“The
 Secretary of State’s Office is fully informed of the concerns and 
claims that have been raised and has fully investigated them,” the 
PowerPoint says.Evnen,
 in an interview, said he sees “no justification” for a full, forensic 
audit or a hand recount of the 2020 election results in Nebraska, as 
called for by at least one group of critics.&nbsp;The
 first-term Republican said his office doesn’t have the authority to 
take such steps without approval by the State Legislature.“But if (the Legislature) wanted it, and was filling to pay for it, I’d do it,” Evnen added.He
 said he produced the presentation for lawmakers and held two briefings 
with senators last week because it was important to provide a response 
to “people who are of a rational mind.”<h2>Brewer wants to see a meeting</h2>Evnen
 said some people won’t be convinced no matter how much information he 
provides. “They’re not looking for information, they’re looking for 
confirmation” of conclusions they’ve already reached, he said.But State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha, who has seen the PowerPoint, said some people’s opinions may be swayed by it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644245454566.jpeg" alt="State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>“I
 thought he did a fairly good job of totally answering the points raised
 by those people who thought the election was unfair or badly managed,” 
McCollister, a Republican, said.Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer, a Republican who 
chairs the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs 
Committee, said he thought the PowerPoint did a good job of answering 
most of the criticism. But Brewer said he still thinks a face-to-face 
meeting between Evnen and the main group alleging irregularities, the 
Nebraska Voter Accuracy Project, would be helpful.“I think you could put some closure to some of these things if they met,” Brewer said.&nbsp;Many
 of the allegations about the 2020 election count — including one that 
4,001 votes cast could not be linked to registered voters — came out 
during a public hearing last week before the Government Committee on a 
bill to ensure security of election “drop boxes.”&nbsp;Proponents
 of Legislative Bill 1263, which was introduced on behalf of the 
Secretary of State’s Office, said there are no current laws concerning 
how drop boxes should be secured or how often ballots should be 
collected. The bill seeks to provide security standards for drop boxes. 
It was supported by a major voter rights group, Civic Nebraska.The
 hearing also featured testimony from a handful of members of the 
Nebraska Voter Accuracy Project group, who claimed there had been 
widespread fraud during voting in 2020 in the state.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644245487932.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Members
 of the group charged that Evnen’s office “wasn’t listening,” “wasn’t 
looking” for fraud and had “underestimated” the cunning of those 
committing the fraud they suspected had occurred.<h2>Equipment tested</h2>That
 group also alleged that the state’s election counting machines aren’t 
tested for accuracy — a claim Evnen said was entirely false. In 2019, 
the state spent $7 million to update its ballot counting system, 
purchasing equipment from Omaha-based Election Systems and Software.Evnen
 said the equipment, according to a state contract, is subject to 
“penetration and vulnerability scans” by an independent “tester,” either
 the Department of Homeland Security or a third party with expertise. 
The scans are not shared with the public, he said, because of security 
concerns that a “bad actor” could tamper with voting.In
 addition, representatives of ES&amp;S recently came to Nebraska to 
demonstrate their equipment to state senators and answer questions.&nbsp;“I don’t see any evidence that there’s problems with the machines of any kind,” Evnen said.The
 4,001 votes allegation was false, the PowerPoint stated, and was based 
on a comparison of voter registrations on Election Day&nbsp; 2020 and on Jan.
 1, 2021.Voter
 registration lists are updated almost daily across the state, Evnen 
said, and the difference in the votes cast on Election Day 2020 and the 
number of&nbsp;registered voters the following Jan. 1reflects that. For 
instance, 4,238 registered voters were reported to his office to have 
died in the two months after the 2020 election, which accounts for some 
of the difference, he said.<h2>No affidavits received</h2>The accuracy group maintained that the 
Secretary of State’s Office had received “hundreds” of affidavits 
alleging voter fraud, while the PowerPoint said no affidavits had been 
received.Another allegation was that there was an election-night “reduction” in the vote count for then-President Donald Trump.&nbsp;That,
 the PowerPoint said, was a mistake by Edison Research, a third-party 
service associated with the New York Times, which erroneously reported 
results posted by the Secretary of State’s Office.Brewer said after last week’s hearing on the
 drop box bill that he would arrange a meeting with the accuracy group 
and Evnen. On Sunday, Brewer said he would share the PowerPoint with 
that group but would also like to see a meeting happen.Evnen, a Lincoln lawyer, was elected Secretary of State in 2018. During the campaign, he pledged to seek voter-ID laws. He is seeking re-election this year. One other GOP candidate has filed so far for the post, Rex Schroder of Palmyra.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/06/nebraska-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-against-claims-that-2020-vote-was-amiss/">The complete PowerPoint can be found here.</a>

Neb. secretary of state pushes back against claims 2020 vote was amiss

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/modern-375-million-soybean-crushing-plant-planned-near-norfolk/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

NORFOLK, Neb. — A $375-million soybean crushing plant is planned near this northeast Nebraska city.

