Orders Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, others to turn over information

The
 Federal Trade Commission is ordering nine large retailers, wholesalers,
 and consumer good suppliers to provide detailed information that will 
help the FTC shed light on the causes behind ongoing supply chain 
disruptions and how these disruptions are causing serious and ongoing 
hardships for consumers and harming competition in the U.S. economy. 

The FTC is issuing the orders under
 Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes the Commission to conduct
 wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement 
purpose. The orders are being sent to Walmart Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., 
Kroger Co., C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., Associated Wholesale 
Grocers, Inc., McLane Co, Inc. Procter &amp; Gamble Co., Tyson Foods, 
Inc., and Kraft Heinz Co. The companies will have 45 days from the date 
they received the order to respond.

“Supply 
chain disruptions are upending the provision and delivery of a wide 
array of goods, ranging from computer chips and medicines to meat and 
lumber. I am hopeful the FTC’s new 6(b) study will shed light on market 
conditions and business practices that may have worsened these 
disruptions or led to asymmetric effects,” said Chair Lina M. Khan. “The
 FTC has a long history of pursuing market studies to deepen our 
understanding of economic conditions and business conduct, and we should
 continue to make nimble and timely use of these information-gathering 
tools and authorities.”

In addition to better 
understanding the reasons behind the disruptions, the study will examine
 whether supply chain disruptions are leading to specific bottlenecks, 
shortages, anticompetitive practices, or contributing to rising consumer
 prices.

The orders require the companies to 
detail the primary factors disrupting their ability to obtain, transport
 and distribute their products; the impact these disruptions are having 
in terms of delayed and canceled orders, increased costs and prices; the
 products, suppliers and inputs most affected; and the steps the 
companies are taking to alleviate disruptions; and how they allocate 
products among their stores when they are in short supply.

The
 FTC also is requiring the companies to provide internal documents 
regarding the supply chain disruptions, including strategies related to 
supply chains; pricing; marketing and promotions; costs, profit margins 
and sales volumes; selection of suppliers and brands; and market shares.
 

In addition, the agency is soliciting 
voluntary comments from retailers, consumer goods suppliers, 
wholesalers, and consumers regarding their views on how supply chain 
issues are affecting competition in consumer goods markets. These 
comments provide an opportunity for market participants to surface 
additional issues and examples of how supply chain disruptions are 
affecting competition.

The Commission vote to approve issuing the Special Orders was 4-0. 

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/attachments/competition-counts/pdf-0116_competition-counts.pdf">how competition benefits consumers</a> or <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/faq/competition/report-antitrust-violation">file an antitrust complaint</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/competition-matters">read our blog</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Orders Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, others to turn over information</h2>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is ordering nine large retailers, wholesalers,
 and consumer good suppliers to provide detailed information that will 
help the FTC shed light on the causes behind ongoing supply chain 
disruptions and how these disruptions are causing serious and ongoing 
hardships for consumers and harming competition in the U.S. economy. The FTC is issuing the orders under
 Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes the Commission to conduct
 wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement 
purpose. The orders are being sent to Walmart Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., 
Kroger Co., C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., Associated Wholesale 
Grocers, Inc., McLane Co, Inc. Procter &amp; Gamble Co., Tyson Foods, 
Inc., and Kraft Heinz Co. The companies will have 45 days from the date 
they received the order to respond.“Supply 
chain disruptions are upending the provision and delivery of a wide 
array of goods, ranging from computer chips and medicines to meat and 
lumber. I am hopeful the FTC’s new 6(b) study will shed light on market 
conditions and business practices that may have worsened these 
disruptions or led to asymmetric effects,” said Chair Lina M. Khan. “The
 FTC has a long history of pursuing market studies to deepen our 
understanding of economic conditions and business conduct, and we should
 continue to make nimble and timely use of these information-gathering 
tools and authorities.”In addition to better 
understanding the reasons behind the disruptions, the study will examine
 whether supply chain disruptions are leading to specific bottlenecks, 
shortages, anticompetitive practices, or contributing to rising consumer
 prices.The orders require the companies to 
detail the primary factors disrupting their ability to obtain, transport
 and distribute their products; the impact these disruptions are having 
in terms of delayed and canceled orders, increased costs and prices; the
 products, suppliers and inputs most affected; and the steps the 
companies are taking to alleviate disruptions; and how they allocate 
products among their stores when they are in short supply.The
 FTC also is requiring the companies to provide internal documents 
regarding the supply chain disruptions, including strategies related to 
supply chains; pricing; marketing and promotions; costs, profit margins 
and sales volumes; selection of suppliers and brands; and market shares.
 In addition, the agency is soliciting 
voluntary comments from retailers, consumer goods suppliers, 
wholesalers, and consumers regarding their views on how supply chain 
issues are affecting competition in consumer goods markets. These 
comments provide an opportunity for market participants to surface 
additional issues and examples of how supply chain disruptions are 
affecting competition.The Commission vote to approve issuing the Special Orders was 4-0. The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/attachments/competition-counts/pdf-0116_competition-counts.pdf">how competition benefits consumers</a> or <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/faq/competition/report-antitrust-violation">file an antitrust complaint</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/competition-matters">read our blog</a>.

FTC launches inquiry into supply chain disruptions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on health care workers in Kansas and 9 other states.

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/missouri-v-biden-(cms)---memo-and-order-granting-pi.pdf?sfvrsn=d341a41a_2">Click here to read a</a> copy of the ruling regarding the CMS mandate&nbsp;

The preliminary injunction issued Monday applies to a coalition of suing states. They are Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. 

A federal judge in Missouri said the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid had no clear authority from Congress to enact the vaccine mandate for health care providers that participate in the two government programs. The rule requires workers to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 and their second dose by Jan. 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638212151203.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on health care workers in Kansas and 9 other states.<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/missouri-v-biden-(cms)---memo-and-order-granting-pi.pdf?sfvrsn=d341a41a_2">Click here to read a</a> copy of the ruling regarding the CMS mandate&nbsp;The preliminary injunction issued Monday applies to a coalition of suing states. They are Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. A federal judge in Missouri said the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid had no clear authority from Congress to enact the vaccine mandate for health care providers that participate in the two government programs. The rule requires workers to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 and their second dose by Jan. 4.

Biden vaccine rule for health workers blocked in Nebraska, 9 other states

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln say a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting an older man during what officers believe was a road rage confrontation.

 Police say 19-year-old Tyler Foster shot a 68-year-old man Sunday afternoon after the man confronted Foster. 

Investigators say the two argued before Foster pulled a gun and shot the older man. 

Police say as the man was running away, Foster shot the man a second time. 

The man was hospitalized in stable condition. 

Foster was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln say a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting an older man during what officers believe was a road rage confrontation. Police say 19-year-old Tyler Foster shot a 68-year-old man Sunday afternoon after the man confronted Foster. Investigators say the two argued before Foster pulled a gun and shot the older man. Police say as the man was running away, Foster shot the man a second time. The man was hospitalized in stable condition. Foster was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Lincoln police: Teen shot older man in road rage conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called the new COVID-19 variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said he was not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown. He urged Americans anew to get fully vaccinated, including booster shots, and return to face masks indoors in public settings to slow any spread.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516362-1/president-biden-omicron-variant">Click here to watch</a> the President's comments

Speaking Monday at the White House, Biden said it was inevitable that the new variant would reach the U.S., but he also said the country has the tools necessary to protect Americans — particularly the approved vaccines and booster shots.

