Every year, there’s always a few “must-have” toys on 
most kids’ holiday wish lists. The toy sells out fast and becomes 
expensive and hard to find. On top of that, the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/25984-bbb-tip-dont-let-the-microchip-shortage-ruin-your-holiday-shopping" target="_blank">microchip shortage</a> has parents worried about getting their deliveries on time.&nbsp; This year’s hot picks, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/hottest-toys-amazon-holiday-season-2021/" target="_blank">according to Amazon</a>
 (a BBB Accredited Business), include Galactic Snackin’ Grogu 
Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda); game consoles, such as Nintendo Switch and 
Playstation; LEGO; and L.O.L. Surprise dolls. Scammers are using the 
toys' popularity to trick parents out of their money.&nbsp;

You are looking for these toys, but they are sold out at 
every store you visit. So you decide to look online. A quick search 
takes you to a page that miraculously has the toy in stock. The site may
 look professional and have original images of the product. It may even 
offer the product at discounted prices, claiming a “last-minute deal” or
 “flash sale.”

Unfortunately, many such offers are fake. In many cases reported to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>,
 buyers thought they were ordering a high-quality, animatronic toy. 
Instead, they received a cheap counterfeit version. In other cases, the 
products never shipped at all and the websites vanished. In either case,
 when the dissatisfied customers tried to follow up with the company, 
they found that the staff either didn't respond or refused to provide a 
refund.&nbsp;

For example, one shopper told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 that they fell for a phony deal on gaming consoles: "I was online 
searching for an in-stock Nintendo Switch OLED. The Nintendo site did 
not have any in stock. I searched on Google for Nintendo switch OLED and
 found this site [redacted] for $99.99. I thought wow that is cheap, and
 let’s go for it! I also bought a PlayStation 5 for the same price with a
 different email (since only one promotional item per email). They 
emailed me a confirmation and it said to wait 24 to 48 hours for 
shipping information. I go to check today on order status and they took 
their website down. I tried emailing them and the email just returns 
back to me undeliverable."&nbsp;

Another shopper found what they thought was a great deal 
on LEGO, but the product never shipped. "The product NEVER arrived, even
 though [redacted] gave me the run-around for 3 months saying it was on 
the way," the consumer told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.
 "I checked the tracking number they gave me with the USPS, and they 
didn't have anything with that number ever. It was a fake to begin 
with."

See&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/online-shopping" target="_blank">BBB.org/onlineshopping</a>&nbsp;for more online shopping tips.&nbsp;For more about avoiding scams this holiday season, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday">BBB.org/Holiday</a>.&nbsp;

If you’ve spot a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. Your report can help others avoid falling victim.

If you see a questionable ad, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/bbbi/adtruth" target="_blank">BBB AdTruth</a>&nbsp;so we can investigate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauEvery year, there’s always a few “must-have” toys on 
most kids’ holiday wish lists. The toy sells out fast and becomes 
expensive and hard to find. On top of that, the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/25984-bbb-tip-dont-let-the-microchip-shortage-ruin-your-holiday-shopping" target="_blank">microchip shortage</a> has parents worried about getting their deliveries on time.&nbsp; This year’s hot picks, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/hottest-toys-amazon-holiday-season-2021/" target="_blank">according to Amazon</a>
 (a BBB Accredited Business), include Galactic Snackin’ Grogu 
Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda); game consoles, such as Nintendo Switch and 
Playstation; LEGO; and L.O.L. Surprise dolls. Scammers are using the 
toys' popularity to trick parents out of their money.&nbsp; <h2>How the Scam Works</h2>You are looking for these toys, but they are sold out at 
every store you visit. So you decide to look online. A quick search 
takes you to a page that miraculously has the toy in stock. The site may
 look professional and have original images of the product. It may even 
offer the product at discounted prices, claiming a “last-minute deal” or
 “flash sale.”Unfortunately, many such offers are fake. In many cases reported to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>,
 buyers thought they were ordering a high-quality, animatronic toy. 
Instead, they received a cheap counterfeit version. In other cases, the 
products never shipped at all and the websites vanished. In either case,
 when the dissatisfied customers tried to follow up with the company, 
they found that the staff either didn't respond or refused to provide a 
refund.&nbsp;For example, one shopper told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 that they fell for a phony deal on gaming consoles: "I was online 
searching for an in-stock Nintendo Switch OLED. The Nintendo site did 
not have any in stock. I searched on Google for Nintendo switch OLED and
 found this site [redacted] for $99.99. I thought wow that is cheap, and
 let’s go for it! I also bought a PlayStation 5 for the same price with a
 different email (since only one promotional item per email). They 
emailed me a confirmation and it said to wait 24 to 48 hours for 
shipping information. I go to check today on order status and they took 
their website down. I tried emailing them and the email just returns 
back to me undeliverable."&nbsp;Another shopper found what they thought was a great deal 
on LEGO, but the product never shipped. "The product NEVER arrived, even
 though [redacted] gave me the run-around for 3 months saying it was on 
the way," the consumer told <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.
 "I checked the tracking number they gave me with the USPS, and they 
didn't have anything with that number ever. It was a fake to begin 
with."<h2>Tips to avoid toy scams</h2><ul>
 <li>Only buy toys from reputable stores and websites.&nbsp;The best way to avoid getting scammed when purchasing toys is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust. </li><li>Don’t be fooled by extra-low prices.&nbsp;Unreasonably
 low prices are a red flag for a scam on many products. Avoid making a 
purchase from a retailer you aren’t familiar with just because the price
 sounds too good to be true – it probably is! </li><li>Research before you buy. If a company 
seems legitimate but you aren’t familiar with it, be extra careful with 
your personal information. Before offering up your name, address, and 
credit card information, make sure the company has a working customer 
service number </li>
 </ul>For More InformationSee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/online-shopping" target="_blank">BBB.org/onlineshopping</a>&nbsp;for more online shopping tips.&nbsp;For more about avoiding scams this holiday season, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday">BBB.org/Holiday</a>.&nbsp;If you’ve spot a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>. Your report can help others avoid falling victim.If you see a questionable ad, report it to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/bbbi/adtruth" target="_blank">BBB AdTruth</a>&nbsp;so we can investigate.

Scammers take advantage of shoppers looking for season's 'hot toys'

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the 
amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2022 has 
increased to $20,500, up from $19,500 for 2021 and 2020. The IRS today 
also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost‑of‑living 
adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other 
retirement-related items for tax year 2022 in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-61.pdf">Notice 2021-61</a>&nbsp;PDF, posted today on IRS.gov.

The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 
403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan
 is increased to $20,500, up from $19,500.

The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible 
contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), 
to contribute to Roth IRAs, and to claim the Saver's Credit all 
increased for 2022.

Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet 
certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or the 
taxpayer's spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the 
deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, 
depending on filing status and income. (If neither the taxpayer nor the 
spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, the phase-outs of the 
deduction do not apply.) Here are the phase-out ranges for 2022:

The income phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to
 a Roth IRA is increased to $129,000 to $144,000 for singles and heads 
of household, up from $125,000 to $140,000. For married couples filing 
jointly, the income phase-out range is increased to $204,000 to 
$214,000, up from $198,000 to $208,000. The phase-out range for a 
married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a
 Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and 
remains $0 to $10,000.

The income limit for the Saver's Credit (also known as the Retirement
 Savings Contributions Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is 
$68,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $66,000; $51,000 for
 heads of household, up from $49,500; and $34,000 for singles and 
married individuals filing separately, up from $33,000.

The amount individuals can contribute to their SIMPLE retirement accounts is increased to $14,000, up from $13,500.

Key employee contribution limits that remain unchanged

The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains unchanged at 
$6,000. The IRA catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and 
over is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains 
$1,000.

The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who 
participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal 
government's Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $6,500. Therefore,
 participants in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal 
government's Thrift Savings Plan who are 50 and older can contribute up 
to $27,000, starting in 2022. The catch-up contribution limit for 
employees aged 50 and over who participate in SIMPLE plans remains 
unchanged at $3,000.