The
 plant, planned by Norfolk Crush LLC, will be the “first modern soybean 
processing plant” in the state, according to a news release issued 
Friday.

Fifty
 to 55 jobs would be created, and 38.5 million bushels of soybeans would
 be crushed annually, or 110,000 bushels daily. Modern unloading 
facilities will speed deliveries from farmers, according to the release.

“A
 modern crush plant is a farmer’s dream,” said Craig Ebberson, who farms
 in the Belden area. “Our closest plant is an hour away, and it’s 
notorious for having 3- to 4- hour waits.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Groundbreaking
 on the 480-acre site is scheduled for this spring, according to Nick 
Bowdish, president and CEO of N Bowdish Company. Soybean meal is used as
 livestock feed, with soybean oil destined for use as bio-diesel and 
other products.&nbsp;

Bowdish’s
 firm is spearheading development of the Norfolk Crush plant, as well as
 one in Buena Vista, Iowa. Construction on that plant is scheduled to 
begin this month.

Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning and Gov. Pete Ricketts&nbsp; both praised the announcement in the release. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644245059390.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/modern-375-million-soybean-crushing-plant-planned-near-norfolk/">Nebraska Examiner</a>NORFOLK, Neb. — A $375-million soybean crushing plant is planned near this northeast Nebraska city.The
 plant, planned by Norfolk Crush LLC, will be the “first modern soybean 
processing plant” in the state, according to a news release issued 
Friday.Fifty
 to 55 jobs would be created, and 38.5 million bushels of soybeans would
 be crushed annually, or 110,000 bushels daily. Modern unloading 
facilities will speed deliveries from farmers, according to the release.“A
 modern crush plant is a farmer’s dream,” said Craig Ebberson, who farms
 in the Belden area. “Our closest plant is an hour away, and it’s 
notorious for having 3- to 4- hour waits.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Groundbreaking
 on the 480-acre site is scheduled for this spring, according to Nick 
Bowdish, president and CEO of N Bowdish Company. Soybean meal is used as
 livestock feed, with soybean oil destined for use as bio-diesel and 
other products.&nbsp;Bowdish’s
 firm is spearheading development of the Norfolk Crush plant, as well as
 one in Buena Vista, Iowa. Construction on that plant is scheduled to 
begin this month.Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning and Gov. Pete Ricketts&nbsp; both praised the announcement in the release.

‘Modern’ $375M soybean crushing plant planned in Nebraska

By Jennifer Schutt <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/house-advances-marijuana-banking-bill-but-final-passage-uncertain/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Cannabis dispensaries throughout the country came one step closer to using banks the way many other businesses can when the U.S. House cleared a bill Friday with sweeping changes to banking regulations. 

Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., and Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, co-sponsors of the legislation, said Friday their proposal would allow medical and recreational marijuana businesses in states that have legalized use to move away from the cash-only business model they must use under U.S. banking laws. 

“We need to bring some sense to what is really dangerous right now in this space that so many states allow for dispensaries, for grow operations,” Perlmutter said. “There’s just a lot of cash and that cash can really pose problems.” 

While the federal government has mostly left marijuana business regulation and oversight to the states that have legalized it, the nation’s banking system is controlled at the federal level. 

The federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule I illegal substance, by definition something with no medical use and a high potential for abuse, means that it’s difficult for cannabis businesses to use banks. 

Some marijuana businesses have hired armored vehicles and armed guards to transfer cash to banks. Others operate as cash-only, which Perlmutter and Joyce said can lead to upticks in robberies and other crime.

The so-called SAFE Banking Act passed as part of a larger bill that is geared toward improving U.S. manufacturing and boosting competitiveness with China on several fronts, including semiconductors.

The sponsors were uncertain whether the measure will survive the conference process between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

They said if they are blocked in the Senate, they will keep advocating for the legislation, especially as an amendment to other must-pass bills.