When omicron arrives, and it will, Biden said, America will “face this new threat just as we’ve faced those that have come before it.”

He appealed to the roughly 80 million unvaccinated Americans aged 5 and up to get their shots, and for the rest of the country to seek out booster shots six months after their second dose. He also encouraged everyone to get back to wearing face masks in all indoor public settings — a pandemic precaution that has fallen out of use across much of the country.

Biden was joined by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the president’s COVID-19 adviser, who said earlier Monday that scientists hope to know in the next week or two how well the existing COVID-19 vaccines protect against the varian t, and how dangerous it is compared to earlier strains.

“We really don’t know,” Fauci told ABC’s “Good Morning America,” calling speculation premature.

The new variant poses the latest test to Biden’s efforts to contain the pandemic, mitigate its impacts on the economy and return a sense of normalcy to the U.S. during the holiday season.

“This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” Biden said.

Biden last week moved to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in southern Africa, effective Monday, in a bid to give scientists time to learn more about the new variant, and for more Americans to get vaccinated before it hits the U.S.

Some other nations are reinstating severe travel and business lockdowns to prevent the omicron variant from spreading, but Biden indicated the U.S. was not following suit.

“If people are vaccinated and wear their mask, there’s no need for lockdowns,” he said.

The move to limit most travel from the countries where omicron was first identified was meant to provide time for the U.S to learn more about the variant and to “intensify” the domestic vaccination campaign, Fauci said earlier Monday.

“It buys you a couple of weeks because if you can keep things out in force for a couple of weeks you can do a lot of things,” he told “CBS Mornings.”

Pharmaceutical companies are already adjusting their existing COVID-19 vaccines to better attack the omicron variant, but Fauci said Americans should make it a priority to get either their first shots or a booster dose now, rather than waiting for a new formulation.

“I would strongly suggest you get boosted now,” he said.

He added that depending on what scientists learn about the omicron variant in the coming weeks “we may not need” targeted boosters to contain that strain of the virus.

Biden said his administration was “sparing no effort at removing all roadblocks to keep the American people safe,” including working with drug manufacturers on potential new boosters and testing targeted specifically at the new variant.

Any omicron-specific vaccine probably could not begin to be produced for another two or three months, so getting boosters now is a “very important initial line of defense,” Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer for the vaccine-maker Moderna, said Monday.

Burton said Moderna and other vaccine companies are testing existing COVID-19 vaccines to determine how effective they are against the omicron variant.

“If we need to manufacture an omicron-specific variant, it’s going to take some weeks, two to three months is probably what we’re looking at to be able to really begin to manufacture,” Burton told ABC.

Noting that the new variant, like earlier ones, sprang up overseas in areas with lower vaccination rates, Biden said it was both a moral imperative and in America’s self-interest to speed up global vaccinations. He noted that the U.S. has already donated more than 275 million doses — more than the rest of the world combined — and is on pace to deliver more than 1.1 billion doses globally by September 2022.

“Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” Biden said. “We can’t let up until the world is vaccinated.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is encouraging Americans to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot as he seeks to quell concerns&nbsp; over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-omicron-variant-covid-restrictions-82e53a7a17d1a4c30031065d389bda37">new COVID-19 variant omicron</a>.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and Biden’s leading COVID-19 adviser, said Monday that there were as yet still no cases of the variant identified in the U.S. but that it was “inevitable” that it would make its way into the country eventually.

Speaking on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Fauci said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">scientists hope to know in the next week or two how well the existing COVID-19 vaccines protect against the varian</a>&nbsp;t, and how dangerous it is compared to earlier strains.

“We really don’t know,” Fauci said, calling speculation “premature.”

Any omicron-specific vaccine probably could not begin to be produced for another two or three months, so getting boosters now is a “very important initial line of defense,” said Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer for the vaccine-maker Moderna, said Monday.

Biden is set to speak later Monday about the urgency of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect against variants, especially as roughly 80 million Americans aged 5 and up haven’t yet received a shot. But Biden was not expected to announce any new virus-related restrictions, beyond last week’s move to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in the region, effective Monday.

Other nations were also moving to close their borders or reinstate lockdowns amid a host of severe measures to prevent the omicron variant from spreading, but Fauci indicated that the U.S. was not following suit.

Asked if more U.S. restrictions were imminent, Fauci said, “I don’t think so at all.” Later, on “CBS Mornings,” he said, “Let’s not be talking about lockdowns.”

Fauci said there was no need to panic about the new variant, but “We should be concerned, and our concern should spur us to do the things that we know work,” such as vaccinations.

The move to limit most travel from the countries where omicron was first identified was meant to buy time for the U.S to learn more about the variant and to “intensify” the domestic vaccination campaign, Fauci said.

“It buys you a couple of weeks because if you can keep things out in force for a couple of weeks you can do a lot of things,” he told CBS.

Still, he said omicron would eventually reach the U.S. and could, like the delta variant before it, become the dominant strain, since omicron “has a transmissibility advantage” over other variants.