Details on these and other retirement-related cost-of-living adjustments for 2022 are in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-61.pdf">Notice 2021-61</a>&nbsp;PDF, available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the 
amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2022 has 
increased to $20,500, up from $19,500 for 2021 and 2020. The IRS today 
also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost‑of‑living 
adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other 
retirement-related items for tax year 2022 in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-61.pdf">Notice 2021-61</a>&nbsp;PDF, posted today on IRS.gov.<h2>Highlights of changes for 2022</h2>The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 
403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan
 is increased to $20,500, up from $19,500.The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible 
contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), 
to contribute to Roth IRAs, and to claim the Saver's Credit all 
increased for 2022.Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet 
certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or the 
taxpayer's spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the 
deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, 
depending on filing status and income. (If neither the taxpayer nor the 
spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, the phase-outs of the 
deduction do not apply.) Here are the phase-out ranges for 2022:<ul>
 <li>For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the
 phase-out range is increased to $68,000 to $78,000, up from $66,000 to 
$76,000.</li><li>For married couples filing jointly, if the spouse making the IRA 
contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out 
range is increased to $109,000 to $129,000, up from $105,000 to 
$125,000.</li><li>For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement
 plan and is married to someone who is covered, the phase-out range is 
increased to $204,000 to $214,000, up from $198,000 to $208,000.</li><li>For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by
 a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an 
annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.</li>
 </ul>The income phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to
 a Roth IRA is increased to $129,000 to $144,000 for singles and heads 
of household, up from $125,000 to $140,000. For married couples filing 
jointly, the income phase-out range is increased to $204,000 to 
$214,000, up from $198,000 to $208,000. The phase-out range for a 
married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a
 Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and 
remains $0 to $10,000.The income limit for the Saver's Credit (also known as the Retirement
 Savings Contributions Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is 
$68,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $66,000; $51,000 for
 heads of household, up from $49,500; and $34,000 for singles and 
married individuals filing separately, up from $33,000.The amount individuals can contribute to their SIMPLE retirement accounts is increased to $14,000, up from $13,500.<h2>Key employee contribution limits that remain unchanged</h2>The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains unchanged at 
$6,000. The IRA catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and 
over is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains 
$1,000.The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who 
participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal 
government's Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $6,500. Therefore,
 participants in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal 
government's Thrift Savings Plan who are 50 and older can contribute up 
to $27,000, starting in 2022. The catch-up contribution limit for 
employees aged 50 and over who participate in SIMPLE plans remains 
unchanged at $3,000.Details on these and other retirement-related cost-of-living adjustments for 2022 are in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-61.pdf">Notice 2021-61</a>&nbsp;PDF, available on IRS.gov.

IRS announces 401(k) limit increases to contributions

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the deadly shooting of a 28-year-old man in Grand Island. 

The Grand Island Independent reports that police responded just after 3 a.m. Thursday and found Tesloach Kek Yiel wounded. 

He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

An autopsy has been ordered, and police are encouraging anyone with security or doorbell cameras to call.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the deadly shooting of a 28-year-old man in Grand Island. The Grand Island Independent reports that police responded just after 3 a.m. Thursday and found Tesloach Kek Yiel wounded. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered, and police are encouraging anyone with security or doorbell cameras to call.

28-year-old shot, killed in Nebraska

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Protesters against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in South Dakota are suing Gov. Kristi Noem after the state denied their application to demonstrate on Capitol grounds during a special legislative session this month.

 The group of protesters say they planned to hold a demonstration next week to push the Legislature to take up a bill that would keep businesses from requiring vaccines as a condition of employment. 

But they were told by state employees they could not hold the event on Capitol grounds because it was being decorated for a Christmas display.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Protesters against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in South Dakota are suing Gov. Kristi Noem after the state denied their application to demonstrate on Capitol grounds during a special legislative session this month. The group of protesters say they planned to hold a demonstration next week to push the Legislature to take up a bill that would keep businesses from requiring vaccines as a condition of employment. But they were told by state employees they could not hold the event on Capitol grounds because it was being decorated for a Christmas display.

Vaccine mandate protesters sue South Dakota over permit

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats added a new paid family leave program, immigrant work permits and a state-and-local tax break to President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion social services and environmental bill Wednesday, reviving key priorities in the rush to finish up and start voting after dismal overnight election results.

The House Rules Committee convened late Wednesday afternoon to consider the updated text of the now-sprawling 2,135-page package — a crucial step ahead of initial House votes that are possible as soon as Thursday.

The flurry of last-minute additions — on top of a plan to include lower Medicare prescription drug prices — comes as Democrats are desperate to deliver on Biden’s signature domestic proposals after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2021-virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-mcaulife-6cdbf77acf9a966e216ab2a297601baa">grim election results for the party in Virginia</a>, a warning that their grip on power could be in peril in next year’s midterms.

Most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-election-ap-votecast-survey-75520c5c9a245bee384526abc138a61a">voters in Virginia said drawn-out negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Washington over Biden’s governing agenda were an important factor in their vote, so blame was flowing to Capitol Hill as Democrats have spent months arguing over details of the package.

“We’ve got to produce,” Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told reporters at the Capitol. “We’ve got to get results for people.”

From the White House, Biden agreed: “What I do know is I do know that people want us to get things done.”

Biden said, “I’m continuing to push very hard for the Democratic Party to move along and pass my infrastructure bill and my ‘Build Back Better’ bill.”

Democrats have been working fervently to shelve their differences, particularly with holdout Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and launch votes on Biden’s big bill and a related $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package that has stalled.

The family leave provision Manchin had resisted earlier is expected to include four weeks of paid time off for childbirth, recovery from major illness or caring for family members, less than the 12-week program once envisioned, but all fully paid for with revenue elsewhere.

Biden had reluctantly dropped a scaled-back paid leave proposal from last week’s White House framework after Manchin balked at the cost. But Democrats who lobbied that paid leave has been a party priority for decades continued to push it.

Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the paid leave program came together after talks early Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It’s “a policy that will finally give workers and their families the peace of mind of knowing that when disaster strikes, they can rely on paid leave to avoid total crisis,” he said in a statement.

On another remaining issue, the Democrats compromised on a plan partly to do away with the $10,000 limit on state and local tax deductions that particularly hits New York, California and other high-tax states and was enacted as part of the Trump-era 2017 tax plan.

While repeal of the so-called SALT deduction cap is a priority for several northeastern state lawmakers, progressives wanted to prevent the super-wealthy from benefiting. Under the plan, the $10,000 deduction cap would be lifted to $72,500 for 10 years, starting with the 2021 tax year.

And the just-added immigration provision would create a new program for some 7 million immigrants who are in the country without legal standing, allowing them to apply for permits to work and travel in the U.S. for five years. It would also allow the government to tap unused visas to admit people into the U.S.

Resolving the immigration issue was among the last daunting challenges to finishing up the draft of Biden’s package. Biden had set aside $100 billion to fund the immigration changes, which could bolster the overall package from $1.75 trillion to $1.85 trillion if the provision is accepted by the Senate. Lawmakers plan to make their case to Senate parliamentarian in coming days, hopeful the changes will pass muster under Senate rules because they build on existing programs, those involved said.

“We have to have something for our immigrants,” said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.

Both the paid family leave and the immigration law changes have drawn resistance from Manchin, whose support remains crucial in the 50-50 Senate, where Biden has no votes to spare. The overall bill faces united opposition from Republicans.

Manchin wants Democrats to take more time in negotiations, and panned the paid-leave announcement, suggesting it could be done separate from Biden’s package or “in a bipartisan way.”

Pelosi in a letter to colleagues Wednesday acknowledged opposition to the House’s approach from a single senator, a reference to Manchin. But Pelosi’s strategy now seems intent on passing the most robust bill possible in her chamber and then leaving the Senate to adjust or strip out the portions they won’t agree to.

“We must strive to find common ground in the legislation,” Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues.

Biden’s $1.75 trillion package would provide large numbers of Americans with assistance to pay for health care, education, raising children and caring for elderly people in their homes. It also would provide some $555 billion in tax breaks encouraging cleaner energy and electrified vehicles, the nation’s largest commitment to tackling climate change.