“Every one of these cannabis industries are running according to the laws and regulations that were put in place by that state,” Joyce said. “So why shouldn’t the banking system treat them the same?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620155146441.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Jennifer Schutt <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/house-advances-marijuana-banking-bill-but-final-passage-uncertain/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Cannabis dispensaries throughout the country came one step closer to using banks the way many other businesses can when the U.S. House cleared a bill Friday with sweeping changes to banking regulations. Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., and Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, co-sponsors of the legislation, said Friday their proposal would allow medical and recreational marijuana businesses in states that have legalized use to move away from the cash-only business model they must use under U.S. banking laws. “We need to bring some sense to what is really dangerous right now in this space that so many states allow for dispensaries, for grow operations,” Perlmutter said. “There’s just a lot of cash and that cash can really pose problems.” While the federal government has mostly left marijuana business regulation and oversight to the states that have legalized it, the nation’s banking system is controlled at the federal level. The federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule I illegal substance, by definition something with no medical use and a high potential for abuse, means that it’s difficult for cannabis businesses to use banks. Some marijuana businesses have hired armored vehicles and armed guards to transfer cash to banks. Others operate as cash-only, which Perlmutter and Joyce said can lead to upticks in robberies and other crime.The so-called SAFE Banking Act passed as part of a larger bill that is geared toward improving U.S. manufacturing and boosting competitiveness with China on several fronts, including semiconductors.The sponsors were uncertain whether the measure will survive the conference process between the House of Representatives and the Senate.They said if they are blocked in the Senate, they will keep advocating for the legislation, especially as an amendment to other must-pass bills.“Every one of these cannabis industries are running according to the laws and regulations that were put in place by that state,” Joyce said. “So why shouldn’t the banking system treat them the same?”

House advances marijuana banking bill, but final passage uncertain

NEW YORK (AP) — Any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight should be added to the national “no fly” list, Delta Air Lines told the U.S. Department of Justice.

In a letter to the Justice Department Attorney General Merrick Garland dated Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said there should be “zero tolerance” for any behavior that affects flight safety. Bastian noted that while such incidents of bad behavior represent a small fraction of overall flights on Delta, the rate of incidents on the airline has increased nearly 100% since 2019.

“This action will help prevent future incidents and serve as a strong symbol of the consequences of not complying with crew member instructions on commercial aircraft,” Bastian wrote in the letter furnished to The Associated Press by Delta Air Lines.

Delta has, along with its industry partner Airlines for America, been pushing since last year for heightened reporting, investigation and prosecution of those who interfere with on-board safety. The airlines, based in Atlanta, said it has put nearly 1,900 people on Delta’s “no-fly” list for refusing to comply with masking requirements and submitted more than 900 banned names to the Transportation Security Administration to pursue civil penalties.

A spokesperson with TSA, which enforces the FBI “no fly” list of potential terrorist threats, referred a reporter to the FBI since that agency maintains the database. Both the FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. The Federal Aviation Administration cited 4.9 reported unruly incidents per 10,000 flights the week ending Jan. 23, according to its website.

In December, the TSA announced a new partnership with the FAA that would call for unruly airline passengers facing additional consequences for bad behavior under a new partnership. Under the alliance, the FAA will share information of passengers facing fines for unruly behavior with the TSA, which may remove the passenger from its pre-check screening eligibility, a privilege reserved for low-risk travelers.

ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-france-environment-and-nature-environment-fish-bfa019ef14e646ab14b215aba1311045">Mass swarm of dead fish in Atlantic prompts European inquiry</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-entertainment-health-business-race-and-ethnicity-cf03e3ec11422a155da59e998a11aa64">Joe Rogan apologizes for racial slur after video surfaces</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-new-york-new-york-city-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-d4996a1414bb014476a12df3a8a3b120">NYC Mayor Eric Adams apologizes for using racial slur</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640348737573.png" alt="Delta has, along with its industry partner Airlines for America, been pushing since last year for heightened reporting, investigation and prosecution of those who interfere with on-board safety-photo Eisenhower Wichita Airport&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Delta has, along with its industry partner Airlines for America, been pushing since last year for heightened reporting, investigation and prosecution of those who interfere with on-board safety-photo Eisenhower Wichita Airport&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight should be added to the national “no fly” list, Delta Air Lines told the U.S. Department of Justice.In a letter to the Justice Department Attorney General Merrick Garland dated Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said there should be “zero tolerance” for any behavior that affects flight safety. Bastian noted that while such incidents of bad behavior represent a small fraction of overall flights on Delta, the rate of incidents on the airline has increased nearly 100% since 2019.“This action will help prevent future incidents and serve as a strong symbol of the consequences of not complying with crew member instructions on commercial aircraft,” Bastian wrote in the letter furnished to The Associated Press by Delta Air Lines.Delta has, along with its industry partner Airlines for America, been pushing since last year for heightened reporting, investigation and prosecution of those who interfere with on-board safety. The airlines, based in Atlanta, said it has put nearly 1,900 people on Delta’s “no-fly” list for refusing to comply with masking requirements and submitted more than 900 banned names to the Transportation Security Administration to pursue civil penalties.A spokesperson with TSA, which enforces the FBI “no fly” list of potential terrorist threats, referred a reporter to the FBI since that agency maintains the database. Both the FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. The Federal Aviation Administration cited 4.9 reported unruly incidents per 10,000 flights the week ending Jan. 23, according to its website.In December, the TSA announced a new partnership with the FAA that would call for unruly airline passengers facing additional consequences for bad behavior under a new partnership. Under the alliance, the FAA will share information of passengers facing fines for unruly behavior with the TSA, which may remove the passenger from its pre-check screening eligibility, a privilege reserved for low-risk travelers.ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-france-environment-and-nature-environment-fish-bfa019ef14e646ab14b215aba1311045">Mass swarm of dead fish in Atlantic prompts European inquiry</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-entertainment-health-business-race-and-ethnicity-cf03e3ec11422a155da59e998a11aa64">Joe Rogan apologizes for racial slur after video surfaces</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-new-york-new-york-city-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-d4996a1414bb014476a12df3a8a3b120">NYC Mayor Eric Adams apologizes for using racial slur</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

Airline asks U.S. Dept. of Justice to put unruly passengers on no-fly list

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A south Mississippi family has finally found answers to an eight-decade mystery.

 The fate of Private Andrew Ladner, a soldier from Harrison County, has been unknown since he disappeared during World War II, during the Battle of Buna-Gona. 

This month, the U.S. government announced that Ladner’s remains had been identified. 

The Sun Herald reports that the notification came from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

 In November 1942, Ladner was posted in the southeastern mountain jungles of what was then the Australian territory of New Guinea, fighting Japanese troops for control of the port of Buna. 

Ladner was killed in action. Ladner was a native of Lizana, Mississippi, and 30 years old at the time of his death.

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A south Mississippi family has finally found answers to an eight-decade mystery. The fate of Private Andrew Ladner, a soldier from Harrison County, has been unknown since he disappeared during World War II, during the Battle of Buna-Gona. This month, the U.S. government announced that Ladner’s remains had been identified. The Sun Herald reports that the notification came from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. In November 1942, Ladner was posted in the southeastern mountain jungles of what was then the Australian territory of New Guinea, fighting Japanese troops for control of the port of Buna. Ladner was killed in action. Ladner was a native of Lizana, Mississippi, and 30 years old at the time of his death.

Mississippi soldier, missing in action in 1942, finally ID'd

RZESZOW-JASIONKA, Poland (AP) — A few dozen elite U.S troops and equipment were seen landing Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-national-security-jake-sullivan-4f766b3b07014bddb9006d44a9f240b8">President Joe Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.</a>

Hundreds more infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division are still expected to arrive at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Poland’s border with Ukraine. A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane brought a few dozen troops and vehicles.

Their commander is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who on Aug. 30 was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan.

“Our national contribution here in Poland shows our solidarity with all of our allies here in Europe and, obviously, during this period of uncertainty, we know that we are stronger together,” Donahue said at the airport.

In Warsaw, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak hailed the deployment, saying that “deterrence and solidarity are the best response to Moscow’s aggressive policy, to the aggressive attempt at reconstructing the Russian empire.”

Russia has amassed some 100,000 troops on the borders of Ukraine, some for joint military exercises in Belarus, but insists it has no intentions of invading Ukraine.

A collective response by NATO members is “the best response to a threat, the only method of assuring security to Poland and to other NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank,” Blaszczak said.

He stressed he has held a number of talks on the subject with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Biden ordered additional U.S. troops deployed to Poland, Romania and Germany to demonstrate to both allies and foes America’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. NATO’s eastern member Poland borders both Russia and Ukraine. Romania borders Ukraine.

The division can rapidly deploy within 18 hours and conduct parachute assaults to secure key objectives. Based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the division’s history goes back to 1917.

Earlier in the week, U.S. planes brought equipment and logistics troops in preparation for the arrival of part of the division to the airport.