Pharmaceutical companies are already tweaking their existing COVID-19 vaccines to better attack the omicron variant, but Fauci said Americans should make it a priority to get either their first shots or a booster dose now, rather than waiting for a newly formulated shot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638206072787.png" alt="President Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci during Monday's press briefing-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci during Monday's press briefing-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called the new COVID-19 variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said he was not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown. He urged Americans anew to get fully vaccinated, including booster shots, and return to face masks indoors in public settings to slow any spread.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516362-1/president-biden-omicron-variant">Click here to watch</a> the President's commentsSpeaking Monday at the White House, Biden said it was inevitable that the new variant would reach the U.S., but he also said the country has the tools necessary to protect Americans — particularly the approved vaccines and booster shots.When omicron arrives, and it will, Biden said, America will “face this new threat just as we’ve faced those that have come before it.”He appealed to the roughly 80 million unvaccinated Americans aged 5 and up to get their shots, and for the rest of the country to seek out booster shots six months after their second dose. He also encouraged everyone to get back to wearing face masks in all indoor public settings — a pandemic precaution that has fallen out of use across much of the country.Biden was joined by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the president’s COVID-19 adviser, who said earlier Monday that scientists hope to know in the next week or two how well the existing COVID-19 vaccines protect against the varian t, and how dangerous it is compared to earlier strains.“We really don’t know,” Fauci told ABC’s “Good Morning America,” calling speculation premature.The new variant poses the latest test to Biden’s efforts to contain the pandemic, mitigate its impacts on the economy and return a sense of normalcy to the U.S. during the holiday season.“This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” Biden said.Biden last week moved to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in southern Africa, effective Monday, in a bid to give scientists time to learn more about the new variant, and for more Americans to get vaccinated before it hits the U.S.Some other nations are reinstating severe travel and business lockdowns to prevent the omicron variant from spreading, but Biden indicated the U.S. was not following suit.“If people are vaccinated and wear their mask, there’s no need for lockdowns,” he said.The move to limit most travel from the countries where omicron was first identified was meant to provide time for the U.S to learn more about the variant and to “intensify” the domestic vaccination campaign, Fauci said earlier Monday.“It buys you a couple of weeks because if you can keep things out in force for a couple of weeks you can do a lot of things,” he told “CBS Mornings.”Pharmaceutical companies are already adjusting their existing COVID-19 vaccines to better attack the omicron variant, but Fauci said Americans should make it a priority to get either their first shots or a booster dose now, rather than waiting for a new formulation.“I would strongly suggest you get boosted now,” he said.He added that depending on what scientists learn about the omicron variant in the coming weeks “we may not need” targeted boosters to contain that strain of the virus.Biden said his administration was “sparing no effort at removing all roadblocks to keep the American people safe,” including working with drug manufacturers on potential new boosters and testing targeted specifically at the new variant.Any omicron-specific vaccine probably could not begin to be produced for another two or three months, so getting boosters now is a “very important initial line of defense,” Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer for the vaccine-maker Moderna, said Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638195321228.png" alt="On Sunday, President Joe Biden met with Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of his COVID-19 Response Team on the latest developments related to the Omicron variant-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>On Sunday, President Joe Biden met with Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of his COVID-19 Response Team on the latest developments related to the Omicron variant-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Burton said Moderna and other vaccine companies are testing existing COVID-19 vaccines to determine how effective they are against the omicron variant.“If we need to manufacture an omicron-specific variant, it’s going to take some weeks, two to three months is probably what we’re looking at to be able to really begin to manufacture,” Burton told ABC.Noting that the new variant, like earlier ones, sprang up overseas in areas with lower vaccination rates, Biden said it was both a moral imperative and in America’s self-interest to speed up global vaccinations. He noted that the U.S. has already donated more than 275 million doses — more than the rest of the world combined — and is on pace to deliver more than 1.1 billion doses globally by September 2022.“Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” Biden said. “We can’t let up until the world is vaccinated.”----------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is encouraging Americans to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot as he seeks to quell concerns&nbsp; over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-omicron-variant-covid-restrictions-82e53a7a17d1a4c30031065d389bda37">new COVID-19 variant omicron</a>. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and Biden’s leading COVID-19 adviser, said Monday that there were as yet still no cases of the variant identified in the U.S. but that it was “inevitable” that it would make its way into the country eventually.Speaking on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Fauci said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">scientists hope to know in the next week or two how well the existing COVID-19 vaccines protect against the varian</a>&nbsp;t, and how dangerous it is compared to earlier strains.“We really don’t know,” Fauci said, calling speculation “premature.”Any omicron-specific vaccine probably could not begin to be produced for another two or three months, so getting boosters now is a “very important initial line of defense,” said Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer for the vaccine-maker Moderna, said Monday.Biden is set to speak later Monday about the urgency of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect against variants, especially as roughly 80 million Americans aged 5 and up haven’t yet received a shot. But Biden was not expected to announce any new virus-related restrictions, beyond last week’s move to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in the region, effective Monday.Other nations were also moving to close their borders or reinstate lockdowns amid a host of severe measures to prevent the omicron variant from spreading, but Fauci indicated that the U.S. was not following suit.Asked if more U.S. restrictions were imminent, Fauci said, “I don’t think so at all.” Later, on “CBS Mornings,” he said, “Let’s not be talking about lockdowns.”Fauci said there was no need to panic about the new variant, but “We should be concerned, and our concern should spur us to do the things that we know work,” such as vaccinations.The move to limit most travel from the countries where omicron was first identified was meant to buy time for the U.S to learn more about the variant and to “intensify” the domestic vaccination campaign, Fauci said.“It buys you a couple of weeks because if you can keep things out in force for a couple of weeks you can do a lot of things,” he told CBS.Still, he said omicron would eventually reach the U.S. and could, like the delta variant before it, become the dominant strain, since omicron “has a transmissibility advantage” over other variants.Pharmaceutical companies are already tweaking their existing COVID-19 vaccines to better attack the omicron variant, but Fauci said Americans should make it a priority to get either their first shots or a booster dose now, rather than waiting for a newly formulated shot.“I would strongly suggest you get boosted now,” he said.He added that depending on what scientists learn about the omicron variant in the coming weeks “we may not need” targeted boosters to contain that strain of the virus.Burton said Moderna and other vaccine companies are testing existing COVID-19 vaccines to determine how effective they are against the omicron variant.“If we need to manufacture an omicron-specific variant, it’s going to take some weeks, two to three months is probably what we’re looking at to be able to really begin to manufacture,” Burton told ABC.

🎥Pres. Biden, Dr. Fauci update U.S. response to omicron variant 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man shot by a Nebraska state trooper last week during a drug investigation has died at a Lincoln hospital. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 27-year-old German Pedrazo died Sunday night, four days after he was shot in a Lincoln parking lot. 

Police have said the shooting happened Wednesday afternoon when members of the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force who were following up on a tip spotted a car carrying Pedrazo and a woman. 

Police investigators have said the trooper fired the shot after Pedrazo reached to pull out a gun when confronted by police. 

Pedrazo was shot in the neck and underwent emergency surgery. 

The trooper's name has not been released.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man shot by a Nebraska state trooper last week during a drug investigation has died at a Lincoln hospital. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 27-year-old German Pedrazo died Sunday night, four days after he was shot in a Lincoln parking lot. Police have said the shooting happened Wednesday afternoon when members of the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force who were following up on a tip spotted a car carrying Pedrazo and a woman. Police investigators have said the trooper fired the shot after Pedrazo reached to pull out a gun when confronted by police. Pedrazo was shot in the neck and underwent emergency surgery. The trooper's name has not been released.

Patrol: Man shot by Nebraska trooper dies at hospital

WASHINGTON — Kicking off a special week, the Internal Revenue Service and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners today warned taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of a 
dangerous combination of events that can increase their exposure to tax 
scams or identity theft.

The combination of the holiday shopping season, the upcoming tax 
season and the pandemic create additional opportunities for criminals to
 steal sensitive personal or finance information. People should take 
extra care while shopping online or viewing emails and texts.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together as the Security Summit – mark today's start of the 6th annual 
National Tax Security Awareness Week with tips on basic safeguards 
everyone should take. These can help protect against identity theft as 
well as help safeguard sensitive tax information that criminals can use 
to try filing fake tax returns and obtaining refunds.

"Don't let this be the most wonderful time of the year for identity 
thieves," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The approach of the 
holidays and tax season increases risk for taxpayers and opportunities 
for criminals. We urge people to be extra careful with their personal 
and financial information during this period while shopping online or 
getting suspicious emails or text. Taking a few simple steps can keep 
people from becoming victims of identity theft and protect their 
sensitive personal information needed for tax returns and refunds."

Since 2015, the IRS and Security Summit partners have taken important
 steps to protect taxpayers and the nation's tax professionals from 
tax-related identity theft. But progress in this area led identity 
thieves to evolve their tactics, trying to obtain sensitive information 
from taxpayers and tax professionals to help prepare fraudulent tax 
returns. Taxpayers can help in this fight by protecting their financial 
and tax information. Summit partners continue to highlight safety steps 
in the "Taxes.Security.Together" effort.

As part of that effort, National Tax Security Awareness Week is 
designed to help share information with taxpayers and tax professionals 
during this critical period. The special week includes special 
informational graphics and social media efforts on platforms including 
Twitter and Instagram through @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity.

A special emphasis for this year on social media will be focusing tax
 security awareness on younger and older Americans. Even if someone 
doesn't file a tax return, their online interactions can lead to scam 
artists obtaining sensitive information and using it to try obtaining a 
refund.

10 key steps to protect sensitive information:

To help taxpayers and tax professionals, the Security Summit offers 
10 basic steps everyone should remember during the holidays and as the 
2022 tax season approaches:

Other common warning signs; additional places for information

The IRS and Summit partners continue to see identity thieves trying 
to look like government agencies and others in the tax community by 
emailing or texting about tax refunds, stimulus payments or other items.
 Remember, the IRS will not call or send unexpected texts or emails 
about things like refunds. More information about these common scams is 
available at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/common-tax-scams-and-tips-to-help-taxpayers-avoid-them">IRS Tax Tip: Common tax scams and tips to help taxpayers avoid them</a>.