Much of its costs would be covered with higher taxes on people earning over $10 million annually and large corporations, which would now face a 15% minimum tax in efforts to stop big business from claiming so many deductions they end up paying zero in taxes.

Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas., said the party’s internal debates have been harmful not only for public opinion, but “also harmful in terms of showing that our democracy is working.” He said Wednesday, “We have to show that we can govern.”

Still, the final details of Biden’s big proposal are coming into shape.

Along with Wednesday’s additions of the paid family leave, immigration and local tax deduction programs, Democrats on Tuesday reached a deal to lower prescription drug costs for most older people, capping out-of-pocket Medicare Part D costs at $2,000 and reducing the price of insulin.

For the first time, Medicare will be able to negotiate prescription drug prices in its Part B and Part D programs. The new monthly cap on the price of insulin would lower the price to no more than $35 a dose and there would be a so-called inflation rebate if annual prices rise too high, Democrats said.

Some moderate Democrats in the House said they want to see a fiscal assessment of Biden’s overall package from the Congressional Budget Office before taking the vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635971215142.png" alt="“We must strive to find common ground in the legislation,” Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues on Wednesday-photo courtesy office of House Speaker" />
 <figcaption>“We must strive to find common ground in the legislation,” Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues on Wednesday-photo courtesy office of House Speaker</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats added a new paid family leave program, immigrant work permits and a state-and-local tax break to President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion social services and environmental bill Wednesday, reviving key priorities in the rush to finish up and start voting after dismal overnight election results.The House Rules Committee convened late Wednesday afternoon to consider the updated text of the now-sprawling 2,135-page package — a crucial step ahead of initial House votes that are possible as soon as Thursday.The flurry of last-minute additions — on top of a plan to include lower Medicare prescription drug prices — comes as Democrats are desperate to deliver on Biden’s signature domestic proposals after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2021-virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-mcaulife-6cdbf77acf9a966e216ab2a297601baa">grim election results for the party in Virginia</a>, a warning that their grip on power could be in peril in next year’s midterms.Most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-election-ap-votecast-survey-75520c5c9a245bee384526abc138a61a">voters in Virginia said drawn-out negotiations</a>&nbsp;in Washington over Biden’s governing agenda were an important factor in their vote, so blame was flowing to Capitol Hill as Democrats have spent months arguing over details of the package.“We’ve got to produce,” Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told reporters at the Capitol. “We’ve got to get results for people.”From the White House, Biden agreed: “What I do know is I do know that people want us to get things done.”Biden said, “I’m continuing to push very hard for the Democratic Party to move along and pass my infrastructure bill and my ‘Build Back Better’ bill.”Democrats have been working fervently to shelve their differences, particularly with holdout Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and launch votes on Biden’s big bill and a related $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package that has stalled.The family leave provision Manchin had resisted earlier is expected to include four weeks of paid time off for childbirth, recovery from major illness or caring for family members, less than the 12-week program once envisioned, but all fully paid for with revenue elsewhere.Biden had reluctantly dropped a scaled-back paid leave proposal from last week’s White House framework after Manchin balked at the cost. But Democrats who lobbied that paid leave has been a party priority for decades continued to push it.Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the paid leave program came together after talks early Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It’s “a policy that will finally give workers and their families the peace of mind of knowing that when disaster strikes, they can rely on paid leave to avoid total crisis,” he said in a statement.On another remaining issue, the Democrats compromised on a plan partly to do away with the $10,000 limit on state and local tax deductions that particularly hits New York, California and other high-tax states and was enacted as part of the Trump-era 2017 tax plan.While repeal of the so-called SALT deduction cap is a priority for several northeastern state lawmakers, progressives wanted to prevent the super-wealthy from benefiting. Under the plan, the $10,000 deduction cap would be lifted to $72,500 for 10 years, starting with the 2021 tax year.And the just-added immigration provision would create a new program for some 7 million immigrants who are in the country without legal standing, allowing them to apply for permits to work and travel in the U.S. for five years. It would also allow the government to tap unused visas to admit people into the U.S.Resolving the immigration issue was among the last daunting challenges to finishing up the draft of Biden’s package. Biden had set aside $100 billion to fund the immigration changes, which could bolster the overall package from $1.75 trillion to $1.85 trillion if the provision is accepted by the Senate. Lawmakers plan to make their case to Senate parliamentarian in coming days, hopeful the changes will pass muster under Senate rules because they build on existing programs, those involved said.“We have to have something for our immigrants,” said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.Both the paid family leave and the immigration law changes have drawn resistance from Manchin, whose support remains crucial in the 50-50 Senate, where Biden has no votes to spare. The overall bill faces united opposition from Republicans.Manchin wants Democrats to take more time in negotiations, and panned the paid-leave announcement, suggesting it could be done separate from Biden’s package or “in a bipartisan way.”Pelosi in a letter to colleagues Wednesday acknowledged opposition to the House’s approach from a single senator, a reference to Manchin. But Pelosi’s strategy now seems intent on passing the most robust bill possible in her chamber and then leaving the Senate to adjust or strip out the portions they won’t agree to.“We must strive to find common ground in the legislation,” Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues.Biden’s $1.75 trillion package would provide large numbers of Americans with assistance to pay for health care, education, raising children and caring for elderly people in their homes. It also would provide some $555 billion in tax breaks encouraging cleaner energy and electrified vehicles, the nation’s largest commitment to tackling climate change.Much of its costs would be covered with higher taxes on people earning over $10 million annually and large corporations, which would now face a 15% minimum tax in efforts to stop big business from claiming so many deductions they end up paying zero in taxes.Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas., said the party’s internal debates have been harmful not only for public opinion, but “also harmful in terms of showing that our democracy is working.” He said Wednesday, “We have to show that we can govern.”Still, the final details of Biden’s big proposal are coming into shape.Along with Wednesday’s additions of the paid family leave, immigration and local tax deduction programs, Democrats on Tuesday reached a deal to lower prescription drug costs for most older people, capping out-of-pocket Medicare Part D costs at $2,000 and reducing the price of insulin.For the first time, Medicare will be able to negotiate prescription drug prices in its Part B and Part D programs. The new monthly cap on the price of insulin would lower the price to no more than $35 a dose and there would be a so-called inflation rebate if annual prices rise too high, Democrats said.Some moderate Democrats in the House said they want to see a fiscal assessment of Biden’s overall package from the Congressional Budget Office before taking the vote.

Paid leave, immigration, tax changes added to Biden's $1.7T bill

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. —A Nebraska man was transported to the hospital after the SUV he was driving struck the back of a tractor-trailer rig hauling metal just north of the Interstate 135/Interstate 70 interchange just after 12:30a.m. Thursday.

Jeffery Wolfe, 37, of Stanton, Neb., was northbound in the left-hand lane of Interstate 135 in a 2004 Lincoln Aviator when the SUV drifted into the right-hand lane and struck the back left corner of the tractor-trailer rig that was merging from Interstate 70 onto Interstate 35/U.S. Highway 81, according to Saline County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael Ascher.

The rig was being driven by David Mitchell, 51, of Wyoming was driving the semi.nThere was no evidence of braking or skid marks prior to impact, Ascher said.&nbsp; The crash caved in the passenger side of the SUV. 

Wolfe, who had to be extracated from the SUV, suffered a possible broken bone and other minor injuries, and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, Ascher said. Mitchell was not injured. 

Additionally, a yellow Labrador, who was in the back seat of the SUV, was not injured, Ascher said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636042149291.jpeg" alt="The inside of the SUV on the driver's side. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The inside of the SUV on the driver's side. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY, Kan. —A Nebraska man was transported to the hospital after the SUV he was driving struck the back of a tractor-trailer rig hauling metal just north of the Interstate 135/Interstate 70 interchange just after 12:30a.m. Thursday.Jeffery Wolfe, 37, of Stanton, Neb., was northbound in the left-hand lane of Interstate 135 in a 2004 Lincoln Aviator when the SUV drifted into the right-hand lane and struck the back left corner of the tractor-trailer rig that was merging from Interstate 70 onto Interstate 35/U.S. Highway 81, according to Saline County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael Ascher.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636041980005.jpeg" alt="The SUV struck the back left of the the tractor-trailer rig." />
 <figcaption>The SUV struck the back left of the the tractor-trailer rig.</figcaption>
 </figure>The rig was being driven by David Mitchell, 51, of Wyoming was driving the semi.nThere was no evidence of braking or skid marks prior to impact, Ascher said.&nbsp; The crash caved in the passenger side of the SUV. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636041870776.jpeg" alt="The front passenger side of the SUV." />
 <figcaption>The front passenger side of the SUV.</figcaption>
 </figure>Wolfe, who had to be extracated from the SUV, suffered a possible broken bone and other minor injuries, and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, Ascher said. Mitchell was not injured. Additionally, a yellow Labrador, who was in the back seat of the SUV, was not injured, Ascher said.