Polish soldiers have previously worked together with the U.S. division on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and have trained together, according to Maj. Przemyslaw Lipczynski, a spokesman for the Polish Army’s 18th Mechanized Division.

Some 4,000 U.S. troops have been stationed in Poland since 2017 on a rotating basis, as a security boost in the face of Russia’s increased military activity.

European officials fear that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-russia-germany-82a7ebf6617dfc86b09f4d1b69209d5b">the continent’s energy supplies are vulnerable i</a>&nbsp;n the case of hostilities over Ukraine.

RZESZOW-JASIONKA, Poland (AP) — Hundreds of U.S elite troops arrived in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine on Sunday on President Joe Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The airborne infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division were expected at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport. Their commander is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan Aug. 30.

Earlier in the week, U.S. planes brought equipment and logistics troops in preparation for the arrival of elements of the division to the airport, located some 56 miles from Poland’s border with Ukraine.

Polish soldiers have previously worked together with the U.S. division on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Maj. Przemyslaw Lipczynski, spokesman for the Polish Army 18th Mechanized Division.

Some 4,000 U.S. troops have been stationed in Poland since 2017, on a rotating basis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644201847534.png" alt="Photo courtesy Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>RZESZOW-JASIONKA, Poland (AP) — A few dozen elite U.S troops and equipment were seen landing Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-national-security-jake-sullivan-4f766b3b07014bddb9006d44a9f240b8">President Joe Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.</a>Hundreds more infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division are still expected to arrive at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Poland’s border with Ukraine. A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane brought a few dozen troops and vehicles.Their commander is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who on Aug. 30 was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan.“Our national contribution here in Poland shows our solidarity with all of our allies here in Europe and, obviously, during this period of uncertainty, we know that we are stronger together,” Donahue said at the airport.In Warsaw, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak hailed the deployment, saying that “deterrence and solidarity are the best response to Moscow’s aggressive policy, to the aggressive attempt at reconstructing the Russian empire.”Russia has amassed some 100,000 troops on the borders of Ukraine, some for joint military exercises in Belarus, but insists it has no intentions of invading Ukraine.A collective response by NATO members is “the best response to a threat, the only method of assuring security to Poland and to other NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank,” Blaszczak said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644202040531.png" alt="Photo courtesy Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>He stressed he has held a number of talks on the subject with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.Biden ordered additional U.S. troops deployed to Poland, Romania and Germany to demonstrate to both allies and foes America’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. NATO’s eastern member Poland borders both Russia and Ukraine. Romania borders Ukraine.The division can rapidly deploy within 18 hours and conduct parachute assaults to secure key objectives. Based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the division’s history goes back to 1917.Earlier in the week, U.S. planes brought equipment and logistics troops in preparation for the arrival of part of the division to the airport.Polish soldiers have previously worked together with the U.S. division on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and have trained together, according to Maj. Przemyslaw Lipczynski, a spokesman for the Polish Army’s 18th Mechanized Division.Some 4,000 U.S. troops have been stationed in Poland since 2017 on a rotating basis, as a security boost in the face of Russia’s increased military activity.European officials fear that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-russia-germany-82a7ebf6617dfc86b09f4d1b69209d5b">the continent’s energy supplies are vulnerable i</a>&nbsp;n the case of hostilities over Ukraine.RZESZOW-JASIONKA, Poland (AP) — Hundreds of U.S elite troops arrived in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine on Sunday on President Joe Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630369004289.png" alt="Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, shown here as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan Aug. 30, is in charge of the 82nd Airborne Division now in eastern Europe-photo Dept. of Defense." />
 <figcaption>Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, shown here as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan Aug. 30, is in charge of the 82nd Airborne Division now in eastern Europe-photo Dept. of Defense.</figcaption>
 </figure>The airborne infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division were expected at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport. Their commander is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan Aug. 30.Biden ordered additional U.S. troops deployed to Poland, Romania and Germany to demonstrate to both allies and foes America’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. NATO’s eastern member Poland borders both Russia and Ukraine. Romania borders Ukraine.The division can rapidly deploy within 18 hours and conduct parachute assaults to secure key objectives. Based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the division’s history goes back to 1917.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644151735079.png" alt="Defense Department&nbsp;photo courtesy Army Chief of Staff GEN James C. McConville" />
 <figcaption>Defense Department&nbsp;photo courtesy Army Chief of Staff GEN James C. McConville</figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier in the week, U.S. planes brought equipment and logistics troops in preparation for the arrival of elements of the division to the airport, located some 56 miles from Poland’s border with Ukraine.Polish soldiers have previously worked together with the U.S. division on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Maj. Przemyslaw Lipczynski, spokesman for the Polish Army 18th Mechanized Division.Some 4,000 U.S. troops have been stationed in Poland since 2017, on a rotating basis.