The IRS and Security Summit partners are sharing YouTube videos on 
security steps for taxpayers. The videos can be viewed or downloaded at <a href="https://youtu.be/V3hdiCtKj5s">Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">Here's How to Avoid IRS Text Message Scams</a>.

Employers also can share <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf">Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers</a>&nbsp;PDF, with their employees and customers while tax professionals can share with clients.

In addition, the Summit partners remind people these security 
measures include mobile phones – an area that people sometimes can 
overlook. Thieves have become more adept at compromising mobile phones. 
Phone users also are more prone to open a scam email from their phone 
than from their computer.

Taxpayers can check out security recommendations for their specific 
mobile phone by reviewing the Federal Communications Commission's <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/smartphone-security">Smartphone Security Checker</a>.
 Since phones are used for shopping and even for doing taxes, remember 
to make sure phones and tablets are just as secure as computers.

During the pandemic, there continue to be numerous scams related to 
COVID-19. These can be attempts to gain sensitive personal or financial 
information. The Federal Trade Commission also has issued <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice">alerts</a>; consumers can keep atop the latest scam information and report COVID-related scams.

The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, 
including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit 
to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is 
the first in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about 
identity theft. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">IRS.gov/securitysummit</a> for more details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRS<h2>IRS YouTube Video:</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJYQL89qMfI">Security Measures Protect Against Tax-Related Identity Theft</a></li>
 </ul>WASHINGTON — Kicking off a special week, the Internal Revenue Service and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners today warned taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of a 
dangerous combination of events that can increase their exposure to tax 
scams or identity theft.The combination of the holiday shopping season, the upcoming tax 
season and the pandemic create additional opportunities for criminals to
 steal sensitive personal or finance information. People should take 
extra care while shopping online or viewing emails and texts.The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working 
together as the Security Summit – mark today's start of the 6th annual 
National Tax Security Awareness Week with tips on basic safeguards 
everyone should take. These can help protect against identity theft as 
well as help safeguard sensitive tax information that criminals can use 
to try filing fake tax returns and obtaining refunds."Don't let this be the most wonderful time of the year for identity 
thieves," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The approach of the 
holidays and tax season increases risk for taxpayers and opportunities 
for criminals. We urge people to be extra careful with their personal 
and financial information during this period while shopping online or 
getting suspicious emails or text. Taking a few simple steps can keep 
people from becoming victims of identity theft and protect their 
sensitive personal information needed for tax returns and refunds."Since 2015, the IRS and Security Summit partners have taken important
 steps to protect taxpayers and the nation's tax professionals from 
tax-related identity theft. But progress in this area led identity 
thieves to evolve their tactics, trying to obtain sensitive information 
from taxpayers and tax professionals to help prepare fraudulent tax 
returns. Taxpayers can help in this fight by protecting their financial 
and tax information. Summit partners continue to highlight safety steps 
in the "Taxes.Security.Together" effort.As part of that effort, National Tax Security Awareness Week is 
designed to help share information with taxpayers and tax professionals 
during this critical period. The special week includes special 
informational graphics and social media efforts on platforms including 
Twitter and Instagram through @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity.A special emphasis for this year on social media will be focusing tax
 security awareness on younger and older Americans. Even if someone 
doesn't file a tax return, their online interactions can lead to scam 
artists obtaining sensitive information and using it to try obtaining a 
refund.<h2>10 key steps to protect sensitive information:</h2>To help taxpayers and tax professionals, the Security Summit offers 
10 basic steps everyone should remember during the holidays and as the 
2022 tax season approaches:<ul>
 <li>Don't forget to use security software for computers, tablets and
 mobile phones – and keep it updated. Protect electronic devices of 
family members, especially teens and young children.</li><li>Make sure anti-virus software for computers has a feature to stop 
malware, and there is a firewall enabled that can prevent intrusions.</li><li>Phishing scams – like imposter emails, calls and texts -- are the 
No. 1 way thieves steal personal data. Don't open links or attachments 
on suspicious emails. This year, fraud scams related to COVID-19, 
Economic Impact Payments and other tax law changes are common.</li><li>Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts. Use a phrase 
or series of words that can be easily remembered or use a password 
manager.</li><li>Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Many email 
providers and social media sites offer this feature. It helps prevent 
thieves from easily hacking accounts.</li><li>Shop at sites where the web address begins with "https" – the "s" 
is for secure communications over the computer network. Also, look for 
the "padlock" icon in the browser window.</li><li>Don't shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall. Remember, thieves can eavesdrop.</li><li>At home, secure home Wi-Fis with a password. With more homes 
connected to the web, secured systems become more important, from 
wireless printers, wireless door locks to wireless thermometers. These 
can be access points for identity thieves.</li><li>Back up files on computers and mobile phones. A cloud service or an
 external hard drive can be used to copy information from computers or 
phones – providing an important place to recover financial or tax data.</li><li>Working from home? Consider creating a virtual private network (VPN) to securely connect to your workplace.</li>
 </ul><h2>Other common warning signs; additional places for information</h2>The IRS and Summit partners continue to see identity thieves trying 
to look like government agencies and others in the tax community by 
emailing or texting about tax refunds, stimulus payments or other items.
 Remember, the IRS will not call or send unexpected texts or emails 
about things like refunds. More information about these common scams is 
available at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/common-tax-scams-and-tips-to-help-taxpayers-avoid-them">IRS Tax Tip: Common tax scams and tips to help taxpayers avoid them</a>.The IRS and Security Summit partners are sharing YouTube videos on 
security steps for taxpayers. The videos can be viewed or downloaded at <a href="https://youtu.be/V3hdiCtKj5s">Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">Here's How to Avoid IRS Text Message Scams</a>.Employers also can share <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf">Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers</a>&nbsp;PDF, with their employees and customers while tax professionals can share with clients.In addition, the Summit partners remind people these security 
measures include mobile phones – an area that people sometimes can 
overlook. Thieves have become more adept at compromising mobile phones. 
Phone users also are more prone to open a scam email from their phone 
than from their computer.Taxpayers can check out security recommendations for their specific 
mobile phone by reviewing the Federal Communications Commission's <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/smartphone-security">Smartphone Security Checker</a>.
 Since phones are used for shopping and even for doing taxes, remember 
to make sure phones and tablets are just as secure as computers.During the pandemic, there continue to be numerous scams related to 
COVID-19. These can be attempts to gain sensitive personal or financial 
information. The Federal Trade Commission also has issued <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice">alerts</a>; consumers can keep atop the latest scam information and report COVID-related scams.The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, 
including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit 
to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is 
the first in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about 
identity theft. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">IRS.gov/securitysummit</a> for more details.

Taxpayer alert for holidays, tax season: Watch out for scams, protect financial information

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Lee Enterprises newspaper chain has adopted a “poison-pill” plan to protect itself from a hostile takeover while it considers an unsolicited offer from hedge fund Alden Global Capital to buy Lee for $24 a share.

 The plan would take effect if Alden gains control of more than 10% of Lee’s stock in the next year. 

The Davenport, Iowa-based company said the plan would allow its other shareholders to buy shares at a 50% discount at that point or possibly get free shares for every share they already own. 