Nebraska man injured after SUV, semi crash in Kansas

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old man who had been sought in a fatal shooting last month in Omaha is now in custody. 

Omaha police said Wednesday that the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force found Elijah Robinson and booked him into Douglas County Corrections.

 He is accused of first-degree murder and a weapons charge for allegedly killing 18-year-old KorVanta Hill. 

Hill was found wounded on a sidewalk on Oct. 18, and died at a hospital.

 Robinson is the second man accused in the crime, along with 19-year-old Justyn Wagner.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old man who had been sought in a fatal shooting last month in Omaha is now in custody. Omaha police said Wednesday that the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force found Elijah Robinson and booked him into Douglas County Corrections. He is accused of first-degree murder and a weapons charge for allegedly killing 18-year-old KorVanta Hill. Hill was found wounded on a sidewalk on Oct. 18, and died at a hospital. Robinson is the second man accused in the crime, along with 19-year-old Justyn Wagner.

Man who had been sought in fatal shooting now in custody

WASHINGTON (AP) —Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules issued Thursday.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said companies that fail to comply could face penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation.

The new requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September, will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses, although it is not clear how many of those employees are unvaccinated.

Tougher rules will apply to another 17 million people who work in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that receive money from Medicare and Medicaid. Those workers will not have an option for testing and will need to be vaccinated.

It was unclear how OSHA planned to enforce the rules. A senior administration official said the agency would target companies if it gets complaints.

Workers will be able to ask for exemptions on medical or religious grounds.

The release of the rules followed weeks of regulatory review and meetings with business groups, labor unions and others. The regulations form the cornerstone of Biden’s most aggressive effort yet to combat the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 740,000 people in the U.S.

OSHA drafted the rules under emergency authority meant to protect workers from an imminent health hazard. Senior administration officials said the rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that ban employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or the wearing of face masks.

The administration will face an immediate challenge from Republican state officials who are eager to fight Biden in court. More than two dozen Republicans serving as state attorneys general have indicated they plan to sue, arguing that only Congress can enact such sweeping requirements under emergency authority.

Last week, 19 states sued to stop Biden’s narrower mandate that employees of federal contractors be vaccinated. That requirement was scheduled to take effect Dec. 8, but the administration said Thursday it will be delayed until Jan. 4 to match the requirements on other large employers and health care providers.

Workers will need to receive either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine by Jan. 4. Unvaccinated employees must submit a verified negative test to the company at least once a week and wear face masks on the job.

Employees who test positive must be removed from the workplace.

OSHA will require businesses to provide paid time off for employees to get vaccines and sick leave to recover from side effects that prevent them from working. The requirements for masks and paid time off for shots will take effect Dec. 5.

Because vaccines are free, OSHA said, companies do not have to provide or pay for tests.

The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services issued a rule requiring vaccination for workers in 76,000 health facilities and home health care providers that get funding from the government health programs. A senior administration official said that several large private health care organizations imposed their own mandates and achieved high vaccination rates — 96% or higher — without widespread resignations.

The White House sees the new requirements as a potent tool to winnow down the ranks of the tens of millions of Americans who have thus far refused to get a shot.

For weeks, Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-6e758dc5e24320677e48f58cbfca37bf">encouraged businesses not to wait&nbsp;</a>for the OSHA rule to take effect. He has touted businesses that have already announced their own vaccine mandates and urged other companies to follow their lead.

Administration officials say those efforts are paying off, with about 70% of the nation’s adults now fully vaccinated.

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, said in late July it was requiring all workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, as well as its managers who travel within the U.S., to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But the company had stopped short of requiring shots for its frontline workers.

United Airlines required U.S. employees to get vaccinated or face termination. Only a very small number of its 67,000 workers refused to do so.

In August, Tyson Foods told its 120,000 U.S. workers that they must be vaccinated by Nov. 1. A week before that deadline, the company said 96% of its workforce was fully vaccinated.

However, some companies have expressed fear that some vaccine-hesitant workers might quit, leaving their workforces even thinner in what is already a tight labor market.

Several large business groups complained about the timing of the mandate. Retail groups worried that the requirement could disrupt their operations during the critical Christmas shopping period. Retailers and others also said it could worsen supply chain disruptions.

The mandate on federal contractors led to demonstrations by opponents, including workers at a NASA rocket engine test site in Mississippi. Some said they are immune because they contracted COVID-19. Others said vaccines violated their religious beliefs and constitutional rights.

“No one should be forced to take a medical treatment just to keep their job,” said Nyla Trumbach, an engineer at the site. “There’s years and years of experience and skill out here, and I just want anyone who’s watching to see what we stand to lose here if these people don’t keep their jobs.”

Dozens of groups sought meetings with administration officials to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-college-football-sports-business-29461bc697d9e7e4b9f5227d50693038">air their concerns</a>&nbsp;and objections to likely provisions of the OSHA rule, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the AFL-CIO and anti-vaccine organizations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631817363595.png" alt="President Biden says,"just get the shot."&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Biden says,"just get the shot."&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules issued Thursday.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said companies that fail to comply could face penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation.The new requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September, will apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses, although it is not clear how many of those employees are unvaccinated.Tougher rules will apply to another 17 million people who work in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that receive money from Medicare and Medicaid. Those workers will not have an option for testing and will need to be vaccinated.It was unclear how OSHA planned to enforce the rules. A senior administration official said the agency would target companies if it gets complaints.Workers will be able to ask for exemptions on medical or religious grounds.The release of the rules followed weeks of regulatory review and meetings with business groups, labor unions and others. The regulations form the cornerstone of Biden’s most aggressive effort yet to combat the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 740,000 people in the U.S.OSHA drafted the rules under emergency authority meant to protect workers from an imminent health hazard. Senior administration officials said the rules preempt conflicting state laws or orders, including those that ban employers from requiring vaccinations, testing or the wearing of face masks.The administration will face an immediate challenge from Republican state officials who are eager to fight Biden in court. More than two dozen Republicans serving as state attorneys general have indicated they plan to sue, arguing that only Congress can enact such sweeping requirements under emergency authority.Last week, 19 states sued to stop Biden’s narrower mandate that employees of federal contractors be vaccinated. That requirement was scheduled to take effect Dec. 8, but the administration said Thursday it will be delayed until Jan. 4 to match the requirements on other large employers and health care providers.Workers will need to receive either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine by Jan. 4. Unvaccinated employees must submit a verified negative test to the company at least once a week and wear face masks on the job.Employees who test positive must be removed from the workplace.OSHA will require businesses to provide paid time off for employees to get vaccines and sick leave to recover from side effects that prevent them from working. The requirements for masks and paid time off for shots will take effect Dec. 5.Because vaccines are free, OSHA said, companies do not have to provide or pay for tests.The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services issued a rule requiring vaccination for workers in 76,000 health facilities and home health care providers that get funding from the government health programs. A senior administration official said that several large private health care organizations imposed their own mandates and achieved high vaccination rates — 96% or higher — without widespread resignations.The White House sees the new requirements as a potent tool to winnow down the ranks of the tens of millions of Americans who have thus far refused to get a shot.For weeks, Biden has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-6e758dc5e24320677e48f58cbfca37bf">encouraged businesses not to wait&nbsp;</a>for the OSHA rule to take effect. He has touted businesses that have already announced their own vaccine mandates and urged other companies to follow their lead.Administration officials say those efforts are paying off, with about 70% of the nation’s adults now fully vaccinated.Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, said in late July it was requiring all workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, as well as its managers who travel within the U.S., to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But the company had stopped short of requiring shots for its frontline workers.United Airlines required U.S. employees to get vaccinated or face termination. Only a very small number of its 67,000 workers refused to do so.In August, Tyson Foods told its 120,000 U.S. workers that they must be vaccinated by Nov. 1. A week before that deadline, the company said 96% of its workforce was fully vaccinated.However, some companies have expressed fear that some vaccine-hesitant workers might quit, leaving their workforces even thinner in what is already a tight labor market.Several large business groups complained about the timing of the mandate. Retail groups worried that the requirement could disrupt their operations during the critical Christmas shopping period. Retailers and others also said it could worsen supply chain disruptions.The mandate on federal contractors led to demonstrations by opponents, including workers at a NASA rocket engine test site in Mississippi. Some said they are immune because they contracted COVID-19. Others said vaccines violated their religious beliefs and constitutional rights.“No one should be forced to take a medical treatment just to keep their job,” said Nyla Trumbach, an engineer at the site. “There’s years and years of experience and skill out here, and I just want anyone who’s watching to see what we stand to lose here if these people don’t keep their jobs.”Dozens of groups sought meetings with administration officials to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-college-football-sports-business-29461bc697d9e7e4b9f5227d50693038">air their concerns</a>&nbsp;and objections to likely provisions of the OSHA rule, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the AFL-CIO and anti-vaccine organizations.___