Elite U.S. troops arrive in Poland amid tensions with Russia

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha Police say a 48-year-old man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday after a standoff that lasted over seven hours. 

The standoff began Saturday morning after a domestic disturbance was reported at a home near 72nd Street and Western Avenue. 

Police said Michael Jones had barricaded himself inside a garage with a gun before officers arrived. 

The standoff forced the closure of the busy artery of 72nd Street for hours on Saturday as police talked with Jones.

 Shortly before 7 p.m. officers heard a gunshot, and a short time later they found Jones dead inside the garage. 

A grand jury will review the incident as required under state law.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha Police say a 48-year-old man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday after a standoff that lasted over seven hours. The standoff began Saturday morning after a domestic disturbance was reported at a home near 72nd Street and Western Avenue. Police said Michael Jones had barricaded himself inside a garage with a gun before officers arrived. The standoff forced the closure of the busy artery of 72nd Street for hours on Saturday as police talked with Jones. Shortly before 7 p.m. officers heard a gunshot, and a short time later they found Jones dead inside the garage. A grand jury will review the incident as required under state law.

Omaha Police say man kills himself at the end of a standoff

This Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/americans-spend-239-billion-valentines-day-year" target="_blank">National Retail Federation</a>, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $24 billion.

As you prepare to celebrate, there 
are few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether you’re hoping
 to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, beware of 
these three scams regularly reported to BBB.

From fake <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16832-tips-for-buying-and-selling-jewelry" target="_blank">jewelry</a> sellers to online dating sites, consumers should always be on the alert for <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21686-how-to-avoid-impostor-scams" target="_blank">impostor websites</a>.
 Scammers can easily lift official photos, sale promotions and logos 
directly from the website for a popular jewelry brand. With professional
 graphics and unbeatable prices, scammers build an attractive website 
that looks eerily similar to the real thing.&nbsp;

Similar methods may be used to build 
fake online dating platforms, which are often used to steal personal 
data and credit card information. For more tips to spot fake websites, 
read our <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">guide to smart shopping online</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Romance scammers often target 
vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other 
hardship. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a 
connection and gain sympathy. Once they’ve gotten their victim on the 
hook with a sad story, they begin pursuing their true goal–money.

Falling victim to a romance scam can 
be particularly devastating. Victims can lose thousands of dollars, and 
they’re often left feeling heartbroken and betrayed because they really 
believed they’d found a good partner. Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">romance scams</a> for safe online dating advice.&nbsp;

Responding to a text message from 
someone who messaged the wrong number might seem harmless. In fact, it 
might even seem like the polite thing to do, if they say they’re looking
 to reconnect with a potential match.&nbsp;

The text message, however, is bait to
 lure you into a conversation. If you keep chatting, they eventually try
 to get your personal information by directing you to sign up for an 
adult site. Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26053-bbb-scam-alert-wrong-number-text-message-could-be-a-scam-bot" target="_blank">wrong number texts and scam bots</a>.

Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day?
 Don’t procrastinate or you may end up falling for a scam. BBB has 
received many reports of shoppers who thought they were ordering flowers
 from an online florist... but either got nothing at all, or a 
disappointing arrangement. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21490-scam-alert-dont-let-phony-florists-ruin-valentines-day" target="_blank">Don't let phony florists ruin Valentine's Day</a>.

If you encounter a suspected romance 
scam, cut off all contact with the perpetrator by blocking their 
accounts and phone number. Then, report your experience to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.
 Dating site users should also report suspicious activity to the 
platform, so they can take action against the scammers account.&nbsp;