Alden said last week that it already owed more than 6% of Lee’s stock.

 The plan Lee adopted Wednesday would make it more expensive for Alden to acquire a controlling stake.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Lee Enterprises newspaper chain has adopted a “poison-pill” plan to protect itself from a hostile takeover while it considers an unsolicited offer from hedge fund Alden Global Capital to buy Lee for $24 a share. The plan would take effect if Alden gains control of more than 10% of Lee’s stock in the next year. The Davenport, Iowa-based company said the plan would allow its other shareholders to buy shares at a 50% discount at that point or possibly get free shares for every share they already own. Alden said last week that it already owed more than 6% of Lee’s stock. The plan Lee adopted Wednesday would make it more expensive for Alden to acquire a controlling stake.

Lee Enterprises tries to ward off hostile takeover by Alden

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Cases of the omicron variant of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it’s not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.

The variant was identified days ago by researchers in South Africa, and much is still not known about it, including whether it is more contagious, more likely to cause serious illness or more able to evade the protection of vaccines. But many countries rushed to act, reflecting anxiety about anything that could prolong the pandemic that has killed more than 5 million people.

Israel decided to bar entry to foreigners, and Morocco said it would suspend all incoming flights for two weeks starting Monday — among the most drastic of a growing raft of travel curbs being imposed by nations around the world as they scrambled to slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">the variant’s spread.</a>&nbsp;Scientists in several places — from Hong Kong to Europe — have confirmed its presence. The Netherlands reported 13 omicron cases on Sunday, and both Canada and Australia each found two.

Noting that the variant has already been detected in many countries and that closing borders often has limited effect, the World Health Organization called for frontiers to remain open.

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, meanwhile, emphasized that there is no data yet that suggests the new variant causes more serious illness than previous COVID-19 variants.

“I do think it’s more contagious when you look at how rapidly it spread through multiple districts in South Africa. It has the earmarks therefore of being particularly likely to spread from one person to another. … What we don’t know is whether it can compete with delta,” Collins said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Collins echoed several experts in saying the news should make everyone redouble their efforts to use the tools the world already has, including vaccinations, booster shots and measures such as mask-wearing.

“I know, America, you’re really tired about hearing those things, but the virus is not tired of us,” Collins said.

The Dutch public health authority confirmed that 13 people who arrived from South Africa on Friday have so far tested positive for omicron. They were among 61 people who tested positive for the virus after arriving on the last two flights to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport before a flight ban was implemented. They were immediately put into isolation, most at a nearby hotel.

Canada’s health minister says the country’s first two cases of omicron were found in Ontario after two individuals who had recently traveled from Nigeria tested positive.

Authorities in Australia said two travelers who arrived in Sydney from Africa became the first in the country to test positive for the new variant. Arrivals from nine African countries are now required to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. Two German states reported a total of three cases in returning travelers over the weekend.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-travel-health-lifestyle-36287673df09cdc3630e5dd1e05cdc7c">Israel moved</a>&nbsp;to ban entry by foreigners and mandate quarantine for all Israelis arriving from abroad.

“Restrictions on the country’s borders is not an easy step, but it’s a temporary and necessary step,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Morocco’s Foreign Ministry tweeted Sunday that all incoming air travel to the North African country would be suspended to “preserve the achievements realized by Morocco in the fight against the pandemic, and to protect the health of citizens.” Morocco has been at the forefront of vaccinations in Africa, and kept its borders closed for months in 2020 because of the pandemic.

The U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/i" target="_blank">plans to ban&nbsp;</a>travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries starting Monday. “It’s going to give us a period of time to enhance our preparedness,” the United States’ top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said of the ban on ABC’s “This Week.”

Many countries are introducing such bans, though they go against the advice of the WHO, which has warned against any overreaction before the variant is thoroughly studied.

Fauci says it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information on the transmissibility, severity and other characteristics of omicron, according to a statement from the White House Sunday evening.

South Africa’s government responded angrily to the travel bans, which it said are “akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker.” It said it will try to persuade countries that imposed them to reconsider.

The WHO sent out a statement saying it “stands with African nations” and noting that travel restrictions may play “a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.” It said if restrictions are put in place, they should be scientifically based and not intrusive.

In Europe, much of which already has been struggling with a sharp increase in cases over recent weeks, officials were on guard.

The U.K. on Saturday tightened rules on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding two omicron cases, but British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government was nowhere near reinstituting work from home or more severe social-distancing measures.

“We know now those types of measures do carry a very heavy price, both economically, socially, in terms of non-COVID health outcomes such as impact on mental health,” he told Sky News.

Spain announced it won’t admit unvaccinated British visitors starting Dec. 1. Italy was going through lists of airline passengers who arrived in the past two weeks. France is continuing to push vaccinations and booster shots.

David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert and government adviser on the pandemic in Hong Kong, agreed with that strategy.

He said the two people who tested positive for the omicron variant had received the Pfizer vaccine and exhibited very mild symptoms, such as a sore throat.

“Vaccines should work but there would be some reduction in effectiveness,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638148803210.png" alt="&nbsp;3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -photo courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;3D structure of spike with amino acid changes in Omicron -photo courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Cases of the omicron variant of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it’s not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.The variant was identified days ago by researchers in South Africa, and much is still not known about it, including whether it is more contagious, more likely to cause serious illness or more able to evade the protection of vaccines. But many countries rushed to act, reflecting anxiety about anything that could prolong the pandemic that has killed more than 5 million people.Israel decided to bar entry to foreigners, and Morocco said it would suspend all incoming flights for two weeks starting Monday — among the most drastic of a growing raft of travel curbs being imposed by nations around the world as they scrambled to slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">the variant’s spread.</a>&nbsp;Scientists in several places — from Hong Kong to Europe — have confirmed its presence. The Netherlands reported 13 omicron cases on Sunday, and both Canada and Australia each found two.Noting that the variant has already been detected in many countries and that closing borders often has limited effect, the World Health Organization called for frontiers to remain open.Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, meanwhile, emphasized that there is no data yet that suggests the new variant causes more serious illness than previous COVID-19 variants.“I do think it’s more contagious when you look at how rapidly it spread through multiple districts in South Africa. It has the earmarks therefore of being particularly likely to spread from one person to another. … What we don’t know is whether it can compete with delta,” Collins said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”Collins echoed several experts in saying the news should make everyone redouble their efforts to use the tools the world already has, including vaccinations, booster shots and measures such as mask-wearing.“I know, America, you’re really tired about hearing those things, but the virus is not tired of us,” Collins said.The Dutch public health authority confirmed that 13 people who arrived from South Africa on Friday have so far tested positive for omicron. They were among 61 people who tested positive for the virus after arriving on the last two flights to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport before a flight ban was implemented. They were immediately put into isolation, most at a nearby hotel.Canada’s health minister says the country’s first two cases of omicron were found in Ontario after two individuals who had recently traveled from Nigeria tested positive.Authorities in Australia said two travelers who arrived in Sydney from Africa became the first in the country to test positive for the new variant. Arrivals from nine African countries are now required to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. Two German states reported a total of three cases in returning travelers over the weekend.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-travel-health-lifestyle-36287673df09cdc3630e5dd1e05cdc7c">Israel moved</a>&nbsp;to ban entry by foreigners and mandate quarantine for all Israelis arriving from abroad.“Restrictions on the country’s borders is not an easy step, but it’s a temporary and necessary step,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.Morocco’s Foreign Ministry tweeted Sunday that all incoming air travel to the North African country would be suspended to “preserve the achievements realized by Morocco in the fight against the pandemic, and to protect the health of citizens.” Morocco has been at the forefront of vaccinations in Africa, and kept its borders closed for months in 2020 because of the pandemic.The U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/i" target="_blank">plans to ban&nbsp;</a>travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries starting Monday. “It’s going to give us a period of time to enhance our preparedness,” the United States’ top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said of the ban on ABC’s “This Week.”Many countries are introducing such bans, though they go against the advice of the WHO, which has warned against any overreaction before the variant is thoroughly studied.Fauci says it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information on the transmissibility, severity and other characteristics of omicron, according to a statement from the White House Sunday evening.South Africa’s government responded angrily to the travel bans, which it said are “akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker.” It said it will try to persuade countries that imposed them to reconsider.The WHO sent out a statement saying it “stands with African nations” and noting that travel restrictions may play “a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.” It said if restrictions are put in place, they should be scientifically based and not intrusive.In Europe, much of which already has been struggling with a sharp increase in cases over recent weeks, officials were on guard.The U.K. on Saturday tightened rules on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding two omicron cases, but British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government was nowhere near reinstituting work from home or more severe social-distancing measures.“We know now those types of measures do carry a very heavy price, both economically, socially, in terms of non-COVID health outcomes such as impact on mental health,” he told Sky News.Spain announced it won’t admit unvaccinated British visitors starting Dec. 1. Italy was going through lists of airline passengers who arrived in the past two weeks. France is continuing to push vaccinations and booster shots.David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert and government adviser on the pandemic in Hong Kong, agreed with that strategy.He said the two people who tested positive for the omicron variant had received the Pfizer vaccine and exhibited very mild symptoms, such as a sore throat.“Vaccines should work but there would be some reduction in effectiveness,” he said.___