Biden vaccine mandate rules: Shots or weekly tests by Jan. 4

MOLINE, IL.&nbsp; (AP) —Deere executives said Wednesday that the company wouldn’t return to the bargaining table with striking workers because it wouldn’t offer a better contract than one they rejected that included immediate 10% raises.

Marc Howze, the chief administrative officer of Deere &amp; Co., said the deal the United Auto Workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">union rejected</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday represented the most it could offer and still keep its costs competitive.

Howze declined to discuss how much the ongoing strike is costing Deere, which will release its next earnings report later this month. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">disputed contract</a>&nbsp;would cover more than 10,000 Deere workers at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, who make the company’s iconic John Deere green tractors and other equipment.

The company plans to reach out to employees directly now to stress the virtues of its offer while it tries to keep its plants running with salaried employees and other workers to meet customer commitments. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up the slack.

“We want to make sure they understand the value of the agreement, to make sure they understand that there is nothing to be gained by continuing to hold out,” Howze said. “To some degree, because we were able to come to a resolution as quickly as we were, I think there’s some folks who believe there must be some more available.”

In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer included 5% raises in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal, and it would have provided an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserved a pension option for new employees, made workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintained their no-premium health insurance coverage.

UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said union leaders were meeting to discuss their next moves. With a majority of workers voting against the latest offer, union officials face demands to deliver more but that might be difficult given the Moline, Illinois-based company’s stance. And pressure to reach a settlement will mount the longer workers go without pay.

The vote Tuesday was much closer than when 90% of the workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">rejected the company’s first offer</a>&nbsp;last month, but 55% of the workers still rejected the latest offer. Workers have been encouraged to seek more now because of the current worker shortages and Deere’s strong profits.

“It seems general membership feels emboldened by this current political moment of labor power. They’re pushing things further than the union leadership apparently wants to go,” said Victor Chen, a sociologist at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies labor. “It’s a gamble, but the economic wind is against their backs, given widespread supply chain problems and the current worker shortage.”

Deere officials, who have predicted that the company will report record profits of between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion this fiscal year, don’t want to miss out on sales to farmers who are ready to buy thanks to strong crop prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that farmers’ net income will increase by nearly 20% this year, to $113 billion.

Observers say the rejection of the deal shows pent-up anger among Deere workers over how much of its profits the company has been willing to share with workers.

“Although the proposed contract was a significant improvement over the previous offer, the Deere workers evidently felt that the company could afford more,” Fordham University sociologist Chris Rhomberg said. “For decades, wages across the economy have lagged behind productivity growth, and workers may be tired of seeing the gains from their efforts go predominantly to corporations making record-breaking earnings.”

Now the challenge for the UAW and Deere will be finding a way to resolve their differences in a way that workers will accept, said Todd Vachon, a former member of a carpenter’s union who now teaches about labor relations at Rutgers University.

“There is always the risk of overplaying one’s hand — on both sides, really,” Vachon said. “It appears the final mile will likely involve some changes to work rules and working conditions in addition to just wage increases.”

The longer the strike continues, the more painful it will become for everyone, Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said.

“During the dragging on, both sides lose,” Goss said. “Workers are looking at lost income. John Deere is looking at lost sales. So they both have sort of guns pointing at each other’s heads, economically speaking.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered only 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered only 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MOLINE, IL.&nbsp; (AP) —Deere executives said Wednesday that the company wouldn’t return to the bargaining table with striking workers because it wouldn’t offer a better contract than one they rejected that included immediate 10% raises.Marc Howze, the chief administrative officer of Deere &amp; Co., said the deal the United Auto Workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">union rejected</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday represented the most it could offer and still keep its costs competitive.Howze declined to discuss how much the ongoing strike is costing Deere, which will release its next earnings report later this month. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">disputed contract</a>&nbsp;would cover more than 10,000 Deere workers at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, who make the company’s iconic John Deere green tractors and other equipment.The company plans to reach out to employees directly now to stress the virtues of its offer while it tries to keep its plants running with salaried employees and other workers to meet customer commitments. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up the slack.“We want to make sure they understand the value of the agreement, to make sure they understand that there is nothing to be gained by continuing to hold out,” Howze said. “To some degree, because we were able to come to a resolution as quickly as we were, I think there’s some folks who believe there must be some more available.”In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer included 5% raises in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal, and it would have provided an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserved a pension option for new employees, made workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintained their no-premium health insurance coverage.UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said union leaders were meeting to discuss their next moves. With a majority of workers voting against the latest offer, union officials face demands to deliver more but that might be difficult given the Moline, Illinois-based company’s stance. And pressure to reach a settlement will mount the longer workers go without pay.The vote Tuesday was much closer than when 90% of the workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">rejected the company’s first offer</a>&nbsp;last month, but 55% of the workers still rejected the latest offer. Workers have been encouraged to seek more now because of the current worker shortages and Deere’s strong profits.“It seems general membership feels emboldened by this current political moment of labor power. They’re pushing things further than the union leadership apparently wants to go,” said Victor Chen, a sociologist at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies labor. “It’s a gamble, but the economic wind is against their backs, given widespread supply chain problems and the current worker shortage.”ADVERTISEMENTDeere officials, who have predicted that the company will report record profits of between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion this fiscal year, don’t want to miss out on sales to farmers who are ready to buy thanks to strong crop prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that farmers’ net income will increase by nearly 20% this year, to $113 billion.Observers say the rejection of the deal shows pent-up anger among Deere workers over how much of its profits the company has been willing to share with workers.“Although the proposed contract was a significant improvement over the previous offer, the Deere workers evidently felt that the company could afford more,” Fordham University sociologist Chris Rhomberg said. “For decades, wages across the economy have lagged behind productivity growth, and workers may be tired of seeing the gains from their efforts go predominantly to corporations making record-breaking earnings.”Now the challenge for the UAW and Deere will be finding a way to resolve their differences in a way that workers will accept, said Todd Vachon, a former member of a carpenter’s union who now teaches about labor relations at Rutgers University.“There is always the risk of overplaying one’s hand — on both sides, really,” Vachon said. “It appears the final mile will likely involve some changes to work rules and working conditions in addition to just wage increases.”The longer the strike continues, the more painful it will become for everyone, Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said.“During the dragging on, both sides lose,” Goss said. “Workers are looking at lost income. John Deere is looking at lost sales. So they both have sort of guns pointing at each other’s heads, economically speaking.”

Deere warns striking workers as walkout moves into 4th week

Reports to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>&nbsp;indicate
 scammers are still using Powerball Winner Manuel Franco’s name to send 
out text messages, social media messages, phone calls or emails 
informing people they’ve “been chosen” to receive free money from 
Franco.