For more information about romance scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/romance_scams">BBB.org/romance</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThis Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/americans-spend-239-billion-valentines-day-year" target="_blank">National Retail Federation</a>, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $24 billion. As you prepare to celebrate, there 
are few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether you’re hoping
 to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, beware of 
these three scams regularly reported to BBB.<h2>Impostor websites</h2>From fake <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16832-tips-for-buying-and-selling-jewelry" target="_blank">jewelry</a> sellers to online dating sites, consumers should always be on the alert for <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21686-how-to-avoid-impostor-scams" target="_blank">impostor websites</a>.
 Scammers can easily lift official photos, sale promotions and logos 
directly from the website for a popular jewelry brand. With professional
 graphics and unbeatable prices, scammers build an attractive website 
that looks eerily similar to the real thing.&nbsp;Similar methods may be used to build 
fake online dating platforms, which are often used to steal personal 
data and credit card information. For more tips to spot fake websites, 
read our <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">guide to smart shopping online</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Red flags:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Products are available at extreme discounts.</li><li>The seller requests customers pay with <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23140-bbb-scam-alert-scammers-trick-victims-into-sending-money-through-cashapp" target="_blank">cash transfer apps</a> or <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/cryptocurrency-tips" target="_blank">cryptocurrency</a>.</li><li>Customer service is unreachable.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><h2>Romance scams</h2>Romance scammers often target 
vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other 
hardship. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a 
connection and gain sympathy. Once they’ve gotten their victim on the 
hook with a sad story, they begin pursuing their true goal–money.Falling victim to a romance scam can 
be particularly devastating. Victims can lose thousands of dollars, and 
they’re often left feeling heartbroken and betrayed because they really 
believed they’d found a good partner. Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/17012-bbb-tip-romance-scams" target="_blank">romance scams</a> for safe online dating advice.&nbsp;Red flags:<ul>
 <li>The relationship moves very fast.</li><li>You never meet in person.</li><li>They ask for money.</li>
 </ul><h2>Wrong number scam</h2>Responding to a text message from 
someone who messaged the wrong number might seem harmless. In fact, it 
might even seem like the polite thing to do, if they say they’re looking
 to reconnect with a potential match.&nbsp;The text message, however, is bait to
 lure you into a conversation. If you keep chatting, they eventually try
 to get your personal information by directing you to sign up for an 
adult site. Learn more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/26053-bbb-scam-alert-wrong-number-text-message-could-be-a-scam-bot" target="_blank">wrong number texts and scam bots</a>.Red flags:<ul>
 <li>The messages don’t stop.</li><li>The sender directs you to sign up for a website.</li><li>They try to get your personal information.</li>
 </ul><h2>Fake florist scam</h2>Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day?
 Don’t procrastinate or you may end up falling for a scam. BBB has 
received many reports of shoppers who thought they were ordering flowers
 from an online florist... but either got nothing at all, or a 
disappointing arrangement. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21490-scam-alert-dont-let-phony-florists-ruin-valentines-day" target="_blank">Don't let phony florists ruin Valentine's Day</a>.Red Flags: <ul>
 <li>The business has no reviews or bad reviews (always check <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>!)</li><li>You can't find a return policy or satisfaction guarantee.</li><li>The deal is "too good to be true."&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><h2>What to do if you encounter a scam</h2>If you encounter a suspected romance 
scam, cut off all contact with the perpetrator by blocking their 
accounts and phone number. Then, report your experience to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.
 Dating site users should also report suspicious activity to the 
platform, so they can take action against the scammers account.&nbsp;For more information about romance scams, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/romance_scams">BBB.org/romance</a>.&nbsp;

BBB Scam Alert: Beware these Valentine’s Day, romance scams

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden met with U.S. governors at the White House this week, he was the only one given a glass of water — lest anyone else remove their mask to take a drink.

The president was seated more than 10 feet from everyone, including Vice President Kamala Harris and members of his Cabinet.