Omicron variant spreading as governments rush to close borders

Tax scams are among the most stubborn cons out there. They 
reappear often, each time with a slightly different spin. The main theme
 is scammers posing as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov" target="_blank">Internal Revenue Service</a> (IRS) in the U.S. or as the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> (CRA) in Canada, trying to trick people into either paying up or sharing personal information.

These scams most often start with a phone call and take two basic 
forms. In the first version, the IRS or CRA "agent" says you owe back 
taxes and pressures you into paying by prepaid debit card or wire 
transfer. If you don’t comply, the scammer threatens you with arrest and
 fines. In the other version, scammers claim they are issuing tax 
refunds and ask you for personal information so they can send your 
refund. This information can later be used for identity theft. Scammers 
also use this approach to target college students by claiming a "federal
 student tax" has not been paid.

These imposters often go to great lengths to appear real. The scammer
 may give a fake badge number and name. Your Caller ID may look like the
 call is coming from Washington, D.C. or Ottawa. Con artists sometimes 
follow up scam calls with an email, which uses the IRS logo, colors, and
 official-sounding language. In many instances, these scams start with a
 serious and official sounding “robocall” recording.

You are pressured to act quickly. Scammers typically try to push you 
into action before you have time to think. The IRS and CRA will give you
 the chance to ask questions or appeal what you owe. Also, their first 
contact with you will always be by mail, not phone or email.&nbsp; Payment 
must be made by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or other 
non-traditional payment methods. These methods are largely untraceable 
and non-reversible. The IRS and CRA will never demand immediate payment,
 require a specific form of payment, or ask for credit card or debt card
 numbers over the phone.

In the U.S., the IRS may call you about outstanding debts after reaching out by mail. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/irscalls" target="_blank">See BBB's tips on IRS calls</a> to tell if the IRS is really calling or if you are talking to a scammer.

Another tax scam to look out for is tax identity theft. This occurs 
when a scammer uses your government-issued identity number (Social 
Security number in the U.S. or Social Insurance number in Canada) to 
file a tax return in your name and collect your refund. It can also be 
someone using your information to get a job. Consumers don’t usually 
realize they have been victims of tax identity theft until they get a 
written notice from the IRS or CRA saying that more than one tax return 
was filed, or they were paid by an employer they don't know. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16949-bbb-tip-tax-identity-theft" target="_blank">Learn more about tax ID theft scams</a>.

The emails appear to be from the IRS and include a link to a bogus 
web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site. These emails 
contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” 
The emails sometimes mention USA.gov and IRSgov (without a dot between 
"IRS" and "gov") Don’t get scammed. These emails are not from the IRS.

Some tax preparers offer refund advances, which are essentially 
short-term loans in the amount of your expected tax return, less the tax
 preparation cost. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21614-bbb-tip-what-you-should-know-about-tax-refund-promotions" target="_blank">Learn more about these loans</a>.&nbsp;

To report a tax scam, go to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. To learn how to protect yourself, go to “<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.”

BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens &amp; Northeast Georgia contributed to this tip.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBTax scams are among the most stubborn cons out there. They 
reappear often, each time with a slightly different spin. The main theme
 is scammers posing as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov" target="_blank">Internal Revenue Service</a> (IRS) in the U.S. or as the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> (CRA) in Canada, trying to trick people into either paying up or sharing personal information.<h2>IRS or CRA Impersonation Scams</h2>These scams most often start with a phone call and take two basic 
forms. In the first version, the IRS or CRA "agent" says you owe back 
taxes and pressures you into paying by prepaid debit card or wire 
transfer. If you don’t comply, the scammer threatens you with arrest and
 fines. In the other version, scammers claim they are issuing tax 
refunds and ask you for personal information so they can send your 
refund. This information can later be used for identity theft. Scammers 
also use this approach to target college students by claiming a "federal
 student tax" has not been paid.These imposters often go to great lengths to appear real. The scammer
 may give a fake badge number and name. Your Caller ID may look like the
 call is coming from Washington, D.C. or Ottawa. Con artists sometimes 
follow up scam calls with an email, which uses the IRS logo, colors, and
 official-sounding language. In many instances, these scams start with a
 serious and official sounding “robocall” recording.You are pressured to act quickly. Scammers typically try to push you 
into action before you have time to think. The IRS and CRA will give you
 the chance to ask questions or appeal what you owe. Also, their first 
contact with you will always be by mail, not phone or email.&nbsp; Payment 
must be made by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or other 
non-traditional payment methods. These methods are largely untraceable 
and non-reversible. The IRS and CRA will never demand immediate payment,
 require a specific form of payment, or ask for credit card or debt card
 numbers over the phone.In the U.S., the IRS may call you about outstanding debts after reaching out by mail. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/irscalls" target="_blank">See BBB's tips on IRS calls</a> to tell if the IRS is really calling or if you are talking to a scammer.<h2>Tax Identity Theft Scams</h2>Another tax scam to look out for is tax identity theft. This occurs 
when a scammer uses your government-issued identity number (Social 
Security number in the U.S. or Social Insurance number in Canada) to 
file a tax return in your name and collect your refund. It can also be 
someone using your information to get a job. Consumers don’t usually 
realize they have been victims of tax identity theft until they get a 
written notice from the IRS or CRA saying that more than one tax return 
was filed, or they were paid by an employer they don't know. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16949-bbb-tip-tax-identity-theft" target="_blank">Learn more about tax ID theft scams</a>.<h2>Email Phishing Scams</h2>The emails appear to be from the IRS and include a link to a bogus 
web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site. These emails 
contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” 
The emails sometimes mention USA.gov and IRSgov (without a dot between 
"IRS" and "gov") Don’t get scammed. These emails are not from the IRS.<h2>Tips to Avoid Tax Scams</h2><ul>
 <li>The best way to avoid tax identity theft is to file your taxes as early as possible. File before a scammer has the chance to use your information to file a fake return.</li><li>In the U.S., jot down your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS before you file your return.
 This is a six-digit number, which, in addition to your Social Security 
number, confirms your identity. It is important to note that you cannot 
opt-out once you get an IP PIN. So once you apply, you must provide the 
IP Pin each year when you file your federal tax returns. The IRS will 
provide your IP PIN online and then send you a new IP PIN each December 
by postal mail. Visit <a href="https://irs.gov/individuals/get-an-identity-protection-pin" target="_blank">the IRS</a> for more information about the program. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16949-bbb-tip-tax-identity-theft" target="_blank">Read BBB's tips about the IRS PIN</a>.&nbsp; </li><li>The
 IRS does not initiate contact with tax payers by email, text message or
 social media to request personal or financial information. 
This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access 
information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. </li><li>Only deal with trustworthy tax preparation services.
 For many people, major life changes, business ownership, or simply a 
lack of knowledge about the ever-changing tax laws make finding a 
trustworthy tax preparer a good idea. That said, not all tax preparers 
have the same level of experience and training. See <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21492-bbb-tip-how-to-choose-a-tax-preparer" target="_blank">our tips for finding the right tax preparer for you</a>.&nbsp; </li><li>Check out websites carefully and make sure you are accessing the real IRS or CRA website when filing your taxes electronically or inquiring for additional information. </li><li>If you are the victim of tax identity theft in the U.S., contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490. You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint" target="_blank">ftc.gov/complaint</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC also offers a personalized identity theft recovery plan at <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov" target="_blank">identitytheft.gov</a>.</li><li>If you get tax information delivered electronically from your employer or other entity, treat that information carefully. Download it onto a password-protected computer.</li><li>If you are a victim in Canada, contact your local police service.
 If you believe your Canadian Social Insurance Number has been stolen, 
contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218. For more information, see <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&amp;utm_medium=vanity-url&amp;utm_source=canada-ca_social-insurance-number" target="_blank">Social Insurance Number (Service Canada website)</a>. </li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>Some tax preparers offer refund advances, which are essentially 
short-term loans in the amount of your expected tax return, less the tax
 preparation cost. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21614-bbb-tip-what-you-should-know-about-tax-refund-promotions" target="_blank">Learn more about these loans</a>.&nbsp;To report a tax scam, go to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. To learn how to protect yourself, go to “<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.”BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens &amp; Northeast Georgia contributed to this tip.

Watch out for these common tax-season scams

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — An early morning fire at the College Park Apartments in Bellevue has heavily damaged to the building. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports crews from the Bellevue Fire Department responding to a call at 3:35 a.m. Saturday found smoke and fire coming on the second floor of the three-story building. 

Firefighters got it under control in about 20 minutes.

 The American Red Cross gave aid to the five people who were in the building. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — An early morning fire at the College Park Apartments in Bellevue has heavily damaged to the building. The Omaha World-Herald reports crews from the Bellevue Fire Department responding to a call at 3:35 a.m. Saturday found smoke and fire coming on the second floor of the three-story building. Firefighters got it under control in about 20 minutes. The American Red Cross gave aid to the five people who were in the building. Only three apartments were occupied. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available.

Early morning fire damages Bellevue apartment building

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two men were killed and a third man was critically injured Saturday in an Omaha shooting. 

The gunshots were reported near 34th and Jackson streets around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Police said 21-year-old William Harnage and 18-year-old Jang Puol were found dead in front of a residence. 

The wounded man, 21-year-old Trevel Caldwell, was rushed to an Omaha hospital in critical condition, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. 

Omaha Police Lt. Allen Straub said investigators believe the victims were targeted in the shooting. 

Officers were still at the scene of the shooting Sunday morning.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two men were killed and a third man was critically injured Saturday in an Omaha shooting. The gunshots were reported near 34th and Jackson streets around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said 21-year-old William Harnage and 18-year-old Jang Puol were found dead in front of a residence. The wounded man, 21-year-old Trevel Caldwell, was rushed to an Omaha hospital in critical condition, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Omaha Police Lt. Allen Straub said investigators believe the victims were targeted in the shooting. All three victims are from Omaha. Officers were still at the scene of the shooting Sunday morning.

2 men killed, third wounded in Omaha shooting on Saturday

We’re doing our best to stick to our cash Christmas budget this year. Are there any traps to avoid, and do you have other advice on ways we can cut costs during the holiday season?

If you’re getting out of debt, the phrase “extra money” probably isn’t even in your vocabulary. Regardless, stores will do everything they can to convince you to toss a couple of extra items into your cart when Christmas rolls around. Their festive marketing is&nbsp;everywhere, and most of it tries to get you to spend extra on things you don’t need or can’t afford.

It might be Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy a bunch of high-end electronic gadgets for everyone. Any way you slice it, electronics add up to be way more than most people want to spend. Try focusing on more personal—and less expensive—gifts that will be truly meaningful to the ones receiving them.

Set a reasonable&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/guide-to-budgeting">budget</a>, determine what’s fair for each person and stick to it.&nbsp;Be sure you’re following realistic gift guidelines&nbsp;before&nbsp;you go out shopping. If you have kids, don’t let their Christmas lists dictate how much you spend. Your budget should do that. Look out for sneaky buys that drain your wallet, too. Some people spend as much on stocking stuffers as they do regular gifts under the tree.

Whether you’re shopping online or out and about, remember that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/5-christmas-extras">extended warranties</a>&nbsp;are&nbsp;not&nbsp;a good deal. Neither are store credit cards and the accompanying “discounts.” It seems everyone from big-box retail stores to mom and pop operations have their own store credit card these days. Sure, they’ll be happy to offer you 10 to 20 percent off a $7 purchase of socks if you’ll just open an account. But there’s a good chance you’ll still be paying off this year’s Christmas&nbsp;next&nbsp;December.

If gift wrapping at the store is complementary, go for it. If not, just do it yourself. Sure, it takes a little time and effort, but you’ll save a ton of money buying a few rolls of wrapping paper at the local dollar store. Don’t wait until December 20th&nbsp;to order your Christmas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/the-costly-christmas-mistake">presents</a>, either. Plan ahead — like&nbsp;right&nbsp;now&nbsp;— so you don’t have to worry&nbsp;about expensive overnight shipping rates.

Finally, I know many folks want to send Christmas cards to&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;they know&nbsp;every&nbsp;year. Some people go completely over-the-top, with their family (including the dog and cat) dressed to the nines and a photo taken by a professional photographer. Come on! You can cut costs by sending cards to just your closest friends and family. It’s okay to be a little selective here, and the cards don’t have to be expensive.