Lottery scams like this make it seem as if you are about to receive a
 sudden financial windfall. But, instead, the people sending the 
messages are just phishing for your personal information or may even be 
after&nbsp;your&nbsp;money.

You may recall, Wisconsin resident Manuel Franco came forward in 
April 2019 to claim a $768 million lottery jackpot. Prior to winning the
 lottery, he was working at a Target store. After winning, he was known 
to personally hand out some gift cards to random shoppers.

“This scam involves impersonators attempting to lure in victims to 
steal their personal information”, said Jim Temmer, BBB Serving 
Wisconsin CEO/president. “This is dangerous. We’ve seen this before, and
 it will likely continue because con artists do what works for them.”

There has been an uptick in this scam being reported;&nbsp;188 reports 
have been submitted to BBB Scam Tracker from consumers across the United
 States since 2019. In 2021 alone, there have been 175 submissions to 
date, an increase from the previous year (2020) of 733%. Total losses 
reported in this scam are more than $13,000.

L.M. of New Berlin reported to BBB Scam Tracker, “I was sent a 
message saying I was to receive $50,000 from Manuel Franco. I was 
tricked into giving my driver’s license number and SSN. I fell for this 
and I am really worried about what they might do.”

P.S. of Alabama reported, “I received a text saying ‘I’m Mr. Manuel 
Franco, the Powerball winner in the Powerball Millions Jackpot. Click 
here to see my winning interview. I’m donating to 1000 random 
individuals. If you get this message then your number was selected’…To 
verify your winners send a text to this number…and fill out some 
information so we can proceed immediately.”

A consumer from Colorado informed BBB that he lost $3,200 when he 
sent $200 to “activate his winnings”, and $3000 for the I.R.S” as 
instructed in order to collect his winnings. He said he believed it, 
“Because of COVID I was desperate for money.”

BBB reminds people to protect themselves from impostor scams:

For more information or further inquiries, contact <a href="https://www.bbb.org/wisconsin" target="_blank">BBB Serving Wisconsin</a>, 414-847-6000&nbsp;or 1-800-273-1002.&nbsp;Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following BBB Serving Wisconsin on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinBBB" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/WisconsinBBB" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbbwisconsin" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABiH4MFtftfPtYiN8X1sUg" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauReports to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>&nbsp;indicate
 scammers are still using Powerball Winner Manuel Franco’s name to send 
out text messages, social media messages, phone calls or emails 
informing people they’ve “been chosen” to receive free money from 
Franco.Lottery scams like this make it seem as if you are about to receive a
 sudden financial windfall. But, instead, the people sending the 
messages are just phishing for your personal information or may even be 
after&nbsp;your&nbsp;money.You may recall, Wisconsin resident Manuel Franco came forward in 
April 2019 to claim a $768 million lottery jackpot. Prior to winning the
 lottery, he was working at a Target store. After winning, he was known 
to personally hand out some gift cards to random shoppers.“This scam involves impersonators attempting to lure in victims to 
steal their personal information”, said Jim Temmer, BBB Serving 
Wisconsin CEO/president. “This is dangerous. We’ve seen this before, and
 it will likely continue because con artists do what works for them.”There has been an uptick in this scam being reported;&nbsp;188 reports 
have been submitted to BBB Scam Tracker from consumers across the United
 States since 2019. In 2021 alone, there have been 175 submissions to 
date, an increase from the previous year (2020) of 733%. Total losses 
reported in this scam are more than $13,000.L.M. of New Berlin reported to BBB Scam Tracker, “I was sent a 
message saying I was to receive $50,000 from Manuel Franco. I was 
tricked into giving my driver’s license number and SSN. I fell for this 
and I am really worried about what they might do.”P.S. of Alabama reported, “I received a text saying ‘I’m Mr. Manuel 
Franco, the Powerball winner in the Powerball Millions Jackpot. Click 
here to see my winning interview. I’m donating to 1000 random 
individuals. If you get this message then your number was selected’…To 
verify your winners send a text to this number…and fill out some 
information so we can proceed immediately.”A consumer from Colorado informed BBB that he lost $3,200 when he 
sent $200 to “activate his winnings”, and $3000 for the I.R.S” as 
instructed in order to collect his winnings. He said he believed it, 
“Because of COVID I was desperate for money.”BBB reminds people to protect themselves from impostor scams:<ul>
 <li>Be suspicious of irregular communications, especially via text, email or phone.</li><li>Don’t provide money or information to people that you don’t know or 
that promise you money in exchange. You will never have to pay upfront 
fees to claim a prize.</li><li>If you are asked to prove your identity, it’s a scam.</li><li>Always report scams to law enforcement or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.</li>
 </ul>For more information or further inquiries, contact <a href="https://www.bbb.org/wisconsin" target="_blank">BBB Serving Wisconsin</a>, 414-847-6000&nbsp;or 1-800-273-1002.&nbsp;Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following BBB Serving Wisconsin on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinBBB" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/WisconsinBBB" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbbwisconsin" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABiH4MFtftfPtYiN8X1sUg" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

It's not free money: Powerball scam continues to dupe victims

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday approved an application from The Boeing Company for a license to construct, deploy, and operate a satellite constellation.  As detailed in its FCC application, Boeing plans to provide broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental, and professional users in the United States and globally.  

“Advanced satellite broadband services have an important role to play in connecting hard-to-serve communities,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “We are committed to a careful and detailed review of all such applications and I thank the International Bureau team for their work completing this first round of NGSO applications.”

Today’s Order approves Boeing’s application for non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service system using frequencies in portions of the V-band (the 37.5-40, 40-42, 47.2-50.2 and 50.4-51.4 GHz bands), and to operate inter-satellite links (ISLs) using frequencies in portions of the V-band (65-71 GHz band).  It also dismisses Boeing’s request to operate ISLs in certain frequency bands that are not allocated internationally for operations of the FSS in the space-to-space direction in the ITU Radio Regulations.

Click <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-authorizes-boeing-broadband-satellite-constellation">HERE</a> for more.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday approved an application from The Boeing Company for a license to construct, deploy, and operate a satellite constellation. As detailed in its FCC application, Boeing plans to provide broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental, and professional users in the United States and globally. “Advanced satellite broadband services have an important role to play in connecting hard-to-serve communities,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We are committed to a careful and detailed review of all such applications and I thank the International Bureau team for their work completing this first round of NGSO applications.”Today’s Order approves Boeing’s application for non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service system using frequencies in portions of the V-band (the 37.5-40, 40-42, 47.2-50.2 and 50.4-51.4 GHz bands), and to operate inter-satellite links (ISLs) using frequencies in portions of the V-band (65-71 GHz band). It also dismisses Boeing’s request to operate ISLs in certain frequency bands that are not allocated internationally for operations of the FSS in the space-to-space direction in the ITU Radio Regulations.Click <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-authorizes-boeing-broadband-satellite-constellation">HERE</a> for more.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

FCC gives OK to Boeing satellite broadband constellation

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old suspect has been ordered held without bond in the killing of a woman in Omaha. 

KETV-TV reports that Daniel Dejaynes-Beaman was in court Wednesday.

 He is charged with first-degree murder and a weapons charge. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 14. Police found 61-year-old Jolene Harshbarger dead just before 8 a.m. Sunday inside a home.

 Prosecutors say she was sexually assaulted and stabbed at least 12 times.

 According to an arrest affidavit, Dejaynes-Beaman admitted to the stabbing.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old suspect has been ordered held without bond in the killing of a woman in Omaha. KETV-TV reports that Daniel Dejaynes-Beaman was in court Wednesday. He is charged with first-degree murder and a weapons charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 14. Police found 61-year-old Jolene Harshbarger dead just before 8 a.m. Sunday inside a home. Prosecutors say she was sexually assaulted and stabbed at least 12 times. According to an arrest affidavit, Dejaynes-Beaman admitted to the stabbing.

Man held without bond in stabbing death of Omaha woman

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 60-year-old Omaha man has been cited for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide for an accident last month that killed a motorcyclist.

 Police on Wednesday announced that the driver of the pickup truck involved in the crash has been cited.