A White House staffer who was wearing a surgical mask when Biden entered the room was quickly handed an N95 version.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643714792801.png" alt="The president was seated more than 10 feet from everyone, including Vice President Kamala Harris and members of his Cabinet-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>The president was seated more than 10 feet from everyone, including Vice President Kamala Harris and members of his Cabinet-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden met with U.S. governors at the White House this week, he was the only one given a glass of water — lest anyone else remove their mask to take a drink.The president was seated more than 10 feet from everyone, including Vice President Kamala Harris and members of his Cabinet.A White House staffer who was wearing a surgical mask when Biden entered the room was quickly handed an N95 version.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643974310025.png" alt="The president was seated at a distance from everyone, including Attorney General Garland during his stop in New York Thursday-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>The president was seated at a distance from everyone, including Attorney General Garland during his stop in New York Thursday-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>These are just some of the extraordinary efforts on the part of the White House to keep the president from getting COVID-19, even though he’s gotten both of his regular vaccinations and his booster.It’s no surprise that unusual steps are taken to protect any president. But the strict precautions could also threaten to undercut the Biden administration’s own efforts to tell Americans — especially those who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-moderna-vaccine-approved-dc6f5ac9eeb31667d5a28f0954335b65">vaccinated and boosted</a>&nbsp;— that they can get on with something closer to their normal lives&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/long-covid-omicron-research-45986f5b42e47e656d5b385bd51b2bb2">in the face of the omicron wave.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643815123727.png" alt="The Bidens during a Lunar New Year celebration Tuesday-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The Bidens during a Lunar New Year celebration Tuesday-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>And it’s emblematic of the messaging challenges surrounding the administration’s approach to COVID-19 as the virus becomes endemic, familiar and somewhat controlled but still menacing, with hard-to-follow guidelines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-education-new-orleans-be05bf784db523aab6ff1645616e762a">often unevenly implemented</a>.For months, Biden aides have fretted that the people who are most protected against COVID-19 remain the most cautious, a dynamic they view as a drag on the nation’s economic and psychological recovery.When the highly transmissible omicron variant hit, Biden said it was a “cause for concern, not cause for panic.”In recent weeks, his aides and science advisers have highlighted study after study showing the strong protection offered by the COVID vaccines against the variant and reassuring vaccinated people they can go about their daily lives. At a Jan. 19 press conference, Biden declared: “We have the tools — vaccines, boosters, masks, tests, pills — to save lives and keep businesses and schools open” and rejected the notion that still-widespread restrictions reflect a “’new normal.”“It will get better,” he promised.Since even before Biden was elected, his aides have gone all-out to protect the now-79-year-old president from potential infection. He spent much of the 2020 campaign season holding remote events from a studio in the basement of his home, venturing out for travel in a bubble of frequently tested aides subject to an array of restrictions.That caution continued well after he was fully vaccinated and living at the White House. The president has held up his administration’s fidelity to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines as a virtue, after they were regularly flouted by former President Donald Trump, who became seriously ill after contracting the virus.As the nation’s virus response and vaccination campaign has become increasingly politicized, White House officials have expressed both political and policy concerns over a possible Biden infection. Though the vaccines are highly effective, a breakthrough case could erode public confidence in the shots and be used as a political cudgel against a president who was elected to bring an end to the pandemic.Biden himself has at times taken a more relaxed approach to restrictions.When the CDC last May surprised the White House by easing its guidelines on indoor mask-wearing by fully vaccinated individuals, Biden sought to publicly model the policy for the rest of the nation. He was meeting with vaccinated Republican lawmakers when the change was announced and led the group in removing their masks.But that CDC guidance proved to be premature and was reversed over the summer, because vaccinated people could still transmit the virus, potentially endangering the tens of millions of Americans who are still unvaccinated.When the delta strain surged last fall, the White House strengthened its testing protocols for everyone close to Biden — restrictions that had been lessened once aides were fully vaccinated and case counts began to fall nationally. In-person meetings were once again curtailed. Aides began increasing the distance between Biden and even vaccinated-and-tested individuals as a precaution, reminiscent of his earliest days in office.In early January, as the nation’s capital led the country in per capita COVID-19 cases, White House press secretary Jen Psaki highlighted the “very strict precautions” taken to keep Biden and Harris safe, including mandatory mask-wearing and daily testing for those coming in contact with them.She also said the White House had taken to limiting gatherings “to under 30 people.” But there were nearly 40 participants named by the administration — as well as two dozen members of the press — at Biden’s Monday meeting with the governors.Psaki said the administration takes extra precautions any time the president removes his mask to speak to a group. She noted that the nation continues to set records in reported cases and hospital admissions.“The president’s view is that right now we still need to keep our heads down and stay at it to fight what is still surging in parts of the country,” she said. “But we do have the tools to get to a point where it does not disrupt our daily lives.”Biden, aides say, has relished opportunities outside the White House when he can engage in the sort of political glad-handing that has been suppressed by the pandemic. And in public, he’s chafed at some of the precautions, saying that the first thing he aims to do differently in his second year in the White House is “I’m going to get out of this place more often.”He’s hardly alone in his impatience.On Monday, seated across a large gap from Biden in the East Room, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the chair of the governors’ association, appealed for the government to more clearly define a pathway out of the pandemic.“We need the CDC to help us to have the right standards to end this pandemic and move to more endemic status,” he said. “We want to go from today to more normal.”The night before, the president and first lady Jill Biden did attend the black-tie National Governors Association dinner at Mount Vernon. Biden spoke, but he didn’t stay for dinner.