*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635524005597.png" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,We’re doing our best to stick to our cash Christmas budget this year. Are there any traps to avoid, and do you have other advice on ways we can cut costs during the holiday season?RenéDear René,If you’re getting out of debt, the phrase “extra money” probably isn’t even in your vocabulary. Regardless, stores will do everything they can to convince you to toss a couple of extra items into your cart when Christmas rolls around. Their festive marketing is&nbsp;everywhere, and most of it tries to get you to spend extra on things you don’t need or can’t afford.It might be Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy a bunch of high-end electronic gadgets for everyone. Any way you slice it, electronics add up to be way more than most people want to spend. Try focusing on more personal—and less expensive—gifts that will be truly meaningful to the ones receiving them.Set a reasonable&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/guide-to-budgeting">budget</a>, determine what’s fair for each person and stick to it.&nbsp;Be sure you’re following realistic gift guidelines&nbsp;before&nbsp;you go out shopping. If you have kids, don’t let their Christmas lists dictate how much you spend. Your budget should do that. Look out for sneaky buys that drain your wallet, too. Some people spend as much on stocking stuffers as they do regular gifts under the tree.Whether you’re shopping online or out and about, remember that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/5-christmas-extras">extended warranties</a>&nbsp;are&nbsp;not&nbsp;a good deal. Neither are store credit cards and the accompanying “discounts.” It seems everyone from big-box retail stores to mom and pop operations have their own store credit card these days. Sure, they’ll be happy to offer you 10 to 20 percent off a $7 purchase of socks if you’ll just open an account. But there’s a good chance you’ll still be paying off this year’s Christmas&nbsp;next&nbsp;December.If gift wrapping at the store is complementary, go for it. If not, just do it yourself. Sure, it takes a little time and effort, but you’ll save a ton of money buying a few rolls of wrapping paper at the local dollar store. Don’t wait until December 20th&nbsp;to order your Christmas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/the-costly-christmas-mistake">presents</a>, either. Plan ahead — like&nbsp;right&nbsp;now&nbsp;— so you don’t have to worry&nbsp;about expensive overnight shipping rates.Finally, I know many folks want to send Christmas cards to&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;they know&nbsp;every&nbsp;year. Some people go completely over-the-top, with their family (including the dog and cat) dressed to the nines and a photo taken by a professional photographer. Come on! You can cut costs by sending cards to just your closest friends and family. It’s okay to be a little selective here, and the cards don’t have to be expensive.I hope this helps, René!*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Cutting costs during the holiday season

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska State Patrol trooper on a narcotics task force shot and critically injured a man as officers were following up on information from a Crime Stoppers report. 

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Saturday that investigators with the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force approached a vehicle in a parking lot Wednesday. 

Authorities say the driver, 27-year-old German Pedrazo, attempt to pull out a gun when they made contact with him and the 21-year-old woman in the car. &nbsp;

A Nebraska State Patrol investigator fired one round from his duty weapon, striking Pedrazo in the neck. 

He is in critical condition after undergoing surgery.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska State Patrol trooper on a narcotics task force shot and critically injured a man as officers were following up on information from a Crime Stoppers report. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Saturday that investigators with the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force approached a vehicle in a parking lot Wednesday. Authorities say the driver, 27-year-old German Pedrazo, attempt to pull out a gun when they made contact with him and the 21-year-old woman in the car. &nbsp;A Nebraska State Patrol investigator fired one round from his duty weapon, striking Pedrazo in the neck. He is in critical condition after undergoing surgery.

Nebraska trooper shoots, critically injures man

WASHINGTON (AP) — Both sides are telling the Supreme Court there’s no middle ground in Wednesday’s showdown over abortion. 

The justices can either reaffirm the constitutional right to an abortion or wipe it away altogether. 

The 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is facing its most serious challenge in 30 years in front of a court with a 6-3 conservative majority that's been remade by three appointees of President Donald Trump. 

A ruling that overturned Roe would lead to outright bans or severe restrictions on abortion in 26 states. 

That assessment comes from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. 

The case being argued comes from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Both sides are telling the Supreme Court there’s no middle ground in Wednesday’s showdown over abortion. The justices can either reaffirm the constitutional right to an abortion or wipe it away altogether. The 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is facing its most serious challenge in 30 years in front of a court with a 6-3 conservative majority that's been remade by three appointees of President Donald Trump. A ruling that overturned Roe would lead to outright bans or severe restrictions on abortion in 26 states. That assessment comes from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. The case being argued comes from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks.

Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Postal workers who recall packages and letters piled up in distribution hubs a year ago are gearing up for another holiday crush. 

The Postal Service and private shippers UPS and FedEx are bolstering their hiring by bringing in about 230,000 seasonal workers to ensure they don’t become overwhelmed by packages again. 

But low product inventories and port and supply chain disruptions are creating new uncertainty about getting gifts delivered on time. 

Despite that, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said this month: “We are ready.”

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Postal workers who recall packages and letters piled up in distribution hubs a year ago are gearing up for another holiday crush. The Postal Service and private shippers UPS and FedEx are bolstering their hiring by bringing in about 230,000 seasonal workers to ensure they don’t become overwhelmed by packages again. But low product inventories and port and supply chain disruptions are creating new uncertainty about getting gifts delivered on time. Despite that, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said this month: “We are ready.”Cover image courtesy pixabay.

Shippers prepare for another pandemic crush of holiday gifts

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — More than $1 million has been raised for a man who spent 43 years behind bars before a judge overturned his conviction in a triple killing. 

The GoFundMe fundraiser to benefit Kevin Strickland had raised $1.1 million by Friday afternoon, and donations kept coming. 

The Midwest Innocence Project set up the online fundraiser as they fought for his release, noting that he wouldn’t receive compensation from Missouri and needed help paying for basic living expenses. 

The state only allows wrongful imprisonment payments to people exonerated through DNA evidence, so the 62-year-old Strickland doesn’t qualify.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — More than $1 million has been raised for a man who spent 43 years behind bars before a judge overturned his conviction in a triple killing. The GoFundMe fundraiser to benefit Kevin Strickland had raised $1.1 million by Friday afternoon, and donations kept coming. The Midwest Innocence Project set up the online fundraiser as they fought for his release, noting that he wouldn’t receive compensation from Missouri and needed help paying for basic living expenses. The state only allows wrongful imprisonment payments to people exonerated through DNA evidence, so the 62-year-old Strickland doesn’t qualify.Cover image courtesy pixabay.

Donors raise more than $1M to help man freed after 43 years

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks sank Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly falling more than 1,000 points, as a new coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa appeared to be spreading across the globe. 

The S&amp;P 500 index fell 2.3%, its worst day since February and the Nasdaq composite had its worst drop in two months. The Dow closed with a loss of 905 points. 

Travel and energy stocks were among the biggest losers, with Royal Caribbean dropping 13%, United Airlines falling more than 9% and Exxon losing 3.5%. The price of oil fell 13% and bond yields fell sharply.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks sank Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly falling more than 1,000 points, as a new coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa appeared to be spreading across the globe. The S&amp;P 500 index fell 2.3%, its worst day since February and the Nasdaq composite had its worst drop in two months. The Dow closed with a loss of 905 points. Travel and energy stocks were among the biggest losers, with Royal Caribbean dropping 13%, United Airlines falling more than 9% and Exxon losing 3.5%. The price of oil fell 13% and bond yields fell sharply.

Stocks sink on new COVID variant; Dow loses 905 points

HUMBOLDT, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Agency is investigating after a fatal fire on Thanksgiving morning in rural eastern Nebraska. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the fire was reported just after 4:30 a.m. in Humboldt. 

The home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. 

Humboldt is in Richardson County, 60 miles southeast of Lincoln.

HUMBOLDT, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Agency is investigating after a fatal fire on Thanksgiving morning in rural eastern Nebraska. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the fire was reported just after 4:30 a.m. in Humboldt. The home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. A body was found in the home. No further information was released. Humboldt is in Richardson County, 60 miles southeast of Lincoln.