 It wasn’t immediately clear if he has been formally charged. 

The accident happened just before 6 a.m. Oct. 21. 

Police say the pickup truck was stopped at a stop sign and pulled out, striking the motorcycle and killing 34-year-old Pedro Flores. 

The driver of the pickup was not injured.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 60-year-old Omaha man has been cited for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide for an accident last month that killed a motorcyclist. Police on Wednesday announced that the driver of the pickup truck involved in the crash has been cited. It wasn’t immediately clear if he has been formally charged. The accident happened just before 6 a.m. Oct. 21. Police say the pickup truck was stopped at a stop sign and pulled out, striking the motorcycle and killing 34-year-old Pedro Flores. The driver of the pickup was not injured.

Man cited in accident that killed motorcyclist in Omaha

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is declining to wade into a case involving transgender rights and leaving in place a lower court decision against a Catholic hospital that wouldn’t allow a transgender man to have a hysterectomy there.

The high court turned away the case without comment, as is typical. Three conservative justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch — said they would have heard the case.

Mercy San Juan Medical Center near Sacramento declined to allow the procedure to be performed at its facility saying it was an “elective sterilization” that violated the hospital’s ethical and religious obligations.

The patient, Evan Minton, got the surgery three days later at a different hospital. He sued under a California law that bars discrimination. A trial court agreed with the hospital that a three-day delay in the procedure did not involve a denial of “full and equal” access to health care under California law. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-lawsuits-california-san-francisco-10b981b960be4a1284af3b66ebe1cab6">appeals court reversed that decision</a>.

The high court’s decision not to step in is the latest win recently for transgender rights groups at the court. In June, the justices declined to weigh in on a different case involving transgender rights.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-government-and-politics-9b4cabc4e026d96d8f5492e03260985a">In that case,</a>&nbsp;the justices rejected a Virginia school board’s appeal to reinstate its transgender bathroom ban. Transgender rights groups and a former high school student had fought in court for six years to overturn the ban.

In 2020, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-supreme-courts-mi-state-wire-neil-gorsuch-ap-top-news-5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">high court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment.</a>&nbsp;The 6-3 decision was a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court. The court said a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex, among other reasons, encompasses bias against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is declining to wade into a case involving transgender rights and leaving in place a lower court decision against a Catholic hospital that wouldn’t allow a transgender man to have a hysterectomy there.The high court turned away the case without comment, as is typical. Three conservative justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch — said they would have heard the case.Mercy San Juan Medical Center near Sacramento declined to allow the procedure to be performed at its facility saying it was an “elective sterilization” that violated the hospital’s ethical and religious obligations.The patient, Evan Minton, got the surgery three days later at a different hospital. He sued under a California law that bars discrimination. A trial court agreed with the hospital that a three-day delay in the procedure did not involve a denial of “full and equal” access to health care under California law. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-lawsuits-california-san-francisco-10b981b960be4a1284af3b66ebe1cab6">appeals court reversed that decision</a>.The high court’s decision not to step in is the latest win recently for transgender rights groups at the court. In June, the justices declined to weigh in on a different case involving transgender rights.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-government-and-politics-9b4cabc4e026d96d8f5492e03260985a">In that case,</a>&nbsp;the justices rejected a Virginia school board’s appeal to reinstate its transgender bathroom ban. Transgender rights groups and a former high school student had fought in court for six years to overturn the ban.In 2020, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-supreme-courts-mi-state-wire-neil-gorsuch-ap-top-news-5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">high court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment.</a>&nbsp;The 6-3 decision was a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court. The court said a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex, among other reasons, encompasses bias against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Supreme Court won't hear case of trans man wanting hysterectomy

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Now that children ages 5 and older will soon be able to get COVID-19 vaccines, public school officials in Omaha plan to revisit the district’s mask policy in January. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan said the review will be made in consultation with the Douglas County Health Department, Children’s Hospital &amp; Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

OPS has required all students and staff to wear masks while inside the district’s school buildings since the start of the school year.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Now that children ages 5 and older will soon be able to get COVID-19 vaccines, public school officials in Omaha plan to revisit the district’s mask policy in January. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan said the review will be made in consultation with the Douglas County Health Department, Children’s Hospital &amp; Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. OPS has required all students and staff to wear masks while inside the district’s school buildings since the start of the school year.

Omaha schools to review mask policy in January

ALVO, Neb. (AP) — A resident of the small village of Alvo in eastern Nebraska is suing the village board for refusing to allow a recall election after a petition drive collected enough signatures to force a recall vote for two village board members, Larry Langer and Robin LaPage. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Alvo resident Dennis Tempelmeyer is suing, saying the board defied state law when it voted 5-0 on Oct. 5 against calling the election.

 That vote came after the Cass County Election Office certified in September that the recall effort had enough signatures to force a recall election. 

Both Langer and LaPage participated in the vote, even though election officials say they should have recused themselves.

ALVO, Neb. (AP) — A resident of the small village of Alvo in eastern Nebraska is suing the village board for refusing to allow a recall election after a petition drive collected enough signatures to force a recall vote for two village board members, Larry Langer and Robin LaPage. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Alvo resident Dennis Tempelmeyer is suing, saying the board defied state law when it voted 5-0 on Oct. 5 against calling the election. That vote came after the Cass County Election Office certified in September that the recall effort had enough signatures to force a recall election. Both Langer and LaPage participated in the vote, even though election officials say they should have recused themselves.

Nebraska village sued for refusing to allow recall vote

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Several high-profile school board candidates who fought COVID-19 restrictions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-elections-education-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-f3e0a8198edae71980f942f2eb5ea172">anti-racism classes</a>&nbsp;lost their election bids Tuesday, while the Republican candidate for Virginia governor won after making education a key part of his campaign.

The defeats in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut came as voters weighed in on dozens of races that were dominated by debates over masks, vaccines, race and history. Their choices will help decide not just local policies but also whether the education battle has staying power and becomes a rallying issue for Republicans in the 2022 midterms.

Conservatives have eagerly taken up the cause as they look to move past&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;and to reframe the discussion on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/racial-injustice">racial injustice in America</a>&nbsp;as a rewriting of history.

The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 76 school districts in 22 states where candidates took a stance on race in education or critical race theory, which holds that racism is systemic in America’s institutions. The National School Boards Association says it is not taught in K-12 public schools.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, accused the right wing of orchestrating protests to “turn schools into battlegrounds.” She cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-2021-mcauliffe-youngkin-biden-trump-a84bf1d7f2113c77197bca103fd0e81b">Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won the Virginia governor’s race after&nbsp;</a>seizing on conservatives’ frustrations with schools, as an example.

“Families drained by COVID and its effect on their kids were at the center of a political firestorm meant to distract from our shared goals of creating good jobs and an economy that works for all,” she said.

But Tina Descovich, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a Melbourne, Florida-based group, whose 142 chapters in 35 states have fought vaccine and mask mandates, said the power of parents was on full display in the race.

“We anticipate seeing the same effects throughout the 2022 midterm cycle,” Descovich said. “Parents are engaged and are seeking elected officials at all levels of government who respect their right to direct the education, upbringing and care of their children.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-michael-pence-virginia-a5100eb9c96250d914e8091d7bc51592">Former Vice President Mike Pence also got into the game</a>, taking a moment during a campaign rally Saturday in Ohio to urge voters to support conservative school board candidates. But conservative-backed candidates for a dozen suburban Cleveland school boards were generally falling behind, unofficial results showed.

In pockets across the country, other school board challenges failed.

In Wisconsin, four members of the Mequon-Thiensville School Board held off a recall challenge that cost anti-critical race theory backers nearly $50,000.

In Minnesota, three conservative candidates failed to win a seat on the board in Wayzata. They ran on a “Vote for Three!” platform that denounces “harmful ideologies like CRT,” political indoctrination and “controversial medical mandates.”

In Connecticut, a slate of five five candidates opposed to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-elections-education-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-f3e0a8198edae71980f942f2eb5ea172">Guilford school system</a>, where a racial reckoning began years ago, first with an episode in which a student wore blackface to a home football game, followed by a fraught debate over the elimination of its mascot, the Indians.

Parents for Guilford Students, which backed the losing candidates, posted on Facebook: “Our five republican candidates lost the BOE election.” But, the post said, “those that lost the most are the dear children of Guilford.”

In Colorado, early results showed anti-mask candidate Schumé Navarro trailing in her bid for a seat on the Cherry Creek School District. The mother of three went to court last month to win the right to attend a district candidate event without a face mask, arguing that she cannot wear one because of abuse she suffered as a child.

“The environment and the culture that it’s creating is just stealing from our kids,” she said of masks.

However, the fight against diversity education resonated in the school board race in the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas, where Andrew Yeager won on Tuesday night. He was backed by a political action committee that opposes a diversity and equality plan created after a video of students chanting a racial slur began circulating online three years ago. A temporary restraining order has blocked the plan.

1776 Action, a group inspired by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-media-slavery-cultures-donald-trump-afdfa0b3454d5a7fdf544158ee1f5e1f">former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission</a>&nbsp;that played down America’s role in slavery, urged candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education.” At least 300 candidates and elected officials did so, said Adam Waldeck, the group’s president.

Waldeck said his group also sent out mailers and targeted text messages in races in Johnston, Iowa, where three candidates have signed the pledge, and in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where law enforcement was called to investigate threats against school board President Chris McCune.

The backlash stems from his ordering the removal from a July meeting of a parent who kept demanding information about critical race theory after her two-minute time limit had ended. McCune, who is on track to retain his seat, wrote in a letter to the Daily Local News newspaper in Pennsylvania that it is his duty to “maintain order” and insisted that the district doesn’t even teach critical race theory.

“National and local political forces continue to urge residents to rally against local school boards and CRT, even when board members and administrators have offered to meet to share the district’s curriculum to demonstrate that it is simply not what we teach,” McCune said.

In Iowa, masking opponent Sarah Barthole won election to the Ankeny School Board in suburban Des Moines after receiving a high-profile endorsement from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Barthole worked with Reynolds last year to reopen schools and is credited with inspiring the state’s now-blocked law prohibiting mask mandates in schools.

Laura Zorc, who leads the Washington, D.C.-based conservative group Freedom Works’ education initiative, said she was heartened by the showing in Douglas County, Colorado, where a conservative slate of four candidates appeared poised to unseat incumbents. The board has been under fire for suing the county health department to uphold the district’s mask mandate.

“School board races, for way too long, have been overlooked,” Zorc said, adding that the pandemic changed everything. “It really brought a lot of attention to these races, and that’s why I think we’re seeing the sweep that we have.”

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Several high-profile school board candidates who fought COVID-19 restrictions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-elections-education-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-f3e0a8198edae71980f942f2eb5ea172">anti-racism classes</a>&nbsp;lost their election bids Tuesday, while the Republican candidate for Virginia governor won after making education a key part of his campaign.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Andover, thank you for re-electing <a href="https://twitter.com/jawellstrio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jawellstrio</a> to the School Board. Who sits on our local boards impacts our lives, and you are in good hands with Josh.&mdash; Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikepompeo/status/1455736812580843522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The defeats in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut came as voters weighed in on dozens of races that were dominated by debates over masks, vaccines, race and history. Their choices will help decide not just local policies but also whether the education battle has staying power and becomes a rallying issue for Republicans in the 2022 midterms.Conservatives have eagerly taken up the cause as they look to move past&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;and to reframe the discussion on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/racial-injustice">racial injustice in America</a>&nbsp;as a rewriting of history.The political tracking website Ballotpedia identified 76 school districts in 22 states where candidates took a stance on race in education or critical race theory, which holds that racism is systemic in America’s institutions. The National School Boards Association says it is not taught in K-12 public schools.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, accused the right wing of orchestrating protests to “turn schools into battlegrounds.” She cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-2021-mcauliffe-youngkin-biden-trump-a84bf1d7f2113c77197bca103fd0e81b">Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won the Virginia governor’s race after&nbsp;</a>seizing on conservatives’ frustrations with schools, as an example.“Families drained by COVID and its effect on their kids were at the center of a political firestorm meant to distract from our shared goals of creating good jobs and an economy that works for all,” she said.But Tina Descovich, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a Melbourne, Florida-based group, whose 142 chapters in 35 states have fought vaccine and mask mandates, said the power of parents was on full display in the race.“We anticipate seeing the same effects throughout the 2022 midterm cycle,” Descovich said. “Parents are engaged and are seeking elected officials at all levels of government who respect their right to direct the education, upbringing and care of their children.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-michael-pence-virginia-a5100eb9c96250d914e8091d7bc51592">Former Vice President Mike Pence also got into the game</a>, taking a moment during a campaign rally Saturday in Ohio to urge voters to support conservative school board candidates. But conservative-backed candidates for a dozen suburban Cleveland school boards were generally falling behind, unofficial results showed.In pockets across the country, other school board challenges failed.In Wisconsin, four members of the Mequon-Thiensville School Board held off a recall challenge that cost anti-critical race theory backers nearly $50,000.In Minnesota, three conservative candidates failed to win a seat on the board in Wayzata. They ran on a “Vote for Three!” platform that denounces “harmful ideologies like CRT,” political indoctrination and “controversial medical mandates.”In Connecticut, a slate of five five candidates opposed to critical race theory lost the board of education race in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-elections-education-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-f3e0a8198edae71980f942f2eb5ea172">Guilford school system</a>, where a racial reckoning began years ago, first with an episode in which a student wore blackface to a home football game, followed by a fraught debate over the elimination of its mascot, the Indians.Parents for Guilford Students, which backed the losing candidates, posted on Facebook: “Our five republican candidates lost the BOE election.” But, the post said, “those that lost the most are the dear children of Guilford.”In Colorado, early results showed anti-mask candidate Schumé Navarro trailing in her bid for a seat on the Cherry Creek School District. The mother of three went to court last month to win the right to attend a district candidate event without a face mask, arguing that she cannot wear one because of abuse she suffered as a child.“The environment and the culture that it’s creating is just stealing from our kids,” she said of masks.However, the fight against diversity education resonated in the school board race in the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas, where Andrew Yeager won on Tuesday night. He was backed by a political action committee that opposes a diversity and equality plan created after a video of students chanting a racial slur began circulating online three years ago. A temporary restraining order has blocked the plan.1776 Action, a group inspired by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-media-slavery-cultures-donald-trump-afdfa0b3454d5a7fdf544158ee1f5e1f">former President Donald Trump’s now-disbanded 1776 Commission</a>&nbsp;that played down America’s role in slavery, urged candidates to sign a pledge calling for the restoration of “honest, patriotic education.” At least 300 candidates and elected officials did so, said Adam Waldeck, the group’s president.Waldeck said his group also sent out mailers and targeted text messages in races in Johnston, Iowa, where three candidates have signed the pledge, and in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where law enforcement was called to investigate threats against school board President Chris McCune.The backlash stems from his ordering the removal from a July meeting of a parent who kept demanding information about critical race theory after her two-minute time limit had ended. McCune, who is on track to retain his seat, wrote in a letter to the Daily Local News newspaper in Pennsylvania that it is his duty to “maintain order” and insisted that the district doesn’t even teach critical race theory.“National and local political forces continue to urge residents to rally against local school boards and CRT, even when board members and administrators have offered to meet to share the district’s curriculum to demonstrate that it is simply not what we teach,” McCune said.In Iowa, masking opponent Sarah Barthole won election to the Ankeny School Board in suburban Des Moines after receiving a high-profile endorsement from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Barthole worked with Reynolds last year to reopen schools and is credited with inspiring the state’s now-blocked law prohibiting mask mandates in schools.Laura Zorc, who leads the Washington, D.C.-based conservative group Freedom Works’ education initiative, said she was heartened by the showing in Douglas County, Colorado, where a conservative slate of four candidates appeared poised to unseat incumbents. The board has been under fire for suing the county health department to uphold the district’s mask mandate.“School board races, for way too long, have been overlooked,” Zorc said, adding that the pandemic changed everything. “It really brought a lot of attention to these races, and that’s why I think we’re seeing the sweep that we have.”